I took the last chapter and split it in two. So, after this chapter you will be reading the final chapter to this story…after that will be a short epilogue. It was good to hear from some new readers…ivamp3, alexandraaa13, and Kenny9107. Unfortunately it seems I am unable to write you back. So, thank you for the kind words.

THE MISSION

I SPENT THE AFTERNOON DOING LAUNDRY in the root cellar. My laundry room at the house wasn't completed. Luckily, my headache had subsided. At dinner time, I went to the dining hall. Ian and the other militants weren't there. If I didn't know any better, I'd swear the Colonel did it on purpose. I got the feeling he didn't like being told what to do and I practically demanded that Ian show up for dinner. I could feel my anger bubbling to the surface. I sat with Sunny and Lily who also didn't look happy about the missing men. A few minutes later, they all filed in. Ian came directly to me.

"I'm sorry, I'm late. We had to finish up some things before the game."

Sunny and Lily each moved so our men could sit next to us. I wasn't sure what to feel. On the one hand, I was annoyed that he was late. On the other hand, I was grateful that he showed up at all. Ian and I didn't really speak to each other but rather conversed to the others at the table. After dinner, we walked as a group outside.

"I need to get the equipment from the root cellar. I'll meet you at the field." He kissed the top of my head and walked off with Kyle and Burns.

During the game I played outfield just as Ian had promised. I actually caught two deep hits for outs which made Ian happy. I was out twice when I came up to bat. The other two times I lucked out and was walked. When we were in the dugout, I sat next to Ian but he was so into the game; he pretty much ignored me. The one time I got attention was when Blake hit a ground ball past second base and I ran home for a run. Then he kissed me quickly on the lips and said, 'You scored. Way to go'.

By the time the game was over, it was dark. I was tired. Ian said he'd meet me at home as soon as he put away the equipment. That was at nine o'clock. He rolled in at eleven. I was asleep. He shook me awake.

"Wanderer, I don't mean to wake you, but we need to talk about our future."

He said 'our future'. I started to feel queasy. I sat up on the bed.

"I don't think we should talk here. It's too easy to fall into old habits. Come to the kitchen. I'll meet you in there." He got up and walked away.

I started to panic. I could feel a shudder go through my entire body. It was like that feeling you get when you think about dying and you don't want to. I got up and went to the bathroom. My stomach was doing flip flops. I tried deep breathing. I brushed my teeth. When I touched the back of my tongue with the toothbrush; it caused me to convulse and then everything came up. Luckily, I was standing next to the toilet. There was a light knock at the door.

"Wanderer, are you okay?" He opened the door to see me heaving into the toilet. "You didn't tell me you were sick."

"I wasn't." He helped me to my feet. I washed my face and brushed my teeth again while he stood in the doorway watching me.

When I finished he walked into the kitchen with me following behind him.

"Have a seat."

"I don't want to sit."

He puffed out a deep sigh. I stood up against the kitchen sink with my arms folded across my chest.

"Wanderer, I…" He stopped. He sighed again.

"What?"

"I think that with everything that's going on here at the mountain and between us that you should move in with your father."

"What? Are you insane? I'm not divorcing you. I love you."

"I'm not saying forever but this pregnancy has got you sick and face it; we aren't in a good place as a couple."

"Are you giving up on me?"

"No. I just don't have the time you need me to give you right now." He ran his fingers through his hair. "If there was ever a time that I needed Nate for your sake, it's now."

I started to cry. "I'm not leaving. You can't make me leave!"

"Then I will leave. I will move into the bunkhouse."

"No, you won't. I'll follow you wherever you go. Ian Thomas O'Shea, you took a vow and you are going to honor it."

"Don't you see, Wanderer? There's not enough of me to go around. You want too much."

"I'll take what you can give me." I was desperate.

He looked at the floor

"Is there someone else? Victoria?"

"No, nobody else."

"Is it because I'm fat and ugly?"

He looked up at me for the first time. "No. You are so beautiful."

"Then what's wrong with me?"

He put his hands in his pockets and looked me dead in the eye.

"Do you really want to know?"

"Yes." I was choking back the tears.

"The problem is I need you. I need you to help me. I need you to be my cheerleader, like you did yesterday morning at breakfast. The easier my day goes; the more time I have for you. I'm under so much stress right now."

"I want to be there for you, I do. I didn't realize that this Nate thing would be so hard for me to accept. I'm trying to handle it. "

He lowered his eyes to the floor again. "That's another thing. Do you wish it was me instead of him?"

"What? No! How could you even think that?"

"You cry for him every other minute. Did you even cry for me?"

