((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 20: Home

We were landing in an hour and I was watching out the window, twitchy as hell. What if the Whitecoats from here are waiting for me? What if Anne Walker tipped them off? What if the flock were there waiting? What if Jeb was here? Would they try anything in such a public place? Did I even trust Mrs. Walker? God, the suspense was killing me!

"We will be landing shortly. Please insure that all trays are up and your seatbelts and done up. Thank you for flying with QANTAS. The crew hope you enjoyed your flight. Thank you." I did up my seatbelt and grabbed my backpack, ready to make a run for it.

Actually I wasn't because my shoulder was killing me, my leg was killing me and my legs had pins and needles. I don't know how that works, don't ask me.

Standing inside the airport was kinda creepy, I'll give you that. People everywhere, pressing up against you. It's enough to drive you insane. Up the walls. It'd possibly be safer up the walls. There were no Whitecoats or anything waiting for me, so I got a taxi to the mall.

There was a bit of bush land round there that I could use to hang low for a while until I figured out what to do.

It was mid-afternoon as it wasn't as hot as Australia. The sun was out and all that: It just wasn't as hot. I compared the weather in my head for something to do. Then I remembered the promise I'd made to myself in a cargo plane.

"Shit Fang! You're a idiot you know that? Now look what you've done! It's too late now." I kicked something -a branch- and felt the familiar pain in my toe. I was actually regretting this? It was my idea! Maybe I was running. But not from Max, from…the flock? I

astound me with my stupidity sometimes. I kicked something again with my other foot, sending pain rocketing up my leg. Oops, I'd forgotten 'bout the bullet wound on my leg. Damn. I was going to have to patch them up. I was going to have to patch everything up. Max, Tara, Jazz, the flock. I'd hurt them all. Max, or the voice, whoever it was, was right. I only saw my own problems. What a selfish bustard I am! Oh God, no wonder Max hated me! I hated me! I can't believe it! I'm so selfish!

Bingo! Congratulations, you've finally figured it out!

Thank you very much.

No worries. Get out of my head.

I sat down on the ground and rubbed my head. Why was everything so complicated? Ok, I know. Hopefully it'll work. I feel really stupid. This isn't going to work. Ok, ok. There goes nothing.

Angel? If you're here, listen to me ok? I'm sorry. Really, I am. I know I hurt Max. I know I hurt the flock. It's cool if you can't forgive me, I'm not ready to forgive myself. Wow, this is weird. Um, tell Max, I'm sorry please?

Ages ago a voice told me I was selfish. I didn't believe it at first but now I guess I've woken up to myself. Make sense? I'm home Angel. I came home, because I'm a coward.

I put my head in my heads. You guys were right all along. I'm so sorry Angel. You've got no idea how much this…what the hells wrong with me?

How are you all? I hope your ok. Oh God am I sorry Angel. I screwed up big time. And I'm suffering for it. I screwed up big. Arizona's not as warm as Australia. It's a nice change I guess. I've had no problems with the School or anything. How 'bout you?

Jeez, Angel I miss you guys. I keep turning around thinking the flocks behind me. I wake up alone every night. I've never felt more lost and alone. It's stupid, I now. But stupid is my middle name. Please Angel, come home.

wow, that was really uncomfortable. I can't believe I just did that.

You did what you needed to do Fang. You told the truth. I'm sure the flock would forgive you. Angel is a very strong girl. She's get it. Get. Out. Of. My. Head! This that really that hard to understand? Why do you keep coming back! Why me!

I stood up and flew into the tallest tree. I could see the highway from here with my raptor vision. I watched a car speed down the road, almost hitting a stray dog. I looked down to the ground. There was a small mouse thing walking around, sniffing everything.

I fell asleep in the tree, not even bothering with food.

I woke to the sound of piercing birdcalls high above me. I looked around, checking m surrounds. It was pure habit, protecting the flock and all that. Now it was only my arse to save. Would I bother?

I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes and jumped off the branch, opening my wings at the last minute. The wind in my face felt good, waking me up a little. I took my backpack off and pulled out some food, leaving some behind for the critters.

That's how kind I am.

I flew to the vets house and knocked on her door. Max's mum opened it and gasped. The last time she had seen me I was blending in, so she couldn't actually see me. I sighed, remembering it. I had broken my leg and had left with crutches. Now I came back, needing them.

"Fang! Are you alright? You look horrible, what happen! Please, come in." I nodded and sat as she pulled out a chair for me.

"I was…taken in Australia. They have another School there. I was…hurt." I whispered 'hurt,' praying she didn't hear it. She did.

"Hurt! How!" I took off my shirt and rolled up the leg of my jeans so she could see the bullet

wounds. Or gaps. Or holes. Whatever you what, take your pick.

"Oh my God!" I looked around. Normally the girl, Ella, would be here by now.

"Where's Ella?"

"She's gone to a friends house. I'm going to call her back though, I need her help. You stay here." As if was going to fly again. I shouldn't have flow here because of my wing. I heard the vet talking on the phone.

Suddenly I remembered the last time the flock split. Max had asked me to come back because something was wrong in Germany. Now I was begging her to come back because I'm a wuss. What the hell is wrong with me?

"Dr. Martinez, have you heard from Max?" I tried for casual. I got worried about what the answer would be.

"Why? Are you still friends? What happened to my daughter?" How was I going to explain this?

"And yes, I have talked to her. She rand up about yesterday days ago." I sat up.

"Where was she?" Dr. Martinez raised an eyebrow at me. Oh great.

"She's coming home Fang. You didn't know? Didn't she tell you? Said something about Angel." The vet shrugged. "Anyway, lets go to my clinic. Ok?" I was frozen in place. I blinked at her.

"Coming home?" My voice was thick. We walked to her car.

"What's going on?" I began to tell her, leaving out things that she didn't need to know.

Have a guess.

Angel had told Max? Angel had actually picked up my little thought/spaz thing?

Wow, that was cool. And scary. How much else had she heard? Or was it only because I sent it out to her? Ether way, the flock was coming home. I felt a surge of happiness.

But that stopped when realized Max would be with them. My smile fell ten stories.

What was I going to say? I'm way not good with words. Noticed by now? Maybe she'll do all the talking?

I gulped. This was not going to be pretty.