Breena tightened her grip on her sister as another gust of wind hit them. "I'm starting to think we should have waited a little longer."

"The winds are going to be bad all day after that storm last night." Elphaba grinned over her shoulder. "Besides, where's your sense of adventure?"

"I think I left it in the cave."

Elphaba chuckled. "Not exactly the best accommodations we could have had."

"Hey, beggars can't be choosers. We were dry and warm."

"Were we in the same place? I seem to remember dripping water on the floor as our fire filled the cave with smoke."

It was Breena's turn to laugh. "We can leave that part out when we tell everyone else about it and cut to where we finally got smart and used our magic."

"True. Heaven forbid we ruin our reputations as witches."

"Exactly."

Elphaba had to wonder if maybe her sister wasn't right as another gust hit them, nearly making them spiral out of control. "You still all right back there?"

"Sure I am. I have the best broom pilot in all of Oz controlling this thing."

She started to thank her for the vote of confidence but decided she better not until they were safely on the ground again. Her and her bright ideas, wanting to use the broom rather than the mirror spell to get to the manor. Like they would look any less conspicuous flying up to the front door rather than suddenly appearing in the house. But Bree had readily agreed to her plan so here they were.

Of course Bree probably would have jumped at just about anything that ended with her getting to Addena. Elphaba could practically feel the hum of nervous energy running through her sister's body. The more they studied the Grimmerie the more in tune they seemed to be. She was going to have to ask Yackle if maybe their connection went deeper than just their magic.

"You don't think Dad will be too upset with us do you?"

The sound of Breena's voice pulled her from her thoughts. "No. It's not like we're skipping out on the talks completely. And we sent Fiyero and Lion in our places until we can get there." By using the mirror spell a voice in the back of her head piped up. She quickly pushed it aside before it could point out the boys had spent the night in nice warm beds at the palace. "Who better to help the Wizard than a member of the underbelly and an Animal?"

"I know. It's just… I feel kind of guilty, running out on everyone to feed my insecurities."

"First of all, you're not running out on anybody." Elphaba wished she could turn around to get a proper look at her sister. "And you're not feeding an insecurity. We're going to the Uplands to check on the women we love. There's a big difference."

"I guess."

"What would you say if the shoe was on the other foot and I was worried because I thought Glinda was keeping something from me?"

"Glinda would never keep anything from you."

"Bree."

"I guess it would depend on why you were worried." She took her time answering.

She tried again, using her full name and putting a little more exasperation into her tone. "Breena Thropp."

"Fine." Breena sighed. "I would tell you to find her and make her tell you what was going on."

"Sounds like good advice. Maybe you should stop second guessing yourself and take it."

"I guess I'm going to have to. It's a little late to turn back now."

"Bree, you know if you really don't want to do this we can always…"

"No, I meant it's literally too late. We're already here."

Elphaba looked down, shocked to see they were indeed flying over Upland Manor. She swallowed hard as memories of the last time they were there invaded her thoughts.

"Hey look, they fixed the window I flew out of."

The corner of her mouth turned up at her sister's joke.

"I bet this place will seem boring this time."

"I wouldn't be so sure of that." Elphaba furrowed her brow when she spotted the men working in the gardens. "It looks like they're having some kind of party."

Breena followed her gaze. "Probably to celebrate Glinda and Addy making it through the whole Morrible thing with all their body parts still intact." She added, "Which is yet another reason their parents are going to love us," under her breath.

Elphaba couldn't help but hear her and think about how right she was. Not only had they put the Uplands daughters in danger as far as Morrible was concerned, she had to wonder how they would react to the news that Glinda and Addena had given their hearts to a couple of fellow females. Turning around and going back to Munchkinland was sounding better and better.

"Oh no you don't." Breena gave her side a gentle squeeze. "We might as well face the firing squad sooner rather than later."

"How did you know what I was thinking?"

"Sisterly intuition. Now let's go."

