Split decisions

Pairings : Cain / DG DG / OC ( read to find out) and slightly Jeb/AZ

Summary : DG is torn by a decision, and either way someone heart is going to break ...

Disclaimer : I dont own anythoing even though i would so love to own that hunky Cain ... O.K. daydream over and unfortunatley i still dont own a thing

DG had lain in bed for days now, under the false pretence of a mysterious illness. Although she hated lying to her family she had no other choice. She somehow thought the longer she stayed in bed the longer she could put off this awful reality, she had been living. Though aware this was most girls on the other side dream, the whole princess parade had worn off. This was now quickly turning into her worst nightmare, with daily etiquette and economics lessons as added torture. She quietly thought to herself all the while, this is why she had left school early. She wasn't meant to be there, and she defiantly wasn't meant to be a princess. All but a few that knew her expected her to be a fair, level headed and gracious future leader of the O.Z. Oh, how badly had they chosen. DG was none of these things she was an outrageous, uncontrollable rollercoaster, which had no sense of propriety what so ever.

She felt a thrill on her previous adventures. To help the kingdom she had destroyed and to help the friends she had made along the way. But now with all but one of them gone, it seemed her sense of adventure had dwindled away with them. Glitch had gone in search of physician brave enough to reconnect him with the other half of his brain and raw had gone to heal the injured in the minor civil wars that erupted daily around the kingdom. She had questioned why these tasks had taken them so long, and the thought of them purposely leaving her had crossed her mind more times than she cared to remember. Then of course there was Cain, he was the last to leave and she could still remember clearly there last encounter. She had been so mad at him for leaving all on her own; she not even stopped to consider his reasons for doing so, not that she thought he could offer any real reason for doing such a terrible act.

"Why do you have to leave me "she had raged the day he had told her he was leaving, she was so mad at the sudden revelation of his leaving, she paid no mind whatsoever of their surrounding audience as they stood in the palace lobby. Her temper only flared at his refusal to offer an explanation or excuse. She had thought to herself that it seemed the only reason he had even told her at all, was out of the little loyalty he still held for her. But all reasonable thought had left her by this moment , as she raged on "none of you even care what this does to me" she could clearly see the hurt in his eyes at this outburst but she was simply to mad to care.

His eyes though quickly turned back to there platonic ice blue shade and his mouth locked itself into its' patented straight line. Her anger slowly ebbing away as she turned from him, tears flowing freely down her cheeks. His arm had reached out to touch her, comfort her, but retracted as he assessed this wasn't the best solution. Then as quickly as he had arrived, he turned on his heel and headed for the nearest door, turning only slightly to whisper softly under her sobs

"Goodbye my princess" then heading straight out the door, the guards closing it slowly and quietly behind him.

That night and several after it she had cried herself to sleep with the loneliness of life with out her friend's eating away at her drive to strive for the best. Until now several months later she really had no care whatsoever if she would make a good princess or not. Neither did she care. She now had no desire to become queen of a land that had left her not only lonely but bitter to the touch.

Even now she shed a single tear as she remembered the fond memories of her beloved friends. She could not believe all her closest friends had left her in this strange land. None offering any decent explanation for doing so, as all had the jobs they wanted in the safety of the palace walls, with her. Glitch could have sent for doctors far and wide and raw had many soldiers to heal inside the city gates. Though she did understand a reason for them to stay away as she was sure if any were to return she would either propose or throw them in jail simply to keep them with her. With that thought she giggled silently to herself.

For the first time in a long time she could remember them without a single tear or curse escaping her mind. Though she had no time to ponder on this, in that instant there was a knock on the door. She quickly shot beneath the covers

"Yes, come in "sounding as sick as she could in case in was mother trying to make her get up again. All this fear though quickly melted as AZ slowly crept in and closed the door softly behind them.

"Hey there DG" she smiled as DG's rosy cheeked smile came into view "oh my dear you have got your colour back "she giggled to herself as DG realised her little charade was up. Then she smiled as DG inwardly panicked trying to find an excuse for her rosy glow.

"No I assure you I am sick AZ "AZ shot her younger sister an 'I am not buying that look' then gracefully walked over and sat down beside her. DG looked down cast as her cleverly masterminded plan was foiled, but she scolded herself for not knowing her sister would know if she was lying or not.

" I am sorry DG but Sick or not, you must get out of bed" with that AZ got up and walked silently to her wardrobe only glancing momentarily at her sisters scowling eyes. She picked out a simple gown and laid it on her bed. All the while being silently glared at by her sister, and then turning to the door she turned with a hint of a secret on her stony face. With that she left trying to ignore DG questioning eyes.

Silently DG exploded with happiness jumping to the conclusion that one of her much missed friends had finally returned, maybe Glitch or Jeb ( who had been of fighting the civil wars ) maybe even the great tin man himself had returned. She could not get her feet to move quick enough to scramble on the dress laid before. She ignored the small voice in the back of her head glaring at the fashion atrocity before her. But she did not care she would run down in her underwear if she though that her mother would not march her straight back up the stairs. Her mind still raced with possibilities of who her surprise guess would be……..

A/N : Ok this is my first story so please r/r second chap will be up soon ( i hope), so stay tuned to find out Az's little secret and whether DG will ever feel at home...