Alright, so after the bombshell I set off last Chapter I want to thank everyone for their reviews. Now your wonderful patience is rewarded with Chapter 19.

Chapter 19: Can't

Wanda's POV

I wasn't sure what was what and who was who. I guess I was in a state of shock. Everything that Pet had ever known was that Cloud Spinner was always there. Even the foggy memories of Carmen's; Cloud Spinner's host was there. I didn't know what to do…. I didn't know what to say…. All I wanted…. Was him.

I turned and flung myself at Ian. His arms had opened automatically to receive my embrace and I clung on tight. He was my anchor, my constant never changing rock of invulnerability. He was my Ian. And I needed him.

He was in shock for a few seconds before he wrapped me tightly in his arms and cradled me to his chest. "Shhhh. It'll be ok. I'm here. I'm here." He said stroking my hair.

"Why would you tell her that?!" Cloud Spinner said loudly.

I tried to block her out. No anger, please no anger.

"Because she's not a child. And she deserves to know." Brandon said.

"But she's been scarred for life!" Cloud Spinner said. "First she's abducted then held captive by rouge humans and she's sexually assaulted. Then she's returned to us only to find out that the mother she's known her whole life isn't her biological one."

No. That was enough.

"I wasn't sexually assaulted." I said into Ian's shoulder.

I lifted my head to look at her. She had her mouth open and her hands on her hips.

"It was all consensual." I said. Anger like I'd never felt before, and certainly not in this body, welled up inside me. "And I loved every minute of it."

I felt the back of Ian's neck get red because it became hotter. Jared and Mel must be making faces.

I stood up and faced them. The three souls in the room. What was I going to say to them. I felt a feeling, not quite hot or cold, not quite anger but not sadness. I recognized it. My dream. Who was I going to choose. Human or Soul…. "You can't have both." I remember Landon saying.

I took a deep breath. "My name is Wanderer. I've lived 8 lives as different species and transferred to this host when I gave Mel back." I wanted to get this out of the way. This is who I am. "This is my final life and this is my planet." Another deep breath, "I'm totally in love with my partner Ian and he loves me." I looked from person to person, passing every face in the room and finally landing on Brandon's. It came to me. "And I'm a human soul."

I looked at Cloud Spinner. Poor thing had no idea of what was happening. She was a soul. She didn't understand what had happened, she was trusting and loving and didn't, no, wouldn't understand why I, a soul, would turn native.

Finally she spoke, "What are you saying?"

I took a step toward her becoming out of reach of Ian's touch. "Pet was kidnapped from this very town by my surviving humans. She was taken so that I could have a body and be with my loved ones."

She got a look of horror on her face, "Pet was taken?"

I nodded. "My name is Wanderer. I was put in this host body and Petals Open To The Moon was sent to another planet. She is alive. And safe."

No matter wither she was biologically this body's mother, she had still taken care of Pet and been her mother. And she'd loved her. Pet may have not minded about biological but I do.

"I don't belong here." I said feeling tears leak their way into my voice. "I belong with my humans." I looked her straight in the eye, "And you belong here. In the world of souls."

Cloud Spinner started to cry. "But you belong with me. Your mother."

I shook my head, "I'm a native soul. I would rather die with my humans than be taken care of in this nice, safe, predictable society."

Cloud Spinner blinked back tears, "So you'd turn your back on your own kind for humans!"

I shrugged, "I already have. This is just a formality."

I turned my gaze to Brandon. He was smiling at me.

"So you're going to leave us?" Cloud Spinner said wiping her eyes.

"I told you." I said, "I don't belong here."

"Well then." Brandon said, "You should go pack some clothes for your trip home." I nodded and turned to Ian, Mel and Jared. "And I'll meet you in the garage in half an hour."

What? I turned around and looked at him again. He was smiling at me while Cloud Spinner was gawking at him trying to stem the flow of tears.

"What?" he chuckled, "Did you think I'd let my baby go anywhere without me? Need I remind you of your age young lady?"

I tensed up, Not in front of Ian. PLEASE! But he didn't continue.

"Ok." Landon butted in, "What's the time frame here? I still need time to go get my stuff from my place."

I turned to him and smiled. "Can you pack and be back here in 30?"

He nodded, "Sure thing." And without another word he kissed my cheek and was off.

I looked at Mel and Jared, "You guys should go too. Get everything packed."

Mel nodded and dragged Jared to the door. "Well that was easier than I thought." Jared said before shutting the door.

I felt Ian slide his hand into mine and we intertwined our fingers. We were facing Brandon and Cloud Spinner.

"Ian I presume." Brandon said smiling, "Nice to finally know her partners name. We really should have a talk sometime when we have the time."

"You Knew?!" Cloud Spinner yelled turning on him. "You knew all this time that this wasn't Pet and you didn't tell me?"

He turned to her, "Yes." He calmly said, "And you can dig out those divorce papers. Turns out we should file them."

Cloud Spinner turned to me again, "Please. Don't you love me? Can't you just stay?"

I shook my head, "No. I can't stay. But yes I do love you." I had an idea. "And I love you so much that I will promise to come and visit you once in a while if you don't tell the seekers anything about this."

She was shocked. That was obvious. I kind of felt like I was using the love she felt for me, and I for her, as a weapon. But…. After a few minutes, it paid off.

"Alright." She said wiping her eyes and nose with her sleeve, "If you promise to come and visit I won't tell anyone about this. I'll say that you and Brandon decided to move and I decided to stay here."

I was so relieved. I let go of Ian's hand and hugged her. She'd just taken a load off my chest. Now I didn't have to worry about a country full of seekers coming to search for me. "Thank you Cloud Spinner."

