I don't have a lot to say today (shock I know) all I want to say is thank you so much to everyone, including those who added my story into their alerts or favourites or who added me as a writer. You're all so sweet. I should have said something earlier but...forgot...*shakes head* Terrible person.

This is dedicated to my girl. I love her dearly, she has helped me through so much already and I hope I can help her through her own trials as well.

Enjoy my friends

XX

Chapter 21:

'Guess we're not going to keep this as big a secret as we thought huh?'

'What's an Empath?' Galinda questioned but Sara shook her head.

'Nuh uh blondie, good try but not good enough. I will share that with you after you share this with me.'

Galinda groaned, this was not going well at all.

'Fine Sara...but first you need to tell me how much you know.'

This sparing back and forth was getting a bit confusing and Sara, with a shake of her head, muttered about needing a heavy drink to even crack the surface of this conversation. With an overly dramatic sigh, Sara flopped down on the bed and motioned for Galinda to do something similar in any of the available surfaces.

Sara's room was similar to Elphaba's, except there was a view overlooking an ocean.

'Where the hell did that ocean come from? We're no where NEAR an ocean.' Galinda was amazed and Sara was looking at her in a mixture of amusement and joy.

'Yep, she's a real looker. Took the school four months to create it.'

'They created an ocean out the back of the school!' Galinda exclaimed wide eyed. Sara chuckled.

'Darlin' we may be a school of magicians but even we're not that good.' Galinda looked at her confused and Sara laughed again 'The window Blondie, I'm talking about the window.'

'The window?' Galinda walked closer and touched it. Sara smiled.

'Listen we're getting WAY off track.'

'Why doesn't Elphaba have one of these windows?'

'She didn't want one.'

'So everyone has one of these?'

'Yep'

'How do they work?'

'I don't know...magic...look can we get onto the real topic at hand?'

'Do you get to pick the view?'

'Yes...but...'

'Oh does it change depending on the seasons?'

'Yes...but really we...'

'So the water's going to freeze in winter?'

'No it's not that cold here...honestly we need to...'

'Oh that's right. What if you want to change scenes?'

'We just do that ourselves...Galinda I need...'

'Oh how?'

'There's a button...now please will you...'

'Oh my goodness where?'

'On the wall...Galinda really...'

'Is this it?'

'YES NOW WILL YOU PAY ATTENTION!'

'Ok ok...no need to shout.'

'Goodness it's like extracting a tooth with you. You're avoiding the conversation and are bloody good at it too. Now sit down and...will you stop touching that!'

'Look, it's a forest with a little baby deer.' Galinda giggled pushing the small black button that was well concealed against the window pane behind the curtain.

'Hey! I enjoyed that sea view. Change it back.'

'I don't know how..I think there are too many backgrounds.'

'You wonder why? It's the freakin' world.' With a sigh Sara reached up to the black button and held it down. There was a series of clicks and the window disappeared before reappearing, the sea instantly back in place.

'How did you...'

'Reset button. I liked the scene the window came with...so sue me.' Walking back to her bed with a huff Sara cried out over her shoulder 'DON'T...touch it again.' And Galinda's wandering hand halted mid movement and sheepishly she turned from the magic window.

'So, what were we talking about?'

'You and green bean.' Galinda frowned at the name. 'Ok not liking the name huh?...um...green frog. No? Broccoli? Asparagus? Artichoke, Green tree? Veggie girl, Tall dark and greensome, Green girl? Come on Blondie I need a name here. What else is green? Oh...grassy? No?'

'Goodness Sara do you ever just call her Elphaba?' Sara snorted.

'Why in Oz would I do that? Look she doesn't mind green girl.'

'Fine, as long as she's alright with it.'

'As if I'm not convinced about you two already, this has just proven it. So spill it sweet cheeks. What's with you and green girl?'

Galinda sighed and sat down on the armchair in the centre of the room.

'Elphie and I have been sisters for years but we weren't always sisters. She was adopted into my family at a very young age and we've spent almost ten years growing up together. From the moment we met, I knew she was someone special but I didn't know how much at the time. Slowly as the years went on I began to get more and more attached to my Elphie. We would do almost anything together. But then the feelings began and it sent us both into some dark times. Elphaba got so lost and confused that she shut herself away and when I resorted to blaming myself I ended up lost as well. We were so confused...how could we like each other? We're sisters, it's wrong. But we did and that just made things harder. To make matters even worse we didn't know the other cared. We spent years avoiding the real tension and attraction underneath the surface and got distant. Then just as soon as things seemed alright she ends up in a coma. It took her a long time to remember just who she was and that brought through some shocking terrible tales of her past...and some shocking feelings between us. It was then Elphaba had to come here to re-establish her powers and because of me...stay away. But she fought for us, and that's why I'm here now, visiting. I was so lost without her and then...seeing her with you made me so hurt. She then realised just how important I was...and kissed me.'

