"Addena."

Her brow furrowed when she heard her name.

"Addena, wake up."

Her frown deepened when she felt a hand on her shoulder. "Five more minutes."

"Sweetheart, I really need you to wake up for me."

"Not yet."

"Addena Upland open your eyes!"

She did was she was told, blinking groggily to clear her vision. "Mom?" She sat up, rubbing her eyes. "What's wrong?"

Ginny bit her lip. "It's uh..." She swallowed hard, hating what she was about to do. "It's Breena."

"Bree?" It took her sleepy mind a second to comprehend what she was hearing. When she did she gripped her mother's hand. "What happened?"

"Her fever's gone up again. We didn't want to wake you but..."

"How high is it?" Addena let go of her and swung her legs off the bed, ignoring her body's protests as she slipped on her shoes.

"She feels like she's on fire."

"Damn it." She vented her frustration as she stood. "I never should have left her."

"Addena..."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make it sound like this was your fault because it's not."

"Well it's not yours either."

Addena scoffed.

"Don't do that." Ginny chastised her.

"Do what?"

"Blame yourself. There's no way you could have known this would happen."

"Her fever wasn't coming down and I knew there was a possibility that it could go up. I should have stayed with her, not come in here to sleep."

"You needed to rest." Ginny sighed when her daughter breezed past her. "Stop right there."

Addena turned to face her. "Mom, I appreciate what you're trying to do but we really don't have time for this right now."

"Well you're going to make time." Ginny's tone didn't leave any room for argument. "Breena needs you, but not if you're going to go into that room with a guilty conscience. Even in her condition she'll pick up on it in a heartbeat and be too concerned about what's wrong with you to concentrate on getting better. You can worry about her all you want, just don't shoulder the burden of what happened to her. If you want to blame someone, blame your father. He's the idiot who brought Eadlyn into our lives in the first place."

"But I..."

"You what? Love Breena? Did that love cause her injury? No, a man with a sword did. And did your love make her leg get infected? No, that was circumstances beyond your control." Ginny gripped her chin, raising her head so she could stare into blue eyes that matched her own. "I'm convinced the love you share brought her back in that camp today though. And I think it can save her life again, but not if you have it buried under a ton of guilt."

"You're right." A lonely tear made its way down Addena's cheek. "This isn't my fault."

"That's better." Ginny lovingly wiped the tear away. "Your strength has always amazed me, but you're due for a good breakdown when this whole ordeal is over."

Addena sighed. "I plan on it."

"She's going to be all right, Addena. That's what you have to keep telling yourself."

"I'm trying."

Ginny tucked a lock of hair behind her daughter's ear. "That's all you can do sweetie."

Addena pulled her into a hug. "Thanks for keeping me centered Mom."

"That's what I'm here for." She held her close for a moment before pulling back to look at her. "Now let's go make that girl of yours feel better."

They held hands as they made their way down the hall to Addena's room. She stopped once they reached her doorway, giving herself a moment to take a deep breath before going inside.

"Addena." The Wizard turned from where he was standing at the foot of the bed. "Thank Oz you're here."

"Her fever is spiking." Penny explained as she ran a cool cloth over Breena's brow.

Addena made a beeline for the bed, instantly slipping into doctor mode. Her heart sank when she saw Breena's face was pinched in pain and she was bathed in sweat. "How long has she been like this?"

"Not long." The Wizard fielded the question. "Fiyero came to sit with Elphaba so I decided to check on Breena. Your mother and I were having a conversation when she started tossing and turning."

"When they called me in I thought her fever was breaking." Penny continued as she surrendered her spot at the bedside to the doctor. "But then I realized her temperature was even higher."

"Addy?" Breena's brow furrowed, her breath ragged. "Addy?!"

"Shhh." Addena put her hand on her brow, resisting the urge to instantly withdraw it when she felt how hot she was. "I'm right here baby."

Green eyes fluttered open. "It hurts."

"I know. I'm going to try to make it feel better, all right?"

