"I'm sorry Glinda." Elphaba turned ever so slightly to look at her girlfriend.

"Stop apologizing." Glinda chastised her.

"But…"

"You heard me. Now use some of that energy to help us find a place to… Oh look," the blonde pointed, "a shed."

Elphaba glanced down before nodding in agreement, glad the smaller woman took it as a hint to burrow against her back again. She used one hand to guide the broom stick and kept the other firmly over the pale appendages clasped around her waist as they descended. The least she could do was act as a human shield against the driving rain.

They shouldn't have left the house in the first place. She should have taken one look at the sky and called the whole thing off. Or at the very least told Glinda she wasn't going. But the thought of Bree being out there by herself made her half sick to her stomach. And Glinda being Glinda would have just told her to stop being ridiculous and gone with her anyway. Now here they were, out in the middle of nowhere with another monster storm brewing.

Glinda barely waited for their feet to touch the ground before climbing off the broom and grabbing her lover's hand, dragging her toward the shed. "Come on!"

Elphaba was more than happy to comply. She hated being soaked. It reminded her too much of her ill fated trip through the trap door at Kiamo Ko and all the time she spent hiding the fact she was alive from Glinda.

"It's adorable."

The sound of the blonde's voice pulled her from her musings. She furrowed her brow as she stepped inside the structure and took in their surroundings. "It's a shed full of empty seed sacks."

"It reminds me of a doll house I had growing up. And it puts a roof over our heads. Sometimes you have to put that negativity aside and use your imagination, Elphie." Glinda picked up one of the huge sacks. "We can tear arm holes in them and put them on to keep us warm while our clothes dry."

Elphaba grinned. "Well aren't you the resourceful one?"

"You know me and fashion." She wrinkled her nose as she took a closer look at the sack. "Or should I say lack there of?"

"Seeing you in that would give a whole new meaning to the phrase looking good in a potato sack."

A blonde brow lifted. "Thanks. I think."

Elphaba chuckled. "I like you better in what you're wearing though."

"Me too, but we can't stay in these wet things Elphie." Glinda strained to tear a hole in the sack she still held. "We'll catch our deaths of..."

"Sitis." Elphaba mumbled.

"Cold." A triumphant grin spread across her face as the fabric gave way. "See. Now we can get out of these wet things and…" Her voice trailed off when she realized she was already dry. "How…" She ran her hand down the material of her dress before eyeing her companion. "Show off."

Elphaba was all smiles. "You're the one who kept going on and on about the sacks. Maybe we should take a few back with us so you can have a dress made out of them."

"No thanks." Glinda shook her head. "Just cast the spell on yourself and help me pile some of these sacks up."

"Why?"

"We might as well be as comfortable as possible while we wait out the storm." She flinched as thunder boomed. "It sounds like it could be a while."

"Good idea." Elphaba quickly did as she was told and started helping with the sacks.

"I have a question for you." Glinda gave her a sidelong glance. "Could you have used that spell to dry us off at the lake or did it just come to you today?"

The corner of Elphaba's mouth turned up. "No, Bree and I got caught in the storm last night." Her half smirk quickly faded when she thought of her sister. "We came up with it together."

Glinda's heart broke for her lover but she wasn't sure what would happen if she tried to coddle her. Sometimes Elphaba was open to the attention and other times she bristled and got angry. The last thing she wanted to do was upset her more so she just said, "Good."

They continued working with the sacks in silence for a few minutes before Elphaba spoke again.

"Glinda, I'm sorry for the way I've been acting. It's just…" Her voice cracked. "I'm so worried about Bree. We're a lot a like when it comes to emotions and I…" Tears started to fall from her eyes. "I don't know what I'd do if I ever thought I'd lost you again."

"Oh Elphie." Glinda grabbed her, holding her close. "You have nothing to apologize for. I'm worried about Bree too." She pulled back a little to look at her. "And you never have to worry about losing me again. I'm yours. Forever."

Elphaba stared into her blue eyes. "I'm not sure what I ever did to deserve you."

"I could ask myself the same question."

They moved at the same time, bringing their lips together in a soft caress. Glinda gently lowered the taller woman to the makeshift bed, indulging in their kiss for a while longer before settling herself against Elphaba's chest. "Everything's going to be all right Elphie. We're going to find Bree. I bet she's somewhere safe and warm right now, kicking herself for getting stuck in this storm."

Elphaba held her close, praying she was right.


You're going to get lost.

She let the horse have his own way as they galloped through the trees.

Probably not the smartest thing you could do considering you don't know this part of Oz.

Normally she wasn't such a lackadaisical rider, but today she didn't care where she went as long as it was away from Upland Manor.

