A/N - hey all. Sorry for the extended delay. I decided to combine the next two chapters in to this one - so this is actually a "two-fer" chapter (which is why it's so long).
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"Hey."
Rosie looked up from her surveillance position by a window in one of the guest bedrooms near the front of the castle. She turned and saw Galinda walking towards her. The blonde wore a light yellow summer dress with 1/2 sleeves with the skirt of the dress stopping just below her knees. The redhead tilted her heed before speaking.
"Is there anything I can do for you, Miss Galinda?"
The blonde looked pensive and she was fidgeting with her hands. She seemed to be looking over the tik-tok for some reason. Why was Rosie wearing a pair of black pants and a long dark shirt?
"I came to see if you were better."
Rosie nodded in response. "We went to the blacksmith's forge behind the castle for repairs after we arrived. While my repairs are complete, it will take a number of weeks for the skin over my torso to regrow. Fiyero suggested I remain covered up as much as possible to hide my metal endoskeleton underneath."
Galinda simply nodded in response, falling back into an awkward silence. After what seemed an eternity, the blonde let out a huff and then blurted out…
"I'm sorry."
This did not compute with the redhead. "Excuse me?" Rosie asked tilting her head.
"I came to apologize," Galinda elaborated. "I was mean to you and yet you and Cameron still saved us. I wanted to say I'm sorry."
"We are programmed to protect you. You do not need to apologize…"
"Yes, I do," the blonde confessed. "Maybe not for you but definitely for me."
That confused Rosie even more. "How so?"
Galinda sat down in a chair in the bedroom and motioned for Rosie to sit in the opposite chair. "As humans, when we do something wrong or hurt someone, we apologize to say we're sorry we hurt them. The offended person then says they forgive the offender by accepting their apology. It's a way of making amends; of keeping friendships."
Rosie seemed to ponder the blonde's words before asking her, "Do you consider me a 'friend', Galinda?"
The question caught Galinda off-guard. "Oh, wow. Now that's a deep question. Could a machine be friends with humans?"
"Or humans be friends with machines?" Rosie countered.
"Exactly," Galinda quietly replied. "Well…I guess a friend is someone you like, get along with and trust, so…yes, I guess we could say we're friends."
"Back at the police station, you said I was just a machine…"
"I know," Galinda sadly replied with a sigh. "I said some hurtful things, and I'm sorry. My parents…I just found they were killed and…well…I blamed it on you. That wasn't fair and I probably hurt your feelings."
Rosie looked puzzled at the blonde's explanation. "T-600's aren't program to feel, so we do not have any feelings to hurt."
Galinda shook her head. "I'm not so sure about that. You looked shocked when I accused you of wanting to secretly kill us. You may not understand human emotion, but I think you feel…in your own way."
Galinda watched as Rosie thought about the blonde's response. It took some time before Rosie spoke:
"I am glad you see me as a friend, Galinda, and I accept your apology."
"Thank you," Galinda replied, breathing a sigh of relief.
"Are you ready for your journey?" Rosie then asked changing the subject.
"Almost. Elphie and Cameron are getting dressed. We're taking the afternoon train - we should arrive at Shiz University when it's dark."
Rosie nodded in understanding. "That will allow you to use stealth to get on the campus."
"That's the plan. I assume that the campus would still be in lockdown so we'll need to sneak in. Being dark at night will make it easier."
"Agreed," Rosie simply replied. "Good luck on your mission, Galinda."
"Thank you Rosie. Please watch over Boq, Fiyero and his family."
And then, the blonde wrapped her arms around the redhead. Rosie remained completely trying to comprehend the blonde's action.
"It's customary to hug someone back."
Rosie then awkwardly put her arms around the blonde…
"Not that hard."
#####
"I look like an idiot."
