Okay, this is the penultimate chapter... review more, peas. I had really hoped to get more reviews on this story. Anyway, here ya go...

Disclaimer: Don't own, yada yada yada.. #sigh#

----------------------

That night was like a giant sleepover- for the girls, at least. The guys were upstairs, so who knows what they were doing all night. Probably sleeping. But it turns out it was a good thing we didn't.

We giggled and talked a long time- even Max. I could see that in my body and not being around the guys she didn't have to retreat behind a shell. She just had fun being a girl.

Around 1:30 AM, talk turned to serious matters. Angel, Nudge, and I all shared how Jesus had changed us. I got out my Bible and shared a few verses with her. Tears filled her eyes. She tried to hide her emotion, but I told her, "Don't be afraid to be human." She smiled wryly.

"Are you serious about all you've said?"

"Dead serious."

She thought for a minute, then replied, "And I believe it. What do I need to do?"

I told her, "Just say what you want to say to God, ask forgiveness of your sins and invite Him into your life." So Max squinted her eyes shut and said, "Jesus, I believe in You. I believe God created the world, and loved us so much He sent You to die. But You lived again so I could go to heaven. Please forgive me for the wrong things I've done. Please live in my heart and help me do the right thing while saving the world and taking care of my Flock. Thanks. Uhh... Amen." She opened her eyes and smiled tentatively. Everyone was beaming, myself included. "I... I feel clean," she managed.

We all started crying from happiness and laughed through our tears. I threw my arms around her and hugged her tight.

Thank you, Rachel. Mission accomplished.

I looked up at... Max.

Both our mouths dropped open and our eyes were the size of saucers. We were silent for a second, but then we squeaked, stood up, and jumped around the room like idiots. Nudge and Angel watched in silence until Angel gasped and stood up. "Nudge," she explained happily, "They're back!"

We all made enough noise to wake everyone up. As the two younger ones rushed out of my room, I turned to Max again. "Max," I said, "About Fang... he's still not saved, but he does..."

"... love me." Max nodded. "That's the first thing I heard when I got back." She tapped her head and I nodded.

Hugs all around. Careful inspection to make sure we were in our right minds. Then another round of hugs. When I hugged Iggy again, he whispered, "Is that really you, Rachel?"

"Mmhmm!"

"May I do something? It's how I know what you look like."

"Sure."

He lifted his delicate fingers to my face. I closed my eyes as he felt the contours of my features. Across my forehead, over my eyelids, down my nose, under my jawline; his cool fingers touched me gently as a feather. My lips curved into a smile as he ran his fingers across them.

"Thanks."

"Thank you."

Suddenly, we heard a loud "EEW!" coming from Gazzy. He ran to me and whispered in my ear, "Fang just kissed Max on the cheek!" I looked up and saw the just-mentioned couple coming my way. Fang's eyes were shiny as he said, "I believe. Show me how."

------------------

Wow. I just realized how short this chapter is. Sorry, peeps! The end will be up next week! Now review and make my day.