Mel's P.O.V:

I was never often left speechless in my life. I always knew what to say and when to say it. However, when Wanda insinuated that I had to forgive Jared, my brain froze and I couldn't think straight. Jeb, of course, had agreed with her. Wanda and I were on washing up duty since we'd missed our shift on the raid. When we went over to the dishes, Maggie smiled at me, "Thanks Mel. I need to go and have my own dinner too." I nodded, "Not a problem Aunt Maggie." She even half smiled at Wanda. I raised my eyebrows, "Wow. She seems very…uh…" Wanda shrugged, "Neutral?" she asked. I laughed, "Yeah. Good word to describe it."
While Wanda washed and I dried the piles of plates, I asked her, "So what was up with you earlier? I know things have been really tense…but…" Wanda sighed and paused washing the dishes in order to tie elastic around her hair. She whispered, "Ian…Ian asked me how I felt about Jared. Honestly." I clenched my jaw, waiting anxiously. I wasn't sure how she felt about him either. I hadn't wanted to know. So I whispered tightly, "And what did you say?"

She was staring at me with big, wide, fearful blue eyes before she blurted, "I said I feel like something's missing and it feels weird but it's something I'll have to ignore. Ignore it until the feeling actually is gone. I would never want to hurt you, Mel! Don't you know that's why I gave you your body back?!" It was as if she had just assumed my worst possible reaction and now she was rambling.
I placed my hand over her mouth and she shut up immediately. I removed it quickly and sighed, "I take all the blame for how you feel about him. It was my fault. I egged you to come and find Jamie and Jared. I don't blame you for still having feelings for him in this body." It kind of hurt for me to say it out loud. It was like some sort of cruel twist of fate. Wanda protested, "No! Mel you're not listening! I love Jared yes…but not like how you do. It's…more…oh I don't know…like a first crush kind of thing." She searched desperately for a way to explain herself.

I half smiled, "Wanda. I don't blame you. At all. If anyone it's me who's to blame." She relaxed a little but I could still see the guilt written across her features. I sighed, "Nothing I say will convince you that I don't blame you, will it?" Wanda suddenly laughed, "Maybe if I was inside your head again." I laughed at the unexpectedness of her joke. I hugged her tightly and whispered in her ear, "I love you, Wanda. Don't forget it so easily." I knew behind my back, that she was smiling.
I pulled back and sure enough a smile was on her face, "I love you too, Mel. That's why no matter what I will never act on those feelings. I said the same thing to Ian." I frowned, "And he didn't believe you?" I shook my head, "I don't know. He just said, "So you both say," referring to me and Jared saying the same thing." I rolled my eyes and said sincerely, "Sorry Wanda. He'll come around."
A voice behind us made me jump, "Who will come around?" It was Ian. He was standing there with a plate and putting and sandwich on, body taught and stiff. I scowled at him, "You, you twathead! You better believe Wanda when she says that nothing will happen with Jared." Ian frowned at me, "Do you believe that Jared won't act on his feelings, Mel?" I snapped, "What kind of a barbaric question is that! Of course he won't." Ian shrugged, "We'll see…" he murmured as he grabbed some salad. The entire time he had refused to look at Wanda and I felt my blood boil. I liked Ian a lot and I approved of him and my sister being together. He could be really overprotective and sometimes that got on everyone's nerves-most especially Wanda's and Jared's- but all things considered, I knew he loved her which was the main thing.

I jumped again when Jeb appeared out of nowhere, "Wanda, Mel, come on back to work." I turned back to the sink to dry up and felt that my skin was flushed from anger. Wanda said frustrated, "What do I do? How can I possibly sleep in the same room with Ian?!" Wanda kept calm even though she was clearly losing it. I sighed, "Wanda, maybe you could stay in Jamie's room. He's in Aaron and Brandt's old room. He's not got anyone staying with him. I know Jamie won't mind." Wanda nodded and sighed, "Thanks Mel. I just can't bear to be around him right now. It's so…awkward." I nodded in agreement, "Don't worry, Wanda. Just give him time."

Wanda's P.O.V:

When we finished dinner, Mel and I went to find Jamie. He was in his cave, reading a book I'd gotten him. The grocery store had had a small selection of magazines and books and he seemed to be really concentrating. He hadn't noticed us walk in but he smiled when he saw us, "Mel! Wanda! What's up?" I smiled calmly, even though my mind was teaming with questions about this. What would Ian think? Would he think I've left him? I didn't want to give him more doubt than he already had but at the same time I couldn't sleep in the same room as him right now.
Mel smiled warmly, "Well…would you mind if Wanda stays here with you for a few days?" Jamie frowned, "Of course! She's welcome anytime. She doesn't have to ask. But what's the matter? You and Ian…?" I cut in, "Because, Ian and I just need some time out for a few days." Jamie sighed, "I knew something was up when he didn't follow you to dinner. He sticks to your hip like glue. I'm sorry Wanda. I hope you can work it out soon. In the meantime though, I'm happy to have some company." He gave me a squeeze again and I smiled. Nothing was better comfort than a Jamie earth crushing hug, as Mel had taken to nicknaming them.

Jamie asked how the rest of the raid was. I smiled, "As carefree as the last one." I told him. Mel glared at me and I realized too late what I said. The last one, I had had to injure myself in order to procure medicine for Jamie. I murmured quickly, "I mean…uh…it's still dangerous though." Jamie rolled his eyes, "Not that dangerous. You just said carefree. Please don't lie to me Wanda." I sighed and shook my head. Mel interrupted, "Jamie…you have to understand. If something had to happen to you…" she faltered and glanced at me, "I…I would never be able to live with myself for letting you go."

Jamie sighed, "I know Mel. I get it. I really do. But I'm so tired of being kept here like a trapped hamster in a cage." Mel nodded, "I know…but…" Jamie groaned, "It's always 'but' Mel! You'll never try and compromise with me." She got on defensive, "I did! When we went to go and find Wanda's body. That was a special occasion though." I sighed, "Mel, in all fairness that was probably more dangerous than raiding. Besides it's not like you guys even enter the shop. And you said you'd set an age for Jamie."
Mel scowled at me but I shrugged. She needed to stick to her word. She sighed, "Fine…how about eighteen? You're a legal adult then." Jamie scoffed, "Eighteen?! No way! I might have died due to a lack of fresh air by then!" Mel sighed, "Seventeen?" Jamie grimaced, "That's still three years from now!" I chanced a glance at Mel and said tentatively, "How about sixteen? It's a year from now." Jamie was turning fifteen in three weeks.

Mel stared at Jamie, "Sixteen Jamie?" He nodded eagerly and flung his arms around her, "Sixteen is perfect! But I want your agreement in writing Mel!" She smiled half heartedly, "Fine. We can put it in writing when it's not so late at night." She hugged her brother tight and then she beckoned for me to join them. I wrapped my arms around both of them and for the first time since Ian and I had started fighting, I felt a slight sliver of hope that at least, even if things didn't work out between Ian and I, I would still have my little family to call home.

A/N:Hi all! Hope you enjoy this chapter! Thanks to Sarah, teaspoonbooks, jjreid, and MystermMahe for the review and for making me believe that there are still people reading this story! So after this chapter, we're going to skip a year into the future for Jamie's first raid. It's going to be a bit like how in the book/ movie it skips ahead by a few months and then they meet Burns, the other native Soul and the human group. That's the plan except its going to happen a year ahead and Jamie will be with them. Please let me know what you think! I would love to know!