"Sorry.." I muttered regaining my footing of the damp forest floor. I looked down at my ruined wedding gown and smirked at what Nudge would say about it. I would get an earful from them when this was all over I just new it. After dusting off most of the dirt and leaves from my butt and back where I had landed I turned around to see who it was I had ran into. The man had his back turned to me. He was tall and tan, but not too dark, with thick scraggly shoulder length black hair. He was clearly muscular.

"Of course," he grumbled straightening to his full height. He kept his back to me as he spoke. "Everyone always is when they knock someone down in the middle of the forest." Whoever he was he sure was grouchy.

"Look I'm sorry. I thought I had heard something behind me so I was walking backwards... that's where you came in. Don't get mad at me because you wehre standing where I was walking." I shot back. This mans demeanor and voice seemed very familiar. I was afraid to get my opes up for fear that it wasn't really him. If only he would turn around I thought to myself.

"Hmph.." He mumbled something under his breath and I wanted to ask him what he said but decided better of it. Something about his fowl mood didn't give me the idea that it was a pleasant comment. I wanted so badly for this strange man to be Fang but I feared what would happen if it was...

THORNS P.O.V

Where did she go? I asked myself as I flew high in the sky over the vicious storm cloud that surrounded the area. I had a pretty good idea that she would have flown to find Fang, but I had no idea where my brother had gone that day when he left. Max didn't either but I knew that her maternal flock instinct would lead her straight to him. I didn't have that ability. I could read each others mind, and cast my own mind around, like sonar. That was usually how I located people, but it only went so far and I couldn't pick up Max's thoughts. I never understood why becuase Angel could. But I never really cared. Then I had a brilliant idea.

If I could find Fang, then I could find Max. Because I knew in my heart that she would be able to find him. And when she did, it would be almost impossible to tear them apart again.

MAX'S P.O.V

Turn around! I mentally pleaded with this man as I stood there with my arms across my chest watching him and thinking. He dusted off his clothes very carefully and I stood there scowling at his muscular broad back. His shirt fit him tight enough that I could see the outlines of his taught muscles. I waited for a few moments while he cleaned himself off before I said anything. "Will you look at me?" I screamed at this stranger. He stopped dead still. I didn't even think he was breathing.

"Why?"

"I feel like... I know you from somewhere.. but I need to see your face to be sure..." He didn't move and I knew that my effort was futile. I should have just left when I had the chance. He stood there for a moment longer before he slowly turned around to face me, his mouth moving to probably call me a stalker or yell some rude retort and tell me to go away.

"Do I-" He stopped short in his response and his head shot back around to face away from me.

He began to walk away from me at a fast pace. I smiled, knowing that I was faster than him. I jumped in front of him and put my hands on his shoulders staring into his dark bottomless eyes. "I do believe we have met before." My entire body was shaking with the effort of contain my emotions. Part of me wanted to cry, and the other part of me wanted to laugh and throw my arms around this man and hug him.

I took my hands off his shoulder and looked him up and down. He had on dark black boots with black denim jeans. His shirt was a close fitting v-neck black shirt, and his hair hung savagely across his face. The only difference in him now from the last time I saw him was the five o'clock shadow.

"Yeah..." he nodded slowly his face still a mask of confusion. "I think we met once... I'm Nick." He held his hand out as if inviting me to shake it. I just looked at him aghast. Then I realized what he was doing and let a small smile play across my face.

"I'm Maxine Martinez," I shook his hand, "I think I met you at school. In Virginia. Right?" He held my hand a moment too long after we stopped shaking.

"Well yes that does sound right. Only thing is, I think I've known you much longer..." His eyes glimmered with the familar smirk he always got when he would joke around with me.

I nodded. "It feels like. I think I recall some childhood memories with you. Playing together in the mountains with other children, younger than us... but that isn't possible.." I tried to hold in my laughter at the way this little game was playing out.

He got quiet and turned to walk away for a moment. "You remind me of someone I knew once. I lived in this horrid place, called the school until this nice man saved me and some other children just like me. We grew up together... She and I were very close.." His voice trailed off and it seemed like even the wildlife around us stopped making any noise. The silence was over whelming.

"That's enough!" I shouted. He turned around and looked at me his brow furrowed in confusion. I took three giant steps toward him and threw my arms around him wrapping in him a huge hug. I squeezed him tight and refused to let go for what seemed like an eternity.

"What are you doing?" Nick looked down at me. Confusion evident on his face.

"I'm hugging you. Now deal with it and hug me back," I looked up at him and smiled lightly. "And I its time for some truths here Nick," I spat his name, "That isn't your real name is it?"

"What if it isn't? What if yours isn't really Maxine? What would it be if it isn't?"

"If your name isn't Nick, which it isn't, then your name is Fang- Avian-American Sidekick!" I laughed at my own joke.

"Maybe my name is Fang, It has a nice ring to it. But if I'm Fang, then you must be Maximum Ride-Avian-American World Savor!" He laughed at me and wrapped his arms around me hugging me close.

"I sure am! And proud o-" I began to say but was quickly interrupted. I could feel the press of his soft lips against mine. His mouth warm over mine as he kissed me softly but passionately.

"How's that for being proud?" He smiled and kissed me again. This time it was a simple peck. He smiled again and then pulled apart from my hug. Taking my hand he led me throw the thick brambles and trees down a path towards an old house that sat on a cliff overlooking a huge canyon.

"So, Max is it?" He winked at me. "Why don't you tell me why exactly you're wearing a torn wedding dress? Don't spare me any gory details." He smirked and pulled me into his quaint house behind him. Once inside he let the door close on its own. And for the first time in years, I was with the one person, who I wanted to be with.