Avoiding people was something Braydon was good at and sneaking through the hospital, that wasn't changing any time soon. The shifter nurse got the message he wanted nothing to do with them, only her pack wasn’t as quick to understand. After ignoring another phone call from the Alpha, Braydon made his escape outside – away from the phone and any ‘visitors’. Finding a place in the garden he sat on the grass beside the fountain, trying to work out what to do next.

In the three days that had passed since their arrival, Braydon had only been able to get five minutes alone with Miranda and during the night when everyone was gone, she was asleep. The cold she had woken up with the day before had kept the doctor from releasing her at Jason’s request, but Braydon knew their days were numbered. With rumors circulating that his family had been found, there was no way he would be able to stay with Miranda now and he didn’t know what else to do.

He was so lost in his thoughts; he didn’t notice Miranda until she sat down beside him. Her nose was sore and red, her eyes puffy and the cough was showing signs of getting worse before it would be getting better.

“Should you be outside?” He asked, clearly concerned.

“It’s just a cold, not man flu!” Miranda joked, though the humor was lost on him. “Fresh air and sunshine will do me some good. How are you going?”

She felt guilty for not spending much time with him, if anything she actually missed wasting the day talking about nothing in the forest.

“K.”

“K? Braydon, what’s wrong?” The way he refused to look at her was more of a sign that something was the matter than if he had a billboard over his head.

“Nothing.” He sulked, picking at the blades of grass with fake interest.

“Fine, I’ll just sit here until you decide to talk to me.”

Resting back on her arms, Miranda enjoyed the warmth of the sun on her face, fresh air and time away from her parents. She had told them not to come in this afternoon as she wanted to sleep in peace so she might get over the cold quicker than if she was constantly being interrupted by them. She knew Jason was already trying to get the doctors to release her to fly her home, they talked outside her door as if she couldn’t hear and flying wasn’t exactly on her list of things to do right now. The helicopter had been bad enough and to board an actual flight, she started to feel clammy and nauseous just thinking about it.

“The shifters here want me to join them.” Braydon broke the silence, mumbling part of his worries to her like a teenager being questioned about sneaking out after curfew.

“Really?” Miranda hadn’t expected that, but it did make sense to her. He might not like or trust his kind, though wouldn’t he be better off with them?

“I told them no.” He shrugged, finally daring to look at her.

Miranda felt relieved to hear that, despite thinking it would be for the best - she didn’t want him to go. She had promised to help him, and so far all she had done was sit like an invalid in a hospital room. This was the most time they’d even spent together since leaving the forest and if he did leave her, she wouldn’t admit just how much she would miss him. “Why did you tell them no?”

Braydon didn’t answer, diverting his gaze again. What would he tell her? If he wasn’t going to go with her, that he would be heading back into the wild? He didn’t want to be looked after like a lost pet either. He wanted to hear her say she wanted him with her now she didn’t have to pretend to be nice or like him or anything else.

“You’re not very talkative today are you?” Miranda sighed, taking a sip from her water bottle before coughing some more.

“Did you want to go back inside?”

“God no. I just got out here!”

The face she made had Braydon smiling. “Where is everyone?”

“Not here. I told them to stop bothering me otherwise I’m never going to get better and I think they listened!” Miranda returned the smile before dropping flat against the grass.

Braydon joined her, and in that minute of watching the clouds go by above them it felt like nothing had changed.

“Miranda, you know the shifters told your parents they know who I am. They’re all expecting me to go back to ‘my life’ and the pack expects me to join them.”

“I know, but don’t worry. I’ll make sure you stay with me.” Turning to face him, the stress was all over his face and reaching out she instinctively took his hand.  Braydon wasn’t so sure, but there was enough confirmation there that he trusted her to do as she promised.

-x-

The peace and quiet lasted until just after dinner and on their way back inside, they had stopped by the cafeteria. Miranda had bought them enough junk food for a week only it didn’t last quite that long as a memory game of ‘do you remember these’ started. With the pair full of sugar, empty packets of all kinds of confectionary littered the space on the bed between them.

Miranda used the laptop Jason had left her, to start filling Braydon in on events he needed to know about. None of it really interested him much and he was more content listening to the rather nasal sound of Miranda’s voice.

