Disclaimer: I don't own…wait, hold on a second…nope, I don't own Tin Man. If I did, the ending wouldn't have just cut off and there would have been at least on makeout scene for Cain and DG
A/N: This story is based on a nightmare that I had not too long after Tin Man aired. As the story progresses, I might give you specific information on what happened, but I don't know yet. Depends on how many of you decide to be nice and actually review it. But yeah, I told my friend about the dream and then she told me that I should write a fanfic and so here it is! Please enjoy! Flames are welcome!
The Darkness Never Ends
Dusk had fallen over the OZ on the third night since the fall of the witch that had possessed the Princess Azkadelia. Now, celebrations were taking place all across the land, not only for that, but also for the return of the Princess DG.
The biggest celebrations were taking place at the palace. People were coming from all over to welcome the girls back and give their best wishes. It was all very formal and annoyed the crap out of DG.
Ambrose had returned to his position as advisor to the queen and Raw had returned to his people for a time to help them rebuild. Wyatt however had been made the head of security in the castle. His main job was to protect the girls.
"Mr. Cain! Could you give me a hand?" DG called. He entered the girl's room and saw her standing in the center, her dress on, but open in the back. "Could you lace me up?" she asked, grinning nervously. The Tin Man chuckled and walked over, grabbing the strings and pulling them tight.
"Now, who helped you pick out this ensemble?" he asked when he had finished and DG twirled around in front of him. She was wearing a long navy blue gown with patterns of swirling gemstones all over it. Two spaghetti straps held it up at the top.
"Azkadelia. She said it would look better than black and would bring out my eyes."
"Well, she was right. Was there anything else kid?" Wyatt asked, turning to leave.
"Actually, I sort of need a partner for the ball tonight. Az is going with Glitch and so I was wondering…"
Cain grinned to himself as he sensed her anxiety. "You know, it's customary for the guy to do the asking. But yes, I'll be your dance partner. I guess that means I'll have to change. I'll be right back." And with that, he left.
DG walked over to her makeup mirror and brushed her hair. She took a few deep breaths to calm herself. The hard part was over and luckily she had been the one to do it and not Azkadelia. She smiled as she remembered that afternoon's conversation with her sister.
"DG, come here would you?" Azkadelia had asked, dragging her sister away from their bodyguard and into the dining hall.
"What is it Az?" DG had said as Azkadelia closed the door.
"So, do you have any intention of telling Mr. Cain how you feel?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," she had replied, but the blush that came to her cheeks told her sister that she very well knew what Az was talking about.
"Oh yes you do! I don't know why you won't say anything to him."
"Az, he just found out that his wife died while he was trapped in that tin suit. I can't make him do something like this after that."
"Okay fine, but you need a partner for tonight and I have already claimed Ambrose. So, if you don't ask him, thin I just might have to ask him for you."
"No Az!"
"I see the look in your eyes when you talk to him. And I see the look in his eyes when he talks to you. Let me tell you something little sister, the looks aren't that different."
A knock at the door brought DG out of her reverie. "Come in!" she called, setting the brush down and allowing her dark brown hair to tumble down over her shoulders. The door clicked open and she turned around to see Wyatt walking in. He was now in a black suit with a dark blue tie.
"Wow," DG said as she stood up. Wyatt grinned and walked over to her. They hooked arms and strolled out the door. "I didn't know you had a suit ready."
"I didn't, I had to borrow one from Ambrose. Luckily we're about the same size."
DG smiled as they came to the top of the stairs and slowly descended. "Thank you."
"For what kiddo?"
"Well, you helped me get here and save my sister, but I really want to thank you for being my partner. If you hadn't, then I would have been at the mercy of all the lucky bachelors of the OZ."
Cain let out a little laugh as they came to the bottom and entered the growing crowd of people. They all bowed or curtsied and DG smiled politely at them all. They walked to the front of the hall where two large chairs were flanked by two smaller chairs on each side. Her parents were in the two large chairs and Azkadelia was sitting with Ambrose in the chairs next to their father. Wyatt led her up and she took her seat next to her mother. Her escort took his place in the seat next to her.
"When will this start?" Cain asked, fidgeting nervously.
"Once everyone starts to come in, the music will start, Mom and Dad will start dancing, then Azkadelia and Ambrose will join in and finally us," DG said, grinning.
