To mourn a mischief that is past and gone
is the next way to draw new mischief on.

Othello, William Shakespeare

Chapter 20

Over the next few days, Elphaba was distracted and distant. She knew she was short tempered with both Mia and Matvei, but she couldn't seem to get her thoughts to stop running rampant. On one hand, she was thrilled to have Galinda back. She had never imagined that they would be reunited, or that Galinda would be able to forgive her. It made Elphaba's life feel less mundane and frustrating. Still, she was also disturbed by the turn their relationship had taken. Elphaba found it hard to believe that, somehow, she was living out a fairly quiet life, as mother to a five year-old, while Galinda was working against the Wizard. She was proud, certainly, that her former roommate had seen her own potential, but Elphaba also envied her deeply. She wanted so badly to make a difference, and she wasn't sure that she could be content with having inspired Galinda to take on her cause.

Elphaba tried, though. She constantly considered how they might work together, using her influence with the Animals and Galinda's political influence with the Wizard. She was lost in thought over it one afternoon when the door to the restaurant swung open. Elphaba was sitting at one of the tables, trying to focus on putting billing invoices in order. She finally looked up when someone sat down in the chair across from her. Elphaba drew a quick breath when she realized it was Avaric.

"Don't run," he started, reaching out and taking her hand.

"Don't touch me!" she hissed, pulling her hand back and instinctively placing it on her side, where she had fractured her ribs years before.

"Elphaba, I'm not here to hurt you," Avaric tried again.

"Like hell!" Elphaba stood up, "Now get out before I have someone throw you out!"

"You mean Matvei?" Avaric stood as well, "He seems decent. Is he your lover?"

Elphaba's eyes narrowed, "What business is that of yours?"

Avaric sighed and ran his hand through his hair, "I suppose it's not. Is it so hard to believe that I might actually hope you're happy?"

"Yes."

"Fine. Hate me. I guess I don't really blame you. But just, listen for one minute!"

Elphaba had started to storm away, but stopped at the counter, with her back toward Avaric.

"I see Fiyero…fairly regularly," he started, "He's quite a mess. Not that he would admit it. He drags me around to every social event in the city and, quite honestly, they're starting to meld together. He drinks too much…"

Avaric paused, and Elphaba did not move.

"He walked away from his marriage, Elphaba. He took a lashing from his father and became quite the disappointment to his tribe. His parents sent him here as a sort-of diplomat, really a sham position if you ask me, to get him to stop moping around Kiamo Ko."

"Avaric," Elphaba did not look up from the counter, "you try my patience with why you're telling me this."

"He loves you, Elphie. He always has, and it was wrong of me to get involved," Avaric took a breath, hating having to apologize, "I was younger and driven solely by lust. I knew what I wanted and I took it, and for that, I'm sorry."

Elphaba's shoulders dropped a little, as though she were losing the desire to fight. She finally turned around and stared at Avaric for a moment, "Avaric, I have greater things to worry about in my life than how much Fiyero Tigelaar chooses to drink. If he has something that needs to be said, tell him to come here himself. And now, if you're done, I don't believe you and I have anything further to discuss."

"Fine," Avaric's expression hardened, "but for what it's worth, I'm sorry," he headed toward the door, and then turned back, "You look good Elphie. And I mean that."

He left then, and Elphaba let out a long breath. She was hovering somewhere between angry and sad, and couldn't decide which emotion was appropriate. She wanted to keep hating Avaric, because he so thoroughly deserved it. What he'd done was absolutely disgusting. Still, Elphaba realized how long it had been. If what Galinda had said was accurate, he'd lived quite a bit since they'd parted ways. And, nagging at her subconscious was the fact that, in the end, he'd never turned her in.

Elphaba shook it off, as she had so many things lately, and tried to focus on her work.

Galinda returned to the restaurant the following day, bringing with her some fresh pastries from the palace bakery. Matvei was behind the counter, hard at work, when she cleared her throat softly.

"Excuse me, but is Miss Elphaba here?" Galinda asked.

Matvei turned and considered her.

She'd tried to dress to fit in with the working class folks in the fourth ward, but Galinda knew her crisp linen dress and polished boots still stood out. She also noticed that people were beginning to recognize her, as the person the Wizard had named Press Secretary. Usually, she received admiring glances and praises, but here, she noticed several patrons eyeing her with disdain.

