On the Fast Train to Prophecy and Peril

by WhiteRabbit626

Sequel to "Pitstop at the Hilltop Cafe." There's no such thing as living happily ever after for this Princess and her Tin Man, and just when the pair think they can relax, old enemies rear their heads. Wyatt and DG find that their roles in the OZ's revival will change yet again, as they get drawn into a search for magical artifacts and dangerous foes. (Hint of X with Warehouse 13)

1. Chapter 1

Author's Note

A favorite author of mine once said, "I love deadlines. I love the wooshing sound they make as they go past." (Bonus points for whoever can figure out who said it without using Google!)

I did promise a new story, and although I made no mention of deadlines, I had my own to uphold, so enough is enough!

This will be another long one like "Pitstop," so expect a good deal more. Although I am doing some heavy editing before I post, I don't imagine I will be satisfied even after that... so feel free to post some constructive criticism!

Bunny Hugs,

White Rabbit

Chapter One

Having the door slammed in his face was not how Wyatt imagined spending the night before his wedding. Despite this, he was far from angry, and called out tauntingly through the heavy oak, "Oh come on, Dorothy, you don't really want me to say good night to you through this door, do you?"

DG had allowed him to get just comfortable enough that he had changed into a pair of sleep pants, and suddenly, just as he was again claiming himself to be the luckiest man in the OZ, she'd thrown a t-shirt at him and shoved him out the door. Wyatt leaned against the door frame while he allowed his bare feet to shuffle on thick pile of the carpet outside the door, holding his breath while he waited for DG to answer. He could hear his soon-to-be wife stifling a laugh on the other side, and she called out in false exasperation, "Yes I do, Wyatt! It's bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding!"

He knew damn well that this superstition of hers was another hold out from her time spent on the Otherside, but it was fun to tease her, and an incredulous laugh escaped him as he replied in an overly loud, sardonic voice, "In what world, Princess? It's not like we haven't been sharin' the same bed for the last five cycles."

"Wyatt!" DG nearly screeched, letting the door crack open so she could see his face, and she rasped out in warning, "Don't talk so loud."

DG was flushed with embarrassment when she poked her head out to see the hall empty apart from him, and realizing that he had played her, she grumbled adorably, "You're a bad man, Wyatt Cain."

Wyatt's eyes glittered down on DG when she appeared in the barely opened door, and DG, seeing that he had already won the high ground, opened the door the rest of the way with a heavy, put-upon sigh. As her small frame was revealed to him once more, Wyatt took the sight of DG in with a fond sigh. His eyes followed the line of her nightgown, admiring how the deep blue silk fell like a fluid curtain over her curves, which were slightly swollen as a result of the life growing within her. She glowed as well, looking every part the blushing bride and beautiful mother, she was soon to be.

Wyatt's fingers drifted to the soft waves of her hair, which fell over her shoulder and rested over her bosom, leaning in closer to murmur softly, "I love you, Dorothy Gale, and after tomorrow, I'm going to enjoy sharing our bed every night for the rest of our lives."

The edge of DG's mouth turned up as she fought a smile, and she replied through a good-humored eye roll, "If you get any sappier, you're going to get me sticky, Tin Man."

Joking aside, DG's eyes belied her true feelings, and Wyatt could tell by the way her body leaned into his that she approved of his sentimentality. Wyatt took the opportunity then to let his hand caress the side of her face, and he rumbled sweetly as he leaned down to meet her lips in a soft kiss, "You're a terrible liar, Dorothy."

DG grinned just before Wyatt's lips met hers, and when they did, she was instantly swept up in a wave of bliss. Her arms automatically snaked around Wyatt's neck, and she whimpered when he deepened their kiss, feeling as though she might melt when his arms curled around her possessively. When their lips parted, he beamed down on her before releasing her, only to kneel in front of her. A happy blush rose on her cheeks when he placed his hands on the small mound just beginning to form on her abdomen, and he kissed the space here gently while he spoke quietly.

"Good night, little Princess. Your daddy loves you," DG heard him whisper to her belly just before he rose to face her again, and she could not help the smile that seemed an almost permanent fixture on her face at this point. When he had straightened once more, he added sweetly, "Good night, Mrs. Cain."

He offered his princess one last kiss on the tip of her nose before parting, and DG finally replied in a soft sigh as he turned to go, "Good night, Wyatt."

Wyatt knew that DG's eyes were trained on him as he retreated down the hall to his office. That thought alone was retribution enough for being forced out of their bed for the night, and a wicked grin spread on his face as he sauntered away. For DG's part, she leaned on the door jamb and watched her Tin Man walk away and sighed at herself – hating how hormones and nerves had suddenly turned her into a gun-shy girly girl. She'd never stood too much for tradition, but after the events of the past two annuals, she had become somewhat superstitious, and knowing that she had already been so close to losing everything a few times already in her twenty seven annuals, she wasn't going to be taking any chances now.

