Author's Note: Sweet Oz, I had not expected so many reviews for one chapter alone, in so little time! Thanks!
"Sir? Sir?"
Fiyero woke up groggily, wiping sleep from his eyes and looking up into the face of a pretty blonde woman, that clerk. He sighed and sat up.
"Yes?" he asked sleepily. Suddenly, he was wide awake, and in a slight panic. Had he missed his flight? Where was Elphaba?
"I regret to inform you that your flight has been cancelled due to inclement weather," the clerk said happily, stepping closer.
"What weather?" Fiyero asked. The clerk smiled.
"There's a blizzard outside, sleepyhead," the woman teased flirtatiously. Fiyero squirmed uncomfortably at her language, but then he smiled with relief as Elphaba approached, with two cups of coffee in hand. She gave the blonde a stern look before sitting next to him. The clerk backed off instantly, but wore a shocked face at the hue of the green woman's skin, which didn't go unnoticed. Elphaba grimaced.
"I'm guessing Miss Perky told you the news," she said, handing him the coffee. Fiyero chuckled and nodded, drinking the warm liquid.
"Yeah. I guess we'll be heading back to Shiz, then." He took a sip from the coffee experimentally, not wanting to burn his tongue . . . again. Elphaba pursed her lips, glancing at her hands. "What?" She sighed and looked back up at him.
"Fiyero, if that had been the case, I would've woken you up hours ago. We're snowed in. Check the doors, there's no way out." Fiyero's mouth dropped open. He scrambled up and ran to the windows. Elphie was right. They were snowed in. He walked back to his seat in a more dignified fashion, sitting down.
"So we're stuck. Here."
"Yes." Fiyero groaned. Elphie laughed. "I'm sorry you have to be stuck with me, of all people."
"Why are you apologizing?" Fiyero asked, surprised, "I don't mind being here with you." This time it was Elphaba's turn to be surprised.
"You don't?"
"No. If Galinda were here, I would be driven into insanity." Elphaba laughed.
He studied her face, noticing how even though her features were sharp, she was quite beautiful, in her own way, and she shuffled uncomfortably under his gaze.
"What is it?" she asked finally, a slight blush coloring her cheeks.
"I'm just surprised, that's all." Fiyero took an innocent sip from his drink.
"I'm not following you."
"You haven't insulted me or yelled at me once today. What gives?" Elphaba cracked a smile and snickered.
"Well, considering we're trapped here together, I figured to at least and try to tolerate you until we are free." She shrugged.
"Sounds good to me," Fiyero said, "So, what now?"
"You finished your coffee?"
"Fast drinker." Fiyero tossed the empty cup into a nearby garbage can, waiting for the green woman to finish her own. "When did I fall asleep?" he asked.
"About an hour after we relaxed," Elphaba replied, finishing her beverage and tossing it. "You were sleeping so soundly, I couldn't wake you up."
"How thoughtful of you," Fiyero teased, grinning. His companion rolled her eyes, standing up.
"Oka, hotshot, come on. We can't sit around all day. Why don't we go and get something to eat?" Fiyero perked up, realizing he was hungry.
"Where's the food court?" he asked, standing. She jerked her head, motioning for him to follow her. The walked along, passing other disgruntled passengers trapped in the airport with them. Normally he would find a pretty girl to flirt his time off with, but right now . . . he would rather stay with Elphaba.
If he had been given the choice just a few weeks ago, he would've chosen the girls.
Elphaba sat arrived at a small table with waffles and fruit. Fiyero made a face.
"What, don't like waffles?"
"No, no, I do. I just don't like melons."
"Why not?"
"They're too sweet. And I can't imagine fruit being green. Green is a vegetable colo- oh, wait!" His catch was too late, Elphaba's shields had gone up again. "Sorry, Elphie," he ignored the vicious glare she gave him, "I didn't mean it like that!"
"Maybe that fruit can't help being green," Elphaba snapped, "Maybe that fruit is actually very good if you're willing to look past its color!"
"Elphaba," Fiyero cursed himself for being so stupid, "You know I didn't mean it like that."