That's right, run away. Chicken.

She wasn't a chicken. Childish for stealing someone else's horse and running away, yes. But not a chicken.

If it sounds like a chicken and acts like a chicken, it's a chicken.

Everyone had their breaking point. Hers involved the love of her life announcing to the world that she was engaged to someone else.

She had a good excuse.

Yeah, some young star crossed lovers crap about how what's his name went off to serve in the army and was presumed dead. It sounded like something straight out of one of those sappy romances Betak loved to read.

Bad things happen to good people all the time.

Wasn't that the truth? Look what being good and trying to do the right thing did for her… Brought her a broken heart and the overwhelming urge to beat that annoying smirk of what's his names face.

That wouldn't accomplish anything and you know it.

Maybe not, but it would make her feel better. Why should she be the only one in pain?

You're not.

It sure seemed like she was. She was the one who had her heart torn out and ripped to shreds.

Did you ever stop to think that Addy's hurting too?

No she wasn't. She had Mr. Surprise Wedding to wipe away her tears.

Maybe she doesn't want him. Maybe she wants you.

Sure she did. That's why she never told her about him in the first place, because she loved her so much.

It was painful for her to talk about.

Well it was even more painful for her to watch. Good riddance to both of them.

You don't mean that.

She never should have let her defenses down.

No one can be a loner forever.

She never should have let her in.

But it was so easy.

Everything was fine when it was just her.

Now you're lying to yourself.

She was better off without her.

No you're not. You said it yourself… you love her. You'll always love her.

That didn't matter anymore.

Love always matters. Go talk to her.

She couldn't.

You have to. Otherwise you're going to get lost in this whole mess. Then you won't be any good to anyone.

Breena clinched the reins in her hand, willing the warring voices in her head to shut up and go away. She left to be alone, not to listen to her anger argue with her softer side.

Under different circumstances she might have laughed at the idea. After all, it made her sound like some raving lunatic who needed to be locked up in the Oz Asylum. But even she couldn't find the hidden humor in the scene that unfolded earlier. Probably because there wasn't anything funny about watching your dreams go up in flames.

And who do you have to blame for that?

She closed her eyes, thinking maybe a few deep breaths would put things back into perspective. If only she had waited a moment longer she might have seen the tree branch coming. Instead she was blissfully unaware that she was going to be knocked out of the saddle until it happened.

"Ugh!" The air rushed from her lungs when she hit the ground as another clap of thunder roared overhead.

The horse reared at the turn of events, frantically pawing the air for a moment before taking off at a full gallop further into the woods.

"No, wait." Breena winced as she sat up but it was already too late. Her ride was long gone. "Damn it." She smacked the ground with her open palm, wincing again at the pain it brought to her shoulder. She quickly took mental stock of her body. Her head was pounding and her shoulder ached, but nothing was broken. Except maybe her pride.

"Way to go Thropp." She climbed to her feet, looking around in a vain attempt to get her bearings. "Maybe you should have listened when you told yourself you were getting lost." Thunder rolled overhead for a moment before the clouds that had been blowing in when she and Elphaba arrived opened up. She held her arms wide, watching as the downpour drenched her before rolling her eyes. "Getting what you deserve for running away, aren't you?"

She started walking in what she hoped was the right direction, deciding it would be better to go back to the house and look like the pathetic whelp she was then brave the storm for too long. Maybe ole what's his name would find it in the kindness of his heart to give her something to change into before she used the mirror spell to go home.

A spell. That was the answer. Maybe she should try the transportation spell she and Elly were working on with Yackle. She was a lot bigger than a vase of flowers, but what was the worst that could happen? She would waste a little breath before continuing her trek to the manor?

"Help!"

The cry sounded just as she opened her mouth to speak. She furrowed her brow, thinking maybe she was hearing things.

"Someone please, help!"

No, there was definitely someone or something out there. She nearly jumping out of her skin when a young Wolf cub came crashing toward her out of the underbrush.

"Help!" The poor thing practically jumped into her arms.

"Whoa." Breena managed to catch the bundle of fear. "What seems to be the problem?"

"Trappers!" The shaking canine looked at her with frantic eyes. "They're trying to catch my teacher and some of my classmates!"

"Trappers?" Breena frowned at the idea. "Are you sure?"

The Wolf nodded. "They have nets and clubs and guns and..."

"OK, I get the point. Where are they?"

"About a half mile that way." He gestured with his little paw. "You've got to hurry! My teacher is big but she can't hold them off by herself forever!"

"It'll be all right." She said it as much to reassure herself as the cub. "Do you know where Upland Manor is?"

