A/N: Told ya I was nearly done. Though, I had expected to make this at least a thousand words longer, but I decided to end the chapter here. Plot development this chappie!

Oh, and if anyone's interested, looking for a Beta ... don't exactly know all the specifics on how those things work out but I know the basics, and I'd be eturnally grateful if someone volunteered. 'Need someone to keep me on my toes, and scream at me to fnish things if I lag behind ... y'know?

Anyways. Hopefully I'll be able to get the third chapter up over the weekend, haven't had time to start working on it yet (blame my school and all the glorious homework they give us..) Oh! one last thing. Can someone kindly point out to me how on earth you edit a chapter? Not the title of the chapter or anything, but the actual chapter itself, it would be a helpful thing to know. And I'm not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed, if you know what I mean.

So enough of my ranting.

Disclaimer: I don't own Maximum Ride or the characters. JP does. I'm just borrowing them for the purpose of this story, no suing! I don't have much to give you anyways...

R & R!

After being hounded by Erasers nearly every waking moment in your life, you come to appreciate deeply those times when the world decides to cut you some slack. Sensing this was now one of said rare times, Gazzy's attempt at lightening the mood – even if it was unintentional, went over pretty well.

Though tired and aching we all broke out laughing, and Fang even managed to crack a smile. Reaching over with my undamaged arm, I ruffled Gazzy's hair and headed towards our temporary camp site. Fang fell in step behind me and the others followed silently.

Once reaching our destination, I began to rummage around my pack for some protein bars and a warm Coke. Iggy lit a match and began to feed a small fire. Thinking it better to keep the bars as something to eat while traveling, I turned once again to my bag; fishing out a package of graham crackers and a candy bar. Unfortunately, I had no marshmallows, but I could do without.

"Total!" I heard Angel's young voice, laced with soft concern, as she called for the dog she had picked up at the Institute. Hearing his name, a little black head poked out from beneath a bush.

"Over here!" he answered, stumpy tail wagging happily as he ran over to greet her. The mutant terrier jumped into her arms and began to lick her face. Ick. Well, as long as he's not licking my face. I thought, shifting my attention back to my s'mores.

I caught sight of Nudge, sitting beside Iggy and ranting quietly, while he nodded every so often. Angel was sitting near the Gasman, Total by her side as she and her brother concentrated on smoking their bacon over the fire. I sat still, watching everyone peacefully, my mind actually having the rare chance to rest.

I'm glad you're resting Max, but the world needs you. Stay focused on the task; your destiny.

I groaned at the invasive feel of the Voice in my head, my false-hope that it had disappeared for good once we left Itex behind us, shattering like a million shards of brittle glass. I was too busy refraining myself from screaming in frustration that I didn't notice the dark form sneak up behind me.

"Boo."

I nearly jumped out of my skin, instantly recognizing the low, quiet monotone and whipping around to glare at Fang disapprovingly. He met my glare with a slight upturn of lips – Fang's version of a smirk, and I couldn't help but smile to myself.

"Don't do that." I whined mockingly, playfully elbowing him in the side with my strong arm. Sitting next to me, he gazed at the others, face calm and stoic as always; before turning to me and lowering his voice to a barely-audible whisper.

"You okay?" he asked; motioning to my left arm, the one that had been caught in Ari's claws.

My gaze followed his and found my arm, tucked at my side limply. I could still move it and it didn't seem like anything was broken, but – it was throbbing, making me wince as the tendons around the open flesh twitched idly.

Fang must've caught the look of pain on my face, however brief it was, and his dark eyes narrowed slightly; a flicker of worry in their otherwise impassive depths. I shook off his concern and managed a small laugh, thankfully without cringing from the gash on my arm. "I'm fine." I muttered, my voice calm as I nibbled absently at my chocolate-graham cracker sandwich.

My mind still on battle that had ended as quickly as it had begun; I remembered the way Fang had saved me from falling, stuck in Ari's iron hold.

"Thanks" I mumbled after swallowing. I knew Fang would understand where I was coming from, and so I didn't feel the need to elaborate.

He shrugged in response and turned his attention to the sky – now a soft robin's-egg blue color, before asking "The Voice back again?"

I nodded mutely, popping the last bit of s'more in my mouth before getting to my feet. Fang got up also and I added: "We should get out of here." He nodded and moved to collect his pack, while I turned back to the flock and raised my voice enough so they could hear me speak.

"Up and away guys, the Erasers already know we're here, best get moving."

