A/N: Hi there. This is my first Tin Man fan fic, but I've been a fan of the series since it first aired back in December. The characters are certainly not mine, but they are certainly fun to write about! This fic is entirely Cain/DG-centric! Thanks for reading…hope you enjoy.
Chapter 1
It had been two weeks since the fall of the witch, and life was returning to the once desolate OZ. The royal family trekked back across the land home to Finaqua, and DG was so thrilled that her three traveling companions had decided to join them. How long they would be staying, however, was still questionable, but DG was just happy to have them with her.
As she sat in the gazebo swing, she stared out over the water and sighed as a warm breeze blew across her face, stray hairs dancing against her forehead and she closed her eyes. For the first time in a long time, she had finally felt like she was home, that she belonged somewhere. A sense of peace washed over her, and she smiled.
The past two weeks had not been easy. DG's main concern was her sister. Azkadellia remained in a daze for a few days before finally breaking down. Her tears were relentless as her body constantly rocked with sobs. Az had been consumed by guilt at the things she had done under the witch's control, and DG's own guilt remained at the surface, although she refused to voice it as she attempted to help her sister.
Finally one night as DG sat at her sister's bedside, their hands clasped firmly, the familiar soft white light glowing between them, Az's cries ceased. She sat up in the bed and took DG's other hand in hers.
"DG, we need to heal," Az simply said.
DG felt her throat tighten as the tears finally welled in her own eyes. All she could do was nod in response. She had so much she wanted to say, so many apologies. She cursed herself every second since recalling the memory of the cave for letting go of her sister's hand. But now, she was speechless. The emotion was too great.
"Let's make a pact," Az said. "We both feel guilt and shame for things we've done in the past, but neither are our fault. The witch lured us both with her song. You were only a frightened child, and I have never blamed you for letting go. And I was too weak to fight her. We were children, DG. We were defenseless against her."
"But…" DG stammered.
"No, here and now we will vow never to live in the past again. She is gone, DG. The witch is gone. Together we defeated her. We are not defenseless anymore, not as long as we're together."
DG smiled as the tears dampened her cheeks. She squeezed Az's hands tighter.
"From now on we will look to the future, and towards happiness. We have both been long without it. Our family has been reunited. The House of Gale once again reigns the OZ. And our land is healing. Let us heal with it. No more tears, no more guilt…promise?" Az said, whispering those last words. She reached up and wiped the tears from DG's face. DG laughed and embraced her sister tightly.
"I promise," DG whispered.
During their journey to Finaqua DG and Azkadellia reveled in the light around them. The suns seemed to shine brighter than ever, and what had once been a wasteland thrived once more. Grass began to grow where it had once been dusty rock. Water flowed from stones once dry. New life was beginning all around them.
DG rested comfortably in her mother's arms as they rode in the carriage. She could have slept for days after the week she had just had. When she was awake, she chose to ride on horseback with Glitch, Raw and Cain.
It was decided that Glitch's brain would accompany them back to Finaqua, and the procedure to reconnect Glitch with his marbles would happen there. This procedure would not need medical intervention however…strictly magical. Azkadellia and DG would do it together with their collective magic, and help from the emerald. And while Lavender no longer possessed magic, she would be there to help her daughters with her guidance.
Glitch was just tickled pink that he would soon be reacquainted with himself. In fact, he barely stopped talking about it, except for when his synapses would misfire and he'd forget where he was for that brief moment.
Raw had a perpetual smile plastered on his furry face. No doubt the relief and happiness pouring off all those around them made him feel warm and cozy. He kept Kalm with him, having made his own promise to Lylo to keep Kalm safe, and despite the fact the witch was gone, Raw could not leave Kalm now.
Cain had been his usual quiet self, although DG thought he was even more so. He seemed to watch the road before them with a blank stare, his thoughts somewhere else. Sure he'd occasionally chime in on their conversations, even smiling here and there, but for the most part his lips remained sealed shut, his jaw clenched. At times DG thought he was watching her, but when she would turn to meet his eyes he'd only look away.
Lately Cain just confused DG, but she passed it off to the fact that his son Jeb had decided not to journey with them, but to join the bulk of his resistance fighters on their return home. He did, however, agree to meet up with them at Finaqua in a few weeks' time. Cain had been proud of his son for wanting to see to their safe return, and had even considered going with him, but he only told DG that he felt it more important to see to the royal family's safety.
The threat was not completely gone. No doubt there were factions of Longcoats loyal to the sorceress still out there; after all, the witch did have them stationed throughout the OZ. And word was still reaching the outer realms that she had been destroyed.