Matvei gestured towards the back stairway, but then crossed and took Galinda's arm before she could go, "I know she wants to see you, but I ask you…please don't hurt her. If your motives are not good, then go. We've no shortage of heartbreak here, and I believe we can do without any more."

Galinda squeezed his hand and looked into his eyes, "I would never hurt her," she whispered.

Elphaba was sitting on Matvei's bed, reading storybooks to Mia, when Galinda entered the room. Galinda's breath caught, because it was such a sweet and yet strange scene. She'd never expected Elphaba to be so nurturing, while she herself had become so crisp, starched, and formal.

"Elphie?" Galinda said.

Elphaba looked up and smiled, "Galinda," she came to embrace her friend, "I really did wonder if you would come back."

Mia was up in a flash as well, tugging at Galinda's skirt, "Miss Galinda?" she was saying, "You're very beautiful. You're maybe the most beautiful person I've ever seen!"

Galinda chuckled and knelt down to look at the child.

"I'm not so beautiful, but I can sing!" Mia clamored up on the bed then, and began belting out an old show tune, in her own style.

Galinda was laughing now, but was also quite impressed with the little girl's talent, "She's got your voice, Elphie, but with confidence!"

Elphaba shook her head, "I have never sung like that."

"You could've, if you tried," Galinda said.

"Well," Elphaba pulled Mia down from the bed, "I suppose it never suited me."

Galinda crossed to sit on the sofa and added, "Well, perhaps it suits Mia…"

Elphaba came to sit beside her, and Mia bounced upstairs to play with the dolls in Elphaba's room.

"She's going to be bigger than life," Elphaba noted, "or terribly ridiculed. I have no idea which to expect…"

Galinda took her friend's hand, "That child will be fine. She has you, and that makes all the difference."

Elphaba looked away, knowing Galinda was making a reference to Elphaba's very absent parents.

There was a moment of silence, with both of them lost in their thoughts. Finally, Galinda asked somewhat timidly, "Elphie…I was wondering, about Matvei. I mean…it seems that you live with him. Perhaps I was a bit forward the other day, about Fiyero. I didn't stop to consider that you might…."

Elphaba shook her head, "No. There's no romance between us. We answered that question fairly quickly…after Mia was born. He's just a good man, who took in someone who had nowhere else to go. I'm grateful to him, more than I can express."

Galinda looked thoughtful for a moment, "He seems very kind. It's good for Mia to have something of a father in her life, and for you, too…"

Elphaba cocked her head and looked thoughtful, "Or an older brother, if you're playing at metaphors."

"Either way, it's good for both of you."

Elphaba shook the subject off then, "Enough of that. What about you and the Wizard?"

"I'm working through that one day at a time."

"Galinda," Elphaba took a deep breath, "You know you don't have to do this. You're risking so much, and this is a fight I started."

Galinda shook her head, her blonde curls bouncing wildly, "No. This is our fight. I tried to be happy with something else. A young man from Gillikin, an old friend, even offered to marry me, but it wasn't enough."

"Galinda…you're talking about espionage, political rebellion…mutiny against the Wizard. It all terrified you, at Shiz…"

Galinda picked at invisible lint on her skirt and took a shaking breath. For a moment, she looked like the young girl Elphaba remembered. Then, she set her delicate features into an expression of grim resolve, and said, "I know, but my life had very little meaning until Shiz. I was devastated when you disappeared. I even changed my name for you. I just…couldn't be Galinda without you. You changed me. You made me want more. And now I have you again, Elphie. I don't have to do this for you…I can do it with you."

Elphaba was quiet for a minute, considering. Finally, she said softly, "All right, then."

They clasped their hands together and spent the afternoon devouring the pastries Galinda had brought, while planning their fledgling rebellion. It thrilled Elphaba, and made her blood pulse faster and her hands twitch with anticipation. She was ready, more ready than she'd been six years ago. As illogical as it seemed, Mia had made her stronger, made her realize that even the things that scared her the most could be overcome. Together, she and Galinda could crack the festering, despicable campaign of the Wizard from the inside out. Together, they could win. Elphaba was both excited and afraid, because come what may, she had Galinda.

