Let me tell you something, if you are ever planning on working for the government, don't. Dangerous missions and diabolical plans sound fun to destroy, and they are, but the paperwork can be a bit difficult, all right more than difficult, suicidal. I am not exaggerating, kind of.

You know what, screw paperwork, I'm going home. I pulled on my shoes, and grabbed my purse from my desk.

"I'm out guys, I am sick of paperwork."
"I hear you girl," said Cam tiredly.

"Lazy butt, I can't believe our own commander would leave us to this paperwork." Luke looked at me reprovingly and I stuck my tongue out at him.

"I may be a lazy butt, but I'm a free lazy butt, you however are stuck here. The privileges of command." He scowled at me and went back to his work. The two other people in the team, Sam and Cole shook their heads at me. I threaded my way through the desks, my high heels clicking on the tile floor.

I hit the button for the single elevator that would take me up to the ground floor. The bell dinged and the fingerprint scanner slid out. I pressed my finger into the gel and waited for it to recognize me. The light turned green and the stainless steal doors slid open.

I stepped inside the annoyingly drab elevator. You'd think they'd provide some sort of entertainment for a ten-minute elevator ride.

You might want to know how I came to be working for the government, its kind of a long story, but hey, I've got ten minutes!

It all began when the school captured me, they apparently thought they could make a bit of money off of me, and by God they'd do it! Damn. So anyway, they captured me, did the whole testing thing, and sold me off to the American government. They formed a special team for me to work with, all of them purchased from Itex.

There's Cam, the genius, Luke, the super strength dude, Cole, the telekinesis equipped dude, and Sam, the invisible woman, and then of course there was me, Maximum Ride, avian American and proud of it, and I gained a new power (yay! Not) I am now impervious to injury, the only way I can be killed is if you cut off oxygen, or something, I don't really know cause I'm not dead.

For the first few years I fought the gov, trying to find the flock, botching missions, you know the drill, until I found out how Itex caught me. The flock sold me out, it was either them or me, and apparently it was going to be me. Double damn.

So I gave up fighting and gave them my all. Now I am a happy and safe twenty one year old, until my next mission. Then I could be a dead and buried twenty two year old.

The doors finally dinged open and I stepped out. I put on my sunglasses and was immediately shocked to see two black suits standing there. Black suits are like the minions of the higher ups, the brawn for the brain.

One of them flashed his badge.

"Ms. Ride, we have some bad news. Your identity has been compromised and agents from an unidentified source are on their way now to possibly eliminate you."
"Well, I didn't see that one coming. What now?"

"We are to transport you to a safe house, you understand that speed is of the utmost importance."
"Alright, what about the team?"
"They have not been compromised."

"Okay, take me away." I pushed through the waiting glass doors, the suits right behind me. A black sedan was waiting and I climbed inside.

The car started up and I sat back to wait.

You may be wondering at my distinct lack of kicking and screaming, but quite frankly, I got over that years ago, kind of. The truth is, there is a lot of danger in my field of work, so when suits show up and tell me my cover has been compromised, I shut up and let them drive. It's either that or be kidnapped and held for ransom or forced to do another governments dirty work. I wouldn't mind all that much except for the fact that I would have to leave the team behind, something I cannot, and will not do, and no I am not going soft, I would just be losing some of the best verbal punching bags I've ever had.

An hour or two later, the car came to a stop, and one of the suits opened the door. I stepped past him and stepped onto a sidewalk that wound past a ridiculously charming house. The lawn was emerald green behind a white picket fence. A tree that was destined for tree houses shaded the east side. I sighed and looked at the suits.

"Isn't this just a tad bit big for little old me?" One of them flashed a rare smile.

"Your story is that you just moved in and you're waiting for your husband to join you." He held up a two rings. I grinned and slipped them on my finger.

"And who is my husband?"

"Should his cover be compromised, Agent Luke Smith." Should the rest of the team's cover be compromised, the rest of the team will join you as relatives, visiting for a short time." I nodded and turned towards the house. I knew everything I would need would be waiting for me. Clothes, phones, i-pods, and most importantly, weapons.

I heard the car start up and drive away behind me. I made my way through the gate and up to the white door. I tested the handle to find it unlocked. I stepped inside and saw a beautiful oak floored foyer. A curving stair led to the upstairs rooms, while two other doors led to a kitchen and a family room. I set my purse on the hall table, taking note of the house and car keys that sat there.

Wandering into the kitchen, I grinned. In a way, I hoped Luke would show up soon or else I'd be eating an awful lot of takeout, and it would be such a shame to waste such a big well-equipped kitchen. I remembered someone else who had a knack for cooking and grimaced.

I explored the rest of the house, ending my private tour in the Master bedroom. I sat on the bed, kicking off my heels and laying back. I wanted to cry with the normalcy of it all. For god sakes, I had it all, a loving husband pining for me somewhere, the perfect house, what more could I want?

