Sorry for the wait. I was going through this next chapter and added a few things... those few things turned out to be a lot of things and then the chapter just had too much in it so I had to split into two chapters instead. I was having a hard time doing that but then I got inspired by some new comments that popped up a few days later and it gave me what I needed. I hope that I still stay true enough to the character that I love so much!

Unfortunately I do not own these great characters or the brilliant story that comes from Stephenie Meyer.

Ch 7.

The first several days Jeb had insisted that Burns tag along with him, even took to carrying his gun once again. Ian had said that it was just a precaution in case some people didn't adjust well to another soul being in the cave. I didn't see the difference between them allowing me and Sunny live freely in the caves and not Burns. He explained that for one, we looked like we could cause no physical danger to anyone and seemed vulnerable, and secondly, we always had an O'Shea attached to our hip as a bodyguard if need be. Burns' stature made him appear as more of a threat and that increased the negative opinions some people already held for the souls.

I tagged along with Ian for those days, again as a precaution and for his peace of mind (as he put it). I wasn't able to do much of the physical work that he did but tried to help a much as possible. A small group of us were enlisted to clean the mirrors which were dirty for all the moisture from the rains. I had tried to insist that I would be the best person to scale the rickety ladder as I was the lightest but Ian shot that down quickly and made me clean the mirrors closest to the ground.

I cleaned those mirrors until they sparkled. I figured that if that was all I was allowed to do I was at least going to do it well. Mel had been the one to scale the ladder with Ian and Jared holding it steady in the mud. I was nervous having Mel up so high but I busied myself not to think of it.I had finished my mirrors so I went to go stand by them.

"Hey Mel," Jared called up to her. "Not that I'm not appreciating the view, but can you hurry it up a bit and get your butt down here. I am sweating so bad, the ladder may just slip right through my hands."

"Just give me a minute," she responded. "I am almost done, then we can go and get you cooled off...big baby."

I giggled at Mel's comment.

"I could just let go now," he offered.

"Ha! Like you actually would. You're just full of empty threats."

"Can you guys bicker later?" Ian asked. "I wouldn't mind getting this done today."

"You could have let me go up instead," I said beside him.

He looked down at me and kissed my sweaty forehead. "I'd rather work through the entire night than do that."

"Eww! How could you kiss me? I am all sweaty." He just shrugged his shoulders.

"Aw come on Mel, don't leave me alone with these two,' Jared whined.

It was getting hot in the cave and I was parched. Just as I was about to offer to go get some water – seeing Ian couldn't argue or follow as he was occupied – I heard voices coming towards us. Unfortunately it was a very distinctive whiny voice I heard first.

"I don't see why we have to walk around the whole cave giving out water?" Lacey complained, as usual. "Why can't they just come to us?"

"When Jeb says jump we say how high," Sharon said. "He pretends like we get a say, when clearly we don't. He'll probably have them out numbering us in here before you know it. All of them running around with parasites controlling their bodies."

At the sound of Sharon approaching the fields I tucked myself slightly behind Ian. He must have heard as well causing him to clear his throat excessively loud. This made them stop in their tracks across the field. Mel started to make her way down the ladder as she heard them enter.

"Jeb asked that we bring water," Lacey said. They started to pour glasses of water.

"Well, our hands are a bit full," Jared said motioning to Mel coming down the ladder. "Think you could bring them over?"

Sharon rolled her eyes and Lacey moaned, but they made their way over to us with three cups in their hands. They waited for Mel to come down while Ian and Jared looked at them disgusted. Mel got to the bottom and spun around to see them standing there. Sharon and Lacey offered the water to them but Mel just shook her head.

"Why is there only three?" She asked sternly looking at her cousin. "Clearly there are four of us standing in front of you."

"Well there were only three of you actually busy doing something, so we brought them to you," Lacey explained looking at me smugly. "Figured she could walk over and get her own."

Ian fists clenched at his side. I took one in my hands. "It's okay, they are right," I said. "I am perfectly able to get it myself." He looked down at me shaking his head.

"The only reason you were free is because you worked yourself so hard trying to finish your job," he said. "You worked harder than me and Jared. We just held a ladder."

Mel snatched a cup out of Sharon's hand and gave it to me. "Well how about I give mine to Wanda," she said, her voice dripping with rage. "And you walk back to the water and get me another cup." Sharon's jaw dropped at Mel's demands, but Mel just waved her hands towards the water shooing her off.

