A/N: I really need to start keeping up with this more. I don't have much of an excuse, I mean, I got ideas. But I've got other fics I'm working on…and I got my license not too long ago, so my parents are all making me drive everywhere. Oh well. Enjoy the newest chapter.

Unsurprisingly, Cain woke before the others. But he didn't hurry them. No, he understood the need for sleep, and thus let them continue dreaming, while he shook the last clinging wisps of sleep from his consciousness. In doing so, his eyes focused in on a growing problem.

During the night, Glitch had clambered into his lap to 'make room for everyone'. He was leaning against Cain, his head tilted just right and his mouth open just the tiniest bit, but it was enough for Cain to see the drop of drool sliding down his lips, going straight for his hat. "Glitch!" he whispered urgently. No reply. If anything, Glitch moved in his sleep and sped up the descent of the drool. "Glitch!" he poked him now, not too hard, in the stomach. Glitch grumbled and frowned. The drool slipped off his bottom lip and hung suspended. Cain's eyes rolled up, watching it, praying it didn't land on his hat. It stretched impossibly thin. He snapped.

The horn on the car flared to life for a split second as Glitch found himself pushed into it, then over it to sprawl halfway on the dashboard. "Wyatt! What are you doing?!" "You were this close to drooling on my hat," Cain growled. Glitch wiped the back of his sleeve across his chin, and looked at the stain left there that quickly faded. "So I was," he flopped back. The rest of the group was complaining about the rude awakening, and it was left to Cain to explain what had happened. "Nice going dad," Wes griped. He was looking better, color returning to his face, his eyes no longer fever bright, Cain noted, pleased. That had to mean he was gaining a measure of control over the power he possessed.

"Hey…uh, guys? You might want to see this," Glitch murmured from where he laying, looking upside down out the windshield. Cain turned around in his seat, and everyone else craned forward to see. What could only be described as a patchwork castle loomed over them, which had most definitely not been there when they went to sleep. In fact, the entire landscape had changed. Now, the mustang was precariously close to the edge of a jagged cliff, which seemed to drop off forever. Mist hung densely over it, making it even more difficult to determine how far the drop was. Ghostly lights flickered dimly in the mist, like spectral fireflies. The castle was clearly made of whatever materials could be found, welded together. But despite that, it was still an impressive and ominous sight, the metal scorched and twisted where it wasn't gleaming and wickedly sharp. It reared above the mustang, scraping the sky and causing them to crane their necks at a painful angle to try and see the top. None of them could.

"I think they're trying to send us a message," DG mumbled. "And that would be?" Cain asked. "That we're screwed. They know we're here right now, and they don't like it."

As if on cue people started streaming out of the back of the castle, forming neat lines and standing at the ready. It was hard to tell, but they appeared to be wearing make shift Long Coat uniforms. "Good to see she's keeping with the theme," Glitch muttered. "Though, I gotta say the old uniforms were much better looking. Comfortable too." "Glitch, sweetheart, now is not the time to be giving them fashion tips. Now is the time to kick their asses," Cain said quietly, hand hovering above his holster. "We don't have any weapons, do we?" "Damn it! We didn't grab them when we made our hasty retreat," DG cursed. "So, we're really screwed?" Blake asked. "Basically," Kalm growled. "Glitch, get behind me, and stay outta the line of fire," Cain whispered. "But Wyatt, I can help," Glitch protested. "How?" "I can shoot," he reached for one of Cain's guns, his fingers lingering the slightest bit as they trailed across Cain's hip. "You know how to use that?" "Oh please, I've seen you use it enough times, how hard can it be?" Glitch haphazardly held the gun. Cain winced, visions of his head case shooting himself in the foot dancing before his eyes. "Glitch, you need to turn off the safety, and squeeze the trigger, can you do that?" "I'm not a complete idiot Wyatt." "Only half an idiot." "Hey!" "Guys!" DG hissed. "D'you think you could do this later? We have a bit of a problem right now," she gestured to the still standing Long Coats.

Weapons abruptly appeared in the hands of their enemies, some modern looking guns, others older yet still deadly swords and assorted weaponry. Still others were empty handed, but stood tall and confident. DG and her companions formed a rough circle, DG and Blake at the head, Cain, Glitch, 'Toria, Kalm, Wes, Wren and Raw fanning out from them. Wes had his lips set in a grim line, though there was the slightest tremble to his hands. His power, while amazingly strong, was still so uncertain, so new, he wasn't sure he could call it back. What if he couldn't? Wren, probably sensing his anxiety, clasped his hand, feeling the dampness to his palm. She gave it a reassuring squeeze, and flashed him a quick smile. Unbeknownst to Wes, she also gave him a small measure of calm, and was pleased to note he stopped shaking and stood taller, shoulders squared. Which was good, because with no further warning, they were thrown into the fight.

