Alright. Flocks together at Anne's place. Just a little re-cap for you there. New song list! For I announced with a "!" thus it shall be. Does anyone else notice how fun it is to talk like medival times people? Oh randomness how I love you so.

Kanye West- All of the Lights

Passion Pit- Take a walk

Crow's POV

That's it. I quit. Matt has gone insane, and now we're all offcically screwd. Who was he to think that going with Anne, a freaking FBI agent, to her isolated house was a good idea? It better not be because he felt guilty about going seperate ways from Max. Sure, she's his sister. But if she could survive without him for fifteen years then her safety shouldn't be a problem.

If you think I'm upset, try pissed. Not that I really, really hate Anne right now. But Fang seemed to always end up near me, and it was hell to make up an excuse to get away from him. I couldn't have a brother. I just couldn't. I'm not stupid enough to leave anyone behind in that dreadful place.

Now, I was sitting in a tree top, far away from the lake where the others were swimming. Anne's cooking was alright, and it was nice living somewhat normal. But Max and her flock just had to show her their wings, then she got onto us, and now we're even more screwd.

"Hey Crow," Matt said non chalantly as he landed on a branch above me.

I turned away from him and focused on a bird making its nest. "Do not talk to me," I said cooly.

"Uh-oh," I felt him climb down to sit next to me. "Somebody's grumpy." he teased and prodded me in the shoulder.

I jumped down to a lower branch, and looked up at him. "I ain't grumpy. I'm pissed. And don't even think about asking why." I snapped and then flew off. Damnit Matt. Why is one girl more important to you than the safety of those who you've lived with your entire life?

Matt's POV

Oh boy. Crow's mad at me. Man. I thought this could be like a little vacation. Besides, it's not like this stay is permanent. Just until I make sure Max is okay. That and Fang isn't checking into a hospital and un-intentionally trying to kill my little sister.

He thought I didn't see the way he looked at her. He was always looking at her. All dream like and smirking. And Max didn't even notice. Like jeez, aren't girls supposed to have this weird sixth sense for this kind of thing? If I can see it, it's gotta be obvious. Just sayin'.

I walked back into the house and up the stairs to the attic/my room. It was split into two. Beast and I shared one half, Crow and Abby the other. Actually, last night it ended up; Abby and Beast, and Crow and me. Except Crow was mad even then, and insisted I sleep on the floor. Yeah. I had to sleep on the freaking floor.

Beast was laying belly up on his little cot when I strolled in.

"Dude," he sat up as I sank down on my bed. "Ig, Gazzy, and I just played the most awesome-est prank ever!"

I rolled my head to look over at him. Our beds were directly across from each other. He looked way too excited, and I was way too curious. "What?" I asked.

He was so exctied, he was bouncing up and down. "It's a surprise, but you won't have to wait long 'cause-"

"Ah!"

I bolted up from the attic and rushed down into the second floor where everybody was gathering in front of the bathroom. Fang was banging on the door. "Crow! Crow!"

Crow!

Not caring that he was smaller than me, I pushed him out of the way. He didn't fall. He just stumbled. I yanked the door open, and saw Crow standing in front of the mirror with nothing but a towel wrapped around her and her hair—her hair! Ohmygod! It was a bright, highlighter pink!

My breath caught. Crow turned and glared at me. "What the hell? Close the door!" she screeched.

"Right. Sorry," I mumbled and slammed the door. Then I pressed my back against it and peered at Beast who had his mouth open.

Max's flock was already walking off. Abby was deep in conversation with Nudge about how pink hair was out of style. Iggy and the Gasman were snickering, and Max was walking somberly into her room with Fang not far behind her.

"You pranked Crow?" I questioned Beast once we were up in our room.

Beast looked pale. "Dude. No way. I remember what happened last time. She wanted to drop me over a cliff. Nah, dude. I was aiming for your sister."

My sister! I grabbed him by the collar. "You were gonna prank my sister without letting me in on it?" I demanded.

There were two loud knocks on the bedroom door and then someone kicked it open. It was a very pissed looking, pink haired, fully clothed Crow. Her dark eyes searched me and then pierced into Beast who gulped.

"Okay look-" I began

"Which one of you...WHICH ONE OF YOU DID THIS TO ME!" she screamed.

Beast and I shared a look. Crow was definetly going to kill one of us. I pointed to Beast, Beast pointed to me and we both said, "He did it." then "Me? What the hell? I didn't do it!"

"Shut up!" Crow shouted.

Now there was a crowd behind her. Including Anne.