Jared and Ian grabbed their cups from Lacey without a word before she stormed off. Sharon returned a minute later with Mel's cup, quickly shoving it towards her with a humph. She went back to Lacey and they were off to torture someone else.

"You didn't have to do that Mel," I said once we were alone in the field. "I could have gotten my own."

She rolled her eyes at me. "Yes I did. She deserved it."

"But she is your family. I don't want to cause any problems between you."

"You didn't," she explained. "She's just being a bitch." My mouth popped open at the profanity but Ian put his hand under my chin and closed my mouth with a chuckle.

"One day I will get you to stand up for yourself," Mel said. "But until that day I will always put them in their place."

We made our way to the kitchen for dinner. I found myself looking forward to meals more the last couple of days. It was after all when I got time to talk to my new friend. It was hard to fit our conversations into such a short period of time, especially while trying to actually eat some food. Ian said it was terribly amusing watching me chat away like an excited school girl wedged between the two giants. With Nate and Rob going back to their community it freed mine and Ian's spots back at the table once again.

Tonight was different as Doc was already seated beside Jeb at the table. Sharon was shooting death stares at him from across the room and Jeb was trying to cheer him up. Jared turned back to Ian commenting on how Doc must be in the dog house again for standing up to Sharon, which was a fairly common occurrence since the caves began welcoming souls.

I made my way over to the counter to get my food from Lucina, while Ian took a detour over to the table to see Doc for a minute. He was saying something quietly to him and patting him on the back. I passed Jaime was on his way back to the table with a huge plate full.

"Hey Wanda!" Jaime greeted me. "It's spaghetti night! I hope I left you enough." He laughed at his own joke as he walked back to the table.

I grabbed my plate, about half the serving Jaime took, and turned to make my way back to the table almost running smack into Ian's broad chest.

"Now you don't want to go dumping that on me," he lightly said. "You have laundry duty tomorrow." He gently directed me around him so I could go sit.

I got to the table and saw that Burns was sitting on the other side of Jeb, playing with the food on his plate and keeping to himself. I took the chair next to him and gave him a little nudge with my elbow. He looked from his plate but he had a distant look in his eyes.

"What's on your mind Burns?" I leaned towards him and quietly asked so nobody else would be able to hear over their own conversations.

"I was just wondering if I caused any problems by staying here," he said in barely a whisper. "I heard about the incident with the water today. I don't want you to be in any danger. I just wanted the opportunity to get to know you a little better. I never thought I would run into another soul with the same tendencies as myself."

"Don't worry about it," I said. "They may need some time but most will come around again. They did with me and Sunny."

Sunny looked up shyly when she heard her name and gave a quick smile before returning to clinging to Kyle's side. They were more inseparable than any other couple in the caves, but that did not make it easy on Sunny as she was still searching for Jodi. Kyle was sweet to her and seemed to have completely changed his mind on destroying all souls. She had done wonders for him, but deep down we knew he held out hope that Jodi was still in there.

I looked up from Sunny and saw Ian standing behind her looking at me and Burns. I suddenly realized that I had taken the last seat at the table, leaving nowhere for Ian to sit. I felt ashamed of myself for not noticing that. I started to rise from my seat to move to the other table when Ian motioned for me to stay seated, he was looking at Burns, who had a look of torment on his face. He knew I was more needed here as a friend than moving over one table to sit with him. I gave him a small smile as he went to the next table in the chair beside Jaime, ruffling his hair as he sat.

I turned my attention back to Burns and started chatting about his caves and the gardens they had. It seemed to distract him from his previous thoughts enough. He told me about the land and how even though he improvised the whole idea if farming as a calling, it was something that he found himself truly enjoying. He explained that it felt good to get his hands dirty. A saying that he got from Nate, but that actually seemed to make sense. I nodded along with him as I agreed with the need to get my hands dirty to know I was contributing to the community.

I glanced over to Ian once in a while to see how he was doing and even though he was usually laughing at something Jaime said I could see the out of the corner of his eye he was watching me.

My constant bodyguard.

We finished eating and the room changed functions to my makeshift classroom. I took my place in the kitchen making bread. When I first started telling the stories after dinner I made the bread to make me more comfortable with my 'students' and surroundings, now I did it to try to conquer Pet's crippling shyness. Ian once again took the hot spot by the stove which made me happy to have him close again.

