AN: Another chapter done, sorry it was so long of a wait. This Chapter is more of family togetherness... (hears faint aws...). The Next chapter will be better, I hope and promise
When dinner came, as promised Jeb was waiting at his father's side. He had brought up more soup, as he didn't trust his father's strength just yet. Jeb relaxed in a nearby chair, waiting for Wyatt to wake up. Luckily, with the aroma of the soup, he didn't wait long before his father stirred.
"Where do we think she is?" Cain asked, slowly opening his eyes and looking to his son.
Jeb ignored the question and instead, adjusted the pillows and bedspread until his father was able to sit up comfortably. He placed the tray in front of his father before grabbing his own bowl.
Cain took the silence in stride. He could feel out tense the air was between himself and his son and stirred his soup. He really didn't have much of an appetite, but took a few sips for good measure.
"Promise me you won't go off and do something stupid." Jeb stated, putting his spoon down, "At least now without me?"
"I promise nothing." Cain said, settling back into the pillows, "I can't and won't until I know what is going on."
"We really have no idea where she is. We have scouts and spies posted in areas, but…" Jeb took a second to collect his thoughts, "By the time we get the reports, she is gone. All we know is that is she arming herself."
"Arming herself how?" Cain asked, taking a few more sips, "Or do I even want to know?"
"Bullets. We have no idea where she may have gotten the guns." Jeb replied with a shrug. Unfortunately, Jeb had no solid answers to give to his father. He had spent the last few nights on the road, hoping to find any clue of his lost friend, "No, we don't even have a clue at this point where DG could be. I do, however, have a new lead. The meeting is tomorrow night, near the Witch's Tower."
"Near the Longcoats." Cain felt the knot in his stomach again, "Do you know who or what this lead is?" Cain asked, setting his half eaten bowl aside.
Jeb sighed and rubbed his tired face a few times, "Promise. Promise dad or I won't tell you a damn thing."
That alone shook Cain to the core. How bad could this have gotten for Jeb to worry that much, "Fine, son. I promise not to do anything without you."
Jeb still fidgeted a moment in hesitation, "It's Zero, dad. Zero is my lead."
"You have got to be kidding, son." Cain said, staring at Jeb in shock, "How can you trust Zero? What did he ask in return?"
"Zero doesn't know I know. One of my scouts followed him to his little hideout." Jeb tried to reassure, "If it really bothers you, you can go. Pending Raw lets you."
"I don't care, I will go with you. Plus, how did he get out of the tin suit?" Cain wondered, handing his bowl to Jeb, "I can't eat anymore."
"That's okay." Jeb shrugged, "Rumor mill is that DG let him out. Can't confirm it, but I don't' think so. We told DG what you did, but never where he was. My guess is that other Longcoats released him and the rest is in the dark."
"Either way, that kid is going to be the death of me." Cain sighed, relaxing into the pillows. He glared at his son, hearing Jeb try to suppress a laugh, "What the hell is so funny?"
"You dad." Jeb said, smiling, "Just how you show how much you miss her, miss DG. She's only been gone a week and it feels so much longer."
"That's because she gave everything a life, a jolt. Hell, have you seen the Queen when DG is acting…" Cain fished for a good word, "like DG?"
Jeb laughed even harder now, "That is just too good. There are no words to describe her besides, 'She is just being DG'."
Cain could only shake his head and let a few huffs of laughter spill from his lips. Though his mind was far from any mirth, knowing DG was out in the O.Z. What was worse was that the young woman really had no idea of this world. Nowhere to go that someone wouldn't know who she was. He just hoped that Zero had some idea and would be willing to cooperate.
The night slipped on, even as each family and friend of DG waged wars within their own minds. Many battles were fought in sleep with vivid images, but for two, no dreams or nightmares came to them. Sleep was a distant frill and found themselves together on her balcony in the early morning.
"How's your father?" Azkadellia asked, not turning to face him. She kept her eyes out to the land that stretched before her.
"He's well enough, got half his dinner down. He and I talked mainly about was has and has been going on." Jeb replied, leaning on the rail next to Az.
"Am I to guess that you told about your contact?" She asked, taking a glance at him, "And what is your plan?"
"Yes I told him and your guess on his reaction would be right as well." Jeb replied, locking eyes with her, "He and I will both go and meet with Zero. I think it would be better if just us went to meet him. I know you want to go, but I am not sure-"
"You just don't want me to get hopes up for another dead lead." She interrupted, "I trust your judgment, Jeb. Plus, I need to stay here and help around. We still have burials to do."
