Date: 7/9/1999 2:33 AM Central Daylight Time
From: KailyneWnd
Kai's first few weeks at the inn went by very routinely. Each morning she awoke with the first warm rays of daylight. The long, hot shower that followed after washed away the groggy feeling that often lingered. After dressing and preparing herself for the day, she would go downstairs to tend the kitchen along with the old woman, preparing breakfast for any travelers that had wandered there and spent the night. After the meal was eaten and the
guests were full, she helped clean the kitchen. Then she was headed upstairs to visit each of the 10 rooms, stopping to clean the few occupied. Sheets needed to be washed, beds to be made, furniture to be polished. There was also the matter of gathering the dirty laundry from each room to be washed; the old woman assured each patron that they would be completely comfortable while staying there. Kai was lucky that even on a good night, no more than
3 rooms were ever occupied at the same time.
After the rooms were cleaned and laundry was done, the girl was free to have time to herself, until supper was to be prepaired. These were usualy lazy hours for Kai. At first she spent all of her free time alone in her room, homesick and heartbroken, but after a while she began to open up and sit around the lounge, looking to start up a conversation with some of the more friendly visitors. Her shyness slowly faded as she became more and more
comfortable there.
Once a week she would have to make a trip to the town on the ports, which meant a few miles hike along the river, there and back. This was one of the parts of living at the Inn that Kai wasn't too fond of. The bags were heavy, and she wasn't in any condition nor mood to be hauling groceries around. But it was only once a week, and she certainly didn't want a woman so old doing it, so Kai decided to just put up with it.
When her free time was over, dinner was prepared much like breakfast was, and cleaning up was also as it was earlier. After that, Kai had the night to herself. These were lonely times, and this night was spent not unlike the others before it.
"Dinner was good tonight, Kai," called the last patron as he stepped from the dining hall. Kai turned from her work at the sink to smile back to him and nod. She turned and continued on with her work. Another nod and a smile went to Grandma, who passed moments later.
"Good night dear.."
"Sleep well, Grandma.."
Dishes done, Kai turned the faucet off and grabbed for the dishtowel. As she wiped her wet hands off, Kai glanced around the quiet room another time, checking to see that everyone was off to bed. She placed the towel down on the counter, turned the lights down, and headed for the door. She paused however, to lean in the doorway a moment, watching the flicker of the fire. During the day she could keep herself busy, thus keeping her mind
occupied with thoughts of her work and what needed to be done. But night-time was a different story. Loneliness crept over her, accompanied by a chill that sent a shiver completely through her. As she pushed off the doorframe and walked up the stairs, she fought to keep tears back. Her room was the last on the right, giving her one of the few window views in the building. Moonlight flooded her room as she stepped inside and closed the door
quietly behind her.
The night air was still warm out as Kai slipped between the sheets; It had been a hot, long day, and Kai was about ready to fall asleep the moment her head touched the pillow. Sleep didn't come to the restless young girl though. Thoughts of home kept her awake. She thought of Deuce: How she used to lie in his arms, held so close to him at night. She missed that. She missed always being around him, and how safe she felt near him. But despite
all this, there was one thing that kept her going. A soft, sweet smile pulled her lips back as she slid her hand gently down to her stomach. Kai felt silly expecting to feel something already, but she couldn't help but do it. Even though nothing would really change for another few months, doing so somehow made her feel less lonely. It made her believe that Deuce was with her, if only in the form of the new life starting inside her.
It was amazing how she had kept such a secret for so long. She knew she was pregnant weeks before she had left home. All of the signs were there: the soreness in her stomach, the constant eating, the moodiness, and most of all, the tiredness. Before she had any clue, all it took was one duel to exhaust her. After that, suspicions arose and she went to a local doctor and had herself tested.
When it came out to be true, Kai's first reaction was fright. Deuce was never good with children. Whenever the subject came up, he grew cold and always talked of having a baby 'later on'. Kai knew he was right; She too was afraid of being such a young parent. She was only 17, and after all, it wasn't as if she had anyone to teach her. Still, after thinking the whole thing over, Kai decided she would be happy. The thing was, she didn't know how or
when to tell Deuce. She was afraid of what his reaction might be, so she just waited for the right moment. And since she had to leave in such a hurry, that moment never came.
And on this night, as she lay thinking of home, and of the baby inside her, it was still a secret to all but her. She hadn't even told the old woman yet. Kai smiled gently and closed her eyes, content at keeping this wonderful secret all to herself until she absolutely had to explain. What a surprise it would be, coming home all plump and round. Smiling steadily, thoughts of Deuce and the baby comforted her and eased her to sleep.
