I apologize for how rediculessly short this is... it needed a lot of editing... I kidna babbled a lot.. Haha.

Anyways. Thank you everyone for 517 reviews. :) Your rock.. and you made me laugh because all of your reactions seemed to be the same... you loved it.. and wanted to kill me.

Glad to see you all bond over wanting to kill me. :)

Not to worry... I will be writing more. :)

Ok well that's all I have to say. (Look at me with my short A/Ns now..)

Disclaimer: I. .. (But I still call Fangie poo)

Ch 23.

Max's POV

I sat on the dock, my eyes closed. I sucked in a deep breath as I listened to the sounds of nature that surrounded me. It was peaceful and undisturbed. Perfect. It put my mind at ease and allowed me to leave the real world behind for just a few minutes.

Suddenly, my tranquil thoughts were broken as the soft thumps of feet hitting wood reached my ears. My eyes locked shut, holding in the peace for a few more seconds, before I opened them. I didn't need to open my eyes to know who it was. They sat beside me, copying my position with their feet in the water.

"Hey," I said tiredly.

"Hey to you too," Fang answered.

"How'd you know I was gonna be here?" I asked him, but I already knew the answer.

Fang shrugged, a lock of hair falling in front of his eye. "A hunch."

I sighed. "That and I always come here, right?"

"It's a nice place. I'd come here too."

Neither of us said a word as we watched the water. My eyes tracked a school of fish as the glided by.

For once, Fang broke the silence by asking wryly, "So, you're going to Prom with Sam, huh?"

"Yeah," I mumbled. Out the corner of my eye, I saw Fang's face fall. I couldn't help but think, I so, so wish it were you.

We were quiet again, just for a bit, before Fang let out a sigh that almost sounded disappointed.

"Well," said Fang and I could tell he was about to start teasing me, "Prom's in two weeks and if you want to be associated with me, you really ought to work on your dancing. Seriously, it's shit."

I turned and gaped at him. "Excuse me! You're the one with two left feet!" I said in outrage. But I was fighting a smile as I nudged him back.

"I can at least pull off a badass sway," he retorted, pausing thoughtfully before adding, "And I can toodance."

I nodded at him, smirking. "Must've been all those ballroom dance classes your mom made you do as a kid."

I almost didn't look to see his reaction, too scared to do so, but I ended up peeking at him. Soon enough, I lost it. I cracked up as Fang sat glaring at me. Soon enough, he pounced. I crashed back into the wood and wriggled as he pinned my arms over my head. I kept laughing.

"You promised to neverspeak of that again," he hissed at me. "We made a pact! You broke it...you know what that means.

"What? That was, like, ten years ago! I didn't think it still applied!"

Fang said seriously, "Our pacts and promises were for life, no matter what. Remember?" He paused, staring at my slightly flushed face in contemplation. "How many other pacts have you broken since you've been gone?"

A wave of guilt washed over me. I turned my head away from him, hiding behind my hair and resolutely not speaking. The truth was, I'd thought that Fang would be gone forever. He had said that he would never leave me, and even though distance separated us, it wouldn't, not really. All bullshit.

I went out and broke as many promises as I could.

Fang took my silence and ashamed blush as an answer. He rolled off of me, looking slightly pissed. I ducked my head, feeling...terrible. So, so bad.

I wanted to apologize, but I couldn't find the right words for it. I wanted to comfort him, but...well, we just sat there awkwardly. Like strangers.

I heard Fang stand up beside me. I thought, at first, that he was about to go. To leave me here. Suddenly, a hand appeared in front of my face. I stared at it, unsure as to what to do or say. I glanced up and saw Fang smirking down at me. "Seems that you broke a few promises, then. Right? And seeing as we're a little too old to T.P. Mr Jenkins' house - and Iggy has a girlfriend, so kissing him is out - I say we should have to get you to start practicing your dancing skills."

I smiled, grabbing his hand as he added enthusiastically, "Let's dance."

Fang put his hands on my hips. I kept my arms at my sides, confused, and said, "There's no music."

"We'll make our own," he whispered.

I nodded, unspeaking, and placed my hands on his shoulders, gripping his shirt. Fang held me close as we swayed back and forth. He began to hum something - it was fairly familiar, but I just couldn't put my finger on it.

It was so peaceful and I was so caught up in our own little world that I barely registered the crack of thunder and the flash of lightning. It seemed to be miles away. We kept dancing and Fang kept humming.

I was pulled from what had to be the perfect moment by a cold, wet drop splattering onto my face and running down my neck. It was followed by another and another. Within seconds the rain transformed from a few drops to a have downpour.

