First of all, I want to thank CusCus81, With Love from KK, & marysidehouse for the reviews. I really appreciate it. I really want to keep this story going for a while so I'm not going anywhere. As long as people read it and review, I will keep updating as this is my favorite story. I will try to update sooner. I initially wanted it to be a week between chapters but it just depends on if I finish them sooner. I will try to. For now it will stay every Friday but again, I will try to update sooner. I'm updating it a day early for this chapter as I have finished it. I really hope you guys enjoy it.
IAN POV
Seeing Wanda laying in there unconscious made me sick to my stomach. Why was she wet? Why was Kyle wet? She was bleeding and I knew that Kyle had attempted against her life again even though he had promised to never do that again. I even thought he was beginning to like Wanda these last few weeks. He always treated Sunny with respect and I thought he was over it all but I was wrong. And Wanda being hurt now, was proof of that. I wanted to go over to her and just instantly hold her in my arms and make all the pain go away. But when Kyle turned to look at me, I felt all the anger come rushing to the surface. I rushed towards him, lifted my arm and hit him squarely on the face with as much force as I could muster. He recoiled backwards and held his hand to his nose. I heard Doc yelling at me to stop but I ignored him.
"What the hell is wrong with you, Ian?!" He had the audacity to yell at me after what he just did.
"How could you do that to me Kyle?! You know that I love her and that if you kill her, you might as well kill me too!" I yelled back at him.
Doc interfered then, "Ian, it's not what you think, Kyle…"
"You promised you wouldn't hurt her again. She is the love of my life, don't you get it? I can't live without her. I swear, I'll kill you this time Kyle, so that you never hurt Wanda again!" I felt the rage of a thousand warriors then. I would have kept yelling at him and was about to hit him again when I heard a faint moan behind me. Wanda.
I turned around to see her open her beautiful eyes and stare at the cave ceiling.
"Wanda?" I said walking towards her side. I took her right hand in mine and laid a gentle kiss on it.
"Ian? Where am I?" She whispered.
"You're in the hospital, Wanda." I said.
She tried to get up then but I gently pushed her shoulder back down to the cot.
"No, don't try to get up. Wanda, tell me what happened." I basically pleaded.
She was about to speak when she turned to look behind me and I knew she saw Kyle with his bloody nose and Doc attending to it.
She gasped, "Kyle!? What happened to you? Are you ok? Doc give him so No pain!" she said while she glared at me.
I can't believe she was defending him after he tried to kill her. No, wait. I do believe it. Wanda was always so self – sacrificing. She always puts others before herself even if that person has caused her pain.
"Sorry, Wanda. No more No pain left," Doc replied.
"Ian, explain." Wanda clearly knew that I had been the one to hit Kyle.
"No, you tell me what he did to you! And don't lie to me, Wanderer," I was upset with her for defending Kyle that I raised my voice at her and I instantly felt bad about it.
"What are you talking about? Kyle didn't do anything to me." She replied, clearly trying to defend him again.
I was losing my calm as I asked her again, "Please, tell me what happened."
She nodded her head," I was going to wash our clothes for the raid tomorrow and so I went to get them and headed to the washroom. When I finished what I was doing, I stood up and I guess I slipped and fell into the river. That's all I remember.
"It's true, Ian. It was just an accident. And Kyle heard the noise of Wanda's head coming into contact with the cave floor and found her unconscious, head down in the water. If it weren't for him being so close by... Wanda… Well, Wanda would have drowned. Kyle saved her." Doc whispered.
I imagined Wanda hitting the cave floor and cringed. But it was worse imagining her drowning. It could have happened. Everybody tends to shower later in the day and it would have been hours before somebody would have found her. I knew Wanda was telling the truth because I can always tell when she is lying. I looked over at Kyle who nodded and I knew I had done wrong in coming to conclusions. I looked back at Wanda, her eyes looked so tender and filled with love. I knew she was mentally telling me to go apologize to Kyle and so I did.
"I'm sorry, Kyle. I shouldn't have assumed that you tried to kill her. It's just that when I saw both of you completely soaked, I thought the worst. I was afraid that again someone was trying to hurt her. I would have died if something happened to her. Thank you, Kyle. For saving the woman that I love. I am forever in your debt," I said, tears welling up in my eyes.
