Oh yes, Galinda, all you need to do is find a house by the ocean.

The blonde felt like punching herself. How in Oz's name was she supposed to do that when there were so many houses by the ocean? What was she supposed to do, knock on all the doors and say, "Hello, you wouldn't happen to be harboring a hypnotist and a green man who's really a woman, would you? No? Well, so sorry to disturb you then."

Galinda sighed. No, she couldn't do that. She couldn't let Sarima know that she was onto her, or she'd move with Elphaba again, and who knows if the blonde would ever be able to track her down. This would take some excellent brainpower and logic.

"I need a drink."


Elphaba sat up, swinging her legs over the edge of the bed. Though she had told Sarima she wouldn't leave, she wasn't exactly planning on keeping her word. Elphaba stood up and started to make her way towards the door, but found that as she approached, she started to hear a strange noise. The green witch stopped, and so did the noise. Elphaba shook her head before she started walking again, and the noise started getting louder.

What in Oz's name—

The minute Elphaba's hands touched the door handle, the noise was a full out, ear-splitting scream. She jerked away from the door, grabbing her head in pain. The noise subsided and Elphaba shook her head, trying to clear it. She reached for the handle again, only to be met with the same result. Elphaba grit her teeth before she grabbed the handle and yanked the door open. It was then that the noise became unbearable. Elphaba let out a cry of pain and fell to her knees, clutching her head. She stumbled back into the house and kicked the door closed before she collapsed onto her back, the screaming finally stopped.

"Dear Oz…" she breathed as the pain ebbed away. It now became clear to her: she had told Sarima she wouldn't leave, and now… Sarima was holding her to her word. Elphaba sat up, a hand still to her head. "I'm sorry, Galinda, but you're going to have to come to me."


The bar was relatively empty, even though the sun was starting to set on Oz again. Galinda assumed that more people would show up as the night wore on, but for now, she didn't mind the emptiness. Besides herself, the only people here were a pair of men, a hooded woman, and a Bull (well, she assumed he was a Bull by the way he was dressed, and the fact that he was dressed at all).

"Would you like a refill?"

Galinda was pulled back to reality by the bartender's voice. "Oh, um… yes, thank you." The blonde returned to her observing as the bartender left to refill her glass.

"Will this be all for you?" she heard the bartender ask the hooded woman.

"Yes. Thank you Trei." The woman took a bottle from the bartender and as she did, Galinda caught a flash of a ring on her left finger. The blonde started to look away, but then looked back quickly. That ring… gold and silver… Galinda looked down at her own ring, then back up at the woman, who was getting up to leave. That was Elphaba's ring!

Sarima!

Galinda couldn't believe it. Had Sarima seen her? Was she taunting the blonde? Galinda watched Sarima leave before she stood up from her stool.

"Here is your drink," the bartender said, setting the glass down on the counter.

"That woman… does she come here often?"

"I suppose. Why?"

Galinda turned back to him. "That woman… Sarima… does she live around here?"

"She has a little house overlooking the ocean. Hey, where are you going? Don't you want your drink?"


Elphaba! Elphaba, can you hear me?

The green witch looked up from where she had been sitting.

Galinda? Are you all right?

I'm fine. Look, you need to get out of there! I'm on my way, but Sarima is coming back!

I already tried to leave, but I can't! She did something to me… if I try to leave, I hear this awful screaming.

Well, I'll be there as soon as I can, but try to hold her off! She bought a bottle of… Oz knows what at a bar and I think she's going to try for pregnancy tonight!

I was afraid of this…

The door suddenly opened and Elphaba looked up. "Sarima…"

Is she there already? Stall—

Galinda's voice started to break up.

Galinda! Galinda, can you hear me?

Don't… coming…

Galinda!

"Sorry I took so long. I had some business to attend to," Sarima said, approaching the green witch. "I did pick up a little something though." She turned the bottle in her hand so that Elphaba could see the label, but the green witch pushed it away.

"Look, Sarima, we had our fun, but this is highly—"

"Tell me you—"

"NO!"

Sarima looked somewhat surprised. "Elphaba—"

"No more of this! You can't just look at me with those hypnotic eyes and expect me to always do what you want!"

Sarima moved to settle herself in Elphaba's lap. "Elphaba, don't be silly. I haven't made you do anything."

"I have a wife! I—"

"I know. I have your ring." Sarima held up her left hand and Elphaba's eyes fell on the ring. Wait… hadn't she given that same ring to Galinda?

"I don't… that isn't…"

"Elphaba, it's all right. I know things seems a little confusing ever since I told you I wanted us to have a baby because it's been just the two of us for so long. Having a third person around would be different… but don't you want a baby?" Sarima asked, running her hand down the side of Elphaba's face as she looked into her eyes.

"A… baby?" Yes… yes hadn't they talked about that?

"Elphaba… tell me you'll give me a baby."

Elphaba nodded slowly. "I'll… give you a baby."


