DISCLAIMER: I do not own Tin Man or The Golden Compass, just my character. Enjoy.


CHAPTER ELEVEN

Two weeks went by and Cora had not stirred. Cain had not left the room since they arrived. He didn't sleep much and when he did he'd either fall asleep in the chair next to Cora or on the couch in her room. He fell asleep on the couch that night looking at the collar that was meant to be sent back that Cora never got to do yet.

Jerking from a bad dream, Cain sat up. He glanced over to see Cora sitting up some and Gobo by her with his head in her lap."Where is my candy you owe me?" She asked.

Cain laid there, almost in disbelief. So many nights he had dreamt of her waking up now he just thought this was another one.

"How long was I out? Did Jeb get Kieran?" Cora spoke again.

Cain now knew he wasn't dreaming, "You're awake!!" Quickly getting off the couch and rushing to her side, "How did you know Jeb went to get Kieran?" Finally registering what she said.

"I heard you talking. It was faint I got some things that were said. If I had more strength, I would freaking hit you for not eating."

Taking his usual seat next to her, "Jeb and a few of his men caught him three days after what they did to you."

Seeing the collar on the coffee table, "You know, that Alexander wrote me while we were in Central City wanting that thing back. Will you send it back for me sometime today?"

"Sure." He answered.

"How long was I out and when did we return to Finaqua?" Seeing her room.

"You were out for two weeks and we returned here after Jeb returned."

Cora took Gain's hand into hers, "Thanks for saving me. I wish I was awake for it, you probably looked very hot."

Rubbing his thumb over her knuckles, "I was late. The damage was all ready done."

"What damage? You talk as if I'm dead."

"You were unconscious for two weeks. Damage like that."

Cora groaned, "If you're going to talk like that I'm going to punch you. But not now because I'm in a lot of pain with what feels like a broken rib. Then my broken leg which is obvious. Super hard to sit up. So when I punch you I want to have my strength and be able to hurt you."

"That's a little harsh. I'm only feeling guilty for not protecting you like I should. When I said I wouldn't let anyone take you I meant it."

Squeezing his hand, "Stop that, I didn't hook up with you to be protected. You do that for a living."

"Then why are you with me?" He asked her.

"Because I feel like I'm supposed to be here when I'm with you. Like I've found a home."

Cain moved to kiss her, "How is Gobo?" He asked sitting back down.

He got up and licked Cain's face before taking his spot next to her again, "That's him saying he is well." Scratching Gobo's head.

Drying his face off with his sleeve, "If I knew saying that damn cat's name was going to get me a wet face I would of never said it."

"Can you get me something to eat and drink? I am famished."

Getting up, "Right, right. I bet you are."

When he came back, Jeb was with him, but she had fallen back asleep. Cain set the tray of food down and brought Jeb back out in the hall.

"I need a favor." Cain said.

Putting his hands on his hips, "Sure anything. What is it?"

The suns were coming up when Cora woke. Cain wasn't in the room and she wondered where he got off to. When he returned Cora wasn't in her bed.

"Where is she?" He asked Gobo who was left laying in the bed.

He didn't even move, Cain rolled his eyes and checked the balcony.

"I'm here." Cora was leaning against the bathroom door.

Coming back in, "What are you doing over there?"

"I had to pee. Will you help me please? I don't think I can make it back to the bed on my own."

He couldn't pick her up, it hurt too much. So she leaned on him and they slowly made it back. Cain sat with her for awhile before going back to work.

Glitch had stopped by with a present, "How are the lucky survivors doing today?"

"Being trampled by elephants would hurt less. But we're doing fine."

Sitting on the edge of the bed, "That is wonderful."

"What do you have there?" Eyeballing the bag

Handing Cora the bag, "It's for you. I made it while you were unconscious."

"That is so nice of you." Pulling the present out of the bag. It was a mechanical dragonfly. "Glitch, this is amazing."

"It does more. The thing works on commands, like voice activation."

He told the thing to fly and it started up before moving around the room. Cora laughed as she watched the thing move about. Gobo looked like he was ready to attack it any second. Glitch then called it back to them.

"How did you make this?" Cora inspected the machine.

"Once you're fully healed, you come by my work room and I'll show you."

Smiling at him, "Thanks Glitch. I'd hug you but it kind of hurts."

Rubbing her arm, "You can hug me later if you like."

After Cain finished up for the day, he went to see Cora. When he reached her room she was asleep. She couldn't really roll on her side so she was stuck sleeping on her back for the duration. Gobo laid next to her, his head rested next to hers on the pillow. His back was against her side while his feet hung off the bed. Her arm closest to him rested on his side playing with his fur out of habit. She must of been in a deep sleep since her breathing was light.

Cain spotted her clutching something in her free hand. He could tell that it looked like something Glitch had made. Leaving her to rest he went to his room.

Time passed and before they knew it Cora was up and about. She received a letter awhile back of Alexander thanking her for taking her sweet time in sending the collar back. She had another week before she was to return back to work.

When the Queen came out of the thrown room, Cora was waiting with Gobo at he side.

"Cora! You were not supposed to be back till next week." The Queen said.

Bowing, "I'm sorry but if I have to sit around any longer with nothing to do, I will rip my hair out before jumping off the ledge of my balcony."

