CHAPTER 10
Cain opened his eyes and looked up into the blue sky. The sun was up already, it's rays leaving trails across his face. He looked over at the woman in his arms. He would never see anything more beautiful again in his life. He pulled her close to him, her soft skin rubbing against his. She fit perfectly against his large frame, the two meshing together well. He reached for the blanket and wrapped it around both of them. He heard her sigh softly and he bent over to kiss her cheek.
Like sleeping beauty, her eyes magically opened with a flutter. She looked up and tilted her head back to look at him, a smile across her face. "Good morning." She yawned. He bent down and kissed her nose, and she wrinkled it under his lips. She could feel his arm wrapped around her and snuggled in closer, leaving no gaps between the two of them.
"So last night," she said slowly, "a mistake?" She could feel his chin on her shoulder move left to right.
"Anything but." He lightly kissed her ear and she closed her eyes and melted back into his chest. She remembered him reaching out to her in the middle of the night. They made love again under the bright moonlight, this time more passionate and eye opening. If there was any second thoughts about the first time and if it were a mistake at all, she quickly pushed it away. She knew he was in it for the long haul. She sighed and leaned her head against him. She could stay like that all day. She would have, but she suddenly heard the sound of a car driving up the drive way. She pushed herself up. Cain groaning.
"What is it?" He asked. DG's head rose just enough to see a black and white car driving up. She quickly lowered her head, her eyes filled with terror. Cain saw the worry in her face and suddenly went into Cain-mode. "What?"
"Please don't tell me that is a cop car." DG whispered, sinking lower into his arms. Cain looked out at the field.
"It certainly isn't a Tin Man patrol car," he whispered in her ear, trying to get her to calm down. DG pushed him away.
"Shit!" she scrambled around the bed of the truck. It began rocking back and forth. Cain looked at her with amusement as she searched for her clothes. "Stop laughing and help me find something to cover up with." She said through clinched teeth. Cain held out the shirt he wore the night before. DG gratefully accepted it, as it would have to do. Cain grudgingly pulled his pants on just as the cop car pulled up in front of the house. DG managed to button a few buttons as the car door opened. She popped her head up to see the officer stroll over towards the truck. She flipped her hair back and looked at Cain for support. He grabbed her hand and squeezed it.
"Well if it isn't DG." the officer said walking up.
"Officer Gulch. Was I supposed to be expecting you?" DG asked, her face flushed. Elmer Gulch leaned back on a heel and tested the tire with the kick of the other. DG gulped and looked at Cain out of the corner of her eye. She could see him edge toward the gun in the corner of the truck. DG quickly smacked his hand away and she gave him an evil look. Elmer looked over at her, a look of curiosity spread over his face. "Is there something I can help you with?" She asked, turning back.
"Well I'm not quite sure. You see I leave the town for one week on a well deserved vacation with my family. I come back to find that in that one week's time I have reports of fights breaking out in the Hilltop Café, fights at Hank's bar, motorbikes traveling at all speeds down the road, and lude public displays in the parking lot of certain well established restaurants. My only thought could be that 'Hey! Dg is back in town'. What do you have to say for yourself Miss DG?" DG gulped and looked down at the officer.
"Welcome back?" she tried. Her face fell at his expression, one that didn't seem to be amused by her humor. "Are you going to arrest me?" She asked. Elmer Gulch sighed.
"Unfortunately no, but know that I am back and keeping an eye on you. If I see you even go a fraction over the speed limit in this," he kicked a tire on her bike "then I'll bring you in so fast your head will spin around like a cyclone." He took a step back and eyed Cain carefully as the man put his arm around DG. "Apparently you are not the uncle all the women have been eyeing." Gulch said raising an eyebrow. He turned to DG. "Just remember, I'm keeping an eye out." He pointed to his eyeball and then back to DG.
DG held back a smile and waited until he was back into his car and driving off. Once out of sight she dug her face into the bare shoulder of Cain.
"Who was that goon?" He asked. DG started laughing out loud, tears falling down her cheeks.
"He's our version of a Tin Man." She said, wiping away her tears. Cain shook his head.
"No wonder you have so much crime." He muttered. DG laughed again, trying to catch her breath. He leaned his head against hers and listened to her laughter. "Well so much for a boring morning." He said. DG pulled her head up and looked at him. Cain reached up with his hand and wiped away a few stray tears and thought how these were the types of tears he wanted to see from her, happy ones. He never wanted the sad ones. DG leaned back against the windows of the truck and stretched her legs out. She felt sore, but happy, content to just stay like this for the rest of the day. Cuddling was a lot better than wallowing, that was for sure. She looked over at the house and watched as a blind moved back into place and she smiled.
"I don't know what could be worse, being caught by the town officer or having to go back into the house after a spending the night in the truck." She looked over at Cain. Cain pulled her over into his lap and kissed her on the lips.