DG watched silently as Wyatt's form turned the corner, at which point she retreated into her quarters. Her eyes roamed over the sitting room, which had changed somewhat in the past few cycles. After their return from Kansas, Wyatt had all but moved into DG's suite, and her sitting room now functioned for them both. A chess game was still in progress on the coffee table by the couch, and Wyatt's fedora and trench coat were hanging over the chair closest to the fireplace. When she stepped further into the room, their cat, Tiger – who had been a welcome transplant from Kansas – trilled at her lazily while he stretched his long, orange limbs across his cushioned station in front of the fireplace. DG smiled at the sight, feeling a sense of belonging wash over her. These rooms had been so empty and impersonal before, only feeling marginally better when Wyatt had joined her for their ritual breakfasts long before any hint of romance had blossomed between them. Once they'd settled into some sense of domestic life with each other, brought on by their reunion in Kansas, the space seemed almost complete. Almost.

Really, they were both just biding their time until after the wedding, when they could finally settle in their own home. It had taken some convincing, and nearly three cycles haggling, but the Queen had finally consented to allowing the pair to live apart from court, under the condition that they be near enough to visit frequently and continue their duties as part of the royal family. At the time, the Queen hadn't even known yet that DG was pregnant, and so when the terms were given, DG gladly accepted, adding her own condition – that her daughter would be allowed to be raised in whatever way she and Wyatt saw fit. The Queen and Consort had been beside themselves with joy for the news, having just gleaned similar news from Azkadellia and Ambrose, who were just days away from getting married at the time. With such an abundance of good news, the Queen could not contain her exuberance, and gladly accepted DG's counter terms, finding it impossible to be dour when new life would soon be adding itself to their already overpouring fountain of blessings. This, of course, had produced a similar wellspring within DG, and she'd been bounding through the corridors of the Royal Palace since then. It hadn't even occurred to her to ask Wyatt where he'd been plotting their escape to, and frankly, she'd didn't really give two shakes about it – Wyatt knew what she liked after all, and his sense of aesthetics tended to mirror her own in most respects. As she settled down into their bed, still thinking about her Tin Man, she sighed contentedly, knowing that wherever he'd be taking their growing troupe next, she was certain to be happy.

In another section of the Royal Palace, the Tin Man was having similar thoughts, and this sent his mind buzzing at such a fast pace that he wondered how he would ever manage to get to sleep. Wyatt stared up at the beige ceiling over his old bed, his mind still reeling with the concept of getting remarried and having a baby already on the way. Man, what a ride, he thought in amazed silence, only punctuating the air with a large exhalation when he recounted how much had happened since his release from the Iron Suit. When he'd been shoved behind that door, now over eleven annuals ago, he'd thought his life was over. Being released by a scrappy waif bearing a stick and a bewildered expression hadn't been his idea of a rescue. Letting her traipse after him when he had intended on seeking revenge against Zero had been nothing short of an annoyance in the beginning of their, now epic, travels. Then finding out that his unlikely heroine was the lost princess had been a surprise. Falling in love with her and being given a another shot at life was just plain miraculous. Now, he was looking forward to what would be one of the highlights of his new life – making that scrappy woman his wife. He had been so elated by this thought that in the past week, that a boyish grin had taken the place of his usual stony expression as he'd gone about wrapping up chores before their wedding and cycle-long departure to Finaqua. After that, he'd take her to their new home – and he was so bursting with excitement to show her everything he'd arranged in their forest hideaway that he could barely contain the secret.

He'd almost given it away a few times, except DG had raised a hand to his lips and grumbled sweetly, "Cool your jets, Tin Man. I want to be surprised."

With a challenge such as that, Wyatt was hard pressed to argue, and he'd managed thus far to stay quiet on the matter. Even his enlistees – Jeb, Azkadellia, Ambrose and Raw – had managed to stay mum, and DG hadn't even been given a clue as to the location of their new home, let alone what it looked like. Wyatt grinned with this realization, and finally allowed himself a calming breath, reassuring himself once again that everything was in place, and no one was going to spoil his surprise for DG.

When Wyatt jumped out of bed on the morning of his wedding, he shook himself from his shoulders to his toes, trying to release the energy that seemed to seep through his skin. He looked around his modest bedroom. The small room –bedecked in warm, rich toned oak and fabrics the shade of pine needles– had very little ornamentation beyond a framed photo of DG on his bedside table. Although he'd liked these quarters, easily looking past the fact that they were within the more opulent confines of the Royal Palace, he felt no sadness in exchanging them for greener pastures permanently. Apart from the nine annuals spent in the Iron Suit, Wyatt had spent more of his life married than not and found a bachelor's life to be less than ideal. While the Tin Man preferred a sense of order to his personal space, where every article had a home, and he could find things – primarily his sidearm – blindfolded, this left the space feeling cold and spartan. In truth, he'd spent more time in the past two annuals chasing after DG than cultivating a personal space, and so his quarters suffered somewhat in "personal flair," as Ambrose had put it. He'd been pleasantly surprised to find DG of a similar mindset, but with none of his spartan tendencies. He'd always assumed that DG's personal space would be a reflection of the whirlwind inside the her head – but he'd found out quickly in their relationship that the girl simply had more separate thoughts being tossed around inside her mind than a juggling act on steroids. She was just moving so fast that she appeared chaotic to most. Wyatt knew now that this couldn't be further from the truth. DG was so analytical and precise inside her mind, and this translated to a space so carefully organized that she made Wyatt look ridiculous – to top it all off, she was much more adaptable than he was, and had cleared spaces for him that seemed ordained without so much as an annoyed grunt in a fraction of the time it would have taken him. The girl always seemed to look after him with such effortless grace, almost as if by rote, and managed to create an atmosphere of warmth and comfort in even the most unfriendly of locations. These facts alone had the Tin Man brimming with nervous anticipation, and he hoped she'd be pleased with what he'd put together without her.

