"Though this be madness, yet there is method in it."
Hamlet, William Shakespeare

Chapter 10

Fiyero knew it was Elphaba as soon as he heard that someone had broken into Dr. Dillamond's office. He overheard it in class the first time, and then caught traces of conversation in the hallways. Although no one seemed to be able to name a culprit, that didn't stop the speculation. Rumors circulated quietly, passing from student to student in hushed whispers and silent, meaningful glances.

Someone broke the window…and pried loose the hinges, Fiyero overheard.

That old Badger who cleans the building found the office all askew, he heard someone else mutter.

Elphaba would have been furious, he knew, to hear them speaking about the Badger without so much as asking his name. Fiyero shook off the feeling, though, and tried to force her from his thoughts. He did not want to dwell on Elphaba or what chaos she might be causing. He was determined to be through with her escapades, her lying, and her selfishness.

I have a life in the Vinkus. I will take my education back with me and make things better for my people. That is my only burden, and that is what matters most. I have a wife waiting for me. I do not need Elphaba Thropp and her tunnel-vision, her obnoxious ranting, her lack of manners, her spitefulness…her eyes…her spirit… her skin…

Fiyero shook himself, refusing to allow his thoughts to wander farther. A part of him still loved her, he knew, but he would silence that part. He had decided he was simply youthfully infatuated. That's all his relationship with Elphaba had been, and he believed his feelings would wane and disappear with time. He decided that, until then, he would have to suffer his broken heart. It was the penalty for having involved himself in something he should have run from. He would hurt for a time, but in the end, he'd be better off. His family would be better off.

Still, he couldn't help wondering at what point Elphaba's tactics would land her in more trouble than she could lie her way out of. He knew she'd broken into the office. She'd clearly not gotten the key from Avaric, and Fiyero knew she would never give up and admit defeat. Clearly, she'd taken the matter into her own hands. Part of him hoped she'd covered her tracks well. If she was right, and the doctor's death was a cover-up murder, she was toying with dangerous people. Then again, another part of him wished she would get caught. He thought it might put an end to her dangerous, and potentially harmful, exploits.

She'll run over anyone for what she wants. Maybe it would be good for someone to stop her, he told himself.

Fiyero tried to shake it off and put the whole thing out of his mind. It wasn't his burden now. He had to move on. So he went about his life, trudging through the wet, murky snow and burying his face in his books at night. The semester was wrapping up, and there were seminars, projects, and essays demanding his attention. He did not have time to worry about Elphaba. He would not focus on Elphaba. He would move on. He did not need or want her.

Elphaba.

Galinda heard the rumors about Dr. Dillamond's office in her mathematics class. She had been unable focus on her professor that day. Math tended to give her a headache, and she had focused instead on the whispering going on to her right. From what she could gather, someone had broken a window and stolen most of his papers. She listened more intently, as they gossiped.

"Nothing valuable was missing. Not even his gemstone collection. All they took were those papers. It's silly, if you ask me, to go to that length and not take something of value…"

Galinda was suddenly more alert. She knew someone who would find papers far more valuable than gemstones. Her crazy, one-track minded roommate had had her sights set on the doctor's office since he'd died. Galinda swallowed hard, feeling most certain it must have been Elphaba. Somehow, though, she was afraid to ask. It would only involve her more in her Elphaba's schemes.

So she watched her roommate over the next few days, looking for anything that might give her away. Elphaba was quiet, reclusive even. She spent most nights pouring over books and papers by the light of her lamp. Galinda tried to lay awake and watch her. She tried to determine how many hours Elphaba was studying, and if she ever slept. She hoped to catch the green girl sneaking out or producing something that was undoubtedly Dr. Dillamond's. Galinda always fell asleep, however, and she couldn't speak for what her roommate did in the wee hours of the night.

Even in sorcery seminar, Elphaba was mute. She worked her spells with practiced skill and showed no animosity toward Madame Morrible. Except for her usual snarky retorts and constant need to argue with her professors, she was the picture of a perfect student. Perhaps that was what bothered Galinda the most. She was certain Elphaba had stolen those papers, and she was more certain her roommate had no intention of giving up on her revolution. It was only a matter of time before something exploded. Whether it would be literally or metaphorically, Galinda could not say.