A Sweet Secret(Kai)
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The Search
Date: 8/1/1999 4:37 AM Central Daylight Time
From: Deuce Mack
"Swear ta God, yo.. I'ma learn magic.. mad magic.. an' I'ma take ova dis whole damn planet. And den, I'ma outlaw mud, dat's what I do." With the sounds of his numerous curses floating through the sleepy woods, Deuce trekked along through the rain-soaked grasses, shadowed from the summer sun by the dark green cloud of vegetation overhead. He had begun to appreciate nature in the last two months; those leaves needed
the sun a lot more than him, and he was more than happy to let them keep it.
The search was endless, and that was perhaps what scared the young man the most; he would not stop looking for Kai, and the distinct possibility that he would never find her was alive. It made him glad to have purchased the sturdy boots he now wore, as the hardened black hide stood up to the vast amount of wilderness walking he had been doing much better than basketball sneakers would have, even if they did clash badly with the still-baggy, pulled
up (to prevent getting hurt; out here, the smell of danger made it obvious that was something to avoid) jeans.
Deuce pulled the neck of his jersey up to wipe his forehead. "Starks ain't neva beat up his uni like dis, I swear." He picked a piece of bark off the nearest maple to allow himself a place to lean without getting jabbed in the arm by a tree angry with having its space invaded. Staring down at the Knicks logo on his chest, Deuce reminisced back to the days of home, dreaming of being a pro, and likewise, being a foot taller. But everyone has their
place; he was content knowing he had found his, even if he was in a condition of mud and filth that could get him killed were he to wind up back home at that moment.
That was how his time had passed since resigning his position in the duels. A desperate search, knowing that fate had brought them together, and surely it would not abandon them now. Quirky is the way of fate, however, although his wizened tongue had a few more colorful descriptions for it. Setting out with the best of intentions, and assured by locals he was headed in the right direction, Deuce quickly found vague memories and a heart are no
guard against becoming disoriented and lost for two days before stumbling, hungry and fatigued, back into town. Still, perhaps his curses against luck, fate, and God should have been thank yous; oftentimes one enduring such an ordeal returns only after being tripped over by some random traveler, curious where the smell of decay was coming from.
His second trip out was much wiser, and wider, in scope; properly equipped with compass, food, and boots, it took a week before restocking was necessary. Each successive venture led him farther into the unknown, usually in a different direction than before. By now, he knew where the sun was in the sky and when; with it dipping towards the horizon, southeast was the way back to RhyDin. Not that he needed to go back yet; a good five days of food
and water remained in his backpack. But what a mess..
Despite searches miles from the city, through forest, swamp, plains, and even desert (albeit a small one, almost out of place; he could only think of it as a giant sandbox), no sign could be found. Depressed and lonely, Deuce made his way towards the clearing at the end of the woods. Maybe that house off in the distance would provide temporary shelter, if it had no residents.. of course, if there were no residents, it might not be the safest place
to stay. Checking his waist again for the comforting touch of steel, he pushed off the tree and towards the open grassland.
The treadmill-like field kept his walk going for one hour, two, as the rat felt no closer to his cheese. Somewhere within the droopy-eyed walks, however, the sleepy body trudged up to the door. Only the sign's placement near the door- "INN"- kept him from looking like an utter looney by knocking before entering. Wearily trudging in, Deuce finally slumped over against the counter. He needed to play up his pathetic state as much as he could, just
in case paper money didn't count for much around here; more than once he had walked around with a large wad of worthless cash upon finding out those offering goods or services demanded real gold for it.
"Yo," he intoned, not even sure if anyone was at the desk to hear him. "I need a room."
From: Deuce Mack
"Swear ta God, yo.. I'ma learn magic.. mad magic.. an' I'ma take ova dis whole damn planet. And den, I'ma outlaw mud, dat's what I do." With the sounds of his numerous curses floating through the sleepy woods, Deuce trekked along through the rain-soaked grasses, shadowed from the summer sun by the dark green cloud of vegetation overhead. He had begun to appreciate nature in the last two months; those leaves needed
the sun a lot more than him, and he was more than happy to let them keep it.
The search was endless, and that was perhaps what scared the young man the most; he would not stop looking for Kai, and the distinct possibility that he would never find her was alive. It made him glad to have purchased the sturdy boots he now wore, as the hardened black hide stood up to the vast amount of wilderness walking he had been doing much better than basketball sneakers would have, even if they did clash badly with the still-baggy, pulled
up (to prevent getting hurt; out here, the smell of danger made it obvious that was something to avoid) jeans.
