A/N: This will be a relatively short four parter. Hope you like it!

Disclaimer: I do not own Wicked

1
Weakness at the Window

The minute Glinda's carriage screeched to a halt outside as my broom handle dipped toward the turrets of the Emerald Palace, I knew I was in trouble. I shouldn't be here. Fiyero was probably halfway across Oz by now, and I promised him I wouldn't be more than an hour behind.

It had been a little over twelve hours since my boyfriend had come to liberate me from the web of tunnels beneath Kiamo Ko castle. Twelve hours since I'd faked my death. Twelve hours since Glin and I had said our last goodbyes before the Gale Force came for me. Twelve hours since I'd succumbed to the ridiculous rumors that water, of all things, was the weapon destined to kill the treacherous Wicked Witch of the West.

I snorted, still not of the mental stability to really reconcile with all that had happened since Fiyero and I had concocted our desperate plan. I knew the citizens of Oz were a simple-minded breed, but in all honesty, I never truly expected them to believe the fantastical charade.

But they had. Glinda came through for me, one last time. She had done what I thought impossible, and convinced them that the threat of the "Wickedest Witch There Ever Was" had ceased once and for all. I was dead to them. No longer an abominable green girl, or a wanted fugitive, or even an outcast with insurmountable magic abilities. Instead, I was a ghost. A distant memory of trying times that would soon fade to nothing more than urban legend. Watching her up there, holding that book and surveying everyone with such a kind, gracious smile, I knew she would be the best ruler Oz had seen in ages.

Shortly before her speech in the square, I caught a glimpse of the Wizard's infamous balloon as it floated away, disappearing into the crystal blue sky without so much as a trace left behind. I had been right all along. It wasn't me who was unlimited, it was Glinda. I wasn't sure what had conspired in my time beneath the castle, but I was certain I was leaving Oz in incredibly capable hands.

And yet…

I sighed, unable to rid myself of the distinct emptiness gnawing at my stomach. Fiyero said we could never be safe here, and in my heart of hearts I knew, devastating as the thought of leaving the only home I'd ever known was to me, that he was right. Still, something kept me tied to this place. I couldn't bare to leave by old life behind, not now.

Against my better judgement, my broom swooped closer to the ground, and ducked behind one of the gleaming jade columns flanking the entrance to the palace.

Damnit. I clutched it with all my strength in an attempt to ascend, but the blasted thing wouldn't budge. I pressed my lips together and swallowed another curse as the driver dismounted his horse and rounded the vehicle until his hand rested on the crystal knob of the back door- Glinda's seat.

I yanked the splintered wood upward, but still, it didn't move. Ever since I'd enchanted it that day in the attic, the stupid broom and it's magic were tied to my emotions. It knew what I wanted- sometimes before I did- and it always, always guided me toward it. Ozdamn it all and much as I tried to tell myself otherwise, right now, I wanted to see Glinda.

The hinges creaked as the jewel-encrusted door inched open. Even though I'd seen her just hours ago, hovering over the Emerald Square in her trademark bubble, I had to bite my bottom lip to keep from gasping as she stepped into the sunlight. With her golden hair styled in perfect ringlets, a diamond crown resting just atop her head, the overdone elegance of her periwinkle bubble skirt adorned with thousands of Gillikin crystals billowing out from her waist, no one could deny she looked like a queen.

"Thank you, Jerome." Her soft voice floated past me as the driver helped her to the pavement.

"My pleasure, Your Goodness," he replied with a tip of his hat.

Glinda smiled, her posture tall and unfaltering as she started toward the palace. Only as she came closer to the building's glimmering walls could I see the small cracks behind her chipper demeanor. The slight flush and faint tear lines tainting her painted rosy cheeks. The slump of her shoulders as the last echo of the horse's hooves faded down the path. The wobble of her lip as she entered the doors before they were closed behind her with a sharp bang.

My heart ached as she vanished from my sight. I wanted nothing more than to comfort her. To barge inside the castle and blindly reveal the truth. I knew it would be senseless, but I had little care for my own safety if it meant maintaining my bond with the only friend I'd ever had.