The air was filled with screams, shouts, cries of pain muffled and swallowed by the mist, which moved as if it had a mind of its own, thickening and making fighting near impossible. It was clear it was the work of the Witch, to act as an impediment to her castle being stormed. However, it was no help to the Long Coats either, many of who fell to the ground, wounded or worse. Light reflected weirdly in the low lying clouds, and threw shadows over everything as each side bombarded the other with any magic they could conjure. DG was trying to burn away the mist, and making headway in between kicking Long Coat ass. She caught glimpses of Wes and Wren, as they defended each other, and was proud at how well they did. Wes seemed fully in control of the power he wielded, eyes determined and hand steady. Wren was much the same at his side.

Glitch decided not only was he a genius, he was also a top notch gunslinger. He should go into the cow boy business as a side job. They did get to wear those nice chaps, and he thought he'd look fantastic in chaps. So would Wyatt, though he was oh so fond of those tight pants…he yelped as the gun was batted from his hands. No matter, he was out of bullets anyway, and Wyatt hadn't given him any spares. No, the problem was that the man who had smacked it away was large, frighteningly so, with big beefy hands, and the smack had left his numb and tingly. However, he could still take him down. His attacker's eyes widened in alarm as Glitch moved fluidly at him, and had no time to defend himself as he was kicked in the knee caps hard enough to dislocate them. As he went down, Glitch's foot caught him in the chin, knocking him unconscious. He hit the ground with a thunderous, earthshaking, thud.

A cry cut through the smog, an achingly familiar sound that went straight through Glitch. His heart clenched and rose to his throat, choking him, and his stomach went felt as though an icy rock had been dropped into it. The world went into slow motion, and the fight lost all meaning for him as he turned and saw Wyatt being thrown over the cliff edge to disappear in the thick, steely grey vapor. It had taken three of them to best him, two with what DG would identify as baseball bats, one with power radiating off him. But he was gone. Glitch lunged with all he had for the cliff, intent on following Wyatt, saving him. He was knocked aside like a rag doll by one of the bats to the stomach. He fell winded, and coughed, trying to catch his breath as he looked up at the three. The one that had hit him met his eyes, and Glitch realized with a start it was Tony. Tony smirked, and blew him a mocking kiss before turning to leave.

Glitch felt a terrible stillness fill him, and heard nothing but his blood pulsing in his veins and his own ragged breath. Wyatt's gun lay pitifully in the mud, within arm's reach. Suddenly it was in Glitch's hand without him thinking of it, and he aimed at Tony's retreating back. He would see him dead for this. He'd gone too far, first shooting Wyatt, now kil…no, Wyatt was alive. He had to be. Glitch needed him. His finger rested on the trigger, and he pulled back. He could do it. An eye for an eye.

"Glitch!" DG's voice rang out, startling Glitch. He shook his head, and a haze seemed to be lifted from his eyes. "What were you thinking?" DG demanded shrilly, watching wide eyed as Glitch tossed the gun away. "I don't…I don't know. H-he shoved Wyatt. Wyatt's gone and it's his fault, I had to…" Glitch rambled, shaking his head once more. He'd scared himself, realizing that he could've done it easily. Could've put a bullet in Tony's back and felt good, justified. He hugged his arms around himself, looking at the cast off weapon with dawning horror. His breath came in quick gasps, and he realized he was going to faint a second before it happened. The mud splattered as his head hit it.

DG sent Blake to search for Cain, hoping he'd somehow survived the drop. She didn't know what was down there, and couldn't help the little coil of unease as Blake descended down into the mist. Meanwhile, she and the others carried Glitch back to the mustang, gently setting him in the back seat. Raw and Kalm tried to help him, but DG insisted he be left unconscious, so he didn't have to sit up worrying. She was doing plenty of that on her own.

Glitch had scared her. He had looked so dispassionate, so cold with the gun in his hand, not like her best friend with the bright eyes and ready smile, who wore his heart proudly on his sleeve. He had looked like he could do it, and feel nothing. She sincerely hoped that it was the Witch targeting him once more, and that her sweet Glitch wasn't becoming cold blooded. DG looked at his face, so soft in sleep, a little frown twisting his lips, and prayed that he would never get that look in his brown eyes again.

