The next morning, after Glinda cried happy tears at seeing Fiyero awake, she and Elphaba filled him in on everything that happened after he'd passed out.

His body still hurt; he wasn't even able to move his arm without some assistance. But he was sure that if it weren't for Elphaba and Glinda tending to him, he would be in a lot more pain. He'd convinced Elphaba to lay her head on his chest. Her pressing on his chest slightly did ache a bit, but it was a good ache. He welcomed the weight. She'd helped him place an arm around her and place his other hand on her belly. Her hand was on top of his, guiding him in small patterns, feeling the small kicks.

"So…everyone thinks we're both dead?" Fiyero asked once the girls were done talking.

"Yes," Glinda confirmed, "what are you guys going to do now?"

"I'm guessing we'll continue our plan to reach the Badlands, once I get better," he felt Elphaba nod.

"But what about the baby?"

"We always said we'd cross after he or she is born," Elphaba said, "we'll go back to the cottage for a couple months. A friend of ours is going to be with us to help me give birth," she paused. "Do you think the Gale Force knows where the cottage is?" Surely they'd set out to look for her hideout after they'd kidnapped Fiyero.

"They haven't told me anything," Glinda said. "I don't think they do. Everyone was so focused on what to do with Fiyero."

"Besides, I led them away before they even saw it."

Elphaba raised her head. "What?"

Fiyero mentally kicked himself.

"That's how they found you. Isn't it?" Elphaba whispered. "They were in the woods, headed towards the cottage, and you let them see you."

"Don't," he squeezed her hand. "Don't say it, don't even think it."

Elphaba sighed. "Dear Oz, Fiyero-"

"I got attacked from behind. I didn't realize there was somebody behind me, I should have checked all of my surroundings," he paused and took a deep breath. "Elphaba, I love you. I would do anything for you, no guilt, no regrets."

She swallowed, her eyes tearing up a bit. "I love you," she whispered. She carefully leaned down and kissed him softly, forgetting they had an audience.

"Aww," Glinda's voice made them pull away, blushing.

Elphaba hid her face in his neck, chuckling softly.

They talked for a little bit and Glinda felt so nostalgic, it felt like their early days at Shiz. The laughs, sharing stories; she missed them. She missed their friendship. She wouldn't be able to part with them again. It would hurt more than it did the first time.

"I would love to stay in touch with you guys," she said.

Elphaba and Fiyero glanced at each other. "Glinda," the green girl started, "it would be very dangerous."

"I know, but listen," Glinda scooted her chair closer to the bed. "I have an aunt that lives in the Badlands-"

"Why so far away?" Fiyero wondered out loud.

"She met my uncle there and decided to stay there with him. Anyways, I could just say that I'm taking a leave every once in a while to visit her. And actually I haven't seen her in awhile so I really would love to go visit her sometime soon," she gasped, "I could get in touch with her!" Glinda said. "She could help you guys get settled there!"

"Glin-"

"I like that," Fiyero cut Elphaba off.

"Yero."

"My main concern is you and our baby. If there's a way to make this easier, I'll take it," he reasoned. "Besides, it would be nice to see Glinda once in a while. Don't you think?"

"See Elphie? Fiyero knows how to use his head," Glinda said.

"For once," the green girl teased and Fiyero glared at her. "You're right."

Glinda clapped happily. "Now, next order of business: how the hell are we getting you two out of here?"

Over the next couple of days, everyone was focused on Fiyero getting his strength back. Even though his body still hurt, and he guessed that probably wasn't going away anytime soon, it was tolerable enough to the point where he could walk a little bit. Slowly, he was taking more steps and without Elphaba's or Glinda's help. Once Fiyero could walk for at least 45 minutes on his own, the time finally came to get him and Elphaba out of the Emerald City.

Glinda had made an announcement in the early morning saying he would take a leave of absence due to a family emergency. As soon as the sun was down, she would walk Elphaba and Fiyero to the woods, where no one would see them, then transport them by bubble back to the cottage they've been using. If by any chance the cottage was off limits, Fiyero assured Glinda that there were places that would take them in without second thought.

Glinda came back into the room. The sun had just set. "Let's do it."

Fiyero put Elphaba's cloak on her and kissed her forehead. She was trembling.

"Hey," he pulled her chin up, "it'll be ok."

