CH 21

That's Gotta Hurt

Max walked stiffly back into the recovery room. She barely noticed other patients milling around, sitting in wheel chairs, being examined by doctors the first time she was there. Doctors. Max gritted her teeth. After the interesting conversation she had with Roger Beckett she was in no mood to be putting up with Dr. Perfect. Max walked straight up to Fang and Dr. Linch.

"Doc, can I talk to you outside?" Max asked her.

"Oh please, call me Bridget." She said, aiming the suggestion at Fang.

Max's intolerance flared and she literally pushed the doctor out of the room. Fang watched, slightly amused, as Max pushed Bridget outside. He could almost hear their conversation from in the room, everyone could. Max was putting Bridget in her place. Fang's amusement quickly left when he saw that Max wasn't just jealous or annoyed. There was something under that and the stress eating away at her and making her forehead wrinkle and her brow furrow. He watched as Bridget stomped away from Max and to the front desk. Max walked back in and met Fang.

"Are you okay?" He asked even though she clearly wasn't.

"I'm not the one in the hospital." She answered simply and brought a chair to sit next to Fang. "Fang, we need to talk."

"Is this about quitting, because of Angel? 'Cause I know you love your job and I'm willing to give it up and take care of Angel full time while your at work."

Max stared at him and smiled, shaking her head. "No Fang. I couldn't ask you to do that. But I'm not quiting." She sighed. "I got a call from the Chief's boss."

"You mean Director Roger Beckett?"

She nodded.

"He told me about who killed Ivy."

Fang sat straighter in the chair.

"I know who did it and where they are. He promised not to do anything until I got there."

"Got where?" Fang asked, worried.

"New Orleans." She answered casting her eyes down.

"For how long?"

"...That's the thing. He- he wants me to work there permanently."

"Iggy, it's been a month! A hole month! We have to tell her." Ella said, throwing her hands in the air. Iggy sighed from the hotel's bed.

"I know but Fang's in the hospital and she already has Angel to worry about."

"I'm going to start showing soon." Ella said thoughtfully, putting a protective hand on her stomach. Iggy covered her hand with his.

"We'll tell her today, when she gets back from seeing Fang, okay?" Iggy asked.

She smiled up at him and nodded.

The couple clung to eachother, afraid of their future fate.

"But what about Angel? What about Iggy and Ella-" Fang almost blurted about Ella's pregnancy. Yes, Fang knew. After a hard day at work he took Iggy to the local bar and after a few drinks Fang knew pretty much everything and more than he wanted to know. Iggy begged him not to tell Max. And he knew why. She'd most likely kill him.

"I was planning on taking Angel with me. She starts school soon."

Fang turned to her.

"So, you're actually going?"

Max sank further into the seat while Fang towered over her. "It's my sister, Fang. "

She was kicking herself about not going back to Gustavo quickly before they released him and was never to be seen again.

He nodded and sat back down.

"I'm going with you." He promised. She grabbed his hand and smiled.

~Time Skip~

Max walked into her dim apartment to see Nudge sitting on the couch watching the TV intently next to a sleeping Angel.

"It's only 3:30, she's asleep already?" Max laughed quietly.

Nudge didn't turn from the TV. Max looked closer to see it was some kind of model/fashion show. Figures. She rolled her eyes.

"ZOMG did you see that? That dress is so cute... I bet I could get Gazzy's attention if I wore that." Nudge said, mostly to herself. Max snickered and Nudge turned to her. "The little one crashed a while ago after I gave her some candy and she went sugar high." She said, trying to change the subject she brought up.

"Wait you have her candy, are you insane? Wrong question, of course you are. Hey whose Gazzy? Seriously? Gazzy? Does he like fart a lot or something." Max laughed, surprising Nudge that she was able to keep up with her babble.

"No! He makes stink bombs. His real name is Jeremy Smith." Nudge said in a dreamy voice. Max smirked.

"Where did you meet this Gazzy?" She asked. Nudge walked over and sat at the kitchen table with her.

"You actually want to talk boys?" Max shrugged. Why not, I'm going to miss your Nudge Channel in Orleans...

Max explained it to Nudge and Nudge started to tear up. Then they started to talk about Gazzy and how Nudge was practically in love with him and he didn't even know she existed. They talked until Iggy and Ella came waltzing through the front door, waking Angel up. They immediately led Max outside.

Max looked at Iggy curiously as he shut the door.

"Max we need to tell you something." Ella said nervously.

"Me too." She replied.

"You first."

"Okay well... I'm taking up a job in New Orleans and am taking Angel with me."

Their eyes widened.

"What? You can't! Ella's pregnant! You can't just leave! We can't raise a baby alone!" Iggy blurted.

Max stared at him.

And stared.

And stared.

Finally she went over and hugged Ella, whispering "Congrats."

Iggy relaxed, thankful she wasn't going to punch him or something. Ella was shocked for a second before hugging her back. Max released her and went to Iggy. She punched him square in the jaw.

"You moron!"

She kicked him down below (A/N: *cough* where the sun don't shine *cough*), for good measure and probably ruining the chances of him ever having any more kids.

He doubled over painfully. Ella stared at him mortified. Max turned back to her and apologized.

Worst. Timing. Ever.

Author's Note:

Hey guys/girls! So, this one was kind of short...

I hope I answered a few questions that you might have had. (I was excited about bringing Gazzy in)

Thanks so much to those who reviewed, you guys totally make my day :D

Tell me how much you loved or hated Max beating the snot outta' Iggy (:

~Jenny~