I stood in the refreshingly cool water of the bath, simply enjoying the feel of the smooth water running over my body, Pet's body, and in between my toes. Just the prospect of having the constant grime of these dark caves washed from my body, especially with the gentle soaps from my last raid, felt wonderful. Pet was not used to going unwashed and having her hair unbrushed. It was disorienting. But, nevertheless, I tried not to waste the new cleaning stuff on me. Those items were only a small part of my attempts to begin to repay these humans for their surprising kindness.

I poured a small pool of lavender-scented shampoo onto my tiny palm and began scrubbing vigorously at me scalp, determined to rid it of its purplish hue. I was just about to rinse, when a noise from behind made me freeze. It sounded like it had come from right outside the cave's opening, but it was too dark to see much of anything. I quickly reprimanded myself for my returning paranoia. The bathing schedule was empty for this time slot and it was just a bad time. Dinner was still being eaten and everyone not in the dining hall was normally in bed. Plus I had no reason to fear if someone was coming. I had no real enemies anymore, even if Sharon and Maggie still disapproved of me. But then there was a sound again and I thought I saw something like a shadow in this omnipresent darkness.

Okay, no reason to be so terrified. What would Melanie think of this? I laughed a little to myself. She would be charging over there right now, rock in hand. Mel was never afraid of violence, so unlike me. I cleared my throat nervously.

"Is someone there?" I called in a shaky voice. Not exactly the strong tone I'd been hoping for. The shadow seemed to freeze, or at least my imagination saw it doing that. However, there was also a small noise of surprise.

"Oh! Um, yes. I'm sorry; I thought no one was here. I'll come back later."

A pause.

"Ian?"

Another pause.

"Wanda?"

"Um, yeah", I mumbled.

There was a sharp intake of breath, quickly blown back out. "I thought you were still with Mel and Jamie."

I had been coming into Melanie and Jared's room with Jamie and telling more stories before bed. Stories that I still felt uncomfortable telling the others, mainly about the invasions.

"No. No, they went to get dinner, but I wanted to get cleaned up before bed." I waited for him to speak and pondered how we were both here to clean up for the other. When would our nervousness around each other cease? We had only shared a room for a few nights. Finally the rains had stopped. Our relationship was going well, and I had never been happier, but I still wanted to always impress him.

He cleared his throat.

"Well, I guess I'll see you in a bit. I'll just wait outside."

There was yet another awkward pause.

"You don't have to." I stopped hesitantly, nervous again. "I mean you could go ahead. I can hurry, but I still have to wash my clothes. I don't want you to have to just stand there waiting." I stopped again, worrying that I had upset him. When I had started this little speech, I did not really think of the implications of a shared bath, but he had to be exhausted; I did not want him to have to wait for me. Plus this way I would see him all the sooner afterwards.

"Are you sure?" he finally replied.

"Yeah, it's fine. It's so dark--", I stopped, not knowing quite how to finish that sentence.

"Um, ok."

I waited uncomfortably while hearing his clothing fall to the stone floor. I plunged my head under water, diminishing the sounds and washing suds from my hair.

When I resurfaced he was in the water. I heard the plashes if him wading further in. I stood at the far end of the pool, afraid to go get the regular soap for my body. He took a breath as if to speak, but voiced no words. After hearing this sound repeated, I asked, "What, Ian?"

"Could you, um, hand me the shampoo? I'm not sure where it is."

"Oh sure," I replied, relieved that it was such a simple task. I felt my way to the ledge and fumbled around for it.

"Here." I stuck my hand out and took a small step towards his direction, but he was already there in front of me, far closer than expected. The back of my palm barely brushed his chest. I dropped the slick bottle in surprise.

"Sorry," I squeaked, embarrassed. I quickly reached under the water and caught the bottle before it washed away. I put my hand out again, more carefully this time and waited for him to take it.

Ian and I had not been alone, truly alone, since before the rain had started. Jamie was staying in our room, while they worked on Aaron and Brandt's room to widen it for Jamie to stay there permanently.

His fingers stayed around mine and his other hand reached out and gently brushed across my face. I subconsciously leaned into his touch and he stepped closer to set the shampoo back on the rocks behind us. His newly freed hand cupped around the other side of my face. His soft touch brushed away the few wet strands of hair clinging to my forehead. I took a small step closer to him, my breath becoming feverish. I was suddenly very warm in the cool water.

"My Wanderer," he whispered his voice caressing my name.

"Ian," I sighed his name, trying to remain calm and failing miserably.

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

A/N I'm definitely going to add one more chapter and I might make it actually have a plot later.