Arranged

Oh geez guys, I'm sorry it's been so dang long. Been über busy with school and my family lately, but here's the new chapter! It's been long awaited, but here it is.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Maximum Ride or any of its characters.

CLAIMER: I do own the plot and self made characters.

You know, sometimes I really hate being part of the Ride family. I mean really, it's like my family doesn't know the meaning of "normal". Ah jeez. So anyways, here we are, on an average, everyday middleclass airplane, sitting in average seats. There are average, everyday people all around me and their doing average, everyday things. Somewhere on the plane a baby is whining and somewhere else, a couple quietly bickering. Fang has his hand over mine and he's silently snoring; Nudge is reading yet another fashion magazine; Iggy and rocking his head to the beat of some song he is listening to; Ari is tapping away at his laptop, probably planning some top secret mission, and me? Well, I'm just sitting here, my head resting on Fang's shoulder, looking, watching, observing.

"Don't worry, we'll be there soon, and then we'll be on the train, and then we'll ride on a private, family hired boat to the island." Fang says in a sleepy, hushed voice. I jolt and put my hand against my throbbing heart. Fang's eyes widen and he looks at me worriedly.

"Oh, I thought you were asleep. Damn, Fang, just give me a heart attack." I say as I playfully punch his arm. Fang fake hisses and over dramatically winces.

"Ah, I'm so hurt. Oh my love, my dearest Max, I feel as though I may be dying. You have delivered the final blow. Ah."Fang fake hisses again and I start laughing at his corniness. Fang fake dies and I just about die from laughter. Nudge looks up at us from her magazine with a cocked eyebrow before shaking her head with a little smile playing at the corners of her mouth. Ari and Iggy are too busy with what they're doing to pay much or any attention whatsoever to our mushy couple stuff. Fang and I keep at our dramatic, corny act for awhile until just about everyone on the plane is asleep and an attendant has to ask us to be a little quieter. We eventually fall asleep.

…

"Come on, Preggie, time to get up, plane has landed." Nudge says as she shakes my shoulder. I groan and turn away from her shaking hand.

"I don't wanna get up." I mumble. Suddenly I feel myself being lifted up bridal-style and I nuzzle my face into the person's shoulder. I take a good whiff and find that it's Ari carrying me. "Hi there, Ari, thank you so much for being a great friend," I slur, drunk off sleep and good dreams. Ari carries me all the way to the awaiting car as Iggy and Fang load the luggage into the back. Nudge is opening the door for me and helping Ari get me all buckled up. I fall back into a lucid sleep as we make our way towards the train. When I next wake up, the air has a different feel to it, there is sun beaming warmly on my skin, and the breeze wafting in from the window is sweet and welcoming. The bed I'm lying in is warm and comfy, and the sheets are soft and light. I smile and stretch, we're finally on the island. I slept for most of our trip, but we're finally here.

"Good morning, Sleeping Beauty." Fang whispers in my ear as he wraps his arms around me. I smile and close my eyes.

"How long was I out?"

"Give or take, about a day." Fang says, nuzzling his face into my hair. Fang slide down on the bed and rests his head on my rather inexistent belly. He sighs happily and tips his head up to look at me. "How many more months left?" I think about it before answering.

"Hmm…about 5 or 6," I say sleepily.

"What're we going to name it?"

"Fang, it's not an it, it's a baby."

"Fine, what're we going to name the baby?"

"Something that screams badass," I mumble. Fang is quiet for a few moments before speaking again.

"Sky; girl or boy, they're going to be named Sky." Fang says dreamily. I nod and drift off again into sleep. When I next wake up Fang is gone and there's a try of food on the night table. I stare at it blankly and wonder why I'm not hungry. I sigh and get out of bed. Then I begin to wander around the house, looking for everyone. Strangely enough, everything seems sort of hazy and I feel light as air. I eventually find myself in what seems to be an indoor sunroom with a skylight roof. I notice someone sitting in one of the wooden chairs so I walk over to see who it is. I already know that they aren't Ari, Nudge, Iggy, or Fang. They're simply too short. Their hair is mousy brown and wavy.

"Hello…who are you?" The person doesn't turn to face me when I ask this.

"Penelope Sky," the girl says. The name sounds familiar, very familiar.

"Well what are you doing here, Penelope?"

"My name is Penelope Sky," the girl growls before continuing. "And I'm here to warn you."

"Warn me of what?" I asked.

"You may be safe on the island, but your family will never be truly safe. You'll always be running, always." Penelope Sky says.

"Okay then…" I say warily. Just as Penelope turns to face me I suddenly feel heavier and heavier…then I can see her face and oh how familiar she looks. Then I wake up.

So there it is! Sort of short, but that's okay. Read and review!

-JAMZD