Max Ride- The Side Project 36

Maximum Ride- The Side Project 36
-Up and Down

WARNING THIS CHAPTER IS REALLY REALLY LONG AND SOMEWHERE IN IT CONTAINS SEXUAL REFERENCES, I THINK, I CAN'T REMEMBER, BUT JUST TO BE SAFE BE WARNED, other wise happy reading ^^


<Rose>

I was awake but I refused to open my eyes. I had no idea where I was but I knew I was safe and the flock was familiar with this place. I was retreated inside myself, hiding away and though I was surrounded by friends, I’d never felt so alone. I responded to nothing, they took turns sitting with me, trying to coax me out of my own solitary confinement. I’d come back with them, I was alive and here, could they really ask more of me? I was a monster and shouldn’t be allowed to live, I wouldn’t ruin their lives, I’d already ruined mine…all the while, lying here in bed, sometimes, my mind would drift back to Newt and I would wonder what he was doing. But then something would jolt me back to my senses and I would forget about him altogether.

<Max>

I couldn’t believe we were back here. This place, we’re it all began, our first real home with Jeb. Our T shaped home. Memories flooded back into my mind from all those years ago. I smiled. Living in complete chaos, eating whatever junk we could get our grimy hands on, lounging around and doing nothing. On arrival I’d placed Rose in my room. The flock had seemed as surprised as I was, though I had a hunch Fang had known before I did. The house had been untouched, exactly the way I’d remembered it when we’d left all those years ago. I felt tears spring to my eyes and knew the others felt the same. Iggy stumbled around, touching everything, lingering and remembering. Angel sat amongst her many stuffed toys talking to them and telling them how much she’d missed them. Nudge ran to her wardrobe and howled in dismay when she found her favourite clothes didn’t fit anymore. Gazzy sat amongst his stash of pranks gear and bomb wires patting and stroking them lovingly. Fang was no-where to be seen. I laid Rose on my bed and took one last look at her before I closed the door. I knew she was awake. Her breathe wasn’t steady enough for her to be asleep. I hoped she realized how much we needed her soon. I shook my head and left, I would reminisce in my room later. I walked to Fangs old room and peeped in. Fang stood with his back to me, looking out the window.
“Fang?” He didn’t turned or move. I walked up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Are you ok?” Fang’s head twitched and I realized it was a slight nod.
“Max?” His voice was a soft whisper.
“Yeah?” I rested my cheek on his shoulder and he clasped my hand in his.
“Are you ok?” This caught me off guard.
“Yes, I mean, I think so, why?” He didn’t answer just stroked the top of my hand with his thumb.
“Do you think I made the right choice? Bringing us here I mean?”
“Do you think you did?” This frustrated me.
“Well, I don’t know that’s why I asked you!” I fumed. It took me a minute to realize he was smirking. He had just been provoking me.
“Yes Max, I think you did” I nodded, wrapping my arms around him. Rose remained immobile in my bed, never moving, only breathing. Iggy spent a lot of time by her side. He’d pat her hand and I’d even caught him humming to her once. Didn’t she understand how much we’d gone through for her, how much we needed and loved her? I wasn’t surprised no-one had the answer to that.

<Rose>

Iggy came in after dinner. I knew it was him, I knew his smell, his breathing, his heartbeat, his footsteps, and his movements; everything without even looking. He sat on the edge on my bed and told me about his day like he always did. He crooned and stroked my hand. He told me stories and jokes, he was trying very hard. It was impossible to miss the pain dripping from his voice. I tugged at my heart strings that I was hurting him. Suddenly there was a soft humming sound. It took me a minute to realize it was Iggy. The humming stopped and suddenly he started singing. It was soft and smooth and flowed beautifully.
“I’ll hold you in my arms,
I’ll never let you go,
I’m gonna be the one to follow you,
And now, that you’re near,
Everything is different,
Everything’s so different Love,
And I know, you’re not the same,
But my life you’ve changed.
I wanna be with you,
I wanna be with you”
I didn’t realize I had been crying, I didn’t even know I’d opened my eyes until he wiped the tears off my check with his thumb. I threw my arms around his neck and sobbed. I didn’t let go for a long time.
“I’m sorry” I whispered, my face resting against his neck.
“For what?”
“For hurting you”
“You didn’t…” But I interrupted him.
“Yes I did, I could hear it in your voice” I felt him shrug.
“Your not one for the mushy stuff are you” I chuckled, but it was half hearted. I looked up and saw in shock he was crying. I knew he felt my gaze on him and he tried to look away. I held his face between my hands and made him face me. I looked into his eyes and he stared ahead into mine though he couldn’t see anything. I brushed my fingers over his forehead and he closed his eyes. I leant forward and softly pressed my lips to each eyelid. He gasped and jolted back out of my hold.
“Rose!” He exclaimed looking shocked. I felt startled and stung by his rejection this is what I’d known would happen, this was why I hadn’t faced everything…
“I…I…” He was shaking. Then he did the most random thing ever. He leapt forward pressed my body into his. He crushed his lips into mine and then pulled back.
“I can see!”

