I must say I am pleasantly surprised to have so many responses and alert notifications, especially since I have been missing in action for so long. I could give you a million excuses but it basically came down to having too much stuff going on and just not being able to get to this chapter... the worst part is that I already have the next one and most of the one after that done, I just needed to do this one in between.

I have also decided to try NaNoWriMo, giving me the kick in the butt to start my own story I have had bouncing around in my head. The word count is catching up to me on that one so I have been trying to focus on that. I can't guarantee I will update the next chapter before December as I have to do that and I have some holiday parties to attend (already! I know, it's crazy).

I hope you guys stick with me as I have something big that is going to change everything for awhile coming up...

Sorry for the wait, hope it is worth it.

Here is the last part of Chapter 11 as a refresher:

We stopped at a few more stores including a clothing store to surprise everyone back at the caves with some new and clean clothes. We had fallen into a good rhythm and were laughing and enjoying ourselves. We must have gotten caught up in the shopping not realizing how long we were in there because when we got back to the vehicles Ian looked panicked and Kyle practically burst out of the van.

"Sunny!" Sunny froze, staring at Kyle wide came up behind Kyle and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Let's not call any attention to ourselves Kyle," he said calmly. "Why don't you get in the front seat with Sunny and we will load up the cars."

The four of us loaded up the truck while Sunny calmed Kyle down. Ian had his one arm wrapped around me the whole time, although nobody argued it was slowing down the unloading. It seemed to have a calming effect on him. Jared decided once we were done that it would be a good idea to check into the hotel early. We had gotten a lot more done than excepted and –although he never actually said it – he didn't think that the O'Sheas could handle any more stress today.

I spend the drive to the hotel profusely apologizing to everyone for making them worry. I had let them down and I felt horrible about it, especially for worrying Ian so much. He held my hand tightly between the seats in the front as I drove with the other one. He smiled at me and told me it was okay but I could still see the signs of stress on his face.

We pulled into the hotel and Sunny and I got out to get our rooms. I took the lead again, showing Sunny the routine once again. I gave a name from the Fire Planet, Burning Petals, and introduced Sunny as a soul from the Singing Planet, Sings A Beautiful Song. We got the keys to the rooms and started to make our way out to the vehicles. That was when I noticed the small shop in the lobby and decided to get everyone a surprise.

Ch 12

Sunny and I made our way to the cars and drove them around to the back on the hotel, parking them as close to our rooms as possible. Ian was looking at the bag I brought back from the hotel lobby quizzically, but I told him he would find out shortly. Sunny and I lead everyone into the two rooms and opened the adjoining door between them.

"We thought it would be safer this way," I explained. "That way we can still access both rooms if anything happens while Mel and Jared are alone, with no soul to answer their door. We were trying to think ahead..."

"I think I am rubbing off on you Wanda," Jared said with a smug smile on his face.

Ian picked up the hotel bag off the bed and shook it around. "So what's in here?"

I looked over at Sunny and she had a big smile on her face. "We had an idea!"

Mel raised her eyebrow at me and went over to grab the bag from Ian. She flipped it over and poured out the contents onto the bed. Picking up a piece of material she looked over at me and smiled. "Swimsuits?"

I pointed at the pile on the bed. "And sunglasses."

The three guys looked at me and Sunny like we had gone crazy. Jared was the first to speak up. "What are those for?"

"Well," I began, nervously. "We felt bad for worrying everyone today..." I looked at Ian, meeting his sapphire eyes for just a moment. "So we thought that since we had a few hours of sunlight... and since the weather is so nice... that we could relax a bit and enjoy the hotel's pool."

Jared started to object but I cut him off. I knew this would involve a lot of reasoning but I wanted them to be happy for a little bit. To feel like their lives were like they were before we came and took their world from them. I wanted them to be happy like they have made me, even if just for an afternoon.

"It's bright enough that we can all wear sunglasses and the hotel is practically empty so we should be on our own. Plus it is right across from our rooms. You can see it from the window."