Blake slouched back to the mustang, filthy and exhausted and despondent. Cain simply wasn't there. He'd searched the entire area for him, walking up and down the river that was mercifully winding its way through the area, and calling for him until his throat was hoarse. He was gone. Glitch would be heartbroken, and he didn't want to be the bearer of such news. DG looked up upon hearing his footsteps, and her face fell when she saw his expression. "Where is he?" "I don't know. I searched everywhere, but he's just gone," Blake cleared his throat and answered. DG bit her lip worriedly, looking down at Glitch and Wes, who was sitting at his side. Wes turned miserable eyes up to them, tears cutting tracks down his cheeks. DG licked her lips, and felt salt there. She too was crying, they all were.

Wyatt was not crying. Tin Men don't cry, even when they're pretty sure they've broken every bone in their body, and want nothing more than to have their head case make it better. He'd landed hard in the water, being dragged to the bottom of the fast moving river and nearly drowning. He'd come up coughing, and been dashed against the mammoth boulders that became more frequent the farther down the river he was carried. Finally he made it to shore and hauled himself up to catch his breath. All this happened before Blake had even made it to the ground, and by then he was too far away to hear him. However, there was a very small silver lining.

He'd somehow miraculously managed to keep his hat.

Slowly, cautiously, Wyatt propped himself up, testing his limbs. His silver lining grew larger; nothing was broken. Just bruised and battered. He tried to get to his feet, and fell, biting back a yell as pain lanced through his knees and legs. Ok, so maybe he wasn't one hundred percent. But he'd be damned if he was going to sit here when he knew there was a head case no doubt frantic at his fall. So he found himself a thick and sturdy branch that formed a 'Y' at one end, tucked that end under his arm and started limping back the way he'd come, following the river until he could climb up.

Glitch didn't want to wake up. He wanted to pretend it had all been a dream, and not face the cold hard reality that Wyatt wasn't there. He wanted to keep dreaming, because in his dream, he and Wyatt were safe, they were all safe, and they'd never had to come here, and they could stay in the OZ and not worry about anything. Against his will his eyelids slid open, and he sat up too quickly and whacked his head on the roof of the car. He moaned softly, holding his head. DG whipped around, turning in her seat. "You ok?" "That depends doll, is Wyatt here?" Glitch asked, laying back and shutting his eyes. The muscles in his back and shoulders were tight, and his head pounded with the beginnings of one hell of a migraine. He felt a furred hand on his head, and the tension eased. "Thanks Raw," he mumbled, eyes still shut. "Blake looked for him, but we're thinking he was swept downriver. Far, far down river. We couldn't find him."

Her blue eyes, wide with worry, met his one opened eye. "Guess I'm not ok then. Where's Wes?" "Outside with Wren, Kalm, and Victoria," DG answered. "How…how's he taking it?" Glitch sat up, more cautiously this time so he didn't hit his head. "Hard to tell. I mean, he's upset of course, but he's been more worried about you. I finally had to force him to sit outside so he wasn't crowding you and I could make sure you were all right." "How long was I out?" "About an hour or so," DG went quiet for a minute. "He'll be fine Glitch. He's survived being shot outta window, plunged into an icy lake, storming a castle, more fights than I can count. He's a Tin Man that won't be taken out by falling off a cliff into a river. Especially not when he's got you to come back to," she patted his arm in a comforting gesture. Glitch nodded, but didn't add that he'd been there to help Wyatt through most of that. He'd been the one to save him from the lake, saved him from hypothermia. He lay back down, curling around the empty gun he'd taken from Wyatt. What had only an hour ago been a source of shame for him now became his only comfort and memento of Wyatt.

DG turned back around in her seat, casting anxious glances back at him. Raw watched her, head cocked to the side. "Glitch be fine DG. Strong," he said reassuringly. He'd felt it when he'd tried to alleviate his head ache. Despite being heartbroken if Wyatt was truly lost, Glitch was prepared to stay strong and continue what they'd set out to do, and look after Wes. It was after all, what the Tin Man would want. He wouldn't want his lover to dwell on his loss, and wallow in his sadness and forget to live. Raw however, agreed with DG, and felt deep down that Cain was ok. He'd find his way back to them, and Glitch would be ecstatic. That too he'd felt, bottled up like carbonation bubbles in a just shaken soda bottle, ready to explode at any moment. It brought a smile to his lips, and he tried to spread that joy and hope to the others. It was the least he could do.

