Chapter 11: Out in the Open

A/N: Ok, I know you haven't heard from me in…a while, but I didn't want to post an AN without a chapter attached out of fear for my life. (jk) Ok, so, I'm really sorry about how long it took me to get this out, but I had some trouble writing it, and just lots of math homework (2+ hrs/night) because of my "honors status" as I like to call it. All in all, this chapter is slightly less than 2,000 words, I know, not super long. I was going to continue it, but then who knows when I would have gotten it to you! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I wish I owned Ian, but sadly, I don't. Period.

Over the last week and a half, we raided stores as usual: medicine at the hospital, food at the grocery store, clothes at the mall, and our fair share of Dunkin' Donuts, McDonalds, and Subway along the way. Once we finished the raid at the hospital, which we always save for last, we were on the home stretch. We were on the highway now and were all settled in our respected positions in the van, which for Ian and I was snuggling. My back was to his chest and his arms were wrapped around me, his face in my hair. After many minutes of a comfortable silence, Sunny decided to break it, which just made Kyle's expression more priceless.

"So guys, who won the bet?" She actually sounded curious. Kyle, however, stole the show with his face: classic.

"Wha—What? Umm…" Kyle's face turned bright red, his words trailing off. Sunny turned and gave him a stern stare that would make even Mel proud. See, this was expected, but what happened after was not. Jared cleared his throat,

"Actually, I did." Jared smiled smugly, then, I heard a slap. My head whipped around to see Mel's hand as it made contact with Jared's face.

"WHAT? WHAT THE HELL DID YOU JUST SAY?" Mel was in hysterics. "JARED HOWE, PULL THE CAR OVER, NOW!" Jared didn't really have a choice at this point, but it was his fault after all. We all stayed dead quiet as Mel began to interrogate Jared.

"YOU WERE A PART OF THIS—" she waved her hand toward Kyle sitting in the back with Sunny giving him a dirty but knowing look. "YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THAT ALL OF THE…THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED IN THE LAST WEEK OR SO HAVE BEEN FOR A BET? A GAME?" Mel's voice cracked on the last word. Jared just sat there in silence looking down. Maybe he realized how stupid it was for him to be all smug about "winning." "SO NOW, YOU EXPECT ME TO LET THIS GO? YOU EXPECT ME TO NOT YELL AT YOU? WELL, JARED, I CAN'T EVEN PUT INTO WORDS HOW WRONG YOU REALLY ARE. IF YOU EVER EXPECT ME TO COME NEAR YOU FOR THE NEXT COUPLE MONTHS, FORGET ABOUT IT!" Mel finished her tirade and slipped through the gap in the seats to sit next to me. Her face was still bright red from yelling and I could tell that saying anything would result in another flood of her anger. I knew that Mel wouldn't stay this mad forever, but talking to her at the moment wasn't the brightest idea. Sunny went over to sit on Mel's other side, leaving Kyle alone on one side of the van and Ian, Mel, Sunny, and I on the other.

"So Kyle," Sunny began, "what are you going to do to redeem yourself?" Kyle looked panicked.

"Sunny, baby, I swear I was going to tell you about this! I promise I was!" Kyle looked as guilty as a mass murderer.

"Yea. Sure." Sunny was pissed, she surprised me by turning in my direction. "Wanda. How did you manage to luck out with such an honest guy? Mel and I are stuck with these two bozos." She eyed at Kyle and Jared with disgust.

"I don't know," I said truthfully, "sometimes I still pinch myself to check that I'm not dreaming." I smiled up at Ian and bent down to pinch myself, displaying the act to Sunny. However, Ian caught my wrist before it could reach my other arm. He brought it up toward his lips and kissed my skin all over.

"Don't pinch yourself, love. I'm the lucky one, what did I do to get someone so compassionate and loving?" Sunny and Mel sighed simultaneously as Ian's arms fell back around me and his chin rested upon my head, his nose buried in my hair contently.

"I swear, I found the only human kinder, and gentler than a soul. Sometimes I swear he's part soul, but I know he's not, because he's as strong as only a human can be." My words were directed at Sunny who gave me a small smile at my loving words toward Ian.

Next to me, I could still hear Mel breathing hard. I turned to face her and placed my hand over hers, having her look at me. I whispered to her, "Just ignore him," my eyes travelled to the back of the driver's seat where Jared was sitting. "Give it time and have him explain. It will be better once you cool off." She didn't look at all that convinced, but I could tell, just by knowing her so well that on the inside, that her eyes softened slightly at my words. She still loved Jared with all her heart and would move on….eventually. I pulled one of my arms out of Ian's embrace and put it over Mel's shoulders. She and Ian laughed a little when it didn't reach all the way around to her other shoulder.

"Hey! I didn't pick this body, you did." I rolled my eyes at her and pushed my body back into Ian. He gasped and I could tell that that had rubbed him in a…pleasing place." Mel, Sunny, and I laughed harmoniously.

