Here's chapter 16!!!! YAAAYY!!!!!!!!!! This chapter is kinda sad in some parts, but I think it's really about how close they are to each other. That they really and truly care about each other. Even if they don't really say it all the time. Please review!! We're so, so, so close to 100!! Like so close!! Please please review!!

Thanks!!

--Sarahbelle--

Disclaimer: No, I don't own Maximum Ride.

Claimer: I own a turtle!! His names guppy!!

Chapter 16

The rest of the day was slow. Everyone was by me, or was clinging onto me all day. Mostly clinging was done by Gazzy and Angel. In some rare cases, or well not so rare, it was Ella and Nudge. Fang was nearly inseparable from me, and Iggy was always listening out for me, or in the same room as me. My mom gave me the most space, even though it wasn't much. She stayed home from work and every hour or half hour she would come and check on me.

I love the Flock and mom and Ella and everything, but sometimes I was getting annoyed. Not to mention a little claustrophobic.

We didn't see Jeb at all. The Flock said they never even saw him last night after he wanted to talk to me. I don't know if he didn't want to come because everyone would hate him, or he was just too scared to come within a mile of the house, knowing Fang, Iggy, and myself were out to murder him. Sure the kids were furious with him, but they weren't as mad as the guys and me.

My mom had been cooking all day, making sure we had enough to eat. Iggy would help sometimes, and Ella would tag along like a lost little puppy looking for a master.

I think her and Iggy might have a little thing going on, if you know what I mean.

All in all though, throughout the whole day, it was as normal as any other day. I wasn't feeling sick or weak, heck, I was dying to open my wings and take flight, but Fang wouldn't let me even open the door.

He's seen me battle Erasers, Flyboys, M-Geeks, and whatever else we've been attacked with, knocked out cold from a hard kick, and beaten to a pulp. But still, after all of that junk I've been through, the boy won't even let me step out my own front door!

I was not a happy camper at all.

I mostly watched TV with the kids, (They wouldn't let me out of their sight remember?) ate lunch, which was some of Iggy's famous spaghetti, and then more TV. You gotta love cable television!

"Iggy!" I whined for the millionth time.

I know. I've been so unleaderly since we got out of the School, but hey, I'm tired right now.

The Igster and I were sitting on the couch, Fang on the big chair, in the living room watching NCIS reruns. The kids were getting ready for bed upstairs. Taking showers, changing clothes. All that fun stuff.

"Max, come on it can't be that bad." Iggy chuckled at me, "It's only one day. One day."

I had been trying to reason with Fang and Iggy to let me fly. It's not like I was going to drop out of the sky. I mean come on.

Me, dropping out of the-wait a minute…

That doesn't work.

Never mind…

I rolled my eyes at him, "No it's not for one day. It's for forever."

Iggy smiled, "Max," he tried to sound reasonable, "It's only until-" he stopped suddenly and looked down.

I saw Fang from the corner of my eyes tense up, his jaw clenched, but his eyes never left the TV screen.

What am I going to do? I can't leave my guys mourning over me day after day. They need to get over it and start living a normal life.

"Iggy," I said quietly, putting my hand on his shoulder. He looked up at me, "This is supposed to happen. We all die eventually. I just get the short end of the stick this time."

"This isn't supposed to happen Max." I turned towards Fangs low voice, "You die when we die." He voiced the words that had been spoken so long ago.

I sighed and looked away from his unfathomable, black eyes.

"I just don't want you guys to go nuts when I…when I'm gone." I took a breath, "I want to guys to keep doing what you would do if I was still here."

I looked between Fang and Iggy. Iggy was just looking at me, not knowing what to say. Fang looked like he was thinking, but he finally spoke up, "We'll try Max, but I don't know if we can."

I ran a hand through my hair in frustration.

I can't change their minds or tell them what to do. I just have to hope it turns out good. That they eventually forget about me and will move on. I don't want them to forget about me of course, but I want them to let go of the fact that I'm not with them anymore. That hopefully they'll except that and move on.

"Max!"

I looked up and saw Angel and the rest of the kids running down the stairs in their PJ's. Angel ran up and hopped in my lap, snuggling close to me. I smoothed her curly, golden locks back from her face, and kissed her forehead.

Nudge jumped up on the couch with Iggy and me, and leaned against my side, using my lap as a pillow as she stretched out across the small space she had. (A/N: I always pictured Max's mom having one of those really long couches, so let's pretend it is.)

