I want to thank my newest friends Vero and Nighttime Soul. And Annabelle, my anonymous reviewer, I love that you review but why is it always posted on Chapter 5? Ian O'Shea, I wish I could have a conversation with you. The rest of you, talk to you soon! I'm just sayin'

THE MISSION

THAT EVENING BASEBALL PRACTICE WENT SMOOTHLY. Danny was eager to get as much personal attention from Ian as possible and Ian seemed willing to give it. He had Blake throwing easy pitches to Danny so he could get comfortable with hitting. He had speed so catching the ball came naturally for him. He could move quickly under the ball for the pop flies. Ian told me that just the night before Danny got hit in the mouth because he lost the ball in the fading sunlight. He bloodied his lip but he was fine today and showed no fear. Ian said that very often when a kid gets hurt they show fear. Danny showed no fear tonight and I could see that Ian was very pleased by this. I saw Ian's smile as he commended Danny for charging the ball as well as when he got in front of the ball each time it was hit in his direction. Once again, I faded into the background and this was the one place I didn't mind it.

I gave Victoria the gifts I had purchased for her. Her eyes lit up. She sat in the dugout and drew. I went over to check out what she was drawing. She had pages of body parts. One page was filled with eyes in all different shapes and sizes. Another was of hands. She drew open hands, closed hands, fists. I was intrigued because these are things I would never have thought to draw. She turned to me and asked an odd question. "Are they going to tear down the walls in the root cellar and replace them with new ones?"

"I don't know. You might want to ask Nate."

It had been decided that tomorrow evening, Doc, Candy, Kyle, and Sunny would be leaving for the caverns. Jamie would leave only if I left. I had a decision to make. I knew that if I stayed I would again be bored and there was still much to do for the wedding. The wedding was exactly two months away and I promised everyone at the caverns that I would purchase an outfit for each of them to wear. I only had about ten people covered. I also needed to order the tuxes. I had planned to get the plates and silverware and glasses and tablecloths this past week and that didn't happen. Then there was the idea I had stuck in the back of my head. I knew I needed to go back.

I asked Tori to take Danny with her so I could speak to Ian because I needed to tell him I was leaving. Ian suspected as much when he saw Tori tell Danny they needed to hurry because she wanted to watch a program on TV. Tori never seemed much interested in TV.

Ian and I walked alone. "You're leaving again aren't you?"

"I have to."

"Why?"

"Ian, you knew when I came back that I wouldn't be staying. I have so much to do before the wedding and so do you."

"But I thought you'd at least stay a couple of weeks."

"If I don't leave now, how would I get back?"

Ian was grasping at straws. "I don't know. Buy a new car."

He looked so sad.

"Even if I bought a new car, where would I park it at the caverns?"

He dropped to his knees for the second time today and begged. "Please don't go. Stay just a little longer. I just got you back."

"Ian. I…"

"Please." He grabbed my hand and kissed it.

My eyes filled with tears. "Okay. I'll stay if..."

"Anything," Ian said interrupting my sentence.

"If Burns is willing to take me back in a week then I'll stay. He can take the opportunity to visit Lily."

Ian rose to his feet. "I love you."

"I love you too." He kissed me but his lips were quivering. I didn't know what could have brought him to this place. I could only speculate that he must have gone through a lot of soul searching as he lay there all alone waiting to die. Maybe that is why he had been so tolerant of Nate these last few days.

I grabbed his hand. "Let's go back to the house."

Burns was in the new building. He and some of the others had set up a few of the tables and were playing poker. Ian and I pulled him from the game to ask him about my idea. He was only too willing to take the opportunity to visit Lily. So, it was decided that Ian and I would have another week together.

After the others left, Jamie slept in the house on the couch. The tables were set up in the new building and dinner was served there each night. It became a dining hall during meals. The ladies who cooked seemed very pleased to serve dinner family style at each table rather than buffet style. As in high school, each table quickly had its permanent group of people. It made me smile to know that I had something to do with this new transition.

I ended up going to Irving two times that week. I purchased the tablecloths and the china. The plates were patterned with fall leaves with gold edging. The tablecloths were warm gold and burgundy. I would use two on each table in an 'X' so the burgundy was on top with the gold underneath. I bought beautiful crystal globes that covered a candle holder. Ian requested I buy smoke detectors when he realized I intended to have fire in the building. I also purchased more clothes for Tori and Danny now that I knew their sizes including an outfit for each for the wedding.

