Disclaimer: Ok, I'm giving Jeb to Queen Isabella. Clearly she needs him more than me. Have fun!

The Tin Man pulled the truck into a small space between two neatly kept houses and threw it in park. "Finally!" Jeb hurled the door open, narrowly missing the white brick on one of the houses, as he scrambled out.

Cain rolled his eyes and opened his door much more deliberately. Extending his hand he caught hers and helped her down out of the cab as she smiled at the teenager. "You've only been in the truck for two hours. Stop acting like I've kept you strapped in there for days."

Grinning, his son snatched his pack out of the bed of the truck and sauntered up to the door on their left. She had managed to get their things that had been left at the Ice Palace while Cain was unconscious. She had needed a distraction at the time and she and Jeb had needed to change. Her possessions didn't amount to much but at this point but she didn't care. She'd been too excited the last few days to care about anything other than the fact that the Tin Man was alive and well.

Wyatt had somehow made things even better by choosing to join the Coastal Tribe. He had practically dragged her to Lylo once they were both stable enough to stand. After the older viewer had read Cain, and she claimed him as her mate, they had both collapsed in bed and slept for nearly sixteen hours. Granted she had woken them up twice with her nightmares but they had fallen back asleep quickly enough.

When they woke up the last time they found that the Tin Man wasn't the only one that had been adopted. Jeb was walking around with Kalm on his shoulders as the females laughed at his antics. Cain was rubbing his chest absently as they both blinked sleep out of their eyes. "Jeb part of tribe." Raw walked over to them and handed them some fruit to munch on.

"Of course he is." The Tin Man cracked his neck and she wrinkled her nose at him. "He could charm his way into anything."

The viewer chuckled. "Tribe likes. Much happiness today. Feels DG has made right choice."

Her lip twitched. "It's good to know I get approval from somewhere." She felt a brief stab of emotion; sorrow mixed up with guilt and anger, and pushed it down. This was too good a day to feel bad.

With a yawn Wyatt tossed his arm over her shoulder and tugged her against his side. "What do you think, Furball? Is the city safe yet?"

"Have talked to Lylo. Safe for you to leave tomorrow."

He had kissed her temple and squeezed her gently. "Whenever your ready to go, Deeg." She knew he meant it and rubbed her hand up his back. She may have been comfortable here but she needed a change of scenery. In front of them Kalm tugged on Jeb's shaggy hair and sent him reeling to the side. Letting her go the Tin Man lunged forward and snatched the cub around the waist, saving him, as his own son tumbled to the ground. The laughter around the clearing increased as Cain swung the child around in the air and flipped him in a summersault before setting him on the ground.

Kalm bounced around the Tin Man happily and accidentally landed on Jeb who grimaced in pain as Wyatt caught the cub and hoisted him in the air again. Smirking down at his son he helped Raw's nephew flip again as Jeb rolled to his feet. He better not rip his wound open or she was going to kill him no matter how much Kalm liked him. Her friend chuckled next to her. "Good with cubs."

She smiled and leaned her shoulder against the viewers. "He's had practice."

"Will have more." Her head whipped around, eyes wide, and his chocolate eyes were warm. "Not yet." She relaxed slightly. There was no way she was ready for that yet. "Next summer maybe. Lylo sees. Must promise to tell Tin Man when sure."

"That takes some of the surprise out of it you know."

He shook his head seriously. "Not need more surprises. Need to be cautious."

"I will be."

The viewer rumbled softly. "Raw miss when leave."

She caught his hand and gripped it tightly. Raw was family. He was her best friend. She wasn't sure what to do without him. She'd been without her parents and sister for a long time; she'd never been without the viewer. "I'll miss you too. Will you come to visit us?"

"Yes, but DG be back soon." When she gave him a questioning glance he poked her stomach. "Will want to be with tribe." Thinking about that she knew he was right and nodded.

"Soon then?"

Turning her toward him he hugged her tightly. "Soon."

