CHAPTER 9
'It was just a mistake'. DG kept thinking that phrase through her head. She turned it over and over again, trying to find some hidden meaning that she may have missed the first time. She stayed up all the night before staring up at the ceiling. Her sister had asked her what was bothering her and DG didn't tell her. She didn't want to drag her sister through this with her. It was bad enough she had to go through it. As she stood washing the breakfast dishes, she asked the only one she thought would truly be helpful.
"What would you describe as a 'mistake'?" She asked Glitch, handing him another dish to dry. Glitch, wearing Emily's pink apron, grabbed the dish and thought for a moment. DG watched him think it through. She would almost see the gears clicking, like a clock.
"A mistake is something that shouldn't have happened, but does anyway. I think." He sat the plate down with a loud clank. DG jumped and looked over at him.
"Careful with those. They are very valuable and I can't afford to break many of them." She handed him another one carefully.
"Not like that's going to matter soon enough," he muttered under his breath.
"Hmmm?" DG looked over at him. Glitch shrugged and tried that dish, sitting it carefully on the next one. "So mistakes are bad?" She asked him, letting the water out of the sink. She turned to Glitch.
"It depends. Some mistakes are bad, but some can eventually cause clarity. It's all how you look at it." He handed her a dry towel and she dried her hands. She set the towel on the counter and crossed her arms across her chest. "Why do you ask?" Glitch cocked his head to the side.
"I was just curious. You know the saying 'Curiosity killed the cat'?" DG asked. Glitch blinked.
"You killed a cat?" he shook his head. DG patted the man on the shoulder then headed up towards her room to change out of her pajamas. Meanwhile, on the couch, Cain sat down across from Azkedillia.
"So you turned her down." Azkedillia said
"I figured she'd tell you. She can't keep anything to herself." Cain sighed.
"She didn't." Azkedillia smiled and filed one of her nails.
"You know I figured there was a piece of the witch that was left behind in you." Cain paused. "Unless you were always this vindictive and bitchy as a girl." He looked over at her.
"Hmm, looks like a spine was next on the list after the heart." Azkedillia sat the file down and looked over at Cain. "Now grow some balls and do the right thing." she patted him on the back and left he room.
"What was that all about?" DG said from the doorway. "Since when are you and Az so chummy?" Cain turned around and looked at DG.
"I wouldn't exactly break out the friendship bracelets quite yet." He rubbed his face and groaned. DG frowned and walked over, setting next to him. She smiled to herself, happy that he was just as torn up as she was. However, she still managed to look sunny and perky. The wonders of being a female. The two sat silently on the couch for a second or two.
"I think I found a solution to money." She said cheerfully. She pulled out an envelope, thick with money. She sat it on the table, Cain's eyes grew wide as he reached over to pick it up.
"Did you rob a bank?" He asked, peering in the envelope. He looked at the front of the envelope. It was decorated with little kangaroos and koala bears.
"It was my runaway money. But now that it seems like I'll never get there, I might as well put it to good use. I also found some Christmas money and birthday money stashed away in the back of my closet." Her mouth pressed in a firm line and she sat back into the softness of the couch. Cain still sat forward, leaning his elbows against his knees. She watched his head turn towards her, an impressed look on his face.
"You have sacrificed so much for all of us." he said gently. "There is no way we can repay you DG." DG shook her head.
"It's no problem, really. Everything you all did for me when we were in the O.Z was amazing. I'm repaying your kindness. Besides, we have to eat somehow. At least this way we can have our little adventure without the fear of starving." She nodded. Cain sighed and sat the envelope on the table. He paused for a moment, grasping for courage he knew could only come from the bravest of brave. He ran his hand across his face and turned his body to face DG. She looked at him with a smile.
"How about going on an adventure tonight." He said. DG's face filled with confusion. "Let's go on a date.
"Like a date, date?" She asked, flabbergasted.
"Is there any other kind?" He looked at her funny.
"Aren't you a little old to go on a date?"
"Well you aren't exactly in the right position to turn me down." Cain stretched his long body out. DG eyed him carefully. "Of course I haven't been out on the town in years. I don't think I've ever actually been on a real date. Adora and I just sort of happened."
"But doesn't this go against your ethics? I mean heaven forbid I make you do something that might be a, gasp, mistake." She crossed her arms and looked over at Cain. She was having fun. She knew he was enjoying it, as the corners of his mouth lifted a millimeter. She had him. "I mean what would the other Tin Men say when they find out? You might have to hand in your tin star."
"I already did that, remember?" He sat back on the couch, patently waiting for her to say yes. "I mean I could always take Azkedillia out." He could hardly get the words out without being sick to his stomach. It was easy for DG to get over her sister's atrocities. It was the sisterly bond that kept them together. However, nothing could erase what happened to his family. Yes, she was possessed by a witch, but her mouth still gave the command. It was something he could never get over. He looked over and watched as DG's face lit up. She smiled.
