To All Who Want Max and Fan together,

I have one thing to say.

Sometimes the best love has the hardest journey to walk down.

And as long as you don't lose hope and keep going than you will find that the path ends happily.

Enjoy the next Chapter,

Flyerac1029

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Dani California

"Have you realized we live in California and we never go to the beach?" Nudge asked impatiently while she sat on the couch flipping through the television. Iggy looked up at her from where he was sitting on the floor. Ella was leaning against him and playing with her hair.

"California would rest in peace. Do you know what would happen if we went to the beach? We'd get mobbed…" Iggy thought about it and stroked his chin which was staring to show stubbles from a bad shave, "Actually, that sounds awesome. Why haven't we gone to the beach?"

Ella swatted his arm and he looked at her. "Because you would be short one girlfriend if you did." Iggy laughed and leaned down to kiss her

"Shopping, we don't even do that." Nudge complained as Angel and Gazzy ran in from being dropped off. Nudge had arrived only half an hour earlier than them from middle school while Iggy and Ella were home before all of them an hour because they were in high school.

Gazzy put his transformers backpack down on the ground. Since Dr. Martinez let him watch the movie it was all he could talk about.

Angel had a pink backpack and Celeste dangling in the pocket meant for a water bottle. She dropped her bag as well and ran to sit next to Nudge. Ever since she stopped reading minds, Angel had, softened up a bit and she asked a lot more questions.

She honestly couldn't stand the silence.

"Ever wonder who your parents are?" Ella asked as she leaned her back against the edge of the couch. Iggy nuzzled his head in the crook of her neck.

Nudge glared at them for a moment before shaking her head and staring at the television.

"Well I always thought that my Papa was a copper and my mama was a hippie." Iggy teased, his breath warm on Ella's neck. She raised an eyebrow and he laughed. "I honestly met them but they…weren't cool." He frowned.

Gazzy jumped in with his favorite story, "I thought my dad wore this black bandanna and would be robbin' on a bank in the state of Indiana." He held up his hand and pretended to point a gun, "He was going to get us back until he was lookin' down the barrel of a hot metal .45."

Iggy sighed, "Just another way to survive in the life of bird –kid parents."

Angel pouted and crossed her arms, "Our parents weren't like that Gazzy." The little girl sniffed and didn't want to point out that their parents had sold them. "Dr. Martinez is more our mom than them so why care about them."

"Don't let me hear you say that again," Iggy warned her.

Angel blinked as Total jumped up into her lap. "Why not?"

"Because, if Dr. Martinez was our mom then I couldn't date Ella." Then he cringed, "That'd be gross." He wrinkled his nose before staring at the television. "Geez Nudge, pick a station. There are like a thousand of them. Find something on Brittney Spears, she's always funny to hear about. Or- find Baywatch. They have really good running techniques." Ella slapped him again and he chuckled. "I'm just kidding."

"No you aren't," Ella answer back.

"Seriously, I am." Iggy gave her a grin before turning towards the television.

There it was, the news station.

The woman held a microphone and stood behind the worst image that the flock could imagine. It was the cliff where it all happened.

"We are here acknowledging the deaths of four people. One, Mr. Nakumora Chu, was a world leader in pollution and trying to revolt against the government with the now-deceased company Itex's experiments. The other three were killed by Nakumora and his assistant Brigid Dwyer, who is still on the run. Their names and graves are behind me at this cliff where they were killed.

"The victims were Jeb Batchledor…fourty two years old, Ari Batchledor…seven years old, and Mela Doe…thirteen years old. Who knew that others died to prove the monsters of this world? They stood behind Maximum Ride, fifteen at the time of the event, and a heroine to the world."

"The deaths occurred one year exactly from yesterday. The family has asked that no one visit tomorrow so that they are able to say goodbye in peace. Family members are taking donations for the global warming company-" Nudge shut off the television just as Fang walked in.

He stared at the blank screen, "Don't bring it up to Max." He shoved his hands in his pockets as everyone stared at him.

"Fang," Angel's innocent voice rang out just as he was about to turn and leave. "What happened between you and Max?"

Fang shook his head, "Something so complicated you wouldn't understand even if you could still read my mind sweetie."

Everyone held in a breath.

They heard it then.

Some twisted pain in Fang's voice that broke through.

"Just, let's not think about tomorrow. Max has had a rough day," Fang went to leave.

"Man, wait up." Iggy stood up and he stared at him, "Max will be fine. 'She's a runner, rebel and a stunner' remember?" He quoted the song just as he remembered. Back when the flock had broken up, Fang would stop to listen to this song on the street just because it reminded him of her.

Iggy continued, "'On her merry way saying; baby whatcha gonna.'" Fang gave him a smile.

Even Gazzy remembered, "She's a lover, baby, and a fighter.' Should've seen it coming when it got a little brighter. With a name like…Maximum Ride." Unlike Iggy, Gazzy tried to actually sing the song. It didn't work out so well.

Fang gave a small smile which to them, meant he was laughing.

"What's your point Igs?" Fang stared at his best friend.

"We know Max will get through this. She's been through- Gazzy and Angel shut your ears- shit. But you, you've been through things that I don't think we all necessarily understand back at the School. And now, without Max, man, we're worried about you."

Fang shrugged, "I had a life before Max you know. I had to deal with it before and I'll do it again. Don't worry about me."

"Sorry man, I just have to do it." Iggy replied. "You broke up with Max out of nowhere. She made you happy and open up. There's more than you're telling us."

Fang shot him a glare, didn't say anything for a moment before whispering, "Understand now?"

Angel and Gazzy were confused and looked at the older kids to see what was going on. Total was jumping on the couch to see over the back and look at Fang who was so cold and emotionless.

Iggy narrowed his eyes, "Yeah man. I understand."

As Fang walked away Gazzy whispered. "What does he understand?"

"That Fang's not going to tell us anything," Nudge whispered.

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Song is "Dani California" by Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Just to make sure you noted it, Iggy was just saying the lines, not singing them. Gazzy was.

Hopefully that was still in character for you.

I thought the Gasman would try to belt some lyrics. He's ten after all.

More updates.

Please Review. =) Pwetty Please? Come on, don't make me beg.