Wow. Don't I feel pathetic. I'll tell you why, see in another tab I just opened this story so I could read the last chapter I had posted so I know where to continue. Fine right? I feel pathetic because when I got to the last line and it said "she sauntered off," I started thinking how perfectly sauntered fit her. Duh! I spent like ten whole minutes trying to think of the right word! So basically I feel like and idiot because I read my own story and forgot it was mine, then complemented myself. Great.

One more thing. I don't need them for this chapter, but can people send me ideas for music? Any music at all. Even if it's a guy singer, I'm going to make it so she still wrote them, she just won't sing them. I especially want some duet ideas. My only limitation is the lyrics have to relate to the story in some way. I can't guaranty I'll put in every song I'm sent, but I'll try to use as many as possible!

Max POV

I took a deep breathe as I approached Andy, the guy I was talking to you earlier. I stopped in front of him and he waited to hear what I had to say. "I decided to take you up on your offer. But I want to be the one to tell everyone."

He smiled, "nice to have you on board. If I'm going to get you a record deal, I need to know your full name."

"Maximum. Maximum Ride."

"I'll get started on that then. Good luck telling your family."

I smiled at him and walked into the back room. Now, what song should I start my career with? Oh, I know just the thing!

Angel POV

Now, what song should I start my career with? Oh, I know just the thing!

I squealed happily and started bouncing up and and down in my seat. "What?" the flock asked simultaneously.

Iggy was the only who knew about Max though, so he was the only one I responded to. 'She's going to do it! She just made a deal with the announcer, and she's agreed to tell everyone in the bar! She's in the back right now finding the music for her first song!'

'No way! That's great! I thought she didn't want Fang hearing her music?'

I sighed, 'she doesn't. The way she sees it, telling everyone in the bar means she can pick out what she sings. Which means she can avoid the songs she considers embarrassing.' I grinned again and sent the image to Iggy. 'I'm not going to let that happen though. After the first couple songs, I'm going to start asking for her to sing certain things. I'll do it out loud so I can get everyone else asking for it too!'

'You're a sneaky little devil aren't you! Angel, you are too clever for your own good! So can you tell me what she's singing, or do I have to wait?'

'I would tell you, but I don't know it. It's not one she's written anytime recently.'

Max chose that moment to walk out on stage and grab the mic. "Hi everybody, I have an announcement to make."

Fang's POV. (Don't worry, there will be more Angel, just not now!)

"Hi everybody, I have an announcement to make." All eyes turned towards where Max was fidgeting nervously. Being me I picked up and things no one else would have, like the fact under her fear she was excited about something. "My name is Maximum Ride, and as you all know, I've been asked to continue singing tonight. What you don't know is," she took a deep breathe and sighed, "what you don't know is I wrote the music."

I gasped. Actually gasped. Sure I'd been starting to figure that out one my own, but it was still strange to hear say it. Max wrote the music. I heard the others grasping as well. Then of course Nudge started babbling. "OMG! That is so cool! Max, your music is totally amazing! Why didn't you tell us? Well I guess you were to embarrassed. I know you hate being the center of attention. Are you going to keep singing?"

Max laughed gently, and it seemed like it was from relief to me. "Yes Nudge, I'll keep singing." She turned to the rest of the audience who were clapping but didn't seem shocked the way we were. They probably figured this was all planned, not accidental like it was. "If you guys are ready, I'd like to move onto the next song." Everyone cheered louder so she continued. "This song I actually wrote years ago with the help of a very close friend of mine. It meant a lot to us then, and I know it will mean a lot to the rest of my family now. I hope you like it."

Huh? She wrote it with somebody? Who? I listened closely as Max walked over and started the music hoping I would get some idea of who the other writer was.

(Do I really need to put this? Listen to the freaking song! It's let it ride, by automatic love letter. I usually listen to the new version but both are good.)

Lay on the floor
Breathe it in deep
Don't speak, don't say a word
Just savoring
You're all that I have
And all to hold on to
You can't lead me on

The music started and I was surprised that I recognized it immediately. It was the song Max wrote when she was ten years old and we had just escaped the school. She didn't tell anyone and the only reason I knew about it was because she came to me looking for help creating the music to it. It wasn't exactly like we had musical instruments or would have had any idea what to do with them if we did. So we spent the entire day online breaking apart different music and adding bits and pieces together to create something entirely new. I smiled as a listened to her sing it now. Low enough not even Iggy could hear me, I gently sang the words along with her. She was right, it really did mean a lot the both of us. It meant freedom, friendship, and in my case love.

Come on, come on
Can't you feel it
And start chasing dreams
And don't let them go

Wow. Max's voice sounds completely different than it did six years ago. She looked over at me and noticed me singing along with her and smiled dazzlingly. I returned the smile in kind and not just a small grin, but a full blown smile. She kept eye contact with me as she continued singing and I stared into her deep brown eyes for the first real time in months. God, I miss it.

