Thanks for the reviews I got! There weren't many so I am very thankful to all of you who took the time to do that :)

In this next chapter is a little bit of Fax, but not much. Sorry to disappoint those fax-lovers out there but I promise there will be more fax in later chapters.

Max just needs to get it through her hard head that she and Fang are meant to be together!

Disclaimer: James Patterson owns Maximum Ride and all of the characters. I only own this particular plot, sadly :(

Now on with the show!

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

previously:

"Yeah?" Then I saw something. A look. The look to be exact. The look he got that time in the cave when he was trying to "convince" me to stay. It was the same look he had on the dock not too long ago when he kissed me. I didn't know whether to stay put or use my super speed to fly away as soon as possible. He started to lean down and…

gently kissed my cheek. Phew, that was all. That's what brothers do, right? They sometimes kiss their sisters on the cheek. I'd seen Fang do it to Angel a couple times, so it was no biggie. At least that's what I told myself despite the fact that my heart was racing a mile a minute. Stop it Max! No one should be allowed to have that kind of effect on you, not even Fang! I tried to calm myself down but it was useless. He already had me under his trap.

"Uh…" I said, trying to regain my voice, "so what did you want to talk to me about?"

He pulled me closer to him and I tensed slightly. He noticed this and rubbed my shoulder comfortingly. "Max, we can't keep doing this."

Even though I knew exactly what he was talking about, I decided to play dumb. "Doing what?"

"Moving all the time. It's not good for us, especially Gazzy and Angel. Don't you think you're just a little too paranoid?"

Ok, that was the last straw. I shot up out of his embrace and was towering over him in two seconds flat. "Too paranoid Fang? Well excuse me for having to watch out for everyone all the time and being constantly attacked! Not only that but I have to freaking save the world!"

He was just sitting there, no emotion evident on his face. Figures.

"Max," he pleaded, "just listen."

Listen to him Max.

Oh, just fabulous! The Voice was back. In case you didn't know, I have a voice in my head that talks to me –ahem- annoys me from time to time.

Maybe he should be the one listening to me. How about that, smart one?

The Voice chose to ignore my rude remark and went on as if I hadn't spoken.

Fang may be only second in command, but he knows what he's talking about. Listen to him and things may start getting better.

I was not going down without a fight!

Are you kidding me? Since when have I been wrong?

Ok, that was a bit of an exaggeration because even I make mistakes sometimes, but it was enough to get the Voice out of my head because it didn't reply.

Fang, who was finally getting used to me suddenly blanking out when the Voice paid me a little visit, sat there patiently.

"Ok, talk." I ordered him. I had to stay strong so he knew I wouldn't back down too easily.

" I know what you're thinking, Max."

"Oh yeah, what's that?" I challenged him. He shouldn't have a clue unless he and Angel had mind-spoken earlier, which wasn't likely considering we'd been together the whole time.

"You're thinking that you have to stand there looking tough with your arms crossed over your chest 'cause you don't want me to think you'll back down too easily." He said matter-of-factly.

What the flip?! I looked down. My arms weren't crossed- oh wait, yes they were. Darn that boy! I should have known that he knew me almost better than I knew myself.

He looked at me smugly. I kicked sand in his face.

After he finished spitting and spluttering he continued, "I think we should stay with Dr. Martinez. Think about it, we would have clean clothes, hot showers, and good food every day."

"Yeah, but what about the risks? I know we could protect ourselves, but what about my mom and Ella? They wouldn't stand a chance." I argued.

"Come on, when's the last time a flyboy actually attacked us?"

Ok, he had me there. It had been awhile since there had been any immediate threats.

"But…how can we be sure we're completely safe?" My voice was softer now. I was truly afraid for my Flock and I would die before I let anything happen to them.

Fang patted the ground next to him and I sat down hesitantly. He didn't try to put his arm around me this time, which was a plus. I mean, I didn't need any distractions (even if I enjoyed them just a little bit) when I was trying to make a point.

"No one is completely safe all the time. Life is about risks, but it's also about living. So let's live a little."

I pretended to gag. "How wonderfully deep of you, Fang."