"Jared," Mel said. "I think we may all need this..."

"I am not completely comfortable with all of us going out there." Jared responded.

"Me neither," Ian said looking at me. "I don't want you to be in any danger if they find you with humans."

"I think you all know how I feel." Kyle said with his arms crossed. Sunny's smile faded as she looked up from beside him.

"Okay let's compromise," Mel started. "How about us girls go out to the pool and you guys can keep watch over us from the room. If you see anything suspicious you can come get us."

"I don't know..." Jared said. Mel shot him a look the meant he was not winning this argument. She had a way of gettign what she wanted. "Fine, but you have to keep your glasses on at all times and if anyone approaches you have to make up an excuse and come back here immediately."

Mel gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks." She turned to face all of us. "Okay you boys go into the other room so we can get changed." She shooed them out and closed the adjoining door behind them. She then went to the pile of swim wear and tossed us each one of the plain black two piece suits.

"Sunny you can use the bathroom to change if you want." She suggested. "I don't have anything Wanda hasn't seen before." She gave me a wink and I blushed in response.

We quickly changed into the swimsuits. I had the overwhelming urge to jump into the bed and hide under the covers, I felt very self-conscious with such little clothing on. Mel seemed to sense my discomfort and reassured me that I looked great. I once again wished I still had her confidence as she stood in front of me so sure of herself. Sunny came out of the bathroom changed with a fluffy white towel wrapped around herself and two more in her hands. I took one and wrapped it around myself, feeling much better. Mel threw hers over her shoulder and went over to open the door to the other room.

"We are heading over now and don't worry we will be careful," she said as the guys made their way through the door. "Feel free to join us when you are ready." She turned and headed for the door with Jared's eyes following her the entire way. He had such adoration in his eyes and a little bit of fire, hidden underneath the slight look of fear.

I went over to Ian and gave him a kiss on the cheek before leaving. I could see the nervousness on his face. I didn't like making him uncomfortable. "Don't worry. We'll be careful."I said, echoing Mel's words. He looked at me skeptically as he held tightly to my hand. I felt that feeling in the pit of my stomach again as I thought about leaving his side. "Maybe I should just stay… if it makes you uncomfortable... I don't mind."

"I would. You deserve some fun, Wanderer," Ian gave me a smile. It seemed forced, but I took what I could get.

I waited outside the door with Mel as Sunny spoke with Kyle. She still had such a hard time being away from him that I was sure she would end up staying in the room with him. When she eventually made it out we headed over to the pool. Mel turned to Sunny and told her not to worry, they wouldn't be far behind. We looked at her confused, but she told us to trust her.

The pool was less than 50 feet from our room so we were close enough that the guys could clearly see us and I am sure with an open window they could even hear us. Melanie put her towel on one of the lounge chairs facing the room and Sunny and I took the ones beside her. I felt very self-conscious again as I started to remove my towel and I pondered just leaving it on. I was standing there for a moment deciding what to do when Mel leaned forward on her chair and tugged my towel right off of me.

"Stop worrying Wanda," she said, as I blushed heavily. "You look cute." She nodded her head towards the hotel room. I looked back and saw the curtain flutter closed. "I think Ian agrees with me."

I lay back on my lounger and tried to relax. Sunny leaned over from her chair and whispered. "Do you think Kyle thinks I'm cute too?"

I smiled at her. "I have absolutely no doubt that he does."

She lay back on her chair with a smile. "Good."

It didn't take long for the heat of the sun to get to us and we decided to test out the pool. The water was crisp and refreshing, lacking the sulphur smell that greeted us from the water in the caves. We floated in the water for a while enjoying the sensation. Sunny and Melanie started swimming laps, nothing to really qualify as a work out but enough to tire my weak body. I decided to return to my lounger and enjoy the feeling of the sun while they continued to swim.

I lay on my stomach and closed my eyes listening to the water splash behind me. My wet hair clung to my back and I reached my hand back to brush it to the side when I noticed a shadow over part of me. I jumped when I heard his voice, knocking my glasses onto the concrete.