"What's going on here?" Anne demanded.

She was ignored.

Abby came up behind us and squeezed our necks with her bare hands.

"Aw, c'mon. That's cheating." Beast complained.

I had nothing to worry about.

"Truth. Spill." Abby commanded, and Beast confessed everything. Including his two henchmen, who were caught running away by Max and Nudge, and tossed into the room to face Crow's wrath.

Crow glared at me, "You had nothing to do with this?" she asked.

I held my hands up in surrender. "Hey, I'm smarter than I look." I said. Abby nodded, confirming my story.

Crow ignored me and started threatening Beast, Iggy, and Gazzy. It was explained that the dye would fade within a couple days. Maybe by mid-night if she took repeated showers, but Anne wouldn't let her.

"You'll just have to tough it at school." Anne said simply.

We all went beserk on that remark.

"School!" we gasped, some whined, some shouted (Crow).

And cue creepy music that plays when creepy bad guy appears. You know, that one that goes dun, dun, DUN! Yeah that one. It should be playing right about now.

The next morning was horrible...for Max and her flock. My flock was too old to go to the school Anne had picked out. Boo-yah! But I was still gonna go with them to make sure everything went smoothly, and maybe bail the kids out when Anne went to work.

I rode with them, feeling completely under-dressed admist the uniforms. Ick. I would be kicked out of this school the first day. So would Abby. She'd die. I'd just walk in naked and streak. Don't think I won't? Let's put twenty bucks on it.

I followed them into the school and was eyed by practically everyone. The teachers gave me the evil eye. I got some flirty looks from a couple high school girls, and the guys? I could practically see them praying to god, begging them that I wasn't a new student. Good news for you boys, I'm not. And girls, jeez! I'm eighteen! I ain't no damn pedifile.

The headmaster...principal...whatever! It's the guy incharge that gets paid the most, okay? He came up and introduced himself. He was a fat, chubby old man. Another red flag went up. He explained the history of the school and yadda, yadda.

"And who might this young lad be?" he asked Anne, but he was talking about me and looking at me.

I took his hand he was offering to me. "My name is Matt Ride." Eh, Max's last name. Might as well use it. "Max's older brother." I told him.

His eyebrows rose. "Oh? And why are you not attending our fine school?" he asked. "Here we teach firm discipline, and mannors. Like, respecting your adults with Sir and ma'am."

Yeah. Really didn't like this guy.

"When I see one, I'll use your advice," I sneered.

He dropped my hand, and I slid mine into my coat pocket. Anne and the principal went over to finish up some paperwork, and I hung out with the kids.

"So, what time we ditchin' this man made hell hole?" I asked them.

I could see Max fidigting to leave. Nudge was bouncing up and down with excitement. The Gasman and Iggy looked...mischivious. Angel stood near Max. And Fang looked like he could care less. Then again, he was getting a lot of looks from a lot of girls.

Hurt my sister and see what I do that pretty boy face.

"We'll stay for one day." Max said, "Just to see how things go."

My jaw slightly dropped. I shrugged it off and turned to the front doors. "Whatever. I put the house number in your jacket pocket. Call if ya need anything." I left them to school. Max was braver than I thought.

I would never survive this. The only thing I needed to know was how to defend myself and my flock, some new flight maneuvers could be useful. Things you can't learn in a normal school.

"Ready to leave Matthew?" Anne asked as she came towards her car.

I nodded, "It's just Matt." I told her.

She nodded, "Okay." she said.

We backed out of that parking lot and headed back to her house. Once we got there, I told them that we needed to stick close that school just in case. When Anne wasn't looking, we slipped out and positioned ourselves around the school. Beast could sneak in easier as a bug. Chester was okay. He just trotted around the playground, running away from the little kids that tried to pick him up and play with him.

Crow headed out with Abby, wearing a black beanie to cover up her pink hair. Leaving me all alone. I picked a tree somewhat far away from the school, but I could see two familiar faces through the window. Fang and Iggy.

Fang was talking to some red-head who was intentionally flirting with him. Oh no. Don't do it Fangy. Do it, and die.

Days passed. School was going well. Max was constantly talking about this Sam guy and giving Fang weird looks. Fang had done something. It was written all over his face. So, I cornered him one evening while everyone else was out in the barn.

Fang punched out at me, but I caught his fist.

"What do you want?" he demanded.

"I want to know what you did-" he tried to kick me, and I just pinned his leg against the wall with my foot. "I want to know what's goin' on at school." I said casually.

"So you pin me against the wall?" he said.

