Disclaimer: I still don't have enough money to own Tin Man and that just makes me sad.
A/N: Okay, at the start of this chapter, I want to address a few things. Just giving you all a heads up, there will be no smut in this story, we might get make out scene, but that won't be for a while. Just wanted to let you know. Also, I was kind of sad that only tvholic 68 took a guess at what Cain meant, although I am glad that Witchbones thought of something even though they wouldn't say. Wyatt was talking about the scene in part three before they storm the tower and he says to DG "This is the one time I'm not going to be there to help." So, tvholic 68 and Witchbones each get a huge plate of cookies that are iced to look like Wyatt Cain (Hands them cookies). I hope you enjoy. Well, this chapter was going to be two, but since I haven't updated in a while I decided to make it really long to make up for that. Please don't kill me when you find out who gets possessed at the end, it's not my fault, blame my subconscious! A few of you have gotten pretty close, so, good luck to the rest of you who have privately mulled it over and decided not to speak. Please enjoy! Oh yeah, there's a little something for all of you Glitch/Az fans in here too.
"Wyatt, wake up."
Cain jerked awake in his chair, looking about. "What is it, what happened?"
"Nothing, but I want to go tell the king and queen that everything went well last night. Keep a close eye on her and I'll be back soon," Ambrose said, grasping his friend's shoulder and then exiting the room.
Now Wyatt allowed himself to gaze down at the princess that he was duty bound to protect. She seemed peaceful in sleep, lying there, still but for the steady rise and fall of her chest, like the ebb and flow of waves on a serene lake. He stood and moved so that he could sit on the edge of her bed and take her hand again.
"DG, I'm so sorry that I let this happen to you. I should have gone with you, kept you safe. It's not just my job to protect you; I want to protect you. I love you kid."
"I love you too," a weak voice whispered. His eyes shot up in surprise and found hers had opened the tiniest bit. "And it's not your fault…I should have given myself more time to get home."
"That's got nothing to do with it and you know it. How do you feel?" Wyatt asked, squeezing her hand.
"Like someone beat me over the head with a Tin Suit, but other than that, I think I'll live," she replied smiling and Wyatt gave a strangled chuckle. "How long was I out for?"
"Just the night. You scared the crap out of me last night, I didn't know what to do."
"Sorry," she whispered.
"Don't be sorry, it's not your fault. Could you tell what was in the road that managed to spook Thunder so bad?"
"No, it was too dark," she whispered and Wyatt noticed that her eyelids drooped the tiniest bit.
"Go back to sleep DG, you need your rest," he said.
"Would you…" she trailed off, glancing at him nervously.
"What?" he asked gently, squeezing her hand.
"Hold me?"
Wyatt sighed and nodded. He stood and picked her up, crawling into bed and setting her down so that her head rested against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and she snuggled into him. "Did you mean it?" she whispered. "Do you really love me?"
"Yes," he replied. "And I would do whatever it takes to stay by your side."
"I'm glad," she said and Wyatt could tell she was drifting off. He buried his face in her hair and pulled her tight to him.
"It's alright DG, I'm here. I'm right here."
Somewhere in the castle, a black mass moved about, avoiding anyone it heard coming. It was making its way to the Princess's room, ready to put into play the final phase of its plan.
It took DG a few days to recover. She could only stay awake for short periods at first, usually only lasting a few minutes. But every time she woke up, Wyatt was always at her side. She knew she was safe as long as when she opened her eyes, his icy blue ones were there to meet hers.
Sometimes he would be reading, others he would be talking to someone else in the room, but most of the time, he would just be sitting there watching her.
"What are you doing?" she asked on of the times she woke up and he was staring at her.
"My job, keeping an eye on you. And let me tell you, it's the best job in the world."
Azkadelia would frequently sneak a peek into the room and smile to herself. Everything was going according to plan. But she did have an uneasy feeling, caused by whatever had happened the other night. They still weren't sure what had caused the accident and it had everyone on edge.