As much as Wyatt would have liked to languish, thoughts of DG only spurred him into movement, and he shook his head of any remaining cobwebs that might further slow him down. His ears pricked up to the sound of low din outside, and he moved silently to the window across from his bed to peer out at the square below. Even at this early hour, where the sun was still creeping over the spires of the city, and birds were only beginning to herald the day, citizens were already buzzing about the square outside and lining up to get a view of the royal couple. This was a happy day for the OZ – the triumphant princess was marrying her knight, a hero of the people. Wyatt gazed on the faces in the growing crowd and shook his head in awe –even after having lived two annuals as a hero of the OZ, Wyatt still could not grasp that all of those people below were waiting to see him, and were eager to share in his joy. His eyes moved to the skies, and he beamed brightly; the skies were of a blue that were reminiscent of his own Princess's, and not a cloud was to be seen. If these things were any sign of the day to come, then he couldn't be happier, he decided with contented sigh.

Now satisfied with his survey of the scene below, Wyatt turned to getting dressed. He rubbed his cheek thoughtfully as he turned, deciding that he would first shave the stubble that had found its way to face during the night, and he divested himself of the t-shirt he had worn to bed while crossing simultaneously to the bathroom. Wyatt surveyed himself in the mirror, inspecting his appearance – the two annuals outside the suit had restored the tan to Wyatt's pale countenance, and his trim physique was toned and defined. Although he looked the part of a thirty-thee annuals old man because of the enchantments of the suit, Wyatt felt every bit of his forty annuals. Apart from this, even though he had been married before, and past the jitters of a young man, the worry of failing again still made his stomach flutter nervously.

Wyatt sighed into the mirror and presented himself with a crooked grin. As nervous as he was, he also knew better than to look a gift horse in the mouth. "You're one lucky bastard, Cain," he breathed out at his image.

Wyatt was still excited though, so he ceased his reflections and went to the business of getting ready, eager to work some of the energy out of his limbs with physical activity. As he stood in front of the mirror, wiping his freshly shaven face with a towel, there was a knock at his door. It was still early, so he was certain that neither Jeb, Raw, nor Glitch would dare make an appearance. Now curious, he strode through to his outer room – which served more as his office than a sitting room, and was similarly adorned in rich, wooden tones which were only enhanced by the friendly fire crackling in the grate across from his bedroom door. Within a few wide steps into this space, the Tin Man stretched for the knob, pulling the door and open to reveal his unexpected visitor.

It was Ahamo, and he was smiling warmly at Wyatt from the other side of the threshold. "May I come it?" Ahamo asked politely, eyeing the Tin Man with an odd mixture of patience and nervous anticipation.

Wyatt was surprised to say the least. Although Ahamo, like the rest of DG's family, had accepted him ages ago, Wyatt was still unaccustomed to being so eagerly received. The warm inclusivity of the Gales seemed at odds with their rank – as if they should be colder and more aloof rather than who they were naturally. The fact that they weren't was both refreshing and disarming to the cynical lawman, and he still found himself checking himself before he shoved his foot in his mouth. As odd as it was to him, given how he'd first been introduced to the Consort, Wyatt found himself most at ease with him. He was a shrewd man, with a sharp eye and even sharper tongue, and Wyatt suspected that behind his eyes lay a thousand secrets that few could even begin to guess at. Wyatt often wondered if these traits had been what made him such a successful Seeker, or if it was due rather to his uncanny ability to blend in wherever he found himself.

Whatever had made Ahamo such a successful chameleon in the past, he seemed at least somewhat successful in morphing into the man that stood before Wyatt that morning. The man looked vastly different from the drifter that Wyatt first met in the Realm of the Unwanted. His unkempt long blonde hair was now trim, and his face was clean shaven. The only sign that anything was amiss at all lay in his eyes. Ahamo's blue eyes, which reminded Wyatt of DG's to an unsettling degree, normally glinted with mischievous humor. They were somewhat subdued today, as he was visibly nervous, and shifted his feet while he waited for Wyatt's reply. Wyatt was a bit embarrassed for keeping the Consort standing before his threshold and stepped back to allow the Consort inside, shutting the door behind him while he scrubbed the back of his head.