Breena nodded as her eyes slid shut again.

Addena didn't waste any time pulling the sheet off the witch's body, glad to see someone had put her in a sleeveless night shift. At least modestly wouldn't be an issue. She quickly lifted the hem of the shirt and started removing the bandage around Breena's right thigh. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw how red and swollen the skin was around the stitches.

"Damn it." Addena put her hand over the wound, not at all surprised to find it was just as hot as the rest of Breena's body. "I'm going to have to open the wound so it can drain."

"What?!" The Wizard looked at her incredulously. "How is reopening it going to help?!"

"Fluid is building up in her leg because of the infection. If it doesn't come out it could make her sicker than she already is."

"Or kill her." He finished her train of thought. "Do it. Whatever it takes to give her a chance."

Addena nodded. "Penny, I'm going to need a basin of hot soapy water and some more rags."

The Lioness hurried out of the room.

"Mom, I need you to take the Wizard out in the hall."

"But..."

"Trust me when I say this isn't something you need to see." She stopped his protest.

"Can I at least tell her goodb..." He stopped short, mentally kicking himself for what he'd almost said. "Can I tell her I love her?"

"Of course."

The Wizard made his way to the side of the bed, clinching his jaw in an attempt to keep a handle on his emotions. "Breena?"

Her eyes fluttered open when she heard her name.

"Hey you." He gave her a half hearted smile.

"Dad?" Breena frowned. "What are you doing here?"

"I heard a nasty rumor that a certain young lady I know was missing so I had to come see what was going on."

The corner of her mouth turned up. "I knew where I was all along."

He chuckled in spite of himself. "I'm sure you did." He took her hand in his. "You've got to be strong right now, Breena. Can you do that for me?"

"I'll try."

The Wizard blinked back tears. "I love you."

"Love you too… mush ball."

"Mush ball? I'll show you a mush ball." He leaned over to kiss her on the forehead. "Don't even think of going anywhere young lady."

"Can't." Breena looked up at him. "You used the dad voice."

"Yes I did." The Wizard cupped her cheek. "Which means you have to do what I say."

"I'm back." Penny practically sprinted into the room.

"I'll be right outside." He gave her another kiss before reluctantly letting go of her hand to turn and face Addena. "Take good care of my girl."

"Count on it." Addena squeezed his shoulder. "I'll come get you as soon as we're done."

As a parent Ginny couldn't blame him for wanting to be with Breena but she had learned a long time ago to take Addena's advice when she said she didn't want her to see something. She took the Wizard by the hand and led him out of the room.

"Do you want me to stay?"

Addena gave Penny a grateful look. "I'd appreciate it."

"Just tell me what to do."

"Hand me what I ask for." Addena glanced at Breena. "And try to keep her calm."

"I am calm."

Addena gave her girlfriend a look. "This would be a lot easier if you were unconscious."

"Sorry. Can't help you there."

"You just have to be stubborn, don't you?"

"Always."

Addena ran her fingers through Breena's hair. "I'll try to be as gentle as I can but this is going to hurt."

"It's OK. I trust you."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence." She leaned down and gave her a kiss. "I love you, Bree."

"Bet I love you more."

"We'll have that argument later." She gave her another, more lingering kiss, relishing in the feel of those lips on her own. "Stick around, OK?"

Breena nodded. "Let's get this show on the road."

Addena held the witch's gaze for a moment longer before straightening up again. "You heard the lady."

"Hey Addy?"

"Yes Bree?"

"I really do love you."

"I love you too. Now stop distracting me." Addena looked at Penny. "Let's get started."

An hour later an exhausted Addena drug herself out of the room to find not only the Wizard and her mother waiting, but Fiyero, Cade, Maeve and Lion as well.

"Looks like the gang's all here." Addena teased, trying to keep her tone light.

"We all wanted to see how Breena is doing." Maeve answered before anyone else could.

"And I left Fae's door open so we could hear her." Fiyero was quick to point out. "But she hasn't woken up again."

