CHAPTER 8

The first light of dawn peeked across the sky. Tiny rays entered through the slits of the living room, shining across DG's face. She lazily opened her eyes and stretched her arms. She knew she should try to get some more sleep, but she also knew that people would be waking up soon, hung over people that would probably need her.

DG poured herself a cup of coffee in the kitchen. She took in the warm, nutty air that rose from the surface. Walking quietly across the house, she grabbed a spare blanket. She wrapped

it around her back and shoulders and then made her way to the front porch, coffee in hand. The sun had been up for a few hours, the last tiny bit of darkness faded away. The world was calm and quiet, just waking up itself.

She pulled out a chair and sat looking out towards the prairies. It didn't look like much during the day, but it was times like these that made her wish she could keep that image with her forever. She sipped her coffee as she thought about what Cain said the night before ,but she let it slide. Clearly it was the alcohol talking, nothing more. She turned as she heard the screen door open. A groggy, unshaven Cain staggered onto the porch. Wearing only thin pair of pajama pants, Cain walked over towards DG, reaching for the coffee .Trying miserably to make eye contact, she handed the coffee over to him. She cleared her throat and coughed a bit.

"Rough night last night Bruser?" she asked eyeing the man carefully. Cain handed her back the coffee mug and shook his head, walking towards the handrail of the porch.

"Nothing I couldn't handle." He stood looking out over the prairies, his hands on the banister. He looked at DG over his shoulder, "Which is exactly what the bartender told me after my 10th shot of whiskey. He also said something about taking it like a man, but that may have been to someone else." He shrugged turning his head back towards the yard. "I can't remember the last time I was driven to drink that much. I'm getting too old for it." DG couldn't help but feel like she was the cause of this pain. She noticed the shiner on his eye, and the busted lip. She rolled her eyes back and crossed her arms, suddenly not feeling so guilty.

"So," she paused. "How's Marty?" Cain stood perfectly still. DG watched as all of his muscles tensed, from his arms to his jaw. She looked down in her coffee cup. "Thank you." she said. She saw his head move up and down in a nod. Cain turned around suddenly, startling her.

"You know, you shouldn't have to put up with this DG. It's not the fact that you're a princess, because heaven forbid we actually treat you like one. But guys don't treat women like that. I don't care what world you're living in. It's amazing how when you are in the O.Z. you are strong and powerful and you can fight your own battles. Here you're just," he paused, grasping for the right word. "weak. And that's not you at all. Not the DG I know."

"Well maybe you don't now me at all. Maybe this is exactly who I am. And like I said, chivalry is dead Cain. So stop trying to protect me all the time. I don't need your help" She stood up, the blanket falling to her feet in a ripple of blue. She turned to leave but her feet slipped on the smooth fabric. Cain reached out and grabbed her before she fell, pulling her close to him. Her hands rested on his chest She could feel his heart beat, his chest rising with every staggard breath. She looked up into this eyes. she could hear her head screaming for her to stop but she leaned forward anyway, pressing her lips to his. Surprised at first, Cain stood there, but then relaxed. He moved his hands from her arms to her waist, pulling her closer.

The kiss deepened, her lips parting to his. He trust his tongue in her mouth, gripping her hips with his hands. He could hear her sigh as he pulled her closer to him. After a moment the two parted and DG put her head on his chest, listening to his heart beat.

"You don't need my help at all," He whispered in her ear, a slight sarcasm bleading though. She could feel her body shiver at the touch of his lips on her ear. She looked up at him, her eyes bluer than they normally were. She moved in for another kiss, but a crash inside stopped her.

"I have to go check on that." she slowly said.

"It's not your problem," he whispered. He wrapped his arms around her body and pulled her closer to him than she'd ever been before. He'd waited far too long for this moment to have it gone in an instant. His mouth covered hers. He could feel her hands move across his chest to his back, and the feeling was more than he could bare. Another crash made DG jump and her lips broke from his.

"I really have to go check on that." She sighed. Cain reluctantly loosened his arms around, slowly. He could feel her hands slide across his bare back and he silently cursed the person who interrupted them. DG backed away, not wanting to leave. Her hands moving down his arms to his hands. She took his hands and squeezed them as a sign of hope and then let go, walking to the door. She opened the screen door and watched him turn his back to her, his hands gripping the banister.

Running inside, DG let the door slam beside her. What was happening? She could feel the room spinning. Maybe she had too much to drink last night. Then she remembered, she hadn't been the one drinking. As she let her heart beat return to normal she looked around for the reason behind the crash. She looked up to see Glitch holding a lamp, or what used to be a lamp. He looked over at her, his face full of shock.

"I swear it broke itself." Glitch said, holding his hands up. The remaining pieces dropped to the floor, splintering into tinier pieces. DG couldn't get mad at Glitch. She only walked into the kitchen, grabbing the broom and dust. She brought it out into the living room.

