Babysitting Chapter 1, a tin man fanfic

"Az, you're sure you can handle him?" DG asked, eyeing her sister warily.

"Deeg, I think she can handle watching Wyatt for a few hours," Cain said for the millionth time while Az nodded her head emphatically.

"Besides," Cain continued, "Jeb said he'd stop by and help out. He wants to make sure he gets some quality time with his little brother and he can protect Az and Wyatt while we're gone."

Cain watched DG intently as she sat lost in thought. Wyatt was only a few months old now, and while she wanted to go spend some time alone with her husband, she didn't like the idea of leaving baby Wyatt behind, even if it was with her sister and step-son.

"Alright, let's go before I change my mind," she concluded, giving Az a hug as well as Jeb who had just entered the room. "Take good care of them," she whispered to him on her way out. He merely nodded.

While they were used to being around Cain and DG, Az and Jeb never really spent anytime alone and neither knew what to say so they just enjoyed the peace and quiet while baby Wyatt slept in his crib.

Az curled up in a chair reading a book while Jeb sat lost in thought, looking just like his father Az thought before returning to her book.

Just then Wyatt woke up crying, startling both of them out of their thoughts. Jeb got up to head towards Wyatt, but Az beat him there, picking Wyatt up and rocking him as she walked around the room.

Jeb sat back down taking in the view in front of him. A lot had changed since the eclipse. DG & Cain had married eight months in after finally getting over their mutual stubborn nature and admitting their feelings for each other and a month later DG announced that she was pregnant.

He hadn't been happy with the idea originally. DG was barely older than he was but after spending some time with her, he began to see why his father was so impressed and encouraged their relationship. Upon finding out about his baby brother he couldn't have been happier.

Spending time with Az however, well, that was another matter entirely.

"Shhhh Wyatt, it's alright. I've got you," she said soothingly as she paced around the room holding baby Wyatt in her arms. At least it gave her something to focus on. The silence was getting to her and she couldn't seem to focus on her reading.

She had adjusted well all things considered since the eclipse. She made sure to spend as much time as possible with her sister and parents to make up for all the lost time and DG's friends had accepted her more readily than she ever thought possible. It had taken the rest of the O.Z. much longer to trust her and she still didn't like going out on a regular basis, though she was progressively getting better about it. It helped having DG and her friends around. DG helped her remind her of how wonderful life could be, like it was before the witch.

Az took a deep breath and then started focusing on baby Wyatt again who was laying comfortably in her arms as she paced. She never dreamed a day like this would come. She was possessed so young that she had given up all hope of finding love, much less having a family of her own, but holding her nephew in her arms and seeing this precious new life gave her a family just as much as if he was her own. She loved being an aunt. It was moments like these that made everything better. She couldn't help but smile when he smiled and all thoughts of the witch in previous moments were lost as she laughed along with her nephew.

Watching Az walk around the room with baby Wyatt in her arms Jeb was stunned. He hardly ever spent time with this princess as she usually stayed away from everyone unless DG forced her to do something. Well, not really forced, more like strongly suggested. Boy those girls were stubborn! He thought, laughing on the inside. Not that he could talk really, he and his father were equally stubborn, if not more so. At this thought he was reminded that he never really knew how his dad and DG made it work, but they did nonetheless, and baby Wyatt was living proof.

He smiled as he heard Az and Wyatt laughing. She may be in the background of group gatherings, but so was he, right? Never completely comfortable but happy to be around everyone all the same. And she was getting stronger, he thought. When was the last time he really looked at her? It must have been some time. She spent most of her time with DG after all, but in big groups she was so…quiet, sad. For the longest time everything reminded her of the witch and she would run off crying with DG close on her tail to comfort her. But here, in this very room she had become a new person. How had he missed this side of her before?

Pulling Wyatt close to her, Az quietly whispered in his tiny little ear. "Do you know how wonderful you are? How much I love you?" He sighed happily as if he understood what she was saying and fell asleep in her arms as she moved to the rocking chair in the middle of the room.

She held him closer, as she watched him with awe. This precious little boy had no memories of her being possessed, no evil thoughts of her, no hatred…it was a gift that she would always cherish she was sure. Others would reminisce about the days before the witch, some stories were told that could still make her cry about everything that had happened, but ever since she got her sister back things had gotten better.

