"It was like she couldn't let go of me." Elphaba tried to explain.

"Couldn't or wouldn't?" Addena asked, earning her a look from her sister. "I'm just trying to get my head around what the two of you are telling me."

"I would go with couldn't." Glinda clarified. "It was weird, Dena."

Elphaba nodded. "She was just as scared as we were. I could feel it."

Addena looked down at Breena, struggling with what she was hearing from Glinda and Elphaba. As soon as she got back to the room her sister started talking a mile a minute about Breena waking up and trying to heal the two of them. She tried to downplay the whole thing while they cast the lock out spell, but when she reexamined Elphaba and found her injuries weren't as bad as they had been she couldn't ignore the fact something happened. Still, it was hard for her, as a doctor, to accept Breena could heal people simply by touching them.

She reached down to check Breena's pulse but all she felt was a steady thumping against her fingertips.

"What are you doing?!" Glinda slapped her hand away.

"Experimenting." Addena felt the two of them looking at her this time. "Sorry, but I had to see if anything happened. I couldn't very well help her if I couldn't touch her."

"That's true." Glinda wrinkled her nose. "Sorry I hit you."

"You were watching out for Breena. I can't fault you for that." She looked at an obviously confused Elphaba. "Maybe it's because she's unconscious again."

"Maybe." The green woman didn't sound very convinced.

"At least we know Dena can treat her." Glinda rubbed Elphie's back.

"I guess."

Addena shared a look with her sister. "Linny, why don't you take her next door so she can get some rest."

That snapped Elphaba out of it. "But I…"

"But nothing." Addena cut her off. "The best thing you can do for her right now is recuperate. I have a feeling we'll all be in trouble if she wakes up and finds you're not taking care of yourself."

Glinda chortled. "You got that right." She put her arm around her love's shoulders. "Come on, Elphie. I'll stay with you."

"Won't you need her to help with Bree?" Elphaba looked up at Addena.

"No." Addena shook her head. "She needs her rest too. Besides, she's never made a very good nurse." She grinned at her sister.

"Don't start." Glinda tightened her grip on Elphie. "Let's go."

"Get better, Bree." Elphaba put her hand over her cousin's.

Addena frowned as a myriad of things happened at the same time. Breena's brow furrowed and her body tensed, Elphaba swore and Glinda gasped. Before she could ask what was going on Breena's hand moved to grip Elphaba's.

"No!" Elphaba tried to pull free. "Bree, stop!"

"What's happening?" Addena looked at them.

Glinda let go of Elphaba. "She's healing her again."

"And you could feel it through Elphaba?"

"I don't know how, but yes." Glinda nodded.

Addena sprang into action when Breena groaned. She grabbed Breena's arm and pulled, feeling nothing but the woman's cool skin against her palm. But when she took Elphaba's arm in her other hand a tingly sensation filled her body. "What the…"

"Let go!" Elphaba snapped.

Addena gave another tug, almost falling on top of Breena when the cousins' hands separated. Glinda had to catch Elphaba to keep her from toppling off the bed.

"That was intense." The elder Upland looked at her companions. "Are you all right, Elphaba?"

"It's Bree you should be worried about." Elphaba's voice was shaky. "Does this mean you can't treat her after all?"

"I don't think so." Addena frowned. "I'm not sure how to say this, but I think you're the only one who has that effect on her."

"What?" Glinda mirrored her frown. "But I felt it too. Twice."

"Were you touching one of them or both of them?"

"Does it make a difference?"

"It could." Addena looked at Elphaba. "When I gripped her arm, I didn't feel anything. But when I grabbed you too I felt all tingly."

"Glinda was touching both of us the first time and just me the second." Elphaba shook her head. "But it doesn't make sense."

"It does if you're some kind of conduit." Addena clarified. "See," she put her hand on Breena's arm. "Nothing."

Elphaba frowned. "Touch her again, Glinda."

"What? Why?" The blonde practically stammered.

"Maybe it is me. But we won't know unless you touch her by yourself and it happens again."

"But…" Glinda sighed. "All right." She quickly put her finger on the back of Breena's hand fully expecting to feel what she had before, but nothing happened. "That's weird." She tried again with the same results.

"You don't feel anything, do you?" Elphaba clinched her fist and growled when Glinda shook her head. "What the hell is going on?" She shot Addena a look when she opened her mouth to speak. "And please don't tell me to calm down. I can't touch my cousin without hurting her. I think I have the right to be a little upset."

"Fair enough." Addena nodded. "But sitting here beating yourself up over what's going on isn't helping anyone. Go next door. Talk it out. I'll take care of Breena and let you know how she is as soon as I'm done."

"You're right. The further away from her I am the better."

"Don't talk like that, Elphie." Glinda half heartedly chastised her, knowing how upset she would be if the tables were turned and she couldn't touch Addena. Not to mention the fuel this whole situation added to the fire of her suspicions where Breena and Elphaba were concerned.

She shoved all thoughts of sisters and confessions out of her head as she wrapped her arm around Elphie's shoulders again and helped her stand.

"I'm fine." Elphaba shrugged away from her and walked out of the room.

Addena watched her go. "Will you be all right with her?"

