Leanne had slept badly. After saying goodbye to her husband, she immediately walked to her hotel to go to sleep. But sleeping alone in a strange bed did her no good. She kept thinking how to help everyone. She did givenadvice to everyone except Elphaba. The boys had followed her after lunch on Monday and confessed that they did not know how to deal with Elphaba. Leanne helped them as best she could and the boys left happy.

Leanne knows Elphaba had asks her to talk but she has her doubts if Elphaba is ready to talk. She knows that Elphaba is not much of a talker. So she had already gone to the library to bring some books for Elphaba. Leanne arrived at Elphaba a little later than she'd hoped, but she also knew the girl wouldn't mind.

''Good morning Miss Upland,'' said Doctor Damien cheerfully. ''Chef Juilan is now talking to Elphaba. If you want to wait, that would be nice.''

Leanne nodded. ''How is she doing?''

''She doesn't talk much to me or to the nursing assistant. We examined her this morning and she took a shower on her own. She was glad Glinda had brought her a dress. She is wearing a new dress. I wanted to leave her here today for observation and then she can go home tomorrow.''

Leanne nodded in satisfaction. ''She will love to hear that. When can she go back to her lessons?''

''I'm going to advise her not to start again until Monday. But if she herself is ready to go earlier, she can go earlier. She still has to take it easy. Despite being healed, her mind and body still need to rest.''

Leanne nodded with a sigh. ''That will be more difficult for her to give herself rest. But I have some material for her so she knows she's not alone.'' She said while she holding a bag up.

''That will do her a lot of good.''

At that moment the door opened and Chef Juilan stepped out. ''Good morning Miss upland isn't it?''

Leanne nodded. ''Yes I`m miss Upland, how is she?''

''She was very curt with her answers. She has confessed that her father assaulted her. But I couldn't get out much. I have to give her for information. Frex will be transferred to the Southstairs on Friday. She would like to see him together with her sister before then.''

Leanne nodded. ''Thank you. I will continue to talk to her.''

Leanne walked in. She saw tears running down Elphaba's cheeks. She knocked on the door.

''Oh Miss Upland I mean Leanne, nice of you to visit.'' Elphaba said quickly, wiping away her tears.

Leanne closed the door and walked over to Elphaba. She gave her a hug. Elphaba was still so emotional that she began to cry. Leanne rubbed her back. ''Let it all go, sweetheart. You are safe now.'' She said soothingly.

After a few minutes, Elphaba calmed down and released Leanne. ''Sorry,'' she said softly. ''I didn't meant to start crying.''

She pulled a strand of hair behind Elphaba's ear. Her hair was still damp from her shower this morning. ''You don't have to apologize for expressing your feelings.''

Elphie nodded but said nothing. Leanne looked around and saw that Elphaba's breakfast was still untouched on her cupboard.

''Elphaba, honey. I have brought you some books that I think will be useful for you to read. I know you asked yesterday if I want to talk to you. I would like to do that, but I also know that you have learned everything from your books. So I'm going to sit here. We can talk about anything you want. You can also slowly start reading the books. Madame Morrible has already collected homework for you if you are really bored or if you want something else on your mind.''

Elphaba nodded gratefully. She was quite nervous about talking to Leanne. She also wasn't sure she was ready to talk.

Leanne put the things on Elphaba's cupboard. ''But I'm going to ask you to eat Elphaba. If you eat well today, you can go home tomorrow, according to the doctor. So please start eating.''

Elphaba looked wide-eyed at Leanne. She was speechless. Elphaba was treated so differently from what she was used to that she did not know how to respond. After a few seconds, she picked up her plate and began to eat.

She was processing everything Chief Juilan had said to her. After she finished eating, she picked up a book from Leanne. She began to read quietly about coping with her trauma. She was halfway through the first book when tears were running down her cheeks again. Leanne got up and gave Elphaba a hug. Only when Elphaba calmed down did Leanne give her a glass of water. Gratefully, Elphaba began to drink.

