Second Chances: Ch. 4
Title: Second Chances
Author: American Fairy
Rating: PG but that might change in the future
Characters: Pretty much everyone from the show including a few OCs
Pairings: Cain/DG UST, Jeb/OFC, Ahamo/Lavender
Summary: They're all looking for second chances. As they learn that the witch's plans went beyond just bringing darkness to the OZ will they be able to redeem themselves or are they doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past?
Warnings: None really.
Disclaimer: I do not own Tin Man or The Wizard of Oz. Just a fangirl throwing in my thoughts from the peanut gallery. little_swirl was actually the first person to have the Tin Men call each other “Tin Man so-and-so” so credit for that goes to her. Seeing as I read more fanfiction than a person should if I accidently borrowed something from you and didn’t credit please let me know so I can fix it. Any other mistakes are my own.
Word Count: 2,934
Azkadellia sat at her vanity staring at her reflection in the mirror. These days she hardly ever left her room. She felt safer there. While the soldiers and the servants had never been openly hostile she could still feel the anger and hate coming off of them in waves. And it was all directed towards her.
Leaning forward she took a closer look at her reflection. It didn’t matter that she was a changed person, that the evil witch that had infected her body and controlled the majority of her actions was dead her face was still the same. It was her face that the people of the O.Z. had grown to fear and hate not that of the witch.
She picked up the brush and began to absently run it through her hair while she listened to the silence. After fifteen annuals of having the witch in her head the silence was a bit overwhelming. She listened to the ticking of the clock as some birds sang, their voices coming through the open window. It was usually at times like these when the witch would speak up in that harsh, grating voice ordering her around like a little child.
That voice never came. Sometimes she was worried that it was all a dream and that at any moment the voice would return. Instead it was a knock on the door that shattered the silence causing Azkadellia to drop her brush.
Startled, she turned towards the door. “Come in!” she called thanking the gods that her voice did not indicate her surprise.
The door opened to reveal Lavender. The queen stood in the doorway for a moment looking almost uncertain.
“Good morning, my darling. Are you coming down for breakfast?”
Azkadellia’s eyebrows drew together in confusion. “Why yes of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“We had thought you had slept in,” the queen replied gently. “It’s nearly eight o’clock.”
Azkadellia was surprised. It wasn’t that she had slept in. In fact she hardly slept at all these days. It was that she had lost track of the time. Rising quickly she crossed the room to walk with her mother down to the breakfast room.
***
Breakfast was the same every morning. Though the meal was considered a “family meal” meaning no diplomats or visiting nobles dined with them Ambrose and Tutor would often join them. After all, they were practically family. The queen and consort would discuss the day’s upcoming activities with the advisor while Tutor and DG would talk about lessons. Azkadellia often just sat in silence barely eating and refusing to join in on the conversation.
As Azkadellia sat down next to her sister Ahamo turned to both of his daughters with a broad smile. “Are you two excited about returning to Central City?”
“Yes, Daddy,” Azkadellia replied dutifully. Out of the corner of her eye she saw DG smile in response. She was certain that her sister was not smiling about returning to Central City but about seeing a certain someone who was there. Lowering her head, she started to pick at her eggs and toast and reminded herself to hold her tongue. It wouldn’t do any good trying to stir up things that probably weren’t even there.
“DG, my darling, there is something your father and I would like to ask you to do on the way to Central City if you feel that you are up to it.” Something about her mother’s soft tone caused Azkadellia to look up. Glancing over at her sister she could tell that DG sensed it too as she and the rest of the table’s occupants seemed to be waiting with an air of expectation.
“Okay,” DG answered slowly with an air of caution.
“Ambrose and Tutor tell us that you managed to heal a tree in the fields of the Papay.” It was more of a question than a statement. Ahamo placed his hand on his wife’s shoulder and she reached up to grasp it.
“Yeah, I did. It wasn’t a big deal really once I understood what I was doing. I wanted to stop and heal some more but we were in a hurry.” DG shrugged as if healing dead trees was the most natural thing in the world.
Ahamo cleared his throat. “I think what your mother is trying to ask is whether you’re willing to stop and heal the rest of the fields on the way to Central City.”
“And having the Papay as our allies would be a great benefit,” Ambrose supplied.
“Sure,” DG replied easily. “Just tell me what I need to do and I’ll do it.”
Azkadellia openly gaped at her sister. “DG, do you realize just how much magic that’s going to take? It takes a lot of power to completely restore one dead tree, a feat that only a few mages can accomplish. But to be able to heal a whole field? Only the strongest can do that.”
DG straightened up and looked at her sister. “I can do it if it needs to be done. Besides, don’t you remember what the Mystic Man said?”
