Hey all! Here's an update that I hope you all enjoy... just reminding everyone to review! It really makes me day.


"Miss Tenmeadows?" Being called by Avaric's name was already enough to annoy her, but she told herself to relax; the bellhop hadn't done anything to vex her and snipping at him wouldn't bother Avaric.

"Yes?" she asked as politely as she could as she opened the door to the suite.

He tipped his hat to her, most likely a reflex because she knew that even in the the fancy clothes of a lady, she wasn't particularly feminine. "Sorry to be a bother, Miss," he said, and she realized she had probably failed at being polite. "But a young gentleman has requested your presence downstairs. We're settled him in a sitting room off of the main lobby and told him we'd send you down."

She frowned. "It's not my cousin, is it?" she asked, hearing the disdain in her own voice.

"No, Miss. Master Avaric let's himself up when he comes to see you," he gently reminded her. "If you're feeling... unwell, I could maybe tell your guest that you are not up to entertaining visitors at the moment."

"No!" She said, realizing there was only one man other than Avaric who might wish to speak with her. She cleared her throat, smoothing her dress. "I'll speak with him," she said, trying not to be annoyed when the bellhop led her by the arm down the stairs, as if she couldn't find the way on her own. "Thank you," she said once they reached the bottom, giving him a significant look and pressing a silver coin into his hand.

She found the sitting room with ease, and sure enough, there was Fiyero. He looked worried or something, but smiled at her, at least for a second when she walked in the room. His clothing was more Western than she was used to seeing him in- the trousers were of an odd fabric, perhaps a suede and his shirt seemed less structured and was open at the neck. She swallowed hard, noticing the pattern of blue diamond tattoos on his skin continued down his chest. "I need to do laundry," he explained to her.

"Oh," she said, making herself look at the ground. "You wanted to speak with me?"

"Yes," he said, motioning to one of the chairs. He sat down on a sofa that sat near it. "I... this is a little hard to say."

"Well, say it fast. Maybe it'll make it easier?" she smiled, looking as inviting as she could.

"I... it's not your fault, I promise. However, I don't think I can let our friendship continue."

She stood up, frowning. "What? Fiyero, what's the matter? Come up to my rooms, we can talk up there-"

She reached out to him, her hands on his arms, but he shook her away. He moved away from her so a coffee table separated them. "No, that really wouldn't be a good idea. Elphaba, you didn't do anything wrong, I did. I'm attracted to you, which wouldn't be a problem if I weren't married, but I am. I don't want to hurt anyone, not you or Sarima or my children or anyone else. I don't know how I can be just friends with you for much longer, so it's really best if we end this now."

She stepped around the table. This was her moment, she realized. This moment would determine whether or not her mission succeeded or not; she couldn't let him leave. "I don't want you to go." Her voice was soft, low. She felt him pull towards her, subconsciously, reeling away once he'd realized he'd done it. "I would miss you if you left. I don't have a lot here. I'm alone often, which isn't so bad, but sometimes..." She looked at him, studying the blue of his eyes. For a second the realization that even without the mission, she was attracted to him crossed her mind, but she didn't let that distract her. "Sometimes I really wish I had someone."

He backed away from her, tripping over a footstool but catching himself, stepping behind an oversized chair. She was making this very difficult for him. "You're a beautiful girl, surely there's someone who-"

"There isn't," she broke in. "Look at me, look at my skin!" Had he ever even commented on her skin tone? She couldn't remember him ever referencing it. She softened again, reminding herself that yelling at him probably wouldn't be in her best interest. "And it's not just anyone I would want to be with, either."

He looked away, squeezing his eyes shut. "I don't want to cheat on my wife, I don't want to have an affair." But he seemed to be reminding himself of that as much as he was telling her.

"You don't have to, we don't have to. I just don't want you to leave."

"I don't think I can just be friends with you." He sighed, but gently leaned forward, resting his palm against her cheek. Her eyes fluttered shut at the touch. He pulled away, a second later than he probably should've. "I've got to go clear my head. Don't worry, I won't just leave, I'll come back here to talk to you again, promise."

"Alright," she said, nodding. "So I'll see you soon?"

"Yes. Goodbye." He said as he walked away. After he was gone, she took a deep breath and went back to her room.

She felt heavy as she sank down onto an upholstered chair. She felt horrible for putting him in this situation, for encouraging him to cheat on his wife and lie. And she didn't even love him, it was just a mission! Work, politics. He was so decent, good. She did want his friendship had no doubt that he had never been unfaithful before. He wanted her, he'd said so. How much of it was because of the real Elphaba and how much of it was because of the act she was putting on? Did he love her, or think he did? He was going to be hurt one way or another. If she cared for him at all (and she realized she did, with a bit of horror), she should encourage him to leave.

But she couldn't, because of the Resistance. Her hands were tied and there was nothing she could do but wait for him to fall for her and open up to her.