A/N: This chapter's title is warning. Weird twists...I don't mind the writing of this chapter but I don't like the chapter itself.
Nessarose was sitting in her room when Glinda arrived at Colwen Grounds. She had left instructions for Glinda to be shown immediately there. Glinda was more family than she had left. Her brother and sister both off in their own worlds, her grandfather gone, her father still traveling…Nanny was still around of course but she was a tiresome old biddy. Glinda was a welcome breath of fresh air. She looked up as Glinda was shown in and smiled. Glinda embraced her and kissed her cheek. "Hello dearest. How have you been?"
"Well enough, considering." Nessa answered then went into some detail of things she'd had to attend of late. "And yourself? How is Lord Chuffrey?"
Glinda chuckled. "Chuffrey's well." She assured. "As am I. I've a surprise for you."
"So you mentioned in your letter. It was wicked of you to tease me so!" Nessa complained, but she was grinning.
Glinda took Nessa's slippers from her feet and grinned as the darker girl watched her. "Trust me, Nessie."
Nessa said nothing, silently watching as Glinda's lips began to move. Several minutes later, Glinda replaced the slippers and instantly, Nessa felt different.
"Stand up, Nessarose." Glinda said in a low voice.
Nessa obeyed, rising regally in a serpentine sort of manner. She took a few careful steps then whirled around to face Glinda. "Oh!" Glinda only smiled in return so Nessa closed the distance between them, kissing her fiercely.
Glinda was stunned and didn't dare jerk away, not wanting to hurt Nessa's feelings, not wanting her to feel completely lacking in control. When Nessa pulled away, Glinda touched her lips. "Nessa…I'm sorry…I…I'm married and…"
Nessa's pink tongue was running over her lips, thoughtful of the taste lingering there. "Glinda…please?"
Glinda hadn't been able to deny Nessa anything since Elphaba had left. "Nessa…"
"I've never been kissed, Glinda…no one would love someone as deformed as me."
Glinda touched Nessa's cheek and guided her close once more. She wasn't attracted to Nessarose, feeling more sisterly to her than anything but she had sworn to care for Nessa in any and all ways once before. If this was what Nessa wanted, then she would get it. Besides, she knew and understood the pain in Nessa's eyes.
It was a strange experience but Nessa seemed sated afterwards and had been surprisingly adept with her mouth but Glinda could only think of Elphaba…what she was missing. She left Nessa sleeping in her bed and went to sit by the window, unheeding of the tears that had started to run down her face. It was a while later when Nessa woke, came to stand behind her. "It's been a long time since you've cried, Glinda." She said softly. "Especially over her." This came out so venomously that Glinda flinched and her tears started anew.
"Oh Nessie…don't speak so harshly. Surely your Unnamed God has little use for grudges." Glinda said softly, trying to dry the tears. The attempts were futile, the tears promptly replaced every time they were brushed away.
Nessa didn't reply – she never did when Glinda spoke such comments. Glinda didn't know…and Glinda was possibly quite right, which made it all the more irritating. "I need something from you."
Glinda closed her eyes. She had given Nessa balance she shouldn't have, she had given Nessa her body…what in Lurline's name could she possibly want now?
"Munchkinland will be an independent of The Emerald City. I need you to help make it happen." Nessa said firmly.
"I am a baronet's wife. How can I help?" Glinda asked, exhausted and hurting and numb all at once.
Nessa gave her a few details and murmured something into her hair.
For some reason, as Glinda watched the land pass as she headed back to Chuffrey and the Emerald City, she thought of Madame Morrible so many years ago. She couldn't remember the specifics of the conversation in the woman's office after Ama Clutch's funeral…just as she felt fuzzy on the details of her conversations with Nessarose. It was important…but why?