AN- I have debated the content of this chapter over and over in my mind. I realize I'm throwing some major fannon into a story that started out as cannon as possible. My argument went something like this:
Me #1- You cannot put that in! It never happened in MAX!
Me #2- It could have! Max was majorly distracted by Fang! She might have missed it!
Me #1- ....You may have a point. It can't be huge though. Something that can be taken as mere friendship as well.
Me #2- Fine. But, it's totally happening.
Me #2 won, so, I apologize for the fannon that is coming up in this chapter. I hope you enjoy it nonetheless.
Fang packed up his laptop and whatever clothes were left around the room. They'd done it. They'd rescued Max's mother. They'd completed their mission without any casualties.
And, Max was totally his girlfriend now.
"Hi, Fang."
He turned toward the door where Brigid Dwyer stood, smiling nervously.
"Hey."
She walked inside the room, checking the hallway to make sure they were alone. Then, she spoke.
"I'm glad we were able to rescue Dr. Martinez."
"Me too."
"I'm happy for you and Max as well. I suppose that's why she hated me so much."
"There was no reason to hate you." Fang said.
Brigid's face fell. "Are you sure? For a moment, I thought that maybe-"
"You're an adult, Brigid. I'm a kid. I'm fourteen."
"You seem older! You always have."
"Brigid, you and I were just friends. I, I love Max. I'm sorry that you're hurt."
She looked away from him. "It's fine. Goodbye, Fang."
Before she could leave, a lone figure walked through the door. They bumped into each other and the figure apologized.
"Sorry. Didn't see you." Iggy said.
Brigid didn't crack a smile. She merely turned back to Fang, gazed sadly at him, and then brushed past Iggy. They could hear her heels against the metal floor as she walked.
"So, what was that all about?" Iggy asked, crossing his arms.
"Just saying goodbye, Ig."
"Good. That's what I like to hear."
Fang chuckled. "So, we saved Dr. Martinez. I hear Ella is flying in to see her."
"Yeah. Me too. I can't wait. That will be the moment I find out that she either likes me as a friend or as more."
"It will be more, Iggy. You sent her a poem. Girls love poems." Fang assured him.
Iggy grinned. "So, I did have a reason for coming back here. To talk to you."
"About what?"
"Fang. I got to let you go."
"What?"
"I have to admit, I don't want to. I mean, these chats we've been having, they mean a lot to me. But, it's over. You got Max. She's your girlfriend now. You don't need my advice anymore."
"Well, I might. I mean, there are so many ways I could screw up this thing with Max. How will I know how to make it right without you?"
Iggy took a deep breath. "I suppose, if you need me, I can help."
"Alright." Fang smiled. "Come on, let's go see Dr. Martinez."
"Fang?" Iggy said.
"Yeah?"
"You're my best friend. Other than Gazzy, you know?"
"Yeah. You're mine too."
"Cool."
"Yeah."
Checking to make sure they were really alone, Fang quickly hugged Iggy. The blind pyro was surprised, but was able to hug back before Fang pulled away.
"Thanks, Iggy. For everything."
"Yeah. You too."
With that, the boys walked out of the small, cramped room, and made their way out of the submarine.
The Flock went in shifts to visit Dr. Martinez, because she was still very tired and weak. Max went first with Angel, next was Nudge and Gazzy (who presented her with a get well card). Finally, Fang and Iggy walked in.
Dr. Martinez lay on the hospital bed, hooked up to various machinery. She have them both a weak smile as they walked in.
"Hello, boys."
"Hi, Dr. Martinez. How are you feeling?" Iggy asked.
"Fine, now. I'd like to thank both of you for-"
"It's not necessary." Fang said, quickly. "It was our pleasure."
"You're both good boys." she said, quietly. "I'm glad Max has you."
"Oh, yeah. She has Fang alright." Iggy said, grinning.
"Shut up." Fang muttered, elbowing Iggy in the stomach.
"Promise me, you'll take care of her. I know that Max says she can take care of herself but it would make me feel better if there was someone looking after her. I mean, she's able been shot and kidnapped while no one was around-"
Iggy felt Fang wince slightly from where he stood next to him, as if the memory was too painful.
"-and I just want to make sure nothing like that happens again. She is my daughter."
"Of course we will, Dr. Martinez. You don't have to worry, I won't let anything happen to Max." Fang promised quietly.
