A/N: Wow, thanks to everyone for the reviews! Since that amazing episode, my inbox has exploded! Casskins is canon! I'm so grateful to the show for making this decision, it makes the show unique and special. I will be posting more often simply because of all the interest!

For those just tuning in, this story will be several more chapters, not sure exactly how many. I tend to push out several short chapters that lead up to a long chapter, and then back again. I will probably edit the whole thing once I've completed it. My plan is to take this all the way through the birth mixed in with the intrigue of who Jenkins REALLY is and why an heir would be important.

Yes, this story is for Mature readers only! I am very interested in Jenkins and Cassandra's growing understanding of themselves. There will be sexy times, and conversation about the non-consensual nature of their relationship.

I do have more stories of Casskins in the works, so they won't all be this dark. Please critique in a respectful manner, I love feedback!

And now, ON WITH THE SHOW!

Dulaque had sat through the ceremony, but then excused himself immediately afterwards, kissing Cassandra's cheek and welcoming her to "the family." Jenkins had tried not to glare, but mostly failed.

He kept Cassie close, as it was actually more of a comfort to have her near than otherwise. He found this fact intriguing, the pollen's affects seemingly were dampened by her presence.

But there was no time to think about it, as they all went from the Papal quarters to their own hotel rooms to change, to meet up later for dinner. Dinner in Rome, Cassandra squealed internally.

She sensed a change in Jenkins' demeanor as the entered the honeymoon suite. The hotel staff had moved all of Jenkins and Cassandra's things to the new room. But that didn't seem to be the problem, as Jenkins became more jumpy as he looked through his clothes.

He's nervous. Cassandra realized. Last night had been in desperation, and he had had little time or energy to think about what they were doing. Now, with his wife in the same room, he was clearly trying to figure out what was appropriate.

"I'll use the bathroom first, then?" she suggested. His head snapped up at her voice, bringing him to the present.

"Of course," Jenkins said, nodding. Cassie smiled a little. Everything he said came out so gallantly. "Will you need… any help?" He regretted his words as soon as they were spoken. Good God, he sounded like a dirty old man.

"That would be great, if you're okay with it," she said with concern.

Jenkins slowly reached for the clasp at the back of the dress. It was a simple gown, but Jenkins had thought it gorgeous. His hand trembled as he unzipped her.

Oh….. It was more than he had really seen of her, last night was a nearly a drugged-haze blur. She was creamy soft, her skin looked like silk, though he was trying to not touch her.

"Thank you," she said just above a whisper. She walked into the bathroom with her change of clothes.

Jenkins tried to catch his breath. He rubbed his eyes. He had never felt so unlike himself. But now was not the time to think about his feelings. He removed his tuxedo and changed into a less formal dinner jacket. He needed to be able to get through the next couple of hours. In company.

He fidgeted, smoothing his tie, his hair, making a mental note to continue using the rinse he had made to bring back some of his natural dark brown color, trying to do his best to make this easier for Cassandra. And he had to admit, for himself.

Cassandra came out. She was dressed in a beautiful dress that just showed her ankles. Jenkins gulped. He would have never have thought ankles could be so alluring.

Cassandra smiled, pleased. Jenkins looked amazing in his dinner jacket.

"You look nice," she said, feeling a little lame. How could she explain how she felt? She was about to be escorted to dinner in Rome by the most attractive man she had ever met. If other women weren't jealous, she didn't know what to do for them.

"Shall we?" he said, offering his arm. His calm demeanor was ruined only a fraction by the slight clenching of his jaw.

Dinner was a very pleasant affair. The food was excellent, and it allowed Cassandra the opportunity to observe her husband (she smiled at that thought) in a completely new setting.

Cassandra couldn't actually recall ever watching Jenkins eat a whole meal. He was clearly actually ambidextrous, as opposed to being right-handed, as she had originally thought. He chose seafood over pasta or red meat, and paired it with a very dry white wine that Cassandra had asked to just taste, having no tolerance for alcohol herself. He had impeccable manners, though his table etiquette matched someone raised in Europe rather than America.

She sighed. There was so much to observe, so much to learn….

Jenkins looked at her discreetly, with concern in his eyes. He had been enjoying himself, having not had a "dinner out" in nearly 50 years. And he hadn't had people that he considered friends to eat with in twice that time. But he had heard her sigh.

"Is everything alright?" he asked quietly, leaning towards her slightly. While natural-feeling, it was a mistake. The Nataliam affects had been manageable up until now. But as dinner neared its completion, and with the glass of wine, smelling the clean, floral perfume she preferred forced him to bow his head slightly and close his eyes to maintain his composure.

"I could ask the same thing of you?" Cassandra replied in the same conspiratorial tone reserved between lovers.

He nodded, fingering his napkin, clearly uncomfortable now, despite the pleasant evening. He simply could not lose it in public.

Cassandra looked across the table at Eve, giving her a look that conveyed much. Eve got the hint. They needed to wrap this up.

"I know we all have to be pretty tired," the Guardian said. Everyone took the hint, though Cassandra's parents thought no more of it than giving newlyweds time to themselves. "We'll all meet for breakfast, yeah?"

Cassandra hugged her parents in the hotel lobby. While she was grateful for the renewed relationship, she knew they would never really understand her choices. And that was okay. She looked at her husband.

"Let's go," she whispered sensually, leaning on his arm. Jenkins tried hard to not clear his throat and smooth his tie nervously. And mostly failed.