To those of you who read the Prologue (which I'm sure you have), you're probably wondering where this is going. Needless to say, I'm trying to build on the romance part first. Like I previously mentioned, plot is my problem area, and I'm constantly reminding myself to get a move on with this plot. However, sometimes life's just about stopping to smell the roses, so keep that in mind while reading this. And remember, life is always full of surprises.

There were no windows in the Cave. The only light available was artificial, so when Cassie woke up, she was usually welcomed by darkness. Needless to say, when she woke up to light in her room, she was a little dazed. She flipped over on her stomach, grunting when someone murmured her name. "C'mon Cassie. Wake up. It's past ten-thirty in the morning."

"Mmm." Another grunt. Dick shook his head, rubbing her shoulder again.

"Please?"

"Mmm."

Dick sighed. "Fine then. Miss breakfast. Mal made pancakes. Not as good as Megan's, but pretty damn close."

Cassie rolled over, fluttering her eyes open to brave the light. There sat Dick, hovering over her, lips so close to hers that if she lifted her head just a little bit... No need. Dick had already craned his neck far enough that he could brush his lips with hers.

"I knew that would get you up."

"Jerk," Cassie mumbled, but stayed on her back. Dick ran his fingers up and down her arm. Cassie shuddered lightly, not wanting him to stop. "Were you lying about the pancakes?"

"No, actually. Mal's finishing them right now. Want me to grab you some?"

"I can make it out there." Cassie sat up on her elbows, glancing around. "How long have you been up?"

"Since six. I went out for a run around the Cave and then took a shower. I feel better now."

Cassie nodded. That wasn't what she wanted to hear. He'd left her, left her vulnerable. Someone could've snuck into her room... Done things to her... "I'm hungry."

"Well, let's go get something to eat." Dick slid out of Cassie's bed like he'd been doing it for days. He held out his hand for Cassie to take, and she did. Their fingers laced together, tightly but loose enough that either of them could let go at any moment. Not that either of them would want to.

The smell of pancakes, eggs, bacon, and hash browns filled the hallway as they walked towards the kitchen. Everyone was sitting around the living room, as usual, when they entered. Mal smiled at them, and Cassie watched, wonder struck how no one said a thing to them about their appearance. "Order up!" Mal exclaimed, and Dick grabbed two plates for both him and Cassie. He filled them with food and brought them over to her at the couch.

"I know you might not be very hungry, but you need to eat. Diana wants you to go visit her today."

"Okay." The previous night's events flooded Cassie's mind. The fierceness of the men who had attacked her were imprinted in her brain-and on her skin. Light bruises were forming all around her wrists and upper arms. Sadly, as long as the bruises were there, she'd be remembering everything. She looked up at Dick, who was busy eating and watching "Tom and Jerry" with everyone else, laughing along. It made her wonder if he was as violent as the men who had attacked her- and Brian. It made her tense and uneasy to think about what he may want from her now that they were together.

Together. The word stuck in Cassie's mind, rolling around, never leaving. It buried itself in the front of her brain, embedding itself, never sleeping. It pulsed through her veins, charging her with some kind of chemical she'd never felt. It wasn't a feeling of pure joy, though. It was a feeling of guilt. She didn't like it; it didn't feel right. Somehow, she felt like they were going to be doomed. Maybe it was her attraction to him. She'd never felt that way about a guy, let alone a man; this feeling of sexual desire. Images flashed in her mind, and she shook her head to get them out. She would never do anything like that. That was... horrible. Wrong. Not Cassie.

She finished her breakfast and washed her plate off in the sink. Dick turned and watched her run her fingers through her hair as she drank a glass of orange juice. He noticed how her arm muscles pulsed like the veins in her neck did as she swallowed. Suddenly, a picture filled his brain of her, underneath him, gasping for air like she was downing that drink as he kissed her. He was running his fingers through her hair, feeling its silkiness, marveling at it as his fingers slid through it, all the way down her back-

"Dude! Are you even listening to me?" Garth waved his hand in front of Dick's face, causing him to jump in surprise. Dick smiled.

"Not really." He watched as Cassie headed to her room, watching her leave. It was then he made the decision that he'd show Cassie what sex should be; not pain like she'd experienced. It'd be real.