Elphaba stood in front of a full-length mirror staring at her reflection. She had on a light blue summer dress with 3/4 sleeves and a rounded neck. The dress was much longer than Galinda's almost camouflaging her legs. On her head was an opaque white wide-brimmed hat. Covering her exposed arms were white lace gloves.
"You look lovely," Fiyero commented as he walked up behind her.
"I look like one of those rich snooty society bitches I can't stand."
Fiyero chuckled in response. "Maybe you do; but, you'll fit in with everyone else while hiding most of your green skin in case Mr. 'Death-and-Destruction' decided to show up. Besides, you don't hear Cameron complaining."
At that moment, the brunette tik-tok entered the room wearing a dress that had various shades of blue, white and yellow flowers. She also wore lace gloves and a white hat, and seemed to be struggling with walking in high heels.
She looked at her companions and complained: "This attire is too restricting if the need for combat arises."
Elphaba let out a cackle as Fiyero simply facepalmed.
"You'll blend in," the Prince explained. "Most people will be wearing similar clothing. You'll look just like everyone else while not looking like you're trying to hide."
"Hiding in plain sight," Elphaba commented. "Nice."
He smiled at her as he nodded in response. That smile was so disarming…and it made her heart flutter.
"Any idea where Galinda is?" Elphaba then asked.
Cameron replied, "Last I saw, she was talking to Boq…"
At that moment, Galinda entered the room. She looked flushed, her breathing seemed a little ragged and…
Was she glistening?
And were her lips swollen?
"Hi," she breathlessly announced. "Are we ready to go?"
She then saw the green woman's bemused face.
"Don't look at me like that, Elphie. Let's go."
Galinda turned to leave. Elphaba crossed her arms in amusement. "Saying a long goodbye to Boq, Glin?" she called out as Galinda walked down the hallway.
"I can't hear you!"
Elphaba turned to Cameron. "Could you please wait by the front door with Galinda?"
"Yes," the brunette replied before she left the room, leaving her alone with the Prince.
Fiyero walked up and took her hands in his. "We're already making some headway with our preparations. We should be well on our way when you come back. But, I'm going to worry while you're gone. Please be careful and come back safe."
"I will," she softly replied, looking directly into his eyes. She saw so much emotion in them. Why did she want him to kiss her? Why wouldn't he? Was he being cautious?
He spoke taking her out of her thoughts: "Well, I guess you'd better get going."
Her heart deflated at his comment. "Yeah," she simply replied. "I'll see you soon, ok?"
"You'd better," he playfully replied. However, his face held a nervous look.
As she left the room, the only thing that passed through her mind was Galinda's previous talk…
Take a chance…
"Yero," she called as she walked back in.
"What's the mat…". He was cut off in his question as she crashed her lips against his. The shock was evident on his face but he quickly melted into the kiss. She pressed herself against him, wrapping her arms around his neck and deepening the kiss. Oz, her heart felt like it was beating out of her chest and she felt like she was flying.
The need for air caused them to separate. She was breathless as she thought of something to say. "Wow," was the only thing she could think of saying.
"Yeah," Fiyero replied just as winded. He placed his forehead against hers. "Please come home," he quietly pleaded.
"I will," she replied. She kissed him quickly one more time before leaving the room and joining her companions.
Galinda looked at her friend suspiciously.
"Saying a long goodbye to Fiyero, Elphie?" she teased.
"Shut up."
#####
He had found a group of teenage women chatting outside of a shop. "Excuse me, ladies."
They looked over as saw a large man standing there in police uniform. He was extremely well built and his hair reached just to the base of his neck.
"How can we help you, officer?" they asked suspiciously.
"I am looking for some people. Have you seen these two women at all?"
He showed the young ladies pencil drawn sketches of two women.
"No, sir, we haven't," they simply replied handing back the drawings.
"How about these men?" He then asked, showing pencil sketches of two men. A look of recognition crossed one of the young women.
"Say, is that one Fiyero Tiggular?" the woman asked her friends.
