Sorry for the wait. Writer's block is evil. Sweet SAturn is awesome beyond words! Much praise 2 ur editing skillz! Read on...
Glinda sat on the edge of Elphaba's bed, jiggling her leg nervously. Leina was sleeping in her crib. Boq was seated next to the crib with his head resting against the railing. He was also fast asleep. Shell stood opposite Glinda, watching her intently.
"They've been gone for too long," she said, half to herself.
"I wouldn't be too worried. For as long as I can remember Fabala has always been able to take care of herself," Shell reassured her. He crossed over to Glinda and settled himself beside her. He tucked a stray curl behind her ear and gently turned her face toward him.
"Everything will be all right."
Glinda sighed and furrowed her brow. "Something just doesn't seem right. How could the Wizard have known where Elphaba was? And that she even had a son? I didn't even know until a few months ago."
"That's something that even I don't know," Shell replied. He didn't like this whole situation at all, but he didn't want Glinda to worry about it.
"Hey, let's go sit out front. You look like you could use some fresh air."
He held out his hand. Glinda looked at him uncertainly for a moment. She took his hand and smiled warmly. Shell led her outside and pulled her down onto the small step. It was just starting to get dark. Only a few stars lit up the night. Glinda breathed deeply, closing her eyes to savor the moment. Shell watched her and traced her face with his eyes, though his fingers longed to do the same.
"You are gorgeous," he breathed.
Glinda opened her eyes and faced him. Her heart was fluttering in her chest.
"What?" she whispered.
Shell leaned in close and repeated softly, "You are gorgeous."
Glinda bit her lip to stop the sensations that threatened to spill out and drown her. "Shell…I…"
She couldn't seem to find her voice. He gently laid a finger on her full, pink lips.
"You don't have to say anything."
She looked from Shell to the doorway of the hut. Boq was still sleeping peacefully. She was torn between these two men. She cared about Boq deeply, but she wasn't sure if it was more than just friendship. She was definitely interested in Shell, but he was still a mystery to her.
"I can't do this. Not now, I'm sorry," she told him.
She got up and brushed her skirt off. Shell rose and wrapped her in a warm hug.
"I didn't mean to upset you. I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable."
Glinda allowed herself to cry then, for herself and for her absent friends. Boq had woken up some time ago, but pretended to be asleep. He had heard every word. He had peeked up when Glinda began to cry. When he saw Shell holding her closely he could feel his temper begin to rise. Instead of jumping out of his chair, Boq slowly stretched and yawned. Shell simply glanced at him. Glinda was still too upset to notice.
"What's wrong with Glinda?" he asked in his best sleepy voice.
"She's worried about Elphie and Fiyero," Shell answered.
"I'm sure they are fine," said Boq.
"That's what I told her," Shell said
An awkward silence filled the room. Glinda's crying gradually stopped. She removed a handkerchief from her pocket and dabbed at her tear-stained eyes.
"Feel better?" asked Shell.
Glinda nodded her head slightly and replied, "A little."
"You and Boq should go home. I'll look after my niece," Shell offered.
"Oh! Boq you're awake," Glinda noted.
Boq chuckled a little and led her out the door. He turned to Shell.
"Thank you," he said before walking away.
Leina rustled in her crib causing Shell to look over. He leaned over the railing and looked into Leina's bright eyes.
"It looks like it's just you and me, Beautiful," he said. The baby cooed in response.
Fiyero awoke feeling very cold. Elphaba had been asleep beside him, but she was currently seated in the far corner of the cell. She looked like she wanted to be as far away from him as possible. She glanced at Fiyero and almost immediately looked away. She felt too ashamed of their past. She had always felt guilty, but Keahn's scornful speech had cut her more deeply than she would like to admit.
"Why didn't I just find a new place to hide when Fiyero followed me? I shouldn't have let him get that close in the first place," she thought miserably.
She had cried during one of his visits, and he had rushed to comfort her. Before she realized what was happening, she was kissing him with wild abandon. She had expected him to push her away, his face full of uncertainty and fear. She never thought he would reciprocate with a fierceness that rivaled her own. When he had gone early the next morning, she had felt remorse for losing control and allowing her loneliness to get the better of her. All remorse dissipated upon his return that evening. Elphaba could see in his eyes that he truly loved her.
"I must have unintentionally put some sort of spell on him. Why else would he still be with me after all the disaster I have plagued him with?"
Fiyero knew all too well what Elphaba was thinking. Was she ever going to stop blaming herself for everything? She had turned her back to him, shutting him out.
"Fae," he called softly. She didn't move a muscle.
"Fae," he said a little louder. Her shoulder twitched slightly, but she remained isolated.
Fiyero swore under his breath. He stood up and walked up behind Elphaba. Elphaba wanted to disappear in a cloud of smoke, never to return again. Fiyero gently touched the top of her head, and she instantly felt tears sting her eyes.
"Please just…go away," she pleaded in a broken voice. "You don't deserve this kind of life. You're better off without me."
"How can you say that? Fae, I love you. My life would be empty without you. If this is about Keahn's little betrayal speech, forget it. I have told you a thousand times I never loved Sarima. You were also one of the few people who didn't look at me like I was an outsider. You understood what it was like to be different."
Elphaba sat stone still. "Boq told me what Avaric said when I arrived late on my first day of class. He also told me that you stood up for me. That meant the world to me. I was alone and frightened, but I knew that one person cared for me at Shiz. I hope that person still cares for me," he finished sadly.
"I do," thought Elphaba forlornly. "That's why I have to leave you."