She was getting stronger all the time and laughing far more often than she had since they were children. The girls had plenty of bonding time with the reconstruction of the O.Z., and then planning DG's wedding, but baby Wyatt had been the best gift of all. Az was there for DG and Cain whenever she could be and she loved helping out with baby Wyatt.

DG hated leaving Wyatt with anyone, but every once in awhile Cain would convince her she needed a night off and Az was always the first to volunteer to babysit. It was these moments with a baby who didn't exist when the witch did that gave her the most peace. When she heard a chair squeak across the room she was startled, having forgotten anyone else was there.

"Sorry," said Jeb when Wyatt started crying, having awoken at the sound. Az & the baby looked so peaceful he didn't want to interrupt but had done so by trying to get a better look. Still in shock about how loving this woman he once hated had shaken him to his core. It had been harder for him to accept everything that had happened than anybody even though he was outside the tower when the witch melted.

It had taken him some time to not react when he heard her name or saw her. That was probably the main reason the two of them had never shared any real time together, but when he heard that she was babysitting tonight after he had offered his services, he chose to join her. He figured this was a good way of attempting to get used to being on friendly terms with something that haunted his childhood. He also knew it would please his father and DG, and he did want to spend some quality time with his little brother.

"I'll take him if you want Az," he said as she rose again from her chair to start pacing. "You've been pacing for awhile now…I wouldn't mind" he added, reaching for baby Wyatt. Az looked at him for a second and seeing the look in his eyes she nodded and handed Wyatt to him, watching the smile creep up on his boyish face when he held his little brother. She barely had time to admit to herself how her pulse had quickened slightly when their hands touched as she passed Wyatt to him.

She had never noticed til tonight just how handsome Jeb Cain really was. Sure he was good looking, obviously it runs in the family, she thought, but hadn't really paid him that much attention other than that random observation. While DG's friends had accepted her, and as much as she loved being around them all, she still shied away from them as she had hurt them all in some way, shape, or form. Some more than others…

She sighed again as she watched Jeb walk around the room carrying Wyatt in his arms. She had hurt him and his family so much. Well, the witch had, but with her face. She saw the look behind his eyes in the beginning. The look of hatred he had grown so used to showing in her presence and having to fight back everything he learned because she was "good" again. She knew it must have been difficult for him and couldn't blame him at all. It's why she had stayed away…right?

Her thoughts were drifting into uncharted territory when she heard Wyatt laugh and watched as Jeb looked down at him laughing right along with him. She thought it had been peaceful for her to hold Wyatt and laugh with him, but when she saw Jeb her heart stopped. There was just something so amazing about watching him hold his brother.

She had seen the look in DG's eyes at Wyatt holding his son and she only assumed she had a similar look in her eyes now watching Jeb. Normally she would have looked away, embarrassed and worried that she might be caught looking but she was sure that Jeb was otherwise occupied and she felt herself getting more and more drawn in as he paced around.

"He seems wide awake to me," Jeb finally said after pacing for what seemed like forever. "Not that I'm complaining, I just don't think he wants to sleep anymore."

"Bring him over here then, we'll just have to do something to keep him entertained then, won't we?"

He had tried everything he could think of, but since Wyatt wasn't even crying he figured that not wanting to sleep had to be the best explanation. After all, he as well as his father functioned off of little to no sleep most of the time, why would baby Wyatt be any different? He had after all been sleeping for a couple hours wrapped up in Az's beautiful arms earlier, hadn't he?

Realizing what he had just been thinking Jeb swallowed hard before walking back toward Az who was spreading out a baby blanket on the floor. He carefully sat down next to it and placed Wyatt on the soft blanket.

"So, what do we do?" he asked, unsure of himself. He could take care of himself, order grown men around, but had no clue what to do with babies. Everything he knew, he learned from watching DG & his father, or from paying careful attention to how Az held Wyatt in her arms…for educational purposes, of course.

"I've got an idea. I think he's gonna love this," she said with a mischievous grin on her face. "I'll be right back" she added, leaving Jeb alone with Wyatt. His only hope was that she would get back soon. As much as he wanted to babysit his brother, he was thankful that Az always beat him to the punch. He was much happier being there for support and having backup.

"Here," said Az as she entered the room with a box of small objects she had thrown together from her room: a hairbrush, comb, a few bobby pins, and barrettes.

