A/N: Well, I'm trying to add more depth to the actual story now. Ya know, more than just Elphaba and Galinda hovering around eachother, but I will definitely get to that. The characters Charlie and Kynot are original characters but you might recognize some names. The name Kynot is borrowed from Son of a Witch and Charlie's last name is Chopper and his brother is of course Nick. I'll mention that more in the story. As always, I appreciate the reviews and comments I've gotten, and any advice is welcome, no matter how harsh you think you're sounding. Private messages are nice too. Thank you guys who are still reading. I really am glad you guys are still following.

Elphaba

I went home that afternoon and changed into a frock and a cloak. It wasn't the most conspicuous of outfits but it was enough to cover me up. I pulled the hood up with my gloved hands and left, still smelling of graveyard dirt. I made my way out of the apartment and headed toward a small corner, tonight I had a job, more like a meeting. Tonight, hopefully, would be my last.

The coffee shop was empty, it was barely evening so most people wouldn't be looking for it. It was dimly lit and perfect for the sort of meetings that usually went on here. On closer inspection I noticed it wasn't as empty as I'd believed before; in the corner a dark figure sat sipping his coffee and I made my way to him.

"Working the graveyard shift again Saint Aelphaba?" a deep scratchy voice asked before I even passed him.

I groaned and slid into the seat across from him "Ha ha, that's a new one. Don't call me that."

He laughed, or I suppose it was more of a bark, "Would you prefer just Aelphaba? Or Fabala?"

I scowled and pinched my bridge "Saint is what I usually go by in public," I didn't wait for his response, instead I held up a hand to stop him and mumbled "Hardly much of a saint, I know, so let's stick with the usual Fae. Thank you for the jokes in my otherwise dreary life, now, can we get on with business, Charles?"

He pouted as if he were a child and it only distorted his features. A slight shadow across a strong chin and square jaw, slight scarring over his eyebrows and gray eyes covered by curly black hair, most people would call him handsome but they would never be able to imagine him as a pouting child. "You could really use a sense of humor. Just like my brother, all work and no play. But aside from that I suppose you're right, it's been awhile since any news has gotten around this city and something big may be happening."

I crossed my arms when he mentioned his brother. Both boys were very intense but they'd chosen very different paths. "Something big? And what might that be?" I was curious, but I really couldn't let my curiosity distract me from what I was really here for.

Charlie slid an envelope across the table, and the light from the small candle on the table caught on his hand before he pulled it back. "Recession."

"What? Who?" I leaned forward and clapped my hands on the table. If someone was receding I needed to know who and why.

At my reaction the waitress at the counter jumped, startled. It wasn't a surprise, this neighborhood wasn't the safest, especially at night. Charlie leaned forward and scowled, he became completely serious "Sit back and I will tell you." when I did he sighed and sipped his coffee before continuing "Your sister, the Eminent Thropp, is receding from the Wizard's government."

At that I was speechless. I had no idea what to say. Nessarose, was pulling away from the Wizard's grip. She was in control of Munchkin land and in the past had been known for her leniency on the Wizard's bans on Animal rights; of course, she wasn't letting them work or anything as preposterous as that, but they weren't prosecuted as they were throughout the rest of Oz, except of course the Vinkus, but it was a start.

"And what does that have to do with me?" I tried to contain my excitement but it wasn't easy. I lifted the envelope and opened it, inside was several folded papers. Even though most of the greatest acts of terrorism in the last fiver years were supposedly my fault, I was just a messenger, I was too well known and too recognizable to do anything more than carry letters from place to place.

"Those letters," he pointed to the envelope in my hand "are going to let several safe homes know that they can move the Animals they house out of the city before Nessarose announces her recession. I can't tell you exactly when it's going to happen, so you have to get those out tonight." I nodded and slipped the envelope into a pocket in my cloak. "I can do that, but I have to tell you, I can't do anything else."

"Sai- Fae" he corrected himself when I threw him a glare, "You know we can't have you doing anything in the public eye."

