I want to say I love all of my readers and I love hearing from you, but unfortunately I only hear from a small percentage of you. It's like voting. Most of you don't bother. If you are reading the story, let me know!

HOMESICK

Jamie's knock on the door woke me up. "Ian. Wanda. It's time to get up." Ian was still in a deep sleep. I got up, went to the bathroom, and brushed my teeth before waking Ian. I sat on the edge of the bed. "Ian…Superman...wake up!" I said to him in a sing song voice.

He opened his eyes and smiled. "You are the best alarm clock."

"I hope you say that in twenty five years."

"I'll say it in fifty years."

"You're sweet. Come on. Get up. You and Jamie need to get going."

"That's right. The big gift is coming," he said as he stretched.

"Right and we need to discuss our trip to Irving tonight."

"Oh, yeah."

"I was thinking…"

"What?"

"Well, instead of cutting everything to fit in the van, maybe we could rent a U-Haul in Irving. We could get the plywood and the lumber full size and cut it here to fit what you need."

"I like the idea, but what would we do with the van?"

"Well, if we leave here tonight, we can take a room in Irving when we get there. In the morning you stay in the room. I'll go to the U-Haul place to get the truck leaving the van behind. I'll go buy the supplies we need and then swing by to get you. Then we drive back here, unload the truck, and drive back to Irving. By then it should be nightfall again and we can spend another night at the hotel. In the morning, I'll return the truck, pick up the van, and come back to get you. I can do a little food shopping before we leave Irving and we should be back by Friday afternoon sometime."

He thought about it for a minute. "Yes, that could definitely work."

"Okay, you think about getting a list together today. But get up!" I tickled his sides. He practically jumped out of his skin.

"Ahhh! You're ticklish. You never told me that."

"You never asked."

I realized there was much I still didn't know about Ian and I decided then and there that I would make it a point every day to find out something about him that I didn't know.

I got the boys out of the house at about 8:45. Ian was toting a cup of coffee with him and an egg sandwich. Jamie had managed to eat before he was pushed out the door. It was very quiet in the house when they were gone and I felt a bit lonely. I didn't like being alone. It reminded of sitting in the caverns missing Ian. The delivery people did not show up until nearly eleven o'clock. They were kind enough to bring it in, take it out of its packaging and set it up in the living room. I thanked them and the younger of the two asked me if he could get my number. I showed my engagement ring and told him I was already taken. I was glad to have the ring as proof of my unavailability.

As soon as they rolled out of sight I pulled up the shades. It was only a matter of minutes before to my surprise Ian and Nate came to the house together. They charged through the back door and stopped short when they saw the gift.

"You bought us a POOL TABLE!" Ian stammered.

"This is awesome!" Nate howled.

"You know how to play?" Ian asked Nate.

"I've played a little in my time," Nate grinned as he spoke the words.

"Care to test your skills?" Ian teased.

Nate countered. "You're on!"

Ian came over and hugged me. "This is a wonderful gift."

Nate asked if he could borrow me for just a minute. Ian was setting up the rack. Nate spoke to me through his teeth trying not to let Ian catch what he was saying. "Did I tell you I was a pool hustler in high school?"

"No. You didn't." I smiled at him.

The others slowly entered the house in small groups. Each time, the newcomers would express their approval of the gift. Everyone wanted to play.

It was the first time I had ever seen Ian lose at anything. He didn't take it well. "Best two out of three." Ian growled. I had to intervene. There were many others waiting their turn to play.

"Now boys, you played your game. You need to share your toys. Everyone else is waiting a turn."

They both sulked away towards the couch.

"What are you some kind of hustler?" Ian asked Nate.

"They used to call me 'Sharky' when I was a kid. I made a ton of money at the pool hall."

"Well, I'll be damned."

I interrupted their little tête de tête. "Ian did you make that list?"

"Oh, no. I was pitching to Nate down at the field."

"Well, maybe Nate can help you get that list together."

"Yes, Mom." He smiled.

"Don't push it!" I warned him.

