"Sir Baraq" The Courier diffidently entered Baraq's study carrying a securely wrapped package and escorted by one of Baraq's guards. "The item you requested is here."

Baraq was seated at his desk, along with Lothier, his Chief Justicier, looking over the pages of the Grimmerie, and trying to decipher the latest chant. "Excellent! Bring it here boy."

The boy walked over to Baraq with the package. Baraq took the parcel, dismissed the courier with a wave of his hand, and proceeded to unwrap the package. He opened the box with zealous anticipation, pausing once the top of the box was removed to admire its contents. Baraq grabbed the item out of the box and held it up towards the sunlight. A sparkling white wedding dress made of satin, sleeveless and studded with White Sapphire which shone brilliantly in the sunlight was revealed.

"It's perfect!" he stated. "Lothier, have the arrangements all been made?"

"Yes Sir Baraq. You will have a Vicar on standby. He will be here within a few hours of notification that his services are needed."

Baraq nodded in approval. "Excellent! Have this dress hung up and placed in my bedroom closet."

Lothier nodded and bowed, then carefully secured the dress from Baraq and left the room. As Lothier left, a sentry knocked on the study door.

"What is it?" Baraq asked exasperated.

"Sir, we have news on the resistance."

Baraq raised his eyebrows and motioned for the senty to enter the study. "What is your news?"

"Veloc reports that they should be here by tomorrow evening."

Baraq smiled and walked towards the window, looking out over the horizon to where the safe house was situated. "Let them come."

"Elphaba!" Fiyero waved.

Elphaba helped Glinda out of the carriage. "Hey Fiyero. You have a plan for us tomorrow?"

"I do. Two plans in fact. One that includes you, and one that doesn't." Fiyero answered. "So the question is, how do you feel?"

"I feel good Fiyero. I really do." Elphaba replied.

Fiyero looked at Glinda to get some confirmation of Elphaba's statement. Glinda nodded in agreement. "She's doing remarkably well." Glinda substantiated.

Fiyero was convinced. "Ok then, plan number one it is."

"So what exactly is plan number one?" Elphaba asked.

"According to my contact, Baraq takes his dinner at the same time each night. We'll get to the castle, make our way in the same as we have before. You and Glinda will proceed into his bedroom. There's a small side room with the aforementioned wall art and hidden safe. You'll go in there with Solis and steal the Grimmerie back while he's preoccupied with his meal. We'll be posted at the door, keeping watch in case someone happens to come by. So far, I've been told that no guards are stationed by his bedroom. Even when the Grimmerie is in the safe. They feel that the safe is all the security that's necessary."

"Sounds simple enough." Elphaba said. "So what happens if the Grimmerie isn't in its secure location while he's eating?"

"I don't think that will be an issue. My source says that it's a consistent pattern."

Glinda was listening to the conversation. She frowned and turned away as she thought about what Fiyero was saying.

"Glinda, what's wrong?" Elphaba asked.

Glinda turned to face Elphaba and Fiyero. "I'm sorry, normally I would say it's a good plan."

"But?…." Elphaba interjected.

"But considering who we're dealing with, it just sounds too simple. Why haven't there been guards to stop us from entering the castle? He has the Grimmerie, for the love of Oz. You would think that the security would be immense."

Elphaba agreed "It does seem odd, but we shouldn't complain about his short-sightedness and overconfident arrogance."

"Overconfident arrogance I agree with, but short-sighted doesn't fit." Glinda was becoming visibly tense. "Everything he does is with intent and purpose. I'm just confused as to why our access has been so easy."

"You think we're headed into a trap?" Fiyero asked.

"I don't know. If it were a trap, he had plenty of opportunity to spring it the last two times we visited the castle. I don't know what he's up to, but he's up to something. You can count on that. And quite honestly, it scares me."

Elphaba put a reassuring hand on Glinda's shoulder. "Fiyero," she said. "We should have a large contingent of extra men on the outside, just in case it is a trap and we can't get out. We could give them a window of time, and if we're not out in that time, it'll be up to them to get us out."

"I agree. We'll need to be there in full force. We'll have to maintain an invisible presence, but I'll formulate an escape plan in the event that this is a trap."

"How do you feel about all this?" Elphaba asked Glinda.

"I feel much better now. Still wary, but better. Thanks for listening." Glinda took a ragged breath and shuddered slightly at the thought of facing Baraq the next day.

"Come on, let's get you inside." Elphaba said. She noticed Glinda's nervousness and wanted to try and get to the bottom of it. "Fiyero, we'll see you tomorrow."

Fiyero nodded. "I'll take care of the horses."

"Thank you, friend." Elphaba replied. She put her arm around Glinda's shoulders and guided her back to their room.

