CHAPTER Five
Later that night, DG dragged herself into the house. Her lunch shift turned into a double when some called out at the last minute. Tired to the bone and starved to death, DG barely made it home and into the garage. She threw her helmet onto her bike and turned to face the house. It still stood, and nothing seemed broken. That's a good sign. She walked across the lawn and up the stairs onto the porch. The door squeaked as she opened it and pushed the storm door open. She was immediately met with a wonderful smell.
"Oh my word," she sighed. She threw her uniform on a chair next to the door. "What is that amazing smell?" she shut the door behind her and walked across the living room towards the kitchen. Cain looked up from his book and smiled at her. She turned towards him and smiled back. "Did you cook?" she asked. Cain didn't say or do anything but sit there. She walked into the kitchen.
"YOU MADE CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP!" she called out. Cain smiled proudly as he hid the recipe card that read "DG's favorite dish" in his book. She walked into the doorway, a look of surprise on her face. "You cooked." She gushed. Cain nodded.
"Why don't you go get cleaned up and I'll have a bowl waiting for you when you come back down." He sat forward, closing his book. DG, still beaming, nodded and headed toward the stairs. She quietly climbed the stairs, and entered her dark room. Az lightly snored in the bed and DG searched around in the dark for her pajamas. In a drawer she managed to pull out a long sleeved blue top and a pair of sweats. She climbed back down the stairs and headed towards the bathroom, her nose constantly sniffing the yummy air.
"Where is everyone?" DG called out. Cain walked to the doorway of the kitchen.
"Az's is asleep and I think Raw and Glitch conked out about an hour ago." He watched her strip out of her greasy uniform, standing there in her bra and panties. He swallowed and tiptoed back into the kitchen.
"Seriously?" she called out. "You cooked!" She was amazed at her companion as she turned on the water. A hot shower was just what she needed. She took a brief, yet luxurious shower and then dried herself off. Throwing on her clothes and wrapping her hair up in the towel, she emerged from the bathroom, squeaky clean.
"Just in time." Cain said as he set the bowl on the coffee table. "Dinner is served." DG clapped her hands and jumped up and down. It didn't matter what kind of day she had. If her mother made this soup, things instantly brightened. DG sat down on the couch, reaching for the bowl of soup.
"I didn't know you cooked," she said taking a large bite. Cain nodded.
"Adora was a horrible cook. I taught myself how to cook when we got married, I didn't want to starve. I don't know how Jeb managed to live when I was out on missions." He watched as DG slurped up an egg noodle. She looked over at him.
"Why don't you ever talk about her?" she asked. Cain looked up at her with silver blue eyes. She expected to see pain and hurt, but she really couldn't read how they read. "I'm sorry if that was a rude thing to ask." She frowned. Cain shook his head and waved his hand.
"No, no. It's not a rude thing. I've just never been asked that before." He let out a rush of air and thought for a moment, his brow wrinkled in thought. "It's hard to really not think about her, but then I can't seem to get the thoughts together. Things are too complicated."
"Complicated how?" DG asked, slurping up another noodle. Cain thought again for a moment.
"We'd been having trouble years before Jeb was born. Then she became pregnant and I didn't want to leave her alone with a baby. So, I stayed with her. I mean, I still loved her, even after all the trouble we'd been through. Things just didn't really seem right though." He looked over at DG. He could read what she was thinking. "She had an affair." He frowned. DG nodded, her mouth formed an "O". She looked down at her soup, taking another bite.
"With Zero." Cain said in a fast motion, like taking off a band-aid. DG choked on her soup. She looked over at Cain and her eyes grew wide in astonishment. Cain nodded. "I went out on a mission, as that was my choice. I loved going out and seeing the land and she hated that. She wanted me home more with her.
"However, Zero has chosen assignments closer to home for reasons I can only imagine and wish to never imagine. When I found out about it I was furious, of course. I yelled and screamed and pretty much threw away our friendship. He got mad at Adora for telling me and from then on out he pretty much hated us both.
