((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 22: You Again!

I eyed the cookies, stomach rumbling. They could be coated in rat poison for all I knew. What the heck, I'll risk it. I took a bite and almost choked, they were so good! Within seconds I'd finished the pate, and downed the milk. I didn't realize I was so hungry. Then the door opened and Max stepped in, closing the door behind her. I tensed, expecting another blow to the face.

Nothing came, and I relaxed a little.

She glared at me. "You're still here."

I nodded. "It seems that way." She continued to glare at me, through her hair. I stared back at her, waiting. She moved to sit on the bed and I moved for her. When she sat, I thought I saw a tear but couldn't make it out. I frowned to myself.

She turned to me, tears running down her face. I was shocked, lost for words. What do I do now? Put my hand on her back like I would normally do? She'd bite it off! I did anyway, and to add even more shock to my name, she leant into me, crying on my stomach like a child.

"Go away!" She sobbed, not looking up. I didn't say anything. That would possibly be best for my health right now.

"I hate you! I hate you! I ha-" She broke down in to tears and sobs again, punching my stomach, but softly, as if she didn't have any energy left. She possibly didn't.

"Max? Are you going to tell me?" She didn't need anymore egging on. She stopped punching, looked up at me. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying.

"I hate you!" I sighed, mostly to myself. What had I done?

"Yes, I know. You've made that clear. Now tell me." She glared up at me, eyes full of anger.

She sighed. "I'm so sorry Fang. I hurt you. You hurt me. We're both screwed." Yep, that just about summed it up.

"No Max, it was all my fault. I shouldn't have done that to you. I'm sorry." She frowned, wiping her eyes on my shirt, which was on the table with the empty plate.

"Shut up Fang ok? Can we just…sit here? And work it out in our heads? Please?" I nodded to her, pulling her closer. She didn't agree, but she didn't pull away ether.

I agreed. "Sounds good." She nodded into my stomach, holding me as if she was afraid she'd fall if she didn't.

After about 15 minutes I realized she was dead to the world. I smiled to myself. It was probably better that she was asleep. Dr. Martinez came in with a newspaper. She dumped it on her desk and turned to me.

"Is she awake?"

"No. Went out like a light about 10-15 minutes ago. Thank goodness!" Dr. Martinez studied Max's sleeping face. She was still clutching at me, strong as ever. I have a strange feeling she's going to wake up and I'll have holes were her nails have dug into my skin. She stirred softly but stayed asleep.

"She's had a long week. Stressing over you I believe. You must mean a lot to her." I got the subtle hint but ignored it. Dr. Martinez took the empty plate and glass and left the room, locking the door behind her.

I was playing with Max's hair when she woke, and I dropped my hand, embarrassed.

She looked at me. "You again." I sighed. This was going to be a long day.

I rolled my eyes to myself. "Nice to see you too."

Then she did something that shocked me beyond shock. She leant up and kissed me. I must admit, I was way to scared to kiss back. Maybe it was a trick?

What the heck.

I leant in and kissed her, putting my hand in her hair. She kissed back, sitting up higher. Max put both hands around my neck, pulling me closer. This was to weird to be true. Just half an hour ago she had been hitting me, telling me she hated me. Now she was trying to make out with me! Ahhh, it's so confusing! Was this the same Max I knew, or was it her clone? Ahhh, her clone! But I couldn't pull away. Damn girls. I heard Angel laugh in my head, but I ignored her, putting up mind blocks.

"I still hate you Fang." She stopped kissing me to speak, then kissed me again. My head was spinning with confusion but I leant in again.

"Yeah, I can tell," I whispered in her ear. I kissed her neck, then got a huge fright as she pushed me away. I calmed my heart down enough then looked at her. She was grinning. What the! Did I miss something?

"Don't you dare! I still-"

"Max? Are you awake?" Gazzy was standing on the other side of the locked door.

"Yeah. Why?" I knew what was coming as sure as Angel did.

"I'm hungry!" Spot on. One point to me. Max sighed.

"5 more minutes Gazzy? Ask Dr. Martinez to make you something. I'm so tired."

"Ok then." I heard Gazzy leave then looked at Max.

"You're going back to bed?"

"No. I'm finishing this." She pushed me back and hopped on to my lap. What! Ahhh! She started kissing me, hands behind my neck again. My stupid hands flew to her stupid waist like magnets. She knew that I couldn't resist, and she used that against me.

There was a knock at the door again, and Dr. Martinez yelled out to us.

"You two! Lunch is ready, if you want it!" My stomach rumbled in response and Max laughed.

"Fang, don't let me ever leave you again. Ever. I miss you too much when we're apart." She grinned shyly up at me, pushing her hair out of her face. She reached up and wiped something of my face.

"Since when do you wear lip-gloss!" I smiled at her, watching her blush.