The next day I was collecting the laundry from the community with Trudy and Lily, a basket in each of our arms, when Jeb and Burns caught up with us. I noticed that Jeb's makeshift gun holster was empty today, obviously he was happy with the integration of Burns into the community, despite the obvious opposition from some people.

"Hey Trudy, Lily" he tipped his imaginary hat at them before turning to me to do the same thing. "Wanda."

"Hey Jeb," Lily replied. "Have you got laundry for us?"

"Oh yeah, I forgot it though," he said scratching his head. "I'll have to get it down to you in a bit. I was actually wondering if you three wouldn't mind a little bit of help today?"

"I thought I would never see the day when you did your own laundry Jebediah!" Trudy exclaimed with one hand on her hip.

"Actually..." A guilty look crossed his face. "...I would... you know... but I have some inspecting to do today around the caves. Seems like the rains are pretty much ending and I have to check the walls."

"Does that mean we will be able to sleep in our own rooms soon?" I asked. My heart beat sped up at this realization.

Jeb raised his eyebrow at me. "Hopefully soon. I was actually hoping you lovely ladies would be able to take care of Burns here. I know laundry is not a great way to treat a guest but we all have to work around here."

"Sure! We'd love the help," Lily said.

"Alright Burns," he gave him a pat on the back. "These three will take care of you."

Jeb turned to walk off, humming to himself, when he suddenly spun back around. "Hey Wanda, do you know where Ian is? I could use his height to check some spots. I'd ask Kyle but I don't think I could bear his belly aching."

"He was helping Jared and Mel with moving some of the supplies around, so you can probably find him in the storage room." I had wanted to help them but Ian insisted that they could handle it and that getting the laundry done was of more importance. I knew he really was just trying to keep any of the harder, physical labour away from me.

"Thanks Kiddo!" He said before turning back and continuing his hum down the corridor.

Burns came and stood in front of me. "Hope you don't mind me tagging along today?"

"Not at all," I responded. "I was wondering when Jeb was going to let you go out on your own."

"Can I take the basket from you at least?" he asked me.

"That's okay Burns," I said, trying to hold onto the one of the few jobs I have managed to not have taken away from me. "You can just walk with us."

"It would make me feel better if I was able to carry that for you."

"I am sure Lily or Trudy would like the help," I suggested.

"Actually, we are okay Wanda," Trudy chimed in. "But if you let Burns carry your basket, then you could carry all the soap from mine as it is starting to weigh it down."

I felt the familiar sensation of being out numbered. I gave in and handed Burns my basket which barely even had any clothes in it compared to the almost full baskets Trudy and Lily carried. I took the bag of soap from Trudy, which truthfully only weight a few pounds. We made our way through the entire cave eventually overflowing Burns' basket and made our way to the bathing room.

I was glad it was Trudy and Lily that were working with me that day. They were some of the first people in the cave to accept me and I was grateful to them. After the usual complaints about missing their washing machines they started asking Burns questions about his lives both since being on this planet and ones he visited before here. Trudy was excited to hear about Burns being on the Fire Planet and was looking forward to letting Heath know as he always seemed intrigued by stories of that one.

It was a light and comfortable conversation with no awkwardness. We just scrubbed and talked. About an hour into the wash we heard footsteps approaching the bathing room.

"Wanderer?" Ian voice called as he entered the room.

I dropped the shirt I was cleaning and went over to greet him. "Hi, did Jeb find you?"

"Yes he did," he reached his arms out and I could see they were full of clothes. "He asked me to bring these down to you, but I didn't mind the excuse to see you." He smiled and his eyes sparkled at me.

"I can take those," I said reaching for the clothes but not looking away from his eyes. As I was about to take them, hands reached them before me and took them from Ian's arms.

"That's okay Wanda," Burns spoke up beside me. I hadn't even heard him come up. "I'll take these over to the water." I rolled my eyes as he walked away from us.

"I am not allowed to carry anything anymore," I pouted, sticking out my bottom lip dramatically. Ian cupped my chin and put his thumb on my protruding lip.

"Thanks Burns," he called over my head. "Walk me out Wanda." He said quietly to me, taking my hand.

Ian and I walked to the hallway hand in hand. Once we were on our own he pulled me in front of him wrapping his arms around my waist and l got on the tip toes to reach my arms around his neck. He nuzzled his face in the side of my neck and whispered softly as his kissed me there. "I missed you."