(Max)

I was sleeping when Iggy burst in. The door blew open and Iggy appeared, towing Rose with him. I sat up startled.
“What’s wrong!” I looked from Iggy to Rose. Iggy was grinning like an idiot (something not unusual for him) and Roses looked as if she had gone into shock.
“Hey Max, nice bed hair” Iggy said chuckling.
“Yours isn’t so great yours…” Then it hit me.
“Oh My Fricken Fracken God”

(Fang)

I couldn’t sleep. I lay in my bed doing nothing, just staring at the ceiling in complete tranquility. I wasn’t easily startled but what happened next almost made me jump out of my feathers. It was Max screaming bloody murder. But it wasn’t how loud she was, or the tone, it was what she said. Which just so happened to be-
“IGGY CAN SEE”

(Max)

We all sat around Rose while she shoveled food into her mouth.  
“Aren’t you guys gonna have anymore?” she asked. Gazzy grinned.
“I don’t think you’ll let us have anymore” Rose glared at him, but he did have a point.
“Hey Iggy what colours the table cloth?” Nudge asked.
“There isn’t one” Iggy grinned.
“How many fingers am I holding up, what am I wearing, how have I tied my hair up, who’s sitting beside me” Nudge raved on.
“3, a purple shirt and jeans, it isn’t tied up, and Angel is sitting next to you” Iggy was loving this. I looked around at my flock. It was 3 in the morning and we were sitting around shoveling pancakes into our mouths, or rather Rose was.
“I think we get the point that Iggy can see Nudge” I managed in-between her word rampage. Nudge blushed but nothing could bring her down. We we’re all so excited about Iggy being able to see, like properly, not just shades and white.
“How’d it happen?” Fang had asked. Rose had blushed but Iggy didn’t seem to notice.
“It was Rose, she kissed my eyelids and when I opened my eyes I could see perfectly”
“Well I guess Iggy owes his sight to you Rose”
“Max’s got a point Rose”
“Well I could really use some food” And we’d all laughed. So here we were mucking around, enjoying our selves for the first time in ages, and watching Rose shovel food into her mouth.
“How did you last so long without eating?” Gazzy asked curiously, always thinking about his stomach. Rose tilt her head to the side and thought.
“I dunno…I guess I didn’t really think about it you know…but then when I did it hit me hard” And we all laughed as she ripped into a piece of toast. When she finished what was in front of her she eyed Iggy’s breakfast eagerly. He chuckled and pushed it towards her and he squealed with glee.
“She’s a mean lean eating machine” Nudge laughed. We all did.

(Rose)


OK that was it. I couldn’t hold it in any longer. I HAD to go to the bathroom. I opened my eyes and looked around. I pulled the blanket away refusing to look at myself in a passing mirror and poke my head out the door. I stumbled through one hallway not entirely sure were I was going. Suddenly a head popped out from a door. I stifled a scream as I realized it was just Iggy.
“Don’t scare me like that” I hissed and his teeth gleamed in the moonlight as he grinned.
“Bathrooms next to the kitchen behind you, next to the living room on your right” I shook my head.
“Thanks”
“Don’t forget to flush” He chuckled closing the door. Scowling silently I followed his directions to the bathroom. I managed to avoid looking at myself in the bathroom mirror again as I entered and exited. I often dreaded having to use the bathroom or kitchen in cause I caught another look of my reflection. The flock accepted it, it didn’t seem to bother them, then again they’d probably seen worse. I walked back to Max’s room and sat on my bed. Max had begun to share with Fang. And no they didn’t do anything you’d think kids without adult supervision would do. Everything had been kind off well…smooth. We’d wake up, eat breakfast, watch TV, play board games, surf the net, do occasional trips to stock back up on food and games. We were never bored because if we couldn’t find something to do we’d just fly. Well…they did. I’d sit outside and watch them. Iggy had taken to a cam recorder and was filming everything and everyone that was unsuspecting. I lay down and snuggled under the blankets. Iggy had, had his miracle- he could see. The rest of the flock had theirs- they were back home and safe. Could I have mine?

