Re-Read: Chapter Thirty Eight- Touched

"It's not the face, but the expressions on it. It's not the voice, but what you say. It's not how you look in that body, but the things you do with it. You are beautiful."

Wanda is not sure what to make of the conversation she heard between Ian and Jared just outside her room. She still has trouble comprehending that Ian would have a crush on her, know that she is, as Kyle put it, a worm. Ian freely admits that he like her; he likes her very much and wonders if this is one of the things she is not sure about.

"No. I mean yes, I ... don't know. I ... I -"

"That's okay. You haven't had long to think about it. And it must seem...strange."

"Yes. More than strange. Impossible."

Ian asks for an answer, but before even asking the question, he reaches over and picks up Wanda's hand. He holds it in his for a moment before tailing his fingers slowly up her arm. He watches her arm, rather than her face, and notices the goose bumps left in the wake of his touch.

"Does that feel good or bad to you?"

Re-Read: Chapter Thirty Seven- Wanted

"Jealous, Howe?"

It seems to Wanda that whatever team Jared plays on dominates the game, but that is only until she sees the O'Shea brothers together. Jeb finally brings an end to the games and while some protest, everyone seems to be worn out. As the others leave the field, Wanda spots Ian and Kyle roughhousing with each other. At first, Wanda is unsure if their punches are being thrown in jest, but Melanie quickly confirms that they are playing, stating "the bonds of brotherhood go deep."

Jared comes to stand above Wanda, offering his hand to help her up. Melanie warns her to get ahold of herself and Wanda tries to keep her hand from shaking as she reaches out to meet his. Jared pulls her up, but there is an awkward distance between the two. As they discuss where she is staying, Ian swoops in, wrapping his arm under hers and telling Jared he would escort her. Jared and Ian both continue to hold onto her as they mince words. Though Ian offers Wanda to Jared to carry, Jared declines, but insists on tagging along, claiming he has something to discuss with Ian. 

Jared breaks the silence of their walk by asking Ian about Kyle. Ian tells him that Kyle usually keeps his word, but in this instance, he is keeping a close eye on him. This answer seems to appease Jared and Wanda tells him once again that she is not afraid. 

"You don't have to be. I promise - no one is ever going to do something like this to you again. You will be safe here."

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Re-Read: Chapter Thirty Six- Believed

"Why do you love him?"

The chatter among the group becomes more enthusiastic as Jared leaves the cave to retrieve the new ball her acquired during the recent raid. Andy and Lily are nominated as captains and they quickly go about dividing the teams with Kyle and Jared with Andy and Ian and Jamie on Lily's team. Lily asks Wanda if she would like to be on her team, but Wanda declines because of her leg. Ian tries to sit the game out with Wanda, but she and Jamie insist he plays with the others. 

Wanda tries to get to her feet, but is unable to balance with her bad leg. Strong arms catch her and she is about to turn and thank Ian, but it turns out Jared is the one holding her up. They fall into conversation, Jared observing how much Wanda cares about Jamie and even Ian. Wanda tells Jared it is because Ian believes her and watches out for her. She also takes the time to thank Jared for coming to her defense during the tribunal and apologizes for hurting him and Jamie by coming to the caves. To Wanda's relief, Jared tells her that Jamie has actually been better since her arrival. Wondering why Wanda cares so much for Jamie, he asks her directly, "Why do you love him?"

"In part because Melanie does. Remembering him the way she does...that's a powerful thing. And then, when I met him in person...I can't not love him. It's part of my...the very makeup of these cells to love him. I hadn't realized before how much influence a host had on me. Maybe it's just human bodies. Maybe it's just Melanie."

Re-Read: Chapter Thirty Five- Tried

"I think Ian likes you too much."

Wanda wakes in a strange room feeling slightly nauseated. When she asks Ian where she is, he is reluctant to say she is in the O'Shea's old room. The two also exchange words concerning the upcoming tribunal for Kyle and while Ian does not understand why Wanda wants to lie for Kyle, he agrees to take her when it is time. Wanda does not go back to sleep when Ian goes to get them food, but stares at the slices of visible sky, hoping her stomach would be settled enough to eat. 

