A/NOnly 2 more chapters after this, I think. Keep the reviews coming, and by Sunday this story could be complete. sigh Ah, we'll save the drama for the last chapter.

Anyway, enjoy this chap. It's got a clifie at the end (sorry about that) but the next chapter is easily my favorite in the whole story. More reviews, sooner you'll get it!

Ellie

MAX POV

As soon as the Flock touched down on the Western shore of the lake, my stomach clenched. Jeb was there alright. But he was not alone. Someone of his height stood next to him. As we got closer, her form became more evident. It was clearly a girl, though a tall and strong one. Her back was to us.

When we only 10 feet away, I suddenly stopped dead. There was no mistaking her now. Kae herself stood next to Jeb, and I didn't know if I was angry or happy about it.

She was different, though. Recognizable of course, but she seemed older, more mature. Her face still had her characteristic stony quality, but it was a little more human that it had been when we had last met. Her hair was as black as ever, and fell to her mid back. She was undeniably beautiful, but it was so unconventional one almost did not notice it. Key word there being almost.

As we stepped closer, Jeb opened his mouth.

29 POV

I couldn't entirely believe I really was here. I stood at the edge of a lake, awaiting the arrival of the Flock.

Why had I agreed to this? Jeb had practically begged me to give Iggy a chance, because he made some "tragic" mistake as a young man, and wanted me to live for him. And for some reason I still don't understand, I agreed.

Interrupting my thoughts, I heard wing beats about 50 feet behind me. I swiftly turned my back. Call me superficial, but I was going to delay this meeting as long as possible. I closed my eyes tightly, and dispelled the tears that had stubbornly formed there. To distract myself, I counted the wing beats, concluding that all six of the Flock had come. All six. Perfect.

"Maximum." Jeb greeted warmly. I felt the air shift as he opened his arms.

"Jeb, you may have helped us, but that does still not undo what you have done in the past. Do not expect us to be welcoming to you. We won't be. Be happy we haven't wrung your neck already." Max's cold voice was no doubt accompanied by a withering stare.

If I had not been attempting to draw as little attention to myself, I would have punched the air and screamed "Go Max!" Okay, maybe not really. But I would have…smiled. Yes, I would have grinned.

Fine, I would have inwardly smiled and attempted to look a little less hostile. Happy?

Having dealt with Jeb, I felt their attention turn to me. I was reasonably sure Max and possibly Fang recognized me. I sorely hoped nobody had divulged Iggy about my presence.

Suddenly, I heard a sharp intake of breath. Angel. I felt her begin to run, while whispering "Kae." She wrapped her thin, though strong, arms around my waist. Then, surprising everyone present, including myself, I wrapped my own arms around her, and whispered, "Hey, Angel."

"We missed you so much." She whispered into my shoulder, between tears.

"Me too, kiddo. Me too." I said into her hair. Both Nudge and Gazzy joined the hug, and began their own sets of tears.

"Why'd you leave?" Their questions stung, but that one most of all.

"A lot of reasons." I said quietly. "But none of them about you, okay? I promise."

"Will you stay with us now?" Asked Gazzy, painfully hopeful.

"That depends, Gazzy."

"On what?" he asked. I sighed.

"A few things." I said quietly. I finally released the younger kids. I turned to Max. We stood for one second, both us indecisive. I had no idea how my leaving had affected her. Perhaps she was still angered with me, and this I could understand.

But, before we knew what was happened, we were hugging each other and silently shedding tears for each other. We finally broke apart, and she held me at arm's length.

"You OK?" She inquired. She was clearly referring to my mental state, rather than my physical state. I nodded. She considered me for another second, before we stepped away from each other.

My eyes found Fangs' next. Without even a second of hesitation, he enveloped me in a brotherly hug.

"You have no idea what you did to us."

"I know, and I'm sorry. But you also know that I had to." I said quietly. I felt him nod.

"But how about now? Are you ready?" He asked, so only I could hear.

"It is not I who needs to be ready." I said, just as softly. He released me again, and nodded.

And, with a faint sense of déjà vu, I realized it was only myself and Iggy left.

Because I'm slightly evil, I decided to end it there.

Ha.

Review, and enjoy the best chapter yet in the next one.