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Fic: Follow You Home - California Tin (42/42)
Title: Follow You Home - California Tin (42/42)
Author: Erin (erinm_4600)
Characters, Pairing: Cain and DG, but if you saw 'em in the miniseries, they're here or mentioned. Plus some OCs
Rating: PG
Summary: Cain stayed in LA. But can he survive on the Other Side?
Warning: post-series, directly after California Queen. Blame n_e_star, for she fed Steve. ;)
Disclaimer: The original characters belong to L. Frank Baum and their respective actors. The current characters belong to Sci-Fi, the movie folks and their respective actors. The rest of 'em are mine.
Prologue | California Queen
California Tin: Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four | Part Five | Part Six | Part Seven | Part Eight | Part Nine | Part Ten | Part Eleven | Part Twelve | Part Thirteen | Part Fourteen | Part Fifteen | Part Sixteen | Part Seventeen | Part Eighteen | Part Nineteen | Part Twenty | Part Twenty-One | Part Twenty-Two | Part Twenty-Three | Part Twenty-Four | Part Twenty-Five | Part Twenty-Six | Part Twenty-Seven | Part Twenty-Eight | Part Twenty-Nine | Part Thirty | Part Thirty-One | Part Thirty-Two | Part Thirty-Three | Part Thirty-Four | Part Thirty-Five | Part Thirty-Six | Part Thirty-Seven | Part Thirty-Eight | Part Thirty-Nine | Part Forty | Part Forty-One | Part Forty-Two
California Sun
Five | Waking Up (CaliSun 20.2) | Almost Like Being in Love (CaliSun 24.5) | An Hour and 45 Minutes | Hava Nagila | Unexpected
"Well, I'm glad you're enjoying this," DG said with a huff, not able to hide the smile at her sister's glee. She hadn't seen Az that chipper in, well... ever. Az held a hand to her mouth and shook her head.
"Sorry, Deej. Really," she said, still laughing slightly. A moment later, she was able to compose herself and smoothed out her skirt before holding out a hand to DG. Once DG was back at her side, Az put an arm around her and kissed the side of her head.
"How long has it been?" DG only shrugged. "Three days? A cycle? Four?" Az prodded. Maybe if she had more information, she could give DG some advice. Of course, drawing from her vast knowledge of the subject, she might as well have performed Glitch's surgery for all the good her opinion would do.
"I don't know when," DG said quietly. "But, two weeks back... I just knew."
"What were you doing?"
"I was at lunch with some friends."
"And when did 'like' start?"
"Like-'like,' or just 'like'?" DG retorted.
"'Like' when you started to consider the possibility," Az replied. DG had to think about that one. It was definitely before the hug and the dance. And before Cain's shirtless scene. When she found out about school? Christmas? The sunburn? Halloween?
The moment she realized he'd stayed? The moment she'd realized he'd followed her? The day he left Central City to be with Jeb? The eclipse... the white horse... the tower? When he appeared in the Mystic Man's doorway? When he returned from the lakeside, clean-shaven?
DG didn't know, exactly. She just knew that her constant, the last three years, was Wyatt Cain. Even when she wasn't with him - nor he with her - he was there. He was the little voice in the back of her mind, telling her what to do, how to behave. 'What would Cain do?' was a question DG found herself asking quite often in those three years after the eclipse.
She hadn't wanted him to stay - all right, she did - and was sad when he did leave, but he had a life to reclaim and she had a duty to the Zone. And DG knew she wouldn't always be able to get her way all the time; life wasn't that fair.
Even for future queens.
"Deej," Az said, realizing she wasn't getting an answer from her on the topic. "You have to tell him. If you don't, how will he know?" DG snorted lightly and looked at Az.
"I've gotten so used to him being around... I'd rather he was there and doesn't know than I tell him and he leaves."
"Why do you think he'll leave?" Az asked with a laugh. How could DG not see it? Part of her wanted to tell her little sister to open her eyes and see how the great man had fallen, but she also knew that it really wasn't her place. There must be a reason Cain hadn't said anything; what he was waiting for, Az didn't know.
"I feel terrible, Az. He has a son."
