Tabs and Cain: Ungodly Hours

[x-plosive.livejournal.com]

The first shock of water always drove the air from her lungs. Tabitha tread water for a few moments while she got her bearings. Then she struck out in a brisk breast stroke.

Afterward she dashed from the water and dried off as quickly as she could. The summer temperatures were sweltering, but it seemed they couldn't touch the lake. She wrapped the towel around her hair and wrapped a shawl around her shoulders.

She turned back to stare across the lake. "Soon, maybe," she mused to herself.

"Later, probably," came the gruff voice from under the shade of a nearby tree. "What kinda damn fool goes swimming in the cold-ass lake when you got a damn heated pool inside?"

Cain lumbered out into the early morning's light, brushing a fallen leaf off his shoulder. "Or is this one o' them getting-back-to-nature things?"

Tabs squeaked and jumped. "Ack!" She craned her neck so she could narrow her eyes. "Actually, it's one of those privacy things." Color stained her cheeks as she looked away. "Didn't really want an audience."

"Which makes sense that you picked the great open outdoors, known for its privacy," Cain joked, picking up a rock and skipping it out over the lake. "What, you ain't a good swimmer or something?"

"I've managed nearly three months without running into another soul," she pointed out. "And no, I'm actually a rather good swimmer. I just wanted to work out in peace. Get into shape without anybody making any snide comments."

Cain cocked his head, looking at Tabitha for a moment before the images clicked into place in his brain. The athletic, chirpy girl that he'd met in his first few weeks at the mansion had... well... put on a few pounds. Here and there and...

Realizing that he was staring at a woman in a swimsuit who'd just complained about snide comments, Cain averted his eyes abruptly and whistled innocently. "Well, y'know, far be it from me to suggest, but... yeah, swimming's good exercise and, well, lake ain't going nowhere. Take all the exercise you need."

Tabitha's blush spread down her neck. "I thought I was doing all right." She rubbed the back of her neck. "I was actually working up the courage to talk to Scott about getting back on the team..." She trailed off.

Cain arched an eyebrow. "Pardon my sayin' so, but most of the stuff we do, uh... it's a bit more active than sortin' books in the library."

Tabitha snorted. "Like chasing dinosaurs through the streets of New York? Or rolling around inside giant pinballs?" A grin fought its way to her face. "I have a small idea."

Cain smiled back. "Yeah, like that. Hey, if you think you're up for it, by all means. It just might, uh..." He struggled with tact for a moment, then just gave up. "Might want to try a lot more exercise first."

Tabs' blush turned crimson. She pulled the shawl even tighter around her body. "I'll remember that."

Cain just nodded, then jerked a thumb towards the mansion. "Coffee's
on if you want it."

"Coffee's good," Tabitha squeaked before she dashed away.