Aj: So...how are you guys? In my defense, I...like pie. That will always be my defense. In all seriousness (gross) this has been the first time I've been able to write in weeks because I've been busy with photography and preparing for a gallery. Here we go...

"My name is Maximum Ride," She flicked the words from her tongue, with a bit of an airy giggle, posing in front of the mirror before her. The words, foreign and oh so fake, elicited a splurge of emotion from her, but most of all, she was happy. For almost four months she had been in isolation, with only the knowledge that those who she cared for hated her and would rather be wither sister. Finally, Maya could get her life back. She was free and it was oh so sweet.

She was back. Max was gone, but she was back.

"My name is Maximum Ride." She attempted to sound tough, placing her hands on her hips before relapsing into laughter. She knew that to get her life back, she would have to pretend to be Max pretending to be her. She knew that this was her newest fresh shot. Maya wasn't given many opportunities except for the ones she made herself. She wasn't about to pass up the opportunity to start over in a freshly woven path laid out for her by her own sister.

"Not to self," she intoned, examining herself from all angles, "Don't screw this up."

"Wise words, especially for you." A voice came from behind her, shocking her like a cat dunked in water. She spun around, hair whipping behind her, coming face to face with her first obstacle of her new life. The strawberry blonde bane of her existence. Iggy.

"Cute." She mocked, trying to harden her sarcastic tone in a way she had observed Max do a thousand times.

"You can say that again," Her murmured, eyes glancing over her, "What's with the get up? Did you fall into Barbie's dream house or something?" Maya glanced down quickly to her outfit, suddenly feeling more self aware than she thought she would. She had picked out one of the more simplistic outfits from her collection: a ruffled baby pink blouse paired with a high-waisted black skirt and brown boots so cute she wouldn't mind if they melded into her skin. She frowned, supposing if she wanted to make a convincing Max, she would have to tone down on her Maya. Even if it was her own life she was trying to rebuild.

"I guess I was just trying to go for a more Maya-ish look, to keep down suspicion, but I guess it's been so long since I've seen her that I don't know how she would dress." Maya lowered her gaze, fiddling with the hem of her skirt faux embarrassed. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched Iggy's reaction, noting the slight rosy pallor that had begun to dust his cheeks at the sight of her toned, and very exposed, legs. She inwardly smirked, knowing she could use Iggy's affections for Maxie to her advantage.

"Iggy, you're the one who actually knew Maya. What do you think?" She rounded her eyes innocently, coming closer to him. She watched him gulp, feeling overdosed with satisfaction, knowing he was so blinded and enamored with Max he would be easy to play like a fiddle.

"I…I umm…I think you've got it down, but…for the past few months you've fooled everyone and…and dressed like a person, not a doll. It would draw more attention to…um wear that." He stumbled, trying to look away as his normally frosty skin became more and more pigmented with a bursting red.

"You really think so?" Maya asked, widening her eyes even more so as she looked up into his. He was so screwed.

"Yeah. 'Course so. What you normally wear is nice…great, even, its—"

"Iggy, are you alright?" She asked, casting a layer of naivety over her malicious undertones. He shifted, as if shaken awake by the question. It was a shame, Maya mused, she had been interested to see just how far she could push him.

"Yeah, fine. I just came by to see if you wanted to work on the project now." He shifted, earning a look of utter confusion from the girl across from him.

"You know," He began slowly, "The one where we're married and happily in love?"

Maya took on a strained smile, remembering almost falling asleep when she had observed Max and Iggy paired for the project. A project that would leave her with hours to endure millions of marriage puns, fart jokes, and bomb suggestions from a boy she couldn't be less interested in. She wished, for the umpteenth time, she had been partnered with Fang.

"Oh right, sorry, I totally spaced. I guess I just didn't get much sleep and…what are you doing?" Maya paused from her newest entanglement of lies, watching as Iggy made himself comfortable on her bed, stretching and crossing his arms behind his head to use as a pillow. Even though there was already a pillow there.

"Working. If we're going to start this project, I need to reach my Zen mode." He hushed, half a smile on his face. Maya crossed her arms, wanting nothing more than to call animal control and get the pest out of her room. But Max wouldn't do that. For some reason, Max enjoyed having the idiot around, making a complete mess of everything. Max enjoyed having him around a bit too much, Maya thought, as she remembered the kiss.

Maya considered throwing Iggy out, cleansing her system of his needlessness, but she could only focus on the kiss. Because Iggy had kissed Max, Maya had been given the opportunity to come back, despite condemning her own sister to damnation. Max, even without knowing, had catered to Iggy's one-sided affections, using him on a whim. She had power over him and while she didn't try, she pushed him around, using him as a lackey when he was useful and giving him nothing in return just because of his feelings. Max was Maya without even realizing it.

