Title: His Darling Girl

Author: Anitab

Author's Note: I don't own Tinman, or anyone from it. But when the age gap characters talk to me, I can't help but listen. DG's bored and tense, and Cain has to do something about it.

Rating: M,

His Darling Girl

By AnitaB

Chapter one: Ways to unwind

She was watching him, had been watching him for awhile. And there was … something in her eyes as they followed him in and out of rooms. Something he didn't understand. But deep down, it unsettled him.

"I'm not a little kid anymore." DG leaned against the door jam, standing just a little too close. As usual. She was always too close. Unless she was out of sight. Then she was too far away. "You know that, right, Cain?"

There was no safe response to give, so he didn't. instead the head of the royal protection detail turned back to the stack of boxes to be moved without a word. Cain wrapped his arms around a crate and stood…only to stop short to keep from stabbing her in the stomach with the corner. "DG! Please…" He set the box on the floor and met her eyes, watching her unfold her crossed arms. She stepped closer and Cain felt every molecule of air leave the room.

"You know, right? That I'm not a little girl."

Oh, he knew alright. Cain called her kiddo and princess because he wanted to think of her that way, not because he did. He'd known she wasn't a little girl when she'd thrown herself into his arms in the hall of Azcadillia's prison, after she'd rescued herself and Raw from their cells. He'd known she was a woman when she'd broken out of Dorothy Gale's marble tomb. He'd known she was so much more than a child when she'd demanded to confront and rescue her older sister, possessed by the dark witch.

He knew DG had every ounce of stubbornness, magic, and guts the Gale bloodline had to offer and Cain loved and hated that. "Yeah, Kiddo, I know you're a big girl."

The spark in her eyes was on the edge of becoming a bonfire. That was the heat that had changed every corner of the O.Z.

It had changed him. And by the looks of it, Cain was going to get another dose of it. Right now.

"So why are you treating me like a baby?" She perched a jean-clad hip on the stack of boxes and glared at him. "I couldn't pack up my own room. I can't ride my bike. I can't go anywhere alone. And the tinman with a big gun won't even let me lift the big boxes."

/Damnit, DG./ "Your parents…"

Suddenly, she wasn't an arm's length away staring. She was poking him in the chest with a sharp nail, standing just inches from his toes. "Have never gotten past the five year old dead girl they shipped off for safety. I'm almost 21."

/In 6 months and 14 days./ He wanted to step back, and he didn't. Cain loved her fire. And every time he got to feel it, it got harder and harder to go back to the cold, to pull away. "I know that, and so do your parents." Cain forced himself back, covering the move by sitting on a stack of boxes. "But they didn't see you grow up. It's hard not to be protective of someone you love."

"You're protective, they treat me like glass." She propped her fists on her hips and glared down at him. She was absolutely right. He was protective of her. And she was so beautiful he lost track of words. "Try to tell me different, Cain, and you'll have to swim the frozen lake to get your hat back."

He smiled against his will. DG loved to threaten his hat. Any time it went missing, he always found it in her room… or on her. "They have reason, Kiddo. A lot of bad people lost their power or their money when you rewrote the whole O.Z. They're not happy with you." Cain stood and stepped closer. "We just want you safe." He hadn't realized he'd held out a hand to her until she took it.

Angry DG he could stand up to. But now she looked up at him with half-defeated eyes, holding a hint of fear. "I know, Cain, but I… I don't want to live afraid."

Something inside him crumbled. Cain would do anything to get that look off her face, even carve out his own heart. Still holding her hand, he turned and led her down the hall. "Come, DG, let's go for a ride."

"On horseback?" The sound of her voice whined.

"No, on your bike." He sighed with resignation. "You can't go alone, but you can go as fast as you want."

Suddenly he didn't have her hand anymore. Just as suddenly Cain was responsible for all of her. DG gasped and threw herself at his chest, arms tight around his neck and toes dangling above his boots. He slowly wrapped his arms around her waist, telling himself it was to keep her from falling. There wasn't an easy excuse for closing his eyes and burying his face in her hair. "Thank you, Cain."

