A/N: just something short and sweet that came to me while listening to the Norah Jones song "Seven Years". Random fact (that I'm sure at least some of you know), Zooey Deschanel actually has her own band.

Anywho, on with the show …

DG closed her eyes and breathed in the cool autumn air. She had already been in The OZ for over six months, but new old memories continued to slide their way back into her mind. Sitting down on the swing in the gazebo at Finaqua, she focused on what she was remembering.

She was five years old, and all alone down by the lake. She didn't know why there was no one else there, but she found herself wishing she had someone to play with. Humming a little to herself, she scooped up a pile of leaves and threw them into the air, laughing as they twirled around her.

"DG darling, what are you doing out here all by yourself?" the little girl turned to see her mother walking toward her.

"Just playing," she said simply.

"And Az isn't out here with you?"

DG shook her head.

"Well, I can play with you if you like."

Giving her mother a smile, DG told her that it was all right, she was fine on her own. She knew that Lurline had a busy day and meetings with important people. She didn't want to be a burden.

"Are you sure sweetheart?" her mother asked.

"I'm positive. It's okay."

Lurline nodded and gave her daughter a kiss on the forehead before turning back toward the palace. DG sat down in the pile of leaves and began trying to make them float with her magic. Tudor said it was good to practice after all.

After a few minutes, there was a rustling from the forest. Letting her curiousity get the best of her, DG walked tentatively toward the trees.

Without warning, a young man tripped into view, catching his foot on a root and sprawling onto the ground.

"Damn it," he muttered, getting up and dusting himself off.

"Hello," DG said, feeling as though he should take notice of her, "Are you okay?"

"Oh!" the man's eyes widened at the sight of this little girl, and DG decided that he had very pretty eyes.

"My name is DG," she said, "What's yours?"

"DG? The Princess? Wait …" the man was confused for a moment before he looked around and fully took in where he was, "How the hell did I end up here?" he glanced down at her again, "Sorry for the language your highness."

DG giggled, "Its okay. And you can just call me DG. Are you a good man or a bad man?"

He chuckled, "Well that depends on what side of the law you're on. I'm a Tin Man. See?" He showed her the small star on his duster.

"Wow!" DG said, "I've never met a Tin Man before." She was silent for a moment, as though making a decision, "I'm playing in the leaves, would you like to play too? No one else could."

The man crouched down to her height and gave her a smile, "You know," he said, "I have a son who's just about your age. I bet you two would really hit it off."

"Is he with you?" DG asked, looking around.

"Nah, I live very far away from here. In fact I should probably start heading home. I seem to have gotten a little lost. My horse spooked awhile back and I've been looking for him."

DG nodded sadly, and the man couldn't bear the tears in her big blue eyes, "Tell you what," he said, "I guess I have a little time. I'll come play with you."

A smile lit up her face, and the two walked hand in hand over to the pile of leaves she had been throwing. She proudly showed him what she could do with her magic, and he helped her toss the leaves high into the air, letting them scatter to the wind.

After twenty minutes or so, the man looked at the sun sitting low in the sky and knew he had to go.

"It's been a pleasure Your Highness," she made a face at him, "Sorry," he said, "It's been a pleasure DG. But I really do have to go. I know my horse is somewhere around here and I've got to find him."

"That's all right," DG replied as she followed him back toward the woods, "Thank you for staying as long as you did."

"Anytime kid," he said, bending down to give her a small hug. She really was a charming little girl.

"Will I ever see you again?" she asked, "You're a lot more fun to play with than most of the people around here." She said the last bit as though telling him a big secret, and he laughed again.

"Who knows?" he replied, "You might."

"Oh please promise I will!" she exclaimed, "And I want to meet your son too. What's his name?"

"Jeb."

"Yes, I think I'd really like to meet him."

"I'll see if we can't find our way back here someday."

DG took one of his big hands in her own tiny one, "Promise," she said solemnly, "even if he can't come. Promise I'll see you again?"

"I promise," the Tin Man replied. And, taking the tin star off of his lapel, he handed it to her.

"You watch that for me okay Princess?"

"Really?" DG asked, turning it over in her hands, "Are you sure? Won't you get in trouble for not having it?"

"Nah," he replied, "I'm sure I can get another. That one's just for you."

DG smiled and threw her arms around him. "You're the nicest man I've ever met!" she exclaimed.

"Well you're the nicest little girl I've ever met, so we're even. Now, it's time for me to go."

DG nodded, "Thank you again for playing with me," she said.

"Like I said, my pleasure."

And with that, he turned and headed back into the woods.

"Wait!" DG called after him, "What's your name?"

The man looked back, "Wyatt Cain," he yelled to her.

"Don't forget Mr. Cain, you promised to see me again!"

He nodded and gave her a final wave before disappearing into the trees.

DG's eyes flew open. Wyatt Cain. She had met Cain before … he had given her his Tin Man star and played with her in the leaves. Wracking her brain, she tried to remember what she had done with the little star. Suddenly it came to her. She had buried it. She had buried it right where they had played together because she wanted to always remember that spot as the best place at Finaqua. Getting up slowly, she walked over to where she knew it was.

Digging was very unladylike behavior, particularly digging with your hands. But DG didn't much care as she rummaged through the dirt on her knees, trying to find what Cain had given her so long ago. Finally, her fingers came across something cool and smooth. DG slid the star out of the dirt and brushed it off, studying it in the pale autumn sunlight. For some reason she felt like crying.

"So you remembered?"

The voice gave her a start, but she knew immediately who it belonged to.

"Yeah," she replied, standing up and turning to face Cain, "Just now. I was sitting in the gazebo and it was all just suddenly … there. That whole afternoon," she shook her head and smiled, "I can't believe you and I played in the leaves together."

Cain laughed, "Maybe not my most dignified moment."

"But it was fun wasn't it?"

He nodded, and that was all DG needed. Pocketing the tin star, she bent down and picked up a handfull of leaves.

"DG, what're you – " Cain didn't finished the sentence, and found himself instead sputtering leaves from his mouth.

"Aren't we a little old for this?" he asked.

DG threw another handful, "Say what you will. We both know you're just afraid to have some fun."

Cain eyed her silently. Then, without warning, he launched his own attack.

It was good, to feel so young again. As though everything was so simple, and the only thing that mattered was having fun. DG found herself laughing harder than she had in months, stealing Cain's hat and filling it with leaves before sticking it back on his head.

"Oh no you don't princess," he said, grabbing her wrist lightly as the leaves fell into his face.

She twisted to face him and was surprised to find how close they were to each other. His eyes found hers and locked there – blue on blue, the same eyes she had thought were so pretty as a little girl. So much was said in the silence that followed. Words that had never found their way to lips.

"I'm glad you kept your promise," DG said quietly.

"Me too," Cain replied. And, tentatively, his lips met hers.

A/N: I really had fun writing this one : - ) Reviews are lovely!!