Authors Note: Sorry for the lateness. Finals week plus going to see wicked slowed me down.

Thank you to MyLittleElphie for reviewing. I was originally going to put it in Elphaba's past but thought a flip might be more interesting.

Thank you to nursejoy7 for reading both. I hope I pleased you by updating FFHEE. Don't worry, they will both be done to their conclusion. And hopefully I'll get them up once a week.

Thank you to Tessa for reviewing and your compliments. I'm glad you like it enough to be one of your favorites. While the emphasis is definitely Gelphie, every character is a person so I try to plan out the growth of the characters over years and make little chips at them. That's proving difficult for the three background girls, and the comedic duo.

I'm happy everyone is enjoying the story. As always read, enjoy, review, and critique. I like constructive criticisms.

3/7/14

Elphaba and Glinda entered the pub. After placing an order at the counter, they moved towards the back where they knew their friends would be waiting. Sure enough, Boq was sitting at a table furiously scribbling away in his notebook. As Elphaba saw what he was copying she frowned.

"I'm not sure I gave you permission to copy that much, Master Boq." She said sternly. He looked up at the tone and was mildly startled when he saw Elphaba's appearance.

"In fairness, Miss Elphaba, you said I could copy your notes. You did not specify what notes." He responded firmly.

"That is true. Have you quite finished?"

"No. I have two weeks to go."

"Then you best pay attention in those two weeks or do advanced reading. I require my notebook back."

"Here you are." Boq said timidly, handing it over.

"Thank you. Now where are Masters Tenmeadows and Tigelaar?"

"They went to escort Misses Pfannee, Shenshen, and Milla here from Crage Hall." Boq answered quietly and almost withered when Elphaba raised an eyebrow.

"And why did they not come with us if they needed an escort?"

"I don't know. By Oz, Elphie, can you knock it off? I feel like I'm in my shortpants getting disciplined by my mother."

Glinda giggled and Elphaba smiled, which caused Boq to relax. He was not used to this Elphaba. Passionate, charismatic, exotic, slightly manic Elphaba, yes; stern, statuesque Elphaba no.

"By the way, Elphie, you look good." He said, voice normal. She stopped smiling and shot him a hard look.

"What is this 'Elphie', Master Boq? I hardly think we so acquainted to dispense with propriety." She said coldly and he blanched before he could catch himself. She smiled.

"Very funny, Elphie." He sniffed. "Remind me next time to bring my scholar cap and ruler so I can do the same to you."

Elphaba laughed. "I hardly think it will have the same effect. Though you will remind me of Mr. Fundie in Rush Margins."

"Yes!" Boq laughed, then dropped his voice. "Master Boq: I understand you want to be a farmer someday but staring out the window during class will not help."

"Miss Elphaba," Elphaba copied, "please put that book down. The words will be there tomorrow when we come back to it."

The two laughed together and began swapping old teacher stories. Glinda smiled. She loved when her Elphaba interacted with Boq since she showed a side of her of what she was before Shiz, before they knew her. It made her feel closer to her Elphie. Something brushed Glinda's arm and she looked down to see Elphaba's braid. She loved how it looked, and ran a hand across those beloved silken strands. The other members of circle soon appeared, and they were chatting happily along when food was brought soon after. Glinda could not help but play with Elphaba's braid whenever it came near here, and quite a few times got an annoyed looked from Elphaba. Finally, she got fed up and went to put it in a bun.

"Oh, no! Don't do that! I promise I'll stop playing with it! It just looks so good down." Glinda said. The table stopped to pay attention.

"Glinda, you said I could put it up if I wanted to."

"Yes but…" Glinda said, trying to think of a reason. She was saved by the late arrival, however.

"Fabala, you look particularly nice tonight." Nessa said as she slowly moved towards them. Elphaba quickly got up and helped her to a comfortable spot next to her, kicking Crope out of his seat. He gave everyone a very melodramatic face and pose to show how put out he was, but soon gave a suggestive wink to Boq and tried to sit on his lap. The boys playfully tussled for a moment before Boq solved the dilemma by pulling up an extra chair. Elphaba missed all of this because her focus was solely on making Nessa comfortable. Nanny sat down a little distance away from them with a cold cider, and put her feet up on an empty chair.