000

She watched the look on his face change before he turned and headed for the stairs, still holding her hand. Puzzled, DG followed. "Come on, DG, let's go for a ride." He loved the horses. She didn't. Her feet stopped them both.

"On horseback?"

Broad shoulders lifted and fell. He sighed? Cain didn't sigh. He argued, he yelled. Once he'd even thrown her over his shoulder and carted her off. He didn't sigh. "No, on your bike. You can't go alone, but you can go as fast as you want."

She almost couldn't believe him but on the look on his face was that of a man about to be shot. He really meant it. /Yes/ Breathless, DG caught herself against his shoulders, clinging to Cain as his hands slowly rose to her back. His arms tightened, his face tucked against her throat. /Cain/ Her toes hovered at his ankles as his arms held her safe and secure in mid-air. She loved his hugs and never got enough of them. "Thank you, Cain."

Breathless moments too soon, DG's toes touched the floor and strong arms loosened and dropped from her waist.

She ignored the chilly moment and grabbed his hand. If she didn't get him on the bike fast, maybe he'd change his mind. And there was nothing DG wanted more right now then this ride. "Come on, Cain. Let's go."

Before she knew it, Cain was wearing his coat and her favorite hat and staring down at the motorcycle her dad had brought to the O.Z. by balloon. "This is a bad idea."

She couldn't help a smile and a laugh. "Of course it is. I'm driving."

He looked at the bike like it was trying to attack him, or the queen. Or DG. "Yes, you are, DG." His hand rubbed along his jaw before his eyes lifted to hers. "And you're not going to crash it and kill us both, right?"

"I have speeding tickets but no crashes, Cain. I swear." DG loved the mix of concern and trust in his eyes as he looked at her and the bike.

He hated motorcycles but he was going to climb on one with her, for her. Cain was about to put his arms around her and hold on tight.

And she was going to love it. DG threw a leg over the seat and looked over her shoulder at him. "Come on, Big guy, it's not gonna bite you."

He muttered something she couldn't hear, adjusted his hat, and sat stiffly on the bike behind her. "Ready when you are, Kiddo."

His hands weren't even on her yet. They were gripping the leather edge of the seat behind him. "You're not ready. Cain, you're gonna fall off if you don't hold on."

He paused, not even breathing for a second. "I'm holding on."

He was clueless. And cute. "To me, Cain. You said I could go fast and you're gonna need to hold on." Nerves all over her back were breathlessly away of the slow shift of his ribs. He scooted forward just a bit, putting his legs closer along hers. Leather creaked as big hands let go of the seat. Cain leaned forward against her back, slowly touching fingertips ever so lightly to her waist. DG hadn't even turned over the engine and she could already feel her heartbeat racing. Because of Cain. It was weird though, that she couldn't breathe. "A little tighter if you don't wanna fall."

DG bit her lip and closer her eyes as his strong arms finally held on tight and his hands flattened against her stomach. /Cain/ He felt so good. "Better?"

/Oh, god, yes!/ DG barely caught herself before saying that out loud and nodded, trembling fingers turning the key. The engine roared to life, thrumming energy over her skin. Working throttle and brake, DG tried to concentrate on the road under her wheels and not the Tinman wrapped around her ribs. It wasn't easy when the first burst of speed had Cain cutting off her breath with his grip. She could feel every inch of his chest imprinted on her back, could feel the muscles in his arms bunch and tighten.

Never in her life had she enjoyed a ride more. And it only got better. His arms never loosened, but as the miles passed DG could feel Cain relax against her back. His chin propped itself on her shoulder and his chest and legs weren't quite so carefully still.

But his arms and hands didn't loosen even the slightest bit. If anything, his fingertips seemed to cling a little tighter.

Cain liked this, his body following hers through curves, his breath against her ear. "Well? Whattaya think of your first real ride, Cain?"

The question made his ribs shake with a second or two of laughter before his lips nearly touched her ear to give an answer. "I've ridden a bike before, Kiddo."

"Not and liked it this much, you haven't."

His entire body went still for an instant until the next curve made him melt against her back. His response was so quiet she almost couldn't hear it. "No, not and liked it this much."

