Oh my goodness! Thank you for all the reviews! You guys are so sweet. So I have done like a rough outline of what I could do with this story so I will try to keep it going. I hope you like this new chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not own The Host. All rights going to Stephenie Meyer.


"Wanda?" His voice was husky with restless sleep and worry. "Wanda? Are you okay?"

I raised my shaking hand to my forehead, barely managing to shake my head in response since my throat was dry. He motioned for me to come into the room but I couldn't bring myself to take one step. Before I could process what he was doing, I was swept up into Ian's arms effortlessly. When my weight was taken off my weak legs I was able to get my mind off my pounding head, if only for a moment.

Ian gently laid me down on the bed as the moonlight from the ceiling swirled in wild patterns. He kneeled down next to me and placed his hand on my cheek, tucking a blonde curl behind my ear. Unfortunately, the throbbing in my head was not enough to numb the throbbing in my chest. I felt the panic rising as I realized what was happening. I was lying in the bed, our bed, which was big enough for the both of us to sleep comfortably in.

His hand was now brushing across my forehead causing my thoughts to reach for the worst conclusions. I managed to slap his hand away from me and, instantly, regret consumed me when I caught a glimpse of the hurt on Ian's face. He sat back and stared at me with great confusion, trying to understand what just happened.

"Wanda, what's wrong? Please tell me." He tried to sound like my drastic change in attitude didn't bother him but despite what he said about me, he wasn't a good liar either.

I rolled over and tried to steady my head to get a grip on what was happening around me now. Ian is worried and desperately trying to understand what is going on. I, on the other hand, am just praying that I will pass out and forget about this crazy nausea.

"Ugh! Just go away!" I groaned. I'm not sure if I was saying that to Ian or the pain, but Ian thought I was talking to him.

"Wanda, I'm sorry if I crossed a line there but I am not going to leave until you tell me what's wrong." The tone of his voice frightened me. He had never been that direct with me and I was afraid of the turn this conversation was going to take.

Finally, I just sat up, regardless of the pain, and turned back towards him. "I don't want to be with you."

Words cannot describe the look on Ian's face in that moment. It was a mixture of confusion, sadness, and betrayal. All of these emotions contorted his gorgeous features into a mess of unrecognizable pain that I have never seen before. I immediately realized what I just blurted out and tried to figure out how to explain what I meant.

"What are you talking about?" Ian was once again trying to sound like this statement did not affect him. "Just the other day you were excited to move in with me and now you don't want to be with me?"

"That's not what I meant…" I sighed, the throbbing returning in my chest.

"Then what did you mean?! Because it sure as hell sounded like you don't want to be with me." Anger was his defense mechanism to disguise the hurt. "What else could that possibly mean?"

I flinched at his voice increasing in volume with each word he said. "What I mean is I am not ready to be with you."

"Oh." He said trying to sound nonchalant. Then his eyes grew wider as realization dawned on him. "Oh, oh!"

He looked at me incredulously and his expression softened into that of his loving character. The spark returned to his eye while he reached out to grab my small hand in his. He shook his head and I am almost positive that he… laughed? Another chuckle escaped his lips but he covered his mouth to stifle it.

"It's not funny!" I said, hurt that he was laughing at me. Melanie said he would understand. "Quit laughing at me…"

"I'm sorry, Wanda. I'm not—laughing at you." He said in between his gasps for air. "I am laughing at how—you said it. I thought—we—were breaking—up."

I was completely quiet while Ian tried to control his labored breathing. Finally, he was able to catch his breath and looked at me directly, seriousness filling the air. The intensity of his sapphire blue eyes locked my gaze in place and I fell frozen under his speculation.

"Wanda, I would never do anything that you are not comfortable with. I don't want you to feel pressured to do anything for me or with me." His eyes were so apologetic for something he hadn't even done. "The last thing I want is for you to do something you don't want to because you think you have to."

"But you were so excited about sharing a room together. I just thought…" I trailed off when I saw Ian shake his head.

"I love you, Wanda. And because I love you, I can wait until you are ready." He smiled his heartwarming smile that made the molten lava beneath my skin start into motion. "I want you to trust me though, that I will protect you and never ever hurt you. Do you trust me?"

His eyes never broke contact with mine throughout the whole conversation. I couldn't stop the blush from creeping up my neck and washing over my cheeks full force. Ian smiled when I looked down at the ground to hide my embarrassment.

"I love when you do that." His smile stretched into a full grin. His free hand took hold of my chin and brought it up so I was looking straight into his eyes. "Do you trust me to love you, Wanda?"

"Yes." I whispered, "I trust you with my whole soul, Ian."

Gradually, Ian's forehead touched mine, my eyes closed and I felt his soft lips kiss the tip of my nose. I was grateful for his gentleness with me in this moment of uncertainty. He always knows exactly what to do.

"You should get some sleep. We have a long day tomorrow and you still don't look like you feel well." Ian's brow creased in concern for my well-being. "Here, you take the bed. I'll sleep on the floor."

He grabbed a pillow and one of the tattered blankets from the bed and tossed it into a heap on the floor. I could barely see his silhouette turn back towards me in the darkness of the cave. Ian leaned over the bed and pulled another blanket over my small frame. I softly thanked him and he kissed my forehead in return.

Ian quickly made up his bed on the cave floor and settled into his blanket. The stillness in the air returned as I stared at the small light appearing through the ceiling. After settling that matter, the nausea seemed to fade away and I didn't feel nearly as sick as before. I really just wanted sleep right now though because all of the emotions have exhausted me.

"Thank you, Ian." I said almost inaudibly.

I waited patiently for a reply that I wasn't even sure was coming or not. But I waited, because I love him.

"Goodnight, Wanderer."


So Ian is such a beautiful sweetheart! I hope I didn't make him too OOC. I try really hard to capture the character traits from the book.

So with that... Review! Please & Thank You!