She nodded and squeezed his hands. She held her broom close. They wouldn't be able to use it to travel. Apart from the fact that if anyone saw them, it would be a dead giveaway that she was alive, she could feel the magic in it fading. She had too big of a headache to cast another flying spell on it.

Glinda grabbed a dark blue bed sheet from the closet and handed it to Fiyero. "To cover yourself in the bubble," she explained at his confused look. "Elphie has her cloak. If anyone were to see us, hide yourself under that, I'll come up with something."

"Smart," he handed it to Elphaba, who tucked it under her cloak.

"Alright," the blonde opened the door to her room, "let's get out of here."

Glinda led them through areas of the castle she was sure there were no guards at. Every corner they turned felt like an eternity, it was like the exit was getting farther and farther away. Elphaba clung tightly to Fiyero's arm. Dear Oz, why was her stomach hurting so much? Must be all the stress. She caressed her belly, hoping it would calm Peaches down a bit. Another corner.

"Miss Glinda."

Glinda immediately stuck her arm out and Fiyero halted, holding Elphaba in his arms before they turned the corner.

"Yes?" she answered.

"I am proud to say that more than three quarters of the damage caused by the Wicked Witch of the West has been restored. It may still take up another couple of days, a week at the latest, to fully finish restoring."

"That's great. Um," how could she get rid of him? "I think all of you have earned some extra hours of rest. Gather all the soldiers and give them my message. All of you are relieved for the night."

The soldier sighed. "Thank you, Your Goodness. I'll go tell my colleagues," he walked towards her friends.

"No! I mean - there's no one in the southern part of the palace," she covered, which was actually true. Almost everyone's north, around the throne room area."

"That's right, thank you. Good night, Miss Glinda."

"Goodnight," she waved and waited for a full minute. "We're good," she whispered.

"Mmm," Elphaba whimpered as soon as she took a step forward.

"Fae, are you ok?" Fiyero asked worriedly.

"Yeah. Peaches is just restless in here tonight," of all the nights to be kicking around.

"Hurry guys!" Glinda whispered.

Exactly how big was this palace? Shouldn't they have gotten to the exit by now?

"Please tell me we're close?" Elphaba needed to sit down.

"We're almost out. From there, it's about a five to ten minute walk to the woods," Glinda reassured.

Elphaba nodded. She could live with that. Fiyero helped her stay steady on her feet.

Finally, Glinda opened a door and they were outside. When going through the town, they mostly went in between the alleys, where there was less light. Glinda had her wand ready should any unexpected trouble arise. Just a couple more houses to pass. The trio finally reached the woods and Elphaba took a much needed breath. Why was her body weaker today than normal?

"You can stay seated Elphie. You can sit down with her, too, Fiyero. I'll just stand close to you guys so the bubble will pick both of you up."

"Thanks, Glin," Fiyero sat down next to Elphaba and cradled her, rubbing her belly softly.

Glinda nodded and casted her bubble. She went high enough to hide from anyone who may be wandering by, but low enough to stay hidden in the thick trees. It would be a pretty long ride from here, they would probably have to stop for a night, maybe even two, but Glinda made sure to travel as fast as she could.

Two more hours. Just two more hours. Elphaba breathed deeply. They were almost there. She was tired. She slept for the most part while Glinda and Fiyero made light conversation as they traveled.

She grunted. "Ow," what a kick. And anoth - wait. Fucking Oz. "No."

"What's wrong?" Fiyero squeezed her shoulder.

"I think-" she felt a wetness start to dampen her legs and dress. Elphaba shook her head. Scratch that. "I am in labor."

"What?!" Both Fiyero and Glinda yelled.

"You still have more than two months to go!" Fiyero exclaimed.

"Well, not anymore," Elphaba remarked, a bit more snappy than she had intended. "Sorry. Ah!" she groaned as quietly as possible. Sweet Oz, this hurt.

"Don't apologize. Glinda, can't you speed this thing up?"

"I'll try," she sped up as much as possible. "Hang in there, Elphie."

"I'll try," Elphaba squeezed Fiyero's hand.

"Sh," he soothed. It's going to be ok. You'll be ok."

Oz, she hoped so.

Who saw that coming? Sorry if this is boring, I suck at writing action, not to mention I'm so physically and emotionally drained. Sorry for wasting your time in this AN, too.

R&R :)