Maya could definitely use that to her advantage. His unwavering loyalty to a girl who would never return his love could be what kept Iggy indispensable. If it came down to it, he could be useful to her in her endeavor to win back her life and Fang.

After all, a girl's always got to have her connections. Secrets and ill intentions were more valuable than diamonds if you knew how to keep them.

Iggy could be he connection, like Nudge was Max's. With a connection like that, her secrets were bulletproof.

But not yet, not until the time was right. Now, it was time to lie. Her favorite sport and a game she could always win.

"Actually, Iggy, I can't work on the project today. I'm working on getting back in the flock's good graces and…well, you know how stubborn everyone can be. It's going to take some major brain power and a militia's gathering of chocolate. What about tomorrow?" Iggy looked up from his state of Zen, seeming convinced enough. Still, Maya didn't want to take any chances, so she kept up her signature Max look. A sarcastic smirk and a stance that almost always included crossing her arms.

"Alright, I get it. Just a hint, though, avoid the chocolate with the Gasman. It makes him gassy an I don't want to spend another gym class with a locker room that smells like a toxic waste dump." He half joked, slowly sliding himself off of the top bunk and landing semi-gracefully. Maya faked an understanding smile, even though she did know the toxicity of Gazzy, to appease Iggy.

"Are you okay?" he asked, eyeing her warily. Fighting down her inner squeals of panic, Maya regarded him coolly, giving him a disbelieving smile.

"Yeah, I think I'm finally starting to be."

"Are you sure?" He pressed on, raising an eyebrow. Maya wanted to slap it off of his face. "It's just, I don't know, you just seem…different."

"Iggy," She laughed, inwardly imagining his death in a Technicolor fashion, "I'm fine. You see my face? No tears, no secrets, no stress. For once, I'm totally fine."

Iggy pondered within himself, gazing over her as if comparing images side by side. It was almost comical. For so long Maya believed he was incapable of thoughts and now his thoughts might unearth her. Within moments that felt like lifetimes, his scrutiny passed.

"Yeah, I guess you're right. Fang was just acting really weird earlier and I guess I may have been wondering if you were a part of it, somehow."

That was enough to pique her interest and further Iggy's worth.

"Oh really?" She inquired, "Fang was acting weird? How so?"

In the times way beyond, back before morality had been ground into a thinly layered paste, she had lived in a world full of a complex simplicity. Nowadays, she had no morality, or at the very least, a morality as warped as her reality. Yet, there was still a spark of something as she replayed the tape of her daughters' reunion in an obsessive loop. She didn't know what the spark was, but it was still a spark and that was all that mattered.

"The longer you watch that screen, the greater you risk blinding yourself." The man across from Dr. Martinez drawled, growing impatient from the scene.

"But wouldn't I be mentally blinded if I didn't try to absorb the full outcome of the scene?" She challenged, despite being tired herself. The reunion hadn't been very long or telling, especially when the sisters were equivalent to a poorly wired bomb, but Valencia couldn't help but focus in on the reactions of Max.

"She isn't adjusting as well as I had hoped." She mused aloud, turning absently to face her partner. He gave a mirthless chuckle.

"She's stubborn and arrogant enough to believe herself as invincible. You raised Maya to be vulnerable enough to mold for the experiment. Your husband did the opposite."

"Ex-husband," She reminded sharply, before regaining her cool exterior and facing the screen.

"I still think it's a mistake to humor Maya, sending her to school as if her purpose is complete. You know both of the twins are necessary and all you're doing is giving Maximum false hope and allowing Mata to live out a school girl fantasy. We should start the experiment now." He growled impatiently, growing more and more restless by the repetitive flurry of motions taking hold of the screen.

"You just don't want Maya around your son." Valencia accused wickedly, a knowing smile on her lips. The man across from her did nothing to deny or confirm her claim, only continuing to watch the screen. Feeling superior, she took in the way his dark stubble dusted his strong jaw line and the way his eyes, black as night, tuned in with razor sharp focus. While his hair was different—a neatly trimmed chocolaty brown—he bore a strong resemblance to his son.

"I just want all of our hard work to pay off, after so long of planning." His tone was softer, gazing at Valencia softly as he placed a hand on her knee. She smiled lightly, removing his hand, before assuring him, "The plan will work, but only if we play it right. Maya has been ready for a long time, but Max still has a long way to go. We've only got one shot at this with high stakes. Let's not waste it until the time is right."

"We've waited, we've prepared. The girl is here and still vulnerable from the other one. What better time than now?" He argued fiercely.