(Max)

It was Fangs idea in the first place. Once Iggy knew there was no chance it wouldn’t happen. Especially after the night before when Rose had caught a glimpse of herself in the hallway mirror. My ears were still ringing.
“Come on Max, you’ve got to admit it could work”
“But it’s so risky, so many things could go wrong, and she’s been through so much already”
“But it could work, think of what would happen it if worked”
“Look what happened the last time someone tinkered with her DNA patterns” This would not stop Fang.
“We owe it to her”
“No, WE don’t, Iggy does, and it doesn’t count if it could harm her”
“Max, we have to try” I was completely unconvinced.
“I’ll tell Iggy whether or not I have your permission” He threatened.
“You wouldn’t!” I growled. He made for the door.
“Fine! Tell him! If she gets hurt it’s your fault!” I spun on my heel so he wouldn’t see the tears in my eyes. I thought he would hug me or comfort me. He didn’t. He left and slammed the door behind him. The tears in my eyes spilled down my cheeks and didn’t stop flowing for a long time.

(Rose)

I was out the back with Iggy when Fang called him over. Iggy was teaching me how to use the Video camera so I could film Angel who was flying above us.
“Now to zoom in and out its L and W” He pressed the buttons in demonstration. I nodded and copied.
“Great…now to stop and re-wind…”
“Iggy” Fangs voice was like the wind. It startled me and I fumbled as I almost dropped the Video Camera.
“I wish you wouldn’t creep up on us like that” Fang raised an eyebrow in a silent expression. Iggy scowled back. It was almost like they were having a complete conversation without saying anything out loud. I wanted to ask but I didn’t want to pry.
“I’ll be right back” Iggy promised, his hand lingering on my arm for a moment. He followed Fang inside and Nudge landed beside me.
“What was that about?” I asked. Nudge shrugged.
“They do that a lot” I sighed and turned the camera on.
“Come on we got stuff to film” Nudge grinned and leapt into the air. Iggy didn’t come back for awhile.

(Max)

I stood in front of the door as Iggy and Fang walked in. Fang shot me a “don’t even think about it” look.
“Oh don’t worry, I’m not going to stop you, I just want to be here to express my point of view on this when you tell Iggy” The bitterness in my voice was clear, making Iggy look alarmed.
“Umm, is anyone going to tell me what’s going on?” I took a deep breath to steady myself and stood back arms open.
“Go on Fang, this is your show” Fang looked hesitant for a second, perhaps he believed the truth in my words, but it was gone as quickly as it had appeared and pride took over.
“Iggy, I’ve come up with a way we can help Rose back to normal, I’ve even discussed it with Dr.M over the phone”
“Really?” Fang nodded. Iggy sucked in a deep breath, taking it in.
“How?” Iggy looked to me, but I looked to Fang. He answered again.
“Rose is the…er…offspring of Max and me right…” I snickered at his discomfit, earning myself a glare from both boys.
“Yes, and?”
“Well, Max and I would offer small skin cells that Max’s mum would clone and graph onto different parts of Rose’s body. Dr.M thinks that if we inserted the cells into the right places it could regenerate Roses whole system. All of us have our little quirks, Max’s super speed, Nudges computer powers, I think Roses is healing” Iggy sat down on the ground and Fang leant against the sofa. I watched emotions pass across Iggy’s face, doubt, skepticism, wonder and then hope.
“Is it full proof?” That was my Iggy. Cutting straight to the point. I jumped in here, before Fang could say anything more convincing.
“No” Iggy looked up heartbroken.
“That’s it? A plain no?” The desperation is his voice was obvious and it hurt me, but I couldn’t put Rose in harms way again.
“I’m sorry Iggy, but you know Roses history when her DNA’s been tinkered with, she’s different from the rest of us. So many things could go wrong, not to mention this type of thing has never been done before. The whole thing is based on a theory, an idea, nothing completely full proof”
“Nothing is ever completely full proof when it comes to us” Fang shot back.
“Why do you care so much about this? Why does it matter that Rose is different? Isn’t it more important that she stays out of harms ways?”
”What’s it to you?”
“Everything!”
“MAX! FANG!” Fang and I stared at each other angrily, unable to ignore Iggy’s yell.
“Why are you worrying so much about what I think, we should be asked Rose. It’s her body, I’m with whatever she says” That got me. I stopped glaring and looked at Iggy blankly stunned. Fang had the same expression on his face.
“Max! Max! Come look what Total and I found” Angel burst into the room clutching her bear by her side, Total hot on her heels. She paused and looked around.
“Umm, do I wanna know?” Iggy shook his head. Angel shrugged and turned to leave with Total muttering something about people not appreciating him.
“So who’s gonna tell her?”
“Iggy” I said plainly.
“Max” Fang and Iggy said at the same time.
“What!? Oh come on!”
“Two against one, we win”
“No way! Iggy, you love her you should be the one to tell her, or at least Fang cause it was his idea”
“Yeah but your closer to her Max, you’ve always handled this stuff with her” Iggy insisted.
“And you are her Mum” Fang taunted. I scowled something I thought was quite becoming of me.