"Sir," Wyatt began, "what can I do for you?"

Ahamo walked to the center of the room and paused, running his hands through his short hair. He took a deep breath and allowed a giddy chuckle to escape his lips. As he did this, Wyatt had pulled a t-shirt back on, and threw the towel into his desk chair, after which he stood quietly, waiting for the Consort to speak.

"It's a big day, son," Ahamo stated, his eyebrows raised in amazement.

Wyatt smiled widely, "Yes sir, it certainly is."

Ahamo seemed to dislike the use of formality, and waved Wyatt off, "I don't expect you to call me Dad, Wyatt, but I'm going to have to insist that you stop calling me sir."

"Would Ahamo be better?" Wyatt asked politely.

The Consort nodded approvingly, noting Wyatt's visible nervousness, and as he stepped closer to his daughter's fiancé, he placed a hand on his shoulder. While he smiled warmly at Wyatt and looked him directly in the eyes, he asked kindly, "You nervous?"

Wyatt relaxed a little and blew out the air he had been holding in his chest, "You'd think the second time around would be easier than the first, but then, I wasn't marrying DG that time." Wyatt's eyes faltered somewhat, and he spoke more quietly, "I love Dorothy more than I ever thought it was possible. She gave me my heart back, and I can't imagine not having her in my life. I just don't want to mess this up."

The Consort squeezed Wyatt's shoulder and grinned as he let him go, "Good. I'd hate to have to take you out back." Wyatt raised an eyebrow at the Consort, recognizing the humor that was so like DG's. Wyatt scoffed politely in return and scrubbed his scalp with the fingers of his left hand. He looked up when the Consort said with more seriousness, "I'm a bit nervous myself, truth be told. I'm giving my baby girl away again, Wyatt. I'm just glad it's you, and I'll still get to see her when it's all said and done."

The Consort's eyes were somewhat wistful, and there was no jest in his tone. He recognized that look, having had it numerous times himself, and always while thinking of Jeb. Although he understood, there was also a pang of sadness that touched him momentarily, as he had never known his own father, and wondered only briefly what he would have thought of him now. Before he could voice any of this though, the Consort pulled Wyatt into a gruff hug, which caught the Tin Man by surprise. Wyatt could only accept, and smiled as he returned the hug, thankful for the Consort's affections. They were unexpected, but welcome, and did a lot to settle Wyatt's own nerves and make him feel that he was truly a welcome addition to the Gale family. Wyatt's chest almost burst with the thought that in two annuals he had gone from having lost everything, to being welcomed into such a warm, close knit family and being surrounded by so many close friends, and as they separated, he swallowed the knot in his throat that had formed from the waves of such a wide variety of emotions crashing over him.

This quiet moment was soon interrupted by another knock at the door, and Wyatt inhaled sharply, feeling suddenly overwhelmed. He was not accustomed to being the center of attention and didn't know how to react – his natural inclination would have been to find a quiet corner, but his better sense told him that today was not the day for such reclusiveness – resulting in a seemingly frozen Tin Man standing in the center of his office, looking bewildered. The Consort was warmed by Wyatt's flustered countenance and smiled kindly on him while he patted Wyatt's shoulder, and moved to open the door for the dumbfounded man. Wyatt's expression broke into a happy grin when the door was opened to reveal Jeb, followed closely by Ambrose and Raw. As they entered the room, Wyatt pulled his son into a tight embrace, while his other friends looked on with bright faces.

"You're not getting hitched like that, are you?" Ambrose joked, indicating to Wyatt's t-shirt and pajama pants.

Wyatt laughed and moved from his son to the former advisor, pulling him into a gruff hug as he replied, "I have to make you look good, don't I Glitch? Can't outdo your wedding, after all."

Ambrose laughed back, and drew back, looking from Wyatt to the Consort, "Nonsense, Tin Man. After all, after today, we'll be family. Where's the fun in being brothers if we can't have a friendly competition or two?" This caused another happy laugh to escape the now beaming groom, and Glitch continued with more seriousness, "Not to be a Debbie Downer or anything though, but besides wanting to see my best friend before his big day, I also had something I wanted to talk to you and Ahamo about before all the hub-bub starts."

Wyatt's eyebrow raised, and Ahamo responded with interest, "Oh, what's that Ambrose?"

Ambrose's eyes shifted and an odd chuckle escaped him as he replied, "Well, it's a bit of business, I admit, but it seemed to be something that would interest the both of you, not to mention it might mean we might need the assistance of the Seeker," he paused when the men exchanged glances and continued, "I received a report this morning that Vizor has popped up in the Realm again. Been digging around for suppliers of, um, unusual items."