After taking a minute or two to dismantle the camp, the flock was up in the sky and heading west. The sun was high and shining, another day had just begun – another day of running and fighting for our lives.

Ari growled and carelessly shoved aside the pair of Erasers guarding the doorway he was entering.

"This is it!" he howled, rage twisting his face into an ugly snarl. "The last straw! Next time no one gets away alive, I swear it!" he hissed in frustration, abnormally large hands curled into clawed fists smacked against the closest thing within his range. The counter at his mercy quaked violently, sending the vials and beakers tipping and smashing to the floor, in a wave of chemicals and glass, upon the jarring impact.

"Watch it!" a whitecoat called – before thinking twice and shutting up instantly as Ari's searing gaze fell on him. Before a threatening growl could escape his half-morphed muzzle, the whitecoat who had spoken held up his hands in a surrendering gesture.

"Patience is a virtue, Ari"

The Eraser in question – still seething whipped around to see Jeb, who had materialized to stand with the others, his voice and face both calm and emotionless. This facade only angered Ari further.

With an indignant huff, he crossed his arms defiantly across his chest, something akin to pout on his face. He looked like a child who had not had his way. And in a way he had been neglected what he wanted, Max. And he was a child, underneath the fur and claws, he was only seven. He would be eight next April.

What Jeb did next surprised Ari. He laughed. A soft chuckle under his breath, but he could hear him just fine.

"Besides," Ari watched his father step forward. "We're following your plan, son. You said you didn't want to kill Max." He waited, as if considering, and Ari could practically hear his father's voice saying: I wouldn't let you anyway. This thought caused his scowl to deepen, but he stayed quiet, eyes trained on his father's now-pacing form.

"Your plan was to steal Max, and keep her somewhere. Not kill her. You can kill the rest of the flock if you have to but remember, we want Max alive." Jeb halted in his pacing to glance at his son for a moment before continuing.

"So following that plan, we need a way to weaken the flock, enough so that they won't be able to follow once we take Max. As they surely wouldn't give her up without a fight." He seemed finished but added "You know that if you kill the flock, or even just one of them, Max will never forgive you." As an afterthought.

At this, his jaw dropped. Ari's head snapped up to meet his father's eyes, his face a mask of disbelief. He couldn't believe Jeb would say that. Wanting to protect Max was one thing, but now he was protecting the flock as well? His fists curled tightly at his sides, claws now digging into his palms so he could feel the blood starting to well up underneath them. He didn't mind the pain. Actually he couldn't even feel the pain, his fury washing over him like a tidal wave. Right now, he didn't care if Max would hate him for killing her flock; in fact, he would do it just to make her suffer. He would hurt them first, and then separate her from them, bringing her someplace they would never find and she would grow to forgive him over time.

It was a perfect plan; even his father had agreed to help him. But how would he deal with the flock? Weaken them enough, without killing them (much to Ari's dismay) to ensure they wouldn't – couldn't follow? His eyes barely reached Jeb's face, and in the absence of noise, you could nearly hear the proverbial gears churning in his brain; before it clicked.

Poison.

"Poison" Ari breathed out, grinning like he had just won the lottery. The others in the room turned to look at him awed, as if stunned that he was able to come up with such a thing. He ignored them, the look on Jeb's face told him that his father was pleased, intrigued, and something more that he couldn't quite identify. And that was enough for him.

"Poison" Jeb echoed; the astonished edge to his voice caused Ari's heart to swell. A spark of knowing flashed through the whitecoat's eyes before gradually fading away.

Although Jeb hadn't said much, the seven-year-old grinned despite himself. He turned to the others, observing quietly as his father went on to explain the finer details of creating a poison designed specifically to affect a certain substance found within the cell structure of avian DNA.

Ari had to resist the temptation to rub his hands together in satisfaction, and instead settled on a chilling smirk.

Now, he was getting somewhere.

A/n: Ooooo and the plot thickens! - ooo the suspense! ...not really -

Hope everyone was IC ...

Reviews are love. And love tastes like pie ... and pie ... is not homework. And homework ...really sucks. And – I'll shut up now.

Thanks to my lovely reviewers:

Acavoo - well, you asked for an update, you got one. And thanks, it'll get better as the story goes on.

SamanthaFantasyFan - yes, but imaginary cookies are the secret cure for writers block. :o - shifty eyes - And thanks.

DivideByNegativeZero - Nasty little bugger of a button. (not insulting you there, just the anonymous review button) Thanks for the tip, I thought it was enabled but guess not. And thanks for the comment:)

- imaginary cookies for everyone! -