"Alright. I guess we can go on a date. What did you have in mind?" She rolled her eyes and played along. "Dinner, movie, polite and casual conversation," She paused. "Throwing me up against a wall and having your way with me?" She watched Cain's face as he considered the options.
"Well the last step cuts out the awkwardness entirely and saves us money." Dg laughed and hit him on the shoulder. "How about we start with dinner and then go from there."
"Really?" DG smiled, her bright blue eyes sparkling. Cain nodded. Her smile grew and she leaned forward, kissing him on the cheek. "Pick me up at six!" She leaned back and jumped off the couch, off to take a shower. Cain sat there for a moment.
"How about those balls, Az," he muttered to himself.
Azkedillia walked into DG's room, quickly ducking as a shoe flew by her head.
"Woah. I thought my disasters were bad. This is sheer horror." Azkedillia tiptoed her way across the room towards the bed. At least it looked like a bed under the mounds of clothing.
"I thought you were somewhat over feeling bad for what you had done. You told me the nightmares stopped. Why the sudden talk about things now?" DG called from the closet. Azkedillia sighed and plopped down on the bed, picking up a pair of jeans. She fiddled with a loose thread and shook her head.
"I thought I was too and then someone goes and mentions something and then I'm back there, unable to stop myself." DG backed away from the closet, a shirt held up by a hanger hung on her neck. She eyed her sister carefully. "It's nothing. Don't worry." Azkedillia looked around at all the clothes. "I've never seen you this worked up over anything. You've been in the presence of high government officials and their cute sons and I've never seen you go through half of what you're going through now. This one must be a special one." Azkedillia grinned. DG threw the top at her sister.
"What ever happened to sisterly love?" DG walked over and sat next to Az on the bed. "You sure your ok? I can stay in and we can talk about it." She put her arm around her sister. Azkedillia shook her head.
"Certainly not. I had what was coming to me anyway. I don't want to ruin this for you." She looked down at a pile next to them. She handed her sister a powder blue sweater and a pair of jeans. "Wear this." she said. DG took the garments and stood up. She walked over to the mirror and held them up to herself.
"You think?" She turned her head towards her sister. Azkedillia gave her a knowing nod and watched as DG smiled, starting to undress. "Why am I so nervous. It's just Cain. I'm not one to get all giddy over a guy. I'm the strong one." She slipped the jeans up onto her hips, buttoning them tightly. She turned to her sister, still half undressed.
"You have to help me get through this." DG frowned. Azkedillia looked at her sister standing there in just a pair of jeans and a bra and shrugged.
"This is new to me too Deeg. I wasn't at the dating age when the witch took over my body and since I've been released no man comes close to me. If anything I should be learning from you." DG sighed and threw the sweater on, pulling her hair back. She posed for her sister. "Perfect." Azkadillia smiled.
DG ran down the stairs, nearly bumping into Cain in the hallway. He was dressed in a pair of Henry's jeans and red plaid shirt.
"Well howdy cowboy." She whistled. Cain glared up at her.
"I'm changing." He groaned and turned around. DG hid a smile and grabbed his arm. "Really. It's fine. I'll put back on what I was wearing. I like my linen shirts and tan pants anyway."
"As do I," DG smiled. "But you're fine." She looked up into his eyes and gave him a reassuring smile. She reached up ran a hand on his smooth face. He even managed to shave. "Let me just get my bag and then we'll leave." She watched as he turned down the hall, checking out his ass. She smiled and whistled again. "Well hello butt." she laughed as he put a hand over his butt, knowing for sure he was checking him out.
"Ok Azkedillia. Glitch and Raw have strict bedtimes. 9 sharp. I left numbers on the fridge and pizza in the freezer for dinner." She laughed. Azkadillia looked up at her from the couch.
"You've got to be kidding me." She sighed. She rolled her eyes and threw a pillow at her sister. DG ducked the incoming missile, grabbing Cain's arm. She led him towards the door and opened the door, waving to the choruses of goodbyes that echoed across the house.
"Thank you." DG took the menu for the waiter and watched as he walked away. She'd never been to this particular place before. It sat next door in a neighboring town, far from her house. Emily and Henry only came here once a year for their anniversary. It truly was special. She looked up from her menu over towards Cain. His brow was crossed as he browsed the menu. He looked so different without his usual getup and she missed his hat surprisingly.
"You know staring at a man really isn't the way to his heart." He muttered as he turned the menu page. She watched his eyes as they scanned the words. She watched them look up over the edge towards her own. "Can I help you?" he asked.
"I'm just surprised you asked me. That's all. Last night you were all, 'This could never be' and 'This is a mistake'. I'm just surprised."
"Are you always this surprised when it comes to your dates." He asked, laying the menu down on his plate.
"Wyatt Cain, there are only a dozen moments in my life that have truly surprised me and you happen to be in most of those moments." She watched as his hand crossed the table to hers. He softly took her hand in his.