"You're going to get a sun burn lying out here like that for too long."

I flipped myself over to see Ian hovering a couple of feet above me. The sun hit my face as I turned towards him and I saw the silver reflection bounce off his sunglasses. Realizing what my eyes must look like in the bright daylight. I quickly grabbed my sunglasses off the ground, covering my eyes from the sun. "I'm sorry… I'm not used to being in the direct sunlight. I'll try to remember to cover them up."

Ian pushed the glasses over my forehead, resting them on the top of my head. "Why would you want to do that?"

"In the caves it is easier to hide the reminder of what I am… I wanted you to all have an afternoon when you didn't have to think about us and what we took from you."

"I don't see it as a reminder of what was lost but rather of what I found. I like the reminder of what you are," Ian said, kissing me softly. "It is the closest thing I have to seeing the real you, my beautiful silver Wanderer." His thumb brushed the side of my face as my cheeks heated from the blush. He leaned in to meet my lips once more but I put my hand on his chest – his bare chest – to stop him. I felt the contours of his chest under my hand, my eyes trailing down his flat stomach stopping at the swimming trunks I had just purchased for him. I had to speak before I lost what little will power I had.

"You shouldn't," I said. "Souls aren't usually that affectionate in public." I looked back at my hand holding him from me. It felt wrong doing this but I had to fight the urge to pull him closer to me. He backed away sitting at the foot of the chair. That was when I noticed Kyle and Jared had joined Mel and Sunny in the pool.

"Can I at least help you get some sunblock on your back?" He said. "I was serious when I said you could get burnt."

I nodded and laid back on my stomach. His hand brushed my hair off my back, fingers grazing my skin sending goose bumps down my spine. He took his time rubbing the lotion on me, massaging it into my muscles turning my body into a soft puddle.

"Hmmmm," I moaned, enjoying the relaxation. "So what made you change your mind about coming outside?"

He paused his hands for a moment and then moved them to my legs. He rubbed the lotion in my calves working his way up to my thighs. "Let's just say I was frustrated watching you out here without me..." He snapped the bikini bottom material when his hands reached it. "…Wearing this."

I giggled at his comment as the blush came to my face. Ian lay back in the lounger beside me and I admired his exposed body. His skin was starting to glisten with the beginnings of sweat from the sun. I realized how envious I now was of Melanie and Jared having the room to themselves tonight.

We enjoyed our afternoon in the sun. I watched my family with smiles on their faces, the only reminder of our reality was Jared's scans of the surroundings. He was as relaxed as he could ever be, especially with Melanie out in the open. He was on constant alert, the fear of losing her again too strong to fully ignore, yet whenever her eyes were on him he wore that same unconscious smile he had when they had been at their cabin – the smile that was engrained in her memory.

I could still feel the smile on my face as I curled up on the soft mattress in the hotel room. Kyle's snores were already filling the room as I heard the bathroom door shut behind me. The mattress shifted behind me and I felt Ian's arm wrap around me as he curled his body around mine.

"Thank you for today," Ian whispered in my ear. "I can't remember the last time I just hung out by a pool…"

"I remembered the last time Pet did," I said. "She had so much fun when she was swimming that Cloud Spinner had a pool put in their backyard…"

"You still miss her." Ian more stated this than asked, as his arms squeezing me closer to his body.

"I know it is silly," I explained. "She wasn't really my mother… but I do miss her."

"Well I think that if she met you, she would love you like her own daughter."

"Hmmm…" I drifted to sleep with happy thoughts from our day.

I woke up the next morning with butterflies in my stomach. I was tucked tightly at Ian's side as he sprawled across the bed, the sheets wrapped around his legs. At some point in the night I had lost my portion of the sheets to his tossing, but just being pressed up against him was enough to keep me warm in the air conditioned room.

Looking over Ian's sleeping form I could see Sunny curled up with Kyle, hers eyes were open but like me she was trying not to wake him. Kyle's stomach grumbled loud enough that I could hear it across the room, my body shook as tried to hide my giggles.