Gazzy looked at the little spot between Iggy and me for a minute before jumping up and landing half on Iggy's lap, half on mine. He wiggled himself down until he was finally wedged between us. He smiled a toothy smile at me.

I ruffled his fine blonde hair, and then shoved Iggy for no reason.

Hey, I told you I was bored.

Iggy laughed and gave me a little push back.

"Max?" Nudge asked, tilting her head up to look at me.

"Yeah, Nudge?"

"What's for dinner? I'm starving." She rubbed her tummy

I smiled, "Ask chief Iggy. He's the one cooking." I bumped my knee with his.

He cleared his throat and said in a formal voice, like butlers use, "It shall be pizza from the famous Papa John's pizza place." We all chuckled at his bad imitation.

Then just on cue, the doorbell rang.

I heard my mom open the door and soon the smell of pizza made its way into the house. The kids and Iggy all jumped up and raced into the kitchen, eager for their food.

I walked in after them, Fang by my side. When we walked around the corner, I saw them eagerly sorting out whose was whose. I guess my mom ordered all our favorites. I don't know how she knew, but she did. She's just cool that way I guess.

Angel had her pizza box in front of her, her face filled with excitement. She was about to take a slice when she froze. She looked up at me with a guarded expression.

"Max?" Angel asked, her expression not changing. Her whole body had gone still.

I walked over to her and kneeled by her chair, "What's the matter Angel?"

The whole kitchen was quiet, everyone looking at Angel in rigid stances.

"This pizza isn't going to explode, is it?" she slowly turned to look at her pizza.

It was silent for a split second before all of us started laughing at the same time.

"No Angel," I said, trying not to laugh, "I don't think it will."

We all started laughing again. Angel gave a nervous laugh, her eyes still weary.

Soon, we all calmed down and dug into our delicious pizzas. They were gone after about 15 minutes. Each box held nothing in it except maybe a crust here and there, a piece of pepperoni or sausage. But every box, but the one mom and Ella were sharing, was empty.

I leaned back in my chair, filling stuffed.

Nudges sighed contently, rubbing her now full tummy happily. Angel was sipping on her soda, trying to get the last of it. Iggy and Fang were talking to mom and Ella about something, though I think Fang was just sitting there listening, adding "Mhm," and "Uh huh, yea," every now and then.

The suddenly Gasman let out a big, loud burp. He quickly covered his mouth after he saw my expression, and muttered a quiet, "S'cuse me."

I rolled my eyes and yawned, checking the time. 10:30.

"Ok, guys." I said, looking at the Flock, "We need to clean up then let's head on up to bed."

They all complied and threw their trash away, put plates and cups in sink. We stacked and tapped fists, before they started heading up the stairs to go to sleep.

I muttered a quick goodnight to my mom and Ella before starting up the stairs. I opened the door to the room Nudge and Angel were sharing.

"Night girls." I whispered to them.

"Goodnight Max." they said back in tired voices.

Hopefully they'll forget that I'm, uh, passing away? They don't need to follow me everywhere I go. That would be bad, not to mention a little annoying. I love them, but I need my space sometimes.

I went into Gazzy and Iggy's room next, muttering goodnight before closing the door.

I know that I don't need to check on Fang, but I went to his room anyway. I knew that he would want to see me before I go to sleep. To see if I was okay.

Psh, and he calls me paranoid.

I opened his door slowly, peeking my head around the corner to see him dressed in some long, black, basketball shorts. Just basketball shorts, nothing else. He was sitting on his bed looking down at the floor, like he was thinking.

"Goodnight Fang." I said to him.

He looked up at me and smiled. A true Fang smile. He got up and walked over to me. He took my hand and pulled me closer to him. He hugged me for a minute before pulling back and staring deep into my eyes.

"Goodnight Max." he whispered.

Then he swooped down and kissed me.

Goodnight.

So? How was it? Did you like it? Did you? Huh? I hope you did!! I know it moves in kind of a faster pace, but I hope you liked it!! I love FAX!!! I'm sorry if you right these, but I don't like MaxXIggy pairing. I just don't think they really…connect. I don't know. I just always picture Max with Fang. Love FAX!!

PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!!!!! PRETTY PRETTY PLEASE!!!!

Thanks!

--Sarahbelle--