She cried when I told her. Clung to me and cried. And cried. And cried. I didn’t know if she was happy, or angry, or anything. She just cried. After awhile she fell asleep. I slipped the covers over her shoulders and kissed her tear stained cheek. As I closed the door behind me I came face to face with Fang in the hallway.
“How was the mother daughter chat?” He taunted in a most un Fang like way. I couldn’t help myself after that. I punched him in the face. Well I tried to. He dodged it and caught my arm, twisting it behind me.
“Your getting sloppy” He hissed. My eyes snapped open and I jolted up right.
“You son of a bi…”
“Max?” Angel appeared again, rubbing her eyes. She paused looking from Fang to me.
“Umm…”
“Go to bed Angel” I hissed. She nodded, her eyes flickering and backed out of the hall.
“Wise move Maximum, but we will get her soon, her and the rest of them” Newt chuckled evilly. I growled and struggled in his arms, knowing help would be on the way soon thanks to Angel and her telepathy skills.
“If you’re a good girl I’ll just take Rose and make your deaths quick and painless”
“Bite me” I screamed.
“I’d like to, but I don’t think your boyfriend would, he’s pretty angry at the moment”
“What have you done with Fang!”
“Oh nothing bad, he’s tied up under the house just in case I needed him to persuade you into co-operating. But now I have you I don’t need him, so I’ll just give the order for his death” Newt called out in some foreign language and something from inside the house called back. He waited a moment and then frowned.
“Something wrong Newt?” I asked in a sickly sweet tone.
“What have you done!” He snarled.
“Nothing” My face was that of pure innocence, I could see it reflecting in his dark eyes.
“I swear I’ll kill you and every last…”
“Newt put her done” Newt froze and spun around dropping me. Rose stood in the doorway, her white night gown rumpled, her hair tumbling around her shoulders, a look of defiance on her face.
“Rose” Newt raised a leathery hand to stroke Roses face. I held back the bile that rose in my throat, but it wasn’t nearly as bad as what I felt next. Rose leant into his hand, resting her cheek against it. I wanted to vomit. Newt went to embrace her but she moved away.
“Rose, don’t be like this, I’ve come to take you back to were you belong”
“What! That’s bullshit!” I screamed. Rose looked torn. How could she be torn? We were her family. They were monsters!
“Rose, what’s going on?” I pleaded.
“I…I…I don’t know Max! I…I…I just want to belong!”
“But you do!” I groaned “You belong here with us!”
“She’s one of us now” Newt snarled just as the flock came flying down the corridor, Fang in the lead. They all stopped except Fang, he kept going his fist aimed at Newts face.
“NO!” Rose screamed. Surprisingly Fang stopped, inches from Newts face. Iggy hurried to Rose’s side, he pulled her into him and stroked her hair.
“It’s ok, we’ve got you, you’re safe” He cooed. Rose lifted her head up slightly.
“I know Iggy…but”
“But Rose is thinking of coming with me” Newt sneered. Fang snapped and his fist flew. Newt reeled and held his nose, but recovered in seconds, regaining his pose from before.  Iggy’s eyes never left Roses face.
“Is that true?” Rose turned away.
“I just want to belong Iggy”
“You do, here! You’re one of us!”
“That’s what I said!” I added, Fang shot me a look that said “not helping”. I wanted to pout but this wasn’t the time.
“But look at me!” Rose cried.
“We don’t care!”
“But I do! I can’t even look at myself in the mirror!” Tears were spilling down her cheeks now and she clung to Iggy’s shirt tightly.
“But what about the operation, the regeneration!” I called out.
“Oh yeah, now she agrees” Iggy muttered.
“It’s not real, Newt just made it up…” Rose turned away again burying her face in Iggy’s shirt.
“I knew it was too good to be true” I mumbled.
“Ok Max really not helping” I bit my lip frustrated. Fine they didn’t want my input, they could stay clueless. I knew I was behaving like a child, but for some reason I couldn’t work out why. I think I was still a little put off by the fact that Rose was about to leave us and there was nothing I could do about it. Also the fact that Newt had disguised himself as Fang and made me hate him so effortlessly. It could be my down fall.
“So…”
“Shut up you!” I hissed at Newt.
“I won’t let you go Rose, even if you want to” Iggy declared.
“Yeah!” Gazzy agreed.
“We’ve lost you to many times already Rose” Angel added.
“Mmhmmm” Nudge added “Then who would I have to play with, or do my hair and talk about fashion with, Max won’t do that, she tries but she just can’t, its not her thing, you’d be stranding me, I’d have no-one to talk to, you’re the only one I can relate to you can’t go Rose! You just can’t…” I covered her mouth with my hand.
“We get it, you don’t want her to go” Nudge nodded from under my arm. Rose looked undecided, but we’d already decided for her.
“You’ll thank us later” Fang said softly before he beckoned me.
“Time for you to go Newt”
“I’m not leaving unless Rose says so” Newt roared, throwing himself against Fang and mines hold.
“Leave” It was so quiet she had to repeat it “Leave Newt”
“But Rose!”
“Leave” Newt roared at us.
“I will come for you, all of you that includes you Rose, I will hunt you down and kill you all, wherever you go!” And then he was gone.
“I’m sorry” Rose whimpered.
“Don’t worry” Fang soothed, surprising us all “Just don’t ever doubt us again, we will look after you, no matter what” I felt a pang in my chest as he said that. I was glad to have my Fang back.
“Thanks guys…”
“Come on, lets get you to bed” Iggy turned her around and took her into my room. I tucked the kids in and followed Fang to his room.