It was wonderful to see Ian and Nate getting along so well. I guess they were both making a special effort on my behalf. I only hoped it would last. Ian and Nate both went to the kitchen and began discussing the original plans that had been drawn up by Burns and Ian a few nights ago. I told everyone in the living room that I was setting out a sign up sheet for the pool table so everyone would get their chance. I didn't need any fighting. It was the perfect opportunity for me to do some laundry. I walked in on Jamie and Megan in the root cellar making out.

"Could you two do that somewhere else?"

"Yes, Ma'am." Ma'am? Oh god. Seventeen years old and already a Ma'am. They fled the root cellar.

I called after them. "And keep your clothes on!" I'll be gray before I know it.

I had my CD player with me and I was enjoying the music when Nate came in.

"So, Beautiful, you did a really good thing. I want to thank you." His wavy dark locks were disheveled. He kept it long and he raked his fingers through it pulling it straight back off his face and behind his ears.

"I want to thank you for getting along with Ian."

"Hey. He came to me. I don't know if it's all fake or if he really wants to be my friend, but he is trying."

"Well, either way, I'm glad because now we can be friends again." There was a strand of hair that he hadn't caught and it was hanging in his face. I reached out and brushed it into his mane.

Nate smiled at me for an instant but then he his face became serious. I realized the song that had come on was the same song that we had danced to.

"I'm just gonna go." He held his hand to his ear like a phone. "Call me when you and Ian are ready to go to Irving."

"Okay, I will." I wanted to hug him but I fought my urge, I didn't want to do anything to ruin it.

After dinner, I packed some clothes for the both of us for our road trip. I didn't have to call Nate. He and Ian were having a rematch at the pool table. I sauntered up just as Nate was set to make an impossible shot. He looked as cool as a cucumber. Nate wasn't particularly tall so it was easy for him to bend in such a way to line up the shot without looking awkward. His jeans fit him perfectly. You would have thought that someone made them especially for his body. I couldn't help but check out his butt as he bent over. I caught myself staring and I looked away.

"What the hell! You rot!" Ian blurted out.

At first I thought Ian had seen me and he was yelling at me.

Nate was glib. "Hmmm. I didn't think I could pull it off."

"You suck, you know that?" Ian fired back at him.

"I think you're awesome," I said as I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Great, now you think I'm awesome," he joked as his onyx eyes bore a hole straight through me.

Again I looked away unable to hold his gaze for more than a few seconds because his stare made me blush.

Nate beat Ian in record time and they gave the table up to Rachel and Rob who were waiting their turn.

"We're all packed and ready to go," I announced to the boys.

Nate walked us to the van. "Call me tomorrow when you are on your way back and I will make sure I have the manpower needed to unload everything."

"Thanks Nate," Ian replied.

"Drive safe. Wanda, try not to bring home any guests."

"Ha ha!" I said sarcastically.

Nate slapped the side of the van twice and I pulled away into the darkness. Ian turned his baseball hat around so the brim was in the back and settled into the passenger seat. At first we didn't talk much. We listened to the radio. Then I decided I would try to find out more about Ian. I had been thinking about Nate and the fact the he was a 'poly-sci' major and I realized that I had no idea where Ian had gone to college and what his major was.

"Ian?"

"Yeah?"

"In college, what was your major?"

"I was majoring in business with a minor in communications."

"That's interesting."

"Well, my plan was to go pro in baseball. When I got too old to play I thought maybe I could luck out to be a sportscaster; hence, the minor in communications. The business major was more of a back up plan if the sports thing didn't pan out."

"Where did you go to college?"

"University of Arizona."

Your hat has a 'W' on it."

"Wildcats Baby!"

"Ahhh. And you were in your second year?"

"Actually I had just started my third year when Kyle and I left."

"How in the world did you have time for girls if you were balancing a business major, a communications minor, and baseball?"

"Babe, there's always time for girls. You just don't get attached. They'll suck the life out of you." He was being very cocky.

His comment caused me worry. "So, I suck the life out of you?"

"I won't say that you suck the life out of me, but, seriously Babydoll, our relationship hasn't exactly been a bowl of cherries."