''What did it say that touched you so?'' Leanne asked cautiously.

''They talked about the nightmares that victims often get. That they all came up again.''

''Do you often have nightmares?''

''Only a few nights after it happened.''

''After what had happened?''

Elphaba looked confused and angry.

''Elphaba, if you want to process it you have to call it by name what happened to you. It is very bad that it happened to you and not fair. But if you don't face it, then you are denying it.''

Elphaba understood what Leanne was saying but that didn't make it any easier.

Leanne saw it. So she grabbed some more drink for Elphaba, so that Elphaba had some time alone. Leanne returned with a glass of water and sat back in her chair.

''Elphaba, you said you got more nightmares after something happened to you. What happened to you?'' Leanne asked cautiously. She didn't know if she was pushing the girl or if she was doing the right thing so she could step over the threshold.

''I have nightmares after being abused by my father,'' Elphaba said softly. She quickly reached for her glass and had a drink to keep herself from crying.

Leanne nodded. ''That was very good of your Elphaba. What does the book say what to do with the nightmares?''

Leanne hoped Elphaba would read on and proceed with the solution herself. She knew she should not push Elphaba too much and that Elphaba had made a big step.

Gratefully, Elphaba continued reading. Leanne also continued reading in her book. Another nurse came in to bring Elphaba some food as her monrnig snack. The doctor also came in to tell Elphaba the news that she can go home tomorrow afternoon, if everything goes well today.

''We will make an appointment for another month to check if you continue to eat really well,'' Damien said sternly after he saw that Elphaba had not eaten any of her snack yet.

Elphaba sheepishly picked up her bowl of fruit and began to eat. It wasn't that she didn't want to eat, she was quite hungry. But she was too busy reading.

Leanne went to the cafeteria to get some food for herself. She knew that Elphaba was doing well. But that she still needed a lot of time to process everything. When she returned she saw Glinda lying on Elphaba's bed.

''Glinda, what are you doing here?'' asks Leanne in astonishment to her daughter.

''I already came to give Elphie her notes from our first lesson. This time, the drawings really clarify the tekst.'' she told proudly. ''Ooh and this one I got from Boq. It's a letter from Dr. Dillamond.'' Glinda picked up a sandwich from her mother's plate.

''Yes, also grab my snack that I had bought for myself.'' Leanne said dryly.

''Don't worry Momsie when I get back I'll get us some cake as afternoon snack.'' Glinda said with a full mouth. ''I wanted to go to Elphie so quickly, that I forgot to get food.''

''That's very good of you,'' said Leanne as she started eating her other snack. In the meantime, Elphaba had already read through the notions and the letter from Doctor Dillamond.

''Look Glin, Doctor Dillamond writes that I should not worry about school work, but that I have to get better first.'' Elphie said shyly as she gives Glinda the letter.

''Look Momsie that's how Madame Horrible should have reacted. Not that talent comes first.'' Glinda said as she quickly scanned the letter.

''Seriously Glinda? Horrible?''

Glinda nodded. ''Fiyero came with it after Nessa and I told what happend yesterday. We were rhyming. Horrible Morrible. That suits her.''

Elphaba lacte gently. ''You're crazy.''

"Crazy about you" said Glinda as she gave Elphie a kiss on the cheek.

Elphie immediately began to blush. Elphaba cleared her throat. ''When do you have your other class?''

''I now have an hour off and then I have to go to Psychology and to Horrible''

Elphie slapped Glinda's leg gently. ''How horrible it that for you.''

''Yes, I know,'' Glinda said dramatically. ''But luckily I have you to do my homework? ''Glinda asked hopefully.

''Nice try Glin, but you can do it yourself. I still have a ton of homework here and I would like to read these books that your mother gave me.''

Glinda used her pout. She closed her eyes very quickly a few times and put in her sweetest eyes. Elphaba started to laugh. ''Okay okay, come over here tonight and we'll make it together.''

''YES!'' shouted Glinda who immediately started to bounce.

