Tonight I Wanna Cry 1/?

[smartoompaa.livejournal.com]

Title- Alone again in this house tonight
Pairing- Dg/Cain
Rating- Pg-13
Summary- Fic based on the long Tonight I Wanna Cry by Keith Urban and what happens where the movie Tin Man leaves off
Disclaimer- Neither the song nor anything having to do with Tin Man belongs to me
Thanks to my wonderful absolutely positively amazing beta brunette89. I love ya babe!

The nameless soldier gave one last shattered gasp before the last of the light slipped from his lips. Dg held his hand tightly as tears poured down her cheeks. She rubbed the back of her filthy, bloody hand across her eyes and took a mournful breath.

While her newfound family stayed on the balcony looking out over the Oz, Dg had fled, unable to bear scrutinizing her once beautiful lands.

The lands that she had betrayed by letting go of Az’s hand.

It hadn’t taken long to decide where she wanted to spend her life. It also hadn’t taken long to find the small field hospital. The moans of the broken and dying led her there.

*~*~*

DG stepped out of the tower, only to have her eyes flooded with horror. Hundreds of men were lying on the cold ground, bleeding to death. She only spied one doctor in the disarray that was supposed to be a hospital. The only thing the ‘hospital’ consisted of was dirt and grime. Dg was mortified. Without a second thought, DG ran into the fray.

Dg looked up and met the eyes of the frenzied doctor who was rushing madly from one patient to the other. Those who were breaths away from dying were not being treated. With more and more injured arriving by the seconds there was little that could be done. The triage was chaos. As it was, those that were destined for the grim were left. DG decided to step in then and there.

After all…… No one should die alone.

Sighing heavily, she moved out of the doctor’s way. He had just tended to a young woman, who was crying hysterically and shrieking at the top of her lungs. It looked as though she had been shot in the chest, and probably wouldn’t last another five minutes. Kneeling beside her, DG pulled the woman into her arms with surprising ease. She did’’t think for one second about all the blood, sweat, and grime that were staining her clothing. All DG wanted was for the woman to feel like she was loved in her last few moments. As the woman’s shrieks fell to a low moan, she clung to DG. Without thinking, DG began to hum a soft lullaby and stroke the woman’s hair. She knew it was all over when the woman went limp in her arms.

Another fallen.
Clenching her eyes shut, DG pushed away the wave of pain. She would deal with her emotions later.

After laying the now peaceful woman back on the ground, Dg moved to the next person. On and on it went. Who ever needed holding she held. Whoever needed a hand to hold or an arm to squeeze through the pain she was there.

Soon, DG was asked to help with those patients that still had a fighting chance. Dg solemnly moved away from where she had been doing the majority of the work. As people were coming in, a couple of resistance fighters split them into two groups: Those that could be saved, and those that couldn’t. Now, Dg was being led to the side that was designated for those that had hope. She became the Doctor’s assistant, doing whatever he requested or needed. She held men down, injected what little meds were available, dressed wounds, and whatever else that needed to be done.

Dg was now glad she had a strong stomach. During the whole process, she never had time to think.

Only time to act.

From the moment she had started helping the doctor, she knew she liked him. He wanted to help every single patient. The fact that he couldn’t save them all didn’t stop him from trying. He too wanted to hold the hand of every dying patient, and they shared the feeling of hurt that not everyone could be reached.

The stream of injured was endless. While they were working over another gunshot victim, DG finally found time to ask the doctor a question that had been burning in her mind ever since she met him.

"Why are you the only doctor here?"

The doc didn’t bother to look up. Not that she had expected him to; he was a busy man.

"Before I joined the resistance, I had my own practice. It seems I am the only trained medic in the force that attacked the tower. As for the absence of other personnel, the medical teams have yet to arrive, and unless you work miracles as well as you work bandages, they probably never will. I’m the only chance these men have."

This was the man she had now come to know as Doctor Matthews. After hours of treating patients side-by-side, they moved in sync. DG was able to hand him what instruments he needed before he asked for them, making it easier to talk.

"Why won’t medical teams arrive?"

"Because they no longer exist. The witch knew that if she weakened the people, she would be met with less resistance. One of her very first orders was to destroy any and all hospitals. I had to go into hiding." Matthews looked up briefly at something concerning her right shoulder. "You might want to explain to Cain why you have bruises all over your arms, before he finds the opportunity to tear me to shreds."

Dg finished wrapping a bandage tightly around the patient’s chest and moved on to the next patient with Matthews.

"Mr. Cain isn’t around, so you needn’t worry."

"Think again." Matthews nodded to something, or someone, behind her. He lowered his voice. "He’s been here as long as you have, silently watching out for you. You’ve just been too busy to notice."

Dg cleared her throat before briefly glancing at her arms. They were purple and blue from elbow to wrist. Even her hands were discolored. So many people had had her in the death grip as she tended to their wounds.

