So this chapter royally kicked my butt. My apologies for the wait. Finals are in full swing, which includes three papers. But I find a bit of fluff always helps...;) Hope you enjoy!

6. Lovers' Kiss

"It might be best to camp here for the night."

Fiyero glanced around the dense forest as he stepped off the broom. To his left, Elphaba did the same and leaned it against a tree before turning her attention to pulling the many twigs, leaves, and pieces of quoxwood bark that had found residence in her ebony hair during the descent.

They had flown for what seemed like hours. It had taken the Prince a while to get used to the sensation of moving through the air on only a slim piece of wood. There had been a few moments where startled gasps had escaped him, causing the green woman in front of him to chuckle slightly. Taking advantage of the fact that she couldn't see him, he had slanted a few good-natured glares in her direction.

"Don't look at me that way, Fiyero," She said without looking back. "I warned you flying wasn't for everyone."

He swore the woman had eyes in the back of her head. "How did you know?"

Another laugh escaped her. "Some secrets are just better left untold."

This only earned her a frustrated groan and she chuckled once more as she had turned her attention back to the sky. It was shortly after that moment that Fiyero has pointed out the great forest to his flying companion, arguing that it would seem a logical choice for their resting place.

Elphaba hadn't been so sure. "Wouldn't that seem just a bit obvious to the Gale Force? Hiding out in a forest is the oldest trick in the book."

"Perhaps," His tone had been practical. "But then again, if you really want to hide something, do it in plain sight."

She had only smiled and shook her head, but began to aim the broom downward to the earth. Fiyero had felt his chest swell a bit at the fact that she trusted him enough to consider his plans and his grasp on her waist tightened almost indiscernibly at the sudden adrenaline rush that came with downward motion. Using his large frame to his advantage, the Prince had arched himself over Elphaba's body and did his best to shelter her from the onslaught of foliage that seemed to grasp for them like bony fingers of an elderly hand. Despite his best effort, some still managed to find its way into their hair and clothing.

It was these bothersome pieces that they were now both trying to remove from their persons.

Fiyero picked a stray lead off of his shoulder. "Do you think we lost them?"

Elphaba glanced over at him, fingers stilled in her long hair. "At least for the moment. The Gilikin Forest is one of the most complex forests in all of Oz. I've hid here several times over the years when the Gale Force was trailing me. Most of the time, they were lost before they had even ventured a hundred yards into the forest."

The knowledge that she had nearly been captured multiple times in the past caused his stomach to churn. Although he was no longer dressed in his uniform, having discarded it in favor of a more comfortable cotton shirt and trousers before they took to the sky, his skin still tingled as if the abrasive material still clung to his body.

Quickly shaking off the sensation, he turned his attention back to the green woman. She had succeeded in pulling most of the debris out of her hair and was now running her fingers through it as if to make certain that everything had been removed. Suddenly wished it were his own fingers that were tangled in those raven tresses, Fiyero released the breath had had been unconsciously holding as he watched her and began to move in her direction. She offered him a slight smile when she saw him approaching, her hands working to replace her hair in the loose braid it had been in when they had landed.

Before he could stop himself, his own hand shot out to still hers. "No." The word was almost a whisper.

She gazed up at him in surprise, silently questioning him as to what in Oz he was doing. Grasping both of her hands in his, he pulled them out of her hair, causing it to fall loosely around her shoulders. "Leave it," he murmured. "I've always loved your hair down."

Elphaba didn't comment on his action, but neither did she argue otherwise. Instead, she merely flipped what had fallen onto her shoulder behind her and reached around him to grasp the lantern. "Do you have a match?"

His brow furrowed at her strange request, but he fished around in his pocket and produced a small package of matches and held them out for her inspection.

She accepted them, eyebrows raised. "I'm impressed."

He shrugged, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "It never hurts to be prepared."

The green girl struck the match and lit the lantern, her face suddenly becoming illuminated in its soft glow. "Are you trying to tell me you've done this before?"

The Prince chuckled at her sarcasm and leaned to press a soft kiss to her cheek. "Only in my dreams."

She blushed a darker shade of green and looked away. "As I was saying, I think it would be best if we camped here for tonight. We're far enough ahead that even if the Gale Force followed us this far, thay wouldn't be foolish enough to try and track us during the night."

"Trying to take credit for my idea, now are we?" Fiyero couldn't resist teasing her. "Lest you forget, sweetheart, it was my suggestion to wait out the night here in the first place." He smirked as she shot him a glare. "You were the one who was unsure."

Her response was simple. "If I could reach my broom right now, you would be in high need of a bandage."

He laughed outright then and gathered her to him. "You and I both know you don't mean that, Elphaba. As much as you hate to admit it, life without me would be exceedingly dull."

She didn't answer for several clock-ticks, only wound her arms around his large frame and held him tightly to her. Clearly not expecting this course of action from the green girl, the Prince returned the embrace for several moments and then called to her, "Fae?"

She drew back then, confusion lighting her expression. "Fae? Where did that come from?"

Seeing that she wasn't going to acknowledge her sudden silence, he simply shrugged and answered her question. "I'm not sure. It just seemed to fit." He paused, "I suppose it could be a play on the middle part of you name. You know, El-FA-ba, 'Fa.' 'Fae.'" Fiyero met her eyes then. "I don't know. If you hate it, then-"

She stopped him with a green finger pressed to his lips. "It's fine." A slight smile worked its way up her face. "Actually, I rather like it. Much better than 'Elphie', anyway." Her face became solemn at the indirect reference to her best friend and she let out a long sigh, shaking her head.

Beside her, Fiyero idly played with several raven strands that had fallen back on her shoulder. "What is it?"

