…..

After freeflying, we decided to actually look for some addresses, using the code breaker from before. After all, we had found Gazzy's picture that way.

Total whined at Max about being cold while we flew, and she promptly shoved him in her jacket, and Fang, Iggy, Gazzy, and I snickered.

"First address is down there," Fang smiled, trying to avoid the death glare that Max was sending his way.

…

"Maybe her dad was a barber?" Suggested Nudge.

At the place that was supposed to be Fang's house had nothing but a barbershop and an office building.

Fang shrugged, but I knew him better now, and I could tell that he was a little upset at this news.

"I'm sorry," Max murmured to Fang.

"It's no biggie," Fang whispered back.

"Should we check out the next one?" Asked Fang in a louder voice.

"Yes," said Iggy. It was the one next to his name.

I grinned and good naturedly shoved him. He grinned and shoved me back.

"Okay let's go," Fang said too quickly and took off.

I could tell he was more upset than he let on and I sped after him.

While the flock waited for Total to take his "potty break", I flew up to Fang.

"Hey," I said softly.

"Hey," he said, no emotion.

"Look Fang, I know you try to hide your emotions. You want to be the tough guy, and you're good at that, but we know you're upset, and you need to let us help you. We love you Fang and if you need us, you have us," I told him.

He looked speechless for a moment. Then without thinking, I hugged him. He was surprised, but actually hugged me back.

"You always have us," I whispered.

"Thanks Snow," he faintly smiled(IMPROVEMENT OVER NO EMOTION) and released me as the rest of the flock caught up.

….

"Are there apartments, on top of the stores?" Asked Iggy unhappily.

"No," Max sighed. "Iggy's address" had turned out to be just a little mall with an Asian food store.

"What's across the street?" He asked.

"A used car lot," Max sighed again. "I'm really sorry, Ig."

"It's my fault guys, I thought I cracked the code but I obviously didn't," Fang said.

"Well if you were wrong, then we don't have to be disappointed, right?" Nudge pointed out.

Max smiled a little at that. "You're right Nudge."

"Well this sucks!" Yelled Iggy unexpectantly.

"I'm sorry Ig-"Max started but he cut her off.

"I don't care if you're sorry!" He yelled. "Everyone's sorry! It doesn't matter! What matters is that we find where we belong! I mean, I just can't take this anymore! I need some answers, we can't just keep wandering from place to place, always on the run, always hunted…." His voice broke.

Max tried to hug him, wrap her arms around him, but he pushed her away.

"We all feel lost sometimes. We just have to stick together, we'll keep looking for your parents, I swear," Max said gently.

"It's different for you," Iggy said, his voice quieter. "You don't know what it's like. Yeah, I make jokes, the blind kid, but every time we move, I'm lost all over again! Your lost isn't as bad as my lost, you know?"

Iggy…. His lifetime of frustrations…. He just finally needed to let it out…

"We're your eyes, Iggy," said the Gasman, sounding small and anxious. "You don't need to see when you've got us."

"Yeah, but I won't always have you!" Iggy said, his voice rising till he was shouting again. "What happens if you get killed? Of course I need to see, you idiot! I remember seeing! I know what it's like! I don't have it anymore, and I won't ever have it again. And someday I'm going to lose you, lose all of you-and when that happens, I'll lose... myself."

His face was contorted with rage, and he swept one hand down and picked up a chunk of asphalt.

Whirling, he threw it hard against a storefront, where it shattered a big plate-glass window. Immediately alarms went off.

"Crap," I muttered.

"Let's split," said Fang. Angel, Nudge, and Gazzy immediately took off and Max zipped Total into her jacket.

"No," Iggy said.

"Iggy, c'mon, the alarm's going off," Max said in surprise.

"I know, I'm not deaf too," Iggy said bitterly. "I don't care. Let them find me, it doesn't even matter."

Oh no you don't Iggy.

Max started to speak but I held up a hand, stopping her. I walked over to Iggy and sat down next to him on the curb.

"Iggy," I said to him. "I'm not going to tell you a bunch of fake mushy happy shit. But I will tell you some real mushy happy shit, Kay?

Iggy, I love you. Not in a weird, 'boyfriend, girlfriend' way, but in a best friend way. The first time I genuinely smiled for a reason other than violence or pissing someone off was because of you. You're hilarious, funny, sentimental at times, and can build bombs, which is hella cool."

The sirens were getting closer

"Now come with us before I kick your skinny white ass from here to next year, okay?"

He smiled. "Well when you put it like that….."

I grabbed his hand, pulling him up and we joined the flock in the air.

MAX POV(I just want you guys to see the connection between Snow and Iggy… from an outside person)

Snow held up a hand stopping me. All right then.

What happened to Rule Number 1 of the flock: Don't mess with Max.

Snow went over and talked to him. Just sat and talked to him.

I flapped my wings gently, rising into the air slowly. Fang followed suit. Just as we reached the younger kids, Snow and Iggy smiled together and turned and flew up to join us in the air.

There was just something about Snow….. that helped Iggy. I didn't know if he realized how much he needed her. But I hoped he did soon, and he would do something about it. Too bad he sucked at romance.

BACK TO SNOW

Max was smiling at me in a weird way when I got back. I raised one eyebrow quizzically, but she shook her head, shrugging it off.

Oooookay?

Within minutes we were "home", and dinner was ready.

"FOOD!" Gazzy yelled and ran to the kitchen.

"Wash your hands first!" Max yelled back at him.

He groaned but ran for the bathroom, with Nudge and Angel right behind him.

Laughing, I grabbed Iggy's arm and pulled him after me as I ran to the bathroom.