"Since Nudge made me. Wouldn't shut up. You know how she is." I laughed at her and got up. I thought I saw Max blush, but didn't think any more of it. I winced as I stood up, my leg as bad. I'd never say it out loud though.

We sat at the table, opposite each other.

We ate everything on the table.

"Here, let me help you Dr. Martinez." I got up, trying not to limp on my leg. Max got up with me and, ignoring me, took some plates to the sink.

Dr. Martinez saw us come in. "Sorting things out yet?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah. I'm trying to make up for it." Max said, not meeting my eyes. I am so starting to get bored with this. I just want everything to be back to normal.

"Where are your crutches Fang?" Dr. Martinez raised an eyebrow at me, waiting.

"He thinks they make him feel weak." Angel walked in, placing her cup on the sink. Max washed it, then pasted it to me to dry.

"No-"

"Yeah." Max looked at me. Damn, she knew me too well.

"Oh, right. So you're planning to limp around?" I nodded at Dr. Martinez.

"That was my basic plan." Max smiled.

"You don't make plans. Your Fang." Dr. Martinez laughed.

"Now there's the way to go! I wish I could live like that too. going nowhere, just going. I've always wanted to live like that. And you do it so well Fang!" I shrugged and blushed, looking away. Note to self: Don't shrug, it hurts. Angel moved closer to me.

"If your foot or shoulder hurts too much, you can lean on me." Even though she had whispered it, Max had heard. I was lost for words. Wow, that was deep. I don't think anyone's ever said that before to me.

Really? Wow. poor Fang. But I love you. Max loves you. We all love you. Ok?

Thanks Ange, was all I could think of. She smiled at me. Then I felt Max put her arms around my waist.

Max whispered in my ear. "I'm sorry Fang. I know I hurt you. You didn't hurt me at all. It was me that hurt me. I was stupid. I should never have left you. Please forgive me?" I pulled her back and looked her in the eye.

"I forgave you ages ago Max." She smiled to herself and left the kitchen, cleaning up the table.

"So did you have fun while is was gone?" Everyone but Iggy had left the room, and he was neck-high in a game on TV.

"Yeah, it was really fun." She smiled remembering. I must admit, I was a little hurt at that, I don't know why. Quickly I put up mind blocks.

"Who am I kidding! I have fun whenever I'm with you. When you're gone…" Max trailed off, leaving the sentence hanging.

"Hey guys, could we go out for lunch tomorrow? Not dinner. dinners boring." Iggy turned around to face the sound of our voices.

"Maybe," Max said, walking towards the stairs. I finished the dishes, then followed her up, heading to my room. I was twitching to get out of here.

There was a knock at the door as I was half way up the stairs.

"I'll get it!" I headed towards the door as Nudge came running down the hall.

"Oh. your getting it."

"Didn't I just say that?"

"I didn't heard, you speck so softly."

"I yelled!"

"That's why I didn't hear." She turned back into her room as I went back down the stairs. I shook my head at her.

I wonder what she meant by 'that's why I didn't hear?'

I yelled it!

You're not the loudest person in the world Fang. You yelling is like Nudge talking normally. Why does everyone have to be so sensitive! I reached the door and opened it, thinking it was Dr. Martinez, who had gone out. She never just came in because once she did we almost attacked her.

My eyes widened.

Jeb was standing in the doorway, 3 Easers behind him.

"Fancy making the pet answer the door! Huh!" His guy was so dead.

"Is that like making shit do other people's dirty work?" He glared at me, full of hate. See if I care. Jeb waved a hand and the Easers came at me.

"Now, where's my Maximum?" I growled at him, kicking an Easer in the head and watching it drop to the floor. The other two grabbed me. The biggest one, who was big, about 2 foot higher then I was, held my arms behind my back.

I was screwed.

How the heck had I let my guard down? The other one held a knife to my throat, laughing.

"Well, look who's helpless now. You Don't do a very good job of looking after yourself, do you? Bullet holes…Knife slashes….gapping cuts….Headless. Where's Maximum?" Jeb moved forward towards me.

I stayed silent. Jeb nodded and the Easer holding the knife took it away from my throat. I mentally sighed relief.

Then I remembered. Angel, run. Get the flock and get out of here. I'll catch up with you ok? Go to Lake Mead or somewhere. Don't come downstairs. I hope she listens every now and then.

The Easer holding the knife laughed then brought it down on my thigh.

"Hey! You lump of crap!" He growled at me. Jeb shook his head and knife came back up to my throat. Great.

'Now, where's Maximum, or I'll kill you now. You mean nothing to me. you have no skills. It's Angel and Maximum I want." as if I was going to tell him. I hope Angel got my message.

Then the flock appeared at the top of the stairs.

"Fang!" Nudge said, stating the obvious. The flock came down the stairs, carefully. Max saw the knife at my throat.

"Oh no you don't. I'm the only one that can threaten him! Let him go now, what do you want?" Max moved forwards, towards Jeb. Jeb took a step backwards to towards me.