"Thank you, Nessa." Elphaba replied sweetly.

"I do agree with Glinda; it looks best down."

"Then down it will stay."

"I'm assuming you had something to do with her present appearance, Glinda?" Nessa asked.

"Yes. She let me try something new for her." Glinda answered, smiling.

"That's a mighty feat in deed. Fabala is nothing if not stubborn when she had formulated an opinion on something."

"I merely had to…approach it from a different angle."

"Well, the Unnamed God was on your side if you managed to change her mind."

"Putting me on the level of a God. I wonder if I should be proud or laugh at the absurdity." Elphaba cut in.

"No, Fabala, you are not as powerful as the Unnamed God. He just has a plan for you and shows he can move you through his agents, even if you do not accept him."

Elphaba sighed, preparing for another long winded sermon from Nessarose but was mildly shocked with what she heard came out of Nessarose's mouth next.

"Fabala, what happened to your nose?"

"Some agents of the Unnamed God thought it looked better this way and decided to move it." She replied.

"Elphaba!" Glinda admonished. It was the first real affection she had seen Nessarose give to Elphaba and she was not going to let her ruin it. "Nessa, we were accosted as we were leaving the shopping district."

"Then I'm glad the Unnamed God saw you safely through it." Nessarose replied respectfully.

"Tell that to my nose." Elphaba grumbled and Glinda nudge her in the ribs with her elbow.

"Tell us, bean pole," Avaric said with a smirk, "how did you get away? You're not exactly the biggest person out there."

She shot him a dark look, then smiled her wicked smile.

"I guess they were not expecting me to hit back."

"Really? I can't imagine you taking out a couple of thugs in fisticuffs, especially with Miss Glinda there." Avaric continued.

"Oh, no, had it been a fist fight I would have surely lost. I only hit them to get us away at first." Her smiled grew predatory. "The knife on the other hand dissuaded them pursuing."

There were gasps around the table ranging from impressed from the boys to shocked from the girls and an indignant one from Nessarose.

"A knife? What made you carry a knife on you?" Boq asked.

"I always carry a knife on me." Elphaba replied. "I'm kind of easy to single out of a crowd and it's not like anyone is going to defend a green person."

"Even now?" Avaric cut in, beating out the murmurs of disagreement from some of her friends.

"Even now."

"Show me."

Elphaba smiled and reached into her left sleeve. She produced the same curved knife from the other day. Glinda could see it was about six inches of blade and four of handle. The girls gasped in fright at the evil thing but most of the boys' eyes widened. Avaric just smiled.

"Very nice." He replied, and reached under the table. He came back with a large looking straight knife. "I prefer a boot knife. Gets the job done better."

"You don't wear a skirt."

"True."

"I too prefer curved blades." Fiyero joined in and reached to his hip. He drew what most has simply thought was an ornamental part of his belt. It was a longer curved blade with an ivory, ornate handle.

"Please, gentlemen and Elphaba!" Glinda exclaimed. "We are at dinner. Put those unseemly things away."

They smiled at her and did as she said.

"You know," Tibbett drawled, "I have something long and hard that's unseemly at the dinner table."

"Let's not go giving yourself too much credit there. Three inches is hardly long." Crope replied and the tabled roared in laughter except for Nessarose, who went into prayer.

After a little more conversation, Nessarose excused herself. Though she said she did not approve of Elphaba carrying a knife, she was going to give thanks for her safety. Elphaba had to bite back a retort about how a knife was better, but Glinda swatting her braid helped distract her. After that, the Circle readjusted to facilitate their specific interactions. Elphaba sat in the middle of the table with Fiyero next to her, Avaric at the end, and Boq across from her, with Crope and Tibbett next to him. Glinda sat next to Elphaba, with Pfannee, Shenshen, and Milla near and across from her. All the girls noticed that Milla kept glancing at Boq as he worked with Elphaba.

The study group was more on task than many of their previous meetings. Elphaba attributed it to them having her notes so they could discuss what they did not understand of them. She also may have to attribute some of it to her wardrobe; the boys seemed more deferential to her, although Avaric seemed to leer at her more which was a bit disconcerting. While the boys were more on task, Elphaba was not. She kept getting whisper touches from Glinda. First her braid, then her hand, then on her leg. These touches pulled her from whatever they were discussing and made her focus on Glinda. It was always a hard shift back into Life Science when one of the boys asked her a question.