"When it happened to you, I disconnected. Did they explain that to you?"

"What are you talking about?"

"In Washington, when I first saw you, did you think I fainted?"

"Didn't you?"

"No. Fords Deep Water told me when I woke up in the bed that I was down for nearly an hour. Apparently, I removed myself from my host. He said I nearly died. He said that not many souls can disconnect like that without shredding the brain. He had to pull me out of this body and do some kind of massage on my soul so that I would reconnect when he put me back. He said it was like having a heart attack."

"You tried to kill yourself?"

"I didn't mean to! I saw you like that and I just shut down. That's why he stayed so close to me after that. He was afraid it might happen again."

Ian walked up to me and hugged me. "Why didn't you tell me this before?"

"I thought you knew. You were there."

"No, I wasn't. When you fainted, they removed me from the situation. The Seeker was told it might be better for you not to see us. I assumed you were okay."

"Ian, you are my world. Don't you know that?"

He stepped back.

"Wanderer, I can't be your world. I'm trying to save this world right now. That's why I think it's best to send you to your father. He can take care of you."

"I don't need him to take care of me. I need you."

"My days are filled with taking orders from the Colonel and giving orders to everyone else. I can't spend my days with you."

"Ian, I'll take what I can get. I'll take one minute of your time if that's all you've got to offer but please don't shut me out." I walked towards him and he put his hands on my face.

"Are you sure you can handle that?"

I nodded my head. "Yes."

"I'm sorry," he said barely above a whisper.

Was he sorry that he wasn't going to accept my offer? "What?"

"I'm sorry about treating you badly last night when I was drunk. Please forgive me for that."

I was so relieved. "I don't want to waist my minute fighting with you."

"I don't either." He cradled my chin in his hand and kissed me gently. "It's not rape if you want it."

"You remember that?"

"I remember everything I said last night. I told you I'm not a blackout drunk. I'm just a mean drunk." He kissed me again but he teased me by pulling my lower lip with his teeth. He knew my weakness. "You didn't answer my question."

"What question?"

"The sex. Do you want it?"

"That's a silly question."

"How's your headache?"

I smiled at him. "What headache?" His lips hit me like an explosion. He start pulling my clothes off while he kissed me, then he scooped me up in his arms and carried me to the bedroom.

As he laid me on the bed he whispered. "Don't let me do this all night. I have to get up early."

"Ian. You don't have to make love to me if you are too tired." I wanted him so badly but I was trying to be considerate.

He laughed. "You're kidding right? It would take more than two soldiers to pull me off of you right now."

He made love to me. He was gentle and loving. When we were done I was like a kitten as I curled into his waiting arms.

"That was a great 'minute'."

He laughed.

Suddenly I felt the fluttering. Actually, it was more than that. It was like a thump. "Oh!"

"What?"

I took his hand and laid it on my abdomen. It took a minute and then there was another thump.

"Was that the baby?"

"Yes."

Ian smiled and turned on the light. He pulled the blanket off of me and stared at my belly. "Make him do it again."

"I can't make him do it."

He leaned close to my stomach. "Come on, little baby, kick for Daddy." There was another thump. "I saw it! He kicked!"

"He must have heard you."

"That's just amazing." He kissed my belly. I turned off the light and he lay back down with his hand on my abdomen. "Now, I'll never fall asleep."

The following day, Ian was reinvigorated. He left the house in a great mood. I joined him later to say good bye to the Colonel and the Sergeant. The troops pulled out. They left behind a group of five soldiers. In charge was one of the soldiers who had dealt with Ian the night he was drunk. His name was Sergeant Smiling at the Moon. He had four men under him who were to work with Ian to get the 'guard post' built down the road. They were also going to put up a false chain link fence that led to nowhere but gave the illusion that the community was enclosed.

For the next few days following the departure of the military, Ian and I settled into a more structured way of life. He was up and out of the house every morning by seven o'clock. I would get up and make coffee and a toasted bagel for him while he was in the shower. Most of his day was spent down the road working on the guard post. I resumed teaching my dance classes in the afternoon. I offered to do the laundry for the soldiers. I was trying to be the supportive wife. In return, Ian always made sure he was home by six o'clock.

On the third day, I went into town and bought food to fill my now completed kitchen. I cooked my first meal for Ian that night. I set our kitchen table for a romantic dinner with candles and served it wearing a cute little nightie. He complimented my dinner but his appetite was elsewhere. It was a very romantic night.

The fourth day was Sunday. Ian called a meeting in the main house and requested me and Sunny to attend. He wouldn't tell me what it was about but he said 'he needed me for a special mission'. When we arrived at the house, I noticed Ice was hanging out on the back porch.

