Disclaimer: Still don't own Tin Man, oh fate, thou art cruel

A/N: Okay, wow, I don't know what to say to you guys. I mean, I have several stories on this website but you have taken to this story faster than anyone has ever taken to one of my stories and for that, I have to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I would like to thank thestrangersfan, ant122992, nadeshiko1, the anonymous reviewer, Samantha-dean and Angel Monroe all for reviewing the first chapter, you all get cyber cookies, I hope you like chocolate chip! I would especially like to thank ant122992 and Angel Monroe for the helpful constructive criticism. I will try my best to take it to heart. I know this is a long note, but before we dive in, one last thing. I want to know who you think is going to be taken over, so mention it in your review if you can please! And remember, flames are welcome! So, let's continue!

The next morning the sun shining in through her large window that led to her balcony awaked DG. When she opened her eyes and found she was alone in her huge bed, she thought that the night before had been a dream, but when she sat up and saw Wyatt Cain fast asleep on the couch, she knew it had been real. Wyatt was just being a gentleman.

She got up and pulled the cover off, carrying it over to the couch. She gently laid it on top of him and went into the bathroom to get changed. When she came out and looked over, a pair of icy blue eyes met hers. "What time is it?" Wyatt asked, his voice thick with sleep.

"Oh, still early I think, don't worry," she added, grinning, "we still have plenty of time to smuggle you out before the scandal about the young princess and her bodyguard is discovered."

"Very funny," he replied, standing up and putting on his shoes and jacket. "You aren't in your dress," he said, noting her normal jeans and t-shirt.

"Nope, I'm cutting out today. I think I'll spend the day riding, there's not a cloud in the sky…Please don't tell on me Wyatt!" she begged, clasping her hands in front of her.

"I won't. Everyone needs a break every once in a while. Just promise me you'll be careful."

"I will, I promise!" she exclaimed as he walked to the door. "See you at dinner?"

"Of course kiddo. Have fun."

She waited a few minutes before sneaking out and running down to the kitchen. Cooks were already preparing breakfast and DG was able to grab a few pastries before going down to the stables.

"Come here Thunder," she whispered as she led her black mustang from his pen. She saddled him, put on his bridle and mounted him. "Let's get out of here," she breathed into his ear and spurred him forward, taking off the dirt path into the woods.

"Azkadelia, have you seen your sister this morning?" the Queen asked her eldest daughter.

"Actually, when I got up this morning, I think I saw her riding Thunder into the woods."

"Why would she do that?"

"Maybe she was feeling restless and needed to go out for the day, you know, get a break."

The mass moved through the woods, looking for its target. It was ready to put the first part of its plan into action.

DG was lying in the grass by a stream that she had found. Thunder was eating some apples that had fallen off of one of the nearby trees. The sun was getting lover and DG knew that she had to start heading home if she wanted to be back in time for dinner.

"Ready to go Thunder?" she asked, standing up and brushing herself off. The horse walked over and she mounted him. "Okay, let's go home."

They took off down the path, galloping as fast as DG felt comfortable with. But they time they were halfway back it was nearly dark.

Something moved on the path in front of them and Thunder stopped in his tracks. "Thunder! Calm down, it's okay!" DG called, trying to calm her mount. Whatever was on the path made a sudden move towards them and Thunder bucked, throwing DG off. She fell to the ground, her head making contact with a rock when she hit. Everything faded into oblivion as she heard Thunder gallop away.

At the castle, the bell announcing dinner reverberated throughout every room, and all over the grounds. Wyatt was down at the stable, taking care of his white stallion, Moonlight. He looked up and saw that Thunder still wasn't back.

"See you at dinner?"

That question rang through his head. DG should have been back by now. Something was wrong.

He heard galloping come up the path and almost breathed a sigh of relief until he saw that the returning Thunder had no rider.

"Dang it DG," he muttered to himself. He ran over to the mustang and mounted it; there wasn't time to saddle Moonlight. "Go Thunder!" he shouted and the hose returned the way it came. "DG!" Wyatt shouted, hoping she could hear him.

"DG! DG! Come on kiddo, answer me!"

Wyatt's voice cut through the painful darkness the girl was in. She felt so heavy, but gathered as much energy as she could. "Wyatt?" she called weakly. "Wyatt…help me…"

She heard someone jump to the ground and come running towards her. "Gosh DG, what happened?" she heard Cain's voice ask as she was picked up and cradled in his arms.

"Coming home, there was something…in the road…Thunder got spooked and threw me…off…" she muttered, her strength low.

