I gasp as if I've just had a rush of death. Not me though, Wanderer, she sacrificed herself for me. I'm Melanie. Yes that's right. No confusion there, I know everything.

I'm Melanie Stryder, I have a brother, and I have Jared. Earth was overtaken years ago. Even my body was by Wanderer but she had given it back to me.

She gave it back to me because she'd walked halfway across the desert to find my brother and Jared where they hid with the last pocket if human resistance. She understands me, not like other aliens have tried so hard not to do with their human hosts.

And now she may be gone. I can't bear that. It's like really losing my own life. I feel groggy. It must be from the chloroform Doc used to put us under when he performed the procedure to separate us. I need to wake up because I need to know if my sister is gone.

I'm aware of a pleasant constant murmuring. Lights begin to glow in front of my closed eyelids. A gliding feeling is somewhere on my skin as if I'm being touched.

I focus on the touch trying to find out where it is. The touch is soft but seems big against this part of my flesh. It's a callused hand with gentle movements up and down my arm I realize. I try to move my arm or my hand. I squeeze my hand but don't feel pressure until a few seconds later. It's hard to move and I'm slow.

"Melanie," I inwardly sigh. My efforts were seen by a voice I'd recognize anywhere. Jared's. I want to call out to him too. To tell him I'm here, I'm fine. "Mel, you're awake. I knew you would be. Just take a moment baby, you'll come around all the way. I know you will. Wanda wouldn't have - Wanda knew you'd wake up. And you'll be just fine."

I am Jared!

"It's so great to see you. To really see you Mel! After all this time. I've missed you every time I've seen Wanda around the caves, doing chores, talking with Jamie. Jamie will be happy to see you."

Jamie, he'll be so upset that Wanda is gone. How can I tell him that she left but she loves him so much? Oh Jamie, I'm so sorry I let her do this. I should've found a way to stop her. I hope it's not too late. I hope she's not already with Walt and Wes.

I hear Jared rambling on. He's probably nervous but he knows it's just the chloroform. I haven't been unconscious longer than the effects of the solvent have lasted. Except for now of course. I just need a minute like Jared said.

My eyes flickered slowly before opening and blinking to adjust to the light. I eyed the holey ceiling of Doc's south tunnel. I brought a hand up in front of me to see the movement. I moved each fingertip before pulling them down to where my hand was almost in a fist. I brought my other hand up as well and repeated it.

Doc really did it. Not that I'd had any doubt. I pull down my hands toward my chest. I move my neck to search for Jared. He's kneeled at my cot right by my shoulder, his expression praising. I turn my head and lay it back down to stare at him. "Oh Jared," I murmur. "Is Wanda gone?"

"No baby. Not yet. Doc wanted to wait for you to wake up."

"How long have I been asleep?"

"Not long, Doc probably extracted Wanda about half an hour ago." I breathe a sigh of relief. Jared seems to be holding one back.

"Do you- do you remember everything?"

"Of course, course I do Jared. I know who you are don't I?" I tease. Jared won't let up them. He shakes his head as if I'm missing the point.

"Do you remember me the way you used to? I mean like before Wanda was with you?" Jared stops to see if I'm following. I stay quiet. "I know Wanda knew everything about you and that you two could talk to each other. But do you just remember everything through the time you had with her or is it your own memories?"

Oh Jared, the funny thing is that might be possible. We may never know because I do have "My own memories." I finish my thought outloud to reply to Jared. Then Jared breaks out into a smile.

"Oh baby," he murmurs as he stands up to bend over my small frame on this cot. He kisses me fiercely and I give in though I'm not quite ready for rejoice. But I am in the mood to see Jamie. I only speak Jamie's name and Jared nods. He helps pull me up to a sitting position. I'm able to swing my legs off the side of the cot and jump off.

I get a little bit of a head rush with my hurriedness but it's fine. "Doc," I just noticed him at his desk. He stands up and walks over to meet me. "Hello Melanie, it's lovely to meet you." that feels odd of him to say but it's true, I guess, that he never has spoken to me.

"Hello Doc. Thank you so much for honoring Wanda's request and for waiting until I woke up. Where is she?"

Doc holds up an occupied cryotank he had been holding in his hands behind his back. "I would like to hold onto her so as not to mistake her with any others."

I nod. "I'd like to see Jamie. And I need to talk to Jeb and to, uh, Ian." I mumble. Jared tenses. He didn't think of how we'd have to be the ones to let everyone know the news.

"But uh it's late. I'll go see Jamie and talk to them tomorrow. Could we wait until after that to, uh, send Wanda off?" I lie. Doc understands what I mean when I say send her off. He grimaces but nods. Jared thanks him and we go.

Much time really hasn't passed I realize as Jared leads me to our room. The last time I walked this way I was being moved by another mind and there had still been people lingering before bed. The crowd is smaller this time around. We might even have to wait for Jamie in the room if he hasn't made it to bed yet.

Nobody pays us much attention, but still I keep my eyes down so no one will notice that silver eyes don't reflect back anymore. Jared holds my hand to guide me. We reach our room. When was the last time I slept in here? I sit down on the mattress. Jamie isn't here yet. He should be getting to bed sooner.

I worry as I wait. I wish I had Wanda's help or she had mine, I guess, for this. Jared and I wait silently until we see the shadow appear on the other side of the curtain to our room. I suck in a breath and Jared puts his arm around my shoulder as the shadow pulls back the curtain.