"Are Kyle and Sunny here yet?" Ian asked.

"No, do you want me to go and get them?"

"No, I need you to watch the door."

"What's going on?" I asked.

"Babe, you go inside with Burns. I'll go get Kyle."

I went inside. Burns and Doc were both inside waiting in the kitchen. I noticed that the new Nate was missing. After a few minutes Ian, Kyle, and Sunny entered the kitchen.

Ian stood at the head of the table. "You may note that Nate is not here. That is because we need to talk about the caverns. They have no cell phones because all of the souls are here. That means they are also running out of food and supplies unless Jared has gone on a raid. Sunny and Wanderer, I need you to help me help them. As souls, you have the freedom to come and go from here. I want you to go to the caverns and bring them supplies. Talk to Melanie and Jared. Wanderer, explain everything that happened here and in Washington. Tell them about Jamie's slip and that they believe that Mel, Jared, and Jesse live here on the mountain. Tel them that they can all come here to live if they want to, but make it clear that for now, the outside world still doesn't know about them."

"Do you think Jeb and the others will leave the caverns?" Burns asked.

"No, I don't. If given the choice in the same situation I probably wouldn't. They need to be told that those of us who are already here have to stay for two reasons. The first is each person has been counted as a member of the community. Second, if they disappear it will raise red flags as to where they went and then all of us would be in danger of losing what we have fought so hard to accomplish. If they choose to stay at the caverns, tell them we will send someone to them as often as we can with supplies. They have less people there now with the eight of us living here so their supplies will last longer."

I was stating at Doc who looked very pensive. "What about Sharon?" I asked.

"It's up to her. You did tell the Colonel that Mel and Jared went looking for her so it wouldn't be unrealistic for them to return with her."

Doc spoke up. "Tell her that I love her no matter what she decides."

"Ian, when do we have to leave?"

Ian looked directly at me. "Babydoll, you have to leave now. I'll tell them that you and Sunny decided to visit your father. They would believe that."

I had no time to emotionally prepare myself for this. Ice entered the kitchen. "Nate's on his way in."

"Ice, you came in to eat. Babe, follow my lead."

As Nate entered the kitchen, Ian spoke to me.

"So how long do you and Sunny plan to be at your father's?"

"I don't know. Not that long. A week maybe?"

"Babe, I'm not thrilled about you leaving but if Doc says you are okay to travel..."

Sunny spoke up. "Think about all the work you and Kyle can get done with us out of your hair."

"True," Ian admitted. "I guess if Kyle is okay with it, then I'll survive."

Kyle spoke. "I don't own Sunny and we're not married." He looked directly at Sunny. "As long as you come back this time."

"I promise I'll come back. I've come to realize that I can't live without you."

Nate finally spoke. "You're going to see your father?"

"Yes, Sunny's coming with me. I knew Ian wouldn't let me go alone."

"Oh." He sounded disappointed.

"You have a problem with my leaving?"

"No, Nate just…well, he said to wear your watch."

I hadn't worn it since they took us to Washington. I didn't want it to be taken from me. I walked up to Nate and looked into his eyes searching past the silver rings to the human inside. "Nate, don't you give up. I love you dearly and I miss you terribly. Why do you think I don't go in the game room at night? That was our time. It hurts to be there without you. I promise I'll wear your watch and I will think about you every time I look at it." I kissed my palm and blew the kiss towards the new Nate. "That's for you, my sweet Nate."

Ian was silent and he looked at the floor. I grabbed his hand. "Do you have time to help me pack?"

"I'll make the time."

He was quiet as we walked back to the house. "Thank you for allowing me that."

"It still bothers me but I wish Nate was here too."

Back at the house, I packed my clothes while Ian sat on the bed watching me.

"I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you, too."

"You be careful. Don't let Jeb talk you into staying."

"I won't."

We were silent. I walked over to Ian and put my arms around his neck.

"What are you worried about?"

"I don't know. I just have this horrible feeling that if I let you go, you won't come back."

"The other day, you wanted me to leave."

"I really didn't. I was giving you the opportunity if you wanted it. I was relieved you didn't want to go."

"So, why would you be worried now?"

"I don't know. It's the whole disconnect thing. I don't want that to happen again especially knowing it takes a doctor to remove you to keep you from dying."

"I'll call you as often as I can. I'll be fine. I'm not under stress right now. I have you and that's all that matters."

He leaned in to kiss me. I kissed him quickly and then pulled away.

"Hey!" he whined.

"Sorry. My husband said I have to leave right away," I teased.

