((Disclaimer: I don't own Maximum Ride, or any of the characters in this book. They all still belong to James Patterson, well, they still did when I last checked. Enjoy!

But I do own the plots, so PLEASE respect this story and the author and don't steal the plot(s).))

Chapter 16: Reminiscing

"Remember when you where all staying in my house?" I nodded. "Well, I sorta felt good, like a mother. I missed that. I've always wanted to be a mother, but never could because of my work. I've realized that you and the flock have left more of an impression then I thought. And seeing you like that. Alone, afraid, lost and hurt. It pulled at my strings Nick. Now I'm quitting. I hate this work. I all ways have. You may not believe me yet, or at all, but I don't care anymore. You're the strongest person I've ever met. To see you like this is heartbreaking. You never gave up. I just what you to be safe."

I looked at her and saw that she meant it. As much as I hate to say it, I think she was telling the truth.

Whatever that is.

"But you were going to experiment on me!" Tara had been quite while this was going on.

"On darling. I would never do that to you. Your 'mother' wanted to sell you. I'm sorry, you're adopted Tara. I'm sorry. I brought you along to keep you away from that women. I had to tell the other employees something." Tara nodded.

Suddenly the pain in my shoulder became to much.

"Ahh!" I pulled my shoulder in, away from Tara, almost tripping. She held me as we went. I picked myself and Tara off the floor as Jeb turned the corner at the far end of the hallway behind us. Man, did he look pissed.

"STOP RIGHT THERE!" 2 Easers were hot on his tail. All of them started running towards us.

"Go! To the end of the hallway and turn right then another right. Then you're there. Go! I'll hold them off!"

"How?" I looked at her. She pulled out a nasty looking taser.

"Oh. Good luck!"

Then Tara and I ran down the hallway, both of us limping and stumbling. Alarm bells started ringing throughout the hallway as we ran, and red light was thrown on to the white walls.

"Come on! Move!" I heard Jeb yell.

His voice echoed through the hallway down to us. I turned right, praying there was no one on the other side. But there was a door, and it was rapidly closing.

"Come on!" I pulled Tara with me, hoping she didn't get hurt.

We slid under the door at the last minute. I picked us up and ran on, through another door. We entered the room at the end and ducked under the tape blocking the door. Sure enough, the window was open. I unfurled my wings as a Whitecoat stepped out of the shadows.

I recognized him. That man that The flock had made fun off. What was this name? He spoke like Dracula? Ahh, who cares. He had a big rifle. Oh, that'd hurt.

I picked up Tara and lurched myself at the window, beating my wings hard. I kicked the man hard on my way past, just as he fired. I waited for the pain, but there was nothing.

"Whoo!" I yelled uncharacteristically as I flew through the open window.

There was another shot and the building exploded behind us.

I turned to see Anne Walker jump from the window.

I turned back, beating me wings hard. The wall of flames was all most upon us as I forced my 'shield' out. I could see it now: I coated Tara, Anne and I perfectly. I grabbed Anne with my spare hand and flew for the ground, shield still intact. I felt a sense of pride well up in my chest. Then I came back down to reality.

Stop yelling, grinning and caring on like an idiot Fang, The grounds coming up. Fast!

I told myself. I back-pedaled hard put it didn't work. I pulled Tara and Mrs. Walker away from me, forcing them into a lake to my left. They hit the water screaming. I saw Anne grabbing Tara. I looked back down just as I hit the hard ground.

"Ouch! Shit!" I got up and dusted myself down, wincing.

"Nick! Help!" I turned to see Anne struggling with Tara in the middle of the lake. Tara was unconscious. Oops. I took off and dived into the water, taking Tara.

"Go!" I told Anne, pointing to land. She started swimming, looking back every now and then. I prayed I had enough energy to do this, other wise we'd both drown.

I took a deep breath and went under, holding Tara. I pushed my wings out, propelling myself and Tara out of the water. I beat hard and landed on the shore, collapsing with Tara still in my arms.

