Double Take (Chapter 32) (MPOV)

We walked down the hall and to Iggy's room. ("We" meaning me, Jessie, Jazz, and Fang and Angel leading the way. Well, Angel was more just walking with us, holding my hand and stuff... Fang was leading, making sure to stay far ahead of Jessie.) When we got to Iggy's room, Fang and Angel left us and went back to the others. I took a deep breath and stepped in rather hesitantly. I knew the expression on my face was pained when I saw Iggy laying there on the hospital bed. "Iggy?" I whispered, wondering if he was awake. There was a pause, then he turned his head and looked at me with his unseeing eyes.

"Max?" He asked in return. I walked over to him with Jessie and Jazz directly behind me.

"What happened?" I asked him, looking at his paler than normal face.

"I got shot..." He said slowly. He sounded tired.

"How?"

"They were taking Jazz away, and I couldn't just let them... So I grabbed one as it took off and brought it down then flew up to a couple others and tried to bring them down, but one shot me in the side instead." Iggy replied then took a deep breath. I glanced over at Jazz, who looked like she was going to cry. She slipped her hand into his and swallowed hard.

"Iggy, you could have been killed." I said, knowing how close to death he was.

"I know... I guess I rolled at just the right time, though." He replied.

"How did you know to roll out of the way?" I asked, confused. I mean, the boy couldn't see the gun pointed at his head...

"I...don't know. I guess I just did..." He frowned and his eyebrows came closer together. I looked over at Jessie who looked sad and extatic. It looked like she was trying to look sad, but her excitement about meeting everyone was obvious on her face.

"Max," Iggy asked after a moment. "Is Jazz okay?" He evidentally thought that Jazz's hand was mine.

"Yeah, Iggy, I'm okay." Jazz replied. She squeezed his hand and a little color came to Iggy's cheeks.

"Oh, that's good..." Iggy said slowly. I cracked a smile. I'd never seen Iggy act all awkward before. Except maybe around Ella.

"Iggy, there's someone here who wants to meet you. She helped me and Jazz, so I figure it's the right thing to do to let her meet some of her biggest heroes." I said, glancing over at Jessie. She looked like she wanted to squeel.

"Um...okay?" Iggy said uncertainly. Jessie barged past me and Jazz so she was standing closer to Iggy's head.

"Hi, I'm Jessie! I am SO excited to be able to meet you! You're, like, my favorite guy in the Maximum Ride books!" Jessie blurted out all of her words in quick succession.

"Um...thanks?" Iggy said, sounding uncertain again.

"This is SO cool! I mean, you are, like, so totally awesome! If I could date one of the guys in the Maximum Ride books, it would so totally be you!" Jessie said that then suddenly gasped and smacked her hands over her mouth.

"Yes, you did just say that." I said. Well, it didn't take a mind reader to figure out what she was thinking. Iggy's eyes were wide and I could tell he wasn't so much into the fangirl thing. I smiled at Jazz, who was almost laughing.

"I think it's time we give Iggy some peace and quiet..." I put my hands on Jessie's shoulders and began leading her out.

"I LOVE YOU, IGGY!" Jessie blurted out as I led her through the door. I heard Jazz laugh as we walked down the hallway.

"Bye, Iggy." Jazz called as she walked out into the hallway after us. She ran and caught up with us then gave Jessie a mischevious smile.

"I'm such an idiot..." Jessie mumbled. I chuckled as we got out to the waiting room.

"No, it's fine. I'm sure Fang has more girls in love with him than Iggy, so it probably makes Iggy feel good..." Jazz said, trying to make Jessie feel better.

There better not be a lot of girls in love with Fang... I thought to myself. Fang was mine. Hear that, fangirls? He's MINE. Oh yeah, be jealous.

"Jessie, I think it's time for us to head out." Jessie's dad said after we got into the waiting room. Jessie nodded then began saying her goodbyes while giving away many hugs.

"If you ever need anything, Max, just find us or contact us or anything and we'll help you out, okay?" Jessie said, writing down her email address, phone number, home address, cell number, Max-Dan-Wiz account name, and her parents cell phone numbers on a piece of paper. She handed me the piece of paper and I stuck it in my pocket.

"Will do." I said with a smile. Jessie gave me a hug (much like one Ella would give me) and sighed.

"I wish you could just stay with us..." She mumbled. It sounded like she was going to cry.

"Me too." I said, not knowing if I meant it or not. Jessie let go of me and walked over to her mom and dad, who had already said their goodbyes. I waved to them as they turned and walked out. Let me just say, for the record, I hate goodbyes.