Disclaimer: I only own the plot bunnies, characters you've never seen, and a copy of Tin Man on DVD. Also the film DG refers to is The Neverending Story and I don't own that either. Yoda's not mine either. Just making sure you know that. In case you forgot.

A/N: First off, thanks to everyone who has reviewed/alerted/favorited this little fic of mine - I so appreciate it - you guys are excellent! More fluff - but angsty fluff. Oo, something different for me. Lol. I hope y'all enjoy this chapter - it took a little bit of a push to get it done. Thanks a whole bunch to all of you!

Chapter 10: The Marshes

DG woke the next morning feeling less than - well, less. Despite being completely encased by Cain's duster, she was still cold - and not just an early morning, sleeping outside kind of cold - no a deep in your center, no matter what you do it doesn't go away kinda cold. It was not an enjoyable thing.

Of course, neither was seeing ominous rain clouds on the horizon. Yeah, no, not really cool in her opinion. She sat up - a glance around telling her that no one else was awake yet - and pressed a cool hand to her forehead. No fever, she was glad for that, but she still felt crappy. She felt almost flu-like - chills, exhaustion, a wonderful headache, and an overwhelming sense of ickyness. She desperately needed her magic back. Az said that she wouldn't be susceptible to dark viruses once she did. Wonderful, so I've got the magic equivalent to an immune disease.

Her life sucked.

She looked at the marshes over her shoulder - they looked less than inviting. And yet - she felt that old familiar pull at her gut - the tug to explore - to venture into the unknown. She turned away from the swamps. She'd promised everyone - her parents, Cain - that she'd stay out of trouble. She was pretty certain that walking into the marshes alone because she was curious fell under the 'trouble' category. She'd also promised her mother that she wouldn't go anywhere without Cain.

She glanced at the Tin Man sleeping beside her. He was still out - his chest rising and falling slowly. He was lying on his side, one arm stretched toward her, hand empty since she'd awakened. The blanket that he'd traded for his duster had slipped from his shoulders, pooling against his elbow. He must be cold. She reached to him, her fingers barely touching him, as she pulled the blanket back to its original position.

She let out a startled squeak when one of his hands grabbed her wrist. She looked at his face - his blue eyes were open and shining - and the damn man was smirking again. She rolled her eyes and tugged her hand out his grasp.

"You nearly gave me a heart attack, you know that?" she snapped quietly - not wanting to wake the others.

He sat up, "Sorry Princess," he rubbed a hand across his face and focused on her, "You feeling any better." He was pleased - both for concern and his ego's sake - to see that she was still wearing his duster - the sleeves falling about an inch past her fingertips - she could practically wrap it around her twice and still have coat to spare.

"I feel like I got hit by semi - then they backed up and did it again - a couple of times," DG replied, absently picking at a tuft of grass.

"That good, huh?" he grinned again. He didn't like seeing her sick, but the fact that she was able to joke put something at ease in his chest. Plus, he was getting to spend some time with her, without conspiring glances from the other girls or those knowing smirks from Glitch and Raw. Not to mention the Pooch was still out cold.

"Oh, yeah, never felt better," she gave him a half-smile, then her gaze traveled to the marshes behind them, "So we're gonna have to go through there today?"

"Yeah, shouldn't be too bad as long as you -."

"Yeah, yeah, don't touch anything, I got it," DG finished in a huff. They all acted like she was going to forget that if they didn't remind her five thousand times. He chuckled.

"Just don't want to see you get eaten is all," he said softly. Her eyes flickered up and met his. Despite the teasing sparkle in those baby blues, she saw his honesty and it warmed her chilled body.

She took one of his hands in hers and laced her fingers through his with a warm smile, she replied, "I promise."

He grinned - but it was like the grins when he was trying really hard not to smile at her, so just the very corners of his mouth tugged upward - and she once again got the urge to kiss those corners. She tried very hard - scouts honor - to tear her eyes away from his mouth but - once again - she was finding this task difficult. Her tongue skated out to wet her suddenly very dry lips - and when she was finally able to stop looking at his mouth, she found his eyes were an incredibly dark hue - and they were staring at her mouth.

Oh, lordy!

"DG," he breathed.

"Yeah," she hesitated.

"I -," he managed.

"Yeah," she prompted.

