A.N. Okay, guys: I am so sorry that it took me so long to upload this one! I've been battling with intense writers block for this chapter for so long! I had previously had this chapter written, but when I went back and re-read it, I realized it didn't have the depth and playfulness that I wanted for Max and Fang.
So I had decided to re-write it, and came up with this chapter after a bajillion times of writing and starting over, so hopefully you guys will enjoy it! It's a little bit longer than I usually write my chapters, but it's full of FAX!
Thank you to everyone who reviewed/followed/favorited last chapter! I really loved hearing your input, and I'm so glad that you guys are enjoying the story!

Chapter 3: Night Flight

For all of you non-winged in the world, flying is one of the most amazing things that can ever be experienced. Being up this high, away from everyone and everything, every problem and worry- well, it's wonderful. Especially when you're soaring on a peaceful night like this.

And extra-especially when you have a winged best friend/boyfriend to escape with you.

I sighed happily as the tropical wind whipped against my face, filling my lungs with fresh air. My wings were flapping powerfully behind me, helping me gain altitude and wheel through the sky. Fang was flying in sync beside me, close enough for our wing tips to brush on every down stroke.

The night was as peaceful as it had been for the past couple of nights; up this high, a comforting breeze washed away the constant sweltering heat of the island. Since a lot of the shade had been lost in The Fracture, it made the hot and sticky weather even worse. And unfortunately, the island didn't come equipped with automated fans and central air conditioning.

But even though some of the greenery was gone, the island still looked like it was taken straight out of a postcard. The hilly peaks of the burnt rainforest made up the forested landscape below us. Bordered by the ocean, the waves lapped leisurely on the numerous strips of white sand that made up the island's beaches. The trade winds from the seemingly endless ocean gently blew the green palm leaves. Everything seemed exotic and relaxing. Like heaven on earth.

I glanced over at Fang, flying silently beside me. His midnight wings- larger than mine- flapped almost inaudibly behind him, keeping him aloft just like mine were doing. The moon lit his olive colored skin, making him appear as gorgeous as the night sky. We hadn't really had time to talk in a while, just the two of us. We've been so busy with meetings, scavenging, and public speeches since The Fracture that alone time with him was almost impossible. Seriously, I think the last time we've been truly alone was just moments before the first tsunami hit three days ago.

And frankly, I missed him. Even though he was always with me during most of said activities, we didn't have time to be together as a couple. After all, I am the leader and he is my number one confidant- we have our jobs to do.

Fang noticed me staring at him and turned his head to face me. My heart gave a pang at his features, so familiar and wonderful and mine. His lips quirked up into his signature half-smirk and he glided over to me.

He positioned himself above me, slowly synchronizing our wings so he could maneuver closer and closer. I blushed, even though we'd done this a number of times before, flying so closely together that our bodies were almost touching. His wings brushed against mine from above, and I could feel his warm breathing against my hair, causing my pulse to skyrocket.

His olive-toned hand came down from over my shoulder, stretching for my own. I immediately reached up and grasped it, loving the feeling of my hand held tightly in his.

"How are your wings holding up?" Fang asked, talking into my ear so I could hear him better over the wind.

"They're holding. It feels good to stretch them."

Truthfully, they were aching a bit. When The Fracture had happened, Fang and I had both been knocked out of the sky by the sonic blast- the first wave of destruction to hit the island. And when I had landed… well, I had been less than graceful. I had broken my wing, and Fang had set it up with a splint. But given our super-duper bird genes that allowed us to heal three times as fast, my wing was almost completely back to normal.

"Yeah- we haven't been able to in a while." Fang said, voicing my thoughts from earlier.

The flock and I haven't been able to fly hardly at all the past few days- we were always busy with one task or another. And since most of the island's population of mutants, a few humans, and one of two dogs couldn't fly- well, we were pretty much grounded.

"Nope." I agreed, staring at the ground below us.

"It won't always be like that," Fang reassured, squeezing my hand. "Once we have this whole settling issue figured out with the island, we'll have the rest of our lives to do what we want." Call me impatient, but I couldn't wait until that day came.

