Ok guys, I'm doing the best I can, I don't mean to make the chapters so short but I'm writing as much as I can in the time I have. I'm back at work but have another few days off soon so I'll be updating more consistantly I promise! Let me know what you think as always, hopefully i'm givin you guys what you want! Thanks!

My footsteps echoed off the cave walls as I quicked my pace in the dark. It seemed hours since I'd left Melanie's room. I was an autopilot, barely even bothering to take in my surroundings, I'd known the mad labyrinth of these caves for a long time now.

"Where you headed in such a huff?" The sound nearly knocked me off my feet, I staggered against the wall of the cave in shock.

"Where did you come from?" I breathed, steadying myself against the rock. Jared flicked on his flashlight, he obviously thought it amusing enough to follow me in the dark.

"I was headed back to my room and I saw you walking with a purpose." He chuckled at his own joke.

"So you thought it would be fun to scare the life out of me?"

"No... I just wanted to see how you've been." He kept shifting his weight around, nervous to go on. "You seem really distracted lately." I couldn't help but laugh, seemingly making Jared more uncomfortable.

"I've been hearing that a lot lately, I'm okay. I'm just.. getting used to being me." This seemed to answer enough of the question. I took him all in, from the dark color of his arms to the stubble on his chin. Some part of me still felt a pull towards him. It was slightly off-putting.

"Well okay then. Tell Ian I'll see him later ok?"

I nodded quickly in his direction as I continued on my way back to the room. What did he mean he'd see Ian later? He saw him all the time. As I got closer to the room I saw that Ian had the battery lamp still on. I thought he'd be asleep by now, having played soccer all day. I'd ended up staying at Melanie's longer than expected. I crept into our room and found him stuffing a small bag with an extra t shirt, and a flashlight into his jacket.

"Hey," he turned around, flashing me his best smile. "What took you so long?"

"I was with Melanie," ... answering slowly... "we lost track of time. Where are you going?"

"Jared and I gotta go for a few supplies. We'll be gone a day or two."

"Just you two? Don't you need me to go?

"No, that's alright. Get some rest, you've been doing a lot lately. Burn and Nate are going to meet us at the hanger, Jeb's been encouraging it. I think he's hoping to build strong ties with their group." He must have seen the uncertainty in my face. God... why was I being so childish? I exhausted myself just trying to keep my lips from quivering. I clearly hadn't convinced him. He crossed the small cavern in 3 strides and wrapped his arms around my waist. He burried his face in the hollow of my throat, raising goose bumps with the heat of his breath. "What's wrong? It'll only be a few days, we need to get the cars fixed and refill our battery supply. It's nothing serious. You won't even notice I'm gone."

"I know..." I wrapped my arms around him, pulling myself closer. "I just havn't been without you, I'm not sure I want to give it a try." I breathed in deeply, inhaling the scent of him, burning it into my memory. He placed a soft kiss on my throat, sighing as he pulled away. "When are you leaving?"

"In a couple hours, we're supossed to meet there at 1." He glanced quickly at his watch. "I'm yours till then though..." He winked at me, smiling even more. "Come on." He swept me into his arms and carried me over to the bed. He didn't let go as he placed us on the mattress and pulled the quilt up. He pressed his lips against my cheek.

I could feel my flesh rising as he stroked my arm with his fingers, stopping every few inches to trace a circle on my burning skin. I turned towards him, reaching my lips to his without hesitation. He responded instantly, our heartbeats quickening together at the taste of eachother. He pulled me closer as we both gasped for air; breathing into my ear. "Someday Wanderer, I'll have all of you. The wait only makes me want you so much more. But I will wait... as long as you need me to." He kissed me then, the sweetest sensation I'd ever felt.