Chapter Four: Quick End and Fascinating Start

It wasn't a refreshing cool as it would have been if it were a normal hot, sunny day. In the cool of night, it was freezing, awakening and shocking, it would have been ridiculous to describe the fall as stimulating or delightful. Luckily he missed every rock along the edge going down. He remembered the uncomfortable experience as if it happened just the night before, not over two weeks back. After the incident he learned what he could and could not pull off around Destin. It'd been a rough adjustment, seeming how most girls his age fawned over him like a prince. He knew it was only because he had an "exotic" look about him, in truth it was just a mysterious aura that intrigued them. When they couldn't figure out the mystery, they often gave up. But with dark hair and pale eyes, it was difficult not to notice him compared to all the other fake blond, blue-eyed guys in the small town. Destin pushed him in the lake, and it settled a lot between them.

Destin, he noticed, had suddenly remembered how to bite her caustic tongue when his actions were conduct unbecoming. Pushing him into the lake from atop a cliff gave her some pride, with a side dish of guilt (not that she'd ever tell him out-right). Gradually they became closer and friendlier. Hell, they had even flirted - him in a not-so-blunt manner, whenever Tayhe left to the farm for whatever they needed. She'd surprised him with how well she could rough it. He never heard her complain about not having a proper shower, a more private place to shave, or the ungodly manner in which the boys ate.

He'd enjoyed the sight of her more over the weeks. They'd been fortunate enough to have scorching hot weather throughout the whole time. If it had not been for the cooling swims, crisp evenings and cold beer always waiting in the cooler the weeks would have been nothing short of torture. He didn't have to mention that the sight of Destin's bikini tops, shorts and skimpy shirts didn't help the heat issue. To his eternal frustration she did have a pair of insufficient pajama shorts, much to his dreams description. To make matters worse, he always had a feeling she knew what he fancied.

But exactly eighteen days of pure heat had starting creating the serious risk to the land. The threat of forest fires had slowly started creeping up through the dry forests, destroying anything and everything in their path. So when Kayle, the first to wake, stepped out into the pouring rain he was relieved. The thunder in the distance worried him a little bit, but he knew the rain would help tremendously. The rain had never bothered him much, though he greatly preferred to have the sun to shine through. However, he had to admit that the sensation of the droplets drenching him was exhilarating.

By the time he'd walked the path up towards the old farm he was soaked as if he'd decided to go for a swim in his clothes. He hurried over to the four-wheeler and took out the tarp that had been strapped to the back. Tayhe was waiting for a storm – hoping for a storm – so brought it to camp during his one of his previous trips to the farm. When he got back Destin stood by the water waiting.

She turned at the sound of a person trudging down the old path. Dee rolled her eyes when discovering he had soaked his once dry and warm oversized sweatshirt and faded-blue jeans. "Great, I figured you went to grab the tarp. I know how we can tie it up." She marched over, bare-foot, to help him.

'Always ready to do something.'

They started unfolding the massive fabric to reveal their new shelter. "You're always thinking ahead. Makes my life so much easier," he smiled at her.

She couldn't help but smile back. "Come on, take that corner," she pointed, "to that tree up there," she dragged her hand to his left. "Up as high as you can reach after you climb that rock beside it. Can you handle that?"

"I'll manage," he laughed. "Just do your side Princess."

Not offended in the least to his nickname for her anymore, she went off with the opposite corner. She waited for him to finish his side, being the more difficult of the two, before starting hers. She climbed onto the picnic table, tarp and twine in hand, then up the tree.

He rested on the rock watching her for a moment. Kayle didn't know her reason for only wearing board shorts and a light, white tank top that had a low neckline that was lined with lace. Not that he was complaining; Kaylen enjoyed the view, especially since she was as soaked as he was. The familiar feeling of desire snuck into his system as he hungrily gazed through her tank top. He always admired that her stomach was so toned and shaped.

Amazed at her ability to stay stable so far, she smiled. Dee figured she could make it one branch higher, so tested herself. True, if she slipped she'd be in for it, but if not, she'd at least earned some more respect. Destin reached up and grasped the thick branch with shaking fingers. Placing her feet securely on the branch below her, she heaved herself up half way to the next arm of the tree. Bringing her other arm up to help aid in lifting her weight, Dee could feel the same hand slip over the wet tarp in her hand. Desperately she dug her toes into the bark and let go of the tarp to instead cling to the twine, then tried a final attempt to grab the branch. She was successful.

It felt easier to pull herself up the second half, but still she felt relieved to be sitting on the branch in a more secure, upright position. She wrapped her arms around the tree to pass the twine between her hands, then pulled back to tie a complicated knot to hold the tarp in place.