The truth. The truth was that I was an insanely not normal woman with no chance in hell of ever really ending up with anything like this, ever. I sighed and went to the closet, time for some exercise. I gotta keep sharp for the hubby now don't I?

I locked the door behind me and stuck the key in my socks. I pushed the ear buds of my new i-pod in my ears, conveniently enough; it had all my favorite songs. Making sure my now dark brown hair was tucked into a tight ponytail, I headed for the street.

As my feet settled into a comfortable pattern, I let my thoughts wander. Strangely enough I wasn't thinking about any dangerous espionage business, instead I was thinking about Luke.

I wanted him to come soon, but I knew that he would have to be in danger for that. All the same, I couldn't help wishing he were with me. He reminded me a lot of Fang, and yet he was so, different. Cammie said that it was only a matter of time before we hooked up, but I told her to shove it. I had learned not to get involved with guys, sure there have been a couple of guys over the years, but I never got emotionally attached. And as much as I was ignoring it, I had the feeling that Luke was getting attached, more importantly, I think there was something going on at my end too.

I slowed down as I neared a park and I sat on one of the benches. What if we did get involved? What then? Would we sail off into the sunset, a blaze of wings and super strength? Yeah right Max, just stick to the mission. But what is your mission? Said a nasty little voice (Not that voice, that went bye bye).

"Don't get killed." I muttered to myself. I shook my head to clear it of the dangerous thoughts running through it as I started off towards my new home.

As I neared the gate, I saw that the next-door neighbors were getting home. I pulled out my ear buds and looked them over. There was a tall dark man unloading groceries with a blond woman at his side. A strawberry blond man was holding a dog and talking to the three teens that were watching the other adults work.

"Come on you guys, help us with this stuff!" The Dark haired man glared at the teens who laughed and remained where they were.

They reminded me so much of the flock that I almost called out to them, instead I hurried to the door and was about to step inside when a shout from behind me stopped me.

"Hello!" I turned to see the dark haired man and the blond woman. I smiled went to the gate. "Wow, it's so nice to get some new neighbors! My name is Laura and this is Nick."

"Hi, my name's Sarah."

I Smiled and shook Laura's hand then Nicks, as I did I met his eyes and I froze.

"It's nice to meet you all." I said forcing my voice to sound normal. It wasn't possible, it just couldn't happen. I looked around and saw the three teens and the other man. It was them; it had to be them, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gazzy, Angel, and… Laura.

I looked at them, and looked at Laura. I realized she was saying something.

"So are you married?"

"Yeah, my husband Luke is away on business I don't know when exactly he's coming home but it should be soon."

"Cool," I was starting to hate that perky personality, "Well since you're the new neighbor and all, why don't you come over for a barbecue tonight." I looked at my old flock then at her.

"I don't think that's such a great idea, I have to go." I turned and ran into the house. As the door slammed, I tried to slam the door on the thoughts that were coming into my head unbidden.

Of all the places, why this one? Why the house right next to them? I don't know how long I sat there, but I was startled when I heard a car pull up outside. Opening the door, I saw Luke stepping out of a black sedan.

"Luke!' I ran to him and threw my arms around his neck. "Hey, did you bring my baby?" He smiled and pulled back his jacket to reveal two gun holsters. He pulled one out and I cradled it in my hand. I felt a rush of safety. The house had guns, but this was the first gun I ever owned, and it was special, like a blanket.

Don't laugh, it's true. I pulled Luke close to me and led him up to the house, tucking the gun in the waistband of my shorts as I did.

FLOCK'S POV

Angel frowned at Fang. He was looking out the window, a scowl on his face.

"Who does she think she is? She was so rude! And I mean, honestly, I was nice wasn't I? What's wrong with a barbecue?" Laura was looking worriedly at the silent flock.

"Angel, what are you getting from her?" Said Fang, turning away from the window. Angel's frown deepened and she looked hesitant.

"Nothing, it's like there's a wall there. I can't understand it, I know it's not natural, it's something she's controlling which is…rare. I don't understand, I mean at first I thought she was just rude, but now I'm wondering what she's hiding." Fang nodded curtly.

"There's also the fact that Sara's husband just gave her a nine millimeter." The flock looked up in surprise.

"What?" They crowded around the window and looked at the man that had his arm around Sarah. Sarah gestured to the house, then the window. The man glared at the flock gathered around the window.

"What is up with them?" Nudge shook her head then looked at Angel who had gone stiff beside her. "Angel?" Everyone turned to Angel who had gone white.

"It's, he… he's not thinking about that girl as Sarah, he called her…Max, in his head, ow!" Angel fell to the floor, clutching her head. After a moment, she stood up shakily. ""He, pushed me out. It's like with Sarah, or Max, or whatever her name is."

" Don't you see?" Iggy exclaimed. It's Max, Max is here."