~Leo P.O.V.~
"Ah, my freaking head." She grumbled, waking me up as she sat cupping her head in her trembling palms. I brushed my hand against her hip, causing her to stiffen and gasp sensitively.
"Of course you wake up right when I doze off." I chuckled softly, nuzzling her head with my nose and then kissing the back of her hair. I linked my index fingers together, pulling her close and snuggling her under my chin. "How are you feeling?" I asked.
"Like I got clobbered by the Thing." She mumbled.
"Close." I chuckled. "You got hit repeatedly by a pipe." I told her. "Are you hungry? Do you was medicine? I can run to a store. There's one right across the street." I offered. She shook my head, looking around the room for the first time.
"Where are we?" She asked in a weak voice.
"In an motel about twelve miles from the school." I explained, holding her closer, trying to stop her serious shaking.
"How did we get here?" She asked, her hand drooping lightly against my chest.
"I carried you." I said.
"Twelve miles?" She mumbled tiredly.
"When they brought me back the enhanced me with advanced strength." I said quietly.
"But still, twelve miles?" She said, fighting to stay awake.
"You've been out for a long time." I shrugged. Suddenly, her head snapped up.
"Where's Lucas?" She asked.
"About that…" I said slowly, pulling back so I could look the girl I love in the exhausted eyes.
"Where is he?" She snapped.
"He's not here." I said quietly.
"You left him behind?" She hissed, her eyes widening. I nodded slowly. "What happened?" She shot.
"Well…"
~Flashback~
"Is she okay?" Lucas snapped as I caught Emma's unconscious body. More and more Erasers flooded the room. "Leo, get her the hell out of here. I'll hold them off. Tell her that I love her, make sure she knows that." Lucas exclaimed.
"Are you insane? You two run! I'll hold these assholes off!" I spat.
"You're stronger! You can protect her better and get her farther!" He snapped.
"But-"
"No buts, D'Angelo! Get the hell out of here!" He spat. "If I don't make it, please help Jeanie take care of her baby… our baby…" He said.
"Wait, Jeanie's-"
"Yes, Jeanie's baby is mine! Now go!" Lucas screamed and pushed me towards the exit.
"Thank you." I murmured. Lucas nodded, extending his hand, which I eagerly shook.
"Keep her safe." He whispered and then pulled his hand away and lurched forward at the Erasers. I threw a chair at the intact window and then picked Emma up bridal style, leaping out of it and landing on my toes before taking off running into the woods.
~End Flashback~
"…And that's what happened." I finished explaining as she now sobbed quietly against my bare chest. I had to ditch my shirt when I checked in her due to the fact that Emma was bleeding while I was carrying her and I didn't want to draw attention to us by looking like a killer… I held her tightly, letting her tears roll down my front, shuddering when her fingernails ground into my sides accidently, and almost crying myself every time a violent sob ripped through her.
"W-We have to go after him." She stammered and broke away from me.
"Emma, stop. I wouldn't do that if I were you." I tried to catch her as she swung her legs over the side of the bed, trying to get up. I scrambled to catch her as she collapsed as soon as she tried getting to her feet. "Baby, you lose a lot of blood. I'm not sure you can stand." I said as I pulled her against me. "You need to rest." I whispered, trying to sooth her quaking body. "Go to sleep." I whispered, picking her up and carrying her back into the bed. I laid her down and wrapped the covers around her, tucking her in. It only took about a minute before her breathing slowed and she was out.
I sat next to her hugging my knees to my chest, wishing I actually knew what to do.
~Max P.O.V.~
"Let's think about this: where could they be that they were captured and tied down in less then seven hours?" Fang asked as we tried to figure out where they could be. It was now three in the afternoon, they had been gone for almost an entire day now, my baby was out there somewhere, I just didn't know where.
"That could be anywhere, Fang. They could've gotten on a plane and be across the country or right across the street. Hell, they could be anywhere, really." Nudge sighed, propping her head on her hand on the table. We hit up a restaurant after we woke up to get our strength back.
