"Elphaba?" Fiyero called tentatively. Having searched for Elphaba a good while, he found her alone at the library; and as he sat down next to her, he noticed she was staring blankly at a piece of paper spread out on the table.

"I've been looking all over for you," he said, nudging her gently with his knee, trying to get her attention. "I was just at your room, but Galinda told me you weren't there. Now, I know you love the library, but don't you think it's a bit much to sit here on a Saturday, with the exams already over?"

He'd hoped to relieve the tension, but Elphaba looked up at him without a sign of amusement. He felt suddenly concerned, seeing the tired look on her face.

"Hey. What is it?" he asked softly; covering her hand with his; and Elphaba sighed deeply, clearly reluctant to talk.

"Nessa."

Of course it is, Fiyero thought with annoyance. Truthfully, although he knew how much Elphaba loved Nessarose, he himself was quickly losing patience for the girl. He never paid much attention to her when they first met, but now, as he'd taken to observing her more closely and talking to her more often, he started noticing things most other people seemed to overlook. Nessarose Thropp was, admittedly, a sweet, pretty girl whose disability was sure to inspire compassion in anyone with even half a heart. However, she was also self-centered, entitled and fussy, and at times almost as vain as Galinda with a 'Ga'. And whenever things weren't going her way, she could turn shockingly ruthless in a matter of seconds. Fiyero couldn't help but feel resentful towards her since he'd heard about the cruel things she'd said to Elphaba a few days before.

"What happened?" he asked, trying not to let his face express what he was feeling.

"I guess pouring out her frustrations directly onto me wasn't enough for her," Elphaba said bitterly. "I just got this from my father."

She slid the piece of paper towards Fiyero and he started to read.

Elphaba!

I am utterly shocked and disappointed by the news I have received from my dear daughter. Not only have you selfishly neglected your responsibilities towards her, leaving her behind and travelling to the City to practice your disgusting, sinful magic; but you have also directly encroached on your sister's private life. Despite having been aware of your glaring flaws, I was devastated by your shameless and cruel behavior. Since the moment you were born, your abnormality has caused nothing but pain and suffering in the lives of your sister, your late mother and me. Nevertheless, I have always shown remarkable patience in dealing with you, continually making your excuses and trying to cover for every scandal you would cause. However, the sole purpose of your attending Shiz was that you take care of your sister. Since you have defied that purpose with shocking adamance, I no longer see any value in providing you with higher education. You shall not be going back to school after the summer. After we return home to Munchkinland, you will be punished and handled accordingly.

Frexpar Thropp, Governor of Munchkinland

Fiyero opened his mouth to say something, but found himself at a loss for words.

"What in Oz's name is wrong with this man?" he uttered finally and heard his own voice vibrate with anger.

"How much time do you have?" Elphaba chuckled bitterly.

"I mean… how can he… I just…"

"Fiyero, it's fine. I don't need his help anymore, I have my scholarship. He may think he can control me, but he doesn't have anything on me anymore. Really, it's okay."

"It's not okay!" Seeing Elphaba flinch, he realized he was almost shouting. "Sorry. And look, I didn't mean the money thing, I mean… he can't get away with treating you like this!"

"Don't worry about it, really. I'm used to it, it's no big deal."

That was supposed to calm him down, but all it did was anger him even more. After all, if Elphaba was used to such treatment, it meant she'd had to endure it countless other times before, and the thought of that made him subconsciously clench his hands into fists.

"You know what, I'm gonna write to him. Right now. I'll write to him and tell him to shove that letter right up his—"

"Fiyero!"

"Sorry." No, I'm not.

"No, you're not," she called him out, but the corner of her mouth twitched into a faint shadow of a smile. "Anyway. Was there something you needed from me?"

He rubbed his neck, unsure if this was really the best moment to ask what he'd wanted to ask her.

"Well… Since, I assume, you're not going back to Munchkinland for the summer… I guess I was wondering if you'd maybe like to go to the Vinkus with me."

Elphaba's eyes went wide.

"Really?"

"Of course."

"Are… are you sure that's a good idea?"

"I mean… I think we need some time to think about what our next steps are going to be, right? And I think it might be better if we do that somewhere else than here."

Elphaba nodded thoughtfully.

"I guess that's true."