I steered clear of Nate as much as I could. I wasn't emotionally prepared to deal with him. Every night right after practice Ian and I spent our time alone whether walking in the moonlight or sitting on the front porch together or just going to the bedroom. No matter how tired he was he made sure I had his full attention at the end of the day.

The week passed too quickly and before I knew it, Ian and I were saying good bye yet again. We had just finished making love and we were settled in each others arms.

"So, you're leaving in the morning." Ian murmured.

"Yes. You know, if one of us was in the military this would be common."

"But you're not in the military," he objected.

"I know, I'm just trying to make a point."

"I want to know how long you're going to be gone."

"I don't know. We'll play it by ear."

"I don't like the sound of that," he huffed.

"Okay. I promise I won't be gone more than a month. I will be back by October first and you'll have the second building completed."

"With luck," he added.

"You know, Victoria is an artist. Maybe you can get her to paint the banquet hall."

He creased his eyebrows. "I don't think artist and painter are quite the same thing."

"Well, it couldn't hurt to ask."

"Okay, I'll ask her. Any particular color?"

"She's the artist. Let her choose."

We snuggled into each other and I was almost asleep when Ian spoke.

"I know you think of Kyle as a brother but be careful around him."

"What brought that on?"

"Sunny came to me when they were here. She said that she and Kyle argue because he wants children and she doesn't. He told her he wished she was more like you."

"I'm sure he was referring to the fact that I conceded to your wishes to have your children."

"You don't want to have my children?" he said sharply.

"Of course I do." I said calmly.

"Well, I love my brother but I don't trust him. He's too close to you. I saw the way he looked at you on the baseball field."

"Everyone was looking at me like that. Are you jealous of Even too?"

"Evan hasn't slept with you."

"'Sleep' being the operative word here. Ian, I love Kyle. I'm glad we're close."

Ian sighed. "Too close." He mumbled.

He pulled me tight to his body and I fell asleep quickly.

Burns, Jamie, and I arrived at the caverns in good time. We took turns driving so there was no need for a stopover. Everyone was happy to see us and happy to hear that Ian was okay.

Things quickly went back to normal. Ice was settling into our lifestyle quite nicely. He and Heidi seemed to be getting closer every day.

Over the next two weeks I went to Tucson with Sunny several times. We shopped for clothes for the rest of the people in our cavern family for the wedding. We even went to a club one night when we stayed over and we ran into a lot of college guys. College guys are definitely harder to discourage than the guys in Irving. We didn't have Burns with us this time so we had to turn to the bouncers at the club for assistance especially for one drunken patron who decided to wrap himself around my leg and wouldn't let go. Since violence wasn't really an issue for souls, it was a fine line between consensual sex and rape because rather than fight; it seemed most females just gave in even if they didn't really want sex. As a result men were used to getting their way with women.

I spoke to Ian most nights. He was keeping busy. I also spoke to Nate. He was again apologetic about his actions. He told me that Holly was again spending as much time with Ian as she could however he also said that Tori had seemed to make it her job to make sure Holly didn't get too close. Apparently on one occasion, a cold front had come in suddenly. Holly looked to Ian for warmth. She wrapped herself around him as they walked from the field back to the house. Tori had been wearing a sweatshirt and she took it off and offered it to Holly and managed to get between Holly and Ian. It was obvious to all who were walking back to the house that Tori had been protecting my interest. Either that, or Tori was interested in Ian herself. I couldn't think about that right now. I had other things on my mind.

Several weeks ago I had decided that when I got back here I would go on a little field trip of my own. I wanted to see if I could track down Ian's parents. I wanted to meet them and see what kind of people they were. I knew I couldn't take Ian because he was human. I also couldn't tell them I was his fiancée or they would expect to see him. I had to come up with a plan. I thought if I pretended to be a Seeker they would allow me into their home and give me any information I needed. I knew the name of the town he grew up in and I hoped they might still live there. I was taking a chance. I was hoping no one would catch on to my façade and end up grabbing me. I would take a cyanide pill with me just in case things went wrong. I couldn't tell anyone where I was going because I knew they would try to talk me out of it.

