First Tin Man fic! Yay! Okay, I know this idea has been used to pieces but I really love the concept and wanted to give it a shot from my point of view :D Also, it's probably not going to be very good becuase I wrote it in a hurry but and hadn't seen the mini-series in about a month when I started writing it but hopefully it's not too bad. Let me know what you think!!

Glitch shifted uncomfortably as he watched the ball from the back of the room. Women in long, flowing gowns were twirled and guided by men in clean, dark suits, the music conducting the way they moved. Candles illuminated the dance floor and pleasant, floral aroma drifted through the air from the hundreds of bouquets and arrangements that lined the tables. Across the room, the king and queen greeted the arriving guests with a warm smile and nod of appreciation. The ball was being held in celebration for both princesses' return to the O.Z. even though one of them technically never left. So, actually, the ball was more along the lines of a "welcome back and happy un-possessing" kind of thing. However, as happy and joyous as the event should have been, the former adviser found himself tense and wishing it would end.

Something about these grand balls just felt very surreal, almost like he was there physically but not mentally. The continuous movement and forced enthusiasm left him dizzy and frustrated with a sense of restlessness that he couldn't place. He had a feeling that even Ambrose, the queen's royal adviser, didn't much care for these parties either.

His mind shifted again and he was suddenly reminded about the procedure that was supposed to happen the next morning. The arrangements had been made to reunite him with his brain, a quest he'd been on for as long as he could remember (hehe, irony…). It had been his goal for so long and now that it was finally happening he felt oddly hesitant and uneasy.

"Hey you."

Glitch felt a warm hand on his shoulder and DG appeared beside him, smiling brightly. "You doing okay? You're awfully quiet over here."

The curly haired man smiled and nodded. "Yes, I'm fine. Just remembering, I think. Trying to remember at least…you know, the last time we had a ball like this."

DG shrugged and leaned back against the chair. "I can't remember exactly but I know I didn't wear anything like this." She said, indicating the midnight blue gown that draped and hugged her slim figure perfectly.

"You look beautiful, princess." Glitch replied, giving her an honest, warm smile.

The young woman smiled and blushed lightly, sweeping a dark curl of hair behind her ear.

"I think most of the guests would agree." He added, nodding to all of the flowers that had been brought to the celebration.

DG giggled and glanced out across the dance floor. "Maybe. But I'm afraid if we get anymore flowers in here I'll develop some kind of allergy. Wouldn't be good to break out into hives at a party held partly in my honor."

Glitch laughed and shook his head. "No, I can see how that might cause a few problems."

Someone cleared their throat from beside him and they both turned to see Cain smirking lightly, his ever present hat resting over his eyes. "Hey princess." He smiled, offering DG his hand. "Care for a dance?"

DG grinned and looked at Glitch. "Mind if I slip away for a bit?"

The smaller man smiled and gave her a gently push into the Tin Man's arms. "Go easy on him. He still might be a little stiff from the whole "boy scout" routine."

DG giggled and Cain shot him a warning look from the corner of his eye, smirking lightly as he led her out onto the dance floor. "Don't worry. I'll have her back before the clock strikes midnight." He teased, winking at Glitch before the waltzed fluidly into the crowd.

Glitch felt his heart flutter and his face heat up from the wink, looking down quickly. A sudden realization hit him with enough force to take his breath away and he gasped softly, covering his mouth with his hand as if he'd just revealed a huge secret. Glancing out at the dance floor once more and feeling the butterflies in his stomach become even more active, Glitch stood quickly and turned, walking out into the hall and leaving the celebration behind.

OOOOO

DG spun slowly, inwardly proud of herself for remembering the waltz she'd been taught a little over three hours before hand. She looked to the side, her eyes catching Glitch's retreating form and she frowned, her eyebrows knitting together in a concerned little knot.

"Something wrong?" Cain asked, carefully twirling her away from ahead on collision with another couple. "You seem a little preoccupied."

The young woman looked up quickly and offered a small smile. "I'm sorry." She apologized, readjusting her grip on Cain's hand. "It's probably nothing."

"It doesn't look like nothing."

She sighed a little and looked back to where Glitch had been standing. "I'm kind of worried about Glitch. He's been really quiet all night and I'm not sure why."

The Tin Man remained silent but nodded in agreement. The music shifted to a slower, quieter melody and it wasn't as hard to be heard. "I noticed that too. A quiet Glitch can't be a good thing."

DG nodded absently, trying to think of a reason for her friend's distress but falling short every time. The curly haired man was normally very open and talkative but tonight he seemed withdrawn and a little hesitant, a side none of them had ever seen before.

"I can talk to him if you'd like." Cain offered, glancing over to where he'd been standing a few minutes before.

"Would you? I think he'd talk with you more easily than with me. You know, male bonding and all." DG winked playfully, a soft smirk curving her mouth.

The Tin Man nodded and twirled her, pressing a friendly kiss to her forehead as the song ended. "You got it, kiddo." He walked her off the dance floor to a less crowded area and adjusted his hat and jacket out of habit. "Don't worry, DG. I'm sure he's fine." He gave her a reassuring nod and turned in the direction Glitch had disappeared in, hoping to convince himself as well as her.

OOOOO

The music faded into a dull drone in hallway, bouncing off the walls at every direction to create a low echo that resonated throughout the hall. Large glass doors leading to wide, open balconies lined the walls at various places, each opening to reveal a different view from the tower.

Cain walked quickly, occasionally glancing out one of the windows as he passed for any sign of Glitch. So far he hadn't even managed to see a flash of a zipper. He forced himself to believe that the reason for his brisk, almost angry walk was brought on by the excess adrenaline from the celebration. Admittedly, he was a little worried about the smaller man but not enough to make him jump to any conclusions. Sure, Glitch had half a brain but he wasn't by any means stupid and wouldn't do anything dramatic, right? The lingering doubt, what little of it there was, caused him to increase his pace. A twinge of irritation mixed with worry made him grit his teeth and he rounded a corner quickly.

"Glitch, so help me if you've done something stupid…"he muttered, fading off before he let himself finish.

"Glitch need help…" a low voice growled from the somewhere off to the side.

Cain stopped and turned to Raw, one eyebrow rising a little higher than the other. "What do you mean?"

The viewer shook his head in uncertainty and shrugged slightly. "Don't know…but Glitch is hurting, upset…I feel it…"

The blond sighed heavily and closed his eyes, rubbing the bridge of his nose thoughtfully. "Okay," he breathed, looking around at his reflection in several glass doors. "Do you know where he is?"

Raw nodded and pointed to a distant window towards the end of the hall. "Outside."

Nodding once in thanks and acknowledgement, the Tin Man broke into a slower yet no less hurried walk than he'd had before. Just because the mystery of Glitch's disappearance had been solved, it didn't mean he was off the hook.

Aww, poor Glitch. He's my favorite character so I must torture him.:D Please review, it gets much better I promise!!