Ian's arm wrapped tighter around me and I knew I gave myself away. "Good morning Wanderer."

I looked up him, his eyes still closed as he spoke. He looked so peaceful when he slept, truly looking like the kind hearted man he was. "Are you staring at me Wanderer?" His eyes peaked open.

I felt my cheeks turning red as I got caught in the act. Before I could stutter out a response his stomach growled. I giggled freely this time, not afraid of waking him.

"Would you like me to get you some breakfast?" I asked between the giggles.

He kissed my forehead. "You don't have to do that."

I smiled up at him. "But I want to. We can get breakfast for everyone. Will you help me Sunny?"

She sat up in bed nodding at me.

"I'm not going to be the one to wake up the love birds next door though." Kyle mumbled, still half asleep.

Sunny and I got changed and headed to the breakfast buffet. Realizing we could only carry four plates we piled them as high as we could and decided we could just share with Kyle and Ian – if they left any food for us.

Ian had decided that he would wake up Melanie and Jared, saying that I had probably seen enough of them in compromising positions in my memories from Mel. I couldn't disagree with that, but I also got the feeling that he truthfully didn't want me to see Jared that way again. I just wish I was able to show him that he was the only one I ever thought of that way; out of every world I had been on he was the only one.

I was about to take a forkful of eggs when I realized where the butterflies had come from earlier. I stopped the fork halfway to my mouth and froze.

Tonight would be our night alone in the room. It would be my chance to show him how I felt about him. The only problem was that I wasn't sure how to go about it. What if i did something wrong?

Ian tilted his head looking at me as he dug into the plate of food. "You okay Wanderer? Do you not like the food?"

He was always making sure I was okay. I didn't want to worry him so I shook my head clear and took the bite of food, smiling at him with my mouth full. He laughed at me and continued to eat. It didn't take long for the guys to finish off breakfast, enjoying the change from the bread and stale food their stomachs were now used too.

Sunny and I hit several more stores that day, trying to get as much as we could out of each trip. I was distracted the entire time by what was about to happen with Ian that night. My mind just kept playing out different scenarios. I had Melanie's memories for reference but they were different; they were not me and Ian. I wanted this to really show him how much I cared. I wanted to do everything right. This body was so inexperenced that I wasn't sure if I would.

Sunny stopped me as we were leaving one of the last stores for the day; looking around to see anyone was within hearing distance. "What's wrong Wanda? You have been very quiet the whole day?"

I blushed not realizing I was being that obvious. "I'm okay Sunny. I was just thinking."

"Were you thinking about your night tonight with Ian?"

My mouth dropped open. "How did you know that?" I whispered, embarrassed by our conversation. My cheeks were on fire now.

Sunny looked shyly at the ground. "Because I was thinking about when it would be my night with Kyle."

We started walking towards the cars in the back of the parking lot. "Have you been... intimate... with Kyle yet?" I was nervous asking such a personal question. I didn't want to step over any lines with Sunny.

"No." Sunny said shaking her head. "Jody was... and I remember it from her, but I don't know if it is different now that it is just me in here."

We were so caught up in our conversation that I didn't realize we were being followed down the parking lot until two men appeared at either side of us. I often ran into this dilemma with souls as I shopped. It was in our nature to help each other, and two young women pushing over flowing shopping carts definitely seemed like they could use the help.

I looked to the man beside me. He was a similar build to Jared with dirty blond hair curled behind his ears, he wore casual pants with a wrinkled t-shirt. His face was hidden behind a pair of sunglasses and he gave me a tight smile.

"Let me take that for you," he said to me. Beside me I heard the other man offer the same assistance to Sunny.

"Thank you for the offer, but we would feel bad to take you away from your day." I replied.

"We will be okay with this. Thank you." Sunny echoed.

We slowed our pace as we neared the vehicles as it would not be safe for our friends – or the men offering us assistance. I was sure they could see us from the vehicles and was grateful for Jared's clear head in this moment, although even his patience would be put to the test if we did not get rid of the good Samaritans soon.