"How's Breena?" Lion anxiously asked. "Did she make it through with flying colors?"

"Give her a chance to speak." The Wizard put an end to the rapid fire chatter.

"Breena is the same." Addena's voice sounded as tired as she looked. "We drained the wound and cleaned it again but her temperature hasn't gone down."

"Yet." The Wizard spoke up again. "That's what you meant to say, right? Her temperature hasn't come down yet but it will."

Addena nodded. "That's what we're hoping for."

"Hoping for?" Fiyero echoed her words. "That doesn't sound very encouraging." He frowned when Maeve smacked him on the arm. "What? It doesn't."

Lion fidgeted with his tail. "Is Breena going to be all right?"

"I'm not going to lie to you. Right now it's touch and go. If we can get her temperature to start coming down she has a good chance of pulling through."

"But if not she might…" The Wizard couldn't bring himself to say the words.

Ginny rubbed soothing circles on his back as he leaned forward in his chair, putting his head in his hands. "Is there anything we can do, Addena?"

The doctor nodded. "Someone could check to see if the guards have made it back from the hospital with the antibiotics yet."

"I'll do it." Lion was gone in a flash.

"I can sit with Elphaba tonight." Fiyero volunteered.

"Oh no you can't." Maeve contradicted him. "The Gale Force doctor who looked at your wound said you needed to rest. You can't do that sitting up in a chair all night."

"But…"

"She's right, Fiyero." Addena cut him off. "The last thing we need is for you to get sick too." She gave him a look when he opened his mouth to protest again. "You can sit with her tomorrow."

"Fine." Fiyero growled, wincing as he got out of his chair. "But I'll be back first thing in the morning."

"I'll make sure he makes it to the guest wing." Maeve fell into step next to the former scarecrow as he stormed away, throwing a, "Let me know if there's anything I can do to help," over her shoulder as they went.

"I should go too." Cade pushed himself away from the wall he'd been leaning on next to Ginny's chair. "We're just waiting for a break in the weather to start the search for Glinda and Eadlyn. If it hasn't stopped in a few hours we're going to head out anyway. They couldn't have gotten very far in this storm."

"Thank you." Ginny put her hand on his arm.

"Glinda's very important to everyone in Oz, Mrs. Upland. We won't let anything happen to her." He stopped in front of the Wizard, putting his hand on his shoulder. "And don't you give up on your girls. They're pretty tough."

The Wizard didn't respond.

"Let us know what's going on with the search." Addena requested.

"I will." Cade assured her. "And you keep your chin up too. She'll pull through. You'll see."

Addena nodded, not really trusting her voice to answer. She gave herself a moment after he walked away before returning her attention to her mother and the Wizard. "I'm going to go check on Elphaba."

"Can I…" The Wizard finally looked up, tears staining his cheeks. "Can I sit with Breena while you're with Elphaba? I'll leave when start treating her again. I just…" He swallowed hard. "I have some things I need to say."

"Of course you do." Ginny's heart was breaking for him.

Addena gestured toward the door. "Go ahead."

The Wizard sprang to his feet as soon as she said the words and hurried into the room. He stopped short when he caught sight of his daughter. If it was at all possible she was even paler than she had been before.

Penny looked up from wiping Breena's face with a cool cloth. "I'll give you some privacy."

"No, please." He gestured for her to stay where she was. "She might need you."

Penny went back to trying to comfort the witch.

"Is she..." He stammered as he slowly closed the gap to the bed, suddenly unsure of what he was doing. "Is she conscious?"

"No." Penny shook her head. "She passed out again while Addena was cleaning her wound."

"Oh," was all he could manage as he sat in the chair next to the bed, gently taking Breena's hand in his own. "I never knew being a dad was going to be this hard." He wasn't sure if he was talking to Breena or Penny or maybe a combination of both. "I mean, it's always taken a lot to really scare me but right now I'm petrified. You're lying here fighting for your life and your sister won't wake up next door. I never knew someone could worry this much about someone else."

