The Wizard had to wonder if they would ever be able to come together as a family without ending up as the walking wounded. Poor Glinda still looked a little pale from being poisoned, Elphaba was trying not to show how much being carried by Cade hurt and Breena was practically asleep on her feet. Add in a harried looking Addena, a tired Penny, a worried looking Ginny and an aggravated Cade and they made quite a troop going up the stairs.

His emotions ran the gamut of what everyone else was feeling. He was so angry that someone had hurt Elphaba that he couldn't see straight. Yes she was going to be all right but the very idea of what could have happened made his skin crawl. What if she had broken her neck instead of hurting her back? What if she had never woken up again instead of not being able to move her legs? What if she had...

He swallowed hard, refusing to even think about it. He switched his thoughts to Breena instead, which really didn't help. She may not have been hurt this time around but she was definitely exhausted. How she was still awake after healing Cade, snatching Lion from the jaws of death and using Penny's energy to repair the damage to her sister's back was beyond him.

"Come on, Bree."

The sound of Addena's voice drew him from his thoughts. He was shocked to find they had reached the family wing already. Actually it was more of a floor than a wing but that was just semantics. The point was he hated using the stairs. The palace was bigger than many Ozians would ever realize and the staircase they had just been on seemed to go on and on forever. That's why he preferred using his secret tunnel to get to the first floor.

It was also why the thought of Elphaba falling down the stairs scared him so much. She was a very lucky girl.

Addena started to lead her lover around the others. "I'll just get you settled and then..."

"I'm staying with Elly."

"No you're not."

"Yes I am."

"No, you're not."

"Yes, I am."

"Bree."

"Addy."

He braced himself for the worst when his daughter matched the doctor's exasperated tone.

Addena clinched her jaw. "Is it going to take you keeling over to make you realize you should be in bed?"

"I'm a long way from keeling over." Breena argued. "I'll go to bed just as soon as I'm sure Elly is really all right."

"She's going to be fine."

Elphaba looked at them over Cade's shoulder. "She's right. Go to bed."

"Elphie." Glinda poked her in the arm. "You could be a little nicer. She just healed you for Lurline's sake."

"I know and I thanked her for it. But blunt is the only language she understands when she's being stubborn." Elphaba rubbed her arm. "And ow."

"Sorry." Glinda apologized as she rubbed her girlfriend's arm too.

Breena was too busy frowning at Addena to notice their interaction. "Since when is worrying about my sister being stubborn?"

"Since you know damned well Elphaba is going to be fine because you're the one who healed her."

"Dena." Ginny clucked at her.

"What?" Addena gestured with her hands. "It's true."

"That well may be, but you might as well let her do what she wants." The Wizard voiced his opinion.

"Thanks Dad." Breena grinned.

"I'm not siding with you." He was quick to point out. "I just know that if Addena makes you go to bed when you don't want to you'll sneak over to Elphaba and Glinda's room whether anyone likes it or not. I, for one, want to know where everyone is until things settle down again. If that includes moving the couch from the parlor into Elphaba's bedroom so you can fall asleep on it while Addena treats Elphaba's injures than so be it."

"That makes sense." Ginny agreed.

"I'll have my men take care of moving the couch." Cade chimed in.

"I never tried anything like that with my powers before Addy." Breena spoke up before her girlfriend could argue. "And I won't be able to sleep until I'm sure she's all right." She stuck out her bottom lip when she still didn't reply. "Please."

"I..." Addena sighed. "Fine." She quirked an eyebrow at her sister when she stifled giggle. "I know she learned that from you."

"I know." Glinda shrugged. "But she could have learned something worse."

"Linny." Elphaba blushed.

"I'm going to have to sign up for lessons."

"Bree." Addena scowled at her.

"You know you'd benefit from anything she taught me." Breena teased, grinning again when her girlfriend blushed too.

"Stop it." The doctor hissed. "You're going to embarrass Cade and Penny."

"Actually I see it as a learning experience. Lion hangs out with them all the time so he's bound to pick up on some of this. Being around it too will make it easier to keep up with him." The Lioness yawned. "Excuse me."