Deuce pulled the neck of his jersey up to wipe his forehead. "Starks ain't neva beat up his uni like dis, I swear." He picked a piece of bark off the nearest maple to allow himself a place to lean without getting jabbed in the arm by a tree angry with having its space invaded. Staring down at the Knicks logo on his chest, Deuce reminisced back to the days of home, dreaming of being a pro, and likewise, being a foot taller. But everyone has their
place; he was content knowing he had found his, even if he was in a condition of mud and filth that could get him killed were he to wind up back home at that moment.
That was how his time had passed since resigning his position in the duels. A desperate search, knowing that fate had brought them together, and surely it would not abandon them now. Quirky is the way of fate, however, although his wizened tongue had a few more colorful descriptions for it. Setting out with the best of intentions, and assured by locals he was headed in the right direction, Deuce quickly found vague memories and a heart are no
guard against becoming disoriented and lost for two days before stumbling, hungry and fatigued, back into town. Still, perhaps his curses against luck, fate, and God should have been thank yous; oftentimes one enduring such an ordeal returns only after being tripped over by some random traveler, curious where the smell of decay was coming from.
His second trip out was much wiser, and wider, in scope; properly equipped with compass, food, and boots, it took a week before restocking was necessary. Each successive venture led him farther into the unknown, usually in a different direction than before. By now, he knew where the sun was in the sky and when; with it dipping towards the horizon, southeast was the way back to RhyDin. Not that he needed to go back yet; a good five days of food
and water remained in his backpack. But what a mess..
Despite searches miles from the city, through forest, swamp, plains, and even desert (albeit a small one, almost out of place; he could only think of it as a giant sandbox), no sign could be found. Depressed and lonely, Deuce made his way towards the clearing at the end of the woods. Maybe that house off in the distance would provide temporary shelter, if it had no residents.. of course, if there were no residents, it might not be the safest place
to stay. Checking his waist again for the comforting touch of steel, he pushed off the tree and towards the open grassland.
The treadmill-like field kept his walk going for one hour, two, as the rat felt no closer to his cheese. Somewhere within the droopy-eyed walks, however, the sleepy body trudged up to the door. Only the sign's placement near the door- "INN"- kept him from looking like an utter looney by knocking before entering. Wearily trudging in, Deuce finally slumped over against the counter. He needed to play up his pathetic state as much as he could, just
in case paper money didn't count for much around here; more than once he had walked around with a large wad of worthless cash upon finding out those offering goods or services demanded real gold for it.
"Yo," he intoned, not even sure if anyone was at the desk to hear him. "I need a room."
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Another Day...
Date: 8/2/1999 2:40 AM Central Daylight Time
From: KailyneWnd
Her old eyes softened, the wrinkled face filling with sympathy as she frowned down at the young man slumped before her. She hurried, as quickly as one her age can, around the counter to him, sliding her tiny frame under his right arm in an attempt to help him stand and lead him towards an empty room. He made the trip on his own fine, but she still lingered close behind as they walked upstairs. After agreeing on a price for the room and giving him
the usual welcoming speech, she went back downstairs to return to the counter.
Meanwhile, as Kai was bent down, snatching clothes from underneath the bed, a small mumble was uttered. The newlywed couple that had occupied the room the night before wasn't exactly bashful. Neither were they very quiet. And now, as they were downstairs feeding their faces, as if either needed to add any more weight onto their already bloated bodies, the girl was left to clean their room up. Wrinkling her nose up, she held the thong underwear,
pinched between two fingers, with an extend arm. Both pairs. Tossing them into the laundry basket, Kai shot a quick look around the room. The bed was made, bathroom cleaned, and clothes gathered. Time to go and get the washing machine started, one of the easier parts of her day. She bent over, lifting up the basket as she headed out the door and down the hallway.
"Kai, hun, there's a new guest, just came in. Room 8. He was headed into the shower when I left and he said it would be all right if you came to straighten the room while he was in there. His clothes are laid out for you."
Offering a nod, accompanied by a slight sigh, the girl turned on the stairs and headed right back upstairs towards the rooms. She shifted the basket to her hip, carefully avoiding the bulge that once was her tight stomach. Loose, baggy shirts hid it quite well though, and so her secret was still safe, if only for a little while. With her free hand, she turned the knob and pushed the door open, stepping inside.