The man beside me placed his hands near mine on the cart, putting his body closer to mine. I felt uneasy at the closeness, but I shook it off.

"We insist," he said looking at his friend.

I looked towards our friends hidden in the van. I knew we didn't have much time. Luckily we were parked in a vacant corner of the parking lot, hidden behind the back of another store, so we would be safe from other souls.

"Our partners are on their way from the store to help us," I lied, hoping that the souls wouldn't be able to tell. "They went back to grab something we forgot."

The man leered over me, staring into my eyes through his sunglasses. His posture was menacing. "You're lying."

I gasped and stared at him wide eyed. His actions didn't make any sense. I started to back away from him without realizing it until I bumped into Sunny's back. I took a breath and tried to summon some of the strength I had once felt with Mel.

"Who are you?"

He tilted his head down causing his glasses to slide down his nose, exposing his eyes. He looked down at me with a dark hatred in his deep brown eyes. A colour that should show warmth and kindness. Eyes that also should have been reflecting silver.

"You're huma-"

I was cut off by his hand slapping over my mouth. I could taste the dirt and sweat on it. How had I not noticed the dirt on them before? Even the disheveled condition of clothes or the fact that he was wearing a jacket in this heat should have set off alarms for me. These things should have warned me about who I was dealing with, but I didn't even notice. I had become a typical trusting soul, even after only a couple of days of interacting with them, and I had let my family down by my carelessness.

His heated gaze broke from mine as he snapped his head to the sound of a car door slamming. As I turned to face the noise myself, my eyes caught a glint of metal hidden under his jacket. It was oddly familiar to me, but not as something I had seen in the caves. It reminded me of before that time. It reminded me of my seeker and the piece of metal that she carried with her.

My body reacted out of instinct as I jerked away from the man, reaching for Sunny's arm. The hand that once covered my month grabbed me by the wrist and pulled me closer to the human's body and the metal hidden on him. I let out a startled yelp.

"Let go of her!"

I looked over towards the sound of Kyle's boisterous voice and was surprised to see Ian walking slowly towards us. I forgot how much they sounded alike, and with the menacing look across Ian's face, how much they could look alike. He stared into the nameless human's eyes as his grip tightened on my wrist to the point that my fingers started to turn purple.

"I said let her go!" Ian demanded once more. He was growing dangerously close to us. Too close to the weapon he didn't know was there.

"Ian don't." I pleaded with him. He stopped at the sound of my voice but gave me a confused look. "They aren't like me. They're like you."

Sunny tensed beside me and Ian's eyes widened as he let the information sink in, then the dark look returned to his features as he looked once again to the human. Even knowing the kindness that was in Ian's heart, I still shivered at the look on his face. His voice came out deeper than I had ever heard. "If you harm one hair on her head... I will kill you."

The man looked back at his partner and then down at me. "You work with a human... How is that possible?"

"I love him."

A disgusted looked crossed his face. "You lie. You're nothing but a life sucking parasite."

Out of the corner of my eye I could see Ian moving slowly closer to us, he froze at the sound of a car door closing. All of our gazes were drawn back to the van to see Kyle and Jared emerging. Their fists were clenched at their sides. They stopped on either side of Ian, creating an intimidating wall of muscle.

The man used his free hand to pull back his jacket so they could see the weapon tucked into the waist of his pants. "I would stop there if I were you."

"Please don't hurt him," I said as tears started to form in my eyes. I couldn't bear the thought of the weapon being used against any of my friends, especially Ian. I was grateful in that moment that Melanie had stayed in the van.

"Let's work something out here," Jared's voice came out calm and steady. "You can take whatever you need. Just let our friends go and we will be on our way."

"Do you think we would trust anyone who sided with the parasites?" The man by Sunny spoke up, voicing his disgust.

Kyle faced him. "The way I see it, you don't have a choice. Even with the weapon - and assuming we don't have one of our own - we still outnumber you, and definitely outmatch you." Kyle challenged him, taking one step towards him. His arms opened slightly as if inviting him to attack.

