Sorry it took longer to update! Chapter 21, here we go.

The two girls were definitely a sight as they sat in the hospital, waiting. Both were wearing dirty, blood- stained, and ripped dresses and Elphaba's face and hands were covered in dried blood.

"You said we were going shopping!" Galinda whined, slumping down in her chair.

"We will. But I have to make sure that you're okay." Elphaba replied.

"I'm okay. I don't feel bad."

"Really?"

"Well, it hurts a little when I breathe, but-"

"See? That's why we're here." Galinda sighed and slumped down further. Elphaba cast a glance at her friend and smiled slightly.

"What's funny?" Galinda asked.

"Your dress slid up." Galinda sat up quickly.

"Sweet Oz! Why didn't you tell me earlier?" she said hotly, her face turning pink. Elphaba shrugged and went back to reading her book.

"Galinda Upland?" a nurse said, coming out to the waiting. Galinda stood up.

"Have fun." Elphaba said, not looking up. Galinda turned to the green girl.

"You're not coming?" she asked. Now Elphaba looked at her. She raised an eyebrow.

"You don't really need me, do you?"

"But what if I have to get a shot or something?"

"You won't."

"But what if I do?" Elphaba sighed and put her book away before standing up. Galinda smiled and took her friend's hand before going with the nurse. The two were led to small room.

"The doctor will be in shortly." the nurse said, leaving the room and closing the door behind her.

"Elphie, help me up." Galinda said, gesturing to one of those tables that one would sit on that's only about three feet off the ground. Elphaba grabbed Galinda by the waist and lifted her up onto the table. Galinda sat happily, swinging her feet.

"So, I was thinking that pink would be the perfect color for you! Not a dark pink, though. No, you need a lighter pink to go with your skin. Wouldn't you agree, Elphie?" Galinda said, gesturing with her hands to emphasize her point.

"Sure." Elphaba said. She was leaning against the wall, reading again. She hadn't really heard what Galinda had said, but agreed anyway. Galinda clapped her hands.

"I knew you would agree!" she squealed gleefully. "Now, shoes. I think that you need to get rid of those awful boots, first off."

"What about boots?" Elphaba asked, finally looking up.

"I said you need to get rid of them."

"Why would get rid of my boots?"

"Because they won't go with your new dress, of course!"

"My new dress?"

"Yes! The one we're buying after this!"

"When did you decide that? I said we would go shopping to get you a new dress."

"But… but you just said that we would get you one too!" Galinda said, starting to get upset.

"Wha-"

"A few seconds ago. You agreed with me that a light pink dress would be just perfect for you!" Oh. That had been what she had agreed to. Elphaba was about to protest, but then she remembered what had happened the last time she and Galinda had gotten into a fight.

"All right. Pink it is." she said. The grin returned to the blonde's face.

"Hello, Ms. Upland. What seems to be the problem?" the doctor asked, coming into the room.

"Well, it hurts a little when I breathe." Galinda said.

"Okay. Well, let's listen to your heart." Galinda undid the top of her dress and the doctor paused. The stitching was showing. Elphaba winced.

"Um… what happened here?" the doctor asked, running her hand over the stitching lightly.

"Long story. But to sum it up, my friend saved me." Galinda said, looking at Elphaba. The doctor also looked at her and jumped, having noticed her for the first time.

"Oh… okay. Are you all right?" she asked, all the dried blood worrying her.

"I'm fine. Could you fix her wound? I don't think my stitching is very safe…" Elphaba said.

"Um… yes. I'm sure we can do something… I'll be right back." The doctor left and Elphaba sighed.

"That went well." Galinda said.

"Did you have to point me out?" Elphaba hissed.

"Oh, Elphie, calm down. It was worth seeing the look on her face." Galinda replied, fixing her dress. The door opened as the doctor returned.

"All right. To fix the wound, we'll have to perform a simple operation." she said. Galinda turned pale.

"Operation?" she said weakly.

"Oh, it's a simple one. It'll be over in about two hours."

"Two hours?!" Galinda almost fainted, but Elphaba caught the blonde.

"That's not too bad, Galinda. Don't be so dramatic." she said.

"That's easy for you to say." Galinda looked at the doctor. "Will it hurt?"

"No, it won't hurt. We'll put you to sleep so you won't feel a thing." Galinda made a weak noise and turned to Elphaba, putting her head against the green girl's torso.

"When?" Elphaba asked.

"Is tomorrow morning at ten okay?" Elphaba looked down at the blonde.

"Well, Galinda?" The blonde nodded, but didn't look up. "That's fine."

---------------------------------------------------

"Elphie, I don't want to have an operation!" Galinda whined as she sat on the only bed in the room. It was late at night and the two girls were at an inn. Tomorrow would be Galinda's operation.

"I know, but trust me, it'll be over before you know it." Elphaba said, pulling a plastic bag out of her school bag. "Here, I got you something."

"A present? For me? Oh, Elphie I couldn't… what is it?" the blonde asked, her eyes sparkling. Elphaba gave the bag to the blonde and Galinda pulled the contents out. Her mouth formed an "O" as she unfolded a long, silky pearly white nightgown.

"I figured you didn't want to sleep in your current attire." Elphaba said. Galinda practically threw herself at the other girl as she hugged her,

"Oh, Elphie, I love it!" Galinda shed her dress and pulled the nightgown on. She twirled around the room a few times, then stopped in front of Elphaba. "Well?" Elphaba gaped for a few seconds before finding her voice.

"It's beautiful, Galinda." The blonde smiled. Elphaba cleared her throat. "Well, we'd better get some rest. We have to wake up early tomorrow." Galinda jumped into the bed and Elphaba got in after her, shedding her boots. She took her glasses off and set them on the bedside table.

"Good night, Elphie." Galinda said, putting her arms around the green girl. Elphaba ran a hand through her blonde curls.

"Good night."

End of chapter 21! As usual, hope you all enjoyed it. Please, please review! And thank you to all readers and those who have reviewed. I'll try to update sooner next time!