I shrugged, "You constantly avoid me. Just like my sister, now-a-days."

Fang snorted.

I rattled him. "What was that for?" I demanded.

Fang looked at me. "Do you even know how much Max is straining herself? She falls asleep at night wondering why the hell you left her at the School, and she's trying to figure out where we're from. She doesn't want to show that she's upset. It's not like her, but I know." Fang said with a straight face.

I released him. Damn. This kid had a point. "If I had known she was there, I would've gone back. But I didn't, and I'm trying to make up for it now. So, tell me," just when he got comfortable, I slammed him back against the wall. "What the hell did you do?"

"Her name is Lissa," a small voice said from the other end of the hallway. Angel. Total was at her feet with a little red bandana around his neck.

"Lissa?" I said.

Angel nodded, "The girl Fang kissed at school. That's why Max is upset. She saw."

"What?" Fang stammered. I freaking shouted it.

"You—You—Gah!" I shouted. I couldn't think. I couldn't do anything. Half of me was telling me to beat this kid into a pulp, the other half was telling me not to because...Max needed him. More than she needed me or anyone else. She couldn't see it yet, but Fang was to Max as Crow is to me.

I bolted. Through the window and down into the barn where the others were. Here, Fang couldn't confront me and the conversation would be over. But still, that boy better know just whose little sister he's dealing with. I don't take no prisoners.

Crow's POV

The barn was alright. Horses, rabbits, pigs, basic farm animals. The little kids in Max's flock really seemed to enjoy themselves. Matt flew in red faced, and flustered. Maybe he finally saw what a bad idea this was.

We walked back to the house where Anne was cooking dinner. Iggy instantly began helping her, and we all gathered into the living room. I sat next to Matt to show him that I wasn't so mad anymore, if he was ready to leave.

Nudge and Abby sat together, looking at fashion magazines. Iggy, Gazzy, and Beast were huddled in a corner whispering and snickering. Chester and Total were sitting by the fire place, chatting. Oh yeah, the dog could talk. Chester was ecstatic about meeting a fellow animal who had the ability to talk. Max was still having some trouble with it.

Max was sitting by Angel, combing her hair and dozing off. Fang was leaning against the wall in the corner, silent and watchful with his eyes fixed upon Max.

Suddenly, Max stood up and faced all of us.

"Guys, I got somethin' to tell y'all." she said.

"What?" Iggy asked, sounding bored.

Max grew a grin on her face. "Sam asked me out."

Matt's POV

They grow up so fast! Max has a boyfriend, and it's not the scary looking Fang, and HAH! Suck on that Fang! Karma. Do the happy dance, and someone cue my happy song. I actually have three; Peanut Butter Jelly Time, The Happy Song, and Hammer Time by Jimmy Fallon. If, someone could play all three of those right now, I'd be extremely happy.

Nudge, Abby, and Angel were sent into a fit of squeals and giggles and they all hugged Max. Iggy and Gazzy had a look of disbelief on their faces. My flock looked like they could care less (besides me and Abby. Max is my little sister).

"Alright," Iggy spoke up, "What did you do to the boy, Max? Threaten him 'til he asked you out?"

"I bet she tortured him," Gazzy smirked.

Nudge rounded on them. "Max is beautiful and totally deserves a boyfriend! Especially, Sam. He's so cute and sweet."

Max was glaring at the two boys. "At least I don't set off stink bombs." she scowled.

Iggy shrugged, "Hey. They never proved it was us."

"Yeah," Gazzy said, "Ever hear of, innocent until found guilty?"

"You just admitted to it you idiots." Max sighed with a short face palm.

"Max! Max!" Nudge squealed, "Where is he taking you? What are you gonna wear?" as they pelted her with questions, I focused on Fang.

He looked pale, and sick. He's eyes showed pain as he watched Max explain to the girls that it was just a movie date, but still. HAH! Aagin, SUCK. ON. THAT. FANG! Oh his face expression right now, priceless.

I stood up and brushed off my coat. I walked over to my sister and put a hand on her shoulder. "I'm happy for you, Max, but I being your older brother, have the obligation to meet this Sam."

"Wow, he used a real big word," Beast muttered.

I shot him a glare. "Yeah At least I know what it means!" I shot back. Then I added under my breath, "Kinda."

"Okay," Max said, and I gave her a confused look.

"Huh?"

She sighed, "I'd really like it if you met Sam." she said.

Dhaw! I'm blushing! Dear lord, I hope not.