He watched Penny dip the cloth in a basin of water and wring it out before she started running it gently over Breena's face again. "This can't be how it ends, Breena. I can't lose you, not so soon after finding out about you. We haven't had enough time. I haven't had enough time to be a real father to you."

His voice cracked as tears filled his eyes. "So I'm going to make you an offer. If you get better I'll make more of an effort to be the kind of father you deserve. But you have to fight, Breena. You have to come back to us." He swallowed a sob. "You have to live."

Ginny backed out of the doorway as his emotions got the better of him and he laid his head on the edge of the bed to cry. This wasn't how it was supposed to be. The girls were young. They were supposed to be off conquering the world, not getting kidnapped or hurt or worse.

Just thinking of Glinda with Eadlyn sent chills down her spine. Her little girl, her baby, was in the hands of a madman. It was enough to make her want to curl up on her bed and have a good cry. But she couldn't do that. She wouldn't give up on Glinda that way. Her daughter might be blonde and perky and seem harmless but she was more of a fighter than people gave her credit for. She would find a way back to them.

And right now she couldn't do anything for Glinda. Short of joining Cade and his men when they rode out, which no one would allow to happen, and praying that her daughter made it home safely, her hands were tied. But that wasn't the case with Addena. Her oldest needed a shoulder to lean on in the worst possible way.

With that in mind she walked into Glinda's room.

"I could use your help, Elphaba." Addena spoke, oblivious to her mother's presence. "Breena is… She's… Let's just say she's not doing very well right now. So if you could wake up and use some of that sisterly influence you have on her to tell her to get better, I'd appreciate it. She always listens to you better than anyone else."

She waited a moment for a response. "OK, maybe I sugar coated that a little too much. She's weak, Elphaba. Maybe too weak to come out of this. And I know you'll never forgive yourself if you're this close and not with her if something happens. She's right next door for crying out loud. So open your eyes, Elphaba. Open your eyes and go give her an earful for scaring everyone."

"If I didn't know better I would say you were trying to guilt her into waking up."

Addena yelped when she heard the voice behind her. "Mom! You almost gave me a heart attack."

Ginny joined her at Elphaba's side. "You were, weren't you?"

"No." Addena managed not to squirm under her mother's scrutiny for a whole second before rolling her eyes and sighing. "Fine, yes I was. But you don't understand. They have one of the strongest bonds I've ever seen. It's like they feed off of one another. If anyone can help Breena recover it's her."

"Addena?" Ginny frowned at the change in her daughter's demeanor. Her voice was getting louder and she was gesturing wildly with her hands. "Honey?"

"I can't do it alone, Mom. I just... it's not enough. Breena's so sick and she just keeps getting weaker and weaker by the second. And nothing I do makes a difference. I've tried everything. But she's still..." Tears started streaming down her cheeks. "What if she..."

"Come here." Ginny wrapped her arms around her daughter.

Addena buried her head against her mother's shoulder. "It's not fair Mom."

"I know sweetie."

"I finally find someone to love who loves me back and she could..." She choked on a sob. "I don't want to lose her."

"I wish I could tell you you won't baby, but I can't." Ginny rubbed her back. "The sad thing about this life is how short it can be cut."

"I'm not giving up on her, Mom. I couldn't even if I wanted to but... It's just so hard seeing her like that. Knowing that I'm doing my best for her and realizing it might not be enough."

"But you're trying sweetie."

"I know. I just... I wish I could do more."

"Unfortunately you can't." Ginny gave her another squeeze. "It looks like part of your breakdown came sooner than you expected."

Addena nodded, her tears still falling.

"Come on." Ginny led her to the couch by the door. "We're going to sit down here and give the Wizard some time with Breena. And if you just so happen to cry a little, so be it."

Addena gave her a weak grin. "Thanks, Mom."

"You don't have to thank me, honey. I love you."

"I love you too." Addena burrowed closer to her as they got comfortable on the couch.

Neither one of them noticed Elphaba's eyes trying to flutter open.