Vegas Buffet:

Las Vegas, Nevada

Max

"For the last time, I didn't giggle hysterically," Fang groaned.

The rest of the flock was whooping while I told the story. "Nope, you did. It was right over there," I solemnly pointed.

Iggy gasped, tears streaming down his overjoyed face. "I bet you were excited too! Did you do a little happy dance?" he teased.

Holden was looking at Fang like he'd sprouted antlers. Gazzy held his stomach and hiccupped between laughs. Then the most ominous thing happened. Gazzy stopped laughing and said to himself, "oops."

Nudge happened to be right behind him and she stumbled, waving her hands in front of her face. "Gazzy!" she shrieked.

We all hurried to get upwind of the little fart factory. Fang took the opportunity to change the subject. "Is this the place?" he asked me.

I surveyed the clinking, flashing room. "Noo," I said, drawing out the 'o,' "I don't think so. They're all starting to look the same."

I turned to leave the casino. We'd already been through five of them and it was always the same. Angel had only given me a rough picture, not a name. Once we were back on the street, Nudge pointed excitedly at a castle-shaped hotel. "Let's go there next, please Max?" she begged.

I shrugged. At this rate, we'd have to visit all of them anyways. No one was enjoying the walking, but Iggy had it worst of all. It was a bit too crowded on the street for him, and he'd latched onto Nudge to guide him. Unfortunately for Iggy, Nudge and Maya were in full girl mode.

"I'm hungry," Gazzy announced while we worked our way into the lobby of Excalibur where several pictures of a beautiful buffet beckoned us.

"Hang on Gaz, we'll eat," I promised.

Fang hung by me, the way he had all day. "This is too random," he said for me to hear.

"Yeah, but unless Angel sends me another sign, how are we supposed to know which one is the right one?"

Fang didn't have an answer, but he was right. It was time to regroup. I sighed, "Okay Gazzy, lead us to the buffet."

Gazzy cheered and we followed him to the buffet. My stomach growled and everyone else perked up a little at the sight of the mounds of food. As I forked over every last dollar we had, I muttered under my breath. Fang heard me complaining, but he just shrugged and handed me a large plate.

The flock scattered and I ended up following Gazzy. He was zeroing in on steak and mashed potatoes. My mouth watered in anticipation. We both piled our plates high and found the table Maya and Nudge had commandeered. Everyone else was still exploring their options.

I sat down and wondered what in the world Nudge and Maya were wearing. They had insisted on changing clothes during our last break before reaching Las Vegas. Now they glittered from head to toe. It wasn't my taste at all, but they looked proud of themselves. "You look nice, Maya," I observed, trying to be nice.

We hadn't talked much at all lately. She accepted the compliment and added, "Nudge has some good ideas."

"Yeah, she's a little fashion queen."

By then everyone had joined us at the table and I turned my attention to the square, juicy steak on my plate. "Mmmm," I took a large bite, "so good."

Gazzy got an evil grin on his face and at first I thought he was going to clear the room, but then I saw the spoon loaded with mashed potato. I raised my eyebrows and he put it down, grinning from ear to ear.

It was one of those times when we all got to feel completely full. Everyone that is, except for Dylan, who sat across from me and listlessly poked the shrimp on his plate. "Not hungry?" I asked him.

He looked up from his plate. "We shouldn't be here."

Dylan had been a bit jumpy ever since we landed, just like Maya had been scoping for guys. While we walked the Strip, Iggy had been sandwiched between Maya and Nudge who were deep in a long discussion about whether guys look better with short or long hair. I think he had stumbled on purpose. I had laughed at the pair tormenting Iggy, but had completely ignored Dylan. I just couldn't deal with him right now.

Fang was right next to me, but that was more annoying than anything. I didn't need a babysitter, no matter what Fang thought. Now he leaned close to me. "We need a better plan."

No, duh. I reached for Fang's bag. "Do you have the laptop?"

"No, Nudge does."

Nudge was at the other end of the table with Maya and Holden. "Nudge!" I called down the table, "Hand me the laptop?"

She pulled it out and passed it down the table. I pushed my empty plate away and placed the computer in front of me. One quick search later, I had better answers than anything we had found while wandering around the Strip. Satisfied, I clicked shut the lid and got everyone's attention.

"We're going to the Las Vegas Convention Center." I announced.

"Why?" Dylan asked.

He was looking a little pale. "Because that's where Angel is, or at least that's what the website says," I refrained from smugly adding an 'I told you so.'

That's maturity right there. Fang coolly cut in. "So that's where we're going."

"Yeah, we're all going," I shot back.

But it was everyone against me. I jumped up from the table. "Let's just get to the building and go from there."

I started walking away so no one could argue with me. They followed, Gazzy stuffing a few cookies in his backpack before catching up. The convention center was a ways down the Strip, like the complete opposite end.

By the time we got there, I was tired and a little dizzy. I stumbled just a little, but concealed it. No one noticed. I didn't want anyone treating me more like an invalid. It was already driving me crazy.

We stood in a parking garage with a good view of one of the entrances. I gripped the railing overlooking the entrance and turned to face everyone. "Okay, we get inside and don't give her a chance. Just grab Angel and go."

"No Max," Fang softly disagreed.

Iggy and Nudge both had their faces set, ready to make me stay outside. "You agreed," Nudge reminded me.

I hated them all. "If you're not back in one hour, I'm coming after you," I threatened.

No one argued. Everyone was a little jumpy now. They were used to being led by me and even though I knew they could all do this, it wasn't right that I stay behind. I hugged Nudge, Gaz, and even Iggy, telling each one to be careful. I was trying to be upbeat, but inside I was a whirl.

Fang quietly pulled Holden over. "Stay with Max, okay?"

"I do not need a babysitter!" I hissed.

Holden turned bright red. Fang didn't even acknowledge my protest. The others waved and began to walk away, but Fang lingered. Holden awkwardly leaned over the parking garage railing, keeping his back to us.

Fang reached for my hand and looked like he wanted to say something. It hadn't been a good couple of days here and suddenly there was this gulf between us. Impulsively I pulled him closer and kissed him. "Keep them all safe," I whispered, enveloped in his safe and comforting embrace.

"You promised," he replied and then was gone with the others.

I glanced at my watch. One hour. That is, if my nerves could stand it. I willed myself to be calm and pushed away the sick feeling in the pit of my stomach.

"C'mon Holden. Let's walk around and do a little recon outside."

Holden was smart. He didn't argue with me.

A/N: When I first read Fang, the part I made fun of at the beginning literally sent me into contortions. When I reread it last month, I had to skip the whole chapter because my sensibility just couldn't handle it. Sooooo cringe-worthy! But delightful to make fun of…