Love in Music

AN: Hello everyone!! So, He Didn't/She Didn't went so well and everyone's feedback was just so nice!! It made my finals week so much happier. So this is a series of one-shots I've written that coincide with songs (there's a playlist on my iPod…it's like all I listen to anymore). So far I have 3.5 written and there's a lot more songs there…which excites me to no end. Enjoy the DG-Cain Playlist!! P.S. To those true OZ fans, check out where the guys are from. I used my OZ map.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Tin Man, The Wizard of Oz, or Love Song by Sara Bareilles

Love Song

I believe there's a way you can love me because I say: I won't write you a love song

"This is barbaric, mother!" DG shouted to the amusement of her sister sitting next to her. "I am not going to go and be shown off to those…animals." She growled out. "I am capable of doing this in my own time."

"This is customary, DG. These men have come to court you. I will be with you and we will meet, chat for a few minutes, and be off. If you believe there is something to pursue, we will. If not, they're nothing more than a nice conversation." Her mother reasoned. The arguing continued for a few more minutes, much to the displeasure of the Tin-Man-turned-bodyguard waiting by the door.

"Just try it, Deeg." Az asserted. "The worst that could happen is you meet a nice guy."

"And why aren't you going again?" DG shot back.

"DG, you know Az isn't back to her full strength yet." Her mother said, her annoyance starting to show.

"Oh, what's that…I feel faint." DG said in her best damsel in distress voice. This did nothing but make Az laugh, Cain chuckle, and her mother fix her with a death glare. DG groaned. She had no hope. The men were already there. Lords, Dukes, Earls, and any other noble that could be scrounged up from across the O.Z. Her day was to be spent prancing around for them and acting like the prim and proper princess she clearly wasn't.

"Let's get this over with." DG ceded through gritted teeth and headed for the door. Her mother followed and took the lead while Cain and DG fell into step together. "Cain, what is the level of disorderly behavior a guy has to have with me before you shoot him?" A small smile broke across Cain's face.

"I don't think that's on the agenda, Princess."

"Still, be prepared. I don't want you wimping out on me if the time comes." By this time the group had reached the first sitting room.

"Good luck." Cain whispered as he held the door for her mother and then her. He didn't understand the gesture she made, but it helped soothe the uneasiness he wasn't ready to admit he had about the day.

The two women moved across from a tall, blonde, mid-twenties man who bowed and then introduced himself as Duke Roland of the Southern Quadling Mountains. After the basic introductions, the three sat.

"I'm glad to get to return here in such great times. I did visit here as a boy, with my father, but it was after, excuse me Princess, but after your believed death. My family was so sad when that was announced. You see, when I grew older I was…" DG tuned out at this point. She kept facing Roland, but her eyes drifted over to Cain. When he caught her gaze, he gave a barely there smile and let his hand drift down to his holster. It took every ounce of strength within DG not to laugh.

A look at Narcissus confirmed that yes, he was still talking. DG decided that it would make a good drinking game to take a shot every time he said "I" or "Me". At least if she was wasted this would be funny. She decided that when he took his next breath, it was time to high-tail it out of there.

He paused. DG stood.

"Well, it's been so nice to meet you, Duke Roland. Thanks for your time." The Queen stood and followed as quickly as she could in the wake of her daughter bolting for the door. Once they were out in the hallway, DG looked at her mother, shook her head and said "No."

The next room was reached far too quickly and DG braced herself for her next "date".

'Oh great," DG thought, 'This one brought mommy.'

"Your majesties, this is my son, Lord Anders of the Land of Ev." They bowed and the group sat.

"So, Princess," Anders took the lead, "I understand you spent many years on the Other Side. How was life there?" Who knew? Maybe one of these guys was human?

"Not too bad. It was just me and my parents who were actually robots sent over with me to prepare for my return here. We lived on a farm." Why not be honest?

By the end of the "date", Anders and his mother contained their scandalized opinions as best they could. At least Cain looked amused.

"DG, a little decorum." Her mother chastised once they were in the hall.

"This is what they're getting, Mom. Why pretend I'm someone I'm not to guys I'm being forcibly set up with? If they don't like who I am, they can leave!"