Ian pulled me tightly against him. "Since when do you listen to your husband?"

"Since I realized that he is always right."

"You know you are not helping. You are just going to make me miss you more. Are you sure you don't want to start a fight with me before you go?"

"Sorry, no can do. I love you too much."

I leaned in to kiss him and he pushed me onto the bed.

"One little quickie before you go."

"Ian, no!"

"Come on, It's not rape it you want it!"

I gave into his needs. It was such a sacrifice. At least I left the mountain with three things: a smile on my face, a rock on my finger, and a watch on my wrist.

I decided to call my father as soon as we were on the road.

"Hello?"

"Mr. Hollister?"

"Who is this?"

"Um, it's me, Wanderer."

"Wanderer, good to hear from you, but please don't call me Mr. Hollister. I would like it of you would call me Dad or Daddy. That's what Pet always called me."

"I know. I wanted to ask you for a huge favor."

"Name it."

"Well I am on the road and will be for about the next week or so. I need you to cover for me."

"What do you mean?"

"Um, if anyone asks, will you please tell them that me and my friend Sunny are visiting you?"

"Wanderer, you know I would do anything for you but why can't you come and visit me? Then it wouldn't be a lie."

"Let me call Ian and let him know that you want me to visit and see what he says. Then I'll call you back."

"You need to get permission from your husband?"

"It's not that. What I'm doing involves risk and I want him to be aware of my time line."

"Why would Ian let you put yourself at risk?"

"Trust me, Daddy. If there was any other way, Ian would do it himself. Remember, he is human not a soul."

"So you keep reminding me."

"Daddy! I love him!"

"I know, Princess. Just call me back."

"Okay."

I hung up the phone and dialed my own phone number. I had given Ian my cell phone so he wouldn't have to depend on Burns or Nate to track him down for my phone calls. He picked it up after the first ring.

"Babe, I was about to call you. We have a problem."

"What?"

"All the vehicles at the mountain have tracking devices on them."

"How do you know?"

"I overheard Nate talking to someone. I'm assuming it was the Colonel or maybe even General Blue Flame."

"My money's on the General. I don't like him at all. It was because of him that you were implanted in the first place."

"You're going to have to turn around and come home. Tell them you got sick or something."

"No, it's okay."

"It's not okay, Wanderer. They'll track you to the caverns."

"No. Listen, I called my Dad and he begged me to come and visit him. We can go there and then take one of his vehicles to the caverns. Sunny's car can sit at my Dad's house until we are done."

"Oh, Babydoll, I love you!"

"My trip will take a little longer though. I should spend at least a couple of days with my Dad."

"You'll call me right?"

"You know I will."

"You've only been gone an hour and I'm worried about you already."

"Don't be. My leader trusted me to do this and I will not disappoint him."

"I love you."

"I love you too, Superman."

I called my father back and told him I was coming to visit. He was thrilled. We arrived in the early afternoon, and he had Mercedes, the cook, prepare us a fabulous dinner. For me, it was coming home to Daddy. For Sunny, it was like a Club Med experience. She didn't want to leave. I promised her that after our trip to the caverns we could spend a few days here and she seemed content with that. I spoke to my father and explained that I had something important to do for someone and that it needed to be kept a secret. Although he was curious, he understood my reasons for keeping him in the dark. The less he knew the better. He let us take the Escalade. The great thing was the Escalade could hold a ton of supplies. We stopped at six different grocery stores along the way and purchased an enormous amount of food, both perishable and non-perishable. We also filled a couple of hand held gas tanks for the generator.

We arrived at the caverns after dark. They were running double duty. Brandon had duty out at the garage. As we pulled up in the jeep, he came out of hiding.

"Wanda! Sunny! We thought you guys were done for. Jared was planning on leaving tonight to go on a raid."

"No need. We brought fresh supplies with us but it's in the other vehicle. We didn't want to risk getting shot by not going through the proper channels. If you head back to the caverns and let them know that we are here; we'll go back and get the SUV and drive it directly to the overhang."

By the time we reached the overhang, there were half a dozen people waiting for us. Jeb, Jared and Mel, Sharon, Brandon, and Reid were all there. Reid opened the back of the Escalade. "Holy cow! That's a lot of stuff."

"We thought you'd be pretty low on supplies."

Melanie hugged me. "Where's Jamie?"

"He's still at the mountain. He couldn't come with us. Right now, there is no reason for a human to leave the mountain. It would only cause suspicion. Everyone is healthy. We only had one casualty."

Sharon stepped forward. "Who died?"