"Not the hair brush!" Glitch suddenly yelled - and both Cain and DG jumped a good foot in the air. DG laid a hand on her racing heart and looked at Cain - he ran a hand through his short blonde hair and - she was pleased to see - he was breathing as heavily as she.

It had nothing to with surprise.

Glitch sat up abruptly and looked about, when his eyes found the guilty parties sitting across the campsite - breathing ragged and both steadfastly avoiding his - and each other's - gazes - he took a moment for his brain to process the scene and then his face broke into a wide haughty grin, "What were you two doing?" He pointed a long, thin finger between them.

"Nothing," and "shut up" came at the same time.

"Hmm, yeah, sure seems that way to me," Glitch said, unconvinced.

"Look Zipperhead, nothing happened, nothing was happening, and nothing's gonna happen, so drop it," Cain growled, glaring at Glitch. He saw the hurt flash in his friend's eye - the Glitch part anyway - but Cain didn't really care. He was frustrated - damn frustrated. It wasn't fair that people kept interrupting these moments between him DG. Namely, it wasn't fair that Glitch kept interrupting. The paranoid part of Cain's male ego looked suspiciously at the Advisor - as if he was purposely interrupting, so he could sweep in and steal DG for himself. Then the logical part of Cain's brain reminded him that Glitch would have to stay brilliant for more than fifteen seconds for him to pull off something like that - and that just wasn't likely to happen.

So Wyatt Cain had to accept the fact Ozma above simply did not want him to be with DG.

Well, fuck 'em.

"Hey, shouldn't we be getting going? We've got a lot of marshland to cover today and the nasties are going to be out soon - you do not want to run into a hungry snarflack, let me tell you!" Glitch seemed to have forgotten Cain's outburst.

But DG had not. Nothing happened, nothing was happening, and nothing's gonna happen. She couldn't stop this internal loop she had going in her brain - she kept hearing him say it over and over in her head. And she thought they'd been having a moment.

"Come on, Kid," Cain got to his feet and held a hand out to her. She glanced up at him - blue eyes meeting blue - that something that had been burning behind his eyes before Glitch had woken up was still there - subdued - but still there. It gave her hope. She shook her hand free of his duster sleeve and allowed him to help her to her feet.

"So do I have to worry about depressing thoughts or anything?" DG asked an hour later as she and her friends stood on the edge of the marshes. They wouldn't be able to ride the horses - apparently there were too many roots that could cause the horses injury or something…she'd stopped paying attention after Cain said they didn't have to ride anymore. She'd been too busy doing a happy dance in her head to listen to his explanation.

But at the moment, said Tin Man - and everyone else - was staring at her like she was crazy, which wasn't really something new. She elaborated, "There's this movie on the Other Side - and there's this swamp - and when you think depressing thoughts you sink under the mud."

"Well, there's going to be mud," Az offered hesitantly.

"Yeah, but is it gonna suck me up?" She thought it was a valid fear - you never knew what crazy stuff could happen in the O.Z.

"Not that I know of," Cain answered, just as unsure as Az had been.

DG brightened immediately, "Well good. Okay, let's get with the going."

Cain led the way - his horse in tow - the others following behind him. DG's nostrils were instantly assaulted with the smell of earth and water and moss and everything you usually smelled in a swamp - including that gross sulfur smell from far off on your left that you avoided like the plague.

Az had been understating the mud thing. There was mud. Boy, there was mud. There was practically a bath of it laid out in front of them. When DG stepped down - the most disturbing squelching sound erupting from her sneaker - her foot didn't find purchase until the stuff reached mid-thigh. Oh, her jeans were going to be disgusting after this.

And Cain had been right about the tree roots. Apparently the trees weren't really fans of all the mud - so the roots were mostly out of the ground - creating arcs that could clothesline a person if they weren't paying attention. DG vowed to pay attention.

Jeez, just waiting for Yoda to pop up and eat our multigrain bar.

And Deeg could see why riding the horses wouldn't be easy - it was difficult enough for the poor things to walk as it was, more weight and they'd be Artax-ing it.

She trudged through the mud and realized her legs were going to hurt so much worse than when she'd been riding. This thought alone was making her miserable. Not to mention, she had mud everywhere. In her hair, under her nails - ew - in her mouth. She was less than happy.