"Yes, he has a son. So what? This has nothing to do with Jeb Cain."
"Yes, it does, Az. Jeb is all Cain has. I refuse to tear them apart again."
"Jeb has no say over Cain's life, Deej. And no offense to the woman, but Adora Cain is dead. I would understand, were she still alive, but-" Az shook her head. Maybe DG's train of thought was an Other Side-thing. Az laughed again, realizing that she was rather glad for her single problem of having no magic left.
It could be worse: she could be in love like DG. And that would surely drive her crazy.
"I really think you should tell him, DG. Now, hear me out," she said, raising a hand. "If you love him, don't you think he should have a right to know? Yes, maybe he will be angry," she lied, knowing full well he would be anything but. "Maybe he'll leave." DG frowned.
"And, just maybe," Az whispered. "He won't." DG gave Az a look and sighed. She just didn't want to take the chance. They talked a bit longer - DG told Az about the shirt incident and the letters and the dance and the hug - before their parents stopped by to order both girls to bed.
"Promise me you'll think about it," Az demanded. She'd suggested again that DG tell Cain how she felt, regardless of the outcome. DG nodded and let out a sigh.
"After his test, I'll consider it," she lied. Unless Wyatt Cain walked up to her and said: 'DG, I love you,' she had no reason to destroy a good thing. Awkward as it may be. Az gave DG another hug and left, leaving DG and their parents to say goodnight. Ahamo asked DG if she needed any help with last-minute packing and soon bowed out, leaving his wife and daughter to talk.
DG moved over to her bag and reached deep into one of the pockets, withdrawing a folded piece of paper as her mother moved to the bed and began pulling the covers back. "I can't believe time has gone by so quickly," she said with a smile. "Thank you for all your help the last few days. It was rather nice to get some items crossed off the list."
"I wish I could have done more," DG said with a nod. "Florence still needs an answer-"
"Lord Florence will survive a few days wait," the Queen stated, placing a hand on DG's shoulder. She moved her other hand to DG's cheek and the women smiled at each other before DG pulled her mother into a hug.
"There are a few things I have to do. But, I'll be back," she said.
"And Mister Cain?"
DG shrugged. "If he wants to stay, that's his choice. But I have to let him finish what he started. He's doing so well," she smiled. "And everyone loves him."
"Everyone?" the Queen asked in a non-accusatory tone.
DG nodded. "Yeah. If you showed up tomorrow and told the world he was a cranky old man who spent a chunk of his life in a suit and hated the world, no one would believe you." The Queen smiled again and glanced at the paper in DG's hand.
"My list of things to do," she lied. "Don't want to forget." The Queen nodded, sensing her daughter's false intentions with the page and placed a kiss on DG's forehead.
"Sleep well, my darling. I shall see you in the morning." DG nodded and gave her mother another smile. After her mother left, and DG was sure the coast was clear, she moved toward the desk and unfolded the paper, then reached for a pen.
-*-
"Father," Jeb said as Raw and Glitch began clearing out for the evening. "A word?" Cain wasn't sure what was going to be said, but feared it would be more about DG. Hesitating slightly, he nodded and stepped over to Jeb's side.
"There's something you should know. You didn't hear it from me, of course."
"Of course," Cain nodded, putting on an air of 'official business.' Jeb motioned for Cain to move a bit further from the door and dropped his voice.
"I'm sure she hasn't said anything, but you should know. Just in case." Cain was a little concerned by Jeb’s tone. Something was wrong. "It's Azkadellia," he said quietly. "She's been having trouble. And since DG left, it's been worse." Jeb could tell that his father had no clue what he was talking about.
"The confrontation with the witch drained their magic. Almost as the Queen, when she returned life to DG. There was so much damage done to Az's body while she was separating from the witch that the last of the magic she had went to heal her. Once that magic was gone, DG was able to give her what little magic she had left. Everyone thought she was better; that's why DG waited to leave. She wanted to be sure Az had recovered."
Cain thought back to DG's words that night, so many months ago: 'I made sure everyone was fine before I left. Especially Az.'
"And then DG left," Cain nodded, understanding the problem.
