Short chappie…

Will post again soon, though.

I was going to make this longer, but the chapter needed to end where it ended.

Ooh, I love cliffies, don't you? (Muhahahah….)

And by the way, I posted a picture of the room that the Flock stayed in while they were on the cruise. A little late, yes, I know… but it may come up again soon…

Chapter 10: Tempted

The next couple of days were tough. Nudge woke up about 5 hours after the fight, and Angel literally threw herself over to her. The two girls hugged and sobbed, and even I felt my eyes watering up.

Must have been the onions from the pizza we ate for breakfast.

Iggy was strangely distant with Nudge. He had greeted her with a hug and a small smile, but other than that, had not spoken to her for the past three days. I wondered if he had feelings for her – his reaction when she had been hurt tipped me off.

Fang and I were still in the over-polite stage. I wasn't really sure what I was going to do about him. One thing I knew for certain, though: the minute we made our relationship (not that there was one, or anything) public, we would have to endure endless hours of merciless teasing courtesy of Gazzy and Iggy. But I also knew that our having a relationship might tip the delicate balance we had maintained since Jeb had left. I didn't want things to change – having the Flock stick together was my number one priority.

That day, while the rest of the Flock (minus Nudge, who was taking a nap in a corner) went for a fly, Fang approached me with a determined look on his face. Not wanting another make out session, I edged closer to Nudge's sleeping form.

"Don't worry. I'm not going to jump you or anything,"

Damn. He knew me to well.

I scowled at his smirking face, motioning for him to sit down.

"I was just going to ask – when are you planning on going back to the cruise?"

"Come again?" I said. I had been staring off into space once again.

"Heading back to the cruise. When were you thinking of heading back?"

"Go back to the cruise? Are you joking? There's no way we're going back there. The Erasers know where we are. I'm surprised they haven't come back for us yet!"

"You're right, Max. Think about it. They haven't come for us yet. It's been a week. I don't think they're coming back."

The guy had a point.

"But… still,"

"But… still?" interjected a voice. Iggy had flown past the cave and overheard our argument. "Since when is 'but… still' a good argument? That's low, Max. Just low." Iggy snickered, but at a look from me, skittered out of there. What can I say? I just have that effect on people. (AN: Quote from JP's Max. One of my favorites… just had to use it… it was a perfect fit…)

I turned me attention back to Fang, who was staring at me with smoldering eyes. Woah – did I just say smoldering? Someone kill me now…

Trying to come up with a snarky response, I stuttered and stumbled. Damn Fang. Damn Fang and his stupid smoldering eyes.

He smirked at my lost expression, and took advantage of my momentary lack of witty jibes.

"We're staying."

Wait… what?

Did he seriously just – Oh, my goodness.

He had no idea what he had just gotten himself into.

Or did he? He knew me so well…

But anyone who knows me that well knows not to contradict me…

I got real close to his face, poking him in the chest and ready to tell him off –

When he kissed me.

Full on the lips.

Aw, hell.

. . .

His arms wrapped around my waist, and we backed against the wall of the cave. I was squashed between him and the hard surface of the cave, but oh, the feeling of his lips on mine was so intensely good…

I was tempted to kiss him back, to tangle my hands in his hair, but instead, I used my force to push him away.

I tried to think of a way to tell him that we couldn't do this, couldn't be together. Wracking my brain, I almost moaned in frustration, when I realized that there was only one way to end this.

And it wouldn't be pretty.

. . .

"Fang, I – I don't feel that way about you."

RnR? I love reviews… they totally make my day…

And I'll assure you, although the Fax situation isn't looking so good right now…

It'll all work out in the end.

Don't give up on me.

I promise you, Fax will always, always prevail in the end.

Sooo… KEEP READING! :)