DISCLAIMER: Not mine.

AN. Yep, early update. Why? Because I'm about to leave for Sydney to see Wicked tonight, and I don't know if/when I'll be able to update tomorrow. And because the Wicked high has already begun, I'm feeling generous ;)

Ch 27 will be up on Monday (Australia time). And then there's only one more chapter left!

26

By the time Elphaba and Fiyero approached Kiamo Ko, Elphaba was exhausted and anxious. She had spent a large portion of the journey across Oz in silence, deep in thought.

Fiyero was here. He wasn't married, or engaged, and he loved her.

And Oz be dammed if that didn't terrify her.

It had been almost a comfort that they couldn't be together in Glinda's brief absence, beneath everything else. If they couldn't be together, Elphaba didn't have to think about the fact she had no experience with romantic relationships; and that she wasn't sure which inevitable ending was scarier- that either they'd break up and she'd lose him from her life, and she knew how painful that was, or that they wouldn't.

Fiyero had seemed to know that something was bothering her. He'd tried to get her to talk as they passed through the Pine Barrows, but Elphaba had shut him down almost immediately.

"I can't deal with… 'us', just yet," she'd told him apologetically. "I need to try and sort things out with Glinda first, ok?"

Fiyero could understand that, and agreed. They did discuss the changes in Elphaba's relationship with her father; a short conversation, as Elphaba didn't really understand the changes herself or have any idea what they meant.

But from the discussion he'd had with the Governor that morning before Frex had agreed to let him see Elphaba, Fiyero was optimistic that the changes were good. Both for Elphaba, and the possibility of their future together.

As the carriage came to a stop in the drive, Fiyero reached over and gently took her hand.

"It'll be okay," he reassured her. "Glinda asked for you, remember?"

Elphaba nodded, but she didn't look convinced. She stared at Fiyero's hand clasping hers- it was the first physical contact they'd had in six weeks.

Fiyero must have reached the same conclusion, because he refused to drop her hand as they exited the carriage and headed into Kiamo Ko.

"Fabala!"

Before they'd taken more than five steps across the foyer, Nessa was wheeling herself towards them hurriedly.

Elphaba's face broke into a wide smile, and she tugged free from Fiyero's grasp to meet her sister.

"I've missed you so much!" Nessa exclaimed, as Elphaba knelt down and hugged her tightly.

"I've never gone so long without seeing you," Nessa reminded her as they separated.

"I know," Elphaba answered with a faint wince. "I'm sorry I didn't write you back, Nessie. I just-"

"It's ok, I understood why," Nessa reassured her. "How is everything at home? How's Father?"

Elphaba cocked her head slightly. "It's… interesting," she answered thoughtfully.

Nessa looked at her quizzically.

"I'll explain later," Elphaba smiled.

"Where is everyone?" Fiyero asked Nessa.

"Your parents and Glinda's are in the library," Nessa replied. "Glinda went upstairs about fifteen minutes ago, I'm not sure if she's planning to come down again," she added, glancing apologetically at her sister.

"Well, it's late. I'm sure she's tired," Elphaba replied nonchalantly, but the fact that Glinda wasn't there to meet them made her a little wary about any hopes she had for salvaging their friendship.

"The others are all in the conservatory," Nessa continued.

The three of them headed in that direction, Fiyero only pausing to ask the butler to notify his parents of his return.

"Elphaba!" Julyan cried enthusiastically as soon as he saw her.

Elphaba was slightly startled as he leapt out of his seat to embrace her.

"Hi," she laughed in surprise.

Julyan pulled away and grasped her by the shoulders, meeting her gaze solemnly. "I am so glad to see you."

"The musical?" Elphaba guessed with a smirk.

"Yes," Julyan admitted unabashedly. "But not just that."

Elphaba laughed again, and looked past him. Aeliana, Branca and Mykhaila, whom Elphaba had only met once before when Glinda had introduced them during a visit to Gilikin, smiled politely at her, and Elphaba nodding in greeting.

"Hey," Boq greeted her, getting up to join them.

Elphaba shook her head faintly as a smirk teased her lips.

"Hey yourself," she replied. "I suppose congratulotions are in order?"