I saw Fang looking up towards the massive dark clouds above us, growing bigger and bigger. Our clothes were soaking and our hair was matted to our faces.

"Should I take this as a bad omen? Or be optimistic and somehow relate this to natural beauty?"

I grinned. "We were very optimistic children. Why should that change now?"

Fang grinned back before sighing. "We better head in. I'd hate for you to get sick right before Prom. I'm sure that'd suck for your date."

"Why?" I muttered, grumpy. I gripped his shirt more, not letting go and not planning to.

"Because I said so, that's why. Come on, Max, before you catch a cold."

"No," I said stubbornly, burying my head in his chest. "I don't want to. Let's stay out here a little longer, yeah? We're already heaps wet. Please?"

Fang rolled his eyes - I couldn't see but I could feel his body move. "Remember the last time we stayed out in bad weather?" he asked.

I grinned into his shirt, nodding. "We wore nothing but bathing suits in the middle of a blizzard, just to prove to Iggy that we would be able to make it on Survivor." I smiled fondly. "That was fucking awesome."

"Yeah, and we were sick in bed with pneumonia for a week afterwards. Not to mention we were grounded for being dumb enough to go out in the middle of a snowstorm." Fang held me closer, rocking us a bit, and whispered, "It was worth every minute..."

-Break...dance? You're not fun anymore, Kenzi. And I apologize for taking some of the cuddlier bits out, but a) Fang's not that...feminine and b) Max isn't a cheater. I'll make the Faxy bits Faxier when/if they get together, though. Like in your other story, which everyone should go read-

After being drenched, we headed back to my house. As Fang caught me shivering out of the corner of his eye, he slipped off his jacket and slung it over my shoulders. I pulled it close around me and sniffed a bit. Yeah, smelled delicious.

"I've gotta go, Max," he yawned, rubbing his cheek tiredly. "I'll see you tomorrow, though."

I nodded, hugging him tightly. "Night, Fang. Sweet dreams. And thank you for always being there for me."

I really never wanted to leave his arms, but Fang let go all too soon. I slid off the jacket and gave it to him.

I watched Fang drive off and wiped the raindrops from my face, sighing shakily and heading inside. I avoided all family members and collapsed straight onto my bed. I didn't even bother to sit up as I wriggled into my pajamas.

I was just about to drift off when a light from the window caught my eye.

I approached my window curiously, warily. I drew back my blinds and gasped. I choked on air, however, and managed to force myself into a major coughing fit. I wiped tears from my eyes and just...stared. My backyard was strung with lights and candles, interrupting the velvety blackness.

Tears reappeared in my eyes as I read the message written in lights (perfectly):

YOU LIGHT UP MY WORLD LIKE NO ONE ELSE DOES

I thought of what my music teacher had said. "Music speaks when words cannot," was what he'd told us. It had been a bit too cliche for me back then. But now?

So true.

I searched around my room frantically, finally yanking up my theory book filled with blank bars. I grabbed a pen and began to write.

BetaNote: Thanks for reviewing my stories, you guys! (The lot of you should go read LoveHate. I'm serious. It's fucking hilarious, and I'm the author). Sorry about the chapter. I've just been so busy. BYE, NOW.

I think she is using me... Just kidding. :) But seriously check them all out. PLEASE.

Ok and I would like everyone to take note of this before I start reciving hate mail. Did everyone read that up there? That line break? Yep i do believe that was Kay confessing that it was indeed her who killed the fax this time, not me. I was all for the fluffy moments. And Kay? I DID NOT MAKE HIM FEMININE! He is just... emotional right now.. which he damn well should be. :P And well... aw come on... Max could have a little fun... right? See? The readers agree. So I blame this one on Kay. :P Jk

Never to fear though, the legit Kissy kissy Oh Hot Damn fax is on it's way. :)

Ok..so how about we try for.. I don't know... 545 this time? Sound ok?

Oh... and pleaseeeeee read my other story True Confessions Of Star Crossed Lovers.... I promise you will be more pleased with the fax.. promise.. In fact I am in the middle of a VERY faxy chapter... You'll love it.. promise.. No Sax I swear. :)

Ok well that's all. Tell me what cha think. :)

~Bandgeekclarinet14 over and out. :)

P.S. OH!.. and I have been kinda cheating on FF with Fiction Press lately... so.. if anyone has any stories they recommend let me know.. I tend to like the romance section.. so if you have any similar to the ones on my favorites (Same user name on FP) let me know. :)