Angered by the opposition, she grabbed him roughly by a fistful of his collar, pulling him closer to her inflamed eyes.

"These are my daughters on the line. If I say one of them isn't ready, you better damn listen or I'll find someone that will. Am I clear?"

"Of course, Valencia. If you say so, we'll wait." He conceded, somewhat bitterly, "Anything for you."

At his submission, she softened her gaze, still clutching to his lapel.

"That's what I like to hear." She purred, leaning in for a peck on the lips.

She had been waiting for her opportunity to see Fang again for what felt like eons. Now that he was on the other side of a door, all she longed to do was run and hide like a ghost in the clod, blue, night. What could she say? What could she do? Fang was the one person she didn't want to lie to. She wanted to be real with him like she couldn't be real with herself. Only, reality would keep her forever held accountable for her mistakes. Her mistakes were the one thing Maya couldn't seem to leave behind.

Cheating on Fang. Leaving Max for her psychopath of a mother. Betraying angel and Gazzy's trust. Getting Nudge kicked out of school. She had probably even done something to Iggy, though she couldn't be bothered to try remembering. Betraying her own sister just to get her life back, acting as if it was more valuable than the life of her sister's. AS guilty as that made her, none of the flock would know that. They wouldn't know a lot of the things Maya had done. They wouldn't know that she locked away Nudge, poisoned Angel, revealed Max's identity, and countless other immoral acts. She wanted to keep that slipping reality, even if it cost her last breath. She wanted Fang more, but she wanted him as hers, not Max's. She would have to reveal herself.

Steeling her nerves, she rapped her fist against the wood that seemed so much denser, so much harder.

You can do this, Maya, She encouraged herself as she waited, If you love him and he loves you, you can tell him who you are.

"Max!" His voice, like a fresh breath of air, enveloped her senses like his arms enveloped around her, engulfing her in a hug.

What was she thinking again?

"God, I tried calling you all night. I thought something had happened when you weren't…" He pulled away from the tender embrace, almost drawing a whimper of distaste from Maya, as he looked at her. It was a look so warm and caring, saturated with relief. It was so gorgeously foreign; she didn't want to look away. It was a look she had been starved of for her entire existence. Had he ever looked at her like that? Would he still look at Maya like that? It was such a beautiful look.

"I'm right here, aren't I?" Maya spoke, unsure whether that flowing current running from her toes to the tendrils of hair atop her head was pain or happiness.

"What's wrong, Fang? Did something happen? She asked caringly, knowing that every word she spoke that didn't start with, I'm, and end with, Maya, would only drag her deeper.

"I went to the party, to look for you. I couldn't find you, but I thought I did." Gently, he pulled her inside the dorm, careful to shut the door and not break the eye contact she craved so feverishly, "It was Maya."

Her spoke her name, his own girlfriend's name, without a hint of love nor compassion. Instead, he spoke her name with the distaste of freshly churned acid.

"Maya? How is that even possible? Did she say what happened to her?" She questioned, acting dumb and ignorant. It seemed affective.

"No, she…she didn't say much." He trailed off, awkwardly running his hand through his thick dark hair. Maya fought back a smile, remembering the pure ecstasy that had fueled her from the touch of lips firm against her own.

"Well…what happened then? I mean, Maya isn't the type to not leave an impression. She always has to make herself the center of attention." Maya pressed, bursting to see if he had felt the same magic from their kiss. Fang looked back to her, dreading the topic.

"She pretended to be you. She pretended to be you and she kissed me," He relayed, before adding quickly, "But I pushed her away, realizing it was her and she just vanished."

While Maya truly couldn't contain her own giddiness, she forced herself to look down, gazing at her own shuffling feet.

"So…how are you?" She asked bashfully, hiding her face behind a curtain of hair, as if she were actually nervous.

"What?" He asked, looking so handsome when he was confused.

"Well, she is technically your girlfriend who has been MIA for four months. You must be feeling something!" She insisted, a bit too forcefully, but Fang didn't seem to notice. Without warning, a tender hand lifted her chin up, leveling her gaze with his own.

"Max, this is also the girl who wrecked the flock, cheated on me, and killed my dad. I'm going to need to deal with her eventually, but you can't come back from something like that." Maya fought back a choke. She wanted to tell him, she longed for him, but could she come back in his eyes, especially after he had given 'Max' more emotion in a moment than he had given her in a lifetime. She knew, just from watching Max, the longer she lied, she deeper she would become entangled within her web of lies. Maybe deeper was good.

The deeper she became, the further she recessed from herself, the deeper in love with her Fang would become. Maxie had collected Fang's heart, dragging him deeper and deeper in love with her, even while pretending to be Maya. If Max could do it, Maya could do it better. She could earn Fang's love back and claim it forever and always. When the time was right, she could unearth herself and tell Fang. Or she could remain in the easier life Max had set forth for her, free from her past mistakes and all the more deeply in love with the only one she could ever want to love.