That had been yesterday. This morning they had left at dawn after another solid night of sleep and a round of farewells. It had taken most of her self-control not to cry when she waved goodbye to Raw one last time and stepped into the travel storm she had called. They had landed between the cabin and the truck and she congratulated herself on her marksmanship as Jeb cursed. Once he was stable they had piled into the truck and now here they were.

"Come on, Sweetheart." Drawing her after him he paused long enough to grab both their packs and trailed after his son. The door was wide open and she trotted up the steps leading to the door as she stared up at the house. It was built out of pale cream and white brick and had a green tiled roof and shutters. There was a flowering vine growing up one side of it and around the gutter that she brushed with her fingers while she appreciated the house.

It took her a second to realize the Tin man had stopped to give her time to study his home. Meeting his eyes she smiled and he grinned at her before dragging her inside. Laughing up at him he shut the door behind them and led her into the sitting room. It was spacious and had a wonderful airy feeling once he opened the pale blue curtains. The furniture looked comfortable and was upholstered in tan suede. It was lovely against the blue rug and molding of the room. "Your house is really nice."

He kissed her cheek, looking pleased, before nodding toward the doorway across from them. "You haven't seen the whole thing yet, Darlin'."

As they headed toward the back she heard rapid footsteps getting closer and then she could see the staircase. Jeb was racing down it with a bounce in his step and a much cleaner set of clothes. "My stuff's in my room. See you guys later."

He made it six inches past his father before Cain caught the back of his collar and dragged Jeb to him. The young man made a choking noise as he backpedaled so he wouldn't be strangled. "We just got home. Where do you think you're frolickin' off to?"

Rolling his eyes Jeb straightened his shirt. "As much as I love spending time with you I do have a social life." Wyatt snorted as his son continued. "I haven't seen any of my friends in months."

"Uhuh." The Tin Man eyed his son up and down. "So you're not runnin' off to see a certain red head then?"

Her eyebrow went up as Jeb gave his father the most pathetic puppy dog eyes she had ever seen. "A red head? Me?"

Growling dangerously he shook his son's neck once to get his full attention. "If Sarah's father comes callin' you won't get any help from me, in fact I might help him skin ya, so you'd best be a gentlemen. Got it?"

The teenager actually gulped at his father's tone and nodded vigorously. "Absolutely. Perfect gentlemen right here."

Wyatt eyed him until Jeb began to fidget. "Good. Be back by dark and pick up enough food for all of us at the bakery on your way home."

"Home by dark with food. Got it." Wyatt let him go and he was off like a shot. The door closed behind him and he shook his head in exasperation.

Her lip twitched. "Who's Sarah?"

Taking her hand again he started up the stairs with her behind him. "She's Tanner's daughter. They live a few blocks over."

"The tin man that Jeb helped?"

"That's the one." She suppressed a giggle at the thought of Jeb being hunted down by one of Wyatt's buddies. "They're a good lot and Sarah's got enough spunk for three people."

"Are they courting?"

"Not yet. I give it six months at the most."

They made it to the top floor and she grinned at him. "You sound pretty sure."

Pointing to the right he indicated one of the doors. "That's Jeb's room and I am sure. He's been in love with her since he was fifteen. He doesn't know it yet is all."

"That's cute." He darted an amused glance at her and kept them moving. He was going slow enough for her to satisfy her curiosity. He showed her the bathroom and a spare bedroom that had been turned into a small study before setting their things down in his room and kicked the door shut with his foot.

It was decorated with dark green bedding and pinewood furniture. At the foot of the bed was a trunk with a beautifully carved design over the lid. It was easy to see him spending his time here. He fit in the room. As she wandered to the window to take in the view he tossed his hat on the dresser before shrugging out of his coat and hanging it up in the wardrobe. "We need to get you some clothes tomorrow. I know you like those pants but two pairs are only going to last you so long."

Letting the drapes fall closed she turned back around and shifted her weight. For some reason the simple statement threw her. She didn't have any money. She wasn't sure if she even had her title anymore. It was within her mother's power to strip her of it. All she had were a few sets of clothes, a hairbrush, and her sketchpad. While it would be easy for her to use her magic to steal or sneak into the palace to get her old things she couldn't do that. It was wrong.

