Seperate Lives (Cain/Open)

[Cain]

"Zenevieva! Get your ass over here now! We are going home!"

The man would yell forward, calling for his younger sister. Cain never had a sibling, so he failed to understand what his feelings for her actually was. Was it frustration? Or just some hidden care? Cain could never begin to fathom. At least, not yet. Besides, with a father like him, Cain could only figure it as fury towards the young girl that now hid behind Cain, the Junior as determined as ever to protect her. However, it seemed that the fragile Zen that had revealed itself to Cain the night before was emerging once more.

"Please Erik...I am sorry...I will go to class...I promise...."

Cain's eyes widened as he turned his chin back, looking over at her as she struggled to get her back, surprising Cain. The blood stain on her back only got larger, worrying Cain greatly. But once again, the Junior found himself unable to do anything, confused and surprised at the scene here. That, and the fury that was growing up in him only served to pin Cain onto the spot. Then, she moved to him, placing her hand upon the side of her neck and planting a kiss on the faint bruise on his cheek.

"This is one time....you do not....have to fight for me...."

Cain looked at her, concerned truly as she walked away, the Junior's eyes returning briefly to Erik, before following after Zen. It was not long after, of course, did she fall to the ground. And that was enough for Cain. The Junior had seen her in pain way too much. He moved quickly to her side as she tried to get up, his knees bent as he forced her back down onto her bottom, looking at her with a worried look on her face.

"Sorry, Zen, but I just can't take seeing you like this. You're bleeding again. Sit back down. I'll pa- Oof."

Cain was then silenced by Erik as the larger man rammed his shoulder to the side of the Junior, the smaller male being thrown off his feet and to the side, landing on his left shoulder and skidding back a few feet, before reflexes finally kicked in and the Junior rolled onto his feet. Erik's attention was on Zen. Good.

"No! You are going with me no-"

And he too would be silenced as Cain drove his shoulder into his lower abdomen. A spear, of sorts, as he brought Erik to the ground with him on top. He would then sit upon the man's chest, his right fist coming down to find Erik's left cheek. However, the smaller man would be easily pushed aside by a right hook that found him, Cain's bruised left cheek being a more vulnerable spot than before. The Junior was pushed aside, his body finding ground once more, but recovering soon enough as he got back up on his feet. And Erik had already done so too.

Cain then felt a warm liquid travel down from his left cheek. He raised his left hand, rubbing the back of his palm against it. Blood? Cain's eyes widened. That last strike had done more damage than Cain thought. This guy was strong. However, the thought of Zen came to his mind and he focused not on his injury anymore. Instead, he focused on Erik, and getting Zen's wound patched up once more. Cain charged at Erik, just as the larger man did towards him. However, Erik moved first, sending a right roundhouse kick towards Cain.

The Junior was a tad bit more creative, though, as he took to the air, pulling his legs apart as much as he could. His left foot would find Erik's kick and he used it then as leverage as he brought his right foot around, smashing it upon the side of Erik's head, the strike hard enough to send the larger man tumbling to the ground. And Cain would land on his left foot. Unfortunately. Erik's kick was a lot harder than Cain had anticipated and it had done a bit of damage to his shin, the Junior falling onto his bottom as he lost his balance, both hands holding his left folded knee.

"Dammit," he muttered.

[Zen]

Zen felt herself pushed back down and heard Cain speaking to her as she whimpered out softly. Not really able to protest..just then Erik was their shoving him away from her....His hand once more reaching out and grabbing her arm..making her cry out just as Cain attacked him....

She tried to stay focused on the fight, but she simply placed her hands down onto the ground, fingers biting into the tarred rooftop as she bit down upon her lip a bit more roughly......

Yet they continued fighting...her eyes coming up just as she noted the blood Erik had drawn forth from Cain...her heart felt like it had been cut as she felt tears sting her eyes.....Then Erik was down and Cain was hurt....Shaking her head...she forced herself up.....Attention not on Erik but Cain as she moved over to him....A small hand coming out and touching upon him as she shook her head......

"I am...so sorry..."

She hated seeing him this way, hated knowing she had caused it.....the fighting and the entire situation taking its toll on her as tears welled up in her almond hues....The sounds of Erik stirring behind her only making her wince as she expected him fully to grab her again....not sure she could take another session of being jerked around......But instead he groaned as he began to get up.....no doubt his eyes boring into her as he growled softly...Now not only had she upset him but she had shown concern for somebody before him......

