The sun woke Galinda up before she wanted. She hid her face from the light with a groan, not wanting to leave the comfort of her bed and face her new routine. Her family had returned to Frottica three days ago, the morning after the ball. There was no change in Elphaba's condition, which meant that the blonde was all alone.

She heard a soft bell coming from the window, and peeked her face out from under the covers. Malky was batting at the curtains, then switched to trying to fight the shadows it created. He sensed his mistress was awake and looked up at her, ears alert. He scampered over and attempted to climb onto her bed, but failed.

"Good morning, Malky," she said, reaching over and lifting the little furball into her arms.

The cat purred, licked her nose, and decided that was enough affection. He yapped softly and wiggled out of her grasp, then started to play with her wiggling toes.

"Okay, I'll get up now," she said, pulling her feet away and shimming out of bed.

She went over to her window and pushed her curtains aside. The sunlight was one of the only things that put a smile on her face lately.

Somedays, when Elphaba had her running around like a chicken without a head, she wished for some quiet days where there wasn't much to do. Now that she got her wish, she hated it, and wanted things to return to normal. As crazy as the running around, making up lies, and scheduling ailments were, it kept her mind active and engaged. Now, her days were filled with bedside sitting and window watching.

She quickly washed and dressed, her hair still damp as she hurried to Elphaba's room. The only change was that Chistery was sitting at the foot of her bed, staring at her with his head cocked to the side.

He turned when he heard the door open, and pointed back at Elphaba. "No up." He bounced a few times, jostling the bed, but still didn't get the response he wanted. "No up."

"Chistery, don't bounce on the bed," Galinda said, picking up the Monkey and placing him on the floor.

The Monkey reclaimed his spot, but obeyed the blonde and stayed still. "No up."

"I know. She'll wake up soon." A statement said to placate the Animal, but one she hoped was true.

Chistery chirped, watching Galinda carefully as she righted Elphaba and moved to open the curtains. There wasn't much else for her to do, so she made herself comfortable in the window seat, alternating between gazing out the window and down at one of the books she borrowed from Elphaba's bookshelf.

"Glin?"

She jumped and turned, but softened. "Hi, Fiyero." The two were on friendlier terms now that she had more time to get to know him. She was glad he was staying until the Wizard decided to kick him out, which hopefully wouldn't be anytime soon, but neither of them would admit that. "Are you feeling better?"

"Much better. I just received a message that I'll be returning to the Vinkus this Sunday."

She bit back a frown. She had to stop thinking about things she didn't want to manifest. "Oh."

"Yes. Extending a whole week was very gracious of His Ozness. But now, I'm starting to get tired of the staff members being very deferential now, when they didn't spare me a second glance when I was hauling large boxes three weeks ago."

Her frown melted away. "Did you enjoy the guest suite privileges?"

"I enjoyed having a room bigger than a glorified closet. But I haven't been ordering room service, if that's what you mean. The staff works very hard, and I didn't see any reason to give them extra work to do. I can make my own bed." He playfully shrugged. "I suppose my time here has taught me something." He looked past her to Elphaba. "Still no change?"

"No. The doctor should be arriving soon. He's come by every day to check for improvements, but so far, nothing. It's been four days. He said that if she doesn't wake soon, her brain damage could be… less than ideal."

He knew what that really meant. "Are you doing alright?"

"I hate having this much free time. I'm so bored. It's my job to stay by her side, but now it's… If she doesn't tell me to get her something as soon as she wakes up, I'm quitting."

"What will happen if she…"

"Doesn't wake up? Don't look so surprised that I've considered it. I'm optimistic, not irrational. I guess I'd… return to Frottica with my family – as my brother wants – marry someone my parents throw in my face, and live in a mansion with three children and two cats."

The last part made him chuckle, but he could still tell how serious she was. "Is that something you'd like?"

"I'd learn to like it. I've learned to like a lot of things. Life is easier when you don't have to constantly hate everything."

He hummed, bided her farewell, and left.

Galinda settled back by the window, drumming her fingers against the ledge, and began her routine of nodding in and out of sleep.

She didn't know how long she'd been asleep, but when she awoke, the sun was high in the sky, and there was someone sitting next to the bed. Once she blinked the sleep from her eyes, she realized it was the Wizard. His back to facing her, but not being able to see his face worried her. How long had he been sitting there? Perhaps if she stayed perfectly still, he wouldn't notice her.

"Shouldn't you be doing something else someplace else?"

It took all her upper-body strength not to fall off the window seat. She looked up, meeting the Wizard's hard eyes, but something was different. He didn't have his usual coldness that cooled even the hottest summer day. Instead, he looked softer, more tired, and, dare she admit it, concerned.