"Impressive move Princess. You never cease to amaze me," he complimented half-heartedly. Though she sent back a confident, 'duh' smile back, he noticed a twinge of hesitation in her eyes. "To make it easier," he suggested, "Why don't you just slide off that branch to the next. Then you can dangle from that, and I'll catch you from there."

After contemplating it for a few moments, she replied, "Sounds better then my plan."

"What was your plan?" he asked curiously.

"Well, to stay up here and live a more simplistic life," she stated as if the option was apparent solution.

"Oh, right, obviously."

She slung off the first branch, and he stood staring nervously up at her. As Destin dropped to the first branch, he readied himself just in case she lost her balance. But somehow she'd landed smoothly enough, dropping down to a low crouch, hands clutching the branch to steady her after her feet landed. "You ready?" she called down uncertainly.

He pushed the picnic table off to the side just to be safe before placing himself just underneath her. "Yeah, go ahead."

Destin awkwardly positioned her hands to grasp the tree then slid off. She hadn't been hanging for more then a second before she felt his hands grab her sides. He was in front of her, and she waited for him to make the next move.

He tightened his grip on her to make sure she wouldn't fall. "Okay, you can let go now." She did carefully, and loved how she didn't budge more an inch when she let go of the branch. It was easy enough for him, as long as he ignored the sharp pain in his shoulder. He brought her down carefully, and even though he was sure she was safely on the ground he didn't remove his hands from her hips.

The wet fabric under his hands was chillingly cold. Not realizing what he was doing he couldn't help but bring her a little closer to him. She was fully aware of the situation, and was waiting for the panicking to start. Destin had a history of panic attacks when she was so close to someone of the opposite sex. She'd never been able to describe the feeling, let alone tell anyone about it. But nothing happened, no matter how long she waited for it to creep into her.

To help push the feelings to the surface (they were just hiding, she was sure) she slid her hands to his shoulders. She felt him wrap his arms closer around her body, his face only inches away. The rain started down harder, but neither of them noticed. His pale eyes staring intently at hers, she moved closed some distance between them, her eyes closing without her control. Before she could open them again she felt his lips on hers.

It wasn't the kiss he had first dreamed of. It wasn't unruly, wild and rushed. It was soft, faint and lazy. His lips were smooth and practiced while hers unsure and tender. Destin felt a smile start inside. The kiss was glorious and comfortable. Not once during the whole thing did she feel nervous or scared, and she loved it. It was easy with him, as if they were always meant to share this aspect of their life together.

He pulled back slowly as he was suddenly fully aware of what they were doing. To his relief she didn't seem to want to slap him, though now he thought of it he was sure she would have done it already if she had planned to. Kayle smiled at her, uncertain on the reason why this kiss was so different from any before.

Destin smiled back, loving how this didn't feel awkward. "You realize you just soaked your only sweater?"

He laughed. "So that's the reason you're out in such a thin white shirt. Also a wise choice to wear in the rain to make sure that everything is appropriately hidden."

She pushed him back and laughed. "Good to know I've got your attention. Grab the other corner would yah?" She picked up the corner and went to the more accessible point to hang the tarp.

Once the tarp was providing a dry area for their main activities they started to organize a bit. "Everything is soaked; I doubt it'll ever dry."

"Oh an optimist, yay," he mocked. He took his time lighting the fire; he never was in a hurry. When he was sure the fire was started he began pulling everything in away from the rain. He started with the firewood, seeming as it could take the longest to dry out. Slowly everything was in a convenient place drying out and Destin had started cooking breakfast. She now had a warm, dry sweater while he was trying to stay close to the fire to keep warm in his t-shirt.

"What a wife you'd make," he commented.

She glanced over at him, then back to flipping bacon. "I don't know whether to take that as a compliment or an insult."

"How many girls your age –"

"My age?" she interrupted.

"As in an age of individuality and the want to rule all men. You know, feminism" She laughed, which was his cue to continue with previous sentence. "Not many will cook and clean for two guys and not expect something back in return."

She set closed the little tinfoil bowl around the bacon to keep it warm and set it to the other side of the grill. "How many eggs?" she asked as she cracked open four, two with each hand.

"Two, please," he ordered. "Two toast also, if you wouldn't mind," he added.

"Alright." Destin pulled open a bread bag and pulled out three pieces. She buttered two, set them on the grill then flipped two of the eggs before buttering the third.

"You make it look so easy."

She laughed. "I've done this for my whole family before. Feeding the three of us isn't difficult. I've learned tricks from Grams."

"The whole family? How many is that?"

"Haven't you ever asked Tayhe?"

"No, guys don't talk about stuff like that much. I mean he mentions extended family, but you hear a name, laugh at the story and that's about it."