Jeb nodded as well. "At first, no one noticed; she seemed fine. And then she began to falter. There were good days and bad and she refused to complain. By the time I got here, she was pretty bad. Raw took to trying to ease her pain with his abilities, but it was only a temporary solution. Some nights, Raw is worse off than Az, and she hates that he subjects himself, but he wants to help."
"So, for a year..." Cain started and Jeb nodded again.
"This is the best I've seen her in a while," he stated. "DG must still have some magic in her, but how she hasn't felt the symptoms herself... I know she didn't have as much contact with the witch as Az, but still," he shrugged.
Cain thought about how tired DG always seemed to be, constantly rushing around and working on multiple things at one time. He couldn't pinpoint anything to magic; it was just DG. "Keep an eye on her," Jeb said simply.
Cain threw a look to Raw and turned back to his son. "If it gets worse-" he started.
Jeb shook his head. "Don't worry, father. We'll take good care of them. I just wanted you to know, in case." Cain nodded and gave Jeb a smile before the young man moved over to join Raw.
"Do you need someone to wake you up in the morning, Cain?" Glitch asked with a tinge of sarcasm. Cain gave him a look and shook his head.
"I'll be fine, Glitch, thank you."
"Will you be in your room or on the couch?" Jeb and Raw both fought a smile as Cain turned to Glitch.
"I'll be in your lab," he snapped back. Glitch simply stuck his tongue out.
The boys finally separated for the evening and Cain was so tired he didn't even bother looking at his notes. DG had told him that there was only so much studying a brain could take. He was ready or he wasn't, and she was fairly certain he was ready. As he nodded off, Cain began reciting dates, just to see if he could remember them.
By the third, he was asleep.
-*-
The next morning, far too early for DG, she was rudely awakened by Wyatt Cain, poking her in the arm. "Come on, Princess. You have to throw yourself into a cyclone today." He smiled as she groaned and tried to roll over. "I can get your sister, if you'd like."
"Then you'd have to explain why you're in my room," she grumbled, throwing the covers back. Cain laughed and waited for her to start moving of her own accord before he moved toward the door.
"Your mother insisted we take food, so I'm going to collect it. Get dressed."
"Bossy!" she grumbled again, frowning as he left the room with another laugh.
Half an hour later, the first sun had risen and the entire family was gathered in the front hall of the palace. DG was trying to shove something into her bag as she came down the stairs and glanced up just enough to see Cain's head of blonde hair.
"Cain, do you have your textbook?" Cain blinked and stopped mid-sentence with Jeb and Glitch.
Turning slightly in her direction, he asked: "Do you have Jeanie's pan?"
"Did you pack your one pair of pants?" DG snapped back and smirked at the look he gave her before she pulled Az into a hug.
-*-
DG was giving another hug to Glitch when Jeb pulled Cain away. "Take care of yourself, father," he ordered. Cain raised an eyebrow at Jeb's tone and smiled as Jeb continued: "Don't fight with the big kids, mind your manners-" he said, taking Cain's left hand. Cain glanced down as Jeb held his father's ring between two fingers.
"And stop making excuses." Cain had to give Jeb credit, not for being cheeky, but for managing to get the ring off so easily.
His son, the pickpocket.
Jeb raised an eyebrow and gave Cain another look as he placed the ring in his vest pocket. "I'll put this with your things," he said simply. Cain nodded once and pulled Jeb into a hug.
"I am proud of you, son."
"Not as proud as I am of you," Jeb laughed. "Now, live up to my high expectations and pass that exam." Cain laughed and nodded, pulling away and moving toward Raw and Azkadellia. Az pulled Cain into a hug and he gave her an extra squeeze. He was proud of her, too; she'd come a long way.
"You sure you're all right?" he asked quietly. Az blinked and looked up to him.
"He told you," she stated, her eyes narrowed in Jeb's direction. Cain smiled and nodded.
"He figured you wouldn't tell DG. Not to worry, Princess. I won't say anything unless it's absolutely necessary," he assured her.
She gave him a smile and nodded. "Take care of my sister."
"I will," he said with a nod. They both looked at DG, who was giving her parents another hug.