Glinda, on the other hand, was less engaging than usual; at least at first. She was quieter and twitchy. Her head constantly scanned the room and watched people as they went by. When a person would appear in her line of sight she had not noticed she would jump slightly. After every startle she would reach out and slightly caress Elphaba, and it would calm her. These whisper touches slowly warmed her and she became almost her usual self. The girls did not notice her reserve. The boys did notice Elphaba's distraction.

"Something wrong, Elphaba?" Boq as concernedly.

"Only your lack of understanding of the subject material. Have you been actually attending class?" Elphaba replied, covering her distraction.

"I agree with Boq. You're distracted and only half paying attention to the conversation." Fiyero added.

"And yet it is still more than enough to outpace you three." She came back.

"So tell me, greenie, how was it?" Avaric drawled.

"How was what?" Elphaba asked, eyes narrowing.

"How was your afternoon quickie?" he said smiling. What he did not know was right at that moment Glinda and reached out and brushed her thigh. The physical and verbal confirmation of her relationship with Glinda disorientated her for a second. She came back to her sense and narrowed her eyes.

"Master Tenmeadows." She said slowly, icily, and the conversation at the table stopped. "My private interactions with Miss Arduenna of Upland are exactly that, and not to be speculated upon at the dinner table to encourage the fantasies of hormonal boys such as yourself. Even if I were to have a 'quickie' as were you to suggest, I would not bandy it about here for your or anyone else's amusement." She paused for a moment. "Finally, if I were to do any manner of act with Miss Arduenna of Upland, I would not discuss it because I would not want to harm your fragile male ego when you would compare your prowess against mine. Are we clear?"

The table broke into laughter at the final comment, and Avaric motioned as if tipping a hat to her. She smiled back, accepting his capitulation. She turned when she felt Glinda's hand on her arm to see she was smiling at her, adoration in her eyes. Elphaba's smile widened and then an idea popped into her head. She normally would never do something like this but it as Boq once said, it was an age of daring. She got out of her chair and knelt by Glinda. The laughter turned to confusion and only Glinda could see the mischief in Elphaba's eyes.

"Oh, Miss Glinda Arduenna of Upland." She said with an affected air. There was snickering but Glinda managed to compose herself into a straight face.

"Yes, Miss Elphaba Thropp of Nest Hardings, Eminent Thropp Third Descending?"

"I do not deny you overwhelm me with your beauty." She said very dramatically, and Glinda did not know where she was going with this but decided to play along.

"I see. Please continue."

"You are the moon in the season of shadowlight." Elphaba said, still managing to keep a straight face. Glinda cocked her head slightly, trying to remember where she heard that before.

"You are the fruit of the candlewood tree." She continued and Glinda inwardly frowned. She did not know Elphaba knew poetry but she was not much for it. She had only had poetry recited to her once before and that was…

"You are the phoenix in circles of flight." Elphaba smiled now as she saw realization dawn on her and Boq's face.

"You are the mythical sea." She finished and dropped her head. The boys could barely contain themselves and the girls were snickering behind their hands.

"You are very kind, Miss Elphaba, even though you know I am not one much for poetry." She said, straight faced, and then had to add. "Though I do believe Boq had a better delivery. There was more passion to it."

"More like desperation." Elphaba snorted and returned to her seat.

"Wait. What do you mean when Boq did it?" Avaric said, and Boq groaned from where his face was in his hands.

"Must you have said that, Miss Glinda?" Boq said in desperation.

"Oh yes. It was quite sweet, and slightly charming, but very daring. A regular romantic liaison." Glinda answered smiling.

"You keep digging that hole for him, Glinda, and he won't be able to get out of it." Elphaba added.

"He already can't. Boq, my dear boy, what romantic liaison?" Avaric said but he just groaned.

"Go ahead, Elphie; I know you were just waiting for the question to be asked." Boq grumbled.

"Boq, you are a dear friend of mine. If you don't want me to regale them with the story of your exploits, scaling walls and running over rooftops for love, I won't." she said.