Another one nodded in response. "I think you're right, Carlie. That does look like him."
"Who?" The strange officer asked.
"Prince Fiyero Tiggular?" the young woman named Carlie replied in a surprised tone. "Don't tell me you don't know who Prince Fiyero Tiggular of the Vinkus is."
He took the sketches back from the women. "Of course. Thank you ladies."
With that he left.
Subject identified…Prince Fiyero Tiggular…
#####
As the sun started to rise to greet the afternoon, activity was absolutely buzzing around the Ice Town train station in the Vinkus. Only opened a few years before, those from the Vinkus were able to take the train into Gillikin using the new line created to join the Vinkus to the existing train lines in Gillikin. This was perfect as it allowed the women to take the train to travel to Shiz as quickly as possible.
The architecture station was modeled as a blend of styles from the Vinkus, Gillikin and the Emerald City. A large green clock stood on a pedestal near the entrance to the station. Beside the station was a four-star hotel with restaurant. Various eateries, cafes and other shops surrounded the station to provide goods and services to those passing through. Coaches and horses that were to be kept at the station were watched over by the station staff. In front of the station, a roadway allowed for those either taking public carriages or were just being dropped of to come up to the front of the station.
Among the various stage coaches, a black coach stopped in front of the station. The driver secured the horses while his "assistant" got down and opened the door and held out his hand to the first occupant.
"Thank you, Michel," Elphaba complimented as the Sergeant helped her from the carriage.
"You are welcome, my beautiful lady," he said, exaggerating his bow. She rolled his eyes at him response. Dressed in "civilian" clothes - or "civies" as he called them - the Sergeant had been ordered to escort the women to the station. Fiyero insisted they used a coach without any markings on it to ensure anonymity.
Galinda and Cameron followed behind her. Looking at her companions, Galinda looked very much like an upper-class society lady in her dress and hat. Cameron looked…actually pretty as well. She resembled a human with ease that nobody took notice of her.
Surveillance mode…
If only the people around them knew the truth about her.
"Your train should be here in about an hour," Michel noted. He pointed towards the ticket counter. "Tickets can be purchased there. We will stay at the hotel next door until you arrive - please meet us there to return back to the castle."
Elphaba nodded at this information. "Thank you."
He gave the ladies a slight nod. "Good luck. Be safe, and we'll see you soon."
And with that, he returned back to the carriage to join his partner.
Inside the station, the brown marble floor contrasted to the ornate wooden walls inside the station. The three ladies made their way to the ticket counter. Other than the ticket seller doing a "double-take" at Elphaba's face, the three women were able to procure the needed tickets to go to Shiz.
"Anywhere we can sit safely?" Elphaba asked Cameron. The brunette surveyed the building…
Scanning…
She pointed towards a table outside of a cafe in the station. "There. We can have full visibility of the station and it gives us multiple exit points if the need arrises."
"And have some tea," Galinda noted.
Elphaba looked at where Cameron was pointing and saw what she meant. Nodding, the three women made their way to the table. A young Vinkun gentleman brought them some menus for them to peruse as they waited for their train. Cameron sat in the seat that allowed her to look over all of the passengers as they made their way through the station. Galinda and Elphaba sat with their backs to the crowd. The whole thing seemed wrong: the idea of the table being a tactical location unnerved Elphaba. She never had the need to worry about it previously
But, the present time wasn't the same as before. This was her life now.
She was taken out of their thoughts as the young man brought a tiered tray of sandwiches and cakes to go with their tea.
Now all they had to do was wait for the train.
#####
He had changed clothes again to rid himself of the police uniform he had stolen after the incident at the station. Stealth was more important now since any remaining officers who lived through the massacre would be looking for him. Word would spread - slowly, admittedly - these archaic forms of communication were not as fast as communication through Oznet. Still, word would spread and he needed to make sure he kept ahead of it.
Now wearing more casual clothing he took from a store the night before, he sat in a town library researching his next target.