"Of course." Glinda looked offended.

"Hey, it was an innocent enough question. And it's my prerogative to worry about my little sister."

"You have no idea how much I love you for it." Glinda gave her a hug. "You'll let us know as soon as you're done with her?"

"The very second."

"Good, I think knowing she's going to be all right will help calm Elphie down." She squeezed Breena's hand. "And don't you worry. I'll take good care of her." She gave Addena another hug before hurrying after Elphaba.

Addena turned back toward the bed as soon as the door leading to the other room shut. "You're quite the mystery, aren't you Breena? I think I'm going to like figuring you out." She grinned as she got to work examining her.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Glinda searched out her lover as she closed the doors between the rooms. "Elphie?"

"There are a lot of windows in this place." She had the curtain drawn back, looking outside. "I bet you had to have a whole crew of maids when it came time to clean them all."

"We did." Glinda played along, knowing small talk was one of her coping mechanisms. "For the inside anyway. Dad hired a special cleaning crew to do the outside. They used planks attached to ropes to lower men down from the roof. Dena told on me one year when I went up there to ask their foreman if I could help."

"I thought you were afraid of heights."

"I was four." She shrugged. "And I thought the plank was a swing."

Elphaba chuckled. "You were quite precocious."

"Are you implying I've lost some of my charm?"

"Oz forbid."

Glinda's breath caught in her throat as Elphie turned to look at her. The afternoon sun shone behind her, shimmering along her emerald skin and raven hair until she practically glowed.

"What's wrong?" Elphaba let the curtain drop and started toward her. "Are you all right?"

"I'm…" She had to swallow to wet her suddenly dry throat. "I'm fine. It's just…" She smiled. "I can't believe how much I love you."

"Then I guess it's a good thing I love you too." Elphaba drew her into her arms when she reached her. "I'm sorry."

"Elphie…"

"I shouldn't have been such a basket case."

"You…"

"But I've never had anything like that happen before. I can't touch her, Glinda. My cousin is lying in a bed unconscious and I can't help her or comfort her. All I can do is cause her pain."

Glinda started to reply but knew better.

"And you. You could have…" A single tear fell from her eye. "I nearly lost you. No, I take that back, I did lose you."

"Shhh." Glinda held her close. "I'm right here."

"But you almost weren't. If it wasn't for Addena… Glinda, you weren't breathing. Your heart wasn't beating."

"A very smart woman once told me we can't live our lives by almosts or maybes."

Elphaba sniffled as she pushed back to look at her. "Well that same smart woman is telling you you're not allowed to do anything like that ever again."

"What, dying? I don't plan on it."

"That or even almost dying. Especially if it involves protecting me."

"Oh really?" Glinda quirked an eyebrow. "I'd like to see someone try to stop me."

"Glinda…"

"No, Elphie. You're everything to me. How am I supposed to stand by and watch you get hurt?" She put her finger over Elphaba's lips to keep her from replying. "That was a rhetorical question. And you know you would do the same thing if I was in danger."

"Of course I would." Elphaba frowned. "But that's different."

"How?"

"You're you and I'm me."

"You make it sound like you're more expendable or something."

"I am."

"No!" Glinda put her hands on her love's cheeks. "Listen to me, Elphaba Thropp. I'm no more important to this world than you are."

Elphaba snorted. "That's debatable."

"Love is a two way street. If you can't accept the fact that I'm going to worry about you and care for you and do whatever it takes to keep you with me, then we might as well end this right here and now."

"Glinda." Elphaba was shocked.

"I'm serious." Her blue eyes blazed with intensity. "I can't have you putting yourself in harms way or taking risks because of some preconceived notion that it's all right. Because I'm here to tell you it's not. Do you know what my life would be worth if I lost you again? Nothing."

"Don't say that."

"It's true. When I thought you were dead the best part of me died too. I went through the motions but I wasn't really living. I was existing." Tears streamed down her cheeks. "And after Boq stabbed you and I thought I might lose you for good all I could think was that I wanted to go with you." Her voice was little more than a whisper. "I'm not complete without you."

"Come here." It was Elphaba's turn to hold her close. "I love you too. I hope you know that. So much it hurts sometimes."

"I do." Glinda's voice was muffled against Elphaba's shoulder.

"And I promise not to do anything that might put me in danger unless it's necessary. But it has to be my definition of necessary, Glinda, not anyone else's. If I feel something needs done, I'm going to do it. And I know there will be times we don't see eye to eye. But please, please never talk about us not being together anymore." She put her cheek against the top of the blonde's head. "I can't bear it."

They clung to one another, each shedding more than a few tears.

"I love you, Elphie. With all my heart."

"I love you too. With everything I am."

They separated enough to look deep into the other's eyes for a moment before their lips came together. The gamut of emotions they had felt seared through the kiss, leaving them both breathless when they parted again.

Elphaba managed a grin before her knees gave out.

"Elphie?" Glinda tightened her grip on the green woman to keep her from falling. Surprisingly she didn't panic though, she grinned too. "I think you might have overdone it."

"I think you're right." Elphaba's grin stayed in place. "But it was necessary."