As soon as the words were out of her mouth Azkadellia made a small noise and pressed her napkin to her mouth as the memory of the Mystic Man’s last moments popped into her head. Everyone turned towards her in concern.
“Oh Az, I’m so sorry! I shouldn’t have said that. I didn’t mean it like that!” DG was speaking quickly, trying to calm her sister. It had been almost a month since Azkadellia had had an emotional breakdown. They used to happen on a daily basis.
After a moment of sitting there with her eyes tightly shut Azkadellia put her napkin down and offered her sister what she hoped was a reassuring smile. “It’s alright. Really, it is.”
DG still looked doubtful but she quietly went back to her breakfast. After a moment Ambrose and Tutor followed her example. Lavender and Ahamo continued to watch their daughter in concern, though.
“And you’re right,” Azkadellia continued surprising everyone at the table.
“I’m - what?” DG asked clearly confused.
“You’re right. The Mystic Man did say that you were more powerful than me. So if you say that you can heal the Papay fields then I say that you are right.” Azkadellia smiled at her sister’s surprised expression. When was the last time she had smiled a genuine smile? She couldn’t remember but it felt so good. “You can do this, DG. I know you can.”
***
Jeb was whistling cheerfully as he walked down the halls looking over the papers detailing their travel plans. It all seemed pretty cut and dry: just a straight trip from Finaqua to Central City with a short stop at the Papay fields so that DG could heal them. That should be an interesting sight to see. Even though Jeb had watched a few of DG’s lessons he still found being so close to active magic a little unnerving. He shrugged. Might as well get used to it now that you and your father are so closely associated with the royal family, he thought ruefully.
A hand shot out from an alcove grabbing him by the jacket and pulling him in. Before he could react a familiar voice spoke in his ear. “Hello there, Captain.”
Grinning, Jeb turned so that he could face Miranda. “You really shouldn’t do that. I could’ve knocked you on your back.”
Miranda was grinning from ear to ear her green eyes sparkling with mischief. “You could have tried but you would have failed.”
Jeb smirked at her. He knew all too well that Miranda was not a woman to be underestimated. He had been on the receiving end of her wrath before, when they were in the Resistance, and the end result had been a black eye and a cracked rib.
Looking down at her Jeb took a step closer placing his hands around her waist. “And what have I done to earn this kind of a greeting?” While he didn’t deny that this was a pleasant surprise it wasn’t like her to act in such a spontaneous manner. That was usually his job.
Miranda looked up innocently as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. “I honestly don’t know what you’re talking about. I only wanted to say good morning.”
“Oh really?” Jeb raised an eyebrow.
“Yes really,” she raised herself on the tips of her toes and gave him a quick peck on the lips. “And now I have to go.”
As she tried to turn away he tightened his arms around her preventing her from leaving. “I don’t think so. You’re not getting away that easily.”
Rolling her eyes and Miranda opened her mouth to speak only to be silenced by Jeb’s lips on hers. The kiss was deep but unhurried as if they had all the time in the world to taste each other touch and explore. When he pulled her flush against him she stilled allowing herself to become soft and pliable in his hands. Finally, he released her lips only to lower his head so he could suck on the place where her neck and her shoulder met. He was pleased to hear her gasp and shudder as she moved to grip the back of his jacket with both hands.
He knew that he should stop but he couldn’t bring himself to do so. This just felt so good, so right. As he started to pepper her jaw line with kisses he distinctly heard the sound of someone clearing their throat, causing the two of them to jump apart. Reaching for his gun, Jeb turned only to come face to face with a highly amused Ambrose holding a bunch of papers in one hand.
“You know,” Ambrose commented keeping his voice low. “There are plenty of other placed where you can do that. Perhaps one of the empty bedrooms, or an empty study, or a closet? Surely one of those has got to be better than here?” There was a distinct twinkle in his eyes yet Jeb got the point: Next time wait until they’re behind closed doors. Otherwise, who knows what kind of scandal them being caught would cause.
“Yeah, I got it,” Jeb replied as he listened to the sounds of Miranda straightening herself up behind him. “Was there a reason you came to find us?”
“You dropped these.” Ambrose handed Jeb the stack of papers that he had been holding.
“Um, thanks,” he took the papers and turned to Miranda. “I’ll see you later, okay?” He waited for her to nod before he hurried off. He did not like the pointed look that Ambrose was giving him.
After Jeb was gone the advisor turned his gaze towards Miranda. Unfazed, she stared right back. After several seconds Ambrose shook his head and started walking off muttering to himself the entire time. Miranda just smirked.
***
As Cain closed up his office for the night he let out a sigh of relief. Thanks to Raw he had finally gotten the Royal Guard in order and was feeling quite confident with the new recruits and their assignments. Walking through the Tin Man headquarters he was greeted by a cheerful Davis.