Since the entire situation already had her on edge, Galinda's heart jumped into her throat when she found Nanny in their room one afternoon two weeks after the break-in. Nessarose sat primly on the chair, looking holy and slightly offended.

"Is there something wrong?" Galinda asked in a shaky voice.

"I certainly hope not. Your Headmistress has called an assembly this evening. She's asked that all students and staff be present," Nanny explained, fluttering a piece of paper around.

Galinda held out her hand and Nanny gave her the note. It said nothing further than what Nanny had said. Still, Galinda felt herself tremble a little. She supposed Madame Morrible could want to discuss just about anything. The semester was drawing to a close and there could be an issue with examinations, or perhaps a change in faculty for the new semester. Still, this was the first time in Galinda's academic career that Morrible, or anyone, had addressed the entire student body. It was unusual, no matter how she tried to think of it.

"I certainly hope you girls have been behaving yourselves," Nanny was shaking a gnarled finger in their direction, "I know both of your families would be sorely disappointed if you've gotten into any mischief."

"There's very little mischief that one can get into when one is constantly chaperoned," Nessarose commented, glancing toward Nanny, "Also, it would offend the Unnamed God for me to be gallivanting around alone."

"I don't worry about you, my pet. It's your spirited sister who's made me old before my time," Nanny grumbled.

"I can't speak for Elphaba," Nessarose sniffed her disapproval, "She's ignored me so thoroughly lately that I've started to question why I came to this school at all…"

"It's been a hard semester…" Galinda offered as some sort of excuse.

Nanny huffed her disapproval and said, "Elphaba's been hard her whole life. I suppose I shouldn't expect the rest of it to be much different…"

"Your kind words are always appreciated," Elphaba spat as she came through the door just then.

Galinda turned, still clutching the note in her hand, "We have an assembly tonight we must attend," she blurted out.

"We?" Elphaba looked around the room as she hung up her satchel of books.

"Well, everyone. The whole school," Galinda explained, handing her the note.

Elphaba studied it carefully. If she was upset, or even affected, she showed no sign. She simply folded it carefully and said, "Well, that's that then."

So at seven o'clock that evening, just after the dinner hour, the three girls and Nanny made their way to the largest of the lecture halls. It was really more of a theater, with a sweeping stage and two balconies. The space was usually reserved for guest lecturers, concerts, and commencement, but it was the only place large enough to house the student body. They found seats toward the left side and sat quietly, waiting for whatever was to come.

At promptly seven o'clock, Madame Morrible took the stage. She folded her hands carefully on the lectern. In the flickering lamplight cast downward from the proscenium, the headmistress looked especially ominous. Her deep-set eyes were cast in dark shadows and she moved her lips in a puckering motion as she considered the crowd. Finally, she spoke in a booming voice that echoed off the acoustically carved walls.

"Students, fellow faculty members, and other staff, I appreciate your time this evening. I would not have inconvenienced you at the end of the semester, but we have a serious matter to attend to. As you all know, we lost our esteemed Professor, Doctor Dillamond at the beginning of this semester. This was a sad, tragic accident, and we've all mourned his loss. I had hoped to resolve the issue of his affairs quietly, out of respect for his understandably devastated family. However, it seems there is someone among us who wishes to cause more grief. As most of you have likely heard, someone broke into the doctor's office two weeks ago. The office was ransacked, and much of Doctor Dillamond's academic work was stolen. Now, we had previously ascertained that none of his work contained anything noteworthy. The doctor was a bit disillusioned when it came to his personal research, but he was a qualified teacher, nonetheless."

At this, Galinda looked over and saw Elphaba clench her hands into fists. Her face was set in an unreadable expression, her mouth a thin, pinched line.

Madame Morrible continued, "If any of you have any information in regards to what may have happened, or who might have wanted to cause an innocent family further grief and suffering, please make an appointment with me at once. I will consider all information valid until proven otherwise. It is important that we catch whoever is responsible for this. Whether they be student or faculty, we cannot have anyone among us who would violate personal property in such a manner. I appreciate your time, and your concern. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you."