"Fair enough." She smiled.

"Is this that lovely girl you were telling me about?" A tall light hair women with tan skin moved next to the Queen.

"This is my personal guard Cora and her Daemon Gobo. You two this is Swoosie's mother Varuka the Duchess." The Queen introduced.

Cora bowed again, "It is a pleasure Duchess."

Varuka went to her, "The pleasures all mine. If it wasn't for you, we may never of gotten this man." Giving her a hug.

A little uncomfortable only because she wasn't sure what to do "It was nothing Duchess. You needed help and you are a good friend of the Queens. So I was more than happy to help a friend out."

"Queen lavender eyes told me what happened when I first visited. You almost lost your life helping me out. We owe you greatly." Giving her a tighter hug.

Gobo jerked a little as Cora sucked air through her teeth in pain, "Duchess I appreciate this but I'm still a little sore and recovering, so this hug is hurting me a little."

She backed away quickly, "I am truly sorry. Because of you I'm able to control the situation with my daughter and not feel the pain of having her or my grandchild kidnapped. Even though she has been troublesome lately I love her all the same."

Rubbing her ribs lightly, "It's ok. Speaking from a daughters point of view, we're trouble. Especially when we're hot and we know it and know how to use it."

The Duchess turned to the Queen, "I see what you mean when you say she will speak what she feels."

"If either of you have a problem with me, tell me. I can't fix it if I am unaware I'm doing something wrong."

The Queen placed her hands in front of her, "We have no problem Cora. I was telling Varuka that it was refreshing to have that."

"It does get annoying when people are afraid to share what they think because of who you are." The Duchess added.

Cora put weight on her good leg, "My mother always told me to speak my mind and if they cry they will get over it and become a better person because of it. So, ladies are we going to stay out here in the hall all day?"

"I was just about to see Varuka out." The Queen said.

The Queen held out her hand and the two walked down the hall with Cora and Gobo trailing.

After the Duchess left the Queen had a few little things to do before lunch. She paused before the door of where her and her family ate.

"Take the rest of the day off." She told Cora.

"But it's lunch."

"And you are limping. I want you only working half days till you're feeling completely well." She told Cora.

Cora bit her inner cheek, "But your majesty..."

She held up her hand, "No buts. I can't have my personal guard not at her best."

She caved and left to get something to eat before going to her room. Cora didn't realize how tired she was till she laid down.

The next day when she took her leave at lunch and went to her room she found her balcony door left open. Confused neither her nor Gobo found anything wrong inside the room after they looked around. Now to check our the balcony she thought. Empty like her room, Cora saw a bag sitting on her ledge.

She looked back at Gobo, who stood in the door way, "What do you think it is?"

"How the hell should I know. I've been with you all day."

Going over to it, "You could just say I don't know."

"I like my way better."

Cora spun to Gobo after she looked in the bag, "He got me my candy!"

DG was in the library with Az where Cora found Jeb off to the side with another guard. Cain wasn't anywhere to be seen.

"Where's Cain?" She asked him.

Reaching in his pocket, "I'm not sure but he wanted me to give you this."

Handing her a note that told her to go to the front of the castle. She rushed out of the room. It was more of a pace that was between slow and medium, her leg still throbbed when she was on it to much.

Cora found the outside steps empty when she reached them. She didn't wait long till a carriage pulled up and out stepped Cain.

"What's going on?" She looked at the carriage behind him.

Holding out his hand, "A surprise."

She took it as Gobo climbed in first. They soon followed and once the door shut it took off. The two sat next to each other while Gobo took the seat across from them.

"Why wont you tell me where we are going?" Cora turned to him.

"Because you don't need to know everything."

Pouting, "Please." She begged.

He cupped her face, "That is not going to work on me."

"You're mean." Pulling her head from his hands.

Sitting back in his seat, "So are you. Not even a thanks for the candy."

"I'll thank Jeb when we get back to the castle after this little trip of ours." She smirked at him.

"How do you know Jeb had them?"

Pointing at Gobo, "He smelled Jeb all over the candy."

Cain glared at Gobo, "Snitch. I knew that he was a stupid cat."

Gobo finally went over and gave Cain a light nip on the leg, "Told you he was going to bite you." She laughed.

Rubbing it, "I only had Jeb go get them because you were unconscious and I didn't want to leave your side." He confessed.

Giving him a kiss, "Thank you then. And I'll still thank Jeb, it was nice of him to go get them for me."

They came to a stop in the middle of nowhere Cora thought when she finally stepped out of the carriage.

"Where are we?" She finally asked.

"This is where we first met. We never really had a date so I thought this would be a perfect place." Showing her a little picnic area that was set up.

"I don't know what I did to deserve this or you." She walked over to it.

Joining her, "Neither do I."

They sat across from each other, "Now I know who Jeb get's his smart ass mouth from."

"I taught the boy well." He joked.

Cora broke the bread she grabbed in half. Handing one to Gobo and stuffing the other in her mouth.

"I wish you wouldn't feed the damn cat right from the table like that."

She moved next to Cain, "One, we're not at a table and two, get used to it. He is apart of me as I of him."

He cupped her face with one hand rubbing his thumb up and down on her cheek, "Just hard to be romantic sometimes when he is around."


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