I would leave tonight late. I feigned a headache and pretended to go to sleep early. This way I missed our usual run to the garage for our evening phone call. I told Lily to tell Ian not to worry, I would call him tomorrow.

I wrote a note that I would leave behind. It was addressed to Kyle.

Dear Kyle,

I had to leave for a few days. I don't want anyone to worry and whatever you do, please don't call Ian. I should be back within a week. If for whatever reason I am not able to come back know that I have taken a cyanide pill with me to protect my family. This is something I feel very strongly about doing and I didn't tell anyone because I knew you would try to talk me out of it. You can call me but if I feel threatened I will destroy the phone so as not to be traced. See you soon.

Love to all,

Wanderer

I waited for Lily to fall asleep and then I made my exit. I told Jared who was on duty that I was going to call Ian since I had missed the earlier run. He believed me. I ran quietly through the desert to the Jeep. I hopped in and took off to the other garage. The only other phone was Sunny's and I left the note taped to Kyle's door so even if Jared left his post to wake them he would find the note.

When I got to the second garage I took the sedan instead of the van. It was faster and better suited to the Seeker image I was going to portray. I drove for a few hours and then pulled into a motel to sleep. In the morning I was awakened by the phone. It was an incoming call from Sunny's phone.

"Hello?"

"Wanda? What the hell are you doing?" It was Kyle.

"Did you get my note?"

"Yes I got your note. What are you doing that's so secret?" he demanded. He sounded just like Ian. It was eerie.

"I can't tell you yet. Just don't call Ian. I'll call him and tell him I'm on another road trip. It won't exactly be a lie. You can call me every day but let the phone ring twice and I will call you back if I can."

"I don't like this and I sure don't like lying to my brother."

"I'm sorry, please trust me."

"Alright. I'll call you tonight. You better answer," he ordered.

"I will. My love to you and Sunny."

I stopped at a town along the way and went to a mall to pick up some clothes. I purchased a suit for my visit to the O'Shea's. I spent another night in a hotel. I spoke to Ian. He was concerned about my headache the night before. I told him I was fine and that I was on a road trip by myself to get another fitting. I also spoke to Kyle and assured him everything was okay. The next morning I got an early start. When I got near the town I took a room in a hotel. I looked up O'Shea in the phone book. There were lots of O'Shea's listed but only one in the town of Renata. Tomorrow was Sunday. I figured it would be my best chance at catching them both home.

I waited till eleven in the morning to make my move. I dressed in my suit and I pulled my curly locks into a bun. I put on just enough makeup to look professional. I drove to the address I had written down. There were two cars in the driveway. This was a good sign. They were most likely both at home. I was nervous. I nearly chickened out. I kept telling myself I was doing this for Ian. I parked in front of the house.

I walked up to the house clutching my purse close to my side. I rang the doorbell and waited. I wanted to run. The door opened and the woman who answered was clearly the woman I had seen in Ian's picture only older.

"Can I help you?" the woman asked.

"Yes. Hello. My name is Lightening Claw. I would like to speak with you about your sons." I kept it very businesslike.

"What do you know about my sons?" She seemed flustered.

"You have two sons Kyle and Ian. Is that true?"

"Yes, but…"

I interrupted her. "May I come in?" I looked around as if I were uncomfortable speaking of such matters in the open.

"Yes, of course." As I stepped in, the woman ran to the kitchen and returned with her husband. "This is my husband Tom and I am Maggie."

I reached out my hand to her husband. "I am Lightening Claw. It seems that your son Kyle was captured recently. He had been on the run for a very long time. We believe that his brother Ian is out there as well."

Maggie's eyes lit up with excitement. "They are alive!"

Tom was more cautious. "What do you mean captured?"

"He was human." I noticed that mentioning that Kyle was human did not deter Maggie's excitement in the least.

"We placed a soul in Kyle to retrieve information but Kyle is strong and he shut down his memories. He is only allowing old memories of you and college. He has memories of Ian in hiding but he is blocking them. We have him working with a comforter hoping to make a breakthrough."

Maggie turned to her husband. "They are alive and they are strong!"

Tom turned to me. "What do want from us?"

"Any information you can give us will be helpful. Do you have pictures?"

