Unfortunately this is not the longest chapter but I thought you had waited long enough and I wanted to give you something. Lots of life getting in the way as usual and I am finding it hard to get the time to get all of my thoughts typed out. Thank you for all still staying invested in the story.

My decision regarding Ian had been made, whether Melanie agreed with it or not, it was not the first time we had disagreed on one of my decisions. Of course she had won that one in the end, with Jared's help, but this time she was not in my head to hear it.

Jared didn't stay with us the whole time, saying he wanted to go check on things, although I was sure he had other reasons for leaving. At some point I must have drifted to sleep again but woke to the sounds of footsteps coming down the tunnel. It must have been a deep sleep because I couldn't remember actually falling asleep or having any dreams.

"It's probably just Jared coming back." Melanie said. She was leaning against a bag of rice a couple of feet away from me.

"How long did I sleep?" Not that she had a watch to check that on. That would be a good thing to get on one of our next raids; that is if there was a next one.

"Not too long," she answered. "I think you really needed it though."

I just nodded, feeling guilty for leaving her sitting here by herself while I slept. "Sorry."

Melanie rolled her eyes at me but didn't comment. The footsteps were just around the bend now. I turned expecting to see Jared enter the room but was surprised but the small shape I saw instead. A shadow I recognized just as easily though.

"Hey Mel! Hey Wanda!" Jamie greeted us with his usual enthusiasm. If he knew what was going on he wasn't letting on. A bright smile stretched across his face as he came into the light.

"Jared told me where I could find you." He plopped himself right between the two of us, his head leaning on my shoulder while his feet lay across Melanie's lap.

"Shouldn't you be in class?" Melanie asked, playing with a loose thread hanging from his shorts.

"Nope. We're all done for the day." He said happily. "Sharon didn't even make me stay late. She was actually in a good mood."

Melanie and I exchanged a look. Clearly she had been updated by Doc on Ian's re-found distaste for the souls. Not that he would have intended on it being good news to anyone. The two of them seemed like such an odd pairing but how could I judge why someone loved someone else.

"It's actually almost dinner time," his stomach growled as if on cue. "That's why I came to find you."

Dread filled the empty space that had been left in my chest. What if Ian was there? I brushed my hand through Jamie's hair trying to distract myself; it was getting so long now, Melanie was going to need to give it a trim soon. "I'm not that hungry." I said to him. "You and Mel should go on without me before there's nothing left."

Jamie looked at me with his 'puppy dog eyes' as Melanie referred to them. I could almost feel my resolve crumbling, but even Jamie couldn't help me get through an entire meal knowing those sapphire eyes were in the same room and the emotions that they now held for me.

"It'll be soooo boring without you." Jamie whined. "Jared is bringing food to Doc, Jeb and Ian in the hospital – he told me Doc forced you to take a break, I think it was good he did that, you never take care of yourself Wanda – so if you aren't there then it'll be just me and Mel. No offense Mel, but I talk to you all the time."

Melanie looked at me with her eyebrows raised, silently challenging me to find a reason to refuse him now. I couldn't think of anything that they wouldn't pick up on as being a lie so I took a deep breath and got myself off the ground.

Making our way towards the kitchen I reached up to my neck, feeling the bandana wrapped around it. I was grateful that Jared thought to get me one earlier to cover the bruises. Neither one of them mentioned what had happened aloud though. Melanie knew how I felt from personal experience and Jared knew what it was like to attack the person you love without actually knowing it. Neither one of them wanted to re open those wounds. I don't think I could bear the stares I would get if they weren't covered up or the accusations I would see in those same looks for Ian.

I could hear the voices of people talking in the kitchen drift down the hallway. Those same voices quieted as soon as we entered the room. Not into definite silence, like when I was first in the caves, but our entrance brought with it stares and whispers. News travels fast around here.

Melanie urged me forward, her hand on my back, while Jamie looked around confused. We grabbed our food quickly and made our way to our usual table. I took my seat and glanced at the empty seat beside me. Such a small thing, an empty chair, but powerful enough to make me feel like my body was ripping in two. I wrapped my arms around my waist – just below the table and out of Jamie's sight – to try to physically hold myself together.

"Why is everyone whispering?" Jamie asked in a whisper himself.

Not wanting to lie I looked down at my plate while Melanie just shrugged her shoulders. Before he could open his mouth to question the situation once again he was distracted by more voices were coming towards the kitchen, loudly approaching compared to the hushed whispers surrounding us. I recognized the voices without seeing the faces and knew this was not going to be good.

"I knew he would have to come to his senses eventually." Lacey's voice carried from the hall. "I mean, seriously, who could fall in love with a parasite."

"If we could only hit the rest of the people in this cave in the hea –" Sharon stopped what she was saying mid sentence as they entered to room to the stares of everyone in it, including a glaring look from Melanie. They continued to the counter to get their food, pretending to ignore the stares they were receiving in both approval from some and disapproval from others.

