The Disbanded: Divided We Stand-Chapter 36

By MyNameIsCAB

---Max's POV---

"I never liked the Phoenix base," Messina sighed.

"You've been here before?" I asked.

He nodded, pulling into a parking space.

"Max! Messina!" Captain Ramirez was standing outside.

"Hello, Captain," Messina shook the captain's hand.

"So, what're you two doing together?" Ramirez questioned.

I exchanged glances with Messina and he answered. "Saving gas."

"Oh, I see." But the captain didn't sound convinced.

"No, seriously, I just happened to see him," I lied. "Can we make this quick because he has to get back to Cal?"

"Sure," the captain led us inside. We ended up in his temporary office. After signing some papers, we handed over our badges and guns.

"I'm sorry to see you guys leave," the captain sighed. "Are you sure?"

"Good bye, Captain Ramirez," I said, turning.

"Just, call if you reconsider," I heard Ramirez say.

But I didn't reply.

I got into Messina's car and closed the door. Just as he was about to get in, Captain Ramirez was running out. Messina sat down and closed his door, rolling the window down.

"I don't understand. Please don't go," he said.

I looked up at him. "We have other places to be."

Messina rolled the window up and backed up. The captain stood there and probably longer looking after us. We passed through the gates and back into the real world.

"Are you hungry?" Messina asked, turning on the radio.

I nodded, looking out the window.

---Fang's POV---

Max and Ted came back right before dinner. I had spent most of the day watching the news. The economy was crashing. Go figure. At least I didn't have any money to lose or gain.

"How've you been holding up?" Max asked as she sat next to me.

I shrugged. "Alright. For the most part."

When Max had left, my mind had wandered. Maybe a little too far. I wanted to blame her for me being stuck in this wheelchair. I wanted to be angry at her for abandoning the others. But that was the past. Wasn't it better just to move forward? I let those thoughts slide Ted and Cal walked into the room.

"Dinner is in five minutes," Ted said. "Just so you know."

It's cold tonight in my room. Max is curled up against me, trying to keep warm.

"Do you ever want to hate me?" Max suddenly asked.

I'll have to be honest to her. "Yes."

"Then why don't you?" she countered.

I wrapped an arm around her. "Because I love you too much to do that."

"I'm sorry for everything."

"It's ok, Max." Maybe my forgiveness and her apology made things a little better. I'd never hate Max.

---Iggy's POV---

Fang is being his usually moody self. Max is trying to comfort him. Cal and Ted are too busy being in love. Mom is just glad we're all here. And Ella….

Well, Ella is a different story.

"Hey, Iggy," she smiled as I walked in.

"Good morning," I smiled back.

Girls made me nervous, except for Max. I never knew how to act around them. But Ella, she seems to be easier than most girls. Not that I've met any other ones lately. And Max has always been the most difficult.

"I'm glad you came here," Ella told me.

"Me too," I managed to speak.

"I don't want you to go. Please don't leave," Ella begged.

I realized she was standing right in front of me, and I hugged her. "I won't go as long as you're safe when I'm here."

---Max's POV---

"Don't kill yourself," I said as Fang tried to make his way across the room with his crutch.

Fang glanced at his heart rate monitor and then continued moving forward. Once he made it to his wheelchair, he plopped into it and stretched out his legs slowly, suppressing a wince.

"I'll get better," Fang insisted.

I didn't doubt him, I just thought he shouldn't be pushing himself so hard. He'd been at this for half an hour. I'm surprised his heart rate monitor didn't beep.

"I think that's enough for today," I decided. "Please, Fang."

Luckily, and to my surprise, Fang nodded. I caught a glimpse of his monitor. It read 165. He noticed I was looking and moved his wrist away.

"Really, Max. I'm fine."

---Fang's POV---

I'm lying on my bed. Sometimes it's nice to have some time to yourself. Max hasn't burst in here yet, so she must be occupied with something, or maybe she understands I need time to myself.

My hand wanders up and down my arms. My sleeves are rolled up. I wondered if I should ever tell Dr. Martinez. Eventually she would find out. Maybe she would.

I tried not to think about those hard days in Chicago. It hurt a lot to think about that. Maybe I shouldn't have left the hospital without Max. We would have been a lot better off. I wouldn't have been so miserable.

The door opened and Max came in. She closed it quietly and climbed onto the bed next to me. I realized I was still looking at my arms. After a moment, I pulled my sleeves back down and she snuggled her head into my shoulder.

"As if the pain I already suffered wasn't enough," I said. "Like I needed more."

"Fang," Max started, but she trailed off and let out a sigh.

I continued. "I was so stupid. I shouldn't have left. But I was mad at you. You chose me over the others. I'm not stupid, Max."

"Maybe I did," Max admitted. "And you think I'm happy with that?"

I shook my head.

"You would have died. Itex wouldn't have saved you. At least Angel and Nudge would still be alive. It was three to two anyway." Max rolled back onto her back, moving away from me. "But now I wonder if they're still alive. Did Itex grab Gazzy too? Didn't you ever wonder about us?"

I sighed. "I thought about you mostly. All the time it was either you or the others dancing across my mind, in my dreams, and my thoughts. As if I was being mocked for everything I left behind. Not once did I try to look for any of you."

"But you're here now."

"Sure. But the others aren't."

Max was silent for a moment and then she moved back towards me, her head resting on my shoulder again. "Well, we'll find them. Don't worry."