''Elphaba you should not let yourself be persuaded so quickly. She is very good at doing homework herself.''

''I know, but I like doing homework with her,'' Elphaba said shyly. They talked until Glinda had to leave for class.

XXX

Elphaba looked at Leanne hesitantly after she put her seconde book away. Leanne noticed and closed the door. ''You can ask me anything.'' Leanne said gentle.

''I want to get rid of my nightmares,'' Elphaba said quickly. ''I've been bothered by it for so long now. Every time they got bad. It's the same all the time and I just want to sleep and forget everything.''

Leanne gave Elphaba a sad smile. ''You are not going to forget. What happend to you will be a part in your life. But I can help you give it a place, so that you can have less or no problems with it. I am going to recommend a dream diary.''

''A dream diary?''

''Dreams are generated by your brain. Your brain has experienced, seen, felt, heard something, which it has to process. They do that through dreams in your subconscious. Your brain is busy giving a place to your abuse and is processing it. Sometimes that happens soon after you have been abused, sometimes it happens much later.''

Elphaba nodded to indicate that she is still following Leanne's story.

''If you start writing things down what happens in your dreams, you will find out what your brain is trying to process. Then you can search more specifically for an answer. We can also talk about it, what ever will help you.''

Elphaba nodded. ''That makes sense.''

Leanne gave her a big smile. ''That's good to hear. Well you are free to discuss your dreams with me, but you don't have to. If you find out what you need I can help you book or just talk to me.''

''That is very nice Leanne. You help me very well.''

''It is very much done. You're doing well. Indicate what you want. You decide what to talk about.''

Elphaba bit her lip. She thought about what Leanne was saying.

''I don't understand.'' She whispered.

''What don't you understand?''

''I don't deserve this and still I get help. I ... It's my fault. Why are you so nice? Glinda was also nice when I first told her about my father. I don't understand.'' Elphaba said, getting more and more frustrated. She didn`t look at Leanne, because that was easier.

''Elphaba look at me.'' Leanne said sternly.

Elphaba ignored her. She wanted to return to the life she knew. This kind of love and understanding was new and difficult to understand.

Leanne went to sat on Elphaba's bed and took hold of her chin so that Elphaba was forced to look at her. Elphaba looked angry, but her eyes hurt so much. Tears were already running down her cheeks. Leanne knew she wasn't working professionally now, but she thought it necessary.

''Elphaba, this is not your fault. You are the victim of abuse that you were too young to fight against. It's not your fault. People help you, because you help people too. Think about what you would do if the tables turned where. What if Glinda or Nessa was the one in the classroom and you could help them….''

Elphaba can't keep up anymore. She started to cry and Leanne gave her a hug. All shame, all fear, all anger, all confusion came out. Elphaba knew it wasn't her fault, but it was hard to accept. She knew she would do exactly the same if she was on the other side.

After a while, Elphaba calmed down. ''I'm sorry, I don't know what happened to me. I know it's not my fault. Sorry.''

Leanne brushed the hair from Elphaba's face. ''It doesn't matter. You get a long way. Everything you feel and do is normal for someone who has been through so much. Don't try to scare us away, let us help you. Everyone wants to help you. Glinda can also help you by listening to you, so do it. Talk to people if you feel like you have to. Promise me?''

Elphaba nodded and moved on to her third book.

Leanne was pleased with what she saw. It had all just happened for Elphaba and she knew that most people were very ashamed of what had happened. She made a mental note to schedule time for Elphaba when she came to their home on the Lurlinemas holiday. If Leanne knew her daughter a little, Glinda would make sure that Elphaba and Nessa stayed with them during the holidays.

XXX

Elphaba was given lunch and ate it quickly. Then she quickly started on Morrible's homework so that she wouldn't be behind. Nessa came to visit, and Elphaba told her the good news and didn`t tell Nessa about her crying fits.

''Fabala, it's fantastic that you can go to your room tomorrow.''

Elphaba nodded happily. ''I can go to class on Monday, but if I feel good, I want to go on Friday.''