But her uneasy feeling disappeared when she looked into the room one day and saw her sister curled up against the Tin Man, fast asleep, while he read. She smiled to herself and backed out, closing the door silently behind her.
"How's it looking in there?"
Az turned around and saw Ambrose standing there. "DG's sleeping, Mr. Cain is watching over her." He nodded and turned to go. "Ambrose, wait," she said. He stopped and she walked forward to take his hand. "Why have you been avoiding me?" she asked quietly.
"What do you mean?" he asked, not meeting her gaze.
"Ever since the ball, you see me in the hall and go the other way, you don't look at me at dinner…why?"
"Az, you want something that I don't think I can give you."
"You helped me get Deege and Mr. Cain together, how is this any different?" she asked frustratedly.
"DG feels safe with Cain. Az, I'm a brain, I can't give you protection!"
"But you do! I don't need someone who can fight out of any situation, I need someone who can think out of any situation!" Ambrose looked at her in shock and she rolled her eyes. "Oh come here." Then she took his face in both of her hands and pressed her lips against his. It lasted for a moment and the Azkadelia had released him and was walking down the hall. "Let's see if you can avoid me now!" she called and left him rooted to the spot.
"No…Wyatt…stop…"
Wyatt Cain jerked awake, eyes darting around the room. The book he had been reading was open on his chest, he must have dozed off while reading earlier. The biggest difference was that DG was now writhing against him.
"Hey, kid, wake up," he said, shaking her.
"No!" she exclaimed, shooting up in bed. She looked around until her eyes fell on her Tin Man. She threw her arms around him and sobbed into his chest.
"What's wrong DG?" he asked, holding her close.
"It was just a nightmare, that's all it was," she whispered, but it sounded as though it was to convince herself as much as it was to convince him.
"Tell me about it," he said, but she looked up at him in horror. "It's alright, you can tell me anything Princess."
"You…you hurt me. I begged you to stop, but you wouldn't. And your eyes, so full of hate…" She trailed off and Wyatt felt her tremble.
"Hey, I would never hurt you, you know that right?" he asked and she nodded. "Good. Now, how are you feeling?"
"Better."
"Do you feel up to going downstairs for dinner?"
"Yes, I think so," DG replied, sitting up slowly. Cain placed his hand on her back as he too sat up, keeping her steady.
"Let me get the dress," he said, standing and walking over to her wardrobe.
"Get the light blue one," she said, swinging her legs over the edge of the bed. Cain grabbed it and took it over to her on the bed. "Thanks."
"No problem kiddo. I'll just step outside and let you get changed," he said, walking out into the hall.
"I'll call if I need you!" she hollered and he chuckled.
Out in the hall he leaned against the wall, glancing around. He hadn't been out of the room since he carried DG in there three nights ago. Glitch had brought him clothes to wear and change into while DG was sleeping. It was a little nice for the change of scenery he hated to admit. But ever since he had gotten out of the tin suit, it was very hard for him to be cooped up for long.
"All ready!" DG called. Wyatt grinned and went back inside, finding her brushing her hair at her mirror. She set the brush down, stood up and walked over to the Tin Man, taking his offered arm. "Let's go surprise the others!" she said happily.
The pair took their time, Cain keeping a close eye on DG the entire way. The stairs were and especially slow process, but they made it. Laughter reached tier ears as they entered the dining hall. "What, did you all start the party without us?" DG asked.
"DG!" Az exclaimed, jumping up and running over to giver her sister a hug. "Oh, I'm so glad you're out of bed!"
"Yeah, me too," DG said, laughing. "Now, can we sit down and eat, I'm starving!"
Az led her sister to the table and Wyatt followed at a distance. The King and Queen sat next to each other at the head of the table. Glitch was on the side with the King and Az sat down across from him, DG beside here. "Come on Cain!" Glitch said, motioning to the seat next to him.
"No, I should watch the door, really," he said, turning around.
"Come on Tin Man, even you need to eat sometimes."