"He is going to kill me."

"He doesn’t look particularly happy."

Dg winced. "Well, if he was really that unhappy with me, he could’ve stopped me hours ago. I see no reason to stop now, just because he’s scowling at me."

Matthews smiled slightly. "Thank you for all your help, Princess, but nobody expects you to be here, and I certainly wouldn’t think less of you if you left."

Dg’s eyes hardened. "I’m not helping to gain public opinion, and I’m certainly not helping because I feel it’s expected of me."

This time Matthews gave her a full-blown smile. "I think I like you."
*~*~*
By the time the suns had risen signaling the next morning, Dg was still helping Matthews, deliriously.

"Cain, can you get her out of here?" Dg heard Matthews asking, seconds before a pair of strong hands pulling her up gently.

"Come on Dg, you need to sleep."

Dg was too exhausted to fight as Cain began to lead her back into the tower.

"Don’t wanna go back in there, Mr. Cain……" She mumbled.

"Sorry kiddo, what you need right now is some serious rest."
Dg tried to dig her heels into the ground, but she only succeeded in tripping herself. She probably would’ve fallen face first into the dirt if it hadn’t been for Cain’s quick reflexes.

"I promise I’ll rest…… just…… just don’t make me go back in there." DG begged.

Cain stopped for a moment and looked down at his Princess. Sometime in the night, she had pulled her hair into a bun. Now, it was falling around her face in disarray. Her face was ghostly white and her eyes were wide, bloodshot and full of fear. She was covered from head to toe in other people’s blood and it made his stomach turn. Her arms were covered in bruises and cuts; Cain spied a bruise forming under her right eye where she had caught the sharp elbow of a resistance fighter.

"Kiddo…… you need to sleep. The only place with proper beds in walking distance is the Tower." He tried to be gentle.

"Don’t make me go in there, please." Dg stared up at him. Cain looks as lost as he felt and due to his confusion, his voice came out gruffer than intended.

"Where do you suggest I put you?"

"Just leave me alone Mr. Cain, and you won’t have to worry about it." Dg yanked her arm away from him, face etched in pain. Cain drew in a sharp breath.

"I’m sorry…… I didn’t mean it like that." Rubbing at his eyes with the heel of his hand, he guiltily gave in. "Let’s go find Jeb. If he’s still out in the field, maybe…… and I do mean maybe…… we can stay there."

"We?" Dg yawned.

"Yes, We." Cain offered her his arm.

Dg smiled slightly and threaded her arm through his. "Okay."

*~*~*When Jeb heard footsteps headed in his direction, he immediately jolted awake. That’s when he saw his father leading the Princess, who looked not only bloodstained, but also exhausted. Concern replaced his raging curiosity. Standing, he smiled gently at Dg. The smile came naturally, almost as if his body had been begging to do that exact motion for a very long time. The young princess just seemed to bring out the best in people.

"Princess."

She didn’t respond; she just stared at him.

"Are you okay?"
"She’s fine." Cain offered for her. Jeb looked at his father frowning slightly.

"Then why is she covered in blood?"

"I was helping Doctor Matthews with the wounded fighters." She answered for Cain in return, moving quietly to sit by the fire.

"She was doing what?" Jeb asked, incredulously. Cain shook his head in an ‘‘I’ll explain everything later" sort of way. Jeb rolled his eyes, but nodded nonetheless.

"She refuses to go back to the tower, and I was hoping I could stay here with her." Cain sighed.

"Okay." Jeb numbly answered. Cain pushed past Jeb and sat next to Dg, pulling her into his arms.

"You’re safe now, you can close your eyes and go to sleep." He murmured. Dg rested her head on his solid chest as if it was the most natural thing in the world to do.

"I don’t know if I will ever feel safe again." Dg whispered. Cain pulled back slightly, shrugged his duster off, and wrapped it around her trembling form.

"I’m right here, kiddo. I’m not going any where."

Dg nestled closer to him. "If I had known how warm you were, I would have-" Her jaw popped open with another yawn. "Well, I would have slept in your arms every night we were traveling."

"Go to sleep, Deej." Cain hid his smile from his son in her hair.

"’Kay." Another yawn escaped her as she wiggled even closer. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath, taking in the leather of Cain’s duster. She heard a snicker. "Stop laughing at me, Jeb Cain." She ordered with a tired smile.

"Yes ma’am."

"Night." She murmured before she fell into a restful sleep in her Tin Man’s arms.