Ian asks after her when he returns and she tells him she is feeling a little better. He wonders if it is her reacting to the morphine or Melanie's body. Wanda tells him it is Melanie, who reacts badly to most painkillers. It is odd for Ian, dealing with two people at once and Wanda is inclined to agree. Ian hands her a bread roll and she takes a small bite to see how her stomach will react. In between bites, Ian offers her something more appealing. Wanda hears the crackle and rip of the bag before the very distinct smell hits her nose. 

"Cheetos! Really? For me?"

As soon as Ian hands over the bag, Wanda tears into its contents and chases it with the rest of her roll and a bottle of water. 

"Thank you. For more than the Cheetos, you know. For so much."

"You're more than welcome, Wanda."

Re-Read: Chapter Thirty Four- Buried

"Um, medically speaking, I'm not sure that was the most helpful thing for his condition."

Without hesitation, Jared punches Kyle and knock him unconscious. Wes wonders what happened between Wanda and Kyle and Wanda once again denies that he tried to kill her. 

"Altruism seems to come more naturally to it than lies."

This time Jared's words set Wanda off, pointedly asking him if he is trying be annoying (with some success). She also explicitly tells them that she is female and the 'it' business is wearing on her nerves. When Jared asks if it is because of the body she wears, Wanda tells him that she is in fact female by human definition. 

"In my species, I am the one that beats young. Is that not female enough for you?"

Jared has no comeback for this and Melanie expresses her solidarity with Wanda over the issue. Cautiously Wes asks Wanda how reproduction works with the Souls, if it is not a red question. There are only a few Souls who have the potential to be Mothers. Wanda likens them to Queen bees, there being one Mother for every five to ten thousand Souls. To reproduce, the Mothers divide and each cell becomes a new Soul who carry some of the Mother's memories. When Doc asks if there is a catalyst for the division, Wanda tells them that it is a choice and the only way Souls willingly choose to die. 

Re-Read: Chapter Thirty Three- Doubted

"You're a rotten liar. You know that, right?"

Ian charges through the cave's entrance as Wanda strains to keep hold of Kyle. As he moves towards them, Wanda yells for him to get down and disperse his weight as the floor continues to crumble. Quickly taking in the situation, Ian slides himself behind Wanda and grabs hold of his brother as she moves out of his way. Foot by foot, Ian drags his brother to relative safety and the three move to the mouth of the corridor. 

"What...the hell...happened?"

When Ian asks Wanda what happened, she debates with Melanie how much she should tell him. She tells him nothing happened and that she hit her head on the floor. Ian knows she is withholding the truth and wonders why she would liar for Kyle, someone who tried to kill her. Realizing Kyle's plan of throwing Wanda into the river, he shoves his brother away in disgust and pulls Wanda close to him. Ian tells Wanda that Jeb's rules are clear and there will be a tribunal. When Wanda puts forth her lie again, Ian is adamant that Kyle face the consequence, something she cannot understand since Ian should want to protect his brother, a human. 

"We're not having this discussion again. Your definition of human is not the same as mine. To you, it means something...negative. To me, it's a compliment - and by my definition, you are and he isn't. Not after this."

Pushing away from Ian, Wanda tells him they need to get Doc. Before they can go, Ian examine's Wanda's hurt leg, which is most likely a deep bruise. Not being able to carry Kyle that far, Ian scoops up Wanda and heads towards the hospital cave. They meet Jeb before reaching the big cave and tell him about Kyle and the bathing room's conditions. Jeb heads to get Kyle with Andy and Brandt as Ian continues on with Wanda. 

Re-Read: Chapter Thirty Two- Ambushed

"Knock, knock."