"And I simply won't even go into the kind things you said to me." Glinda added. She heard the girls next to her sigh, and so did Boq. He registered their sighs and popped his head up to notice Milla staring enthralled with him.

"Well, it is all in good fun, now." He said jovially, hoping to seem like a good sport.

"That a boy!" Avaric added and slapped him on the back. Fiyero did the same with a large grin on his face.

"Do you want me to tell it?" Elphaba asked.

"Oh! Let me help! She told me everything." Glinda put in and at Boq's nervous glance Elphaba barely shook her head. He relaxed.

"Go ahead ladies. If nothing else it should be interesting."

"Boq was smitten from when from when we first met. It seemed as if the stars had made us cross paths." Glinda said dramatically, breathily.

"Or a pretentious narcissistic woman." Elphaba deadpanned.

"It must have been fate. How otherwise would I, Glinda, be paired with an old friend of his. Elphie. Which is also where we learned of her nickname."

"To my endless annoyance. It is much easier to squeal a long E than a short A."

"So, brave Boq set out, looking for some way to see me again."

"And hoping for it to be in far less clothes than previous."

"He found his way onto the special exit we use, which will not be named for secrecy's sake, and looked forward to see his heart's desire."

"And forgot to look down. Fun fact: gravity is stronger than desire."

"But fate intervened again."

"Mostly by not killing him."

"There he met his old friend Elphie. Whereas anyone else would have turned him into the proper authorities, Miss Elphaba was inclined to help him."

"I thought it would be great fun. I was right."

"Three days hence, we were to have a secret rendezvous."

"I compressed all annoyance Glinda gave me since I met her into a three day period."

"On the third day, Boq once again braved life and limb up wall, across trees, and over social boundaries to see the one who captured his heart."

"She didn't remember him."

"Pooh. Did too. Anyway, there, he laid his soul bare to the world. Fate, love, desire, all of Oz."

"She very politely told him to get lost."

"But poor Boq was disinclined to give in. But that is a story for another day."

Glinda smiled. The table was nothing if not amused. The boys were hassling him, giving him friendly advice on next time. The girls had mixed reactions. Pfannee was amused, Shenshen was slightly teary-eyed, and Milla looked besot. Elphaba gave Boq a not-so-gentle kick under the table and motioned her heads toward Milla. He saw and gave her a smile, which made Glinda very happy.

Later on, after all thoughts of study had come to an end, they were enjoying each other's company. Elphaba was with Fiyero, Boq, and Milla; Avaric was with the Shenshen and Pfannee, and Glinda was chuckling at something Crope and Tibbett had said. Getting away from them for a moment, she went to see how her two girlfriends were doing. Both were alternatively flirting and trying not to be offended by Avaric's behavior. As she moved over to them he shifted his attention to her.

"Ah, there is the most sought after woman in the world. My apologies, dear Glinda. If I had known Boq was taking that much interest in you I would have given him better advice than use poetry." He smirked. "Or at least better poetry."

"I think it was quite well, thank you." Glinda replied. "Besides, had you helped I may have been offended instead of amused."

Pfannee snorted at this comment and Avaric glared at her. He looked back at Glinda. "Well perhaps I can take you out sometime to make it up to you."

"Though I appreciate the offer Avaric that is not necessary."

"Why not? I understand in Boq's case but it would not be shameful for you to be seen with a future Margreave."

"I'm simply not interested. I have too many obligations currently to make time for such an activity."

"Come on. I'm sure you can make time."

"I said, Master Tenmeadows, that I'm simply not interested."

"Besides," Elphaba's voice cut in, and Glinda felt a little tug on her waist. She fell back and into Elphaba's lap. "As you yourself stated she has everything she needs right in her dorm. Why go out for it?"

Avaric made a face. "And what could you offer her that I couldn't?"

"Intellectual stimulation, among other things." Elphaba ended sultrily.

"Well aren't I just green with envy."

"No." Glinda replied. "If you were I may be interested."

With that the whole table laughed and Avaric got up.

"I'm going to get another drink. It's definitely not my day."

"Hey Elphie?" Glinda asked as they got back to her room.

"Yes?"

"How do you do that so well?"

"What?"

"Lie with the truth."

