Title:

Better or Worse

Disclaimer:

Not mine…

General Info:

Rated T

Angst/Romance

Author's Note:

PLEASE read and review. I love to hear your opinions. As always, thank you for taking time to read my story.

To those who have reviewed:

Thanks for all the support. I know it took me a long time between postings of chapters 6 & 7 and I apologize for the delay, the inspiration fairy was giving me all the wrong plot lines. At least this time it didn't take nearly as long.

Chapter 8

"Waste not fresh tears over old griefs." --Euripides

The walk back to town took longer than she expected. Actually it was more like a hobble due to the severe pain shooting out of her hip. While the hobble was partly responsible for the slow return to the village, she had also traveled a great deal farther than she realized. It seemed even with an out of order leg she managed to evade Cain's capture better than anyone could have imagined.

DG refused to look a gift horse in the mouth. Using the extra time and sheer solitude wisely, she thought long and hard about her next course of action. In the end, after weighing out all her options, she came to a decision just before reentering the medical building.

Staying in this town would do none of them any good, her least of all. Owing it to her friends to try to get them back to Kansas as soon as possible it was exactly what she would do. So, after a decent night's rest and a warm meal they would gather the necessities and head off for Finaqua. With any luck the people of the village would accommodate them with food provisions, the return of Robbie's rifle, and three extra bed rolls. There was no doubt in her mind the townsfolk would be compensated for their compassion and generosity by the royal family upon their arrival in lake country.

Crossing the threshold of the house she found her friends seated on the cots, talking animatedly in the far corner near the desk. She was happy to see Del sitting up, and while he looked pale, the smile plastered across his face was a site for sore eyes.

Fran was the first to notice her entrance and quickly waved her over to the group. Face lit up with a smile and eyes twinkling in the light of the oil lamp on the desk she still looked as radiant as ever. There was something new about the woman she couldn't quite put her finger on, but she was sure she'd find out soon enough.

When Robbie lifted his head to see who Fran was gesturing to, he smiled warmly making her stomach churn in response. It was unbelievable how understanding the young man was being toward her feelings. And the restraint he had over his own emotions was remarkable. It left her feeling rather weak and heartless given her recent actions.

She made herself physically comfortable next to Del who slung his good arm over her shoulders, pulling her into his side. He was always adept at soothing with a touch even when he was oblivious to the need. Given her emotional distress it was something to cherish.

Now it was time to broach the subject of leaving this all too empty town, where things felt weird on so many different levels.

"I think we should head out in the morning," DG stated softly, looking each of her companions in the eye in turn, "if everyone feels up to it. The sooner we get to Finaqua the sooner I can get us back to Kansas."

While her eyes were fixed on Fran, in her peripheral vision she could see Robbie scrunch up his brow when she mentioned her return to the Other Side. He probably assumed she'd stay behind with Cain. Fat chance! Cain said he'd find her when, more likely if, he ever came to his senses. Surprisingly enough, she believed him. Whether DG was in Finaqua, Central City, Kansas, or on Mars, it mattered little. If the time came he would track down her location like a dog with a bone. Therefore, she might as well be where she felt the most happy in the interim.

"What if we don't want to go back?" Fran interjected.

DG visibly blanched at the admission. Never in a million years would she expect any of them to want to stay in this war torn monstrosity of a nation, Fran least of all. But there it was, out in the open for all to hear.

"You've barely been here a day," she pointed out, waving her hand in the air towards the window on her right, "seen a dead orchard and a fairly empty village." DG sighed through her nose in exasperation. This was not how she thought the conversation would go. Who would have guessed she would have to convince them of the positives of living in Kansas when the negatives of this place were so glaringly obvious. "What about this place could possibly appeal to you so much you would forsake your family… your life back home?"

The blush covering the cheeks of her friend said it all… there was a boy involved. And if DG knew anything she knew the appeal of a Cain man and to her horror she realized they were most definitely Fran's type.