"Point taken. But you are happy, aren't you?"

"Yes, Wanderer, you are definitely worth the fight." He reached over and put his hand on my cheek. "You are the first girl I've ever loved."

"Thank you." I placed my hand over his. "What about Kyle?"

"What about him?"

"How come you didn't go to the same college so you could play on the same team?"

"It wouldn't have mattered. Kyle didn't play baseball in college."

"He didn't? But you said that you were both athletes."

"He played football for Texas A&M. He was a running back."

"Really? Football… I never would have guessed."

"Yeah, well, he was always stronger than me, tougher too. He liked the full contact sports. Actually he was better than me in everything. It was hard to live up to him."

"You're better looking." I said emphatically.

"That's only because he's had nose broken so many times."

"So, he was a senior when the world changed?"

"Yep."

"Correct me if I am wrong. He's two years older almost to the day. You were in your third year. Shouldn't he have graduated?"

"Well, technically he needed twelve more credits to get his degree so he had one more semester. He would have graduated in December. He dropped a course here and there due to his football schedule and it put him a little behind. It's not uncommon."

"Was he going to play pro football?"

"No, he was going to go into the business my father was in and try that for awhile."

"What kind of business was your father in?"

Ian started to laugh. "Banking."

"Why is that so funny?"

"You souls don't pay for anything. There's no money," he reminded me.

"I wonder what your father does now," I pondered.

"I don't know."

We were quiet for a minute.

"I can't see Kyle behind a desk."

"Don't let him fool you. Like I said he was better than me at everything. He also got better grades than I did…and he always managed to bed my girlfriends."

I didn't respond to the comment. When we reached Irving, Ian climbed into the back of the van. I got us a hotel room. Once inside Ian stripped down to his boxers, slid under the covers, and turned on the TV.

"This is weird for me." I creased my forehead.

"Why? What's wrong?" He reached out for my hand as I stood next to the bed.

"I'm used to doing this with Kyle."

"Well, hopefully I will change that memory." He pulled me down onto the bed. He kissed me but his hands immediately started to travel to my jeans. He unsnapped the top button and pulled down the zipper. I grabbed his hand to stop him.

"Ian, no, I'm out of commission."

His face fell. "You're kidding me right?"

"Believe me; I would not joke about something like that." He sighed heavily. I was surprised he didn't know. "Why do you think we haven't done anything in the last couple of days?"

"I don't know. Last night I fell asleep and the night before Jamie interrupted us."

"Actually the night I slept with Jamie you wouldn't have gotten anywhere either."

"Great," he said obviously disappointed.

"Hey. A few weeks ago I was a virgin, remember? You didn't press the issue then."

"You're right. But it's easier to abstain when you've never had it because you don't know what you're missing. Once you've tasted the sweetness, it's much harder."

"Well, then I guess it will just be that much sweeter when it does happen," I teased.

Ian groaned. I changed into my sweats and climbed into the bed with him.

"My lips still work. We can pretend we are Megan and Jamie."

He gave me a queer look. "Megan and Jamie? What's that supposed to mean?"

"Are you kidding? They are making out all the time!"

I couldn't believe that Ian was oblivious to this.

"Really? Do you think we should say something to them?"

"Like what?"

"I don't know. The 'talk'."

"I think we should talk to Melanie about it first and see what she wants us to do."

"When you talk to Nate, tell him the next time he speaks to Burns, he should tell him to have Mel call us."

"Okay, I'll tell him tomorrow."

"Ian?"

"Yeah?"

"Am I still worth fighting for?"

"Absolutely."

I snuggled into his chest and he brushed his fingers up and down my arm and eventually we both fell asleep.

The rest of the trip went off without a hitch. I was able to purchase all of the items on the list. I also went to the bookstore and picked up some books on concrete foundations, building, and electrical workings that Ian had requested. He spent every minute we were on the road reading. He read while I drove back to the mountains. Then he read as I drove back to the hotel. He read in bed. He read when I drove us back home again. Before this, the only thing I had ever seen him read was Nate's note.

