A week later, I was going on my first raid with Jared, Ian, and Mel. I felt relieved about it. I was beginning to feel extremely claustrophobic in the caves and I needed the fresh air desperately. Jamie had begged with each of us to let him come: "Please, Wanda? Ian said it's much safer now that we have you! Please, please let me come!" I grinned, "What did Mel say?" I knew what she'd said and Jamie huffed, "Why do you think I'm asking you?!" I laughed and shrugged, "Whatever Mel said was the answer." He had turned to Ian then, "Please, Ian?" Ian shook his head, "Nope. Besides, you don't have a scar on your neck. That's a dead giveaway." I glared at him irritably and he back tracked immediately, "I mean, not that you'd want one. They're ugly things."

Jamie'd even gone as far as ignoring us until for two whole days leading up to the raid. He was helping all of us pack the truck now and Mel shook her head firmly "No, Jamie, you're not coming!" Jeb was helping us too and he said reasonably, "He has to leave the caves at some point, Mel." She shot him a fierce look which meant she was not to be questioned and she replied, "Fine. So we set an age." Jared nodded, "That's sounds reasonable." I grimaced, not wanting to say anything but still not liking it. Mel was going to regret this.

Jamie smiled, "Cool! How about when I'm fifteen!" Mel snapped, "Absolutely not!" as she loaded water into the back. Jamie scowled, "Well when then! When would make you happy, Mel?! You want me to stay here forever!" He said grumpily. Mel scowled, "Yeah, well I don't want you to end up like dad!" I cringed at that and everybody stopped what they were doing. Jamie clenched his fists angrily, "I won't! And besides, you jumped off a building! It's not like you're a one to talk!"

She froze then and she glared at Jamie. This wasn't the first time they'd had a public argument, but usually that was just play fighting- a bit of banter. This fighting was getting too much for my liking. I intervened and said abruptly, "How about sixteen, Mel? That still gives him time to…" Jamie snapped, "To?! Do what?!" My heart was thumping hard. Jamie had never argued with me. Never. I was shocked as Ian wrapped his arms around me, "Jamie…just back off ok?" I was shaking a little.

Jamie whispered, "Wanda…Wanda I'm sorry. This fight isn't with you…I'm…" I'd never seen Jamie so speechless. Mel snapped, "Maybe you better go, Jamie. We'll see you in a few days." Jamie looked shocked too as he ran. Jared said, "Uh…Mel…maybe you should go and apologize." She sighed, "For what? He shouldn't have behaved that way." Jared shook his head, "But you took it a step too far for dismissing him."
She sighed, "Just leave him. He's been getting on my nerves. Always asking me what's wrong with me. I think I need space." Jeb sighed, "You're trying to be your mom. You're trying to protect him too much." Mel sighed, "But if I don't, who will?" I laughed out of my shocked state, "We all will, Mel. I love him like a brother, too." She smiled gratefully at me, "Thanks, Wanda. I just…it's so hard sometimes without mom or dad." I nodded, "No worries. And I know Jamie thinks of Jared like a father. So you've got plenty of help. You don't need to 'sort him out' alone." She smiled gratefully at me and Jeb interrupted, "You're forgetting he has an uncle too. I admit I can be slack sometimes, but if what you need time out all you need to do is ask." She smiled gratefully and Ian laughed, "If he's like a younger brother to Wanda, then he's like a brother-in-law to me." I blushed as Mel raised her eyebrows, "Brother-in-law?! Have you proposed?! Wanda! Why didn't you tell me about this?!" She put her hands on her hips crossly and Ian chuckled, "No…not yet…we haven't even discussed it properly."
I noticed Jared watching me and I stared at Ian with a beaming smile on my face as I murmured, "Definitely something we need to speak about before you go announcing it to the world," I said. He grinned, "Sorry!" I smiled and wrapped my arms around his neck, "Just kidding!" I said before kissing him firmly. Mel said roughly, "Hey! Get a room!" We broke apart grinning like idiots and she rolled her eyes, "We have a job to do, remember?!" I giggled uncontrollably and Jared smiled, "Leave her alone, Mel. It's nice to see someone happy these days."

I went from laughter to sudden irritation in the pit of my stomach. I glared at Jared who shrugged, as he loaded the final crate of water into the truck. Mel had become silent too and I climbed in with Ian. I got in the front-it was safer for me to be in the front during day drives, and Jared drove with his glasses down. Ian and Mel hopped into the back. Mel had been incredibly moody lately. I said thoughtfully as he started up the truck, "Maybe we should get tinted windows." Ian said enthusiastically, "It's a good idea!" Jared grumbled, "If we had the money." I frowned as we drove into the desert, "How did you get these trucks anyway?" Jared grinned at me, "We stole them." I nodded, not liking the stealing part but anyway who was I to complain?