Cain drew in a sharp breath, trying to will away the pain. But damn it, his muscles ached and burned. He'd pushed himself too hard, limping along the bank of the river, trying to find exactly where he'd fallen. But he wasn't familiar with the Other Side, and the sun was setting, making it hard to see. He finally had to admit defeat, at least for the night, and try to set up a makeshift camp. Long sticks and his coat served as a tent, and he managed to get a fire going. He fought off hunger; he had no food, and nothing to hunt or catch anything with anyway. Sighing, he lay down on the cold ground under his tent, wincing as his limbs protested the movement. Not for the first time, he wished they'd never had to go to the Other Side, that the Witch had stayed dead, that he and Glitch could be tucked in bed, safe with no worries. But of course, it was not to be. They had to play hero again. He wasn't allowed to be just a Tin Man, Glitch couldn't be just an advisor; DG couldn't be just a princess. The universe had bigger plans for them. What about his plans though? Apparently they weren't acceptable.

Glitch's breath fogged against the window as he watched for Cain. He'd been hoping he'd have found them by now. He'd been awake and watching for two hours. None of the others were awake yet, and he was reluctant to wake them and leave. Suppose Wyatt came back, and they were gone, and he couldn't find them? Or he was hurt and needed them to be there? Hundreds of scenarios raced around his head, each one worse than the last. His knuckles were mottled white from his grip on the chair in front of him, but he was oblivious to anything but the area outside, watching for Wyatt to appear there.

Wesley woke with a crick in his neck and his legs numb from Wren half laying on them. He opened his eyes and saw his dad staring out the window, as if trying to force his dad to appear by his thoughts alone. He carefully untangled himself and crawled across the seats to watch with him. "You're gonna give yourself a head ache dad, if you keep up staring like that," he mumbled. Glitch cringed the slightest bit at being caught staring, and turned to face his son. "I know, but I can't help it." "I miss him too," Wes said softly. They sat in silence, until Wes broke it.

"Dad?" "Hmm?" "W-would you really have shot that guy?" "I don't know Wes. I wasn't thinking clearly, all I saw was dad going over the edge, and Tony was taunting me…it seemed like a…well not a good idea exactly, but…I scared myself there. " "He deserved it I think," Wes said, his voice low but scalding. "Doesn't mean you can just shoot him in the back. Dad wouldn't have. It's just dishonorable," Glitch answered. "I guess. But, he shouldn't just get away with it." He won't 'just get away with it', Glitch thought, but of course he couldn't tell his son that. "Dad's gonna be ok, right?" "Right. He is the best Tin Man around, after all. And you know how he's big into the outdoors and such. He'll find us, and we'll finish the Witch, and go back home, and everything will be all right," Glitch said, more to himself than Wes. "Should we wake the others then, get a move on?" "No, we'll wait. Let them sleep." "Even if we move, he'll still be able to find us." "I know Wes, but, I want to stay here a little longer." "Ok dad, whatever you say."

Dew dripped from Cain's hat to splash on his face. He frowned in his sleep, thinking maybe Glitch had moved, and was drooling…again. He reached out blindly to shove his head case away, but his hand met empty air. Blue eyes opened in alarm before his brain could catch up with him. That's right, Glitch wasn't with him. He was alone, battered, in the wilderness of the Other Side. Number one on his list of ways he didn't want to wake up. Ever again. Worse, his muscles still ached, making getting to his feet more of a chore than it should have been. He was not looking forward to the climb back up the godforsaken cliff. Not to mention nothing looked the same any more. He was beginning to feel like this was just a game to the Witch, they she was enjoying changing the world around and mess with their heads. Cain did not enjoy being a pawn in some game. He would beat her at it if it killed him.

Climbing up a cliff face that was practically 90 degrees with sore limbs and bruised ribs was not something Cain would recommend to anyone. What he could probably do in a few hours was taking nearly the entire day. He stopped every few feet to catch his breath and rest, and it seemed like each time he did, the sun sunk a little lower in the sky. He had already stripped off his coat and tied it around his waist and rolled up his sleeves, but was soaked with sweat and exhausted. He'd been at it for hours, and the lack of food or water was starting to get to him. Cain took his hat off, wiping the sweat from his brow that dripped and stung his eyes. By the time yet another day had almost gone by, he could see the top of the cliff, and grinned weakly to think of Glitch's reaction to him just waltzing back to him. Knowing his head case, he'd probably burst into tears. Or scold him and make him promise to never go out again. Or both. That was more likely.

