Fiyero saw Elphaba close her eyes, heard the lack of response, and knew immediately that she didn't fully trust him. He removed his hand from her chin, and quickly stood up, moving to get the things out of the boat and onto the dock. He knew he should have continued trying to convince her, but he too was angry and upset: angry that Galinda would use such sabotage, and upset that Elphaba didn't trust and love him.

Elphaba felt Fiyero move and kept her eyes closed, grateful for a minute to compose herself again. She wanted to believe Fiyero so badly it almost hurt but, at the same time, a voice in the back of her head told her Galinda really had no reason to lie to her about the most romantic thing she had ever said... and there was no reason for a prince to be interested with her over somebody as perfect princess material as Galinda. Taking a deep breath, she opened her eyes.

Fiyero finished unpacking the boat, stepping out quickly and silently. He only half-offered his hand this time, both because she had boarded the boat herself and because he felt odd touching someone who was confusing him so much.

Elphaba noticed the half attempt and pressed her lips together, realizing that she had just pretty much ripped up their relationship. "So, if we're not studying..." She swung herself out of the boat with little ease, but she didn't trip. Even if her tripping again might have been exactly what they needed.

He dropped his hand as he watched Elphaba make it to the dock on her own. Doesn't even need me, he thought, even starting to doubt her interest. "Well, I'm not in the mood for swimming just now, but it's too early for lunch...do you just want to go relax on the blanket for a bit?"

"That sounds just right." Elphaba gave him a small smile, trying to fight the thrill that went down her spine at the idea of relaxing on a blanket... closely... with him. It wasn't like he was interested, it seemed.

"Alright, let's go," he sighed, picking up their items for the day, using up both hands so there was no way for them to hold hands as they walked. Therefore, he chose to walk slightly ahead of Elphaba as he moved towards the clearing, hoping she wouldn't see the look of disappointment on his face.

As Fiyero moved ahead of her, Elphaba let a flash of mixed emotions - anger, sadness, disappointment - cross her face before she recomposed herself. She could handle this. It wasn't like she had much time here, anyway... like she had told Galinda, why not enjoy the few days she had left?

Finally reaching the same place where they had a perfect picnic yesterday, Fiyero put down most of their stuff, spreading the blanket over the grass. He quickly laid down on the blanket, motioning her to join him. "Not a single cloud," he murmured, looking up at the sky.

"A perfect day," she replied softly, choosing to sit up next to him for the moment. Her legs were folded under her, her skirt flowing out around her.

Wow, I can take a hint, he thought with frustration at Elphaba's body language toward him, or lack thereof...

Elphaba wanted to lie down next to him, stretch her body out next to his and wrap her arms around him like they had yesterday. But he hadn't made any move for, well, physicality today, and it was... confusing. Especially now since she knew what she wanted, even if she didn't know if Fiyero really did feel the same...

Fiyero continued to lay there as Elphaba continued to sit there, and finally he couldn't take it anymore. "Look," he said as he abruptly sat up and turned to her, "what's really bothering you? You've been quiet all day, and I know you can't really be believing the trash Galinda was talking after what happened yesterday."

"I have no reason not to!" It came out of her lips before she could stop it, and she hastily covered her mouth. I mean, I trust you, I... darn it.

"Elphaba, were you not there when she tried to break us up by tricking me? And where were you when she tried to rip our papers because she was jealous of us? Why in Oz name would she be doing either of us any favors right now?"

"I don't know!" Elphaba threw her hands up in the air, but they felt awkward just hanging there so she ran them both through her hair. "There's no reason for anything anymore!"

"I thought you said you trusted me...I thought we could trust and confide in each other. And I was honest and upfront with you! I have dirty laundry, I'm aware of that! It's not my favorite thing to talk about, but I did it to put you at ease. And it's like I can't do anything to get you to believe me!"

"Look at me!" Elphaba gestured to herself. "You have no reason or excuse or... anything! I'm not exactly what we'd call your type, and everything's happened, and I don't know what to believe! And I want to believe you, Fiyero, but..." Elphaba closed her eyes again.

"Have you even for a second stopped to think that maybe you're not the only vulnerable one here? You think I must not care about you because you're not some carbon-copy of Galinda. But I do care about you! Hell, I've even told you I'm falling in love with you!" he knew he needed to calm down, but really needed to get it out now. "You have no right to play the vulnerable card, because I love you and you don't love me!" He turned from her, immediately scolding himself for being so harsh.

Elphaba's eyes flickered open. Love twice in one... yelling. But the yelling was more bitter and... could it be... anguished? She tilted her head up to see Fiyero's back to her, and she flinched. Had she done it this time? Ruined everything? There was only one way to find out. "Yero?"

Although he meant what he said, he felt terrible for letting it out so quickly and harshly. "Yes?" he turned back slowly at the sound of her voice.

"I'm sorry." Elphaba bit her lip, looking up slightly through her lashes. "I just... nobody's cared for me like you claim to care for you, and it's kind of hard to believe."

"Fae, I'm sorry I yelled," he sighed, moving himself so that he was sitting right in front of her. "I know this is new for you, but understand this is new for me too. Not only...loving someone," he struggled to say it, for it was always a reminder that she didn't love him back, "but also the first time someone has rejected the way I feel."