"How could I?" Elphaba retorted, "You were horrible to me when you first arrived in your dancing through life glory!"
"I know, that, and I'm sorry!" Fiyero said, desperately attempting to change her mind, "I've changed since then!"
"Oh, really?"
"Yes, really."
"How?"
"I-I don't have a date . . . um every week, yeah." She raised an eyebrow and shot a pointed glance toward that too-friendly clerk. "Not her, either."
"It's not my fault the girls at Shiz acquired real taste," Elphaba sniffed, though the sparkle in her eye told him she wasn't angry with him anymore.
"Hey, I have an idea," Fiyero said, and Elphaba gave him a special look that she reserved for him, a mix of scorn, humor, sarcasm, and amusement. "Let's try and have a conversation in which you don't get mad at me or insult me once."
"I don't think that's possible," Elphaba replied, "You leave yourself wide open."
"At least try," Fiyero whined, and then grinned mischievously. "Or are you afraid you'll actually enjoy yourself?" Elphaba jumped at his well-placed bait.
"Not on your life," she hissed, "Game on."
They shook hands. Elphaba motioned for him to say something. Fiyero thought for a moment, wanting to savor the chance to have a real conversation with the emerald mystery before him.
"So how has your day been?" he asked, grinning. She grimaced, as if trying to hold her tongue, which was probably true.
"I've had . . . better," she finally answered, holding back a chuckle. He grinned hugely.
"Well I've had a great day," he said cheerfully, "I got coffee, and I'm having fun chatting with you!"
" . . . Fun?"
"Yes, fun. Believe it or not, I actually enjoy talking to you."
"Oh really?"
"Yes, really. You're not batting your eyes at me or lamely cuddling up to me." Elphaba visibly bit her tongue, looking away, giggling.
"Are you enjoying this?" she finally sputtered out. Fiyero laughed. He hadn't seen such a . . . happy side of Elphie before. It was nice. She was nice.
"I'm quite enjoying this," he said, "You know I can't remember the last time I saw you smile like that." She blushed furiously.
"Well, usually when you're around, I-" she caught herself, "So do you mind me smiling?"
"I don't mind at all," Fiyero replied honestly, "You have a lovely smile." She blushed deeper, a smile playing at her lips.
"I haven't seen you really smile either, you know," Elphaba pointed out. Fiyero raised his eyebrows.
"I smile all the time," he retorted. She shook her head.
"Let me rephrase that, I've never seen you grin like that before." She smiled. "You need to grin like that more often." Fiyero found himself blushing like her now, and the two sat in a comfortable silence.
"I'm done," he commented, gathering her plate and leftovers and bringing them to the garbage can, then returning to her. She stood up.
"Want to head to the lounge?" she asked, "That's where everyone else is going."
"Sure," he replied, and grinned teasingly. "Is this a date?"
"Don't flatter yourself," Elphaba muttered, smiling, "That conversation is over, and I am free!" She poked him in the ribs, and in turn he tapped her nose with his finger.
"You're enjoying talking to me, see?" he pointed out victoriously, "It's a Lurlinemas miracle!"
"That's only because you're not acting like your usual jerky self," Elphie replied, rolling her eyes. She seemed to concentrate on something in the distance. "Oh, I used to love this song," she said softly. Suddenly, she seemed awfully distant.
"I need a nickname for you," Fiyero said. Elphaba looked up, her eyes brightening a little with curiosity.
"A nickname?" she snorted, "Why don't you call me Elphaba?"
"That's too long," he complained, "And every time I call you Elphie, I either get the death stare or a mean comment."
"That's true," Elphaba said thoughtfully, "Well, feel free to call me anything you like . . . preferably Elphaba. Seriously, Fiyero, it's not that bad."
"Yes, it is!" Fiyero complained, "Now that we're sort of friends, I need to nickname you. Consider it an entrance ritual."
"We're friends?" Elphaba asked, her eyes widening. Fiyero cringed, afraid he had frightened her.
"Are we?" he asked softly. Elphaba thought for a moment, and then shrugged. Fiyero, in his joy, pulled her in for a bear hug. "Fae!" he suddenly said aloud, and turned to her. "I'll call you Fae."