Boq reddened but looked quite pleased with himself.

"Thanks, El."

Julyan grinned at Elphaba and Fiyero. "I've told him that he is definishly marrying up!"

Elphaba and Fiyero nodded in agreement- there was no question of that.

"What's the story-"

Fiyero shot Julyan a warning glance the moment he saw his friend's eyes flicker between him and Elphaba. Julyan faltered for a beat and then instantly changed tracks.

"What's the story with Boq's parents? Are they coming?"

Fiyero nodded, turning to Boq.

"They had to pack and sort out the farm and stuff, but they were hoping to leave within half an hour of us. So they shouldn't be too far behind. I offered to wait, but they told us to go ahead."

"I bet they were surprised," Nessa giggled.

Fiyero grinned. "That's an understatement. Your sisters' were excited though. I explained what I could, but I'm sure they have heaps more questions for you," he told Boq, who nodded ruefully.

"I kind of expected that. But thanks."

"What did my parents tell everyone about the wedding being cancelled?" Fiyero asked him.

"The truth," Nessa said.

"The truth?" Elphaba uttered in surprise.

"Well, not the whole truth," Julyan allowed.

"We left you out of it," Boq told Elphaba.

"We also left out yours and Glinda's breakup," Nessa added to Fiyero.

"The official story is henceforth this," Julyan began dramatically. "You and Glinda, upon graduating, were using this summer to evaluate your long-term relationship; you were putting on a brave face for the press, but fighting a lot. That was my idea, just to add some drama," he said to Fiyero as an aside.

Fiyero rolled his eyes and gestured for him to continue.

"You and Glinda decided to take some time apart before making any decision. She left, but the two of you decided you missed each other. She came back and you got engaged. She then discoverated she was pregnant," Julyan explained.

"That way, no one can claim you only got engaged just because of the baby," Nessa chimed in.

"But we did only get engaged because of the baby," Fiyero reminded her.

"Yes, but do you want the baby to one day know that?" Julyan retorted.

Fiyero wasn't sure if that was really important, but let it slide. Julyan took that as a sign to continue.

"However- and I'm quoting from the press release here- 'after much soul searching, we have realised that although we care very deeply for one another, we will be much better parents not being in a relationship and have made the decision to call off our engagement.'"

Julyan shrugged. "Then there was the usual 'we remain great friends and committed to raising our child together, et cetera, et cetera."

"How did you explain Boq?" Elphaba inquired with a frown.

"We didn't," Boq spoke up. "The plan is to release another statement after the wedding and just announce the wedding. No other details."

"Is that wise?" Elphaba frowned. "The press-"

"The press have their heads spinning just from the wedding being called off and the 'Baby Bombshell'," Julyan said, making air quotes around the words with his fingers. "That's what the paper called it this morning," he explained defensively as Fiyero shot him a look.

"It's all over the Vinkus, and Fiyero's father says it'll reach the other provinces by morning," Nessa said.

Elphaba was grateful she'd left Munchkinland before the news had broken, but she was still worried.

"The press know Glinda's pregnant, and they know there's no engagement. Are they saying anything yet?" Elphaba asked.

"Not that we've heard," Boq reassured her. "I think it'll be ok."

"The most we can figure, the press are going to run with either one of two stories once the wedding is announced," Julyan told Elphaba, seeing she didn't look particularly convinced.

"Either that Glinda and Boq were having an affair- with maybe an implication that the baby is actually Boq's and not Yero's; or that it's an arranged marriage set up by Glinda's parents to protect Glinda's reputation from being ruined after the wedding was called off. Glinda and Boq have decided just to deal with the fallout from the latter; and quite frankly, no one's going to believe the former."

Julyan pointed to Fiyero and then to Boq. "Would you believe Glinda leaving Fiyero for Boq? No offence, Boq," he added hastily.

"Gee, why would I be offended?" Boq grumbled.

Elphaba still wasn't convinced, but she couldn't think of any more concerns. At the moment, anyway.

"Glinda agreed with Fiyero, that she didn't want to raise the baby based on lies," Nessa said softly.

"Did I say that?" Fiyero asked in surprise, having no recollection of those words. He was rather impressed with himself- it sounded rather wise.

