BEFORE I BEGIN:

As requested by lilypad22, for those of you who want to see the inspiration that made Sydney's formal dress. The link is posted on my profile. Should be one of the first things you see.

Iggy

Fang and Max were being really quiet and discreet, which in ways was natural, but every time they looked at one another everyone kind of felt weird to be in the same room with them. I mean, you couldn't help but notice the fact that they were undressing each other with their eyes. Hey, I'm blind and even I can tell, it's all in the way their feet are playing a rather gross but flirtatious game of footsie under the table.

It got so bad where all there was to look at was my food. And I couldn't even see my food.

But one of the weirdest things that was happening at the table was that Angel was being really, really quiet. She was usually talking to Nudge and Ella, but today she just sat still and ate her food calmly.

Silence suddenly overcame the breakfast conversation and Dr. Martinez, not a moment to soon, stood up and said. "Ya'll ready to fight the Itex group?"

"Yep. I figured out a way to sneak some of the bombs in without arousing guard suspicion." I answered, whipping a blueprint out of my back pocket, thankful for Dr. Martinez for breaking the silence.

Then there was a sudden beeping noise and Dr. Martinez pulled out a pager. "Oh, sorry guys there's something going on at the Vet's. I'll try to be back soon. I'll look over those when I get back, Iggy."

"Kay." I said, nodding my head as Dr. Martinez left quickly.

"I didn't know Vet's needed pagers-" Nudge began, but I cut her short.

"Anyway,"

I moved my plate out of the way and unrolled it. I gave everyone sometime to look at it before I began to go explain it.

"Their having a classical band play tonight, so I figure we could pull a Get Smart move and put the Project under the piano, so that means someone needs to distract the band while Gazzy and I get the bomb under the piano.

"Now the place is going to be huge, so there is lots of space to cover and only so many of us. So we're going to have to spread out. Keep your eyes always everywhere. I'll be on the smell-out for any gun powder or any weapons they may have."

I reviewed the battle plans while everyone sat and listened intently.

But there was a strict tension, I could feel it radiating off of Ella. I tried not to focus on it as I continued to go over patrol routes and who from the reforming Itex groups were going to be there.

"And Max, you need to stay near the-"

I heard Ella jerk up.

"I know about Max's feelings for Iggy!" She shouted abruptly.

"And then he burst into flames." I mumbled to myself.

"What?" Everyone seemed to ask at once.

"Ella, it really isn't what you think! I-"

"Cut the crap. I know it's exactly what I think."

Oh great.

Cat fight.

I felt Ella's eyes stare at me coldly then they turned on Max. "Yeah, you can stop keeping it a secret Max, I know all about it. I heard everything last night."

This is really going to screw up the fight tonight. "Really , Ella." Max defended. "I don't have those kinds of feelings for Iggy. I was trying to see if he liked you!"

I could feel my white cheeks turn vibrant red as I began to rub the back of my neck nervously.

"And then we can- um- come through-"

I tried to continue, but, Ella came back to me.

"Wait a minute! You knew didn't you!" She accused weakly.

I bit my lip and said.

"Uh yeah… You guys were kind of loud and I could hear what was being said" I informed Max and fang.

"… And Ella sorry but your no master of disguise. I just don't feel the same."

"This is the best. Breakfast. Ever." Nudge said, taking suspenseful bites of her breakfast.

"Ella. Really I never had or ever will have those feelings for Iggy. I- I-…"

"Your what?" Ella spit, almost as if she was daring Max to finish the sentence.

"I'M IN LOVE WITH FANG." Max declared loudly.

Nudge gasped.

"Oh. My. God." She said with eyes wide.

"Well I'm love with Iggy, but you don't hear me bragging." Ella retorted, hardly fazed by what had just come out of Max's furious mouth.

I gulped down some bile that had found it's way up my throat.

"Aaaand. The end. Come on kids let's um -leave. Now." I exclaimed tensely, grabbing Nudge, Gazzy and Angel by the arms and quickly dragging them away. Hoping I could follow along and no longer be a part of this fight.

"IGGY! STAY." Ella shouted. "I need a witness for when when I kill Max."

"Oh come on Ella, I think your being a little over dramatic." Max said.

"Oh please."

While they had their little sister-sister bicker session I juggled last nights conversation between Max and Fang in my head.

"He can do better, Fang!" She growled.

"I heard what you said about Sydney." I interrupted.

I mean, hey, there is already a fight happening. I might as well get out what I have to say.

"Uh…" Max said in a fidgety tone.

"Don't play dumb Max. I heard every word."

This kept Ella quiet. Which was good, maybe this would shut the both of them up and we could get ready for the fight in peace.

"How could you think I could do better?" I asked her bitterly.

"How? I love Sydney and you know that. And I know that you don't like her and frankly I really just don't care. But there is no one on this Earth who is better than Sydney. She is my whole world. A light in the damn darkness. To think you could deal with that. I don't go around judging you because you and Fang are all lovey-dovey and sucking face and crap." I found myself getting louder and louder.

I cooled down and said.

"Look. After we defeat Itex, I'm going back to her. The end of my rant. Now." I said taking a breath, "I'm gonna go practice on the scarecrow dummies out back."