To xlabx7: I'm pretty much updating for you at this point. You're the only one who reviewed. So I wrote you a nice long chapter. Enjoy!

Chapter 4

I had used my sonic speed to get me at least 100 miles away and then perched on the branch of a tree. I just sat there, crying and hugging the trunk for who knows how long. I was thinking about how the Voice decided to suddenly become a match-maker. Scratch that, THE match-maker. I hated how it didn't get that I didn't freaking care about Dylan. (I think) I hated how it persisted in saying that Fang was so wrong for me, despite the fact that he was so perfect. I hated how Dr. Stupendous kept popping up and making cow eyes ay MY Fang. Not to be all weird and jealous or anything. She just really pisses me off. I hated…

Suddenly there was a shadow over my head and who to my wondering eyes should swoop down? Dylan. Of freaking course.

"Max," he said, looking at me all tenderly with too perfect, warm, open eyes. I tried to pretend that my bird-kid heart didn't thrill more than little when he said my name. But I think he saw it in my eyes. Because he leaned in. To kiss me.

Inside I was freaking out. Do I punch him in the face? Do I let him kiss me just to see what it's like? Do I simply fly away?

And then his lips were on mine and there was nothing else but the magic in the air. But there was a small part of me realizing that we could never go back to the frosty-at-best relationship we had before. And Fang would be able to tell. And that would be the end. But most of me was thinking Omigod this is amaaaaaaaaazing!

Eventually we let go, staring at each other dreamily. Then I realized what was going on and I was out of there faster than you can say cheater.

I saw Fang's dark shape on the horizon and thank god! He was flying towards me. He had missed the whole soap-opera-in-the-tree. I streaked toward him and he looked relieved to see me If only he knew.

Back at the house I was forced to sit through dinner, watching Brigid look romantically at Fang and feeling guilty. Then Dylan started looking at me when Fang wasn't looking and I think Fang saw once. I just couldn't take it anymore. My life was turning into one of those badly-written drama shows that you only watch because it's freakishly addictive. I looked at Fang and then at Dylan and made my decision.

After dinner we were all just hanging out. Brigid had left because, while she was staying in the nearest town, it was still an hour and a half away. Thank you O Sweet Lord. So I took Fang into my room. And we started talking. About EVERYTHING. It felt so good, lounging across his lap and just pouring out my soul. Eventually we started discussing Dylan. I wavered for a second, and then decided I would stick with my decision.

"About Dylan…" I started, kinda hoping he would change the topic.

"What?" he asked, looking all concerned and in love. My heart just melted and the whole story came tumbling out.

"When I ran away Dylan actually found me first in a tree and he kissed me and I didn't punch him or threaten him or anything but I was really just in shock and I only love you." I only lied a little bit at the end.

Fang was silent and still for a long time. You'd think there was nothing wrong, except for the look in his eyes.

I didn't know what was going to happen. He could run off again, he could start freaking out vocally, he could actually figure out how to make his face look like he feels. But no one would have predicted this.

He kind of slunk/stormed out of the room, as only Fang can when he's angry. I followed him out meekly. He stopped in front of Dylan.

"We need to get this over with. Now." Fang hissed. Dylan looked a little bit surprised, glanced at me, and then regained his composure.

"I knew it would come to this. How about out in the canyon?" he suggested casually, as though proposing an arm-wrestling match. I wish. Fang nodded gruffly and then headed out the door. Dylan was next, and then the rest of the flock trooped out. I stayed for a while, trying to convince myself I could just stay inside. I failed and ended up walking out the door feeling like I was going to a funeral. My funeral.

Outside the flock had cleared a roughly ring-shaped space that bordered on egg-like. Dylan and Fang were standing in what was supposed to be the center, but were definitely off to one side, staring each other down. Nudge had somehow gotten hold of one of those bells they have at the front desk of a hotel and was holding it at the ready. Angel looked up at me and said

"Okay, now we can start." Nudge rang the bell and Fang and Dylan stated circling each other, like they do in corny wrestling movies. Everyone in the flock started cheering indistinctly, obviously not sure who they wanted to win. I knew how they felt.

Is this really what you want, Max?

"No, of course it's not what I want! Do you really think I want the two guys I love to fight to the freaking death!" I hissed, unable to keep my thoughts in my head. Luckily, the cheering drowned me out and not even Iggy looked up. Below me the fight had actually started. Dylan swung hard at Fang's head, but he easily ducked it. While Dylan was amazing at fighting Erasers, we were less bulky and more adaptable, and thus harder to hit. I stopped looking when Fang actually landed a punch and started praying that someone, something would stop this.

Only one person can stop it and you know that.

"Okay, fine." I grumbled. I leaped off the roof, flew a little, and landed in the real center of the egg.

"Yo, hold it! Stop right now!" I said. They didn't listen.

"Guys, cool it. I mean it." I tried. Nothing.

"If you don't stop right this second then I will throw myself off a freaking cliff with my wings tucked in and then where will you be!" I screeched. They stopped and everyone stared at me. It was silent. Then Nudge ran her bell to end the round. Everyone glanced at her, and then back to me. Dylan straightened and said

"Max, this has to happen, and now is as good a time as ever. It was going to come to this eventually, and it's not your fault, it's our fault. I mean…"

"No. It doesn't have to be this way. Max just has to make a choice." Angel piped up. She glanced at me apologetically and mouthed "I'm sorry." That was just too bad. She put this all on me and she was going to have to pay. But not right now.

"Who's it gonna be?" Fang asked, and I flashed back to the last time he said that. I had rescued Ari along with the rest of the flock from the School and it pissed him off. He made me choose. I chose Ari. Boy, did I regret that. He was begging me not to do the same thing.

"Yeah, who?" Dylan parroted, and I remembered that kiss. I remembered the way his mouth was so soft and warm on mine, the way he gazed into my eyes after. He was reminding me of that gaze right now.

"Ummmm, how about I give you an answer by…" I murmured, casting around in my head for a memorable date.

"How about by the wedding!" Nudge suggested. I nodded my consent and the boys looked dissatisfied. Well, boo-hoo for them. I mean, it's not like they were asking me to make the most important freaking decision in my entire life on a dime. It wasn't like that at all.

We all trooped back inside feeling rather glum. And, yes, I did just say glum. I immediately walked over to the calendar and found the date for the wedding. It was 3 months away. I had only three months to choose between the two guys I loved. Welcome to my life. I was just glad robots hadn't come crashing through the ceiling. Yet. Please no, please no, please no…

What a beautiful petition, Maximum.

"I could do without your sarcasm, thank you very much." I thought. "Any comments on who I should choose?" I asked, but, because it was my Voice, the answer couldn't just be Fang, Dylan, or No.

This one is up to you, Max. I encourage you to weigh the pros and cons of each option.

God, why didn't it just say "what is the sound of one hand clapping?" And be done with it!

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