Tom spoke again. "We haven't seen them in six years since the takeover. All of our memories are here on this wall." I turned and there was an entire wall filled with pictures and trophies and medals. It was amazing. I walked slowly towards the wall and looked at each of the trophies one at a time. In the middle of it all was a picture of Ian on the pitcher's mound in full wind up.

"May I?" I pointed to the picture before removing it from the wall.

"Sure." Tom nodded.

I carefully removed the picture and held it so I was looking down and they couldn't see my eyes that were welling up with tears I fought desperately to contain. I ran my fingers across his body. He was thinner and his face was more youthful but it was my Ian.

Finally I spoke. "I was hoping in a few weeks I might bring Kyle here after he has acclimated to the soul. I thought maybe seeing you might open doors to find Ian."

They both looked worried. "Maybe Kyle doesn't know where Ian is and that's why the soul is not getting anywhere." The real Tom and Maggie must be in there or they would have done anything to help find Ian. I was positive of it. I didn't want to blow my cover.

"Well at any rate, you can have nice visit with Kyle." I commented.

"I can't believe Ian is alive." Maggie reiterated.

I thought it was funny that she didn't say that about Kyle because she thought he had been captured and implanted with a soul.

"Well, I must be on my way. I have your home number. Do either of you have a cell phone?"

"Yes, we both have cells." Maggie replied.

"May I get those numbers?"

Maggie gave me both cell numbers. I didn't really care. I just needed to know if they had the phones. I handed Ian's picture back to Maggie. She clutched it to her breast. I wanted so badly to tell her how in love with Ian I was but I couldn't; at least not yet.

"Thank you. I'll be in touch."

When I walked out the door I had to keep myself from sprinting to the car. I was sure they were still watching me. I calmly got in the car and drove away. I got about two blocks when I had to pull over. My hands were shaking. I was relieved and so excited. I needed to get to Kyle. I immediately started my journey towards home. Kyle called me that evening after I stopped at a hotel for the night.

"Hello, Kyle?"

"Are you all right?"

"I'm great!" I blurted out.

"You're great. What is that supposed to mean?"

"I can't tell you over the phone. I'll tell you when I see you but only you. No one else can know."

"What about Sunny?"

"Let me tell you and you can decide whether to tell Sunny." I paused. "I'm so excited!"

"Okay. Drive safe. Don't try to get back in one day. If you get tired, make sure you pull into a motel and sleep."

"I will. Oh, Kyle?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you!"

After I hung up with Kyle, I called Ian.

He answered quickly. "Hello?"

"Hey, Superman!"

"Where are you?"

"I'm on a road trip. Why?"

"Since when do you go on a road trip by yourself for three days?"

"It's a surprise."

."When are you going back to the caverns?"

"I'm on my way back now. I should be there tomorrow or the next day. It depends on how tired I get."

"How far away are you?"

"No questions, trust me."

"I'm doing the best I can. I just wish someone was with you."

"Next time, I'll bring someone with me," I tired to reassure him.

"What do you mean 'next time'?"

"Ian, no questions, remember?"

"Wanderer, you are making me crazy. I'm trying to keep it together here. I'll be looney tunes by the time you walk down the aisle."

"That's okay. I've got the cure so by the time the honeymoon is over, you'll be fit as a fiddle."

"Is that your way of saying you still love me?"

"More than ever."

"Good."

"Why don't you get my camisole and hug it and get some sleep?"

"How'd you know about that?"

"I know you snagged it the very first time you sent me back to the caverns. I hope it soothes you."

"It does."

"Good. I love you."

"I love you more."

I did have to stop for another night and again I spoke to both Kyle and Ian to reassure each of them. I arrived at the wash before dark so I had to sit and wait for nightfall before I could drive the jeep back to the 'garage'. Kyle was waiting for me at the caverns. He was with Jeb at the lookout post so he saw me coming. He ran out to the desert to meet me.

He didn't greet me or hug me. He got straight to the point. "So, what's the deal? Where were you and what is it that only I can know?"

I was about to burst. "I saw your parents!"

Instead of the elation I had expected, Kyle was angry. "Why would you do that? You put us all in danger."

"Kyle, we have to go and get them and bring them back. I talked to them and I'm sure your parents are in there, just like Mel was with me!"

"How would you know that?"

"I told them that we caught you and that the soul we placed inside you was being blocked because you were so strong. I told them that we were trying to find Ian and we were sure that it was Ian's whereabouts that you were blocking. You should have seen the look on your mom's face and what she said!"