Elphaba nodded, bringing them down for a landing in a stretch of trees to the left of the house. She shrugged when she felt her sister looking at her. "No need attracting any more attention than we're already going to."

"True." Breena swung her leg over the handle. "Too bad we don't know a spell to make things smaller. Maybe then you wouldn't look so funny carrying a broom around."

"Like anyone's going to notice. Being green tends to draw more attention than anything else."

"I don't know. That broom is pretty conspicuous."

"Gee thanks."

"Any time."

They were both using their banter to cover their nervousness as they walked the short distance to the house.

Breena grabbed her sister's arm as she reached for the doorbell. "Do you think they'll be mad? Us checking up on them when they told us not to come?"

"No one told us not to come. And there's only one way to find out how they'll react." Elphaba pulled the ornate cord by the door, activating the booming bell inside.

"Well I guess no one's home." Breena waited a whole half a second to turn around and start walking away.

"Would you stop?" Elphaba caught her by the arm. "Everything's going to be fine."

A maid chose that moment to open the door. "Hello and welcome to…" She screamed when she saw Elphaba and slammed the door in their faces.

"Yeah. Like that bodes well for us." Breena groused.

Elphaba quirked an eyebrow, trying to lighten her sister's mood. "They definitely know how to greet a girl around here don't they?"

Meanwhile Addena and a hot on her heels Glinda were just passing the front door when they heard the maid scream, making them both nearly jump out of their skin.

"By the Unnamed God, Bernice. What is your problem?" Addena turned toward her angrily.

"I… There's…" The woman pointed toward the door.

"Calm down Bernie." Glinda showed her a little more compassion going to her and slipping her arm around her waist, hoping her sister wouldn't decide to take off again in the time it took the poor thing to stop stammering. "Now tell us what's going on."

"It's…" Bernice swallowed hard again. "The Witch."

Addena frowned. "The Witch?"

"Yes." The older woman nodded. "The Wicked Witch of the West. Standing on the doorstep with her skin as green as sin. But don't you worry Miss Glinda," she nodded bravely. "I won't let her take you again."

"Elphaba's here?" Glinda let go of the woman and headed for the door so fast she almost knocked her down. "Elphie!" She threw herself at the green girl the instant she got the door open.

"Hello my sweet." Elphaba returned the hug with one arm, holding the broom away from her love with the other.

"Bree?" Addena's jaw dropped when she saw her standing behind Elphaba.

"Hey." Breena gave her a nervous little wave.

"I can't believe you're here." Glinda pulled back to look at her lover for a moment before capturing her lips in a kiss.

"Me either." Breena commented, growing increasingly uncomfortable as Addena continued to stare at her.

"I take it you two know each other." Bernice's face was a mask of confusion as she watched the two girls.

Breena answered with a sarcastic, "Yeah, they go way back."

"Hiya Bree." Glinda bounced from Elphaba to the other witch, drawing her into a hug.

"Hi Blondie." Breena returned her hug, her eyes still on Addy. "At least someone is glad to see me."

Glinda ignored the comment, knowing her sister would soon realize what she already knew... Their problems were over now that Elphie and Bree were there. They would come up with some way of getting rid of Eadlyn.

"Well don't just stand there." The smaller blonde motioned at the witches. "Come in."

"I'm just... uh..." Bernice didn't know what to do with herself as Glinda shut the door behind Breena.

"It's all right Bernie. They're not going to hurt us." Glinda was all smiles as she gripped her lover's hand, pulling her over to the maid. "Bernice, I'd like you to meet Elphaba Thropp." She looked at the green woman with complete adoration. "My Elphie."

"You... Your Elphie?" The maid stammered again.

"Elphie, this is Bernie. She's been with our family since before I was born."

"It's very nice to meet you." Elphaba gestured with her broom. "I'd offer you my hand but as you can see, they're full at the moment."

