Chapter 6

I don't own Maximum Ride or its characters. I only own this plot!

Max

Dylan is the kind of perfect that makes him look as if molded from clay. His blonde hair curls like cresting waves over his forehead and around his ears. His skin is ivory; his eyes are the sky on a clear day. His wings are gold, pure glistening gold. He looks me up and down, surveying me like prized cattle! My hands clench into fists and I bite my tongue to hold back a comment. I decide I don't trust him.

"Healing Angel Dylan of the 14th District, would you do me the favor of healing my colleague Fang?"

He looks bored and asks, "Who?"

I glare at him, "I beg your forgiveness. I meant to say Nicholas."

"And what is my motivation?" he asks.

Because it's your duty, you worm! Help Fang now, or so help me Lord, I will tear your wings from your back! I bite back the thought, "I'll do anything."

"Anything?" he looks at me, contemplating. And this is a healing angel? Just be patient, Max. The Voice again!

"Anything," I exhale through my teeth.

"A kiss, then. After I heal your Nicholas, I will collect my payment," Dylan says coolly. My eyes widen. ! Angel thinks into my head.

"No."

He cocks his head to the side and regards me with those infuriatingly calm blue eyes. I should like to gouge them out. "Then find another healer."

"But I don't have the time! Fang needs help now!"

Dylan smiles, turns and begins to fly away. "Wait!" I cry, hating my own weakness. In any other time, I would have just left Fang to die, but I can't and I don't know why. "I-We have a deal."

He smiles, a slimy one and I recoil. "I'm glad we have an agreement."

Max, Angel says, this is a mistake!

Fang

I'm floating, my head is swimming. I know I can't stay here any longer. Before, I could feel my body; I could feel my wings there even if I couldn't move them. Now, everything is slowly dissolving. I'm melting into water, my wings are gone. I feel trapped and suffocating. There's a weight over me, and yet, I can't feel anything. How can I fight for Max, how can I protect her? How will I ever see her brown eyes light up in her many emotions. Disdain, worry, care, happiness, anger, and joy. How can I protect her? How can I be there for her when I don't exist? We always fought for each other. And this, neither of us can fight. I can't survive here, in oblivion. No angel could.

Max

Dylan stands over Fang, his blonde hair falling over his closed eyelids. His wings are held out and above him, a sign of his status. His perfect mouth opens wide. Then, he began to sing.

His voice could bid the dead to dance, and I think that is the purpose. As he sings, a silver pin of light illuminates at the base of his throat. It scatters into a million other pricks of light that dances along his golden wings, and all over him. The rest of the flock watches mesmerized, even little Angel. The song seems to twist up inside of you, a dance of ribbons deep inside your soul. It spoke in only melody, but even then, you could almost hear the words.

The lights grow bigger and move down Dylan's extended arm and towards Fang. Fang already seemed dead. His skin is pale, his breathing shallow. Nudge had almost given up on him. She cried and cried and begged for my forgiveness and I assured her I didn't blame her for anything. I didn't. I only blamed myself for not acting when Ari struck.

Tears welled up in my eyes, until I see that the dark stain on the bandage begins to grow lighter. The blood slowly disappears from the bandage. Fang's breathing becomes steadier, color returning to his skin.

"Fang," I whisper and the weight of his pain lifts from my shoulders, taking to the wind like a careless jay.

….After the Healing…

Max

"He'll be unconscious for a while," Dylan tells me, he is exhausted, "But when he wakes, he'll be the same irritating self he's always been."

"Thank you," I tell him. He doesn't hear because he faints into a chair.

I scoff. Some healing angel. He's tired even after this little assignment. I turn to Fang, happy he's okay. I give him a kiss on the cheek. I'll stay vigil here as long as it takes for him to wake up.

Oh no, I forgot about something! "Iggy? Gazzy? Nudge? Angel?" Iggy appears at the doorway.

"What, Max?"

"Who's taking care of the royals?"

"Don't worry, Angel and Nudge are over there. I think Nudge is going corporeal to try on the empress's jewels."

I laugh, "Of course she is. Thank you."

Iggy nods at me and leaves. It's scary how he can find his way around without his sight. I wonder how he manages too. I look at Fang. I can hardly contain my happiness.

"Max?" Dylan opens an eye. I'd forgotten he was there. "I'll collect my payment now."

"Your…payment?" Oh, the kiss. I'm still. "Of course," I say, hesitant. No, I am Maximum Ride. I am not hesitant. I am the guardian of Emperor Titus, I am a fighter, and I have made an agreement. I will follow through with my promise, even if I don't want to.

Dylan walks over, takes me into his arms and kisses me; his lips are urgent and intense. Repulsion rises up in my throat. I am a statue, I am stone, I chant. He finally releases me. "That wasn't so bad now was it?" he says leering at me. I am disgusted and fly away.

Fang

I can feel the pain leaving my body, I can feel my limbs again, slowly but surely. I open my eyes, finally. The act is soothing. Until I understand what I'm seeing.

It's a tumble of familiar blonde hair and russet wings being held by a golden angel. It's Max, and… who is that? My eyes widen. It's Dylan! I'm unconscious for who knows how long and he sweeps in? My limbs are weak still, but my hands itch for a fight.

Max flies off, and Dylan turns to me. He gives me a wide grin he knows I can see. My eyes shoot daggers at him when he flies off after her.

Love, hate? I needed to add Dylan's singing. So he's a healer. Review please! And thanks to BlackVenom my best reviewer yet, but that's not saying much. Yet...