Hey! Sorry this took so long, but here it is. As always, I don't own the Host, I only own Lexi. Enjoy!

Chapter nine

The next few weeks passed in a blur. I was utterly content. I had Jamie, Ian and Kyle were speaking again, Kyle was trying not to be so much of an idiot, and Wanda wasn't being as self-sacrificing as usual. Jamie was happy too, and that, well that made me even happier.

Mel seemed to be doing alright too. It was strange; I hadn't really thought about Mel much. It had always been Wanda I had thought of, I guess because I hadn't known Mel. That must be horrible, I thought, being stuck in your body, but not being able to do anything. I supposed at least she was still present. I couldn't bear to think of how Jamie would react if Mel disappeared.

Jamie had accepted Mel and Wanda as two different people, and I followed his example. When we talked to Wanda, we talked to Mel too. Sometimes I would ask her questions about her home, and about Jamie, when he wasn't there. Other times, I would just ask her about what it was like.

"It's hard, and complicated," Wanda told me once. "It's like she's trapped."

"At least you're not trying to imprison her," I had replied. "Does she…Is she mad at you for taking her body?"

"Not anymore," Wanda had said slowly. I guessed that she was listening to Mel's answer. "She says she used to be mad, but now she realizes there's nothing I can do, and that I'm doing my best."

I didn't see Ian much these days. He was almost always with Wanda. Kyle told me it was because he was in love with Wanda, but I didn't believe him. Sure, he liked Wanda. But love? I just couldn't see it happening. I had no idea how wrong I was.

It all started when I overheard Ian and Jared talking. I was on my way to my room when I heard them in Jared and Jamie's room, and I couldn't help stopping.

"I told you before, keep your hands off her, O'Shea," Jared said angrily. "Mel's there too remember? And she's mine."

"What about Wanda? Isn't she a person too?" Ian protested.

"But it's Mel's body."

"So, what? Wanda's just supposed to suffer so Mel doesn't get her feelings hurt?"

"Look O'Shea, I didn't say anything when I found out you were in love with the parasite – " Ian hissed at the word, but Jared continued, "in Mel's body. But as long as she's in Mel's body, you will not touch her. Understand?"

They kept arguing, but I had heard enough. I walked quietly to my room and sat down on the bed.

How could he be in love with her? I wasn't saying Wanda wasn't great, but…She was still a different species. How would it ever work while she was in Mel's body? I would have hated to be Mel. Or Wanda, I reminded myself. I couldn't even begin to think how hard it must be for her. On the one hand, she loved Jared because of Mel's memories, but on the other, she loved, or at least liked Ian a lot because of how nice he had been to her, and just because of who he was. It must be so confusing, I thought.

I didn't get a chance to talk to Jamie, because the next day, Jared announced that we needed more food, so they were going on a quick raid. That would've been fine with me, except for the fact that Jared took Jamie, and Kyle refused to let me go.

"But if Jamie gets to, I should too! I'm just as strong and fast as he is!" I complained to Kyle.

"I don't want you getting hurt, Lex," Kyle replied firmly. "You're not going."

"But it's not fair!"

"I don't care, Lex. You are not going. That's final."

And, sadly that was final. I argued with him every second I could, but he wouldn't listen. Jamie was sad that I couldn't come, but he was too excited to go on the raid to give it up, even for me. Then one morning, I woke up and they were gone. Ian hadn't gone with them, I guess because he wanted to stay with Wanda.

I was washing dishes with Ian one day; it was one of the rare occasions when Wanda wasn't with him. We were talking about the raid and how long we thought it would last. Everything was normal and I was just enjoying some time with my brother.

And then I had to open my mouth and blurt out," Are you in love with Wanda? Because I heard you and Jared talking and he said you were and Kyle said you were and…Are you?" The words were pouring out of my mouth, and at first I thought there was no way he could've understood me. But of course, with my luck, he did. He stared at me, surprised for a moment.

Then he replied, "Yes, Lex. It's true. I can't explain it really, but I love Wanda."

