A/N: I'm so sorry everyone! Life decided it was going to blow up like Vesuvius, then uni started and life got even more hectic. I'm really sorry for the delay. I will endeavour to return to regular updates but they will be about once a week relative to my schedule

My continued and belated gratitude for LillyFae, ElphieIsPopular and Doglover645 for your reviews. Here we go again! Reminder that, following on from Teeth, Nessa has the disability from the musical.

Bones 11: Weight-bearing

"Now, please, try not to stare, she doesn't like it." Elphaba reminded her roommate for perhaps the twelfth time in the last 5 minutes. "She does have legs, and we managed to untangle them when she was little, but they can't bear her weight, and the lack of muscle makes them look a bit strange."

"Elphie, calm down." Galinda turned and placed reassuring hands on the narrow green shoulders. "If I accepted you I'm sure I can accept your sister."

Much to the blonde's relief the green girl cracked something close to a smile, it didn't last long. Her brown eyes widened as if she had recalled something, in a fluster she rushed off back in the direction of their room. Galinda had often been accused of being dramatic and stressing too much, often by her roommate, but Elphie was a catastrophizing commotion. She rolled her pretty blue eyes and tapped a cream-coloured heel. A couple of moments later, the green girl returned, now with a blue jacket over her dress and grey tights on her legs. Only her face and hands were visibly green, Galinda raised an eyebrow.

"My complexion raises alarm, even amongst family." The covered shoulders slumped with the explanation, as if the jacket weighed as much as all the emeralds in the great city. She didn't have much time to consider this for the carriage containing Nessarose and Nanny was about to pull up in front of them.

As soon as the carriage stopped, Elphaba rushed forward and retrieved her sisters wheeled chair which was tied to the back of the carriage. She set it up before going to the open door and lifting her disabled sister down and into the chair. Nanny hobbled down a moment later. Both old and young woman seemed to bear the weight of responsibility for the disabled girl.

Galinda watched on with carefully restrained fascination and mentally sized up the new-comers. Nessarose was beautiful; her skin was nearly ivory and perfectly free from blemish, with the exception of a dusting of freckles across her nose that bore testament to a childhood under the harsh sun. The stunning young girl had auburn hair that hung perfectly straight just below her shoulders and brown eyes, like her sister. Although, the blonde thought, Nessa's eyes had none of the entrancing qualities of her sisters' and Elphaba's hair was far more luxurious. Nanny was an old woman, but the Glikkun suspected she was far more astute than she let on. Indeed, the blonde felt as if Nanny could already detect the lie that had brought her and Nessa to Shiz several months early.

"Nanny, Nessa, I trust your trip was fine? This is my roommate." Elphaba stood behind Nessa's chair, one hand resting protectively on it, though there was no weight in the touch. As if Nessa herself might not be able to take any more without crumbling.

"Galinda Upland, of the Upper Uplands." The Glikkun aristocrat reverted to formality in the face of the unknown, Elphaba noted. "Madame Morrible extends her sincerest apologies that she could not welcome you to Crage Hall herself; another urgent matter required her attention. Miss Thropp and I will show you to the rooms."

"No need to call her Miss Thropp, we all know her name is Elphaba." Nanny's response was effective in re-establishing her dominance and disregarding the defensive game-playing the Glikkun was engaging in. It should have relieved the blonde of some responsibility instead, her feet fell even heavier as she turned and lead the way into the hall. Elphaba engaged in whispered conversation with her sister. Her voice was so low, Galinda imagined Nessa's chair had rolled all over her green friend and that's what was causing this quiet deference in the normally wilful girl.

The roommates stood close, without touching, watching as Nessa and Nanny cast a critical eye over the room. Galinda's stance was firm, ready to withstand whatever was thrown at her. Elphaba seemed as if such a great weight had been settled on her she might topple at any moment. The green girl herself felt as if she could feel her bones cracking from the pressure. She did not complain, but her expression was pained.

Nanny seemed satisfied with the arrangements. It was Nessa that seemed hesitant. Galinda and Nanny both watched as Elphaba hurried around trying to accommodate Nessa, all the while muttering placations weighed down by pet names. The formality of the situation dictated silence from Galinda, but the blonde could see the weight of Nanny's gaze on Elphaba's back. It seemed neither of them were pleased to see the dynamics of the interaction between the sisters. Finally Nessa demanded a rest, calling Nanny to her and dismissing her sister with a comment suggesting she didn't feel comfortable or safe in Elphaba's hands. The older sister walked slowly away dragging her steps, but refused to go further than the next room where she could still attend Nessa should it be required.

Later that night Elphaba dropped heavily onto her bed and curled into fetal position, something Galinda had not seen her do for weeks. Concerned, the blonde sat down lightly and put her hands on the green girl's back gently kneading the taut muscles.

"Elphie?" She muttered quietly, not sure if the girl was asleep or just bone-weary.

"I'm glad you dropped the formality. I didn't like hearing it."

"Your sister takes a heavy toll on you."

"For one so light, she weighs a lot."

"You don't have to carry her alone anymore." With that Elphaba rolled over with a smile on her face. She wrapped her torso around Galinda's tucked legs so her head faced the pink-clad stomach. Galinda too smiled and folded herself over her friend in an embrace. They fell asleep like that, blissfully unaware that Nanny watched them from the doorway.

A/N: Before anyone asks: yes, there is a potential there could be some further Gelphie moments provided they are reasonably canonical, but the main pairing is Fiyeraba.

I hope this goes partway to making up for the long absence.