A/N: Yikes. I sincerely apologize for the long wait in updates...In my defense, finals came up, and then as soon as school was out, I left for an 18-day trip to Europe. So it took a while for me to bring myself to write another chapter. Especially as this one was an original scene.

But I hope you enjoy it, however belated it is.

Library Discussion

Over the following months, I felt myself find home at Shiz. I'd never stayed at any particular school for very long, but I was sure this one was different. Simply put, I was having fun. And not my usual, forget-about-work fun…I actually enjoyed classes. I can't pretend there wasn't a reason for this, though you can be sure I kept it well hidden.

It was Elphaba.

After the dance at the Ozdust, I saw a lot more of the green girl. Galinda told me the two of them hadn't been on good terms since they became roommates, but now she assured me they were the best of friends. Therefore, the three of us spent a lot of time together, often joined by Nessarose, the girl in the wheelchair and Elphaba's younger sister, and Boq, her now-boyfriend (who still eyed Galinda longingly). Elphaba didn't seem to mind being the fifth wheel; though on the rare occasion we were joined by Barim and Pfanee, or any number of "groupies," she made a point of being scarce. They didn't like her.

Elphaba was a fairly reserved person. In the time we all spent together, she didn't say much, allowing Galinda to steal the spotlight. A difficult job, considering Elphaba's stoplight-colored skin. It took me awhile to get used to it, but eventually I was able to look at her without noticing the odd attribute. To tell the truth, Elphaba didn't seem embarrassed of her unique verdigris, and she didn't draw much attention to it, so neither did any of us.

Still, I occasionally saw a more passionate side of my friend, particularly in life sciences and history, both subjects taught by the sole Animal professor at Shiz, a Goat called Dr. Dillamond. Elphaba was very fond of him, and in return he favored her. Dillamond seemed fond of drawing attention to the poor treatment of Animals in Oz, a subject which interested Elphaba greatly and was the one topic she was willing to talk in great length about to our circle of friends.

As time passed, I found myself become more attracted to my girlfriend's roommate. My first look at her at the dance had revealed a goddess – now, although she may have regularly appeared rather plain and simple, skin aside, I knew there was nothing "plain and simple" about her. She was different, but it was in a good way. Her long silences when asked a question never meant she didn't know what to say – they meant she was trying to think of the most insightful response she could possibly supply.

I felt my interest in Galinda waver. I couldn't understand why I didn't want to kiss her deeply, or grope her, or any of the number of things I'd done with similar pampered princesses. It definitely wasn't her fault – she clearly felt a passion for me I could never feel for her. But I didn't know why. I was perfect with Galinda; everyone said so, including her – including Elphaba. For some reason, from her, that comment seemed like an insult. Like I didn't want to be perfect with Galinda.

Elphaba was different. I saw past the bony limbs, and the stick-straight hair, and the emerald skin. I saw a slender form, shining black hair, and a color that seemed right for Elphaba, because it set her apart in form as her mind set her apart intellectually.

What was the matter with me?

I found myself thinking thoughts I'd never thought before – heck, formerly, I'd barely done any thinking at all! I'd always known I wasn't stupid, but this...I drifted away from Barim, and grew distant with Galinda. I made excuses so that we wouldn't be alone together. I begged Elphaba to hang around even when the "posse" came over, so I would have someone to talk to. Not that Elphaba and I did much talking. Elphaba certainly wasn't a shy person, not with anyone else, but she was unusually quiet with me. And I held back with her.

I couldn't tell whether she liked me or not, though Galinda assured me she spoke most highly of me behind closed doors in their dorm.

"Oh, yes, Elphaba says we're perfect together!"

…and back to square one.

Still, Elphaba Thropp intrigued me, and even as I suppressed my growing feelings I longed for an opportunity to talk one-on-one, so I could evaluate what she really thought of me and whether there was any chance she harbored similar feelings to mine.

My chance came nearly four months after the dance at the Ozdust Ballroom. It was late afternoon, and I had a date with Galinda later in the evening. I was walking past the library on the way to my dorm when I spotted Elphaba through the window, seated alone as usual at a large table covered in books.

I hesitated, then veered to the left and entered the large space, muffled with shelf upon shelf of books. In my whole time at Shiz, I had never set foot in the library before. Slowly, I began to approach Elphaba, deciding at the last moment I'd better have a book in hand to provide an alibi for my location. Without looking, I snatched a random volume off an unoccupied table.

"Elphaba!" I greeted jovially. She looked up, blinking. "Fancy seeing you here."

Her brow furrowed. "Fiyero…I'm always here."

"Oh…right…I knew that," I said lamely.

She nodded slowly, looking at me like I was crazy. "Of course you did. The question is, what are you doing here?"

I pointed to an empty chair. "Can I sit?"

She shrugged. "Why not?"

So far, so good…

"Well, I was doing a bit of research," I said proudly, setting my book on the table. Elphaba glanced down at the title, then slowly looked up to meet my eyes.

"…Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Sewage Waste Removal?" she asked skeptically.

My heart sank. Whoops.

"Well, yeah…you know, it's really interesting…" I could feel my cheeks turning red.

Elphaba stifled a laugh. "I…uh, didn't know such touchy subjects interested a prince such as yourself. Considering it as a backup career option?"

"In case ruling doesn't work?" I said sarcastically.

Then she did laugh, and it was a pleasant sound. I smiled, happy with myself for pleasing her.

"What are you working on?" I asked.

Her eyes skimmed the many heavy tomes before her. "I'm doing some research for Dr. Dillamond, actually."

"Oh?" I raised my eyebrows, inviting her to continue.

"Nothing you'd be interested in," she said smoothly, shoving the research away and stretching.

"How do you know?" I said defensively, another question occurring to me. "…do you really think Galinda and I are good together?"

Her gaze flew to the floor, and her cheeks reddened.

"Well…don't you want to be?"

"Of course!" I exclaimed, a little too quickly.

She looked up at me, and an awkward pause followed. Then she stood up.

"I think you can be whatever you want to be, Fiyero," she murmured, laying a hand on my arm and holding it there just a little too long. Then she flushed again and gathered her things into her arms.

"Can I walk you to your room?" I asked.

She backed away. "No, thank you. Galinda wouldn't want you to see her before the date tonight. Thanks for the talk, Fiyero." She hurried off.

I gazed after her, confusion and disappointment prevalent in my mind.

And that was when things began to change.

A/N: Next chapter: Lion-cub scene!

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