A/N: So here I am again, offering my sincerest apologies for how long it's taken me to update this story. I took a trip to see Wicked earlier this month (which was so amazing) and since then have been keeping very busy. I've been having some potential career breakthroughs lately and I've been working my ass off to make things happen and unfortunately, this story has suffered for it. I have been writing more frequently this last week, though, so hopefully I'll be able to get back in the habit. I promise, I'm doing the best I can! Anyway, with that out of the way, I hope you enjoy the chapter and that it was worth the wait!

Chapter Twenty-Five: Be This Sunset One for Keeping

With the days they were adding onto the trip, their departure date now loomed less than a week-and-a-half in front of them. Elphaba was working on building up her strength, sticking to a strict diet and pushing herself to be a little more active every day. She wanted to move back into their house for the remainder of their time there, but Dr. Matusoff insisted on keeping her in the medical center for close observation. Now that she was nearly back to a normal sleeping schedule, Fiyero had taken to leaving Daveny with Elphaba in the center while he spent hours each day working with Lionus. It wasn't long before the bassinet was permanently moved there so that Elphaba could easily take care of the night-time feedings as well.

A week before they were to leave, Dr. Matusoff performed a full examination on Daveny, including blood samples, and declared her healthy enough for the journey. He informed them that he would be giving the baby a course of vaccines over the week to help ensure her continued good health. With that reassurance, they all knew that the only thing they needed to worry about now was Elphaba. Fiyero and Lionus were constantly coming up with plans and provisions for any setbacks that may occur. As the days passed, it seemed as if everything had been planned to the smallest detail- from where they would stop and rest to who would carry what while they traveled. Fiyero had managed to build a holder for the baby that could strap around someone's shoulders so she could be carried in front or back. In short, they were ready.

The night before their departure, Fiyero headed to the medical center after a meeting with Lionus to check up on Elphaba. He made his way automatically to the area of her bed, but was stopped short just outside the curtains. The sound of Elphaba's voice floated out to him through the cloth. She was humming an unfamiliar, but quite lovely melody, and the sound of it was nearly hypnotizing. As quietly as he could, he pushed the edge of the curtain aside so he could peek through. Sure enough, he saw Daveny, swathed and settled and Elphaba's arms. Elphaba was rocking her gently, a soft smile on her face as she hummed. Fiyero watched, entranced, until their daughter was fast sleep and Elphaba's song came to a soft finish.

"That was pretty," he said finally, pushing his way through the curtains.

She looked up at him, not looking at all surprised to see him. "How long were you listening?"

"Just a minute or so. I didn't want to interrupt. What was that?" He questioned, settling himself on the edge of the bed.

"I'm not quite sure. I think it's something my mother used to sing to me as a child. I don't remember the words, so I thought I'd just try humming the melody. It's something I've always associated with being comforted… She wasn't too happy after the last vaccination," she informed him, gesturing to the baby.

"Well she'd be less happy getting sick. Someday we'll be able to explain that to her." Elphaba nodded and sighed tiredly, leaning slightly back against the headrest. The gesture was not lost on Fiyero. "Why don't you let me put her down?" He offered.

"Alright," she replied softly. She leaned down to brush a soft kiss to Daveny's brow before carefully handing her over to Fiyero, who did the same before gently placing her in the bassinet. He then turned back to study Elphaba.

"How are you?" He asked.

"Just a little tired. I walked around with her for a couple of hours today, thought it would be good practice. That contraption you built works well, though I didn't like having her on my back and not being able to see her. I think I'll keep her in front of me for the trip," she replied conversationally.

"That's fine, whatever works best for you. Lionus and I are all packed up. We'll leave in the late afternoon. That way we can hit the border by sunset and travel through the night once we get across, like we did in Ev," he explained.

She nodded slowly. "It's strange, I've been so anxious to leave here, I'm just now realizing how much I'm going to miss this place. I knew we couldn't stay here forever, but it's been a nice safe haven for the last several months."

"It has been like a taste of home again. But being so close makes it impossible to move on. This is our chance to build a new life."

"I know that," she assured him with a small smile. "It just feels so strange to know that I'll never be back in Oz again. Everything happened so fast the last time, I didn't have time to process the idea like I do now… I know there's so much ahead of us, but I still have to come to terms with all I'm leaving behind. I'm sure you do, too."

"You mean my family? I already told you, Fae, I accepted their absence in the rest of my life a while ago. I have a new family now and it's all that matters," he said firmly.

"And I love you for that, you know I do. But I know you'll miss them, no matter what you say. If I had any family left, I would miss them too."

"I'll always miss them, in a way. But I'm ready to move on."

"I am, too. Really. It's just…" she trailed off uncertainly.

"Glinda," he finished knowingly.

"I know it doesn't make any sense. I had already accepted the fact that I would never be able to contact her again, but I think a little part of me thought this whole thing might someday blow over. Even if it took fifty years, I hoped I'd be around to see that happen. And that I would be close enough to get in touch with her when it did… I'm glad I was able to see her here at least, to know for myself that she's doing okay. Even if she'll never know the same about me," she reasoned sadly.