I shook my head and pushed myself up from the table. "Charlie, I don't mean that. I can't do this anymore. I have other things to worry about, after tonight you have to let everyone know, I'm not doing this anymore. As far as you all know, there never was a Fae." I walked past him and put my hand on his shoulder "But for you and your brother, Nick, you can always look up Saint Aelphaba." He nodded and lifted his hand to grab mine and shake. The metal felt cold, but I shook it anyway. Charlie would never tell me how he'd come to have a metal hand.

I wandered around the neighborhood until midnight. I couldn't go to my apartment right away in case I was being tailed but I'd head to a safe house. The first one was several blocks from my home and walking there would take awhile, especially since I wasn't using a straight path. I zigzagged through alleys and between buildings and eventually I approached a fenced in warehouse. I pulled out one note and sighed as I checked my surroundings. This part of town was particularly empty, it was perfect as I began climbing the fence, when I was over I did my best to creep to the door but I froze when I heard a rustling. There was a lot of rubble and trash around the warehouse so I assumed it was the wind. I moved closer to the building and tried to find a door, I thought I saw a handle when I heard something behind me. I turned around, but only quick enough to pull my arm up in front of my face. A pain shot through my arm as a dog sunk it's teeth in. I tried to beat it off but as I did I realized there was more to this dog than just training to attack, it looked angry.

"Stop! Stop, I'm not here to hurt anyone, I'm with Charlie." I did my best not to shout as I kicked at the Dog on top of me.

"Charlie? Charlie Chopper? He sent you? Oh my Ozma, I apologize ma'am." He lowered his ears and tail as he stepped back and dipped his head.

I panted slightly and checked my arm, the cloak was shredded and so was my sleeve, but underneath green and red were mixing awfully, well. My arm felt as if it were on fire and I gripped it tightly, doing my best not to let the Dog see my pain. "It's fine, really. You were just doing your job." I gave him a smile and opened my injured hand. "Charlie wanted me to bring this here. It has directions for anybody here, in need of a safe place to stay."

The dog nodded somberly "Ma'am, the owner of this warehouse is out running errands, he won't be in for a while, maybe you could come in and one of his, uh, tenants could check your arm. It's the best I could do to make up for attacking you" He suggested.

I couldn't stop here, if I wanted to get these letters out "You shouldn't worry about me, but if you could make sure the owner gets that letter I'd really appreciate it, and pass the word on to any other safe houses you know of." He nodded and stood on his hind legs and walked to the fence, "I doubt you'll be able to climb again." He opened the fence to allow me through. I nodded and left as fast as I could, I pulled both arms through the sleeves of my cloak and crossed them underneath trying to put pressure on her injured one. I hurried back to my apartment and once I returned I did my best to wipe up the blood and bandage my arm, before taking my broom out once more. The second house was far easier, I'd rushed herself in the first house, normally I wouldn't let any details like a guard Dog distract me. Now I was letting the houses know I was with Charlie Chopper first. Gaining people's trust, or at least, approaching them was easier that way.

The third safe house was hardest. It wasn't exactly the most well hidden, it was the basement of an apartment building. I'd been there before but something felt different tonight, I was more cautious, I tried leaving the letter with a custodian but he refused to take it. This time I was lead to the basement, across the floor were blankets and mats, most had small Animals and cubs while larger ones, parents, spoke in a corner. They were speaking in hushed tones, and once they noticed me they quieted, glancing worriedly between myself and their young. I pulled down my hood, some recognized me and nodded respectfully while others gasped silently, obviously unaware of my assistance in most of their being able to stay here. I approached them, catching the eye of a small boy, a human boy, who looked more or less homeless. It wasn't rare to see orphans and homeless humans among large groups of Animals, even humans were being prosecuted for even being involved with Animal liberations now. But this boy was different, the way he looked at me worried me, I couldn't put my finger on it then, but I'd regret not stopping him. We passed each other and soon enough he was a distant memory, I handed off the letter to an old Tiger, one I'd met here before, he smiled gently and thanked me, shaking my hand, and inquiring as I flinched, I briefed him on my night, doing my best to be social, but it came hard to me. I'd avoided large groups as long as I could, but it felt good to know this one would be able to reach safety. I felt good, until I heard three gun shots from above. After the shots faded into silence an eery sense of quiet fell over the entire room, even the cubs were silent, until footsteps were heard upstairs and shouting. Once the banging began everything went to hell.