"All right," she said, nodding to Cain. "Now or never." Cain nodded and stepped away from Az as DG turned back to her mother. "You'll tell them we said hello?"
The Queen nodded. "We will. I am sorry they weren't here."
"It's not like we called ahead," DG waved. She hadn't expected to see the Nurture Units, actually, but had written them a note. They had been dispatched to the north to help with repairs and DG didn’t want to disrupt their progress with a visit.
Cain moved to the door, letting DG get one more round of hugs in. She stopped at Jeb and considered it, then decided he'd live. "Thank you for taking care of my family," she said with a smile.
"The same to you, Princess," Jeb said with a nod. "Take care of yourself." DG nodded, catching the concern in his voice.
"I will bring him back, I promise," she whispered, giving him one more squeeze.
"You already have," he whispered back. At the sound of Cain clearing his throat, DG and Jeb looked his way.
"We should go," he said, holding up his watched-hand. DG nodded; if they waited much longer, they'd get back late and Jeanie would worry.
And a worried Jeanie Lowry was not a happy Jeanie Lowry.
The group watched DG and Cain move through the garden and turn to wave at the gate, waving in return. "Those two are blind as Mo-Bats in a dark room," Glitch stated as DG turned around and waved to Eagle-eye, who was once again on duty at the gate. Everyone turned to him with varying degrees of shock and surprise and laughed when he shrugged.
"What? You can't tell me that I'm the only one who saw it." Ahamo clapped Glitch on the shoulder and pulled him away from the others. They had work to do before breakfast and the Queen turned to walk with them as they neared, leaving Jeb, Raw and Az still at the door.
"He thinks he's too old," Jeb said a moment later, watching as a cloud began to form in the field.
"She's worried about what you would think," As said, also watching the cloud.
"He's worried she only sees him as a friend."
"She thinks he'll leave if she tells him how she feels." Jeb turned to Az as the storm reached full intensity.
"She's coming back."
Az turned to Jeb. "And Cain?"
"Cain will follow DG," Raw said quietly, his eyes never leaving the sky. Jeb and Az turned back and the three of them watched as the storm clouds began to disappear.
_______
oy with the awkwardness already....
Time to go home...
*dies*
Author: Erin (erinm_4600)
Characters, Pairing: Cain and DG, but if you saw 'em in the miniseries, they're here or mentioned. Plus some OCs
Rating: PG
Summary: Cain stayed in LA. But can he survive on the Other Side?
Warning: post-series, directly after California Queen. Blame n_e_star, for she fed Steve. ;)
Disclaimer: The original characters belong to L. Frank Baum and their respective actors. The current characters belong to Sci-Fi, the movie folks and their respective actors. The rest of 'em are mine.
Prologue | California Queen
California Tin: Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four | Part Five | Part Six | Part Seven | Part Eight | Part Nine | Part Ten | Part Eleven | Part Twelve | Part Thirteen | Part Fourteen | Part Fifteen | Part Sixteen | Part Seventeen | Part Eighteen | Part Nineteen | Part Twenty | Part Twenty-One | Part Twenty-Two | Part Twenty-Three | Part Twenty-Four | Part Twenty-Five | Part Twenty-Six | Part Twenty-Seven | Part Twenty-Eight | Part Twenty-Nine | Part Thirty | Part Thirty-One | Part Thirty-Two | Part Thirty-Three | Part Thirty-Four | Part Thirty-Five | Part Thirty-Six | Part Thirty-Seven | Part Thirty-Eight | Part Thirty-Nine | Part Forty | Part Forty-One | Part Forty-Two
California Sun
Five | Waking Up (CaliSun 20.2) | Almost Like Being in Love (CaliSun 24.5) | An Hour and 45 Minutes | Hava Nagila | Unexpected
"Well, I'm glad you're enjoying this," DG said with a huff, not able to hide the smile at her sister's glee. She hadn't seen Az that chipper in, well... ever. Az held a hand to her mouth and shook her head.
"Sorry, Deej. Really," she said, still laughing slightly. A moment later, she was able to compose herself and smoothed out her skirt before holding out a hand to DG. Once DG was back at her side, Az put an arm around her and kissed the side of her head.