"Not exactly those words. But the gist of it."

"Yeah, I thought that sounded too smart to have come from Fiyero," Elphaba quipped.

Fiyero mock scowled at her, but figured she was right.

"It does feel so complicated still," Fiyero mused.

"We'll work out the rest of the details," Boq reassured him. "We figured just getting a story ready to tell the press was important to try and control the story… and by 'we', I mean your parents."

"Yeah," Fiyero agreed half-heartedly. "Why didn't we do this six weeks ago?"

Julyan sniggered. "Because we never thought to indulge the fantasies of Boq?" he suggested.

Boq spluttered, his face turning red again.

"Let's face it Boq," Julyan said unapologetically. "Guys like you- again, no offence- do not get girls like Glinda."

"I'm aware. But how long can I expect to hear jokes about it?"

"Forever," Fiyero and Julyan replied in unison.

Boq glared at Fiyero. "You just got left at the altar," he reminded him. "You could be less chipper about that."

Fiyero just grinned.

"Yero?"

They all looked to the doorway as the king and queen entered the conservatory, followed by Mr and Mrs Upland.

"Welcome back, Elphaba," Malika greeted Elphaba with a smile.

"Thank you, ma'am," Elphaba replied with a slight curtsey.

"Hello, Mr and Mrs Upland," she added, a little nervously.

She wasn't sure where Glinda's parents fell on this situation regarding her.

"Hello, Elphaba. How was the journey?" Mrs Upland asked her.

Elphaba thought her tone was a little colder than usual, but she couldn't be sure.

"Fine, thank you," she answered.

The queen turned to her son. "Fiyero, I've had the maids make up the room Elphaba was in last time. I'm sure you're both tired after the trip. Why don't you both head to bed and I can send up some trays if you're hungry?"

"That sounds great, Mom," Fiyero said gratefully.

"I'm not really hungry," Elphaba refused politely. "I might just go to bed."

She and Fiyero said goodnight to the others and headed upstairs. As they neared the top of the staircase in silence, Elphaba stopped abruptly.

Fiyero could practically see the tension rolling off her, and as he turned his head in the direction she was looking, he was overcome with a sense of déjà vu.

"Hey, Glin," he greeted the blonde, a little warily.

"Hi," Glinda returned softly.

"We thought you'd gone to bed," Fiyero said, probably in a brighter voice than was necessary, but trying to cover the awkwardness.

"Not yet."

Elphaba slowly climbed the remaining few stairs silently, looking very unsure of herself. The two girls faced one another, standing a few feet apart and just looking at each other hesitantly.

Just as Fiyero was about to intervene, Glinda broke the stalemate.

She stepped forward and threw her arms around the green girl.

"I'm so sorry," she said in a choked voice.

Elphaba didn't hesitate in returning the hug, however awkward it was.

"I'm sorry, too," she replied.

Glinda pulled back after a moment. "I really was about to go to bed," she said awkwardly. "Can we… talk tomorrow?" she asked Elphaba.

Elphaba nodded immediately. "Of course."

Glinda smiled faintly. "OK."

Silence fell and Fiyero jumped in before it could get awkward.

"So, I'm beat. I'm going to head to bed," he announced, jerking his thumb in the direction of his bedroom.

"Yes, I'm going to bed too," Glinda said hastily. "I'll see you both tomorrow."

Fiyero bid them goodnight, glancing at Elphaba but not saying anything else.

"Fiyero, you and I need to talk too," Glinda called after him as he took a few steps down the hall.

Fiyero waved a hand in acknowledgement that he had heard. "Yep. We'll talk after," he replied, and Glinda nodded in agreement.

And hopefully after Elphaba and Glinda had spoken, she would be willing to have the conversation about their relationship. Fiyero couldn't help but sigh as he entered his bedroom. He was so very sick of talking.

Elphaba slept heavily that night, and when she awoke, it took her a few moments to remember where she was and the events of the day before. She was a little taken aback when she glanced at the clock and saw that it was after nine- she so rarely slept that late.

Elphaba washed and dressed and was just brushing her hair when there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," she called out.

