Ah, that last chapter was a joy to write. I hope all of you enjoyed reading it. Sorry I've been slow, things have been hectic. BUT this chapter is a bit longer, so I hope that makes up for it. Have a wonderful day and enjoy!

Love,

Wise_yet_harmless

FANG'S POINT OF VIEW

I woke with a start. It took a few moments for me to realize that

1) I was at Max's

2) I was hurt

3) Max was still clinging to me

It was a mix of anger over the fact that I had freaking passed out, weakness over my assumed concussion and comfort from Max. I was sure she needed the comfort more than I did, but it still helped. It reminded me that I wasn't alone. What can I say? I'm human.

The sun was barely peeking out from the mountains, lighting the room enough for me to see Max's sleeping face inches from my own. She had lost her protectiveness, her anger and her nervousness. She was completely at ease, here next to me. I tried not to look into it much. She was just asleep.

And asleep she stayed. I assumed it was probably seven when I awoke, what with the sun position and all. But I lay there for what, half an hour? She was still not waking up. I tried not to move and disturb her, but I felt uneasy in a place I had only been to once. I took deep, calming breaths and waited.

And waited.

And waited.

I couldn't take it any longer. Anticipation was making my skin crawl and I knew someone would be awake soon. I wasn't sure where Max's mother was, but I was sure she wouldn't be happy. I squeezed the hand Max was holding, shaking my arm lightly. Max groaned in response, shifting. She blinked her eyes at me before gasping at the sight of my face so close to hers. She leaned away and sighed, using one of her hands to rub her eyes. The other held onto mine, our hands positioned in her lap near the floor. I grinned at her tired, cranky expression.

"Hey sunshine."

"Shut up. What time is it?"

"Not sure."

"Too early," Max complained, resting her head back on the couch near me. I laughed softly in her hair and saw her grin back sleepily.

"You feelin' better?"

"Head hurts. Wrist hurts."

"I'll go get some aspirin," Max volunteered, gracefully dropping my hand and standing, her footsteps silent. She came back moments later with a glass of water and two red pills. She helped me gingerly sit up to take them, my head spinning with the effort. When I laid back down, Max put her hand onto both of our foreheads.

"You don't have a fever, but you probably got a concussion. You may need to see a doctor," Max said, biting her lip while she thought.

"I can't. They'll ask questions." Max's eyes flashed with barely contained fury.

"So let them ask questions," she challenged, not looking at me.

"It's complicated."

"No it's not. You tell them, they lock him up."

"Then where would we go? Ella and I could be separated."

"You'd be safe! Doesn't that mean anything to you?"

"Not as much as Ella."

Max turned to me, her eyes full of sadness.

"But you can't do this anymore, Fang. Look at yourself! You're falling apart at the seems! You say you're doing this for Ella, but how can you protect her like this? There's only so much you can do," she protested, gripping my arm. I closed my eyes, masking my emotions. I hated when people told me my limits; no matter how real they were.

"I know," was all I said. "I know."

There was a silence. It was a silence I knew would come. She pitied me, and I hated that. She had no idea what to do. She couldn't really help, and she knew it. It was a thick silence. So thick I wanted to speak just to break it. But I didn't. I couldn't say everything would be fine, because it wouldn't. I couldn't say I had a plan, because I didn't.

"Fang?" Oh no, here it comes. The apologies and all that crap.

"Yeah?"

"If you really care for Ella, you'll get both of you out of there. By letting yourself get beaten, she must feel as broken as you do. You're letting her feel that pain." I snapped my eyes open, staring at her. She looked almost sorry to say what she had, but fiercely determined. What she said was true, and she knew it. I shut my eyes again, not responding. I was furious she was accusing me, but I knew it was the truth. I just had to lay there and take it. After a few moments, the sound of a door opening startled me.

In walked a tall, elegant blonde woman with a business suit , a couple suitcases and a large bag on her shoulder. She looked stern, raising an eyebrow at Max and I. Crap crap crap. That must be Anne, Max's adoptive mother. She's going to freaking kill us. She must think I'm a delinquent or a drug dealer or something-

"Hey Anne, this is Fang. Fang, this is Anne. How was your flight?" Max asked conversationally, like having a strange boy on the couch was totally normal. Anne shrugged, looking bored.

"Some guy kept trying to flirt with me. He was at least ten years older than me. It was pretty annoying, but whatever. Are the kids still asleep?"

"Yeah. They should be up soon, though."

"Tell them to be quiet, yeah? I have jet lag and need a nap."

"Sure thing." With that, the blonde woman went down the hall to where I assumed was her bedroom, closing her door behind her. Max turned back to me, shrugging helplessly.

