DISCLAIMER: in the first chapter...

A/N: As endings approach (and this one is certainly almost there), I find it harder and harder to write. There are loose ends to tie and happily ever after to achieve and whatnot. Thank you for my readers for still sticking around. A year and a half already?! Time sure flies. :D

Enjoy! And review, of course.

CHAPTER 37: Wake me up when it's all over and done with

There was a strange smell.

And an odd soreness that spread throughout her whole body, making it feel heavy and distant at the same time. She tried to move her arm and a noise broke the eerie silence she had failed to notice was there.

Where was she?

There was something else, too. A pressure on the corner of her mind continuously demanding attention, yet still just out of reach. She couldn't make sense of it. Elphaba breathed in deeply. Ignoring it all, though, she concentrated on moving instead. Her attempts were unsuccessful.

Another sound.

Was it a groan?

Strength was redirected towards opening her eyes; she was unsure why the thought hadn't occurred to her before. But her eyelids proved to be as uncooperative as the rest of her body. She couldn't understand why it was so hard, Still, she continued to will them open, until, finally, light penetrated the darkness.

Much too bright, too, which made her instantly regret her decision to see.

Why did she want to open them anyway?

Groan.

Ah, she remembered. The strange discomfort and the unknown location. A sigh. It soon became clear that the noises she heard were coming from none other than herself. One mystery solved. If she could only recall where she was and possibly how she had gotten there. And…

Fiyero!

All at once, the memories flooded her mind and Elphaba wondered how she could have suppressed them so easily. A shudder shook her body. Things nightmares were made of, they were. Frex and that feverish glint in his eyes. The woods and hitting her head and Fiyero and that shiny blade and blood. So much blood… Too much blood. She could scarcely make sense of the emotions rolling through her. Desperation, magic and more pain than she had ever thought herself capable of feeling. And then. Then…

Nothing.

Only darkness.

Still, she felt her heavy limbs and heard the echo of her own groans in the quiet room; death had yet to claim her. With only that certainty and about a thousand questions, Elphaba demanded herself to move. Slowly, eyes opened, taking in the whiteness of the ceiling; arms moved and head turned, body finally rising just enough to realize she was currently a guest at Shiz University's infirmary and that her beloved Fiyero occupied the bed next to hers.

That was good, right?

But he looked so still. She had to be sure.

Desperation moved the most reluctant of bodies and Elphaba found herself standing before she could even register the thought to move. Legs were unsteady and her arms hung heavily, but she managed to maintain her balance long enough to take the two small steps that separated her from the unmoving prince. A relieved sob left her parted lips, when she saw the steady rise and fall of his chest. With trembling fingers, she reached for the white shirt he wore and pulled the fabric up his torso, until it was bare.

No wounds, no scars, nothing at all, but perfectly tanned and smooth skin.

Had he been healed?

Was that her doing?

In her mind, she saw the bright blue light and recalled the magic cursing through her veins. She wanted him safe, wanted it all to be over. Elphaba hadn't known herself to be so powerful; wasn't even sure she would ever be able to reproduce that moment.

As if in a trance, her hand came to rest upon the place the knife had penetrated his skin. Softly, she caressed the spot, tears of relieved joy swimming in the corner of her eyes. Elphaba had never loved anyone as much as she did Fiyero and the thought of losing him was unsightly. She rolled her eyes at the drama-filled contemplations, not matter how true. Being born green had brought enough drama into her life, Elphaba didn't need to add more.

She caressed the skin over his heart.

"Yero?" With voice hoarse, Elphaba cleared her throat and tried calling him again. "Fiyero?"

She waited.

It was only a moment, as short as a second or as long as an hour; time seemed so inconsequential in the end. Fiyero groaned first, then stirred, his eyes finally cracking open, before quickly closing again.

"Fiyero, my love, I'm here. Open your eyes." With caution, he did just that. The white ceiling disoriented him at first, but he soon found her eyes to focus on. "Elph…" his voice sounded even worse than hers had, but he was okay and awake.

And nothing else mattered.

A smile graced her dry lips.

Fiyero smiled back. His limbs were as heavy as hers had been, still were, and he only attempted to rise once before giving that notion up. Gently, he covered the hand she had on his chest with his own and circled her waist, pulling her to lie beside him. She laughed softly in response.

"Yero, we're in the infirmary!"

"Don't care. Lie with me, Fae."

How could she deny his request, when she wanted to be in his arms just as much.

Gingerly, she lifted her legs to the bed, never removing her hand from his chest. It took some maneuvering – the bed wasn't nearly big enough for two -, but she soon found herself with her head tucked in the nook of his broad shoulder and the better part of her upper body draped over his.

Contently, she sighed and drifted back to sleep.

