AN: Thank you to all the reviewers for the last chapter. The constructive criticism is greatly appreciated. I finished this chapter early, so I thought I'd post it as penance for all the times I was late. Please let me know what you think of it. As always, thank you for reading, and please enjoy.

Elphaba paced. Aruc had left the last night for business, and so she found herself alone for the first time in the library. In fact, she'd barely had this much time alone save her sickness stunt since she'd arrived. As someone naturally better suited to a solitary existence, she should have been thrilled. Instead, she paced.

She would kiss Fiyero. Probably. The thought drove her to exhaustion. It was a terrible, awful thing to do, but she felt certain however much she resisted, she would kiss him. And he would kiss back. And that wild explosion at the edge of her universe would swallow them both whole. Was it even worth fighting anymore?

Her footsteps didn't cover the squeak of the stairs, and she froze in place. This was it. Unseen, she heard Fiyero draw a deep breath just outside the door, matched by her own. He took a cautious step in. Her eyes traced his face. The yearning look in his eyes hadn't lessened, but his jaw was so tense. "What is it?"

He stepped forward to admit Nessa.

Elphaba stared for a moment in disbelief. Of course. How stupid of her. Without Aruc to entertain Nessa, they'd have no excuse to keep her from their work.

"So this is the library?" She swayed forward. "It's a little more…cramped than I expected."

"A kind euphemism for messy," Fiyero's attempt at self-effacing charm felt half-hearted. "I apologize."

Elphaba should have spoken, moved to help her sister, picked up a book, anything to look less suspicious. But she couldn't. Her eyes fixated on Nessa standing directly in the middle of their secret haven. All their intrigue and deceit, good-natured and not, pressed with a sudden force to the forefront of her mind. Oz.

Fiyero shot her a look, and she broke her shock enough to stagger forward. "Nessa."

"What?"

"You're…" She forced herself to think. She was far too clever to act like this. "You should sit down after all those stairs." She helped her sister to the only seat cleared in the room – the sofa. With great effort, she pressed away images of what they'd done when last there.

"So. Where is this book you've both spoken so highly of?"

Elphaba glared wide-eyed at Fiyero for help. "It's…"

"Here." He held out a less-dusty novel that she prayed she'd read before.

"Oh, thank you," Nessa offered as Elphaba took the book, subtly scanning the title. Blue Utopia. Damn. "Please don't let us bother you, though. I know you have much work to do."

"My pleasure." Her cheeks flamed at the way his tongue handled that particular word, and when she dared look up, he shared a similar expression. They wouldn't fool an idiot at this rate. He cleared a space at the desk across the room smoothly enough that Nessa didn't ask why it needed clearing. With no real work to do, Fiyero set about shuffling papers and doodling with a very convincing pensive expression. She almost laughed.

"Blue Utopia…That sounds interesting."

"It is." Or at least Elphaba hoped so. Oh, Oz! What if it was another of Aruc's lewd literary adventures?

"What's it about?"

She shifted. "It's best to read it yourself, I think. There's a great deal of subtly and symbolism that I couldn't begin to convey with the proper effect."

Fiyero peeked up and flashed an apologetic expression, having worked out that she hadn't read it. Without reacting, she opened the book and started to read along. "Fabala, you needn't abandon your own book for my sake."

"I've been meaning to reread this, actually. You're giving me the perfect excuse."

Fiyero's chuckle was barely audible, but both girls looked up. He turned a page with false sobriety, and Nessa turned back to the page. Elphaba took longer to drag her eyes away, so she caught his clandestine wink. They spent much of the afternoon thus engaged, with Nessa oblivious to the tension and resulting amusement of the others.

Elphaba didn't need to look at Fiyero, nor he at her, for the pair to share a silent communication. She could practically hear his boredom in the shuffling of pages and scratching of quill. At least she had a book to distract herself with, not that she could focus on it. She wondered idly if he did have work to do, and if not, why? Surely the prince had duties. Had they been suspended in preparation for the wedding? She'd have to ask him later.

"I'm done," Nessa whispered, the only voice to break the odd stillness.

Elphaba turned the page.

Fiyero scratched some convincing doodle.

She scanned the intricate prose, and waited.

"I'm done."

Elphaba turned the page.

Fiyero scratched some convincing doodle.

She scanned the intricate prose, and waited.

"I'm done."

Elphaba turned the page.

Fiyero scratched some convinc-BOOM!

They all jumped at the loud slam that reverberated from window, whirling to face the unexpected danger. "What the-" A falcon floundered beyond the glass, its wings battered from the impact. Disoriented the bird flew toward them again, and Fiyero rushed forward, Elphaba close behind.

