A/N: Alright so so sorry for the long wait and now this really short chapter. I didn't want you guys to think I forgot about you, but I've been hell-a busy. I just got back from London so yea...My life has been crazy. Throw in Christmas and jebus...Anyway sorry this is so short but at least it's something. Think of it as a holiday gift! Merry Christmas!

Chapter 9: As the Days Go By

Glinda sighed rubbing her temples and placing her quill back in the inkpot. The mountain of paperwork that had accumulated after Liir's arrival was staggering. Checking the wall clock she saw it was nearly half past one and Liir's naptime. It had taken more than a week, but with the help of some nurses she had gotten him on a schedule they both could bear.

In his first couple of days at the palace she had relieved herself from any of her engagements and tended to the baby instead. No one had informed her parenting was so exhausting. She had little experience with babies. She had only watched her younger cousin from time to time growing up, but it had always been nighttime and the baby had always been sleeping.

Liir proved to be far more difficult of a case. When she'd first tried to get him to take a bottle, he howled, the poor thing had no idea what was going on; the nurses then informed her that he most likely hadn't been weaned yet. It was no cause for her to be worried, but it would just take some time. So that is what her parental education had become, a series of trial and errors with the nurses stepping in at just the right moment.

Pushing herself away from the desk she meandered down the hallway pausing at the newly decorated nursery's door. Slowly opening it and stepping inside she approached the crib quietly.

It was apparent that he was not himself this past week. Glinda knew he missed his parents. His anxiety at being in a strange place was starting to wear on the household. These quiet moments were few and far between. Liir was sleeping soundly covered in the small blanket he had arrived in. He had quite the attachment to it. It probably reminds him of Elphie, she thought to herself resting her chin on hands setting on the railing. She watched his chest rise and fall. She couldn't help but smile; he was an adorable baby and looked like the perfect combination of his parents. She quickly pushed the cascading emotion at that thought out of her mind. She knew at some point she would have to grieve for them, not now though, not yet.

Slowly standing back up and making her way quietly back into the hallway. She took one quick glance back into room. Quietly shutting the door she made her way back to the study to complete the rest of her work.

&

They hadn't spoken much since they began their trek to the city. It has been nearly nine days of deep silence; the couple lost in their own thoughts.

It was easy not to feel. Elphaba had that down to a science from a young age, but somehow she found herself now unable to withdraw completely. Day after day as they traveled though the abandoned winter-scape, and at nights especially, she found herself missing the tiny weight of Liir sleeping on her chest. The way he cuddled into that small nook between her chin and shoulder. She missed his small hands grasping at her dress, pulling on the buttons as she had him rested on her hip. She missed his bright smile and the eyes that were exactly that same shade as his father's. His tiny, little voice. She ached inside for her baby, and it frustrated her that she could not make it go away. No, it scared her that it may never go away. Sighing she turned over; sleep had been a foreign concept. Luckily tonight they found an abandoned outpost and were indoors. Shivering she pulled her cloak tight around her shoulders. It was too cold to travel by dark, and she was too lost to go to her own husband for comfort. She saw Fiyero huddled a few feet away from her. His brow furrowed and eyes shut, he had the beginnings of a beard, and most likely looked as worse for the wear as she. Closing her eyes she tired to at least catch a few small moments of repose.

Shutting his eyes as he heard Elphaba stir, Fiyero feigned sleep. It was easier to do that than sit in the all encompassing silence. He was drowning in his own thoughts. He felt like a failure. What kind of father cannot protect his own family? This thought had burdened him since Lurlinemas, and would continue to do so until he could see his son again. The need to get his feelings out in the open was like a dead weight. He shifted himself into a sitting position no longer wanting to sleep. He sighed and for once he did not bother to fight the tears.

It's surprising how the smallest thing can be a catalyst.

Elphaba's ears pricked as a small sniffle echoed across the silence of the room. "Fiyero?" She asked quietly. Lifting herself up on an elbow she glanced over her shoulder. She saw him sitting with his face buried in his hands.

"Elphaba?" The weakness in his own voice shocked him. He watched as she raised herself on an elbow to look at him. "I'm so sorry." His voice wavered and he buried his face in his hand. He pinched the bridge of his nose in hopes to stop everything and let out a shaky sigh.

In an instant she was kneeling at his side. "Sweet Oz, Fiyero whatever for?" Elphaba was completely caught of guard at his sudden break down. She'd never seen him act like this, ever. Then it dawned on her and she felt guilty; she wasn't the only one hurting.

"I failed. I'm a terrible fath—"

She pressed her fingers to his lips. "Don't you dare. Don't even think it."

"I let my guard down," He hung his head, and she grabbed his chin.

"We had only been escaping the inevitable. Fiyero, look at me," He slowly raised his eyes. "Please don't blame yourself."

"But…"

"No. That's my job, remember?" She rested her forehead against his. He wrapped his arms around her and she crawled between his legs. They sat in silence for a moment.

"I just want to know he's okay." Fiyero whispered and felt her nod.

"I was just thinking before I don't know what I'd do if he wasn't."

"You'd know right? If, if something had happened?"

"I'd like to think so."

"Speaking of thinking, what's been going on in there?" He lightly wrapped his knuckles on her forehead.

"I was about to ask you the same question."

He looked at her expectantly.

"I miss him," was her answer. Fiyero sighed and laid back; she joined him resting her cheek on his chest. He stroked her hair and they settled into a calm silence knowing that they both had each other.

"We need a plan."

"We do."

"So?"

"I think the guns-a-blazin' approach is out the window." She felt rather than heard him laugh. "We need to get to Glinda. I think that's our only chance."

"Once we get into the city that's going to be tricky."

"Well, yes, that goes without saying."

"You think maybe you can like psychic or magic or whatever the hell it is you do into her consciousness again?"

"It's dream projection, and no, Liir is the one with the ability."

"Well then what about trying to see him?" Fiyero asked.

"I've tried. Nothing. It's all him, trust me."

"How is that possible?"

Elphaba shrugged cuddling further into his embrace. "I don't know. I mean I carried him for nine months and magic can be genetic." She paused and looked up at him exasperated, "Did you not pay attention at all in Life Science?"

He grinned at her.

"Forget I said that last part."

"So then was it him—that thing with the cliff?"

She nodded the more she thought about it, it was the only plausible explanation. "Yep, had to be, or else Glinda, but I know it was him. Call it instinct or what not. He used me as a conduit; that's why I was so sick."

Fiyero let out a low whistle. "Pretty impressive."

"That's why it worries me so much. It's unprecedented."

"Weren't you the same though—before I mean?"

"Not nearly this young. I was two when I first started showing—I guess you could call it ability."

"And he can control it?"

"I'm not really sure." Elphaba yawned.

Fiyero followed suit. "You tired?" He asked.

She nodded. "Exhausted."

"Nine days of emotional back-breaking silence will do that to you." He teased a little then turned serious. "Let's not do that again. Know that I'm here for you okay?"

"I should have been to one to say that, but me too love. No more break downs, at least not for the next twenty four hours?" She kissed him lightly as he shut his eyes. "Sleep. We'll leave at dawn." She paused again, "Fiyero?"

"Hmm?" he answered with his eyes still closed, his hands resting on the small of her back.

She smiled and touched his scruffy cheek lovingly. "Nothing."

"Mmhmm."

With that they both fell into a light sleep.

A/N: It may be a while before the next update, but maybe I'll surprise myself too...Anyway review if you would be so kind. They always seem to bring on the inspiration :)