"I worked out our problems and we both moved on. But there was always that little blip in our marriage." He looked over at DG. She sighed and sat her bowl on the table. "I'm sorry," he frowned. "I didn't mean to be such a downer. Thinking about it now, I don't know why I was so upset about her dying. I mean I don't even know if she truly loved me."
"Cain, that's a horrible thing to say." DG said. "Of course she loved you." She reached out and put her hand on his. "No matter what she did, she was still your wife. You loved her and no matter how long you try to get over what happened, it still hurts." Cain looked over at her, his face stern.
"I just can't seem to get over her and I'm trying. I mean I think of who I could be with, but there is this wall that stops me." He said.
"It's going to take time. If that means a year or more, than so be it. You had a son together and he's a part of the two of you. He's all you have left of her. Don't get discouraged, don't lose heart." She squeezed his hand. He nodded and looked down, noticing a red place on her wrist.
"What's that?" he asked her. DG tried to pull away, but Cain pushed up her sleeve. A large red welt about two inches long covered her wrist. "What happened?" His eyes grew wide. DG squinted.
"I burned myself on a hot plate." she sighed. "It doesn't even hurt anymore, I'm used to them by now." Cain got up off the couch and walked into the kitchen. "Cain, stop. What are you going to do, shoot the oven? I think he could take you." She watched as he emerged from the kitchen, a cool rag in his hand. He sat on the couch and pulled her over to him. His hand gently touched the welt and DG tried not to squirm. His finger gently stroked the sore spot. He then wrapped the blue rag around her wrist, covering the welt. She looked up at him and watched as his face filled with a seriousness she'd never seen before. "Thank you." she placed a hand on his. He nodded and sat back. "And I'm sorry. I shouldn't have jumped-" she started.
"Isn't that what you always do best?" he asked. DG's nose wrinkled as she smiled at him. The two stared at each other for a brief moment. "So you want me to forgive Adora for her indiscretions, yet you can't forgive Glitch for being himself around a stranger?" He eyed the young woman. DG groaned, she wondered when that would get back to Cain.
"So really? Adora and Zero?" DG asked, quickly changing the subject. Cain nodded and began the story again.
Azkedillia opened her eyes and yawned. She stretched her arms out but didn't feel anyone next to her. She sat up, concerned that her sister wasn't there beside her. She slid her legs out of bed, pushing herself into a standing position. She turned on the night stand light and squinted as she walked across the room, trying not to run into anything. She carefully walked down the stairs and into the living room. As she crossed the room she turned and smiled at the sight on the couch.
Cain was leaning up against the corner of the couch. Leaning up against him was DG. His arm wrapped securely around her, protecting her even as they slept. The two looked peaceful and content. Azkadillia reached over and grabbed a blanket, throwing it across the couple. She smiled again once more and then headed back up the stairs, turning the light off as she went.
The next morning DG woke up just as the rays of light filled the room. She yawned and stretched but stopped when her hand came into contact with something. She froze and turned her head, her eyes looking up at Cain's.
"Oh my goodness," she muttered. "I'm so sorry," she turned her head back around embarrassed.
"It's ok. I've never quite been awoken by a hand slap to the face. It's kind of refreshing." He shrugged, his hand rubbing his sore cheek. DG lay there for a second, her body pressed up against his. The fit seemed too perfect for words. Both wondered how it would feel to wake up like this everyday. Cain hadn't woken up with a woman in harms in over ten annuals. DG could feel his arm around her waist, his finger on the patch of skin exposed on her stomach. She could feel his finger softly stroke the smooth surface. She let out soft sigh and she willed herself to get up.
"I have to get going for work." She pushed herself up and stood up, fixing her crooked shirt. She tried to regain some composure and then she walked towards the kitchen.
"I'm going with you today," she heard his voice call out to her. DG looked up at the ceiling and then turned around. She looked at him propped up on the couch. His sleeves were rolled up and his shirt was unbuttoned one button more than usual. If she had lacked the morals she so strongly abided by then she'd ravage him right there. She looked into his eyes, there really was no used fighting him. She sighed.