I was quiet for a moment, watching Ian.

"Well, it took you long enough to find a girlfriend," I said finally. Ian grinned.

"Hey, you can't say anything either," Ian said. "It took you until the end of humanity to find a boyfriend. You're just as bad."

"For the last time, Jamie's not my boyfriend!" I exclaimed.

"But you wish he was," Ian said.

I splashed him, and he gasped. Soon it was an all out war, and after only a few minutes we were soaking wet. After a while we quieted.

"I guess it can't be too bad," I said. "I mean, Wanda's awesome, and everything. I was just wondering…How's it gonna work out with – "

"Mel?" Ian said, interrupting me. Then he sighed. "I don't know Lex. I guess we'll just have to wait and see."

"Does Wanda know?" I asked.

"Yes…She overheard me talking to Jared."

"How does she feel about…everything?"

"She…She doesn't really know what to think. It's…hard for her, with Mel there too."

I nodded. "It must be terrible for both of them."

Ian was about to reply when Jeb walked in.

"Gol'durn it, aren't you two done yet? And why are you so wet?"

We exchanged a glance, and I laughed.

"It's sort of a long story, Jeb," Ian said.

"Well, c'mon then. We need more plates in the kitchen."

We followed him obediently, and that was the end of our conversation. We didn't talk about it much after that. We were just too busy. I had healed pretty well by now, or at least enough that I could walk, so I had chores to do, and of course classes with Sharon.

When I wasn't in class or doing chores, I was with Wanda and Ian, and I did a lot of my chores with them.

As I was making breakfast one morning, Wes passed by me and said, "Hey Lex! Lily, Paige, Ian, Wanda and I are playing soccer after lunch. You want to play?"

I nodded enthusiastically. It had been months since I had played soccer because of my ankle. I couldn't wait to run again.

I headed over after lunch, and met up with Ian and Wanda in the eastern tunnel. They greeted me, and we walked towards the room together. Apparently, Wanda hadn't known she was playing soccer, because as soon as she heard the ball, she said, "Ian, I'm not in the mood."

I raised my eyebrows in surprise at Ian, but he just smiled at me.

"You said you had plenty of energy," He replied to Wanda.

"To work. Not to play soccer."

"But Lily, Wes, and Paige will be really disappointed," I said.

"Not you too," Wanda muttered.

"Yeah, Wanda," Ian said. "I promised them to a game of three-on-three. They worked so hard this morning to free up the afternoon…"

"Don't try to make me feel guilty," She said as we turned a corner.

"Isn't it working?" Ian teased her.

"C'mon Wanda," I pleaded. "It will be good for you."

Ian pulled her into the rec room, and I followed. Lily, Wes, and Paige were already there, passing the ball back and forth.

"Hey, Wanda. Hey, Ian. Hey, Lex," Lily called.

"This one's mine O'Shea. S," He added on the 's' at the last minute. I grinned.

"We'll see, Wes. We'll see," I said ominously.

"You're not going to let us lose to Wes, are you?" Ian murmured to Wanda.

"You could beat them without me," She said.

"It would be a forfeit," I said. "We'd never live it down."

Finally, she sighed. "Fine. Fine. Be that way."

Ian hugged her. "You're my very favourite person in the known universe. No offense, Lex," He said to me.

"Thanks," Wanda said dryly to Ian.

I shrugged. "None taken."

"Ready to be humiliated, Wanda?" Wes taunted. "You may have taken the planet, but you're losing this game."

I rolled my eyes and laughed.

"Do you know the rules?" Paige asked Wanda.

She nodded. "I remember them."

"I'll take the goal," Ian told us, while Lily and Paige fell back, Wes pacing beside the ball. I grinned at Wanda, and the game began.

When I play, I play all by instinct. I have no idea what I was thinking about on the field that day, but what I do remember is this. First of all, it was lots of fun. Second of all, and most importantly, we won with twenty-one points.