Vizor. Now that was a name that wiped the smile clean off Wyatt's face, and as his expression hardened, a huff of air blew out from his nose. They'd been looking for the Sorceress' lieutenants since the eclipse, and most had been rounded up, with the exception of the brilliant and dangerous mage that had been the hag's closest advisor. Azkadellia had once told Wyatt that Vizor held most, if not all of the Sorceress' secrets, and a fair few of his own – but the man was clever, and he'd somehow escaped the siege of the tower. Since then he'd been more like a ghost than a man, and any time his name had come up, it was followed closely by dark dealings and mysterious disappearances. No one had ever eluded the Tin Man so well, and despite his best efforts, Vizor had gone uncaptured for the past two annuals.

To make matters worse, the entire Royal Army as well as every other law enforcement branch in the land had been struggling to get a grip on a dangerous black-market trade that had only exploded after the Sorceress' downfall. While in power, the Sorceress had stripped the House of Gale of its many magical artifacts, in hopes that she could bend their powers to her own uses. The items she deemed trivial or otherwise useless to her were discarded and forgotten and found their way to those that discovered other inventive uses for them. It had quickly become clear to the hidden Consort and the Resistance that they could use this to their mutual advantage, and so the Seeker's task had actually been two-fold while he waited on DG to reappear: while preparing to assist DG in her quest for the Emerald was of paramount importance, of almost equal weight was his task in removing many of these "unusual items" from circulation. Unfortunately, many of the most dangerous items had been difficult to obtain, primarily due to their proximity to the Sorceress herself, and once she'd been defeated, many were still missing. When strife continued to be an issue in the darker corners of the OZ, they'd determined that the trade of artifacts was partially to blame, for many that claimed the powers of said artifacts also had a proclivity for criminal behavior.

The fact that Vizor was somehow linked to this dark trade did little to surprise Wyatt but it troubled him that he'd chosen to show his head at such a time. It couldn't be a coincidence, he determined gravely, and his mind began to spin with scenarios as to what he could be planning. A voice growled in the back of his mind, telling him, best not move the Princess away from the palace now, not with Vizor lurking around. An equally irritating reality struck him in that moment, and he looked between Ambrose and the Consort when he asked carefully, "I'm going to take a guess that this particular task doesn't really fall under the description of Consort-in-training, Ambrose, but you can't expect Ahamo to take up the charge now. Not for something like this." He glanced at the Consort and added, "No offense, Ahamo."

Ahamo replied thoughtfully, "No offense taken, Wyatt." He paused to sigh, continuing with a pensive swipe through his hair, "The truth is, Lavender and I were planning to start transitioning towards the Northern Island soon. Since you're both family now, I don't mind telling you. We're both a bit tired of the whole game, and now that Azkadellia and Ambrose are settling in so well, Lav will be be thinking about stepping down soon, but that said, I'd still like that particular role to stay in the family, so to speak." There was a heaviness in the air, suddenly, and the men exchanged furtive glances while they all thought the same thing. Finally, Ahamo broke the silence and asked tentatively, "Wyatt, I know this isn't the best time, but what do you say? Want to take a swing at being Seeker?"

DG's going to kill me, Wyatt thought with an audible groan, answering instead, "I, uh, I'd be glad to fill in, but let's keep this under our hats until after the honeymoon, okay? I don't think I want to start married life out in the doghouse."

Wyatt could already feel the eventual heat of DG's anger when he had to tell her that he was potentially taking off on another dangerous mission, without her no less. Even more pressing was the matter of telling her that she could not, in fact, escape palace life for the time being. She'd be beyond irate, but between Vizor's appearance, and his need to get to the bottom of his involvement in the black-market trade, he couldn't risk her safety, or that of their unborn daughter. His eyes scanned the faces of his cohorts, all of which read an understanding of the same, uncomfortable knowledge – DG was a lot of things, but docile wallflower she was not, and she'd come for all of their heads if they weren't careful, or run after him to the Realm of the Unwanted without a second thought as to her safety.

Jeb and Raw had been conspicuously silent during this entire exchange, and Raw rumbled quietly when Wyatt's eyes paused on him, "Tin Man's secret safe. We want Princess safe too, Wyatt. Will help you. Keep DG peaceful while you're gone."

This eased Wyatt's mind somewhat, and the agitation that had been simmering under the surface of his metered veneer cooled. Jeb stepped forward as Wyatt's stance relaxed, and he added jokingly in an attempt to break the ice, "Yeah Dad, but if you don't want to be in the doghouse, you'd better go get dressed. Can't keep DG waiting much longer."

Wyatt grabbed his son's wrist to see the time and a look of surprise crossed his face, "Thanks son, you're right! I'd better get a move on."

The Consort stopped him, placing a hand on his shoulder before he could leave, stating in farewell, "Well Wyatt, I'll see you at the ceremony. I'm off to play doting dad now."

Wyatt grinned at the Consort, imagining DG as she was now and eager himself to see her. He stretched his hand out to the man before him, feeling a wave of gratefulness and excitement rush over him as he replied, "Thanks for coming by to see me, Ahamo. I don't think you know how much it means to me."

A familial twinkle seemed to flash in the Consort's eye and with a knowing smile, he refused Wyatt's hand, pulling him into one last embrace. This one was shorter than the first, and he parted from the Tin Man with a firm pat on the shoulder and a grin before he turned to leave.