He rolled his eyes. "Seriously. I'm sure we'll be okay if we just try it out for a little while." He rested his hand over mine. " Trust me."

I looked down at our two touching hands pointedly. " Are you trying to 'convince' me again?"

His face inched closer to mine. "Is it working?"

I stopped breathing for a second. Then I stumbled back a few feet to create more space between us. This was cheating!

He made this sound that sounded almost like a chuckle. Almost. Remember, we're talking about Fang here, people. " I didn't know I had that effect you."

"What? What are you talking about? What effect?" Oh great, now I was stumbling over my words. The famous Maximum Ride without a witty comeback.

"You just proved my point." He said with a smirk.

"You don't have any effect on me." Nice one, Max. Real nice.

"Oh yeah? Then why did you jump away so quickly when I leaned closer to you?"

I stood up. "Sexist pig." With that, I flew back to the rest of the flock, leaving him in the dust- literally.

Fang POV

Well, that went well. Not. Of course I did manage to prove that she just might be as attracted to me as I was to her. But, man is she a pain! On the other hand, my talk with her didn't exactly go as planned. I got my main point across, but I think she was too wrapped up in her own opinion to really listen. Hmmm…maybe distracting her wasn't the best idea after all. She couldn't keep a straight thought. I couldn't help but feel a little proud of myself for that. Wow, my thoughts are all over the place right now. I guess that's what love does to you.

You love her?

Apparently Angel was listening in now.

Yes, Angel, I think I do. Now, would you mind getting out my head?

In a minute. Did Max change her mind yet?

I'm not sure. She just flew away.

I could hear Angel sigh mentally.

Did you try to kiss her again?

Should I really be talking about this kind of thing with a little girl?

Yeah, sorta.

Why? You know she always runs away when you do that.

I ran a hand wearily over my face.

Yeah, I know. For some reason I thought it might help.

Well it didn't! Don't do that again for a while. Let her come to you on her own time, I know she will. She just needs a little bit of time.

I did a double take. What did she just say?

Are you sure your only six years old?

She giggled in response.

Just don't do that again Fang, ok? At least not until we're settled down at Ella's.

How do you know Max will let us go?

It was silent for a moment.

I have my ways Fang.

Whoa. Creepy much? For an irresistibly cute little girl she sure knew how to take control of a situation.

Does this involve Bambi Eyes?

I asked hesitantly.

Maybe…

Uh oh.

Max POV

Just minutes after I had joined everyone else, Fang arrived as well. His face was blank like nothing had happened. We always did this after we had an awkward encounter. It was easier to not bring it up then make a big deal out of it in front of Iggy and the younger kids.

While Fang was talking to the other boys (I could practically hear Iggy waggling his eyebrows suggestively at what Fang and I might have been doing while we were gone) Angel suddenly put her tiny hand into mine and pulled me aside.

"Is everything ok?" I asked, worrying that something had happened before I got back.

"Kind of." She shuffled her feet in the dirt.

I bent down to eye level with her. "Tell me what's wrong, sweetheart."

"It's just that I really wish we weren't always on the run. I wish we could go with Dr.M and Ella because Total really misses Akila and we all miss sleeping in beds and stuff."

I stroked her hair. "I know. I just can't help thinking that's a bad idea. I know you might be upset with me but our safety comes first, no exceptions."

She suddenly looked into my eyes with so much sadness and pleading that my heart practically broke in two. I became entranced. I hated seeing my baby upset. "Pleeeeeeaaase Max?"

She completely and totally had me. I don't know if it was Fang's convincing, Angel's Bambi eyes, or the overall fact that I was completely and utterly exhausted, but I agreed. "Ok, tomorrow morning we'll head off to Arizona. Now run off and tell everyone else, I need to think a while."

Angel nodded and clapped her hands excitedly. "Thanks, Max! I love you!" She exclaimed before running off.

I looked back at the calming sunset and breathed in the open air. Was I really doing the right thing?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ella and Dr. Martinez in the next chapter! Plus a little bit of Eggy! yay!

Thanks for reading, and once again, please oh please review because it

always puts me in a good mood to know that someone has read my story!