The Wolf nodded.

"Good. I want you to go to the kitchen door and ask for Elphaba. Tell her what's going on." She didn't want him running into Eadlyn.

His eyes got big. "You mean Miss Elphaba?"

"You've heard of her?"

"She stood up to the Wizard for us."

Breena grinned. "Yep. That's Elly."

The Wolf was in awe. "You know her?"

"You could say that. I'm Breena, her sister."

"Not Miss Breena?" His little voice squealed in shock.

Her grin became a smile. "You've heard of me too?"

All he could do was nod.

"Good, then you know I'm not going to tell you to do anything you shouldn't." She put him down. "Now get going. And don't stop until you've found Elphaba."

"Yes ma'am." The little guy ran off at top speed.

Breena waited until she was sure he was gone to look toward the heavens. "You wouldn't be interested in giving me a little sunshine so I don't get all muddy when I'm fighting would you?" Another roll of thunder was her only reply. "Gee thanks for all your help."

She set a steady pace, not wanting to wear herself out before she even got there. She knew she was going in the right direction when she heard the sound of men shouting over the pounding of the rain. What she saw when she finally reached them surprised her. There were ten men surrounding a Lioness, who was somehow holding them at bay to protect the tiny goat and tiger cub she had nestled between her and a tree. A colt was at her side, his little ears laid back as he did his best to help her.

"Agito."

Breena wasted no time throwing the men closest to their intended captives.

"Hey!" One those still on his feet turned to look at her. "Who the hell are you?"

"Watch your language." She frowned. "There are ladies and children present." She cast another spell, throwing a few more of the men.

"What are you?" The same man's mouth hung open.

"Who cares?" Another man spoke as he grabbed her from behind, pinning her arms to her side. There must have been more of them lurking in the trees in case anyone tried to escape. "Let's see what she can do when she can't use her hands."

"How about this?" Breena threw her head backward, smashing him in the face. She moved when his grip loosened, turning to plow her fist into his nose. He went down hard and didn't move again.

"So the little girl thinks she can fight huh?" A bear of a man turned away from the snarling Lioness. "Try that with me."

Breena watched him start toward her, sensing someone else moving in behind her too. She knew she could have made short work of them with her magic, but hitting that guy felt so good she grinned instead. "Gladly."

The man charged, swinging the club in his hand over his head for what was sure to be a devastating strike. Breena knew the other one was making his move at the same time so she waited until he was almost on her to duck, letting him crack his comrade over the head.

"Hey!" He roared.

She launched herself upwards, adding more force behind her fist as she slammed it into his jaw.

He laughed. "Do you honestly think that's going to…"

She silenced him with a left hook quickly followed by another uppercut. He stared at her, wide eyed, for a moment before falling backward, landing on another man who had come to help.

"That bitch took him out."

"Get her!"

She wearily eyed the men who started to circle her. "Well aren't you a bunch of tough guys? Taking on babies and unarmed women? What's next, a little old lady? Are you at least going to make sure she has a cane so she can defend herself?"

Her words had their desired effect, distracting the men enough for her to launch her attack without them expecting it.

The Lioness took advantage of the situation to take a swipe at the only man still concentrating on her, catching him in the side. She swallowed hard as he fell to the ground, blood pouring from the gashes she had created.

"Miss Penelope?"

She nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard the colt speak. "Take the others and get out of here."

"But…"

"Don't argue with me young man. Just go."

Breena was too busy sidestepping an attacker's attempt to run her through to overhear the conversation. She grabbed his sword arm, bringing up her knee to dislodge the weapon before letting go so she could slam her elbow into this face. She quickly ducked between two more as they rushed her, popping up close enough behind them to grab their collars and knock their heads together.

One of the other men grabbed her from behind, being sure to stay out of range of her head so he didn't end up like his companion. "Now I've got you."

"Not quite." The Lioness hit him in the shoulder with the back of her paw, knocking him away as if he were nothing.

"I'm getting out of here."

"Me too!"

The two men left standing beat a hasty retreat.

"Thanks." Breena gave the Lioness a grin.

"I should be the one thanking you." The feline looked at the unconscious men around them. "You did all the work."

"You're… Ow!" Breena flinched as something hit her in the neck. She reached up, pulling a dart from her flesh with an already shaky hand.

"Are you all right?" The Lioness managed to finish her question before a duplicate dart found its way into her chest.

"I…" Breena sank to her knees, managing a barely audible, "Go," before sprawling in the mud.

"No." The Lioness' voice quivered. "I won't… leave you."

The last thing Breena saw was the oversized cat snarling at another group of men before she fell into oblivion.