Her fingers paused in the act of braiding her hair as Glinda let herself into the room, followed by a maid with a breakfast tray.

"Oh, good, you're up. Is now a good time?"

"Sure," Elphaba said slowly.

"Are you hungry?"

"Starved," Elphaba admitted.

The maid placed the tray, laden with food and two glasses of juice, on the bed at Glinda's directions, and left. Glinda cautiously seated herself on the bed, the tray sitting between the two of them on the bed.

They sat in silence for a few minutes, Elphaba picking at a piece of toast, despite her prior claims to be starving.

"So," Glinda said finally, taking a deep breath. "I owe you an apology."

"No, Glinda-" Elphaba began to protest, but Glinda held up a hand to cut her off.

"Elphaba, please," the blonde said firmly.

With difficulty, Elphaba held her tongue and waited.

"When Fiyero broke up with me, something didn't- it didn't sound right," Glinda said carefully. "He kept emphasising that he didn't want to hurt me, and that he loved me. It wasn't hard to figure out there was something he wasn't telling me. And then I got him to admit he was in love with someone else, and I knew it was you."

"How?" Elphaba couldn't help but ask.

"Because he wouldn't tell me who it was," Glinda explained quietly. "It had to be someone I knew, someone I was close to. And you made the most sense."

Elphaba just looked at her in bewilderment. Even now, none of this made sense to her.

"I was so mad," Glinda recalled. "Mad that he hadn't said anything, that he'd left it so long; mad that I hadn't noticed anything… mad that he was in love with you and not me," Glinda admitted.

"I honestly never expected that you were in love with him too."

"I should have told you," Elphaba said.

"You should have," Glinda agreed. "I understand why you didn't… now, at least. Partly. But you should have told me."

"But it wouldn't have changed anything," Elphaba said, who had this argument with herself many times in the past six weeks.

"I wouldn't have felt like such an idiot," Glinda replied. "If you had come to me after the Lion Cub and told me what happened…"

Glinda trailed off and shook her head lightly. "I don't want to get stuck on all the 'what ifs'. It won't help."

She sighed softly and continued. "It felt easier to blame you than Fiyero. I was still in love with him," she tried to explain herself, although she knew it wasn't an excuse. "I didn't want to blame him for not being in love with me. So, I blamed you instead."

"Nothing ever happened between us until the two of you broke up."

"I know. But in some ways, that was almost worse," Glinda admitted.

"If you'd done something, I'd have… I don't know. Proof? Something specific to accuse you of. But you didn't. He's been in love with you for years, without either of you doing anything."

Glinda picked up her juice and sipped it casually.

"I was in the garden that day. I saw him kiss you."

Elphaba met her gaze, aghast, but Glinda kept talking before she could say anything.

"I didn't hear everything, but I heard enough. And all I could think was that he'd never looked at me the way I saw him look at you," Glinda said, with a note of wistfulness in her tone.

"That was pretty much my breaking point. So, I left."

Glinda took another sip of juice and cleared her throat. "I'm sorry that I slapped you," she said in a low voice.

Elphaba snorted before she could stop herself, which earned a slight smile from Glinda.

"I don't suppose I can blame that on pregnancy hormones?"

"I think one of the apparent perks of pregnancy is being able to blame everything on hormones, isn't it?" Elphaba asked.

Glinda wrinkled her nose. "There are perks of pregnancy?"

Elphaba chuckled.

"I've missed you," Glinda said quietly.

"I've missed you too," Elphaba agreed. "What happens now? Are we friends again?" Her tone was cautious.

Glinda hesitated briefly. "I want to be," she answered. "I don't know. I've really missed you these past few weeks. But I don't know if it'll ever be the same as it was before, but I want to be friends. I want to try and get past this. If Fiyero and I can try and be friends, I think you and I can try."

Elphaba nodded. "Ok. Can I ask you something?"

"I guess," Glinda agreed.

"About Boq…"

Glinda just looked at her expectantly, as Elphaba paused uncertainly.

"Do you really want to marry him? It's not the fairytale love story you always talked about."

Glinda chuckled and sighed thoughtfully. "There are no fairytales," she said simply. "Which I know isn't news to you. I don't know if I really accepted that fact until I realised I was pregnant."

