A/N: 'Ello readers. Here's yet another chapter. I think its safe to assume I don't own the characters, or the O.Z. or whatever. I just borrow them for extended periods of time for reasons I shall not divulge here (at least as far as Cain and Glitch are concerned)
Sunlight streamed into the window, lighting up Wyatt's face, and slowly waking him. Why the hell isn't the curtain drawn? He wondered. And then remembered that he had pretty much been shoved out that window to go night swimming by a head case who had thought after midnight was the perfect time for impulsiveness.
Speaking of Glitch…he seemed to have had another night of restless sleeping. He was twisted all up in his sheets, a mummified Glitch where previously his lover had been. Glitch snored lightly, mumbling and rolling over, giving a few glimpses of pale skin.
"Mornin' sunshine," Cain nudged the vaguely Glitch shaped pile of sheets. He got an annoyed growl in response. "Glitch wake up." "Don't want to." Ok, so Glitch wanted to play hardball did he?
Cain got up out of bed, seized one of the sheets, and jerked it upward. Glitch tumbled out of the sheets onto the bed, glaring at him.
"What was that for?" he demanded.
"You did it again," Cain answered, gesturing to the sheets tangled about Glitch's waist. "Oh. You know, I wish I wasn't so sporadic about this annoying habit I've got. Then maybe I could plot out when I might do it, and figure out some way to stop it." "Might be nice. But don't strain yourself over it. We've got to pack."
The morning was spent, for everyone, packing. They then met down at the breakfast table while the bags were loaded into small lightweight wagons, and into saddlebags, and food was packed.
"So…some wind last night," DG said non-chalantly. "Hm. Didn't really notice," Cain spread butter on a piece of toast. "Oh yea. I hear the waves were pretty intense. I bet it would suck to get trapped in then," the princess continued, grinning. It clicked with Cain then, and he set his toast down, rounding on Raw. "You told her?" "Didn't mean to," Raw protested. "DG heard us on stairs. Asked Raw why we were up. She figured it out for herself." Cain raised his eyes toward the ceiling. "Is nothing sacred or private anymore?" "Nope," DG chuckled.
"Why did you go out anyway?" Wes asked naively. "Impulsiveness," Glitch answered. "Do you know where the wind came from though?" Blake wondered. "No," Glitch said grimly. "It came out of nowhere, and was gone just as quickly. I'm going to investigate when we get back to the palace." "Just don't lock yourself in your lab or blow anything up," Cain sighed. "I make no promises Wyatt. Nothing should blow up, but it's been known to happen."
"Your majesties?" A servant approached the table. "Yes?" DG looked over. "The horses are prepared, everything is packed." "Thank you," she said. "Are we ready to go guys?" "I'm ready mom," Wren answered. "Ditto," Wes added.
Hours later found the group trotting peacefully along, enjoying the cool breeze, which tempered the heat of the two noonday suns beating down.
"Wes, I'm bored," Wren complained. "Me too," Wes answered from his horse next to her. They were at the back of the group, his parents in front of them. Both his parents were riding peacefully along, almost too peacefully in Wes's opinion. Which gave him an idea.
"Hey princess?" "Yea Wessie?" "Wanna see something? It may keep you from being bored," Wes grinned deviously. If Cain had looked back at his son just then, he would have recognized the look, and been worried instantly. It was the same grin Glitch wore when he was plotting something mischievous. Wren nodded, ready for anything. Card games just hadn't been that entertaining for them.
"We could mess with my parents," Wes explained. "Watch." He sat up straighter in the saddle. "Daaaad? Are we there yet?" he whined. "Does it look like it?" Cain answered, gesturing to the trees and hills, wondering if maybe the heat wasn't getting to Wes. Clearly they were nowhere near the Palace.
"Oh I get it!" Wren whispered. "Now sit back and watch me. I'm an expert at laying it on thick." "Oh I know," Wes snickered. "You're a genius at whining. Drama princess." Wren stuck her tongue out at Wes, who winked and blew her a kiss. She ignored him.