Glancing up I could see Jamie's eyes focused on Melanie, he wasn't that easy to brush off. He knew we were hiding something from him, and he was going to find out. He had Stryder instincts, much like Jeb, and he was more perceptive than most.

I eventually ate the rest of my meal, all of it, once again due to Jamie's persistence.

Melanie decided that we would go to the bathing room after we finished dinner. Trying to convince Melanie that I hadn't done any physical work in so long that I would be fine to just go back to the storage room – my room - was pointless. She did make a good point about how long it had been since I had taken a bath. My usually light hair now hung heavy and greasy. I had only taken a quick rinse since we had come back from the raid. It had been the only time I left Ian's side. I didn't want him waking to the sight of me covered in blood – his blood.

Jamie insisted on following us to the bathing room, still anxious to find out what was going on. I didn't want to tell him what was going on. I knew he would feel bad for me and want to fix everything. I also realized that once he looked at me with that sadness in his eyes I wouldn't be able to hold myself in one piece anymore.

"Hey Jared." Jamie called out as we were approaching the entrance to the bathing room.

I looked up from the ground I had been staring intently at to see Jared approaching us in the dark hallway. Panic swept over me as I realized he may not be alone. I stopped in my tracks and stared at him wide eyed as he approached.

"Just me." He said as he stopped in front of us, seeing my fearful expression. "I was just bringing back all the dishes before going to find you guys." His arms were full of dirty dishes.

"How is he?" I asked, needing to know that he was okay. As much as I was afraid to see him my mind had been fighting the urge to go to him with every breath. Like I was missing part of me.

"He's good. Got quite the headache and his ribs are definitely cracked." I cringed at the mention of him being in pain as Jared continued. "Doc finally convinced him to take some no pain as I was leaving so he is probably sleeping now."

"That's good, I'm glad Doc got him to take the medicine. He shouldn't be suffering if we have something to take it away." I said, feeling a little more relieved. If he was asleep, maybe he wouldn't notice if I went to see him.

"Jamie, why don't you help Jared take those to the kitchen." Melanie suggested.

Jamie crossed his arms in protest. "I'm not that easy to get rid of Mel. I know something is going on and I want to know what it is."

I couldn't look at him. He would have seen it written all over my face.

Melanie looked at Jared and he nodded, answering the question that she didn't need to ask aloud. "JAred will tell you about it. Okay?"

Jamie's expression quickly changed to one of triumph as he grabbed some dishes from Jared and turned back the way we had come. Jared leaned in and gave Melanie a quick kiss on the forehead and followed a few steps behind him, leaving just the two of in the hall.

"Thanks Mel."

"Hey I didn't want to explain it to him either."

We stepped out of the bathing room once we had cleaned up and stopped in the hallway. I looked in both directions, conflicted as to which way to take. Melanie waited beside me patiently. I was grateful every day that it was her body I received as a host. Even with all the pain I felt at the moment, I was still lucky to have someone like Melanie.

"I am sure he is sleeping by now. He won't even know you're there." She still knew me so well, better than almost everyone.

"I just need to see that he is still okay." I needed to see him; to be close to him even if just for a minute.

We made our way down to the hospital wing my feet moving quicker with each step, like I was being pulled in his direction. Once the door was in sight I slowed my pace and the nervousness set in. Melanie grabbed my clammy hand and squeezed.

"I don't hear anyone. I think they are asleep." Melanie whispered.

I knew we didn't need to worry about him knowing we were here as soon as I saw his cot. He was sprawled out on the small cot with one leg and both arms hanging over the edge, practically touching the floor. He was in a deep sleep. He looked peaceful and I couldn't help but smile.

I felt warm inside at the sight of him and it was like the rest of the world faded away and it was just us. I didn't even notice who else was in the room. I only saw Ian. I quietly approached his sleeping form, placing my hand on his chest just over his heart, careful not to put too much pressure on his injured ribs. His chest rose and fell steadily with a rhythm that was more familiar to me than my own.

I just stood there watching him sleep, his features relaxed and calm. All the emptiness inside me was gone now that I was with him but I knew I couldn't stay too long; I would never want to leave if I stayed. I leaned over him; one hand still placed over his heart and placed one kiss on his forehead. "I love you, Ian." I whispered.

My lips tingled from the contact with his smooth skin and I could feel my heart beat quicken. I could feel my heartbeat down to my fingertips where I could have sworn I felt his beat quicker too.

I jumped slightly when a noise broke the absolute silence in the room. Ian was talking in his sleep. More of a muttering than talking as the words he said were both quiet and incomprehensible. I pulled my hand away and quickly stepped back from his cot.

I backed up, my eyes never leaving him, until I stood beside Melanie once again. "That was close." She whispered in my ear. "Do you want to stay? Kyle and Doc are here… so you'd be safe." She didn't seem to know how to properly word that without offending either me or Ian.

