Note: I am sooooooooooooooooooooo sorry, everyone. I've got a lot on my mind lately with everything happening all at once. Hopefully, this will make up for it.

Chapter 4

Fang

Time To Say Good-Bye!.

"Hey, Fang?"

I glanced up at Angel with a curious look.

"Yeah?"

I watched as she shuffled her feet back and forth as if debating on what she wanted to ask.

"Why's Max acting so weird?" my companion asked, gazing up at me. "I mean, I talk to her and she doesn't say anything, but I can read in her mind that something's troubling her, but every time I get close, she blocks me out. I-I was hoping you'd tell me."

I sighed and lowered my head slightly. Max, what is wrong with you? Even I don't know anymore.

"Fang?" Angel persisted.

"Trust me, Angel, when I say that even I don't know."

MRMRMRMRMRMRMRMRMRMRMRMRMRMR

I found Max sitting outside later that evening, just gazing into the sky. I swallowed hard, looking her over while trying so hard not to rush up to her, take her in my arms, and kiss her passionately.

"You know, the Erasers will be coming soon," she stated, startling me out of my thoughts.

I frowned.

"How do you know?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.

She looked over at me with tears in her eyes.

"I called to them, Fang," she replied, guilt radiating in her eyes. "I told them I'd come willingly if they'd leave you and the flock alone. They told me, Fang. They told me when the transformation would be complete."

I paled considerably and resisted the urge to slap her across the face. Instead, I settled for holding her close against me, never wanting to let go.

"There's one problem you're forgetting, Max," I whispered in her ear.

"What's that?" she asked.

"They don't have a snowballs chance in you-know-where of taking you away from me," I replied, tightening my embrace. "I'm not going to lose you, Maximum Ride. I refuse. Those Erasers will have the fight of the century on their hands if they even so much as think of taking you."

She looked up at me, pain, fear, and . . . was that love . . . showing through to her very soul.

"Don't you understand, Fang?" she asked me, leaning her head against my shoulder. "I can't stay. If the rest of the Flock found out about my . . . secret, they'd never trust me again. Please, Fang."

My heart constricted in my chest.

"Max, please, don't go," I pleaded, as if wishing was ever enough.

I should've known right then and there, before we could spot them in the distance, that none of my wishes ever come true.

A/N: Thank you to: meepisms, I'll have some stupid clich . . ., plainlyironic, Weasleygrlz07, Katie-3llen, amsrule, Maximum Ride all the way, xoxFang'sGirlxox (x3) for reviewing Chapter 3.

R&R. I'll update sooner this time, promise.