"Err… yes, Your Ozness." She slid off the window seat and curtsied before making a bee-line to the door.

"Your brother is very concerned about you," his voice called her back before she left.

She turned. "Oh?"

"He sent an urgent message directly to me this morning, inquiring if you were feeling better."

"I'm sorry he bothered you. You have much more important things to worry about."

"Are you? … Feeling better?"

"Yes. I'm fine, Your Ozness." She had no idea why she was being subjected to this sudden inquiry when she was just told to leave. Perhaps this was a test to see how in control and professional she could remain. A test of she doesn't let little things like emotions get the better of her. A test of how –

"I'm sorry."

All her resolve dissolved in that moment. The two simple words, which she never expected to hear the man in front of her say, took a clock-tick to sink in, but once they did, the full weight came crashing down with it.

The Wizard knew he shouldn't be upset at the blonde's shocked face. "You're right. I have been putting unnecessary pressure on you; on both of you." He glanced at his daughter before standing, facing the blonde and giving her his undivided attention. "I know there are probably more things you never told me over the years because you didn't want to 'bother me' or you were afraid of how I'd react. I'm not mad," he added quickly when he saw a flash of fear cross Galinda's face.

Frozen, the blonde didn't know how to take this. Her brain was working overtime trying to read in between the lines. But she had to say something quick. "It's… it's alright, Your Ozness."

"It's not alright." He glanced back at his daughter. "Have I really been so distant that I didn't even know about her magic?"

"She kept it well-hidden, until a few days ago. She hates using it because it gives her severe headaches."

"Does it make you ill?"

"No. I've trained my body to extend its limits so I don't get sick. I've been told I'm stronger than I look."

The Wizard hummed. "I never did thank you."

Galinda had assumed her lack of punishment was the 'thanks'. She was so used to not being recognized or acknowledged that the bar was very low.

"You saved Elphaba's life."

She wanted to force her body to relax. She wanted to take advantage of this moment, for fear it wouldn't come again. But it was also fear that was stopping her. She was so used to one way, that having something else unexpectantly thrown in her face was jarring. He seemed genuine, and the Wizard wasn't one to fake emotions, but for some reason, she couldn't relax.

"Of course, sir. Elphaba's my best friend."

He nodded, but it wasn't his dismissive nod. When he didn't say anything else, the blonde excused herself and hurried down the hall, nearly bumping into Fiyero.

"Glin, are you okay?" Fiyero asked as he caught the blonde before she fell.

"Yeah, thanks."

"Is everything alright?"

She locked her hands behind her back, pressing her palms together. "Um… I don't know."

His eyebrow rose. "You don't know?"

"The Wizard apologized to me."

"Wait, he apologized to you? Isn't that a good thing?"

"What? Good? No, Fiyero, it's weird. Especially because I was expecting him to yell at me. I didn't know what to say. I don't know what's going on, but you have to stay out of it for as long as possible."

If he hadn't met the Wizard, he would've accused Galinda of overreacting. "Isn't that what you wanted?"

"Yes, but I didn't think I'd actually get it. Anyway, he apologized for… everything, really; making me use my magic, the pressure he's been putting on Elphie and me, and for making us feel that we couldn't tell him anything for fear of getting in trouble."

He nodded. "How do you feel?"

"Weird… relieved… confused… more relief. I didn't know what to think, and I still don't. I'm obviously not going to tell him every secret I've kept from him, but I don't think I'll have to hide everything. Not any more big secrets, at least." She gave him a small smile. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to send a strongly-worded message to my brother telling him not to send urgent messages to the Wizard inquiring about my health."

"Thomi did what?"

"He knew I wouldn't answer him if he wrote to me directly, so he used another option. Rather smart of him, I'll give him that." She gave him a quick wave and hurried away.

Fiyero spent the afternoon packing his belongings. Sunday seemed so far away, yet much too close. He'd already survived six months in the palace; surely he could get through three more days. He was almost done packing, sitting on the suitcase and straining to close the buckle. He almost had it when a frantic knock at his door startled him into jumping off his suitcase, making it fly open again.

Grumbling, he shuffled over to the door, but his frown didn't disappear when he saw who it was. "Glin, I was trying to –"

"Come with me! Now!" she interrupted, grabbing his arm and pulling him behind her.

"Whoa! Glin, wait! Slow down! Where are we going?"

The blonde ran surprisingly fast, considering the heels she was wearing, and pulled him down multiple halls before stopping in front of a familiar door.

"Is there a specific reason why we're in front of the Wizard's office?" Fiyero hissed, yanking his arm back.

