Seven

"DAMN IT! DAMN IT!" Dom swore sitting up suddenly. He pushed Kylie to the passenger seat.

"Dom, what's wrong?" she asked shocked by his actions. Just moments before she'd been lying on his chest as their breathing returned to normal after making love.

"Get dressed," he replied already having pulled up his pants and now zipping them. Kylie did as she was told, a habit from her childhood. When she'd finished,she looked over from where she knelt on the passenger seat to see Dom climbing out the driver's door. She turned and climbed out of the car and walked around. Dom was standing with his arms on the roof over the open door, his head leaning on them.

"Dom?" she said softly, reaching a hand out to touch his shoulder. She heard him take a big breath before turning around to face her. She shivered, from the look on his face more so than the cold desert air that washed over her sweat soaked body.

"I forgot! Again!" Dom was practically yelling. Kylie didn't understand what was going on, why Dom was angry with her, and the confusion showed on her face. He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a strip of condoms, which he shook in front of her.

"I always use protection, always. Every time, except with you."

"It's OK, Dom. I'm...,"

"Damn it! Ky, it's not OK. Condoms are for protection, your protection. From disease..."

"I know what a condom is for, Dom. I may not have a lot of experience, but I'm not stupid," she yelled at him, angry that he was treating her like a child. "What I don't know, is why you're so upset."

"I'm upset because we didn't use one, again. Damn it, Ky, you could get pregnant. Unless you're gonna tell me that even though he beat you and hardly fed you, the man you have nightmares about every night, allowed you to go to a doctor, and you're actually on the pill!"

Suddenly it clicked for Kylie, Dom was scared she'd get pregnant and then, knowing the type of man he was, he'd be stuck with her, at least until their child grew up. He didn't want that. That's why he ran hot and cold with her. He enjoyed her well enough, but he didn't want to have to marry her and be tied to her for the next twenty years. That's why he hadn't introduced her to people tonight as "his girl", because she wasn't. She jumped back as if he'd slapped her, her face suddenly pale, her hands shaking. She took a deep breath and looked at a spot on his chest, knowing if she looked into his face she'd start sobbing.

"No, Dom, I'm not on the pill, but I really don't think you need to worry, it's not the right time of the month for that," she said, remembering a little of what she'd learned in health class. It wasn't true, 'cause to be honest she really couldn't remember how the concept went, she had been worried about other things back then, like getting enough to eat. She wasn't going to tell him that, though. All she wanted right now was to get as far away from him, as fast as she could, before she broke down and cried.

"Ky...," he started, taking in the hurt look on her face and her stilted voice. He immediately realized he'd hurt her somehow. He didn't know how though, after all he'd only been trying to protect her. It was his responsibility.

"It's OK, Dom," she cut him off and wrapped her arms around herself. "Let's get back, everyone will wonder where we are."

"Ky...," he tried again, but she shook her head and walked around the car. She got in and buckled up.

Dom climbed in and drove back toward the air strip. On the way he tried several times to get her to talk to him, but she refused to, looking out the window the whole way.