I was so relieved to finally get back to the caves and to Jamie. The long and tension-filled car ride had made us all feel exhausted and emotionally drained of any kind of energy we had left. Even though apologies had been issued and accepted, it didn't mean Mel had actually forgiven Jared, and so I wasn't sure how to act around him either.

When we got there, there was a crowd waiting for our return. Jamie was the first at the doors and he all but pulled Mel out of the doors. He hugged her fiercely and whispered, "I'm so sorry, Mel! I really am." She sighed and squeezed the breath out of him, "It's ok, Jamie. I'm sorry I know I'm harsh on you but you've got to understand where I'm coming from." Jamie nodded but said nothing to that.
Then he rushed to me as I hopped out of the car and nearly toppled me over with an earth crushing hug, "Oh Wanda! I'm so sorry! It was really mean of me to take my fight with Mel out on you! Please forgive me." I breathed heavily, "Jamie! Can't…breathe!" He released me then and looked sheepish, "Sorry Wanda!" I grinned at him, "Of course I forgive you, you nana! What are siblings for, if not to yell at each other?" I winked at Mel and she laughed her first real, genuine laugh in days. She replied with a grin, "You can say that again, girl!" I laughed and ruffled Jamie's head. Thankfully, he hadn't picked up on the tension yet in the group. I planned to keep it that way as long as possible. We were all just too exhausted to show anymore kind of emotion at this point, and it was just as well.

I pulled out all of the packets of clothing which was about just as much as I could manage to carry in this small body of mine. I tossed two bags at Jamie, full of clothes for himself, and then he grinned with excitement, "Thanks, sis! These look amazing!" He chuckled. I handed out packets of clothing to the men and to the women also. Most people thanked me, even Maggie. That was a first!
I made sure I gave Mel the bag of underwear. I whispered to her, "Keep those in the truck. I'll come back for them later." Mel nodded and winked at me, "Of course, my little miss devious sister." She laughed and I grinned too. Everybody else helped heave the food out of the truck and into the storage room. We had so much but luckily we had several hands at once on board helping us. Jamie found the soccer balls first, "Wanda! How did you know I felt a game coming on?!" he practically squealed in delight. I chuckled, "Maybe tomorrow, Jai, I think we're all a bit tired from the raid."

Kyle appeared out of nowhere and patted me lightly on the back, "You go girl! That was one hell of a haul that you manage to procure in one go. Everyone seems really grateful." I suddenly just remembered something and slapped my forehead with my palm, "We forgot medicine!" I exclaimed in frustration. Ian growled from behind me, "There is no way you're going to injure yourself again just so you can go and steal some. Besides we've got plenty of stock still from the last time you tried that little stint!"

Jared interrupted then and rolled his eyes, "Oh come on, O'Shea! You can't protect her forever! Especially when Wanda clearly wants to help." I nodded in agreement with Jared, "He's right. If it means I have to save someone's life then obviously I will do it, no matter who the person is." Ian scowled at me, his arms crossed as I grabbed the other two soccer balls and the air pump. Jeb interrupted and I jumped. I hadn't even realized he was still here as he said, "Come on, let's discuss it later. I'm starved and Maggie is busy making pork sandwiches in the kitchen on the machine you got her Wanda. She loves it." I smiled at him. I had seen the sandwich machine in the shop and decided it might be nice for Maggie and the other women who cooked. The more equipment we had, the better.

We all headed towards the kitchen. Jamie jabbered away about when we were going to play the game tomorrow. Jeb decided on five o clock, right before dinner and when everyone was finished their shifts in the fields. At least we would have worked up an appetite by then. I dropped the balls off in the storage cave, with the pump beside them. Ian walked with me in silence. But once we were in the cave, he stopped to ask, "I need to ask you something, and I want an honest answer." I bit my lip and waited anxiously before he asked, "Do you still feel for Jared?" I replied instantly, "I…in truth I don't feel anything for him. But…it's a strange sensation being taken from a body that loved him so deeply and being put into a body that feels nothing for him. It feels like I'm missing something. Please understand that I don't like that feeling. I know it's wrong and I shouldn't feel that way. But I would never, ever act on those feelings."
I swallowed hard and Ian mumbled, "So you both say." I sighed irritably, "Ian, you can't expect it to be easy and as painless as possible to transfer from one body into another. It's only been a week and a bit! You have to respect that! I never wanted to love Jared, but those feelings were forced upon me! Don't tell me you still don't find yourself attracted to Melanie's body at all?" I waited for a response as I raised my eyebrow skeptically. Ian didn't say anything, just stood there with his arms folded. That was all the response I needed. I nodded irritably, "My point has just been made!" I stalked out of the cave with as much attitude as I could. I was tired of his over protectiveness, of his need for me to constantly verify my love for him. It made me think that he thought I didn't really love him and I suppose he had a right to think that-after I nearly left this earth. But those were his insecurities and not mine. I shouldn't have to deal with them.