"How long has it been?" DG only shrugged. "Three days? A cycle? Four?" Az prodded. Maybe if she had more information, she could give DG some advice. Of course, drawing from her vast knowledge of the subject, she might as well have performed Glitch's surgery for all the good her opinion would do.
"I don't know when," DG said quietly. "But, two weeks back... I just knew."
"What were you doing?"
"I was at lunch with some friends."
"And when did 'like' start?"
"Like-'like,' or just 'like'?" DG retorted.
"'Like' when you started to consider the possibility," Az replied. DG had to think about that one. It was definitely before the hug and the dance. And before Cain's shirtless scene. When she found out about school? Christmas? The sunburn? Halloween?
The moment she realized he'd stayed? The moment she'd realized he'd followed her? The day he left Central City to be with Jeb? The eclipse... the white horse... the tower? When he appeared in the Mystic Man's doorway? When he returned from the lakeside, clean-shaven?
DG didn't know, exactly. She just knew that her constant, the last three years, was Wyatt Cain. Even when she wasn't with him - nor he with her - he was there. He was the little voice in the back of her mind, telling her what to do, how to behave. 'What would Cain do?' was a question DG found herself asking quite often in those three years after the eclipse.
She hadn't wanted him to stay - all right, she did - and was sad when he did leave, but he had a life to reclaim and she had a duty to the Zone. And DG knew she wouldn't always be able to get her way all the time; life wasn't that fair.
Even for future queens.
"Deej," Az said, realizing she wasn't getting an answer from her on the topic. "You have to tell him. If you don't, how will he know?" DG snorted lightly and looked at Az.
"I've gotten so used to him being around... I'd rather he was there and doesn't know than I tell him and he leaves."
"Why do you think he'll leave?" Az asked with a laugh. How could DG not see it? Part of her wanted to tell her little sister to open her eyes and see how the great man had fallen, but she also knew that it really wasn't her place. There must be a reason Cain hadn't said anything; what he was waiting for, Az didn't know.
"I feel terrible, Az. He has a son."
"Yes, he has a son. So what? This has nothing to do with Jeb Cain."
"Yes, it does, Az. Jeb is all Cain has. I refuse to tear them apart again."
"Jeb has no say over Cain's life, Deej. And no offense to the woman, but Adora Cain is dead. I would understand, were she still alive, but-" Az shook her head. Maybe DG's train of thought was an Other Side-thing. Az laughed again, realizing that she was rather glad for her single problem of having no magic left.
It could be worse: she could be in love like DG. And that would surely drive her crazy.
"I really think you should tell him, DG. Now, hear me out," she said, raising a hand. "If you love him, don't you think he should have a right to know? Yes, maybe he will be angry," she lied, knowing full well he would be anything but. "Maybe he'll leave." DG frowned.
"And, just maybe," Az whispered. "He won't." DG gave Az a look and sighed. She just didn't want to take the chance. They talked a bit longer - DG told Az about the shirt incident and the letters and the dance and the hug - before their parents stopped by to order both girls to bed.
"Promise me you'll think about it," Az demanded. She'd suggested again that DG tell Cain how she felt, regardless of the outcome. DG nodded and let out a sigh.
"After his test, I'll consider it," she lied. Unless Wyatt Cain walked up to her and said: 'DG, I love you,' she had no reason to destroy a good thing. Awkward as it may be. Az gave DG another hug and left, leaving DG and their parents to say goodnight. Ahamo asked DG if she needed any help with last-minute packing and soon bowed out, leaving his wife and daughter to talk.
DG moved over to her bag and reached deep into one of the pockets, withdrawing a folded piece of paper as her mother moved to the bed and began pulling the covers back. "I can't believe time has gone by so quickly," she said with a smile. "Thank you for all your help the last few days. It was rather nice to get some items crossed off the list."
"I wish I could have done more," DG said with a nod. "Florence still needs an answer-"
"Lord Florence will survive a few days wait," the Queen stated, placing a hand on DG's shoulder. She moved her other hand to DG's cheek and the women smiled at each other before DG pulled her mother into a hug.
"There are a few things I have to do. But, I'll be back," she said.
"And Mister Cain?"