 

*~*~*
Dg woke up completely disoriented, with a nagging feeling that something was horribly wrong. Blinking several times to clear the blur, she tried to focus. Everything seemed to be black or grey and quite blurry, with no real form or shape whatsoever. Whatever it was in front of her eyes, it seemed to be dancing…… or rather flitting around her. With a low moan of regret, she pulled her head out from under Cain’s chin. Moving slowly so she didn’t wake him, Dg looked around, searching for the source of her unease. This was of course was hard to do, due to the fact nothing around her was staying still, and she had no idea what any of it was. Groaning, she pulled her arms from where they were manacled around Cain’s waist. Sliding her arms into the sleeves of his duster, she staggered to her feet, only to trip and fall after failing to properly gain her balance. She supposed this was only due to her many hours of lost sleep since entering the Oz. In fact, she couldn’t remember the last time she had had a decent nights sleep. Even before she had been tossed into the Oz, her nights had been plagued with dreams of things that made no sense at the time. After a deep breath, Dg forced herself to her feet again, managing to stay upright this time. She rubbed her eyes, but that only caused them to burn.

"Damn." Dg just knew that before this day was out, she was going to get a migraine. Casting her eyes about, she tried to make out the pulsing images around her. It looked like some men were lying on the ground, fast asleep, while others were in groups talking quietly. If her ears could be trusted, the ‘hospital’ was now, once again, in full swing.

"Princess Dg, are you all right?"

"Jeb?" Hearing rather than seeing Jeb she turned partly to her left. Jeb reiterated his previous question.

"Yes. Are you all right?" It sounded like he was moving closer. Dg smiled in his general direction, but it was a facade for her incoming panic.

"Other than my eyes being slightly out of whack, I’m perfectly all right. Just a little groggy is all." Dg couldn’t keep the fake smile anymore. A hand touched her arm unexpectedly and she jumped. The hand she assumed to be Jeb’s.

"Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. As for your eyes, you probably just need more sleep. You’ve only had a couple of hours’ rest."

"I’m perfectly fine, and I certainly do not need more sleep. I just need to give my eyes a few more minutes to adjust, things are already getting a bit clearer." She lied through her teeth. Jeb sighed, sounding a lot like his father.

"You’re stubborn."

"So I’m constantly told, most of the time by your father." Dg huffed. Jeb laughed softly so he wouldn’t wake the elder Cain.

"How’s your eyesight now?" Jeb kept his hand on her arm. Dg turned completely so she could face him. Tilting her head back slightly, she beamed up at him.

"Right now? Almost perfect." She turned back to the sleeping Tin Man and draped the duster back over him, smiling slightly at his sleeping form. "And now it’s back to work."

This time Jeb frowned. "You need to get some rest princess."

"My name is Dg, and I do not have time to rest. I guarantee Matthews is still working his ass off, and I also guarantee he is in desperate need of help."

"Dg- "

"Don’t argue me on this Jeb Cain. You won’t win." Dg strode away. Jeb reluctantly nodded his head and followed her to her station. Dg, however, still had something pulling in the pit of her stomach.

*~*~*
Cain woke up with a start and cursed something awful when he realized Dg was no longer in the safety of his arms. Jumping to his feet, he scanned his surroundings, filled with worry. Dg wasn’t anywhere to be seen. Jeb too was missing, and he hoped that meant his son was with his princess, watching over her. With a sick feeling in his stomach, Cain began his search for them both. He wasn’t going to be at ease until Dg was within a stride of him. Though his promise to the Mystic Man had long since been fulfilled, he hadn’t given up his post as her personal shadow. There were plenty of people out there who would be twisted enough to hurt Dg. The witch’s followers were still high in numbers, and the Princess of light would be a prime target. Needless to say, he wasn’t letting Dg out of his sight again any time in the near future.

His first guess as to her whereabouts was the hospital. It was just the place she would return to and once again offer assistance, even if it tore her heart to shreds. Heading that direction, he kept his face stern and his senses sharp. He couldn’t let his panic over take him.

When he arrived at the hospital, it didn’t take long to catch sight of his son. From there, his gaze traveled to where Jeb’s eyes were riveted. Sure enough, there was his princess, laboring beside Matthews. As much as he wanted to stride over to Dg and take her away from this place, he forced himself to seek out his son first.

"Son."

"She’’s more stubborn than you originally led me to believe." Jeb remarked. Cain couldn’t help but laugh.

"She certainly doesn’t listen to orders, that’s for sure.""

"She’s also determined to help every single person in this hospital, even if it kills her. She really should quit."

"Dg will never quit. Not until one of the suns falls from the sky. I wonder why her parents haven’t sent someone to look for her yet." Cain thought aloud. Jeb shrugged.

"They’re to busy calming Azkadellia down and trying to regain control of the Oz. They don’t have time to track down the younger Princess. People are already rioting."
Cain rubbed his three-day scruff. "I’m just hoping that no one tried to hurt the royal family in the midst of trying to get the Oz settled again."
*~*~*
Dg nearly collapsed when her lower back spasmed with cramps from crouching so long. Stretching out carefully she felt it safe to move on. After a while though, she knew she needed a break.