The door to the basement was locked but I doubted that would keep out the guards. All the Animals rushed to their cubs and grabbed them. They rushed to find exits but as far as they could tell there were none. I gripped my broom tightly in my good hand and rushed up the stairs. I couldn't remember everything from my sorcery training but maybe I could work something out. I slid the broom under my other arm and placed my hand on the door, I chanted something under my breath, doing my best to pronounce the words as I remembered them and in a second a gust of wind forced the door outward, taking a dozen soldiers with it and sending even more out of my way as I rushed out of the basement, followed by a trail of Animals, and their cubs. They scattered as they tried to reach the door, some were grabbed and told their young to run away, others ran with crying cubs in their arms. I couldn't watch, the soldiers were doing their best to capture the Animals but many escaped. I ran until I could get my broom beneath me and took off. I couldn't go home now, I'd have to run away again, at least for now. Shots fired behind me and I heard the shouts, roars, and cries of the Animals below me. I should have been down their trying to help; Instead I was leaving behind those I'd been trying to rescue.

Glinda

Fiyero and I went home after the funeral. He and I had been expecting to rest when a messenger told him that they'd been able to locate a safe house for Animals within the city. I never understood why it was so awful for Animals to have the same rights as humans but as always, questioning the Morrible's will put me out of my place. I was just a pretty face, meant to please the crowds until Morrible felt they were ready for more bad news or laws. It wasn't like I didn't enjoy my job, but every so often I wondered if there was more, maybe even if I'd made a wrong choice somewhere along the line.

The house was coming along nicely, I'd wanted to buy furniture to place inside but both of us were so busy that shopping for ourselves was out of the question at the moment. Fiyero did suggest that I design and decorate the yard at least, even a garden. He'd brought me books on architecture over the years and pulled them out now, hoping they'd help. I really appreciated the gesture, but as I stared at them and the blank notebooks underneath I wondered if I would be able to.

"You don't have to if you don't want to." Fiyero said as he came in the room. His uniform was wrinkled after the day.

"I'm not sure whether I want to or not." I lied. I wanted to, I just didn't know if I would be able to do it well enough. Sure I'd read about it, but that didn't mean I could.

"Well, I'm sure you'll figure it out." He began unbuttoning his coat when we both heard a knock at the door. He looked to me and I sighed and waved him away, smiling weakly. I'd begun to hate him leaving at night, but I accepted that it was part of his job. Instead of letting him just this time I followed him downstairs.

"He signaled us Captain, I alerted the men and they went in." Fiyero's general was at the door, something had happened.

"Where is he?" Fiyero sounded serious.

"On site, he wouldn't leave with us, he wouldn't leave with anyone but you." The man's voice softened, as if he felt bad for whoever they were talking about.

"Very well, I should have expected this. Fetch a carriage for me and I'll be there as soon as I can. I'm leaving you in charge of the Animals." He saluted the general and closed the door. When he turned he seemed shocked to see me. "Glinda, I have to-"

I cut him off "Who were you talking about?"

"Glinda, I don't think I should involve you in this." He walked past me, buttoning up his shirt once more. He'd never done that before. He'd never hidden anything from me.

"Fiyero, who were you talking about?" I demanded this time.

"Glinda, it's confidential information." He turned and barked at me. I flinched slightly but I didn't back down.

"Either you tell me now, or I'll find out on my own." He scowled at that but he knew I wasn't lying, nobody denied me anything, and he knew trying to hide this would be pointless.

"James' son Kynot. He enlisted just before James died and when he found out he made me put him on his fathers assignment. He'd discovered a safe-house but we believe something went wrong." Fiyero kept his voice monotonous and his face stoic. I'd never seen him act this way towards me, but knowing that he'd allow his friend's son to be involved in such a dangerous mission angered me.