"Actually, Jamie chose Pet." She smirked innocently.

"Yeah, remind me to thank him again once we get home." I scowled and Ian started to run his fingers over the top of my hair automatically. This always made me sleepy, I was glad to succumb to it. I buried my face into Ian's soft t-shirt and fell asleep surrounded by his warm, loving arms.

*~*~*

My next state of consciousness was odd. I couldn't tell if I was dreaming or not, but there was an unusual bobbing sensation. I pried my eyes open, and saw red. I started to panic; where was I? Once the rest of my senses kicked in, my brain made the connection. Ian was carrying me, while running. My face was still facing his t-shirt which is red and the bobbing came from his strides.

"Ian." I said in a lazy voice, muffled by his body. At the sound of my voice he gripped me tighter and brought his mouth to my ear. His warm breath tickled me maddeningly, sending shock waves all throughout my body.

"Sorry, love, didn't mean to wake you." He answered genuinely. I pushed my face up to his warm neck and inhaled his scent, it instantly relaxing me. He chuckled lightly; the vibrations felt funny along with the ones of his heavy breathing. "We're almost back to the caves. I'll get you back in bed so you can sleep. The rest of us can handle the supplies." His mention of the others made me aware of their soft footfall beside us. I wouldn't let everyone pick up my slack, no matter how small it is. I was a part of the team, and I would help finish so we could get back to our normal lives.

"Ian. I'll help, don't be ridiculous."

"Wanda. You stay once we get there. I'm sure Lily misses you terribly."

"She's a daddy's girl, ya know." He laughed harder at this one.

"But, how could she not love her wonderful mother? I for sure do." He ran his fingers over my spine as he ran. I shivered from his touch.

"Later." I said in reply to his actions.

"Hmm…can't wait." As he finished, I felt his pace slow and eventually smelt the sulfur that I associate with my home. Next, I heard running footsteps coming up the long ramp like hill down into the caves. Ian set me down on my feet in time for Lily to run to us. Her face expressed her glee at seeing us. We both bent down onto our knees and she ran into our arms. I pulled her closer and Ian closed his arms around the both of us easily. I could hear a similar reunion going on with Mel next to us.

"Mommy, Daddy, I missed you so much!" She was jumping with excitement.

"I know, sweetie, we were gone for a long time, but it's so nice to feel you in my arms again. I kissed her cheek and Ian kissed the other, resulting in a Lily-cheek sandwich. She squealed as Ian and I released her. Ian pulled her up into his arms and we started walking down the rest of the ramp. She was playing with his face, patting his cheeks or pulling them apart. I laughed, she looked so cute.

"Hmmm…Lil looks like someone needs a bath." Her skin was a mix of snow and lavender. "How about we go now, Daddy and I need a bath too, I think."

"Ok, Mommy." She rewarded me with a big grin. I had missed her too much. I leaned over and gave her an exaggerated peck on her cheek.

*~*~*

I was done scrubbing the purple dust off of Lily's skin and was lathering the shampoo between my fingers. However, before I could work it through her dark brown curls, I was startled. I pair of arms wrapped around my face from behind. Since I was not expecting them, they made me jump.

"Sorry love, didn't mean to scare you." Ian kissed me chastely on my shoulder and then the top of my head. "Have you washed yourself yet, or just Lily?"

"I'm still washing her hair Ian, not all of us can wash our entire bodies in a matter of six minuets." I could almost feel him smile behind me.

"Well why don't I help you out, so we can get Lily to bed, I bet she's tired." His grin stretched even wider, by the sound of his voice. Lil started to protest, but I lost awareness of that when I felt Ian start to wash up and down my calf. He pulled at my ankle so he could wash my foot.

"Ian…" My words trailed off as his hands started the massage the soap into my feet. Lil turned around and started to lean her head back so we could wash the soap out. Ian was now moving higher on my legs. I had to bend over to rinse all the shampoo out of Lily's hair and Ian took full advantage of it. He moved up my thigh, pausing a little at my butt, and then settling on the small of my back. Now he stood up. By the time I had finished Lil's hair, his hand had covered my whole back and was softly massaging my shoulders. I reached for the shampoo.

"Ian, why don't you go get Lil dressed while I wash my hair." I could sense his disappointment, but we couldn't do anything further while Lil was so close.

"Okay. Come on Lil, time to change into your jammies!" She fed of his sudden excitement. It made my smile, he was such a great dad.

A/N: So, no cliffie, just a bunch of fluff, and some of Mel's rage at the beginning, really, my idea of a perfect chapter. Sure, I love action, but fluff just melts my heart. (very mushy author here) So usually this is where I would tell you how I would TRY to give you the next chap ASAP, however I am going to skip that part in hope of not jinxing myself, which I probably just did. *sigh* life is so unfair, you can't win. Ever.

Please please please review!!! Any suggestions or predictions, which I love hearing btw are totally appreciated. ; )