But it isn't just about you anymore.

Damn my rational mind! Of course, it was right. There was Fiyero to consider. If one of the palace officials saw me, I might be able to outrun them, and I doubted they would tell given the untimely departure of the Wizard. The last thing they needed was another scandal on their hands. Even if I could lose them though, where would I go? I'd have to follow Fiyero sooner or later, and if rumor of my existence spread and escalated enough, they'd come after him too. Oz would be plunged into chaos- again- and we'd be right back where we started.

Still, all the rational reasons in the world didn't stop the tug at my chest from growing stronger and stronger with each passing minute as I sat in that vacant palace courtyard.

I wanted to put off following my boyfriend for as long as possible. Giving in would mean the end of this life forever. The end of running, yes. But also the end of everything that made me who I was. The end of any connection I had to my mother and Nessa besides my memories. True that I hadn't been back to Cowell Grounds since Nessa's death, but I'd always hoped that one day, I'd find the courage to return. For old times sake, if nothing else.

The end of wondering around the gardens of Kiamo Ko late at night, both because the dark had always been more magical to me than the daylight, and also because it was the only time I felt safe enough to venture outside the castle walls without the danger of being spotted. The end of fighting for the Animals. For Doctor Dillamond and Chistery and all those who had no voice to speak for them except my own. The real, final, inevitable end of my friendship with Glinda, one of the only two people of whom thinking kept me sane when it would've been so much simpler to descend into madness. Leaving wouldn't merely be the start of a new life, but the death of an old one as well. Giving in, sooner or later, would mean the end of Elphaba Thropp.

Well, I wasn't ready to lose her just yet.

Before I could contemplate any longer, my broom jerked upward, pulling me toward one of the lower arched windows on the main floor of the palace. I came to a halt between a looming oak tree and the sparkling stone. The broom hovered in the air, tugging me just close enough so I could peer through the green-tinted glass. A dim lantern cast a low glow on two shadowy figures, opposite each other in the ornate living area.

One sat in a plush chair. Her knees were drawn to her chest and her head buried in her hands, face hidden by bouncy curls, now coming undone since she was no longer in the public eye. Glinda.

The other figure's footsteps clanked along the floor as he came around the chair to lay a gleaming metal hand on her shoulder. I did a double take when I recognized his contours.

"Can I do anything else for you, Your Goodness? His soft plea floated through the glass and made my ears prick.

Glinda looked up, her face worn, eyes red-rimmed and glistening. "No, Boq. I just want to be alone. And I told you, there's no need for formalities here. Call me Glinda."

"As you wish, Your- Glinda." A sad smile quirked one side of his lips as he backed out of the room, but at the last second, he turned on his heel and strode over to squeeze Glinda's hand.

I watched the scene with a lump in my throat, partially happy that Glinda at least had someone to comfort her when she needed it, and partially furious with myself that she needed comfort at all. Yet another person to add to my generous supply of those I've caused pain. Would this cycle never end?

"She would've been proud of you, you know," the munchkin said quietly. "Oz couldn't have a better ruler." My heart melted a bit at those words. He was right. I was proud of her. I only wished I could tell her so myself.

Glinda simply sniffed and shook her head. "Yes they could," she whimpered. "It should be Elphie who's doing all this, not me. I don't deserve any of what I've gotten. I did what I did because I was a coward. She was the real hero, and they burned her at the stake for it."

I grimaced at the self-loathing and grief lacing her words. Oh, my sweet. You weren't a coward. I was merely far too reckless. Some of us, it seems, were never meant to be anything but commotions.

"You're a born ruler, Glinda; I know you'll make her proud."

"I hope so, I really do. I only wish I didn't have to condone all of those horrible things people say about her! She was my best friend for Oz's sake, not some cold-blooded criminal! A pause. She met Boq's eyes, pleading with her own crystal blue. "You believe me, don't you? You knew her at Shiz. She would never have cast that spell on you if it weren't for good reason."