Elphaba turned and looked at her strangely. "Lie with the truth."

"Yeah. Everything you said tonight was completely truthful, but made it sound like you were lying to get a reaction."

"Ah. I learned it from an angel." She responded, but when Glinda asked for more she would not say anything.

Later that night, after they had washed up from dinner and prepared for bed, both girls were reading. Glinda was doing her reading for her sorcery class in two days while Elphaba was studying a book she had taken from the library. After a couple of hours Glinda tired and decided to turn in for the night. She got up from her desk and moved over to Elphaba, wrapping her arms around her girlfriend's shoulders. The emerald girl stiffened slightly at the contact but then relaxed.

"Goodnight, Elphie." Glinda whispered in her ear.

"Goodnight, my sweet." Elphaba muttered back distractedly.

"Tuck me in?"

"I think you're old enough to tuck yourself in." Elphaba replied absentmindedly, and Glinda felt tears in her eyes.

"Please?" she asked, voice pleading. The tone caught Elphaba's attention.

"Of course. I apologize, my sweet. As I said, I'm not used to relationships. Forgive me?"

"Always." Glinda whispered and disengaged from Elphaba. She crawled into her bed and Elphaba brought the covers over her. Glinda looked at her expectantly and Elphaba bent down and gave her a kiss on the forehead, which caused her to giggle.

"What?" Elphaba asked, confused.

"That's not where I want the kiss."

"I'm not really in the mood for much more tonight, my love."

"It doesn't need to be, Elphie. A simple kiss on the lips."

Elphaba bent down, awkwardly, and planted a chaste kiss on her soft lips. Glinda sighed and closed her eyes, and then snuggled deeper into the covers.

"Night, my ra'e' 'air beauty." Glinda mumbled. Elphaba smiled at that and went back to her work.

A few hours later, Elphaba heard shifting from the bed. She ignored it; Glinda often tossed at night. It grew more intense but Elphaba assumed the blonde was just having a particularly interesting dream. The whimper, soft and pathetic, caught her attention. She turned, assuming the blonde had lost her blanket and was cold. Glinda had kicked all the blankets off but in the light cast from Elphaba's lamp she could see the pained look the blonde's face. Elphaba quickly got up from her desk and moved to Glinda's side. As she approached she caught the acrid smell of sweat. Glinda was drenched in it. Elphaba quickly gathered a towel from their nightstand (placed there after many accidents) and wrapped it around her hands.

"Glinda." She said, lightly shaking her. The blonde did not wake but grabbed Elphaba's hands. Glinda whimpered again and tried to push Elphaba's hands from her. Elphaba resisted and Glinda tried to twist away. Elphaba shook her more forcefully but it did not break the dreams spell. "Glinda!"

Glinda bolted upright, wild terror in her eyes. She looked at Elphaba and violently pushed her away. Not expecting the reaction, Elphaba stumbled back. Glinda flung herself in the other direction but did not realize she was on a bed and fell to the floor. She grunted in pain and Elphaba hurried to her side. She was panting hard, but her eyes were focused.

"Glinda, are you ok?" Elphaba asked.

"I'm…fine." She replied, still breathing hard. She gave Elphaba a smile but it was dull. "I'm sorry I scared you."

Elphaba almost retorted she was not scared but realized that was not true. Instead she just nodded and held out a hand to help Glinda up.

"Come, my sweet. Let's get you cleaned up."

"My raven hair beauty that always knows what to do."

"That's not what you called me last night. It came out more rae air beaut."

"Rae. I like it. I think I found my nickname for you." Glinda said and giggled. Elphaba arched an eyebrow.

"I thought my nickname was Elphie."

"No, Boq gave that to you. It's not just ours."

"Oh. But I hate to tell you, I'm not really ray of sunshine. That would be more of you, my angel."

"You're more like a ray of moonlight. Pale, cold, but still beautiful."

"I'll take your word for it. Now, let's get you cleaned up. The sheets will have to wait for tomorrow, unfortunately. The school didn't have the foresight to assume more than three sets of bedclothes for a two person room would be wise."

"Well, I guess we'll cuddle in your bed tonight."

"I can simply switch my sheets to yours."

