Fanfiction: Tin Man (PG)
Title: The Road Less Traveled
Pairing/Characters: 'Ambrose', 'Lavender Eyes', Ahamo, Wyatt Cain, 'Adora' Cain; 'Lavender Eyes'/Ahamo, Wyatt/'Adora'
Rating: PG
Fandom: Tin Man
Word Count: 1,763
Spoilers: Whole miniseries
Summary: The investigation into the attack on Adair continues.
Notes/Warnings: AU! lionille wrote The Curious Case of the Mysteriously Missing Lady-in-Waiting In Training and andrealyn wrote The Path Not Taken and the two fics together gave me the idea of writing a fic where Ambrose/Glitch is born a woman and stays one. *grin*
Beta and plot-hole-poker: umbralillium
Sounding board: unicorn_catcher
Previous Chapter(s): 1. Rocky Beginning, 2. Smoothing the Way, 3. Hidden Bumps, 4. Getting Over the Bumps, 5. Roadwork Ahead!
The Road Less Traveled
6. Repairing the Road
When Wyatt arrived at the hospital a few days later to visit with Adair, his lover looked worried and thoughtful. "Hey. Are you all right?"
"Someone finally came to interview me about the attack," Adair replied, meeting Wyatt's blue eyes with his brown ones.
Wyatt rolled his eyes. "It's about time. Who interviewed you?"
"Zero Topple," his lover answered. "I didn't like him very much."
The blond stifled a groan. "Why Zero of all people?"
"You know him?" Adair was obviously surprised to hear this. "He didn't give any indication that he knew you."
Wyatt shrugged, not quite meeting Adair's eyes. "We met at the Academy, did a lot of our training together. We were the top two in our class. Both of us applied for the position with the Mystic Man's protection detail when it opened up." He sighed. "Zero never forgave me for getting the position instead of him."
Adair listened quietly as his lover talked, resting a slender hand over Wyatt's broader one. "Were you two lovers?"
"I thought we were," Wyatt replied. "Turned out he was using me to get ahead. When I wasn't useful anymore, he dropped the relationship like a bad apple."
His lover tugged gently on his hand until he leaned forward. When he did, Adair closed the distance to hug him. Softly, he murmured in his ear. "I'm sorry he hurt you, but part of me is glad, because it gave me a chance to be with you."
"It hurt for a time, but hindsight has shown me that it wasn't a proper relationship," Wyatt replied, resting his cheek on Adair's shoulder. "Especially once we started dating."
After a few moments, the younger man gently pulled back and settled against his pillows. "Good. You deserve someone better than Zero."
"That someone being you?" Wyatt asked with a wry smile.
Adair laughed, brown eyes glinting with amusement. "Perhaps."
"Did Zero tell you if they have any leads?" The change in subject was rather abrupt, but he'd been wondering for days.
The amusement disappeared from his lover's face and he looked down at his lap. "Not a lead, exactly, but a strong suspicion."
"Who do they suspect?" he demanded, certain from Adair's change of mood that he wouldn't like whoever it was.
"The Royal Advisor," Adair whispered to his hands.
Wyatt stared at the taller man. "How can they suspect her? She found you!"
"I'm not saying he's right, Wyatt, but we only have her word that she found me." The brunette lifted his head to gaze at the blond. "How do we know it's the truth?"
* * *
The Queen and Royal Advisor were deep in conversation when a knock on the door interrupted them. At a gesture from the Queen, the door opened and a footman entered. "Your pardon, Majesty, but a Tin Man wishes to speak with the Royal Advisor."
"Me?" Amber Rose glanced at Violetta, surprised. "It's not Mr. Topple, is it?"
The footman shook his head. "No, Your Honor. It's Mr. Wyatt Cain."
"Cain," she whispered before she could stop herself. Noticing the Queen's curious glance, the Royal Advisor quickly composed herself. "Tell him I'll be right there."
The footman bowed deeply. "Yes, Your Honor."
He left and Amber Rose turned to her friend. "Could you excuse me, Majesty? This must be important if he's come during the day."
"Of course, Amber Rose." Violetta smiled as she patted her friend's hand. "Go and talk with Mr. Cain."
