I want to post the rest of the chapters quickly because I am working on a second fic. I want to start posting that one, but I need to complete this one first. This story is completely written. There are 7 chapters left to post. Keep reading! And thank you in advance to sweet saturn for her continued excellence as a beta reader!

Elphaba hurried away from the Palace as fast as she could. Chistery scampered close behind. She collapsed about fifty feet away, shivering with self-loathing. She wanted to go back to the Vinkus and life as it once was. She wanted to be with Fiyero and her friends, but what she wanted wasn't an option. She had lost all hope. There was no turning back now. She felt sick to her stomach, which she chalked up to despair.

"I have to get out of Oz," she thought, "before it's too late."

She tried to stand up. After a few shaky steps, she found she could not walk. The world was spinning rapidly. Elphaba sank to her knees and retched violently before blacking out. Chistery whimpered and tried to wake his mistress.

"Find Fiyero. Fiyero help mistress." He scurried back to the Palace.

Liir's mind was racing. Why did his mother just leave like that? Should he wake his father or go after her alone? He hated not knowing what to do. He finally decided to wake Fiyero.

"Dad! Dad, wake up!"

Fiyero wiped the sleep from his eyes and sat up. "What's wrong?"

"Mom is gone!"

"What? How?"

"Chistery came and let us out. She said we would be better off without her. She also wanted me to tell you that she loves you."

Fiyero jumped up and headed out of the cell. "We have to find her," he said.

As they were leaving, Chistery ran up to them. "Come! Mistress sick! Not moving!" he chattered.

Fiyero's sense went numb. Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion. He and Liir followed Chistery to where Elphaba lay still.

"Oh God," Fiyero said when he caught sight of her. Elphaba's skin was clammy and ashy. Fiyero put a hand to her forehead.

"She's burning up. We have to get her back to the village. I can't help her here. We need to bring her fever down, but I can't use water." He punched the ground in frustration.

"Chistery, go back home and get help! Hurry!" exclaimed Liir.

The monkey took to the sky. Elphaba moaned softly. Fiyero took her hand and held it to his heart. He wanted his strength to flow into her. "Please hold on, Love," he whispered. He used his shirt to wipe the perspiration from Elphaba's face. She murmured incomprehensibly as the unknown affliction ravaged her body. Keahn watched them from a distance.

"Now he will know how it feels to watch his wife die," he thought bitterly. "He won't even know how to save her."

Keahn approached Fiyero's hunched figure. "It's torture, isn't it?"

Fiyero cradled Elphaba in his arms. "This is not the time or place, Keahn," he warned in a serious tone.

"Is there ever a time or place for anything?"

"I don't have the patience to listen to your philosophical musings. If you don't mind I'd like to be alone with my wife."

"Enjoy being with her while it lasts."

Fiyero didn't look up. He wouldn't let her die.

"You know, it's quite ironic. The very thing that's killing her is a result of your union. It's almost a shame that something symbolic of life should bring about death," Keahn said.

Fiyero's stomach gave a sickening lurch. He looked down at Elphaba's tattoos. They were raised with a faint, red outline. He hadn't noticed it before. The horrible truth dawned on him.

"You poisoned her," he accused.

Keahn applauded mockingly. "Well done, Fiyero. You're not as dim as you appear to be."

Liir charged at Keahn in a blind rage. He was tired of his parents being abused and ridiculed. Keahn backhanded the boy and sent him sprawling. Liir lay on the ground, rubbing his bruised face and ego. Fiyero leapt to his feet.

"Keep you hands off my son!"

"Keep your boy under control! He's trouble just like his mother."

"Why don't you go back to the swamp you crawled out of? You've succeeded in exacting your revenge. Let us await her death in peace," Fiyero told him.

"It's much more satisfying to watch you suffer," Keahn replied.

"I'm not going to give you that satisfaction," Fiyero replied firmly. He handed Liir his mother's satchel and picked up Elphaba.

"Where are you going?" Keahn demanded.

"Home," said Fiyero simply.

"You'll never make it.

"That remains to be seen."

Keahn stomped toward the Palace in disgust. He needed to think things over.