For some reason, DG did not feel the least bit afraid. As they traveled, her memories seemed to come flooding back from her childhood, and the magic she was still learning before she was sent to the Other Side to forget. Now that she was older and could remember, she could feel the magic within her growing stronger every day. And she also knew that as long as she and Az were together, nothing could harm them or those they chose to protect. She had to grin wickedly knowing they were a force to be reckoned with. I can think of a few people back in Kansas on which I'd like to unleash some magical revenge, she thought deviously.
Now as she sat in the swing at Finaqua, she let herself relax into the peaceful quiet, just happy to be home with her family and her closest friends. Tomorrow she and her sister would magically transfer Glitch's brain back into his head. DG admitted she was nervous, but she was sure that with Tutor's help, her mother's guidance, and her sister's hand it would all go all right.
"Hey there, princess," came a deep voice from behind her. DG opened her eyes and smiled, not needing to turn around for that voice had become so familiar to her she even heard it in her sleep…which was something new and perplexing all together.
"You lost, Tin Man?" she asked, her eyes transfixed on the serene water before her.
A low chuckle came from behind her and she felt her belly coil.
"Nope, just bored."
"Bored?" she gasped, turning to find him leaning against the white railing, his arms crossed in front of his chest. "Why, because you're not shooting someone?"
He shrugged. "Perhaps." He reached up and scratched his cheek, his eyes skimming their surroundings. "I don't know, it's just…too quiet here."
She smirked. "I think after the past three weeks a little quiet is just what the doctor ordered." She closed her eyes and tossed her head back as the breeze blew again. She grasped the ropes on either side of her and leaned back into the swing, kicking her feet out and feeling suddenly giddy. Cain's presence always did that to her.
She laughed out loud and opened her eyes, sitting back up in the swing. His blue eyes were blazing back at her, and she could have sworn he looked flustered. He cleared his throat and pulled his hat down over his face a bit too quickly for her to confirm it, though.
"So, you ready for tomorrow?" he asked, staring at his boots.
DG stood from the swing and walked towards him, stopping at his side and leaning on the railing. "A little."
"You know what to do, right?"
She nodded. "Mother and Toto have gone over it with us a thousand times. I'm nervous, but not scared. I just have a feeling everything will be ok."
Cain looked back at her and smiled. "Well that should put Glitch at ease. He's bouncing off the walls like a crazed mobat in there."
"Maybe we should get him drunk to settle his nerves," DG laughed, her eyes lighting up.
Cain raised his eyebrows and grinned. DG found the very sight of it almost delicious. She screwed her eyes shut tight and shook her head.
"You ok princess?" Cain asked, his brow furrowing.
"Fine," she replied quickly. "Just crazy thoughts…"
"You, crazy thoughts? Not possible."
"Oh, ha ha, Mr. Cain."
"Come on, DG, what were you thinking? I'll decide whether you're crazy or not."
"I didn't say I was crazy," she replied incredulously, false horror covering her face at the fact he would imply something so…utterly true.
He raised an eyebrow at her and she playfully slapped his chest. His hand shot out and caught hers, though, before it could make contact with him. The feel of his rough hand encasing her delicate wrist sent shivers through her body, and she made no attempt to free herself. His crystal blue eyes bore into hers.
"What were you thinking?" he challenged, his voice suddenly deeper and softer.
She stared at him, her mouth going dry. Her entire body felt electrified as she focused on his touch. Her knees began to feel weak as she attempted to read his eyes, her mind whirring with so many thoughts, innocent and dirty alike.
"I was just thinking what a nice smile you have," she said, almost whispering. The breeze picked up again and sent stray hairs across her eyes.
Cain slowly lifted his other hand and brushed them from her face, tucking them behind her ear. DG fought to keep her eyes from closing as he touched her face.
What the hell is going on? she screamed inside her head. The heat beginning to pulse from within her created a new mystery for her. When did I start having romantic feelings towards him?
She knew exactly when. That moment before they enacted their plan to stop the witch when she stood with her three friends and gave them a friendly pep talk, but Cain had turned the tables on her. When he stared deeply into her eyes and implored her to save herself if things went wrong. When he urged her to be careful because it would be the one time he wouldn't be there to help. When she could hear the struggle in his voice that he wouldn't be by her side in this fight, protecting her. When he wrapped her tightly in his arms and felt his tears slide slowly from his eyes…at emotion he had felt for her.
DG sighed deeply at the memory before meeting Cain's eyes again. He regarded her a moment longer before releasing her wrist and stepping back from her.
"Nah, you're not crazy. Just honest," he quipped before tipping his hat at her and turning on his heel. She watched, dazed, as he walked back towards the manor like he hadn't a care in the world.
DG let her eyes focus on his retreating form as her hand trailed up the post for support. She gently rested her head against the back of her hand as she watched him dreamily. The moment her nose brushed against her wrist, she could almost smell Cain's scent from where he held her. Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply before opening them again.
Crazy thoughts, DG, they're just crazy thoughts, she thought to herself.