Yes, deeper wasn't bad.

'I am Maximum Ride', Maya recalled from earlier, as she had flaunted and twirled about in front of the mirror. It was time to be her sister. Payback was a bitch.

"You know what, we have time to deal with Maya and all of our little problems that seem to pop up as we go. For now, let's take a chance and do something to take our minds off of it." Maya smiled, tempting him with the distraction. A temptation he seemed keen on taking.

"You aren't still mad about the other day? We haven't really had a chance to talk about it since…" He trailed off, losing himself within a thought. Maya tapped her foot subconsciously, racking her brain for what he could be talking about. When in doubt, lie.

"I'm not mad, I swear. I guess I just needed some time to cool off," She smiled assuringly, flashing her pearly whites. He seemed to relax, losing any traces of apprehension and made his way over to a large blue bin.

"So, for our distraction, I was thinking maybe…what are you doing?" She watched, rooted as Fang pulled out a collection of what Maya considered prehistoric movies (Like, the '80's) from the bin he had been leaning over.

"What better distraction than a movie night?" He replied, holding up even more cases of movies Maya had never heard of.

"You're joking." The words flew from Maya's mouth before she could restrain herself. She had been about to suggest a moonlit stroll on the beach or a picnic or maybe even a night downtown and a trip to the Space Needle. Not movies. It wasn't that she completely hated movies. She just hated Fang's taste in movies. If it didn't star Jennifer Anniston or come from the genius that was Nicholas Sparks, it wasn't a good movie in her opinion.

"What do you mean? We've always watched movies…" He furrowed his brows, dark eyes scrutinizing her.

"Sorry, it's just…kind of amazing how well you know movies sounds perfect." She spoke with a wondrous conviction, softening her gaze.

"Yeah, well, I'm kind of amazing," He smirked cockily, "But you already knew that."

Not having a response, Maya simply rolled her eyes, knowing that was a trademark habit of her sister's. Fang seemed a bit disappointed at the lack of antagonization on her part, but said nothing as Maya made her way to the black leather couch. It was the only décor in the room that didn't give her a migraine. She remembered times when she would ride Fang endlessly to change the tacky bright orange walls and the deep blue carpet. He would always say it had character. She would always say even clowns would declare is distasteful.

"So…where were you?"

"Hmmm?"

"Well, when you weren't at the dance and Maya was and I couldn't get in contact with you until now, almost two days later, you still never said what happened. You never said where you were?" His head had popped up from the never ending bin of movies, looking to Maya who had been nestled into the crook of his couch, until his question.

"I was at my mom's." Maya wasn't even totally lying, "Ella was having a crisis and with everything that was going on, "I guess I just had to disappear."

He nodded, although something still seemed to be plaguing him. Whatever it was, Maya wanted it to stop.

"What are you thinking about all of this?" He turned to face her, "About Maya."

"Fang," Maya insisted roughly, irritation crawling at her skin, "I thought we promised not to talk about this. Just put the movie in."

"Max, you asked me how I was doing because she was my ex-girlfriend," Ouch. When had she been demoted to ex, "Maya is your sister."

Maya took in a breath, knowing that to keep her cover, she would have to answer.

"I don't know what to expect from Maya. She's been gone for so long…they could have done anything to her by now." She looked at the floor, a vision of vulnerability settled upon her features.

"I've been thinking the same thing," He muttered, fumbling with the DVD, "It doesn't help after all that I've read in her diary."

Maya's eyes flew open, popping out of her skull like a squeeze toy. It was a struggle to not topple from the couch after such an electric shock.

"The diary?" She asked through gritted teeth, bubbling with an inner concoction of rage and fear.

"Yeah, I've been reading it more lately. I feel like whatever we're missing would be in there, but I'm not sure what."

To avoid an outburst, Maya clawed onto the raw flash of her palm, about to explode. She was threatened. That diary, the one she had tried to hide so well, could expose her. She wasn't about to let that happen, no matter what it cost.

Aj: Heehee. I like writing bitchy Maya. She's just so different from Max. So a lot of you guys have been asking me the same questions, so I figured I'd just answer them here for you guys. Cool? Cool.

Q: Why am I so mean? A: I dunno just lucky I guess.

Q: How old am I now? A: This one was asked a lot, wow. I just turned 15, but the majority of this was written when I was 14.

I'll see you guys next chapter, which I already have typed up, I swear. I'll post that when we get to 705 reviews?

I still have a lot to reply to. I'll get right on that. See ya!

-Aj