Disclaimer: I do not own Maximum Ride. I'm totally serious.

I was sitting in my bed, looking through the files when I heard a rattling noise over by the window in the guestroom. I looked over to it to find someone was in the window, trying to open it.

But it wasn't just anyone. It was Fang. He was coming through the window. I was too shocked to see that it was him to get up.

He finally got through the window and came down to the floor.

"Hi Max," he said nonchalantly, as he walked towards me.

"Fang," I choked out, "it's… it's really you."

"I hope it is. If not, then there is a very serious problem."

I got up from the bed and walked over to him. He hadn't changed one bit. He still had his dark hair and tan skin. Age didn't really get me taller than him. In fact, the difference between our heights was a little greater than before.

"I really missed you Max," he said. All right, now it definitely couldn't have been Fang. He would never have said such a thing.

"I… I missed you too Fang," I said. "I… I'm sorry I ran away. I didn't mean to. I think I was just scared because I lost my memories."

"Don't worry about it, Max. What's important is that you're all right." He came closer to me and before I realized it, he was hugging me. His strong, soft hands were wrapped around my waist. It was great to feel his warm embrace again. I hugged him back and buried my head in his shoulder. I missed him so much.

After a moment, I lifted my head up to see that he was looking down at me. His eyes were so intense, and yet they were so soft at the same time.

Then he leaned down and did something I definitely didn't see coming. He pressed his lips to mine and kissed me. For a split second, I thought about pulling away, but the thought was quickly wiped away and I welcomed his lips.

Then he brought his tongue into my mouth, and once again, I welcomed it. He massaged mine with his and I did the same.

I realized that we were slowly backing up. And then we slowly eased ourselves onto the bed, knocking the papers off that I left on it.

I loved his taste, his smell, everything there was about him. Then, I just went and said the next thing that crossed my mind, "I love you, Fang."

"I love you too, Max," he whispered.

This was too good to be true. This was just what I wanted: me, him, and nothing else.

"Max," he said.

"Yes," I said. I wanted him so badly; I'd listen to anything he had to say.

"Max," he said again.

"What Fang?"

"Max," he said louder this time. I was surprised at the aggression in his voice.

"Max!" his voice was different this time. And the next thing I knew, instead of Fang who was with me, it was Asch.

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I woke up in bed with a start. The files I stole from Itex were spread out along the bed. I sat up and saw that Asch was in the doorway. He was the one who was calling my name. The entire thing had been a dream. Dammit.

"You all right?" Asch asked me.

"Yeah, I'm okay," I said, a little drowsily, "I guess I just dozed off."

"I told you that you don't need to keep looking over those files. We can look up what we can on Sebastian's computer."

"I know. I just wanted to be sure we didn't overlook anything that might have been important."

"Well, anyway, it's time for dinner. I think this is Iggy and me's best one yet."

"Oh, boy," I said, getting up and walking over to the doorway. I looked over to the window in the room to see that it was still closed. No one had tried to come through it.

I guess I missed Fang a lot more than I realized. I really hoped that he was all right. But he had to be. He was Fang. If anybody knew how to survive, it was him.

"Are you sure that you're all right?" asked Asch, "You look a little dazed and confused."

That was exactly how I was feeling so of course I told him, "No, I'm all right. Let's go eat."

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The next morning, Jeb Batchelder stood at the entrance of the building with a small group of security guards.

He looked around impatiently. They should have been here by now.

After a couple of minutes, he looked to see a group of people in red jackets coming around the corner.

He smiled in satisfaction.

The entire Fire Rat came to Jeb and stopped. One of the boys whom he had met yesterday spoke up. "Okay doc," he said, "We're here. You gonna help us."

"Good morning, gentleman," he addressed them all, "I'm glad you could make it. Some of your fellow members have told me about your situation and I'm willing to help you."

"How can you do that?" asked somebody in the group.

"I have something that I can give you that will ensure that you get your turf back and be able to defend it from anyone who challenges you. Of course, if I'm going to scratch your back, you're going to scratch mine."

"Yeah, we understand. So what is it you got for us?"

"Come inside gentleman, and I'll show you."

Jeb walked into the building and the Fire Rats followed him inside, accompanied by the security guards.

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A twelve-year old girl was riding her bike by the Itex building later in the day when a strange noise caught her ear. She stopped her bike and looked toward the building. The noise seemed to have stopped as soon as she acknowledged it. She figured it was just her imagination and continued her ride.

She didn't know why, but she could have sworn the noise she heard from the building was somebody screaming.

R&R, don't be shy. I'm pretty sure these stories don't bite.