"It's ok, bro. I understand. I haven't always been kind to Wanda and for that I am truly sorry. But I'm trying to make amends for that. I promised I would never hurt her again and I will always uphold that promise. I have come to see that Wanda is a very special soul and she is the kindest one. I respect and admire everything she does for us. You don't have to thank me for saving her life. Like you said, she's the woman that you love and if you love her, then so do I. As a sister of course, and I, like you, will try to protect her," Kyle responded while he looked over at Wanda, who was at this point crying and I knew it was because of his words.
I apologized to him again for what I did to his nose then turned my attention to Wanda.
"How do you feel, my love?" I asked.
"I feel fine. Doc is it ok if I head back to my room now?" She asked.
"Absolutely not. You need to stay here so that Doc can finish bandaging your head wound," I knew how stubborn she was but I wasn't taking no for an answer.
"Ian's right, Wanda. I still have to clean and wrap your head wound and I would also really love it if you stayed overnight for observation. But I know you are not about to do that so you can go as soon as I'm done but you have to come back early tomorrow so that I can check it before you go on that raid." Doc was backing me up and I was glad for that.
"Oh, don't worry Doc, I'll make sure she's here in the morning. And there's no way that Wanda's going on that raid. Not after this," I looked over at Wanda who looked at me with wide eyes.
She clearly was going to fight me on this but I was standing firm on it.
"She has to go, Ian. Sunny can't do it on her own. She's going to need Wanda. And if Wanda doesn't go then I don't want Sunny to go either. I'm not about to let her go without someone accompanying her," Kyle put his sense in while holding an ice pack to his face, clearly still burrowing his nose in other people's business.
"Don't worry, Kyle. I am going. Sunny won't be on her own." Wanda responded while Doc finished cleaning and wrapping her head.
We'll see about that.
When Doc finished we were able to go back to our room. I, of course, was carrying Wanda even though she kept insisting she was fine to walk but I wasn't about to lose that fight. I knew she was going to try to convince me to let her go on the raid tomorrow night but I sure was not going to relent. We crossed the doors into our bedroom and I immediately laid Wanda on the bed.
I proceeded to go to the drawer and I grabbed Wanda one of my t-shirts. I went over and helped her get out of her clothes. I had done this many times before and Wanda was completely comfortable letting me do that for her. Every once in a while she would complain that she wasn't a baby and that she could do it herself but I told her it made me feel better to do it for her sometimes. I stopped to look at her – and I mean really look at her – she is so beautiful. And I don't just mean her body from head to toe but Wanda herself, the Soul. The soul occupying the body is beautiful. Wanda is all mine, I have the most beautiful woman in my bed with me. I love her and she loves me. We belong to each other. I finished putting my t-shirt on her and I loved the way she looked in my t-shirts.
"Ok, Wanda. Get some sleep," I tenderly kissed her on the forehead and I felt her shiver. I chuckled at the fact that I could still do that to her. She stared at me with a quizzical look and I knew she wanted to talk about the raid tomorrow and she wasn't going to let it go that easy.
WANDA POV
Ian went to the drawer and grabbed one of his t-shirts and helped me undress. He stared at me for a while and I blushed. He then helped me into his t-shirt.
"Ok, Wanda. Get some sleep," Ian said while he kissed my forehead. I shivered at the contact. He always made me feel good.
He went to change himself and I couldn't help but admire his physique. He turned to look at me then and I blushed (again). I'm not sure that I'll ever get used to blushing all the time. Ian smiled at me and walked over to the bed and laid by my side instinctively pulling me closer so that my head lay on his chest and he wrapped his arm around me. I loved it when he held me like that. It made me feel safe. I took in a deep breath and waited, not really realizing I hadn't exhaled.
"Wanda, sweetheart, you have to exhale," he said as he rubbed my back.
Oh right, at least it got him talking.
"Ian, you're letting me go on that raid tomorrow right?" I said, making it a point to look at him with a pouting face.
He looked down at me and smiled.
"Nope," that's it, that's all he said.
"No? That's all you're going to say," I asked
"Yep, you're not going Wanda, and that's that. You just suffered a major hit to the head."
"I know, Ian, but the people need me too. We all have to eat and we all need medicine."