Stealing was against her nature and she had been banished from court. That meant legally nothing that was in it belonged to her anymore. So getting her old things was stealing too. She would need to get a job, which didn't bother her, but her only real skill set involved magic. If she used her light too much this close to the palace her parents might find her.

He caught sight of her nervous movements and held his hand out to her. She took it as he sat on the edge of the bed and dragged her to him. Moments later and she was sitting in his lap while he rubbed one of his hands up and down her back and watched her. "What's the matter? Do you not like it here?" He pushed her hair behind her shoulder as he asked.

Afraid she had upset him she made sure her eyes were on his. "Your home is wonderful, Wyatt."

"Our home." She glanced down and he caught her face so she was forced to look at him. Emotions cascaded over each other and she pressed her lips together while she nodded and stared up at the ceiling. She wasn't sure she could talk right now. She'd never been given something she wanted so badly before. "Deeg, this is your home too. Look at me." Slowly she lowered her eyes back to his. "This is your home. No one is going to take it away from you." A tear slipped down her cheek without her consent and his thumb brushed it away. "Ok?"

Still unable to talk she caught his face with her hands and kissed him softly. All they'd done since he'd woken up two days ago was curl up together and sleep. Both of them had been too tired and hurt to do anything else. Desire rose up in her faster than she had thought possible and she pressed into his chest as she mumbled between kisses. "Need to feel you, Tin Man."

Groaning quietly into her mouth he held her closer against him before leaning her back so he could suck gently on the skin above her collar. As she tunneled her fingers through his hair his warm breath stirred against her neck and shoulders. "How do you need to feel me?"

Blushing at the question she pressed into him and hid her face in his hair as she answered. She hadn't been with him for over a week and in that time she had been terrified that he was going to leave her. She wanted to feel connected again. She needed to be with him again. "Close… Like the first time."

He must have understood what she was asking because he hummed into her neck and nipped her skin gently. "Soft and slow, Darlin'?"

She managed a shuddering reply. "Yes."

He bunched her shirt in his hands and took it off her a little at a time, watching as more and more of her skin was revealed. "You want me to take my time with you?" The shirt was gone and his eyes roved slowly up her body.

"No." His hands that had been creeping slowly up her ribs paused as he looked into her eyes. "I want us to take our time with each other."

"Ahhh." He smiled and kissed her warmly. "Sweet little thing." Moving slowly he stood them up and began to loosen her pants. In return she went after his holster as she kissed her way from the base of his neck to his jaw. As she dragged the leather off him he pushed her pants down and squeezed her bottom firmly. She sighed and rubbed herself against him as she began to unbutton his vest.

He chuckled lowly as she removed his shirt and grazed his ribs. She smiled into his chest. He was ticklish there. Keeping her against him with one arm he let his other hand slip beneath her panties and rub her teasingly. A small moan escaped her as she pressed into his fingers and began to loosen his pants. His eyes gleamed and he lifted her out of her pants and up against him.

She wrapped her legs around his waist when he pulled on her thigh. Carrying her a few feet to the dresser he set her on top of it. The second her bottom hit the wood his hand found the top of her panties and started taking them off her. She lifted her hips and let her legs fall from him long enough for him to remove them. While he was busy ridding her of the lace she grabbed his belt and tugged it loose. Her fingers were unbuttoning his pants when he grabbed her face and kissed her sensually. "I love you."

When he pulled back with a soft smile she was completely fixated on his open blue eyes. Bracing herself for the jump she'd been so afraid to make she caught his wrists and whispered the sentiment back. "I love you, Wyatt Cain." His breath hitched and he gathered her closer to him as a shiver ran down her.

When she pressed her lips back against his he caught the back of her neck and held her still as he explored her mouth. Her knees started to go weak and she was very happy she was sitting down and being held up. Breaking off he started mapping her skin with his lips as he moved down her body. Her own breathing shallowed when his hand glided up and traced the underside of her breast with his warm hands. Running her hands through his blond hair she guided him down and felt him smile against her skin before taking her nipple in his mouth and sucking gently. Gasping she wrapped her legs over his fabric covered hips and tried to drag him closer.