She impulsively leaned forward to hug the other woman. "I'll be back."
"There's no hurry." The Queen gave a soft laugh as she returned the hug.
Rising to her feet, the Royal Advisor hurried from the room. She spotted the footman and he indicated the door behind him. Nodding, she made her way to the parlor. Wyatt stood by the fireplace, gazing into the flames. He turned at her entrance and the look in his eyes gave her pause. "Mr. Cain, hello. I hope Mr. Walker is well?"
"As well as can be expected, given that he's still recovering from a beating," the man retorted, blue eyes guarded.
She tilted her head curiously. "Have you heard anything about the investigation?"
"They have a suspect," Wyatt told her, his tone implying that she should know who it was.
When he didn't elaborate, she gestured inquiringly. "And? Who is it?"
"There is apparently some doubt over your claim that you found Adair," he explained, anger flashing briefly in his eyes.
She stared at him in mute shock for several moments before anger and a little hurt took over, pacing furiously as words tumbled out. "They suspect me? He'd be dead if not for me and I'm the suspect? I have no criminal record and I'm the main suspect? That is ridiculous!" She turned to Wyatt, who still stood by the fireplace, a slight smile curving his lips, and jabbed a finger in his general direction. "You know who's responsible for this? Zero Topple."
"Zero Topple?" He raised an eyebrow at that very obviously surprised. "How do you know him?"
She waved a hand dismissively, blushing as she continued pacing. "I was drunk and stupid one night and he thinks we should do it again." Her eyes narrowed with anger. "When he came to 'interview' me about finding Adair, he tried to seduce me. I stopped him with a well-placed knee and now he has it in for me." She clenched and unclenched her fists at her sides. "That has to be it. There's no reason to suspect me on such flimsy and circumstantial--" She stopped short at the sound of laughter. Wyatt was now leaning against the fireplace, laughing so hard he was crying. "Why are you laughing? What's so funny?"
"You-- Zero-- knee-- family jewels!" He gasped between bursts of laughter.
Amber Rose opened her mouth to lash out at him, but then she considered his words and reluctantly smiled. "Yes, I suppose it did look rather funny." Softly, she began to laugh, too, leaning against the wall for support when she couldn't stand upright any longer.
It took them several minutes to calm down, wiping the tears from their eyes. Wyatt used his handkerchief while Amber Rose dabbed at her eyes with the edges of her sleeves. "Here, why don't you use mine?"
"Thank you." She accepted the handkerchief and wiped away the tears.
When she returned the square of fabric, he tucked it back into his pocket. "Look, if Zero is doing this because he has a grudge against you, then you need to make a complaint about him."
"I have no firm proof that that is his reason," she replied, growing worried as she thought about it. "I only have a hunch."
He gently tipped her chin up with his fingers so her eyes met his. "He accused you of attacking Adair with no substantial proof. That will be reason enough to make a complaint and have an investigation started into his cases. If he's letting personal feelings and opinions affect the way he does his job, then he's not being a proper Tin Man and the chief Tin Man needs to be made aware of this. All right?"
"All right." She managed a small smile, her heart beating like a drum at his closeness and the touch of his hand on her chin. "Anything to protect innocent people from the likes of him."
Wyatt grinned and dropped his hand, much to her disappointment. "Good."
* * *
The Tin Man chief thanked them for reporting Zero to her. "I've suspected him of not following procedure in the past, but no one has said anything and the cases get solved, so I had no reason to do anything before now."
"I'm glad we could help," Amber Rose answered, glancing briefly at Wyatt.
A knock at the door interrupted them. The clerk poked his head in the door. "I'm sorry for interrupting, Chief, but Baldwin Brandt is here to speak with you. He said it was urgent."
"Yes, Mr. Brandt." She got to her feet and held out her hand to each of them. "I apologize for rushing you two out, but this is important."
Amber Rose shook the chief's hand first. "Of course, we understand."
"Thank you for your time," Wyatt added, shaking her hand.
She nodded and walked them to the door. "I'll keep you apprised of the situation, of course."
"Of course." Wyatt opened the door for Amber Rose and gestured for her to exit first.