"So do you ever think about getting married again?" DG asked, taking a sip of her water. Cain looked over at her and thought for a moment.
"I don't know." He paused. "Maybe. Someday. If the right person comes along." He looked down at his silverware. "What about you?" DG shrugged.
"When the right prearranged marriage contract comes along, sure. I guess." She smiled over at Cain. He looked up at her, frowning. "I'm kidding. Of course I want to get married someday." She watched as the waiter came up to them. They both ordered dinner and then waited for the waiter to leave before talking again.
"So are you going to ask the inevitable?" Cain asked. DG squinted as she thought.
"Nope." She said. "I'm just going to let whatever happens happen. I don't want to weigh the pros and cons of whether we should be together and what people may think." She shrugged. "It's my life. Heck, I saved the flipping kingdom. You would think I could do what I want." She squeezed his hand and he returned the favor.
"So I'm assuming this date is better than Billy's." He looked around the restaurant. Dg kept her eyes on him..
"Oh it kicks its ass." She laughed. Cain turned back to her and nodded. The two shared a wonderful meal and both kept the conversation, both polite and casual. As the dinner ended, neither one wanted to really leave. It meant they had to return to the house, not really sure what that entailed. He walked her towards the bike, holding her hand in his tightly. She fiddled with her bag with her free hand, digging for her keys. When they reached the bike, she dropped his hand and dug around towards the bottom. She heard a faint jingle and sighed. Before she knew what was happening, she felt herself being pushed against the truck beside them. She looked up quickly, looking for Cain, expecting to see someone mugging her. However, she only saw Cain.
"What's wrong w-" she began but was stopped by his mouth over hers. She started to utter a protest, but it turned into a soft moan. She felt him push his weight onto her, pinning her to the truck. She prayed to the sky that the owners wouldn't come out and that they didn't have an alarm. She dropped her bag and threw her hands up around his neck. She could feel his lips on hers. She could feel his hands resting on her hips, his thumbs stroking the soft skin exposed from her raised sweater
They broke apart and Cain's mouth kissed her cheek and then her jaw bone. She could feel his mouth move to her neck and she moaned as he suck on the tender area. She tilted her head back against the glass, a soft sigh escaping her lips. She felt his hands up her shirt, on her back, the rough, worn hands stroked her soft skin. She felt his lips on hers again, his tongue invading her small mouth. She could tastes his sweetness and knew she could never find that same sweetness anywhere else.
"We need to go," she breathed heavily. Even though they were far from her house, they could still run into someone that she knew. The last thing she needed were rumors flying that she was making out in the parking lot. She heard Cain let out a groan as he raised his head. He picked up her bag and reached inside for the keys, finding them instantly. He took her hand and led her to the bike, getting on first. DG got on behind him. Her arms reached around and gripped him firmly, her hands inches from his a place she should never tease him. He groaned and tilted his head back.
"I need to drive," he whispered faintly. DG laughed and bit his ear, causing him to moan even louder. "Stop that." He quickly turned on the ignition and took off down the road. Careful of speed limit, he raced down the dusty highway. DG cursed herself for picking something so far from the house. Her head was cloudly and full, like she had just had a bottle of wine. Her heart was racing and she knew Cain's was too. When they finally arrived back at the house, Cain barely had the motor turned off before his mouth found DG's again. He pushed her up against the wall of the garage. It was decided, he would have his way with her. No second thoughts, no thoughts about honor and duty. DG felt Cain harden against her leg and she pushed him off.
"We can't go inside." DG looked up at Cain, his face full of something she'd never seen before. She knew that if they didn't do something fast, he'd take her right then and there, no questions asked. They both looked around, spotting the beat up truck parked next to the garage. She looked at Cain and nodded towards the vehicle. He ran around to the bed of the truck, throwing his jacket on for a blanket. He helped pull her up onto the bed and he laid her back gently onto the blanket, making sure she didn't hit her head on the metal. As DG's shirt came up over her head and as Cain's pants slid down his legs, both knew what they were getting into and neither one cared.
Cain pulled a blanket from the side of the truck over and threw it over the two of them. He put an arm around DG and closed his eyes. DG sighed and looked up at the stars above them. He heard Cain chuckle. She looked over at him, a confused look on her face. "What?"
"Oh nothing." He said. DG leaned over, propping her head up with an elbow. Cain looked at her "It's just that the night you went out with Billy Azkadillia made a comment about his truck and how all he'd have to do is throw some blankets in the back." He looked over at DG. She smiled down at him. She looked into his eyes and the look she gave him made him melt.
"We could do exactly what we just did every night for the rest of our lives and I still will never get enough of you." DG said softly. Cain pulled her into his arms, holding her tight. He kissed the top of her head.
"That will never be a problem." He whispered. He put his chin on her head and listened to her softly breath, her chest slowly rising and falling. They both laid like that, quietly
drifting off to sleep.
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