The next suitor, Count Aaron of the Gillikin Forest, wasn't too bad, which came as a shock to DG. Her stories of the Other Side did nothing to sway him, though his father looked a tad displeased. He even seemed interested in her description of her motorcycle. DG left the room and was about to tell her mother he could work when a servant arrived with a note for her. DG opted instead to talk to Cain, and discovered after turning around that the door was still open a crack. Intrigued, she decided to get a candid view of the Count.

"A bit wild, wouldn't you say?" The father asked.

"What does that matter? It can be fixed. She's a Princess of the O.Z. Probably next in line to be queen due to the disgrace that is Azkadelia. If I can win her over, then we could be in charge of the O.Z. Women can be taught domesticity so easily."

"Bastard!" DG whispered harshly, letting the door click closed. "That two-faced, lying bastard!!" Her mother chose that moment to turn to her.

"Well? He was quite charming wasn't he?"

"No way in hell!" DG stormed off the hallway. She made it to a balcony at the end of the hall and stepped out into the suns.

"I've got it, your highness." Cain took off after her and, after reaching the balcony, waited for her to say something.

"This is absurd." She said after a minute, turning to face him. "My mother wants this so badly. She wants me to be the daughter I would have been had I never left the O.Z. And I want her to be happy."

"But you're not." Cain plainly stated.

"I know!" A tear strayed down DG's cheek and before Cain could stop himself, he was wiping it away. His hand lingered for a moment, causing DG to smile. "You're the most charming guy I've seen today, Cain."

"Thanks, Princess." His smile and the glow in his eyes faded, though, and he held out his arm to her. "Why don't we go back? At least finish today for your mother." DG nodded sadly and took his arm.

Much of the day went on the same. Meet a guy, learn his status, make small talk. For the later meetings, DG let her mother take the lead and she feigned interest, while her thoughts strayed more and more to the man by the door. He was polite, respectful, and chivalrous, while also being a great friend. He could read her like a book and was always able to cheer her up or help her when things weren't right. She couldn't help but wish he was one of the guys sitting across from her.

After one particularly suitor, DG and Cain were walking side by side.

"It's like being on display. I'm presented and they get to decide if I'm good enough for them to continue to court." She heard Cain exhale loudly next to her and she stopped him. "What is it, Cain?"

"This is ridiculous." He said in a sudden outburst, but just quiet enough that the Queen did not hear him. "These guys are lucky to even meet you and they have the audacity to judge you. They should be doing everything they can to even get your attention and respect. You shouldn't have to win them over. It's insane." DG stared, slack jawed.

"DG!" The Queen called as she reached the next room. It took a second, for DG was still too stunned to move, but she finally composed herself and entered the room. She stopped right away.

"Mom, he's like 12!"

"He's 17, angel." Suddenly, a thought hit DG.

"If I said I had already chosen someone, could I leave?"

"Well, I suppose, if the meeting were to be fruitless anyway, you could…" DG didn't need to hear any more. She went right back out the door, leaving her mother to apologize to the visiting nobles. Upon exiting, DG found Cain around the corner, leaning against the wall. Her quick return caused a confused look to hit his face.

"Do you care that I'd rather wear pants than a dress?"

"Of course not."

"Does it matter than I'm a farm girl who knows mechanics better than fashion?"

"No."

"I won't ride sidesaddle and I'd rather ride my motorcycle anyways."

"I don't understand…"

"Does it sound ridiculous that I don't want to be queen and would rather be actively involved in the O.Z., not ruling it?"

"Not at all." DG smiled.

"Perfect. You're hired." Before Cain could register what was happening, DG was kissing him. His brain caught up a moment later and he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her even closer.

The Queen finished apologizing and headed in search of her daughter. Upon rounding the corner, she saw DG and her bodyguard locked in an embrace and, rather than say something, she quickly rounded the corner again, leaving the two. After a moment, she smiled, taking in DG's unusual pick of a courtier, just as hers had been.

DG rested her head on Cain's chest. She could feel his heart racing and she knew hers was as well.

"So," she said, pulling back enough to look up at his smiling face, "I'd call this a productive day."