When he woke, he didn't like what he saw. He was no longer in the hospital room. He was in a prison cell.

After a few hours, two people he was actually happy to see were coming down the hall. DG and Raw were walking with a guard, and in no time, Cain was being released. Cain tried not to rush to them in his haste. "What happened to Glitch? Is he alright?"

DG and Raw both looked worried, which was not a good sign. DG decided to begin. "Cain… There's good news, and bad news. The good news is that Glitch woke up, and is able to talk and function. The surgery appears to be a success. The bad news is… our Glitch is gone…" She looked on the verge of tears.

Cain couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Gone?"

DG nodded. "The one who woke up wasn't Glitch. It was Ambrose. He said he could recall others trying to call him Glitch, but he doesn't remember a thing that's happened since his part of the brain was plugged up into the Sunseeder. I'm sorry Cain. But Glitch is gone."

Cain felt like the air left his lungs in order to not return. He remembered his dream. The feel of Glitch in his arms. And the feel of his lips. Now he may never feel what that would be like in the waking world. Glitch's greatest fear has come true. Cain felt morose.

DG came up to him with a letter. Quietly, she handed it to him. Cain began to read.

Your Majesties,

I thank you for your patience and understanding of my situation, but I cannot, in good conscious, stay the way I am. I am of no use to anyone being a head case. And for someone like me who's made a living out of being nothing but useful, the guilt and stress has finally forced me to act on this crazy impulse. Please know, that if the surgery is a success, the likelihood of my returning as 'Glitch' is very small. If anything, Ambrose will be returning home for the first time after war. He might feel responsible for the chaos that happened regarding his invention and his mind. Ambrose will need his space in order to get readjusted. I don't know if he'll know the others, like Raw and Cain, but hopefully he will warm up to the Princesses as he once did. Please don't tell anyone of my intent until everything is said and done. I hope you'll welcome Ambrose back with open arms, because he needs his position and his work. But don't let him become a total hermit. He may not take kindly to being reminded that he was once… me. It was his body first after all. Whatever happens, I just wanted to thank everyone for their support. Hopefully I can soon repay your kindness.

And so, I bid you a fond farewell.

Your friend, Glitch

P.S. I hope you give Cain whatever help he needs, since I will not be there for him. He has a lot of turmoil to work through. When he finds his answers, I hope you will give him a second chance to be the Tin Man we all know he can be. He is a born leader, and the forces would be lessened without his strength.

Cain felt like crying. Glitch didn't even believe he was coming back. At all. And now, he really is gone. His hand started to shake as he barely registered DG kneeling down to him. "Cain… I know how you're feeling. I'm more perceptive than you think I am. Raw told me what happened when you two went into that room. Sometimes it takes a giant mistake in order to force us out of our given perspective. My sister is still unwell from living with the witch for so long. Many doubted her, and it wasn't until that one ball where she made a scene, and challenged anyone to say what they felt to her face. It was hardly her shining moment, but after that, she began going around the kingdom, and proving to the people, one by one that she was not a witch, but a caring normal girl. Now the people are starting to trust her. Before, she just holed herself up in her room, hardly talking to anyone. Me included. And as much as you don't want to hear me say this, but this had to happen."

Cain shot a glare in her direction.

"Hear me out, and think about it. If this were any other day, you'd already be at the bottom of a bottle. Dare to say I'm wrong." She challenged. He kept silent. "But now that Glitch has done this, you were forced to realize that you really do care for him. More than you thought you did. And I can tell just by looking into your eyes, that something has drastically changed. You've found something. You found some of the answers you were seeking. Your eyes are clearer." She stood up, and helped him to stand. "What happens now is up to you. Will you continue to wallow in your self pity, or will you realize that you have friends who would do anything for you. Who are here to help you in any way they can." She stared hard into his eyes.

Cain looked from her to Raw, and his heart felt warm. It was mushy, but he actually liked the feeling. He leaned down, and hugged DG, still holding Glitch's letter. "Thanks, kid." He whispered in her ear.

She smiled at the small endearment he hadn't used in many months. She gave him one last squeeze before she pulled back. "Now then. Would you like to hear my theory regarding Glitch?"

Cain looked at her confused.

"We don't know what's going to happen with his personality. He may be Ambrose, but I think Glitch is still in there. From what I remember of Ambrose before I was sent away, he was very much recluse. He taught me much, and he was pleasant, but I couldn't help but think he also felt a little sad for some reason. The mind might be different, but they both have always had one heart. Now that he knows what it feels like to have friends, I don't think he wants to be the same man he once was. That's why Glitch didn't want him to become a hermit. So, until we know for certain, will you help us by showing him that he does indeed have friends?"

