Author's Note: Hi All, just a quick note to say three little things.
1. I'm sorry I haven't updated recently- busy summer!
2. I've just realised that there is no disclaimer for this story so:
Disclaimer: I don't own Tin Man. I just own my imagination!
3. Thank you all so much for reading! I've so surprised and honoured that so many of you do read! Please feel more than free to leave a review!

Chapter Eleven: The Princess's Study

It the light that broke the moment for them.

A bright shaft of light from dawning suns had rushed across the study and bathed the Tin Man and the Princess in its glow. They had been sat or knelt unmoving for a long time: neither of them wanted to move but- neither had answers for all of the questions which lay unsaid between them.

'How do you feel?' Cain asked pulling DG to her feet.

'Fine... well tired but I don't have a fever.'

'Hmm...' Cain was observing her fiercely. DG reached out and pressed his palm against her forehead.

'See?'

'Still a hell of a risk you took last night Kiddo. I really thought I might lose you...' His tone was light but DG didn't notice. Her mind was focus on the fact that he had said "I might" rather than we might... It gave her some hope.

'Think you're stuck with me Tin Man.' She said quietly, and again the space between the two of them filled up with questions.

Wyatt Cain gave a rueful smile and nodded.

'Cain...' DG started but paused suddenly unsure of herself. 'We'll work this out, right?'

'There are big things going on in the world DG...' Cain so rarely called her DG that she felt panic race in her heart...

'And I can't deal with them without you!'

He moved fast catching her wrist with one hand and cupping her chin with the other.

'Of course you can.'

'I don't want to...' she whispered.

'I ain't going no-where.' DG smiled. Cain seemed to suddenly realise how closely together they were standing and dropped her wrist but kept holding her face... he very gently pressed a kiss onto her forehead. 'I ain't going no-where.' He repeated.

DG nodded. Cain released her and walking purposefully opened the door gesturing for DG to lead the way.

There was no time for DG to go back to sleep. The suns were pretty well up and the rest of the palace was beginning to awaken. In her suite she sat on the edge of her bed staring at the bruise on her arm. Despite her claims to Cain it was sore... it was several different shades of red and purple. She would have to get Raw to look at it for her. Without Cain knowing.

DG realised that she had the familiar sensation of blood pulsing through her- especially her finger tips, just thinking about the Tin Man. Her blood cooled significantly as she realised that nothing was really different...

Yes they had finally spoken about The Dance... about the kiss. But still, she didn't know where he stood. Did he like her? The expression made her wince even thinking it. It felt childish and so trivial in comparison with how she felt about Wyatt Cain.

Ok... she thought. Not like but- did he care about her? The way she cared for him... If he did, would he act on those feelings? Should she act on her own feelings? DG felt suddenly lost and overwhelmed the questions she had shut out of her mind for so long came rushing back. But the memory of the sensation of the Tin Man pressing a kiss to her forehead cut through the confusion.

He wasn't going anywhere.

Taking a deep breath DG focused on that. Whatever was going on with them... they would work it out. The promise of that was in the kiss. And until they did he was still her friend... he was Wyatt Cain. She sent up some prayers that they had fixed their damaged relationship.

Another deep breath and she was ready to face the day. After a wash and a change of clothes that is.

(#)

After escorting DG to her rooms Cain had gone to his own. He'd washed, shaved and changed his clothes. Now he sat looking out of the window.

Since the dance he'd been trying to keep his distance from DG. Physically and emotionally. A week or so after the dance they had, had an awkward conversation... That was just hours before she'd absconded out her bedroom window. It had been him who had found her gone. He had known instantly what she'd done. But part of him was glad. She'd faded since her mother had taken the throne again... Retreated from her family and... from him.

The dance had been the first time she'd been in 'full colour' since things had settled into a routine. That was why he couldn't leave her alone. DG in complete technicolour was addictive. She made him feel like he was really living; actually doing something that could change the world.

That was what had made him go back to her at the Mystic Man's... part of him needed to be around her. When he was near her he felt like... like he was completely out of the damn suit. Because in the quiet of his own mind there was a tiny part still there. DG... when she was properly DG... filled up even that part of his mind.

Which is why kissing her was such a bad idea.

He was in love with her. He had known that from the moment their eyes had met at the witch's death. But she was a Princess. She could have her pick of any man in the O.Z... An aged, widowed Tin Man was not a good choice for her. Whatever she felt for him... And that was pity probably...