I could feel goose bumps spreading and my heart started to beat a bit quicker as he moved up my jaw line trailing soft kisses as he moved across my skin. He just lightly grazed my lips as he passed them before moving across to the other side of my jaw and down my neck once more. "Did you miss me too, Wanderer?" He asked between the kisses.

"Uh-huh," I gasped as I melted into him.

He brought his head back up and rested his forehead against mine. "Good."

He tried to pull himself back but I wrapped my hands tighter around his neck, looking up at him with pleading eyes not wanting this moment to end. He brushed his lips against mine and I could feel a smile across it as I pressed back against him. Knowing I would not have long before he pulled away again, I parted my lips slightly tasting his lips with the tip of my tongue. His soft kissed became urgent and he pulled my body closer to his lifting me off the ground. I ran my hands through his dishevelled hair now as my lips shaped to his. Ian pulled back eventually, breathing heavily as he lowered me back to the ground littering my lips with light pecks.

"I might need to make you miss me more often," he said with a chuckle. "I am looking forward to what you may do to me at dinner."

"Dinner?"

"Yeah that was one of the things Jeb wanted to talk to me about."

"One of the things?"

"Well first he wanted to check if I minded if you hung around Burns for a few days," he said. "Which of course I don't mind as long as I know you are safe..." He still had his arms wrapped around me and squeezed me a little tighter as he contemplated that.

"Burns is a soul. He could never hurt me." I said confused.

"Yes but the humans in these caves are not as gentle. There are people who are not reacting well to having another soul in the caves, and you know how Jeb likes to push his luck." I remembered the times when Ian used to follow me (and Mel) throughout the caves when Jeb felt we were safe to roam on our own.

I nodded in agreement. "Souls may not be able to harm anyone, but we do know how to defend ourselves and to protect those around us. I am sure he would be able to handle the situation long enough for help to come."

"That was what I thought," he said. "But I need you to promise me that you will let me know if anyone treats you disrespectfully, even if you may not want to cause any problems, you have to let me know right away. Agreed?"

I nodded.

"The other thing was the Jeb actually does need to check the stability of certain areas in the cave after the rains and he needs help doing that this afternoon while the light is at its brightest," he explained. "So I will not be there at lunch today…and I didn't want you to worry and do something foolish."

He was right. I probably would have gone searching the caves for him and most likely injured myself in the process. Knowing where he would be made it easier but it would be a long day without him. "I'll miss you all day." I pouted.

"I am counting on it," he smiled mischievously. "That way I can get this same reaction out of you."

I went back into the bathing room, grateful it was dark enough in there that they could not see the blush Ian left on my face. I wondered if I would always react this way to him physically or if eventually I could be near him without turning I entered the room I could hear Trudy and Lily talking while Burns quietly continued scrubbing the clothes. I sat beside him once again and picked up the shirt I had dropped when Ian arrived.

"Everything okay," he asked.

"Yeah, he was just letting me know that Jeb was stealing him for the afternoon and I wouldn't see him at lunch," I explained. "I guess you will have to be my lunch date today."

"It would be a pleasure." He said going back to his washing. The four of us worked away, taking a quick break to grab some lunch and then right back to it. With four of us it was finished mid afternoon and we wound up with some spare time. Lily and Trudy went off to do their own thing while I decided to give Burns a proper tour of the hospital.

We made our way down the hallway to Docs and heard footsteps making their way down the hall towards us. I took a deep breath slightly hoping it wasn't Sharon coming back from Docs. I breathed a sigh of relief as I heard Jeb's humming approaching us. We slowed as we passed them in a pocket of light. Jeb tipped his hat towards us and Ian leaned in towards me, brushing his hand down my arm with goose bumps trailing behind it.

"I hope you still miss me at dinner," he whispered, before he took off after Jeb. I watched him with a smile on my face.

I felt more confident going into Docs now, knowing that Ian would have warned me if there was potential for an unpleasant encounter. When we entered Docs office he was busy wiping down his desk from the marks left from Ian standing on it, I assume to check for any cracks in the walls. He looked up as we entered.

"Good Afternoon Wanda, Burns," he greeted us, looking us up and down. "Everything okay?"

"No injuries today," I replied. "We just had some spare time and wanted to show Burns the set up here in more detail so he can see if it would work for their community. We didn't really have a chance before to go through it with them."