When he followed her out the door, they came face-to-face with Baldwin. A gangly young man with bright red hair, freckles, and thick glasses that practically hid his gray eyes, Baldwin grew pale when he saw the Tin Man. "Mr. Cain!"
"Hello, Mr. Brandt." He'd been holding his hat in one hand during the talk with the chief and now lifted it in a sort of wave. "How are you?"
Gasping for air like a beached fish, the young man all but threw himself at Wyatt's feet. "I'm sorry, Mr. Cain!"
"Sorry?" he repeated, puzzled. "For what?"
Tears had already streaked down Baldwin's cheeks when he lifted his head to look up at Wyatt. "I'm the one who hurt Adair! It's my fault he's in the hospital."
"What? Why?" he demanded, not sure he believed the young man. Baldwin was at least half a head shorter than Adair and had little muscle to speak of at all. Adair, at least, had a lean, wiry build. Poor Baldwin was just gangly. "You two are friends!"
The chief stepped in at that point, having recovered from her shock. "I think I'd better take over from here, Mr. Cain."
"She's right, Wyatt," Amber Rose added, resting a hand on his arm to restrain him as two Tin Men helped Baldwin to his feet and escorted him towards the interrogation rooms. "She'll let you know the details once she's talked with Mr. Brandt."
Reluctantly, Wyatt nodded and didn't follow the chief to the interrogation rooms. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair worriedly. "How am I going to tell Adair this? He counted Baldwin as one of his closest friends."
"You'll tell him gently and tactfully," she told him firmly. "Then you'll find out together why he attacked Mr. Walker in the first place."
He nodded again. "Thank you for your advice, Miss Amber Rose."
"You're welcome, Mr. Cain."
They left the station together, but parted ways out front. Wyatt had to go to the hospital and Amber Rose needed to return to the palace.
End Chapter
A/N2: For the record, if people want a visual image for Adair, picture Dr. Spencer Reid from Criminal Minds. For lots of pictures of him and the actor in other roles, go here. I have a hair fetish, so this picspam made me very happy. I especially like the season two hair. That's about how I visualize Adair's hair. Amber Rose is pretty much Alan Cumming with longer hair and boobs.
Pairing/Characters: 'Ambrose', 'Lavender Eyes', Ahamo, Wyatt Cain, 'Adora' Cain; 'Lavender Eyes'/Ahamo, Wyatt/'Adora'
Rating: PG
Fandom: Tin Man
Word Count: 1,763
Spoilers: Whole miniseries
Summary: The investigation into the attack on Adair continues.
Notes/Warnings: AU! lionille wrote The Curious Case of the Mysteriously Missing Lady-in-Waiting In Training and andrealyn wrote The Path Not Taken and the two fics together gave me the idea of writing a fic where Ambrose/Glitch is born a woman and stays one. *grin*
Beta and plot-hole-poker: umbralillium
Sounding board: unicorn_catcher
Previous Chapter(s): 1. Rocky Beginning, 2. Smoothing the Way, 3. Hidden Bumps, 4. Getting Over the Bumps, 5. Roadwork Ahead!
The Road Less Traveled
6. Repairing the Road
When Wyatt arrived at the hospital a few days later to visit with Adair, his lover looked worried and thoughtful. "Hey. Are you all right?"
"Someone finally came to interview me about the attack," Adair replied, meeting Wyatt's blue eyes with his brown ones.
Wyatt rolled his eyes. "It's about time. Who interviewed you?"
"Zero Topple," his lover answered. "I didn't like him very much."
The blond stifled a groan. "Why Zero of all people?"
"You know him?" Adair was obviously surprised to hear this. "He didn't give any indication that he knew you."
Wyatt shrugged, not quite meeting Adair's eyes. "We met at the Academy, did a lot of our training together. We were the top two in our class. Both of us applied for the position with the Mystic Man's protection detail when it opened up." He sighed. "Zero never forgave me for getting the position instead of him."
Adair listened quietly as his lover talked, resting a slender hand over Wyatt's broader one. "Were you two lovers?"
"I thought we were," Wyatt replied. "Turned out he was using me to get ahead. When I wasn't useful anymore, he dropped the relationship like a bad apple."