He opened the book before him: History of the Vinkun Royalty.
#####
Surveillance mode…
"What do you see, Cameron?"
Without turning, Cameron answered the green woman's question. "There's still a heavy presence of Constabulary here."
Galinda shivered. "I knew Shiz might go into 'lockdown' but I didn't expect this."
They stood a fair distance away in the shadows of the buildings. Night had fallen making hiding much easier. Despite their cloaked presence, with the large gathering of police, getting to their dorm room was near to impossible.
"It's going to make sneaking across campus much harder," Elphaba noted.
"Yeah, about that…" Galinda began; a bemused look adorned her face. "I have an idea…"
The three women floated over the campus in Galinda's bubble. She made sure to take her bubble high enough that it wasn't visible in the night sky, and nobody on the ground looked up to see them float by. They made their way to the women's dorm; floating just outside of the window of their dorm room.
"Who knew being on the top floor would be so handy," Galinda commented and Elphaba could only chuckle in agreement.
Turning to Cameron, Elphaba asked her, "Are you able to open this window?"
Taking off her hat, Cameron held it against the glass. Before anyone could say anything, she punched her fist into the hat breaking the glass. The T-600 was able to reach in, unlock the window and open it.
"Yes," Cameron flatly replied. Elphaba rolled her eyes.
Once all three women climbed inside, Elphaba surveyed her surroundings. It was exactly how they left it - Galinda's 'puffy pink' bed on one side and her bed on the other. It brought back so many feelings…
Mostly the feeling of loss.
Sitting on her bed, it seemed Galinda felt the same thing. "You know, last time we were here, we were so sure we knew what our future was going to be," she commented sadly.
Elphaba sat down beside her friend on her fluffy pink bed. "I know what you mean," the green woman sighed. "To be honest, I think I'd like that future instead of the one we have now."
"Yeah," Galinda replied sadly. "At least life was normal."
"We'd still have our families."
"Even your awful Father?" Galinda asked.
"Yeah," Elphaba sighed. "Even him. And Nessa…" Elphaba's words stopped. Her throat started to tighten at the mention of her sister's name. The memories of the day she died started to flood her mind and it was starting to weigh down on her.
Elphaba's thoughts were interrupted as Galinda took her hand in a reassuring squeeze. She squeezed her friend's hand back with a sad smile.
"C'mon," the green girl commanded. "Let's get our notes before we head to Morrible's office…"
Noise outside the door interrupted them and Elphaba's heart froze. It took a few moments before they realized someone was working the lock!
"Hide," Cameron quietly commanded as she stood beside the door frame. The two former Shizians hid in the darkness as the noise continued. Both women tried to control their breathing as to not give away their position. As they suspected, the handle slowly turned…
Cameron quickly opened the door and pulled the person on the other side to the floor. The mystery person let out a loud yelp as they hit the floor. However, Cameron saw a second person coming at her: a young woman swinging an object at her. Quickly reaching up, she grabbed the woman's hand before being hit with…
…a frying pan?
Peering from the shadows, Galinda recognized the woman in the door.
"Pfannee?"
The young woman jolted at the sound of her name. "Galinda?"
The other person stood up, groaning in pain. "What in Oz happened?"
Elphaba recognized her as well. "Shenshen?"
Turning to Cameron, the blonde instructed, "It's ok. They're friends. Let them in."
Cameron nodded and pulled Pfannee through the door before quickly closing it. The young woman gave Cameron a disapproving look before helping her friend off of the floor. "Are you ok, Shen?"
"Yeah, I think so," Shenshen replied before looking up at Galinda who was lighting a candle. Suddenly, Shen rushed the blonde and wrapped her arms around her. "Galinda!" she cried. "Oh my Oz! I am so happy to see you. I thought you were dead."
"I'm ok," Galinda simply replied. "What are you doing here?"