Cain thought of his dream. He did promise Glitch that he'd be there for him. And what the kid said made sense. He did always have one heart. And it was so caring and beautiful.

It had been a few days, and Cain was out doing physical training, trying to get back into shape. He didn't like how his stomach was starting to pug outwards. So he decided to turn over a new leaf, and finally accept the Queen's offer to be one of her main officers. He was lost in thought when he heard someone running towards him. "Cain! There you are!" It was the kid. "Glitch…er…Ambrose is coming home! He passed all of his tests. There's still some concern for the amount of migraines he's been getting, but other than that, he's as good as new!"

Cain was still a little weary. "That's great kid, but what happens now? We can't really act the same around him."

"It's fine. Sure we may need to introduce ourselves to him again, but I don't see why we can't be ourselves eventually. We're having a little dinner party in his honor. Be in the Queen's dining hall by 8:00. He won't get there until 8:30. I suggest you clean up." She gave him a wink, and he knew what her game was. She wanted him to be all handsome, to see if he could appeal to Ambrose's taste.

Cain still had his doubts, but he didn't let that stop him from taking the kid's advice. He shaved and showered, and showed up on time wearing a long jacket with a high neck. He looked respectable, as well as authoritative. He tried to join in on the conversations of his friends, but he couldn't help but feel nervous. Suddenly, the announcer knocked his staff on the floor. "Presenting Ambrose Alloicious Jenson the Third. Reinstated Ambassador and Advisor to the Queen of the O.Z." With that, the double doors open, and in walks a man that was a stranger and so familiar at the same time. The man looked just as he did in the portraits Cain saw, but more dignified and resigned. It was hard to believe this man was once…

He walked in with all the grace and poise of a dancer. He gave a curt bow to everyone, and a tight smile. "Good evening everyone. I thank you for your patience. Your Majesty, thank you for believing in me, and giving me a second chance to be your Advisor." With that, he gave an even deeper bow, and kissed the Queens hand.

The Queen placed her other hand upon his arm in a friendly gesture. "There is no other who is worthier, dear friend. I hope you find a home here in the castle again. Do not let the dark days of the past discourage you from making brilliant breakthroughs for our future." She smiled at him with a deeper fondness than her words alone conveyed. Simply put, she clearly told him, None of this was your fault. There is nothing to forgive. He kept his smile, but he still had a twinge of doubt behind his eyes.

Ambrose moved on to the others down the line. When he got to the Princesses, he addressed the pair, "To see the both of you here brings such joy to my heart. I am at your service."

DG decided to play along. "And we are at yours. I do remember how much you taught us when we were young. I hope to learn more from you as time goes on." She said with a sweet smile.

Az also pitched in, "Let us learn from the past, and work together to build a better tomorrow." Her eyes told him, We both have history we are ashamed of, and together, we will get through it.

And finally, he came across Cain. From all of the reactions Cain had thought he would feel or see from Ambrose, he was not expecting indifference. Still, he extended his hand. "Wyatt Cain. Former Tin Man and newly appointed General of the Queen's Royal Guard. I am at your service." He said warmly. Ambrose smiled, but it didn't seem to mean anything more than being an automatic response. Cain decided to let it slide.

As the evening progressed, Cain kept mostly to himself, but kept an eye on Ambrose as he was seated in between DG and the Queen. Cain knew this wasn't going to be an easy feat. But it slightly hurt that Gli… Ambrose virtually dismissed him as he would a servant. When the evening ended, he apologized to DG, but he felt he should make a quiet exit. Little did he know, there was a pair of dark brown eyes watching Cain's retreating form.

That night, Cain's dreams took on a familiar feel. He could hear someone crying, and he followed that sound. He found Glitch… his Glitch on a boulder. He looked alone and dejected, but that didn't stop Cain from stopping his pace. He walked right up to the figure and embraced them. "I'm right here." He said.

Glitch froze, and pulled back to see the newcomer. "No… no… you're not here… you can't be here." Glitch sputtered.

Cain decided to follow Glitch's lead. "Why can't I be here?"

"You… you're not here. You can't be… I… lost… alone… always alone… so lonely. Always lonely."

At least he sounds a bit more coherent. "I am lost too. I am lonely too. Can't I stay here with you?" It was almost like speaking to a child.

"Disappear… you'll just disappear. Don't… don't hope… Don't give me hope."

Cain felt a little discouraged, but he pressed on, moving closer. "Even if I disappear, I know you can keep me alive in that oversized heart of yours. You gave me hope. I want to help you find yours."

Glitch closed his eyes for a moment. Then when he opened them, it was like looking at the real Glitch. "Cain! How… how did you find me when I've been so lost?"