"And I think it's funny." Cade commented.

Breena's grin became a smile. "I knew there was a reason I liked the two of you."

"It's nice to know some things never change." Ginny chuckled as the youngsters continued to banter.

The Wizard nodded, his eyes never leaving his daughters.

The eldest Upland couldn't help but pick up on his mood. "They're going to be all right."

"I know. I just..." He shook his head. "I'm supposed to be taking care of them."

"You are."

"Ha." The Wizard chortled.

"I understand where you're coming from, I really do. As parents we want to be able to protect our children from everything and anything, but that's not possible. What we constantly fail to realize is that our just being here is all they really want." She patted his arm. "You're a good father, Oscar." She withdrew her hand when she felt him tense up. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have called you that."

"No, it's all right." He assured her. "It's just been such a long time since anyone called me that. Especially when they were trying to make me feel better."

One of the guards behind them chose that moment to clear his throat, making them both jump. Ginny wanted to say more but the Wizard's eyes darted around, wearily taking in their surroundings and letting her know their conversation was over. Not that she could blame him for being apprehensive. The palace was huge with plenty of places for whoever was behind the attacks to hide. The hallway they were in was so long you could barely make out the guard outside the neighboring room.

"I'll get the door." Glinda hurried in front of Cade, gesturing for him to go through with Elphaba once she had the door open.

"Thanks." Cade looked over his shoulder as he crossed the threshold. "Can a couple of you take care of moving the couch?"

"Right away sir." One of the guards answered.

"I think I'm going to go to my room." Penny yawned again. "You were right Breena. I feel exhausted."

Breena moved away from Addena to pull the Lioness into a hug. "Thank you Penny. You have no idea how grateful I am for what you did."

The oversized feline looked shocked for a moment before wrapping her paws around the witch. "It's the least I could do."

"I mean it." Breena pulled back to look at her. "I'm in your debt. Anything you want, it's yours."

Penny shook her head. "Breena, you literally saved Lion's life today. I owe you more than you could ever owe me."

"Maybe you should just call it a draw before one of you falls asleep." Addena piped in.

"She has a point." The corner of Breena's mouth turned up. "We could stand here all night thanking each other."

"Thank you doesn't even begin to cover it for me." Penny swallowed hard. "Breena, I wanted to…"

"Don't even go there." Breena cut her off. "Even if Lion wasn't my friend I would have done everything I could to help him."

"But…"

"I'm not upset with you and neither is anyone else so stop worrying and go get some rest. We can talk again when we're not both so tired."

Tears shone in the cat's eyes as she drew her into another hug. "Thank you."

"I thought we agreed not to say that anymore." Breena rubbed her back for a moment before pulling away again. "Now get out of here. And tell Lion I expect to see him up and around soon."

"I will." Penny gave her another squeeze before hurrying down the hall.

"Wait!" One of the guards struggled to catch up with her.

"That was very sweet of you." Addena watched Penny walk away. "But how did you know she thought you were upset with her?"

"I could feel her."

"Feel her?" Ginny furrowed her brow.

Breena nodded. "When I tapped into her energy I could feel her emotions."

Addena put a protective arm around her lover's waist when she yawned. "We can talk about that later too. Right now there's a couch in there with your name on it."

By the time they made it to the bedroom Elphaba was already propped up on pillows with another pillow under her sore ankle and the couch had been put as close to the bed as possible without obstructing the space Addena would need to move around.

"What took you so long?" Glinda asked from her spot next to her girlfriend.

"We were saying goodnight to Penny." The Wizard answered.

"She went to bed?" Elphaba frowned. "But I didn't get to thank her."

"She knows." Breena yawned as she flopped down on the couch.

"Your sister did a fine job of thanking her for all of us." The Wizard went to stand behind the couch. "But you can tell her yourself once you're up and around again."

"I guess so." Elphaba's frown deepened as her sister yawned again. "Bree, I would feel a lot better if you went to bed."

"Would you go if the tables were turned?"

"No, but…"

"Then there's your answer." Breena scooted down so that her head rested against the back of the couch.