"Us?" Pfannee asked shocked as she gave Galinda a hug. "More like: what are you doing here? We heard a noise and decided to investigate."
From the shadows, Elphaba then asked, "So you decided to pick the lock and come armed with a frying pan and…" Holding up Shenshen's hand, she then added, "…and a curling iron?"
"Best we could come up with on short notice," Pfannee sheepishly replied. "We wanted to make sure nobody was robbing the place."
Then, to Elphaba's amazement, Pfannee wrapped her arms around her in a caring embrace.
"I am so glad you're ok."
As soon as Pfannee pulled back, Shen walked up to her. "I'm so sorry about Nessa, Elphaba," she simply said as she also hugged the green woman.
Elphaba felt a lump form in her throat. "Thank you," she answered in a choked voice.
After being introduced to Cameron…and reassuring Cameron that the two women were on their side…Elphaba then asked Pfannee and Shenshen, "What happened after we left?"
Shen sat down on Elphaba's bed and began. "It was absolute chaos. Once the shooting started, we ran for cover. We heard so much noise…thunder, gunshots. It wasn't until later when things were quiet that the police and the Gale Force arrived."
"We couldn't find you," Pfannee continued. "We got so worried something awful had happened to you guys; that maybe he got you too. Everyone on campus was in shock. They found Morrible's body…what he did to her was unfathomable." The young woman's eyes started to fill with tears at the memory of that day.
Shen then picked up from her roommate. "The local Constabulary took Nessa and Morrible's bodies and immediately ordered all students back to their dorm rooms. They asked a lot of questions about what happened and if we had any idea why. We were stumped - we couldn't think of a single reason why anyone would do this. Anyway, the rumor on campus was that both of your families were also killed; and, to be honest, that completely freaked us out."
"So, imagine our surprise when we heard a window break and then heard voices coming from behind your door. We thought someone was breaking in and trying to steal your stuff."
Phannee then asked, "So, that's our story. Now my question is: why are you here?"
Thus began an explanation by the two witches as to the events of the last few days. Pfannee and Shenshen listened intently as the two witches explained their harrowing escapes from the "Magic Man". They then started to explain their plan:
"…so, if we can get into Morrible's office, we can look for any magic books to find spells to defeat this thing," Elphaba finished.
They watched as Pfannee and Shenshen processed all of the information the two women told them. The silence as they sat and pondered their story started to unnerve them. Thankfully, it didn't take long before they looked at each other and nodded.
"We're in," Shenshen noted.
It took longer than expected to make their way across campus in the dark. They wanted to keep out of sight from the Constabulary that patrolled the campus. Nonetheless, they finally made it to the administrative building. They entered the building through a back door and, after making their way to the top floor, the five women approached Morrible's office.
It was locked as they expected it to be.
"So, how do we get in?" Galinda asked.
To their surprise, Phannee pulled out a small pouch. She opened it and produced a couple of small tools.
"Allow me," she said as she inserted the tools into the lock.
"Wait…are you actually picking the lock?" Elphaba asked her surprised. Phannee nodded in response.
Elphaba was amazed. "Why, Miss Pfannee," she began with mock shock in her voice. "I would have never guessed you would know how to engage in such illegal behavior."
"I had very interesting friends growing up," Phannee deadpanned as she worked the lock.
"What are you studying again?"
"Law. Now shush…ok…pin one is binding…got a click out of two…might be a false set…nothing on three…counter-rotation on four…ok…got it set…click out of five…back to one…"
They watched in amazement as she worked the tools within they keyway of the door handle. Periodically, the others would watch out in case anyone happened to come upon them breaking into the former Headshizstress' office; but, thankfully, they were alone. After a few moments of working the lock, Phannee turned the instruments and proudly opened the door.
"After you," she said waiving her hands so that the other women could enter. Elphaba couldn't help but be impressed.
"That was really well done."
"Thank you," Phannee replied beaming proudly.