"That's so weird to think about," I noted absentmindedly, watching the tiny waves lap against the white-sanded beach, just a thin strip below us. "That we don't have to run anymore. That we don't have to worry about the future. If we're going to live to see tomorrow… Where we're going to stay."

"I know," Fang murmured lightly into my ear. "We're finally home."

Home. Just like back in Colorado in the E-shaped house, or at my mother's old home in Arizona. I haven't had that sense of safety and warmth that a home brought since then… but I was beginning to.

We coasted on an air current for a moment, flying further inland. Parts of the forested mountains were covered with mist- the effect of the ground's warmth meeting the night's cool air. I couldn't stress enough how dream-like this place was.

"How did your group do today in the caves?" Fang asked.

He was talking about the small group of volunteers I had rallied during the meeting this afternoon who had medical experience or some sort of skill with healing. We had spent a few hours in the caves today before I had to fly off to the council meeting, healing most of the people who needed critical treatments. All in all, everything had gone smoothly. I couldn't have been more relieved.

"Outstanding. They really have some amazing potential. Especially this kid, Mason? He's the one who interrupted my speech this afternoon."

Fang nodded. "Yeah, I remember him."

"He's able to take away people's pain just by touching them. It's like he's a human anesthetic! And his friend, Logan, is able to sense pain and diagnose injuries like it's nothing. It's crazy. Mom and Jeb were really impressed with them."

And honestly, even if they didn't have healing powers I would have been impressed with them. They were wonderful with the wounded, calming them down and talking to them gently. Logan was able to sense what was wrong with them almost immediately, would then pinpoint the damage, and Mason would ease their pain. They were like a super-team of healers.

"They sound like they'll be really helpful."

I nodded in agreement. "Yeah, you got that right. But I couldn't quite figure out why the two girls were there. Victoria and Lilia- they just kind of stood off to the side and watched."

"Maybe they're shy?" Fang suggested. "This has been a lot for them to take in, y'know."

"The little girl is definitely shy. She hid behind Victoria's legs the whole time I tried talking to her."

"Well, you are the head honcho here, Max. You might be a bit intimidating to the younger ones." I snorted and Fang grinned into my hair.

"I wonder how kids view you, then." I wondered aloud. Fang could be downright scary when he wanted to be with his all-black wardrobe and matching hair, wings, and dark brown eyes that looked black in the right lighting. Paired with his usually stoic expression and silent strength, he put off the 'don't-mess-with-me-or-you're-toast' vibe.

Plus he had a death glare that rivaled my own, which is really saying something.

"I dunno. I'm not their leader." He countered, shrugging.

I scoffed. "Yeah, yeah," I said, trailing off. But something still seemed really strange about the two girls in the medical center today.

I sighed. "I talked to Victoria a bit afterwards, but she didn't say much. Though I did learn that they're sisters… And that Lilia is mute," I finished. My heart ached for her- she had to be only about eight years old.

"That's a tough break," Fang sympathized. "No wonder she's a bit skittish."

"Yeah. She reminds me of Angel." I smiled. "She's really cute. She looks up to her sister like a mother."

"That definitely sounds like you and Angel." Fang said warmly, and my heart did a little kick.

"I wonder if our relationship will always be like that. Me and Angel, I mean."

Angel had always been my baby. She was like my daughter, even though we're only nine years apart. And I was like her mother. We had had our differences and fights, but we were back to how we'd always been, and I was loving it… But I wondered if she would still depend on me just as much as had, now that we're living in a permanent place with other genetic mutants like us.

"She will," He said in a serious voice. "She loves you. You're always going to be her mom. Maybe she'll spread her wings a bit-no pun intended," I grinned, "and she'll meet new people." Fang squeezed my hand again, continuing. "But she'll always be your little girl, Max." His words echoed in my mind and my throat threatened to close. Fang always knew how to make me feel better.

"Thanks, Fang," I whispered, swallowing thickly.

He turned his head and placed a soft kiss on my hair, right above my ear. "S'what I'm here for." He returned, making me feel all kinds of special.