I held my breath as I waited for his answer. Though it wasn't the worst thing I'd done, I deeply regretted being the source of the fight that had resulted in one of my only friends losing his heart. I wished there had been another way to save him, but I was desperate, and once again, didn't consider the consequences for my actions.

The munchkin shook his head and grinned warily. "I believe you, Glinda. My memories of that day might be fuzzy, but I know- knew- Elphaba. She wouldn't have used magic on me unless it was the only option left."

I exhaled, and my heart palpitated a little harder in my chest. He didn't hate me for what I'd done to him? How was that possible?

"I only wish I hadn't been so quick to blame her. I was just… so miserable. By the time Elphaba arrived, it had been seven years since I'd ventured off the grounds of the governor's mansion."

"I cringed, barely refraining from gasping out loud. The memory of Nessa still pained me, and I only wished I could've done more for her. Wished that something, anything, I did would've been enough to make her proud.

"Elphaba finally gave Nessa the one thing she'd always longed for. I… I'd like to believe for those few seconds, she truly was happy to have her as her sister." My heart swelled again; I hoped more than anything that Boq was right.

He pursed his lips and continued, a wistful look clouding his dark eyes. "But when I told her I didn't love her… I never dreamed Nessa cared for me the way she did, that it would drive her to try magic. But I don't blame Elphaba for saving me." He gave a dry chuckle and offered the first genuine smile I'd seen. "In fact, if she were here, I'd probably thank her.

What?

"You would?"

He would?

Boq chuckled and nodded. "I would."

"But… and don't take this the wrong way or anything, why?"

Yes, why in all of Oz would you want to thank me?

"Because, believe it or not, this body gave me my freedom."

"It did?"

It did?

"Yes," Boq laughed. "I was finally able to venture out of Muchkinland again. I got to see all of Oz when I toured the land with Dorothy." He sighed and shook his head. "I only wish I could tell her that myself."

All this time, I thought I'd ruined Boq's life by saving him. I'd wondered so many times if he'd have rathered me leave him to die, only to find out he wanted to thank me?

I reeled backwards, unable to fathom such a notion. The bristles of my broom rustled against the leaves of the oak tree, and I sucked in my breath as both Glinda and Boq's heads snapped toward the window.

"D… Did you see that?"

Oh Oz! Glinda! Had she seen me before I could hide? I pressed myself against the wall, and strained to hear what would happen.

"I… I think so…"

"I… It looked like…."

"I know."

"But… But that's impossible right? She died, I saw her die!"

My chest clenched at the hope in her voice as Boq's feet clanged across the floor ahead of hers.

If everyone had to think I was dead, at least I wanted my closest friends to know the truth. For a moment, it was irresistibly tempting to let myself be found. I was so Ozdamn tired of all the rumors and lies. But then I thought about all the questions that were sure to follow if I revealed myself. How did I escape? If I was just hiding under the castle all that time, why didn't I say anything when all the Witch Hunters had gone? And if I answered those… Then I'd have to tell them about Fiyero, which would open a whole new plethora of doors.

The steps grew louder.

"Hello? Is anyone out there?"

"Well? Do you see anything? Is it.. Do you think it could be…?

My pulse thundered in my ears. I shouldn't be doing this. I couldn't do this. I hadn't even been dead a full day yet. If Fiyero found out that I'd blown it already… The consequences would be dire for us both. I couldn't do that to him. Wouldn't. I loved Glinda, but I loved Fiyero too. Much as I wanted to see her, I had to stay away. Keeping them safe was ten times more important than fulfilling my selfish desires.

Just before the two of them could reach the windowsill, my broom yanked upward. I darted through the oak, the branches scratching at my skin as I skidded into the sky.

"No one there, Glin," Boq said sadly. "Just wishful thinking."

Seconds before I was out of earshot, my heart constricted at Glinda's strangled whimper. "Elphie…"

Hold out, my sweet, I thought, blinking back the burn of tears pricking the corners of my eyes. Hold out.

Maybe not now, but one day, I would find a way to tell her the truth.