The Host Redux Chapters 45 and 46

Chapter 45
Succeeded

I should be filling a Calling somewhere, whether teaching at a university or serving food in a restaurant. A peaceful, easy life contributing to a greater good.
So...this is Communist propaganda now?

Had she noticed that my pack, once flat, was now bulging?
Heh. That's what SHE said.

They get the medicine with absolutely no trouble at all and then heal Jamie with absolutely no trouble the end.

Chapter 46
Encircled

“You should have seen her,” Jared said. “She was incredible.”
Incredible? She drove to a hospital, got healed, and then stole some medicine. No one was suspicious. No on asked questions. It was as easy as going to the grocery store.

“It was very easy. I'm a bugger, too, after all.”
No you aren't. You know why? Because the Formics were way way way MORE AWESOME and I wish I was reading Ender's Game right now.

I was really flying high now.
That would be the acid.

“You should have seen her,” Jared repeated in a low voice, still stroking my arm.
Ian's fingers brushed across my cheek.
So she's sitting there with one guy stroking her arm and another guy stroking her cheek, like the goddamn Queen of Sheba or something. Smeyer, keep your wish fulfillment to a minimum PLEASE. I can't take much more.

Those remaining slouched down where we were as room became available. Gradually, we
melted in place until we were horizontal. My head ended up pillowed on Jared's stomach; his
hand stroked my hair now and then. Jamie's face was against my chest, and his arms were
around my neck. One of my arms wrapped around his shoulders. Ian's head was cushioned on
my stomach, and he held my other hand to his face. I could feel Doc's long leg stretched beside
mine, his shoe by my hip. Doc was asleep–I could hear him snoring. I may have even been
touching Kyle somewhere.
It's ORGY TIME.

“She's not going out again,” Ian answered, his body tensing. I brushed my hand against his face, trying to soothe him.
“Of course not,” I murmured to him. “I don't have to go anywhere unless I'm needed. I don't
mind staying in here.”
If you imagine that this is a novel about an abusive husband and his submissive wife (not much of a stretch) then this sequence fits right in. I'm cringing inside right now. I'm not even kidding. This makes me so uncomfortable.

“She's a person, Jared, not a tool.”
I'm not so sure about that.