Thanks for all the reviews…

Also I'd just like to let all my readers know about this cool new site called story-join (but without the -; I've got to put it there or fan fiction blocks it). So basically one person starts a story with one paragraph and then someone else on the site writes the next paragraph until it's finish…people can add more than one paragraph but it's really interesting to see how the story ends. The site is story-join (without the – and with no spaces) and it's a dot com. Go check it out.

Elphaba had returned to her giggly, bubble headed state by morning, much to everyone's dismay. There was one day left of travel to the Emerald City, but the final leg would have to be taken on foot because only trains actually entered the City.

There was no longer a Yellow Brick Road to follow, only iron train tracks. Needless to say certain members of the trio were unhappy about this. "Why are we walking?" Elphaba groaned. "I hate walking."

"Walking is the only way to get to the Emerald City," Fiyero informed her wearily. The thin witch's eyes flashed.

"So that's where we're going," she giggled. The Winkie's jaw dropped. Bubble headed Elphaba had just tricked him into spilling a secret. Had she been capable of that weeks ago, or was his friend shining through more and more?

"Elphie could you tell us about when you went to the City?" Galinda questioned, clearly on the same train of thought as Fiyero. "How did you get in?"

"There's a fenced section of land surrounding the Emerald City," Elphaba explained eagerly. "I think it's so that people who live there can have picnics out in nature." Her nose wrinkled with distaste. "After the fence the train passed through the outer wall of the actual City."

"Did you see any other way inside, apart from the train?" Fiyero pressed.

"Ooh are we sneaking in?" the formerly green girl squealed. "This is so exciting."

"Yes, we're sneaking in," Galinda sighed, exasperated. "Now could you please answer the question?"

"Yes your Highness," Elphaba huffed. "I didn't see any ways in apart from the train." Her kidnappers moaned. "But," the witch continued, "there's got to be a way for citizens of the Emerald City to get in and out of the wall for picnics in the fenced section."

Again Fiyero felt hope course through his veins. Though she was still as giggly and superficial as ever Elphaba was thinking again.

/

It was late afternoon when the three travelers reached the fenced area. Elphaba's kidnappers were unpleasantly surprised at its height and lack of handholds. There was no way to safely climb such a monstrosity. "Well the train's got to get through somewhere," Galinda pointed out. She was right. A round, metal gate stood over the tracks. Fiyero approached slowly, wondering if there was a way to pry it open.

Just as he reached out a hand the two slabs of iron swung inward. "Well that was convenient," the Winkie muttered, peering through the opening. There were no guards, or anyone for that matter, in sight. All he saw were train tracks stretching towards the City. "Let's go!" Fiyero called to his companions.

"Wait," Elphaba shouted. "It might not be super smart to…"

"Now's not the time to worry about ripping your clothes Elphie," Galinda insisted, yanking her friend towards the open gate. They'd just reached the entrance when a menacing whistle shrieked. Fiyero, who was already safely through, turned to see a streamlined, green train rocketing towards his friends.

"Hurry up," he shouted. The formerly green girl quickly jogged towards Fiyero. Galinda tried to follow, but in her urgency tripped. When she stood up a large section of her dress was snagged tightly onto the tracks.

"Just rip it!" Elphaba shouted. The blonde tugged obediently at the hem of her clothing, but it remained stubbornly intact.

"Shiz," she cursed, yanking harder and harder. The train was almost upon her now. Fiyero moved to help, but it was clear that he wouldn't reach Galinda in time. Then, just before she was crushed, a blur of blue fabric tackled her out of harm's way.

"Don't ever scare me like that again," Elphaba snarled, from her spot on top of Galinda. The blonde smiled weakly up at her best friend.

"Thanks Elphie."

"You're quite welcome," the thin witch replied. Moments later her mouth twisted into a smirk. "And you always said that pretty clothes never hurt anybody." By now the train had passed and Fiyero was sprinting towards his friends.

"Are you ok?" he demanded, helping them up.

"Uh huh," Galinda replied, though she was shaking. Elphaba pulled her into a tight hug.

"I tried to tell you guys that the gate opens magically when a train approaches," she muttered. "But you thought I was worried about my clothes."

"Well that's all you've been worried about lately," Galinda defended.

"I suppose you're right," Elphaba murmured, her eyes suddenly hazy. "I wonder why that was…"

"Elphie stay," the blonde whispered. "Come on; don't zone out again." She shook her friend's shoulders.

"I'm here if you need me Glin," the formerly green girl responded, squeezing Galinda. "Now let's go find a way past that wall." Fiyero beamed and took Elphaba's hand. This clear headedness probably wouldn't last very long, but he planned to enjoy every second of it.

Luckily the thin witch's theory was correct; a pair of ornate, wooden doors were set in the Emerald City's smooth viridian wall. Beside this sure-to-be-locked doorway hung a long, braided rope. "So that's how citizens get back in," Elphaba observed. "Maybe Galinda and I could trick the doorman."

"What about me?" Fiyero demanded indignantly.

"You're quite obviously Vinkun," the blonde explained gently. "Elphie and I look like people who could be citizens of the Emerald City. She's had beautification magic done and…well…" Galinda struggled for a way to explain her unusually good looks modestly.

"I get it," the Winkie chuckled. Then his expression soured. "So I'm just supposed to wait out here while you two risk your necks?"

"No," Elphaba contradicted. "You'll be our backup in case we get into trouble."

"Fine," Fiyero relented. He hated letting the girls face anything even remotely dangerous without his help. Having been raised a prince chivalry was in his blood. The Winkie slipped a large quantity of golden coins into Galinda's bag.

"Will you be ok?" Elphaba asked him.

"Of course."

"I'm just gonna go sort our…um…supplies before we continue," the blonde muttered, awkwardly giving her friends alone time.

"Ever the subtle one," Fiyero chuckled, pulling Elphaba into his arms.

"I'm scared," she admitted.

"Of what?"

"Of losing myself."

"Fae they already tried to erase you and failed," he pointed out. "You keep coming back."

"But never for very long," Elphaba exclaimed. A delicate shudder rocked her body. "Sweet Oz, I can feel myself slipping." Fiyero couldn't have that. He pulled the thin girl to him for a deep kiss. Heat poured between them like a river of lava.

"Eh hem," Galinda coughed daintily. Her friends broke apart, panting.

"Sorry," the Winkie replied, though his grin begged to differ. "Good luck," he called to them, jogging away to find a hiding place. Vinkuns could survive off nature for weeks.

"Ready?" Elphaba questioned the blonde. After Fiyero's kiss her eyes were crystal clear. In response Galinda gave the braided chord a firm tug. There was no going back now.

Please review…

And remember to check out story-join (no -) dot-com.