I could feel myself waking up and I could Ian's breath on my neck. As I woke in Ian's arms I felt blissful. I could feel Ian stirring beside of and I rolled so I could face him. "Wanda, is everything ok?" What a way to great me this morning! "Everything is more than ok. Ian everything is so much more than what I imagined it to be" That must have been a good answer because he covered my mouth with his and the fever quickly rose up through my body once again.

"Wanda, we need to stop. Today we go home." Ian broke apart from me but I wasn't ready to let go. "Wanda, please, we have all time in the world. Home" As my mind began to clear his words registered with me. Home! We have been away for almost a month. I jumped from the bed and began to laugh. I had to struggle not to look at Ian's body as I pulled him from the bed. "Come on Ian, let's get ready! I'm ready for home!" I took a hot shower, I knew it would be my last one for a long time and I wanted to take advantage of it. As I was letting the water beat down on my head I closed my eyes enjoying the moment. "I just can't help it" Ian said as he pulled the shower curtain back and stepped in. I didn't have time to respond as he grabbed me around the waist and crushed his mouth against his. He spun me around and lifted me so that my legs were around his waist and the shower wall supported my back.

We were finally getting dressed. I had to distract myself from Ian. I focused on home and I thought of Jaime, Trudy, Lily and then Lacey. "Ian, Burns is upset that I showed Doc how to remove the souls from humans." Ian's face was in shock and he managed to say "Why? If you wouldn't have shown Doc, then he wouldn't have Lacey?"

"Ian it's a little complicated. The knowledge I gave Doc is well, sacred to Souls. We are never to remove a soul without permission or an emergency. I don't know Ian, I tried to explain it him and that it was the only way I could give Melanie back"

"Wanda I wouldn't worry about it too much. Burns will understand when we tell him the story." He walked over and put his arms around me "Besides, how often do we see him? Babe, he was probably just curious about it. Don't worry. Come on let's go home"

We have gotten into a routine. We kept our storage truck hidden outside of Tucson to help keep a low profile. It's easier for us to fill the jeep up and to move the supplies to the storage truck. Fewer vehicles to travel in and it won't attract attention. Once we had reached the alcove where the truck was hidden we all exited the jeep thankful to stretch our legs.

Click. "Hold it right there". I froze in fear and I realized it was Jared's voice. As the rest of us rushed to the back of the storage truck, what I saw stopped me in my tracks and Ian rushed forward. "Rowan! You're alive!" The girl had pale skin, long dark hair that was matted in places, and very clear sapphire blue eyes. She couldn't have been more than seventeen. I felt the jealousy rise up into my throat as Ian grabbed her and twirled her. "Oh Ian!" the girl broke into sobs that were uncontrollable "It's ok sweetheart, you're safe now. Shhhh."

"Ian, we need to move. We are out in the open." Melanie said with a sharp tone. Ian finally looked up and he caught my eyes. "Oh, guys this is Rowan. This is Jodi's cousin" with a laugh he said "practically like sisters. Rowan this is Jared, Melanie, Brandt, and my partner Wanda." As he said my name he took my hand and kissed me on the forehead. Then Rowan noticed my eyes. "Ian! She's, she's not human!"

Melanie, my sister who was so overprotected of me spoke up first. Her eyes narrowed and she used the tone in her voice that can only be described as frightening. "Wanda is more human than any human that I've ever met. She is our friend, my sister. So either shut up and get into the jeep or go die in the dessert."

Jared put his arms across Mel's shoulder and looked at me. I couldn't hide my smile, it was nice to hear her say those words and no matter how many times she said them. Mel and I will always have that indescribable bond.

Wordlessly Rowan got into the jeep with a look of astonishment on her face. Brandt drove the storage truck and Mel opted to ride with him, she looked clearly annoyed. Jared drove the jeep. We rode in silence with me gripping Ian's hand as tightly as I could. I was still unclear of the relationship with Ian and Rowan, and I didn't want to know. "So, Rowan" Jared interrupted my thoughts "what exactly are you doing in the dessert and how did you find the storage truck?"

Rowan sighed very wearily "I was in the dessert because the Seekers discovered the place where I was staying. There was an old abandoned ranch outside of Tuscan where I was staying. I went out to get supplies and when I returned the Seekers were there. I had no choice but to go into the dessert. My supplies ran out last night and I stumbled onto this alcove looking for shelter for the night and to my surprise there was a truck. Guys, I'm sorry, I took a bottle of water and some food"

Jared sighed "It's ok, we're not mad uh, Ian we are close to home. Now might be a good time to tell her about Sunny."

Rowan turned to Ian with a look of curiosity on her face. "Row, you need to stay calm as I tell you this. There is no need to get worked up" Her eyes slanted and very harshly she said "Spit it out O'Shea, it irks me when you don't just spit things out. Spare my feelings"

Ian laughed "Nothing has changed there." Ian caught me gaze and sighed. "Kyle went to get Jodi, only it wasn't Jodi anymore" Ian told Rowan the whole story, he left out no detail. I realized that Ian had become a very good story teller and I loved him instantly that much more for it. Rowan listened intently and did not interrupt. Her face remained neutral and suddenly it crumpled and she broke down into tears. "Ian" she sobbed. Instantly Ian and I moved as one to give her comfort. "I've been alone for four years. Four years Ian, I thought I was the only human left." The tears were uncontrollable for her now "I'm only fifteen, I'm supposed to be in high school, looking forward to prom!" Rowan buried her head into Ian's shoulder and just sobbed.

I helplessly looked at Jared and he mouthed "Fifteen, wow". Obviously being alone has aged this girl quickly. Then I did the math, Rowan was just a child when Ian and Jodi knew her. Then I understood, more like Jodi's little sister.