Know what we should do? We, the MR ff writers, should have like, a national convention. Meet somewhere central and discuss fanfic and MR and MR fanfic. Cuz nobody where I live has ever heard of MR, much less read it, much less like it, much less write about it. Ooh! And... we could have seminars! I vote R-Starcat to lecture on Mary-Sues!

Still my POV. Fang's gonna be slightly OOC in this chappie, but, ya know, he has to talk sometimes. And... the me/Iggy comes in! Fluff! Hurray! Fluff is good!

I am so pathetic.

Anyhu, here's the chapter...

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Not even the pepper spray. (you'll see.)

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Early in the morning I visited a local bookstore and used Max's card. Cheerfully I woke up the less-than-cheerful flock and took them to eat. Then we took off, flying south, a backpack over my wings.

I watched Iggy. His wings were gorgeous, he flew with such confidence. His eyes, though curtained, showed his emotions so clearly.

Tsk, tsk, Rachel. Forming an attachment?

Even the Voice couldn't put a damper on my spirits. "Maybe. So what?"

You've already accomplished part of your purpose. But Fang is still resistant. So here's a little something to jolt him a bit.

Huh? Oh yeah...

My wings folded and I started dropping, unable to do anything but hold my head. "Rachel!" I heard Nudge scream. Then I felt arms around me, and the pain vanished. I looked up into the dark, concerned eyes of Fang. "Can you fly now?" I nodded, and he let me go. As I started flying again, I heard him clear his throat self-consciously and say, "Uh, Rachel? Can we talk for a second?"

"Sure." So we zoomed up to a higher altitude so the rest couldn't hear us. And he poured out everything. It's hard being the strong and silent type. He talked about his mom, Max, the Flock, God, everything. Fang was finally able to release what he had bottled up all his fourteen and a half years. I just listened compassionately.

After about fifteen minutes, he fell silent. I looked over at him. Tension and worry had almost- but not quite- vanished from his face. He sighed deeply, met my gaze, and smiled. "Thanks."

"Anytime. You know," I added thoughtfully, "you ought to do this more often. I do it all the time."

"To whom? Friends."

"Yeah, but mainly God. I can pour out everything to Him and know He still loves me."

"Listen, Rachel, I have really given it serious thought. But I'm not quite there yet. Okay?"

"Of course."

Fang grinned mischievously. "Oh, and by the way- good luck with Iggy." I gaped at him as he flew down to join the Flock, then followed him.

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Predictably, the first thing Nudge said was, "I'M HUNGRY!" Gasman, Angel, and Iggy chimed in. As a matter of fact, my stomach was rumbling. So I scanned the land below me. We were in rural mountains, but I spotted a "BBQ All-You-Can-Eat Buffet" and grinned.

"We'll eat there," I said as I pointed.

We ate all we could for eight dollars a person. Angel, Gasman, and Nudge were only five dollars apiece. The manager was somewhat disgruntled by our appetites but hey, we paid! Just as I got my receipt Nudge pulled on my hand and pointed. Headed toward us from across the restaurant was an Eraser, already half morphed. No one seemed to notice it. Fang stiffened beside me.

"Ready... on count of three." Which, of course, meant on count of one.

"No, wait!" I hissed. "Let's try a different tactic." I turned to the hostess and quickly said, "Please, ma'am, do you have any pepper spray? It's really, really important."

"A course ah dew," she drawled. "Ah always carry hit..."

I interrupted her. "May I borrow it?" The Eraser was getting closer, and he looked bloodthirsty. The woman handed me the pepper spray, puzzled. Closer, closer... she screamed as she finally saw it and I wielded the spray.

"Hey, what's going on?" I heard the loud, obnoxious voice of the manager and turned to him. "Sir," I explained with wide, innocent eyes, "I was just paying and there was this," I turned back to the Eraser.

In front of me was a handsome man rubbing his eyes.

"... this... this..."

"...this man and you SPRAYED HIM WITH PEPPER SPRAY?" The manager was mad. No, not mad. Outraged. I looked at the Flock. They were just as wide-eyed and speechless as me.

"Umm..."

"Young lady, you WILL be paying for this man's hospital bills." He grabbed me by the collar of my jacket. With a quick move I broke his grip, turned tail, and ran after the Flock, tossing the spray behind me. We were stampeded after by half the restaurant. Once we got to the parking lot, we threw off our windbreakers and practically leapt into the air.

The looks on those people's faces...

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So? What do you think? Do I have to make you review? Okay. If you read this and don't review, your hair will fall out, your house will fall down, you will never be able to eat your favorite food again, and I shall sic my swarm of Erasers on you! So there! Wouldn't you rather review and get a cookie? (wow. cookies are really common in this fandom. how about a... um... a bon-bon! that's it! no, doesn't have quite the attraction a homeade chocolate chip cookie does...) #sigh#