Sorry I was going to post this on the weekend but considering it was our long weekend and we had such nice weather I got a little distracted. I hope you like this one. I was getting a little concerned when I saw how many hits the story had but barely any reviews, but then I got some and decided to keep on trucking (wow I actually just typed that) I am grateful to those who review as always.

So hope you enjoy this one and hope that you let me know what you think, so I know to continue.

Also: I don't own any of these wonderful characters, they are all from Stephenie

Ch 6.

I felt relief washing over me as I walked down the halls away from Docs office. We had decided that although Burns had accepted that I had no choice but to tell our secret, he was not ready for anyone else to know about it. He trusted Nate with his life, but he couldn't bring himself to let them know our secret. I wondered if he secretly feared that they would want him to give back his host, as he didn't appear to have a connection with anyone like I had with Ian.

I felt that my family were now safe. This filled me with so much joy. This body reacted so strongly to positive feelings that I was practically skipping down the halls while Ian and Burns followed me. I could them talking quietly behind me. From Ian's tone I could tell he was gushing over me. I could never understand how he embraced me so eagerly after what the soul's had done to his life. I vowed to make sure that every day I earned that love.

"Well we already discussed it, Jared," Jeb was explaining as we made our way into the kitchen for lunch. I felt guilty coming in for more food considering that we had done no work today, but Ian insisted that without me on the raid we would have no food so I should stop feeling bad about it.

"But what if we get captured... or they get captured?" Jared questioned. "That would put all the communities in danger."

"I understand that Jared, but look at it this way. What if the seekers found us? Would you want Melanie and Jaime to have to be on the run?" Jeb pointed towards Mel and Jaime as he explained this. "Or would you feel better knowing that they had people out there that they could go to?"

"Well of course I want them to have support-"

"Good grief Jared," Mel interrupted. "They already know where our cache is. It really wouldn't take the seekers that long to figure it out from there, so I don't see the harm."

I reached back and grabbed Ian's hand at the mention of seekers finding us. "What are you guys talking about?" Ian asked with an edge to his voice. I couldn't manage words so I just stared at them wide eyed. "Are the seekers coming for us?"

The feeling of joy that had previously taken over my body was no replaced with utter fear. I lost the ability to move from the spot I stood on. I was squeezing Ian's hand so hard it was turning my fingers purple.

"No, no, no," Jeb said shaking his head back and forth. "We were just about to have Nate explain how their community works when Jared here..." he stuck his thumb in Jared's direction. "He started freaking out about sharing too much information with each other and putting us all in danger."

"I believe you used to call it being practical." Jared defended his opinions.

"Yes well it usually is...but this time I feel we would be better suited to have as much knowledge as possible."

I let the relief wash over me as Jeb and Jared continued to bicker. My grip slightly loosened on Ian's hand and we walked towards the counter to grab our food with Burns in tow. We took our plates and sat in the same seats from this morning. I was much more comfortable being this close to Burns now that we had resolved our conflict. As we were the last ones to arrive for the meal - again – so we were barely through our plates as everyone finished theirs. Jeb looked over at Nate expectantly.

"No time like the present Nate."

Nate cleared his throat and took a final sip of water before looking at Rob and Burns. They both nodded giving him the approval he needed to proceed. "Well it is actually surprising that we have not run into each other earlier," he began. "We are just a little south of here with our community set up in the Colossal Caves."

"Hey, I remember going on a tour there once," Jeb chimed in. "I remember taking Sharon there when she was a little one with Maggie. Poor thing was scared to death of the bat cave. There was a ranch there too, if memory serves me right."

I reached over and placed my hand on Burns' arm. "You have a bat cave!" I exclaimed. "That would be amazing to see. You know I was a bat on the singing planet." My excitement was getting the better of me, a problem I often found in Pet's body.

He reached down and put his hand on mine. "I will be sure to bring you there one day then," he said with a smile.

I felt Ian's warm arm wrap around me and pull me back towards his chest, causing me to drop my hand off Burns' arm as the distance was too far for my short arms. "Yeah, the bat cave sounds cool," he said while pulling me in. I leaned against his chest with a big smile on my face as I listened to Nate's story. Ian continued to finish his plate and what was left on mine.

Nate had been a tour guide for the caves before the invasion had begun and worked on the ranch while living in a trailer just around back. He had always loved the outdoors and had a way with horses so the job was perfect for him. It was a great place for families to come camping and to check out the sights. The horses were the best part for Nate though. "I owe those horses my life...almost as much as I owe it to Burns."