He was staying with a deep breath Wyatt Cain focused on that. He hoped that their conversation had fixed their damaged relationship.

(#)

They had, without discussing it, gathered in DG's study. One by one that had arrived, they made some small talk and fallen silent- Jeb, his father, Glitch, Raw, DG and Azkadellia...

'Can we start again?' Azkadellia asked suddenly.

'What do you mean?' Glitch asked.

'Let's go over everything to do with the Malady again. From the beginning.' They all exchanged glances.

'Sound like a good idea.' The Tin Man said.

'Okay- let's go.' DG stood up and grabbed some papers towards her.

'How many people are affected?'

'Latest numbers are 242... 22 dead... 38 currently turned...'

'Is it still just within Central City?'

'Yes. However there are more people within the palace getting sick now...'

'Am I causing it?' DG asked voice high.

'We don't think so... Jeb isn't turning and we've confirmed that you haven't drawn at least 28 of those people who are sick. Plus... you know... you're okay.' Glitch met DG's eyes.

'Yes okay. It was a stupid idea and I won't do it again!' She shrugged and there were a few smiles... 'Seriously guys. I'm sorry.' DG said quietly. Her sister moved round the table and gave her a hug.

'Just don't try it again, Deeg, okay?' Laughing she nodded.

'Do the 242 people have anything in common?' Jeb asked to clear the air.

'Not that we can find... they don't eat from same food vendors. They don't drink from the same well. Mix with the same people. All we really have is that they are all Central City residents.'

'So what do all Central City residents do?'

'Apart from, eat, sleep and work you mean?' Asked Jeb wryly.

'Pay taxes?' Suggested Ambrose equally as wryly.

'Maybe they use the same streets?' said Azkadellia.

'Hang on. That's not a bad idea...' DG held up a hand eyes beginning widen.

'What infected streets?'

'No- the taxes...'

'But every adult has to pay taxes... but some of the Turning Malady victims, they're children.'

'But what do their taxes pay for?' DG asked.

'Maintenance of the city,' began the Advisor... 'Protection from the Tin Men, contribution to the crown... use of the healers... oh and most recently...' Glitch looked up at DG who nodded to Wyatt Cain.

'The Classes...' they said together.

DG and Az's first actual steps in the governing and ruling the O.Z had been suggesting that Central City was a pilot for a national education programme. At the moment it was some sheds called schools, all over the city, where reading, writing, self defence and basic hygiene was taught. Surprisingly the hygiene classes were the least popular.

'Could all 242 of them have gone to classes?' Azkadellia asked beginning to pull piles of notes towards her and leafing through them.

'Those under 16 have to... one night a week... And it's highly likely that everyone else did. We've had to put double the number of tutors we thought we'd need in the city...' Glitch said moving closer to Az and looking at the papers to.

'I haven't ever been to one...' DG said quietly.

'And you're not sick. But I have.' Jeb said as the others leafed through paper work. 'I taught a self defence class for a few weeks in the lower town.'

'So have a few of the other Palace staff... it was strongly suggested by your sister that they helped the teaching of reading and writing in the outer and lower town...' Cain said his eyes still locked with DGs.

'Well... they're so lucky to be educated at all!' Azkadellia said blushing. Glitch squeezed her arm reassuringly and said-

'Brilliant idea.'

'Are we sure about this?' General Cain said to the room, looking to Glitch and his son.

'Everyone we've looked at is in the area for a school... we don't keep records of attendance so we can't be 100% but it's our only idea...'

'So we go look at the schools.' DG said.

'No. We don't. I will go look at the schools.' Jeb Cain looked from DG to his father to the others.

'Jeb right. He already sick. To be risky for others.' Raw spoke for the first time in a long time.

'Of course.' Glitch said quietly. 'If we're right and we go searching around...'

'You all get sick. Not okay. O.Z need you.' Raw said.

'Are you feeling up to this?' Cain asked his son.

'I'll take some men with me- those who have already been to the classes... and who volunteer.'

'Good.' Cain said nodding at his son.

'Okay. Az?' DG looked at her sister. Her green eyes were watery and fearful but as they met DG's blue ones they gained resolve.

'Do it.'

'DG?' Jeb looked at her, and she nodded. He hurried away.

The others exchanged glances. They might be getting somewhere... Azkadellia returned, with Glitch and Raw to searching the paper work. DG looked again at Wyatt Cain, they exchanged a dry smile and settled down to wait.