Princess Protection Detail

DG, it seems, is a magnet for trouble. No matter where she goes or what she does, there's always someone trying to assassinate, kidnap, poison, or otherwise put her in harm's way.

She feels awful for Wyatt as he seems to be the one always dragged along for the ride. Up walls and hills, through marshes and across frozen tundra, he's always right behind her.

Literally.

The man is an amazing athlete and since the kidnapper had to abandon his horse in the dense underbrush, well, it was only a matter of time.

She feels the urge to wave at him with only a few yards between them but her hands and feet are bound and she bounces roughly from side to side as she feels the mighty giant carrying her begin to sag under her weight.

Wyatt stumbles to a stop and for one panicked moment she thinks that this could be it. This could be that last time she sees him trailing behind her.

A bullet whizzes past her shoulder to embed itself in the tree trunk ahead of the burly man.

"Put the Princess down." His voice is steady and calm, as if he hadn't chased a man across a grassy plain, a corn field, a few hills and finally, an enchanted forest.

Her kidnapper turns slowly, a sneer across his face.

"What are you going to do Tin Man? Shoot me?" He slides DG from his shoulder until she's in front of him, a meaty arm around her neck.

"The thought has crossed my mind."

"You make so much as one move and the princess is dead."

"This is ridiculous DG."

"You're kidding, right? I'm the one who was stolen." Cain's disapproving glare doesn't let up. DG rolls her eyes. "I don't even know what would happen."

"Probably something better than this."

"Enough! Put the gun down and walk away Tin Man." He tightens his arm and the princess coughs at the pressure. Cain's face sets in a grim line.

"Damn it, DG!"

"Fine, but if I end up in a cave, I'm going to be so angry!"

The hair rises on his arms as DG gathers her magic. The kidnapper barely has time to react before there's a searing sensation everywhere. Over the sound of his howls, Cain can hear the leaves crunch behind him followed by a dull thud.

Although his first instinct is to make sure the princess is alive, he knows better than to leave a threat standing. With his gun in hand, he approaches the bandit. As he gets closer, it becomes clear that the man won't be doing anymore damage - not for a while. The mountain of a man swings his arms wildly, his eyes unseeing, ears deaf to Cain's advance. Just to be safe, because one can never be too safe when it comes to DG, he uses the butt of his gun to clock the man across his cheek, sending him crumpling to the ground. A solid nudge with his boot lets the Tin Man know he's out for good.

He's at DG's side in a matter of seconds, cupping her chin gently and checking for injuries. He pats her down, as modestly as he can, mind you, until he's satisfied that nothing is broken or bleeding. When he's sure that she's in one relatively unharmed piece, and when she starts the impatient tapping of her foot signaling he's taking too long, Cain steps away and scowls.

"Can you just do that from now on? It would save me a world of ache."

"Except for the part where I can't control it."

"If you stopped skipping out on your lessons…"

"Jesus, Cain, the Queen isn't here you know."

"Point is, DG, I'd really appreciate not having to chase you across the OZ every other day."

"It's not every other day."

"Whatever. Come on. The rest of the guard should be here soon."

"Where are we going?"

"To teach you hand to hand combat."

"You're kidding." But the look on his face clearly said he really, really, wasn't. DG smiles at him benevolently and it raises the hair on the back of his neck.

"Just remember this was your idea."