This is definitely not my best work, but I had to update!

My mind whirled as I jumped over fences and ran through yards to our house. I could hear hisses of pain as Tess tried to keep up, only to get caught by her jacket on a wire fence. Not pausing, I rocketed towards the back door; digging my hand into my bag for the keys, I shoved the cold piece of metal into the lock and turned it hastily. The tumblers clicked and I threw the door open.

"Fa-Iggy!" I yelled out, almost calling for Fang. But he wasn't any help anymore. I slammed the door closed, and stomped into the house in search for the flock. After checking out the family room, I found everyone in the kitchen. Ella glanced up at me, a half eaten cookie in her hand. "Want one?" she offered, the cookie raised high in the air. I reached toward it, but the thought of food made me nauseas. I grimaced, lowering my hand. Yes, the Maximum Ride just resisted the gooey force of chocolate chip cookies. Call the presses.

I could literally hear the gasps. A look of concern crossed Nudge's face. "Are you all right?" she asked kindly, her usual chattiness put off for a moment.

I smiled tightly. "I'm fine, sweetie. Thanks for asking." Short, sure, but I needed to talk to Iggy.

That was enough for Nudge, though. Opening her mouth wide to start a speech, she started talking at top speed. "That's good! I mean, I was worried because you never not take a cookie. Who couldn't eat Mom's cookies, anyway? They're so gooey, and sweet, and amazing! Her tacos are great, too, with all the yummy melted cheese and lettuce. Have you had the tacos at school? I swear it moved on my plate! And then I screamed and threw my plate and it landed on Allie's head. And then she started-."

"Nudge," I flatly interrupted. "I'd love to hear about your day, but I need to talk to Iggy for a minute. Can you guys go watch TV of something until I call you back in?"

Nudge's face fell, but she obediently left the room. Gazzy, Angel, Ella, and Total followed. I sat down on one of the stools, and my face fell into my hands. "We have a problem, Ig," I stated quietly, mixed emotions circling me like vultures. Why did this happen to me?

Iggy sat across from me while munching on a cookie. "What's up, Max? Not another evil principal, right?"

I rolled my eyes and raised my head. "No worse. Some girl named Rachel," I gulped out.

He stared at me, slowly processing what I just said. "A girl named Rachel," he repeated. "A girl named Rachel…" After a moment of repeating Rachel a few times, an evil grin spread across his face. "Max, this isn't about boy problems, is it? We all know that-." I interrupted kindly by smacking him upside the head.

"Rachel," I enunciated slowly to him, smirking at his expression, "is apparently a new recruit of Fangs'." Iggy's eyebrows shot up, but he seemed unsuprised. "How can you not be freaking out?" I asked in response to the silence.

Iggy sighed. "Max," he said carefully, "what did you really expect? It's not like he left because of any of us."

"What do you mean?"

"Max," he said quietly, looking slightly queasy. What was his problem? "Look, I get you and Fang were… together and all, but he left. Why, none of us are sure about. But whatever he needed done, he would need help. I'm not all that surprised about this girl."

I couldn't help but stare at Iggy in amazement. How could this deep Iggy be the sexist pig I had grown up with? Where were the taunts? The jokes? The sound of a bomb in the distant? "Ig, are you feeling all right?"

Iggy pouted like the immature teenager he is. "Am I not allowed to play serious once and a while?" he simpered. I just rolled my eyes.

"What do you think we should now?"

Iggy shrugged. "You're the leader."

"So?" I shot back, my eyes narrowing.

"I think I can help you."