"Where has Itex been in the past? I doubt they'd go back to somewhere they've been before." Gazzy suggested.
"Or what if that's exactly trying to do, like to re-cut old wounds?" Angel muttered, staring at her food but not even touching it.
"You know, she has a point." Iggy agreed.
"Yeah." I sighed.
"You okay, Ang?" Nudge asked Angel. Now that I look at her, she did look upset, like really upset. She shrugged. "Sweetie, what's wrong? Well, aside from Emma and Lucas being kidnapped…"
"Jason was going to propose tonight." Angel muttered. My eyes widened. "He's getting good at hiding his thoughts, but once and a while something big slips out." She explained sadly. "I didn't even get to say good bye…" She mumbled, her voice trailing off.
"I'm sure he'll understand. He loves you, Ang." Gazzy soothed, wrapping his arm around her and scooting closer. She just shrugged and rested her head on his shoulder. My phone vibrated on the table. I picked it up and looked at the screen.
"Who is it?" Fang asked, looking over my shoulder.
"No idea. Come with me." I said and picked up his hand, pulling him towards the entrance and stepped out. "Hello?" I answered with Fang's fingers tangled into mine. "Hello?" I said again when no one spoke. "Huh, must've hung up." I shrugged.
"No, Max. Don't hang up!" A very familiar voice caught my attention before I could hang up.
"What the hell do you want?" I growled when my phone was back at my ear.
"I want to help you find her." He said.
"I'm sure. Is that why you took her again, Jeb?" I spat, growling in his ear.
"I've never wanted this for her!" He exclaimed.
"Oh, okay then explain to my why she's been kidnapped twice!" I hissed.
"The first time we needed her for something but it got hard for me to handle so I gave Catilin Larson two options: either to end her life," I flinched at his words. "Or to get her out of here on the grounds that I never say either of them again." He said quickly. "Caitlin was already in love with her so I knew what she was going to choose! I knew there was nothing to worry about!" He said quickly. "But then I saw them on a plane and I panicked. I told my partner, Alec D'Angelo, about what them! I didn't know that he do this and suck her back in!" He finished.
"Why don't I believe you?" I snapped.
"Max, I'm telling the truth!" He replied.
"Sure you are. Now, I don't have time for this. I have to find my kid. Again!" I shrieked and was about to hang up when…
"How can you find her if you don't even know where she is?" He snapped.
"Don't taunt me." I growled.
"I'm not taunting, Sweetie. I'll tell you where we are…" He said sincerely.
"Don't you ever call me that!" I hissed. "And why would you tell me anything?"
"Do you think it's easy seeing my granddaughter like this, Max? It's just as hard as seeing you like this in the past!" He exclaimed. "I love her, just like I love you." He said carefully.
"You don't know her! Or me for that matter." I hissed.
"Oh, and you do? Max, face it. You've actually known her for what? Like two, three months now? And she's only known you as a mother for not even a month." He hissed, for the first time.
"Shut your mouth before I shut it for you." I growled, squeezing my phone tighter in my palm. I looked to Fang for the first time. His face showed concern for Emma and I both.
"Max, think about it: where do you think we are?" Jeb asked.
"Like I can even begin to imagine what runs through your head." I replied snidely.
"Think about it. What place do you think going to would bring back the most memories? The most pain?" He mumbled. Something clicked in my head.
"I know where you are." I growled.
"See you soon." He muttered and then hung up.
"Fang, I know where they are." I said.
"What if it's a trap?" Fang asked, picking up my hands and tangling my fingers into his.
"Even if it is, Emma's there." I sighed. "I don't know what to do." I murmured. Fang wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me into a hug. I rested my head against his chest, wrapping my arms around his neck. "What if she's not there, Fang?" I said as tears started rolling down my face. "What if it is a trap? What if we get captured while she's still stuck somewhere? What if she, or Lucas, is hurt? What if she's stuck with Leo? Angel saw him with Jeb and Ari!" I started sobbing. One of his hands slid up my back, running over the spot in between my wings.