DG shrugged. "If he wants to stay, that's his choice. But I have to let him finish what he started. He's doing so well," she smiled. "And everyone loves him."
"Everyone?" the Queen asked in a non-accusatory tone.
DG nodded. "Yeah. If you showed up tomorrow and told the world he was a cranky old man who spent a chunk of his life in a suit and hated the world, no one would believe you." The Queen smiled again and glanced at the paper in DG's hand.
"My list of things to do," she lied. "Don't want to forget." The Queen nodded, sensing her daughter's false intentions with the page and placed a kiss on DG's forehead.
"Sleep well, my darling. I shall see you in the morning." DG nodded and gave her mother another smile. After her mother left, and DG was sure the coast was clear, she moved toward the desk and unfolded the paper, then reached for a pen.
-*-
"Father," Jeb said as Raw and Glitch began clearing out for the evening. "A word?" Cain wasn't sure what was going to be said, but feared it would be more about DG. Hesitating slightly, he nodded and stepped over to Jeb's side.
"There's something you should know. You didn't hear it from me, of course."
"Of course," Cain nodded, putting on an air of 'official business.' Jeb motioned for Cain to move a bit further from the door and dropped his voice.
"I'm sure she hasn't said anything, but you should know. Just in case." Cain was a little concerned by Jeb’s tone. Something was wrong. "It's Azkadellia," he said quietly. "She's been having trouble. And since DG left, it's been worse." Jeb could tell that his father had no clue what he was talking about.
"The confrontation with the witch drained their magic. Almost as the Queen, when she returned life to DG. There was so much damage done to Az's body while she was separating from the witch that the last of the magic she had went to heal her. Once that magic was gone, DG was able to give her what little magic she had left. Everyone thought she was better; that's why DG waited to leave. She wanted to be sure Az had recovered."
Cain thought back to DG's words that night, so many months ago: 'I made sure everyone was fine before I left. Especially Az.'
"And then DG left," Cain nodded, understanding the problem.
Jeb nodded as well. "At first, no one noticed; she seemed fine. And then she began to falter. There were good days and bad and she refused to complain. By the time I got here, she was pretty bad. Raw took to trying to ease her pain with his abilities, but it was only a temporary solution. Some nights, Raw is worse off than Az, and she hates that he subjects himself, but he wants to help."
"So, for a year..." Cain started and Jeb nodded again.
"This is the best I've seen her in a while," he stated. "DG must still have some magic in her, but how she hasn't felt the symptoms herself... I know she didn't have as much contact with the witch as Az, but still," he shrugged.
Cain thought about how tired DG always seemed to be, constantly rushing around and working on multiple things at one time. He couldn't pinpoint anything to magic; it was just DG. "Keep an eye on her," Jeb said simply.
Cain threw a look to Raw and turned back to his son. "If it gets worse-" he started.
Jeb shook his head. "Don't worry, father. We'll take good care of them. I just wanted you to know, in case." Cain nodded and gave Jeb a smile before the young man moved over to join Raw.
"Do you need someone to wake you up in the morning, Cain?" Glitch asked with a tinge of sarcasm. Cain gave him a look and shook his head.
"I'll be fine, Glitch, thank you."
"Will you be in your room or on the couch?" Jeb and Raw both fought a smile as Cain turned to Glitch.
"I'll be in your lab," he snapped back. Glitch simply stuck his tongue out.
The boys finally separated for the evening and Cain was so tired he didn't even bother looking at his notes. DG had told him that there was only so much studying a brain could take. He was ready or he wasn't, and she was fairly certain he was ready. As he nodded off, Cain began reciting dates, just to see if he could remember them.
By the third, he was asleep.
-*-
The next morning, far too early for DG, she was rudely awakened by Wyatt Cain, poking her in the arm. "Come on, Princess. You have to throw yourself into a cyclone today." He smiled as she groaned and tried to roll over. "I can get your sister, if you'd like."
"Then you'd have to explain why you're in my room," she grumbled, throwing the covers back. Cain laughed and waited for her to start moving of her own accord before he moved toward the door.
"Your mother insisted we take food, so I'm going to collect it. Get dressed."