"I..." Bernice swallowed hard. "I can take that for you."

"Thanks." Elphaba smiled. "But be careful. It can be kind of temperamental."

"Temperamental?" The older woman repeated. "But it's just a broom."

"Watch out. You'll hurt its feelings." Breena commented.

"That's Breena." Glinda introduced her. "Elphie's sister."

Bernice's eyes got big. "But the Witch's sister is dead!"

Breena rolled her eyes. "That was a different sister."

"Don't call her that, Bernie." Glinda scolded the maid. "She's a guest in this house and you will treat her with the same respect you would anyone else."

"Yes ma'am." Bernice bowed her head. "I'm sorry miss."

"Call me Elphaba. And you have nothing to apologize for. I can take some getting used to."

"Yes." Bernice agreed as she finally reached out to take the broom. She instantly let go when it tried to jerk out of her grasp.

"Behave yourself." Elphaba gave it a shake before holding it out to the woman. "Go ahead. It won't do it again."

Glinda giggled as the maid gingerly took the broom, holding it far away from her body for a moment before standing in a more normal fashion. "Very well. If that will be all I'll put this in the coat closet."

"That would be fine." Glinda was still giggling as she walked away. "Isn't she darling?"

"Adorable." Breena's voice was curt as she looked at Addy for what seemed like the millionth time. "I'm going to find some place to wait while you two visit. Take your time Elly." She started in the direction Bernice had gone.

"Bree?" Addena finally found her voice.

"Oh, so you can speak after all."

Addena ignored the biting words, not making a sound as she went to Breena and slowly slipped her arms around her waist before burying her cheek against her chest.

Breena wrinkled her brow. "Does this mean you're happy to see me?"

Addena nodded, not trusting her voice to answer. Her breath caught in her throat as Breena returned the embrace, pulling her close.

"You had me worried there for a second with the silent treatment."

"Who's this?"

And just like that Addena's moment of happiness was shattered by Eadlyn's voice.

"I'm Breena." She smiled at the newcomer, keeping her arms around Addy. "And you are?"

"He's no one." Glinda tried to intervene, knowing this wouldn't end up being good for anyone involved.

"Now that wasn't very nice was it? My name's Eadlyn." The man straightened his back, making himself even taller. "Addena's fiancé."

You could almost hear Breena's heart falling to her toes. "Her what?"

"Fiancé." Eadlyn smiled as he joined them. "Our wedding is tomorrow."

"Wedding?" Breena held Addy at arm's length. "This is some kind of joke, right?"

"Hardly." Eadlyn easily pulled a limp Addena away from a very shocked Breena, putting his arm around her shoulders.

"You're her... She's your..." Breena took a step back, surprised her legs were still holding her up.

"I think someone should explain what's going on here." Elphaba came to stand behind her sister.

"And we will." Glinda looked at Eadlyn challengingly. "He..."

"Needs to borrow these two for just a second." He half shrugged. "You know how it goes... Crazy last minute decisions."

Glinda crossed her arms over her chest. "I'm not going anywhere."

"All right, if that's how you feel." Eadlyn subtly nodded his head toward Gregor, who yawned and gave a mighty stretch, revealing the gun he was carrying in his waistband. "But don't come crying to me if you don't like the party favors."

"Glinda?" Addena gave her sister a 'please don't test him' look.

She still stayed where she was, not wanting to give in to another of his threats.

Eadlyn eyed her coldly. "Your mother would be disappointed that you didn't give your input."

"Glinda, please." Addena was practically begging.

"All right, fine." She turned to look at Elphaba. "I'll be right back."

Eadlyn waited until they were out of the foyer to let go of Addena and turn on the sisters. "Who the hell are they?"

"Our..."

"Friends." Addena finished before her sister could.

"Friends huh?" Eadlyn shook his head. "What I saw when I came across the four of you looked like more than friendship."

"That's because it is."

"Glinda, don't."