Not that type would really matter when it came to them. Who wouldn't fall for a ruggedly handsome man? A man who gave off the impression of being a badass while all along having a heart of gold was the best of both worlds. The rebel meets the boy next door.

Therefore, since the elder Cain had barely been around since their arrival in this godforsaken town, it was not hard to figure out who was responsible. By process of elimination, Jeb Cain had wormed his way into her friend's heart in the span of a few short hours.

Damn them and their ability to make even the smartest women swoon.

"I'm not going to force you to go home," DG relinquished. "If you want to stay here you're entitled to." If her friends decided to stay in this backward world who was she to say no. But they had to realize the ramifications of such a serious decision. "Just know you can't decide to return to Kansas on a whim. It requires magic only the royal family possesses and I highly doubt they'll drop everything to send you home again."

Fran frowned. It was apparent she never considered being stuck here, especially since she was the friend of the Princess. Then again, the Princess was returning to the Other Side, so to the rest of the royals she was nothing more than another outsider.

"I'll travel with you to the palace," Fran acquiesced. "I'll let you know what I decide when we get there."

"Fair enough," God she wished she could leave it at that. "Anyone else have a change of heart?" DG asked the two men, holding her breath assuming the worst. When they both shrugged in unison she released her pent up air, and tension, slowly through her nose.

"Fine then," Thank God! "We'll all go to Finaqua and choose our individual paths once we're there."

They nodded in agreement.

"Don't think you're traveling there on your own," a voice cut through the silence. Jeb Cain was leaning against the door frame, arms crossed over his chest, and just as stoic as his father. The apple didn't fall far from the tree.

DG inhaled deeply suppressing the urge to roll her eyes. She was far from an invalid, completely capable of taking care of the four of them and resented the implication otherwise. She could do this on her own, wanted to do this on her own because having him on the journey would wind up causing Fran to suffer more doubts about where to call home. If she could spare her friend the heartache she was experiencing she would, no matter what the cost.

"I won't be alone," she stated without the slightest bit of emotion, inclining her head in the direction of her companions.

"No offense," he stated, "but there are more dangers out there than you realize, especially for a Princess. And while they may be great guards on the Other Side they'll need to learn a thing or two about the OZ before they should be escorting our Princess around."

It took all her restraint to stop from spouting obscenities at his comments. Del and Robbie were far from being her bodyguards and she managed to escape a coffin and melt a witch without a male stepping in to assist. How chauvinistic could you get? It seems the OZ was stuck in fifties United States even though they were ruled by a Queen with magical powers. Talk about a paradox!

However, she knew from experience arguing her point would fall on deaf ears when dealing with a Cain man, so why bother.

"Whatever," she mumbled under her breath. "Are you offering your services?"

"Yes I am, Princess," he answered, bowing slightly at the waist.

"Then we'll need to get one thing straight," she grumbled as she stood and walked over to him. "There will be no bowing, tipping of hats, calling me Princess or Your Highness or Your Majesty. I'm DG, plain and simple." She started poking him in the chest much like she had earlier in the evening with his ancestor. "If you can't handle that then you're not coming."

Jeb held up his hands in mock surrender and smiled that wonderful Cain smile. Damn it! It could melt a diamond.

"As you wish… Princess," he started chuckling. "Sorry, had to get a last one in."

Once his company was established they talked about provisions and were glad to hear the village would provide more than what was necessary. Soon they were starting to nod off and Jeb took his leave of the group as the four remaining people claimed cots for their temporary bed.

DG was drifting off to sleep with mixed emotions. Part of her was disappointed Cain had not volunteered his expertise for their journey. He was, after all, the best man for the job having escorted her safely to Finaqua during a much darker time. However, she also felt a weight lifted off her shoulders knowing she wouldn't have to see him every day wondering if he had come to his senses yet. And DG was flooded with relief that he would have to bear the knowledge of her traipsing off into the wilderness without him there to protect her. She could only hope it would eat him up inside.


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