Chapter 9.

Rifiuto: Non Miriena

A/N: I know, Frex being nice must be a shock...

A/N: From Ghost Adventures- Linda Vista Hospital 1 of 4, on Youtube (about the incinerary):

"This is the incinerary where the- that's what I mean, the final- the end of all end, your body's now destroyed. Ashes. That's where the ashes go. That's where the ashes would come out. Why is there still ash in here? To me, it does look like there may be some reminants of bone chips or something. I'm not sure but I mean there are white pieces in there. Did I just put my hand in human ash? Look at the white fragments in there too. That looks like a f***ing tooth or like a bone fragment. They still have human ash in here! A lot of times people will come in, be Jane Does. What do you do with Jane Does or John Does? You burn them and forget about their dust. That's improper. There's a reason why this hospital came to an end so fast. This might be somebody's final resting place, right here."

Thanks to lizziemagic for reviewing 8.

"Take her to the incinerary."

"Wait! Wait, you can't take her- we... we need to put her in a room-" Trism turned as Elphaba and Fiyero rushed down the hall towards them.

"We have to-"

"You can't, we-"

"Dr. Thropp!" She looked up when Trism grabbed her arm. "She's dead."

"But... but maybe we can find her family..."

"No one's come to claim her-"

"Well, we need to give them at least forty-eight hours!" He shook her hard.

"Dr. Thropp, there's nothing we can do!"

Then he released her and went to the nurses. Fiyero and Elphaba watched as they disappeared down to the incinerary. Once they were gone, Elphaba turned to Fiyero.

"Not another one." He nodded in agreement.

"I think he killed her."

"What?" Fiyero met her eyes, calm.

"I think. Trism. Killed her."

"Not possible-"

"When I left to get you, she was alive. When we got here, she was dead."

"She could have died-" He shook his head.

"No."

"But-"

"Elphaba, when I left to get you, she was as alive as you or I. When we got here, she was dead. I think he killed her."

She let out a laugh, before going to the reception desk and picking up several files that were waiting for them.

"Oh Yero, I know you have an overactive imagination, but this is ridiculous." Before he could say anything, Milla joined them.

"I hate stitches."

"What happened?" Milla brushed her hair out of her face and leaned against the desk.

"A twelve-year-old came in with a knife sticking through his hand-"

"Like an actual knife or-" She nodded.

"An actual knife." The other two shared a surprised look. "It took me ten minutes to remove it, and required eighteen stitches."

"Is he-"

"He's okay, he's just not going to be able to use his hand for three weeks."

"Yikes." Milla nodded.

"So, what happened while I was away?"

"Fiyero thinks Trism killed a Jane Doe that came in."

Milla's head snapped up.

"What?"

"I know. That's what I said."

"Why would you think that?" Milla asked, turning to Fiyero. He sighed.

"Because, when I went to get Elphaba, she was alive, and by the time we returned, she was dead and Trism was taking her down to the incinerary." She shook her head.

"That's not right."

Later, when everyone's shifts had ended, Elphaba went to check on her father.

"Dad?" Melena looked up, to see Elphaba slip into the room. "Hey, you all right?" He nodded. "I'm going to head home, but I will be on call if you need me. Okay? You're going to stay here for at least anther night, until we're certain that you're insulin levels are going to remain stable, all right?" Frex nodded, slowly taking his daughter's hand. Then, she leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on his forehead. "I'll be on call all night in case you need me. Okay? Good." He wrapped her mother in a hug and pulled her coat on, just as Fiyero poked his head in.

"Fabala?" She turned. "Ready?" She nodded. "I'll take you home."

With one last goodbye to her parents, she followed Fiyero out to the parking lot. Several of the doctors and nurses had decided to car poole to save on gas and time. Most nights, Fiyero dropped Elphaba off before heading home, or Elphaba took Fiyero home after a shift, but either way, they spent most nights on a tension-filled trip. They drove in silence, focused only on themselves, until Fiyero pulled up to Elphaba's drive.

She lived in a fairly decent neighborhood, far from the problems that plagued Shiz. It was a very nice townhouse, that she'd rented since college, and had no desire to leave for anything. After years of making a living, the house was finally a home for her. Although Elphaba did say that she was pretty sure the house was semi-haunted by the ghost of a little girl that liked to play tricks.

"Thanks." He nodded, meeting her eyes.

"Sure thing."

She smiled at him, before opening the door and starting to climb out.

"Elphaba-" She turned back when he grabbed her arm.

"What is it, Yero?" Then, without warning, he leaned close and captured her lips in a sweet, gentle kiss.

"Goodnight." She smiled at him before nodded.

"'Night." Then, she got out, grabbed her keys, and hurried to the door, slipping inside with a wave. Once he was sure she was okay, he left, the feel of Elphaba's lips still on his.