We continued to coast over the land, heading towards the ocean on the opposite side of the island from the caves. Having flown over most of the huge expanse of the island, I got a full understanding of just how big of an area belonged to our new home. Gazzy and Iggy would definitely have fun exploring. I just hoped that there weren't many poisonous bugs or snakes lurking about.

We gradually flew closer inland over the canopy of trees, birds stirring from their sleep and scattering as we soared overhead. Colorful macaws flew below, their vivid feathers darkened by the night sky. I heard monkeys hooting from the treetops, the calls of rainforest wildlife. It was breathtaking. Fang pointed out a small flock of Toucans as they glided under us. I watched them perch on an extended tree branch as we passed, high above the canopy.

All of a sudden, I caught site of one of the most breathtaking things I've ever seen in my life.

"Fang, let's go exploring." I suggested, excitement bubbling in my stomach.

And his response was "Lead the way."

"Wow! Fang, this is amazing!"

I couldn't believe the sight in front of me. A huge waterfall thundered down from a large rock cliff and collected in a wide pool of dark teal water. The moon shone on the falls, bathing the water in a white glow. It was hands down the most beautiful site I'd ever seen in my life.

Fang let out a low whistle, gazing at the view with awe. "Beautiful," He murmured darkly, and I shook my head in disbelief at the site in front of me.

"That's definitely an understatement." It looked like our paradise just got even more heavenly. I gazed up at the sky, blanketed by light mist from the falls. The moon shone from high above, lighting up our surroundings and reflecting on the calm water.

Fang walked towards the edge of the rocky embankment, covered in green moss and moisture, and sat down in front of the pool. He began unlacing his boots, and I walked up beside him.

"What are you doing?" I asked him curiously, sitting down by his side. He set his boots behind him and smirked at me, beginning to take off his- get this- black socks.

"What does it look like I'm doing?" He countered, rolling up his pant legs to his knees. Leaning back on his hands, he slipped his legs into the calm water, sighing.

He looked at me with a half-smile. "Care to join me?" I grinned and copied him, pulling off my brown boots and socks. And after a few seconds, my legs were resting in the water beside his own.

I made a sound of contentment at the coolness of the water, lightly kicking my feet. It felt wonderful on my warm skin. I leaned back on my hands like Fang was doing and gazed up at that wonderful waterfall once again.

"I wonder if anyone knows this exists." I pondered, watching some more tropical birds swoop in front of the falls and up into the many jungle trees that surrounded the clearing.

"I don't know," Fang said, "but they're sure missing out."

"Yeah. We'll have to bring the flock here- they'd love it." I could just picture Gazzy doing cannonballs off the top of the falls, and Angel shouting out scores to him below.

"Mmhmm," He agreed, his lips quirking up. "They sure would."

We sat in silence for a bit, enjoying the sound of the waterfall and jungle noises. I took everything in: the stars, the trees, the water; all the animals that passed by and the flowering plants in the moonlight. Fang. Everything. I looked over at him to see a small smile on his relaxed face. He lightly trailed his feet through the water, the picture of ease. His eyes were closed and he looked the most tranquil I had ever seen him.

I'd like to say that my eyes stayed focused on the beautiful waterfall and my mind on the crystalline water against my feet, but that would be a lie. I'd also like to say that I didn't instead gaze openly at Fang's relaxed face- a rare look for him, but that would be an even bigger lie. And if I said that sparks didn't shoot up my leg every time his foot accidentally brushed mine…

Well, you get the gist.

"I can feel you staring," Fang commented suddenly, blinking his eyes open. I blushed to my toes and opened my mouth as Fang looked at me, laughter in his gaze.

"Um, you just…" I racked my brain for a witty comeback, but for once in my life, none came. "You look peaceful," I finally settled, pushing some hair behind my ear.

Fang shrugged. "I am. Aren't you?"

"Of course I am. How could I not be?" Sitting with my feet in a jungle lake, a waterfall raging before me with the boy that knew me more than I did relaxing at my side… It was like a never-ending vacation.