“Say Cain, when are you going to get your own offices and stop using ours? Temporary my foot. I’m beginning to think that you’ll never leave.”
Cain laughed. “Today’s actually my last day here. I move into the palace office tomorrow.”
Davis shook his head. “There you go rubbing elbows with the royals. Pretty soon you’ll be too good to talk to the rest of us.”
Cain shrugged. “You’ll get over it.”
“Oh really?” Davis raised his eyebrows at that.
“Yes you will because my leaving will make you head Tin Man.” Cain replied matter of factly.
Davis burst out laughing. “Yes, I will admit that was a bonus for me.”
They were interrupted by a young Tin Man entering the room. As he headed over to a desk to write his report he nodded to the older men in greeting.
“Makes you feel old doesn’t it? Seeing all of these young recruits doing what we used to do?” Davis asked as he watched the younger man take his seat.
“Sometimes,” Cain admitted. “But I try not to think about it too much.”
***
Raw sat in the middle of his darkened room meditating. This was the easiest way for him to check on his friends and make sure that they were okay. First, he checked on Cain since he was the closest. Cain was in a good mood feeling satisfied with the day. Raw smiled, that was good. Next, he checked on Glitch who was busy but not unhappy. That was good too. But for DG….
Raw’s brow furrowed as he concentrated on his young friend. DG was clearly unhappy though Raw couldn’t determine the cause. He sighed as he opened his eyes. That was something they were going to have to work on after she arrived.
Standing up Raw walked over the small table in a corner of the room where a tray full of food had been set. He still wasn’t used to the opulence and formality of the palace with all the guards, servants, and dignitaries. He was much more at peace out in the country. But, though the viewers had forgiven him in light of his aide in the destruction of the witch, his place was here. This was his family now, and this was where he belonged. And if that meant being around more humans than he was normally comfortable with then so be it. He could learn to adjust. He would learn to adjust.
***
DG was having another nightmare. She was running on the balcony of the tower trying to stop her sister from bringing about permanent darkness. As she tried to approach Azkadellia the older woman lifted up her arms tossing DG over the railing. But instead of catching the ledge she kept falling. Falling until suddenly she stopped and found herself lying on her back. Everything around her was black to the point where she couldn’t even see her hand in front of her face. When she reached out to get a feel for her surroundings her hands came in contact with cold marble. The marble was everywhere as DG realized, to her horror, that she was trapped inside that stone coffin again. She beat her hands on the lid as she started to scream, though it was useless. When her hands finally started to hurt too much to continue and she had no voice left she lay back sobbing.
A blue light began to glow above her, slowly at first, but growing steadily stronger. Suddenly, there was no lid and DG found that she could climb out of the coffin easily. Turning slowly around DG realized that she was at one end of a long hallway. There was a slight chill in the air as she took in the ornately swirling decorations on the wooden doors and wall lamps along with the patterned tile floor.
The blue light was coming from the other end of the hallway so she started towards it. As she got closer she was that it was an opaque glass door with the same ornate design as the other doors. She paused to listen. Someone was moaning on the other side of the door.
She stepped closer and realized that there were actually many voices moaning behind the door. DG jumped when a hand suddenly appeared pressing itself against the glass. Another hand followed it and soon there were many hands beating against the glass as the moaning increased in volume.
Worried that they might break through the door DG tried to take a step back only to find that she couldn’t. All she could do was helplessly stand there and watch. The image of a strange book passed before her eyes seconds before there was a blinding flash of white light.
DG sat upright in her bed gasping for air. Frustrated, she groaned as she brought he knees to her chest and tugged at her hair. Why did she have to have these dreams? This lack of sleep was really starting to get to her and not in a good way. Tossing herself back onto the pillows she squeezed her eyes shut and tried to focus on sleep.
Counting sheep wasn’t helping. What is she were to count Papay? No, counting Papay made her think about the Papay fields and how DG was supposed to heal them. How was she supposed to do that?
With a sigh DG turned onto her back to stare at the dark ceiling. Just think happy thoughts. Wasn’t that a line from a children’s story? And if so was it from here or the Other Side? She was just so confused that she didn’t know anymore.
Pushing her covers back DG stood up and walked over to her window. There was no moon tonight making the stars seem impossibly bright. Something flying through the air caught her gaze and she squinted to get a better look. Her first thought was that it was a mobat but she shook her head. All the mobats had died with the witch. Must be one of those strange OZ birds, DG thought sleepily as she headed back to bed.
Azkadellia stood at her window watching the strange, yet familiar, flying object. Where had she seen it before? And why was it giving her such a bad feeling?
A/N: Sorry it’s taken me so long to update this. I won’t bore you too much with the details but let’s just say that RL, school, work, writer’s block, and an ADD muse all played a part in that. Let me know what you think! It really helps to feed the muse.