Nate had started to notice a change about 7 years ago. There was a distinctive shift in the customers. The usually popular horse rides through the trails were barely ever purchased and people completely stopped requesting rock climbing. They had to let go of a majority of the employees leaving them with only a handful, all of whom are now part of their group of rebels. One day he realized what was happening when a man came in requesting a ride through the trails. He had never been on a horse and was looking forward to trying something new. They chatted for awhile about taking lessons before going on trails. Nate explained that he wanted to ensure the customer was safe before they went out. The customer was more than happy to agree with his suggestion and Nate went to saddle up his prize horse, Lucky. Lucky was great with all of the clients and had the mildest temperament. Once Nate got the horse within a few yards of the customer the horse bucked violently trying to get away from Nate. He knocked Nate off his feet, violently slamming him into the ground and twisting his ankle. He was in immense pain and unable to get up. With Lucky still kicking violently so close to him, he knew there was a good chance he was about to be trampled.

"And that was the first time burns saved my life," Nate said. "I looked up and saw the same customer that scared Lucky running towards us waving his arms like a mad man. That scared Lucky away from me, running off down the trails, rider less." Nate stared off for a moment; I assume thinking about the loss of his friend.

"How could you run towards such a violent display?" I inquired of Burns, wide eyed. "Weren't you scared of it?"

He looked at me. "Of course I was," he stated. "But I knew I was the one that caused the incident. It was me that scared the horse and if I let a human get injured...or worse...then that would of been my fault too. I am sure you would have done the same thing, Wanderer."

I recalled the first night in the caves when Kyle was confronting Jared and my desperate need to protect him. I also thought of Jaime, Mel and Ian. I knew I would easily throw myself in front of anything that could cause them pain. Looking back at Burns, I nodded.

Nate continued. "I was shocked to see someone jump in between me and Lucky. I noticed that during his run to my side, his hat had blown off displaying his red hair. He offered his hand to help me off the ground. I accepted using that and my good leg to push me up."

He took a quick sip of water. "He helped me over to a tree stump nearby. I sat down and started to examine my foot. I knew I had sprained it badly. I looked up to thank the customer and when I did I caught the reflection of silver in his eyes from the sun. I had never seen anything like it. I think I was just dumbfounded at that point."

Nate told us about not knowing what to do at that point. Burns introduced himself and offered to help him into the ranch and explain the situation. He told us about the complete honesty with which Burns told him what he was and what was happening around him. He explained that although Burns was required to turn in any humans that knew of, he didn't want to. He felt bad for what happened to Nate and could tell that he was a good man. It was at that point that Burns decided he could no longer take over the human race knowing that they were not all the violent monsters the souls believed them to be.

Burns stayed with Nate while his foot healed helping him around the house and learned about the caves. The sat up talking about their lives and built a quick friendship. Burns told Nate that it was only a matter of time before the souls came through there. They needed to come up with a plan.

Nate came up with a plan to cause a slight cave in at the cave entrance. Burns would then go to the souls telling them of the accident convincing them of the danger the caves hold. Nate and a handful of remaining employees, including Rob, hid deep in the caves while Burns carried out the plan.

"How did you know the souls would believe you?"

Burns spoke up this time. "They had no reason not to. I took a couple of seekers back to the cave entrance to investigate, knowing everyone would be well hidden at that point. Once they saw the rocks partially collapsed at the entrance they immediately declared it too dangerous for souls."

Nate continued telling them about how the souls immediately closed down the caves and even the ranch as souls spooked the animals anyways. They stayed hidden deep in the cave system for weeks to ensure that they were safe from further investigation. Burns had explained to the souls that his hosts family had once run their own horse farm and he wanted to stay on at this one to follow his host's calling of farming. They agreed with him as souls support each other and their callings. Burns took up residence in Nate's trailer and promised to ensure that no soul would endanger themselves by entering the cave system.

"We were lucky that the souls left so quickly that they left some of their camping stuff behind which helped us set up the caves," Nate continued. "We don't have separate corridors like you, so we used the main room to create a tent city of sorts. Occasionally we use the other structures if the situation requires, but generally we feel safer tucked away in the caves."

"How do you guarantee your groups safety?" Jared questioned.

"The ranch makes for a good lookout," Nate explained. "With a windmill we also have self supplied power so we are able to keep a communication system from the ranch to the caves. If someone comes by we just hide out. Burns is also able to come out and talk to the souls if any appear. It has only ever been humans that have made it to the caves"

"When the souls decided the caves were unsafe they posted a sign outside of the entrances and trails warning everyone to stay out," Burns spoke up. "Souls are not one to go against the rules, so we haven't had a problem."

"Well sounds like you have a pretty good set up there," Jeb declared.