His lover tugged gently on his hand until he leaned forward. When he did, Adair closed the distance to hug him. Softly, he murmured in his ear. "I'm sorry he hurt you, but part of me is glad, because it gave me a chance to be with you."
"It hurt for a time, but hindsight has shown me that it wasn't a proper relationship," Wyatt replied, resting his cheek on Adair's shoulder. "Especially once we started dating."
After a few moments, the younger man gently pulled back and settled against his pillows. "Good. You deserve someone better than Zero."
"That someone being you?" Wyatt asked with a wry smile.
Adair laughed, brown eyes glinting with amusement. "Perhaps."
"Did Zero tell you if they have any leads?" The change in subject was rather abrupt, but he'd been wondering for days.
The amusement disappeared from his lover's face and he looked down at his lap. "Not a lead, exactly, but a strong suspicion."
"Who do they suspect?" he demanded, certain from Adair's change of mood that he wouldn't like whoever it was.
"The Royal Advisor," Adair whispered to his hands.
Wyatt stared at the taller man. "How can they suspect her? She found you!"
"I'm not saying he's right, Wyatt, but we only have her word that she found me." The brunette lifted his head to gaze at the blond. "How do we know it's the truth?"
* * *
The Queen and Royal Advisor were deep in conversation when a knock on the door interrupted them. At a gesture from the Queen, the door opened and a footman entered. "Your pardon, Majesty, but a Tin Man wishes to speak with the Royal Advisor."
"Me?" Amber Rose glanced at Violetta, surprised. "It's not Mr. Topple, is it?"
The footman shook his head. "No, Your Honor. It's Mr. Wyatt Cain."
"Cain," she whispered before she could stop herself. Noticing the Queen's curious glance, the Royal Advisor quickly composed herself. "Tell him I'll be right there."
The footman bowed deeply. "Yes, Your Honor."
He left and Amber Rose turned to her friend. "Could you excuse me, Majesty? This must be important if he's come during the day."
"Of course, Amber Rose." Violetta smiled as she patted her friend's hand. "Go and talk with Mr. Cain."
She impulsively leaned forward to hug the other woman. "I'll be back."
"There's no hurry." The Queen gave a soft laugh as she returned the hug.
Rising to her feet, the Royal Advisor hurried from the room. She spotted the footman and he indicated the door behind him. Nodding, she made her way to the parlor. Wyatt stood by the fireplace, gazing into the flames. He turned at her entrance and the look in his eyes gave her pause. "Mr. Cain, hello. I hope Mr. Walker is well?"
"As well as can be expected, given that he's still recovering from a beating," the man retorted, blue eyes guarded.
She tilted her head curiously. "Have you heard anything about the investigation?"
"They have a suspect," Wyatt told her, his tone implying that she should know who it was.
When he didn't elaborate, she gestured inquiringly. "And? Who is it?"
"There is apparently some doubt over your claim that you found Adair," he explained, anger flashing briefly in his eyes.
She stared at him in mute shock for several moments before anger and a little hurt took over, pacing furiously as words tumbled out. "They suspect me? He'd be dead if not for me and I'm the suspect? I have no criminal record and I'm the main suspect? That is ridiculous!" She turned to Wyatt, who still stood by the fireplace, a slight smile curving his lips, and jabbed a finger in his general direction. "You know who's responsible for this? Zero Topple."
"Zero Topple?" He raised an eyebrow at that very obviously surprised. "How do you know him?"
She waved a hand dismissively, blushing as she continued pacing. "I was drunk and stupid one night and he thinks we should do it again." Her eyes narrowed with anger. "When he came to 'interview' me about finding Adair, he tried to seduce me. I stopped him with a well-placed knee and now he has it in for me." She clenched and unclenched her fists at her sides. "That has to be it. There's no reason to suspect me on such flimsy and circumstantial--" She stopped short at the sound of laughter. Wyatt was now leaning against the fireplace, laughing so hard he was crying. "Why are you laughing? What's so funny?"
"You-- Zero-- knee-- family jewels!" He gasped between bursts of laughter.
Amber Rose opened her mouth to lash out at him, but then she considered his words and reluctantly smiled. "Yes, I suppose it did look rather funny." Softly, she began to laugh, too, leaning against the wall for support when she couldn't stand upright any longer.