"Emma and Lucas are fine, I'm sure of it." He said, pulling away and wiping tears from my face with his thumb.
"How are you sure?" I asked, looking my husband in the eyes.
"Because Emma is exactly like you: strong, smart, beautiful. She can handle herself, and probably Lucas too." Fang leaned down and kissed my forehead.
"You're right." I sighed. "But a part of me feels like this is a trap, but the other part knows that we can handle whatever gets thrown at us."
"Listen to that side of your brain." He chuckled and pulled me back into a hug. "I guess we can go check it out." He mumbled into my hair. I nodded, pulling back and pushing my lips against his. His one arm slid back to my waist, pulling me closer and quickly taking control of the kiss. "I love you so much…" He mumbled against my lips.
"I love you too." I muttered against his and then pulled back. "We need to head back inside." I told him.
"Aw." He pouted, his index fingers hung in the belt loops of my jeans. "After this is all over," He began, his voice low and tempting. "You, me, Devin, and Emma are going to go somewhere, just the four of us. I mean, if Cate and Howard say if it's okay, and if Emma wants too. But you get the idea." Fang snickered.
"That sounds amazing." I smiled, pressing my lips to his once more. Then, we walked back into the restaurant, hand in hand. After explaining what happened, finishing eating, and paying our bill, we took to the skies. Flying toward Death Valley…
Where everything began…
~Devin P.O.V.~
"Devin, Sweetie, are you going to get out of bed? It's almost five." Grandma asked, appearing in the doorframe of my room.
"What's the point? We're under house arrest until they get back anyway." I grumbled.
"Hey," She came in and sat down next to me, putting her arm around my shoulders. "You guys are not under house arrest, you're visiting me while your parents aren't are away." She said.
"I guess." I shrugged.
"Now, c'mon. Monique and James are up and they're wondering if you died." She smiled as she squeezed my shoulders once and then got up, leaving me alone again. I chuckled once softly and then threw my legs over the side on the bed and got up. I threw a black sweatshirt on over my black tee shirt, matching perfectly with my black basketball shorts. I looked in the mirror and after deciding I looked good enough, I left the room.
"Look who's alive." James chuckled through a mouthful of food.
"Look who's getting fat." I replied.
"Does this look like fat to you?" He snapped and pulled up his shirt, revealing his better-then-mine abs.
"James, put your shirt down. No one wants to see that!" Monique growled.
"If this was on any other guy, you'd think it was hot." He looked at her.
"Yeah, but you're my brother, silly." She giggled as he dropped his shirt. He was wearing a white undershirt and a pair of baggy, gray sweatpants.
"Hey, guys." Aunt Ella smiled as she walked through the front door with Christen and two grocery bags.
"Hey." James and I both replied at the same time while Monique replied with: "I'm a lady."
"I'm sorry. Hey, guys and lady." She corrected as she set the bags and her keys on the counter.
"That's better." Monique nodded seriously.
"You're one weird chick." James replied as Aunt Ella handed Christen to him and then started putting the groceries away. "Christen, never grow up like my sister. She's freaky. Yes she is." James told Christen in a goofy voice and poked at his tummy.
"Shut up, Jerk!" Monique snapped over Christen's giggling.
"Your parents must have fun raising the two of you." I snickered.
"Oh, yeah. They have a blast." James chuckled and then kissed Christen's head.
"You four behave. I'm going to go see where my mom is." Aunt Ella said and then stepped out, leaving us alone.
"Let me hold him." Monique said.
"No, you'll corrupt him." James whined and held him tighter.
"When did you even start liking kids anyway?" Monique scoffed, crossing her arms tightly.
"Emma and I used to babysit Alexis together all the time." He shrugged as Christen started yawning. "Tired, little guy?" Christen nodded and rubbed his eyes then rested his head against James's shoulder. "Let's go find your Mommy." James said and took off out of the kitchen.