Sam came over that weekend. Max was dressed in jeans and a jacket. Hair brushed, but already tangling and Nudge and Abby were fussing over her apparel. I was just there to look mean and threatening.

Crow took my head as we all heard a car pull up into the drive way.

"Be nice," she whispered in my ear. "Your sister is nervous, and she's not the only one." I saw her head tilt slightly back, and I glanced at a sullen looking Fang sitting on the steps. Partially hidden from the front door.

How could he be so emotional about Max, yet kissing other girls at the same time? I looked down at Crow.

"No promises." I whispered, and she gave me a firm look. "Alright, alright. I'll try."

The door bell rang.

"He's here!" one of the girls squealed. It wasn't Max.

Max opened the door to a smiling, too-happy looking blonde guy. He had the nice smile, and the face of an innocent baby. How in the hell did...you know what, I'm not even going to go there.

"Hey Max, you ready?" he asked.

She nodded, "Uh, yeah." she said hesitantly.

I walked up behind her and coughed loudly. Sam looked at me once and then held out his hand. "Hello, sir. My name is Sam. It's an honor to take your daughter out on a date."

Daughter?

The others errupted with laughter. I shook Sam's hand. "Dude, I'm not Max's dad. I'm her older brother." I said. In my mind; Is it the shirt? Do I really look old enough to be Max's dad? I'm not old! I'm only eighteen! I still have a life to live!

Sam's mouth formed an "o". Max was already out the door on the patio.

"Well, nice to meet you. I promise to take good care of your sister."

I leaned in closer, still smiling. Then I made myself grow dark. Not to where the others could see. Only Sam. "You better," I said menacingly, but quietly. As I withdrew I plastered a smile back on my face and waved goodbye as a car sped down the driveway and away from the house.

I heard a snort from Crow. I turned around and shrugged. "Hey, I was nice-ish."

She rolled her eyes and walked back into the kitchen. I followed, and sat on the couch waiting for Max to come home, give me the news, and making sure no one ever found Sam's body again. Nah. Sam's a good kid. Too sweet for Max though. It's Fang who I want to dump in a bottomless lake.

"Who wants pie?" Anne called from the kitchen.

Do my ears decieve me? "Pie?" I said, poking my head beyond the little archway that seperated the living room from the kitchen.

Anne smiled, "Yes. Pie. Would you like a slice?"

"Don't mind if I do." I said. Okay. So Anne was alright. Her cooking lessons from Iggy were really paying off. Really, really paying off. And I needed something to keep me distracted.

"Max will be fine, Matt." Crow said appearing next to me. She took a piece of the apple pie Anne made. "If she's anything like you, which she is, she'll be wearing the pants in that relationship. However long it may last."

I looked down at her. "I know."

"I'm kinda worried about Fang, though." she said.

I almost choked on a piece of pie. Luckily, she didn't think anything of it. "Why?" I asked.

She shrugged, "Those two...I don't know. But he seems upset. Maybe you should talk to him."

"Me? Why me?" I said. Last time I had a conversation with Fang, I was ready to kick ass. I don't think he likes me that much.

She just shrugged, "I don't know. Because you're a guy, he's a guy. And you both want Max to be safe. You love your sister don't you? Like you would love Abby or Beast, or me?"

I put my arm around her waist and pulled her further into the kitchen, out of sight from the others in the living room. "I love you in a different way than I love Beast or Abby," I said softly, and little blotches on her cheeks. It made me grin. I let her go so she could eat her pie. "Besides, Fang already has a girl." I said. Yeah. That's an excuse. Let's go with that.

Crow looked up at me with a piece of pie hanging out of her mouth. "Really?" Although it came out more like, "Rweay?" she swallowed the pie and tried again, "Really?"

I laughed at her, but answered still. "Yeah. Some girl named Lissa. It's the whole making-out-in-the-janitors-closet type thing. If he's so upset about Max and Sam, there should be no Lissa. That's what I should tell him." Shit!"

"So you'll talk to him?" Crow said hopefully.

"I, uh-"

"Great!" she pushed me out of the kitchen. I turned to say something, but she handed me my plate of pie, and another. "Here, give this to him as a starter and then just...talk. Goodluck!"

I couldn't argue with Crow. I turned and headed up the stairs to Fang's room. Jeez, what I do for women. Actually, just Crow.

Fang's door was wide open, but he wasn't in there. I was pretty sure he had gone upstairs. Maybe he...yep! I kicked open the door to Max's room and found him sitting on the window sill.

" 'Sup Fang?" I said, trying to pull off the casual conversation.