"Sweep it up." She handed it over to him. Glitch nodded and bent down to start picking up all the pieces. She'd bring him the vacuum later. She looked out towards the porch and still saw Cain standing there, his back to the house. She let out a rush of air and contemplated going back out to finish their "conversation".

However, she could hear a moan come from up stairs. She crossed the living room and headed up the stairs towards her room. She stood at the end of the bed, her arms crossed over her chest. Azkedillia moaned and writhed in bed. She looked up and saw DG standing there and moaned some more.

"Have fun last night on your little adventure?" She asked. Az attempted to lift her head, but it felt like lead and she only made it an inch off the pillow

"Oh, DG. Is that you? I think I'm dying," she cried. DG rolled her eyes and walked over to her sister, grabbing a trash can on the way.

"You're not dying. You're hung over. However, the two create similar sensations." She kept thinking back to Cain on the porch. The eyes, those arms, that chest. NO! She told herself. She looked down at her sister. "Don't be such a drama queen." She watched her sister's face turn up in shock. She'd have to apologize for that later. She sighed,

"What all did you have to drink?" she asked with a sudden and alarming concern. Az thought for a second.

"Something about having sex on a beach in Long Island." She groaned at the thought. DG covered a laugh. Az looked up at her sister. "Why would anyone want to have sex on a beach in Long Island?" Az moaned. DG looked down at her sister, and felt like her sister being gravely ill would be punishment enough for running out without telling her.

"I'll bring up some gingerale and crackers. It will help with the sickness. Until then, here is a trash can if you feel sick." She sat the white object next to her sister. Looking at her sister right then and there, she hardly looked like a princess herself. With her hair tangled in knots, her body sprawled out in all directions, and her face pale, Az almost looked normal. She looked venerable and scared, something people hadn't seen in Az in years. DG knew Az wouldn't remember this later on, but DG was glad to see her finally cut loose, even if it was induced by alcohol.

"I'll be back." DG whispered. Azkadillia groaned and waved her sister away. DG smiled and headed down the stairs, looking for what other troubles would lie in her path. She walked into the living room and peered out onto the porch. Cain wasn't there anymore. DG looked around the room and didn't see him in there. She heard the water running in the bathroom and for a moment she pictured what would happen if she suddenly walked in on him. She shook the thought quickly out of her head and headed for the front door. She needed clear air.

DG walked out of the house, her arms hugging around her tiny frame as she walked out in the yard towards the windmill. She lay down close to the windmill. She closed her eyes and listened to the mechanisms click as the wind swirled the cups around. The wind felt cool on her face. A shadow loomed over her and she looked up to see Raw above her. She patted the earth beside her and the viewer sat next to her. He didn't say anything, but she felt all the support she needed from him. He laid down in the field, the rows of grass covering them both.

"DG." A voice whispered above her. She slowly opened her eyes. The sun was high in the sky, the rays beating down fearcly on her body. She looked over and saw that Raw wasn't there. She blinked a few times and noticed Cain standing above her.

"What time is it?" she asked.

"A little after 12. You and Raw fell asleep," he said. She thought about that for a second then she shot up.

"Shit!" She scrambled to her feet, taking off across the tall grass. Cain stood there, confused.

"What's wrong," he yelled.

"I'm late for work!" she called over her shoulder. She turned as she ran, "Please stay away from the diner today!" She yelled. Cain watched her take off. They'd have to talk about everything later. DG ran up the path and onto the porch. Glitch and Raw sat on matching chairs. Glitch licked a lollipop. The beanie that covered his zipper zipped around in mini circles on his head. "Hey guys, bye guys," DG hurriedly said as she ran by.

"My people come and go so quickly," Glitch stated. Raw grunted and nodded.

Later that evening, DG walked into the house, ignoring all requests for attention. She immediately headed towards the stairs to her room. All she wanted to do was change out of her smelly uniform and shower the day sweat and grime away. DG pulled herself up the stairs to her room. She saw the bedside table light illuminating the dark room. Azkadillia sat at the head of the bed. Her dark hair was pulled back out of her eyes with a red ribbon, and it cascaded down her back like a dark shadow.

DG noticed the books surrounding her. DG recognized them as her old fairy tale books. DG raised and eyebrow and looked from the books to her sister.

"Care to share?" she asked. Azkadillia threw a book down with aggravation. DG, startled, jumped.

"Know what I hate?" Azkadillia asked, her voice filled with frustration. DG shrugged her shoulders and took a step backwards, now suddenly a little scared. "Princesses." she said. DG's forehead crinkled as she tried to sort this puzzle out. Now she knew exactly how Glitch felt.

"So you hate yourself?" DG asked. Azkadillia shook her head vigoursly.

"No I hate princesses in these books." She pointed to the book pile. "I mean what is it with them all? Why can't they get up and save themselves? Why do they have to wait for a prince to come and rescue them? You start letting men think they have to constantly save you and you get someone like Cain. And oh my mystic man, look what happens when you let him think he has to save you." Azkedeillia let out a rush of air and watched as her sister slowly sit on the bed. Azkedillia eyed her carefully. "What?"