I arrived in the dining hall and Ian hadn't followed me. He hadn't even said a word. I walked into the kitchen hall without him and went to go and receive a sandwich from Maggie. I thanked her, she nodded and I headed towards Mel's table with Jamie, Jared, and Jeb. I sat down beside Mel and sighed as I bit into the sandwich. Mel frowned, "What's up with you? And where's Ian?" I shrugged my shoulders, "I'll tell you later." Jamie was onto his second sandwich already. I laughed, "Jamie! You're going to chew so much your teeth will fall out!" He stuck his tongue out at me, "Then you shouldn't have gotten so much food to be chewed." Jeb laughed and shook his head, "He's a growing boy, Wanda! He needs all the energy he can get." Jamie nodded in agreement.

Jared remained silent throughout all of the conversation. I realized that he refused to even look at me or Mel. I reckon he still felt awkward for the position he put me in. I wasn't really sure how to react to him either. How were you supposed to react when the love of your sister's life had admitted to having feelings for you? It was wrong on so many levels!

As soon as Jared finished eating, he got up and excused himself. He said he was going to sleep. I frowned. He usually waited for Mel to finish her food before returning to his room. Even Jamie noticed his sudden change in behavior. He frowned, "Jared, what's up?" I waited with bated breath as Jared glanced at Mel, and then quickly said, "Just tired, Jai. I'm going to go to sleep. Night guys." Jamie watched Jared leave and commented, "He seems so…different. Like he's got the weight of the world on his shoulders."
I swallowed and felt guilt grip me. Why did Jamie have to be so observant? He was too bright for his age which meant that nothing got past us. I sighed, "Why don't you go and talk to him, Jamie? I think he's missed you." Jamie frowned, "I guess so."
Mel glanced at me suspiciously and Jamie finished his sandwich swiftly. He got up and grinned, "I'll see you guys in a bit." I nodded and Jeb laughed, "Good ploy to get him out of here, Wanda. He looks up to Jared so much. He's clearly worried." I mumbled, "And he has reason to be." Jeb frowned and Mel elbowed me in the waist, "Hey! I don't want everyone knowing, thanks Wanda!" Jeb sighed, "Ok, now you have to tell me, Mel!"

Mel grimaced at me and said, "Jared…uh…he's admitted to having feelings for…Wanda." Jeb nearly spat his sandwich out and I couldn't blame him. I'd probably react the same way. He laughed then quickly, "I…uh…I must say I didn't see that coming. Sorry Mel for laughing. It was more out of shock than anything else." Mel shrugged carelessly, "It's fine. It was just a really awkward trip home. Ian found out too. He punched Jared's face because of it." I nodded, "And Mel went running to the closest MacDonald's while we drove around town looking like idiots for her." Jeb gasped in exasperation, "Melanie! How foolish could you be?! It's like you were trying to get caught!" Mel rolled her eyes, "Oh please! I was wearing my sunglasses." I chirped, "Yes! At night!" She scowled at me and Jeb shook his head, "You can thank your lucky stars girl that these Souls aren't extremely suspicious! If I hear you doing that again I'm seriously not going to let you go on a raid again!"

Mel pouted, "I won't. I just needed some space." Jeb sighed, "Fine. But you better sort your relationship out with Jared soon. The kid is already noticing that something is wrong." Mel sighed, "I know. I know. It's just difficult. I don't really want to forgive him just yet." I whispered before I could even think what I was saying, "But you have to. For Jamie's sake." Jeb grinned at me, "Wanda, you took the words right out of my mouth." Mel however, didn't say a thing.

A/N: Hey guys! So I haven't heard from anyone in a while...is it worth my time to carry on with this story? Please let me know :) any feedback would be much appreciated.