And to make matters even worse: Ari had just sidled up alongside Cain and was talking his ear off - her voice light and airy in a way DG could only dream of achieving. She muttered quiet curses at the girl in front of her - focusing on her feet instead of the sickening scene ahead.

Cain willed his headache away - seriously, he was getting a migraine. Arina was nice - she really was - but he couldn't take it anymore. Hadn't this girl ever heard of silence? He valued it very much. It was kind of his thing. Of course, she probably hadn't heard it because she was talking through it. He didn't want to be mean - and that was what was causing him the most grief. He considered himself a gentleman - well, unless he was dreaming about DG, he wasn't exactly gentlemanly in those dreams - but in besides that, he thought he was polite. Especially to women. So he couldn't just tell the girl to buzz off and leave him alone - like he would with Glitch or Raw or, if he was honest, even DG - but all her talking was starting to grate on his patience.

He decided maybe taking a break for a little while would be good. They'd been walking for only half an hour but he could tell from the looks on everyone's faces - his included - that this trek through the mud was taking its toll. So when they came upon an area where the mud was only ankle deep, Cain called them to a stop.

They separated off into smaller groups: Glitch helped Az sit on a low root at the base of a gangly tree, Raw seemed to be trying to stay as far away from everyone as possible - he didn't blame the viewer, Cain knew his emotions were all over the grid. Every time Ari would start a new topic he'd winced in pain - his migraine flaring - but he'd try to tune her out but focusing on DG and that sent his thoughts in an entirely new direction. And that was just him - he had no idea how anyone else was feeling.

Cain sat down on another low root and almost groaned out loud when Ari sat down next to him. He briefly thought about putting his head in his hands and hoping she got the hint but - as usual - he didn't do what he really wanted to - and instead plastered an interested look on his face and tried to picture DG in her party dress. It was pretty effective.

DG had also noted Raw's aversion to the group.

"Hey, Raw," she said gently, "what's wrong?"

"Raw have headache," he pointed a gloved hand to his head.

"You're not the only one," DG muttered, "Why does your head hurt?"

"Too many feelings," Raw replied.

"Oh, from me?" she pointed to herself.

Raw nodded, "And Tin Man, and Az, and Glitch, and horses. Raw feel too much."

DG felt guilty - she hadn't exactly been keeping her emotions in check - she'd forgotten how susceptible Raw was to the emotional broadcasts they all put out.

"Sorry, Raw," she reached out to him but stopped before her hand rested on his arm. That would only make things hurt worse.

"Not just DG. Az feels fuzzy things now," Raw stated. DG's head whipped around quickly to find her sister. Azkadellia was sitting beside Glitch - Toto in her lap - having a quiet conversation. Deeg's jaw dropped and she turned back to Raw.

"Really?"

Raw nodded again, "And Tin Man too."

DG turned once more and she thought she felt her heart hit her mud covered feet. Cain was sitting beside Ari - her in an animated explanation about something or other - and him listening - what looked like - intensely - that beautiful little smirk back on his face.

And he was feeling the fuzzy things. Right then. While he was talking to Ari.

The constant crappiness that she'd felt since the afternoon before doubled suddenly and she hugged her middle to stop unbidden and unexpected tears from breaking free. She inhaled sharply - trying to calm this maelstrom of emotions that was threatening to engulf her - but it wasn't working.

To make matters worse, Cain found this to be the perfect moment to look up at her - their gazes met - and his teasing blue eyes turned quickly to concerned panic. She couldn't stand there any longer and with a large amount of effort started walking - rather speedily - to her left - where the amount of mud increased tenfold.

"DG?!" she heard Cain call her name but it only spurred her on faster. She let her arms fall away from her middle as she started to run - a difficult task with the height of the mud clinging at her knees.

"DG?!" Az's voice echoed in the misty marshes.

"Glitch, stay with them!" Cain ordered, sprinting after DG.

"Az," Ari's heated whispered pulled the older woman's gaze away from her fleeing sister, "She was crying, Az, she was crying."

"I know," Azkadellia replied, "I saw her."

"She saw me talking to Cain and she started crying!" Ari sounded as panicked as Az felt, "What if something happens to her out there? Because of us?"

"Cain will find her," Glitch assured the girls.

