DISCLAIMER: in the first chapter...

A/N: Thanks for the reviews. I've raised the rating to a T. Here it is, the morning after. And no, I have no intention of writing the smutty part of the night before. Except for flashes, because... well, questions will arise. That's all I'm saying about it. Enjoy!! And don't forget to keep reviewing!


CHAPTER 11: Morning after

Relaxed.

Elphaba wasn't quite sure when the last time she had been this comfortable was. In that moment between sleep and wakefulness, she remembered nothing, knew nothing, but the feeling of complete relaxation. That is, until he came closer to being awake and the outside world started to slink into her consciousness.

An arm.

First thing she noticed, a heavy weight draped around her waist. Very unusual. Then, she felt the hot breath so close to her shoulder. Finally, she registered the man lying so very close to her very naked body. Elphaba could feel the sheets loosely around her exposed skin.

Eyes flew open.

Memories from the night before rushed to the surface.

Oz, was she sore…

For an indeterminable long moment, she laid there, frozen and utterly clueless as to her next course of action. This had never happened before! The scared girl – for she was very much a girl still – was spared from deciding, however, when her companion stirred, then moved away. A pause, silence. Elphaba tensed. A moment later, she felt Fiyero getting up.

"Good morning, Elphaba." He sounded nonchalant and she tried following his example.

"Morning."

She still hadn't turned around, though, to look at her husband. A man she barely knew. In fact, she hadn't moved at all. Fiyero said something else, she didn't particularly hear and it wasn't long before Elphaba found herself alone in the room.

Only then, she sat up, careful to drag the sheets with her.

What was she supposed to be feeling, the green girl wondered. Her own emotions confused her and she had little patience for self analysis on that matter. A part of her was glad the night before had turned out so different than her expectations. Another part of her hated to deal with uncharted territory when she was the one left out in the dark. And the night before – she blushed just thinking about it. Blushing!

Elphaba shock her head, and then tucked her hair behind her ears.

She wasn't going to think about it now. Maybe later.

With new determination, the Munchkinlander got ready for the day, even downing one of the new dresses Brilly had ordered made for her. It was dark blue. She liked that color.

Cleaned and properly dressed, Elphaba quickly braided her hair, not liking to leave it loose. She avoided looking at the bed the entire time. After she finished, the doubt. What to do now? Idle minds wander. Wander into memories one would rather not think about just yet.

They say you're supposed to feel different… afterwards.

She didn't. Elphaba felt the same. And she wasn't! Married, for Oz sakes; surely that differed from before. Lids closed, a sigh escaped.

"Whatever I want…"

Her voice sounded hoarse to her own ears. The thought, however, remained crystal clear. It also gave her something else focus on. Her deal with Fiyero could prove to be the final piece in her continued – and cherished – status quo. Whatever she wanted. Well, Elphaba Thro… Elphaba Tiggular wanted Shiz University. She wanted to see Galinda again and be able to see how Nessa was and be able to study.

Would Fiyero keep up his end of the bargain?

Again, Elphaba's eyes swept the beautifully decorated room, quickly bypassing the bed and coming to rest on the double doors. First things first. Skirts billowed behind her, long strides bringing her closer to the exit. A hand reached for the doorknob and…

A flash of blue.

Strange.

Elphaba hesitated, her hand still on the doorknob, though the door remained closed. Slowly, she twisted her wrist sideways. She hadn't been hallucinating. Green hand came closer to squinting eyes. There, on her inner right wrist, was a splash of blue upon green skin. A diamond shape that refused to come off, no matter how hard she rubbed her thumb against it.

Memories were analytically revisited; a desperate attempt to remember how and when that odd tattoo had come to be etched upon her skin. No luck. How odd. Elphaba checked the other wrist, finding the same diamond shaped tattoo there. She frowned, tucked the long sleeves of her dress over her wrists and continued out the now open door.

Another thing best left for later.

-------

Fiyero was deep in thought.

He sat alone at the breakfast table, his chin resting onto his clasped hands. Due to the advanced time, he was the only one still in need of food. Except for Elphaba, of course, but he had serious doubt she would be joining him any time soon. Lurline, she hadn't even bared to look at him!

Sigh.

The Prince rubbed his face.

The night had gone so well. They had seemed to understand each other on a level that required no words. Fiyero was sure he had never felt so content just lying next to someone as he had that morning. Until she stiffened. Until she refused to look at him. Fiyero, you were a fool to believe she would anything to do with you!

Never, in all the time since he had hit puberty, had he ever been plagued with so many mixed feelings. Forget mixed feelings, that would imply being torn in different directions and he wasn't sure what he was feeling at all. Did he like her? Was it purely physical?

Huh!

Thinking was an activity that almost never resulted in anything worth the effort of putting his brain to work. Honestly, being brainless caused a lot less pain than all this pondering. No more.

Fiyero was distracted from his thoughts about not thinking by the rustling of skirts. A bit unsure how, he just knew who would emerge from the double doors.

Elphaba.

Stoic, composed Elphaba. Beautiful and untouchable Elphaba. His wife. In name only. His fault, really.

"I haven't eaten yet, Miss Elphaba, would you like to accompany me?"She scowled and something dropped within his stomach.

Stop trying so hard, stupid!

"I believe, Fiyero, we are past honorifics, don't you think?" He nodded. "And yes, I would like some breakfast." He rose and helped her sit, a move so deeply ingrained in him by years of his mother's teachings that he spared it little thought. Elphaba's eyebrow rose, but she said nothing.

Some minutes passed in silence, both busy with munching.

"Fiyero?" Gone was the harsh tone of voice she had employed earlier.

"Yes, Elphaba?" Fiyero also noticed how nervous she seemed.

"I've decided what I want." Little explanation was required, Fiyero understood perfectly. With a nod, he encouraged her to go on. "I'm sure you've already graduated from University, but I… well, I had a late start and was forced to leave early to..."

Get married. "I would really like to finish."

"Actually…" How embarrassing. "I didn't finish yet. Me and the last school had some irreconcilable differences." The eyebrow again. "I didn't know you were pulled from school."

Elphaba's features softened at the kind way he said it.

"Where were you studying?"

"Shiz."

"Ah… Well, I haven't been expelled from there yet."

This could be something he really could do for her. Father would be thrilled to have him sent to another university. His old man's hope for a graduation hadn't wavered, even after all those expulsions. As his wife, taking Elphaba with him would be relatively easy. Fiyero's eyes refocused on the green woman beside him.

"I'm sure that can be arranged."

Whatever he was feeling, Fiyero liked the way her lips widened into a happy smile.

Shiz University, her we come.