Doc nodded knowing why we couldn't share everything while Nate and Rob were still here. I looked around and now saw that he had put the cryo tanks and medicine back where it had been before our visit. I would have to remember to thank him for covering it up for me.

Doc explained to Burns where everything was stored and how he used the soul's medicine verses the techniques he used before the souls took over. He said that he tried to avoid unnecessary use of the soul's medicine to make the need for raids less frequent. I filled him in on how we got the crates of medicine from the storage area at the medical centre and Doc also took the opportunity to apologize for his previous actions trying to remove the souls from their hosts. His eyes showed the sorrow he still carried in regards to this. He also made the same promise to Burns as he made to me to protect this secret.

He explained the oath he took as a doctor. "I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death. If it is given to me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God," he quoted.

"I trust that you are a man of your word," Burns said. "But what if you were once again under duress, like when you were removing Wanderer from her first host. If someone had a knife to your throat..." I shuttered at the thought. "...would you still be able to say that you would not share this knowledge."

Doc pondered that for a moment. "In all honesty Burns, I believe the only reason I gave into to Jared's... demands... was because I really didn't think I could let Wanda just die. I didn't want to grant her last wish and I had been struggling with it since she had told me about it. I was glad I had a way out."

I looked down at my hands, feeling guilty for the stress I had caused my compassionate friend.

Doc continued. "After having Wanda and Sunny in our lives, I feel that souls are a living being the same as us and I would not want to be the cause of the unnecessary disposal of your kind."

Burns thanked Doc for his time and honesty and we headed back out into the caves. It was close enough to the dinner hour and I was anxious to get back to the dining hall. We were early and they didn't need any help so we just sat at one of the tables. Sunny and Kyle came in shortly after and sat with us, although Kyle's stomach almost drown out the entire conversation with its grumbling. He got up to go check on dinner's progress and left us three souls at the table. I took this as an opportunity to get Sunny and Burns to get to know one another.

"Hey Sunny, did you know that Burns was also from the Mist Planet?" I asked her.

She turned at looked at Burns. "Really? I was from there. It was nice but I like it better here." She said.

He asked her which Crystal City she was from and they discussed the planet. I was glad they were finally talking to each other. I looked up and saw Jaime come in from school and went over to greet him. He was in a sour mood as he received detention again from Sharon, stating that she had been unbearable the past week. I gave him a hug and told him that I was sure it would get better.

"Hey, I was hoping to get one of those?" Ian said from behind me. I let go of Jaime and turned to face Ian, wrapping my arms around his waist and burying my face in his chest. "How was your day?" He asked casually.

"I missed you...but otherwise it was good." I said. "It was nice to have a soul to talk to again." I reached up to give him a quick kiss on the lips.

"Is that all I get?" He looked down at me with his blue eyes glistening. I looked around at the room starting to fill up and blushed. He just laughed at me. "I am just teasing Wanderer." Then he added with a husky voice. "I can wait until the rains end..." That only increased my blush.

That reminded me of a talk I knew I was going to need to have with him soon, but not now. Dinner went by as any other night. I stayed attached to Ian's side the entire time with one of his arms wrapped around me. I told a few stories as per usual and answered questions before turning in for the night.

Burns asked if it was okay to move his cot to beside Ian and I, and we agreed thinking it would be a smart idea despite Jeb's insistence that the coast was clear. When Jeb called for lights out I leaned over Ian and wished Burns a good night before snuggling in for the night.

I became accustomed over the next few days to having one of my giants by me at all times. Burns during the daytime and Ian in the evening, night, and sporadically throughout the day when Jeb freed him from inspecting the caves. The hardest day was when they needed to inspect the outside of the cave. They had several people on the lookout but that did not easy my mind. I was anxious and jumpy all day, despite Burns' best efforts to distract me from my worries. Jeb announced that night that we were going to start work on the repairs to the cave walls the next day and that we all needed our rest.

I woke up initially excited to be able to help with the repairs, but those were quickly shot down at breakfast when it was decided that I would be more suited to another job. Kyle and Sunny were originally set to do the dishes that day but as it was impossible to convince Sunny to leave Kyle's side he would be unable to do any of the repairs either. Ian suggested that I take over the dishes and Kyle could work on expanding his room, that way Sunny could stay near him. Mel apologized saying she tried to get me more involved but it was even harder when Ian had Burns to back him up as an 'impartial' opinion.

