Strength A.N. Thanks for the reviews

Disclaimer: I don't own these characters.

The next morning, Elphaba did an excellent job of hiding her burned skin beneath her black clothing. As much as the fabric irritated the burns, it was better than explaining them to her father, as well as to Nessarose and Nanny. She wasn't quite ready to confront her father about the whole incident, and him seeing the burns would most likely lead to that.

While they were waiting for Elphaba to get dressed, Glinda and Fiyero sat in the living room.

"So, why exactly did she run off?" Fiyero asked. Glinda realized that he had not been there when Elphaba had told her what happened.

"Well, to make a long story short, she overheard her father basically disown her and wish she had been drowned."

"You know, I'm really starting to not like our friend Frex." Fiyero said. Glinda nodded.

"I know. At least we get to go home after the service today. We won't have to stay in this house anymore."

Just then Elphaba emerged from the bedroom, suitcases in hand. She handed Glinda and Fiyero their respective bags and said, "Here. Put them by the front door so we can get on the road back to Shiz as fast as possible once this thing is over." Apparently she was just as happy to leave as they were.

Nessa and Frex came out of their respective rooms. "Elphie, why are you packed already? We're not going back so soon, are we?"

Elphaba let out a sigh. While she, Glinda, and Fiyero couldn't wait to get out of Nest Hardings, Nessa was reveling in being Frex's favorite little girl again. Of course she wouldn't want to leave.

"Nessa, you can stay if you want. But we have to get back to school. We've missed too much as it is." Elphaba knew that her father would have no argument for her going back to school. "You can take a cab back up when you're ready."

Nessa looked around at Glinda, then at Fiyero, then at Elphaba and at Frex. "I'll consider it" she said.

The five of them left together to go to the memorial service. Once they arrived at the hall, however, Glinda and Fiyero were ushered inside first. They stuck out like sore thumbs among the Munchkins. Apparently, it was customary for the family of the deceased person to enter the hall last at these events. Both Glinda and Fiyero found it extremely tacky. If the family was already grieving their loved one, why make them parade into the hall when everyone else had already been seated?

The ceremony went smoothly, but both Fiyero and Glinda sensed an unspoken tension in the hall. It had come to their attention that perhaps the Thropps were the type of political family that the population appeared to love, but actually resented.

After the ceremony ended, Elphaba tried to exit the hall as quickly as she could so no one would be able to approach her and therefore delay her departure. Her efforts were unsuccessful, however, for as soon as she stepped outside she came face to face with Frex.

"So, are you still planning on returning today?" he asked. Even though he had no knowledge of Elphaba's hearing his words the day before, he sensed that she was more annoyed at him than usual.

"Yes. Is Nessa planning on returning with us?" Elphaba refused to fixate her eyes on Frex; instead she looked in the crowd for Fiyero and Glinda. They were her only escape.

"No, I don't think so. Nessa seems to be more, troubled, than you are and plans on staying at least a few more days."

"Very well. I shall inform Madame Morrible when we get back to Shiz."

"You can stay as well. I'm sure your friends can manage well enough on their way back."

Elphaba had to fight back laughter at this. Stay here without Fiyero and Glinda? There was no way that was ever going to happen. "No, I should really be getting back. Besides, I would hate to overstay my welcome here."

"Fabala, whatever do you mean?"

"I mean that I think I've stayed in your house long enough. After all, I'm not your child."

Before Frex had a chance to respond, Elphaba had disappeared into the crowd. She quickly caught up to Fiyero and Glinda, whom she had been tracking during the entire conversation with Frex. As they walked back to Frex's house to get their bags, Fiyero sensed that there was something wrong.

"I saw you talking to your father. Did you tell him about the other day?"

Elphaba nodded. "Yes. But I ran away before he could say anything. I'm done with him."

"Oh, Elphie. Just talk to him. It's never good to leave a situation like this without resolving everything." Glinda said. Elphaba couldn't help but smile at Glinda's idealistic view of the world.

"Glinda, there is no possible way that this can be resolved; at least, there's no way it can be resolved right now." As much as Elphaba hated to admit it, part of her agreed with Glinda's logic. She didn't want to leave her father on these terms. She didn't want to let go of the hope that perhaps he had only said what he did in the heat of the moment; perhaps he never truly meant it. But even this possibility was enough to convince Elphaba to talk to her father. The fear of what he said being the truth was much stronger.

Fear. That was another feeling that Elphaba hated to admit was inside of her. Over the past few days she had discovered an entirely new side to her personality. Fear. Weakness. Grief. All were emotions that Elphaba had not known herself to possess.

When the three of them arrived at Frex's house, Elphaba brought the bags outside as quickly as she could and hailed the first cab she could. She told the cab driver that they were traveling to Shiz, and agreed to be dropped off at the inn come nightfall. Without Nessa, the process of loading the cab was much shorter; all the better for Elphaba, who didn't want to remain in Nest Hardings any longer than she had to. As the cab drove away, she took one final glance back. She felt tears come to her eyes, but fought them back. For once, even if it was the only time that week, she was going to be strong.