Fang has multiple wounds that I patched up with the first aid kit. Iggy was taking first watch, checking the perimeter and such. We’d have to leave first thing in the morning. Fangs wrists were raw from where he had been bound with wire instead of rope.
“Clever bastards” he had muttered in between swear words as I applied disinfectant to the cuts.
“What did they do to you down there”
“Oh nothing to bad, mostly just threats that they’d hurt you if I didn’t stay quiet, despite the fact I had a sock in my mouth, Gazzy’s no less” I winced, that was probably the worst kind of torture there was.
“There all done” I smiled. Fang gave smiled my favourite lopsided smile and I threw my arms around him.
“Ow, turn the affection down a bit, it’s hurting me” I chuckled at him and nuzzled his neck.
“I’m just so glad to have you back”
“You never lost me”
“I should have known it wasn’t you”
“Don’t worry about it” And I relaxed. Those 4 words didn’t mean much to you, but to me it said a million things.
“What will we do next”
“I think we should ring your Mum”
“Why?”
“I think without meaning to Newt actually came up with a cure for Rose” I sat back and blinked.
“Say what?”
“I think we should check it out, meet her at a check point and if Rose gives the ok, try it out” I bit my lip.
“I trust you” I whispered. He’d know that was a yes.
“Want to ring?” I shook my head.
“Want me to ring?” I shook my head again. He looked puzzled.
“Later” I muttered, not giving him a chance to respond. I pressed my lips against his and clung to his body tightly. He gave a little yelp, but I was pretty sure it was because I was holding him to tight, not because I’d attacked him. Fangs arms went around my waist and his hand stroked down my face to my hip. We broke apart and grinned at each other. Then we were kissing again as we tumbled backwards onto Fangs warm bed.

(Rose)

“Iggy, I really am sorry, I shouldn’t have even thought about it”
“Rose it’s really ok”
“I don’t know why I feel so insecure about…well everything!”
“Rose forget it, really”
“I won’t do it ever again, I promise, I am really, truly…”
“Sorry” He finished for me. I blushed sheepishly. I dunno what had come over me before. This big part of me wanted to be with Iggy and the flock, and this tiny little part wanted to be with Newt just because I was like him now, because I didn’t fit in with the flock. But that was all it took right? You get this great idea in your head and only something tiny, a little doubt just knocks it all down. Iggy smiled at me and brushed a stray strand of hair out of my face.
“Get some rest, I’m going to do look out, we leave in the morning” I nodded by clung to him as he went to leave.
“Don’t go” I whimpered. Iggy chuckled.
“Rose I have to, someone’s gotta do watch!”
“Let Fang do it” Iggy grinned at that.
“Fangs a little…er…preoccupied”
“huh?”
“Lets just say you’re lucky you don’t have super sensitive hearing”
“Again I repeat huh?”
“Ask Max in the morning” Iggy said smirking. He leant down and kissed me lightly.
“I promise nothing will come in, I’ll keep a strong eye on everything, especially you, nothing can harm you while I’m here” I nodded dozily,  feeling my eyes droop as he closed the door gently. My last thoughts were of what the hell Max and Fang could be doing that would make Fang unable to do the first watch. Then it hit me. My eyes snapped open and I sat up straight.
“They’re doing WHAT!” I cried. Somewhere outside I could hear Iggy chuckling.

(Max)