"What's it doing here?"

"I don't know," he grunted as he worked at the latch. "But it's going to beat itself into a broken wing if it keeps this up."

"You're letting it in?" Nessa drew back in horror.

"I hope not. Is this the same one you saw with Aruc?"

"I…I don't know. How would I tell? Is there…I don't know, falcon facial features or something?"

"You saw a falcon?"

"Yesterday. In the western garden. Weren't you listening at dinner?" No, she'd been trying not to grin foolishly at Fiyero and for the large part failing.

The latch finally gave, and Fiyero swung the window open. He filled the empty space to keep the falcon out, waving his arms to shoo the bird away. The falcon hovered in an uneven circle, and with a disgruntled screech, retreated. "It looks so sad," Elphaba murmured as they watched the bird fly a safe distance off. "I hope it's alright."

Fiyero paused, the glass half-shut, and smiled gently at her. "Don't worry. Falcons have remarkable survival instincts. It'll be fine."

"What bought it here, do you think?"

He lowered the pane the rest of the way. "Probably the reflection. It must be looking for another falcon, and thought it was trapped in here."

"Does that happen often here?"

He shook his head. "Not at all. Falcons are not rare, but they usually avoid humans."

"Is that why you think it's the same one?"

He smiled and tugged on her braid. "Very good."

"Falcons must not be too clever, then, if they're getting lost all the time." She peered over her shoulder at Nessa's comment, surprised to see a subtle pout.

"Not at all," Fiyero replied, securing the stubborn latch. "In fact, they are notoriously clever. That's part of why they're so dangerous. But they are stubborn birds, loyal. If it is searching for its mate, I wouldn't be surprised to see it again."

"Couldn't it just find another mate?"

Fiyero shot her a look. "No."

"But…it's just a bird."

"A monogamous bird. Without his mate, he will die."

Elphaba smirked. "Now you're just being melodramatic."

"Ask Aruc tomorrow if you doubt my ornithology." Fiyero lifted an eyebrow in challenge, and Elphaba cackled at him, drawing Nessa into giggles as well. "What?"

She patted his arm. "No one's doubting your bird skills. Calm down."

"I am perfectly calm."

Though he was, she couldn't suppress another round of chuckles. "Sure, sure. Whatever you say."

He pinched her cheek with a grin, her mirth clearly infectious. "That's right. About time you started following that."

"Oh is it?" She stepped toward him with a haughty tilt to her nose.

"Damn right." He grinned down at her, and she grinned stupidly back. His eyes traced her lips, and she forced her open mouth shut to swallow. Heart pounding and short of breath, she could only stare at his lips for salvation, memorizing the exact fraction of a second that they would descend toward hers.

Nessa cleared her throat, and Elphaba rocketed away from Fiyero before the thought even fully registered: He almost kissed her. And she almost kissed back. In front of Nessa.

Cheeks burning, Elphaba would have liked nothing better than to hide in the vain hope that they could all deny that anything had happened, but like a train wreck, she found her eyes glued to the scene of the crime, unable to look away. Nessa frowned. "At least you didn't slap each other. That's progress I suppose."

"It…is?"

She leaned back in the cushions, a disapproving pinch to her lips. "Though I don't see what about a silly bird is worth fighting about."

Elphaba gaped at her and, utterly confused, at Fiyero for explanation. He cleared his own throat. "You're right, of course, Miss Nessarose. We apologize for arguing over something so frivolous."

When she didn't answer, he nudged her. "Right. Sorry, Nessa."

"It's no bother to me," Nessa said, negating her own words with her scornful expression. "I would simply hope by now that my sister and fiancée could find it within themselves to quit quarreling at the least provocation. Perhaps we should resume our reading. That seems to be less troublesome."

Numbly, Elphaba returned to her position on the couch, still uncertain if her sister had so completely misinterpreted the moment. She turned the pages, too stunned to absorb any content, and struggled not to stare at Fiyero for explanation. He returned to his scribbles, and the afternoon slowly faded around them.

Elphaba never would have thought she'd miss Aruc. And to such an extent! Without his interference, the afternoon dragged into dinner, which limped painfully into evening. What she wouldn't give for a dose of his easy humor or that large booming laugh that dared anyone not to join in. Anything to break up the awkward silence.

"Would you like to go for a walk?" Fiyero asked Nessa as she stared sulkily out the window, but she shook her head. "We could read for a bit, if you'd rather."

She wrinkled her nose. "No, thank you. That little room is so miserable." She rested her head on her sister's shoulder. "I don't see how you stand being stuffed in there all day." His guilty eyes found Elphaba's over the girl's head, but she ripped her gaze away to study the flooring. "I don't think you two should spend so much time there," Nessa continued in her bossiest voice. "No wonder you've been acting so strangely. That much quiet would drive anyone insane."

