AN: Okay, it was really hard to write this chapter. Seriously, like, I hate chapters like this. I just don't feel like I'm very good with the whole mushy gooey stuff like this. * shudder * But I'm gonna try. Oh! And I'm also gonna try to answer my reviewers now. Yeah, I know, I'm a loser, but I've seen other authors do it and I'm gonna give it a try.

maispecialk: Yes indeed. Fang is a hottie. ^-^

Somers girl: I'm glad you like my story! That makes me happy. :) And yes, Fang should be pitied. He's a poor, misunderstood soul.

Maxridelover123: Ahhhh thank you for loving my story! Haha. ;)

chickenchick: Max thinks too much, so it's just like her to misinterpret Fang. Plus, I just thought it would be funny to see her get all offended… I'm a mean person. :(

Soccergal12: Yes! I surprised you! And of course I updated last chapter before you left! Pssh, I do everything for my readers! ;D

whatever: Haha, yeah, I was trying to make Fang show a soft side. I guess it's just a fantasy of mine… ;) And I really love writing as the Voice! I don't know, it just makes me feel smart.

Bubbley-chan: Duh, it would be too simple! :D I love putting Max and Fang on the rocks. Plus, I'm still figuring out how to make them admit their feelings… It'll have to be really dramatic…

emotionalpoemgirl: Exactly! Finally someone who understands! Thanks for being one of my most consistent reviewers. I love you for it! 3

not bitter just twisted: Clueless Max is probably the most fun to write. (And the most frustrating…) I like your idea about the Red-Haired Wonder/Lissa… I'll see if I can use it! If you don't mind, that is… And it's okay to be carried away in reviews! Trust me, it's a lot more interesting to read. ;)

World of New\Shelly: A shout out is just where the author mentions/features someone in their story. Yeah. Oh, by the way, Shelly, I like your username. Maybe you should stop changing it and just stick with the one you have. Just a thought. :)

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I flew for so long, just trying not to think. I didn't want to worry about Gazzy and Angel, I didn't want to feel uncomfortable about my makeup, I didn't want to ponder about how I was going to get us back into school. And most of all, I most certainly did not want to think about anything that was remotely close to reminding me of Fang. Which was pretty much everything. You see now why I was just trying not to think in general.

Eventually, I figured I would have to go back to the house. The others would be worried. Not that I cared if Fang was worried, but I didn't want any stress to come upon the rest of them.

I clumsily landed in front of it and stumbled up to the porch. Feeling exhausted, I sat down on the top step and rested my head on the railing.

"Max?" Angel's soft, sweet voice drifted to me.

I turned and looked at her and The Gasman standing in the doorframe.

"Hey," I called weakly to them, motioning for them to sit with me.

Angel skipped forward and plopped down a step below me, turning to study my sullen face. Gazzy sat down right next to me, exchanging a concerned glance with Angel.

Come on, Max. Pull it together! These kids look up to you. You need to suck up your sappy feelings and be the leader again! I thought to myself, sternly.

I mentally slapped myself for being such a wimp. I needed to keep in mind the others' needs before my own.

"So," I started, trying to keep a light expression, "How did the mission go? You guys are back kind of early, aren't you?"

The Gasman frowned, and looked at me more closely. I tried not to break under his gaze.

"Max, it's almost two in the morning," he told me slowly, as if I was crazy.

I shook my head, not believing that I had been flying that long. Huh. I guess time flies when you try not to think.

"Right, uhh, yeah," I said intelligibly.

"But the mission went great!" Angel added.

"Oh? Tell me about it."

The Gasman smiled, all traces of anxiety leaving his face immediately. "We flew up to Pittsburg," he began, but smiled when he saw me raise my eyebrows. "Yeah, we were fast. We made it all the way to Pittsburg and found this amazing homeless lady. She had seven kids! They were all living in this alley. It was so sad, I practically ran to them to give them the credit card! The woman was so thankful, Max. I gave her the card, told her about her deadline, and she hugged us and left with her children, headed for the nearest convenience store. I wish you could've seen her face… It was so sad. Can you imagine? Having to raise and protect kids without all of the needed necessities of life?"

Yeah, I thought bitterly, I know a thing or two about that.

I sucked in a deep breath and smiled at Gazzy. "That's great, you guys. That woman is going to be eternally grateful. You just gave her and her family hope."

Angel and Gazzy hugged me on either side. I held them close to me and squeezed my eyes shut, enjoying every moment that I could spend with them. "Yeah, it was nice. It just reminded me that you have taken care of us ever since Jeb left. And I want you to know that we're eternally grateful." Angel pulled back and smiled.

My heart squeezed. That was probably the sweetest thing that anyone has ever told me.

My throat closed up. "Thanks, you guys," I croaked.

Gazzy rubbed my back. "Everyone needs to be needed sometimes," he stated simply.

I ruffled his hair.

"Well I'm going to go to bed now," he sighed, stifling a yawn. He gave me a pointed look. "You should, too."

"Okay, I promise I will. I'll just be out here a little longer," I whispered to him, noticing that Angel was literally falling asleep against my leg.

"Good night," he murmured, then tiptoed back into the house.

I heaved a sigh and pulled drowsy Angel into my lap.

Hugging her close, I realized that it didn't matter what Fang and I were. He was a part of my family and he always would be. Families fight, families break. But not this one. We're a whole new kind of family. We don't give up so easily.

It was moments like this, hugging my baby and feeling appreciated, that I got a whole new sense of life. Things were looking up.

Angel yawned and snuggled closer to me.

It was moments just like these that gave me hope.

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Ok, so this was mostly a filler chapter, but whatever. Oh, and this chapter was inspired by the website givesmehope . com . Check it out, it always makes me really happy.