"Why don't you lie down?" The Wizard suggested.

"I'm fine right here."

"She's in full stubborn mode." Addena groused. "There's no sense in arguing with her."

"If you don't need me for anything else I think I'll be going too." Cade looked at the Wizard. "I have men to find and a maniac to stop." He raised a hand to keep his leader from volunteering to help him. "Like you said before sir, we need to know where everyone is right now. You can do everyone the most good by staying here with your daughters. I'll leave two guards in the parlor and three more outside the door to escort everyone else back to their rooms once Addena is done treating Elphaba."

"I want to argue with you but I know you're right." The Wizard pursed his lips. "Please let me know the moment you find out anything."

"Of course." Cade turned his attention to the bed. "Elphaba, feel better soon."

"I will."

"And you," he patted Breena on top of the head, "don't snore too loud."

"I'll try not to." She mumbled, her eyes closed.

"I'll give you an update soon." Cade walked out of the room.

"What do you say we get started Elphaba?" Addena put her medical bag down on the bed. "I'll just do a quick exam and then we'll take care of your ribs and ankle."

"Can she have something for pain?" Glinda gripped her girlfriend's hand. "It hurts when she breathes."

"Linny." Elphaba gave her a look.

"Tell me I'm wrong and I'll take it back."

Breena chuckled. "I know where you learned that."

"Shush you." Addena pointed at her.

"Don't be mad at me Elphie." Glinda pouted as she tucked a raven lock behind an emerald ear with her free hand. "I just want you to be comfortable."

"I know." Elphaba's voice was gentle as she stared into worried blue eyes. "But Addena has to be able to do her job."

"I'll be as quick as I can. I just want to make sure she doesn't have a concussion before I..."

"She doesn't." Breena interrupted her.

Addena furrowed her brow. "What?"

"I said she doesn't have a concussion." A green eye cracked open when she felt everyone staring at her. "I knew about her ankle didn't I?"

"I'll just double check if you don't mind."

"Knock yourself out."

Addena was all business as she checked Elphaba's eyes before probing her head and checking her vital signs.

"Well?" Glinda gestured at her impatiently.

"Bree was right." The doctor admitted. "She doesn't have a concussion."

"I would say I told you so but that's just not nice."

The Wizard squeezed his daughter's shoulder. "Someone is in rare form today."

"I know." Breena grinned.

"Go to sleep already." Addena teased as she pulled a syringe and a vial of medicine out of her medical bag.

Glinda wrinkled her nose. "Can't you just give her a pill?"

"This will kick in faster." Addena spoke as she filled the syringe.

"I, uh…" Ginny eyed the needle nervously.

The Wizard gave her a look. "Are you all right?"

"She doesn't like needles." Breena patted the couch next to her. "Come sit by me Ginny. I won't let Addy anywhere near you."

Ginny didn't hesitate to take her up on the offer, gripping her hand the instant she sat down. "Thanks."

Breena grinned again. "Don't mention it."

"I'm just going to roll up your sleeve so I can…" Addena's voice trailed off when she saw the bruises littering the green girl's arm.

"Oh Elphie." Tears filled Glinda's eyes. "No wonder you said ow when I poked you."

"It's all right my sweet." Elphaba ran her hand down her lover's cheek. "I'm going to be fine."

The Wizard clinched his jaw. "That doesn't look fine to me. I'd like to find whoever pushed you and rip their…"

"Keep it clean Dad." Breena cut off his rant. "There are ladies present."

"Do they hurt?" Glinda's voice was little more than a whisper.

"A little."

"Of course they do." The Wizard was livid. "Someone shoved her down the stairs for Oz's sake! Someone put their hands on my little girl's back and pushed her. Who does something like that?!"

"Someone who is sick and twisted." Addena answered as she put the syringe on the bedside table and switched her attention to Elphaba's ankle.

"Can we please not talk about this right now?" Elphaba sighed. "I'm just happy I'll be up and around again in a few days."

"So are the rest of us." Breena might have been tired but her voice challenged anyone to go against her sister's wishes.