"Fine." she groaned. "Just don't make me regret it." She padded off into the kitchen, in search of something for breakfast.
"It would be wonderful if we all had men to look out for us." Annie sighed as she wiped the counter. DG looked over at her. She yawned and shook her head. Annie frowned. "Oh come on. I know you wouldn't need someone. You'd probably sweep in and kill the bad guys all by yourself. But for the rest of us, it would be nice to have a good guy for a change." DG looked over at Cain as he looked through a local paper.
"Not to mention," Annie whispered, "but he's not too shabby on the eyes." She winked at DG and walked off. DG threw her hands in the air. Did everyone have to point out the obvious? She grabbed a pot of coffee and headed over to the table behind Cain, asking the patrons if they needed any coffee. She poured their cups and then walked over to Cain's table. She sat the pot down and sat across from Cain.
"Anything exciting happening in the world?" she asked. Cain folded the paper down and looked her in the eyes.
"I thought the O.Z had problems. We're somewhat civil compared to your world and that was BEFORE you stopped the evil witch. What is going on here? War, disease, obesity. I can't believe a world can even exist on things like that." He sat there, looking out the window. DG frowned and pulled the paper away from him.
"I'm off in ten minutes and this horrible day will be over." She folded up the paper and sat it aside. Cain looked over at her sadly. "Oh, and look." She put her arms on the table. "No new burns. Score one for Deeg!" She smiled, holding up her palm, looking for a high five. Cain sat there, just staring at her. "Oh brother." she muttered as she got up. Cain yawn and stretched as he shifted in his seat.
"I'm going to use the restroom." He said. "Try not to get into trouble the few minutes I'm away." DG looked at him with shock. "Funny," he muttered, as he walked away. DG smiled to herself as she grabbed the pot and wiggled out of the booth. She spun around and ran directly into a person coming up the aisle. "Crap," she muttered.
"Don't worry, I don't bruise easily," the young man said. His hand rubbed his arm. He looked up at her, his soft brown eyes meeting hers. "Plus it's not everyday you get hit on by a beautiful woman. Literally." He laughed. DG's face filled with a smile as she sat the pot of coffee back on the table. She reached over, pulling him into a hug.
"Oh Billy." she sighed. "How are you? It's been a while." She hugged him tightly, he returned the gesture. The two broke away and Billy shrugged.
"I've been good. I've been away for a while. My brother Burke and I moved in with our grandmother after our grandfather died. When she passed away we thought it best to come back. So here I am," he sighed. He looked over at her. "What about you? I heard you went off on a little adventure. Did you have fun?" he asked.
"More than you think." she crossed her arms and smiled again. Billy was the one person she got along with in high school. It would be the only reason she'd ever stay in Kansas. As the two laughed and caught up, Cain came out of the bathroom. He noticed DG laughing with a young man. He tried to wipe it away, but he had a strange inkling he didn't like this at all.
"So are you free tonight?" Billy asked. "I know it's short notice, but I wanted to do something with you before either of us decides to take off again. If you have plans I'll understand." DG shook her head.
"No I think it's a wonderful idea. I'm going to head home and change out of these smelly clothes. Pick me up around 6?" she asked. Billy nodded. "Great." DG paused. "It's so great to see you." she sighed. Billy reached out and hugged her again.
"See you at 6." He said pulling away. DG watched as he walked towards the door. He turned and waved as he pushed the doors open. DG waved back to him. She sighed and grabbed the coffee pot, turning to the counter. She yelled to Annie that she was going to change her clothes. She was walking back to the bathroom to change when Cain's arm stopped her. She groaned and looked up at him.
"What?" she asked him.
"Who was that? What are you doing?" he asked. DG was starting to hate the twenty questions that came with every choice she made in life.
"His name is Billy and we're going out tonight," she said simply. She pushed past Cain and entered the bathroom. She could hear him walk to the door and stop. She quickly changed, not even bothering to lock the stall door, there wasn't a chance anyone would get past Cain anyway. She opened the bathroom door and posed for him.