Something struck her, and she paused a moment, still holding the knob. She chomped down on her cheek. Hard. The scent of a thick cologne, a cologne so familiar to her, brought tears to her eyes. She slowly pushed deeper into the room, over to the bed. A basketball jersey, a pair of baggy jeans, boxer shorts, socks.. A small tear slipped down her cheek. Kai stood a moment, silently looking it all over, only the faint sound of the shower running to
be heard. Grimacing, she snatched it all up and shoved the clothing into the basket, angry tears beginning to flow down her cheeks. The door slammed behind her as she stormed from the room, out into the hall and downstairs.
Another door slam was heard as she closed and locked the door to the laundry room. A few quick steps carried her over to the washing machine, dropping the basket to the floor. Who was this man, to come to her Inn, to wear Deuce's cologne, to dress like him, to dig up memories that made her ache inside? Anger flowed through her body as she grabbed the bottle of washing detergent and measured out enough of the scented liquid. Dumping it in, she
turned a dial, setting the machine. Instantly a thick jet of water worked to fill the tub. Kai's hand reached down into the basket, grasping the 'Knicks' jersey and pulling it up, slowly. Her sad, violet gaze dropped down to the shirt, sinking herself down to sit on the small step-stool positioned behind her. After looking it over for a few long moments, she simply lowered her head into her hands and began to cry, hard sobs that were drowned out by
the rushing of the water into the machine.
Later that day, after her work was finished, nausea took her over and she retired to her room to rest until she had to prepare dinner. After a few hours nap, she awoken to the knocking at her door.
"Kai.. Sweetheart, are you okay in there? I'm coming in.."
The old lady poked her head in, looking to Kailyne, who was sprawled out on the bed. Small steps carried her over to the bed, sitting beside the girl and placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"I'm getting worried, Kai.. You've been feeling sick a lot lately.."
Still feeling groggy and sick, Kai just mumbled something as she slowly sat up next to her.
"I'm fine, Grandma, don't worry about me. Worry about the four hungry people waiting downstairs to be fed.. C'mon.."
The girl and the old woman both stood, walking downstairs to the kitchen to get dinner started. The four guests were scattered about the main lounge: The chubby newly weds, the old, male merchant who had been there for three nights, and Deuce. The newly weds were chatting quietly near the fire, the merchant sat silently by himself, fiddling with a small pouch, and Deuce was settled at a table, sulking, head hung.
Back in the kitchen, Kai was peeling potatoes while the old woman chopped carrots. A sudden, strong wave of nausea caused Kai to cry out, leaning over slightly and closing her eyes tight. Concerned, Grandma sent her back up to her room. It was too bad Deuce's head was hung so low, or else he might have seen her as she traveled through the room, right past him, and up the stairs.
After another nap, Kai's eyes fluttered open again. The alarm clock on the side table read 1 a.m. A sudden alertness came over her, and she sat up in bed. She was awake now, and being so, she slid her legs around and over the edge of the bed.
The rug felt soft beneath her bare feet as she stood and made her way out of her room. She padded down the hallway and down the stairs, hand grasping the railing tightly. Her eyes had yet to adjust to the dim lighting. She stopped at the bottom of the stairs, spying a shadow cast from the fire. Someone was sitting in the lounge, at this late hour, and they were sitting in her spot in front of the fire. Kai blinked a few times, tilted her head and
moved forward. Cautiously, she approached the chair, hoping it wasn't Grandma; she had changed into a tight, white tank top for the night, and it revealed her pregnant stomach plainly. Nearing it, the thick scent of cologne again reached her, causing her to utter a soft cry. The new guest, the man sitting in the chair, Deuce, turned around to peer at her.
Kai blinked, body frozen, arms hanging at her sides as she just stood and stared.
From: KailyneWnd
Her old eyes softened, the wrinkled face filling with sympathy as she frowned down at the young man slumped before her. She hurried, as quickly as one her age can, around the counter to him, sliding her tiny frame under his right arm in an attempt to help him stand and lead him towards an empty room. He made the trip on his own fine, but she still lingered close behind as they walked upstairs. After agreeing on a price for the room and giving him
the usual welcoming speech, she went back downstairs to return to the counter.