"But she was crying - did you see her? I don't think I can do this anymore," Ari looked sickened - probably by herself, Az thought - she knew she felt nauseous. She was sure that DG would fight for what she wanted, would battle it out against Ari over Wyatt Cain - but Azkadellia had never imagined her little sister would get upset like this. The only other time she could remember seeing DG cry was after her nightmare - and even then it was more terror less despair.

Az had to sit down.

"I think we made a mistake," Az said, placing a hand on her stomach - she thought she might lose her breakfast.

Raw stepped up to them, "It Raw fault. Tell DG about Cain's fuzzies, not who fuzzies were for." He looked at the ground in shame. He'd been so uncomfortable with all the feelings running around him that he had forgotten how easily his comments could be misinterpreted.

"Aw, Furball, it's not your fault," Glitch clapped him on the back, "We never should have set this thing up in the first place." He was very Ambrose at the moment.

"I hope Mr. Cain finds her," Az sent a silent prayer skyward.

"Don't worry Doll," Glitch laid a hand on her shoulder, "Cain will get her back." He paused, "Cain will get her back." Another pause, "Cain will get her back." Azkadellia slapped the back of her hand against his stomach, "Ow, hey do I know you?"

"Ozma help us," Az muttered.

"DG?!" He was still calling to her and she was still running - but she was loosing steam - quickly. Finally, out of breath, she slowed to a stop. Ugh, she felt ridiculous. She wasn't one of those girls who cried when the cute guy picked someone else - she was the girl that said screw 'em and then proceeded to find another, more attractive man to take his place.

Problem was: she didn't want another, more attractive man. (Did she really think a man such as this existed? More attractive than Wyatt Cain. She doubted the possibility.)

She wanted one man. That man.

And that man happened to be running up to her at the very moment. She got the feeling all her running away from him was starting to annoy. He was out of breath again so she took it as an advantage.

"Cain -." He cut her off. So much for the advantage.

"DG, what the hell?! Are you okay?! What happened, I looked up and you looked like you were gonna cry!" He was gripping her arm tightly - she was sure there'd be bruises.

She didn't meet his eyes, "I'm fine Cain. I just need a minute alone."

"A minute alone? DG, you just scared the ever-loving hell out of me!"

"I'm sorry - I didn't mean to scare you - I just needed a minute," she looked at the rock just past his right elbow.

"A minute for what?" he demanded.

"Self reflection and pity," she snapped - cool blue eyes suddenly attacking worried ones.

"So you decided to take off into the most dangerous part of the O.Z. by yourself!" The worry was gone. Now there was anger. A lot of it. The man was livid.

"That's usually what 'alone' means: by yourself," she shrugged to add effect.

"Don't get smart with me kid," he growled, digging his fingers into her arm.

She wrenched free from his grip, "Look, Cain - I," she couldn't make herself say it; couldn't tell him that she'd gotten jealous and hurt that he was feeling things around Ari; she couldn't tell him because her throat got all clogged up with those damn tears again; she breathed and her voice fell to a pathetic plea , "Can you please just give me a minute? I'll go back with you just - I need a second to clear my head."

His anger dissipated instantly at her change in tone - the concern and worry were back. He had no idea why she'd been crying but he desperately wanted to make the pain go away. His heart had jumped into his throat when he'd looked up at her - the embodiment of his thoughts - and seen her with tears in her eyes.

But she didn't seem to want to look at him - let alone allow him to touch her - so he stepped back, the mud tugging at his legs.

"Yeah, sure," he conceded. And her head shot up in surprise. She'd half-expected him to keep fighting her. He was confused - she didn't blame him - and he looked a little hurt but tried a reassuring smile anyway. It didn't really work.

"Thanks," she said quietly. She turned her back on him just as the tears broke free and trailed across her cheeks. She did her best to silence her sobs but she knew he heard her - he was only ten feet away.

When she faltered into hiccupping/heavy breathing she felt him move toward her and place a gentle hand on her shoulder. At least we can still be friends, she thought and took that as comfort - evoking an actual smile on her face as she turned her head to meet his eyes.

When she craned her neck to look over her shoulder at him, he saw the dampness on her face - but she was smiling - honest to gods, smiling - and it eased his worry. Then suddenly her blue eyes went wide and her jaw dropped as her shriek tore through the air.

"Holy mother of God!"

A/N 2: Insert dramatic music. : )