And take me away
Let's get out of this town

Or science lab,

Run baby, run
We're unstoppable now
On top of the world
Sing it out loud
And mean it and keep believing
We've got the rest of our lives
So let it ride
The time of our lives
Let it ride

Running away
Don't tell anyone
We'll be the talk of the town
We'll be the envy of everyone
Dances to mixtapes and car tops
So don't, don't, don't let this go

And take me away
Let's get out of this town
Run baby, run
We're unstoppable now
On top of the world
Sing it out loud
And mean it and keep believing
We've got the rest of our lives
So let it ride
The time of our lives
Let it ride

(Okay, there's another verse in there, but I can't find the lyrics anywhere so you just have to read them when you listen to it on youtube.)

Take me away
Let's get out of this town
Run baby, run
We're unstoppable now
On top of the world
Sing it out loud
And mean it and keep believing
We've got the rest of our lives
So let it ride
The time of our lives
Let it ride

Let it ride

Let it ride

Let it ride

When Max's voice faded away and I looked away from her for the first time, I noticed the flock had tears in their eyes and the rest of the room was cheering like crazy. I looked back at Max and we both just grinned at each other like idiots. Then of course Lissa had to interrupt the perfect moment. She snorted so I turned my head to see what was going on. I looked over there just in time to see her roll her eyes. "Of course she says she wrote it. I'm sure she just saw the music in the back and wanted to take advantage of the fact that no one knows who wrote it. And what could the perfect cover be other than to say a friend of hers wrote it with her. Geez, what a faker."

My mood instantly darkened and I said just loud enough for her to hear me, "Lissa you have no idea what you're talking about. I know Max wrote that music."

"Why? Because Max is your 'leader' so everything she says has to be true?"

"No. Because of that song. The others I've never heard before, but I helped her write that song long before you and I met. Now stop ragging on Max before Angel shuts you up her way." Her jaws snapped shut and I nearly smirked. I think that was the most I've ever said to her. Usually our time is spent with her kissing me, or at least trying to touch me in some way. Underneath her snotty exterior, Lissa is actually very nice, which is why I'm dating her, but sometimes the brat in her is just overwhelming.

I had a feeling Nudge was about to go into a tirade about the revelation I was the second singer, but before she could do more than open her mouth Max began speaking into the mic again. "Alright, alright every one! Settle down so I can tell you what's next. That sound like a deal? Good. Now this next song is called Keep Holding On and just like the last this song has great meaning to me. My family and I have had a pretty hard lives and we always been there for each other. This song is for you Ange."

You're not alone
Together we stand
I'll be by your side, you know I'll take your hand
When it gets cold
And it feels like the end

I shivered when I remembered Antarctica, and how helpless we were out in the cold.

There's no place to go
You know I won't give in
No I won't give in

No, Max would never give in. Ever.

Keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through
Just stay strong
'Cause you know I'm here for you, I'm here for you

You've always been here for us Max. You've never let us down.

There's nothing you could say
Nothing you could do

even mind controlling the president,

There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through
So far away
I wish you were here
Before it's too late, this could all disappear
Before the doors close
And it comes to an end
With you by my side I will fight and defend
I'll fight and defend

We all know Max that you'll fight for us with your last breath,

Yeah, yeah

Keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through
Just stay strong
'Cause you know I'm here for you, I'm here for you
There's nothing you could say
Nothing you could do

There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through

Hear me when I say, when I say I believe
Nothing's gonna change, nothing's gonna change destiny
Whatever's meant to be will work out perfectlyYeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

La da da da
La da da da
La da da da da da da da da

Keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through
Just stay strong
'Cause you know I'm here for you, I'm here for you
There's nothing you could say
Nothing you could do
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through

Keep holding on
Keep holding on

There's nothing you could say
Nothing you could do
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through

The song ended with that note and I looked at the Flock to see them all in tears. Especially Angel, who was staring at Max with her big blue eyes even as the salty water ran down her face. Max jumped off the stage and Angel leaped into open her opens arms. With my bird kid ears I could hear Max whisper, "I love you Angel. Don't ever forget that. No matter how mad I may get at you sometimes, I love you and will always be here for you. As long as I'm around I'll do everything in my power to keep you safe. That goes for the rest of you as well, because I know you're listening." Max looked over Angels shoulder and smiled at the blushing but grinning members of the flock. All except me. She met my eyes and the smile fell from her face but she didn't look away. She just staring at what she saw in my eyes. The promise that no matter what happens, she'll always have me by her side.

I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! It's been waaaayyyyyy too long since I updated and this isn't a great chapter but I'm sorry! I've kinda been on a Harry Potter kick and haven't been reading or writing much MR. Still I hope you guys liked this chapter! And soon If you like MR and HP I'm about to start writing a new crossover for those interested! Because I feel awful for taking so long to update and because I'm really excited about this, I'll say a little of what it's about. The flock finds out their all witches and wizards, because of some strange spell Max and Fang are sent to the past where they start new lives still holding onto the hope they'll make it back some day. In the past they go by the names Lily and James. I think you can figure out the implications of that on your own! So of you're interested keep and eye either on my profile or the crossovers. Again, I'm sure your all mad at me but please please please send me some good music ideas! Review!