"He has work to do," Elphaba managed to keep her voice even. "Surely you wouldn't have him neglect his obligations." He frowned at her choice of wording, her hidden meaning clear to him. Though he daren't argue here, his glare left no doubt of his disapproval.

"No, I suppose not," Nessa sighed. "Perhaps we should meditate on the will of the Unnamed God. I always find that a worthwhile occupation."

Fiyero's twitch was brief enough to pass undetected. "We could adjourn to the west balcony. Sunset has passed, but I recall a certain fondness for the view there, yes?"

The memory of his arms around her, so innocent at the time, sprung to her imagination with a ferocity that made her blush. "With a thick blanket, perhaps." Fiyero lifted his eyebrows, and the unintentional implications of her words had her sputtering, "For each of us. Because of the cold."

"If you wish." He let her suffer a long moment before he relaxed into a sly smirk. "Though I believe a jacket should suffice."

He stood and lent a helping hand to Nessa when a smooth, accented voice came behind them. "I do fear I interrupt."

Elphaba spun to face Three, her willowy figure accentuated with long, gauzy dress of pale yellow. Another color allergic to green skin. "You do," she snipped back, and Fiyero shot her a warning look.

"Miss Three. To what do we owe the pleasure?"

Three swayed forward, all elegance and grace. "Please pardon the unannounced visit." She ran her eyes slowly over Fiyero's form with not so much as a dismissive glance at either sister. "Master Aruc sends me with his regards. His business lasts longer than anticipated," she rolled the word to last twice as long, her lips caressing it into a seduction, "but he hopes to rejoin you soon, late tomorrow or perhaps the next day."

Fiyero frowned. "Surely that did not necessitate a journey so late, and for a lady unescorted. He should show more judgment."

"Your Highness," a sly smile curling out the syllables, "you are as considerate as always. How kind to concern yourself with my safety." She swayed close enough to set her long fingers on his forearm with an adoring smile.

Elphaba wrinkled her nose. "Why did he send you, anyway?" She shuddered to think of Aruc trusting this loathsome shrew. Foolish though he was, she'd believed he had more sense, or at least he'd seemed to at their last meeting. Had she misread him? Or was he that desperate for a courier?

The glare flickered like an illusion across Three's face before she smoothed it into a cunning smirk. "As a favor to my dear Master Aruc, I offered to carry his message lest he worry of its arrival."

"So then it's your judgment and not Aruc's that is in question, if you volunteered."

Fiyero swallowed a smile at her logic before he slipped from Three's grip. "We thank you for your message, Miss Three. Have you reliable coachmen to return?"

She blinked, taken aback at such an early dismissal. "I suppose, Your Highness. Though…" She waved a hand. "Now that you mention the hour, it is quite late…" Elphaba rolled her eyes as the trollop basically invited herself to stay. As if anyone believed it to be an accident. Fiyero nodded with a formal invitation to stay, which Three eagerly accepted.

Nessa fell silent, intimidated by the tall, swaying beauty draped over Fiyero's stiff arm. Elphaba kept them both a deliberate step ahead so as to escape watching the pathetic girl throw herself after a twice-taken man. "I am surprised Aruc did not find a way to return," Fiyero commented to break the uneasy silence. "Wild horses could barely drag him from the enchanting presence of Miss Elphaba."

Three hid her scowl in a sharp-toothed smile. "Oh, he did wish me to convey to her personally his, how did he say, enormous and painful regrets at his necessary absence."

Elphaba tossed back, "Thank goodness he entrusted that message to you, Miss Three. A lesser messenger might have nearly forgotten to add it until someone explicitly asked."

"Yet, you seem no reflection of his regret. Do you even miss your devoted beau?"

"Oh, so he's mine now?" She smiled at the catty change in Three's tone. "Whether or not I miss Aruc is my own concern, and certainly none of yours. But since you asked, I have made it no secret from him that he is an unwelcome suitor if that is the path he chooses to pursue."

Fiyero stepped around them to open the door, a grin teasing his eyes. "Miss Elphaba, surely by now you've noticed that a man can do nothing to control the reigns you women slip over his heart."

Three returned to his side and slipped a hand over his bicep. "Quite true, Prince Fiyero. Your wisdom is remarkable."

Elphaba laughed. "Is it wisdom to blame women for men's weakness? If you can't control yourselves, perhaps women should take leadership and trade our roles. I'd much rather you be powdered and pressed into fluffy, heavy dresses than I."