"Elphaba, that wasn't a guess. We'll be sleeping in your bed tonight." Glinda said exasperatedly. Elphaba smiled slightly.

"Whatever you say, my sweet."

"Good. Now, I'm going to take a bathe. I feel, and smell, terrible. I probably look terrible also."

"You look like an angel, as always."

"Thank you. But you shouldn't lie. Anyway, finish your studying."

Glinda went to the bath and Elphaba went back to her note taking. She was not taking notes on anything for class; she had managed to get a hold of a Life Sciences book that would be required for her next year. It was nowhere near the level she needed to understand Dr. Dillamond's work, but it was helping her get closer. After few moments, however, her mind refused to refocus. It did not help the words were printed particularly small. She brought the book closer to her, and when that did not help, pulled it away. She continued this until Glinda got out of the bath.

Glinda sighed as she slipped into the hot bath. It was not a time for soaking, she knew, but she needed a few moments to collect herself. This last nightmare was less vivid but still shook her. She could not let Elphaba know it was a memory from the past. Her love would probably be disgusted with her and throw her away. That was something Glinda knew she would never be able to handle. She had to hide it to keep Elphaba close to her. As she concluded her thoughts and managed to get herself back into some form of composure, she got out and toweled off. Coming out of the bathroom she noticed Elphaba alternatively squinting and pulling the book away from her. She sighed. Her love needed glasses but was too stubborn to go on her own. If the situation presented itself she would bring it up to her, or buy some.

"Ready for bed?" Glinda asked, pulling Elphaba from her studying.

"Yes. But you need a nightdress."

"Well, you're no fun."

"I'm just looking out for your sterling reputation. What would they say if they knew you were naked in bed with the green girl?"

"They'd just all be jealous. But fine. For propriety's sake." Glinda replied and slipped into one of her many nightdresses. She once again noticed Elphaba's threadbare and sparse wardrobe of clothing. It had been bolstered somewhat through Glinda's purchases, but her love was still just above the bare minimum. She knew that Elphaba would never let her buy her an entirely new wardrobe, but Glinda had a plan to change that.

"What are you grinning about?" Elphaba asked as she slipped into her bed next to Glinda. Glinda had had not realized she was.

"Just that I get to cuddle with my girlfriend."

"I see. Now, there are some rules for sleeping in my bed."

"Rules? We never had rules before."

"That's because we were in your bed. First, no tossing or turning. Second, no cover stealing. Third,-"

"You're being ridiculous. Now come, wrap those long limbs around me and sleep with me."

"Violated rule number three already. No being a bed boss."

"As if that will be obeyed."

Elphaba smiled as she held the blonde close to her. She began to sing softly, something she knew Glinda liked, and soon they both drifted off to sleep.

Elphaba did not dream; or at least, she had not ever had one. That why that night when she saw the Land of Oz, as if from a bird's eye far above it, she knew it was not a dream. It was something she had infrequently; a prophecy. She was cursed with the gift of foresight; it was part of the reason she shunned sorcery.

She saw Oz below her. She could make out the Emerald City in all of its garishness, and the rolling fields of the corn basket of Munchkinland. She could see the industrialized north of Gillikin, and the high mountains and low plains of the Vinkus. Behind her then must have been the swamps of Quadling country. Moonlight bathed Oz in a soft glow.

A shadow moved across the land. Elphaba saw the moon had changed; it became the Jackal moon. Elphaba heard the din of steel on steel. She saw fires break out across Oz, and watched the land deform as terrible things were done to it. Finally, she saw the fire spread. At its head was a man clad in an emerald green cape carrying a spear. She heard a roar, and saw a dragon swoop down and land behind him. The man marched and fire followed.

She saw other figures moving around in the mayhem. An old crone missing her teeth; a short dwarf with a big smile; a man with a long white beard and purple robes; a hag followed by a boy and three eyed ox; and finally a man dressed in red wearing a skull mask and carrying a sword. She saw two rays appear, both shooting skyward like pillars. One was golden, the other black. They stood apart from the other, one in the west and the other near the Emerald City. These pillars alone stood against the tide. Finally, the dark disappeared and the light seemed to dull and wither. The flames surrounded the light pillar but did not destroy it. It finally, however, dulled until it was no longer noticeable. All Oz was aflame.