Nessa arrived early the next morning, and Frex and Nanny were a whirlwind as they got her properly situated, leaving Elphaba and Fiyero alone in the living room sitting as close as would be appropriate. "I'm sorry that my father was so short with us last night. He stresses over Nessa. You're not his priority, despite the fact that he demanded you come out here."

"It's fine, Elphaba." She had told him that calling her "Fae," in this setting was not the best idea. "But I did want to discuss something with you."

She looked down the hall, listening to the chattering voices coming from Nessa's room and deciding it was safe to talk. "What is it?"

"The way you spoke to your father last night. You sounded timid, as though you were afraid he'd reject your words. Over the summer, we talked about how I felt I was always a step ahead of you and I think part of that is that you're afraid of putting yourself out there, somewhat because of how you were treated by your family."

"What, you're analyzing my behavior now?"

"Let me finish, Elphaba. I don't want you to be afraid to put yourself out there for me. I'm never going to reject you. If you fall, I'm going to fall with you or I'm going to catch you. I know you'd do the same for me. Please don't be afraid to tell me how you feel, or to show it."

"I've told you that I love you."

"I know that. But I just don't want you to shy away from it. I don't want you to ever think that I would hurt you or dismiss your feelings."

"Fiyero," she smiled at him gently, putting a hand over his, "I know. It's just a habit. It's who I am with everyone."

"You don't have to with me."

"I'm learning that." Elphaba didn't understand how he could still not realize how deeply she cared. "You still don't realize how much I love you, do you?"

"No, I do. Don't misunderstand me. I've begun to see that. You wouldn't have brought me out here if you didn't. But I don't want you to shy away from your feelings because you're afraid to get hurt like you did before. I see it now. I do."

She nodded. "Good. Because I don't know how else I could prove it to you."

"I don't need proof, Elphaba. I can see it in a million ways. I just needed to know where to look."

Her cheeks darkened and she looked at her lap. "You, my love, are too much."

Frex came walking back down the hallway at that point. "Your sister is going to take a short nap. The travel has exhausted her." Nanny was trailing behind him. "I do still think there was more to discuss, anyway. And there's no need to trouble Nessarose."

Elphaba bit the inside of her cheek to stop herself from scoffing and took Fiyero's hand. "Father, I realize you were displeased with my decision to go to the Vinkus for the summer, but I was invited. Once I got your letter, I couldn't very well just leave. It would be improper."

"You didn't even bother to write back."

"I didn't know what to say. I didn't appreciate the tone or the words you used."

Her father sighed. "I was a little unhappy when I wrote that letter."

"It was my decision. Father, I'm an adult."

"You are still my daughter."

"I'm not yours to command. I'm not anyone's. Even Fiyero's. And he knows and respects that, unlike you."

"Elphaba, your father just wants what's best for you, I'm sure," Fiyero tried.

Even Nanny rolled her eyes at that, which Elphaba had to fight laughter because of.

"Fiyero, would you tell me about yourself?" Frex settled back in his chair.

"Well, I'm studying economics and policy. Like I said earlier, I'm from the Vinkus."

"Tell me more about that. What is it like out there? What are your people like?"

Elphaba knew this conversation was going towards Fiyero's godlessness. She wasn't keen on it. "They're good people."

"They are," Fiyero agreed. "I understand you have concerns from a moral standpoint. I do recognize that our cultures are quite different, but I believe that those differences are what makes them interesting. My people follow a moral code, though they may not follow the same god."

Elphaba was impressed with how well he composed himself and the words he was choosing. He'd never had to be formal with her, so she'd never seen him like this. Once or twice in class when he spoke, maybe, but this was different. He would make a good king.

"Would your people be averse to converting?"

"Father, my relationship is not an opportunity for you to baptize people. His people are perfectly happy as they are." Elphaba had grown tired of her father's religion, and as she had grown, she'd rebelled against it. She wouldn't have it shoved in her or anyone else's face.

"I'm just thinking of the future. If the two of you were to continue this relationship, it might be good to find some common ground with the Winkies."

"Father! They are Vinkun. I've told you that before. And common ground does not mean pressing them into adopting your religion."

Fiyero squeezed Elphaba's hand. "While I understand what Elphaba is saying, I wouldn't be opposed to opening a church. I wouldn't want more than that, you understand. My people would see it as an intrusion and as a leader I don't want to upset anyone."

He had an answer for everything. Elphaba squeezed his hand back. "He's got a point. Things like what you are asking would take time." And dedication from the leaders, and she didn't think that part was going to happen. But perhaps Fiyero was doing the right thing in appeasing her father, at least for the time being.

After that, Frex seemed a little less tense with Fiyero. They were by no means friends, but at one point towards the end of their visit when she had left the room, she even returned to find the two men shaking hands, though she wasn't told what that was about.

In the carriage on their trip back, Elphaba kissed him heavily. "I can't wait to get you alone, Yero." She eyed the carriage driver, who couldn't hear much of what they were saying and only glanced back occasionally.

He smiled at her. "I feel the same way."

"I do want to say something of my own, actually."

He seemed surprised at his, but nodded. "What is it?"

"I was just thinking about what we talked about. You're right. Even with you, I'm afraid you won't reciprocate my feelings even though you've always done that and more. I should trust you more than that, Fiyero. I should've been able to tell you I loved you when you told me."

"We're past that, Fae."

"I know. But right now, it's my turn to put myself out there. Fiyero, I'm not conventional, and neither are you, so this shouldn't be" she faltered, afraid of what she was going to say. "I want to marry you. If you'll have me."

He stared at her silently, his mouth slowly falling open.

"Fiyero?"

All of the sudden he started laughing, loudly, so loudly that the carriage driver turned around to see what the fuss was about.

"Damn it, Fiyero, you wanted me to be honest with you and express myself and then you laugh at me?" She was getting angry.

He shook his head, still stifling laughter. "Fae, you don't understand." Fiyero reached into his jacket pocket and took out a small box.

Elphaba realized her mistake. "You were going to…"

"Yes. Tonight. Your feelings are more than reciprocated. I wasn't laughing at you, love, I was laughing at the timing." He opened the box and removed the ring.

She smiled and held out her hand. "We're getting married, then?"

"And in our engagement, as in everything else, we proved to be just a little different." He said as he slipped the ring on her finger. "But I like it that way."