It was a few weeks hence when Galinda received an unexpected invitation. Avaric had written and asked that she meet him at the Castle Club, and he gave no indication as to what he wanted. She was a bit surprised, but after the events of the past few weeks she was willing to spend the evening with him. She would be wary, but he now seemed harmless enough. His only real crime at Shiz had been being utterly selfish and obnoxious.

When she arrived at the club the following evening, Galinda found Avaric sitting at a corner table. He was as she remembered, still sandy-haired and rakishly handsome. He still flipped his hair back and smiled his crooked, flirtatious smile, but with less pompous arrogance. It worked in his favor, she decided, to be a little more humble.

She approached the table then, and greeted him.

"I appreciate your coming," Avaric said, sliding out her chair for her.

Galinda nodded, "It was unexpected, but it's nice to see an old acquaintance," she offered, stopping short of using the word 'friend'.

"I know this must seem out of place, me asking you here," Avaric started, "but I have a bit of a problem, and I hoped you might help."

"Problem?" Galinda looked wary. She ordered champagne and sipped delicately while he explained.

"It's Fiyero. Fiyero Tigelaar," Avaric started.

"Ah yes. I have to say, I was quite surprised to find that you two are familiar," Galinda commented.

"So was I," Avaric said dryly, "He approached me in a tavern about a year ago. I expected him to punch me, but instead, I spent about three hours listening to him explain how Elphaba Thropp had ruined his life."

"Elphaba?" Galinda's expression was guarded.

"Yes," Avaric sighed, "Apparently, after Shiz, Fiyero went home and refused to marry his intended bride. His younger brother got stuck with the woman and the role of future tribal king."

"I suppose nobility has its pitfalls sometimes," Galinda mused.

"I suppose," Avaric continued, "His father sent him back to the Emerald City as a sort-of negligible diplomat. Fiyero's mostly a front man who keeps the Winkie population happy, because they have a face in the government. The Wizard keeps him happy and paid because it makes his campaign look more colorful, more diverse."

Galinda averted her eyes, because Avaric had no idea that her intentions as Press Secretary were less than honorable.

"The point being, I've been following him around to every tavern, society club, and gala for the past year. I must admit, it's become quite tiresome."

Galinda smirked, "Tiresome? I'm sure it's exhausting, having to drink expensive wine and dance with wealthy women every night."

"I see Miss Elphaba has rubbed off on you more than I realized," Avaric chided.

"I still don't think you've reached a point," Galinda stated.

Avaric placed his hands carefully on the table, "I want you to help me convince Fiyero to see Elphaba."

Galinda studied him for a minute, sipping her champagne, "Why doesn't he want to see her?" she asked.

"Because of the aforementioned ruining of his life."

"Did she somehow force him to give up his title and his bride? Besides, it seems that he has a fairly decent, even charmed, life."

Avaric paused and swirled the ice in his drink, "I know what happened at Shiz was partially my fault, but it destroyed him…the way she lied to him and refused to love him…and because he had to see me with her so…graphically. He's not like me. He never developed the hardness of spirit that it takes to just use people," Avaric explained, somewhat bitterly.

"And yet he's forgiven you, but not her?" Galinda questioned.

"It's easier to forgive me. I'm not the one who broke his heart."

Galinda looked troubled, "Avaric, I'm not an expert in the matters of the heart. I have no power over a man I barely know who's been so badly hurt…"

"No, but you know Elphaba. And Fiyero knows that. He knows that you're close. You could convince him that she's changed."

"And what if she hasn't? What if she just wants to move on with her life?" Galinda argued.

Avaric took a drink and then said, "Then let them fight it out. At least they'll both find some closure."

"Or, they'll kill each other," Galinda threw back.

"Maybe, but at least he might leave me alone."

Galinda looked a bit shocked, "Ah…so this is really just about you?"

Avaric sighed, looking frustrated, "No…yes. In a way, yes. But I also just want to know that I tried to clean up the mess I made. It's the one thing I can do."

Galinda looked thoughtful, and then said, "No. You should have stayed out of it the first time, so stay out of it this time."

"Galinda…" Avaric tried.

"Glinda. And I said no. I can't risk Elphie getting hurt, and it just sounds like this would turn into a nasty fight."