Fiyero took her chin in his hand, guiding her gaze up to meet his. He smiled softly at her. The words that came to his lips were an echo of the sentiment he'd spoken to her when she'd mentioned her past desire to become a doctor the night they'd first arrived in Ev, a night that now seemed like a lifetime ago. "Never say never."

The next day was a flurry of activity from the moment they woke. Fiyero came to the medical center to take Daveny in the morning so Elphaba could get a few extra hours, but it wasn't long before she was making the rounds, bidding farewell to all the Animals she'd taught and come to know during their time at the shelter. After that was a brief visit with Dr. Matusoff for a final check-up and the dispensing of all the necessary medications for their trip. After many words of advice and caution on the doctor's part and of gratitude on theirs, he wished them luck and sent them on their way.

Fiyero and Lionus divvied the luggage between them, taking with them nothing more than what they could carry on their backs. Elphaba would carry a considerably lighter pack of necessities for the baby and she would also have Daveny herself. Once they were situated, they moved through the tunnels and out through the front, where Dr. Dillamond was waiting with horses. Fiyero smiled at the sight of Dandelion, whom they hadn't seen since their arrival at the shelter. It seemed fitting that she would be the one to carry them away from this place.

They mounted the horses quickly, Lionus and Dr. Dillamond on one and Fiyero and Elphaba (holding Daveny) on the other. They guided the horses away from the shelter in silence, the moment weighing heavily on all of them. Fiyero saw Elphaba glance back as they rode, watching the intricate network of houses that they had experienced so much in growing smaller and smaller in the distance. Fiyero knew he would miss the shelter as well and the happiness and sense of purpose it had provided them both, but they had spent so long now living their life in phases. It was simply time to move on to the next.

The weather seemed to be sympathetic to their emotional journey. The winds were relatively calm and the weather almost cool enough to be pleasant. The sunset painted the sky like a canvas of color, reminding them that even in all the ugliness they had experienced there, Oz still held an almost redeeming amount of beauty. Elphaba found herself praying to a higher power she wasn't even sure she believed in that Aquaria would be able to measure up.

They reached the border several short hours later. The same reflective film that had passed through from Ev now loomed before them, ready to take them into the Dominion. Fiyero dismounted the horse and then helped Elphaba down so she could hold Daveny steady against her. Once down, Elphaba moved to Dandy's head, stroking her mane and saying goodbye in her own way. After a moment, she turned to Lionus and Dr. Dillamond who had dismounted their horse as well.

"As much as I hate to say it, we should really keep moving. We've got a lot of ground to cover before sunrise," Lionus reminded them all gently. He then turned to Dr. Dillamond and shook his paw, thanking him profusely.

Fiyero stepped up to the Goat next. "I wish there were more I could do to thank you. You've done so much for us."

"It has been my pleasure, Master Fiyero, truly. I will live a much happier life knowing that the two of you are alive and safe, living your own happy life somewhere," he replied genuinely. Fiyero smiled warmly and shook his paw, stepping aside for Elphaba.

"Well, Miss Elphaba," he said as she stepped forward. "It seems your work here is finally done."

She smiled sadly at him, fighting the tears that prickled at the back of her eyes. "I think we both know there will always be work to be done. I suppose I'm simply passing the torch."

"I shall carry it proudly then."

She stepped forward and embraced him. "It has been an honor knowing you, professor," she told him softly.

"The honor was mine, my dear," he replied before pulling back. "Now go and have the life you deserve. Don't worry about us back here, we'll be alright."

She nodded. "I know."

Dr. Dillamond smiled and glanced down at Daveny, brushing his paw over the top of her head. "Good luck to you all," he said, meeting each of their gazes briefly.

They moved to stand directly in front of the border, leaving Dr. Dillamond back with the horses. "I guess this is it," Lionus said, turning to his two companions. "Are you ready?"

"We're ready," Elphaba replied, knowing it was time.

"Okay then, see you on the other side." And with that, he stepped forward, through the film, and disappeared.

Elphaba took a deep breath, aware that her entire life would change with this next step. The feeling was so familiar, so similar to the last time they'd left Oz, but different at the same time. She wouldn't have believed it possible then, but this time, there was more at stake than ever. Suddenly, she felt Fiyero's warm hand close around hers. She looked up and saw the concern and tenderness in his eyes. And just like that, she was ready for whatever awaited them on the other side. She knew that she had everything she needed; everything she would ever need.

She glanced back one last time, smiling a final goodbye to her mentor and taking in the image of Oz one last time to imprint on her memory and carry with her through the rest of her life. Then, with a nod to Fiyero, she allowed him to once more lead her into the unknown.

A/N: Okay so I know that many of you might be feeling disappointed that they're leaving Oz without seeing Glinda or anyone. All I have to say to that is that what I said in the very first author's note for this story still stands. So don't bite my head off yet, okay? Just stick with me here. So coming up next- the journey through the Dominion begins and complications arise relatively early. Please review and let me know that you're still with me, guys! I really appreciate it!