"Bossy!" she grumbled again, frowning as he left the room with another laugh.
Half an hour later, the first sun had risen and the entire family was gathered in the front hall of the palace. DG was trying to shove something into her bag as she came down the stairs and glanced up just enough to see Cain's head of blonde hair.
"Cain, do you have your textbook?" Cain blinked and stopped mid-sentence with Jeb and Glitch.
Turning slightly in her direction, he asked: "Do you have Jeanie's pan?"
"Did you pack your one pair of pants?" DG snapped back and smirked at the look he gave her before she pulled Az into a hug.
-*-
DG was giving another hug to Glitch when Jeb pulled Cain away. "Take care of yourself, father," he ordered. Cain raised an eyebrow at Jeb's tone and smiled as Jeb continued: "Don't fight with the big kids, mind your manners-" he said, taking Cain's left hand. Cain glanced down as Jeb held his father's ring between two fingers.
"And stop making excuses." Cain had to give Jeb credit, not for being cheeky, but for managing to get the ring off so easily.
His son, the pickpocket.
Jeb raised an eyebrow and gave Cain another look as he placed the ring in his vest pocket. "I'll put this with your things," he said simply. Cain nodded once and pulled Jeb into a hug.
"I am proud of you, son."
"Not as proud as I am of you," Jeb laughed. "Now, live up to my high expectations and pass that exam." Cain laughed and nodded, pulling away and moving toward Raw and Azkadellia. Az pulled Cain into a hug and he gave her an extra squeeze. He was proud of her, too; she'd come a long way.
"You sure you're all right?" he asked quietly. Az blinked and looked up to him.
"He told you," she stated, her eyes narrowed in Jeb's direction. Cain smiled and nodded.
"He figured you wouldn't tell DG. Not to worry, Princess. I won't say anything unless it's absolutely necessary," he assured her.
She gave him a smile and nodded. "Take care of my sister."
"I will," he said with a nod. They both looked at DG, who was giving her parents another hug.
"All right," she said, nodding to Cain. "Now or never." Cain nodded and stepped away from Az as DG turned back to her mother. "You'll tell them we said hello?"
The Queen nodded. "We will. I am sorry they weren't here."
"It's not like we called ahead," DG waved. She hadn't expected to see the Nurture Units, actually, but had written them a note. They had been dispatched to the north to help with repairs and DG didn’t want to disrupt their progress with a visit.
Cain moved to the door, letting DG get one more round of hugs in. She stopped at Jeb and considered it, then decided he'd live. "Thank you for taking care of my family," she said with a smile.
"The same to you, Princess," Jeb said with a nod. "Take care of yourself." DG nodded, catching the concern in his voice.
"I will bring him back, I promise," she whispered, giving him one more squeeze.
"You already have," he whispered back. At the sound of Cain clearing his throat, DG and Jeb looked his way.
"We should go," he said, holding up his watched-hand. DG nodded; if they waited much longer, they'd get back late and Jeanie would worry.
And a worried Jeanie Lowry was not a happy Jeanie Lowry.
The group watched DG and Cain move through the garden and turn to wave at the gate, waving in return. "Those two are blind as Mo-Bats in a dark room," Glitch stated as DG turned around and waved to Eagle-eye, who was once again on duty at the gate. Everyone turned to him with varying degrees of shock and surprise and laughed when he shrugged.
"What? You can't tell me that I'm the only one who saw it." Ahamo clapped Glitch on the shoulder and pulled him away from the others. They had work to do before breakfast and the Queen turned to walk with them as they neared, leaving Jeb, Raw and Az still at the door.
"He thinks he's too old," Jeb said a moment later, watching as a cloud began to form in the field.
"She's worried about what you would think," As said, also watching the cloud.
"He's worried she only sees him as a friend."
"She thinks he'll leave if she tells him how she feels." Jeb turned to Az as the storm reached full intensity.
"She's coming back."
Az turned to Jeb. "And Cain?"
"Cain will follow DG," Raw said quietly, his eyes never leaving the sky. Jeb and Az turned back and the three of them watched as the storm clouds began to disappear.
_______
oy with the awkwardness already....
Time to go home...
*dies*