"Then let's not go back in then," he said reaching for the buttons of her shirt. She swatted the hand away and shook her head. She started to get up, pushing off his shoulders.
"Not in broad daylight buddy. Besides, we do have to go in. I need to get washed up and we need to make breakfast for everyone." She looked around the bed of the truck looking for the rest of her belongings. She could feel his hand snake slowly up her leg heading northwards. She felt it reach her upper thigh, and she moaned, ready to give in, but then she felt reality sink in. She swatted his hand away. "Had I known what kind of horny trouble you'd be I wouldn't have flirted with the idea." She picked up a shoe and a lost pair of panties. Cain gave in and stood up, walking to the edge of the truck, jumping off onto the grass. He watched as DG grabbed the remaining items. She walked over to the edge. He grabbed her waist and lifted her up, then setting her down on the grass softly. He kissed her on the nose and grabbed a few things in her hands to help lighten her load. The two walked up the path to the house. DG laughed and looked over at Cain.
"What?" he asked, suddenly worried.
"You're the cute uncle." She covered her mouth. Cain rolled his eyes.
"Very funny."
Azkadillia watched from the window as the two walked up the path. DG's hair was tangled and all over the place, Cain's sticking up in certain patches. They looked like they had quite the evening and it turned Azkadillia green with envy. She'd never have that with anyone, all because of that damn witch. The same witch her sister left her with. She held her head high as the door opened, eyeing her sister carefully. DG walked in laughing, Cain following her closely behind, clearly checking out something that a gentleman should never even consider looking at.
"Az! Good morning," her sister beamed. Az's face told her sister something was wrong and her face instantly fell. "What's wrong?"
"What's wrong? You're asking what's wrong? You stay out all night and I spent all this time worried sick about you. Do you have any idea how worried I was?" She said, her words slightly edged. Cain took a step forward, taking DG's hand.
"Look Azkadillia, this is my fault. I'm the one you should be mad at not-" Azkadillia put a hand up to shut him up. He felt DG squeeze his hand, telling him she'd be fine.
"Why don't you go find something to fix for breakfast." She looked up at him. He nodded slowly, not really willing to let go of her hand, but he accepted her wishes. He leaned down and kissed her on the top of the head. Az's sour face looked away, disgusted. Cain let go of her hand, walking past Azkedillia towards the kitchen. DG and Azkedillia listened as Cain entered the kitchen.
"Well hello ladies' man," Glitch whistled. DG heard Cain's deep footsteps approach Glitch. "Awww, come on.. I was just kidding, leave the zipper alone. Can't you all just leave it alone." he cried. DG could hear Cain chuckle a little and smiled a little herself. She looked at her sister and her face fell again.
"Really, I'm sorry Az, but I thought you'd be happy." DG took a step forward. Azkedillia took a step back. "What's wrong all of a sudden. I left here and you were fine. I don't understand."
"Of course you don't understand. You never do. It's always about you and how DG needs support because she's new to the O.Z. Help DG learn the ways, and make sure she's settled. Well I'm sick of being your guide dog." Az spun around and walked towards the kitchen. DG followed closely behind her, clearly this argument wasn't even close to being finished.
"What does that mean?" DG yelled. "I never asked for you help. I have all the help I need without you being force to help me." Everyone looked up as the girls entered. The conversation they were having stop immediately. Anything they had to say couldn't compete with this. Raw was near the fridge helping Cain and he took a step back. Glitch looked up at the girls from the table, terrified to move. Cain put the pan down, ready to help when needed.
"Of course you have all the help you need. You have an entire support team at your beck and call. You're DG the GREAT!" Azkedillia yelled. DG shook her head, she hadn't even had her coffee yet, she really didn't want to deal with drama this early.
"Well maybe if you tried to make more friends instead of walling yourself up in the palace." DG meant it as a measure of support but it came out far worse than expected. Az spun around so fast she created a swirl of air that pushed the paper off the table. She pulled her hand back and slapped DG across the face so hard DG's head moved. Cain was over in a second, pulling Azkedillia away from DG. He looked over at DG. She looked stunned, a red hand print burned her cheek. She turned her head towards her sister.
"DG." Glitch said standing up. He took a few steps towards his friend, but Cain held out a hand to stop him. Glitch looked from Cain to DG. "Are you ok?" she faintly heard him. Her eyes looked around the room, her body too stunned to move.
"I'm going to-" she softly spoke, pointing towards the bathroom. Everyone watched as she walked slowly out of the kitchen towards the bathroom. The squeaky door closed softly, clicking into place. She could faintly hear her sister's voice.
"Well see, everyone stops to make sure she's ok." Azkedillia muttered.
"What is your problem?" She heard Cain yell at Azkedillia.
