The moment I've been waiting to share with you all. I'm sure you all saw it coming. Enjoy.

I share my last breakfast before our raid with Ian and Jared.

"Are you sure you don't want to come? Doc could look after Wanda." I remind him.

"No thanks. I want to stay here with her. I don't care what she looks like and I trust you both." Ian answers.

"Okay, just remember we'll take her to the hospital as soon as we get back. Hopefully the rest won't come looking right away. Doc can perform the procedure and then you can watch after her until she wakes while we go back to distract Jamie." I explain his part in the plan once more.

Doc might have to be persuaded to perform the procedure but I'm sure he'll be inclined to do so...

"Don't worry. I won't forget,"

I nod. I mentally run over our part of the plan. Jared and I will choose a body on the last day. A young female, but not too young. Someone who had spent more time as soul than a human but Wanda wouldn't be happy as a child. Mid-teens will be fine. We can't show our particular preference however. Jamie is going. He can't know until we know it's worked. He'll be devastated if his last chance of seeing Wanda again is blown.

We say goodbye to Ian and I hope the next encounter we share will include Wanda.

XXxXX

"Jared," I whisper. "What about her?" I point to the soul who appears to be taking a walk in the neighborhood we'd walked into. Jamie and Jared turn toward the direction I'd pointed in.

"Perfect. No one could distrust a face like that." Jared beams. "Good job, baby."

I smile. Could this be Wanda? The soul's host has blond curly hair with freckles sprinkled across her face of the same color. She is small all over. Could've been fifteen at the oldest.

"She looks like Wanda." Jamie murmurred.

"What do you mean Jamie?" I asked worriedly.

"Well I bet Wanda is pretty. She looks pretty and nice." Jamie sounded nostalgic. I felt a pang in my chest. This has to work. The soul continued walking edging further and further away. I had to act. I can't afford to sit here and watch Wanda's chance of survival get away.

Without consulting anyone, I walk out of the concealment of the alleyway after her. I walk right up behind her testing my nerve.

"Um excuse me?" I test out loud.

She turns to me. Wow she's beautiful. Jamie's right. Wanda would be this beautiful. She smiles in greeting and I go on. I introduce myself as kindly as possible. It's awkward for a moment as I decide how to lure her back toward Jared.

"I'm new in town and I think I'm lost." I begin.

"Oh! I could help you. Where are you trying to go? Our car is just here." she offers in a sweet voice.

"No, that's not necessary. I was just taking a walk but I need to get back to Becker street," I lie easily.

"I can show you." she offers. She must see the alleyway. She'll aim to take me from this street to the next through here. She introduces herself along the way, some strange name but her nickname is Pet.

I stiffen as I see Jared and Jamie again. Jared nods and I know he's ready. I reassure Pet so she'll keep getting close. Finally I re-enter the alleyway. I lock eyes with Jamie as Jared pulls Pet to him. He's prepared with chloroform so she doesn't say a word.

XXxXX

Come on Ian. Please be there already. No telling that's the case. It's night. He could be fast asleep in his room. I sprinted ahead of Jared, who carried Pet's unconscious body, just in case. After too much darkness, I enter the 'hospital' and Ian sleeps uncomfortably in a cot. One hand remains curled around the cryotank.

Just Ian. Where's Doc? Oh no. I rush forward.

"Ian, wake up. Ian, where's Doc?" I hiss.

He startles awake. In the same moment, Jared comes into view hauling Pet. Wow he's quick. "Mel, our return has woken everyone up. There asking where we are." Jared informs me. He carefully lays down Pet in a nearby cot. Her face is so serene. I bite my lip. We have to work quickly. My dear Wanderer, this has to be successful for her.

I don't respond to Jared and turn back to Ian. I repeat my question more fiercely as he rubs his eyes awake.

"I don't know. He was here. I must've fallen asleep." he mutters looking at the small blonde soul.

"You think. We have to go find him." I complain already heading for the exit. Jared stops me in my tracks.

"Mel-"

"Get out of the way Howe." I shove on his chest, far more motivated than he thinks.

"Baby, calm down. Don't panic."

"I have to get Doc." I tell him fiercely.

"There's no time. We won't find him in time and he'll need convincing. Someone else has to do it." Jared trails off. I follow the direction of his thoughts.

I nod. "I'll do it."

I turn to Ian. He looks pained. He must be so frightened. I promised myself I'd minimize his pain. I have to try. Doc has never inserted a soul anyways, only extracted. I've never done either, but Wanda was in my head and she has.

"Help me. Jared get the No pain, heal, clean, seal, and smooth. Get a scalpel as well. Ian get an empty cryotank. Don't confuse them." I warn.

We set to work. I gently roll the young soul onto her side. Jared hands me No pain. I administer this to the sleeping figure first. He hands me the scalpel next. I tense. This requires more experienced hands. I slice through her skin trying to follow the faint scar already there. I hold my hands close encouraging the alien body with small rubbing motions as Wanda had done. It releases its hold from the human and sinks into my palm.

"Ian, quickly. The empty one." I order.

He shuffles forward. Wanda under one arm. The empty cryotank in his palms. The silver being enters the cryotank of it's own accord. I take it from Ian and place it carefully at the foot of Pet's body.

Ian looks up at me eagerly. His eyes shine with cautious hope. "You can do it." I answer his unasked question. I imply for him to go forward and allow Wanda to enter this new body.

He hands me the cryotank. I hold it out for him. He unlatches the lid and holds his palm out, ready for her. I gasp. I've never seen Wanda like this before, I realize. How wonderful. Neither has Ian. We look at each other, probably making this realization at the same time.

He smiles. He seems truly happy. So unlike the man who grieved in my arms just a couple weeks ago.

"Bring her home." I say. My voice is thick in anticipation. Ian proceeds and Jared is there to hand me the necessary applications once she's in. I finish off by brushing smooth onto the newly healed scar.

I feel a warm glow as if I had been administered No pain. Ian kneels next to the cot just staring at the face who will soon wake with Wanda's recognition.

I'm about to join him when Jared takes my hand.

"Jamie." is all he says. Right, we have to go. Hold them all off, especially Jamie until they demand to go to the hospital to discover what we've done with the body. We'll delay them as much as possible until we tell them.

"Let's go." I agree.