The Lion and the Tin Woman

By: Jade of Purple

Disclaimer: Ummmm … I kind of don't own them. Crazy I know.

Summary: Daniel sees a different side of Wilhelmina.

Side Note: I don't know how to write Christina's accent so just pretend that it's there. :shrug:

Chapter 1

Daniel was looking over the photos for the cover when Christina rushed into his office.

"Mr. Mead, don't mean to disturb you, but do you know where Wilhelmina is?"

"I think she's in a meeting right now, is there something I can …" The rest of his sentence died on his lips when he looked up and saw that Christina had baby William with her.

"Actually there is. I just got a call from my husband and I need to get home quickly. Do you think you could watch him for a wee little bit?"

Daniel stood up from his chair and walked around his desk. "Ummm … well actually I'm not really good with babies."

Christina placed the baby seat and bag on his desk. "Oh you'll be fine. I just fed and changed him, so there's really nothing you'll have to do except watch him." She picked up the baby. "Now you be a good little boy." She kissed his forehead then placed him back down. "Have fun you two," she rushed out the room before Daniel could try to find another excuse.

Daniel watched her retreating form then turned to the baby. "Ok, this should be easy enough. It's not like I really have to do anything." He said out loud to himself. Then as if sensing Daniel's anxiety the baby began to whimper.

"Oh crap." He mumbled as he walked up to the baby seat. "Hey … little buddy whatever you do don't cry."

More whimpers came from the child.

"Hey its okay, everything's okay." Daniel cautiously moved to pick up William. At first he held him awkwardly half an arms length a way from his body, and then gradually he shifted him until William was cradled in his arms. Gently he began to rock him and William's whimpers died down. Daniel released a sigh of relief.

"This isn't too bad." He openly smiled down at the small child in his arms. A strange feeling of awe and over protectiveness took hold of him, and he found himself mesmerized by this tiny person. "You're so small." He whispered. And at that moment he would've done anything to keep that child safe.

William looked up at him with wide eyes. "Wondering who I am, aren't you?" Daniel made a funny face at him. "I'm your big brother Daniel. I probably look like a giant to you. Well don't worry I'm sure you'll be this tall and good looking one day." Daniel chuckled to himself.

He didn't know how long he stood like that, staring at the little bundle in his arms, but he knew the exact instant his moment of peaceful silence had been broken.

"What are you doing with my child?"

Daniel turned around and found Wilhelmina staring at him with a look of shock and suspicion on her face.

"Nothing, I … Christina had to go home and so she left him with me."

Wilhelmina walked up to Daniel and took William from him. "Why didn't she leave him with Marc?"

"I think I saw him with Amanda earlier." Daniel replied with a smirk.

"Enough said." She smiled down at William. A moment later she glanced back at Daniel and cleared her throat. "Thank you, for watching him."

Daniel was caught off guard by her show of gratitude and it took him a few seconds to respond. "You're welcome. I actually had a good time with the little guy."

"He does seem to like you, though I don't know why."

He knew that she was baiting him. "Probably has something to do with my killer smile and bravado."

Wilhelmina squinted her eyes at him as if she were trying to judge for herself. "No, that couldn't possibly be it." She smirked, and then turned her attention back to William.

Daniel opened his mouth to reply but stopped himself when he realized what he was seeing in front of him. In a matter of minutes Wilhelmina had transformed from the heartless and cold woman he saw everyday at work, to a loving and caring mother. It surprised him how completely different she looked just by holding William. He had never seen her genuinely smile till now. And he almost found himself believing that maybe this was the real her; that maybe deep down inside she really did care about others. He slightly shook his head in attempt to rid himself of these thoughts of her, but that did nothing but make him realize that he had been standing there just staring at her for a short while. Suddenly he felt awkward as if he were intruding on a private moment. He desperately wanted to break the silence.

"You know if you ever need help with watching him you can always give me a call. He is my little brother after all." He wasn't quite sure why he even said that, but at the time it had seemed like the right thing to say. And surprisingly he realized that he meant it.

Wilhelmina turned towards him as if she had forgotten he was there. She stared at him and said nothing; it almost seemed as if she was trying to make sense of what he had just said. Daniel thought for sure that she was going to reject his offer, but instead she simply nodded in acceptance then looked back down at her son.

The silence returned and so did Daniel's feeling of awkwardness. Unsure of what else to do, he mumbled an excuse and walked out of his own office.

Wilhelmina looked up and watched Daniel's retreating form before turning back to William. "Things will be different this time." She whispered. "I promise I will never forget to remind you how much I love you."

TBC?

I hope you liked the story. Leave a review if you did :)