"I kinda did something bad." DG slowly said. Her sister started at her, wanting her to continue. "I kissed Cain. On the Porch. Twice." DG watched as her sister's eyes lit up. "It's bad, isn't it?" Azkedillia reached over and grabbed her sister's hands.

"No, this is good." She smiled. "This is really good. What happened?" She asked. DG explained to her what happened that morning on the porch. Azkedillia's full attention was focused on her younger sister. When DG finished Azkedillia leaned back on the pillow that propped her up, attempting to take a breath. "So how was it? Amazing?"

"I can't even put a word to it. It just . . .was. . " DG let out a breath and looked up at the ceiling. "I don't know what to do from here." She looked to her sister for support.

"Talk to him." Azkedillia said simply with a shrug. "Who knows, maybe it can go in an entirely new direction. If that's the case, then I'm all ears." Azkedillia winked at her sister. DG rolled her eyes and shook her head. Leave it to her older sister to make things dirty.

"In all honesty, you've done the hard part. You both are on the same page, confused and unsure of where to go. It's as if you jumped off the cliff. You've done the exciting and thrilling part, now all that's left is the fear of what's to come. You know you have to talk, it's just a matter of sitting down and doing it."

"Thanks Az," DG said, pulling her sister into a hug. Az froze and pulled away.

"Wait, did we just have a Judy Blume moment?" Azkadillia looked at her sister.

"Oh my lord, what have you been doing all day?" DG asked looking through the stack of books. Azkedillia laughed and tossed a pillow at her sister. "I was getting my DG world education." DG grabbed her towel and a change of clothes and headed towards the stairs. "Make me proud." Her sister called to her, picking up another book with a sigh.

DG walked down the stairs and out towards the living room. She could see Cain sitting on the front porch, his feet propped up against the banister, his hat covering his face. She smiled and like seeing him that way. It was as if he almost fit in with the surroundings. She sat her things down on a chair and walked to the door, opening it with a small push.

"So I got my job back." DG said from the doorway. Cain moved the hat and looked over at her, not impressed. She nodded and walked out onto the porch, letting the door close behind her. She walked over to a chair beside the man. "Apparently, if your boyfriend starts a fight in a diner, it could be good for business. At least that's what Carter said when I explained the situation to him." Cain looked over at her.

"I'm not your boyfriend." He said simply. DG nodded and looked out over the horizon. "Not even close."

"Right. Telling him you were an ex-TinMan from an outer zone would have really made things a lot simpler to explain. Trust me, this was solely used to make things better. I won't get any hopes up or anything. Besides, who want's a 40 year old boyfriend when I can have a much younger one?" DG kept her eyes looking out, afraid to look at him. If he was going to be stubborn, then she could do it too god dammit.

"It doesn't matter anyway," she said looking down. "I didn't take the job back." Cain looked up at her impressed suddenly. "You're right. I'm a princess, I don't have to worry about things like that. If anything, people should be waiting on me." She stuck her nose in the air. Cain shook his head.

"It's good to see this hasn't all gone to your head." DG laughed and lowered her head. "But really. It's good to see you get out of there."

"Yeah, I'll find some other way for us to eat." She sighed. She shrugged and stood there for a second. Both were silent, listening the breeze run through the windmill. "Care to talk about what happened earlier?"

"It was a mistake." Cain said. He'd thought about it all day and knew that the best course of action was to just forget about anything happening. He should just take the moment as it was and carry it around with him forever. DG looked at him sadly.

"Right, a mistake." She turned to leave. She stopped and turned around suddenly. "If it was such a 'mistake' than how come I want it to happen again? Mistakes don't usually want to make me do things over again. If anything they are supposed to make you not want to do it anymore.

"You don't always have to do the honorable thing." She said looking at him. She could see his struggle to sit there silently. "I don't want you to do the honorable thing. Hell throw me against a wall and have your way. I don't care."

"Listen, I'm not going to run off when we get back to the O.Z. I'm not going to file for reassignment. But you can't stand here and expect me to do something that we both know is wrong. You're my friend and my responsibility. I can't let this go any furhter.

"You'll look back down the line later on in life and you'll realize that you didn't always have to be the knight in shining armor. That getting over your wife and finding love again is something that has to be done. Not something that should be done, but something that has to be done. And I fear it will be too late for you." DG watched as Cain stood up, pulling her into his arms in a hug.

"I'm sorry DG. I just can't." he said with a whisper. She tightly closed her eyes, a tear escaped from the corner and slid down her cheek. Cain kissed the top of her head and pulled back. His hand reached up and wiped away the tear. He walked away and into the house, this time leaving DG alone with the banister.

THANKS FOR READING! Please leave feedback! I'll have the next chapter up in a day or two.