Once we got home Ian threw himself into his work. I spent little time with him during the daylight hours over the next couple of weeks. Nate spent more time with Ian than I did simply because he was actively helping him build. I was of no use to them. The first step was for them to lay the foundation and that meant pouring the concrete which took a lot of brute strength. Ian worked with Nate, Carl, Rob, Evan, and Tom. Baseball practice was delegated to after dinner and usually ran until it was too dark to see the ball. By the time Ian had showered he was exhausted, so romantic interludes were few. I was bored, lonely, and frustrated.

After more than two weeks of this, I approached Ian because I had made a decision. We were getting up to face a new day. "Ian?"

"Yes, Babydoll?"

I kept my voice quiet. "I want to go back to the caverns."

I caught him by surprise. "What? Why?"

"I'm bored and I miss my friends."

He was defensive. "I can't leave now. I've got two months worth of work ahead of me with these buildings."

"I know. I'm not asking you to come with me."

"How long are you going for?"

"I don't know." I was telling the truth.

"A few days, a week, two weeks?" He pressed for an answer.

"Ian, I don't know."

"If you leave there will be no soul here. How will these people get food and supplies?"

"Well, I guess Burns will need to come back. He'll be a big help to you too. I'm just sitting here with nothing to do. I…I" I was sad but I couldn't tell him that.

"Do you want me to take a day off? We could spend it together."

"As much as I would love that, you wouldn't have a good time because you would be too busy thinking about the work you aren't getting done."

"I don't want to be without you." He was desperate.

"I know." I paused. "I don't want to sound petty but we don't even have sex anymore. You're always so tired."

"I know. I'm sorry."

"I thought if I went back to the caverns I could start getting the tuxes and the gowns and get with my bridesmaids and plan out the rest of the wedding. I need them to help me with this."

He wrapped his arms around me. "But I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too, but it won't be like last time. We are still together and I can come back whenever I want because even if I leave; Sunny will still be there for them. I promise I'll call you every night if you want me to. But you have to promise to talk to me. No shutting down like you did the last time."

He looked defeated. "When are you planning on leaving?"

"As soon as I hear from Burns and I know he is coming back."

He stroked my face. "Can't you stay another week?"

"What good would that do?" I knew if I caved into his demands he would keep pushing for me to stay.

"Listen I'm going to cancel practice for tonight and I'll see if I can get the house to ourselves for the night."

"That would be perfect. I have a surprise I've been waiting to show you."

Ian held me tightly in his arms for several minutes. It seemed as though he didn't want to let go. "Ian, you need to go. The guys are waiting on you. I'll still be here waiting."

That afternoon, I was vegetating on the couch watching some mind numbing soap opera when Nate came in to see me. He sat next to me on the couch. He was hot and sweaty. I got up immediately and went to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of flavored water and brought it back to him.

"Thanks." He opened the bottle and took a long drink. "What's this I hear that you are going back to the caverns?"

"Yes. I can't stay here. There is nothing for me to do. Ian is working himself into a coma every day."

"Well, I could come visit you if that's all you need." He joked. He smiled his brilliantly evil smile.

"Very funny."

Now he was serious. "I wish you wouldn't go."

"I know. It's not forever. I'll be back before you know it."

"Well, Ian wants to have you to himself tonight. Do you mind if Jamie sleeps with me in my room? I'll grab one of the mattresses from the main cave and I'll sleep on the floor."

"That would be great. I would love to spend some time alone with Ian before I leave."

"I think he's hoping he will be able to change your mind."

"Well, I'm just hoping to leave him with an awesome memory."

"Damn girl. You're gonna make me cry."

"Stop it, Nate!" I smacked him on the shoulder.

"Seriously, have fun." He kissed me on the cheek and then left.

After dinner, the house emptied out until there was no one left except me and Ian. During the last two weeks the one person I did manage to speak to was Sunny which is one of the reasons why I was missing her so much. When I told her about the outfits that I bought for the bedroom she immediately came up with a plan of action. Due to her suggestions, I had been practicing seductive dance moves in front of the mirror in the bathroom during my lonely afternoons. I had taken ballet and contemporary dance in my younger years but like softball, I eventually lost interest when my friends did. So, tonight I would put Sunny's plan into action.