Raw approached next, and he hugged Wyatt warmly as he muttered, "I go to DG now. Princess nervous. Raw feel it. You not worry though, not about you."

Wyatt pulled back from the viewer's embrace and chuckled, "You don't have to tell me Furball. Deeg hates the pomp, but I guess it's the price we pay for being so popular, right?"

Raw nodded in agreement, his eyes glittering with amusement to match the mirth in the Tin Man's. Having said their goodbyes, Raw and the Consort exited, leaving Wyatt alone with his best man and son. Ambrose had been staring off into space, a pleasant smile on his face, until the door shut, at which point he snapped back to attention, suddenly frowning at Wyatt.

"Cain," the former advisor admonished Wyatt, "you want to get married in pajamas, or what?"

Jeb snorted in laughter, while Wyatt's eyebrows raised appraisingly. Even with his brain restored, Ambrose still had odd, glitchy moments that were a strange mixture of the absurd and apropos. Given that he was supposed to be leaving for the cathedral in less than twenty minutes however, Ambrose's appraisal seemed appropriate, and instead of offering any witty repartee, Wyatt turned on his heel and swept into the next room, feeling an ever sense of urgency rushing over him.

"We'll just wait here!" Wyatt heard Glitch call after him teasingly as he shut himself in the bedroom.

When the Tin Man reappeared, only minutes later, his cohorts marveled at the change. In place of the flannel pants and old t-shirt was the formal uniform of Her Majesty's Royal Army; deep, royal blue pants and coat, tailored to highlight the fit physique and make its wearer stand erect and strong. Wyatt's coat, emblazoned with the medals of his rank, was high collared and its gleaming silver buttons encased him securely from his thighs all the way to his Adam's apple. A ceremonial sword signifying his knighthood hung at his hip, and this and his dress shoes gleamed from the high shine buffed into them for the occasion. It was no wonder that most women, and some men, swooned over the broody Tin Man, for he was truly a prime specimen of masculine splendor.

Even his own son seemed awestruck, and as Jeb moved to his father and straightened his medals affectionately, he paused to place his hands on his father's shoulders while he choked out, "Dad, I think mom would be really happy for you. I know I am. I love you."

Wyatt's face flushed happily, and he clapped his son on the shoulders, pulling him in for a hug as he rumbled gruffly in return, "I love you too kid."

Ambrose was chuckling to himself, and smiled widely when the Cain men separated, explaining "I didn't think you could ever improve your attitude, Cain, but I guess DG is pretty persuasive, huh?"

Wyatt presented Glitch with an appraising eyebrow, the glint in his otherwise serious looking expression telling him that Wyatt did not mind the jest. Wyatt clapped Glitch on the shoulder and jerked his head towards the hallway, "Let's go Zipperhead, can't keep the Princesses waiting, can we?" Glitch laughed with delight and walked out, side by side with the Tin Man; Jeb following silently in their wake.

Ahamo and Raw, meanwhile, had arrived at the threshold of DG's quarters, and were readily invited in by a demure older sister. "Daddy," Azkadellia greeted Ahamo warmly as she opened the door and pulled him inside quietly, moving aside to allow for Raw to join them within.

Ahamo paused to kiss his eldest tenderly on the forehead, murmuring to the young woman, "Hey there kiddo, you're looking stunning today. Glowing I might even say."

Azkadellia, was indeed a sight to behold, having transformed into a picturesque image of motherhood. While still just midway through her pregnancy, an attractive bump had formed where her daughter was growing, and the healthy flush of her cheeks was helped along by the rose-colored dress that sheathed her down to her calves. This was not her day though, and while she blushed in response to her father's compliment, she quietly redirected him to his youngest child, who stood in the center of the room, being attended to by her mother and ladies maids.

While Ahamo watched in silent awe as Lavender adjusted DG's veil, beaming down on her child with a loving, if not misty gaze, a swell of images rushed to his mind. He smiled with the memory of his youngest tramping around Finaqua, frequently ruining her court dresses and smudging her face with dirt and paint. Now, as she stood before him, she was very much the same, but also changed. DG's dress was like the first snow of winter, and its delicate lace framed her bare shoulders attractively. On her head rested an emerald tiara that had become synonymous with her royal identity, and the emerald sparkled brightly from an unseen light source. Dorothy seemed to glow pleasantly from within –much like that jewel– and her cheeks were flushed pink with anticipation. When Ahamo finally managed the courage to step before her, DG's gaze was down on her bouquet of poppies, and she played nervously with the arrangement, her breathing shallow from an overabundance of nerves. Ahamo, feeling overwrought with emotion and feeling a great sense of empathy for his daughter, took her free hand in his and squeezed it gently, hoping to infuse her with his own courage.

DG looked up at her father, smiling happily as she murmured with a slight waver, "Hi daddy."

Ahamo sighed and replied, "Hey there Spitfire. You are breathtaking."