“Maybe once you’re more adjusted, we should look at getting you into some kind of adult education class. You never finished high school; did you ever have any career goals?” The serious turn in conversation got Braydon’s attention and he cringed at the thought of having to go back to school.

It had never been a good place for him. Despite being an Alpha’s son, he lacked the popularity that had usually gone with the position. Perhaps if he had been around longer to establish some real friends or maybe after leaving his pack he could have gained a bad boy reputation to get him socially accepted. Then again, once the pettiness of high school was over and they all matured, could the others have seen him as something more than the freak that shifted early?

“Yeah, maybe.”

The good mood from the afternoon was missing now and Miranda let it go. She was getting tired and resting back against the pillows her eyes barely closed before her parents returned.

“What is this mess?” Her mother looked at the rubbish and then at the duo who only sat there looking guilty. “What has been going on?”

“Nothing Mum, we were just, um, snacking?” Miranda shrugged and Braydon simply froze. He had relaxed this afternoon, letting himself forget the reality of the situation and as Jason came in, it all came rushing back.

“Feeling better then?” Jason walked to Miranda’s side, glaring at Braydon who just sat on the end of the bed looking completely out of place.

“A little,” Miranda lied; she was feeling a lot better without having had them all breathing down her neck, “What are you all doing here?”

“You said you wanted to rest this afternoon so surely you’re up for visitors now?” Her Mother went about picking up the empty packets to throw in the bin as her father was the first to actually acknowledge Braydon.

“How are you Braydon?”

“Good, sir.” He coughed awkwardly, the room suddenly feeling much too small for all of them.

“Please, call me Don!”

The act of kindness helped settle Braydon. While Miranda shared a similar appearance to her mother, the rest was all Donald and Braydon was curious to see if there was the same fire lingering under the surface that his daughter had shown him in her fits of anger.

“Did the doctor tell you when they’re releasing you yet?” Jason asked impatiently, ignoring everyone else.

“No,” Miranda coughed dramatically, playing up the sickness that had hardly bothered her all day, before answering sternly. “I’m sure they know what they’re doing Jason.”

 “Oh darling, that cough sounds terrible!” Helen gushed, fussing over her daughter.

She plumped the pillows and pulled up the blanket, passing her a bottle of water in quick efficient movements. Miranda hated it. Then in an act that surprised them all, she turned to a dumbfounded Braydon and using her palm as a thermometer, pressed it against his forehead. “You’re not getting sick too, are you love? It’s quite cool in here; you should really have a sweater or something on!”

Miranda had suspected her over controlling, yet loving mother would have a field day with Braydon. He was too timid around her to refuse the care she loved to hand out, and if she could get her mother to take Braydon on as one of her ‘projects’, getting them to bring him home would be so much easier.

“Mum, Braydon did mention before that he had a sore throat. Maybe you could make us some of that honey tea?” Miranda set the hook and looking at Braydon, he only appeared to be even more confused about what was going on. “Braydon, Mums tea is amazing. You should really have some!”

Miranda begged Braydon to understand what she was doing, nodding as they made eye contact to try and lead him towards answering.

“Yes, um, tea sounds, nice?” He stuttered and Donald looked between them curiously for a moment before taking the seat by the window.

“Oh of course! Why didn’t I think of that sooner! Let me go find a nurse to see if I can get some honey!” In a flurry of activity, Helen grabbed Braydon’s arm and practically dragged him out of the room with her to help fulfil the tea making mission.

“I better go save the boy!” Donald was quick to retreat, distracted with his own thoughts he missed the smug smile of satisfaction as Jason realized he finally had Miranda alone. So did Miranda as she watched after Braydon, hoping she hadn’t just thrown him to the slaughter.

“Honey tea?” Jason took Braydon’s place on the bed, not quite sure what that was all about.

“Yes, she used to make it when I sick as a kid. Works wonders!”

“I hope you don’t mind me asking, but what is the deal with that guy?” There was sugar coat on it at all as Jason went straight to the point.

“That guy saved my life. I could have been eaten by a bear or a wolf or anything out there!” Miranda instantly got defensive, “I owe him my life and Jason, and I heard the nurses talking before. They lied, they don’t really know his family, but some people are going to fake it as they are planning on trying to exploit the whole story, of not only him being found, but me too!”

She was lying, again, but refused to dwell on it. Her plan was only appearing as she spoke and if she knew anything about Jason was that he valued privacy and hated the media.