With that, she rustled from the stage in a swath of unnecessary skirts and bustles. A low hum of conversation began to work its way across the theater, and Galinda turned to see if Elphaba would speak. The green girl said nothing. Instead, she gathered her cloak and hat, and wrapped herself up against the snow outside. Nanny then led the way back to their room, where she went about helping Nessarose to bed.

Galinda busied herself with settling in for the night, stoking the fire and pulling out clean nightclothes. She caught sight of Elphaba out of the corner of her eye, just as the green girl slipped through the door into Nessarose's adjoining room. She hadn't bothered with her sister in weeks, and Galinda wondered what suddenly prompted the visit. Galinda crossed to the desk just outside the door, flipping haphazardly through a book as she strained to hear the sisters talking.

"Are you quiet comfortable, Nessa?" Elphaba was asking.

"I suppose, for the night anyways. Perhaps I'll pray a while. Deliberate wrongdoing always upsets my spirit," Nessa answered heavily.

There was a pause, "Maybe the person didn't consider is wrongdoing. Maybe there's something we don't know…" Elphaba postulated.

Galinda heard Nessarose sigh, "Tell me you're not involved, Elphaba. Please assure me you wouldn't go to such lengths…"

There was a long moment of silence, and Galinda froze, wondering if Elphaba might be returning to the room. Finally, after a time, Elphaba answered, "No Nessa, it wasn't me. You can rest easy. I'm not that clever, or strong."

Galinda let out a breath, realizing she'd stopped breathing for a moment. She dropped the book and crossed to her wardrobe upon hearing footsteps returning. Elphaba came back through the door then, locking it behind her with a little click. She crossed to her own wardrobe and began rummaging around without a word to her roommate.

After a few quiet minutes, Galinda finally asked, "Elphie…are you worried? About what Morrible said to us?"

Elphaba stopped and turned, surveying Galinda with narrowed eyes, "Not especially. It's an unfortunate fact that breaking and entering occurs."

"Elphie…" Galinda gave her a meaningful look.

"What?"

"I think we both know…."

"What?" Elphaba asked again, crossing to her bed with her nightclothes.

"It was you," Galinda whispered, her voice barely audible.

Elphaba stared at her, her face giving nothing away. The clocked ticked loudly for several moments. When Elphaba finally spoke, she asked quietly, "What was me?"

Galinda flopped down on her bed with a little growl of frustration, "Don't lie to me, Elphie. I'm your friend now, and I know you. You've talked of nothing but Doctor Dillamond's office for weeks. It was—"

Elphaba crossed the room suddenly and clapped her hand over Galinda's mouth, "Don't speak like that. You'll have us both expelled," she whispered heavily into the blonde girl's ear.

"But Elphie…" Galinda squeaked.

Elphaba stepped back and took Galinda by the shoulders. Her eyes were dark and intense as she argued, "It was not me. You didn't see me, or even hear me. You have absolutely no concrete reason to believe it was me. Wanting to see what was in that office does not make me guilty."

Galinda opened her mouth to respond, but she was struck dumb by her roommate's eyes. There was more than denial in them. There was desperation and pleading, as though she were begging Galinda not to question her further. It seemed she needed Galinda to believe her lie.

So Galinda closed her mouth. She set about studying without another word. She kept quiet until bedtime, when her eyes became bleary and she put away her books for the night. She crawled under her covers and blew out the light. Before she went to sleep, however, she whispered across the room, "Elphie…"

"Yes?" her roommate answered.

"Please be careful? Please?"

Elphaba was quiet for some time. Finally, she just nodded, refusing to meet Galinda's eyes.

Some time later, in the depth of night, Galinda awoke to a stirring. Afraid, she did not move, but simply opened her eyes and peered from beneath her quilts. She caught site of a shadowy figure stoking the fire. Satisfied, the figure picked up a roll of cloth, or a garment, and tossed in into the flames. The fire brightened for a moment, and Galinda could see Elphaba's resolute face. Galinda sat up and gave a little gasp.

Elphaba turned, and Galinda choked out, "What are you doing?"