After about ten minutes, everyone began to file in and stand around the outside of the ballroom floor. Everyone quieted down and a slow waltz began to play. Her parents rose from their seats and descended the stairs onto the floor. Her mother took her father's hand and placed the other on his shoulder while he placed his free hand on her waist. Then they were twirling about the floor, gazing into each other's eyes.
Their parents danced alone for a short time until Azkadelia and Ambrose rose from their seats and followed suit. The two remaining sat there watching for a few minutes until Wyatt held up his bent arm and DG smiled as she laid her hand on it. They got up and joined the other four on the dance floor. When Wyatt placed his hand on her waist, DG felt a tingling, a rush of adrenaline. She stared into his icy blue eyes and felt as he began to lead her around.
"I didn't know you could dance Mr. Cain," DG said as they spun around gracefully.
"And yet you asked me to be your partner," he said, causing DG to blush. "Adora used to enjoy dancing. She loved it so much, the feel of flying about the dance floor."
"Oh, I'm sorry Mr. Cain, I didn't mean to bring that up," DG said, blushing in embarrassment.
"It's alright kiddo, Adora wouldn't have wanted me to dwell on the past, and she'd want me to be happy. And princess, you can call me Wyatt; I think we've been through enough together."
"Okay then Mr.- I mean Wyatt. But then I must insist that you call me DG."
"I think that we can agree on that," he said and she smiled.
They danced non stop, waltz after waltz, festive dance after festive dance. The King and Queen and even Az and Ambrose took a break occasionally, but not Wyatt and DG, they just kept going. Spinning around on the dance floor gave DG a rush that she had never felt before, and it was only amplified by Wyatt's touch. Azkadelia would sometimes look over and grin at them.
After four hours, DG was finding it hard to keep herself standing. Many were already starting to leave and so when they were close to the thrones at one point in their dancing, Wyatt stopped the pair, supporting DG, and bowed. "Your majesties, I'm going to escort Princess DG to her room."
King Ahomo nodded his head. "Thank you Mr. Cain. Sleep well, both of you."
"Thank you sir."
"G'night Mom, Dad, Az, Ambrose," DG said before Wyatt threw her arm across his shoulder and led her out of the hall. "Man, that was so much fun."
"Actually it was," Wyatt agreed as he bent down and just picked DG up. Her head rested against his shoulder.
"You don't have to carry me," she whispered, looking up at him.
"There's no way you would have made it up to your room. Besides, carrying you is easier than helping you walk."
DG rested her eyes as she listened to the slow, steady beating of Wyatt's heart. Oh how she wished there could be a ball every night, just so she could spend time with Wyatt. Too soon for her however, they had arrived at her room and Cain carried her in, laying her down on the bed. He made to leave, but DG held onto his sleeve.
"Please stay. I haven't like being alone these past two nights, not after traveling in our group," she said, watching him sleepily.
Wyatt sighed. "What if someone comes in?"
"Don't worry, I'll take care of it. Please?"
He waited for a moment, thinking, and then nodded. "Alright. Why don't you change and I'll stay here?"
DG nodded and got up, stumbling a little before Wyatt steadied her, and went over to the adjoining bathroom, closing the door behind her. Wyatt sat down on the edge of the bed. He took off his shoes and his jacket and unbuttoned his shirt partially. After a couple of minutes, DG emerged from the bathroom in a tank top and pajama bottoms. She stumbled back over and climbed into bed, rolling over to face the Tin Man. "Why is everything changing so fast?" she asked.
"What do you mean?" he asked, crawling up and lying next to her, his head propped up against his fist.
"Raw left to be with his people and help them, Glitch is now Ambrose and I'm stuck learning to be a princess all over again."
"What about me?"
"See, you're the one constant. You're still here for me, and you're still you. Wyatt, you're my anchor."
"I think you give me too much credit," he replied.
"I think you don't give yourself enough credit," she argued.
Wyatt watched as her eyes eventually fluttered closed and her breathing slowed to the gentle evenness of a sleeper. He brushed a few stray locks of hair form her face and gently slipped out of bed. He pulled the covers up over her and walked over to the small couch. The Tin Man put his feet up on the one armrest, lay his head on the other and allowed himself to drift off to sleep.
At the platform that Azkadelia had stood upon during the double eclipse, something stirred. The witch had melted into a pool of black ooze, and the guards had been ordered to clean it up, but out of one of the dark corners, a small blob of the mess moved, making its way into the castle, its intentions all but good…
A/N: Well people, you know what to do, click the button, you know you want to!