The fight unfolded like background noise. White noise. In the foreground even with his ghastly pale face looking dead in my hands my fingers clenching his ragged hair all I could see was random images of Fang not dead.Fang telling me stupid fart jokes from the dog crate next to mine at the school trying to make me laugh.Fang asleep at Jebs old house and me jumping wildly on his bed to wake him up. Him pretending to be asleep. Me laughing when I accidentally kicked him where it counts. Him dumping me off the bed.Fang gagging on my first attempt at cooking dinner after Jeb disappeared. Him spitting out the mac and cheese. Me dumping the rest of the bowl on him in response.Fang on the beach that first time he was badly injured. Me realizing how I felt about him.Fang kissing me. So close I couldnt even see his dark eyes anymore. The first time. The second time. The third.I could always remember each and every one of them. Would always remember them.Fang.Not.Dead.

Except fang. I glared at him. Go on try to stop me I dare you. It was like the old days when we used to wrestle each trying to get the better of the other. I was ready to take him down my hands curled into fist. I was just going to say be careful Fang told me. He stepped closer and brushed some hair out of my eyes. And Ive got your back. He motioned with his head toward the torpedo chamber. Oh my God. It hit me like a tsunami then how perfect he was for me how no one else would ever could ever be so perfect for me how he was everything I could possibly hope for as a friend boyfriend maybe even more. He was it for me. There would be no more looking. I really really loved him with a whole new kind of love Id never felt before something that made every other kind of love Id ever felt feel washed out and wimpy in comparison. I loved him with every cell in my body every thought in my head every feather in my wings every breathe in my lungs. and air sacs. Too bad I was going out to face almost certain death. Right there in front of everyone I threw my arms around his neck and smashed my mouth against his. He was startled for a second then his strong arms wrapped around me so tightly I could hardly breathe. ZOMG I heard Nudge whisper but still fang and I kissed slanting our heads this way and that to get closer. I could have stood there and kissed him happily for the next millennium but Angel or what was left of her was still out there in the could dark ocean. Reluctantly I ended the kiss took a step back. Fangs obsidian eyes were glittering brightly and his stoic face had a look of wonder on it.Gotta go I said quietly. A half smile quirked his mouth. Yeah. Hurry back. I nodded and he stepped out of the air lock chamber keeping his eyes fixed on me memorizing me as he hit the switch that sealed the chamber. The doors hissed shut with a kind of finality and I realized that my heart was beating so hard it felt like it was going to start snapping ribs. I was scared. I was crazily deeply incredibly joyously terrifyingly in love. I was on a death mission. Before my head simply exploded from so much emotion I hit the large button that pressurized the air lock enough for the doors to open to the ocean outside. I really really hoped that I would prove somewhat uncrushable like Angel did. The door cracked open below me and I saw the first dark glint of frigid water.

You looove me. holds out arms You love me this much.

He could totally be your boyfriend Angel went on with annoying persistance. You guys could get married. I could be like a junior bridesmaid. Total could be your flower dog.Im only a kid I shrieked. I cant get marriedYou could in New Hampshire.My mouth dropped open. How does she know this stuff Forget it No ones getting married I hissed. Not in New Hampshire or anywhere else Not in a box not with a fox Now go to sleep before I kill you