Fang didn't look at me. "I broke it off with Lissa." he said, almost as if he weren't really talking to me. "I knew that Sam liked her. There was word going around, but I thought Max would say no. I guess—Maybe she wants to stay here forever."

I sat down on the window seat next to him. Okay. Not even I do this much thinking. "Nah." I said, "You know as well—maybe even better than I do, that Max wants to get a move on." I said.

It was slight but Fang smiled. Then it faded. "I didn't mean to kiss Lissa. Actually, she kissed me, but I couldn't—I didn't want to stop her. And I didn't know Max had seen it. If I had known, I would've-"

"You wouldn't have done a damn thing." I said. Fang looked at me. "Women are mean. They know all the buttons. Why do you think I'm up here instead of watchin' football?" I said. " 'Cos Crow made me come up here and see if you were okay." Guys. We don't give a damn. We tell it how it is. Unless a girl asks us the dreaded question, "Does this make me look fat?" Either way you answer, you've just driven in Fuckville. And she ain't the damn Mayor. She's the executioner.

Fang looked back out the window. "I guess," he said.

I sighed and left my pie in my lap. This was not the time to savor delicous, sugary, pastries. "Look, Max is my sister. Even though I didn't know 'bout her 'til what, a bout a month ago?-I still wanna make sure she's okay."

Fang nodded. No words. Just a nod.

So I continued. "I can't be there all the time. I gotta take care of my own flock. It'd be cool to go with you kids, but if what you said was true, and y'all just trying to find where you're from, then I don't think that's where my flock wants to be. We gotta stay on the run man." Fang nodded again. Jesus! Say something! "Look, what I'm trying to say is; I can't be there. You can. So, will you?"

"Will I what?" Fang asked.

I rolled my eyes, "Will you take care of her even when she's too stubborn to see that she needs help?" he didn't answer right away. "Please. If you won't do it 'cos you're afraid of commitment, or you're romantically challenged, then do it because you take pity on an older brother who wasn't there before, and is trying his best now." Whoa. Okay, that was deep enough to fill up my week.

"I'm not romantically challenged," Fang said.

I shrugged, "I don't judge."

"You're right you know," he said, serious this time. "About Max being too stubborn to see that she needs help. She's been hearing this voice and having head aches. She won't admitt to them hurting her, but I can see it."

"So give her some medicine." I said.

Fang shook his head. "No. The headaches come with the voice. Or so she says. She won't let me help her, but I'm always there. To catch her." he stared out the window as the sun began to set. "I hope she's having fun." he added.

"Me too," I said, "But I just hope she knows what she's doing."

Fang nodded, "Me too."

It was silent for a moment too long. So I tapped him on the shoulder and he looked at me. I held out the plate Crow had placed a slice of pie on. "Pie?" I offered.

Crow's POV

I followed Matt after I heard a door close upstairs. It took me a while to realize that they were in Max's room, and not in Fang's. I sat outside the door and listened to Matt. He totally ratted me out, but Fang didn't say anything.

Matt could be so father-like and he didn't even know it. He made—or asked Fang to protect his sister. Not, "I'm gonna kill you" and that stuff he pulled with Sam. Or at least, that's what I thought he said. I guess the only true cure for a guy's moping is another guy. Not like that you perverted minds. But just another guy to talk to. Just make sure he knows what he's talking about.

I smiled a bit as Matt offered pie within the silence and then the two sounded as if they were heading for the door. I panicked and dove into the room across the hall. I listened to fading footsteps and then guy's cheering and yelling at the TV screen. Football. Good sport. Let's do it for real, and not for money, huh?

Still, I couldn't help but think more and more about Fang being my brother. Was he truly, honest to god my brother? He looked like me, sure. But lots of people look like each other. Max and Iggy kind of look alike. Okay. Not so great an example. The only way they look like is they're white, and they have wings. Not even the same colored wings!

Fang and I. We have too many simliarties. Dark hair, dark, indigo eyes, tan, hispanic descent skin, tall and lanky, dark clothes is what we both prefer. And our wings. Both so dark, yet shining against any light reflected upon our silky, black feathers.

I stalked up into the attic/room and sank down on my bed.

"Fang, are you really my brother?" I asked the nothingness.

So, Matt and Fang have a guy-bonding moment. And yes those exisist. I'm not a guy, but I hang out with plenty enough. Maybe some Faxness coming up soon. But is Matt ready for it yet? Crow's startin' to grasp the concept...hopefully. There wasn't a whole lot of action. Sorry! But there will be, I promise!

JaylaAngel out!