"Doctor Matthews, I’m going to take a short break, if that’s alright. I’ll be back in a few minutes."

"Take your time Princess Dorothy."

"It’s just Dg." Dg corrected him.

"Dg." Matthews granted her a brief smile before returning to his work. Heading to where she saw Cain watching her, she stopped when she was toe to toe with him.

"Stop scowling." She ordered with a laugh.

"You disappeared on me this morning and I don’t take very kindly to that."

"Sorry Mr. Cain. I’ll try not to ditch you next time, but you looked so peaceful asleep." Dg didn’t even flinch at the biting steel in his voice. Cain blushed slightly.

"Doesn’t matter what I look like or what I’m doing. Don’t wander off without me. As a matter of fact, if you ever have a problem with your eyesight again, I expect you to wake me up immediately." He crossed his arms. Dg cursed Jeb in her head.

"I think Matthews is calling me. I better go." Grimacing she began to turn away. Cain grabbed her arm before she could escape.

"Dg, promise me." It came out softly and it surprised her.

"Okay. I promise not to wander off without you." Dg sighed and admitted inevitable defeat.

"And?" Cain prompted.

"To tell you when I’m experiencing eye problems." She added reluctantly.

"When you experience problems of any kind."

"Fine. Problems of any kind." She agreed grudgingly. Cain gave her a half smile.

"That wasn’t so hard was it?"
"Depends on who you ask." Dg took a step back. "But I really better get back and help Matthews." She moved to walk away. Cain began to nod his agreement when out of the corner of his eye, he caught the flash of a gun being fired. Before he fully realized what Dg was doing, he tackled her to the ground.

"Cain!" She screamed, clutching to him as he lay protectively over her. Cain was already searching for the attacker with his gun, but the shooter was long gone. He saw Matthews and Jeb running towards them. Knowing the immediate danger was gone, he looked down at Dg. She was deathly white and her eyes were wide with disbelief.

"Are you okay, kiddo?" He moved slightly so he wasn’t squishing her. Dg snapped back to reality.

"I think I’m going to have a concussion. You tackle like a linebacker." She complained.

"Like a what?" He asked, confused.

"Never mind. Help me up." As soon as he helped Dg up, Doctor Matthews took over for him, checking her for injuries. Cain turned to Jeb, his expression murderous.

"Find him."
*~*~*
"Cain, you’re overacting. Why do you want to do this to me? I don’t want to go back there!" Dg protested angrily. Cain pursed his lips and pulled back on the reign of his anger.

"The Queen and Consort agreed it was best for you and Az to be somewhere safe where no danger could possibly reach you. Right now, your mother is summoning a travel storm. You’re leaving tonight. After everything is prepared and contingencies are in place, Azkadellia, Jeb, a couple of guards, and I will all come first thing tomorrow morning."

Tears filled Dg’s eyes. "What about Glitch and Raw?"

"The queen is trying to figure out a way to put Glitch’s brain back in, and Raw is going to stay and try to help."

"This is stupid and it’s not fair!"

"I know Princess, but this is how it’s going to have to be."
*~*~*
The travel storm dropped her right in front of the old farmhouse that had served as her home for most of her life. This time when she landed, she was conscious. She did, however, feel slightly sick, but that could’ve been equated to the separation from her faithful bodyguard.

It looked just like she remembered. Sighing heavily she trudged up the porch steps, and lucky for her, the spare key was still housed in a little plastic rock that sat under the porch swing. Flicking lights on as she went inside, she decided on food as her next endeavor. Jumping at each little creak the house made, she realized she was more skittish then normal. She couldn’t help but wish Cain, Jeb, and Az were already here with her. She knew that they were coming in the morning, but she didn’t like feeling abandoned. There was no hope for it though.

She was going to be alone in this house tonight.

Authors Note- Please Comment!

 

Comments

[n-e-star.livejournal.com]

That was amazing!

[smartoompaa.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I tried!

[averypartofme.livejournal.com]

That was a wonderful beginning! I can't wait to read more!

[smartoompaa.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm super glad you liked it!

[jaimek0704.livejournal.com]

Loved it! I really like how you have DG working herself into exhaustion to help the injured. And I always love protective Cain. I'm looking forward to more.

[smartoompaa.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for your lovely comment!

[frostydreamer.livejournal.com]

this was great i really liked it. DG and Cain stayed in character that is the best.

[smartoompaa.livejournal.com]

Thank you so very very much! Love hearing from you!

[tardisinthesgc.livejournal.com]

*franticly searches for more* I'm going into withdrawal! I need more!! *faints*

[smartoompaa.livejournal.com]

Don't die on me!!!! I'm currently working on the next part don't worry it will come! Thank you!