I opened my eyes without meaning to and snapped them shut again.
“Ah, the light…it burns” I grumbled to no-one in particular. I heard a smirk and moaned. Sharing a bed with Fang was not something I wanted to keep doing. Not when I had to wake up to his cheap shots about my hair every morning. I’d have to talk to Rose about getting my bedroom back. Then the memories came back. I shot up in bed, the blankets around my falling to my waist. I turned to see Fang beside me, lying down the blankets around his waist too, chest bared, arms behind his head, his messy black hair sprawled on the pillow, a smirk covering his whole face. I looked down at myself and scrabbled for the blankets edge, covering myself up. I blushed fiercely something I don’t think I’d ever done before. Fangs hand reached up and stroked my cheek.
“Had a good sleep?” He said softly. I blushed again, but leant into his touch.
“Depends, did you” I asked innocently. He grinned at me and I grinned back.
“MAX! GAZZYS BEEN DRINKING MILK FROM THE CARTON!” Nudge.
“MAX! NUDGE ATE THE REST OF THE HONEY O’S!” Gazzy.
“MAX! YOU HUMANS MAY BE ABLE TO GO AGES WITHOUT FOOD BUT I CANNOT! THIS IS RIDICULOUS!” Total.
”MAX! TOTALS HUNGRY” Angel.
“MAX THESE KIDS ARE DRIVING ME NUTS!” Iggy.
“MAX IGGY TOLD ME TO ASK YOU WHAT YOU AND FANG WERE DOING LAST NIGHT!” Rose. Silence.
“I swear I’m going to beat him” I hissed.
“Who?” Fang wondered twirling some of my hair around his finger.
“Iggy” Fang smirked and stroked my cheek.
“We better get up, we got to go as soon as possible” I nodded and got up crossing the room to get dressed, trying to ignore Fangs stares the whole time.

We left as quickly as possible, Fang and I avoiding every question thrown at us with the fact that we HAD to leave. I’m glad we had that cover at least. I rang Mum as we flew, filling her in on all the details. I gave the phone to Fang and he took over from there explaining Newts accidental theory to her. Fang hung up, his face expressionless.
“She says she’s gonna have to get back to us on it” I nodded, I’d expected this.
“And the checkpoint?” I asked.
“How’s France?” He grinned. A big whoop echoed around us and the flock emerged.
“Hey!” I scolded, preparing to give them a big lecture.
“You knew we were there the whole time Max” Gazzy countered before I could launch into my speech on why eaves dropping is bad. I grumbled a little bit but dropped it.
“Ok so France it is”
“I’ve never been to France before” Rose murmured.
“Oh you’ll love it” Nudge squealed “The fashion, the hair, the perfume, the people, the food, oh you’ll love it!”
“Yeah! and the chicks are way hot” Gazzy added. Angel punched his shoulder, beating me to it.
“Sexist piglet” I muttered, grinning to myself.
“Well come on then, even if we can’t get Rose fixed, at least we’ll have a nice holiday” Head bobbed and we set off.

(Rose)

Now I’d never been to France before. Before I met the flock I’d never been anywhere except down the road and sometimes to the neighboring city to visit Nan. So this was just amazing. Nudge had been right, the fashion was just so different as was the hairstyles. Nudge promised to pull me around the shops as soon as I was fixed up. Max smuggled me into a hotel room while Fang paid for it. Dr.M and Ella met us there. Dr. Martinez looked flustered and tired.
“I’ve booked a clinic room down the road from here” She burst out, getting straight to the point.
“So it can be done?”
“Yes, its just a simple procedure, all I have to do is insert some duplicates of Max and Fangs combined DNA and it should reverse whatever they did to you”
“When can you start?”
“Why put it off anymore I can take you now” Iggy held close to my wrist.
“I’m coming” Dr.M nodded.
“And me” Max added. Fang would stay behind with Gazzy and Angel.
“We’ll get some movies out” Angel suggested.
“How long could you be?”
“Possibly hours”
“Well we better go then” I resolved. Max nodded.
“Smuggling Rose in there could be hard though” Fang did have a point. Dr.M produced a scarf like wrap and swirled it around.
“I came prepared”
“Ooooh! That’s so in!” Nudge squealed, snatching at it and wrapped it around my face. The rest of me was covered up in Jeans and a skivvy even though it was 30 degrees outside.  
“Ok, you ready Rose?” I nodded. Iggy held my hand tightly.
“You don’t have to do this” He persisted, worried lines creasing the skin on his forehead.
“Did anyone ever tell you that frowning gives you wrinkles?”
“They have now” He chuckled back. Nudge, Gazzy, Angel, Ella, Total and even Fang lined up to give me a hug.
“Good luck Rose”
“It’ll be all good Rose, you’ll see”
“We’ll be waiting for you”
“You’re a strong person Rose, you’ll be fine, knock ‘em dead” That was Fang. O felt tears well up in my eyes.
“Thanks guys”
“We love you Rose”
“Come back in one piece if you can” Total joked. Everyone shot him glares, but I laughed it off. And then, we left.

“How far away is it?” Max queered after about 15 minutes in heavy traffic.
“Just down the street from here, I wonder why there’s so much traffic” Dr.M peered out the window of her hired black BMW. Max’s brow furrowed.
“I think I should check it out”
“We’ll stay here, don’t take to long” Max slid open the door and slipped out.
“I hope she doesn’t find anything…you know bad”
“It’ll be ok, Rose” Iggy said, squeezing my hand. But it wasn’t.