Ian came over to me and put his arms around me and started to kiss me. I stopped him. "What? I thought this is what you have been waiting for?"

"I have but remember I told you I had a surprise?"

"O-kay?" He seemed a bit confused and wary.

"Give me fifteen minutes to get ready."

Ian had showered when he came in from working. He was wearing a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. I went to the bedroom, grabbed the teal corset with the garter belt, and my robe. I went to the bathroom and quickly showered. I put on make up but I left my hair wild. I came out of the bathroom wearing my robe to hide the outfit underneath. I went to the bedroom and pulled the extra blanket used during the winter months out of the closet and I covered the pool table with it. I didn't want to destroy it with my heels. I went to Burns's room and grabbed his alarm clock. Then I went to the kitchen and grabbed a wooden chair. I placed the chair about six feet away facing the pool table.

"Are you up for a little game?"

Ian's interest was peaked. "Sure."

"Okay, you have to sit in this chair. You see this clock? The alarm is set for 8:30. That's a half hour from now. You can not get out of this chair no matter what I do or what I say. If you do the game is over and you will sleep in our bed and I will sleep in Burns's bed. The evening will be a bust. Do you understand the rules?"

"I can't get out of the chair until the alarm rings. Got it."

"I'm serious. No matter what I say or do."

"Okay." He seemed eager to get on with it.

I went back to the bedroom and slipped on the stockings and the heels. I came out still wearing the robe. I went to the stereo and flipped it on. The music I had practiced to was already in place. The music started and I walked slowly towards Ian. I stopped in front of the pool table and I turned sideways. I slowly pulled the robe back exposing my thigh. At that moment I realized that he had taken off his pants and was only wearing his boxers. He was slick.

I smiled at him. I spoke seductively. "Where are your pants?"

"You said I couldn't get out of the chair. You came prepared, so did I."

I couldn't help but smile. I waved my finger at him.

I slowly opened my robe exposing the outfit. Ian grabbed the sides of his chair.

I took off the robe and tossed it on the floor. I turned and crawled onto the table as seductively as I could. Once I was on the table I stood up and I began to dance. I was really enjoying myself and getting into it. Ian was fascinated. I stayed up there for about fifteen minutes before I slowly pulled off my panties exposing the prize. I sat down on the table and begged him to come to me. I touched myself in ways I knew he wanted to if he could. His hands were again on the edge of the chair and his knuckles were white. He kept looking over at the clock. With five minutes left to go I climbed off the table and approached him. He reached out and grabbed me and pulled me to him. My intention was to give him a lap dance but he pulled me down on top of him. I couldn't get off of him and I didn't want to. So, when the alarm went off we were already in the throws of passion.

Ian slapped the alarm clock to make the ringing stop. "Game over." He panted at me. The rest of the evening was round after round of hot sex. He was crazed and he took me like a wild animal. I learned a lot that night. I'm not sure when or even where my outfit came off but apparently it never made it back into the bedroom because in the morning it was Nate who found it strewn all over the living room.

"Babydoll?" Ian whispered in my ear. "Wake up." Ian wrapped his arms around me from behind and squeezed me tight. I stretched from the tip of my toes to the tips of my fingers even though I was caught in his grip.

"What time is it?" I yawned.

"It's ten thirty."

"You're late. The guys have all started without you."

"We all took the day off."

I spun in his arms to face him.

"I love you." We both said it at the same time. Ian was glowing. He had obviously gotten up already because he was freshly shaved. I rubbed my hands over his smooth face. He kissed me.

"I have morning breath." I said pulling back.

"I don't care." He kissed me again.

"You know I call you my Babydoll but last night you were like a cat. You're my Arizona Wildcat."

I smiled. "Let's keep that under our hat okay?"

There was a knock at the door.

"Who is it?" Ian called out.

"Room service." It was Nate. I looked at Ian. He smiled.