Through clenched teeth, he narrowed his eyes upon his sister and the guy he had just been fighting, the one she had gone to instead of him.......Feeling the aches of his body as he did such....

"I will deal with you at home....."

The words dark and menacing as he shook his head and turned to start toward the exit of the roof...She waited....hearing the door slam and shrinking away from that noise as much as possible....Yet still she returned her focus to Cain.....Her hand coming up and brushing away a bit of blood as she let those eyes of hers look into his own......

"I....I cannot stand this....seeing you hurt...be..because of me....."

A few tears broke free and rolled down her face as she struggled backward and lowered her head.....Erik was right...she would have to deal with him at home, and if she did not get to class it would be ten times worse......Struggling to ignore the pain she felt both in her heart and in her body....Already a bruise was forming about her upper arm where he had grabbed her and her and jerked her up....

"You wished....to know of my...life......Well....this is it...."

She turned from him then, once more trying to grab her bag...falling to her knees before it as she planted her hands upon the rooftop.....She had to get to class or things would be so much worse for her.....she did not like seeing him like this, in pain because of her....It may be best to skip classes for a few days after her run in with Erik tonight.....Yeah, better that than be seen hurt and bruised by him.......She knew the pain it caused, had seen itin his eyes.....she cared too much, for whatever reason...to continue to do this to him......

[Cain]

Cain noticed movement coming from Zen's direction and raised his head to look up at her. And it concerned him more than he did his leg, for at that moment, she was in a worse state that Cain. That bad cut on her shoulder had reopened, Cain knew. The blood on his hand acted as a reminder to that. Cain wanted to move to Zen, just to save her the trouble, but his leg prevented him from doing so. He could not unfold his knee. Not only had his left leg suffer Erik's kick, but Cain also had a bad landing. He was pretty much lame for the moment. Cain gritted his teeth in frustration at himself, as he watched Zen move towards him. Then, she reached forward, touching his leg, a soft hiss escaping his lips as he had done so when she touched his bruise. Or cut, as it now was.

"I am...so sorry..."

This time, his reply came so natural that it was spoken immediately after her apology.

"Don't be. It was my promise that I was keeping."

Then, Erik made signs of recovering, Cain's eyes widening in shot. That last strike should have done a number on the man. He should not be able to get up so quickly. Cain's fist tightened as his attention was driven towards Erik, the Junior placing both hands on the floor as he pulled his right leg in, placing it under his bottom, his left leg still folded at the knee as he prevented himself from moving it around too much. He was shaky, but he was able to get himself up onto his right foot. However, as determined as Cain had gotten himself to be, it seemed that Erik had realised himself defeated here.

"I will deal with you at home....."

Despite that, Cain did not feel so good about those words. It made Cain want to actually follow Zen home, just to make sure that she did stay safe. However, he was gone, the smashing of the door more relieving than intimidating. He sighed, turning to Zen as she reached towards his cheek, wiping away the blood. And as soon as her hand dropped, Cain would place his clean hand on her cheek, his thumb stroking away a tear that was rolling downwards.

"I....I cannot stand this....seeing you hurt...be..because of me..... You wished....to know of my...life......Well....this is it...."

And she would turn, attempting to grab her bag but ended up falling upon her knees and palms, the male falling forward himself. He attempted to stop his fall with his left leg, but felt the sharp tinge of pain that jolted in after that, causing him to roll off it and land on his right shoulder. However, despite that, he would struggle forward and as soon as he was close enough, his right hand would grab Zen's left wrist.

"No, Zen. I'm not letting you leave until we get that wound closed up again. And don't even think of pushing me away now, cause I've already decided. Like you said, every fighter is just looking for someone or something to fill an empty unknown void. Well, you just filled up my one, and I will fight to protect you."

Cain looked at her, determined despite the pain that was surging through his lower body and cheek.

"I'm going to try my best to keep my promise."

[Zen]

She listened to him as he spoke finally shifting to sit down as she turned her eyes look at him....more than just a little bit of concern in her eyes....She honestly cared nothing about herself at the moment....Only him......Finally managing to move enough to lean against the ledge of the roof she reached up...her hand a bit bloody from brushing away the blood on his cheek.....She felt bad, but at the same time she could not really deny him. She could only nod.....that lower corner of her lip captured between her teeth as she cast a nervous look toward him......