Cain sighed, turned around and walked back to take the offered seat. He saw DG grin at him across the table and he decided to surprise her. She blushed and looked away when he grinned back.
While all this was going on in the dining hall below, something evil was making its way through the princess's room and hiding under the bed. Now it could wait to complete its plan. It would hurt her; oh it would make her suffer for denying it its right to power, to the throne. For that, the little brat would know pain unimaginable…
After dinner Ambrose and Az walked out into the garden and Dg and Cain went out onto the balcony. It looked out over the garden and the OZ. They saw Az and Ambrose in the fading light and watched as he got down on one knee. Az gave a delighted squeal and DG smiled.
"Well, that didn't take long," she said, turning to Wyatt.
"Yeah, I was wondering how long it would take Zipperhead," Cain agreed. "What do you say we give them some privacy?" he asked. DG nodded and they headed back into the palace. DG stumbled a little but Wyatt caught her by the arm. "Are you okay?"
"I think so, just dizzy for a second," she said.
"That's enough excitement for one day, let's get you back to bed."
"But…"
"No buts. You're getting better; I'm not going to let you make it worse. Come on," he said, hooking her arm through his and leading her back up the stairs.
"Wait out here while I get changed," DG said, going inside and closing the door. Once again Cain leaned against the wall and let out a huge sigh.
Way to go Glitch, he though to himself, no pressure huh? He felt the ring in his pocket that he had been carrying since the day she had fallen. The ball had only shown him what he had been beginning to realize, ever since they hugged in Azkadelia's tower; he need her in his life. She showed him that he didn't have to hide away in a tin suit, separated from everyone else.
And now Glitch had to go and propose to Az, so he had to make his move. Before he could go any further the door opened and Dg poked her head out. "You can come back in now."
Cain followed her inside and watched as she went over to lie down on the bed. "Are you feeling alright?" he asked, walking over and sitting down next to her. He kicked off his boots and lay down on his side, facing her and staring into her eyes to make sure she didn't try to lie.
"I think I just over did it a little for the first day on my feet in a few days. I'll be okay Wyatt."
"Okay. Come here," he said and she crawled over and let him pull her into an embrace. "I'll protect you, just get some rest kiddo."
He felt DG's breathing even out and watched the sun disappear in the distance, handing the OZ over into the arms of Morpheus.
"Ambrose, please," Azkadelia said gently, holding his hand and pulling him towards her room. As they passed her sister's room she stole a glance and saw the Tin Man holding the princess. She smiled to herself and then looked back to her fiancé. "How long do you think it will be for them?"
"Probably not too long. I'd be willing to bet that Cain is kicking himself pretty hard right now for letting me propose to you before he proposed to DG," Glitch replied as Az pulled him into the next room over. He let himself be pulled over to the bed and lay down first, allowing Az to lie beside him and rest her head on his chest. He absentmindedly stroked her hair as they listened to the animals in the surrounding darkness. "Why me Az?"
"I can't tell you Ambrose, it just feels right when I'm here with you."
They lay there in silence, drinking in the presence of one another.
Hours later, in the middle of the night, the last remnant of the old witch decided to make its move. It came out form its hiding place under the bed and climbed onto it once it sensed that the occupants were asleep. It moved to the one who would do the most damage, cause the most suffering. The body jerked and gasped in pain as the remnant was absorbed on contact.
All was still for a moment, the other occupant seemingly undisturbed. But then the person shot up in bed and looked around. But it was not the owner who now saw through the eyes.
The second occupant now rose, looking sleepily at her friend. "What's wrong?" the girl asked, sitting up and resting her hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah DG," Wyatt Cain said and she missed the malice in his voice. "Just go on back to sleep."
A/N: Yeah, now try to imagine what it's going to be like in the next chapter and welcome to my nightmare, and no, nothing happened between anyone in this chapter, like I said, no smut! Please review, and I know you'll probably tell me you hate me, but remember, I'm a Cain lover too, so don't hate me too much!