We played well together, and I had good chemistry with Wanda. On one play, she passed me the ball and I passed it ahead of her. She swung her leg back and kicked it straight into the net.

Wes wanted another round, but Lily and Paige were done.

"Face it, they're better," Lily said.

"We got hustled," he replied.

"No one ever said she couldn't play," Paige pointed out.

"No one ever said she was a pro either," Wes said.

Wanda smiled, and I nudged her slightly.

"Don't be a sore loser," Lily said, reaching out to tickle Wes's stomach. Wes caught her fingers and pulled her close to him. She laughed and pulled away, but Wes pulled her towards him again and kissed her.

Wanda, Ian, and I exchanged a surprised glance. Then I whistled.

"Jeez, you guys. Get a room," I said.

Wes broke away and punched me playfully. Then he said to Lily, "For you, I will lose with grace," and let her go.

Lily's cheeks were pink, and I grinned at her.

"And now," Wes continued. "I'm off to get reinforcements. We'll see how your little ringer does against Kyle, Ian." He kicked the ball into the far corner of the cave, and there was a splash as it bounced into the spring.

Ian went to get it.

Lily laughed at Wanda's curious expression, "I know, I know," she said.

"How long has that been going on?" I asked.

She grimaced.

"Not our business. Sorry," Wanda said.

"It's okay. It's not really a secret – how could anything be a secret here, anyway? It's just really…new to me. It's sort of your fault, Wanda," she added, smiling.

"What did I do?" Wanda asked confusedly.

"Nothing," Lily said. "It was Wes's…reaction to you that surprised me. I didn't know he had so much depth to him. I was never really aware of him before that. Oh, well. He's too young for me, but what does that matter here?" She laughed again. "It's strange how life and love go on. I didn't expect that."

I hadn't really thought about it before, but now I realized that Lily and Wes hadn't really associated much before Wanda came. I just hadn't noticed it because of all the other things that happened because of Wanda.

"Yeah. Kind of funny how that happens," Ian agreed. I didn't hear him come back, but there he was, his arm around Wanda's shoulder. We exchanged a glance, and Ian's cheeks turned red. Lily looked at me curiously, but I shook my head.

"It's nice though," I said. "You do know Wes has been infatuated with you since he first got here, right?"

"So he says. I hadn't noticed."

Ian and I laughed. "Then you're the only one," Ian said. "So, Wanda, how about some one-on-one while we're waiting?"

"Okay," she said.

"I'll ref," I said.

Wanda got the ball first, and immediately scored two goals. I could tell Ian was holding back, and I rolled my eyes.

"Come on, Ian. Play," Wanda said.

"I am."

"Playing like a girl."

Lily and I laughed. "She's right, Ian," I called. He just laughed.

Wanda scored one more goal, and then put the ball at center field. "You win, and you can sleep in my room while they're gone," she said. I could tell he was instantly motivated, and I exchanged a glance with Paige, who was sitting on my left. She had been very quiet since Wes left, but now she laughed.

"First to ten," Ian said.

The game was over in fifteen minutes.

"Ten-four, I win," Ian declared.

"Good game," Wanda said, looking out of breath.

"Tired?" he asked innocently. "I think I'm ready for bed myself," he said dramatically.

Wanda winced.

"Aw, Mel, you know I'm joking. be nice."

"Don't worry, Mel," I said. "I'll keep him in line."

"She says 'You better,'" Wanda said.

Lily and Paige looked at us, strangely.

"Jared's Melanie objects to me," Ian said, winking at them.

"That's…interesting," Paige said, raising her eyebrows.

"I wonder what's taking Wes so long?" Ian muttered. "Should we go find out? I could use some water."

"Me, too," Wanda agreed.

"Bring some back," I called.

"So, what was that about?" Paige asked me as they left.

"Oh, Ian's just in love with Wanda, and Mel kind of hates him," I said nonchalantly.

"Oh, is that all?" Lily said mocking me.

I elbowed her lightly, and we all laughed.

Then we heard shouts, and we followed the shouts until we were in the main room with the garden.

