Disclaimer: I don't own it! Gosh.

Author's Note: Hey guys, I'm sorry if this chapter is too short for your tastes, but I do my best. Enjoy, and review! What, surprised I don't have an unreasonable rant to share? I'm not all bad, people.

The Perfect Tune: A Burns Story

Chapter 2: Harmony Broken

Wanda POV

I was still thinking about Burns as I stumbled dreamily to breakfast. I wanted to hear more, but he insisted I go to sleep, and dragged the door shut on me. Burn's and Nate's room was one of the far caves, and I was too tired to walk back, so I fell asleep against the wall, listening to the sweet songs.

"Wanda! Where were you last night?" Ian called.

"Burns…" I mumbled.

"Burns? What about Burns? You weren't…"

"No! Of course not, Ian." Burns and I were simply friends, nothing more. He even said so himself.

"Oh, then what happened?"

I gave him a walkthrough of last night's events. He nodded.

"They have a name for that. Hopeless romantic, I think…"

"He is not hopeless!" At least, I hoped so.

"Maybe, maybe. But still, we can't meddle, Wanda. It's not right."

I sighed. "Fine."

He tousled my blonde hair and laughed. "That's my girl."

I joined in and we laughed all the way to the cafeteria.

"Hey Burns!" I called to the grinning redhead.

"Hi Wanda," he looked great, only the faintest indication of the sad guy I sat with in the fields.

"Hello Burns," Ian said, smiling.

Burns took a step back. He was one of the few that were intimidated by him, being about a head shorter. "Hi…Ian."

We all sat down to eat. More of the Burns from yesterday started seeping through. He didn't eat, merely playing with his food.

"Burns, are you okay?"

He forced a smile. "Of course, Wanda. Why wouldn't I be?"

"You look way emo," Ian said through a mouth full of bread. I smacked him in the shoulder. "What?"

I rolled my eyes. If it wasn't about me, Ian was just like Kyle sometimes.

Just then, Jared crashed through the door.

"You're back from your raid!" I cheered. I wasn't that excited about him, more so Jamie.

"This is no time for cheering, Wanda." His voice was urgent.

"What? Was it Jamie?" Oh, no, no, no. If something had happened to Jamie, I'd never forgive myself for letting him go.

"No. We got a parasite. Burns, Wanda, we need you. Talk to her. Tell her we're okay."

Burns got up, pulling me with him. "Let's go!" Some of the old Burns was returning, distracted by the thrilling news.

"Yeah!" And with that, we, the two confused aliens, bolted for Doc's.

Burns POV

The young woman on the examination table was beautiful. Her hair flowed around her in long, dark tendrils. Her eyes were a perfect almond shape, even when they were widened in fear. Even though we'd just met, it felt like I knew her. Maybe she was the one! I felt odd, knowing who my perfect match was. I felt, stronger, braver.

"What is your name?" I asked her.

"Rains in Moonlight," she whispered. Even her name was beautiful.

"Well, uh, Rains, I'm Burns, and this is Wanda," I said, gesturing as I spoke.

"Hello Wanda, hello Burns. It's nice to meet you." Souls were always polite, even in the oddest of circumstances. It was just our nature.

"Hello," Wanda and I replied.

Jared shuffled in, brandishing Jeb's gun. "You should leave, Wanda. This could get dangerous. And Ian's probably going to wet his pants soon with all the worry."

"She's not dangerous, Jared. Harmless as a fly."

"I am not," she argued, digging through the deep pockets of her coat for a weapon. She held up a small knife, tears leaking down her cheeks.

It pained me to see her like that. "Shh, shh. It's okay. He won't hurt you. We won't hurt you," I said in a soothing voice, putting a hand on her knife.

"Burns, could we have a moment alone?" Doc asked.

Rain followed Wanda outside. "Goodbye, Burns."

I waved wordlessly. "Yes, Doc?"

"I know you share a bond with this girl, Burns. But we have to extract her. It's for the sake of the caves."

And on that note, I fainted.

Author's Note: Thanks for reading. Sorry it turned out shorter than I'd expected. But I promise you, there will be longer, angstier chapters in your distant future, if you review. Do you want your angst!? Do you want your romance!? Review! Review! Review! Review!