“What?” For all his flaws, Jason was extremely protective of Miranda. She was the last link he had to his sister and over the years had become more important to him than he had realized until he got the call about the plane crash.

Taking a deep breath, Miranda silenced her conscious and would hate herself later over a bottle of wine for what she was about to do. “I know, it’s why I kept him in here today and tried to avoid some of the staff. I’m worried they’ve already got pictures or something and it’s why the doctor won’t let us go. I mean, it’s only a cold and Braydon is otherwise healthy. You can’t blame Braydon for being so shy and jumpy; imagine being that lost with no memory. He trusts me, and until he does have someone to look after him, I feel like I need to be the one to do it!”

“You really think all of that?” He had been paying top dollar for both their medical expenses and regretted not using a hospital he was more familiar with. The only solution would be to get them both out of here sooner rather than later. Miranda’s kindness wasn’t misplaced, despite not liking Braydon – she made a good point. He had saved her life and Jason couldn’t let his own feelings get in the way of whatever was helping Miranda get through this. If she wanted to play the Good Samaritan, so be it.

“Don’t worry Andy; I’ll take care of everything.” Jason promised.

At least she wasn’t faking it as she leant over the bed to hug him. “Thank you, I knew you would!”

The sudden show of affection surprised him. For all he knew of Miranda, she was mostly closed off from her emotions and after their kiss last Christmas, his rejection of her had only put that wall up higher. Since finding them, she had barely held a conversation with him. Now here she was, hugging Jason and he hadn’t had to do a thing for it.

Making the most of it, his arms went around her back, drawing her in closer. The spicy scent of his aftershave was one Miranda’s favorite smells and the sudden wave of fatigue had her burying her head in against his shoulder. No, she wasn’t faking it anymore – holding onto Jason as tightly as he was holding her.

Years of questioning on how being this close to him would feel were finally answered and that child hood crush which had only turned into something more as she got older, came rushing back when he scooped her up so sit on his lap. If she wasn’t so sick she was positive it would be the right time to kiss him and considering how much Jason hated the sick, he wasn’t keeping her away.

“I’m so glad you’re safe Andy,” he whispered into her hair, “I wasn’t going to let them stop looking for you!”

Before Miranda could answer him, the door opened and Helen froze at seeing the pair of them so cozy together. The grin that broke out was enough to make Miranda roll her eyes and her cheeks burned as she moved away to sit back at the head of the bed.

Braydon was dripping the handle of the jug so tightly it was about to snap before Helen took it off him, not noticing the anger that had him standing taller, with every fiber of his being growing tense. It took every inch of self-control he had to stop Braydon from shifting and ripping Jason apart. The gentle pat on the back from Donald made him jump and fuming over the fact Miranda had let Jason hold her like that; he followed her father over to the chairs, sitting with a growl like sigh.

“Here we go my loves, drink up!” Helen poured the tea out for all of them, though conversation was lacking and the silence that followed was deafening.

“After speaking with Miranda, I ah, I think it will be best is Braydon comes home with us.” Jason soon declared, wondering just how he had gone from hating the freak from the forest to feeling like he owed him more than anything. Braydon was technically a hero.

“What?” The word left the lips of all the Wrights and Braydon simultaneously, though some said it with surprise rather complete shock and confusion.

Looking at Miranda’s parents, Jason nodded. “We owe him a lot and in his current, condition, he needs people he can trust. Clearly he has that with Miranda, so if he is willing that is, Braydon should come with us!”

“What about his family? The nurse said they found something!” Helen looked between Braydon and Jason, not sure where this generosity had come from. Sure she liked Jason, and he never had any issues with flaunting him money around, but more compassionate acts were few and far between.

As her eyes drifted to her daughter, she knew Miranda was up to something. The look on her face was the same one she had when she had got her first tattoo. There was guilt, excitement and her smile was only of satisfaction from getting her own way.

“I’ll be looking into that myself. Until they provide proof that he is who they say he is, Braydon will be under our care.” Jason determined, looking at Miranda for confirmation. She quickly nodded.

“What do you think son?” Donald spoke up, turning to Braydon. He was thinking the same things as his wife since his daughter was as easy to read as a book to them. For years they had put up with her mischief and the trouble she found. He expected more from Jason who had been along for some of that ride too. Instead the guy seemed oblivious to it all.