"Glitch, could you please sit down? I can't see out the back with your head there," DG said, glancing in the rearview mirror. "But…" "I know, you're worried about leaving without Cain, but it's not safe to stay there. And he'll be able to find us. Don't worry too much." Glitch bit his lip worriedly, but sat down, making sure not even his curls were blocking her view. She rolled her eyes, chuckling at him. In truth, she was a little concerned about Cain being able to find them. Not because she doubted his tracking skills, but because he'd fallen so far, and was probably hurt, she didn't want him to have long to catch up to them. But, she knew he wouldn't want them to remain where they'd been attacked. It would just be asking for more trouble. So, she was surreptitiously looking for places to set up camp that were protected, but not too far out of the way.

"What about that?" Blake nodded off to the left. DG slowed the car to look. It was a small clearing, surrounded by trees on three sides. The ground looked flat enough, though it was dusty. But the sun was setting, so it would do. "That'll work I suppose. Wren, Wes, could you two get the tents? Glitch, you want to help me get the fire started?" Glitch followed her out of the car, hanging his head. "I know we haven't found him yet, but look at it this way, I'm sure Cain's out looking for us, and the fire will lead him straight to camp," DG said, showing Blake how to set rocks into a circle to make a fire pit. "That's true. All right, do we have matches?" "There's some in the trunk I think, Uncle Glitch," Wren called as she and Wes hauled the bundle of tents to the clearing.

There was a small, twisted book of matches half buried in the corner of the trunk. Glitch had to climb in so just his feet stuck out to reach them. And then they were stuck with chewed gum to the upholstery. "Of course," he growled, tugging the cardboard packet. The gum stretched out, not letting go. Glitch scrambled backward, and the others paused to watch as he struggled. "This is going to end badly," Blake muttered. "I wish I had a camera," DG answered gleefully. "A what?" "I'll explain later." "Almost got it," Glitch grunted. He took another step back, slipped on a lone twig, and went pinging back into the trunk. "Oh no," Wren winced at the loud thunk as he hit. "Glitch? You ok?" DG asked. "I got the matches," his pale hand shot up in the air. "But, I got gum in my hair!"

Cain sighed. He'd figured that they'd move on, but he'd sort of hoped maybe Glitch had talked him out of it. However, he had tire tracks to follow in the morning. Right now, he needed to sleep. He couldn't follow them in the dark when he still couldn't walk a perfectly straight line. And people called him stubborn. The only problem was he didn't have anything to set up a tent with. Apparently he was going to sleep under the stars. Maybe he could try and figure out the constellations, and why there was only the one moon.

"Ow! DG, that's my hair you're yanking!"

"Well I'm sorry Glitch, you've got gum all stuck in it."

"I know, all because somebody needed some matches. Couldn't you just wave your hand, make some fire?"

"I don't want to use magic for everything. It's sure to get the attention of the Witch for one, and we need to conserve energy," DG let go of the sticky pink mess Glitch's curls had become. "We're gonna have to cut it."

"Cut it?!" Glitch squeaked. "But it's my hair!"

"Do you want to walk around the rest of your life with pink goo in your hair?" "…No," Glitch sulked. "Ok then. Wren, go into the car, get me the knife," DG ordered. Wren giggled at the stricken look on Glitch's face, and did as her mom said. "Knife? You're going to hack the gum out of my hair?!" His voice rose approximately eight octaves, until DG was sure that if there were any dogs in the area, they were howling. "Relax, it'll be fine."

"Got the knife mum!" Wren held it out to DG. "Thanks," DG laid the knife flat in her palm. "What are you going to do?" Glitch asked. "I'm not going to hack at your hair. You've already been a zipperhead once. I won't do that to you again. I'm just going to make some scissors," DG explained. "What about no unnecessary magic? I don't want the Witch coming back." "I don't count this as unnecessary," DG concentrated on the knife in her hand, which glowed brightly, before spinning rapidly. When the glow diminished and it stopped spinning, a pair of gleaming silver scissors rested in her hand.

"Ready Glitch?"

"No. I changed my mind, I like the gum hair look." Glitch tried to stand up from the foldable chair DG had sat him down in. DG grabbed his shoulders and shoved him back down. "Blake, could you help?" Blake got up and held down Glitch's arms, not too hard, but restraining him all the same. Glitch whimpered, trying to buck up. "Glitch, don't make me have to tie you to the chair. I promise you won't be bald when I'm done," she vowed. She raised the scissors, and held up a lock of gum stuck hair. Glitch sagged forward in the chair. "What happened?"

"He fainted…again."

A/N: Will Cain make it back to Glitch? How short will Glitch's hair be? These questions and more will be answered in the next installment. Reviews make me type faster. Just saying is all…