He teased her until she couldn't take anymore and she moaned at him as she tried the get his pants off him. "Not enough." She pushed her hand between them and wrapped her fingers around him firmly. The second she rubbed him he let out a low groan and untangled her so he could rid himself of the rest of his clothing.

Sliding her to the edge of the wood he rubbed her legs slowly before thrusting up into her. Crying out at the feeling of being filled she wrapped her arms and legs around him in an effort to get him closer. One of his hands shot to the lip of the dresser and his other twisted around her and cupped her backside as he pushed into her again. Pleasure raced up and down her spine as he moved in her and then his mouth was back and sucking on her bottom lip.

Lifting his head blue eyes locked on hers and he swiveled his hips as he bottomed out in her. She let out a muffled wail and arched into him. "This is what its like to be home, Sweetheart." His low whisper sent shivers down her spine and she ran her nails down his back.

Nipping at her neck he buried himself in her and stared into her eyes. This was so intimate. It was exactly what she had wanted. What she'd been wanting for so long. "Wyatt!" In a daze from the sensations her legs curled up higher over his hips. The hand that had been holding her slid around between them and he stroked her clit with his thumb.

Circling her center firmly he watched her as she began to buck and her eyes fell closed. "Deeg." She whimpered at him and he kissed her again. "Open your eyes for me."

At his gruff request they fluttered open. Rubbing his forehead against hers he pressed her clit down she felt him rub against her sensitive spot as he pushed all the way into her. She mewled and tightened her arms around his shoulders as they stared at each other. Swiveling his hips once more sent her to the point of no return and her entire body seized around him as a sharp keen was ripped from her throat. Her orgasm was so strong she nearly blacked out. While she trembled and swayed from the mass of sensations radiating through her body the Tin Man crushed her against him and let go with a loud shout.

He slumped forward as he held her flat against his chest and gripped at the dresser to keep himself upright. Both of them were gasping in heaving breaths as she felt him slowly softening inside of her. Unwilling to let him go she clung to him and pressed her face against his shoulder. After a long minute his hand rubbed up her spine and he straightened back up. Hand flowing from her back to her knee he massaged her leg and slowly unhooked it from around him so he could fall out of her. Whimpering from the feeling of emptiness she turned her head and kissed his jaw. "I'll be back inside you soon, Darlin'." She sighed as he slid her off the wood and walked them back to the bed.

Stretching her out over the blankets he lay down next to her and threw his arm over her waist. Wiggling up farther on the bed she laid her head over the small pink scar above his heart while keeping her back to the mattress. Her skin was covered in long pink scars. She found it less than attractive and didn't want to draw attention to the fact that she hadn't finished healing yet.

Feeling his heart beating steadily under her palm was the most comforting thing she had ever experienced and pushed the thought of recovering from her head. His hand moved up and started stroking her hair and she pressed back into his hand with a pleased coo. A chuckle rumbled through his chest at her response and she smiled into his skin.

The sun had started to shift across the room before either of them tried to move again. She thought it was lunchtime, at least her stomach did. Sitting up she tugged on his arm and he muttered under his breath as he tried to get her to lay back down. "We've been in bed for days. I'm hungry. Is there food here or do we have to wait for Jeb to get back?"

"Did you work up an appetite?" His eyes sparked with satisfied amusement.

"Yup, and if you want me to work up another one you better feed me." Getting out of the bed she gathered their clothes up and tossed his on his legs with a grin.

He laughed behind her and got up. His arm snaked around her from behind once they were dressed and his hot breath blew over her ear. "Fair enough, Deeg. After your full I'm going to work you up against the wall nice and hard." She shivered and he kissed the nape of her neck. "Ready to search the cupboards, sweet thing?" Then he was opening the door and walking out. "I thought you were hungry." Shaking her head she followed him and hoped it wouldn't take long to find food.

Author Note: Tralalalala.