Galinda couldn't understand why she had suddenly lost the connection with Elphaba. It didn't matter though. She was close… the house overlooking the ocean was in her sights. The blonde did her best to try and re-establish the connection between her and Elphaba.

Elphaba!

No response.

Elphaba!

Perhaps it was better that Galinda hadn't been able to see what Elphaba was doing, for at the moment, the green witch was lying on her back on Sarima's bed, with the brunette over her, kissing her in a way that would have made Galinda bristle with jealousy. Besides that, Sarima was currently unbuttoning Elphaba's shirt and planning on moving to her pants next.

Galinda jumped off the stallion as she ran up to the house, ready to ram the door with her (small) shoulder.


"Elphaba… I'm ready now… do it now!"


The door buckled and fell in under Galinda's weight and she hit the floor, shaking her head before she scrambled to her feet. "Elphaba!" The blonde couldn't believe her eyes:

The house was empty.

"Elphaba, where are you?"


The minute Elphaba entered Sarima, she saw the Time Dragon's red eyes flash before her own.

You have betrayed the sacred vow you made!

No! I didn't want… I couldn't help…

You have abused the time you were given! The hour of death will come upon you again, Elphaba Thropp!

No! I can't die again! I still have Galinda… and our baby!

The hour of death will come again, unless you can atone for your sin before the sun sets on Oz again!

"NO!" Elphaba pulled away from Sarima, falling back onto her heels.

"What is it? What's wrong?" Sarima asked, sitting up.

Elphaba didn't reply, but raised her left hand and saw that the skin was deteriorating away yet again.

"What happened to you hand?"

"You happened!"

Sarima approached the green witch, reaching for her face. "Elphaba—"

"No!" Elphaba shouted, catching Sarima's wrist. "I don't love you and I never will!"

Sarima tried to pull free. "Elphaba—"

"No! You don't get to say anything else. I want you out of my life!" Elphaba pulled the ring from Sarima's finger and replaced it on her own.

"You can't resist me! I'm irresistible!" Sarima said angrily, pulling her hand away.

"Not to me, bitch!" Elphaba backslapped Sarima across the face, causing the brunette to fall back onto the bed. The green witch got off the bed and grabbed her clothes, slipping back into them.

"Elphaba!"

The green witch ignored her as she started for the door, the screaming finally gone. She couldn't explain it, but seeing the Time Dragon had helped to snap her out of her trance. She was Elphaba Thropp! She was not a man! She was, in fact, a woman! And no spell would ever—

Something was suddenly around her throat, cutting off her air supply. Elphaba's hands flew to her throat and she felt leather. It was then that she realized she had neglected to notice that the belt was missing from her pants… and Sarima was currently using it to strangle her.

"You are not leaving me to go back to that whore! Not now, not ever!"

"Get off!" Elphaba tried to pull the belt away, but Sarima had a firm grip. The green witch fell to her knees as spots started to appear before her eyes.

"Tell me you love me!"

"NO!"

The belt tightened and Elphaba closed her eyes as she gasped for air that just wasn't there. Sarima suddenly let out a cry of pain and the belt fell to the floor. Elphaba staggered to her feet and turned to see Galinda standing there, holding a frying pan in her hand. From the way Sarima was holding her head, Elphaba assumed Galinda had whacked her with it.

"Get off my wife!" Galinda shouted, swinging the pan again. Sarima ducked before she tackled Galinda around the midsection, causing her to drop the pan and bringing her to the floor. Sarima grabbed Galinda's hair and began to punch her in the face, with Galinda screaming and struggling beneath her. The blonde grabbed Sarima's hair, pulling her down to the floor as well before she sat on top of the brunette. She grabbed Sarima around the throat and began to repeatedly slam her head into the ground.

"Leave… my… Elphie… alone!" she growled with each pound. She became only vaguely aware that Sarima's blood was starting to spatter onto her face.

"Galinda, stop! Get off of her! It's not worth having her murder on your hands!" Elphaba shouted, grabbing the blonde and yanking her off Sarima. The two fell back onto the floor, with Galinda still struggling to get away.

"Let me go! She stole you from me!" Galinda screamed.

"She's not worth it! LOOK AT ME!" Elphaba put her hands on the sides of Galinda's face, forcing the blonde to look at her. "She is not worth the guilt of knowing you killed someone!"

"It is to me!" Sarima shouted. She leapt onto the two, tearing Galinda away from Elphaba and kicking her in the ribs.

"Hey! Get off of her!" Elphaba shouted, scrambling to her feet. She grabbed Sarima from behind, pinning her arms to her sides. Sarima thrust her leg back and caught Elphaba right in the place she knew it would hurt. Elphaba released her as her hands flew to the area and she fell to her knees in pain.

Galinda threw herself at Sarima, bringing her back to the ground.

"I never thought you to be so aggressive," Sarima said, smiling slightly. "You wouldn't even let your husband touch you because you were on your period!"