Elphaba crossed to the bed and wrapped her arms around her roommate. She stroked her hair and whispered into her ear, "Go to bed now. Go back to bed," there was a pause, and she added, "Plausible deniability, my sweet. Plausible deniability."

Elphaba pressed her lips to Galinda's cheek and crept back to her own bed without another word.

Elphaba was relieved to be rid of the dress. Burning it had been her only option. The sleeve was stained with blood from the place where the window had cut her arm. She'd scrubbed it several times, but the stain would not be lifted. She hated that Galinda had seen her do it, though. It bothered her not because she feared Galinda would purposely turn her in, but she very much wanted her roommate to have no knowledge. If she knew nothing, she could admit nothing, if asked.

That afternoon, Elphaba sat on one of the benches in the courtyard just beyond Crage Hall. It was chilly, but the sun had returned and melted some of the snow. She knew she should be studying for final examinations the following week, rather than mulling over her covert activities. She still needed the education, but it was hard to focus. Dr. Dillamond's work was fascinating. He had uncovered so much more than he'd revealed to Elphaba, and his findings were groundbreaking. He had very much been on the verge of proving there was little difference between humans, Animals, and animals. She realized that the discovery was even more significant than finding something that separated Animals from animals. Discovering that all the species were so very similar made for a stronger argument. Elphaba understood that if the biology of all were the same, then you could not justify segregating any group. It was brilliant, because it was far more concrete than trying to prove the existence of a soul.

Elphaba's mind was racing over what she'd read most recently in his work, and she pulled out a notebook and began to scribble her thoughts. She was totally immersed in her writing when someone sat down beside her. She finally turned, and her stomach heaved. It was Avaric.

"Get away from me," she ordered, turning back to her notebook.

"Such an unpleasant way for a lady to greet a gentleman," Avaric sneered.

Elphaba snorted, still looking down, "You are hardly a gentleman."

"And you are hardly a lady," Avaric cut back at her.

Elphaba looked up then, biting back her temper. She narrowed her eyes and demanded, "What do you want? I am very busy."

"I know. Breaking and entering will keep a person very busy," Avaric indirectly accused.

"I have no idea what you're talking about, and I have much to do," Elphaba stood and started to leave.

Avaric seized her by the arm and she turned, startled. Her eyes were wide, remembering how easily he'd flung her away before. In spite of himself, Avaric realized he'd crossed a line, and released her.

"I just wanted to congratulate you on your accomplishment," Avaric said haughtily, "You seem to have gotten into the doctor's office on your own."

"Again, you must be mistaken," Elphaba refused to back down.

Avaric took a step toward her and lowered his voice, "Look, we both know it was you. No one else in this whole town cared what that crazy old goat had stashed in his office! It was you. But you and I are the only ones who know for sure that it was you. Now…what might you be willing to do to keep me from passing that information on to Madame Morrible…?"

Elphaba's eyes flashed and her mouth twitched in a sneer. She clutched her book satchel with one hand and pointed a finger in Avaric's face, "You must be out of your sick, perverted mind if you think I'll be blackmailed again!"

Avaric chuckled, "Well, it worked so well before…and there's been a bit of a dry spell since you stopped dropping by. Or maybe it's just that the other girls seem so…empty?"

"Is that supposed to be a compliment?" Elphaba spat.

"If you like. So…tomorrow?"

Elphaba stepped just inches from his face, "If you think that I ever intend to touch you again, you are certifiably insane! So go on, tell on me! Act like the seven year-old child you are on the inside! Go to Morrible and try to prove that it was me! If you have nothing better to do, then I cannot stop you. But it's your word against mine, and it will be quite hard to prove that a tiny, little woman with three broken ribs could break down a door and a window!"

They stood there for a moment, at a stalemate. Finally, Avaric grunted his frustration and stormed away. Elphaba collapsed onto the bench, not feeling quite as brave as she had sounded. Avaric disgusted her, but he also frightened her a little. He was strong, determined, and stupid, which was a terrible combination. Her stomach churned, knowing she might have just sent him on a mission to turn her in. Still, she couldn't sleep with him again. That price was too high, and had proven to be utterly fruitless. The very idea of it was nauseating. Unsettled, Elphaba suddenly ran for the trees and vomited.