Jeb looked at her and stifled a laugh as he asked "Are we supposed to do his hair or something?"

"Ha ha, very funny," said Az before sticking her tongue out for good measure. "They were the first small things I found in plain sight in my room, they were on my dresser," she added, defensively.

Not wanting to offend her he changed the subject. "So what exactly do we do with these then?"

Az smiled and laughed. "We do nothing…" she said as she waved her hand over the pile of objects as they started to float up forming a circle in the air. She moved the circle over Wyatt who was watching in awe as the small objects floated above his head in a circular motion. It was very similar to an Other Side mobile that DG had been describing and Glitch had made one for Wyatt's crib, but Az decided to have a little fun and make her own on the spot.

Wyatt just giggled and tried to touch the objects that were out of his reach while Jeb sat there in just as much awe as baby Wyatt. He had seen the girls use their magic before but something about her using it to bring laughter and joy was disarming.

Az didn't notice the effect she was having on Jeb at that moment. He didn't remember the last time that he had this much…fun. Sitting here with Az and the baby, laughing together as if there wasn't a care in the world. In that moment he was truly happy watching Az entertaining his little brother, wondering what his children would look like someday. He was beginning to think this whole baby thing might be fun if he could find a loving woman who would have this much fun keeping the baby happy. He was just starting to envision a little girl with long dark hair when he heard a knock at the door and the spell was broken.

Az looked at the door for a second motioning DG and Cain in while she continued to make the objects fly around. DG joined her on the floor, eager to see the bright blue eyes of her little blonde boy light up in glee as the objects swirled around his head. "I take it he wasn't much trouble, then?" she asked, laughing as she saw the wide grin on Az's face.

"Not a chance, little sister. He's a very agreeable little child for having such stubborn, difficult parents."

At this everyone laughed. Cain noticed a look on Jeb's face he had never seen before and pulled him aside while the girls took turns moving things around and making Wyatt laugh right along with them.

"Everything alright, son?" Cain muttered under his breath.

"Couldn't be better, father," Jeb responded happily, never taking his eyes off of Az's figure which was shaking with laughter at something Wyatt had just done. Cain watched his reaction intently, then noticed where his son was staring and chuckled to himself, thinking that this had turned into an interesting evening indeed.

They had only been gone a few hours as DG hadn't wanted to stay away from Wyatt too long, but they had been pleasant and relaxful. Cain wasn't sure what to expect when Jeb insisted on helping Az babysit. Sure he had offered before but in a way that suggested he would rather do it if other family weren't available but he'd gladly let someone else be in charge. This time he had flat out said he would stop by. At least he was trying to get along with Az. The two hadn't interacted much at all and Cain had been worried. Now he was worried for a different reason. He recognized that look.

DG laughed. "I think we tired him out finally," she said looking at Az. "Thanks for looking after him, Sis. Something tells me he had a good evening and hopefully he'll sleep now so that I can get some sleep as well." At this she picked Wyatt, who was falling asleep, up, and started heading for the door where the Cain men stood with Az at her side.

"Had a good night then, huh, Deeg?" she asked with a mischievous smile.

"Most definitely," she said, winking at her sister who was quietly laughing to herself.

Az watched as DG handed Wyatt to his father who couldn't have looked happier in that moment. Jeb stepped away from the happy couple to go stand by Az and watch alongside her. The two of them stood side by side, both a little envious of how happy DG & Cain looked holding Wyatt between them and smiling down on him. It was one thing to see Jeb holding him earlier, but watching Cain hold his son with fatherly pride was something else entirely.

It was in moments like these when Az was both truly happy and truly miserable. For one whole evening she had forgotten how miserable things had been for her. In this moment the past two years of memories starting flooding back into her mind. All the suitors who pursued DG, much to Cain's chagrin until he finally admitted his feelings and forced them to back off, and who never once had looked at her. Every man she ever met had a reason to hate her, and even those who now trusted that it wasn't her still couldn't look at her.

But something had happened tonight, something had changed. For the first time Jeb had looked at her with something other than hatred in his eyes. She had seen confusion, distrust, but she was sure hatred always lay under there somewhere. Tonight it was as if baby Wyatt had made it all disappear if only for a little while.

Watching DG & Cain with Wyatt made her wish she had that. They made a perfect little family, especially with big brother added into the equation. Great, she thought. Of course her thoughts would go back to Jeb.