Meanwhile, as Kai was bent down, snatching clothes from underneath the bed, a small mumble was uttered. The newlywed couple that had occupied the room the night before wasn't exactly bashful. Neither were they very quiet. And now, as they were downstairs feeding their faces, as if either needed to add any more weight onto their already bloated bodies, the girl was left to clean their room up. Wrinkling her nose up, she held the thong underwear,
pinched between two fingers, with an extend arm. Both pairs. Tossing them into the laundry basket, Kai shot a quick look around the room. The bed was made, bathroom cleaned, and clothes gathered. Time to go and get the washing machine started, one of the easier parts of her day. She bent over, lifting up the basket as she headed out the door and down the hallway.
"Kai, hun, there's a new guest, just came in. Room 8. He was headed into the shower when I left and he said it would be all right if you came to straighten the room while he was in there. His clothes are laid out for you."
Offering a nod, accompanied by a slight sigh, the girl turned on the stairs and headed right back upstairs towards the rooms. She shifted the basket to her hip, carefully avoiding the bulge that once was her tight stomach. Loose, baggy shirts hid it quite well though, and so her secret was still safe, if only for a little while. With her free hand, she turned the knob and pushed the door open, stepping inside.
Something struck her, and she paused a moment, still holding the knob. She chomped down on her cheek. Hard. The scent of a thick cologne, a cologne so familiar to her, brought tears to her eyes. She slowly pushed deeper into the room, over to the bed. A basketball jersey, a pair of baggy jeans, boxer shorts, socks.. A small tear slipped down her cheek. Kai stood a moment, silently looking it all over, only the faint sound of the shower running to
be heard. Grimacing, she snatched it all up and shoved the clothing into the basket, angry tears beginning to flow down her cheeks. The door slammed behind her as she stormed from the room, out into the hall and downstairs.
Another door slam was heard as she closed and locked the door to the laundry room. A few quick steps carried her over to the washing machine, dropping the basket to the floor. Who was this man, to come to her Inn, to wear Deuce's cologne, to dress like him, to dig up memories that made her ache inside? Anger flowed through her body as she grabbed the bottle of washing detergent and measured out enough of the scented liquid. Dumping it in, she
turned a dial, setting the machine. Instantly a thick jet of water worked to fill the tub. Kai's hand reached down into the basket, grasping the 'Knicks' jersey and pulling it up, slowly. Her sad, violet gaze dropped down to the shirt, sinking herself down to sit on the small step-stool positioned behind her. After looking it over for a few long moments, she simply lowered her head into her hands and began to cry, hard sobs that were drowned out by
the rushing of the water into the machine.
Later that day, after her work was finished, nausea took her over and she retired to her room to rest until she had to prepare dinner. After a few hours nap, she awoken to the knocking at her door.
"Kai.. Sweetheart, are you okay in there? I'm coming in.."
The old lady poked her head in, looking to Kailyne, who was sprawled out on the bed. Small steps carried her over to the bed, sitting beside the girl and placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"I'm getting worried, Kai.. You've been feeling sick a lot lately.."
Still feeling groggy and sick, Kai just mumbled something as she slowly sat up next to her.
"I'm fine, Grandma, don't worry about me. Worry about the four hungry people waiting downstairs to be fed.. C'mon.."
The girl and the old woman both stood, walking downstairs to the kitchen to get dinner started. The four guests were scattered about the main lounge: The chubby newly weds, the old, male merchant who had been there for three nights, and Deuce. The newly weds were chatting quietly near the fire, the merchant sat silently by himself, fiddling with a small pouch, and Deuce was settled at a table, sulking, head hung.
Back in the kitchen, Kai was peeling potatoes while the old woman chopped carrots. A sudden, strong wave of nausea caused Kai to cry out, leaning over slightly and closing her eyes tight. Concerned, Grandma sent her back up to her room. It was too bad Deuce's head was hung so low, or else he might have seen her as she traveled through the room, right past him, and up the stairs.
After another nap, Kai's eyes fluttered open again. The alarm clock on the side table read 1 a.m. A sudden alertness came over her, and she sat up in bed. She was awake now, and being so, she slid her legs around and over the edge of the bed.
The rug felt soft beneath her bare feet as she stood and made her way out of her room. She padded down the hallway and down the stairs, hand grasping the railing tightly. Her eyes had yet to adjust to the dim lighting. She stopped at the bottom of the stairs, spying a shadow cast from the fire. Someone was sitting in the lounge, at this late hour, and they were sitting in her spot in front of the fire. Kai blinked a few times, tilted her head and
moved forward. Cautiously, she approached the chair, hoping it wasn't Grandma; she had changed into a tight, white tank top for the night, and it revealed her pregnant stomach plainly. Nearing it, the thick scent of cologne again reached her, causing her to utter a soft cry. The new guest, the man sitting in the chair, Deuce, turned around to peer at her.