I had tried to convince them one last time to let me help the repairs in the field. Ian, Mel, Jared, Brandt and Burns were all going to be there. I even offered to just help hold the ladder but Ian said that he would be too worried the whole time that a rock may come loose and hurt me. In the end I went off to wash the dishes while everyone went about the repairs.

My frustration did not last long as I heard an unexpected set of footsteps down the corridor.

"Hey Wanda! Want some help?" Jaime asked as he bounded into the room.

"Jaime? Aren't you supposed to be in school?" I was shocked to see him here. Sharon was not very lenient on letting them out early.

"It got cancelled due to some repairs Jeb wanted done," he said. "I went and found Mel and Jared but they were busy and of course wouldn't let me help, so I came to find you."

"I know how you feel. They wouldn't let me help either."

He looked down at his feet. "I know that bugs you…sorry about that…"

"Why are you sorry? Don't be sorry Jaime." I stood up in front of him.

"But I picked Pet's body…" he paused. "…I should have picked somebody stronger… I just thought…"

I put my hand on his shoulder. I actually had to reach up to do so, noticing that he must have grown more in just a couple of weeks. "Jaime, I am very happy." I smiled at him when he finally lifted his head to confirm this. "I am still getting used to it. Remember I was with Mel for a long time in comparison. I just need to try to make this one a little bit stronger."

He beamed at me. "I have a great idea then! I will help you with these," he gestured to the dishes. "Then when we finish we can go play soccer just the two of us. It'll be a great workout! I won't even go easy on you."

I gave Jaime my biggest smile. "Perfect!"

We finished the dishes together and headed down to the game room. We had fun passing the ball back and forth and had a game of one-on-one. He kept to his word and didn't go easy on me easily beating me 5 to 1, but I was just happy to get that one goal. He was showing me how he learned to head butt the ball when we heard voices behind us. Jared, Mel, Brandt, Burns and Ian were covered in purple dirt as they walked into the room.

"Hey guys, you just missed our game." Jaime said as he ran over to meet them. "Eww, you guys are kinda gross!"

Mel gave him a big bear hug covering him in the purple mud as well. She looked over at me and smiled. "So did you beat him Wanda?"

"No, but she scored an awesome goal!" Jaime answered for me.

Ian made his way over to me, opening his arms to give me a hug before looking himself up and down realizing what he looked like. "I would give you a hug but I don't want to get you all dirty."

We went back to the bathing room with everyone. Burns only had one set of clothes so Ian and I went to go find him and some extras Ian had. Despite the mud we walked hand and hand the whole way. I felt like I hadn't had any real time with Ian in ages – in reality I had only been in Pet's body for a couple of months but it felt like we had been together for much longer. I started to hum a happy tune as we walked back with the clothes.

"Wanderer, are you humming?"

"I'm happy."

His eyes lit up. "That makes me happy to hear," he said. "What is making you so happy?"

"Well…" the shyness started to creep up on me. "…Right now I am happy to be with you. Just us."

He seemed a little relieved. "That is making me happy too," he said. "Knowing that I am in part responsible for your humming."

I looked at him confused. "You the whole part."

"Yes but you have been happy spending time alone with Burns as well."

"Yes." I was still confused. "I am also happy with Mel and Jaime."

"But Burns is different. Yes?"

"I guess so… He is a soul."

"Do you find it easier to spend time with him?"

"In some ways it is easier to talk to a soul than a human," I tried to explain. "But the only one that has ever really understood me…is you."

He opened his mouth to say something but I cut him off.

"You see I don't fully feel like I can claim to be only a soul since I chose to live the way I do," I continued. "Yet I am also not a human…I have always seen you as the best parts of a soul and human put together." We were just steps away from the bathing room now and I could see Brandt standing outside. "You are very unique in this universe. So know that when I am humming, it is because of you." I added quietly, so only he would hear.

Ian didn't say anything, he just threw the extra clothes at Brandt and nodded for him to go into the bathing room. He turned to look at me and his sapphire eyes seemed to burn. He looked like he was trying to say something as he just placed both hands to the sides of my face, lower his to meet mine. He stopped cloe enough that I could feel his breath.

"You amaze me Wanderer," he softly said. "I am a lucky man."

