Chapter 12

A/N: I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for their great reviews and feedback. I'm glad you're enjoying the story…just know that I have A LOT planned for this story, more than just Cain and DG's building lust! I promise there is a plot in here…so thanks for reading!

Chapter 12

Cain's ears perked up as he stared at his son. His lip twitched as he seriously considered going with them, just to see DG.

"Father?" his son interrupted his thoughts.

He raised his eyebrows in response, then sighed and looked down at the dusty floor.

"I appreciate the offer, son, but I just can't leave right now," Cain said, the disappointment evident in his tone.

"Come on, father, it would do you some good to get away. Just for a few days. You've been buried in work since we got here."

"I gotta get this done so I can…" Cain squeezed his eyes shut and placed his hands on his hips.

"Get back to DG," Jeb finished for him. Cain nodded. "Father, things are well underway here…come with us, see DG, spend some quality time with her, then return to Central City and get back to work."

"I can't afford to lose any time right now, Jeb." Cain could feel himself getting angry, although he didn't mean to direct it at his son.

Jeb sighed, disappointed. He shook his head. "A few days won't make a difference. Besides, it will take at least another week just for the repairs to be finished here at the Academy. The new class of recruits can't start until that's done. So you'd only be sitting around here doing nothing, anyway."

Cain turned and leaned on the windowsill, his hands gripping the ledge. The offer was so tempting, and lately the thoughts DG had been sending his way made it almost impossible to resist being close to her…the sooner the better.

"The queen commanded I get the Tin Men up and running as soon as possible," he said through gritted teeth, closing his eyes and seeing her bright blue eyes staring back at him. His grip on the sill tightened.

"And you are," Jeb responded gently, noticing his father's inner conflict. "I will be taking the men to Finaqua and returning to Central City, myself, in a few days' time. Father, you could…"

"No!" Cain shouted, whipping around and glaring at his son with electric eyes. Jeb was stunned silent as he stared back at his father. Cain closed his eyes and took a deep breath, calming his nerves.

"I'm sorry," he said softly. "I didn't mean to snap."

Jeb looked down at his hands. "It's all right, I know this isn't easy for you. I just thought seeing her would help."

Cain nodded. "I appreciate you looking out for me, son. But to be honest, seeing her right now and then having to leave her all again would only make it harder."

Jeb met his father's eyes and nodded. "You're lucky, you know," he said after a beat, "to have found a love like that twice in one lifetime."

Cain stepped closer to Jeb. He had wondered when this conversation would come about, and he had prepared himself for it.

"Son, your mother was an amazing woman. I loved her…deeply. What we had together…well, it was everything I lived for. I would have died for her, and nearly did. And when I thought she was dead, I mourned her…I mourned her until it consumed me and shattered my heart into a million pieces."

Jeb looked away from his father, his eyes glistening with tears. He clenched his jaw. Cain raised his hand and squeezed his son's shoulder. Jeb may have been Commander of the queen's Royal Guard, but he was also a young man who had been through so much in his young life.

"When DG freed me from that tin suit, all I could think about was revenge for you and your mother, the family I thought had been taken from me. I had no heart. I was frozen inside. DG, she…she brought me back to life in so many ways. She helped me remember I knew how to be an honorable man, to have heart, that I could love again…I'd like to think that Adora…that your mother would have wanted me to become that man again."

Jeb sighed and looked back at his father, a single tear sliding down his cheek. He placed his hand on Cain's arm and squeezed it reassuringly.

"She would have, father," Jeb said in almost a whisper. "I'm sure she is proud of the man you are now, and happy that you have a great love in your life…I know I am."

Cain smiled and pulled his son into his arms. He didn't care that there were men outside the door who could see them. At that moment, Cain simply needed to embrace his son, not caring about anything else.

After a minute, Jeb cleared his throat and stepped back, patting his father on the back.

"I will see you the day after tomorrow, then," Jeb said, quickly wiping his cheeks. Cain smiled and nodded.

"Until then."

Jeb gave him a soft smile before turning and walking out the door. Cain sighed and slumped down in his chair, running his hands through his hair.

"Cain!"

Cain looked up to find Jonas Syler, an ex-Tin Man like himself who had volunteered for service, standing in his doorway.

"What is it, Syler?"

"You'd better come take a look at this."

Cain raised his eyebrows before reaching over and grabbing his hat.

xoxoxoxo

DG sat by the water with Tutor has he went on and on about the light, and the importance of focusing, and blah blah blah. She wasn't listening to any of it. He could make her spin as many dolls as he wanted, she just didn't care. All she could think about was night coming and speaking to Cain.

Her eyes kept moving to the suns, willing them to set faster. Alas, her magic did have its limits.

"DG, are you listening to me?" Tutors deep voice grumbled.

She looked over at him, hearing her name. "What?"

He sighed, exasperated and stood from the bench on which he sat. "Nevermind, you already answered my question. I suppose that's enough for today."

DG's eyes lit up and she bounced up into a standing position.

"DG," Tutor said, a bit more forceful. "You do realize that if the Longcoats do reach Finaqua and attack, you will need to hone in on your magic to protect us all. These are lessons are important, as dull as they may seem to you."

She tilt her head and gave him a gentle smile. "You're right, Toto."

He smiled.

"These lessons are dull," she finished.

He closed his eyes, the frustration showing on his face.

"Aw, don't worry, Toto," DG added. "I've been exercising my magic in my free time, and…it's amazing what I can do when I set my mind to it."

He raised his eyebrows, awaiting a further explanation. "Do tell."

She grinned mischievously. "Sorry, that's personal."

"DG," he scolded. "You shouldn't be using your magic in ways you are not familiar with. Something could go wrong."

"Relax, you said it yourself, if I just focus on my light, the magic will come. And so far, no harm has come to anyone." Except yourself, DG, she said to herself. These nights of dirty talk with Wyatt have left you feeling rather…dissatisfied.

She sighed and turned towards the house. "Let's change the subject."