Kai blinked, body frozen, arms hanging at her sides as she just stood and stared.
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Hope
Date: 8/16/1999 1:57 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Deuce Mack
Tell the tales of love
Pain, heart of glass shattering
But in the end, joy.
Taking in the sight of her, hope flourished again, to be drowned, smashed beneath powerful waves of despair. Everyone had a twin. This one spoke of the future, their future, if only in dreams; she with child, to be a happy family. He couldn't bear to hear. Stomach coiling, his body slumped back to its near-fetal position before the crackling warmth.
The picture of her was a thousand words, all tossed away in light of the one spoken.
"Deuce?"
The paradox of true hope shot through him; so long had he waited, searched, even prayed, that the possibility of success froze him like ice. Eyes glancing to the side, threatening to roll into the back of his head to simply gaze at the girl once more, Deuce's lips barely formed the words.
"How... how you know my name..." Steeled for the impossible, he planned the next stage of his journey. Of course he could stay; he had some money left. Kai had been gone for quite some time, there was a good chance she was far past this place. To keep travelling from RhyDin would never get him anywhere; a base of operations further into the wilderness would be extremely helpful. Filtering reality around him, his mind kept the world away;
visions of what came next interfered with recognition of the girl coming around into his line of sight; her lips spoke jumbled words, if any at all. The face, now floating somewhere between the past and the future, could not shake the reverie of fear away.
The sound of skin on skin echoed through the empty lounge, out into the warm darkness beyond the opened windows.
"Answer me!" Mind's eye blinded by the slap, imagination shattered, Kai's tear-streaked visage became part of reality again. "Why are you doing this to me? You're not him.. you can't be.. why are you here?!"
The proof lay before him, muffled in the choked-back sobs of the biggest piece to the puzzle of his life. The first time he ever saw her truly upset, it had escalated from an altercation with Jesse; although his heart burned knowing the Outback's "King Punk" was helping him now, it quickly ceased to matter.
"Kai.. babe.. iz me... I'z here.." Eyes connecting, they both knew it was true. As she dropped heavily into his arms, crying from exhaustion and emotion, Deuce wondered how long she had been there.. and how pregnant she was. The latter elicited a nervous gulp, but there would be opportunity to deal with it.
Tomorrow.
Now, they rested, content to be in each other's arms again.
From: Deuce Mack
Tell the tales of love
Pain, heart of glass shattering
But in the end, joy.
Taking in the sight of her, hope flourished again, to be drowned, smashed beneath powerful waves of despair. Everyone had a twin. This one spoke of the future, their future, if only in dreams; she with child, to be a happy family. He couldn't bear to hear. Stomach coiling, his body slumped back to its near-fetal position before the crackling warmth.
The picture of her was a thousand words, all tossed away in light of the one spoken.
"Deuce?"
The paradox of true hope shot through him; so long had he waited, searched, even prayed, that the possibility of success froze him like ice. Eyes glancing to the side, threatening to roll into the back of his head to simply gaze at the girl once more, Deuce's lips barely formed the words.
"How... how you know my name..." Steeled for the impossible, he planned the next stage of his journey. Of course he could stay; he had some money left. Kai had been gone for quite some time, there was a good chance she was far past this place. To keep travelling from RhyDin would never get him anywhere; a base of operations further into the wilderness would be extremely helpful. Filtering reality around him, his mind kept the world away;
visions of what came next interfered with recognition of the girl coming around into his line of sight; her lips spoke jumbled words, if any at all. The face, now floating somewhere between the past and the future, could not shake the reverie of fear away.
The sound of skin on skin echoed through the empty lounge, out into the warm darkness beyond the opened windows.
"Answer me!" Mind's eye blinded by the slap, imagination shattered, Kai's tear-streaked visage became part of reality again. "Why are you doing this to me? You're not him.. you can't be.. why are you here?!"
The proof lay before him, muffled in the choked-back sobs of the biggest piece to the puzzle of his life. The first time he ever saw her truly upset, it had escalated from an altercation with Jesse; although his heart burned knowing the Outback's "King Punk" was helping him now, it quickly ceased to matter.
"Kai.. babe.. iz me... I'z here.." Eyes connecting, they both knew it was true. As she dropped heavily into his arms, crying from exhaustion and emotion, Deuce wondered how long she had been there.. and how pregnant she was. The latter elicited a nervous gulp, but there would be opportunity to deal with it.
Tomorrow.
Now, they rested, content to be in each other's arms again.