“That’s very, generous of you Jason. Thank you.” Braydon answered calmly while part of him was in shock at the offer and the other section was still seething over what they had walked in on.

“Don’t sweat it.” Jason offered him a tight smile before focusing back on his tea, holding Miranda’s hand in his. He would definitely be doing some of his own investigating, especially if it meant getting rid of Braydon sooner.

-x-

True to his word, Jason organized everything so that Braydon would be able to leave with them. Friday morning Miranda and Braydon left the hospital and headed over to the hotel the others had been staying at. The t-shirt Braydon wore had a collar, and was annoying him to the point where Miranda went through her father’s bag the second they got there to find him a round necked shirt instead.

“When we get home, I’ll take you shopping for some things of your own. How do you feel about cutting your hair?” Helen looked Braydon over, trying to guess his size while his makeover was already taking place in her mind. He was leaner than Jason, though slightly taller. His whole appearance reminded her of a giraffe, long and lanky. He needed some extra meat on his bones and already she had a menu planned out to fatten him up, starting with her famous beef stew and there would be chocolate cake for desert.

“Mum, please. There will be time for shopping and haircuts later!” Miranda sighed, shaking her head as she threw a shirt over at Braydon. “Bathroom is over there.”

He didn’t listen, instead taking the shirt off then and there and after zipping up the suitcase, she looked up in time to catch her mother checking out Braydon. Miranda threw a pillow at her only to be met with a cheeky smile in return.

“Well, we leave at five. Should we go get some lunch?” Jason was mostly talking to Miranda, yet Helen heard it as an open invitation.

“All this moving around is exhausting. I might stay and get a nap in before it’s time to go.”

“What do you think Braydon? Are you up to going out?” Miranda was itching to go for a walk through town and be back amongst civilization. Now she was feeling better, days of being cooped up inside the hospital had gotten to her and she was hoping a walk around would help get rid of her nervous energy. Jason only rolled his eyes, shoving his phone back in his pocket as Miranda went over to Braydon.

“Um, I don’t think it’s a good idea.” He mumbled, hushing his voice so the others couldn't hear.

“Why?”

“The others.”

Thinking back to earlier in the morning when the Alpha dropped by to once again offer him refuge within his pack, Braydon didn’t want to risk a run in so publicly – especially if Miranda was with him. Hiding was the best option until they could get out here and realization dawned on her face as she understood. "Oh, of course. I'll stay too."

"No, go, I'll just watch TV with your Dad or something?" Braydon didn't want her to go, but he could tell she wanted to.

"Are you sure?" 

"Yeah, go!" He tried to smile, and Miranda gave him a quick hug before turning to her mum, "Look after him okay?"

Miranda quickly put her shoes back on, practically bouncing as she and Jason left the room. As the main door clicked closed Helen sighed and Braydon looked at her curiuosly.

"So glad they're finally starting to take that next step. I think that plane crash was one of the best things that could have happened to her, well them if you get my drift!" Helen mused, looking at Braydon.

He said nothing, understanding what she was saying completely and he bit his tongue in an attempt to stop the growl that he could feel building in his chest. Helen didn't notice, pottering about the room as she spoke about all the great things Jason had done for Miranda, and them. 

"You don't talk much do you?" She finally stopped, frowning at Braydon who looked like he could turn into the hulk at any minute, "You okay love?"

Not trusting himself to talk, Braydon noddded and moved out to the balcony, slamming the door as he did so. Inside he could hear Miranda's parents talking, and thankfully they left him alone. 

"What am I doing here?" Braydon mumbled, gripping onto the railing as he looked the four levels down to the pool area.

'Just wait, you'll see'

His wolf sounded so sure, but Braydon wasn't convinced, especially when Miranda's laugh echoed up from beside the pool and he caught sight of her walking with Jason past the cafe and out of view.

'Trust me.'

For an animal, one that had lived in the wild for most of it's existance, Braydon wondered how it knew so much about people. He soon realised listening the voice is his head may not be the smartest move and sitting down on the plastic sun chair, tried to restore some faith in what had been his only companion for so long. Right now, it was all he had.

By the time it came to boarding the charter plane that would take them home, Braydon and Miranda were in similiar states of mind. While Braydon was focusing on trusting his wolf, and dealing with the conflicting emotions of dealing with this new chapter of his life, Miranda was exhausted from her time with Jason as it left her feeling confused about everything.