Elphaba froze. That was what was bothering Fiyero? That she didn't love him? "Yero," and Elphaba did what Fiyero had done to her earlier. She cupped his chin and tilted it - granted, not by much - so they were eye to eye. "I haven't rejected it. If..." She paused. "If I could distinguish the line between lusting and loving and the different forms of loving, trust me, I would probably be returning it. But I can't, so... I don't want to risk you when I'm not sure what will happen. Can you understand that?"

"I can accept that," he started slowly, "if you can accept that I love you. Despite any insecurities you may have about yourself, I need you to accept that you are wonderful to me, and I wouldn't have you any other way." He paused, then admitted, "this won't work if we can't trust each other and if we're insecure. Do you think you could understand that?"

"Yeah." Elphaba paused, letting her hand drop. "But insecurity is a part of my nature... I can't very well help that. I mean, you've got to look at the way I've lived my life." She shrugged, the shoulder parts of her dress shifting as she did so. "I'll never understand why, but... but I'm willing to accept it." She smiled at him almost shyly.

"Good," he smiled, bringing his hand to her neck, slowly pulling her close as the other hand moved to caress her cheek. "So we're okay? Truthfully?"

"Truthfully? I'm ready to kill Galinda." Elphaba opened her arms and wrapped them around him with a sigh. "I understand where she's coming from, but she was supposed to be my friend."

He accepted the hug, pulling her close, sighing, "You wanna kill her? Get in line, I've got first dibs."

"Can we kill her simultaneously, then?" Elphaba put her head lightly on his shoulder. "Or..." A plan was beginning to form in the back of her head.

"Or...?"

"Or we can conceive a much more effective and mind torturing plan..." A grin slid across the green girl's face. "Granted, it'd be cruel and unusual punishment."

"Hmmmm...I just think you can't handle the fact you'd need to get in line behind me," he grinned at her.

"Oh, be quiet, you." Elphaba stuck her tongue out at him from her angle. "And weren't we supposed to be lying down?" She raised an eyebrow at him.

"Why yes, I think we are," he smiled happily at her suggestiveness, resuming his spot on the blanket as he pulled her towards him.

Elphaba let herself be pulled down with a half smile. "It's a good thing you got your essay done."

"I couldn't agree more," he smiled as Elphaba laid next to him. He breathed easy for the first time since they arrived on the island, absently running his fingers up and down her back.

Elphaba sighed under his attentions, just enjoying the light sensation for a second. "I still like my plan better than just killing her," she murmured, although she hadn't exactly described her plan yet.

"Nope. Sorry. I get to kill her. Therefore, I win," he continued playfully, waiting for her to put up a fight.

"Oh, come on! My way is more fun for me and you can kill her afterwards!"

"Your way is better? Oh there's no way your winning this one," he smiled as he half-sat up, tickling Elphaba playfully.

"Hey!" Elphaba started giggling. "Stop that!" Giggling was not something Elphaba did often, but she was quite ticklish... and Fiyero seemed to know just where to put his hands.

Fiyero continued for a moment, loving watching her smile uncontrollably. He slowly came to a stop, but did not move his hands from her stomach and waist, slowly moving his gaze up to look her in the eyes.

Elphaba's giggles faded to a stop as she caught Fiyero's gaze. A faint blush was in her cheeks and her hair was fanned out behind her, and she couldn't stop the tightening in her stomach.

Just like the one he experienced yesterday in the water yesterday, he suddenly had the urge to be as close to Elphaba as possible. He shifted his body closer to hers, moving his hand from her stomach, placing it behind her neck, feeling her soft hair against the back of his hand.

The tightening in her stomach grew tighter as Fiyero shifted his body closer to hers. She kept her body where it was, just watching him. The small, shy smile on her face couldn't disappear.

Fiyero felt like he could hardly breath, the anticipation growing as he continued moving closer, letting his arm and leg move around her body, pulling her close as well.

Elphaba took in a sharp breath, feeling Fiyero's body move slightly against her own, feeling their bodies draw closer. "Yero..."

"Mmmm?" he asked quietly. He could hardly resist his urges, but wanted to make sure he wasn't doing something she didn't want.

"Waiting..." Her breathing was a lot heavier than normal. "Would be... much more... appropriate..."

He smiled at the fact that she could barely resist him more than he could resist her. Barely. "Well there are plenty of other things we could do," he murmured, kissing her gently.

"I didn't say that I wanted to wait. I said that it would be more appropriate." With a smile, she pushed against him, rolling him over so she was on top. He had told her to live life to the fullest...

Fiyero was convinced he must have misunderstood what she said, must have hallucinated something. But there was no misinterpreting her rolling on top of him. "Whoa," he smiled, torn to his very core on how to react. "Are you...you're sure you want to do this?"

"Yero, regardless of the lust love type of love worry I'm going over..." And the sparkle in her eyes grew more intense, "there is no doubting the way I feel. And... why bother being appropriate when you don't know how much time you have left?"

And with her consenting words, consenting eyes, consenting grin, he pulled her in passionately, kissing her with a brand new excitement.

Elphaba responded with just as much passion and intensity, and the two moved together... -fades to black-