"He did not used to be so bad......Until Mother started to hate me......Then..things changed....."

She spoke softly and through little weak breaths of pain.....Her head lowering as her hair fell down into her face, her body seated close enough to his so that she could reach out, her fingers lightly brushing against his neck, again in that affectionate manner she had already gotten used to do......

As her eyes ran over him...she again reached up, brushing away the blood on his face, gently...even though she knew it would most likely still hurt........

"I...don't understand this....I don't know why....But...even though I can't stand to see you hurt...I can't stand the thought of not being with you even more...."

It was true, and it made her worry that perhaps she was being selfish, maybe she should push him away...but she did not even know where to start.....She had always worried about letting somebody in because it would hurt her......Instead....it was the opposite....and it killed her.......Her heart aching with every bit of pain she knew she had caused him....

"I wont lie.....I may not be in school for a few days....He is angry....and Mother....she still does nothing.......She thinks I deserve all I get now.....before it was her own fear...now it is her hatred........"

She whimpered softly unto herself as her hand drew back from the flesh of his neck, a soft sigh passing her lips as she let her eyes fall shut..feeling just a bit dizzy at the moment though not about to try and move.....She did not want him to try to move and he would if she did....so for now, it was best to remain still....

[Cain]

And Zen, much to Cain's relief, succumbed to his wishes as she sat down right beside him, the Junior relaxing for a bit as he let his whole body call to the ground now, his hand letting go of Zen's wrist for the moment. However, when she started to move towards the wall, Cain would stop her, knowing that it was important to patch up the wound first. Instead, he would place his hands on her waist and turn her around so that she was facing the ledge instead, as he got himself to sit behind her too, his emerald eyes on the crimson stain on her shirt.

"He did not used to be so bad......Until Mother started to hate me......Then..things changed....."

"Why does your mom hate you?"

Yeah, she had missed off that part just a few minutes earlier, but now that Cain was more aware of what her life at home was like, he only became more curious, and worried. He wanted to know the whole story. And it was simple to know why. He wanted to help out. If this was how her family was like, Cain wanted to make it better. Cain wanted to give her a better life.

"I...don't understand this....I don't know why....But...even though I can't stand to see you hurt...I can't stand the thought of not being with you even more...."

She had tried to turn around, but Cain would keep her on the spot, then. As much as he wanted to hold her then, he knew what he had to do at first, as he reached up and started to unbutton his shirt, leaving himself with nothing but his tank top on. Then, he would proceed to remove Zen's shirt off, with her pardon, of course, before pressing it against the wound. Considering it was a re-opened wound, it would not be long before it closed up again. The bleeding had slowed down too, so the shirt that Zen had worn was only meant to absorb up the blood that had seeped through the bandage.

He would then place his shirt over her, letting her button it herself as he placed the blood-stained shirt to the side. He sighed, before placing his head on the back of her neck, his arms coming around her waist once more from behind.

"I wont lie.....I may not be in school for a few days....He is angry....and Mother....she still does nothing.......She thinks I deserve all I get now.....before it was her own fear...now it is her hatred........"

"... Stay with me..."

[Zen]

Zen allowed him to do as he pleased with her, not having the strength or the desire to fight him...Instead, she soon was against the ledge with him placed behind her....

She did not protest as he removed her shirt...Wincing slightly and offering a soft whimper as she closed her eyes at the pain of feeling him pushing upon the wound.....

Yet she stifled back any other sounds of discomfort......Then he asked about her mom.....And she lowered her head, letting her hair hide her face once more.....Her hands began to tremble, her breathing a bit more rapid as she struggled to get the words out.....

"Daddy couldn't keep his hands to himself.....and I was the one to blame..."

She spoke in almost a hushed whisper....barely able to get the words out without feeling her chest tighten and the beginnings of a panic attack hitting her....Her arm reaching out for her bag to grab out her bottle of prescribed meds which dealt with her quite frequent panic attacks.....

Opening the lid, she took one down........then....just as she was able to speak again, pardoning herself from being at school for a few days...he spoke two words...which.....Well they scared her and at the same time made her heart jump..........

"Cain...I....I mean....Are you sure? I..I do not wish to impose...I ....want..to be near you...but I dont want you to think...you know..that you have to...."

