"Mistress! Fiyero!" Chistery shouted as he saw Elphaba and Fiyero land. He looked at Fiyero, puzzled. "Why is Fiyero with Mistress's cape? Where clothes?" Fiyero felt his face get a little warm.

"Uh...long story, Chistery." Elphaba said "Do me a favor. Would you fly around the Emerald City and see what's happening? Or, more importantly, if anyone is heading this way?" Chistery nodded and flew off. Elphaba walked over toFiyero's bag near the bedroll and took out some of his clothes. "Here" she said as she tossed them to him "Put those on. I need something to eat. I'm famished." She reached for the basket of food, but Fiyero quickly snatched it away from her reach.

"Nuh uh" he said "we're not doing anything until you tell me what happened. How did you blow our cover? In fact, why did you blow our cover?" Elphaba groaned.

"Fiyero, please, just let me eat something." I'm eating for two now she thought.But Fiyero shook his head.

"No. First you tell me, then you can eat."

"It was an accident. Lady Rhey-shit-va made me lose control by saying 'you were hers' and 'to get my own Wildman'. I just...forgot myself and recited that curse I used on you to make you human. Only it turned her into a Peacock. I barely even knew what I was doing. I told her tell me where you were and left. Now may I please have the basket?" Fiyero just stared at her.

"Did you tell her how to break the curse?" he asked. Elphaba looked at him, a little bit amused. That wasn't the answer she had been expecting. She shook her head.

"No. But perhaps I should have."

"Why? Now at least she can't hurt anyone again."

"I'm not so sure about that. Rich people usually find a way to get what they want. You of all people should know that. I'm not saying you were greedy like Rheysilva, but admit it. When you were rich, you got what you wanted." Fiyero sighed, knowing that it was true." Well, I've told you." she said. Fiyero nodded and handed her the basket after taking out a carrot for himself. He pulled his clothes on and they ate in silence for a while, when they heard Chistery come screeching in.

"People know about Mistress! They know that Mistress not dead!"

"Where are they, Chistery?" Fiyero said anxiously "Are they coming?" Chistery shook his head.

"No. But Chistery worried. What ifpeople find Mistress? People kill Mistress!"

"Are you sure no one is coming, Christery?" Elphaba asked, trying to stay calm. They monkey nodded. "Then they don't know where we are."

"What about the slavers?" Fiyero said.

"They found you here thinking you were a Wildman. They must think that this was your home, not our hideout. But we should find another cave, just in case."she looked outside "But it's too dark now. We'll look for one as soon as the sun comes out."

"In the meantime" Fiyero said "You get some sleep. You look exhausted. I'll keep watch." He picked up the gun he had brought with him and walked towards the entrance. Elphaba nodded and pecked his cheek.

"Thank you." she whispered. She made her way over to the bedroll and immediately fell asleep as her head hit the thin but lumpy pillow. Fiyero looked at her. He thought back to what she had said about 'losing control'. He had noticed she seemed a little ill-tempered lately. Well, I guess she has a right to be he thought. With all that's happening, I feel like I can barely control myself.

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"And how would a Peacock know that the Wicked Witch of the West is still alive?" the Wizard boomed from behind the giant metallic head. The Peacock standing before him trembled.

"I-I-I am L-L-Lady R-Rheysilva, Your Highness" it said "Th-th-the Witch t-t-turned me into a P-P-Peacock. M-my slavers found a W-W-Wildman in the mountains a-and gave it to me a-as a b-b-birthday gift.Sh-sh-she claimed that i-i-it was her husband and t-turned me into a P-Peacock. S-she's taken my W-Wildman as w-well!"

"I could care less about your Wildman! Whatever THAT may be! Who else knows of this?"

"Th-the entire city b-b-by now." The Wizard was silent for a moment, deep in thought. He then finally let out a frustrated sigh.

"Fine, then. Go!"

"B-b-but what about my W-W-Wildman, Your High..."

"I SAID GO!" The startled Peacock ran out of the Throne room as fast as it could. "No more visitors today!" The Wizard said to the guards. They bowed and left. Madame Morrible came out from where she had been listening and walked to the emerging Wizard.

"Now what?" she said "You, the Gale Force, and I are now not the only ones who know she still alive. Now what are you going to do?"

"Continue on as planned." He answered "When we capture her, we have to be sure not to let them know we have her."

"But they shall be looking for her again. What if they find her before you do?"

"I must make sure no one goes near the mountains. That must be where she is hiding. The Peacock said her slavers found a Wildman there who was apparently the Witch's husband. I wouldn't be surprised if this 'husband' was actually Prince Fiyero Tiggular. He never was found dead, only to have disappeared."

"Yes...Elphaba's lover.Of course! But what do you plan to do with him? You already have Miss Glinda for leverage."

"He must be executed.He is a traitor and therefore an enemy, as well as competition. He would stop at nothing to get Elphaba back. He must be destroyed."

"Very well, Your Ozness"Madame Morrible said, clearly pleased. "But there is another matter I must discuss with you. Lately,I having been...checking up on Elphaba by feeling the strength of her magic, and I noticed it is atiny bitstronger than usual, as if something else is aiding her.I had an unlikely suspicion about what it was, but now that you say Prince Fiyero is still alive, I am sure of it. I have a very good reason to believe that your daughter is...expecting." The Wizard's eyes went wide.

"You...you mean she's...I'm...I'm going to be a ..a grandfather?"

"That's certainly what it seems like, Your Ozness. That is the usual reason why a witch's powers become stronger. She has the ability to use not only her own powers, but her unborn child's as well. At least until the child is delivered."

"How far along is she? Do you know?"

"Judging by the strength of the extra power, I would say about only a mere month."

"Good. Then we have time. It will be easier to get them both if Elphaba is still carrying it."

"Both, Sir?"

"Of course! You think I wouldn't want my only grandchild as well?"

"Oh no, Your Ozness. I'm talking about Elphaba. When the child is born, will you still have any need of her? She would only be trouble." The Wizard glared at Madame Morrible.

"She...is...my...DAUGHTER! I WILL NOT KILL MY OWN DAUGHTER!"

"You would kill your own son-in-law!"

"That is different! I have no blood ties with him! HE is the one who would be trouble! But if you insist on using that excuse, then I'll just give him back to Lady Rheysilva! Is that understood, Madame?"

"Yes, Your Ozness" she said through clenched teeth as she glowered at him.