"What just happened?"

"Anne came home."

"I got that part."

"Anne...doesn't really care about what we do. She...she never really has. As long as we don't interrupt her naps, obviously," Max said, keeping her voice nonchalant. I doubted that was the end of the story, but I doubted Max would indulge me.

"Okay then."

"Yup! We should call Ella, huh? Let her know you're awake and speaking full sentences."

"Alright."

ELLA'S POINT OF VIEW

I gasped, sitting up. Iggy sat up as well, his sightless eyes conveying his confusion. Only then did I realize what was going on. We had fallen asleep. Together. We had been watching movies on Iggy's couch and I remembered laying my head on his shoulder just for a moment...then nothing. Apparently, we had fallen asleep leaning on each other. I had fallen asleep on Iggy's shoulder quite a few times, but never for an entire night. Fang was not going to be happy when he found out.

My phone was ringing, the noise loud in the otherwise silent house. I fished it out of my bag and held it to my ear.

"Hello?"

"Ella?"

"Hi Max."

"Hey. Fang is doing loads better. He probably did get a concussion and shouldn't be moved. The swelling on his wrist has gone down, but it still looks-sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you! I need to see it. Fang-no, of course not-come on! Ugh. Well, I can't actually examine it, but I'm pretty sure it's not broken. But definitely badly sprained. It's gonna be a doozy, but he'll be alright. When y'all are able to, come over so we can make a plan. You good with that?" Iggy nodded at me, having heard the entire conversation.

"Yes, of course, we'll be over shortly. May I speak with him a moment?"

"Oh! Sure! Here he is." I heard a rustling as she transferred the phone, then my brother's signature grunt of greeting.

"Are you okay?"

"Could be better."

"Do you need me right now?"

"No, I'm fine. You?" My cheeks burned as I thought of what Fang would do if he found out we had slept together, in a sense. I decided to save it for later.

"I'm just glad you're alright. I'm going to freshen up a bit before coming over. Is that alright?"

"Sure thing. Tell Iggy to keep his hands off, alright?" Iggy snickered, immediately wrapping his arms around me and leaning my head against his chest in retaliation.

"Of course. See you soon?"

"See ya."

I hung up, relaxing into Iggy's embrace. He rubbed his thumbs agaisnt my upper arms silently.

"What now?"

"Now we get ready to head to Max's. Fang may need you and I."

"Cool. Stuff's in the guest closet, like always."

After I had gotten permission to spend the night at Iggy's for the first time, I decided to keep a small overnight bag of necessities just in case. It had pj's, a clean pair of normal clothes, shoes, toiletries and a little bit of money. I didn't want Iggy to think I planned to intrude often, but he was very supportive of the idea and insisted I leave the bag at his home. I slipped on fresh clothing, grateful I had it and walked into the bathroom to brush my teeth and hair.

When I was finally ready to go, I wandered into the kitchen to find Iggy leaning against the counter, his brow set in concentration as he listened to my footsteps.

"Want some coffee?" he asked, gesturing to the black liquid heating up behind him. I tried not to indulge in the caffeinated beverage in fear I would become addicted to it, but it smelled delightful and I figured I could use the help staying awake today.

"Yes please," I said enthusiastically. Iggy nodded, turning to pour the aromatic drink into two mugs and handing one in my general direction. I took the cup gratefully and sipped the steaming coffee. It tasted wonderfully, waking my senses and mind. Iggy never drank anything but black coffee, insisting all other types were 'sissy'.

Once our mugs were drained, we left Iggy's home and headed outside, hand in hand. Iggy probably didn't need the direction, but I liked to think he enjoyed it. We walked in almost silence; Iggy used all his working senses to create an environment around him while I directed us towards our destination. It was almost eight in the morning, so we did not come across many people. It was a peaceful, warm morning that lifted my spirits. After a few minutes, I looked up and smiled.

"Iggy, the sun is barely peeking above the mountains. The sky looks almost pink, with a little bit of orange in it on the far side of the horizon. In the middle of the sky right above us is the purest blue, and the sky near the sun is brilliantly white. The clouds are small and thin, like trials of smoke. The birds have not taken flight, so the sky is completely unblemished. It looks like a painting, but even if it was you could not hear the birds chirping or feel the breeze. Isn't it lovely?"

Iggy grinned at me, squeezing my hand. Iggy often resented his loss of sight, but having remembered color, loved it when I would describe things to him. He often told me I said it in a way that wasn't bragging to him, just explaining, so he liked it better.