It took them several minutes to calm down, wiping the tears from their eyes. Wyatt used his handkerchief while Amber Rose dabbed at her eyes with the edges of her sleeves. "Here, why don't you use mine?"
"Thank you." She accepted the handkerchief and wiped away the tears.
When she returned the square of fabric, he tucked it back into his pocket. "Look, if Zero is doing this because he has a grudge against you, then you need to make a complaint about him."
"I have no firm proof that that is his reason," she replied, growing worried as she thought about it. "I only have a hunch."
He gently tipped her chin up with his fingers so her eyes met his. "He accused you of attacking Adair with no substantial proof. That will be reason enough to make a complaint and have an investigation started into his cases. If he's letting personal feelings and opinions affect the way he does his job, then he's not being a proper Tin Man and the chief Tin Man needs to be made aware of this. All right?"
"All right." She managed a small smile, her heart beating like a drum at his closeness and the touch of his hand on her chin. "Anything to protect innocent people from the likes of him."
Wyatt grinned and dropped his hand, much to her disappointment. "Good."
* * *
The Tin Man chief thanked them for reporting Zero to her. "I've suspected him of not following procedure in the past, but no one has said anything and the cases get solved, so I had no reason to do anything before now."
"I'm glad we could help," Amber Rose answered, glancing briefly at Wyatt.
A knock at the door interrupted them. The clerk poked his head in the door. "I'm sorry for interrupting, Chief, but Baldwin Brandt is here to speak with you. He said it was urgent."
"Yes, Mr. Brandt." She got to her feet and held out her hand to each of them. "I apologize for rushing you two out, but this is important."
Amber Rose shook the chief's hand first. "Of course, we understand."
"Thank you for your time," Wyatt added, shaking her hand.
She nodded and walked them to the door. "I'll keep you apprised of the situation, of course."
"Of course." Wyatt opened the door for Amber Rose and gestured for her to exit first.
When he followed her out the door, they came face-to-face with Baldwin. A gangly young man with bright red hair, freckles, and thick glasses that practically hid his gray eyes, Baldwin grew pale when he saw the Tin Man. "Mr. Cain!"
"Hello, Mr. Brandt." He'd been holding his hat in one hand during the talk with the chief and now lifted it in a sort of wave. "How are you?"
Gasping for air like a beached fish, the young man all but threw himself at Wyatt's feet. "I'm sorry, Mr. Cain!"
"Sorry?" he repeated, puzzled. "For what?"
Tears had already streaked down Baldwin's cheeks when he lifted his head to look up at Wyatt. "I'm the one who hurt Adair! It's my fault he's in the hospital."
"What? Why?" he demanded, not sure he believed the young man. Baldwin was at least half a head shorter than Adair and had little muscle to speak of at all. Adair, at least, had a lean, wiry build. Poor Baldwin was just gangly. "You two are friends!"
The chief stepped in at that point, having recovered from her shock. "I think I'd better take over from here, Mr. Cain."
"She's right, Wyatt," Amber Rose added, resting a hand on his arm to restrain him as two Tin Men helped Baldwin to his feet and escorted him towards the interrogation rooms. "She'll let you know the details once she's talked with Mr. Brandt."
Reluctantly, Wyatt nodded and didn't follow the chief to the interrogation rooms. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair worriedly. "How am I going to tell Adair this? He counted Baldwin as one of his closest friends."
"You'll tell him gently and tactfully," she told him firmly. "Then you'll find out together why he attacked Mr. Walker in the first place."
He nodded again. "Thank you for your advice, Miss Amber Rose."
"You're welcome, Mr. Cain."
They left the station together, but parted ways out front. Wyatt had to go to the hospital and Amber Rose needed to return to the palace.
End Chapter
A/N2: For the record, if people want a visual image for Adair, picture Dr. Spencer Reid from Criminal Minds. For lots of pictures of him and the actor in other roles, go here. I have a hair fetish, so this picspam made me very happy. I especially like the season two hair. That's about how I visualize Adair's hair. Amber Rose is pretty much Alan Cumming with longer hair and boobs.