The blonde was too worked up to hear her sister. "We love them and they love us. And..."

"Glinda!" Addena cut her off again.

She realized her mistake when she saw the gleam in Eadlyn's eye.

"So you're both into girl on girl action?" He smiled. "I like it."

Glinda wrinkled her nose in disgust. "It's not like that."

"The green one's yours right? Tell me, is she that color all over?"

"That's enough!" Addena spat.

Eadlyn grabbed her arm. "I'll tell you when something is enough." He craned his neck to look at the witches again. "They're pretty enough. But yours seems a little butch. Is she the man in your relationship?"

"Stop it!" Glinda tried to pull his hand off her sister.

"I think we should have a little fun." Eadlyn was in his element as he tortured the girls. "I want you to break up with her."

"No." Addena shook her head.

"In front of me."

"No!" Her second reply was more forceful.

"Do you remember what I said about making our wedding believable?" He tightened his grip on her arm. "How is that supposed to happen with her hanging around?"

Glinda said, "We'll send them away."

"Love makes people do stupid things." Eadlyn pursed his lips. "And we can't have her crashing our ceremony and getting herself killed now can we?"

Addena swallowed hard. "You wouldn't."

"Wouldn't I? She's nothing to me." He made a shooing motion with his hand, signaling Gregor to move closer to the Thropps. "If something happens to her, her blood would be on your hands not mine."

"Why are you doing this?" Tears swam in Glinda's eyes.

"Because I can. And believe it or not it's incredibly amusing."

"Of all the sick, twisted..."

He caught Glinda's hand as she started to slap him. "Watch it or I'll reconsider my decision to leave you and your girlfriend out of this."

"Stop it. Just stop!" Addena ran a shaky hand through her hair. "I'll do whatever you say."

"Dena?"

"I have to Glinda. I can't let anything happen to Bree. Or you and Elphaba."

"Aw." Eadlyn gave her his best puppy dog eyes. "That's so sweet it makes me want to throw up."

"Why don't you shut up instead?"

He put his free hand on his chest. "You wound me with your meanness, Glinda."

The smaller blonde clinched her jaw. "I wish I could wound you with something else."

Eadlyn laughed. "I absolutely adore the women in your family. You're all so spirited."

Addena barely resisted the urge to finish what her sister had started and smack him. "Can we just get this over with?"

"By all means." He squeezed her arm again. "Just keep in mind that whatever story you come up with had better be convincing."

"She'll believe me." Addena hung her head, knowing how true her words were.

"Good." Eadlyn smiled again. "Now let's go break her heart."

Addena tried to avoid Breena's gaze as they rejoined the witches in the foyer but it was impossible. The pain she already saw in those emerald orbs was more than she could bear. How was she supposed to add more to it?

Gregor came into her line of sight behind Elphaba and Breena, a smirk on his face as he made a gun with his fingers and pretended to shoot them both.

"Is someone ready to tell us what the hell is going on?" Elphaba glanced angrily from Addena to Glinda and back again.

"Yes." She was surprised at how strong she sounded. She certainly didn't feel it. "Eadlyn's right. He's my fiancé."

Elphaba rubbed her forehead. "This isn't happening."

"We were childhood sweethearts." Addena continued her lie. "He asked me to marry him just before I left for medical school and he went off to serve in the Winkie army. We were going to have the wedding when his tour of duty was over. But a few months later I received word that he was killed in action."

Glinda couldn't believe the tale her sister was spinning but she could tell from the look on Breena's face that she did.

"I thought he was dead. So imagine my surprise when I showed up here thinking my mother was sick to find my long lost fiancé was alive and well and planning a surprise wedding for us."

"Surprise wedding?" Elphaba's voice dripped with doubt.

"The best kind." Eadlyn nodded. "I knew we had a lot of catching up to do after all these years so I thought what better way to do it than as man and wife. Her parents gave me their blessing so we started planning the ceremony."