"For your information, Elphaba is not my husband! She is my wife!"

"Have you genders mixed up I see. Remember, blondie: men have penises."

Galinda slammed her open palm into Sarima's face for that one, but was surprised when Sarima just laughed.

"Are you angry with me?"

Galinda hit Sarima again, but the brunette just laughed.

"Galinda… don't… she's just trying to get you… angry," Elphaba managed through her pain as she started to stand.

"And it seems to be working," Sarima said.

"Shut up!" Galinda shouted, hitting her again. Sarima's head snapped back against the floor, knocking her out cold. Galinda was about to hit her again, but Elphaba caught her wrist and pulled her away.

"Galinda, she's out! She's done!" the green witch said.

"She deserves it!"

"I know. Believe me, I know, but killing her won't make you feel better!"

Galinda looked into Elphaba's dark eyes and she started to sob before she collapsed against the green witch. "This has been so hard…"

"I know," Elphaba said, holding the blonde close. She looked down into Galinda's sapphire eyes, running a hand through her blonde curls. "Galinda… I'm sorry. I never meant for this to happen. I… I love you… so much."

Galinda smiled, but then her eyes fell on Elphaba's hand. "What happened?"

Elphaba sighed as she looked down at her hand as well. "Galinda… I'm so sorry."

The realization came to the blonde. "It's okay. I can see it in your eyes."

Elphaba shook her head. "I saw him… it… the Time Dragon. It told me that I… abused my borrowed time. I severed the tie between us, Galinda; the only thing keeping me alive."

"But you didn't mean it."

"It doesn't matter. I have to make it up to you before the sun sets on Oz again, or… I'm done."

"But… how?"

Elphaba shook her head, "I don't know, but I do know that we need to get out of here." She took Galinda's hand and the two stepped over Sarima as they headed for the door. Elphaba took one last look at the brunette, feeling almost sorry for her… but not enough to stay.


"Galinda?"

"Hmm?"

"Can I see that Grimmerie page you used?"

"Oh… sure." The blonde reached into her coat pocket and pulled the page out, handing it to the green witch, who had one arm around Galinda's waist, keeping her on the horse. While Galinda knew she could ride a horse by herself, she had missed being held by Elphaba.

Elphaba unfolded the page, looking at the spell. "How were you able to use this again?"

Galinda didn't reply, but instead moved Elphaba's hand over her stomach. The green witch furrowed her brow, confused, but only for a second. Her eyes widened as she realized what Galinda meant.

"You're… pregnant?"

"Congratulations, Elphie. You did it."


"Elphaba! You… you came back! With… Galinda."

Elphaba dismounted, and then turned to help Galinda down as well.

"No thanks to any of you. You all thought I was a lost cause, didn't you?" Elphaba said.

"Well…" Fiyero didn't finish.

"That's what I thought."

"Galinda! I'm so glad you've returned! We're planning on leaving toda—" Mr. Upland stopped when he saw Elphaba. "Elphaba…"

"I suppose this is a little awkward for you, sir."

"I apologize, Elphaba. I did not mean to have so little… faith."

"It's all right, sir. I myself don't rely heavily on faith. It is hard to believe in something you cannot see, or prove exists."

Mr. Upland just nodded; it was obvious he wasn't quite sure how to respond. "Well… I'm glad you're back. We're… heading for Munchkinland today."

"Munchkinland?" Oh, no. Elphaba couldn't let her family see her like this? Sweet Oz, what if she didn't even make it there? Her entire left arm was bone now, and her right arm was following close behind. She didn't have a lot of time to make up for her mistake!

"Elphaba, are you okay?" Galinda asked, placing a hand on her lover's arm.

"I hope so. Galinda… come with me." She took Galinda's hand and led her into the privacy of the blonde's carriage, closing the door behind her. "Look, Galinda," she started, taking Galinda's hands in her own. "I made a mistake, and I'm sorry. I never meant to betray you. I love you more than I can say… more than I could ever say. And now that we're going to be… parents, I don't ever want to betray you again."

Galinda smiled up at the green witch, tears forming in her eyes. "Elphie…"

"So… could you ever find it in your heart to… forgive me?"

The blonde embraced Elphaba tightly. "Of course. I never blamed you, Elphaba… I know you'll never betray me."

Elphaba embraced the blonde back before she tilted Galinda's head up. She leaned down and their lips met. A sudden rush of wind filled the carriage, and the two were enveloped by white smoke. When it cleared, Galinda opened her eyes and gasped.

"Elphaba…"

"What?"

Galinda smiled. "So good to have you back."

Elphaba reached back and her hand found her long braid. A smile spread across her face as she felt her chest; she had never been so glad to feel her almost non-existent breasts. She lowered her hand hesitantly to her now baggy pants. Nope, no bulge.

"Thank Oz!"

Elphaba Thropp was a woman once more.