She didn't want to get her hopes up. Tonight was sure to be a one-time deal. They spent the evening babysitting Wyatt. They had that one commonality: the people they loved. She didn't think he could ever really forget what the witch had done though, and she wasn't sure she could have trusted herself if she were him.

No, she decided. But for one evening it was as good as having my own little family. For once she knew what Deeg got to feel like…and that's enough. That's enough.

"Come on Az, I'll uh, walk you back to your room," said Jeb, unsure of himself in that moment. He hadn't wanted tonight to end, but seeing his father & DG holding Wyatt and talking about bed themselves he wanted to get out of there and take Az with him…for protection reasons of course. He couldn't just let the eldest princess roam around the castle late at night by herself, could he? He'd promised DG that he would protect both Az and Wyatt, not one or the other. Surely that still counted after the babysitting was done?

Az was about to protest but a look she got from DG in that moment made her rethink it. Why shouldn't she let him escort her back to the room? It was a practical offer and she did want a chance to thank him properly for all his help this evening. It was nice to have company after all.

"Thank you, Jeb," she said taking the arm he offered her. He wrapped his hand over hers and she felt herself start to feel flustered. It hadn't really affected her earlier when she was holding Wyatt in her arms, but without him there between them she felt very exposed to this wonderful young man.

As they walked back, neither was in much of a rush and made the walk a lot longer than it actually was. They reminisced about the evening, laughing and smiling, both a little awkward and unsure of themselves. They always seemed to come back to one of their mutual friends / family members to save themselves.

"You were really great with him, you know," mentioned Jeb as they neared her quarters.

"So were you," she said sweetly, smiling at him. Their eyes locked for a moment before they both looked away, looking slightly flushed.

They both started speaking when Az reached for her doorknob then laughed. "Would you like to come in so we can finish this conversation?" she asked, trying to look anywhere but in his eyes for fear of rejection.

"Uh, sure, I mean, if you think it wise. I wouldn't want to injure your reputation or anything," he muttered. As much as he wanted to go in, he feared it would do more harm than good, and he was sure she was just being polite. After all she kept looking anywhere but at him.

"Who cares what they think? I don't think I can get a worse reputation than what I've had for the last however many annuals, I hardly think you could do any damage and I want you to come in," she said defensively before realizing how demanding she sounded. "That is…if you want to," she said in almost a whisper, again afraid he might have been fishing for an excuse to leave. After all he had been stuck with her all evening. Although he seemed to enjoy that…

"Then I would love to," he said, following her in to the room, noticing the smile that crept onto her face as she moved toward her reading couch, motioning for him to join her.

The two sat quietly for a moment, both afraid to break the silence. Az finally spoke up, or thought she did. "IhadareallygreattimetonightJeb" she said, mumbling and slurring everything into one garbled mess.

"Sorry, I think I lost you somewhere between 'I' and 'Jeb'" he said in the sweetest way he could without teasing her too much. She blushed furiously.

"I had a really great time tonight, Jeb," she repeated, doing her best to remember to smile and finally caved to look at him. His eyes were mesmerizing and she lost herself for a moment before turning away and standing, moving toward her dresser to put back the things she had taken to entertain Wyatt with earlier. At least it gave her something to focus on. It made talking much easier when she wasn't staring into Jeb's eyes like a love-struck school-girl. She chided herself for not holding it together better and did her best not to burst into tears right then and there.

Jeb looked baffled when she stood up and crossed the room, then decided that she was just putting her stuff away. It was a natural thing to do, right? Though she did look a little flustered. It was kind of cute though, endearing even. It took him a long time to realize he had watched her move the same things around on the dresser over and over again before she started shaking a little.

"I had a really great time tonight too, Az," he said quietly, as he stood up and walked toward her. Seeing her shaking was worrying him and he moved closer. He was really worried when she didn't say anything and refused to turn around.

"Az? Az, why won't you look at me?"

"I've asked you the same question a million times in my mind over the past two annuals, but I already knew the answer. I saw it in your eyes every time you did look. I almost forgot that tonight. You made me forget…" she trailed off, trying again not to cry.

"Az, I never…I never hated you. I mean, not once I knew…Az, please look at me," he begged, grabbing her wrist and turning her around. "I need you to see my eyes right now. I need you to see what I'm saying," he pleaded as he wiped away the tears that were forming around her eyes. She moved away from him.

