My updates probably won't come this fast usually…it's just that I get a little crazy right after I've started a new story…

In the end Elphaba's application for two tickets to the Emerald City was rejected. This sent Galinda into a crushed and hopeless mope until Fiyero came up with another solution. "It's quite simple really," he explained, grinning mischievously. "We'll kidnap Elphaba and sneak into the City."

"But we can't get train tickets without an approved application," Galinda pointed out.

"That's ok," the Winkie insisted. "We'll just get there by coach."

"That could take days!"

"Well do you want your best friend back or not?" Galinda bit her lip and nodded, shamefaced. "Then there's no 'but' about it. We're kidnapping Elphaba."

/

"So when are you guys gonna tell me where we're going?"

"It's a secret," Fiyero told the curious witch.

"But I hate secrets," she pouted.

"Don't worry Elphaba," Galinda comforted. "It won't be a secret much longer." In fact she was dreading the moment they'd let the facade slip and tell her friend that there was no surprise. Their scruffy, unmarked carriage rolled through Shiz's streets, making its way towards the Yellow Brick Road. Once they reached it Elphaba would know that this wasn't just some night out at the OzDust.

Luckily, when their carriage did bump onto a stretch of golden highway, the kidnapped witch had dropped off onto Fiyero's shoulder. Eventually they pulled into a crummy inn and hauled their captive into an equally crummy room.

"There's only one bed," the Winkie observed upon entering.

"It's for me and Elphie," Galinda informed him firmly. "I shudder to think what would happen if she woke up with you next to her." Fiyero resisted the urge to make a charming but wholly inappropriate joke and resigned himself to the floor.

"Goodnight," he yawned.

"Goodnight," the blonde responded as she slipped into bed beside Elphaba. "Sweet dreams."

/

Galinda woke to high pitched shrieking. "You're kidnapping me?" Elphaba demanded shrilly.

"It's for your own good," Fiyero explained, hands held out in a gesture of peace. "Please don't be upset."

"Upset?" the thin girl laughed. "Are you kidding? This is so exciting!"

"What?" the Winkie gasped. "You're not mad?"

"I'm not gonna complain about being held hostage by my best friend and the hottest guy in Oz," Elphaba chuckled.

"Mmrff?" Galinda mumbled, sitting up in bed. All these loud noises were quite disorienting.

"Morning Glinny Dinny," Elphaba greeted cheerily. "Why didn't you tell me about this adventure we're going on?"

"I didn't think you'd like being kidnapped," the blonde muttered.

"Well that's just silly of you," the formerly green girl giggled. "What I don't like is being put to bed in this dress. Now it's all wrinkled." She picked fretfully at the garment in question. "Did you bring anything else for me to wear?"

Fiyero's face flushed with embarrassment. He and Galinda had brought suitcases, but they'd forgotten their captive's needs. "Whoops. I didn't think of that."

"Fifi I can't wear the same outfit until we get wherever you're taking me," Elphaba complained.

"It's ok," the blonde soothed. "We passed a dress shop on the way here. Once I get ready for the day I'll head down there and get you some clothes."

"Thanks Glinny," Elphaba cried. "You're the best friend ever." Her captors flinched.

/

Galinda had been gone only a few minutes and already Fiyero was wishing she'd let him buy clothes instead. As it was he was alone with their hostage, whose flirtatious advances were increasingly awkward to shake off. "Fifi why do you keep moving away?" Elphaba pouted, scooting closer to him on the bed. "I thought you liked me." Her flat, brown eyes suddenly welled with vain tears.

"I do like you," the Winkie groaned as irrational remorse pooled in his stomach. "But you aren't you right now."

"Huh?" The witch gave him a confused look. Fiyero took Elphaba's face in his hands.

"Before getting degreenified you were the most intelligent, fiery, amazing, beautiful girl I'd ever met," he told her forcefully. "But now you're not and it's scaring me." The Winkie's eyes traveled downwards, unable to look into his friend's empty gaze anymore.

"I wasn't beautiful back then Yero," Elphaba whispered. "I was a green freak."

"No you…" He paused, jerking his head upwards. There was a flicker of something in the hazel orbs gazing at him. "Did you just call me Yero?"

"Yeah."

"You haven't called me that since you left for the Emerald City."

"So?" Experimentally the Winkie twined his fingers with Elphaba's and a familiar shyness spread across her features. Fiyero beamed.

"What's your favorite color?" he asked abruptly.

"Black," Elphaba replied immediately, arching a curious eyebrow.

"Do you like shopping?"

"Not really. What's with the questionnaire?"

"I'm just testing something," the Winkie explained. "Now I need you to concentrate. What happened in the Emerald City? Think hard." Elphaba's expression creased into thoughtfulness as she pondered back over the last week.

"I…" Before the formerly green girl could answer Galinda swept inside. "You're back!" she squealed, bouncing off the bed. "Let me see the outfits you picked out."