Chapter 20

Fiyero opened his eyes slowly. He was in his bedroom, he figured as much, but that was it; he couldn't remember much else. His memory was blurred. He felt all sore and foggy. He tried to sit up in bed but it was too painful to move.

What in Oz happened?

"Fiyero?" He turned slowly to face Glinda, who was sitting on his bedside. He smiled tiredly. She looked relieved. "Sweet Oz," she murmured, tears streaming down her face. "Thank goodness, you are all right!"

"I guess you can say that… what happened?" he asked huskily as Glinda adjusted the pillows behind him and helped him into a sitting position.

"Don't you remember?" she asked. Her mind was racing. How in Oz she was supposed to tell him about Elphaba?

Fiyero shook his head. "Not much. Where's Elph-" Midnight. Dark alley. Luke. Gunshot. Darkness… "Oh, please tell me she didn't…" his voice trembled.

She nodded sadly and touched his arm slightly. "You were lucky. The gunshot wound was very close to your heart, only inches away. The doctors said that you would be all right. Bed rest would be best for you at this point."

Fiyero looked at her as if she was crazy. "I won't sit here while Elphaba is out there with this-"

"Fiyero, listen to me," said Glinda sternly. "Everyone is looking for her, Boq is responsible for that. They are doing everything they can to find her, but you must concentrate in getting better for Elphie's sake, if not your own. And Dawn's," she added with a faint smile. While he was drifting in and out of consciousness in the passing days, no one told him about Dawn's return. The doctors thought it would be best to wait until his full recovery to do so.

He snorted bitterly. "Doing everything they can to find her? Well, I've heard that before. Were you able to find Dawn?" He didn't know how long he had been unconscious, and his heart was suddenly filled with worry for his little girl.

Glinda's smile widened. "Not exactly. She found us."

Fiyero looked confused. "What are you saying, Glinda?" he whispered slowly. "Is she here? Is she okay?"

Glinda nodded. "She was awfully quiet at first, the poor little thing, but she is perfectly fine now," she promised. She didn't tell him that the girl woke up screaming for Elphaba in the middle of the night. Glinda slept beside her for several nights now, for she was afraid of the dark. "She keeps asking about you, and Elphaba," she added softly. Even though she tried to look cheerful for him, the truth was that she started to lose hope for Elphaba's fate. Now she had doubts as to whether she'd ever see her best friend again. She couldn't say that to Fiyero, though.

Fiyero shook his head sadly. "Elphaba promised Dawn that she wouldn't leave her." How far away that night seemed to be all of a sudden. "How long have I been unconscious?"

"Two weeks," said Glinda. She hesitated, then asked gently, "Do you feel strong enough to see her now?"

Fiyero smiled and slowly nodded. "Yes. Yes, I do."

"I'd better get her then," Glinda returned his smile and left the room.

Fiyero leant back and closed his eyes. Two weeks. He was happy to hear that Dawn was finally safe at home, but he couldn't stop thinking of Elphaba. The sheets carried the faint fragrance of her lavender oil, the one she used to clean herself with instead of water. He bought her several bottles once when he was in Gillikin, all in different scents, but the lavender one was her favorite. It became his favorite, too. Her last promise echoed in his mind. I will always love you, no matter what.

"I will always love you, too, Fae," he whispered, as if she was there to hear it. He felt so lonely all of a sudden.

Finally, he heard the sound of footsteps from the other side of the door. His eyes were filled with tears of joy when Glinda re-entered with Dawn right behind her. She stared at him, uncertain. She looked adorable, wearing a pink dress, which, Fiyero assumed correctly, was a present from Glinda.

"Go ahead, sweetie," she encouraged Dawn and looked up at Fiyero. "I'll leave you two alone. I'll tell Lalley to bring you dinner later," she told him.

"Thank you, Glinda," he smiled. She nodded and smiled back before she left the room. "Hey, princess," he whispered. Dawn slowly approached his bedside. "Wanna give daddy a hug?"

She nodded and set on the edge of the bed. He swept her into his arms. His tears slid into her long hair. "No crying, daddy," she said seriously and touched his face, as if to wipe his tears away.

"I'm just really happy to see you again, little one. We missed you a lot, you know that?" he held her as close to him as possible, no matter how painful it was.

"Missed you too, daddy. You sick?" she asked, concerned.

Fiyero nodded. "A little. But now that you are here I'm sure it will get better," he kissed the tip of her nose. "You okay, sweetie?"

"Miss mama too," she said sadly.

"I know, baby. I miss her too."

"Want mama to come back."

"She will, Dawn. I promise. She will come back."

Dawn nodded. Her beautiful blue eyes radiated so much trust in his words that Fiyero knew he didn't have a choice. He would have to keep that promise to her, no matter what.

Elphaba had to come home.