A/N: I'm back! He he he… Which means that our next chapter is being published! (Obviously, if you're reading this… never mind)

I just had my life eaten by PETER PAN at my school. It was insane, but fun. Can't wait 'til next year's musical… sigh

So, as a recap, now Roger's all curious-like, Elphie's pissed, Glinda's confused (typical), Fiyero isn't thinking (typical), Maureen's pissed, Angel's cool (YAY!), and no one else really cares.

Warning: New twist- is Elphie as nice as she appears? Read on and find out…

R&R my friends!

Thimbles from the author,

SARAN VD

Disclaimer: if I owned any of these characters, my name would be Jonathan Larson, which it's not, cuz I'm a girl, and no one names their daughter Jonathan, unless… oh, never mind.

Kiamo Ko

Chapter 6

Midnight. Maureen had her hair in tiny little braids all over her head and a lit candle in one hand. Her target: Fiyero Tiggular, the one person who could get in the way of her winning the popularity contest. She padded around the castle barefoot, in one of Elphaba's black nightgowns, peeking into all the rooms. No luck. She decided to give up and go to sleep (Joanne was waiting awake for her) when who should she run in to but…

Roger.

"Damn," she muttered.

Roger frowned. "So you don't like me anymore?"

"Well, I was hoping that you would be Fiyero… oh god. I'm sorry Roger… it's not like that!"

"Well, what is it like? What, do you plan to set a record and break two or maybe even three hearts at once? I didn't think you were the type to do that, Mo."

"I'm not!" she called after Roger as he disappeared into the room he and Mimi were sharing.

Roger ignored her and went back to sleep.

But Maureen's argument woke someone else up: a young preteen girl, maybe 10 or 11. She rubbed her eyes and stared at Maureen. Her eyes were bright blue, contrasting with her emerald skin, which was just like her mother's.

Maureen stared back.

Then the little girl screamed and ran into a bedroom, and soon lights were turning on all over the castle.

Maureen blushed and blew out her candle, trying to avoid the stares of Roger, Mimi, Benny, Joanne, Collins, Angel, Mark, Fiyero, Elphaba, and the little girl.

Elphaba whispered something in the girl's ear, and that was all it took for a heated argument to erupt between the two, completely in whispers. Finally, the girl stepped forward and held out her hand.

"Shana Tiggular, daughter of Elphaba Thropp and Fiyero Tiggular," she said, sounding more grown up than she really was.

Maureen was in shock. She took the girl's hand and gave it a firm shake. Shana smiled, and addressed everyone. "Nothing to see, you can all get back to bed." She turned, still smiling sweetly, to Maureen, and suddenly turned venomous. "And I'll deal with you tomorrow."

Maureen rolled her eyes. "Oh, how I quiver with fear."

Joanne grabbed her lover by the arm and dragged her away.

"Why am I only hearing of this now?" Fiyero accused.

Shana hugged him. "Oh, Daddy."

Elphaba stroked Shana's brown curls and sent her back to bed.

Fiyero snaked his arms around her waist. "You've gotta do something about her. If Maureen…"

"Don't start. I don't think even Maureen would harm a child."

"But if the Wizard…"

"Long gone."

"Or Glinda…"

"She'd sleep through an earthquake as long as her curlers didn't get disturbed. Besides, Glinda's a big, blonde softie."

Fiyero sighed. "I'm just sayin'"

"I'll talk to her," said Elphaba, heading up to Shana's room in the highest room of the tallest tower.

"Shana?" asked Elphaba, lighting the lantern by the girl's door. "Can I come in?"

Shana nodded. She was staring out the window as the sun peeked over the hills. "Mama," she said, "Mama, why am I cursed like this? Why do I have to suffer everyone's pain for them? Most importantly, Mama, why is your secret twin staying in our house?"

Elphaba grinned and stood next to her daughter. "You know, Shana, Maureen isn't my twin."

"Well, then, who is she?"

"… A guest."

"What do you mean? How long is she gonna be here?"

"Why do you ask?"

"She was trying to get Daddy."

"Oh, Shana!" Elphaba laughed nervously.

Shana stared at her mother. "No, really, she was! She really wants to win that bet."

Elphaba started. "How do you know about that?"

"I'm not deaf, Mama."

"That is not your concern," snapped the Witch, getting that angry spark back in her eye.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to upset you!" the girl pleaded, cowering.

Elphaba slapped her across the cheek. "If you ever interfere with my personal life again… well, let's just say you're lucky I'm tired." And with a swoosh of black nightgown, she was gone.

Shana crumpled to the floor and cried, caring more about the bruise on her cheek than the sting of her tears.

Joanne's room was right under Shana's, and she quietly lit a candle and headed softly up the stairs to figure out the source of the child's tears.