Disclaimer: I don't own The Host, Burns, or Stephenie Meyer (if I did, Bella would be a lot cooler).

Author's Note: Hey, let me just say one thing: if you are in any way allergic or intolerant to angst, you should get up right now, and back away from your computer. If reading from a cell phone, find the nearest body of water and chuck it in. NOW IF YOU WANT TO LIVE!!! For all of you who don't apply, enjoy the angst, and review!

The Perfect Tune: A Burns Story

Chapter 3: The Starving Artist

Burns POV

"Huh…?" I mumbled. "What happened?"

I was back in my room, fully dressed. Wanda sat over me with a bucket and towel.

"You passed out," She said as she dabbed the towel on my forehead. "Don't worry. None of the other guys found out."

"Oh," I sat up. "I'm sorry." My mind was still cloudy from my dream.

I'd dreamt of Rains. We were sitting in a green field about love. It was nighttime, and the moon shown full. Rains wore white glowing sundress. Well, it wasn't really the sundress. She was glowing

"What is love, Burns?"

"I'm not really sure. It's different for everyone."

"Do you have a loved one, a precious person?"

"…no."

"Oh."

"Do you? Have a precious person, I mean."

She bit her lip. "I don't know."

I put an arm around her, realizing that the dress was backless, and a pair of feathery angel wings had sprouted from the exposed skin.

"I'm sorry Burns. I don't belong here." She stood up and kicked off the ground, her wings flapping freely.

I stood there. I didn't chase her, because she was right. She didn't belong here, with us. She belonged out there, with the souls.

"It's okay," Wanda insisted. It wasn't. I was going to lose Rains, and she'd probably never know what we shared.

"Yeah," I lied.

"Rains was really something, huh?"

"Yeah."

"The something?"

I shrugged. I wasn't very sure anymore. So I thought she was pretty. I'd felt that at other times before, it was simply skin-deep attraction. I hadn't even said more than two sentences to the girl. Then again, I'd never know if we're meant to be. I'd be one of the many, who'd get together with someone else, and not feel truly whole.

"I'll help you, Burns. We can't let her get extracted."

I shook my head. "Wanda…it's for the best. I have to sacrifice. Take one for the team. It's okay."

"No, it's not." The tables were turned now.

"Look at all that the humans have done for us, Wanda. They've accepted us, put food on our plates and clothes on our backs, it's the least I, we, can do."

"But look at all that you do, Burns. You go on raids for them, risk your very being for them. It's the least they can do!"

"Wanda, I know what I'm doing. Besides, I'd never be able to keep her anyway. Jared, Kyle, and Ian would never let a potentially dangerous Soul around you guys."

She sighed, at a loss for words.

Wanda POV

I couldn't believe Burns was doing this! All of his dreams centered on this one special person! And now he was just, giving her away.

Was this how I'd acted, when I was with Mel, and I'd wanted to be extracted?

I couldn't let him do this. He'd live the rest of his life, empty and sad.

"I'm going to get some lunch," I lied. "Do you want anything?"

"No thank you," he murmured, staring into faraway space.

I worried for him. Burns was usually so bright and excited, curious, in a sense. But now, he'd care less if purple cows with wings clip-clopped down the corridor. A bad analogy, but a true one.

I practically ran to Jeb's. He would understand.

"Jeb!"

"Yeah, sweetie?"

I explained everything. He nodded, stroking his gray beard.

"Well, what can you do?"

"I can give Burns a week with Rains. If he chooses to hold a tribunal, he can state his case on why she isn't dangerous. If not, well at least he'd have gotten a week."

I nodded, grinning. "Thank you Jeb!" I squealed, giving him a hug.

"No problem sweetie."

I bolted back to Burns' room, where he was still lying down, staring up at the ceiling.

"Guess what Burns!?" I was hopping up and down with excitement.

"What?" He still stared indifferently.

I told him about Jeb's deal, and how he'd be able to spend more time with Rains.

"That was nice of you. Thank you, Wanda." I didn't like the way he smiled. It was tainted with melancholy and sadness.

"Well, come on! Let's go visit her!" I pulled Burns up so he was standing with me.

"Okay."

I took him to where Rains was staying in Lily's room.

Rains was very pretty, and I could see why Burns was in love with her. She looked like an angel, lying on the bed. Her eyes were open, staring up at the ceiling like Burns had been.

"Rains, Burns has come to see you," I said softly.

She smiled, propping herself up on her elbows. "Hello Burns."

He smiled as well. "Hello, Rains. How are you?"

"Oh I'm just perfect. Yeah, getting kidnapped has really made my day," she replied dryly.

He laughed. I grinned. They were so perfect together, even though they were fire and water. I left to give them some privacy.

I sighed, plopping down on the ground, resting my head against the wall again. Playing Cupid was hard work sometimes!

Author's Note: Whew. That was one heck of a chapter. I'm getting a little worried that Rains is turning into a Mary Sue, are you? Any help or suggestions on possible "flaws" are appreciated. Review!