SO SORRY GUYS!! I 'm so wrotten! I haven't updated in...idk, a long time! If I ever get really behind again just pm, and bug me until I update.That is, if you even want to read my story anymore, because I definitely would not blame you if you don't.

So without further ado, here it is:

Max POV

We walked cautiously through the hall and into the elevator. Once we reached ground floor, Angel led us silently down a hall and past an indoor gym. At the end of the hall were glass doors, and I could see the pool through them. Angel stopped right before the doors and closed her eyes in concentration.

She opened them and turned to me smiling.

"We're completely alone, Max." She whispered.

I nodded and the flock untensed immediately and started talking in normal voices. We opened the doors and the flock poured out into the area surrounding the pool.

I plopped down in one of the pool-side chairs and surveyed our surroundings. The suites were built to form a circle, surrounding the concrete pool area. I couldn't help my tense up a little. I glanced over at Fang and Iggy to see them in similar stances. It was quiet. Too quiet. I exchanged a wary glance with Fang.

"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea." I said almost inaudibly, unable to break the eery silence.

He nodded and I looked over at the kids, and Total who were waiting for an ok from me to start playing. They looked so cute in their swimming gear, and it almost broke my heart to always disappoint them. They worked so hard when they shouldn't have to. They were only kids, afterall. They hardly ever got to chill and have fun. But I would not compromise thier safety.

Sighing, I met thier solemn gazes. They had already concluded that I woulnd't, couldn't, allow this.

"I'm sorry guys but I can't put us in jeapordy like this." They nodded sadly,and just stood there, waiting for me to give them instruction. They were so good, and they understood, and never complained. It made it all the more hard to ruin thier fun.

"It's ok, Max." Nudge said and I looked over to see her studying my pained expression. I tried to muster a smile, and hoped it was convincing. Fang reached out to touch my arm, getting my attention. He pulled me out of the flock's hearing range but still close enough that I could reach them quickly if need be.

He met my gaze and whispered, "Max, we could go to the beach. It's not far from here and the kids prefer the ocean to a pool anyway. And we could relax..." He said giving me a playful smile.

I found myself smiling back on pure reflex, and turned to walk back to the kids still grinning. Angel looked confused for a moment, concentrated, and then squealed excitedly. "Yes!"

Nudge and Gazzy looked hopeful, but Iggy just looked slightly annoyed. "Anyone care to fill me in?" He asked. Angel grinned. "We're going to hang out at the beach not far from here!" She exclaimed excitedly. Nudge and Gazzy also expressed themselves in similar excitement.

Iggy grinned at me, coughed twice and said " Sap."

I smiled and I felt Fang's hand grasp mine. Iggy seemed to know somehow, and he added smugly, "Oh, now I see. You were hoping to hit the beach for other reasons." I smacked him affectionately and led the impatient kids and Iggy, with Fang in tow, back through the hotel and out the back door were we could safely take to the air.

The flock have been flying for about fifteen minutes and are approaching the beach.

We landed on the vacant shore and the kids raced towards the water. Fang and Iggy hung back standing beside me. They were chatting quietly about something I assumed was boy-related, so I walked towards the water giving them space.

I stopped at the waters edge, letting the water lap at my toes, and watched Angel, Gazzy, and Nudge splash each other. I felt a swell of happiness as they giggled and played with each other. My flock was happy and we were safe.

I felt something warm on the back of my neck and my heart sprinted to a start. Fang's lips found my bare shoulder and I shivered. I turned and laughed nervously as I faced him. His eyes were smiling as he gazed back at me serenly. He wordlessly took my hand and tugged me forward gently.

"Let's go for a walk " he said gesturing with his chin at the water's winding edge. "Iggy said he'd handle the kids for us for a while."

I smiled lazily and followed after him. We walked in silence just enjoying the spectacular view and enjoying the sun on our wings and the warmth of each other's hands in our own.

We had walked a ways down the beach and the flock had shrunk to little ants in the distance, when Fang stopped and looked at me, a mischievious glint in his eye. He smiled at me as his hands clamped on my waist and he lifted me into the air, and over his shoulder hauling me toward the water.

"Fang! No! Don't you even-" I plunged down under the surface and then back up again sputtering.

Fang was about ten feet away in waist deep water laughing hysterically. I eyed him evilly and jumped, as well as I could manage in water, into the air were I stayed aloft my feet dangling a foot above the waves. Fang's eyes widened and he turned and waded as fast as he could back to the shore as I flew after him grinning maniacally. I grasped his muscular shoulders, and reversed my wing beats pulling him backwards.

It took some effort but I managed to pull him butt-first into the water, throwing myself off balance as well. I splashed down into the water backwards mirroring Fang's fall. We both resurfaced, and I couldn't help but laugh at Fang. He looked like a deranged cat. His white tipped bangs hung limp in his face and he was pouting with water dripping from everywhere.

I kept giggling and he soon joined in. He made his way over to where I was standing in waist deep water. Our laughs were cut short when he pressed his lips to mine. I jerked back in mock discust and exclaimed, "Ew, salt water!"

We both giggled again and I noticed a definate drop in temperature. I looked towards the water to see the sun setting. I looked at Fang and noticed that he was watching the sun set, too. "Cm'on let's head back" I said playfully poking him gently in the ribs. He smiled and we joined hands, heading towards the sand feeling the absence of the sun.

We walked up to Iggy sitting on the sand with a peaceful smile on his face. Total was curled up asleep next to him. "Have fun?" Iggy asked us and I swung my fist at him. He neatly dodged and was on his feet, standing a safe distance away all in one fluid movement. I grumbled my frustration and he and Fang chuckled quietly.

"Max!" Angel yelled smiling , with Nudge close on her heels.

"I'll get you! " Nudge yelled at Angel. They chased each other along the beach and we all soon joined in.

"Ok guys, it's getting late." I told them reluctantly. We traveled back to the hotel with a serene peace cloaking us. Even Nudge did not feel the need to break the silence. This time when we opened the lobby doors, several people stood in line at the front desk. We walked in one accord to our suite. Once inside, we all crashed on the couches.

"What are we gonna do now Max?" Gazzy asked sleepily.

"Well what do you guys want to do?" I asked around a yawn. No one seemed too inclined to answer and the silence dragged.

"I think we should order pizza and watch movies." Iggy said after a pause. The kids agreed happily but not enthusiastically. Everyone was too sleepy.

"That's sounds fine." I said and told Iggy to call for pizza and handed him the credit card. Before long we were all curled up on the sofas groggily eating pizza and barely holding ours eyes open to watch the action flick Iggy had picked out. Not fifteen minutes into the movie I noticed my entire flock sleeping soundly around me. I sighed contentedly and slipped off to sleep with a smile on my face.