A/N: Yola! To you those of you who are reading THIS story, consider yourselves lucky. I am putting some of my other fics on hold, so I can finish this one because, frankly, I like this one the best and I know exactly where I'm going with it. Go on my profile page to find out more about this and which stories I'm stalling. Now, without futher ado, my special guests! From NCIS, we havvvvvve...FORNELL!
Fornell: I'm not even in this story!
Me: I don't really care! I'm running out of characters, okay! From Maximum Ride we havvvvvvvve... JEB!
Jeb: You know who else you had here who isn't even in the story?
Me: *sigh* Who?
Jeb: Palmer. The people who don't watch NCIS were probably wondering who the hell he is.
Me: *sigh again* He's coming in this chapter! Now shut up and state my disclaimer.
Jeb: That was an oxymoron!
Me: You're a moron! Fornell?
Fornell: *sigh* Fine. Gpeach6 owns nothing and does not wish to be sued.
Previously: "GPS coordinates!"
Oh. Well isn't that just convenient?
"So now we can help, right? We can leave soon and go after the bad guys and shut them down... right?" asked Gazzy, almost pleading.
"I'm afraid it's not that easy," countered a deep voice from the doorway to Abby's lab.
Everyone jumped in surprise except Gibbs and Fang. Of course. Standing in the spot where the voice had come from, in all his totally serious, totally powerful glory was Director Leon Vance.
Jeesh. Doesn't anyone knock anymore?
We all stared at him in surprise, but he kept talking as if it were just a normal day at the office. Maybe it was. I wouldn't know. "The Flock is now under the care of NCIS. You are our witnesses, and you're not going anywhere." Okay, this guy was seriously starting to get on my nerves, which is a dangerous thing to do.
"Wait just a second! What crime, exactly, are we witnesses to?" I asked, throwing up my hands in frustration.
"The government has been running special Ops against Itex since you got it in the open that they exist. We haven't been able to bring the argument to court because we had no legal evidence. For years we have collected names of people who were involved with the company and still live to this day, lying low, staying under the radar. We haven't had anyone to testify, until now. Maybe you will recognize some faces and give some names, and in turn we will give you protection. I have your safe-house ready." By the time he had finished, I could almost feel impatience oozing from my ears.
"Okay, with all due respect, what we're going to do is going to bring down Itex once and for all, and I know you don't understand because to you we're just kids, but we can do and have seen more than you could ever imagine. So don't go telling us what we can and can't do 'cause I can guarantee we won't listen." By the time I was finished my whole speech, Mr. All-Powerful-Serious-Director had tried to make his face impassive, but I could see right through his mask. The tension in his muscles and the flames of rage burning in his eyes told me he was furious.
"Maximum, by testifying, you are helping, and I know you're worried about you're father, but-"
"You don't know ANYTHING about how I feel! And do NOT call me Maximum! My name is Max, and I am done with this! Look, I know that all this mojo about us being able to help is total crap, so just cut it out. We're not going to sit around and wait while you try to fix things and the world crumbles around us! I'm sorry, Mr. Director, but we're leaving. C'mon, guys." I motioned to the door with my head. I glanced at Fang, who nodded solemnly, looking sightly bored. Taking a deep breath, I started to lead the Flock out the door, but a small, slightly scared voice made me stop cold.
"Max... Please... We can help you. Just- Just please give it a shot." It was Abby, and when I made the mistake of turning to look at her, I had the same feeling that I was talking to a little kid instead of a full-grown scientist.
Aw, Jeez.
"Abby... You- None of you understand the danger we're putting ourselves in just being here. We can't stay here. You may think you can protect us, but you don't know what you're fighting. On the other hand, we know all to well. From the day of our birth we've been dancing with the devil, experiencing hell and things much, much worse. We've been through any form of horrible crap you can imagine and a ton of things you can't. These people can create things... awful, terrible, nightmare-ish things. You don't know what they can do- what we can do. We're the best chance the world has of survival." I looked into her eyes, silently begging her to understand.
"No, we don't know what they are capable of, or what you are capable of, so tell us. If we understand, maybe we can help you. You can think about testifying, and if you decide not to, you can leave," inserted Vance. I was about to tell him no freaking way, but I was surprised to be interrupted by one of my own.
"Max... I think we should stay. We can help them, and they can help us. I'm tired of running/flying away and thinking of a plan on the spot. I'm tired of having to fight constantly, and I like knowing I have a bed to go home to and people, except the Flock, who care about me. I think I speak for the Flock when I say that I think we should all have a say in this. We should take a vote." Iggy's voice got stronger and stronger as he continued speaking, and his last words were almost an order. I let out a poof of breath and made one of my split Max decisions.
"Alright. We'll take a vote. Who wants to stay?" I said tightly. Iggy (of course), Nudge, Gazzy, and Angel tentively raised their hands, Total raised a paw, and Fang nodded silently. I even heard some kind of rustling from Elizabeth. Traitor baby. I stared in shock at the five of them. How could they do this? "Fine then. We'll stay for a few days in the silly safe-house of yours, but if there is any trouble at all, we're leaving."
"Excellent. I've emailed DiNozzo directions to the house, and I will meet you all there at..." Vance glanced at his watch, "2000." He glanced at the faces of the Flock, which were becoming question marks. "I mean, 8 o'clock." This explanation was met with a couple "ooooh"s. "Well, I have a job to return to." With that, Director Leon Vance exited the room.
When I was sure he was gone I whispered a quick, "Jerk," under my breath before facing the crowd.
"Soooo... What now?" That was McGee. I shrugged.
"I say we go back to the Bull Pen. I'm bored," complained Nudge. We all agreed and took the elavator there. Once we reached our destination, we just plopped down in random desks and attempted to amuse ourselves, when a phone rang. Ziva quickly answered it, muttering into the phone.
"Tony, Gibbs, we are needed in MTAC. McGee, you may come too." The four agents hopped out of their seats and rushed to the stairs. Okay, so now we're alone. Greeeeaaaat.
James Palmer sighed as he drove from the airport.
Dr. Mallard, for some reason, had ordered him straight back to the office after he got back from Ohio. He had gone to a funeral for his distant aunt, and even though he didn't know her that well, it was still pretty depressing.
Still wondering why his boss had made him come there, the medical examiner's assistant pulled into the Naval Yard, goin through the usual ID routine at the front. He pulled into his normal parking spot, got out, and locked his car as usual.
I should go up to the Bull Pen first, just to say hi to everyone before reporting for work. That's exactly what he did, or was going to do. When he reached the little square of desks his friends sit in, he was met by six kids of varying ages and a small black Scottie. The eldest girl, seated at Ziva's desk, noticed him staring at them.
"Who the hell are you?"
A/N: Yay! Palmer! There you go Jeb! So ha!
Jeb: Shut up!
Fornell: *rolls eyes* You sound like my toddler daughter, Batchelder. Seriously, you're ridiculous! Can I go now?
Me: Yup! Oh and I almost forgot! One person did review last chapter! Thank you so much to emotionalpoemgirl!
Jeb: Nice name.
Me: LEAVE!
Jeb: *mumbles as he trudges off* Silly child...
Me: Review, please! I'd really like to know if you like it!