"Aw shucks Dad, you're just saying that." DG grinned and replied in a soft rumble.

Ahamo chuckled, "You know, you and your Tin Man are really two peas on a pod."

DG's eyes became wide at mention of Wyatt, and she asked excitedly, "You saw Wyatt? How is he?"

Ahamo could almost see the nervous energy bubbling off his daughter in waves, and he laughed again as released her hand, "He's fine DG. Jittery like you, but happy. I just left him with Jeb and Ambrose. They should be on their way to the Cathedral right about now."

DG blushed and started playing with her flowers again. It seemed hard to believe that two annuals ago she was a waitress and part-time student with no idea of the adventures to follow. Now, she stood in a palace, getting ready to marry her very own Prince. The fact that he'd knocked her up before they'd said "I do" didn't seem to trouble most on this side of the rainbow, which DG considered one of the most surreal aspects of the entire situation. It seemed that, in most respects, the marriage ceremony was just that in the OZ – a formal engagement designed primarily to announce to the rest of the world what the bride, groom, and their closest loved ones already knew. Being that she was a princess, it was also a fantastic excuse for celebration, which the Ozians showed no signs of being tired of.

Azkadellia joined her parents in standing before her sister, and in taking DG's free hand, she whispered, "Are you ready little sister?"

In DG's state of boundless happiness, her light made her appear as one might imagine an angel might, and the glow that appeared to surround her in a soft, warm light extended to Azkadellia as she touched her. DG's gentle smile spread when Azkadellia asked her such a simple question – her answer was effortless, as if she was being asked what time of day it was, and the realization that there were truly no boundaries left between her and Wyatt filled her with a sense of happiness that she could barely contain it within her body. Words seemed to escape her in the moment, however, and her only answer was a simple nod. As she did so, she took a deep breath to help ease the nervousness she still felt. The nerves had very little to do with Wyatt himself, and DG now turned back to Raw, knowing instantly why he had chosen that moment to appear – when he would be presiding over their ceremony and would need to leave sooner than her even.

When her hand reached out for the viewer, it shook, and the kindhearted man wrapped it in both of his while he looked on her lovingly. "DG beautiful. Make Tin Man very happy. Baby happy."

DG sniffled only slightly and fluttered her eyes before any leakage could cause any damage, and she smiled as she replied, "I know Raw. I just hate crowds. Do you think Wyatt will be okay with such a big ceremony? I mean, I wouldn't care about this kind of thing except it seems like it could really be a big thing for everyone else – "

DG would have continued to babble nervously, but Raw patted her hand and replied gently, "Wyatt happy, DG. Knows how important this is to people. To you. Don't think any more. Just feel."

DG was on the edge of waterworks now, and Az rushed forward with a handkerchief, dabbing DG's eyes furiously until DG signaled that she was better. When Azkadellia stepped back once more, DG offered Raw a watery smile, and embraced him tightly before his inevitable departure, whispering "I'm glad that you came. Thank you Raw."

"Raw happy that DG and Tin Man happy. It's a good day." Raw smiled and stepped back to admire his young friend, knowing that the next time he would see her, he would be presiding over her wedding. With that, the viewer took leave of his friend and her family and made his way to the ceremony.

Once Raw had departed, DG was left once more with her family. The air seemed to change when the viewer had left, and the entire party seemed on edge, as if preparing to go on stage for an epic performance. For DG's part, she'd taken what Raw said to heart – as much as she worried over how Wyatt might feel about such a large ceremony, or the toll that said event took on her own nerves, she could not focus on the thoughts that threw her into an endless loop of panic. Instead, she imagined the cool blue depths of Wyatt's eyes, and the smile that would be there when they saw each other again, and she felt a sense of calm rush over her in a wave. This enabled DG's natural courage to take over, and she straightened her shoulders before taking the lead in exiting the sitting room. For once, her passage forward was more like a gentle glide than a tomboyish march, and she held her head high, ready to meet her Tin Man again and take his hand as they took their next steps in life together.

As DG stepped onto the flagstones outside the palace, her lungs filled with cool, early spring air. The midmorning suns shined warmly on her, warming her face and shoulders. Outside the gates, throngs of well-wishers stood, and when they caught sight of the Princess, the murmur of voices became a roar. The people's princess had appeared, and she was truly a vision out of a fairy story. DG fed off the excitement of her people, and beamed back at them, waving happily. DG walked as if floating, carried along a wave of excited energy all the way to her carriage.

The carriage ride to the Cathedral was like a blur to DG, and rather than absorbing the sights that passed as they moved down the avenue, DG's mind only allowed her to see her Tin Man. Once inside the narthex of the Cathedral, DG's stomach felt as though it would leap from her throat and her heart beat rapidly. The angelic voices of the royal choir could be heard on the air from here, and their soft lilting seemed to echo against the grand stones of the building that reached up to the heavens as if to touch the gods themselves. The stained glass that flanked the space sent a dazzling array of color within when the suns light flooded through, bathing those inside in shades of the rainbow so sparkling and brilliant that there was hardly any need for additional ornamentation to mark the special occasion. DG's eyes were fixed on the doors separating her from the rest of the church. On the other side of those massive wooden doors was a giant space filled with thousands of eyes and one set in particular – those belonging to Wyatt Cain. She imagined him standing, waiting passively for her in his dress uniform, his clear blue eyes calm and warm. She began to breathe a little more steadily as she imagined the depths of his eyes meeting hers, until the buzzing of the people around her subsided and was more like a hum, allowing her a moment alone with her thoughts.