She kept her head down, nervously biting upon the corner of her lower lip as she waited on his reply...Unsure what she was feeling in this moment...her emotions all a flurry.....

Nobody wanted her....she was the one they all just pushed to the side and did away with...she was the one that they felt sorry for, but at the end of the day, were just..."oh well" and went on about their lives...

This....

This was so new to her, she did not know what to think.......Or to feel....her mind frozen in that moment...

[Cain]

"Daddy couldn't keep his hands to himself.....and I was the one to blame..."

Cain's arms tightened around her waist as the realisation came to him. Yeah, Cain was putting two and two together now. And he was not liking how the story was shaping out to be. Cain let out a soft growl, the Junior instinctively pulling her body tighter against his. A tear rolled down his cheek as he thought of the pain that she must have been forced to endure, knowing the himself had a messed up childhood too. Anyway, his head lifted up for a moment and he caught her reaching into her bag and taking out a bottle of pills.

And his hug only tightened.

"Cain...I....I mean....Are you sure? I..I do not wish to impose...I ....want..to be near you...but I dont want you to think...you know..that you have to...."

Cain sighed, as his hug loosened then finally, but stayed firmly around her waist. He started to feel more drawn to her then, knowing how fragile she was. Perhaps it was his hero complexity? Yeah, probably. He felt that it was part of his purpose now just to keep her safe. At that, he lifted his head for the back of her neck as he leaned forward then, his chin resting on her right shoulder as he leaned his cheek against hers. A soft sigh escaped his lips as he tilted his head slightly, pecking her cheek.

"If you're fine with it, Zen. I just want to do my best now to keep you as safe as I can."

Noticing then that she had yet to button up, Cain gave a soft chuckle, before letting his hands reach up and button the shirt that he had placed upon her. Of course, he left the top button open, not wanting to choke her up.

"... How's your shoulder?"

[Zen]

Zen felt his arms tighten around her waist as she spoke about her past, however vague it was. Then, as she took out her med, once more the warmth of his embrace only continued to increase. She sighed, finally using her shaking hands to open the bottle of meds and taking one. As she swallowed it down, and replaced the lid, she dropped the bottle back into her bag.

Then, with a heavy sigh, she closed her eyes, trying to prevent her nerves from getting the better of her.......Then she felt his head upon her shoulder, that kiss upon her cheek bringing forth a soft smile upon her lips....

"I...I just don't...want to push you away....I am far from...normal...."

She had a lot of issues which she kept secret, things she only brought out at home in the comfort of her room.....If she lived with him, it would give him access to that part of her....to every part of her....and though the logical part of her mind told her that she should not. That she should think longer about what the hell she was doing......

That tug at her heart, the one she had felt since the first time she had looked into his eyes, spoke something completely different....

And, despite how mean she was to the outward world, she had never felt something like this, and she dared not deny it.....Nodding softly, she drew in a deep breath once more before turning just enough to look at him....

"I will.....I want to be with you....No matter how irrational it may seem....I need to be with you...."

Her small hand coming up, brushing lightly against his neck before falling away and shrugging softly.....The pain was still there, as he buttoned up the shirt.....but it was not as bad and the bleeding had stopped.......

"It is better...How are you doing....?"

Finally shifting her entire body to face him as she cast those almond eyes upward at him, biting the corner of her lower lip lightly.

[Cain]

"I...I just don't...want to push you away....I am far from...normal...."

She gave him a soft smile that really covered up his heart in a warm embrace, the Junior giving one back of his own, soft nods being done as he pressed his chin against her shoulder gently. A soft chuckle would then emerge from his lips. Far from normal? Hah. Cain had always lived a life far from normal.

"Heh, I can live with that."

And he meant that literally too, not just in an expression-sort of manner. Cain had always been one adaptive guy who was always ready to take on new challenges and face them with a smile. And she was both a challenge and a purpose to him then. A challenge that Cain was never going to give up on and a purpose he would never forget.

"I will.....I want to be with you....No matter how irrational it may seem....I need to be with you...."

He would tilt his head, planting a soft kiss on the side of her neck, before letting out a sigh, his breathe coming upon the moist skin on her neck. He then buried his nose bridge onto the curve of his neck, his eyes closing as he allowed himself to indulge in her smell, mixed with sweat and blood. He sighed.

