Disclaimer: I Seeeeeeeee…that I don't own Tin Man. Do you think glasses would fix that?

Author's Note: Dear females of the species, I offer you this advice: when attempting the dating world, walk softly and carry a big club. Guys are starting to make me look sane.

…

Lilo Hears, Lilo Feels, thoughts churn, emotions grab. Effort. Exhaustion. Pain... ... ... ... ...Pain...

Queen thinks on Queen, how to behave, how not to. Humour. Babies never did care about the Royal Dignity. Will not scream, will not cry...grunting...will just have to be allowed.

Determination mirrored by anxiety, pacing the hall. Anger. Won't let him in, stupid tradition. Sees pace and turn, pause and listen. Worry. Stupid Ambrose, imbecilic fact spouting Ambrose, should have broken his jaw to shut his mouth - if only he could. Understands, trying to trust Viewers, hard, far from home, far from known, deep in uncertainty, falls back on his truth, Otherside science, where does magic fit?

But Lilo Knows, be okay.

Palace abuzz, filled with nobles, drenched in thoughts, emotions, colliding futures, tug at the mind, the Sight...settles on sympathy. Memory. Older man takes younger aside, not lord to Consort but mentor and friend to nervous young man. Been there before, nothing to do but wait. Would you like to hear my son's letter?

Pain... ...pain...

Slipping back, away, out of the minds whispering, hoping, waiting for heir and future, theirs and the Realm's, caught by mind concerned for friend. 50% mortality rate in childbirth in the Realm of the Unwanted...STOP THINKING THAT! And muttering it near Ahamo - deserve to be thrashed but, reflexes are reflexive for a reason. They say a Gillikin will pause halfway up a mountain to give birth, strap the infant on their back and just keep climbing. Seems nonsensical, and anyhow, the Queen is not a Gillikin. Young Advisor reaches as ever to facts to save him. Viewer attended births show an increased survivability of 45%...

Pain...pain...pain...

Focus now, time now.

Push.

Shock. Confusion. Wailing, wailing, wailing. A jumble of unknown sights, sounds...everything. The door bursts open, a new made father hurrying forward, the young mother reaching out...

Lilo Sees.

Fear

...to take her child from suddenly shaking hands.

Awe. Wonder.

"It's a girl, I mean, I know Lilo said but..."

Happiness. Love.

Horror

"What shall we call her?"

Gentle humour. Blissful Mischief.

"Oh, A to Z, just like her mother." A lilting smile, a teasing tone.

Joyful banter. Fond exasperation.

"Oh really now, must you? It is not really necessary to..."

Impish. Gleeful.

Terror

"Why not? Who doesn't want five million names to choose from? AZ can deal with it."

Surprise. Contemplation.

"Yes, I believe that will do nicely."

Bemusement. Adoration.

Death

"Eh?"

Smug. Triumphant.

"Azkadellia," a beatific smile, "you said it yourself."

Amusement. Acceptance.

Darkness

"Why you...Azkadee, your mother thinks she is so clever..."

Lilo hears bells. Tolling bells. Celebrating princess born, gathering round, letting the Realm know. Ringing out joy, see the Queen hold her heir...

Ask not for whom the bell tolls...

And Lilo Sees Lilo curled in the corner, precious babe wrapped round, rocking, rocking, Lilo Hears. Lilo Knows.

"Not your fault, not your fault..."