"It works well for us," Nate agreed. "Plus with Burns taking farming as his calling we are able to do some gardening out in the open. Nothing too large though as he is supposed to be living there alone and we don't want to raise any suspicions if there is a fly by... Fortunately we haven't seen or heard any helicopters for quite awhile now."

A few of us at the table cleared our throats at the mention of the helicopter knowing that it was us that caused that last visit.

Jeb stood up from the table distracting our guests from our discomfort with the helicopter. "Okay everyone," he bellowed getting the entire kitchen's attention. "Let's get this all cleaned up...including ourselves...and then I want everyone to meet in the games room in 'bout an hour."

"What's going on Jeb?"

"Is there another tribunal?"

"Nope, just thought it might be a good day for game," he said with a big smile. "To show our guests that we know how to relax and have a good time around here too."

That made the room buzz with excitement and everyone got up and started to clean up. We all met in the game room shortly after. Lucinda even brought Freedom and Isaiah to cheer on the teams. Ian and Jared were the team captains as usual, which had been decided in the kitchen as soon as the game was announced. They raced to the room to decide who got to choose first. Ian won! I was so proud.

All of the usuals were going to play including me. The field was a big wet so we knew it was going to get muddy. Ian was first up to choose. I assumed he was going to choose Kyle, that way his team would be sure to win – those brothers were unstoppable. I have to admit I wasn't even fully listening when he announced his first pick.

"Earth to Wanda," Mel said, waving her hand in front of my face.

"Sorry Mel. What is it?"

"Are you going to go over to Ian?"

"Huh, why?" I looked at Ian and he was smiling at me.

"He chose you for his team."

"Me?" I made my way over to Ian and he put his arm around me. "Why didn't you choose Kyle?" I asked quietly.

"You will always be my first choice," he simply said.

Jared looked as surprised as me at Ian's choice, and I could tell it made him think harder about his first choice.

"I chose Mel," he finally decided.

She stormed over to him. "Why did you choose me? Are you crazy?" she smacked him in the arm. "Now he is going to chose Kyle!"

"I figured that if he chose his girlfriend I might get in trouble if I didn't choose mine," Jared tried to explain. "Clearly I was going to get in crap no matter what I did." He rolled his eyes at this.

Ian had a big smile on his face. "I get Kyle!" He practically yelled out. As Kyle ran over Ian put both of his hands in the air for Kyle to slap once he arrived.

The rest of the teams were picked quickly after that. Ian's team consisted of Me, Kyle, Brandt, Lily, Heath, Paige, Heidi, Burns, Nate, Doc, and Candy. Jared had Mel, Aaron, Andy, Gregory, Trudy, Sharon, Maggie, Jeb, Lacey, Rob and Jaime.

The game started off fast with Ian and Kyle getting the ball within seconds and rifling it past Maggie as the goalie. Mel and Jared were just as determined following it with a goal themselves sending the ball just out of Candy's reach. I was busy trying to block Jaime, the closest person to my size and the fairest one to match me up with. It was a close game after Kyle and Ian got a look from Jeb clearly requesting they give all the players a chance to touch the ball. We were tied at 9 and the next point was for the win.

Andy and made it past our defences and took a shot on goal but candy was able to stop it, rebounded it right to me. I remembered how to play from Mel but this body was not going to be able to make it down the field the way she used to. I decided to pass it as soon as I could as Jaime was somewhat trying to block me – I think he was afraid to hurt me. I saw Ian open but didn't think I could get it all the way to him. Burns was closer so I kicked the ball as hard as I could to him. He easily took the ball from my horrible pass and made his way down the field. Man was he fast. His long legs made him next to impossible to catch, even for Mel – who has never been out run by anyone. He kicked the ball and it soared past Maggie and gave us the final point.

Our team erupted in cheers. Kyle and Ian high fived each other before giving Jared and Mel a hard time across the field from me. Our champion, Burns, ran back down the field towards us. Everyone was patting my back saying good pass. I was not sure why I was getting the congratulations when it was Burns who scored the goal, but I didn't mind, I was too excited bouncing on the spot. Once Burns made it over to us I was so wrapped up in the excitement that I went over and gave him a big hug.

"Great goal Burns!" I loudly congratulated him.

"Thanks to a great pass," he said, giving me a quick squeeze back before pulling out of my embrace.

Nate came up behind him and gave him a hard smack on the back making Burns take a step forward. "Way to go Buddy!" he said. "I guess I should have warned the other team about you... but then I wouldn't have seen the shock on their face as you took off with the ball." He chuckled.