000

She'd nailed it, perfect aim, fatal shot. He'd never liked anything as much as this moment in time. No horse ride, no drive, nothing. Nothing else had put his princess so close to him. Nothing else let him feel her in his arms like this, her back to his chest, her hair brushing his face, her hips and thighs against his own. Nothing else let him feel her laughter against his ribs or touch smooth curves with guilty hands.

He loved this godforsaken death cycle, as long as DG was on it with him.

The rest of the ride passed too quickly in a companionable silence. All too soon he would have to open his arms and let her go. Pressing himself closer for the last few miles, Cain spread his hands to feel just a little bit more of her. He tucked his chin against her shoulder for the sweet scent of her hair.

Before he knew it the bike was motionless under them and it was time. A twisty part of his brain noted that DG hadn't so much as shifted away from his chest yet. Time to let go.

Cain closed his eyes against the sudden chill in his skin. Hands first, they should be easy. Stiff fingers slowly released their grip on her waist, even more slowly followed by arms opening. Cain forced his hips back along the seat away from hers until he wasn't touching her at all.

How was it that this air was colder than the wind chill of a hell for leather bike ride?

Finally, Cain managed to drag his reluctant body off the seat entirely. Only then did he realize his hands had rebelled, reaching for hers as she climbed off.

"Well, we lived," DG stood toe to boot, not really looking at him, but still holding both his hands. "Thank you, Cain."

Before he could possibly have reacted, DG rose up on her toes and planted her lips almost against the corner of his own in a kiss he felt… everywhere. From his toes to his fingers to the crown of his hat, every inch of Cain's skin felt and envied that tiny touch of her lips. He went frozen, knowing deep down that any more he made would not be away from the soft, sweet warmth of her lips.

When she pulled away, both lips and hands, he could breathe again, raggedly at least. Cain turned, watching her hair bounce against her shoulders as she ran up the stairs to the door.

He could see it, as clearly as Ambrose's digital time loop machine. He could see exactly what would have happened if he'd moved at all. His hands would have fisted in that tangled brown hair, would have dragged her tight against his chest. His lips would have found hers, stroked and invaded for the taste of her on his tongue.

And DG would have pushed him away with a look of fear or disappointment on her face. Cain could see it perfectly, and it would kill him to see it for real.

Hat in his hands, Cain slowly climbed the stairs, trying with every step to push all his dangerous thoughts back into their tin box. If only it were as easy to keep it closed.

For three days he watched her nerves slowly wind up tight again. Three days was just about as long as he could take. But another bike ride would take an axe to that little tin box of thoughts.

But what to do…

/This is a bad idea./

Cain found himself at her door, rapping a fist on the wood. "Hey, kiddo, get changed." The door swung open to show DG on her balcony with a sketchpad. Probably one of her landscapes, though he never understood why she always hid them from people until they were finished.

"Change for what, Cain?" The sketchpad closed and slid out of sight before she stood and turned to him. "Where are we going?"

"First you need to put on something comfortable and easy to move in. Then meet me in the gold ballroom." He watched her head tilt and the beginning of a question form on her lips. Nope, no questions, DG. "Five minutes, so hurry." He turned on one heel and was out of earshot before she could speak.

This was such a bad idea, but she'd love it. He hoped. And it might help her parents calm down some.

Four minutes and thirty seconds later DG stepped through the ballroom doors in sweats and a t-shirt. "This what you had in mind?"

Cain finished setting his coat, hat, and holster on a chair before he turned. /Beautiful/ "Perfect," Shaking his eyes loose, he unbuttoned his cuffs and rolled up his sleeves. "I was thinking. Your mom and dad might loosen the apron strings a little if you know how to defend yourself."

Her eyes widened and her lips curved into a bright smile. "And you're gonna teach me. Do I get a gun?"

He stepped close enough to reach out and ruffle her hair. "First things first, my violent little princess. Hand to hand combat, then maybe a gun." He couldn't help a smile at the eagerness in her face. He'd been right. It was a horrible idea and she loved it.

"You got all the fire and grit you need, but not the how to. It's time to learn how to throw a punch."

000