Glad so many people liked last chapter. That was the most reviews I've gotten for a chapter in this story in a long time. Thanks, guys! Appreciate it!

Disclaimer: I don't own Maximum Ride, or Jordan Sparks' music.

I stayed in the hallway for a few minutes, wondering why it felt like I'd just lost another battle. Like this was a war or something. Should being in love feel this way-- like you're constantly fighting, constantly losing, constantly bleeding?

Why does love always feel like a battlefield, a battlefield, a battlefield?

I blinked, wondering where that little piece of song came from, then realized it was me remembering something I'd heard when the flock split. We'd been in a store in LA, the song had come on the radio, and it stuck with me, because I was dealing with all my feelings for Max and stuff. If I was being completely honest with myself, that was the bigger reason I left (A/N: This is my theory. PM me if you wish, and I'll elaborate on it for you).But that was the past, and now I had a whole new batch of Max issues to deal with.

I sighed and pushed off the wall, heading down to join the flock in the girls' room. I walked in the door just in time to see Max pointing at Total and saying, "What's wrong with him?" She intentionally avoided my eyes, but her face turned bright red.

Angel was sitting with a very depressed-looking Total on her bed. She looked down at him sympathetically. "I think it's Akila."

"Cruelty, thy name is woman!" Total howled, not unlike an actual dog. Got that right, I thought miserably, leaning on the doorframe. "Or rather, dog."

"She won't talk to him," Gazzy said.

"Total, she doesn't talk," Max told him.

He shook his head at her. "She won't even talk to me in the universal language."

"French," said Angel like the know-it-all, telepathic mutant bird kid she was.

I was still sort of stuck on the Cruelty, thy name is woman remark, and before I actually thought about it, I found myself saying, "Love hurts."

Which of course set Max off. She whirled on me, fuming, and barked, "Oh, shut up!"

I held her gaze with an innocent expression on my face, which I knew was just making her angrier. The others were staring at her; the younger kids hadn't heard my comment, so to them Max had just had a random violent outburst. Iggy, however, was smirking, and I really felt like reaching over and smacking that smile right off.

"Let's talk about something interesting," Max muttered, blushing and turning away from me. "What's the problem, Total?"

"She won't give me the time of day," Total sighed. Is it bad when I can feel empathy towards a dog about romantic situations? Yeah, I'd say it is. "I can't blame her. Look at her-- she's purebred, classy, important. Tall. I'm… a short mutant with no papers. Always on the run, hanging out with hunted criminals--"

"Hey!" Max said defensively, crossing her arms.

"You've stolen three cars," Total said, holding up his paws. "That I know of. Plus breaking and entering, assault--"

"Okay, okay." Max cut him off, knowing he had a point. "Whatever. Hey, anytime it's too much for you, pal…"

Angel protectively put her arms around him. Within them, Total smiled and said, "And leave you on your own? I'm not a traitor! You need me!"

Max looked like she had a comeback on the tip of her tongue, but Nudge spoke up. "Total, just be nice to Akila. Don't grovel. Just be yourself, but extra thoughtful, polite. Act more like a dog, you know, strong and silenter."

Total was listening to her, mulling it over, and I thought again how messed up this scene was: me and the dog having the same issues with our respective love interests. And flock members giving said dog love advice.

"Now, about the mission," Nudge added, in a more serious, businesslike tone. "I'm all for it! I mean, it's cold here, which sucks, but I like these people. I say we stay for a while."

"Me too!" Gazzy chimed in.

I knew Max was on the fence about it, but I didn't say anything. I wanted to stay, because it was a worthwhile cause, and I had to figure out Brigid. So I just leaned against the wall and nodded when Max said, "All right. Let's stay for a while."

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