I looked past Burns and Nate to see Ian watching us as Kyle continued to give Jared a hard time. Sunny was at his side making a very disapproving look. When my eyes meet Ian's I gave him a big smile. He smiled back and started running down the field towards me. I assumed he was going to slow down as he got to me, but he picked up his speed and a mischievous look spread across his face. I was suddenly swept up in his arms and could feel the air rushing around me.

He spun me around for another minute and then gently put me down, kissing me on the top of the head. "Now that was why I picked you first," he said a little out of breath. "That was a great pass!"

"I tried to get it to you but you were too far," I said

"That's okay," he said looking at Burns. "If I knew how fast Burns was I would have passed to him the whole game. I thought Mel was going to blow a gasket when he outran her!" Ian laughed. Burns and I both looked at him a little confused. I wasn't exactly sure where a gasket was located or how you blew one. Ian kept one arm tightly around my waist while he pat Burns on the back with the other. "Seriously though, good shot Burns!"

That made me smile.

Jeb interrupted our victory. "Okay now that we are all covered in mud I think it is time we hit the showers...so to speak." We all looked ourselves over and realized that he was right.

It was a long wait at the bathing area. People tried to go in pairs to make it go as quick as possible. I was waiting in line between Ian and Burns. They were still discussing the game, as were most people in line. I leaned quietly against the rock wall while they spoke over my head. When the line moved I realized that Ian and I were next. My breath suddenly caught.

Would Ian want us to go in together? It would be somewhat expected to make the line go quicker and the couples before us had gone in together. Doc and Sharon had gone in first, followed by Andy and Paige, even only roommates like Candy and Lacey had gone together to save time. I felt the blood rushing to my face as I started to panic. This is what I wanted with Ian... after all, I had lied about my age so he wouldn't need to hold back from me physically. So why was I so nervous about being with him, alone in the dark? I have seen him without his shirt countless times, but this seemed so intimate.

Or worse. What if he didn't want me to go in with him? I knew I wanted Ian to want me in that way... I was terribly confused in this inexperienced body. My internal monologue was interrupted by Mel and Jared coming down the corridor towards us. They took a long time to get back here, but that question was answered by the huge smile on Jared's face. I wish I had Mel's confidence still. I would not be questioning myself if I had.

"Hey Wanda," Mel cheerily greeted me. "I never got to congratulate you on a good game."

"Thanks Mel," I smiled at her shyly. She raised one eyebrow and tilted her head slightly as she looked at me.

She opened her mouth to say something but was cut off by Aaron coming out of the bathroom. "You're up O'Shea."

Ian looked down at me nervously. Even he seemed to have a small blush across his cheek. My heart thudded wildly in my chest. "Um... Wanda?"

I glanced nervously between Mel and Ian. I could feel my face turning a bright red.

Mel pushed Jared ahead suddenly. "Hey Jared, go in with Ian," she said quickly.

The two guys looked at each other and then back at Mel like she had lost her mind.

"No offense to Ian," Jared said. "But I would much rather go in with you Mel."

"Stop arguing with me Jared!" Mel said. "You are holding up the line. "Now you both be big boys about this. It's pitch black in there anyways." She sighed heavily and pushed them through the entrance.

After they were inside she leaned up against the wall beside me. I looked up at her and mouthed a thank you. She just shrugged her shoulders. She knew my thoughts so well. We waited quietly while Jared and Ian were in the bathroom. They may have set a time record in there, and came out a couple of minutes later.

"Geez," Mel said to Jared. "Did you even lather up?" She gave him a playful elbow as she pulled me into the room. Ian gave me a concerned look as I whipped by him. I am sure he didn't like seeing Mel physically drag me around, but he knew she would never actually hurt me.

Once Mel and I entered the dark room I went straight into the water and started to scrub my clothes. I heard the water splash beside me and knew Mel had jumped in as well. I took off my wet soapy clothes and went on to my muddy limbs and nest of hair.

"So..." Mel started. "Care to explain why you were red as a tomato in the hallway?"

"I... I... was embarrassed."

"And why was that? You know I can't read your mind anymore."

"At first I was nervous about coming in here with Ian... I didn't know how I was supposed to act," I explained. "And then I was worried that maybe he didn't want me to come with him at all." It was much easier to talk to Mel in the dark like this. It almost felt like the private conversations we used to have when we shared her body.

"Trust me. I see the way he looks at you when you are not paying attention... he definitely wanted you in here with him," she said while splashing around the water. "I just think he is trying to give you time... until you are comfortable. Your body looks so young after all."

"I know..."

"I was shocked, to say the least, when you said you were going to be 18." Mel said. "At least you don't have to wait like I did."

"Yeah I remember that..." I said quietly, thankful she could not see my face. "It was tough on you."