"What did she say?"

"She was absolutely thrilled that you were alive and strong. I don't think she cared that you were human. I think she was happy about it…and your dad…"

"My dad?"

"He was definitely playing it cautious. I told him that I wanted to bring you to see them in a few weeks once the soul acclimated itself to your body because we were hoping that seeing them might yield some information. He seemed like he didn't want to do anything that might trap Ian. It seemed like he wanted Ian to stay on the run."

Kyle took my hands in his. "Do you really think there's a chance?"

"YES! We have to bring them back."
He grabbed me and kissed me hard. I was taken by surprise. I didn't fight him but I didn't kiss him back either. He pulled back realizing what he had done. "Sorry about that."

He let go of me and began pacing back and forth. "If we do this, no one can know. It's very dangerous."

"I know."

He ran his fingers though his hair which once again reminded so much of Ian. "First, we have to come up with a reason to tell Sunny why you were gone. Whatever we tell her, it needs to be something that she would need to keep secret. If we don't tell her something, she will drive me insane."

"Okay, I've been thinking about that. Tell her I went to see Pet's mother, my mother. Tell her I just needed her to know that I was all right. Tell her, that I wanted my mother to know that I ran away because I was in love and I knew she would never understand."

"Yeah, that's good. Are you going to tell that to Ian?"

"No, I'm not going to tell Ian anything. I just told him it was a surprise."

"How are we going to do this?"

"I've thought about this too. When I was with your parents I saw that they had a phone in the house. That could be dangerous."

"We'll have to cut the main phone line."

"I agree. I asked your parents if they have cell phones. We are going to need to get those before they have a chance to dial authorities."

"I thought you said that my parents are in there?"

"I believe they are but remember they don't have control of the body. I didn't necessarily listen to Mel when I was in her body. The souls will go with their own instincts first."

"Then I say we knock them out before they even have the chance to speak. The soul could decide to shred the brain."

"I really don't think they will simply because they will see me and I am one of them."

"Wanda, are you really sure you want to do this? We could be putting everyone in both clans in danger."

"Look. We'll do what we used to do. We'll take cyanide with us just in case."

Kyle was serious. "Are you willing to die for this?"

"I don't want to die but I believe in this. I want to bring your family back together. Kyle, they had a whole wall of pictures and trophies dedicated to you and Ian. They had no intentions on ever forgetting you. It was like a shrine!"

"Okay, when do we do this?"

"I say the sooner the better. They aren't expecting anything for a few weeks."

Kyle pulled me into his arms. "Okay, Sis, if you're sure."

"I'm sure."

He hugged me tightly. I closed my eyes and got my Ian fix.

When we walked into the entrance to the caverns Jeb was waiting. He wanted to know what was going on. Kyle spoke for me. He told Jeb that I really didn't want to speak about it because even though things went well I was afraid that the humans would be angry and I might be punished for it. Jeb was insistent citing that the caverns were his place and we played by his rules. I broke down and told him the made up story to appease him with the request that he keep the secret. I told him that I waited until I was able to see my mother alone and catch her by surprise. I knew she enjoyed taking a walk after dinner and that is when I approached her. I took her phone and dropped it in the mailbox in front of the house when I left so I could make a clean getaway before she could call the authorities even though she promised not to. Jeb believed my story. Kyle and I were both relieved.

The next morning, Kyle and I met early at the cornfield under the premise of weeding the field and watering it. We had decided that we needed to strike while the iron was hot. We would leave tonight. I would make sure that I was in the bath when Jamie and Lily went on their usual run to call Megan and Burns. Kyle would then insist on coming with me. After all, the last time I went alone, I took off. Again I wrote a note to put on Sunny's door. Kyle knew that no matter what he wrote Sunny was going to be beyond pissed. I worded the note carefully.

Dear Sunny,

Hopefully by the time you read this note, Kyle and I will be long gone. I want you to understand that this is something that Kyle and I needed to do together. It has the potential to be dangerous and that is the only reason why we did not include you. Kyle and I wanted to be sure that you and Ian were safe. If all goes well we should be back within five days. If we are not back after seven days then something went wrong and we may have been forced to take our own lives to spare all of you. Please don't worry Ian unless the time has elapsed. I know you are strong and that is why this letter is for you. Kyle loves you and I do too. See you soon.