"Ready," she chirped. She walked to the counter, Cain following behind her closely. DG stopped in front of the counter and Annie walked up to her. "I'm leaving." DG smiled at her co-worker. Annie's eyes traveled up the tall man and a smile spread on her face. DG pointed her thumb behind her. "He's tagging along." She shrugged and helped Annie split up her tips. Giving her co-worker a quick hug, DG turned to leave the diner.
"So what happens if I tell you I think it's a bad idea and you shouldn't go." Cain asked when they were outside. DG kept walking towards the bike, her feet digging in the dirt.
"Then I'll just go anyway." She looked over at Cain from across the bike. "Cain, I've handled plenty in my short life of existence without your help. Most of it in this world. Now if I can do that, then why would I need your help?" She blinked. Cain's hands formed fists and he tightened them.
"Because I want to help you." He said roughly. "I fell useless and I feel like I can't do my job. I don't know who this guy is, why he wants to take you out, how close you two are, and what will go on this 'date'," he said using quotation marks.
"His name is Billy, I went to high school with him. I'm sure he wants to just go out for a bite to eat and to catch up. However, if he decides to cop a feel or head to another base, I think I may be inclined to let him. But I think the chances of that are pretty slim, as I usually don't do things like that on the first date." She grabbed her hat and placed it on her head. "Oh and he's who I lost my virginity to in the 11th grade, just in case you really wanted to know how close we are." She slipped her leg over the bike and hopped on. Cain loosened his fists and stood there looking at DG.
"Oh." He slowly walked over, getting the bike. DG grabbed onto his waist and waited for the bike to start. "I still don't think you should go," he said as he started the bike.
DG stormed into the house, slamming the door in his face. Cain stood on the porch and rolled his eyes, looking upwards. He threw the door open and walked into the living room, watching as DG stomped up to her room.
"This is why I'm happy I just have a son." Cain said, his hands meeting his hips. He sighed and threw his hat onto the side table and looked around the room. Glitch and Raw were sitting on the floor trying to get through Life, and Azkedillia sat on the couch looking through a book. She looked over at him.
"Rough day?" she asked. Cain groaned and walked over to a chair.
"DG wants to go on a date with some guy and I don't think it's a good idea." Az closed her book with a pop and moved to get up. She sat the book on her seat and turned to walk to the stairs. "Where are you going?" Cain asked.
"Sister damage control." She sighed and walked up the stairs. Cain looked over at Glitch and noticed a knowing expression creep onto his face.
"What?" Cain asked. Glitch stood up and walked over to the side of the couch closest to Cain's chair and sat down, wringing his hands.
"I think you should let her go." Glitch said. Cain eyed the zipper on Glitch's head. Glitch read his mind. "I know that you may not listen to what I say most of the time due to this," he pointed up to his zipper. "However, if you recall, I did save your life on numerous occasions, so I might just know a thing or two that could help you out." He nodded his head and looked over at Cain. Cain gestured him to continue.
"Well, I think you should let her go. DG has been through quite a lot this past year. She's given up so much to live in the O.Z," Cain laughed.
"So much? She found her family and the home she never had." He balked. Glitch rolled his eyes.
"As I was saying. Now she has given up so much for us here. She's working a horrible job so we can eat. I think the last thing we should do is keep her from some form of normalcy." His face saddened. "I also think this may be the last time she'll ever be able to come here," He whispered. Cain looked at the man with a questionable glance. Glitch swallowed.
"Shortly before we arrived here, I overheard a few people high up in the palace talking and since no one ever thinks that I may be able to understand them. . .I mean I lost my brain, not my ears."
"GLITCH." Cain yelled. Glitch swallowed.
"They said that they were having troubles with the traveling storms. They weren't working quite like they used to. I'm just saying, whenever we find out how to get back, this may be the last time for DG. So, like I said, try and have a little compassion for her. This used to be her life." Glitch somberly said. Cain looked up at the ceiling and tapped his hands on arms of the chair. Glitch watched the man carefully, his eyes urging the man to do something nice.
"Fine." Cain said at last. He sighed, this still didn't mean he was going to stop trying to protect her.
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