"Boq, have you seen Fiyero?"

The Munchkin shook his head. "Not since yesterday."

Nessa frowned; it wasn't like Fiyero to just up and leave without saying anything to her. The brunette picked up her phone, dialing the Vinkan's number and listening to it ring.

"Fiyero, where are you? No one has seen you; call me back." The Eminent Thropp hung up with a sigh.

"That's the third time she's called."

Fiyero looked up at that, seeing Master Skarr holding his phone. "She knows something is wrong."

"Well, we wouldn't want to keep Her Eminence waiting, so I suppose you had better make up your mind soon."

Galinda needed a distraction, and at the moment, work was the best option. The blonde turned on the light for her drafting table, and her gaze fell on a silver ring on a chain. She picked it up, recognizing it as the ring Fiyero had been wearing. She considered asking Elphaba about it, but the green woman had disappeared as soon as they had arrived back at the granary, and Galinda had a feeling she wasn't much in the mood for chatting.

"He left that here," Elphaba suddenly said, startling the blonde and causing her to jump.

"Lurline, Elphaba…" There was a pause as the blonde tried to slow her racing heart. "Fiyero?"

The green woman nodded. "I'm not entirely sure why… maybe he meant it as some sort of apology." She approached, making herself corporeal and holding her hand out. Galinda handed the ring off to her, and Elphaba held it close to her face, examining it.

"I know you've never been one for sentiment, but you're a Thropp woman whether you like it or not."

"My mother gave this to me when I turned sixteen…" Elphaba unhooked the chain, removing the ring and sliding it onto her finger. She smiled slightly, though Galinda could see the sadness in her eyes.

"Elphaba?"

"I'm fine." Elphaba removed the ring.

Silence.

"Nessa should have this."

"But your mother gave it to you."

Elphaba gave a half shrug. "I was the eldest… I should have watched out for her… I was supposed to bear the burden of being Eminent Thropp… she's been through enough without having that thrust upon her as well." The green woman handed the ring over to the Frottican. "Besides, ghosts don't really have much of a need for jewelry."

Galinda looked down at the ring, then back at her companion. "Perhaps this would mean more coming from you?"

Elphaba shook her head. "I can't face her again… not with this… please, Galinda."

The blonde sighed, but what could she do? "All right, Elphaba… I'll take it to her."

"Thank you…"

Galinda gave her a small smile, and pressed a kiss to Elphaba's cheek before she could revert to her usual state. The green woman mentally flushed, turning to watch the blonde leave.

"See you later, Elphie."

Elphaba raised a hand in acknowledgement, though a knot of guilt was forming in the pit of her stomach.

"Galinda? Are you here?" Fiyero opened the door to the granary slowly, scanning the room. He stepped inside, calling out, "Galinda?"

The door suddenly slammed shut, and the Vinkan whipped around.

"She's not here; I sent her away," Elphaba said, appearing beside the door.

"Elphaba..." A pause. "Wait… you sent her away? Why?"

"Because I had a feeling you'd be showing up sooner or later." The green woman crossed her arms, her gaze wandering. "I know why you're here."

"What do you mean?"

Elphaba gave him a look. "When I saw the blood outside, I had a feeling that perhaps something had happened to you. I was going to tell Nessa, but I wasn't sure if I was just being paranoid. It can happen when one is dead, you understand. However, your being here has only confirmed my suspicions." The Munchkin looked away again. "He wants me out… the man whose face I can't remember… and he's using you to get his way."

Fiyero sighed; he couldn't deny what the green woman was saying. "Elphaba… I didn't want this to happen. If there was another way…"

"There is."

The Vinkan's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

Dark eyes bored into him. "I'll do it; I'll get rid of Galinda. I will absolve you of any guilt in this matter; you need only watch out for Nessa."

"Elphaba, don't—"

"You were going to choose them over me anyway, and why shouldn't you? They're both still alive… they did not ask to be associated with me, so why should their lives come to an end just because mine has?" Elphaba's form shuddered, her version of a sigh. "You can tell that man that he'll get what he wants… I'll stop fighting, but he must promise to leave Galinda alone."

The Vinkan nodded somewhat dumbly, turning to leave, but pausing. "Elphaba… I really am sorry. I wish there was something I could do for you."

The green woman smiled sadly. "Everyone wishes that, and I am still dead… Goodbye, Fiyero."

"Miss Nessarose?"

No reply. The Eminent Thropp didn't move from where she was gazing out the window.

"Miss Nessarose? Your Eminence?"

"Hmm?" The brunette looked up, her gaze focusing on Boq who was standing in the doorway. "Oh, Boq… I'm sorry, what was it you needed?"

"Galinda is here to see you."

"Send her in."

The Munchkin nodded, and a few moments later, Galinda entered.

