Chapter 4: The Attack on the cabin

When Kim woke up the next morning, she was surprised when she discovered Cap was not there with her.

Noticing that his mistress was awake, Buddy limped to her and put his head down on the bed. Kim scratched the dog's head. "Good morning, Buddy. Do you happen to know where a certain blue man might be?"

Buddy gave a "woof" and moved to the door, turning to look at her. Kim figured the dog wanted her to follow him. She did a quick change of clothes and then went downstairs with him.

The first thing she heard was the sound of the coffeemaker. Buddy stopped at the entrance to the kitchen. Kim peeked in and saw Cap there. Leaning on the doorframe, the brunette watched as he was busy with something.

It wasn't long before he sensed the woman watching. "Oh, you're awake." Cap went to her and kissed her. "Good morning, love."

Kim smiled at him. "Good morning. What are you doing?"

"Breakfast," he replied. "I had thought to bring it to you upstairs, though." Cap went back to the orange he had been working on, putting the pieces in a small bowl already containing pieces of other fruit. There appeared to be at least banana, pineapple, peach and grapes.

He never seized to amaze her. And it wasn't even her birthday. "Should I go back to bed then?"

"Well, since you're already down here, no." The bowl joined the other stuff on the tray. There was also an empty cup and two pieces of white bread.

He was trying not to show it but she could see he was disappointed that his plan had been ruined. Kim put an arm around his waist. "There's always next time, you know."

Cap smiled. She had a point. There would be plenty of opportunities for him to do this again.

Kim took the pieces of bread and put them in the toaster. "I prefer toast," she explained.

He reminded himself to remember this fact for later. "I could've done them the easier way."

Kim grinned, having other things on her mind right now. She cleared a space on the table beside the fridge. "Give me a boost."

Confused, the superhero did as he was told and lifted her onto the said table. Kim smiled and kissed his neck. Cap couldn't help gasping when she used the tip of her tongue below his ear. Kim snickered at that and pinned him by wrapping her legs around him. Cap smiled fondly and didn't even try to free himself, although he could've done it easily. He kissed her, his hands on either side of her on the table.

Right then, the coffeemaker went quiet. Cap kissed the nape of her neck and glanced at it, torn between giving attention to her and wanting her try the breakfast he had made for her.

"How about that breakfast now?" the superhero asked when the toast jumped in the toaster a moment later. "Before you have me as an appetizer," he added, as the woman was nibbling his ear.

She did appreciate the trouble he had gone through but would have wanted to concentrate on him right now. "Oh, alright, but I'm not done with you yet," she said finally.

He smiled, having the same kind of thoughts. "The same goes with you."

Cap ran his hands along Kim's thighs, asking her to release him but she did no such thing, smiling mischievously. The superhero sighed and dematerialized, appearing beside the coffeemaker.

"Spoilsport," Kim said.

He grinned. There were some advantages in being an elemental. He switched the coffeemaker off and poured some coffee in the cup. Taking the pieces of toast and putting them back on the plate, he placed the tray on the kitchen table.

Cap helped Kim down. "Breakfast is served."

Kim did a little curtsy. "Thank you." She sat down. Cap sat down across from her, elbows on the table, chin resting on the back of his hand.

Kim put some butter on the pieces of toast, taking a bite and then sipped the coffee. "How is it?" the superhero wanted to know. "Not too strong, I hope." After all, he hadn't exactly made coffee before.

"It's a bit strong but it'll do," the brunette said. "Not bad for a beginner, though," she added and brushed her toes lightly along Cap's leg under the table, watching him over the rim of the cup as she took another sip. Her behavior was a clear indication what would happen once she had eaten her breakfast.

Kim reached for the fruit salad but the superhero told her that was for dessert. She had never heard of breakfast having dessert before.

"Well, mine does," Cap informed her, telling her the fruit salad was off limits until the coffee and toast were gone. The woman did as she was told.

Kim looked at the tray. "What am I supposed to eat the salad with?"

In answer, Cap took the bowl and fished a piece from it. "Open wide." He managed to avoid getting his fingers eaten with the treats. It seemed Kim was in quite a frisky mood this morning.

He leaned back and couldn't help but shake his head in amusement. "You're impossible this morning."

But then Buddy's growling caught their attention. Both Kim and Cap turned to look at the dog who was facing the front door. "Expecting company?" he asked.

Kim shook her head no. She went to Buddy. "What is it, boy?" The dog stood up, not ceasing his growling.

Right then, the superhero could hear a noise resembling the sound that a helicopter's rotors make. The sound was getting louder. Curious, Cap stood up from the table and went to the living room. Looking out the window he saw a familiar looking helicopter landing. Too familiar, in fact.

Kim heard it too. "Is that a helicopter?"

Cap joined her, troubled. "I don't like this. That's Plunder's helicopter out there."

"Plunder? What business does he have here?" Kim asked, not on the same page with him at all.

"Bleak," he said, frowning. "He did see something after all." Of course the man had told his boss about what he had seen. But Plunder wasn't this direct, preferring a sneakier approach. The superhero put his arms around her. "I'm sorry you got mixed up in this."

Before Kim could answer footsteps could be heard on the verandah and an insistent knock on the door. "Open up or we'll have to break the door down," a voice said.

Kim looked at Cap, who nodded. "I'm ready for 'em."

She took a deep breath and opened the door. Five men rushed inside. "You are coming with us, young lady," said one.

"No, she's not if I have anything to say about it," Cap stated. He turned himself into water, washing three of the men out the door. The other two managed to get out of the way.

As the water turned back into the eco-hero, one of the two took out what looked like a big flashlight and switched it on, aiming it at the re-forming hero, catching Cap unawares. Of course, an ordinary flashlight couldn't hurt him but this one was a UV flashlight and the hero felt himself weaken. He gritted his teeth and tried to stay standing.

"Not so tough now, huh?" the guy laughed, keeping the flashlight aimed at the superhero. Cap went to his knees and ultimately collapsed to the floor with a groan.

Kim only had time to gasp as the other one put a cloth over her nose and mouth. Her knees buckled and she crumbled to the floor beside the superhero. Stubbornly Cap tried to get up, not succeeding. It was as if the floor had suddenly been magnetized.

Without warning, Buddy leaped at the man who had done harm to his mistress, growling and teeth bared. But because of the bandage on his leg, the dog was too slow and he kicked the animal down. With a whimper, Buddy fell on the floor.

"There was no mention of a dog," the man said. Then he shrugged. "But we have our orders. Get the girl and let's book."

"Yes, sir." The one holding the flashlight put it on the floor, keeping it aimed at Cap but still out of his reach. The man took hold of Kim. Somehow, Cap was able to take a feeble grip on the woman's hand. The man easily shook him off. "Feeling a little weak, are we?" he taunted and slung the woman over his shoulder.

The superhero cried out in pain and frustration, watching helplessly as Kim was taken away.