Wanda was with Jamie, Trudy beside them. Jamie's eyes lit up when he saw me.

"Lex!" He cried.

I sprinted towards him and hugged him.

"Lex, you should give him a little space. He's…had a long day. He should rest," Trudy told me. I stepped back, but I felt apprehensive. Why would him being tired mean I couldn't hug him? Then I saw Wanda's face. Her eyes were wide with fear.

"Jamie! What happened?" Wanda said.

"Wanda? What's – " I stopped short as I followed her eyes. Right above Jamie's right knee there was a large hole in his jeans, and dried blood.

"What happened Jamie?" I asked slowly.

"Thanks, Trudy," Jamie said.

"They were going to notice soon enough. C'mon, we'll talk while you limp."

Trudy and I helped Jamie walk, and he kept his weight on his left leg.

"Jamie, tell me what happened!" Wanda said.

"It's really stupid. And totally my fault. And it could have happened here."

"Tell us," I said.

Jamie sighed. "I tripped with a knife in my hand."

I wave of relief washed over me. "Oh, is that all?"

"What do you mean is that all?" Wanda snapped. I was surprised. I had never seen her this angry before.

"Wanda, I'm not saying it's a good thing," I explained, "I'm just saying it's better than some of the other things that could have happened. Jamie'll heal in no time, you'll see."

Wanda nodded. "Sorry, Lex. I just…"

"Don't worry about it," I assured her.

"Should't we be taking you the other way?" Wanda asked. "You need to see Doc."

"That's where I'm coming form. That's where we went first."

"What did Doc say?" I asked.

"It's fine. He cleaned it and bandaged it and said to go lie down."

"And have you walk all this way? Why didn't you stay in the hospital?" Wanda asked. I frowned, but then Jamie mouthed, 'experiments', and I got it. See, Doc tries every now and then to get souls out of human bodies with souls the raiders kidnap. I cringed as I remembered mangled, bloody bodies lying on cots, Doc's hands stained with blood. I had only been in there once, and I still had nightmares about it. What would Wanda think? I wondered. She would hate us, I realized. All of us. She would think we were monsters, murderers. I cringed again, and Wanda looked at me quizzically. I just shook my head.

"Jamie will be more comfortable on his bed," Trudy suggested.

"Yeah," Jamie said. "Who wants to lie around on one of those awful cots?"

Ian joined us after a moment.

"Hey, kid! Hey, Trudy!" He said.

"Hi Ian," they said in unison.

"What happened here?"

"Fell on a knife."

Ian laughed, and I elbowed him in the ribs.

"I don't think it's funny," Wanda told him tensely.

"Could happen to anybody," Ian said, punching Jamie playfully.

"Right," Jamie muttered.

"Where's everybody?" Ian asked.

"They, uh, had some unloading to finish up." I watched as Ian's expression hardened. He didn't like what they did there either.

"Are you hungry?" Wanda asked Jamie suddenly.

"Yeah," he replied.

"When aren't you hungry?" I teased him. He tried to scowl at me, but after a few seconds, he lost it and a smile grew in place of his scowl.

We walked to Jamie and Wanda's room, and Jamie sat down on a mattress, looking exhausted.

"You sure you're okay?" Wanda checked.

"It's notohing. Really. Doc says I"ll be fine in a few days."

Wanda didn't look convinced.

"I'm going to go clean up," Trudy murmured, leaving quietly.

I sat down next to Jamie, and Ian leaned against the wall.

"Ian?" Wanda said, staring at Jamie's cut. "Do you mind getting us some food? I'm hungry too.

Ian looked at her, puzzled, but agreed. "I'll be back in just a second," he said, emphasizing the fact that he would not be gone long.

"You aren't mad at me?" Jamie asked once Ian had left.

"Of course not," Wanda replied.

"I know you didn't want me to go."

"You're safe now; that's all that matters." She slowly got to her feet and her hair fell across her face. "I'll be right back – I forgot something I wanted to tell Ian."

