Here With You!

By No1butjoe

A/N: Wow, I broke 50 reviews! And it's all thanks to:

LinaLu7

Peaceful Dragon Rose

Gabriel Wolfe

disneydork

plainlyironic

AsanteSanaSquashBanana

Transfiguration

I'm currently working on this story and my other story 'On Angel's Wings'. The chapters will keep coming for this story, don't worry, but I also have another story, so maybe not as much. Plus, I'm going to be writing a sequel for my other story soon. Fortunately, that won't be posted until it's completely finished on my computer, so after my other story is finished, I can focus more on this story. Hope you all enjoy this chapter!

Chapter 7

Max

Gaining An Old Friend!

The moment I saw his eyes look at me with such hurt, pain, and sorrow, I knew I had lost the one thing that meant the world to me. Fang's friendship. My eyes filled with tears, until I heard a shout of joy and a scream.

"Max!"

I smiled as Angel and Nudge launched themselves into my arms, hugging me tightly. My tears continued their descent, however, as my gaze never left Fang's. He couldn't even look at me, not that I could blame him. Iggy and Gazzy joined our little group hug, but I didn't even notice. The rest of the Flock was firing questions at me left and right, none of which I was able to answer. Once they realized I wasn't answering their questions, I felt them release me. Immediately, I went to stand by Fang, a sinking feeling settling in the pit of my stomach.

"Fang?" I asked, hesitantly.

He didn't reply, so I didn't push it. We stood there for some time, just thinking. Until suddenly.

"You left us, just like that and suddenly, you want me to forgive you," Fang whispered so only I could hear. "I'm sorry, Max, but it doesn't work that way. Trust is something that's earned, not freely given to do whatever you want with. And how am I supposed to know you're not another clone? Or that you won't turn on us again? Or, better yet, Max, how do I know you won't turn us in to the School?"

He had a point. Actually, he had many points. I sighed and looked at the ground, choosing my words carefully.

"Fang, I did what I had to do to protect you and the Flock. If I had the choice, I'd do it all over again. I became an Eraser, Fang. It's not something I'm proud of, but it's a part of me now. I have my own free will and I don't work for the School. I know I've broken your trust and, most likely, your heart, but I did come back, Fang."

I waited breathlessly for Fang's reaction, my fists clenched.

"It's not that simple, Max," he said, sighing. "You left us and that's not something that's easily forgivable."

"I know," I whispered. "But I want to try to earn back your trust. Please, Fang, give me another chance."

I watched him closely as he clenched, then unclenched his fists several times, debating within himself. At long last, he finally looked up at me, set determination radiating in his eyes.

"You can stay, Max," he announced. "But you have only one chance to prove to me that you're not going to turn against us."

I had to restrain myself from hugging him, but I eagerly smiled and nodded. I turned my attention to the rest of the flock, opening my mouth to state an order like the old days when I noticed that they weren't looking at me. They were looking at Fang. It shouldn't have surprised me. After all, they had been under his leadership for three years. But the knowledge that I had been replaced hurt more than anything.

"Max, you follow behind me," Fang ordered, firmly.

I nodded in agreement. I knew what he was doing. He wanted the rest of the flock behind me in case I decided to take off. I smiled slightly to myself. Same old protective Fang.

"Lets go," Fang said, spreading his wings and taking to the sky.

I hurriedly followed behind him, hearing the rustling of the other's wings as they trailed behind me. They had grown up. I had missed out on a lot while I was gone. Now, Angel, Gazzy, Iggy, and Nudge looked up to Fang for guidance - and I couldn't be more proud. He had taken on the full responsibility of taking care of our family. We landed somewhere near the Grand Canyon. Luckily, we found refuge underneath an overhanging rock. We had found our shelter for the night.

MRMRMRMRMRMRMRMRMRMRMRMRMRMRMRMRMRMRMR

Later that night found me wide awake and sitting by the edge of the cliff, my knees pulled up to my chest and my arms wrapped around them. So intent on thinking, I didn't hear Fang until he sat down next to me. We sat in silence for a while.

"You kept the ring I gave you," he said, staring out into the night.

I nodded, twirling the said object that had remained on my finger for the past three years.

"I wouldn't let them take it off," I explained. "And trust me, they did try to take it off."

Fang nodded in the dark and I sighed deeply.

"Fang," I whispered, looking down at the ground underneath of me. "I'm still the same. I'm still Max. Just because I'm an Eraser, doesn't mean I don't still care about you."

"It's not that, Max," he replied. "It's just . . . You betrayed us. You left us there, not sure what to do or where to go. We weren't even sure whether or not you were still alive! Do you know what it's like, Max? To know that your fiancé chose your worst enemies over you!?"

I closed my eyes against my oncoming tears. I deserved that.

"Fang, I-"

"No, Max," he cut me off. "Like I told you before, one chance. That's all you get. Just don't blow it."

That said, he stood and walked back into the shelter. I ran a hand through my hair in frustration.

Don't worry, Fang, I thought. This time, things will be different. You'll see.

In my heart, I hoped to God I was telling the truth.

A/N: Yes! I am so glad I finally got this chapter finished. It's been way too long. Well, I hope you all enjoyed. Please, R&R!