For some reason, it just felt right and relaxing being around her. It was a feeling Cain was sure that he would never forget anytime soon. Nor did he ever want to. He wanted to be in this sensation forever, no matter what it took.

"It is better...How are you doing....?"
"Uhm, my cheek's ok, but my leg..."

Cain lifted his face off her neck for a while as he looked at his left shin, letting a soft hiss of disapproval at the pain he was feeling. It really wasn't the best of sensation, especially for a speed-demon whose greatest strength was his footwork, to have an injured leg.

"... I still can't move it."

[Zen]

Her head tilted to the side, a soft, content sigh passing her lips as she closed her eyes and allowed him to bury his face against the curve of her neck...Her small hand coming up and brushing the tips of her fingers against his jawline....

Then he pulled back, and as she shifted her body so that she could look at him, she noted the wince and the slight hiss of pain. It stung her heart to know that she had caused this, and nervously she bit the corner of her lower lip.....

"We should get you to the nurse."

She now turned fully so that she was facing him, her small hand coming to the side of his neck, delicate strokes of her fingers to his flesh in a soft and affectionate manner...Clear worry in her almond hues as she looked up at him....

She was not about to leave him. No, she would just sit here with him as long as it took if he refused to let her help him. She just could not stand the thought of leaving him, especially given that the pain he suffered was her fault.

"Thank you...by the way....Nobody has ever stood up for me before...."

She lowered her head as she spoke the words...Memories of her Mother cursing her name when she had run to her to finally tell her what her Father had been doing to her.....

Erik having been her best friend until then, and then turning on her when she needed him most....

Friends ..... she really had none.... she had suffered alone in her own cold little world for so long, what he had done for her, now twice....bonded her to him ....even if he did not know that as of yet.....

[Cain]

"We should get you to the nurse."
"Mmhm..."

Cain agreed with a nod of his head, his lips pouting as he let out that two-noted hum of agreement. He looked at the hand that was placed upon his neck then, stroking it, the warm sensation sending shivers down Cain's spine. He looked towards Zen, noticing the worry in her eyes and feeling a tad bit guilty himself. He sighed, his hand reaching forward, placing it upon her cheek.

"Hey, don't worry, alright? I'll be alright."
"Thank you...by the way....Nobody has ever stood up for me before...."

Cain looked at her, letting out a soft chuckle. He then shook his head, as if saying that it was alright. She did not have to thank him. It was what he was going to be doing from then on, after all. His thumb stroked her cheek as he leaned forward, planting a peck upon her lips as he did.

"Get used to it, love. Haha."

At that, he removed his hand from her cheek as he placed it on the ground, along with his other hand as he proceeded to push himself up, before sliding his right foot under him, a soft grunt of effort as he did. And upon succeeding the simple yet difficult feat, Cain let out a soft sigh. Alright, he could get up now, but of course, he would need help. Imagine that, the young fighter himself asking a girl for help. Heh. He looked sympathetically at Zen, pouting a bit as if to draw in her pity.

"Haha... Uhm... Help?"

[Zen]

His words along with his touch set her heart on fire and a smile curled upon her soft lips. Returning the soft kiss, she then stood up, keeping her worried and every watchful eyes upon him.

She noted the bit of struggle he had with the act of standing, and then that face....gah...that tugged at her heart like nothing she had ever felt before......

Lowering her body, she shifted so that she could put his arm over her shoulder, nodding softly as if to say "ready?" and then slowly standing up, tugging his weight with her own. She was little but she was not exactly weak....but he was still rather heavy.

"Oh and by the way....I would really like to live with you."

She knew that she did not really have to say the words out loud, but she felt that by saying them, it made it official, which was a big step for her in more ways than one.

She would then look up at him, to make sure that he was okay before attempting to step forward.....Going slowly of course....Trying her best to help him to the nurses office......

[Cain]

And she lowered her body, pulling his arm over her shoulder, something that Cain was about to welcome when he suddenly pulled his arm away, looking at her quite worried, still squat on his right foot. His eyes traversed from her hues, to her shoulder, then back to those beautiful almond orbs once more.

"Your shoulder, it might open up again..."

Cain sighed, before placing both hands on the floor then. At that, he took a deep breathe, before pushing up with both three limbs, his left leg being dragged inwards across the floor as a soft grunt escaped his lips. He would almost fall, but his hand shot out, holding onto Zen's uninjured shoulder. A soft chuckle escaped his lips as he raised his head then, giving her a smile.