"Hello, Miss Galinda," the brunette greeted, wheeling over to her. "I apologize for seeming distracted, but… you haven't heard from Fiyero recently, have you?"

The blonde shook her head. "No, I haven't. Did something happen?"

"I'm not entirely sure. No one can get ahold of him, and it's not in his nature to ignore my calls. I don't want to jump to conclusions, but I am a bit worried." A pause. "I'm sorry, you didn't come here to listen to me. What can I do for you?"

It took Galinda a moment to remember. "Oh, well… apparently Fiyero went to see Elphaba and he left this behind… she wanted me to give it to you." The blonde produced the ring from her pocket, holding it out to Nessa.

Nessa's eyes widened slightly. "This is our mother's ring…" She took it carefully, turning it over in her hands. "But why did he leave it with her? He's worn it since the day… well…"

Galinda nodded, sparing Nessa from having to finish. "Elphaba thinks he left it as some sort of apology… I asked her if she wanted to keep it, but she thought it better for you to have it."

Nessa didn't reply, instead sliding the ring onto her finger. She had just opened her mouth when the door suddenly opened, revealing Fiyero.

"Nessa, I—" His gaze fell on Galinda, and he stopped.

"Fiyero!" The brunette quickly wheeled over to him. "Where have you been? I have been worried sick!"

"I'm sorry, I… I had to deal with a family issue."

"You could have said something. I called you multiple times—"

"Lost my phone."

Nessa crossed her arms, not looking entirely convinced.

"I'm back now, and as you can see, I am uninjured."

"I suppose."

A silence passed between the three.

"I don't mean to sound like I'm sending you away, but was there anything else Galinda?" the Eminent Thropp asked; it was obvious she still wanted more answers out of Fiyero.

"No, that was all…" Galinda looked between the two before she said, "Well… goodbye then."

As the door closed behind her, the blonde heard Nessa saying, "Now, what was this family emergency that you just had to deal with?"

"I'm back," Galinda announced upon entering the granary. "I gave the ring to Nessa like you asked; she wants to know why you didn't keep it."

"We need to talk."

The Frottican looked up, seeing the green woman materialize in front of her. "Is everything all right?"

Elphaba looked away. "Look, the past few months have been… less lonely, but I think it's time for you to go."

Well, Galinda certainly hadn't been expecting that. "What?"

"You heard me."

"Elphaba… where is this coming from?"

The Munchkin shrugged. "I just think you should stop wasting your time here."

"I'm not—"

"Come on, Galinda, who is really going to come out to this place? All your hard work is going to be for nothing; I'm dead, so the state of this place means little to me."

Galinda stared, unsure of how to respond. "Elphaba, we've talked about this before. I'm not going to just leave—"

"Well maybe that's not your decision to make," the green woman snapped. "I was perfectly content with my existence before you came along."

"You didn't seem content—"

"I was fine! Maybe it was lonely, yes, but at least I wasn't plagued with memories from when I was alive! Ever since you arrived, I have been forced to remember events from my life that I must exist with now, my sister now knows I am dead and a wandering spirit, and Fiyero wants nothing more than to lay his burdens at my feet! You have brought me nothing but trouble, and I have had enough."

Galinda felt as though she'd been slapped; Elphaba had never yelled at her like this before. "I was only trying to help—"

"I didn't ask for your association! If you really want to help, leave before you do any more damage! My existence may be miserable, but it is mine, and I deserve this shred of control!"

The blonde took a step towards the specter. "Elphaba, let's talk about this—"

"We're done talking! Get out!"

"Elphaba—"

"GET OUT!" Elphaba suddenly lunged for her, making herself corporeal as she wrapped her hands around the blonde's throat, pinning her up against the wall.

Galinda barely had time to scream, "Elphaba!" as she tried to pry the Munchkin off. She couldn't imagine why the green woman was acting this way, and as she looked into dark eyes, she could have sworn she saw something resembling tears forming (as impossible as she knew that was).

Elphaba suddenly disappeared, and Galinda looked around the room, her chest heaving.

"Just go…"

Galinda wasn't sure what was going on with Elphaba, and while she didn't believe the green woman would actively injure her, she was beginning to grow concerned. As she lay down to sleep that night, all the fear from her first night suddenly returned; she'd never thought she'd be afraid of Elphaba again, and yet, something was definitely amiss with the green woman. She couldn't just ask because Elphaba certainly wasn't talking… Galinda could only hope that this phase wouldn't last long.

Upon waking up the next morning, Galinda found that everything she had hung on the walls had been pulled down, and was currently lying on the floor.

"Really, Elphaba, this is very childish of you," the blonde said as she began to pick up the map of Oz. She held it against the wall in preparation to put it back up when she felt a tug, threatening to pull it back down. "Elphaba, stop it."

