I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me.

All I ask is that you respect me as a human being.

-Jackie Robinson

Emma

"You mean you knew there were Seekers investigating disappearances and you still kidnapped a Soul?!" I glare at Will incredulously.

"Hey, don't blame that all on me!" Will casts back, "we had to know if he was telling the truth! We could have dissected your boyfriend instead!"

I launch myself at him, but I'm caught by Blake. "Let him talk, squirky," he says, but he's glaring at Will too. "You could have endangered us all."

"Enough," Nate interferes, "we've been over that. That's not what we're here to discus." He looks at Milo and gives him a nod.

"Russell told us," Milo says, "with their last raid, they heard rumors. It seems that several people have been abducted over the past few weeks, all around our areas. Seekers have been running wild, searching."

Next to me, Burns pales. I press his hand. "Several... people?" I ask.

"It wasn't us," Will growls, "and Russell says it wasn't them either. It's been a while since we spoke to Gail or Max."

Milo clears his throat. "They might be looking for you too."

"Rain," I whisper.

"What? You wanna talk about the weather now?" Will growls.

I ignore him and look at Burns. "We've been here for weeks. Sky would normally talk to Rain on the phone every day. And Ocean and Core will wonder where you are. If they contact Reads the Stars and Yellow Leaves then they'll know we left Toledo ages ago. They know we made plans to visit Rain and Storm. And if we never arrived there..." I want to hit myself. I should have thought of this sooner. I've been so concerned with Burns never being able to see his friends again that I haven't even considered how they would feel.

"Great," Will spits, "so now we'll have Seekers on our tail."

"We've always had Seekers hunting us, Will," Blake say, "that is nothing new."

"No, but before they were looking for humans in general, with no specific location in mind. Thanks to these two misfits here, they can narrow their search." Will glares at us. "Great job, thank you."

"We need to call them," I say, ignoring Will's comments.

"Like hell you will!" Will yells.

"Shut up Will," Logan now interferes, "there's no point in arguing. We need to think of a solution." He looks at Burns and me. "We can't let you call them. We don't have any phones or computers here, because they will trace the call and find us. And we can't let him out. I'm sorry Emma. I'll admit he's a decent guy, but we can't take that risk. He is still one of them."

"He would never betray you," I say.

"Can't you send a postcard?" Nate asks, "the guys can take it on their next raid and drop it at a post office."

I look at him. "That will never work," I try to explain. It's true that they could have dropped it anywhere, they don't use stamps anymore since no one pays for services, but that is not the reason. I sigh. "Sky wouldn't just send a postcard and not call. That would be insensitive. Souls aren't like that. If she were able to send a postcard, she'd have the opportunity to use a phone. She would call."

"I'm assuming Sky is the name of that creature that had your body?" Nate inquires.

I nod.

"Then just write you lost your phone and are unable to call."

I shake my head. I realize they don't understand much about the Soul society. Maybe it's because I shared a body with Sky for a while or because of the Souls I've met, but none of their ideas are ever going to work. "You don't understand," I say, "Souls are very caring and understanding and overly helpful. Even if Sky had lost her phone, she could ask any random stranger to use theirs, she could even knock on people's doors. She would call."

"Emma is right," Burns says, "Souls share everything and don't ask questions about it. And they always think of others. They would never want to worry their friends."

"See now?" Will points at Burns and looks at the others, "I knew it was only a matter of time. He's just looking for an excuse to get out of here and betray us now that his other scheme didn't work."

"The let me go alone," I suggest.

Everyone looks at me and I feel my cheeks heat up. I still don't like being the center of attention.

"You can't, Emma," Blake says, using my name for once, "you are just as human as we are. If they see you, it's over."

"You go on raids," I point out, "it will be the same. Besides, it's my voice they need to hear, Sky's voice. They don't need to see me."

"And where do you plan on getting hold of a phone?"

Shoot, I didn't really think about that. The others threw away our cell phones before bringing us here.

Burns clears his throat. "There are still public phones in use at museums and theaters and such."

"And how do you suggest we get in there, smartass?" Will argues.

Burns gives him an even look. "The same way you get into houses on your raids, I suppose," he says blankly.

The tone he uses makes me giggle. I can't help it. It seems he picked up a thing or two while living here.

"Anyway," it's Milo that speaks up this time, "we can only raid at night. I don't think those aliens would appreciate it much if you wake them up at three am in the morning."

"They won't mind," I assure him, "Souls are like that, and I can fabric a lie about the reason." At least I think I can. As long as no one's looking at my face.

"I don't know," Nate muses, "you make it sound so easy. But we can't just go back and forth to civilization whenever we please. The boys just returned from a raid. If we let anyone out again now, we will start to get noticed. And with these Seekers searching for missing persons... it's just too much of a risk."