Addena barely stopped herself from flinching when he said the word wife.

"And you're going to do it?" Breena finally joined the conversation. "You're going to marry him?"

"Yes." She somehow managed to keep her voice from trembling.

"Do you love him?"

The question caught Addena off guard. She had only loved one person her whole life and to have her asking if she loved someone else brought an ache to her chest. But she was doing what she had to do.

Even so her voice was barely audible as she said, "Yes."

Breena sighed. "That figures. I finally find the perfect girl and she's already got the perfect guy."

The words cut Addena like a knife. All she wanted to do was take Breena into her arms and make her understand what was happening. But she couldn't. "I never meant to hurt you, Bree." Her own heart bled as she said, "And I do love you."

"I know. I love you too. I always will." Breena stared into Addena's eyes for a moment before continuing. "And I wish you all the happiness in the world." She shifted her gaze to Eadlyn. "Both of you."

"Thanks." Eadlyn readily accepted the well wish.

Breena nodded. "I, uh…" A single tear made its way down her cheek. "I need some air."

"Bree?" Addena started after her as she opened the door and fled outside.

Elphaba stepped into her path. "I think you've done enough." She shook her head as she looked from Addena to Eadlyn and back again. "I can't believe you never told her about him."

"Elphie…" Tears were running freely down Glinda's cheeks as she put her hand on her lover's shoulder. The last thing Addena needed right now was someone else attacking her.

"Just because Bree was gracious about this whole thing doesn't mean I have to be." Elphaba answered but kept her eyes on Addena. "You broke her. And no matter how hard I or anyone else tries, we'll never be able to fix what you've done." She shot a nasty look at Eadlyn. "Now if you'll excuse me I need to go find my sister."

"Nice." Eadlyn clapped Addena on the shoulder after Elphaba left. "Very convincing."

"Keep your hands off her." Glinda growled.

"I'll have my hands all over her soon enough." He gloated.

Glinda clinched her jaw. "Shut up!"

"You two are so much fun." He chuckled. "You really need to think about coming with us after the ceremony tomorrow."

Addena shook her head. "Leave her alone."

Elphaba coming back in the house stopped him from replying. "She took a horse."

"What?" Eadlyn voiced the question before either of the Uplands could. "Which horse?"

"One that runs." Was Elphaba's sarcastic reply. "I tried to talk to her and she told me to leave her alone. The next think I know she's on a horse and galloping into the forest."

"She'll come back." Glinda's voice was hopeful.

"I can't wait to see if she does. She's not in the best of places right now." Elphaba started around the three of them. "I don't want to leave her alone."

"Will she do something horrible to herself?"

The color drained from Addena's face when Eadlyn asked the question.

"Of course not." Glinda looked at him like he was an idiot. "But Elphie's right. She shouldn't be alone."

"That's why I'm going to get my broom." Elphaba continued to walk. "It should be easier to spot her from the sky."

"Wait a minute." Eadlyn pointed at Elphaba. "You're the Wicked Witch of the West aren't you?" He grinned excitedly. "And I'm going to get to see you on your broom!"

"Don't call her that!" Glinda ground her teeth. "Dena, will you be all right if I go with Elphie?"

Addena nodded, knowing she couldn't trust her voice to answer. She tried to keep a tight lid on her emotions as she watched Glinda reach for Elphaba's hand only to have the green woman pull away as if she'd been burned.

"Uh oh." Eadlyn was still grinning. "Looks like the Witch is mad. Will she turn your poor sister into a toad or something?"

"Go away." Addena managed to hiss.

"If I wasn't so impressed with what you just did I would warn you about your temper. But since I am I'll let it slide." He leaned in close whispering, "Your mother would be so proud," before motioning for Gregor to follow him outside. "Let's see which horse she took."

Addena waited until she was alone to finally break down. One word fell from her lips as she sank to her knees, her sobs echoing around the foyer. "Bree…"