"And well, I was thinking that… um… maybe if we were away from Shiz, we could just spend some, you know, normal time together?" Fiyero tugged mindlessly at the collar of his shirt. "And, uh… I guess, possibly… I mean, if it's okay with you… Perhaps I would maybe sort of like to introduce you to my family. Kind of."

Her eyebrows shot up.

"Kind of?"

"Yeah." A rare blush crept up onto Fiyero' cheeks. "Kind of."

"Well," Elphaba said, feeling her heart pound nervously, while at the same time holding back a chuckle. "If that's kind of what you want… I could come with you. And I guess, as long as we're away from here, we could maybe let our guard down a bit. Kind of."

Fiyero's face lit up.

"That would be kind of amazing."

•••

Despite the rough patch they'd been on in the past weeks, Elphaba made sure to see her sister before her return home to Munchkinland.

"Good morning, Nessa," she said reservedly, and Nessarose let out a half-relieved, half-annoyed sigh.

"I thought you'd never come. Where is your suitcase?"

Elphaba shook her head.

"Oh, no, I just came to wish you a safe journey back home."

Nessarose's eyes widened.

"What do you mean? Are you… are you not coming?"

"No." Elphaba shook her head and handed Nessa the envelope containing their father's letter. "I don't think it's a good idea for me to see father right now. He wrote me this letter and… well, you can read it for yourself later. In short: he hates me, he wants to pull me out of school and he's probably going to lock me up if I step foot in Munchkinland. So you know, I think I'd rather avoid seeing him."

"No…" Nessarose gasped, her face going pale. "Elphaba, I'll talk to him, I'll…"

Elphaba was moved. Does she actually care? "It's okay, Nessa; you know I'm—"

"Oh, be quiet for once!" Nessarose interrupted her explanation. "You can't… I need you! You can't just leave me!"

Of course she doesn't.

"Wow, Nessa…" Elphaba said, struggling not to lose her patience. "For a second there I thought you actually cared, at least a little, about me. But you're just afraid of losing a servant, aren't you?"

Nessarose's face paled.

"What—That's not what I—I never—" she stuttered.

"Well, you win," Elphaba said, raising her hands in a defeated gesture. "You wanted me to stop interfering – you got it. You go home alone, and from now on, you rely on yourself. It's time you grow up, Nessa, and see the world beyond your perfect little bubble."

She was about to walk away when a strong hand grabbed her by the hair, causing her to wince in pain and shock.

"So this is how you've been taking care of your sister? Neglecting her, meddling in her affairs, and now directly insulting her? Have you no shame, Elphaba?!"

"Father…" Nessarose protested faintly, her voice now trembling no longer with anger, but with shock and fear. For once, though, she was ignored.

"Lovely to see you too, father," Elphaba said through gritted teeth. She squirmed to get out of Frexpar's grip, but that only caused him to painfully wring her arm and force her to face him.

It only took one look into his eyes for Elphaba to discover – to her own amazement – that she was not afraid of him. Not anymore. What she felt towards him now was anger. Rage. Fury. Magic pulsated through her body and she had to bite her lip as hard as possible to keep it under control.

"How dare you talk back to me, girl," her father hissed and grabbed her chin violently, forcing her to look up. "Look at me when I'm talking to you. You vile, disgusting, shameless—"

The string of adjectives stopped as Elphaba spat in his face. His eyes, previously boiling with anger, turned ice-cold. He raised his arm to grab Elphaba's hair again, but was stopped abruptly when someone charged onto him, almost tackling him to the ground.

"Don't you dare touch her again!" Fiyero growled, facing Frexpar; while Elphaba felt Galinda's arms embrace her from behind. She grunted and struggled to free herself from the surprisingly strong little hands, all the while watching Fiyero and her father glare at one another, neither willing to step away first.

"Father…" came Nessarose's pleading voice, slightly stronger this time. "Let's just go. Please, Dad."

Frexpar looked like he'd been woken up from a nightmare. He staggered backwards, eyes wide when he looked at his younger daughter.

"Yes," he coughed out, turning around without sparing Fiyero, Elphaba or Galinda more than a bewildered glance. "Yes, my love. You're right. Let's go."

As he moved to pick up Nessarose's luggage, the girl turned to face her older sister.

"Elphaba…" she said weakly, but Elphaba didn't react. "Galinda? Fiyero?" she tried.

All three of them refused to meet her eyes, staring stubbornly at the ground even long after the sound of wheels and footsteps had faded away.