Another tug, stronger this time.

"You wanted this up in the first place!"

Elphaba tugged again, and Galinda let the map go, watching it fall to the floor.

"Why are you being this way? At least make yourself visible if you're going to act like this!"

No response came from the green woman, but Galinda heard the sound of crumpling paper, and she turned towards her drafting table, seeing that Elphaba had turned her attention to her plans.

"Elphaba, don't—"

A paper ball came sailing at her, and Galinda ducked to avoid it.

"Elphaba!"

Another soon came at her, and the blonde hit it away.

"Elphaba, stop it!"

Her plea fell on deaf ears, for the green woman continued to throw paper balls at her, and Galinda had finally had enough.

"Fine! You want me gone, fine! I'm leaving so you can get over whatever this is and come back to your senses!" The blonde went to grab her suitcase, though upon opening it, her clean clothes came flying out, becoming strewn across the floor.

"I said I'm leaving, so you can stop!" Galinda practically screamed, tears threatening to spill from her eyes. She quickly gathered up her clothes and other essentials and packed them away, snapping her suitcase closed. She quickly stood, grabbing both her suitcase and purse before she left, slamming the door behind her.

Upon hearing the lock click, Elphaba quickly moved to the window, watching Galinda make her way out to her car before driving off. Had the green woman a heart, she was sure she would have felt it sink, heavy with guilt.

"I'm sorry…"

"Who in the name of the Unnamed God is calling at this hour?" Nessa grumbled as she rolled sleepily towards the front door. She had been woken earlier by the sound of incessant knocking, and once it had become apparent that it wasn't going away, she had resigned herself to having to find out whoever it was (and what they wanted at such an ungodly hour).

"Whoever you are, you had better have a good reason for this—" Nessa stopped upon seeing who it was. "Galinda?"

The blonde stood there, clutching her suitcase. "I… I apologize for coming so late… it's just… well, I had been driving around all day, and I couldn't exactly go back home, but then it started to get late and I wasn't sure where to go, and I couldn't spend another night in my car, so I came here and I see that I woke you and I just—"

"Take a breath," Nessa interrupted, still trying to process everything the blonde had said. "Why aren't you at the granary?"

Galinda opened her mouth to reply, but a choked sound came out, and sapphire eyes filled with tears.

Nessa immediately took that as bad news. "Did something happen? Is Elphaba all right?"

Galinda just shook her head, not trusting her voice. She felt ridiculous, standing here on the Eminent Thropp's doorstep, clutching her belongings like a child who has run away from home.

"Come inside, and we can talk." The brunette opened the door wider, and Galinda made her way inside, soon following. A few minutes later, they were both comfortably seated, cups of tea in hand.

"Now, tell me what happened," Nessa started, sipping at her tea.

Galinda looked down at the cup in her hands, taking a deep breath and hoping her voice wouldn't shake. "I don't know… last night, after I came back from visiting you… Elphaba started acting very strange. She yelled at me… said I ruined her existence… then she tried to attack me." The blonde shivered at the memory. "This morning was no different… so I left."

Nessa frowned. "This is concerning news… she didn't tell you why she started acting this way?"

Galinda shook her head. "I don't know what happened… it's as if all of a sudden… she just hates me." A tear slid down the Frottican's face. "She hates me and I don't know why."

"She doesn't hate you. Something must have happened; we just need to figure out what."

"How are we going to do that? Elphaba isn't going to be any help."

"That's true." Nessa let out a sigh. "There must be something we can do."

Silence.

"I'm too exhausted to think," Galinda said after a few minutes. "I'm sorry for coming at such a late hour; if you could just point me in the direction of a good hotel—"

"Don't be ridiculous, you'll stay here."

Galinda's eyes widened. "I couldn't possibly—"

"Of course you could; there is more than enough room here, and we need to figure out what's happening with Elphaba. You'll rest here, and in the morning, you and I will consider this problem further."

The blonde stood with a nod. "Thank you."

Elphaba had forgotten how lonely nights could be. She had grown accustomed to having Galinda around, and now that the blonde was gone, the emptiness of the granary was beginning to push in on her. The green woman had tried to read, but that had been futile, so she was now pacing the granary instead.

The lock suddenly clicked open, and the green woman turned, hardly daring to believe it. "Galinda, listen, I—" She stopped upon seeing who it was.

"I find it sweet that despite you scaring her away, you still wish Miss Galinda to return. It's almost human of you, Elphaba."

The Munchkin's fists clenched. "I did what you wanted; now you leave her and my sister alone."

"Of course; I am a man of my word, after all." Roman approached her, and the green woman held her ground. "I knew it was only a matter of applying the right pressure before you buckled. Now let's see how you haunt a pile of rubble."