Disclaimer: No one belongs to me.

Though Glinda had never been fond of Nessa before, she took up Elphaba's mantle. She became over-protective, caring dutifully for Nessa. She went out only to accompany the younger girl. She was as charming and perky and beautiful as she had ever been to the others of their group so they stopped asking her if she was okay before long. She always answered 'I'm fine' with a bright, convincing, sunny smile. It was inside where the changes were felt, where the wounds festered, reopened by every little reminder.

She graduated with the highest marks in her class but even this brought her no joy or satisfaction. The very summer after graduating, she was married to Lord Chuffery, a wealthy baronet who had somehow befriended her father. He took her to live in the one place she had never wanted to see again: The Emerald City.

Chuffrey and Glinda were not particularly compatible in any way, especially sexually. Though they had consummated the marriage on their wedding night, neither drew enjoyment from the activity. They shared a suite, a bed, because it was expected and because of their close sleeping arrangements, they sometimes felt obligated to fulfill other expectations.

Barely a month had passed when Glinda decided that things had to change. "I think it would be best if I had a suite of my own. There is no child expected of this union." His previous wife had died without ever giving him a child and it had been concluded it was a lacking in Chuffrey's system. "I don't see why either of us should feel it necessary to engage in…certain activities when neither of us find them pleasurable." Chuffrey was happy to oblige this and after Glinda had moved from the master suite, she thought to try and perform other 'wifely duties' to make up for what she refused to even offer now. She tried making him breakfast in the mornings though she wasn't a very skilled cook and they simply began to eat together in the mornings. They were able to develop a friendship of sorts, speaking easily with one another. Chuffrey even genuinely seemed to listen to Glinda's opinions and thoughts, though did try and sway them when he didn't agree. But he listened…not even Nessarose, still checked upon, still cared for, listened.

-----v-----

One day, Glinda, out with Crope for shopping, gossip and general gladification, ran into Fiyero who was buying an absurd amount of scarves. When she embraced him, her heart stopped. She swore she could smell…Elphaba…No! Glinda began to chatter, shrill and endless in tone. She was confused and suddenly painfully aware of how brainwashed she had become in the years since Shiz…since Elphaba had been there to show her how to stand up for herself…since Elphaba had abandoned them all. As casually as she could, she asked after Elphaba and was surprised when Fiyero lied in response, saying he hadn't seen her. Wanting to be as close to her Elphie as she could – even if it meant being with her lover – she nearly begged to see Fiyero again. She knew, despite his words, that they wouldn't ever meet up on purpose.

Having parted ways with Fiyero, Crope draped an arm around Glinda's shoulders as they made their way back to the club. "What was all that about, Glinny?"

"It's just been so long since I've seen anyone from those days. Except you and Nessa of course." Glinda leaned into him, feeling inexplicably tired and old though she was not yet twenty-five.

Crope kissed her short, golden curls. "So you were metamorphified into a babbling idiot?"

"Oh, don't use such long words! I've a headache. And I'm always a babbling idiot." Glinda replied dryly.

Crope didn't reply. Glinda was his best friend, not caring that he preferred the company of men. She was like his sister and he loathed to see her hurting so—especially when she wouldn't tell even him that she was hurting.