Nessa rolled her eyes. ''You have to get better first and only then think about school.''

''I know Nessa but I am so happy that I can do something again. How was your class today?''

''Well, a lot of people asked questions about you. They wanted to know if you were doing better. Some have given Glinda flowers for you. Glinda has put the flowers in your room in a vase. You'll see them when you get back tomorrow. There are names with the flowers.''

Elphaba raised her eyebrow. ''Were they concerned about me?''

Nessa nodded. ''Some also asked about father, but most wish you good health soon.''

Elphaba didn't know what to say so she nodded. ''I wanted to talk about father,'' Elphaba said carefully.

''What is wrong with him?'' asked Nessa quickly.

Elphaba swallowed and shared what Chef Juilan had said to her. ''I want to go to him with you on Thursday if you agree. I thought you wanted it too, because then you can still talk to him. The last time you saw Dad was when Boq broke up.''

Nessa thought for a moment. She only now realized that there was true and it seemed so long ago. She didn't know if she wanted to go to the man who had two faces for so long. To the man who treated her sister like that, But there was also a voice that said it's her father. Despite everything, he never did anything wrong with her. ''If you want to go, I will come,'' Nessa said eventually.

Elphaba nodded. ''I need to know if he is really locked up so that we are safe,'' Elphaba said softly.

Nessa nodded.

''Shall we go for a walk together?'' asked Elphaba to change the subject. ''I mean I can go outside with a wheelchair rigth?'' She looked questioningly at Leanne who shrugged.

''I will ask. It's a beautiful fall day. A little cold but the sun is shining.''

Elphaba and Nessa talked some more until Leanne came in with a wheelchair.

Elphaba got into the wheelchair herself. Leanne put a blanket over her legs. Nessa laughed when Elphaba hit the wall twice.

''Stop laughing and help me a little,'' Elphaba said irritably.

''Then you should have looked at me when I showed up and not been so stubborn,''

Elphaba rolled her eyes and said nothing.

Nessa explained how best to drive Elphaba through the door. After two attempts, Elphaba succeeded. The sisters drove past each other to the Suicide canel.

''You pretend it is so easy, but sometimes it is quite difficult to know,'' Elphaba said softly to break the silence. ''I never realized it was difficult to control the chair.''

Nessa shrugged. ''I had years to practice. In addition, I had a sweet sister who often pushes me. It also benefits from sitting in a chair.''

Elphaba looked at Nessa in surprise. ''You can deliberately run into someone and say it went by accident. You often get priority from people. I never have to go through the dirty mud.'' Nessa said while pulling a dirty face.

Elphaba started to laugh. ''Please know that I now look at you with different eyes and that from now on I know that you will run into me on purpose.

Nessa started to laugh. ''Shall we race? Over the path to the bridge and back on the other side of the canal. I mean if you want to. I mean I always wanted a race with some one. I mean..

''I love to race with you.'' Elphaba said. ''I missed the Nessa who loved to play and being silly, Just know that I will show no mercy.''

''I don't expect anything else from you. Hey wait Fabala that's unfair,'' Nessa quickly shouted when she saw that Elphaba had already started. She quickly began to chase it.

XXX

That night Glinda was laughing hard at the story that Nessa had won in the wheelchair race.

Elphaba looked at her sister annoyed. ''I would have won if I had not had to avoid those pigeons.''

''Maybe you shouldn't have been driving in the bushes then.''

Elphaba stuck out her tongue. ''Come on, we have to do homework,'' she said quickly to change the subject. She had to admit that her ego had been damaged when she rode into the bushes with her wheelchair. Branches stuck in her hair. The worse part was that one of the pigeons sat on one of the handles. Nessa had laughed so hard that tears ran down her cheeks.

Nessa had accepted Glinda's offer to study with them in Elphaba's room. Soon they were getting serious. Elphaba helped Glinda and Nessa when they asked. Leanne decided to take a walk now that the girls were busy. She ran into Fiyero and Boq who went with her and told what they had done.