"Sorry Elly." Addena apologized as she probed her ankle.

"I want to apologize too Elphaba. I didn't mean to upset you. It's just the idea of someone hurting you or your sister…" The Wizard shook his head. "It drives me crazy."

Breena patted his hand, which was still on her shoulder. "We love you too Dad."

"There's no need to apologize." Elphaba shook her head. "I appreciate everyone's concern but I just don't want to linger on what might have happened."

"That's completely understandable." Ginny joined the conversation.

Silence fell over the room as Addena continued her examination. She finally patted Elphaba's calf. "Bree was right again, it's just a bad sprain."

"No 'I told you so' this time?" The Wizard tried to lighten his mood by teasing his daughter but he didn't get a response.

"I think she's finally asleep." Ginny whispered.

"No I'm not." The sound of Breena's voice made the older woman jump. "I just didn't want to rub it in."

Addena grinned as she shook her head. "I'll wrap it and we'll ice it down to keep it from swelling too much. You'll have to stay off of it for a few days but there won't be any permanent damage."

"Thank Oz." Glinda's relief was evident. "What about her ribs?"

"There's not a whole lot we can do for those except put a bandage around her ribcage to keep them from moving around a lot until they've had a chance to heal."

"Give me a few days Elly." Breena yawned. "I'll make you as good as new."

"Like I said, we'll bandage her until she has a chance to heal." Addena repeated herself. "Because someone is grounded from using magic for at least a week."

"Why is it every time this happens you tell me I can't use magic again for whatever amount of time?"

"Because that's the only way to get you to completely regain your strength."

"But..."

"Don't argue with me Bree."

"Dad," Breena whined. "Can she do that?"

The Wizard couldn't stop himself from chuckling. "I'm afraid so kiddo."

"Well that just sucks," she growled.

"I can deal with my ribs, Bree." Elphaba tried to make her feel better. "I can walk because of you. I think that's more than enough for a while."

"Whatever." Breena mumbled.

"It's all right dear." Ginny patted her on the leg. "I'm sure you'll find plenty of other mischief to get into." She gave Addena a 'what' look when she felt her staring at her. "I'm trying to make her feel better."

"Yeah." Breena yawned again.

Elphaba put her hand over her mouth as she yawned too. "Those drugs must be kicking in already."

"Good." Glinda nodded. "You'll be more comfortable."

"We really need to get your ribs wrapped before you fall asleep." She looked at her mother and the Wizard. "Could the two of you, uh..."

"What?" Her mother asked.

"I hate to ask but can the two of you do something for me?"

"Anything." The Wizard answered.

"Well, it's really not for me it's more for Elphaba."

"She wants you to go out in the parlor until she's done wrapping Elly's ribs so you don't see her goodies."

"Bree!" Addena's mouth popped open.

"What?" The witch nestled even further into the couch. "Isn't that what you were going to ask?"

"Yes," the doctor admitted. "But I wouldn't have put it quite that way."

"I know. You would have hemmed and hawed around until you worked up the nerve to say what you wanted to say." Breena gave her a crooked smile. "I love when you get flustered."

"You would." Addena grumbled.

"Of course we'll go into the parlor." Ginny got up from the couch and started out of the room.

"Just let us know when we can come back in." The Wizard followed her.

"See." Breena finally stretched out. "It worked."

"I better hurry before she falls asleep and ends up spending a couple of days on that couch." Addena started taking supplies from her bag. "Glinda, do you think you can get that dress off of her?"

"You do realize who you're talking too right?"

"Behave Bree." Elphaba spoke through a yawn.

"I didn't mean anything by it."

"Yeah right."

"I'm serious."

"I'm sure you are."

"I couldn't let that one go by without commenting."

"Of course not."

Glinda smirked as the witches continued to bicker. "I think we have our work cut out for us."

"I think they're talking to try and stay awake." Addena grinned, feeling some of the tension that had been in her shoulders since she saw Elphaba unconscious on the landing slipping away as Glinda giggled. They might not know who was behind the attacks but at least for now they were together and safe.

Everything else could wait until later.