"Uncle Glitch! Wes is poking meeee!" "Knock it off Wesley," Glitch answered without turning around. "Dad I'm hungryyyy," Wes called.
That was it for Cain. "Listen up you two, knock it off before you end up spending the rest of the summer locked in separate cells in the Tower," he threatened. That shut them up quickly.
"I'm a bit hungry too Wyatt. Is it lunch time yet?" Glitch asked quietly. "Not yet sweetheart. Soon though." Glitch sat down more in the saddle, trying to ignore the rumbling in his belly.
Which lasted all of about 10 seconds.
"Glitch what the hell are you doing?" Cain asked, startled as Glitch stood in his saddle, scanning the area. "I'm looking to see if there's any manner of fruit trees up around," Glitch answered, peering ahead. Not far off he could see what looked suspiciously like apple trees. "DG! I see an apple orchard up ahead. Can we stop?" he asked, calling up to DG, who was riding point with Blake. "Sure, why not?" she was getting hungry herself.
A half-hour more travel and they were reigning in the horses outside a rickety fence about three feet high. "How are we going to get in?" 'Toria asked. "We aren't. I am," Glitch said smugly. "You? What d'you know about stealing apples?" Cain snorted. "How do you think I fed myself with only half a brain?"
Glitch jumped off his horse and sized up the fence. With a small nod, he left his coat on the saddle and backed up. In a second, he had sprinted at the fence and vaulted over in, landing perfectly on the other side.
"Do you think he knows what he's doing?" Kalm murmured. "I'd like to think that, but I'm not a fool," Cain snickered. "Guys!" they heard Glitch yell. "I got a bunch of-" He was cut off by a twang and a yelp. "Umm…Wyatt? Could you come help me please?" "Coming," Cain sighed and slid from his horse to scramble over the fence.
Cain landed on the leaves on the other side of the fence. Immediately he started laughing at his zipper head. Glitch was hanging upside down from his feet, his shirt falling over his face, his hair full of hay and twigs and leaves. "Quit laughing and help me down please," Glitch grumbled. "Do I want to know?" Cain asked, cutting him down. "I scared myself walking into a scarecrow and stepped into a trap I believe was set to deter thieves such as myself," Glitch hit the ground hard.
"So has saving me filled your outdoorsy manliness quota for the day Wyatt?" Glitch gathered the rest of the apples. "That depends. Have you filled your 'act like a complete head case fool' quota?" "I doubt it." "Sa-run!" Wyatt took off running, heaving himself over the fence. The owner of the orchard was after them, yelling at them. Glitch followed, clutching the apples, stumbling. "Wyatt!" he gasped, unable to get over the fence. Cain quickly pulled him over, not dropping an apple.
"What d'ya think you're doin'?" a female voice demanded. Glitch gasped, recognizing her. Sure, she'd…filled out somewhat, and her face was a little lined, and he hair wasn't the shining gold it had once been, but there was no mistaking her. "Leona?"
Her blue eyes fell on him, widening as she recognizing him. "Ambrose? It is you!" she laughed callously. "So what've you been up to?" "The usual. High advisor to the Queen. Chief inventor. Helping save the O.Z.," Glitch drew himself up to his full height, his voice haughty. "Oh yeah, the usual. Y'know, I heard that usually you were quite the dancer down in the city," Leona said, grinning maliciously as she saw the effect her words had.
Glitch took a deep steadying breath. He would not lose his temper. "That wasn't my choice Leona," he said coldly. "I was taken, abducted to work there, and I had no idea half the time what I was doing. I'd been so important at the palace, half my brain was removed for information." Leona scoffed, like she didn't believe it. "Besides," Glitch said before he could stop himself, "you're one to talk. Turned any tricks lately on the streets?" Despite wanting to control his temper, he couldn't help a little smirk of triumph at her angry flush face.