Leanne felt she could leave everyone behind with peace of mind. She was again looking forward to sleeping in her own bed with her husband. ''Momsie! The doctor has said that Elphie is doing well and that she can come home tomorrow afternoon.'' Glinda shouted happily as Leanne walked into the room. ''So we can go shopping on Saturday.''

''No Glin, we can't,'' said Elphaba. ''If I go to classes on Friday, I have to rest well on Saturday.''

''Or you don't go to classes and go shopping on Saturday,'' Glinda said back.

''Let's just see how it goes on Friday and Saturday,'' Nessa said as the peace guard of the trio.

"Fine," said Glinda with her arms folded. ''But I'm sure I'll be shopping on Saturday.''

Leanne shook her head with a smile. ''As long as you don't buy too many clothes, you have to take everything back home.''

Glinda shrugged. ''It will be alright.'' She already makes a list fort he clothes she wants to buy.

XXX

Everyone was happy that Elphaba could go home the next day. So when it finally happened. Elphaba was already standing by her bed with the suitcase of clothes that Glinda had brought.

Leanne was waiting with Elphaba, who was looking impatiently for the clock.

''Calm down Elphaba, you just have to sign your letter of resignation and then go back to your room.''

''I know, but I'd like to have the room cleaned before Glin gets home. That hasn't happened in almost a week.''

Leanne was laughing, ''yes I can imagine Glinda not cleaning your room.''

Dr. Damien arrived with the discharge letter. ''If you want to sign here,'' he said to Elphaba. ''I hope I don't see you here again.''

''I hope so too,'' Elphaba said with a smile. ''Thank you for all the good care.'' She shakes the hand from the docter and walk to the door.

''Elphaba you forget your appointment card for the next month.''

Elphaba began to blush. ''I had indeed forgotten it. Thank you Doctor'' said Elphaba as she took Damien's card.

''Well then it is a good thing I had seen it'' Damien said with a grin. He knew that Elphaba had left the card on purpose. He was familiar with stubborn people.

When Elphaba opened her room door, she immediately threw her suitcase on her bed. She looked around. ''Who gave Glinda all these flowers? Elphaba asked surprised to Leanne who closed the door. Elphaba knew from Nessa and Glinda that she had received flowers from the students. But Elphaba was still amazed to see the evidence and the amount.

''I think these flowers are for you.'' Leanne walked over to a bunch of flowers and read the card. That you get better soon from Shenshen and Pfannee.

''But why have they? What do I do with it?'' Elphaba stammered.

''I think you're more popular than you thought.''

Elphaba was flattered by all the flowers. She started to read all the cards. ''That's really nice of everyone.'' she said softly.

''It sure is. Well quickly unpack your suitcase. We agreed with the other for a late lunch. Then I can go to the hotel to pack my own things.''

Elphaba nodded. ''By the way, I want to thank you for everything you've done for me and the others. Thank you for leting me cry and not saying anything to the others. I'll tell them when I'm ready.''

''That is very much welcome. I know you will. I hope your dream diary and the other books are useful to you.''

Elphaba walked slowly to Leanne and gave her a quick hug and flee into the bathroom. With a smile, Leanne sat on Glinda's bed where she quietly waited for Elphaba.

XXX

Lunch was pleasant and light. Just what everyone needed to get rid of the stress of the past few days. Everyone after saying goodbye to Leanne. Glinda walked with her mother. Elphaba had become very tired and went straight to her room. She wanted to rest a little bit before she started to clean the room.

Glinda said goodbye to her mother and then went to class. Glinda was glad she didn't have that long to think about saying goodbye to her mother.

When she got back to the room for dinner, Elphaba had already cleaned the room and was writing thank-you notes to everyone who had sent her flowers.

Glinda went to get food for Elphie and her because Elphaba was still very tired. That night they had an intimate dinner. After that they went to bed to talk about everything that happend.

But Elphaba did not sleep. She was too nervous to talk to her father. Her brain wouldn't shut down. Slowly she watched the time go by.

XXX