"Right, it's not manly," she rolled her eyes. "My Uncle Bill has three kids, but all are older than me. Uncle Charlie only has two, one two years older than I am; the other is my age. Uncle Percy has five now, all younger than me. My Uncle Fred and Uncle George don't have any, but are constantly bombarded with babysitting. My dad has three including me with one on the way. And finally my Aunt Ginny has just had her sixth, once again all younger than me. So thirty in all I suppose."

"Thirty immediate family. How do you do it?" he asked, flabbergasted,

"They come in herds. You get the hang of it after a while." She placed the plate of food in front of him. "And what you don't realize is I now control you in a different, more powerful way. I now rule your stomach."

He stopped and stared at her with his mouth still full with food. His eyes were shocked and impressed. "My Lord, you're right."

She rolled her eyes and dished out a second plate. "You can call me Dee, Lord is too formal. And don't worry, I don't abuse my power." Tayhe stumbled out of the tent and fumbled his way over. Dee held out his plate to him and grabbed two more eggs.

"Mornin', thanks Dee." He slumped into a dry lawn chair by the fire. Tayhe dug into his breakfast and was half way through before looking around. "Man you guys got a lot done this morning."

"It was more fun then work," Destin commented, sending a smile over to Kayle. He threw his empty paper plate into the fire and walked over to Destin.

"I'd have to agree." He stood behind her and took advantage of Tayhe having his back to him. Kaylen placed his hands on her waist and put a soft kiss on her jaw before biting her ear lobe lightly. She jumped around but he'd already pulled back and was grabbing a dishcloth. "Need any help clean up?"

She shook her head at him. "Go right ahead if you insist."

Tayhe had turned, not that either of them noticed, and caught the whole show. He was worried about how serious the relationship was getting. Destin couldn't tell him about who she really was, and he was bound to notice her air colour changing with her mood sooner or later. If she told him, Kaylen would never trust him again.

"Hey Dee, Dad's going to be here in the evening to pick you up. Hermione wants you home to help with Austin because her back is really acting up."

It took a second to realize he was talking to her. Tayhe looked uncomfortable. "When did he say this?"

"Last visit to the farm there was a message. I forgot until just now." The rain poured harder down as Tayhe shrugged and walked toward the lake edge. "This will probably keep up anyway. A real storm is on its way."

As he said it a fierce wind swept through the camp, forcing the tarp in rough jerks and flap wildly.

Stop it.

Tayhe whipped around in shock as the voice boomed in his skull. Dee was glaring at him in surprise.

Stop it. Please.

The voice was soft, but demanded his attention. He hated her in his head. It's not me, he thought, before pushing her out.

"I'll pack up the tent if you and Kayle hull the coolers and stuff," Dee said. The storm overhead deepened, rumbling thunder sounded in the distance.

"We leave most of the stuff here for the summer. I won't drag it back to the barn until the first frost," Kaylen said.

"Plus, with the family coming over this weekend, Kayle and I won't be coming until next week," Tayhe said.

Kayle turned. "I'm coming?"

"Of course. So you don't have to pack up the entire tent, just your stuff Dee," said Tayhe.

Dee suspected something was up, but knew mum would really need her help now that she wasn't almost due. "Alright, I'll be ready in about ten minutes."

She immediately wrapped up her wet clothes into a bag and shoved them into the bottom of her bag. A bright, half a second flash lit up the tent. One, one thousand. Two, t –" Thunder crackled loudly, rumbling the floor. She could hear a crash in the direction of the farm.

If weather could reflect moods, this was certainly Dee's opinion on leaving after things just started getting interesting. Not the end of the world, she reminded herself. Another flash, another crackle. This was definitely not Tayhe, but a deep storm that's been brewing for weeks.

"Dee!" Panic in the voice made her jump unexpectedly. Coming down, she landed on the side of her foot, slipping on a sleeping bag. Dee tried to turn and tried to catch herself before falling, but by placing her hands out she fell hard on her left shoulder, and the old familiar pain shot through her body.

"Destin! We have to go, now," Tayhe yelled.

"Tayhe, I'll only be a few more minutes." Destin raised her self up slowly, trying to stay on her right side.

Disembodied hands floated desperately into the tent, and Dee was jerked backwards. The hand ripped into her shoulder, for a few moments black clouds spotted her vision – though whether or not it was the sky or her pain storming her vision, she didn't know. She felt her hair catch in the zipper, but had little time to think about it as she felt the chunk of hair pulled mercilessly as Kaylen continued to pull her out.

She closed her eyes to get rid of the clouds, to forget about the pain, to hide the tears. She couldn't stifle a small whimper. She felt the hands loosen from her shoulders, and slowly they came to a stop that allowed her to catch her feet. Without the support of his hands on her shoulders she fell forwards on her knees. Her hands connected violently with the wet ground in front of her and she felt defeated for the first time in her life.