"Jeb, I…"

"Az, please, just listen. I've just been confused. My life turned upside down a long time ago and I'm still trying to put the pieces back together and I know you're doing the same thing. You of all people should understand me. I haven't hated you since I found out it was the witch. Sure it took some getting used to, but I'm proof that others will come around eventually. Tonight should have proven that to you. I had a really great time with you tonight. I'm glad we finally spent time together. We always seem to hang on the outskirts of Father and DG and all their friends, but we never talk.

I never know how to approach you or what to say and seeing you fall apart every time someone reminds you of something that the witch did to hurt them my heart breaks a little more because I know, I know it's not your fault and you're the one bearing all that guilt and it kills me, Az. How am I supposed to help by talking to you if it's just a reminder of things you need to forget? It took you a long time to even be able to talk to my father unless it was encouraging him and DG to admit how they felt and if you felt that guilty with him then how was I supposed to be helpful to you at all?

I'm thankful for tonight. For once there was nothing between us, nothing standing in the way of having a good time. You were great in there, Az. You always knew what to do and when to do it to make Wyatt happy and the pure joy and laughter I heard and saw in your eyes melted me completely and when you invited me in here I thought maybe things had finally changed, but you're right back to being miserable and I can't handle that Az, I can't. I'm tired of seeing you so depressed and unhappy. I'd do just about anything to recapture the way you were back there tonight, so completely happy and carefree and I don't know how to do that. Just tell me what to do!"

He finally yelled, getting all his frustration out after so long. He couldn't figure out for the life of him where all that came from. He guessed it had been secretly building for awhile now as he had worried about her before, but he always thought it was just looking out for DG's sister, not looking out for her in that way. When had he gone and fallen in love with her? He pondered all of this while Az stood there, too shocked to move.

"I think you just did, Jeb," she said, taking a step toward him. "I don't think after a whirlwind of words from a normally quiet guy," she paused, taking another step forward, "and words with such force of emotion," another pause and step forward, "I could possibly think that you hate me. Besides, I gave you the perfect reason to run out of here and you chose to stay and fight me. You didn't treat me like a princess, or a porcelain doll like everyone else has when I fall apart. You were strong enough for both of us when I needed you the most," she said as she took her last step forward til she was standing directly in front of him.

She didn't have time to think as he captured her in his arms. She laid her head against his chest holding onto him for dear life. Could this really be happening? Here was the leader of the resistance holding onto the formerly possessed princess of the O.Z. who was crying like a baby. Moreso, in fact, than her nephew had cried the entire time she and Jeb had been babysitting. Go figure.

He wasn't sure how long he stood there, holding her in his arms, but he didn't care. He hadn't felt this at ease having someone this close ever. He was far too paranoid to let anyone in but she was special. He knew that now.

When she finally stopped crying and was content she risked a glance up at Jeb, mostly to make sure that this was a) really happening and b) that he didn't look like he resented her or her behavior. Seeing contentment in his eyes as well and something else that she couldn't quite put her finger on she sighed happily and snuggled closer to him. He responded with a contented growl in his chest and her smile widened.

"Az, look up at me again," Jeb requested softly, running one hand across her back, the other playing with her long hair which was down and, according to his senses, looked, felt, and smelled amazing. She glanced shyly up at him, making his heart flutter and he hoped she didn't notice.

"I…I think…" he started, unable to form a coherent sentence for fear or rejection, not believing that the night would ever have ended with him in Az's room, holding her to him as close as possible and wanting to say something he didn't seem capable of saying at the moment.

"Yes, Jeb?" Az asked, looking at him, slightly confused and scared, but encouraging him along all the same for which he was thankful.

"I think, no, I know. I'm…Az, I'm falling in love with you," he said quickly for fear that he might get through it, hoping she would feel the same. Her smile couldn't have been any wider.

"Do you really mean it, Jeb?" she asked quietly. He nodded and swallowed hard, waiting to see what she would say next.

"I'm falling in love with you too," she said, smiling happy for a brief second before Jeb's lips captured hers. Neither remembered ever being this happy.

The next morning at breakfast DG was thrilled to see Az looking so happy. Wondering what brought it on she leaned over and asked.

Az smiled mischievously, glancing back and forth between Cain and Jeb, sending a wink in the latter one's direction. "Let's just say…it runs in the family."