Once inside, the silent edginess was palpable. Dusk was beginning to settle in, and the warmth of the day gave way to the cool night air. Glinda shivered a bit, so Elphaba decided to light a fire in the fireplace. Myrrah had restocked the firewood in all the rooms as she did once every three days, so there was plenty of wood and kindling for her to use. As Elphaba worked to get the fire started, Glinda put her night clothes on. Elphaba followed suit, and dressed as the long silence continued.

Once dressed Elphaba looked over at Glinda, who had retired to the bed. Glinda had been trying to avoid the concerned eyes she knew were meant for her. Elphaba just stared at Glinda for a long moment. Finally Glinda relented and met her worried gaze.

"You want to talk about it?" Elphaba asked.

"It's just hard, that's all." Glinda replied, looking down at her hands.

"I know sweetheart, but I can't help you unless you tell me what happened between you two. It's obvious he's done something to hurt you." Elphaba sat down next to Glinda. "Please let me in. Let me help you." She said softly. "Does this have anything to do with your nightmare the other night?"

Glinda nodded, but continued to look down. She was trying to summon the courage to tell Elphaba about her personal horror. She needed to tell her. Still avoiding Elphaba's eyes, she took a deep breath and began.

"Years ago, I met Baraq at a Gillikin Social Event. It was all high society. The pretentiousness in the room was stifling. I was there because, once again, with my position it was expected of me. Baraq took a liking to me right away. He pestered me constantly, and for weeks, I had to make up excuses as to why I couldn't go out with him." She stopped momentarily. "One day, he just showed up out of the blue. He had been waiting and watching, to see when Tanon, my lead advisor, left the house. I don't keep a staff anymore except for Tanon. Occasionally I bring in a few hands to help around the house, but for the most part, it's just Tanon and I. Once he saw Tanon leave, he knew I was alone."

Glinda stopped. Tears started welling up in her eyes. Seeing this, Elphaba took one of Glinda's fidgeting hands, giving her strength to continue.

"I didn't know it was him, otherwise I would never have opened the door. I should have looked. He forced his way into the house and started making moves on me immediately. He was becoming increasingly more aggressive."

Elphaba started feeling an anger rise up in her.

"I told him I wasn't interested. He didn't listen. He started becoming more forceful." Glinda began absently stoking Elphaba's hand which stayed intertwined with her own. "I tried to get away, but he was too strong. We struggled. He ripped my dress."

Elphaba was working assiduously to control the anger she was feeling towards Baraq.

"Luckily, there was a vase nearby. He didn't see me grab it, and I struck him over the head before he could hurt me further. It granted me a momentary reprieve. I ran from the house, screaming." Tears streamed down Glinda's eyes as she continued to recount the story. "My wand was too away far for me to reach it without him catching me. It was no use to me at that point. That's why I ran outside instead of upstairs where I had left it. I thought that if I screamed, someone might hear me. It was my only hope. As I ran out screaming, he had regained his bearings and came after me. He caught me in the courtyard and started trying to force himself on me. I just continued to scream and fight back as best as I could."

The controlled anger in Elphaba manifested itself in the form of tears. She let the tears fall silently as she listened to her tormented lover.

"Luckily, Sir Chuffrey was nearby and heard me screaming. He stormed into the yard, pulled Baraq off of me, and fought with him until Baraq had had enough. He left vowing his revenge on me someday." Glinda let out a short, exasperated laugh. "I guess he got his revenge didn't he? He stole the Grimmerie from me, and now, if we fail to get it back, he'll have control over all of Oz."

"Glinda," Elphaba said softly, pulling the blonde woman into an embrace. "I'm so sorry you had to go through that. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you. Damn him. DAMN HIM!"

Glinda held onto Elphaba tightly and sobbed quietly for just a moment. "Elphie, there's one more thing I need to tell you."

Elphaba's muscles tightened at the prospect of more bad news.

"I ended up marrying Sir Chuffrey. It was more out of gratitude than anything else. I never really loved him, but he saved me, and I felt I owed it to him."

Elphaba relaxed and smiled. "Glinda dear, I already know you were married."

Glinda looked quizzically at her lover.

"I would try and get any news I could about you whenever I could. I heard of your wedding……and your divorce."

"Oh." Was all Glinda could manage.

"It broke my heart at the time, but I thought you were happy, and more than anything else, your happiness was all I wanted."

Glinda looked deeply into the brown eyes that stared lovingly into her own. She wiped her tears and silently laid her head on Elphaba's shoulder. The two shared a comfortable silence for a few moments before Glinda spoke again, keeping her head on the green shoulder.

