Yeek, I didn't realize how short that last chapter was. I apologize. This one'll be longer, I promise.

Thank you lovely reviewers and favoriters and everyone else who reads this! I love you all!

I wobbled in my heels as the boat deck tilted a little, and grabbed the railing to keep from falling. The ocean was beautiful at twilight, if a little cold… I shivered in my strapless dress, and slowly, carefully, made my way into the interior of the boat, carefully closing the door behind me.

I looked around the furnished room, filled with people. I spotted Nudge and Angel with Ella, and Iggy and Gazzy over by the food. Where was Fang? Suddenly, I saw red. Literally.

He was in the back corner with Dr. Brigid Super-Amazing-Red-Head Dwyer. They were talking and laughing and eating, and I was very jealous. I have no idea why, but I just was. I was just about to make my way over to them when Brigid leaned over and pecked him on the lips.

I turned and ran, slamming the cabin door behind me. I had just figured it out—I did love him. But I had been wrong. He wasn't the man I thought he was. He was just a teenage boy. I had glimpsed something non-existent. I dashed back to the edge of the boat and gripped the railing tightly as the boat tilted again. I was about to take off when I remembered what I was wearing. There was no way I could take off or land in heels without hurting myself, and I couldn't snap my wings out of this dress. Not that I could fly in it anyway. I felt tears well up in my eyes and spill over my cheeks, probably ruining my make up. Thank gosh there was no one out here to see this. I clutched the railing tighter as sobs racked my body.

"Idiot!" I muttered quietly to myself, tears pouring down my cheeks. "How could you have fallen for your best friend?"

Happy now voice? Happy that I went and got my heart broken?

The voice had no input for me. I think it knew better than to mess with me right now.

I heard the cabin door click lightly shut and tried to stifle my sobs as I heard footsteps coming quietly towards me. Then there were arms around my waist, holding my close, telling me "shh.."…

I knew who it was. I turned around and slapped him as hard as I possibly could and tried to get away from him, but the boat lurched again and he had to reach out and steady me. I slapped his hand away. Now I was furious. He went and kissed her, then came out here to comfort me like he hadn't done anything wrong? (AN: so we're clear, Fang actually hasn't done anything wrong—it was Brigid who kissed him. He was just hanging out with her, which was a mistake anyway—he shoulda been with Max.)

"Bastard," I cursed quietly, glaring at him.

"Max," he chided quietly. I looked away and glared instead down at his arms. He had me trapped against the railing of the boat. I had no way out.

"What do you want Fang?" I laced my voice with as much venom as I could muster, but I hated how it still cracked and broke. I hated how weak I sounded.

"Max," he tried again, but he had nothing to say. We both knew it. I tried to move his arm out of the way again and, surprisingly, he let me. I marched away and stopped to look back when I heard no one following me. Fang was still standing where I had left him, one arm on the railing, the other hanging limply at his side. He must have heard me stop, because he slowly turned to look up at me.

And then I saw it again.

The look of someone aged far beyond his years. There was such tenderness in his eyes, along with regret and sadness and, dare I say it?

Love.

I gasped and broke the gaze. I spun around and was about to walk through the doors to the cabin when I heard his voice. But it was whisked away by the wind, so I turned back to face him.

"What?" I asked quietly, questioningly, daring him to answer.

"I…" He looked at the ground. "Never mind." I frowned and walked back towards him, my anger momentarily forgotten.

"No, what?" I was kinder, reaching out to touch his arm. "Really Fang, what is it? You can tell me," His head snapped up and his eyes seemed to cut right through me.

"I'm sorry,"

And I knew he meant it.

[it would have ended here, but after that last chapter, I'm determined to give everyone at least two pages. So here we go!]

"I'm still mad at you," I tried to look away, but couldn't.

"I know. You have every right to be, even though it wasn't my fault," Rage coursed through my veins. Wasn't his fault!? WASN'T HIS FAULT!? What was he talking about!? They kissed, I saw it!

He must have sensed my anger, because he held up a hand to stop me.

"I don't know what you saw Max, but she kissed me. Given, I shouldn't have been hanging around her. I guess. I mean, she was nice. But anyway, I don't like her like that. I didn't kiss her," I frowned.

"Really?" I took a step closer, standing up straight so I was right in his face. "Prove it," I glared, realizing how angry I still was.

"Okay," he smirked, then pressed his lips to mine. How could I have not seen that coming? I'm such an idiot. His lips were warm and soft on mine, pressing with just the right amount of force. I leaned up into him and he pushed me back against the railing, trapping me again. Not that I minded now. I was reciprocating the kiss and enjoying every second of it. We were so close together that nothing could fit between us.

He pulled back just a little so his lips were barely brushing mine.

"I love you," he whispered. I gasped. Did he just say… what I think he said?

Yes Max, he did. The Voice answered, deciding to make an appearance at last.

Now listen, he's telling you something important.

I tuned back into Fang's whispering.

"I've always loved you. You and only you. It was never anyone else. Believe me," he breathed out slowly and evenly, warming my face and making my hair flutter. "Max, believe me, please. Have I proven myself?" I was stunned into silence. I had no follow up to that. Any game plan I may have had went out the window.

Then I made the mistake of looking his eyes.

And I saw it again.

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