"Would you?" Fiyero winked. "Your wish is, as always, my command."

Elphaba fought a laugh, but couldn't resist at the thought of Fiyero dressed in a puffy pink pinafore. "You wouldn't."

"Wouldn't I?" He lifted an eyebrow, and she considered that he might, in fact, simply to prove his point, whatever that might be.

"How scandalous!" Three fluttered her eyes. "Surely our prince is more masculine than to gallivant in women's clothing."

"Oh, I don't know," Fiyero teased. "I'd wager I could make petticoats a vision of masculinity, don't you?"

Elphaba rolled her eyes before Three could trill some vain flattery. "And what part of ruffles and lace do you find most manly?"

"Is not the proof of a man his willingness to sacrifice all for the woman he adores, most of all his pride?" came a voice behind them, and they spun to see Aruc outlined in the east door, still windswept and rumpled from his ride. "Trust me, I should know."

"Aruc!" Elphaba strode to meet him, surprised and grateful at his presence. "I thought you were kept away?"

He reached her halfway, scooping her up in a tight hug. "I found a way. It will cost me, but missing this," he ran his cool fingertips over her cheek to cup her chin, "would cost me far more I think."

"I missed you, you big lummox," she whispered, but Three heard and scoffed.

"Some unwelcome."

"As a suitor," she snapped back, "not as a friend."

Aruc held her tightly against him and cooed in her hair, "So I'm friend, now? If I knew I'd be promoted just from absence, I'd have left sooner."

"It's harder to remember how annoying you can be when you're not here to prove it."

He laughed. "I see. Shall I leave again?"

"No." She gripped his hand before he could take another step toward the door. Not another night in awkward silence, or day strained in secrets. "You would abandon us again just to spite me?"

He cupped her cheek. "No, I fear I won't ever be able to leave again after such a warm welcome from my cool beauty." He brushed a thumb over her jaw with a lingering smile, and then he pulled back. "And how is the lovely Nessarose?"

Nessa smiled, though it fell flat, and Aruc went to her side. They fell into quiet discussion that Elphaba missed due to the thundering volume of Fiyero's eyes boring into her, hot and cold all at once. She might have missed the look on his face if she hadn't felt it so recently in her own features. Jealousy.

Masked and controlled, but clear nonetheless.

She wrapped her arms around her waist, coaching herself to ignore him. Fiyero had no more legitimate cause than she had, and despite his reaction, she knew he believed Aruc to be no rival. Not that either of them should have a right, regardless, considering his near-marital status. Three continued her hopeless assault on Fiyero, despite his dismissals. For his part, he sent a clear message in his attentive devotion to Nessarose, broken only by the furtive glances at Elphaba that he struggled to hide. Nessa eyed the pair cautiously, slipping into whispers with Aruc, who alternated in rapt attention to her and sly smiles to Elphaba. All of this silent secrecy weighed on her as she struggled to avoid them all.

"The hour is quite late," Three hinted with a measured yawn behind delicate fingers. "I fear the trip here took more energy than I anticipated."

"I told you that you needn't have bothered," Aruc said.

She hid her annoyance with a smooth smile. "Nonsense. I know how honorable you are with your commitments, particularly to such a close companion as our noble prince. I am grateful I could be of service, though I did believe you to be unavoidably detained."

Aruc caught Elphaba's eye. "Well, provide a man proper motivation, and he'll move the stars in the heavens."

"Apparently." Three rested a hand on Fiyero's bicep again. "Your highness, I so hate to impose…"

"Ready to retire, I imagine?" She nodded, and Fiyero called a steward out of the shadows. Three's eyes widened comically. "Show Miss Three to her quarters."

The steward bowed his head, but Three did not follow. "Goodnight, then, Prince Fiyero."

He looked at the rest, as if surprised to be singled out despite her clear obsession with him. "Goodnight, Miss Three."

Hesitantly, Three turned and followed the silent steward toward the opposite end of the castle. "I hope you kept her room far from yours," Aruc teased once she'd left the room. "That woman is more predatory than a mountain lion."

Fiyero gave him a playful shove. "Thanks for sending her my way."

"Hey, she insisted. I told her I'd manage a way, but she's relentless. And I figured, at least this way, if I couldn't work it out, you wouldn't be expecting me."

"Perhaps I'll put her next to your room."

Aruc shrugged. "Why would she settle for less than royalty? Besides, my heart is clearly taken." He winked at Elphaba, who frowned.

"As is Fiyero," Nessa offered, and Elphaba shifted nervously.

He caught her eye with a meaningful stare. "That I am."

But she dropped his gaze to stare at the ground, sadness rather than commitment tingeing her words. "That you are."