Chapter 14

"Where's Fiyero? Is he not feeling well?" Galinda asked her the moment she sat down in class that morning.

"I can go places without him, you know."

"I realize that, though I never see it. Besides, he's in this class and he's not here. I was just wondering."

"He's with his father on some business."

"For how long?"

"Just a few days."

"You poor thing, you're going to be all alone." Galinda pouted at her.

"Poor thing?" Elphaba laughed. "Galinda, you know women can take care of themselves, right? I know that society doesn't seem to think so sometimes, especially given that all the girls around here have to have Amas. But really, we're just as able to function as men are."

"But you'll miss him."

"No, I won't."

"Elphie, why don't we spend some time together this weekend? I'm sure you could use a little girl time."

She raised her eyebrows. Girl time? She wasn't even certain she knew what that meant. But though she and Fiyero had been out with the little group a few times - once Avaric had joined them, but he'd been mercifully quiet - she hadn't been seen alone. She didn't want to be that woman who was only seen in the company of her husband. "I suppose it couldn't hurt."

"Great! Why don't you come by tonight? We can talk about boys and classes and it will be so much fun."

"Galinda, I think you and I have very different definitions of the word 'fun.'" Elphaba remarked. "But sure, I'll be there."

As class let out, Dr. Dillamond took her aside. "May I speak with you for a few moments, Miss Elphaba?"

"Of course, Doctor." She approached his desk as the room emptied.

The professor waited until the rest of the students were gone and the door was shut. "I'll be handing back your first exams tomorrow. You scored perfectly. In my three years of teaching here, not a single student has done this well on the first exam."

"Thank you, Sir."

"And during my lectures, I've noticed the questions you ask are a level above the majority of your classmates."

"Thank you again, Sir." Elphaba bit the inside of her cheeks, trying not to smile and seem like she was prideful.

"So, I wanted to ask you a few things. Why don't you grab a chair?" The Goat sat down behind his desk.

"Yes, Sir." She dragged a chair across from the professor's desk. "What do you want to know?"

"You're clearly leagues beyond your peers, here, Miss Elphaba. Have you considered taking some of the advanced courses? I know that with marks like yours, Madame Morrible might be interested in putting you in her sorcery seminar next semester."

"Sorcery, Sir? I thought science and sorcery…"

"Are very separate fields that don't get along? You're right for the most part. But valuable lessons can be learned from both, even I, as a scientist am willing to admit that."

"I see."

"I think you'd benefit greatly from it and I would like to give my recommendation. I don't know how much heed she will give that, for I'm not her favorite faculty member, but with your marks I don't doubt you could get in on your own."

"That would be an honor."

"Now, as for other courses, we have several more sections of advanced sciences. And I would like to take you on as my lab assistant. It's quite a bit of work, I won't lie, but I believe you'd be a good fit. If you would like. There's a small stipend, as well."

"You wouldn't need to pay me," Elphaba said. "I'd be glad to be your lab assistant."

"I insist. It's standard protocol on campus for lab assistants or teaching aides to earn a small stipend."

She didn't mind the idea of having a little of her own money. She could pay Fiyero back for the books, and he wouldn't feel the need to pay for her books next semester, either. It would help her regain some of her independence, and that was something she needed more than anything right now. "If you insist."

"Now, we'll meet on Sunday mornings. My lab is just down the hall. Would you care to join me? I can show it to you. When is your next class?"

"I have some time." She followed the old Goat down the hall.

His lab was small and obviously not well-organized. She hoped he'd let her clean up a little. "Now, I know it's not much, but it's all the University will give me. I'm an Animal, so my lab is a bit smaller than the others."

"That's ridiculous. You're the best professor I have this semester. Why does it matter that you're an Animal?"

"These days, Miss Elphaba, Animals are not generally looked at favorably. The climate in Oz is changing. You'll see it."

She thought for a moment. "Is that why Madame Morrible doesn't like you?"

"I never said she didn't like me."

"You implied as much."

He nodded. "I did. And she's never given me a reason for her disapproval, but I have my suspicions."

"You're just as capable of complex thought as a human."

"But I'm different." The Goat looked at her. "You can't tell me you've never been treated as a lesser person because you're different?"

"You didn't just ask me to be here because of my grades," she observed.

"No. The research I'm doing here, Miss Elphaba, is highly sensitive. I can't trust just anyone. But I've heard the questions you asked and I knew when I saw you… Can I trust you, Miss Elphaba?"

"Of course."

"And what about your husband? Is he going to have a problem with you being here on Sunday mornings? Is he going to be upset that you're working on something so sensitive?"

"My husband doesn't get a say in what I do."

Dr. Dillamond laughed. "And that's how I know you're the right one for this. Are you going to tell him what you're doing?"

"Not if you don't wish me to, Sir."

The Goat tapped his hooves against the counter. "I'm not going to tell you not to share your day with the person you share your life with. But I am going to tell you that if you aren't certain you can trust him in this, you might want to think twice."

She nodded. "I'll take that into consideration, I promise. Now, what exactly are we working on."

He pointed to a microscope beside him. "I've been studying the brain cells of deceased Animals and deceased humans. I want to prove that we truly are no different. When I was a young Goat, I never thought I'd have to do this, but now I'm certain it's the only way. Animals' lives are at stake and I think I can save them."

"Lives?"

"There are whispers in the City, Miss Elphaba, of back alley Animal assassinations of leaders in the Animal community, ones that pose particular threat to the Palace. Ones who won't sit quietly while we are demeaned and demoted."

"Really?"

"Yes. And that's why, before you officially accept the position, I want you to think about this. This could potentially be dangerous, young lady. I don't want your answer now and I won't take it. Come see me after class on Monday."

As she walked back to the apartment, her head was spinning with all the new information she was attempting to process. It occurred to her that, lately, she'd talked things out with Fiyero. She didn't have that luxury today. She remembered then that she'd been alone in her decisions for most of her life, and she could make her own decisions. She didn't need his help at all, did she?