"I understand that," I say. And to be honest, I'm not all that thrilled about speaking to Sky's friends again. I'm afraid they'll hear the difference in my voice, but I know it's something I need to do or they'll keep searching and at one point they will find us. And then they'll find the others too. "But there's something you should know," I continue, "one of Sky's friends is a Seeker. He will never stop the search. The only way to make him stop is to convince him Sky and Burns are safe. And since you won't let Burns go, I am your only option."

"She's right," Logan says reluctantly.

"I know," Nate agreed, "it's just bad timing." He rubs his eyes and sighs. "Alright. You go. I'll send Arashi with you. You'll have to leave now."

I blink. Arashi? I don't know him that well, but from what I've seen so far, he doesn't seem like the easiest person to get along with. And he seems to despise me. I glance at Blake hesitantly. I had expected Nate to send him.

Apparently Blake had thought the same, because he starts to protest. "I can go, Nate. I know Emma after all."

"I know," Nate says calmly, "that 's why."

"Excuse me?!" Blake barks.

"Listen son," Nate says, "I know you're only looking out for her, but this is a dangerous mission, especially so soon after a raid. We can't afford anyone getting distracted." He holds up his hand when Blake starts to protest again. "I know you don't get distracted on raids, but this is different. I need someone that will keep an eye on the surroundings rather than on her. Arashi has military experience."

"He doesn't like her," Blake hisses.

"Personal preferences do not matter here," Nate says stern, "they'll have to learn to work together. He'll protect her just the same."

I let out a nervous sigh. It's not just because Arashi dislikes me, I'm just not comfortable with people I don't know.

"Besides," Nate continues to Blake, "I need you here." There's something in the look they share that has me on edge again. Is Nate still worried that someone might harm Burns?

"Alright," Blake gives in, but he doesn't seem pleased.

"It's only for a few hours," Nate says, "they can be back before morning."

"You're seriously going to let her go?" Will asks.

"It's the only option we have," Nate tells him, "Emma is right. They need to hear her voice."

"If these Souls are really so gullible," Will protests, "then any of us can call them and say we are their friends and stuff."

"No offense," I say bravely, "but you could never pull that off. You sound too hostile."

Immediately Will is in my face and gives me a glare. "Guess why?" he growls in a low voice.

"Hey, leave her alone," Blake steps in front of me and pushes Will back.

Logan chuckles. "I guess you just proved her point, Will."

Will turns to him now. "I didn't say it would have to be me."

"No," Nate decides, "it's going to be Emma. And you will have to leave now. The nearest town is a few hours away. You'll need the time. I'll go get Arashi. You get ready." He pushes away from the wall and leaves the room.

I bite my lip and look at Burns. I haven't even considered his feelings. I just panicked.

He gives me a reassuring smile, at least I think it's meant as one. "Say hi to them from me."

I nod and swallow difficulty. "I'm..." I sigh, not sure what to say.

He caresses my cheek and kisses my temple. "Be careful," he whispers, "I can't lose you again."

I snake my arms around his waist and he hold me close. "I love you," I say.

His arms tighten around me for a moment.

From the corner of my eye, I see Will gawking at us, but I ignore him. Let him stare and call me crazy. His opinion doesn't matter.

"Hey, come on lovebirds, break it off," Blake smirks. When we break away, he gives me a quick hug. "Don't worry, squirky. I'll take care of him."

"Thank you," I whisper. Perhaps Nate was right. Perhaps it would be better if Blake stays here.

"Emma."

I look up and find Nate standing in the doorway with Arashi. I take a deep breath and walk up to them. My legs feel like jelly and my hands tremble. Nate gives me a serious look. "Listen to Arashi. He knows what he's doing. Make the call and come straight back. Don't take any risks, understood?" He waits until I nod. "Good," he says, "here." He takes my hand and places a small object in it before folding my fingers around it. "Keep this with you at all times. If something goes wrong, take it. Don't hesitate. I know what you said before, about people being able to come back, but we can't take any chances. We need to protect the group. So, if it comes to that, take the pill."

I feel my blood drain from my face. I know what he's saying and I know it makes sense. Still... taking my own life?

I look at the small object.

Such a little thing. Yet so deadly. Could I do it if it came to that?

But then I look at Burns and Blake and the others. And I know that if I am taken a second time, it will all be over. No matter if I remain conscious again, they will know what Burns did. And they'll drain every bit of information from my brain they can find and kill me.

If I am taken again I'm dead either way. How many lives I take with me is up to me.

My hand locks around the pill again and I put it in my pocket.

I grit my teeth and nod at Arashi. "Let's go."

Time to become Sky again.

---

A/N How ironic that the title of the chapter is not refering to the Souls at all :P