"You've been quiet. You okay?" Monique asked me when we were alone.
"Well, we can't all be the spawn of the motor-mouth." I replied halfheartedly.
"No, really?" She snickered. "But seriously, what's wrong? You're wearing more black then usual." She stepped closer to me.
"I've just had a lot of time to think today." I shrugged. "About Emma, and Lucas." I added.
"They're going to be fine. Our parents aren't going to let anything happen to either of them." Monique reassured me.
"But what if something happens before they get there? This might sound crazy, but I feel something, like pain… but I don't remember getting hurt…" I mumbled.
"You're right, you do sound crazy. What do you mean?" She asked.
"Like, I had a dream that I got beat with a pipe. I woke up and actually felt the pain, like it actually happened or something." I explained. "That's why I stayed in bed for so long, because it hurt."
"What are you saying?" Her eyebrow rose.
"I'm saying, what if something happened to Emma and I'm feeling her pain because we're twins or something?" I looked at her.
"That would be crazy." She chuckled. "Come here." She ushered. I took a step toward her. "Emma and Lucas are both going to be fine." She said as she wrapped her arms around me.
"I know, I know." I snickered as I rested my chin on her head. She pulled back a second later. She slid her hand up my arm and then pinched down on the skin under my sweatshirt as hard as she could. "Ow!" I exclaimed and jumped backward. "Monique, what was that for?" I snapped.
"Toughen up, Cupcake." She giggled. "Let's just hope Emma felt that." She winked and then walked into the living room, leaving me stunned and dazed in the kitchen.
What just happened?
~Emma P.O.V.~
"Ow! Leo, did you just pinch me?" I exclaimed, sitting upright in bed and holding my arm in a sort of stunned, dazed combo.
"Uh, I'm over here, Babe. I can't reach you." Leo said through a mouthful of toothpaste as he perched himself in the doorframe of the bathroom.
"How are you not freezing? It's like sub-zero in here!" I hissed after contemplating about the sudden, sharp pain in my arm and noticing Leo's white tee shirt and shorts. I laid back down in bed, snuggling under the covers and pulling them up to my chin.
"Want a snuggle buddy?" Leo asked after he finished brushing his teeth and sat back in bed.
"Leo, you know I have a boyfriend." I shivered, beginning to shake like a Chiwawa.
"I'm sure James would want you comfortable. I mean, you're only cold because you lost over a pint of blood and the blood you do have isn't circulating well enough to keep you warm." He explained.
"F-Fine." I spat. Leo smiled triumphantly and crawled under the covers, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling my body against his.
"Damn, you are cold." He said, rubbing his hands up and down my back.
"You think?" I said, my teeth chattering, as I placed my hands under his shirt and against his bare chest for sheer warmth.
"You know, you'd warm up quicker if you took your clothes off." He said as he ran his hands up and down my arms, warming them slightly.
"You wish." I snapped.
"You know I do." He snickered. I thumped him in the chest. "I'll shut up now." He chuckled.
"You better." I grumbled and rested my head against his chest. My teeth stopped chattering a few minutes later.
"Go to sleep." Leo whispered into my ear. I nodded.
"Don't get any ideas." I mumbled, my eyes already closed.
"Already have some." I heard the smile in his voice. I went to thump his chest again, but lost ended up losing consciousness before I could even lift my arm.
Lucas, I'm sorry…
~Max P.O.V.~
"This way." Angel whispered, stopping at every corner and listening for anyone's thoughts while we tried to find an easy access point in to the place that we once would've killed to get out.
"This place is just like I remember. I have goosebumps." Nudge murmured, holding tightly to Iggy's hand.
"We're going to be fine. We've blown places bigger than this up in three seconds flat." Gazzy replied from behind me.
"He's got a point." Iggy snickered and squeezed Nudge's hand.