"Ah, sorry..."
"Oh and by the way....I would really like to live with you."

Cain looked at her, surprised at the officialisation with her words. From what he had seen, she had struck him as the shy type who, as direct as she was with her words, sometimes had problem saying it. But she said that with so much confidence. Cain was happy. She was getting more comfortable around him, that meant. He smiled warmly, then, that hand on her shoulder tightening a bit, as if already hugging her.

"I'm glad..."

And with a chuckle, he turned on his heels, his hand on Zen's uninjured shoulder as he started to drag his left leg across and towards the entrance of the roof.

[Zen]

Zen helped Cain as best she could through the doors and to the nearest nurses station...not spotting anyone she let him settle himself as she went into the back office to drag out one of the nurses...Explaining simply that he had gotten into a fight and gotten hurt......

The nurse then nodded, taking a quick look at Cain before reaching out and placing her hands on Zen...trying to push her out the door...Explaining that she was no longer needed and to get to class....

Out of nowhere, and unexplainable to even Zen, a jolt of fear shot through her as she struggled to get past the nurse who was quite larger than her...as most tended to be......

"No! I want to stay with him!"

The nurse grabbed her arm..a very authorative look in her eyes as she shook her head......

"No young lady. You must return to class. Cannot have you hanging around here all day just to get out of class..."

So that is what they thought this was? A game? In her mind she was actually scared, and again tried to get past the nurse...A whimper escaping her as she was again pushed closer to the door....

"If you do not leave now, you will be sent straight to the principle and I will tell him you got physical with me. The consequences will be great."

She shot a look to the nurse....who obviously was very old school in this type of thing....her hands trembling as she bit her lower lip so roughly out of nervousness that she broke the skin and a bit of blood trickled down her chin.....

Finally however she was forced into the hallway and the door was shut....Trying to suck up the tears before others saw, she grabbed her meds and took another one....trying to settle her nerves....Her body leaning against the wall and sliding down it slowly until she was seated alone in the empty all, the bell having rung.....waiting....where she would stay until he was able to leave....Not sure what was holding her here, but unable to break this tie her heart now held for that man........

[Cain]

It was not a long journey, nor did it take long, but dragging along an aching left shin made it a whole lot longer, in terms of both distance and time. However, with Zen by his side, it was a whole lot more easier at the same time. Conflicting emotions? Pretty much, yeah. Here he was, taking a route that was all too familiar for the Junior. No, he wasn't injured much, but the man was nice enough to actually bring some of his opponents back here.

They got in soon enough, and Cain was settled upon the hospital bed, sitting upon it with his eyes on his left leg. Of course he was worried. If he had indeed injured his left leg, it would spell doom for the speedster. It would affect his overall performance generally. No longer would he be as fast as he was, nor would he be as agile. This was pretty much going to force a change in his fighting style. And he hoped he did not have to. However, a commotion in front of him caught his attention, the Junior raising his head as he looked up at Zen as she began to get ushered out by the nurse.

Cain raised his right hand in protest, until the nurse shot the threat of the principal. The image of Mr. Durand came to his head, the authoritative and charismatic individual that had caught Cain's attention during the assembly and the classroom. He seemed to be one man that Cain could never understand. And his decision to create a Correctional Facility intrigued him too.

The nurse then proceeded to check upon Cain's leg, as he let out a sigh, watching Zen leave the nurse's office. And standard protocol took over, as the nurse checked on his knee, rotating it herself and asking him to rotate. The ankle followed. And soon, she focused on the shin. It seemed that his left muscle had been beaten up quite a bit in his tussle. It would recover, but for now, Cain was going to be lame.

"... Uhm, you know the girl that you just chased out? Yeah, could you help me check up on her? She has a gash on her shoulder and it was bleeding just now..."

The nurse looked at him, before succumbing to his request, giving a nod. Cain hoped that she was just outside the office. In a way, he knew she was, for he could still somewhat feel her presence. The nurse would open the door and peek out, before finding her on the floor.

"I heard you got a gash on your shoulder. Come on in. I'll check it out."

As unreasonable as the nurse was, she still had a job to do here, and Cain knew that she would have to do it if she wanted to stay.