She smiled. "Thank you, Fang. I know you'll treat her right."
Iggy snickered.
"Ella will be here soon, won't she not?"
"Yeah." Fang said, smirking at Iggy's blush. "She should be here within the next half-hour."
"Good, good. She really enjoyed your emails, Iggy."
"Uh...I'm glad." Iggy said, quietly.
Dr. Martinez's eyes fluttered slightly and Fang tapped Iggy's hand twice. "We should let you get some rest. Sleep well."
"Thank you boys. Again."
"No sweat, Doc." Iggy said as they neared the door.
"Of course." Fang said, closing the door behind them.
The Flock took refuse in the hospital cafeteria. Nudge and Angel were chowing down on ice cream and Gazzy was still depressed over his snot bubble failure. Iggy was sitting quietly at the table, one hand propping up his face. Suddenly, he felt footsteps and then heard the voice he'd been dying to hear for ages.
"Max! Max!"
He felt movement at the table and realized Max was running to Ella. They must have hugged, then he heard Jeb come into the picture. Max must have ignored him and instead brought Ella to see her mother. The Flock followed and waited outside her room.
Iggy was a wreck. This, he knew, was it. This was the moment where he would find out whether or not Ella was interested in him as a friend or as more. He wondered if maybe he was getting his hopes up. After all, she'd only acknowledged Max earlier. Maybe that was her way of trying not to get his hopes up. Maybe she thought that if she'd acknowledged Iggy, he'd take it to mean she wanted to be more than friends.
Of course, she was worried about her mom, so that could be it. That could mean she liked him enough that she didn't want her worry for her mother to get in the way of telling him that she liked him.
Or maybe.....
"Iggy!"
Iggy blinked. The entire Flock had shouted his name. "What?"
"We've been trying to get your attention for like two minutes. What's on your mind?" Max asked.
Before Iggy could answer, he heard the door open. "Max? Mom wants to see you."
Footsteps, then the door closed. There was silence.
"Hi, Iggy."
Iggy swallowed nervously. "Hey, Ella."
"Thank you for helping to rescue my mom."
"Of course." Iggy stood up. "It was my pleasure."
"I got all your emails. I saved them on my computer. Whenever I feel sad or if I just miss you, I like reading them over."
"Yeah?" Iggy asked hopefully.
"I got the poem too. I loved it. No one's ever written me a poem before."
"I'm....I'm glad you liked it."
He felt her hand on his shoulder then something soft and wet press against his cheek. Her lips. She kissed him!
"Thank you, Iggy." Ella whispered.
"You're welcome, Ella." Iggy whispered back.
He head her footsteps, then the door opened. As it closed, he felt a hand clap his back.
"Way to go, Ig." Fang whispered.
"Awww, Iggy has a girlfriend!" Nudge exclaimed.
Angel giggled. "I think Iggy's in love."
As Nudge joined in her laughter, Max came out into the hallway.
"What's going on?"
"Ella made out with Iggy." Gazzy said.
"What!?"
After calming down Max and explaining to Gazzy the difference between a kiss and making out, the Flock decided where they should go from here.
"Okay, Nudge and Angel saw Hawaii. Fang doesn't care. Gazzy doesn't care. Iggy, what about you?" Max asked.
Iggy shrugged. "I also don't care."
"He's too busy thinking about Ella." Angel whispered and she and Nudge giggled.
"Fine, Hawaii it is." Max announced.
"Fang will have to bring his laptop." Gazzy said with a wicked grin. "So Iggy can keep in touch with Ella."
Iggy let his face fall onto the table. Sure, Fang and Max were actually together but he was the one who was getting teased for getting a kiss from Ella.
"Guys, leave Ig alone." Fang defended.
There was a moment of silence, then.
"Aww, Fang, you're so sweet. I guess having Max as your girlfriend really helped your mood." Nudge said.
"Great, Fang's going to be all in touch with his feelings now. There goes all the fun." Gazzy grumbled.
Angel smiled. "Nudge and I can start planning the wedding!"
Iggy desperately wished he could see the looks of sure horror that were most likely sitting on Fang's and Max's faces right now. Instead, he just settled back in his chair, chuckled softly and just listened as the Flock continued their teasing.
He enjoyed every minute of it.
AN- So, how was it? Did it disappoint or did everyone enjoy it? Really hope it was the latter.
One more chapter left guys!