Avaric studied her, stroking his chin and running his finger over the rim of his glass, "Is the problem truly that Elphaba might get hurt, or that she might find love with Fiyero, instead of you?"

Galinda sat very still, her mouth open in shock.

Avaric leaned in closer, "I couldn't help hearing some time ago that you turned down an engagement to Sir Thames of Gillikin. He's a baron. It would've been quite a match for you. I heard that you said, I cannot marry now, I have work to do, and my heart belongs to emeralds and onyx. Now, I know the society papers assumed you were referring to helping the Wizard's campaign in the mines to the north…"

Galinda was frozen, looking sickly.

Avaric plowed on, "Seeing you again brought back so many memories of you from Shiz. I know you were quite devastated when Elphaba disappeared..."

"Avaric…" Galinda warned.

He chose his next words carefully, "I have to say, it was good to see Elphaba again. The green is almost pretty, once you're used to it. And I'd forgotten about all that dark hair…kind of like the onyx the Glikkuns are mining…"

Galinda was angry now, but her hands were shaking, "Avaric…you have no idea what you're talking about…"

He held up his hand, "I'm not judging you, Galinda. And I hate to resort to the underhanded ways from my past, but I have to use what works."

"So what do you want?" Galinda whispered.

"I want you to convince Fiyero to see Elphaba."

"Or?"

"Or I'll let the general population know about your affections. Oh, I know it's not wrong, officially. But it would certainly be seen as unacceptable, for a lady in your political position…"

Galinda grit her teeth and said, "I truly thought you had changed, Master Avaric."

"But I have," Avaric grumbled, "I just don't know any other way to get this done, and I just want to make one thing right."

"So you're righting a wrong with another one?" Galinda spat.

Avaric softened, his eyes a bit pleading, "Don't hate me, Glinda. This is all I know, and Fiyero…he's a mess…"

Galinda started to respond, but Fiyero approached the table then. She watched him approach, really seeing him for the first time since they'd parted ways at Shiz. He was much more imposing that he'd been six years ago. He was still dark, with those strange, blue markings on his skin, but he'd trimmed his hair a bit. He'd also filled out, and his clothes showed he had the body of a hunter under his expensive evening jacket.

He's become quite handsome, in his own way, Galinda told herself. She felt a pang of sadness, as she understood why Elphie had been drawn to him. And she knew very well why he had loved Elphaba.

Fiyero sat down then, ordering a round of drinks for them. Galinda took a breath, unsure how she would ever do what Avaric asked of her. Still, she knew it had to be done, and she hoped to the Unnamed God that Elphaba would not get hurt.

Later that same night, Elphaba sat on Matvei's sofa, watching Mia sleep on the bed across the room. Matvei found her there, and quietly sat down beside her.

He looked over at Mia and said, "She's exhausted. Detriek took her to the park on sixty-fourth and she climbed every tree. She had the other kids following her around and pretending to be Cats."

Elphaba cracked a smile, knowing it must have been quite a sight.

There was a long pause, and then Matvei finally asked, "Has it made you happy, to have Galinda again?"

Elphaba nodded, remembering her last visit.

"I'm glad," Matvei said softly.

Elphaba looked at her hands, and then hesitantly asked, "Matvei…what about you? You deserve some measure of happiness…"

There was a long moment of silence, "You mean…I deserve love?" Matvei interpreted.

Elphaba nodded, not meeting his eyes.

Matvei looked far away, and answered, "That will come or it won't. I'm not even sure I could love someone else…"

After another long moment, Elphaba said, "It wouldn't be wrong, you know…"

"I know," Matvei whispered.

They watched the fire for a few minutes, not speaking. Elphaba very slowly leaned her head over until it rested on his shoulder. Matvei rested his cheek against her hair, appreciating that she trusted him this much.

After some time, Matvei carefully asked, "Fae?"

"Yes?"

"The young man who keeps coming here…Avaric? Is he…"

"What?" Elphaba snapped.

Matvei took a deep breath, "Is he…Mia's father?"

Elphaba sat up abruptly, nearly knocking Matvei over, "No!"

"Okay," he offered, "I'm sorry…I just…"

"She has no father!" Elphaba barked.

Matvei started to apologize, but Elphaba turned and sprinted upstairs, slamming the door to her room behind her.