"How did you know that? Hear it from one of your clients?" she snarled. "No, I learn things what with having good connections with the Tin Men," Glitch glanced back at Cain; a long lingering glance, which Wyatt met easily, each seeing everything good and right in the O.Z. in each other's eyes.
"Oh, oh I see," Leona said in understanding, picking up on the currents of emotion passing between the two men. "Always knew you were an unnatural freak like that Ambrose," she spat out, the venom of a child hood of dislike dripping from each word.
Glitch stared at her, only slightly hearing DG gasp behind him. He clenched his teeth, unable to think of a retort past his anger. He'd known Leona to be cruel, but that was completely uncalled for. He forced himself to appear calm, and manage something of a snappy comeback.
Which wasn't hard as memories of dealing diplomatically with high maintenance emissaries to the Palace came swarming back.
"Yes well, it's been fantastic catching up Leona, but we really must return to the Palace. I'm needed in a meeting with the Queen. I thought I might take a few apples, but I'd rather my son not eat these rotten, poisoned fruit," Glitch swung gracefully into the saddle and took off a brisk trot down the road.
After a few seconds of stunned silence, the others caught up with Glitch. Cain pulled up next to him. "How in the hell did you learn to spar words like that?" he demanded, awestruck. Glitch grinned, pleased and just a little smug. "It comes with being an advisor and diplomat Wyatt. I'd somewhat forgotten that I could joust with words better than some could with swords. I could ever so politely insult you, twist your words and convince you I was right and you were wrong all along and you would have no idea what hit you," he said proudly.
"You still have the apples though right?" Blake asked, concerned. "Of course," Glitch said over his shoulder. "And that was amazing," DG added, chuckling. "So that was the 'lovely lass' Leona?" "Yea. She may have changed in appearance, but not in personality. To think I used to long ago have a crush on her," he sighed.
"Oh yea?" Cain bristled slightly. He didn't go around talking about his past crushes or girlfriends or anything. Glitch nodded. "She used to be quite the beauty. But she made my school years miserable. Though I still pined for her in the pathetic way the lonely smart kid pines for the popular pretty girl, not seeing that she's a manipulative conniving back stabber. I was a sucker for blonde hair and pretty blue eyes."
"Still are I'd say," DG giggled, nodding towards Cain. "I'd say so too. However, Wyatt's got a much better personality." "Thanks head case. Good to know I'm not like that." "Not even when you're in a bad mood are you like that," Glitch bit into an apple. "Though I will admit, these apples are pretty good considering the orchard they came from."
"Ok, trip down memory lane is over, we've got a lot of ground to cover," Cain urged Spot to the front of the line. "Don't listen to him. You know your dad. Always organizing things," Glitch whispered conspiratorially to Wes, who sighed at the sudden rush. He'd been enjoying listening to his parents talking. "Although he's been known to lose his cool. Usually my fault. Like when I was pregnant with you, and you wouldn't stop kicking me, he wouldn't let me do anything, driving us to argue." "Not that hard to imagine Dad," Wes snickered.
Father and son chatted pleasantly, following the others along the winding dusty road until night was almost upon them and they made camp.
Glitch curled up on his side. He'd given every appearance of being happy during the day. But Leona's words struck him, stinging, taunting him. Until he rolled over, facing Cain.
"Wyatt?" "Hm?" "Are we…freaks? Us, Wes? I mean, what Leona said, and also that Hugh guy…." "Of course not," Cain said firmly. "Love is love right? I love you, so don't listen to them," he pulled Glitch close to him, so Glitch's back was pressed against his chest. Glitch sighed, reassured. Leave it to Wyatt to put things so simply and so eloquently.
"You alright now?" Wyatt asked, sliding his hand down Glitch's arm and intertwining their fingers. Glitch nodded sleepily, snuggling closer. He looked down at Wyatt's tan hand laying on his pale one. They fit so nicely together, Wyatt rubbing his fingers, calloused from years working the land around his house, over his smooth from pampered indoor life fingers. "Yeah, I'm alright now."