"Yeah, well the people don't deserve for you to risk your life to feed them. I remember some of them treating you badly when you were in Mel's body and some still treat you with disdain," he raised his voice a bit
"Ian! Just because some people don't like me doesn't mean that I'm going to let them starve to death." I gasped
"Fine, I'll tell you what, if Doc clears you tomorrow for the raid then we can go but if he says you need to recover from your near concussion, then we stay. Deal?"
"Deal!" I eagerly agreed.
"Then it's settled, now please sleep, my Wanda. You need to rest." He leaned over then and kissed me on my lips, leaving a trail of fire behind.
IAN POV
"Ian, Ian wake up," someone said while pulling on my arm.
"Mm," I mumbled.
"Ian, it's me Kyle you have to get up. Ana she's... Well doc said during the night, she stirred," he said, a little more loudly.
I couldn't ignore the person talking to me so I sat up looking over at Wanda, making sure she was still there and she was. Asleep, she looked like an angel. I rubbed my eyes and refocused them on Kyle.
"What do you mean she stirred? Is she awake?" I asked, groggily.
"No, she's not awake but Doc said that maybe if you talked to her she might wake up. Just like I did with Jodie, even though she never did wake up," he said. I detected an amount of sadness in his voice.
"You knew her too, why can't you do it?" I said, not wanting to leave Wanda. Besides I had to make sure she went to Doc's to get checked out.
"Ian, we both know that Ana wasn't just your friend like I'm sure you told Wanda. She was the love of your life," he said, looking a bit annoyed.
"Wanda is the love of my life. Get that through your head. What I felt for Ana was just infatuation but it wasn't love. I still care about her and I'm glad she's alright but that part of my life is over. Understand?" I raised my voice at him not realizing it. I looked over at Wanda but she was still sleeping.
"Ok, fine! Don't go all girl on me and just go check on her. Doc's insisting," he quipped.
"Fine, I'm going. Now get out of our room!" I yelled-whispered at him.
I quickly and quietly got dressed so that I wouldn't wake Wanda. I would let her sleep for another hour and then come and get her for breakfast and then to get examined by Doc.
I headed towards the hospital not really knowing exactly what I would walk into. I mean I would be happy if Ana woke up. I want her to be alright. The thing is, is that last time Ana and I saw each other we were together, as in a couple and I'm not sure how she'll take the news about me and Wanda. Wanda, I haven't told her yet the truth about me and Ana. I simply told her we were friends and know I have to tell her everything and I'm not sure I'm ready to do that.
I was pulled out of my thoughts as I neared the hospital. As I walked in I saw Doc sitting by his desk looking over some papers.
"Morning, Doc," I said.
"Good Morning, Ian. For a second there, I thought you wouldn't come." Doc said, looking tired.
"How is she? Kyle told me she stirred in the middle of the night." I walked over to where Ana was. She looked to peaceful, so defenseless. She really hadn't changed at in in all these years.
"She did. It won't be long before she wakes. I just thought, given your history and all, that maybe you could help her… wake up sooner," he said, looking back at his paperwork.
"Right." I pulled one of those very uncomfortable cots and dragged it to her side and sat down.
Doc stepped out after a few minutes. I had begun talking to Ana. I talked to her about the first day we met, that time when we got in trouble for our disturbing behavior in one of our high school classes. At some point, while talking to her, I had grabbed her hand in mine. I talked to her some more until Doc came back and I let him know I'd be back later with Wanda.
When I got back to the room, Wanda was already up and ready. She turned to look at me as soon as I had gone in. She smiled and I felt completely breathless. She always did that to me.
"Ian, where were you. I woke up and you were gone," she said sounding a bit scared.
"I'm sorry, Wanda. I… Doc wanted me in the hospital. I should have left you a note. I really am sorry Wanda," I didn't mention that I had gone to be with Ana. I didn't want to make her sad.
I went over and wrapped my hands around her waist and pulled her closed to me. I felt so stupid for making her worry like that. Had she done that to me and I would have gone crazy trying to find her.
She turned to face me, stood up on her tiptoes, and kissed me on the cheek, "its ok, Ian. So how's Doc and Ana? Has she woken?"
Doc ok, looks tired, but then again he always looks tired. Ana… no, she hasn't yet but Doc's hopeful. Speaking of Doc, let's hurry to get breakfast so we can go seen him." I said, while helping her along.
You looked curiously at me then, "you didn't convince Doc to say that I need more rest did you?"