Leaving the hospital, Wanda goes to Jamie and Jared's room the retrieve her clothes. In the room, Jamie is curled into a tight ball in the corner of the mattress as Ian lays sprawled out on the rest of the bed. It takes some effort, but Wanda is able to squelch her laughter and hurry down the hall without disturbing them. Though she trusts Doc to wait for her, Wanda still hurries to the bathing room. As she moves through the caves, Wanda thinks she hears something behind her, but does not see anyone trailing behind. Knowing others would wake soon, Wanda begins bathing herself and washing her clothes. Wanda dresses and as she puts on her tennis shoes, she hears someone call "Knock, knock" from the dark entry. Thinking she recognizes the voice, Wanda returns a greeting to Ian, but the response is not a friendly one. 

"Ian's still sleeping," Ian's voice answered. "I'm sure that won't last forever, though, so we'd best get on with this."

Wanda noticed the similarities in Ian and Kyle's appearances and voices when she first arrived, but had forgotten during Kyle's absence. Frozen in place, Melanie calls for her to keep quiet and listen, which Wanda obliges. Melanie then orders Wanda to grab a rock. Wanda does not want to cause anyone harm and in her desperation, she tries to let Melanie out and allow her to take control. Wanda starts towards the exit as Melanie struggles to break through. They hear sounds around the room, but are unable to discern Kyle's location. When she throws a handful of pebbles against the wall, Kyle moves towards the noise as Wanda moves quietly against the wall. When she is almost to the exit, Wanda hears splashes of water as Kyle wades through the pool to reach her. Melanie yells for her to run, but she hesitates a moment too long and Kyle's fingers grab her ankle and then her shoe. She is able to kick off her sneaker and scramble away from him, but he continues to grab for her. Breaking free, she heads to the exit, but is taken down by a rock Kyle throws at her leg and tackles her to the ground. Under Melanie's direction, Wanda lets out a shriek, but Kyle's large hand silences her. 

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Re-Read: Chapter Thirty One- Needed

"I'm not good at...at deception."

When Walter mentions a woman named Gladys, Wanda looks around to see if someone else in the room, but Jamie explains that she was Walter's wife who did not make it. As Walter continues mumbling, he reaches out in Wanda's direction and Ian nudges her towards the cot. Looking to Ian for help, he simply encourages her to take Walter's hand and she does so as carefully as she can. When Ian begins to wipe Walter's face, Wanda wonders if she looks like his late wife. He tells her no; Walter's wife was a stocky redhead. Taking the rag from Ian, Wanda continues to comfort Walter as he talks to his Gladdie.

During this time, Doc wakes and checks on Walter. Ian informs him that Walter is delusional and Doc wishes he had morphine, not just alcohol, to help with the pain. Ian suggests that Jared may produce another miracle and Doc can only hope for the best. Ian also mentions Geoffrey's questions during Wanda's class. Unthinkingly, Doc suggests it would have been more convenient if the Soul in Melanie had been a Healer. Jumping to her defense, Ian says they are lucky it was Wanda. Doc agrees, but simply means it would be helpful if Wanda had an interest in medicine. Noticing Jamie asleep on another cot, Ian and Wanda decide to go get some sleep, but when she releases Walter's hand, he asks if she has to leave. When she decides to stay, Ian moves a cot beside Walters and lifts Wanda onto it. Leaving her holding Walter's hand, Ian scoops up Jamie and heads to their sleeping quarters. Doc situates himself behind his desk, sorting through papers as Wanda drifts off to sleep. 

When Walter wakes in the morning, he recognizes Wanda as herself. She asks how he is and he asks for Doc and more liquor. After drinking more, Walter succumbs to his pain and is unable to stay conscious. Ian and Wanda begin to leave for breakfast, but as she pulls her hand away, Walter once again asks after Gladdie. With that, Wanda once again takes her place beside Walter as Ian leaves to retrieve food for them. Walter murmurs his wife's name, but beyond her touch, he does not seem to need much from Wanda. Doc remains by his desk and Wanda notices the defeat on his face.