Tick

D/c: Don't own, James Patterson does.

It was simple really, the things that make Fang tick. Simple, little, everyday things like coffee. During the day, he was a rock on which we all leaned on. Little Angel and Gazzy, Iggy and Nudge, and I.

Total may have on a bad day, but with Akila and their little pups, little seemed to matter these days.

But I was always afraid that he'd forget his promise and leave me again.

I frowned slightly, opening my eyes. The sun was pouring buckets and buckets of its golden light into the room, and at that moment, I hated it. I turned my head, my frown deepening as the sight of the rumpled sheets greeted me. I bolted up right, my fingers curled around his pillow, my eyes wide.

The imprint of his head was still there. Which meant he couldn't have gotten too far. I could put Iggy and Nudge in charge, pack some stuff, and look for him. Not hard. Right?

But a small sound at the bedroom door caught my attention, and I whipped my head around to face it.

Fang was leaning against the door jamb, his gray pyjama bottoms slung low on his hips. In his hands were two cups of steaming coffee, and his chocolate eyes took my distressed appearance in, a small frown pulling his lips down slightly.

As he walked towards me, I took note of the scars that crossed his stomach, from that horrid night on the beach.

He handed me my cup and I inhaled the delicious scent as it wafted up, curling my toes slightly at the happy zing it sent down my spine. I sipped slowly, staring at Fang quietly over the rim of my mug. We sat in relative silence, no one making an attempt to break it. I finally finished my cup and set it on the dresser. I glanced at him, and leaned back against the headboard, tucking my legs beneath me.

He mimicked my posture, except his legs, his long legs, were stretched out in front of him, crossed at the ankles. "What's up?" he asked, noting my embarrassment.

I shook my head and smiled slightly. "Nothing." I mumbled. Great. This was Maximum Ride, founder of words extrordinaire, and I couldn't find a better lie than nothing.

I felt the mattress dip as he leaned towards me, and my heart flip-flopped. He hooked a gauze wrapped finger under my chin. "You thought I was leaving again, didn't you?"

I pressed my lips in a thin line, but nodded none-the-less.

He didn't respond, but pulled me to him and wrapped his wiry muscled arms around me. "I won't. Not again. We agreed on that, didn't we?"

I smiled against his shoulder. "Yeah."

"Good." He said, pulling me down with him. "Now, for more urgent matters…" he trailed off, his lips pressing against mine.

Yes…little things made him tick….like a kiss just below his jaw.