Wyatt was, indeed, standing on the other side of the doors, but he was far from calm. The congregation assembled before him consisted of more faces than he recognized, and primarily made up of dignitaries and people of importance. While he was friendly with a majority of the counsel in witness and smiled to those that waved to garner his brief attention, the people he most wanted to see were either standing with him already, or waiting on the other side of the grand entrance. His eyes were focused like laser beams on those doors, and to any observer, he had the appearance of calm, but his heart thumped loudly in his ears, and he struggled to maintain a steady breath as he waited impatiently for them to open. When the music changed, signaling DG's arrival, he almost stopped breathing. The doors parted silently, and the slowness of their swing intensified Wyatt's impatience while one by one, the Queen with her consort and Azkadellia walked down the aisle to their appointed locations at the head of the altar, opposite Wyatt, Jeb, and Ambrose. Finally, the doors of the Narthex cleared, and DG appeared in the threshold. The breath that Wyatt had been holding was expelled in a labored, awestruck woosh at the sight of Dorothy. To be certain, there had been a number of times in their recent past that she had left him so speechless at the sight of her rare beauty that he'd struggled to maintain his composure. All those other memories, and the feelings she had stirred in him at the time, melted away with her entrance today. It was as if a soft light was focused on her as she moved, holding her apart from all others. It seemed as if time stood still for her while she glided silently towards him, and he might have thought himself frozen, were it not for the ecstatic butterflies doing odd things to his stomach. When her small hand landed in his, so cool and smooth against his larger one, a surge of emotion threatened to sweep him over, and his eyes teared while he beamed down on his bride.

When DG's eyes met with Wyatt's, it was as if the huge Cathedral and all its attendants disappeared, and all that was left was the Princess and her Tin Man. The nervousness that she had been struggling with the entire morning melted away, unable to maintain its hold under the steady gaze Wyatt held her with as she moved down the aisle. Wyatt was as handsome as always, but today, he was like a god in his dress uniform, and the dark blue of his garb contrasted so starkly with the brightness of his eyes that they seemed even more bright and crystalline than ever. DG got a certain thrill from the knowledge that he was one of the most desired men in all the OZ, and yet only had eyes for her, and this caused her to beam even more brightly as her hand was encased delicately in his. Standing so close to him, she could almost hear his heart thumping in excitement for her proximity, and her own heart seemed to burst when she spied a tear beginning to form in his eye. Her hand left his then and reached up to gently brush it away. Wyatt only smiled in return, and his hand ghosted her elbow as her hand moved.

As DG completed her loving caress of his cheek, Wyatt took her hand back and kissed her palm, feeling moved to demonstrate his affection for her, murmuring tenderly, "Hey there, Princess, you look breathtaking," before releasing his hold on her so they could turn their attention to their officiant.

DG's eyes fluttered up at Wyatt before they turned, and she replied softly, "So do you, Tin Man."

With that, the pair grinned at each other and turned then to their furry friend, who smiled on them with a gentle expression. Raw's precedence over the ceremony had a calming effect on all attendance; his usually soft tones were amplified by the building itself, allowing all to hear his insightful and loving words as he assisted in the joining of his dear friends. Although Wyatt and DG went about the motions of the ceremony, and responded as expected, neither would be able to remember a single detail later beyond the feel of the event, the sparkle in the other's eyes, and the smiles on their faces. DG would later recall that she had never seen Wyatt smile as much as he did that day. Wyatt in turn would remark that DG seemed to glow from within, and he could not seem to take his eyes off her for even a moment.

Too soon, the ceremony was over, and Wyatt and DG were announced husband and wife. So consumed by their mutual adoration and excitement, the pair turned to the other with a happy laughter. Wyatt, for his part, felt he had waited long enough, and pulled DG into his arms possessively. Although his princess felt so small when wrapped in his arms, her energy made her seem too large to hold, and it felt important to hold her tightly against him, as if keeping her anchored might do the same for him. Looking down on her had his chest swelling in elation, and he beamed with overwhelming happiness on his new bride. Wyatt's hand swept across the blush of DG's cheek as his fingers rested at the nape of her neck, and as he pulled her to his lips, she sighed in contentment. Their kiss was full of sweet abandon, and they clutched at each other, oblivious to the happy cheers surrounding them. When they separated for air, DG laughed happily in his arms, ignoring the audience for once. They could not seem to satiate themselves, and kissed again, seemingly surrounded in a warm haze that captured the hearts of all.