"Okay, don't worry, we'll get you back to the castle and fixed up in no time."

Wyatt carefully lifted her from the ground and carried her to Thunder. He gently lifted her up and then mounted behind her. He took the reigns and spurred the mustang down the path as fast as he would go. DG's head lolled on his shoulder and he felt something wet soaking through his shirt. "Hold on DG," he whispered and soon they were galloping through the stables, up to the castle's entrance. He hopped off and eased DG off into the safety of his arms. Running into the palace, he called through the halls, "Help! DG's in trouble!"

He heard a rush of feet as he hurried her up to her room. "Wyatt," she whispered, "I'm tired…"

"Don't go to sleep DG, you need to stay awake," he ordered and shook her slightly. She inhaled sharply in pain and stirred a little. "Just hold on a little longer."

They reached her room and he rushed in, laying her down on the bed. Now he saw the blood that soaked his shirt and his stomach churned. "Hold on DG," he urged taking her hand.

"Please, don't…let me go…don't…leave…" she begged weakly, trying to squeeze his hand.

"Hey, I already used my one time that I wouldn't be there for you. I won't leave your side." (And if you know what I'm talking about here, you get even more cookies! Oatmeal! With white chocolate!)

"Promise…?"

"Promise kiddo."

Glitch, Azkadelia and their parents came running in, Glitch with medical supplies in hand. He ran to Wyatt's side while her family took their place at the other side of the bed. "Cain, help me. Hold her up while I sterilize her cut," Glitch ordered. Cain did as he was told and Ambrose wet a swab with alcohol and pressed it to the gash on the back of DG's head, causing the girl to cry out in pain and clench Cain's hand harder. Then she went limp in his arms and he would have freaked if he hadn't felt her steady breathing.

"She passed out," he whispered.

"It'll be alright, we've got the ability to treat it and it's bad yes, but not fatal. It was the pain from the alcohol that made her pass out," Ambrose explained as he bandaged her head. "Did she tell you what happened?"

Wyatt relayed the story that she had told him to the others as he laid her back on the pillows. "I wish I knew what did this," he muttered frustratedly.

"As do I," Ahamo said. "Thunder is one of our bravest horses, he would charge straight into battle without a second thought. What could have spooked him like that?"

"At least DG is going to be alright. Thank you Mr. Cain. Without your quick action, she might not have been found until it was too late," the Queen said, stroking her daughter's cheek and then standing. "I'm going to try and scan the forest, see if I can find what did this."

"I'll come with you mother," Azkadelia said, following the Queen out of the room.

"I'll address the palace servants, they'll be worried. Please get me if anything changes," Ahamo said. He gave DG a soft kiss on the forehead. The two men nodded and the King left.

"Wyatt, go on and…" Glitch started but Wyatt stopped him.

"No Ambrose. I promised I wouldn't leave her, and I'm not going to," Cain said, not taking his eyes off of DG. The royal advisor nodded and sat there, watching the princess as well. "Any idea when she might wake up?"

"I don't think it will be before morning, but I can't be certain. She's really lucky you found her."

"I saw Thunder come into those stables without her and my blood ran cold. I don't know what I would have done if it had been something worse. I should have gone with her today. Maybe this wouldn't have happened."

"Don't blame yourself, you didn't know this would happen."

They sat in silence for a few minutes before Ambrose spoke up again, a bit nervously. "Wyatt, have you noticed how DG acts when she's around you?"

"What do you mean?" the Tin Man asked, though he knew very well what Glitch was talking about.

"She seems…happier when she's with you. Not as worried about what people think of her. She has feelings for you Cain."

"I know," Cain replied and Ambrose looked up in shock. "It's just…"

"Adora wouldn't want you to dwell on the past Wyatt. She'd want you happy."

"I know! But Glitch, I'm freaking old enough to be her father!"

"Actually, Ahamo's a few years older than you."

"You know what I mean!"

"Do you have feelings for her?" Silence fell between them as Wyatt stared at the unmoving princess and Ambrose stared at him. "Wyatt?"

The Tin Man sighed and closed his eyes for a minute. "Yes, but I really don't think that's a good thing."

"Of course it's a good thing! You have feelings for her, she has feelings for you, that's what most of us would call chemistry!"

They both fell silent after that, keeping vigil at DG's side, neither one thinking of leaving.

A/N: Okay people, you know what to do, read, review, flame it if you hate it, or tell me how to make it better and I'll consider it! And don't forget to tell me where you think I'm going with this and what the heck the great and almighty, sexy Wyatt Cain was talking about! Keep an eye out for travel storms!

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