She couldn't breathe. But somehow she managed.

"Hey there, Tin Man. Jeb is over there managing Security Detail."

"I Know." He frowned. "Don't you want a hug?"

"I'm wearing a corset. I don't want to hug anything other than a pillow." He snorted with laughter. At least she still had her wit. Jeb came closer.

"Princess, you need sleep?"

"That'd be nice. I will see you tomorrow, Mr. Cain?" He frowned at the formality. His son smiled sadly at him and shook his head at his questioning eyes. He held a hand at the princess' lower back, guiding her. As if she needed it, Wyatt thought to himself. But she didn't fluster, push him away or settle into his embrace. Just simply let be led.

Raw came up next to him.

"No hug for Cain?"

"Nope. Not one."

"Something wrong. She hide it deep. Doesn't want Raw touching her. Know his power."

"Something up with the Princess?"

"Something wrong here, very wrong." Az stepped out and saw them and smiled sadly. She walked over and whispered.

"Do not speak of DG around my parents at all. Or in hearing distance of anyone. A lot has happened since you left."

"Like what?"

"Not my place."

"It also wasn't your place to kill numerous people but that never stopped you before."

"Hey!" Glitch yelled. His hand grabbed Az and he pulled her into an embrace. Her back was against Glitch's chest and he had an arm wrapped around her and one braced against the doorway. "No talking to my princess like that."
"It's okay." She laid a hand on his arm. He kissed her head and bent to her ear.

"You sure, sweetheart? I got my rhythm back." She turned and kissed him once on the lips.

"I'm sure."

"Again, Mr. Cain. Not my place."

"fine." He huffed.

"Raw happy for two."

"Thank you Raw." Az said kindly.

"DG never ignored me before." Cain said. "I don't like it."

"She's been like that for a while. There's nothing you can do but wait for her. She doenst like to be pushed."
"She never did."

"Now Jeb fights for her. He's happy to do it. Ozma knows why,"

"He fights her battles?" They nodded. "Why?"
"She orders him to. Pulls rank. A lot has changed, Cain. A lot." Az said slowly.

DG couldn't breathe when she got to her room.

"Permission to enter, Princess?"

"Permission granted, get your ass in here." He came in and withdrew a knife and cut the corset. She ran in and changed and came back out and laid down on the bed and the younger Cain rubbed soothing cream on her ribs where bruises formed. Blood started to get drawn from the corset.

"I'm sorry you have to go through this."

"This puts a damper in my plans, you know?"

"I know."

"I can't keep the nightmares a secret now. And I know he's visiting tonight. With big news. I could feel it all day."

"Not good?"

"Definitely not good."

After a few minutes of polite conversation, Jeb let DG rest. Her eyes closed and she was pulled into a world where she recognized the surroundings.

"Hello." A deep voice sounded.

"Hi." A voice chanted.

"We want tin. We want man. We want Tin Man." She woke up her arms burned in agony that she screamed at the top of her lungs.

Far away from her room, his DG alarm went off. Cain didn't like the vibe he was getting.