Fiyero woke up with a start. Where was she? Elphaba could not be missing. No. Not again. What would he do? He couldn't handle this again. Why would she do this? He had just found her, and she was gone again. Frantic with fear and desperation, he searched everywhere for her fruitlessly. Alone in the forest, he screamed her name.
It was his own voice which woke him, and disoriented, he looked beside him where his sleeping angel lay. She was here. Thank Oz, she was still here. He collected her in his arms, pulling her tightly against him as if afraid she would disintegrate and be blown away in the wind. The memory of the dream still flooded his emotions with fear and need, and he fought the desire to wake her up to prove she was there.
Shuddering in the night chill, he reached for their discarded clothing to pull over them in a sort of nest. It was difficult to reach while still holding Elphie and not waking her, but he would not let her go. Cocooned, he snuggled her against him, dropping light kisses on her face and hair. Elphaba. His Elphaba. His love. Slowly he drifted back to sleep.
Elphaba stretched luxuriously, feeling very warm and well rested. The awareness of the forest's floor beneath her and Fiyero's arms around her seeped slowly back to her. Fiyero was here. She pulled back to prove it. Sighing contently, she burrowed against his warmth and strength. She was sticky and dirty from sleeping naked on the ground after their late night excursions, but if he woke with her missing, even to take a bath, she shuddered to think of the consequences.
Besides, she enjoyed this time to revel in his existence. He had forgiven her, and he still loved her. How, she wouldn't begin to imagine, but she had no doubt every word was true. Why else would he have chosen this ridiculous half-life with her as a fugitive? And as soon as the thoughts were fully formed, the guilt came crashing around, swallowing her whole. Well, it was too late for second-guessing. What was done was done.
Fiyero stirred, rubbing her back and side where his hands rested. As he gained consciousness, a huge grin formed on his face. Apparently he was relieved she had not fled in her trademark manner. Before he even opened his eyes, his lips searched for hers clumsily. His body discussed with hers without either of them having any input, and it was decided on the appropriate wake up call. It was only after crying her name in release that Fiyero's eyes finally opened to meet hers.
"Well good morning to you too." She teased.
"I love you." His blunt confession of affection always took her off guard, and she returned his words with a smile and a kiss.
As always, practicality won over sentimentality. "We should get moving."
She had sorted out their clothing and was starting to get dressed as Fiyero stared at her from his position on the ground. "I said I love you, and you want to get moving." She was in trouble; she could tell from the way his eyes stared at the grass and twigs instead of her.
Relenting, she knelt beside him. "Fiyero, lover, friend, I would like to get moving so we might live to continue confessing our love."
He was appeased, pulling her back into his arms to kiss her thoroughly which was quite the opposite of her intention. "Our love?"
"Yes. Our love." She had forgotten how he needed reassurance from her, as cold as she had trained herself to be. At that they dressed and worked their way through the forest without much more of a plan than to be free of it by nightfall.
Finally they reached the outskirts, and Fiyero suddenly exclaimed, "Hey, come on. I have an idea." Terrified as he began pulling her toward the village, Elphaba didn't ask him what his idea was, but she did question its wisdom. Reaching the sleepy little town, Fiyero helped Elphaba rearrange her clothing to hide as much of her green skin as possible, her hair falling over her face and her hands buried in her pockets. Fiyero walked in front, blocking the direct view of her face as she kept it down as much as she could. He stopped in front of a large cobblestone, and the face that answered his knock almost caused Elphaba to abandon her costume in joy.
"Mercus!" She shouted before quickly remembering herself.
Mercus himself looked shocked for a second, then a grin spread across his face. "Well if it isn't Fiyero and his beautiful friend. How are you both?"
Fiyero's voice was urgent. "Mercus, can we come in? It's important."
"Sure. Sure, I guess. What's the matter?" The surprise was evident.
"I'll explain inside." They found themselves ushered into a living room that was mercifully empty. Elphaba shook her long hair back, grateful to regain her less contorted posture. Once they were seated, the two found themselves updating him on their renegade status. Fiyero mentioned that he had heard his friend was not exactly outstanding citizen number one in the eyes of the wizard himself, and Mercus laughed.
"Yes, well, when have I ever been one to do as I'm told?" The men shared a private joke at this, and Elphaba smiled indulgently at them. How long had it been since she had seen Mercus? She couldn't even say. Those days at his house were the happiest of her life, leading her to Fiyero, giving her friends, teaching her acceptance and the reality of her own worth. She had never expected to see him again.
Finally Fiyero reached the punch line of the conversation. "So, will you help us find a way to safety? I'm afraid we're both too visible to try anything on our own."
Mercus took a deep breath and considered it. He walked to the window, facing the view of the forest they had recently exited beyond its glass panes. He sighed heavily, "I don't know if you can escape. It's very dangerous, especially as recognizable as you both are. It would be tricky, and many people would have to be bought or controlled. People are so unpredictable. With so many variables is much potential for disaster. I don't know."
He shook his head, but they knew not to speak and break his chain of thought. Disappointment coursed through her, and she was reminded why she had left the group to begin with. Wishing only wounds the heart, and she had enough wounds without them giving her new hopes to be ripped away. Finally, he decided, "Stay here. I've missed you both, and escape will find you no safer than you are here."
Fiyero leapt up, seizing his friends arm and pulling him into a hug, laughing with relief. After offering their thanks, Fiyero returned to her side. Mercus smiled at her. "So, is she still available or have you finally gotten up the brains to claim her? If you haven't I'll tell you, I will."
There was a twinge of annoyance at them speaking of her as if she wasn't here, but Fiyero pulled her possessively to his side. "Do you claim me?" He smiled down at her sweetly.
She reached up for a chaste kiss, followed with "No," tauntingly.
Mercus laughed heartily at this. "I see nothing's changed with you two."
He showed them upstairs to one of his many guest rooms and offered to let them freshen up before dinner. Elphaba wished she had some cleaner clothes to change into, and Fiyero promised to see if he could find her some. Washing off, she lapsed into thinking of how Fiyero had handled everything. She would never have thought to ask someone for help. It was so opposite of her nature. She would inflict her wrath on others, but any difficulties or puzzles she would keep to herself until she unraveled them. That was the difference between her and Fiyero. He would keep his pain to himself, but be quick to tap the resources of those around him if given a challenge. Here he had only been with her one day, and she had found more friendship, support and shelter than she had on her own power for two years.
He complemented her so well, talented in every area she was lacking. His patience, love and forgiveness still left her in awe while she could barely forgive an accidentally misspoken word against a far removed acquaintance. His talent with people and politics contrasted her stubbornness and uncompromising nature. Every weakness of hers matched with his strength. They fit together so well.
Fiyero knocked to tell her that he had found some clothes for her, when she pulled him in to her. Kissing him soundly, she allowed herself to indulge in her sentimental gratitude. "What was that for?"
"Existing." She dressed and continued as if nothing had happened, but her heart smiled in recognition of the one on his face.
AN: I haven't decided yet if Nessa is going to be tornado-ed or not...any preferences?