They walked through the door for her and, after making sure the curtains were closed, lit some candles to aid their search. Inside, they found the office to be in the same condition as when they took their sorcery exam. The five women began searching the room looking through any books or papers that may reveal spells or incantations they could use to fight against the T-800. However, it seemed Morrible's office only held University correspondence, report cards and other administrative paperwork.
Cameron called from the other side of the room. "What about these?"
Walking over, Galinda saw the T-600 by a bookcase. Looking over the titles, she saw a few books on magic theory.
"Let's take these," she commanded, pulling them from the bookshelf and handing them to the brunette. "We might find something in here; but, to be honest, it's doubtful…"
They were interrupted by Shenshen calling out: "Hey, I found something."
The other women walked over to where Shenshen was standing. She pulled out a picture from the wall to reveal a wall safe behind it.
"Think you can get it open?" Elphaba asked Pfannee knowingly.
The young woman cracked her knuckles. "Just watch," she simply said as she pulled out her tools.
As Pfannee worked the lock on the safe, Elphaba wandered towards a bedroom just off of the office…
Nessa's bedroom.
Pushing the door aside, she looked over her sister's neatly organized room. The closets held her dresses; drawers held her clothes, scarves and other accessories.
One scarf caught her attention: it was a teal scarf with a solid color around the border and an intricate pattern of blues in the middle. She ran her hands softly over the garment, feeling the soft delicate fabric beneath her fingers. Memories of her sister wearing that scarf came to her mind…how Nessa gushed over how beautiful it was…how wonderful it felt…
"Hey."
Elphaba was taken from her thoughts by Galinda's soft voice. "You ok?" the blonde asked her friend.
"Yeah…" Elphaba began. "Just…looking."
"That's a pretty scarf," Galinda noted.
"I bought it for Nessa for one Lurlinemas; she absolutely loved it. To be honest…I kinda wanted to keep it for myself."
She went to put the scarf away but Galinda stopped her. "Maybe you should take it. I don't think Nessa's going to mind."
"Yo!"
The two witches turned towards Pfannee who was proudly standing by the opened safe. Elphaba looked in and saw a large leather-bound book inside.
"What is it?" Galinda asked.
Elphaba pulled out the book and put it on the former HeadShizstress' desk. As she put her hands around it, she was amazed to feel a strong magic emanating from the book into her hands. She took it over to Morrible's desk. In the candlelight, Elphaba could see the title of the book and it took her breath away.
"Oh, my Oz. This is 'The Grimmerie'."
Galinda gasped at her friend's response. The other two women looked puzzled. "What's a 'Grimmerie'?" Shenshen asked.
"Only the most powerful magic book in all of Oz!" Elphaba replied. "What's Morrible doing with it? How did she get it?"
"That doesn't matter," Galinda interjected as she picked up the book in her arms. "We're taking it with us."
They heard Cameron call out in a "loud" whisper: "Guys!"
The walked over to where she was standing by the office window. It seemed Constabulary officers were congregating nearby.
"We need to leave before we're discovered," the TikTok noted.
"Agreed," Elphaba replied. "We've got what we came for. We need to get back to somewhere safe."
Pfannee then asked them: "When do you head back to the Vinkus?"
"Late tomorrow morning," Elphaba simply replied.
"Why don't you stay with us tonight? We have enough room for you to stay over; and, we can run out and get you something to eat if you'd like."
"I know I'd like that very much," Galinda replied. "But, would it be safe?"
Cameron nodded in response. "Tactically, this is probably the safest place. If the T-800 came here, he would encounter a heavy military presence. If he made any attempt at infiltration, we'll have plenty of warning."
"Good point," Elphaba replied. Then, turning to Pfannee, she replied, "We'll stay. Thank you."
As they made their way back to the women's dorms, Pfannee asked the green woman, "What's a T-800?"
Elphaba's reply was straight to the point: "Pray you never have to find out."