We drove for an hour before we hit the main road. I remembered the last time Jared and I had come down this way in a car-in a complete panic. We'd had to stay the night in the cave because it was too far to drive at night. I shook that memory from my mind and Jared noticed, "Why you shaking your head?" he asked. I lied easily, "Because you stole the car." Ian chuckled, "That's my girl! Still so moral!"
I grinned and turned to flash him a smile. Mel rolled her eyes, "You two couldn't be any less cheesy!" I giggled and turned to face the front, "Sorry Mel. It's how we roll!" She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms sulkily. Normally, she would have retorted with another comment, but Mel was acting up and I suppose it was because her and Jared were in a fight.
We stopped off at a clothing store while they all got everyone's lists ready for me. I scanned the lists and crossed out items that people had written more than once on other lists. I nodded, "This might take me a while." Ian said quickly, "I'll come in and help you." I bit my inner lip and shook my head, "No, its fine thanks. I can manage on my own." They nodded and Ian whispered, "Be careful." I hopped out, shopping list in hand.

I walked down the hundreds of isles selling different types of every single clothing piece imaginable. We'd chosen the clothing store first. It took long to find everybody's correct sizes and styles. I knew fairly well what my little family liked to wear. Mel liked plain and simple everyday outfits. I liked my dresses. They suited Pet's body well. Ian liked loose fitting shirts and he always looked good in neutral colors against his tanned features. Jared too. Jamie wore anything-he wasn't fussy. I got other individuals as much variety as possible so that they could fight about it later. I stopped suddenly when I saw the lingerie that Mel had been talking about. I knew what sizes she was from when I was in her body. I bit my lip as I pulled a pair off the shelf and I tried some on me. It was plain black with a few sparkles outlining the edge-not every day underwear at all. I chucked some of those in the trolley along with ones for the boys. It was so weird…choosing Jared's underwear…I shook the thought hastily from my mind as I chucked in boxers too.

Once I had every item of clothing you could possibly think of in all shapes, forms and sizes in the trolley I hurried to the cashier. One shop assistant had been watching me amusedly. I had the same reaction from the security men at the doors, but they smiled politely and said nothing. I didn't realize how long this load had taken me because once I left the sun was setting.

I rushed the trolley over to the truck and Jared hopped out, immediately beginning to load some of the bags of clothing into the back. I swallowed as he took the packet with the fancy lingerie in. I was stupid and had placed it on top of the bag. He raised an eyebrow sky high behind his dark glasses and I blushed furiously as I breathed, "Don't. Mention. A thing." He grinned but shrugged, "I'm not judging!" He laughed but I knew he was secretly judging me. I could read Jared's face like an open book by now. I shoved the lingerie to the bottom of the packet.

Finally, we drove to the nearest hotel we could find. It was called "The Cabana" and had beautiful architecture. I checked us in and we bought some of the clothing packets up with us from the car. I grabbed Mel's arm, "Hey. I got us some lingerie." She laughed loudly as I pulled it out to show her, "I don't think I'll need it. Jared has barely spoken to me since our fight." I sighed and shook my head, "Jamie told me. You'll work it out…whatever it is." She raised her eyebrow exactly like Jared did. It was a little unnerving. She sighed, "I don't know why but he's been so distant. It's like…he's a world away."

I felt guilt piling on top of me as I stammered, "Y…you'll work it out. I know you can." She hugged me and smiled, "Thanks, Wanda. I know I can count on you to make me feel better." Mel issued me a small smile as she said, "Thanks for thinking of me." I hugged her, "Anytime."
Ian approached us, "Everything ok?" he asked gently. I quickly hid the bag of lingerie behind my back and smiled brightly, "Everything is fine." Mel nodded and grinned at me, "Just having a…sisterly moment." He raised his eyebrows, "Alright…if you say so." I nodded as we headed up the stairs to our hotel room.
Another reason we didn't like Jamie coming along on raids with us (which we never would tell him) was because we got to sleep in decent bedrooms with double beds. If Jamie came along the romance would have to be taken down a notch. We were on floor number fourteen out of the fifteen floors in the hotel. I laughed as Ian's face paled and he gripped my hand tightly in the lift. Mel asked, "What's going on with him?" I grinned as I giggled, "Ian doesn't like heights." It was something he often became embarrassed about. He rolled his eyes at me and tried to balance himself on the railing. Jared laughed, "You'll never live this one down, Ian!"
I kissed Ian's cheek and immediately he relaxed, just as the elevator announced its arrival on our floor with a "ting!" We stepped out and quickly found our room and chose our beds. Luckily, our suite had two bedrooms with double beds. It had often been an issue on previous raids about who would sleep where.

Jared sat down on the couch and said with a smile, "So tomorrow we do the food lists. Have you got them, Wanda?" I nodded, "They're right here, in my bag." Mel grumbled, "Good. I could do with some food around now. I'm starving." I smiled, "I'll go downstairs and get us some meals from the restaurant. Just name it."