Her answer of "Glinda" caused his hand to still and he turned her face to his.

"Elphaba, we've been through this-"

"No, we haven't." She wretched out of his grasp and stood. "Perhaps you can justify this little tryst in your mind, but I can't." She turned to face him, her eyes clearly conveying the guilt that had been building ever since they had left the blonde behind. "She's my best friend, Fiyero. My only friend." She sighed as she raked a hand through her hair. "At least she was…"

Fiyero was immediately on his feet. "She still is. Elphaba, this is not your doing. I am the on who made the decision."

"But I could have stopped you."

"Not necessarily." Coming up behind her, he placed his hands on her shoulders, running his thumbs in small circles when he felt her tense at the contact. "Hate to break it to you, Fae, but you're not the only stubborn person in the world." He turned her to face him. 'It would have taken a lot more than your refusal to keep me away."

The green girl sighed and leaned into him, resting her forehead against his chest. "Lurline forgive me, but I don't think I would have been able to refuse." Raising her head, she met his sapphire eyes as tears began to fill her own. "I just hate that it had to be Glinda that got hurt."

"I know," he whispered as he hugged her again. "I do too. And this 'little tryst' as you call it, is much more than that." he smirked. "This is a full-blown tryst if I've ever seen on."

She glared up at him. "That's not funny, Fiyero." Clearly she didn't appreciate his poor attempt to lighten the situation.

"I'm sorry." Pulling her back to him, he enfolded her hands within his before she could escape. "In all seriousness, this is what I want. I wouldn't be here with you right now if I didn't. I thought you wanted this too."

"You know I do," Elphaba insisted, clutching his hands tighter. "Fiyero, I love you. You have no idea how much I love you and for some reason only Oz knows," She smiled and rested a hand alongside his cheek. "You love me as well. Never in my wildest dreams that you would be here. Holding me, wanting me, loving me." Despite her better judgment, she allowed herself to be lost in his arms for a moment. "This is all that I've ever wanted, all that I've ever dreamed of. But tell me something." Her gaze became serious. "Can you honestly tell me that if I hadn't shown up when I did, if you had indeed married Glinda? Can you honestly tell me that you wouldn't have been content with that life?"

The Prince let out a long sigh. "Why is it that you always love to make me think?"

A ghost of a smile crossed her lips. "It's good for you."

He slanted a mock glare in her direction before clearing his throat and answering, "I think I could have been content with that, yes."

She dropped her gaze and dropped his hands. "Then none of this had to happen. You could have stayed with Glinda and I could have continued my work in peace. Everyone would have been happy."

His voice stopped her. "I said I could have been content. I never said a word about happiness."

She looked up at him. "Aren't they the same?"

He shook his head. "Not when you've experienced both like I have." Kneeling in front of her, Fiyero drew her down to his level. "Don't get me wrong, Fae. I do care for Glinda. I suppose of some sort of level I do love her. But, Elphaba," His voice became low, passionate. "Elphaba, not even the best times I've had with Glinda can compare to being here with you."

Her face clearly conveyed her disbelief, but he continued, "I've told you before. Nothing can compare. You are the one I want. You are the one I love. Whether it's just for this moment or for an entire lifetime." He bent his head to kiss her softly. "You, Elphaba Thropp, have captivated me in more ways than you'll ever know. I've waited my entire life to feel this way and I plan to enjoy every last moment."

She still wasn't sure. "I still can't help but feel guilty."

"Glinda will be alright. She's stronger than you give her credit for. One day, the two of you will make up and everything will be right again."

She turned hopeful eyes on him. "I hope you're right. Everything is just such a mess right now."

"You think I don't know that? Elphaba, I've spent the last two years in the center of it all. We'll find a way to clear your name."

The green girl said nothing, only pressed her lips to his once more. "I only pray you're right," she said again.

"Of course I am," He replied as he kissed her again. "They made me Captain of the Guard for a reason."

She chuckled slightly, running her long fingers through his brown hair. "I love you," She whispered softly.

Fiyero said nothing for a moment, only searched her gaze. Then, before she knew what was happening, he had crushed her to him, his lips taking hers in a kiss like she had never experienced. Her eyes widened in mild surprise at his forwardness, but suddenly slipped closed as she allowed him to kiss her as he pleased. This was a whole new feeling for her. Their first kiss had been gentle, almost experimental. Their kisses since had been soft, quick pecks or a chaste brush of lips.

Not this.

This was something entirely different. Fiyero moved his mouth over hers in almost a desperate manner, as if he were afraid that this would be over too fast. Despite her lack of experience in the matter, Elphaba found herself returning his kisses just as fiercely. She tightened her grasp on his shoulders, struggling to get closer, even though the only thing that separated them was their clothing. She felt one of Fiyero's arms slide down to her waist and she took advantage of the movement to press herself more fully against him. He groaned at the contact and the green girl found herself smiling wickedly, a strange sensation of satisfaction washing over her at the knowledge that she was causing this.

The next thing she knew, her cloak had somehow ended up on the soft earth and Fiyero was lying beside her, his lips leaving hers to move down the column of her neck and over her collarbone. "Fae," He whispered her name as he moved up to taste her lips once more. "What you do to me."

"Yero," She whispered his own name as he pressed a kiss to her forehead. The slight breath of air she had taken in seemed to clear the haze of passion and she pressed a hand to his chest. "Fiyero, wait."

He did, propping himself up on one elbow to study her. "What is it?"

She laughed slightly. "It's just for the first time I feel…" She paused, and then leaned forward. "Wicked!" And then she pulled him down once more, allowing him to show her a whole new way to defy gravity without ever leaving the earth.

Clicky, clickly, por favor? :)