"You better put a robe on." Ian said almost as a suggestion rather than an order. I sprang out of the bed. My robe was still in the living room so I grabbed Ian's. I opened the door and Nate stepped in carrying a tray with breakfast on it.

"Good morning," he said as he walked to the dresser and put the tray down. He had gathered our belongings that had been strewn all over the living room. The blanket from the pool table was folded and my complete outfit was placed neatly on top of the blanket and he had placed the tray on top of that when he carried it all in. My robe was draped over his arm. He went back to the door and left for a moment and came back carrying my spike heels.

He raised the heels to Ian. "You are a lucky man."

Ian smiled "You have no idea."

Nate tapped his finger to his temple. "I have a great imagination."

Ian replied. "Seriously, you have no idea."

I nudged Ian and looked at him as if to convey the message of 'shut up' without saying it.

Nate moved the tray over and another empty tray was underneath. He moved some of the food to the other tray. I was sitting next to Ian who was still lying down in the bed. Nate came with my tray first. "We have coffee, orange juice, bacon, eggs over easy, toast, and a little fresh fruit."

"Thank you, Nate. This is wonderful!"

"Yeah, Ian promised me one last kiss before you marry him."

"Like hell I did!" Ian snapped.

"Joking! Sit up there big fella so I can give you your breakfast."

Ian sat up and his shoulders, chest, and stomach were covered in bruises from the bite marks I had left on him.

"Holy crap! She did that to you?" Nate's eyes were bugged out.

"I told you. Wanderer is definitely no child anymore." Ian was bragging.

"Hey! You started it." I said in my own defense. Ian was known for his biting. I was sure my lower lip must be swollen.

Nate regained his composure. "I'll run a bath for you and then be on my way. I hope you enjoy the rest of your day."

Ian reached out to slap Nate's hand. "Thanks, man. I owe you."

We ate in silence because we were both trying to avoid the conversation that would inevitably come up. Finally Ian spoke. "So, have you changed your mind?"

"No. I don't want to leave you but I have so much to accomplish."

"You can do it from here," he offered.

"I need Sunny and Mel and Lily. Especially Sunny. She can go with me to the stores and help me pick out my wedding dress. Plus I miss them all so much!"

"But I'll be so lonely without you." He was pleading.

"I'll come back in a month for a visit."

"A visit? What does that mean?" He was pushing for a commitment to stay.

"It means in a month we'll see where you are in the building and we'll see where I am in the planning and we will make a decision from there."

"There's no 'we' in this. I don't want you to go," he demanded.

"I know. If I had it my way you would be coming with me but I know you have so much to do here. I'm sure all of those people in the caverns miss you. You are one of their strongest protectors and many look up to you. You haven't been home in months."

He looked down at the blanket. "I miss them too. But nothing compared to how much I will miss you."

My eyes filled with tears as I kissed him. "Let's at least enjoy this day together."

Eventually after our bath and more 'alone time' we got dressed. I called Burns and he answered the phone because he was on a road trip with Jared. I told him that I wanted to come home and he agreed that he needed to be here helping Ian. They were on their way back to the caverns and would be able to leave tomorrow night. I decided I would leave and take Jamie with me first thing tomorrow morning. We tracked down Jamie and broke the news to him. He did not take it well. He didn't want to leave Megan. I told him that Mel and Jared missed him. He didn't seem to care.

"Thank goodness, Melanie is not here to hear you say that. It would break her heart!" I scolded him. Ian stood in silence while I ripped into Jamie. "We've all gone through hell and back to protect you and you kiss one little girl and throw all of those who love you away? Shame on you!"

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean…."

Ian interrupted him. "I know you are going to miss her. It's killing me to let Wanderer go. She promised to come back in one month. You can come back then." He put his hand on Jamie's shoulder for reassurance.

"Okay." He sounded defeated.

That night Ian didn't have wild sex with me. He made love to me. He was gentle and emotional. When we were done he cried himself to sleep with his head on my stomach. The last time I left Ian was cold and unemotional at least in front of me. This time he wore his heart on his sleeve.