Galinda blushed at this point and the rush of memories bought back a flood of emotions that caused Galinda's body to heat and her centre to throb annoyingly in remembrance. Sara felt the rush of emotions and tried desperately to bite back the knowing smile. She may want details but...not all the details.

'Now I'm sitting in your room, playing with your window and telling you this story.'

Sara nodded as she watched Galinda get redder, waiting for Sara's judgement to pass.

'An Empath, a person who can feel other people's emotions. There are non magical empath's who just seem to understand when someone is feeling upset they need to be alone, or when someone's angry they want to punch something.' Galinda nodded in understanding. 'But magical empath's such as myself and Elphaba, are able to increase that understanding. We can actually learn to tap into peoples emotions and depending on our talents react accordingly.'

'So...you're a scar witch right?' Sara nodded. 'And Elphie's a...um...a...damn what was she?'

Sara smiled.

'Elphaba's an Empathy Witch'

'Oh that's right...she converts the emotions of others into a pure raw energy and can help them that way right?

Sara nodded, 'that's right Blondie.'

'And you...now I've been told about this...you...heal people. Scar Witch.'

'Ding, ding, ding Blondie. Come on now, no more about empath's...let's go see your gal at work.'

Ignoring the heavy blush on Galinda's face, Sara grabbed her by the hand and yanked her out into the hallway, heading off into the direction of Elphaba's empath class.

XX

'Elphaba...concentrate...what am I feeling?' Elphaba looked at Taylor as if she was glaring at him.

'Um...something about frustration...kids being distracting...'

'Good Elphaba good. You're getting there. We just need to make it easier for you to feel peoples emotions without looking like you're about to kill them. I think then all you'll be able to feel is fear.' Taylor chuckled. 'You are correct, the boys down the back are planning on doing some rather interesting things to the school chameleon and I really would rather not spend days looking for a creature that can turn invisible thank you very much. So if you'll excuse me.'

With a blink Taylor was gone and instantly standing over the snickering boys who were fiddling with the lock on the creatures cage.

Elphaba sat back in her chair happy to have the momentary break from reading. She'd been trying all morning but had not been able to do it as easily as the rest of the class. On top of that, it seemed that empathy was almost like a form of mind reading for the advanced. Taylor could not only tell you what you were feeling but why, the name of the person who was causing it and the day it happened. Scary.

Thinking over her progress though Elphaba suddenly felt a bubbly feeling enter her and instantly looked up at the door. It was closed...but the feeling grew and then she could almost hear the thoughts 'Elphaba's in there. I can't wait to see her in her element.' Though the words were never spoken. That was a little creepy but Elphaba didn't dwell on the situation. Instead she got excited...Lyndie was coming.

As if called, the door opened to find a curious Galinda and a rather smirky looking Sara. Empath or not, Elphaba could tell instantly that Sara had found out something rather fun and that inevitably meant that Elphaba was going to get tormented.

'Elphie!' Galinda bubbled and made her way over to Elphaba who looked equally as happy to see the blonde.

'Hey Envy, just taking your blonde girl around to see the sights but number one stop had to be you, ain't that right blondie?' Both Galinda and Elphaba blushed at Sara's rather lax announcement of their relationship.

'I missed you too Sara.' Elphaba shot back with a chuckle.

'What are you doing Elphie?' Galinda asked looking around the room at the very sparse amount of students and, seemingly, lack of teacher. Speak of the devil.

'Hello Sara.' Galinda jumped out of her skin when a man instantly appeared beside her. Sara chuckled at her new friend.

'Hi Taylor. Just taking Elphaba's misses to see the sights.'

Taylor glanced at Elphaba quickly then smirked in understanding.

'Well nice to meet you Ms. Upland. I must say, it's nice to finally put a face to the name.' Galinda blushed.

'Elphie's been talking about me?' He chuckled

'Not so much talking my dear, as thinking.'

'Thanks very much Taylor...don't you have a class to teach?' Elphaba retorted highly embarrassed. Taylor laughed.