"Is it true then? Your mother is having them buried where the maze was?" Jeb asked, glancing to where the battle took place.
"Yes and she we'll regrow the maze." Azkadellia smiled, "With help."
"Ah, that's why you stay. Just promise me to give me a map before we leave?" Jeb joked, "Or at least have someone standing by."
"The Longcoats may have cut the maze down, but didn't completely destroy it." Az smiled back, bumping shoulders with the younger Cain, "Just be careful out there. It's only been weeks since the overturn."
Jeb turned back to the scene before them, "I think Zero would want some immunity from persecution."
"Probably, but don't be the ones to judge him. Bring him to us and we shall make the deal." Azkadellia stated, leaving no room for arguments.
"Ever the royal." Jeb joked, bumping his shoulder like Azkadellia had, "Trust me, Zero is last on our list. The first is finding and getting DG home."
"I trust that you will." Azkadellia said, smiling at the young Cain, "Realize one other thing. DG believes Wyatt Cain is dead and seeing him…"
"Yeah, I have been thinking of that as well." Jeb said, cutting her off, "I think it will be hard on both of them." He took a glance, seeing Azkadellia's confused face staring back at him, "Dad doesn't realize how bad things are and believes it will be another rescue mission."
"How can you tell that?" Azkadellia asked, her brow furrowing, "You mean, he thinks Zero has her and she believes because he is dead that she isn't fighting?"
"Zero knows where the Longcoats are keeping her and is trying to get a deal to save his own neck." Jeb stated, "That is what dad is thinking."
"What do you think?" Az asked, still staring at him.
"I don't what to think. So many outcomes are running through my head, one being that DG is setting this whole thing up. Giving some promise to Zero so that we at least know that she is alright." Jeb shrugged, "I just don't know what to think…"
Azkadellia just nodded as Jeb let his head drop. He leaned against the rail, letting the cool stone sooth his growing headache. He felt Az rub his upper back and shoulders before rustling up is short hair.
"I know you'll do your best, just like I will." She said before turning to leave, "I am heading to breakfast, care to join?"
"How did we ever become such good friends?" Jeb laughed as he walked next to her as they left her room.
The day had dragged on for nearly everyone, especially Wyatt Cain. He had been cleared by Raw and others to be out again and had spent most of the day walking around. Spending a days in bed had made his muscles somewhat weak. Jeb was by his side as the two walked the grounds with their friends, Azkadellia on the other.
As the three talked about whatever was on their minds, Raw and Glitch were running around like little kids. Glitch had decided he had gone too long without his brain and wasn't ready to be reunited, at least not until DG was back. Raw had learned how to deal with his gift, mostly how to block or narrow emotions.
The two were mostly known for being the 'Kids of the Palace'. Though they only acted like kids rarely, it was a nice reprieve on dreary days. Glitch and Raw were now in the lake, splashing one another as Azkadellia tried to keep from laughing.
"You sure you will be able to handle those two on your own?" Jeb joked as they reached the Gazebo.
Cain leaned heavily against on of the posts, still watching his friends. He kept glancing from the two in the lake to the two standing next to him. He was amazed by how Jeb had befriended Azkadellia, but would never tell anyone why. Cain could only guess it was related to the talk about Zero's fate back in the Resistance Camp. Learning to forgive, but never to forget.
"We about ready to leave, father?" Jeb asked, jogging Cain from his thoughts, "If we leave now on horseback, we should get to the meeting point on time."
"Yeah, let's go." Cain nodded, pushing from his spot. The two headed down the path, but a faint 'wait' had stopped them. It was Glitch rushing up to them, dripping wet.
"You aren't leaving without a good-bye?" He asked, extending his hand as Raw came to stand beside him.
"Course not." Jeb laughed, shaking both Glitch and Raw's hands. Azkadellia had made her way up to the group as well. She waited as Cain shook his friends' hands before hugging each of them.
"Stay safe and just come home, all of you." Az smiled before walking away with Glitch and Raw in tow.
"Come on…" Jeb sighed, turning to the prepared horses, "We need to get going."
"Nervous?" Cain asked, following his son.
"Probably as much as you are." Jeb retorted, mounting his horse, "Just trust me and don't do anything rash."
"I swear I won't do anything to Zero, alright?" Cain rolled his eyes, climbing up his house and settling in.
"I was talking about DG, father." Jeb warned, "Just listen to me, please."
Cain just nodded his promise to his son and the two were on their way.