"Emergency meeting with his advisors." She waved her hand, whispered a spell, and pressed her hand against the doors. "I heard they were gonna discuss what to do if Elphie –"

"Oh, so when I want to be sneaky, it's a risky, bad idea, but when you wanna do it –"

"Shhh!"

Fiyero rolled his eyes, but pressed his ear to the door.

"And for the record, I never said this time wouldn't be risky. I'm just more willing to take this risk."

He glanced at her, but didn't offer another comment. Instead, he focused on the conversation behind the closed doors.

"As worried as we are for the Princess's condition, we must discuss the ramifications of what transpired at the parade," one of the advisors gravely stated. "Causing a disruption of that magnitude during a public, royal event falls under treason."

"They wouldn't," Fiyero gasped.

"They would," Galinda corrected regretfully.

The other advisors voiced their agreements and opinions on what the Wizard should do. The general consensus was that if the Princess wasn't punished for her 'treasonous acts', it would open the door for other magic users to wreak havoc all across Oz.

"Gentlemen," the Wizard finally called. "I see no reason to view Elphaba's magic display as treasonous."

"People across Oz are scared. They fear a future being ruled by a 'wicked witch'. Surely Your Ozness sees –"

"I believe I know how to solve this," an extremely old voice said. "Perhaps the Princess should put on a show."

"A show?"

"A show?" Galinda blinked.

"Yes," the old voice hummed. "To prove her magic isn't evil. Something along the lines of… what Lady Galinda does, but on a larger scale."

"Are my bubble parlor tricks not entertaining enough for them?" she muttered indignantly, but Fiyero shushed her.

"After that, she can start putting her magic to good use. She can use it to help better the lives of the people."

"They want to turn her into a genie who grants all their wishes on command. Their own personal performing puppet. This is exactly what she didn't want. She didn't want her magic to be part of any agenda."

"She can be a useful asset to Oz. It's a sure-fire way to convince the people of Oz she's -"

"Enough!" the Wizard boomed, and everything halted. "Elphaba will not be using her magic because it causes her physical harm. The parade was an extreme visual, but still an accurate one. I will not be putting her in a position that will hurt her."

Silence. The two eavesdroppers could practically feel the tension. It was clearly a culture shock to the men to hear the Wizard speak up in defense of his daughter, or anyone, for that matter.

"I admit, I haven't been standing up for her best interest in the past –"

"I believe the politically correct term he's looking for is 'emotionally neglectful'," Fiyero whispered.

Galinda made a face. "Fiyero, be quiet."

"Am I lying?"

"I didn't say you were, I said be quiet."

"- But that changes right now," the Wizard continued. "I will personally issue a statement confirming that my daughter is, indeed, magical, and her intention that day was to calm the parade chaos. Yes, things went haywire, but in the end, no one was drastically injured."

"My leg," Fiyero scornfully sing-songed. "And 'no one was drastically injured'? Anyone wanna remind him his daughter's still in a coma?"

"She has my unwavering support… and love. No one should have any more problems or worries after that."

"Yes, Your Ozness," came the chorus of advisors.

"My main concern on this matter is that my daughter is safe. Now that that's settled, is there anything else you wish to discuss, gentlemen?"

Galinda stopped the spell, staring at the doors with a mix of awe and confusion. "He… he actually stood up for her. He defended her. And now, I actually believe he might actually change."

"That's a good thing, yes?" Fiyero asked with unsure hopefulness.

Her face melted into a small smile. "It's a start, but… yes."

That night, Galinda was doing her nightly routine in Elphaba's room. She sat at the princess's vanity, brushing her hair and humming softly under her breath. She had just finished her one-hundred brush strokes when she heard the bedsheets rustle. She looked up, glancing at the green girl's reflection, waiting for another sign of movement.

Sure enough, she saw her fingers twitch, then wiggle. "Elphie?" She put the brush down and hurried to her side. She gripped her hand, yelping when she felt her squeeze. "Elphaba, can you hear me?" She sat down, never letting go of her hand, ignoring the forming tears. "Elphie?"

A moan, and Elphaba's eyes slowly fluttered open. She stared off into space before closing them with another moan.

"Elphie?"

She opened her eyes again, her gaze resting on Galinda. She didn't react, and for several moments, Galinda wondered if Elphaba was actually present. Her doubts and fears vanished when the green girl gave her a wide grin.

"Oh, Elphie!" Galinda cried, the tears escaping her eyes as she threw her arms around her friend. "If you ever almost die on me again, I'll kill you."

Elphaba made a noise that sounded like a chuckle and her arms twitched, before slowly moving to return the hug.

One more chapter!