"You know, I was wearing a necklace that day. I don't know when I lost it, whether it was outside, or near where he first forced himself on me, but I've never been able to find it again. That necklace was precious to me. It was the one you gave me at Shiz for my 18th birthday. Belatedly, I might add."

Elphaba continued to silently stroke Glinda's golden locks. She was touched at the sentiment Glinda had placed on the simple gift.

"That's something else I'll never forgive him for." Glinda stated angrily. At the time, that was one of her last connections to Elphaba. When Elphaba had given it to Glinda, it had seemed a bit gaudy at first, but it fit with Glinda's attire perfectly. A large crystal adornment attached to a simple, but sparkling silver necklace. It was inexpensive, but Glinda had loved it. It was a touching gift from her Elphie, and she cherished it.

"I'm sure you'll find it again someday." Elphaba suggested. "Things like that tend to pop-up in the oddest places. Besides, if you don't find it, I'll get you another one."

"I don't want another one Elphie. I want that one. It meant the world to me that you gave it to me when you did. Before I lost it, I had never taken it off. Well, except to go to bed."

Elphaba smiled and pulled Glinda into another hug. "Have I told you how much I love you?"

Glinda smiled back. "Yes you have, but I never get tired of hearing it."

"I do love you. More than words can express." Elphaba said back. "I'm very proud of you. It took a lot of courage to tell me about what Baraq did to you."

Glinda relaxed into Elphaba's arms. "I do feel a little better now. Thank you for listening to me once again."

"Glinda, you don't ever have to thank me for listening to you. I do so willingly and gladly. And I swear to you we'll make Baraq pay for what he did to you. I could personally kill that……"

"Elphie, please don't risk yourself on my account. We're going there to get the Grimmerie, and that's it." Glinda interrupted emphatically.

"Well see." Elphaba stated flatly.

"No!" Glinda said. She quickly moved out of Elphaba's embrace and took Elphaba's chin in her hand. "Elphaba, you promised you would never leave me. I can't have you risking your life to avenge something that happened years ago. I'm with you now, and that's all that matters to me. I want you around forever. Please don't risk yourself on a vengeance that's not yours to take."

Elphaba just stared.

"Elphie, please. You promised."

"I did promise. I gave you my word, and I intend to keep it."

That was all Glinda needed to hear. She gratefully settled back into Elphaba's protective embrace.

"Besides," Glinda added. "unless things have changed dramatically over the last six years, you've never killed anyone or anything in your entire life. You're not like that, I know you."

"No, you're right. That much has remained the same." Elphaba said. "Although I did threaten that Dorothy girl with death if she didn't give me those slippers before the hourglass ran out. Not that I would have actually followed through with it."

Glinda smiled and shook her head. "That's what I thought."

Darkness enveloped the room except for the glow emanating from the fireplace. The two women sat in a silent embrace for several minutes until they mutually agreed to move their positions and lie down next to each other.

Elphaba had Glinda were lying down, facing each other, both resting their heads on their own arms. They spent the next several moments silently using their free hand to trace and caress each others shoulders, arms and faces. No words were needed as they continued their slow exploration. Elphaba ran her hand over Glinda's forehead, alongside her cheek, behind her neck and down to the small of her back. Glinda reciprocated the gestured touches. The movement of limbs over body conveyed an energy of love that was so strong, no words could accurately describe it. The expression synchronized when both women reached for each other's shoulder, gently sliding their hands downward, tracing a path down the other's arm. It ended as their fingers met and intertwined with one another. They stared at one another, fingers locked together, watching the firelight dance in each other's eyes. Feeling the emotions building up inside, both women spontaneously reached out for one another, and joined in a very passionate kiss.

This kiss was not just an expression of love. This kiss conveyed all the sentiment of the emotional night. It offered Glinda protection. To Elphaba it expressed trust and need. The kiss never became fervent. It was deep, long, slow and soft. When it was over, it was repeated over and over again, accompanied by slow, soft caresses and long embraces. For tonight, it was more than enough for both women to show their love in this way. Their strong devotion to one another was never more evident than it was this night. This last night before they would head back to Baraq's castle.

Elphaba was confident of the outcome, but Glinda felt a sense of foreboding. She used this night to be as close to Elphaba as she possibly could, just in case the unimaginable happened.

'No, I can't think like that. Everything is going to be alright. I'll be back in Elphaba's arms by this time tomorrow.'

Glinda snuggled in close to her green lover and hugged her fiercely. Elphaba sensed what Glinda was feeling, but didn't give voice to it. She merely returned Glinda's affections and tried to reassure her through touch.

As the fire died out, both women fell fast asleep in each other's arms. They couldn't know what awaited them the next day.