Cain didn't know how to answer that. "Maybe I'm the one who's lost without you."

Glitch looked sad and torn. "You're not really here. You'd never say something like that to me."

The change in attitude was abrupt, but it felt like he was talking with the old Glitch again. He couldn't help himself, and he wrapped the man up in a strong embrace.

"Whether this is real or not, whether I am really here or you are really here, doesn't matter to me. I miss you Glitch."

Glitch again tried to pull away. Tears were in his eyes. "I can't believe what you say. You and everyone seem to do just fine without me."

"I'm not fine Glitch. When you left, I was a wreck. I finally found out why I've been so haunted by my dreams. But that doesn't excuse how I treated you. I was calling myself a useless waste of space. Not you. Never you!"

The tears started to roll again. "It doesn't matter Cain. It's too late now. It's far too late. Ambrose is back, and he clearly didn't need me anymore. So you might as well leave and forget about me!" Glitch tried to pull away again, but Cain didn't let go.

"Listen to me. Something the kid said made excellent sense. You two may have two different minds, but you've both always had one heart. A brain cannot feel. Your emotions are connected to your heart. That means you are still in there somewhere."

Glitch shook his head. "It doesn't matter Cain. Ambrose rejected me. He is in control now. I can do nothing but fade away."

"I won't let you fade away."

Glitch smiled bitterly. "I've waited so long to hear you say things like that. Too bad it had to be now." With good force, he pushed away completely. "Leave Tin Man." His face looked determined.

Cain still hovered. "I will if you answer me one thing. Even if Ambrose is in control of your body, and what I said was true. Do you want me to come find you?"

The hope in Glitches eyes was heartbreaking. It was all Cain needed to cement his resolve. Glitch shook his head. "No. Don't waste your time. It's too late, and not worth it."

"It's worth it to me Glitch. You've been more of a friend to me than I ever thought I deserved. And it took this to force me out of a whiskey bottle. I haven't touched a drop since the night you left." Cain didn't miss the smirk that indicated how proud Glitch was to hear that. "I need you in my life. I want to be there for you the way you were always there for me. Please. Don't tell me it's too late." He all but begged.

Glitch looked torn. He didn't want to dare to hope. He closed his eyes and thought for a moment. He opened them, and bore right into Cain's soul. "If you mean what you say, then kiss me." Glitch almost dared.

Cain didn't know the reason for the sudden boldness, but he couldn't help but smile as he leaned in. He brought his hand to the back of Glitch's head and gently pulled him towards him. Before their lips met, he heard a light gasp coming from Glitch and then a moan as the two finally connected. The feeling was blinding, and Cain held onto it for as long as he could. That was when he woke up.

Cain felt devastated, but he felt like that was more than just a dream. Even the kiss. Especially the kiss. It felt too real. It was still pretty early, but he decided to get ready to do some training. He went out to the usual training grounds and began his regimen. Since no one was around, he didn't wear a shirt. He didn't like the fabric sticking to him if he expected to sweat a lot. As he continued through some pull ups, he couldn't help but feel like he was being watched. It wasn't a negative feeling, so he decided to ignore it.

High up in a tower, overlooking the training grounds, a man stood in a large window looking out at the lone figure on the ground. The man known as Ambrose watched on, confused. He had a dream. A confusing dream. He saw the man from earlier, but he wasn't himself. Ambrose walked around his old workshop and thought. The last things he really remembers was the operation that took his brain. He then had a feeling of being disconnected. Forgotten. Then he felt whole through a temporary connection. He remembered a man speaking to him. Asking for the code to reverse the ray of the Sunseeder. He then remembered fear. He couldn't think. Then the man with the smooth voice… was holding a gun to him. The 'him' in the jar. He was ready to kill him. Ambrose thought of that man. He could understand the importance of stopping the evil witch's plans, but it still left an unsettling feeling with him. The man was willing to kill him.

He thought back to the events of the evening with mixed feelings. He knew that while he himself was… indisposed, he knew the rest of him was wandering around. He didn't doubt that these people interacted with that… person. But they all went to great lengths to welcome him, Ambrose, home. As though he was lost in a coma or had gone on a long journey. No one spoke of that one's name.

When he came upon the last man, he recognized the voice. It was as smooth as ever, but his eyes. While intense, held reserves of expectations. What was that man thinking? What did he think of him? For some reason, Ambrose did not want to find out. He almost felt violated. Like someone had taken his body out for a joyride while he himself was a prisoner.

He decided to try to put it out of his mind for now. There was much too much work to be done. His work room was a disaster, and it felt like it was going to take forever to get everything organized again. He burned the oil lamps throughout the night.

TBC