"...You probably wouldn't be if I told you that there's a snake slithering towards you right now."

I immediately tensed up and I went into panic mode. I hated snakes with a passion- they were all scaly and awful and dangerous. Not to mention, they were my biggest fear. I turned frantically, half expecting a snake to be right in my face.

But instead what I got was a shove sideways into the cool blue water.

"ARGGHH!" I yelled, getting a mouthful of jungle water. For a moment I was submerged underneath the darkness, bubbles escaping my mouth. My feet scrambled against the sandy bottom of the pool. And then I kicked upwards and broke the surface, gasping for breath.

I wiped the hair from my face and then rubbed at my eyes, blinking them open. Fang was hunched over on the embankment, laughing. He had his arms wrapped over his stomach and eyes partially closed as he cackled.

"That was too good!" Fang wheezed out from between peals of laughter, watching me swim up to the rock by his legs. Unfortunately, Fang knew that I was crazy scared of snakes. That jerk.

"I'm going to kill you," I growled, reaching for his foot. He laughed again, yanking his feet out of the water before I could grab him.

"You look like a wet kitten," He teased, tugging on a piece of my damp hair. I tried to grab his hand to pull him in but he was too fast for me.

"I hate you," I murmured, glaring at him. Lifting myself up on my arms, I moved to get out of the pool. Truthfully, the water felt amazing, but I wasn't going to let Fang know that.

Fang only laughed at me again, staring into my eyes. And then I had an idea.

"Fang, why don't you come closer?" I asked, faking sweetness, relaxing a bit into the water.

Fang rolled his eyes, a bright smile on his lips. "Okay- even for you, that was terrible acting."

"Just come here," I ordered, reaching out to him with one hand while the other supported my weight on the embankment. I knew that he was aware of what I was up to, but he leaned closer anyways, never taking the grin off his face. He shifted onto his knees, bending down towards me.

"Closer," I murmured, tilting my head up as his face came within an inch of mine.

Fang shrugged. His smile was blinding. "Eh, I'll take the bait," He said, and he closed the distance between us and pressed his mouth to mine.

Electricity zinged through my body and I immediately wrapped one of my arms around his neck, leaning up farther to kiss him better. My eyes fluttered shut automatically, lost in the feeling of Fang and his warmth. Fang held my face in his hands, tilting his head to kiss me more deeply. Our lips moved roughly together, and I realized just how much I've missed kissing him. I brought my other arm up to his neck, now fully leaning on him, and snaked a hand to the back of his head. I tangled my fingers in his silky hair, pulling him gently closer to me.

If Fang knew what I was doing he didn't try to stop me as I drew him closer to the water, never detaching our lips. I began to sink farther in, Fang following my lead, not wanting my lips to leave his.

And within seconds, Fang was submerged in the pool.

We immediately broke apart, both swimming to the surface in sync, laughing.

Fang chuckled, pushing his wet hair back from his face with his hand. I couldn't help but grin at him as I concentrated on treading water.

The pool was a little less than six feet deep at the edge of the rock, so Fang was able to stand easily on the sandy lake floor with his head above water. My 5'8" self? Not so much.

"I knew you were short," Fang teased, noticing that I couldn't touch the bottom. "But I didn't know you were that short."

"I knew you were smitten with me," I retorted, "But I didn't know you were that smitten with me."

"Oh, please," Fang dismissed jokingly, brushing my sides. "I knew what you were doing the whole time."

"Yeah, yeah, hot stuff." I muttered, coughing when I got water in my mouth.

Fang wrapped his arms around me and lifted me up, water splashing around us at the movement. He pulled me closer until my eyes were level with his own.

I raised my eyebrows at him, smirking.

"It's so you don't drown," He explained quietly, giving me his half-smile.

"Keep telling yourself that," I countered, placing my hands on his shoulders. I met his dark eyes.

And then we were kissing again.

A.N. Please Review! And constructive criticism is always welcome! :)

Fun fact, I drew inspiration from Pirates of the Caribbean... Maybe Fang is Max's 'jolly sailor bold!'