After another round of what he was starting to see as interrogations, Fiyero was called to his father's office - without Elphaba. She seemed unconcerned, merely glad to be getting a little alone time. He was uncertain about his father's intentions, and entered the room hesitantly.

"I thought we should talk about her." His father was sitting behind his desk, looming as he always did.

"She has a name, you know," Fiyero replied.

His father ignored the comment. "She's very… different."

"I happen to like that about her."

"And you're certain about this? Marrying her?"

"I haven't asked her yet. But yes, I intend to."

"You haven't even known her a year."

"Which is why I intend to ask her and I'm not asking her right this moment."

His father sighed heavily. "She has an attitude."

"She's fierce. I like that. She's not afraid to speak her mind and to be honest. Every other girl I've met only acts like she thinks I want her to. That's not Elphaba." He shrugged. "You thought this wasn't the worst idea, combining the East and the West."

"Seeing her has reminded me, Son, of how different the East and the West are."

"Exactly! Think of how those differences can benefit each other. We can learn from each other. I learn from Elphaba all the time, and she learns things from me, much as she might not like to admit it sometimes."

His father shook his head. "Ultimately, my son, this is up to you. But you need to think about your choices."

"Give her a chance, Father." Fiyero walked out and back to Elphaba, who lay on his bed reading. "Anything interesting?"

She put the book down. "Not particularly. I've already read this twice."

He sat on the bed beside her and kissed her. "You know we have a library."

She raised her eyebrows. "I think I like this place better."

"Do you want me to take you to the library?"

"Actually," she put the book on the bedside table, "I was thinking perhaps we could do something else, my love." Elphaba patted the bed beside her and smiled at him.

"Gladly," he joined her.

Later, Elphaba turned to him, "Sweet Oz, you are… tiring."

"I don't know if I like that choice of word."

"I can think of a lot of others. Exhausting. Pleasing. Wonderful. Tempting."

"Am I tempting right now? We just finished."

"You're always tempting. Even when I'm so tired I can hardly move, or I'm sore all the way down to my bones. It's like a drug, Fiyero. You are an addiction, physically, mentally, and sometimes I worry I've overdosed."

He reached for her and hugged her against him. "I feel that way, too. I love you, Fae. I can't imagine my life without you. But I don't think that's bad. It's love."

"It's a little scary," she said quietly. "I've never needed someone the way I need you. Even my father, my sister. I don't want to need anyone. I'm lucky it's you, though."

There was a knock on the door. Fiyero pulled on his shorts and answered. His father stood there. "A letter came for her." His eyebrows raised as he looked behind Fiyero. Elphaba lay in the bed, covered by the sheets.

"We just barely got here," she sat up, pulling the sheets with her. "How?"

"A Pigeon came with it." His father shrugged and handed the letter to Fiyero. "It arrived about an hour ago, but when I brought it to the door, I could tell from the noise that you were, uh, occupied."

Elphaba's face flushed and she looked away.

"Thanks." Fiyero shut the door in his father's face and brought the letter to Elphaba. "I apologize for that."

"It's fine. I suppose I was a little loud. I forgot we needed to keep quiet."

"We don't, and don't worry about it. This isn't the dorms." He nudged her. "What's this about?"

She opened the letter and scanned it quickly, snorting as she read. "Oh, please."

"What's going on?"

"It's from my father. He's upset that I came out here without his permission. Nanny told me it was fine. I knew he wouldn't simply accept that." Elphaba continued reading. "Oh…"

"What?"

"He… he called your people barbaric, accused me of having loose morals. Normal." She shrugged. "He does, however, wish to meet you and wants to know why I haven't told him about you at all."

"We can go to Clowen Grounds. I can arrange for a carriage," he offered.

"Don't do that! We were going to spend the summer here. Besides, Fiyero, we are not spending that much time there. Can you keep your hands off of me for the rest of the summer?" She demanded.

He grinned. "Never."

"And that wouldn't go over well. We're not going."

"It sounds like he wants us to." He pressed.

"That's not my problem."

"Fae, even if it's only for a few days, we should go."

"We promised your family we'd spend the summer here. It would be rude."

He knew that was merely an excuse not to see her family, but he shrugged. "Over the winter holidays, then."

She sighed. "I suppose we have to. Kumbrica's arse, it's like we're married and have to visit both families."

He laughed. "You're right. Except this is more the precursor to marriage."

She lowered her eyes. "I guess it is."

"You get uncomfortable every time I bring that up, Fae," he pushed.

"I just… marriage. That's so… traditional."

"It's necessary. Because of who I am. Actually, because of who you are, too."

"And children? Are they going to be necessary?"

It wasn't marriage that was bothering her, it was children. The way her voice had gotten higher when she'd asked that question told him as much. "One. I need an heir."

"I love you, but I do not want children. I can't imagine myself having them. I'm not fit to be a mother, Yero. And I don't want to be."

"Don't say that. Sometimes you don't know until it happens. And it doesn't have to happen now. We can worry about it later."

"It's not so simple, Fiyero. It has to happen. But I'm just not sure I want to."

"And what does that mean for us?"

"I don't know." Elphaba laid back on the bed again. "I do want to be with you. I'm just not sure I want to have your children. And that's what marriage means. Besides, we still have a year left of school."

"We do. But planning ahead isn't a bad idea. Look, if you absolutely don't want children, we will figure something out. I got out of my arrangement, didn't I?"

She smiled at him then. "Yes. For me."

"Then if it gets to that point, Fae, I promise you, we will figure it out. Together."