"I am the lucky o –" I tried to say but was cut off by his lips on mine.

It was a deep and passionate kiss that lit a fire deep inside me. I reached my arms around him and pressed my body against his, caressing the muscles that flexed across his back. His hands left my face and moved their way slowly down the side of my body, resting on my hips pulling me even tighter against him. I expected him to pull away as usual but was pleasantly surprised when he didn't. I took advantage of this and lightly nibbled on his lip, and I think I actually heard him growl under his ragged breath. He lowered his hand down my hips and gripped my upper thighs before pulling me up, resting my thighs on his hips. My body reflexively wrapped my legs around his waist and I let out a throaty breath as I felt my stomach knot.

We were interrupted by Brandt clearing his throat awkwardly. I broke away from Ian's lips and we looked over to the entrance to the bathing room. Brandt and Burns were both standing there trying to avert their eyes.

I buried my face into Ian's shoulder and hid behind a wall of my golden curls while he just laughed – still holding me in his arms. I squirmed trying to get down but Ian held tight and whispered through my hair that he wouldn't be able to let me down just yet.

"Glad to see the clothes fit okay Burns," Ian said nonchalantly. Burns nodded still not fully looking at the two of us.

"Yeah, well the bath is all yours O'Shea," Brandt said running his hand through his hair. He started to walk off but turned back. "Too bad the water wasn't a little colder...I think you could use it." He laughed and ran off down the corridor.

Ian finally lowered me to the ground. He looked at me and smiled. "Sorry love, but I think I got a bit of mud on you..." He used the inside of his shirt to wipe it off of my face but looked at my shirt and shrugged his shoulders. "Unfortunately I can't do much about that shirt."

I looked down at myself and saw I had splotches of purple all over me. I felt my face going redder. Ian lifted my chin and gave me a quick kiss before going into the bathing room. "I'll meet you in the dining room," he called from the dark room.

I stood quietly with Burns for a few minutes. I didn't really know what to say to him.

"Would like me to walk with you to get a new shirt?" He finally asked breaking the silence.

"Sure," I said quietly. I could still feel the blush on my face.

We walked in silence for a bit as I examined the damage to my shirt and felt the blush finally leave my cheeks. Burns was watching me from the corner of his eye and he chuckled.

"What?"

"You have quite a bit of dirt on your pants as well," he said gesturing to the back of the pants, where Ian had planted his hands to hoist me up.

I was embarrassed and felt the blush creeping back again.

"It's okay though," he said reassuringly. "You seem to genuinely love this human."

"I do," I said. "He is the only mate I have ever found on all the planets I have visited."

"You mean you never found a soul mate?" He laughed at the human pun.

"Never."

Burns waited down the hall as I went to change my clothes. I quickly threw on a pair of cargo pants and a t-shirt. I pondered Burns' question while I changed and decided to ask him one myself.

"I hope you don't mind me asking," I asked nervously as we walked to the kitchen. "But why did you never find a mate? Or did you?"

"No I don't mind... I guess I just never found the right soul."

"I know how you feel," I agreed. "I didn't think I was ever going to find a mate that I wanted to stay with, but then I came here..." My sentence drifted as I thought once more to the unbelievable path I found myself on, finding love with a human. "Well you already know that story."

"I remember thinking once while I was on the Mist Planet," he admitted. "That if I found a soul as brave and honourable as Rides the Beast, I would follow them until the end of time... Maybe things would have been different had we met as bears..."

I could tell that even under all the freckles he was blushing ever so slightly. "Well, now that is quite the compliment," I said softly. "But I think you underestimate the braveness of yourself, Burns Living Flowers."

"You chose to go to the Fire Planet, a place I couldn't find the courage to go to," I continued as I squeezed his hand. "And then you managed to save Nate and all the humans in your community. I think that is just as honourable, if not more so than Rides the Beast."

He smiled but said nothing more.

As we entered the kitchen a thought popped into my head and I started to put a plan in motion. Tonight I felt like Jeb as I was scheming a plan to help my friend fit into our community more.

So like I said at the beginning I have the second part of this ready to go. I will wait for a couple of reviews to see if you guys still like the direction of this and then I will post it. But until then here is a taste of what is coming up:

"I am sorry Wanda," he apologized again. "It was all my fault, I nev-"

He was cut off by a booming voice coming from the hallway. "What did you do to her?"

Thanks for reading! - Mel