Chapter Six - Wanderer

As I strolled along the aisle ways of the store with Ian next to me, my head was racing of thoughts. What have I gotten into? This plan was so ridiculous! I was surely going to end up dead sooner or later.

Ian was seething. You could practically see steam coming out of his ears. I felt sad that I could make him feel this way; I didn't want to upset anyone, I only wanted to help. This would be a good thing, though. This would be history in the making. Perhaps the humans would write about us in their textbooks. I smiled at that thought privately; I had always been fascinated by history, but I'd never been a part of it.

After we had gathered what we needed, we met Melanie and Jared back out at the car. We got in and started the long, quiet drive back home. Home. I was no longer Wanderer. I had a home and a family. I would fight to protect that. Ian was idly squeezing my hand, I'm not sure if he was aware of just how hard he was holding it. I took my hand out of his and rested it on his knee before leaning into him. Ever since I've been in this body I feel more like his little sister than his lover which frustrated me to no end. I didn't feel the same hunger and want that I did in Melanie's body, but there was a small trickle of beginning to that. I figured this body was younger, probably not fully developed yet. But I wanted to want Ian in that way. I wanted to please him.

"So when do I move out here?" I ask.

Melanie seemed shocked and turned back to face me. Her and Jared looked at each other for a quick moment. "Um, whenever you're ready." she replies hesitantly. I can feel Ian squirm in his seat beside me.

"I'll leave tomorrow." I say, trying to glance at Ian but all he does is stare out the window.

"We'll help you get your things ready tonight," Jared says, glancing at me through the rear-view mirror and giving me a reassuring look. I try to give one back, but how can I when I am so unsure myself? It didn't matter though, I was going to do this. I was going to do this for the humans.

I heard faint noises and closing car doors, but I was being lifted into the caves by strong, familiar arms. I clasped on tight to Ian's neck, although I was barely awake. I knew I had a long day ahead of me tomorrow. My ear was against his chest and I could hear his steady beating heart, the one I loved so dearly. When he deposited me onto a bed, I knew it was ours and immediately grabbed his hand before he could walk away, pulling him into bed with me. He sighed and laid down across from me, just staring at me.

"Please don't be mad at me." I whisper. He looks pained and conflicted.

"I'm not." he answers gruffly.

"I want to do this."

"I don't want you to."

"I'm helping the humans. I'm helping you." I plead.

"I don't want you to." he repeats, his sapphire eyes ablaze in the pale moonlight.

"I know you'd give your life for mine, but this is just something I have to do. I want you to understand that." I say, trying to keep the tears away that are prickling at my eyes.

He doesn't respond. He just wipes a tear that escaped and kisses me softly and slowly, taking his time and being delicate with me. I run my hands down his chest to his hard abdomen and relish in the feel of his body against mine. When I start to quicken our kiss he stops me slowly and pulls away, shaking his head, then brushing a piece of hair behind my ear. "Not tonight." he says, and I feel a stabbing pain in my chest. He didn't want me like that. What if I ended up dead by tomorrow? It was never tonight.

The next morning when I awoke, Ian was nowhere to be found. My heart sunk a little when I came to the realization. He had never been like this before, besides when he had tried to kill me. I'd never seen this side of Ian, so harsh, so secluded. I slowly got up and changed into a pair of fresh clothes, before shoving some of the "soul" clothes into a bag for my little vacation.

At the dining hall, I was greeted by none other than Jamie. I smiled at him, feeling bad that I would be leaving him shortly.

"Melanie told me. I'm not going to try to stop you." he said solemnly.

"Thank you." I said, rubbing him on the shoulder and giving him an apologetic smile.

"Please be careful, Wanda... just... come home soon."

"I will, Jamie. Don't worry."

And then Jared came to sit with us, Melanie in tow.

"How are you feeling?" Melanie asked. I nodded slowly.

"Fine."

"Jeb needs Mel's help today so I'll just drive you out." Jared said with a warm smile. He did have a beautiful smile.

"Okay." I agreed. "Has anyone seen Ian?"

Everyone looked down at their plates. Melanie gave me a pitying look. For some reason it all made me angry. I am not a child! I can handle the truth!

"Uh, I think he might have just wanted to get away for a bit." she said, shrugging her shoulders.

After breakfast I helped Jared to pack up the car and Jeb, Melanie, and Jamie stood at the cave entrance to say goodbye. I couldn't help but shed a few tears, but then I reminded myself that this was for them. I hugged Jamie and shook hands with Jeb, but caught sight of Melanie kissing Jared desperately and growling at him to be safe, earning a chuckle from him. It made my chest pang with jealousy, and I suddenly was all too aware of the one person absent from my parting crew.

Where are you Ian? I'm sorry! Please say goodbye to me.

But the desperate pleas in my head were no use. The sun was rising up in the sky and we needed to get a move on, so we pushed out after saying our final farewells. The car was awfully silent, and I had to try my best to blink away the tears of disappointment. Jared looked over at me.

"You know, I'm sure he didn't know. He'll be back out here when we visit you. We'll come every week." he said, trying to comfort me. I tried to nod. "Look, there's something else I need to talk to you about."

"Is something wrong?" I asked, raising a brow.

"No, no. Nothing. Yet." he said with a small smirk. He looked over at me. "I'm going to ask Melanie to marry me."

A/N: Dun dun dun! Cliffhanger hahaha. I told you guys I ship Jelanie like super hard. ;) I'm giving this to you guys before I finish the next chapter just cause I'm excited and yeah I feel like I've lost a lot of followers since slacking on updates. Hope you enjoy! As always, please leave a review!