Elphaba woke early, itching to start the day. The sooner this fool's mission began, the sooner it would end. Either way, she wanted it over. Extracting herself from Fiyero's arms, she kissed his sleeping forehead. He was so beautiful when he slept. She hoped anew that everything would turn out alright.

Running through the plan again, she nervously tried to think of anything she might have forgotten. There were three basic branches: get the Wizard to the balloon, get the balloon ready to go, and keep Morrible out of the way to be dealt with later. Much as she entertained the thought of killing the miserable bastard, she knew that this was the wiser and better way.

She had sent her little sister on the least dangerous mission, and she had tried to send Fiyero with Nessa, knowing he was the best one to keep her safe. Boq, however, had bucked at this, refusing to let Nessa out of his sight after her close call with nature yesterday. Fiyero was obviously relieved, for though he would have gone wherever she sent him, he would have worried endlessly about her if not by her side. Mercus and his network of counteragents would handle Morrible, leaving the most dangerous part to Fiyero, Glinda and her. Fiyero had made a face at her, knowing she would take the most dangerous mission on herself, but he could keep Glinda safe and make sure Elphaba didn't make a martyr of herself, leaving him without complaint.

Restless, she started cooking breakfast, mind still working out the little details. Fiyero joined her in the kitchen when he woke, wrapping his arms around her. "Good morning." He kissed her neck very distractingly, until she swatted him with the spatula. Laughing, he helped her fry the eggs and whatever else she directed him to. They lost themselves in the homey occupation comfortably.

The others woke up, astonished that she had any kind of homemaking skills, to which she pointed to the years of caring for Nessa without a mother. Fiyero endured similar ribbing, though he simply smiled mischievously. "Don't say anything until you've actually eaten it."

When at last preparations were completed and everyone was fed and dressed, she took a deep breath. "You all remember what you're supposed to do, right?"

They nodded, and she wondered if they really knew what they were facing. Turning to everyone as they converged in a group, she met their eyes. They all looked to her, expecting great things that she didn't know if she could deliver. She had no speech for inspiration, or admonishments for safety now. Looking into the eyes of everyone she cared for in the world, she nodded. "It's time."

Mercus left first to rendezvous with his colleagues. She would have to trust him to keep Morrible occupied until the plan was completed, and he had assured her there was nothing to worry about. If only she felt equally confident.

Nessa and Boq left next, headed toward the stabled areas. Nessa was to use her political status to gain entry there in the least guarded area. This was of course, tremendously dangerous of itself as Morrible had sent that twister to kill her. If the rumors from those who had been dispatched to trap Elphaba had circulated through the guards, it could be deadly. However, their only other option was to sneak in, which would certainly give up the jig. Fiyero had insisted it was wiser to avoid covert operations as long as possible, leaving Mercus some room to work. At least her newfound ability to walk was still a secret, and they disguised her with a chair to maintain that illusion should they need a hidden advantage at a crucial moment.

Once inside, the pair was to ready the balloon for travel. Unfortunately, they did not know the exact location of the balloon, nor how exactly the contraception worked. Worse, they had no way to pilot the balloon once in the air, so Elphaba had to hope their job went as planned to convince the Wizard to leave. Otherwise she would simply have to find a way to magic it to the other side somehow without accidentally killing them all.

Glinda escorted them most of the way there, waiting and ready to intervene in an emergency, which left Elphaba and Fiyero to wait for her return. The remaining pair stalled to give them time to arrive, and Fiyero took her hand, pulling her to his side, his eyes serious.

"Fae, I have something important to ask you, but I don't want to ask you now because I don't think you'll believe I mean it." She was immediately anxious at his somber tone and nervous stammering. He continued, "Just, promise me that you won't get yourself killed before I can ask, ok?"

Smiling to ease the apprehensive look on his face, she nodded. "Of course." She kissed him lightly, hoping she could keep her promise to him.

Glinda returned, smiling gently at the tender scene she had interrupted, and Elphaba blushed. So much for her hardened reputation. It had never fooled Glinda much anyway. The girl pretended to be unaware, allowing her friends some measure of dignity to hide behind. "Ready?"

Fiyero nodded that it was time for the three to begin their part of the plan. He took her hand, squeezing it tightly before securing her disguise. Every inch of her skin was covered in her long black cloak, her face hooded. She bent over, disguising her height with pretended age, hobbling with the use of a cane carefully arranged to still hide her hand beneath her cloak. Should anyone question Glinda, she was to reveal herself and hold the famed woman captive to gain entry. That would be considerably more difficult, so she simply held her breath as they approached the gate, praying to a deity she did not believe in that they would pass unchallenged.

Glinda performed her role remarkably well, impressing them with her goodliness and sweetness. Elphaba would have had to cast several spells on the guard repeatedly to get the same foggy look of adoration. Glinda explained that her fiancé had been enchanted by the Witch, but luckily she had found him and brought him back.

They sighed at her goodly abilities, and she beamed at them benevolently in response. Elphaba was fighting a gag. Glinda continued that they had news of an urgent nature for the Wizard and must see him at once. They of course told her exactly where he was, in the throne room. She smiled again, thanking them for their help with eyelashes batting.

As the threesome walked in, she couldn't believe it had been that easy, until the guard called, "Lady Glinda! Pardon, but we must search your masked acquaintance. We have to verify the identities of all who are allowed in. Naturally we can recognize yourself and the prince," he inclined his head respectfully toward them, making Elphaba roll her eyes impatiently, "but I'm afraid your cloaked companion must reveal herself." Elphaba prepared her best furious Wicked Witch face, ready to spring at any moment from her disguise, but Glinda intervened quickly.

"Oh, you mustn't! She is my elderly Nurse, and I'm afraid she has taken a vow of seclusion when she became a Maunt. She has only come at my insistence for our wedding," at this she shared a gushy look with Fiyero that almost made Elphaba gag again. Fiyero, for his part, merely looked mildly disoriented and oddly expressionless for someone having been recently reunited with his lost love and freed from the evil witch's spell. Luckily, no one was looking at him.

Glinda batted her eyes at the guard pleadingly, "I would feel just awful if I was the cause of her breaking her vows." The guard seemed to be nearly convinced, and she placed her hand on his arm sweetly. "I can give you my word that she is no more wicked than I."

After an excruciating moment of indecision, the guard finally dipped his head. "Of course your ladyship. You may pass, madam. Our apologies Lady Glinda."

To which she smiled at him, withdrawing her hand. "No need, sir. We appreciate your sensitivity, and as always your noble protection." He puffed himself up at her ego-stroking, and Elphaba was amazed at the talent her friend had.

Once they were through the courtyard and into the castle, Elphaba stood up and pulled back the suffocating hood. "If I'd only known it was that easy to sneak in here, I'd have done it ages ago."

Fiyero hissed at her, "What are you doing? Put that back on! Are you daft?" She sighed, pulling the hood back on, not wanting to argue on the futility of not arousing suspicion by wearing a hood inside, which was certainly more than enough to do just that. He turned to the blond. "Glinda, you were remarkable! I bet you never got in any trouble as a child."

Glinda smiled mischievously, "Oh, I did. I just got back out of it."

Continuing toward the throne room, the trio tried to remain inconspicuous in case anyone chanced to wander by. Elphaba only hoped the entire plan would go so smoothly. Even knowing it was a fool's hope didn't dissuade her from wishing miracles could exist. She took a deep breath. One obstacle down, one million to go.