We walked the rest of the way in silence, listening to the birds and the runners that passed us. When we finally arrived at Max's, I stopped, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath. I was happy Fang seemed alright, but I knew the day after he got hurt was always the worst. The bruises were always the darkest, the cuts always the deepest.

I steeled my nerves and knocked lightly on Max's front door. She opened it a few moments later, putting a finger to her lips before waving us inside. At first I assumed Fang had fallen asleep, but as I entered I saw him, eyes open, smiling at me. I pulled Iggy to where Fang was lying and knelt next to him.

"Hey there," I said quietly.

"Hey Ella," Fang said back.

"So you didn't break your wrist? That's what Max said."

Fang lifted his wrists for me to inspect. The swelling was incredibly better, almost normal now. I carefully unwrapped his wrists, doing my best not to move the joint. When his wrist was bare, I turned to the sightless boy next to me.

"Iggy? Will you check?" Iggy nodded, holding out his hands. I put Fang's wrist in his hands and he brushed his fingers along the appendage, his face set in hard concentration. Iggy pushed down at a certain place, causing Fang to scowl slightly from the pain.

"Sorry man," Iggy said, explaining, "I just had to check. It isn't broken. At least, as far as I can tell. Probably sprained, maybe a torn muscle or ligament or whatever. But you'll heal."

"Thanks man," Fang said. Iggy nodded, putting Fang's arm back on his stomach.

"That's relieving. But what about his head?" Max asked from behind, her arms crossed over her chest.

"That's brain inflammation. I wouldn't be able to tell. I mean, I could check to see if he fractured his skull or something, but I doubt he'd be awake right now if he had. Plus, there would be a lot more blood." Iggy shrugged, thinking out loud.

"What do you think, Fang? Are you feeling better?" I asked him. He considered this a moment, his eyes unfocused and distant.

"Here, Ella. Help me stand up and we'll see." I stood, pulling him slowly into a sitting position. He then put an arm around my shoulders and we stood slowly, making it almost all the way before he stumbled, his knees buckling. Iggy and I caught him and set him back down on the couch, his eyes shut tight.

"Are you alright?" Max asked, her voice concerned.

"Dizzy," he explained.

"Maybe you have low blood sugar! I'll go grab some juice or something," Max said, quickly leaving the room. She came back a few moments later with chocolate milk in a big glass.

"Sorry...that's the only thing we had," she explained. My lips twisted into a smile, knowing Fang secretly loved chocolate milk. He wouldn't ever admit it, of course. But he nodded, drinking the rich liquid.

"Well? What're we gonna do if he can't get up?" Iggy asked, impatient.

"He's welcome here, if that's okay," Max volunteered, shrugging. "If he can't safely get up, why should we try? Ella, you can stay too, if ya wanna. We have room."

"No."

Max turned to look at Fang, her face a tad confused.

"Well, okay then..."

There was an awkward silence before I spoke to break it.

"Thank you, Max, but I think we've imposed on your family long enough. Your mother probably wouldn't allow him to stay very much longer, and he seems to be healing enough to leave soon."

"Oh, alright. But you guys can crash here if you ever need it, kay? Anne doesn't care, trust me," Max explained, her eyes meeting Fang's. He nodded, satisfying her. Fang then stood up on his own, slowly. We all froze, watching him (or, in Iggy's case, listening), ready to catch him if he fell. But he stayed up, taking a few cautious steps.

"There ya go," he said, turning back to us, "I'm fine."

Max shook her head, throwing up her hands. "Whatever."

Fang smirked at her, grabbing the gauze and re-wrapping his wrist. When he finished he wiggled his fingers, testing them. He motioned for us to get going, strangely avoiding Max's eyes. We made our way to the door, Iggy following silently behind me, holding on to my sleeve for guidance.

"Thank you very much, Max. We would have been in bad shape if not for your hospitality," I said. Max nodded.

"I'll be keeping tabs on y'all, alright?"

"Very well. Goodbye."

"Bye."

I walked quickly to catch up with Fang, standing in front of him to halt him.

"What is going on Fang? That was unusually cold of you. She deserved a thanks, let alone your attention," I scolded. It was unlike Fang to be rude, especially to Max. Fang looked from Iggy to me and back, considering what to say.

"She cares too much, Ella."

"Too much?" Iggy asked, interrupting. "What the heck does that mean?"

"Nothing. I just don't like it," said Fang, turning away from us and walking on. I knew Fang better than I knew anyone. The way Fang said that, the way he pursed his lips, the very slight coloring of his cheeks...

No, Fang wasn't worried about Max caring too much.

He's afraid he cares too much.