"My problem. She's the one gallivanting across the kingdom and I'm stuck inside, with no visitors and no friends. I'm lucky if I get out at all. No on wants to see me."
"That's not her problem Azkedillia." Cain said. DG could hear the anger in his voice. "It's no reason to hit your sister." DG closed her eyes and walked to the corner of the bathroom and let herself sink into the floor, pulling her knees to her chest. She'd never felt this low before.
"It is every reason to. She got to lead a normal life and still can. I was the one who got possessed and killed people. It's her fault I got possesed. If she hadn't left me then I wouldn't be here right now in freaking KANSAS!" She yelled at him. DG heard her sister stomp out of the kitchen and out into the backyard. The house was quiet expect for a sniffle from DG as a tear slid down her warm cheek. She heard foot steps quietly approach the door.
She heard a knock and knew exactly who it was. There was no need to knock. The old door opened with a squeak and Cain stuck his head in. His face fell. She looked up at him, her beautiful blue eyes filled with pain. Her face, the one he had stroked softly the night before in loving care now red with pain. He walked in and shut the door behind him. He had her pulled up and in his arm in an instant and he held her tight. He felt her warm tears on his shoulder, her arms clinging to his back, not letting go. He ran his hand along her back, rubbing it for support. She sobbed quietly and he let her. He couldn't even imagine the pain she was in. When she was ready he let her pull away. She looked up at him.
"How could she still think that I meant for that to happen?"
"Apparently she hasn't gotten over what happened. She needs more time. She's just jealous and mad.
"Cain what she's been through, what she did." she began. Cain shook his head.
"Is not your fault. Don't ever think that. We've been over this sweetie. You have no reason to feel this way.
He cradled her head his hands. His finger caressed her red cheek and her face cringed. He stopped pulled back, her hands stopping his from moving. He heard her shutter as she tried to take in a breath and stop crying at the same time.
"Do you think maybe."
"No." He stopped her before he began. "Do not, under any circumstances, take back what happened last night. I don't care how green and jealous she gets, she will not take that away from us. Now you stop right there." He didn't mean to be so forceful, but after all the ups and downs he's had with this decision, it was too late to back out now. He could feel DG's head bob up and down in his hands. He closed his eyes, relieved. He pulled her close back to him and allowed her the chance to calm down, her heart returning to a normal pace.
"I kind of feel like it's partly my fault." Cain said softly. The four of them sat on the front porch after dinner that evening. Azkadillia was upstairs in bed asleep. She'd camped up there all day. DG and the others decided to do stuff around the house. This meant cleaning out some of the garage. DG discovered an old wicker sofa in the back of the garage that afternoon. After cleaning it up, she and Cain dragged it onto the porch. They now sat side by side on that, DG leaning into Cain's protective frame. She was wrapped tightly up in a blanket, sipping some coco. Glitch sat on a wicker chair to their right, and Raw lightly snored in the chair to their left. DG looked up at Cain.
"What do you mean it's partly your fault?" She asked suspiciously. Cain sighed.
"I teased her about the possibility that maybe a piece of the queen was still locked inside her." Cain looked out into the setting sun. DG thought about it for a second, trying to put the puzzle together. Finally she shook her head.
"No, I don't think that its your fault. Whatever's been stewing in her has been there for a while. But who knows, that witch was in her for so long, something may have stuck. You can't have evil inside you that long and not expect some trace to remain attached." DG took a sip of her coco, her nerves finally calmed. The trio were quiet for a moment. Then Cain shook his head.
"I can't even imagine having something locked inside you like that." Glitch looked over at him.
"You can't?" Glitch asked. Cain looked over at him. "I mean you were locked inside a tin suit for almost her entire reign." Cain shook his head again.
"That's different. I was locked in a tin suit, she was possessed by an evil witch."
"Hmm, right." Glitch said, scratching a place near his zipper. "When you look at it I guess you're right. I mean you were locked inside, having to constantly view your demons day after day. She had her demons locked inside her, looking outwards day after day." Glitch hmmmed again then got up, stretching. "I think I'll take the couch in the living room. I imagine DG will need a place to sleep tonight." DG went to open her mouth in protest, but Cain covered her mouth. He knew she needed a good night sleep and a night on that bumpy couch would not allow for that.
"That would be wonderful, thank you Glitch." Cain said. Glitch nodded his head and walked into the house. Cain let go of DG's mouth and watched her turn her head towards him. She looked at his face. She could tell he was haunted by his own demons again. She put a hand on his cheek. He looked down at her. "First time that Glitch actually gets it right." He took in a deep breath and let it out in a rush. It had been quite a day for the group. Here he thought this would be a vacation compared to the world in the O.Z. But with fights and cops all in one day, it was shaping out to be quite the adventure.
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