(Max)

I closed the car door behind me and hurried onto the side walk, sliding in between cars as I went. People were piling towards the middle of a round about. Crowds of people flooded my view and I had to push forward to see what was going on.
“Argh!” The crowd surged back, pulling me with it as something was thrown forward in our direction. It was a blur of brown and gold, followed by blue and black.
“What does it take to get some space around here” I shouted, trying to get through the mass of people.  I unfurled my wings, whacking many people out of the way and knocking them over.
“What?!” People scattered creating a big gap around me. I flew up a few feat and finally caught a glimpse of what was beyond the crowd.
”Hey!” something furry and brown slammed into me knocking me back to the ground. I pushed the thing off me and gaped in shock as the Erasers head lolled around, it’s eyes rolled upwards into its head. As I stood people ran, and I could see what the problem (other then the random appearance of an Eraser) was.
“(insert swear word of choice)” I hissed, running behind a building. I pulled out my mobile and speed dialed Mum.
“Hello?”
”It’s me”
“What’s wrong”
“I’ve run into some old friends, take Rose and Iggy and go”
“But…”
”Please, I can handle this”
“Ok, just be careful Max” I hung up and peeped around the corner. Newt grinned at me.
“You can try to keep them from me Max but I will find them, you can’t hide them from me forever, not once I’ve gotten you out of the way” He chuckled evilly his black eyes glittering with madness.
“Just watch me” I muttered. I stepped forward and flew at his feet, attempting to trip him. He made to jump, but I pulled up, slamming into his stomach. As he caught his breath I flew over to a near by shop window. It was an electrical store. Televisions, stereos, sound systems. I elbowed the glass. Not waiting for the glass to stop falling, I reached in and drew out a stereo. The manager looked at me dumb founded.
“I’ll pay you back later” I called to him before launching the large black box at Newt, He punched through it easily.
“Is that the best you got?”
“Nah, I think they keep the nicer ones out the back” I launched a fancy silver TV at him. Not much use, it was to thin.
“What is it with designers these days, how am I supposed to beat the bad guys if the best thing I can through at them is paper thin” I asked the manager. He didn’t answer frozen with shock. I sighed.
“Got anything sturdier?” He blinked and looked around.
“Yes you, guy with the bald patch on his head, got anything that might inflict some pain?”
“Uh…there’s a turn table over there?” He pointed to the wall farthest away.
“Nah, something bigger”
“We have old fridges….”
“Perfect” I grinned, I picked up another Tv and threw it at Newt, distracting him for a minute while I lugged one of the stainless steal fridges out.
“Quick playing around Maximum, fight me” He roared.
“Why bother when I can let the fridge do it for me” Newts eyes widened mockingly. I lifted the fridge up, my legs buckling slightly, but on slightly.
“Punch through this freak” I tossed the fridge up and watched Newt try to swerve out of the way, but the fridge was to heavy it was falling to fast. It hit Newt on the back, a snapping sound rang through out the round about. I shivered, but it was music to my ears. The fridge was rolled to the side and Newt stood. He rolled his neck from side to side and shook his limbs taking up a defensive position.
“Bring it on bird girl” I sighed and once again launched myself at Newt.

(Rose)
Dr.M put the phone down and pressed down on the accelerator.
“What about Max?” I asked.
“Max can hold her own” Iggy assured me, but I knew he was just was worried as me. Dr.Martinez swung the car around towards what I supposed was the back entrance.

It was a veterinaries clinic. It was a public holiday so the whole place was empty. We snuck in through the back and went through several halls before we came to a door.
“I pulled a lot of strings to get in here and have the equipment we need”
“What is this place” Iggy asked, reading my mind.
“It’s the most expensive and well known veterinary in the world. Its where all the celebrities take their pets, not to mention the queen”
“Your getting the royal treatment then” Iggy joked, trying to lighten the mood.
“Yeah I feel royal” I laughed half heartedly. Dr.M led me over to an examination table.
“Now I’m going to have to strap you onto here Rose, its not going to be pleasant but it has to be done”
“It’s ok” I shrugged. Lying down on the table Iggy helped Dr.Martinez strap me in. The table had a little pillow which my head rested against. When I was strapped in Dr.M brought over a small syringe.   
“OK this is going to hurt” I turned away as she injected purple fluid into my arm. Tears fell across my face that Iggy wiped away.
“I’ve already got skin graph clones from Max and Fang, so it should be pretty simple, I’ve injected Valium into your blood system, you’re going to feel a little distorted then you’ll feel drowsy, you’ll be out for awhile and won’t feel anything, you should be good as new when you wake up” I nodded already feeling a little dizzy.
“Apparently Max’s reaction to Valium was priceless” Iggy chuckled. Dr.M nodded smiling to herself.
“What happened?” I asked agitated they knew something I didn’t. Iggy tapped his nose.
“That’s not very fair” I whined. Iggy shot Dr.M a look.
“It doesn’t take long to kick in” He remarked.
“Its fast acting” Dr.M agreed.
“Hey Dr.M if Max is my mum does and you’re her mum, does that make you my Grand Ma?” Dr.M looked flushed.
“I guess so”
”Can I call you Nana?”
“Sure Rose” I beamed at her and looked around for Iggy, my site blurring.
“You’re the best Iggy” I smiled not sure where he was exactly.
“Thanks Rose, you’re the best too”
“Nahuh, your-” My voice was slurring and it made me giggle.
“Just relax Rose, Dr.M is going to start now, you’ll be out in a moment”
”I dun wanna be…out…” I felt my head loll to the left and then nothing. I heard Iggy’s chuckles as I fell asleep, but they sounded more nervous then amused.