Love,

Wanderer and Kyle

I took my bath as planned right after dinner when Lily and Jamie took their run to the 'garage' to call Burns and Megan. I told them to let Ian know I would be out to call him after practice. Shortly after Lily and Jamie got back, I returned Sunny's phone and told her and Kyle that I was going to go call Ian. Kyle put up a fuss saying he didn't want me going alone because he didn't trust me not to run off again. It worked. Sunny decided she would take a bath while Kyle was gone. Brandon and Aaron had guard duty. They never questioned Kyle's motives. As soon as we got to the 'garage', we jumped into the jeep and took off. With Sunny in the tub it would be a while before the news would get to her and she would call. In the meantime I called Ian. I told him that Kyle and I were off to get food for the family. He wanted to know why Sunny hadn't accompanied me. I wasn't prepared for this question. I put the phone to my chest and asked Kyle what to tell him. Kyle took the phone from me.

"Ian, I had to get away from everyone. Sunny and I, well, things aren't going so great. You and Wanda fight but at least you are on the same page. Sunny, she doesn't want kids. It's driving a wedge between us."

It was the perfect excuse. Ian had mentioned that Sunny and Kyle had been arguing about the prospect of children. What I hadn't counted on was Ian's lack of trust in his own brother.

"Ian, don't threaten me." Kyle replied into the phone. "I haven't done anything that I should be ashamed of but if you want to push the issue I can change that."…"Fine!"

He handed the phone to me. "Tell him the truth."

I took the phone. "Ian?"

"What does he mean 'tell him the truth' Wanderer?"

I shot a dirty look at Kyle. "The truth is I needed to shop and Kyle came with me."

"Should I be worried?"

"No!" I probably sounded less than convincing simply because I was worried. Not about the state of me and Ian's relationship but the fact that this whole thing could blow up in our face.

We took the van this time because with luck we would have 'cargo' on the way back. I let Kyle drive until we got near the town where I had stayed my first night out. Then we switched places and Kyle climbed in the back, Sunny called Kyle while he was driving and she was mad. All I kept hearing Kyle say was that he was sorry. He also spent some time begging her to keep quiet. He told her that she should show the letter to Jeb and Jared. He promised her that he would answer if she called tomorrow night. Kyle said that Sunny wanted to know how Ian was handling this and Kyle told her that Ian didn't know. He told her that as far as Ian knew, Kyle and I were just out on a food run. I figured we could keep Ian in the dark for at least another day before…I didn't even want to think about the aneurysm he was going to have when he found out that Kyle and I were off somewhere and no one knew anything other than whatever we were doing; it was dangerous.

At the hotel, it was like old times curling up with Kyle. He didn't spoon me though. He felt more comfortable facing me allowing me to curl up on his chest. I fell asleep while he stroked my hair. In the early morning, we left. Kyle jumped in the back and I drove. I stopped at the same mall again because we weren't able to bring clothing with us, other than the suit I had left in the trunk of the sedan. I purchased undergarments for both of us and a few changes of clothes. We spent another night in a hotel. One more day and we would be there. Kyle knew a short cut that shaved another hour off of our drive time.

It was late September and sunset on a sunny day was right about seven thirty. Kyle figured we should wait until ten o'clock to minimize the chance of being seen by neighbors. He said that when he lived with his parents, they usually went to bed at eleven o'clock. I dropped Kyle off about a block away so he could go to the house and cut the phone lines. Hopefully, no one would be talking on the phone because that could prove to be disastrous. I waited ten minutes and then I drove by the house to see if Kyle would give me the signal to park or if I should continue on. He signaled me to park. I backed into the driveway. He met me at the back of the van. We opened the back doors and left them ajar.

"Are you ready?" he whispered.

"I think so." I shivered.

Kyle brushed the back of his fingers across my face. "It would be a crime if you get caught. You are so beautiful." He leaned in and kissed me briefly on the lips. It wasn't a harmless peck and it left me rather shocked. I didn't even want to think about if he had kissed me like that at the hotel. Sometimes he was so like Ian.

I walked to the door and rang the doorbell. Kyle stood just out of sight from the door and he turned his back. He had the chloroform and a towel in his hand. The porch light clicked on and the door opened slowly….