Lunch had turned into an afternoon of pretending to be someone she wasn't, which was something she was able to see she did a lot when it came to Jason. It started with her not ordering a glass of wine with her pasta, the warning look from him enough to make her stick to water when she picked up the wine list. From there it was a case of getting her a new phone and any time Miranda stopped to look at a shop window that caught her attention, she was dragged along like a naughty child.

Any attempts at making small talk over trivial things like, had he ever gone camping or telling him about the wolf pups when they passed the pet shop were met with yes, no answers - even when that wasn't the right response. From there she had been told what to wear, what to pack in her hand luggage - each minute leading up to their arrival at the runway dictated in such a way she had more chance of running away than Braydon, who simply followed behind like a lost puppy.

Miranda's mother took hold of Braydon, nearly dragging him over to the staircase that would take them into the plane,  while Jason and her father tried to get her out of the car. The panic attack wasn't like the one she had getting onto the helicopter, that was nothing compared to what was going on now. Feeling mentally and emotionally drained, all Miranda knew was that she was not boarding that plane. Her father tried offering soothing words and gentle guidance, while Jason had sleeping pills and a growing impatience as their departure was getting delayed. Had it been any normal, commercial flight, she would have got out of boarding by now due to causing such a hold up.

"I just can't. I'll walk or drive, just please. Let me go!" Miranda pulled herself away from her father and going to the car, fiddled with the handle frustrated the driver had locked the doors. Instead she started to bang on the windows, hysterically sobbing. "Please!"

"I don't see any other way around it Jason, I'll organise a car and I'll drive her home," Donald sighed, giving up on trying to convince Miranda boarding was the right thing to do. It pained him to see her this way.

"No, the doctor gave us these, it will take days to get back!" Jason held up the box of sleeping pils, thinking Miranda was being more than a little over dramatic.

"Let me," Braydon managed to free himself from Helens grasp and hesitantly approached Miranda. Donald nodded and Jason only glared, yet stood back by her mother as Braydon knelt in front of her from where she had fallen to lean against the tyre.

"Please Braydon, please don't make me get on that thing!" She begged, her knuckles going white as she gripped his arm.

"No one is going to make you do anything," again he managed to hold himself together for her, "but it will all be over quicker if you do."

"I c-cant!"

"Miranda, you can. You're the strongest person I know, you can do this." Braydon spoke firmly, yet with enough patience, Miranda slowly began to listen. "It will be different to last time, just the helicopter. I won't let anything bad happen to you again."

"You can't say that!"

"I can because it's true. You've got Jason and your parents here, the're not going to let anything bad happen and I'll be with you every step of the way."

The conversation was stuck on repeat as Braydon continuely promised Miranda it would all be okay as she refused to believe him.

"Take the pill, I'll stay by you the whole flight. I won't let anything happen to you. Remember, I have super powers!" He winked.

"Right, you're a regular, everyday Superman!" Miranda mumbled sarcastically. Maybe if he shifted into a dragon or something that might be able to save her from plummeting to her death she'd believe him.

"You only know part of me, you have no idea about the rest. Maybe I am?"

"Really?" Wiping her eyes, she wasn't sure what to believe. Was he hiding something else from her? The teasing nature of his voice didn't exactly fill her with hope.

"No, but if we get stranded in the ocean, surrounded by icebergs, I will make sure you're the one who gets to float on something and I won't let you go." 

That made Miranda laugh, and slowly Braydon helped her stand. "If we get stranded over an ocean, we're going to be really lost!"

Not sure what had been said between the pair, Donald stepped closer and took Miranda into his arms. "You alright sweet heart?"

"No, but I'll take the stupid pills." She took a deep breath took two of the little blue tablets from Jason and a bottle of water. Instead of taking his extended hand, she gave him back the water and went to Braydon. "Don't let me go okay?"

"Never." And he didn't, not even as she fell into a deep sleep as the plane straightened out in the clouds. With Jason siting in the back and her parents in front of them, Braydon decided he rather liked flying. Miranda had curled herself against his side and with the chairs shifted as far down as they went, he got himself comfortable beside her and tried to sleep as well.

 When her grip on his hand loosened, his only got tighter.