"Kyle, please stop." Sunny quietly spoke up beside me. Like me she couldn't bear the thought of someone she loved being hurt.

The man pulled me closer and leaned down so his face was only inches from my own. I could feel his hot, stale breath across my face as he spoke. "Do you think they actually care for you? They are just using you. Don't you know that if they could choose to have their lives back, they would give you up in a heartbeat?"

His arm moved to his waistband, pulling the weapon out. "I could just make it easier for them… make the decision for them. I could end you right now."

I squeezed my eyes closed, letting the tears run down my cheeks. I tried to be strong, but this body – my body – had never felt so much fear. I heard the click of metal in the dark silence, but it did not come from the man pressed up against me. My eyes shot open.

"Let them go. Or I will shoot you," said a steady voice that I knew better than my own from behind us.

The man was distracted from me as his eyes swung to the sound of Melanie's voice. She stood firmly behind us with my previous seeker's gun pointed in our direction. Despite the unquestionable trust I had for Melanie, the sight of the gun pointed at us sent chills up my spine.

The seconds that it took for the men to absorb the sight of Melanie was enough for Ian and Kyle to make their way to us, knocking the two men to the ground. The sight of the 4 men violently struggling on the ground made my stomach turn. I wanted so badly to look away but couldn't bear the thought of not knowing Ian was okay. Especially considering the gun was nowhere in my sight.

Kyle's attacker got a few good hits to Kyle's nose before he was knocked out, causing a lot of blood and Sunny to cling to my side in fear. I looked away from the bloody scene and focused on Ian. After a few moments of struggling Ian managed to pin the man's hands behind his back with his stomach pressed to the ground. I exhaled a breath I didn't even realize I had been holding. The gun discarded on the pavement beside them, was quickly scooped up by Jared as he made his way over to Melanie. Jared tucked the new gun into his waistband and took my seeker's gun from Mel before he turned to face our assailants. Melanie made her way to us, concern etched across her face. She knew how we thought, she had shared them for so long, that she was the only one who could understand how terrified we were.

Kyle and Jared picked up the first man and started to carry him to our truck while Ian held down his. Kyle had his hands under the man's arms while Jared had his feet. He must have been heavy because they both looked strained. I looked back to Ian on the ground. His eyes were locked onto to me, relief flooding them. I gave him a smile to let him know I was okay and was happy to see him give me one back. I let my eyes travel his body, surveying him for any damage. His clothes were dishevelled and he had bloodied scrapes across the knuckles on his right hand, but otherwise he looked okay.

I was so focused on him that I didn't notice the figure approaching behind him.

It happened almost too fast for me to react. My eyes widened in fear and I called out Ian's name shrilly. Ian twisted his head as I screamed out to him, but the man approaching him was ready, his arm already pulled back. He swung the vicious piece of metal at Ian's head.

A ear piercing scream filled the air.

It wasn't until I had to take a breath that I became aware it was me making the sound. I flung myself towards Ian as he collapsed on the ground, like a ragdoll. I was aware of Melanie's arms on me I made my way to him but she couldn't stop me.

I threw myself over him as the man raised his arm once more. I tensed waiting for the impact and the pain I knew would follow but nothing happened. I peeked through my hair tentatively. The man still stood over us, but was now joined by his friend. The both had their hands in the air.

I pushed myself up slightly to look over my shoulder; I couldn't bear to expose Ian too much while he was injured. Jared stood facing us with his gun pointed at the two men, with Kyle just behind him blocking Mel and Sunny.

"Take your friend and get the hell out of here before the seekers come." Jared demanded. I shivered as I thought about the seekers coming for us. I watched the two of them go and take their friend away before I focused my attention to Ian.

So I hope you are still enjoying the story and again I apologize for the loooonnggg wait and for leaving it like this. I felt the next few lines worked better in the next chapter. I will try not to leave it too long this time.

Read & Review (good or bad)

~Mel