I chuckled, wondering why I didn't think to do that. "You know, I wish I would have thought of that, but no, I didn't." I said as we headed out the door.
We walked towards the kitchen in silence. It wasn't uncomfortable silence, it was good silence. And plus, I didn't really want to talk about the raid again. I didn't really want Wanda to go but she was stubborn. We walked into the kitchen and I told Wanda to go sit down while I would get us food. I set two trays on the table and they were definitely sad looking. I hated to admit that we didn't need another raid. It feels like we just got back from one though.
"Ian, Jared. Just the men I was looking for, "Jeb came in asking for us.
Here we again.
"I need you help with something. I know you are headed for that raid later tonight but don't get all prissy, it's nothing heavy," He continued.
Great can't we just have one day off.
"We can't really refuse, now can we," quipped Jared.
"Can it wait till after I take Wanda to Doc's," I didn't feel like arguing with anyone but I also didn't want Wanda to go on her own. Plus I needed to hear what Doc thought was best for Wanda.
"Ian, it's ok. I can go by myself. I'm perfectly capable of that," said Wanda, looing cute and determined. I love that about her.
"But…" I started
"If it makes you feel better O'Shea, I'll go with Wanda to the hospital. Sheesh, you worry too much," Melanie interrupted.
"Then it's settled. Let's go boys err men." Oh, Jeb.
I looked over at Wanda and closed the gap between us with a kiss.
"I'll see you later, love." I said, giver her another kiss on the forehead.
WANDA POV
"Ian, worries too much about you. If it weren't completely annoying, it would be endearing," Melanie said while getting off the bench table.
He did worry about me but I know it is because he loves me.
"C'mon, let's go finish packing and as soon as we're done, we'll go to Doc's," She said.
We had been in Melanie's room for over four hours. We had finished packing a long time ago but since we hadn't spent that much time together were lost in conversation.
"So, Wanda sleeping with Ian. How has that been," she said while winking at me.
"It's amazing. I feel safe in his arms. Well, he always ends up sprawled all over the place but it's comforting still," I said, while fiddling with my hair. It was getting long. I think I need a haircut.
"That is so not what I meant Wanda," she said while rolling her eyes.
"I'm confused," I said, while looking at her.
"I meant like sleeping together, you know, sexual intimacy. God, I always have to spell it for you." She laughed.
Sexual intimacy? We actually hadn't done any of that. We got close to it a couple of days ago but Kyle interrupted us.
"So that's where you two are!" Jared barged through the door. Thankfully interrupting our conversation.
"Wanda, Ian's looking for you. He's headed towards the hospital. He thinks you're there. You did go get checked out, didn't you?" He chuckled.
Oh no. We had been too distracted that I forgot about that. My face must have showed panic because Jared began speaking.
"Yeah, that's what I thought. Let Ian know that we're ready to head out. I'm sure Doc will clear you and Ian won't be able to refuse. We'll wait for you both at the cache. Say in 20 minutes," he said after me.
I nodded my head as I left the room. Ian was going to be upset that I didn't go get checked out sooner. As I was nearing the hospital, I heard voices. I recognized Ian's and Doc's but I didn't recognize the third female voice.
"I can't say how happy I am to be awake for real! I've been fighting that thing for years. Oh Ian, I've missed you so much, my love," the voice said.
As I rounded the corner into the hospital, I saw something that made my heart feel like it was being stabbed by tiny little knives. The girl, Ana, had her hands wrapped around Ian's neck and they were kissing. Tears started spilling from my eyes. I turned around careful not to make noise and ran away. I passed the main plaza and heard Lily asking me if I was alright. I knew she had noticed that I was crying but I didn't stop to answer her. I went to my room, grabbed my pack and headed out of the caves toward the cache. I didn't even say goodbye to Jaime or Jeb or anyone else but I couldn't let any of them see me this way. I ran and walked to the cache where we kept the cars. I was exhausted by the time I got there. I wiped my tears as I saw the others coming into my view. They all had quizzical looks on their faces, probably wondering why Ian wasn't with me. I opened the door to the van, threw my pack in and turned to the others.
"Let's go," I announced.
So, there will definitely be many twists and turns coming up. But I promise you that the characters will always find a way back to each other. I just need to make it interesting. The next chapter will be a hard one, with possibly many questions and tears, but we'll get through it. Again, thank you for reading and reviewing.