Questions and the rest of the world could wait a little bit longer.

Fiyero, on the other hand, remained awake a bit longer, memories replaying themselves in his mind. He was sure there had been a knife, but he didn't feel pain in his stomach. Frex had been acting like a lunatic one moment and like a scared little boy the next; Fiyero worried about him still, wherever he was.

It was hard to believe it was over.

He pulled his wife closer, relishing in the smell of her hair - fresh air and spring water – and the warmth of her body. Things were okay.

For now.

Sigh.

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It was funny how Galinda could stay so still when her every pore seemed to be bursting with repressed energy, Elphaba mused, smiling. She was more than glad to see her friend again.

The blonde stood just outside the large doors of the infirmary, obviously waiting for her and Fiyero to exit. Elphaba ignored the reason behind Morrible's decision to prohibit visitations during the two days they had been confined to bed rest. The headmistress had come to visit them soon after they had awakened and in a curt tone had informed them that their exams would be postponed a week and that visitors were to wait. She had left before Elphaba could utter a single word.

The scene had been bizarre.

No matter.

There were more important things.

Giving in to the happy vibrations her dear roommate was projecting, Elphaba ran the rest of the way and embraced her as tightly as she was being held. She had never done that before and it felt great. There was something so freeing about open displays of affection.

She had learned that from Galinda and Fiyero.

"Elphie!"

Galinda bounced on the heels of her feet, a beautiful smile lighting up her face. When she pulled back, the blonde allowed her gaze to sweep over her roommate, as if making sure she was in one piece. Satisfied, she said, "I'm so glad you're okay!"

She then abandoned her emerald friend in favor of Fiyero, who was more than a little surprised to find himself enveloped by slender, yet surprisingly strong arms. "You too, Fiyero!" He laughed good naturedly and returned the hug.

"And here I was thinking you didn't like me." He teased. She hugged him tighter, before letting him go.

"Well, if Elphie loves you, you must be okay." Fiyero grinned, then nodded once in understanding. Elphaba only watched, amused.

"Okay! We have to go!" Galinda grabbed one of Fiyero's arms and one of Elphaba's hands. Not allowing either of them to even speak, the petit woman pulled them both away from the infirmary. The couple shared a curious glance, but followed willingly, as their friend dragged them to her door room.

The door was closed and locked; the windows suffered the same treatment.

"Okay, Lynn. What's with the secrecy?" Elphaba asked.

"Hum…" Her talkative friend seemed suddenly shy. "Why… why don't you and Fiyero sit down?" Galinda's face was somber.

"Lynny, what's wrong? You're starting to scare me."

Fiyero's face turned serious. "Is it Frex?"

Galinda bit her lower lip. "Kinda of, but no, no really."

"Okay, Galinda. Out with it." Elphaba crossed her arms and straightened her back, looking every bit the princess she now was.

"What do you remember from that day at the clearing?" The green woman sighed.

"Frex attacked me. Fiyero came. There was a fight. I remember a knife. And blood. Then there was light and so much magic and the next thing I knew, I was waking up in the infirmary next to Fiyero." Galinda nodded along, agreeing.

"Loxin Spar found you guys. He's a third year student. He said both you and Fiyero were lying unconscious and that the Governor was semi catatonic. He checked to see if you were alive; he thought you weren't. Then, he saw the diamonds on your wrists begin to shine, Elphie."

Elphaba pulled one of her arms outwards and glanced at said tattoo.

"Fiyero was lying with his back exposed and Loxin said the diamonds on his back shone, too." Elphaba glanced at her husband and saw his eyes go wide with surprise.

"The legend…"

Galinda didn't hear him or chose to ignore his words for the moment. "When the light faded, both you and Fiyero were healed completely. No scratches, no wounds, nothing. He went for help and the first person he ran into was Madame Morrible. The fish lady ordered both of you to be taken to the infirmary and had the Governor escorted to his hotel room."

The pause was suspicious and Elphaba's eyebrow shot up. "Galinda?"

"He committed suicide, Elphie. The press is speculating, of course, but there was no mention of the attack in the clearing. I think that's Morrible's doing." The blonde sighed. "Nessa is taking it very hard. She doesn't know what happened, but I think she blames you for it, Elphie."

It was Elphaba's turn to sigh.

Should she be feeling guilty?

She couldn't even muster a little bit of sadness for the man's death, much less guilt for something she had no hand in doing. Her troubled eyes found Fiyero' worried gaze and she remembered his comment about the legend. Elphaba frowned.

"What were you saying about the legend, Yero?"

He breathed in deeply. Both Elphaba's brown orbs and Galinda's pale blue eyes stared at him with confused curiosity. And the story he had felt self conscious about telling before, seemed so much more important.

Who knew legends could be so real?