She hugged me back tightly and after a minute or so she let go. "Go on. Figure out what you want to take with you and I'll go find the suit cases. We have a couple sets in the basement I think."

I smiled at her and she returned a sad but loving smile. I turned and smiled at Brandon, "Garage in 30."

He nodded and I grabbed Ian's hand. "Grab the box and all the clothes in the kitchen and meet me in my room."

I ran upstairs and looked around my room. I guess the only think I'll need is clothes. I walked into my closet and looked around. Sadly the first thing to catch my eye was the ottoman. I bit my lip in a small smile. Ok I'll take them but he can't know.

I heard him before I saw him. "Here it is." Ian said breathing heavily.

I'd brought out the ottoman and was stacking stuff on top of it. I would pack the sturdy stuff first. The jeans, heavy sweat pants, jackets, anything cotton.

"Please tell me that you're bringing the contents of that ottoman." I heard Ian say as I walked back into the closet.

I bit my lip again, "Probably not."

I heard him groan, "Well you should bring it for someone else."

I poked my head out, "Oh sure. Because the only one who'd be able to fit in those would be Sunny."

I watched as shivers went down his spine. "I'll help." He looked around, "What should I do?"

I felt like laughing but smiled as I walked over and tried pulled his face to mine. I kissed him like we were alone back in Jeb's caves. It only lasted for a moment but I kept our faces close, "Go pull everything sturdy out of the closet and toss it on the pile."

I could tell he wanted more of the kiss but I bent down and grabbed a suitcase that had a C and one that had a P on it out from under my bed.

I stood there for a moment and then walked into the closet. Though I could have sworn that I heard something like "Can't wait till we're alone." I laughed.

I grabbed the ottoman and some jeans and t-shirts; I laid the lingerie on the bottom and covered every inch with regular clothes. "Me neither." I whispered.

"Ummmm I brought the suit cases." I turned and Cloud Spinner was dragging four large suit cases.

"Thanks." I said putting them on the bed. "Ian. Come start filling the suit cases."

I walked out but stopped when he spotted Cloud Spinner. That only stopped him for a moment before he focused on packing the clothes.

I turned back to her, "I'm sorry about this."

Cloud Spinner shook her head, "If it's where you feel that you belong I should find it in my heart to let you go." She cupped my face in her hands, "My baby. At least you're coming back for a visit."

I nodded. Even though I knew I had to go, by body ached for the woman in front of me.

She dropped her hands, "And you have your phone. So you can text of call me."

I nodded, "Sure."

She took a deep breath, "Would you like some help?"

I nodded, "Yea. I'm not worried about organization I just want to get everything packed."

She nodded. "Why are you bringing everything?"

I shrugged, "Might as well give the other girls some options."

"Others?" she asked.

"Sure. It's a little community. It's like one big family working together for survival." I said. I walked back into the closet and grabbed the black bag with the wings in it.

My real mother gave me this. Or my biological mother at least. I wonder what she looked like. Do I have her eyes? Her hair? What happened to make her leave? All these questions I had to get answered.

"You know, when she comes to visit I hope to see you as well." I heard Cloud Spinner say.

"You probably will. I rarely leave her side." Ian said.

I sighed at least she was being nice to him. I listened while I grabbed some dresses I thought the others might like.

"I hope what she said is true. That you love her."

"It is." Ian said firmly.

"If she's going to be out in the world I'd like to know someone will protect her. I'd like to be able to trust you with her." Cloud Spinner said.

"Mrs. Ummmm, Cloud Spinner. I'd like to re-assure you." Ian said and I heard shuffling of feet. He must have walked to face her or something. "I love Wanda. I love the soul inside of your daughter's body. I would die for her and I would never let anything happen too her." He paused and when he spoke again I heard emotion in his voice. "In our time apart during I had time to think about what life would be without her. And the only thing I could think of was my dead body lying next to hers."

He paused again, giving my eyes time to imagine life without him. He was right. That was the only thing that I could see was our bodies being buried next to Walt and Wes. The two of us in the same grave holding hands as our human family talked about how wonderful Ian was and how much they grew to love me. I saw Mel smile as she said goodbye and that she knew I was happy. I saw Jared leek silent tears and Jamie bury his face into Mel's shoulder. I saw Jeb being tuff but leaking tears as well. I saw Sunny and Kyle holding onto each other for support as they mourned the loss. I saw Doc and Sharon holding onto each other and Sharon's eyes red and puffy. I saw Maggie step forward and talk about how she may have hated me on the outside but she secretly liked and admired me on the inside. And how she would always admire Ian for how he stuck by me even though we were two totally different people.

My eyes were leaking constant tears as Ian continued no doubt leaking tears of his own, "I loved her before she was even in that body. And if surviving through this has taught me anything, it's that even if two people are apart, they will never stop loving each other."

I heard someone sniff.

"You're a bright young man." Cloud Spinner said chocked up, "I'm glad my baby has you. Even if you are a human."

I took that as my queue to go back in. I wiped my tears with my sleeves and grabbed some of the pile and brought it into the bedroom. As I thought Ian was standing next to Cloud Spinner both with tears in their eyes. I dropped the clothes onto the bed and walked over. I went up on my tippy toes to give Ian a kiss and wipe his tears away. Then I hugged Cloud Spinner and let her hug me for a while.

Ian went back to packing the suit cases and we all worked in silence until I heard a car horn and heard the front door open and shut.

We'd filled four of the suit cases with clothes. I picked up the suit case with the C on it. I was sure there would be something I wanted to take from my other room.

Alright I haven't really gotten many or any questions on what's in the other room. I think it'll be a nice thing to have for out wonderful milestone CHAPTER 20!