"How could you?" I shouted and hit his chest. I'd cut my hand on several of the badges he wore but that didn't stop me from pushing him further. "You allowed your friends son to join? At this time? He could be killed! He could have been killed tonight!" I shoved him further but he grabbed my hands, I knew he was doing his best to hold me back without hurting me but I couldn't. "You have to go get him. You have to get him now or I refuse to marry you! I'm not even sure I can now. You're throwing men's lives away like they're just toy soldiers. James was your friend and now you've let his son risk his life?" In the moment I'd meant every word I'd said, but when I saw the hurt on his face I regretted it. I wouldn't take it back though. His face was no longer made of stone but he didn't say anything, he just nodded and left.

Fiyero and I had been through a great deal together, but I wouldn't accept that he was just some monster. He was a good man, and he cared about his men, but this made me question that. I went to my room and began crying into my pillow. The more I thought about it, the more I noticed that the last time I'd begun to feel confused about someone I thought I knew they left me, but this time, I'd threatened to leave. Would I really leave Fiyero? I doubted it, but I wasn't entirely sure I knew him as well as I'd thought.

I waited at home for hours. No one was spared to update me. I wouldn't be needed until daytime. As the hours passed I regretted my words and thoughts more and more. I bandaged my hands and waited, my bed was lonely as I sat with my back to the wall and my knees to my chest, crying silently, so very unsure of myself lately. The sun was on the horizon when I fell asleep. I stirred slightly as I felt the mattress sink, and fell back asleep as I smelled a familiar woodsy scent, and fell back into my rest. When I finally woke up I smelled something else downstairs, eggs, and ham. I followed the scent and I saw an oddly familiar boy at the table in the dining room. Kynot. So Fiyero had brought him home. I choked slightly as the guilt welled up further, but I restrained myself from crying, and went to greet him.

"Well, it seems you've done quite a bit of growing since the last time I saw you." I plastered on my best fake smile and sat across from him, his plate of food sat untouched.

"Hello, your Goodness. I suppose so." His voice was low and aside from a hint of tiredness contained no emotion.

"Stop that nonsense, you've known me for ages, Glinda is fine." I stood up and moved around the table to hug him. When he didn't respond I asked "Did Fiyero leave for the day then?"

He nodded and pulled a paper from the pocket of a ragged shirt. He looked homeless, but maybe that was the point. I took the note and opened it quickly, reading it over twice.

Glinda,

You were right. I'm sorry, we can discuss this when I get home. Watch over Kynot, we can discuss him later, as well. I'm sorry you had to find out that way.

Love,

Fiyero

I folded the letter up again and looked up to the boy. "Well, Kynot, I suppose you and I will be spending the day together." I smiled at him and stood up.

"Yes, ma'am." He stood up as well, and when he barely passed my head I remembered that his father was part Munchkin, where his parents were both relatively tall he was average. "Kynot, how old are you?" He shrugged and mumbled "Fifteen." I almost gasped. How could he have even been allowed in the Gale Force? I brushed the thought off and looked him up and down, his outfit had a bit blood on it. That wouldn't do. "You wait here, I'll get you some clothes to change into. And I don't have any business today so we can go find something to do. Get your mind off of last night." I smiled and he sat back down and nodded.

I changed my own clothes and brought some of Fiyero's down for Kynot, I showed him a room where he could change and told him to leave his clothes. He was quieter than when I'd first met him. At thirteen he was excitable, always wanting to play soldier with Fiyero and James. She remembered watching him and how Fiyero would grow just as excited to see the boy. He was part of the reason she imagined Fiyero would make a good father and husband. The boy who used to play with a cork rifle now carried a standard military hand gun. His hair used to be a curly mess of chestnut locks, now it was barely an inch from his head.

We loaded into a carriage and headed into the yard with a stack of architecture books, a sketchbook, and a couple of lawn chairs. "I've been hoping to decorate the yard. Maybe you could help me?"

"Yes ma'am." he mumbled, but wouldn't look at me.

I sighed as I watched. For some reason bringing him to our home seemed like a good idea, but I couldn't think of much else to do to help the boy. Hopefully Fiyero could when he got home.