"It was the longest year of my life!" She moaned. Mel went quiet after that, I didn't need to see her to know she was pondering something. I put my head under the water to rinse out my hair while she did.

"Wanda?" She asked as I emerged. "Where you remembering how I felt about waiting when you told us about your birthday?"

"I might have been..." I got out of the water and quickly put my dry clothes on. I had to get out of here before she caught me in a lie. I heard Mel get out just after me doing the same thing I was.

"Wanda!" she said louder than I expected as she was suddenly right beside me. I jumped a little.

"What?" I tried to sound as innocent as possible.

"How old are you?"

"A few thousand years" I gave it a try. At least it was the truth.

"How old is Pet's body?" I should have known Mel would not be such a pushover.

"18..."

"You're lying," she realized. "You are such a bad liar." She reached over and touched my arm. "You know you can tell me the truth..."

I gave in.

"Your right..." I said ashamed. "I am so sorry for lying to you."

"Oh Wanda, it's okay," she said comforting me. "I understand. You had my memories bombarding you for so long it is understandable that they had an effect on you." She chuckled to herself. "Actually I am surprised."

"But I thought you said I looked so young?" I was confused.

"Not about that. First I am surprised that we actually believed you when you lied."

"Me too!"

"And secondly that you clearly lied about your age so Ian would be intimate with you!" She was full out laughing now. "Wow I really must have rubbed off on you."

I was so embarrassed now. I could feel my face getting hot. "Was that bad of me?"

"No! It just makes you even more human," She was able to stop the laughter now. "So really... how old are you?"

"17."

She put her arm around me and we started to walk towards the exit of the bath. "Well that is not so bad. Heck you might even still grow a bit." She was trying to be positive for me. "It is less than a year to go."

"So you're not mad at me."

"Of course not..." she paused for a moment before we got out of the bath. She lowered her voice to barely a whisper in case they could hear us at the entrance. "...but I do think you should tell Ian. He would feel horrible if he was to find out...after the fact." There was just enough light now that I could see her face was serious about this.

I just looked at her with my mouth slightly open. I thought she would have agreed with my reason for telling this white lie. Apparently not. Ian walked through the door a few seconds later before I had a chance to respond to Mel. He noticed the odd way we were looking at each other.

"I just wanted to make sure you guys didn't fall in?" He asked. "I think you guys made up for the time Jared and I saved."

"Were you waiting outside the whole time?" I asked worried that he heard our conversation.

"Yeah, I was keeping Burns company," he said. "I didn't think you would want me to leave him by himself."

I smiled at him and took his hand. "You know me so well." He was so thoughtful that I often had to check his eyes to make sure I didn't see any silver in them.

We walked out of the bathroom and Burns was standing there with Jeb. He was getting the instructions on the room and Jeb was handing him a lantern so he would have some light. Mel was about to take off the find Jared again but she turned around before she left and gave me a knowing look. She wasn't going to let me get out of this one. I didn't know how I was going to get through this conversation with Ian. How could I tell him I lied to him? How could I face him after that?

The rest of the day went by like any other. I drifted off in thought every once in a while to the future conversation I had to have with Ian but was usually snapped back by one of our friends. Dinner was the same as lunch as Jeb and Nate exchanged stories. At the end of the meal I took my position of story teller while I made bread. Ian as always sat on the hot spot near the stove. Tonight I spoke about the singing planet. It had been on my mind since learning of the bat cave in Burns' community. Burns was listening intently as I answered everyone's questions. His stare was intensely on me the entire time, even more than Ian's was.

The yawns started as I finished my second batch of bread. Jeb decided that we should wrap up the stories and get ready to call it a night so we could be rested for our work the next day. Nate had decided that his group should head out as well. We made our way to the cave entrance to say our goodbyes, even though they were only temporary. Jared and Mel agreed to take them out to the cars as they would be the quickest to get back. In the end we agreed that we would see each other in a few weeks when another raid was needed. Nate made Jeb promise that he would make it out to their caves soon. And then we were pretty close to back to normal life in the caves...almost.

Our friends were still buzzing days after our visit from Nate's group. Although they had been impressed by our caves, they had only stayed for that night, one reason being that we were already crammed together due to the seemingly never ending rains but they also were uncomfortable being away from their family and friends any longer than they needed to be. Well, except for one had decided to stay on with our tribe for a longer period of time.

Okay so Burns is going to hang around for a bit. It took me a while to decide on Burns and Nates story and where the other rebel group would be located.

Also I had to get Wanda's secret out of the bag. it just felt wrong that she was lying to everyone, not really in her character I thought, but if I was her I totally would of too.

Review Please & I will try to update soon.