"No one died, exactly." I toyed with my watch. "It's Nate. They implanted a Seeker into him. They put one into Ian too, but they pulled him back out. I'm not sure why. Ian thinks it was because he was too strong. He wouldn't let the Seeker see anything except me and you know a lot of those memories are 'X' rated. Also, I tried to kill myself, sort of. I think they wanted to keep us around as a couple, you know, soul slash human to see how it plays out in the long run."

Melanie pulled back and smiled. "Look at your pregnant self! You are so cute!"

Jeb interrupted her. "If Nate's been implanted then what's keeping the Seeker from knowing about us?"

"Nate is also using memories of me to keep his Seeker from seeing anything. Of course those memories aren't as 'vivid' as Ian's. I don't know how long he can do that though."

Jeb shook his head. "Well, let's get these supplies inside and we'll call a meeting and you can tell us everything."

Jared slapped the side of the Escalade. "Nice ride!"

"It's my father's."

"Your father?"

Sunny exploded. "Oh my god, her father is filthy rich! Did you know you kidnapped a rich kid?"

"No, I didn't know. We just nabbed her from the parking lot of the mall."

"Her father owns a company that builds air shuttles."

"He just makes some of the parts," I corrected her.

A meeting was called in the main cavern. Everyone was there except Brandon and Reid who were on guard duty. There were only eighteen of us altogether including Jessie who was so adorable it made it difficult for me to concentrate on my purpose for being there. I hadn't realized how many cavern dwellers were now living on the mountain. I ran the list off in my head. There was me, Ian, Kyle, Sunny, Ice, Heidi, Doc, Candy, Jamie, and Lily. I couldn't really count Ian's parents because they didn't stay very long at the caverns before relocating to the mountain.

I informed them of that first day when I got shot and the subsequent interviews with the Colonel. I told them of our trip to Washington, Ian and Nate's implanting, as well as my near death experience because of it. After all the drama had unfolded, I told them of my reunion with Pet's father and his willingness to accept me as his daughter which caught me by surprise.

Finally, I told them of the terms given to us in order to remain as a community on the mountain. When I spoke of Nate my eyes began to pool with tears. I let them know that Ian had been appointed the leader by the military. I told them that we were gifted an additional amount of land and that we had permission to build. I let them know that although the souls had the freedom to come and go that Ian found out that the vehicles had tracking devices placed on them and that is why we took the Escalade from my father's house and left Sunny's car behind.

"Ian says you are all welcome to come to the mountain if you choose. There is plenty of room."

I turned to Jared. "Jamie slipped up during the interview and they all believe that although you are not on the mountain now, that you will be coming back. They believe that Jesse is being protected deep inside the cave. They think you are out searching for Sharon." I turned to Sharon. "So Sharon, if you want to return with Jared and Melanie, they would simply assume that they found you. Doc says that no matter what you choose, he understands and he loves you."

Sharon started to cry. "What about my mother and Jeb?"

"Everyone needs to make their own decisions. You can come as a group if you want. That would take the pressure off of Nate or you can stay. I don't want you to feel obligated and neither does anyone else on the mountain. You do what is in your heart."

We spent two days at the caverns. I gave my bed to Trudy and Geoffrey. I figured I could use a mattress if and when I visited again. I offered to bring them a cell phone on the next road trip but Jeb was afraid the phone calls could be traced. He asked that I refrain from using Sunny's while we were here. I obeyed his wishes even though I knew that Ian would probably throw a fit the next time he heard from me. Jeb said he wasn't ready to give up what little freedom he had to put himself into the hands of the enemy. "No offense." He said to me and Sunny. Melanie and Jared said they would talk about the possibility of leaving the caverns and returning to the mountain for good.

The nights I spent in the caverns were lonely. I missed Ian but the one I cried for was Nate. I still loved him and the loss I felt was at times too much to bear. I thought about the constant battle it must be for him to live only with memories of me and the torture it must be on him. There were times when I thought to myself that if I were him I would wish that someone would just kill me and make it look like an accident. I stared at the magnificent watch he had given me. Just as my wedding ring was a symbol of Ian's love, this watch was a symbol of Nate's love.

I wondered what Ian had done to cause his Seeker to skip. He must have done more than just squeeze my hands and cry to freak out the Seeker. I could only imagine. I asked Ian once and he refused to talk about it. He merely said that had the Seeker chosen to stay; he surely would have been driven insane by now.

As we left the caverns, I hugged everyone. I made it a point to tell each one that it wasn't 'good bye' but rather 'until I see you again'. They had enough food to last a month although the perishable items would be gone in two weeks. I told them that I hoped to return in a month.