Ian sighed, "A nice, warm Pasta Alfredo would be delicious my love," he said with a beam on his face. I felt a tingling sensation in my chest when he said that. He had never called me that before. Jared yawned, "A burger would be great please. You choose one for me. I'm not fussed." I smiled and nodded, "Mel?" I asked. She shrugged, "I want to come with you."
Jared blanched, "Are you crazy?!" he asked suddenly angry. Ian laughed, "Yeah Mel! Do you want another death wish or something?" Mel rolled her eyes, "No. I just want to go and get dinner with my sister, that's all." Even I looked at her like she had lost it, "Mel…you can't." She groaned, "I'm so sick and tired of everyone telling me what I can and can't do!" I jumped at the sudden aggression in her voice. I glanced at Jared who immediately intervened and he said calmly, "Mel…don't take that argument out onb Wanda…that's our argument!" She turned on him, "And why do you keep defending her, huh?! Why?" I cringed and quickly fled the room. I was too much of a coward to sit and watch one of Mel's rage's play out. I prayed that Jared wouldn't say something stupid as I ran down the hall. I decided to take the stairs. The lift wasn't fast enough for me at this moment.
I ran down to the restaurant and landed at the counter of the bar out of breath. The soul took one look at me and said, "One water?" I nodded as I huffed and then gulped down the contents in three seconds flat. He raised his eyebrows which accentuated his sapphire eyes and said, "Are you ok…miss…?" I wracked my brain, "Tulip…" I said. He smiled, "Pretty name. What can I get you, my dear?"
I inhaled sharply as I smiled, "More water?" He nodded, "One water coming right up. Quite the marathon you've had…" he commented as he filled up the glass. I nodded and smiled faintly, "I like to run down the stairs on occasion. Sometimes it's the only exercise I get in a week." He laughed and the lie sounded believable even to my own ears. I was definitely getting better at it.

I drank the second glass more slowly and he grinned at me, "Can I get the lady something to eat please?" I nodded and smiled, "Thank you…er…" I glanced at his name tag, "Fire Flies. From the Insects planet?" He nodded, "Of course. And you're from the Land of the Flowers. It's quite near my old planet." I nodded, "I remember. I also used to be an insect." He grinned, "Oh! I would never have thought! How many planets have you been to?" I needed to lie about this too. My story was too well known. I murmured, "Three. I also was on the Birds for a while." He nodded, "This is only my second planet," he said as he handed me the menu.

I glanced down it. I smiled, "Can I have a pasta Alfredo please? And a cheese and bacon burger. As well as…" I paused. Mel hadn't given me her order. I thought quickly. Sometimes trying to remember things from inside her head was a challenge. The memories blurred and I couldn't figure out what were her thoughts and what were mine sometimes.

I swallowed, "Ah! A chicken schwarma please!" He raised his eyebrows but gave the order to the chef, "All for you?" I laughed, "Nope! Just some friends upstairs. They're too tired after our long journey." He chuckled, "You don't seem to be." We chattered and laughed about different bugs on the insect planet and others on the Birds planet that I had seen.

When the meal had arrived, I turned to see Ian, standing it the lobby behind me with his sunglasses on. My heart stopped as I turned back to Fire Flies, "Thank you, Sir, for you company." He grinned at me, "Anytime, Tulip." I walked over to Ian quickly with our meals in hand, grabbed him by the hand and pulled him to the elevator.

I said through gritted teeth, "For goodness sake, Ian! Why are you down here?" He was shaking then, I realized, as he whispered, "Jared…" his tone was spiteful, as he almost spat Jared's name. I froze as he continued, "Jared has feelings for you…" He said these words like it had been a kick in the gut. As we hopped into the lift I swear I wanted to kill Jared for being so stupid. I inhaled sharply, "And Mel…?!" Ian sighed and shook his head, "She said it's over. She's ended it with him." I gasped and I, myself, began shaking furiously as I felt the lift take us to the top. My stomach was falling in the pit in my stomach and I felt like I wanted to throw up. I whispered, "Ian…Ian nothing ever happened between us. Nothing. Believe me?" I pleaded desperately and Ian sounded like he was crying silently as he whispered, "He said he kissed you…before…you nearly ended your life…to try and convince you to stay…" This was the secret I'd been trying to keep from Ian. From Jamie. From everyone. The only two people who had known the full truth were Jared and Mel. And Mel hadn't even known everything thereafter. I suddenly felt my world split and I swear I saw stars as I collapsed in the lift. The last thing I heard was the "ting," of the lift reaching our floor.

A/N: Sorry this has taken so long! I usually want to proof read before posting. Anyway I hope you enjoy! And thanks to MysteryMaha for the review!