AN: Im sooooooo sorry. I promised that I would put up another chapter soon and obviously didn't. Especially sorry to Vanessa-Wolfe303. I feel terrible. She helped me get out of my writer's block and gave me some ideas with what's coming up. But I got preoccupied with my calculus class which is KILLING me. Plus, I sort of got out of touch with Wanda's and Ian's personalities. Even Jared's. So I reread the book to make sure that I got a better feel for their personalities. I know it may be OOC sometimes but I'm trying to keep it close at least. Hope I'm doing that at least. Anyway, I know I have a sort of depressing mood going on in my story. The last chapter wasn't but it wasn't that great either. Ian and Wanda are both in a tough place and know that someone's going to end up miserable. So you're going to have to bear with me. I'm going to try to lighten it up soon. Trust me, I hate making it so dramatic but i figured that in real life if something like this happened, no one would have a smile on all day. Um...anything else? Well, the song is called Running from Lions by All Time Low. I felt it might fit how Ian feels.

Wanda POV

I watched the desert pass before me as I sighed. So many emotions filled me as I thought about what was going on. I was finally going to see my Jamie for one.

You mean my Jamie. Melanie reminded me.

Yes. I know perfectly well that he's yours. I can't help what I feel for the child when I dream about him every night.

Does that mean you feel something for Jared as well?

I paused. What did I feel for Jared? Almost like a gravitational pull towards him. I couldn't help the fact that this body yearns for him so much. The same as you do. But I don't think it's the same. I think it's this body's connection to him. Perhaps if I had met Jared first I would have felt more like you and would not have been able to fall for Ian. I know who I truly love.

Melanie seemed a bit happier knowing that I was not in love with Jared. She sat back and tried to listen to his voice faintly singing along with the radio while I turned my head to the setting sun and the tumbleweeds. I thought about Ian and realized that he may not love me like he said.

Why don't you think that he loves you still?

I thought you were paying attention to Jared.

Don't change the subject! Answer the question.

Well, he likes you. Your very pretty, Melanie. I'm merely a soul.

But he knew you were a soul before he fell for you. He cares about you, Wanda. Why do you think I hid whenever you guys went out?

Because you don't like him but you want me to be happy?

Partially. The other part was because he looks at you like Jared looked at me. It reminds me of what I lost and can never have. I don't hate you anymore. You're not a bad person. And because of you I get to see my Jamie and Jared again. He loves you for you. You heard what he said.

Thanks Melanie.

Anytime.

I felt her slip back into her state of idleness. Before I knew it, I fell into a light sleep.

Ian POV

I tried to ignore the guilt that filled me while Jared drove down the familiar desert highway. His face was no longer angry. But he was in deep concentration as though figuring out what to do next. His lips moved along mouthing the words of the song playing. I listened closely to listen to what was playing. I realized it was All Time Low. One of my sister's favorite bands. I realized which song it was immediately because the number of times she played it around the house. I don't know what upset me more. The fact that it reminded me of her or the fact that it made me feel guiltier.

Get me out of this place, before I cause more damage,
a small price to pay for building houses out of matchsticks;
and when things get too hot, you've got me to blame for,
every fire that breaks out in every lover's name,

I always ruin everything. I'm going to be the cause of pain for Wanda, Jared, Melanie. Hell, even Jamie.

Don't forget, we've got unfinished business,
stories yet to unfold,
tales that must be retold,
and I regret not knowing when to put an end to all this madness,
keeps me wanting,
keeps me wanting more…

There's so much we haven't talked about and so much that is seemingly impossible to figure out. I shouldn't have done any of this. If I wouldn't have fallen so hard for her, everyone would be ok. But no matter how much I try to regret it I can't. I want her too much. I'm so selfish.

Sell me out I'm yesterday's old news,
phrases left on paper,
black ink bleeding through
the pages where we made our history.
Call me foolish,
I feel hopeless...

Running from lions, never felt like such a mistake (Like a deer caught in the headlights)
Running from lions, never felt like such a mistake (I won't know what hit me...)
Running from lions, never felt like such a mistake (Like a deer caught in the headlights)
Running from lions, never felt like such a... (I won't know what hit me...)

Don't forget, we've got unfinished business,
stories yet to unfold,
tales that must be retold,
and I regret not knowing when to put an end to all this madness,
keeps me wanting,
keeps me wanting more...

I suddenly hated the song because some of it fit so perfectly. It made me feel even worse. What's going to happen? I looked back at Wanda sleeping peacefully and couldn't control my lips curling into a smile. Jared noticed her unconscious form and looked at me. The anger that I saw in him earlier reappeared as he stared me down. I noticed the car going faster and looked in front of the car and behind to make sure that no one was around.

I sighed as I realized it was time to talk things over. "Alright. Go."

He looked toward the road again as he deliberated about what he was going to say.

"How?"

"How what?"

"How the hell did you fall in love with a worm?"

"She's not a worm!"

Jared just looked at the road as he waited for me to answer his question.

"She's perfect. She's so giving and thoughtful. She isn't like the rest. She thinks for herself. She even told me that she doesn't feel the same as other souls and never felt like she belonged. She's more compassionate than actual humans. If she was really like the others why would she feel more comfortable with me rather than her species?"

He looked forward not speaking. He pulled up to the car's hiding spot and he got out slamming the door behind him. Wanda woke with a start.

"Where are we?"

"We have to hide the car here."

"Oh."

I got out of the car and went to Jared.

"What did you tell the rest about where we were going?"

"They think we were splitting up the work. I told them to go to Lake Havasu while we took care of San Diego. That way we could get more grounds covered." He shrugged.

"Well?"

"I don't know what we're going to say."

"You got us into this, you get us out. Go talk to Jeb. I'll stay with Wanda."

"What?!! You just want to spend more time with her!"

"Just go!"

"Fine. I'll be back." He glared before stomping off.

I turned back to the car and saw Wanda staring after him. I knew that I now had competition. Melanie was back in the picture. Wanda wasn't just mine anymore. I walked to the other back seat door and slid in.

"Where did he go?" She asked as she turned her head towards me.

"He has to explain some things to Jeb before we can go in. You see, no one will believe that you're not going to cause any trouble. If you walked through there, I don't know if you would be attacked or not. I'm not taking any chances." She nodded slightly.

"What's going to happen?"

I looked at her while I thought about what I should say. Should I lie? Would it be easier to tell her that everything will be fine? Or should I tell her the truth? "I have no idea."

I put my arms around her and she leaned back into me. I have no idea how long we sat like that. We didn't speak. We just enjoyed each other's presence and our proximity. I decided we needed some air so I carefully moved her from my lap onto the seat and got out of the car. I got a blanket from the back and spread it on the ground. She followed me and we laid on the ground looking at the stars. I could tell it reminded us both of our first date. I looked at her and leaned forward until our lips touched and moved at a steady pace. It wasn't forceful but soft and sweet. But then she pulled my neck closer as her lips moved more urgently. She pulled away slightly so our lips were barely touching.

"I don't know when I'll be able to kiss you again."

This time I kissed her with more urgency. I picked up her body and brought her down on top of me. She giggled and kissed me again.

Suddenly we heard a throat clear. I clenched my eyes shut and sighed before looking up to see Jared looking ready to kill and Jeb standing with a surprised look on his face.

"Well, now. I wasn't expecting this."