"Hold up." Angel muttered, stopping us in our tracks. "There are cameras and guards all along this wall. We'll be seen either way we go." She whispered, turning towards me.
"You four stay here. Beat anyone to a pulp if they see you. Fang and I will go check for access points on upper levels." I commanded.
"She's still got it." Gazzy chuckled.
"And don't you forget it." I winked at him. "Up and away, Fang." I said, and then Fang and I bolted upward, into the air. We circled the building once and then landed on the roof, within the shadows. Fang was in front, shrouding me with his bigger figure. "Any cameras?" I asked.
"Not seeing any." He replied, scanning the area.
"Let's roll." I said, and we started forward. We crept, making sure there were no cameras, and if there were, we stayed out of their sights, forward, looking for anyway in.
"Who's there?" A shaky voice called out through the darkness of night.
"Shit." Fang whispered. We crouched in the shadows and waited for whomever it was to leave.
"I know someone's there!" He hissed, beginning to look around, paranoid.
"Sneak up behind him, Babe. You're quieter." I said and pecked his lips. He squeezed my hands and the got up and crept away. I stood up, showing my silhouette to whoever this dude was.
"Stay right there, I have a gun." He snapped, nervously reaching into his white coat. Even from here, I could see his hands trembling, so badly that it would effect his shooting, so I had nothing to worry about.
"Take it easy, no one has to get hurt here." I coaxed, taking a step forward and into the dim lighting.
"You! I know you! You're… you're… you're…" He thought out loud. "You're Maximum Ride!"
"That's me." I shrugged, taking a step toward him as he took a step back.
"Don't move!" He pulled out his gun.
"What is it with you crazy scientists and your guns?" I sighed, snapping my leg forward and kicking the nine-millimeter glock right out of his trembling hands. "I mean, just as Fang wrapped his arms around his neck, kicking his knees right out from under him. "Where's our daughter?" I asked him in a calm voice as he was dropped on the ground on his knees. Fang kept his arms around his neck, threatening to break it if he made a wrong move.
"I don't know what you're talking about!" He shrieked. Fang and I exchanged glances; he rolled his eyes and then tightened his grip around the man's neck. "Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay!" The man reasoned. Fang's grip loosened. "Truth is, we don't know where she went. Her and D'Angelo Jr. escaped. The Larson boy is still here though. He's pretty banged up." He explained in a rush.
"What do you mean: she escaped?" I snapped.
"I mean, she got hurt, and D'Angelo Jr. and Larson broke her out, but Larson ended up staying behind!" He screamed as he saw Fang getting angry.
"She got hurt?" I snapped and watched Fang's grip tighten.
"Ari beat her with a pipe! I swear I had nothing to do with it!" He cried, tears rolling down his cheeks. Pathetic.
"Hey, Max: where'd you kick that gun?" Fang asked.
"Over there, Sweetie." I pointed at it as the metal gleamed in the moonlight.
"I told you everything I know, please don't kill me!" He sobbed. Fang released him and he sank to the ground in fetal position. Fang and I looked at each other, I snickered once and Fang shook his head and the "man's" weakness.
"Babysit, I'm going to go get the rest of the Flock." I told Fang.
"You're not letting me go?" The "man" cried.
"We will, but first you're showing us where Lucas is." I hissed. He nodded immediately. "Good boy. You behave better then my son." I taunted, kicking his shoe gently. He whimpered loudly at my touch. "Be right back." I squeezed Fang's hand once and then got a running start before jumping off the roof before snapping out my wings and catching air.
If Emma wasn't here, then where the hell was she? And worst yet: what the hell is Leo doing to her?
Hey! How's it going? Thanks for taking time out of your busy lives and reading my story! I hoped you enjoyed this chapter! If you didn't, I'm sorry. Please tell me why! Tell me what you thought about this, like thoughts, or concerns. I'll update soon, I promise! Review! And if you have any ideas that you'd like to see, please tell me! Loves you! :D