I woke to find Anne standing over me, looking worried.

"Are you ok? You've been out for hours." Hours! I sat up, rewarded with a blood rush to my

head for my efforts.

"What is a School doing in Australia? And you and Jeb?"

"We relocated. Bad timing huh?"

"Where's Tara? Are you ok?" I looked around and saw Tara lying on a make shift bed of leaves.

"I'm fine. Tara's….doing well-ish. She was shot Fang. On her way here. It's pretty bad."

"Shit!" I stood up and ran to Tara.

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize. Oh God. I'm so sorry." Tara looked up at me.

"It's not your fault silly. There was nothing you could have done about it." She saw the pained expression on my face. "Really Fang." She smiled at me.

"Is there anything I can do for you?" She shook her head. I looked up at Anne, who was over by the lake, collecting wood. Did I trust her?

No. But it was the only chance I had if I wanted to see the flock ever again. What if my lie was the truth? I swallowed.

"Actually, there is one thing you could do for me."

"Yeah?"

"Come here," Ok then. I leant forward.

"Closer." I leant down further, worrying as to were this was heading.

Suddenly she reached up, grabbed my neck and kissed me. I didn't realize I was kissing back until she pulled away, leaving me wanting more.

Damn girls using me to get what they wanted. And you know what? I always fall for it, even though I know where it's going. Always. I frowned, remembering Lissa.

"I'm sorry Tara, it's just….that…" Ahh! God I really get on my nerves sometimes.

"Seeing someone else?" She looked up at me.

"Sorta, I guess." I shrugged.

"Me too!" She grinned up at me.

"Think of it as a….thank you kiss." Again she smiled, showing me a row of her perfect white

teeth.

"Ok then." I leant in a kissed her, her arm still around my neck. She kissed back, then pulled away. Freakin' hell Fang!

"What was that for? I thought you were seeing someone!" I shrugged again, wincing as the pain hit my shoulder.

"Think of it as a…thank you kiss," I mimicked her own words. She laughed.

"Fang, look!" Anne yelled at me, and pointed to the sky. I knew before I saw them. I smiled, treating Tara to one of my rare smiles. She giggled back, then minced in pain. What was with the giggling? Her hand slid back down.

"You ok?" I asked and she nodded. I didn't even notice that I was still inches away from Tara's face. She smiled a me as I heard the flock land.

"Fang! Oh my goodness are you ok?" Nudge and Angel were first to me, running as fast as they could. Angel got to me first, almost bowling me over. Nudge joined her.

Max landed and walked up to me, grinning.

I gave her yet another of my rare smiles. Gee, I'm generous today aren't I?

Her smile fell as quickly as a dead Easer.

"Why are you leaning over that girl?" Jazz smiled at me from behind Max. Iggy's head snapped 'round.

"Is she human?" Iggy was ignored.

"I was just checking to make sure she was still breathing. She was shot and banged up pretty bad from the Whitecoats."

"Does she have wings?" I thought about me carrying her everywhere. If she had wings, she would have said so, wouldn't she?

Possibly not, being a girl. I shook my head. Max frowned.

"So, long time no see." I moved away from the girl. She had closed her eyes. I wonder if she had fallen asleep?

"What happened Fang? Tell me everything. don't leave anything out." I sighed. It was going to be a long night.

Suddenly Anne Walker came up behind me, carrying firewood. The flock gasped. I turned and grinned at her, showing her I'll deal with it.

"What are you doing here? Haven't you done enough to us as is?" Max looked at me and then at Tara, who's eyes were still closed.

"Max, chill. She's alright." Max looked at me as if I had grown an extra eye. No, not the best example in the book. Anything's possible when you're a mutant bird kid right? But you get my drift.

"No Max, seriously. Leave her alone."

"Since when did you join her fan club? When you first met her, you didn't trust her. Now you

love her! Did they do something to you at the School?" I shook my head.