The last morning of their journey dawned perfectly bright and clear, the two suns blazing in the sky. And with Cain leading them, by late afternoon the Palace was in their sights. What was not in their sights was the spontaneous thunderclouds at their backs.
Glitch was hunched over in his saddle, reading through a notebook he had filled annuals ago when he'd been pre-de-braining Ambrose. He was absorbed in his reading, yet still aware of his surroundings, keeping his horse on the trail. He idly turned the page, when something drilled into the back of his neck. He yelped, jolting in the saddle, making his horse snort in surprise.
"Head case? You alright?" Cain wheeled Spot around. "Yeah just something hit me," Glitch rubbed at the back of his neck, feeling something wet. "I think I'm bleeding…oh wait…that's just water," he giggled, looking at his wet fingers. "Water?" DG looked up. "Yeah, it was odd. It felt like a rock," Glitch looked to the trees as well.
There air filled with a soft shushing sound, and the wind picked up, stirring their hair. The horses whinnied nervously, shaking their manes and stomping their hooves. "Mummy, what's going on?" Wren whispered. Seemingly in answer, the sky darkened to almost black, the clouds boiling and flattening the grass. Rain pounded down like bullets, making Wren, DG, and Victoria scream. "Make for the woods!" Cain yelled, pointing to the fringe of trees across a field.
Glitch whimpered, huddling under his coat. The rain, which was completely unnatural as far as rain was concerned, pounded against his skull along the old scar from the zipper. He could feel it bruising with each stinging drop, and suppressing a small sob, he pulled his coat up over his head. It didn't help. "Here." Wyatt's hat was suddenly in front of his face. He looked up at Wyatt, who grinned a little at him. "You need it more than me right now." Glitch sniffled and nodded, taking the almost sacred hat and carefully pulled it over his curls.
A silver lining to the dark clouds overhead was that in their mad dash to get out of the harsh rain, they reached the Palace in nearly half the time it would have taken. The horses were taken into the stables. Even they were happy to be out of the rain, where there was warm food and blankets.
A puddle spread out in the entryway where the Queen, Lord Ahamo, and Az greeted DG, Blake, and the others. "Did you enjoy your trip?" the Queen asked. "Very much mom. You know, minus the rain there at the end," DG wrung out her shirt and hair. "Yeah, that part I didn't like," Glitch grumbled, pulling the hat off and gingerly feeling along the bruises. Cain looked at the bruises, not liking the violent shade of purple they were. "You should probably go to the medic," he said quietly. "Could it perhaps wait?" the Queen asked.
Each one of them paused at her tone. It was quiet, but urgent.
"Of course," Glitch said, regaining himself quickly. "I'd like a word with you Ambrose, if it's not too much trouble." "No trouble at all," Glitch handed Wyatt back his hat, shrugging. "Dear, could you perhaps tell Mr. Cain his good news while I speak to Ambrose?" the Queen asked over her shoulder.
Lord Ahamo grinned at Cain as the door closed on the room where his wife and Glitch had gone. "So, we got word from your son a few days ago. You're a grandpa Cain," he clapped him on the back. "I am?" Cain said stunned. "Yes, to a healthy baby girl. Marie Adora Cain." "Marie Adora…I wonder if I could go see her. It's not that far." "We just got home," DG shook out her hair. "Princess, my granddaughter was just born. I'm willing to go through bad weather to see her. And I haven't seen Jeb." "Can I come dad?" Wes asked. "I wanna see Jeb and my niece." "Sure, all three of us will go."
Inside the small study like room, Glitch sat in a gilt framed chair in front of the Queen, not liking how worried and grim she looked. "Ambrose, I need you to find out something for me," she said softly. "Of course your highness. What is it?" Glitch asked. The Queen took a deep breath, her lavender eyes sad, like she didn't want to be saying this.
"Something is wrong with the O.Z."
A/N: sorry about the cliffhanger there. But it was too good to pass up. What's wrong with the O.Z.? Stay tuned to find out. Oh, and I don't mean to sound all needy and what not but reviews are always appreciated. Thankies.