AN: Wyatt Cain and DG are not mine...though I will continue to borrow them to tell their stories...

*sniff*

animegus farmus - it is with joy and - great sympathy - that I declare our bet won! Forgive a small amount of gloating... :P

I began this story a little over two years ago and I can now say that it is complete. Oh my muse might pop in with a one shot or several once in a while related to the main story. But it is for all intents and purposes complete. That feels SO very good. Like watching my baby grow up and leave home. Bittersweet...but made sweeter by the cyber rootbeers I have now acquired thanks to my muse.

Enjoy this last installment, my faithful readers, and look for more stories to come! I am grateful for your support and for sticking with me for this LONG process. I hope this suffices.

Wyatt Cain watched his sleeping wife. He hadn't taken his eyes off her form since she'd collapsed into his arms on the hill top overlooking Vysor's decimated hideout. Though he felt the fatigue creep in as the adrenalin in his blood tapered to nothing, he refused to give the watch over to anyone else - he couldn't risk her disappearing again.

The Papay cub rested beside her mistress. The only time Wyatt would agree to let Sabra sleep in their bed was when he wasn't in it. He could tell the loyal creature was on alert even in her sleep. Her nose twitched at regular intervals and her ears were poised to hear any unfamiliar sound. DG's right hand rested on her pet, as if to reassure Sabra of her presence. Cain had a hold of her other hand.

In her sleep, DG's youth became glaringly evident. Not a silver hair marred her dark head. The worry wrinkles and beginning age lines faded to nothing, their appearance not yet made permanent in the silky smooth skin. A part of him was tempted to curse the selfish act that forced her into a relationship with a man almost two times older. Another more rational part of his heart recalled that he'd never forced her - in fact, Cain was certain if he hadn't made a move when he did, DG's impulsive nature would never have left him alone.

He smiled, imagining her proposing to him, one knee bent and a mischievous sparkle in her blue eyes. Somehow, he realized that scenario would have played out if he'd been too stubborn to give in to his feelings.

DG sighed in her sleep as his fingers brushed against a brunette lock that fell over her face. She'd woken just long enough for Wyatt to help her bathe and eat a quick meal before her exhausted body surrendered to Morpheus' powers again. He hadn't slept since he'd discovered her missing, which meant his insomnia was well into its third day.

"Wyatt, you're going to collapse." DG's sleepy voice murmured, half muffled by a pillow. Her eyes were shuttered, but he could see the sparkle of humor glinting through the haze. "Come, sleep with me. If you hold me tight, you don't have to keep watch."

"I'm afraid if I shut my eyes, you're going to disappear again." He said.

"I can't promise I'll never disappear. What would be the fun in that? I mean, this castle has limitless possibilities for a good game of hide and seek." She grinned when his fingers convulsed over her cheek. He reached for her hand and held tight. "I can also guarantee that Vysor isn't a threat anymore."

"Azkadellia and the Papay were able to shield him until he could be placed on trial. His men were scattered, though we caught a good number of them in the aftermath of whatever you did in that cave." He cocked his head. "I must admit, I'm very curious as to what exactly you did. Several of the soldiers insisted that explosion was caused by you, even though you were nowhere near its location."

DG grinned again, stretching as she turned on her side to face him. "I just changed a little aspect of the locking mechanism when Vysor switched places with me and Sabra. It triggered a big enough bang to knock out a few guards and give Vysor a migraine of magical proportions. He'll be hung over for a few days, and his magic-practicing will be seriously damaged with all the crossed wires in his brain."

"You, princess, are devious." Wyatt smiled at the smug aura that radiated from his wife.

"I had help." DG said. She rubbed Sabra's ears. The Papay cub woke up and gave a sleepy yawn. More in tune than ever with her mistress and her moods, Sabra moved off the bed to find a good meal and give the royal couple their space.

DG patted the vacancy next to her and he relented. With a sigh, he slipped off his boots and shrugged out of the vest and gun holster he'd refused to remove since her disappearance.

DG eyed him, her gaze giving his body a deliberate once over. "You know, I wouldn't mind a peep show while you're at it."

"I thought you were supposed to be resting. Raw's orders remember?" He grinned at her amorous intent, smile widening when she pouted. "You and the baby have been through a rough ordeal."

"Yes, and I would appreciate some stress relief. It'll help me sleep better." She sat up against the pillows. Her arms crossed and eyes twinkled. "Now, Tin Man, I believe as Queen I could order your compliance."

"You wouldn't." He said. It was a dare and they both knew it. She cocked one brow.

"Would you like to test that theory, or will you come quietly?" She giggled as his eyes widened.

Without warning and still careful of her condition, Wyatt pounced, eliciting a shriek of delight from his wife. He covered her face with kisses, surprised by her eager response. She matched his kisses and her hands stretched to embrace him. Her laughter continued as the three-day-old whiskers tickled her skin. He'd bathed, but chosen to abstain from shaving when it meant leaving DG's side. From the sounds she made, she didn't seem to mind.

They made love as the afternoon sun crept toward its bed on the horizon. Wyatt felt the tension and fear melt away in the aftermath as he held her - sleeping once again - in his arms. He watched her face, feeling the exhaustion as sleep began to pull him under. He wondered when he would get to feel the first kicks of their child as his hand splayed over the gentle swell of her belly. DG smiled as his grip tightened just a bit. It was the last thing he saw before his dreams took him. This time, they were of her smiling, triumphant face as she crested the hill overlooking her decimated prison.

There would be time later for briefings, counsel, and Vysor's trial. Rewards would be given to those involved in her rescue, though they would all decline to accept. Her mother and sister would plan a celebration to giggle and coo over baby gifts. Jeb would finally get the chance to be a brother when their little one joined them in six more moon cycles. There would be more children, daughters and sons to fill their parent's hearts with joy. Raw and Glitch found partners to wander The Old Road of life together. Jeb would make Wyatt and DG grandparents before too many annuals passed. The kingdom would rebuild and thrive, a golden age and the stuff legends were made of. Life would resume a normal rhythm - as normal as one could be in the OZ.

The Emerald pulsed with an inner glow, beating in time with DG's heart. Its warmth signaled her safety and the security of the kingdom. At long last, the OZ was at peace.

DG was finally home.