I shook my head no and with a deep breath I turned and walked out the door. This was what was best for him. No matter how much it hurt me.

We made our way back to the storage room to find Jared and Jamie waiting there with 2 bedrolls and pillows. Before I could even open my mouth Jamie was up from the ground and his arms were wrapped tightly around my shoulders.

I looked to Melanie for help but she was talking closely with Jared and couldn't see my face.

"I'm so sorry Wanda." Jamie said as he let me out of his embrace.

"Thank you Jamie, for both your concern and pillows, although I only need one." I said looking to the pile on the ground.

"I can't let you stay here by yourself, so I am going to be your roommate." Jamie said cheerfully.

Both Melanie and I shot a confused look at Jared. He shrugged his shoulders. "He wanted to help out Wanda, and give you a break Mel."

"That was very considerate of you Jamie, but don't you have class tomorrow? I would hate for you to be tired in the morning." I said, not wanting to force Jamie to sleep on the floor but at the same time not wanting to be alone.

"No class tomorrow Wanda, it's the weekend."

I must have lost track of the days in the hospital.

"Okay but only for tonight."

Jamie quickly kicked Melanie and Jared out of the room and put together two beds on the floor. It was odd to see him being the caregiver when all I could picture him as was the young boy from Melanie's memories. He had grown up so much since arriving at the caves.

We both lay down on the floor and I turned off the blue light that still illuminated the room leaving us in the pitch blackness.

"Wanda?"

"Yes Jamie?"

"It is going to be okay. I just know it."

I smiled in the dark. "Thank you."

"Ian is the same Ian that fell in love with you when you were sharing Mel's body, that believed you before most people did, that protected you; the same one that held you in his hand . You just need to make him love you like you did before. You have to start from the beginning…" Jamie's voice started to fade and I knew he was drifting off to sleep.

"When did you become so wise?" I asked in a quiet tone, trying to lull him fully to sleep.

"Dunno… just happened…I guess…"

"Good night Jamie."

"G'night Wanda…" His voice fading completely before finishing my name.

I lay in the darkness alone with my thoughts for I don't know how long. Eventually the exhaustion kicked in and I drifted into a fitful sleep, filled with dreams of Ian.

Fortunately my dreams were interrupted quickly by gentle shake by a hand on my shoulder. My eyes shot open at the contact and I was relieved to find myself staring at Jared's face, a foot from mine, lit by the blue lantern I had left at my side.

"Sorry to wake you so early Wanda," he whispered. "but we have some supplies coming in right now and we don't have much time until the sun is fully up."

I sat up quickly, shaking the sleepy fog from my head. "Of course. I'll wake Jamie up."

Jared just gave me a quick nod and took off out of the cave.

I took some effort to wake Jamie from his sleep. From what Melanie had told me, teenagers needed a lot of it and lately Jamie could sleep through even Jeb's snoring.

We had the beds rolled up just as I could hear footsteps entering the cave entrance. I looked up and was shocked by who I saw.

"Burns?" I asked confused. "What are you doing here?"

Jared came around the corner a couple of feet behind him. "He brought food." He said, raising a crate filled vegetables and other perishables. All the stuff we missed getting.

Burns looked down at the ground as he lowered what he was carrying, but I could see a slight blush creep up on his cheeks before he could hide it. Being the centre of attention was hard for us; we were so used to being part of a community as a whole not as individual members.

Jeb came in behind Jared, gun slung over his shoulder and bags of apples in his hands. I shuddered at the appearance of his gun once again.

"Don't worry Wanda," he said as soon as he saw me. "I'm not plannin' on using it. Your friend here just gave us a start driving in here with no warning. Surprised we even saw him with the sun barely up."

"He even remembered to tie the tarp to the back of his truck." Jared said patting Burns on the back, before turning to go get more supplies.

I placed my hand on Burns' arm. "How did you know?"

He smiled down at me, a genuine smile the reach his eyes, like the ones Jared had in the cabin. "I will tell you all about it as soon as I finish helping unload the supplies."

He moved towards the exit, pausing before he was out of sight and turning back to me. "I am… very glad you weren't harmed, Wanderer."

His exit left just me, Jamie and Jeb in the storage room. Jamie was excitedly looking through the new boxes, yelling out everything he found. Jeb just looked at me, not with the sympathy I saw in most peoples' eyes when they saw me, but with curiosity. He was trying to figure out what I was planning. I realized that this was the first time I had actually seen Jeb since Ian woke up.

"I'm sorry to tell you this darlin' but I don't think there will be room for you in here tonight." He finally said, stroking his beard. "Looks like you're back to a proper room."

Like I said it is a little short, and some people may not like Burns showing up again but it all serves a purpose. That and there was barely any Ian in this chapter but I will fix that in the next one.

Thanks for reading ~ Mel