"What?" I asked, confused by her tone and behaviour.

"You two will be okay here?"

"Course we will," Jamie retorted. She ducked out of the room before I could say anything else.

"What's she up to?" I wondered.

"I don't know. Maybe you should follow her," Jamie suggested.

I thought for a moment, and then agreed. "I'll be right back Jamie. Don't fall on a knife while I'm gone, okay?" Jamie laughed, and I left.

Wanda was already at the end of the hall, and I hurried to catch up with her, trying to be as silent as possible. She stopped near the hospital, which didn't surprise me after Trudy's great cover-up. I shrank against the wall when I heard voices coming towards us.

"I think it's sick," I heard Violetta mutter. "Disgusting. It's never going to work."

I pressed myself against the wall as they passed me.

After a moment of silence, I heard Wanda jogging to the hospital, and then creeping quietly once she got to the hospital entrance. I followed her, still a bit behind. I figured there was nothing I could do now, since she wouldn't listen to me, but try and explain to her afterwards, although I didn't understand it well either.

I heard Doc sobbing, and Jeb said something to him, although I couldn't make out the words.

"Wanda! Wait!" I whispered. I ran towards her, and she looked at me with wide eyes.

"Did you follow me here?" she demanded.

"Yes, but you were acting so strange, I just wanted to make sure you were okay." I put on my best innocent face, but she didn't buy it.

"Did Jamie ask you to come?"

"No. Not ask exactly. Just suggest."

"Well I suggest that you go back to Jamie now." She crossed her arms in front of her chest.

"But, Wanda!"

"Leave."

"No."

"Fine, stay with me. But I'm going to see what's in there."

"Wanda, please!" But Wanda ignored me. Instead she took a deep breath and entered the hospital.

I didn't follow. I was still standing outside when I heard her scream. It wasn't like before, when Kyle was trying to kill her. That was pain. This…this was agony. The mere sound of it made my eyes fill with tears. I ran into the room just in time to catch her.

The world around me was a blur. Wanda's pale face, frozen with fear, Jeb and Doc's bewildered eyes.

"Doc, help!"

"What's wrong with her?"

"Is it having a fit?"

"What did she see?"

"Nothing – nothing. The bodies were covered!"

There were so many voices around me, I couldn't identify them. Then I saw what had scared Wanda.

"Not the human bodies," I said. "The…the souls. Don't you see them? They're everywhere. You covered the wrong bodies."

Of course, since I was just a kid nobody listened to me. I opened my mouth to speak again, but Ian interrupted me.

"Wanda? Can you hear me?" he grabbed Wanda from me and I stepped back, watching the scene unfold. I was frozen in shock and fear, looking at the silver bodies, or what was left of them, strewn across the rooms. This was what had frightened Wanda. Not the human bodies, the souls.

"Is she conscious?"

"I think she's going to throw up." This person, whoever they were, was right. After a moment Wanda retched all over the floor and Ian's hands. I turned away, and found myself facing Kyle. He must have just come, because I hadn't heard him before.

"There's nothing you can do, Lex. You should leave. You can visit her later, when she's…recovered."

I shook my head. The last thing I wanted to do was leave Wanda, now when she needed me most. Kyle sighed, but left. I turned back to Wanda.

"Hold on to her – don't let her hurt herself," I heard Doc said.

"Let me go!" Wanda said, struggling to free herself. "Get away from me! Get away; you're monsters! Torturers!" She screamed again, and I flinched at the sound.

That was the last thing I heard, because after a moment I sprinted out of the room. I couldn't take it anymore. I crashed into Jamie on my way to my room, and his eyes widened at my expression.

"Lex, what's the matter?" he asked.

"I – Wanda," I couldn't speak, my voice broke, and he hugged me. I didn't cry, but my arms were still shaking. I couldn't get the image of those broken silver bodies, and the blood that covered the walls. For the first time in my life, I hated being human.

There you go! Please review! Thanks! Oh, and I'll try and update sooner next time!