(Iggy)

Dr.Martinez worked quickly and swiftly, slicing open small junctions of Roses skin and graphing on figments of Max and Fangs combined skin cells. Her skin looked like a patchwork quilt. Dr.Martinez had to undress Rose as she went, leaving on only the necessities.
“No time to be embarrassed Iggy, I need your help” I nodded, shaking the blush off my face and hurrying to her side. Now that the skin sheets were in place there was simple injection of Regicine to inject into her skin to regenerate the vital organs.
“One in her left forearm, another in her wrist, were the veins connect with the arteries in the palm of her hand, the blue and red parts” I nodded and did as I was instructed.
“And now for the magic liquid itself, Pathileon, it’s a gene that lizards have that help them re-grow their limbs, combined with some other chemicals it should completely heal her” This was to be rubbed into Roses skin, instead of injected. It was soaked up through the stitches and would spread quickly. I helped Dr.Martinez apply the clear liquid to Roses dark blue skin. The patches of skin on Rose began to spread, widening and expanding.
“Wow”
“It’s really something isn’t it” Dr.Martinez muttered, awed by the sight in front of her.
“You can say that again”
“And just think, this has never been done before, we are the first people ever to see something like this occur”
“An honor” I agreed. Soon every part of Roses skin looked normal. But that was it, it only looked normal. I reached forward and touched it. It was warm and soft. We’d brought her back to life…kind off.
“When will she wake up?” I asked, suddenly exhausted. I realized we’d been at this for 3 hours.
“Well, I gave her a pretty heavy dosage, we might have to take her back to the hotel like this” I nodded.
“We’ll have to clean up first” We took the stitches carefully out of Rose and washed all the tools and clothes we used. Dr.Martinez bagged all the syringes etc that we used.
“Disposing of the evidence” She grinned “My contacts agreed to let me use the room and stuff, but they didn’t promise me security, we could still get busted for it” I nodded and helped her dress Rose, supporting her while Dr.Martinez wiped the table clean.
“Ok lets go”
“What about Max?” Dr.Martinez’s phone buzzed and she grinned.
“That’ll be her now I guess, hello?” A pause “Yes, she’s all good, brand new pretty much, uh huh, ok see you there. Max is fine, lets go” I nodded and together we carried Rose to the car.

(Max)

I missed him. He dodged, twirling left then right. All I had to do was keep him busy. How long had it been? An hour? 2? Newt slammed into me, the impact would have sent me flying, crashing into the building behind me but I clung to him, taking the impact on full.
“Get off” He roared.
”Let go!” I roared back. We wrestled, me clinging to his back while he tried to get me off.  He stumbled backwards slamming my back into a stone wall. I cried out, but my grip didn’t loosen. He slammed again. The stone bricks hit my head and I could feel blood trickling down my neck.
“Bastard” I hissed, my voice thick with pain. My wings were being crushed, I was sure a few of the bones were snapped. I flipped up and over, hugging his front in one fluid movement. I grinned evilly, my wings snapping out to their widest.
“This may hurt” I chuckled. I flapped violently, pushing us into the wall. He body slammed into it, the stone crumbled slightly, but I didn’t pause. I pulled forward and flapped again, driving him further into the wall. While he lay for a moment on the ground I threw myself at the crumbling wall. Big chunks crumbled, falling on Newt and me. I dodged the full impact, only being hit by little pieces, but Newt was hit by chunks the size of laptops. He lay still as anything under a mound of stone bricks. I wiped some blood from my face and wiped my dirtied hands on my jeans. I pulled out my phone, glad it wasn’t crushed like the rest of me.
“hello?”
“Mum, its me Max, everything’s sorted, is Rose ok?”
“Yes, she’s all good, brand new pretty much”
“Ok, bring some medical stuff with you bandages and things; I’ll meet you back at the hotel alright?”
”Uh huh, ok see you there” I hung up and stretched out my wings; completely useless for the time being. I brought them in, and tried to think of a discrete way to get home. Out of the corner of my eye, through the debris I spotted something.
“TAXI!” I called, waving my hand high above my hand.