She shrugged lightly. "I was engaged to Fiyero, planning a wedding I had no interest in. I was miserable. When I realised I couldn't go through with the wedding, I knew what it meant. I knew having this baby and not being Fiyero would be the end of my reputation. But the idea of marrying Fiyero when I wasn't in love with him anymore, and when he didn't love me…" Glinda grimaced faintly. "It made me sick to my stomach- literally."

"Fiyero said he broke up with me because marrying me wouldn't be fair. That I deserved to be with someone who truly loved me, and to be happy. And I realised he was right. We've been working so hard during the past few weeks to get to a place where we could not have it be awkward; but I had this sudden fear of one day resenting the baby. And I didn't want that."

"So, Boq?" Elphaba prodded.

"He loves me," Glinda said with a small smile. "He always has."

"That's no secret," Elphaba rolled her eyes. "But do you love him?"

"Momsie asked me the same question. Look, I'm not in love with him," Glinda admitted. "But I've been thinking about it ever since he offered. And I think- I think I could be. One day."

"'One day' in a year? Ten years? Fifty?"

"I hope a year," Glinda said candidly. "I care for him a lot. He's so sweet. I think he's the sweetest guy I've ever met- including Fiyero. And these past few weeks, he's really been there for me, and we've grown very close. I think he'll be a good husband, and a good stepfather to the baby. And I know he'll make me happy. I think for now, that's enough."

Elphaba regarded her closely. She did look happy, she had to admit. Or at least happier than the last time they had seen each other.

"So, when's the wedding?" she asked.

"Tomorrow."

"Here?"

"It made the most sense," Glinda nodded. "A very, very small wedding."

"And you're feeling ok?"

"I feel tired," Glinda admitted. "But other than that, I'm fine. I've only been sick a few times."

"It must be a boy."

Glinda's eyes widened. "What? Why do you say that?"

"There's an old wives tale," Elphaba explained. "That girls give you really bad morning sickness, and boys don't."

She smiled at Glinda's barely concealed horror.

"You want a girl, don't you?"

"I just… I don't know what I'd do with a boy," Glinda frowned.

"Not dress him in pink?" Elphaba smirked.

For the first time, there was no awkwardness between them. It felt as though they were back in their dorm room at Shiz.

"What about you and Fiyero?" Glinda asked casually.

And the awkwardness was back.

Elphaba looked to her in surprise. "What about us?"

"Are you together?"

Elphaba shifted uncomfortably. "We haven't discussed it. Yet. I thought he should focus on the baby."

"Because I'm ok with it, you know," Glinda said. "He loves you, and you love him. And he should be happy too. You both should."

Elphaba drew her knees up to her chest. "You'd really be ok with it?" she asked sceptically.

"I realised a few weeks ago that I'm not in love with him anymore," Glinda replied. "And I'd much rather you be with Fiyero than stuck in Munchkinland. I wish I'd realised all this weeks ago."

"Glinda-"

"Elphie," Glinda interrupted firmly.

The sound of her old nickname made Elphaba smile. She had actually missed it.

"I think you and Fiyero should focus on getting ready to be parents," Elphaba said.

"I know Fiyero isn't the best at multi-tasking, but I think he can manage to prepare for the baby and love you at the same time," Glinda said gently. "Besides, I'm the one doing all the work."

Elphaba laughed. "We're going to talk," she promised her. "But… I'm sorry. It's a little weird to have you suddenly encouraging this."

"I'm trying to be supportive!" Glinda exclaimed.

"Well, you're being excessive and it's coming off a little creepy," Elphaba said bluntly.

Glinda smiled. "Sorry. I am ok with the idea, though. Not... not as ok as I want to be, but I think eventually I will be," she said. Elphaba didn't know what to say to that.

"You're getting married tomorrow, ok? Focus on that."

Glinda smiled and hesitantly placed a hand on Elphaba's arm gently. "I did miss you, Elphie."

Elphaba smiled faintly. "I missed you too."

Maybe it wouldn't be the same as before. But in this moment, Elphaba was hopeful that they could at least be friends again. In some capacity, their friendship could be saved. Only time would tell.