A/N: Lucky Stephenie Meyer owns The Host, I just own a copy of the Host.
I woke up somewhere near midnight, I think. It had been only a few hours since the party.
My face was mashed up against my arm and I had been sleeping in a chair. Not a good way to sleep. Especially not a good way to sleep when your beloved was recovering from a lethal hit. I still couldn't believe Burns did that.
Ian was in deep sleep by now. I stood up and stretched as far as I could go. I took one look in a mirror and groaned. Not only was my face feeling mushy, it was stained by salt water. Although I had no idea why, my blond hair was in a poof ball.
I just remembered early today--well, yesterday actually--I had gotten the wind knocked out of me by Lissie. Oh yeah, that was why my hair was a poof ball.
A low moan had pulled me out of my thoughts and dragged me to Ian's bedside. He groaned again and then rolled over. Doc had said he'd be better in no time--but I didn't believe it. Until Ian himself told me he was feeling better, I would not be convinced.
But my worries were nonsense when I woke up, yet again for the seventh time that day, to find Ian eating like crazy. I propped myself on my elbow to take a good look at his cheek. Still red, but it didn't look so painful today.
He noticed me awake. He took one look at me and smiled that same big smile I loved. I couldn't help but smile back.
"You know, I'd offer you some food, but I already ate it all," he said looking a bit ashamed of himself as he scratched his head.
"Oh, it's okay. I'm not hungry! Not hungry at all!" I said, waving my hands around frantically. But my stomach begged to differ. It's loud growl filled the room.
My cheeks flushed red as he laughed. "Always the shy one, let's go eat." I eyed him warily. After eating all that, he could still fit more? Or was he simply eating for my sake? He read my mind and smiled timidly, "Well, I guess you'll eat and I'll just watch."
I watched him as he lifted himself off the floor and I followed him out the door.
"So, the other rebels left?" Ian asked with his elbow leaning on the counter, holding his head up. He was faced towards me and watched me eat my soup.
"Yep, I kinda…ordered…them to leave. I just…didn't want them here if they were capable of that…" I trailed off when something hit me. Everyone in my family was capable of that. But they chose not to.
"Wow," he said with honest admiration. "Nothing bad happened after that?" he asked.
"Nope." I said with a shake of my head.
His eyes narrowed. I had no idea why; I wasn't lying. They narrowed in a way like he wanted to tell me something, but he just didn't know how. Or maybe it wasn't the right moment. Either way, he's hiding something from me.
And I swear I saw a touch of sadness in those eyes.
The rest of the day passed by quickly. Ian and I were heading off to bed and he still hadn't told me what it was he was hiding. I grew anxious by the minute.
He opened the door for me like a gentleman and as I walked to get ready for bed, I noticed he wasn't following me.
I turned around. Ian was still standing at the door and his face was full of sadness. It was like the sadness I saw earlier today, but it was much more defined.
He opened his mouth, then closed it. Then he took a deep breath before talking. "Wanda…, you don't know how sorry I am."
This surprised me. What does Ian have to be sorry for? He saved me yesterday!
He walked and passed me by. I turned around just as he sat on the bed. I kneeled in front of him--trying to crouch to see his eyes, but he wouldn't show them to me.
I had to ask; "Why are you apologizing?"
"Because…because you got hurt," he said silently.
Oh. He was blaming himself.
"But Ian-"
"If only I had been paying more attention, if only I had been watching you more closely…, none of this would've happened! Your beautiful face wouldn't have been scarred and you wouldn't have spent nearly the whole night worrying over me!" he said, finally looking me in the eyes.
I hadn't told him about my sleeping problems. He read my mind again and gave me a tiny smile, "Melanie told me you kept waking up at night. And besides," he reached out and stroked my cheek, "I already knew you were worried; you're such a softy, Wanda."
My face lightly blushed. His smile faded and he pulled away from me. He turned his whole face away from me. "Ian, I did take a look at myself this morning. It's not so bad. Not as bad as your bruise," I said quietly.
He groaned and looked at me again, "But it doesn't change the fact that you're still hurt! It doesn't change the fact that I could've prevented this if I had only been--"
His words were cut short as I pinched his lips together. It was quite a trouble for my tiny hands, but it was manageable.
I slowly let go. "None of that. I don't want to hear it, okay? No talking to me if it's going to be about that."
He frowned slightly. "But Wanda-"
I silenced him yet again but this time with my lips. He was quite surprised, for this was not my usual behavior.
"I told you I'm fine," I whispered. After another kiss I told him, "No more talking."
He nodded and started kissing me more fiercely. Desire ran through my body and I could feel him pulling me on the bed.
He was kissing me and I was kissing him. There was nothing in between us; nothing to stop us. It seemed almost illegal for one single person to have all the happiness in the world. Surely, I'd have it taken away.
Surely, this wouldn't last long.
A/N: Wow! It took me quite a while to get that one right. No, it didn't take a month. I was babysitting and studying so no computer time. I was planning on having Ian ignore her for a while because he felt guilty of her little fight with Lissie, but then I thought to myself "Ian would never do that. Wanda would've gotten the answer out of him sooner or later."
Oh, and also the chapters. I think the Little & Little/Big & Big chapters is spoiling too much so I'm taking them out. And if you don't know what I'm talking about...that's good. It's better if you don't know! For those who do know..., now you'll just have to guess what'll happen!
Anyway, please send me your reviews! Each one is read and loved!!
~Twi-Hoster Girl