'Mmm...you're right.' Standing in the front of the class he clapped his hands. 'Everyone in their seats. Come now Miss Upland don't dawdle. That's right. You too Ms. Sara. In that chair right there. BOYS...move your toosh and sit. Alright class, today we're going to learn about our ABC's.'

'Ok...ok...' Elphaba groaned, 'Oz...you're so melodramatic.' Taylor winked at Galinda.

'When you come to be my age you learn a few things or two about being a bit more...relaxed in life. You should take a leaf out of my book dear girl.' And with a flourish, Taylor vanished once more.

'Where'd he go?' Galinda asked, scanning the room for the theatrical teacher.

'I believe that's his way of saying 'class dismissed.'' Elphaba supplied, laughing when a voice boomed 'CORRECT ELPHABA' from nowhere.

XX

Elphaba had to hurry off to Yoga class which she knew for a fact Galinda wouldn't really want to sit and watch, so she got Sara to take Galinda out into the grounds to see the gardens. When Galinda heard this she seemed a bit confused again.

'But Elphie, this place is just a building in the main streets of the Emerald City. There is no gardens out back.' Elphaba smirked at Sara.

'I'm late, you fill in this one.'

'OH BUT I'VE ANSWERED THEM ALL!' Sara yelled down the corridor to a chuckling, retreating Elphaba.

'Oz I feel like I'm always confused in this place.' Galinda sighed as Sara laughed.

'You do get used to it trust me.'

'She's right' Said Taylor, popping in just in time to open the door out of the corridor for them.

'Oh Oz. Must you?' Sara queried. 'Aren't you meant to be in class?' Taylor chuckled.

'Who said I wasn't?' And then disappeared again.

'Ignore him Blondie, that's just what he does to the newbies in this place.'

'He's very talented.'

'SHHH...don't let him hear you say...'

'THANK YOU' boomed his voice

'That...damn there'll be no living with him now.' Sara chuckled, holding open one final set of doors.

'So...I ask again...how can there be gardens if we're in the middle of the Emerald...' Galinda trailed off as she finally took in the sights around her. Instead of a small alleyway out the back with a large dumpster and empty cardboard boxes like all the other buildings in the E.C, this one was filled with large pine trees, huge Ozian flower beds filled with Gilkin roses and munchkin daisies. There was even a hedge maze lined with poppies.

'Oh my Oz.' She breathed and looked at Sara questioningly. 'How...'

'I swear, you'd think people would understand a magic school can do these sorts of things but the questions are always the same.' Sara quipped with a smile and Galinda chuckled.

As they walked through the hedge maze, they held chats about things like what happened at the school, most enjoyable class and then finally back to Elphaba and Galinda's relationship.

'So...tell me more about you and Elphaba.'

'What do you want to know?' Galinda asked, bending down to smell the pink Gilkin rose. A favourite of hers.

'How do you think it's going to work? What with your parents and all.' A momentary look of fear passed over Galinda's face before it disappeared. Though Sara could feel it, she kept silent.

'It is frightening to think about telling my...our...parents but we must sooner or later. This isn't something we can hide very well living under the same roof. But I stand by my love for her.'

'What do you mean?' Sara asked, and was surprised to see Galinda stop and take a deep breath before starting.

'Relationships are never easy. There's always someone who disapproves of your love for someone else. Parent's watch over their daughters as every boy can be a threat, mothers watch over their sons as any girl is taking their affections from them. And then you have us, the strange ones. Ones who don't belong in the natural world. The homosexuals, the weird ones.'

The bitterness was clear, so clear Sara felt like she had a bad taste in her mouth.

'I know that my relationship with Elphie will never be one hundred percent approved. People will look down on us, think badly of us. But my love for her is so strong, that I'm willing to do anything for her. She's my angel, I'm willing to die for her if I have to. And I believe that no matter how strange this relationship, we can get through it.'

Sara was in awe, even she had wrongfully misinterpreted the love these two had for one another.

'You really love her don't you?' She asked almost lost for words and smiled as a happy grin crossed Galinda features and a dazed look clouded her eyes.

'Yes.' She whispered into the pink and green tinged rose

'With all my heart.'

XX

So there is another chapter for the people who I adore so much. :) I am sorry for the long delays again. But I can't say it won't happen again. You all know me so well now and don't even expect a fast update any way :P You're all such wonderful people. Thanks so very much.

Hope you enjoyed my latest instalment.

Stay safe friends

Grumbello