Glinda shook her head. "Let's continue this conversation on the bed."

"Why Miss Upland, are you coming on to me?"

"I'm a lady."

"A lady who promised me whatever we did together wouldn't be quick."

Glinda chuckled. "We're not exactly setting any land speed records here."

"True." Elphaba sighed gratefully as Glinda lowered her to the bed. "I feel like I'm a thousand years old."

"You're bound to be sore." Glinda spoke as she removed Elphie's boots and socks. "We used to have quite the collection of clothes our guests left behind. Do you want me to see if I can find you something more comfortable to sleep in?"

"Who says I'm going to sleep?" Elphaba stifled a yawn.

"That did." Glinda ran her fingers through raven tresses. "Seriously Elphie, do you want to change?"

She shook her head. "No. But I do want you to join me." Elphaba patted the bed next to her.

"Gladly." Glinda quickly removed her own socks and shoes and laid down on the other side of the bed.

"You could get a little closer."

"I don't want to hurt you."

"You won't, now get over here." Elphaba opened her arms.

Glinda wanted to protest, she really did, but the thought of cuddling with her Elphie after the day they'd had was too tempting. She let her body mold against the green one, laying her head on Elphie's shoulder so she could still see her to talk.

Elphaba sighed again. "That's much better." She gave Glinda a squeeze. "I could get used to this."

"You better because neither one of us is going anywhere any time soon."

"We can hope not."

"Elphie." Glinda furrowed her brow.

"Sorry my love." Elphaba ran her hand up and down Glinda's side. "How is your shoulder? Is it still stiff?"

"A little, but not like before. I think..." She hesitated.

"That Breena helped? It's all right to say her name, Glinda." Elphaba kissed the shoulder in question. "How about if I see if I can finish the job for her?"

Glinda closed her eyes when she felt those wonderful lips against the material of her shirt. They soon found their way to her neck, making her moan in pleasure. "Even your mouth is magical."

Elphaba laughed, pulling Glinda closer. "Let's see if yours is too."

What started out as a simple kiss soon became something more. They lost themselves in each other, letting their tongues roam as their lips sparred.

"I'm not sure if that finished the job or not." Glinda's voice was husky when they finally parted. "I might need another... whatever that was to compare it to."

"Oh, well if it's for scientific research." Elphaba closed in again, capturing pink lips in a gentle and lingering caress. Only this time when they parted she laid her head on the pillows behind her.

Glinda raised her eyebrows. "Was it that good?"

"It was amazing." She yawned. "Sorry."

"You're exhausted."

"I am, but I can't go to sleep."

"Elphie."

"I have to make sure Breena is all right."

"She would want you to rest. As a matter of fact she has a really effective sleep spell she would more than likely use." Glinda gave her a look when she didn't respond. "And if I knew it I might be tempted to cast it right now."

Elphaba gave her a half laugh. "Hint taken."

Glinda reversed their position, taking Elphaba into her arms. "Just close your eyes, Elphie." She rubbed her back. "I've got you. And Dena has Breena. She'll be fine."

"I hope so." Elphaba snuggled against her. "I love you."

"I love you too." Glinda gave her a kiss on top of the head and gathered her closer. In no time Elphie was asleep.

Glinda tried to stay awake, but it had been an incredibly long day and the warmth of Elphie's body against her own was like a sleeping potion. Her eyes grew heavier and heavier until she couldn't resist anymore and let herself drift off.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

"OK, kid. I think we could both use a break."

Addena's only answer was silence. Breena's breathing was still steady and her pulse relatively strong but she hadn't so much as flinched the whole time she was being examined. It would have made Addena feel better if she at least showed some sign of waking up. Then again maybe it was for the best. The cut on her stomach wasn't as deep as Addena had feared and didn't need stitched, but her body was littered with deep, painful looking bruises. Especially along her left side. If she was awake she would have been in agony.

"I promised Elphaba and Linny an update so I'm going to go see them for a minute." Addena couldn't resist the urge to run her fingers through Breena's short dark hair. "When I get back we'll take care of your side and finish with your bandages. Until then stay put."

She started toward the adjoining room, hoping Elphaba had calmed down enough that a quick "everything is fine" would suffice so she could get back to Breena. There was something about her. Something Addena couldn't quite put her finger on. Something that made her want to take extra special care of her.

She knocked on the door but didn't wait for a response to open it. "Hey guys. I thought I should let you know... you're asleep."

The thought of waking them entered her mind but just as quickly left again. They both needed their rest. And it wasn't like they could do anything for Breena right now anyway. Besides, they were too cute to disturb.

Addena leaned against the doorframe, drinking in the sight before her. Glinda was flat on her back, arms wrapped tightly around Elphaba who was curled against her side, her right arm wound around Glinda's waist. They fit perfectly, like puzzle pieces. Like they were meant to be.

The thought brought a smile to her face. If someone had told her her little sister would fall in love with the woman everyone called the Witch she would have laughed in their face. Yet there they were, cuddled up like they had been together forever. And she was actually looking forward to getting to know Elphaba better.

"Fresh dreams you two."

She went back through the door, closing it silently behind her.

"See." She spoke as she made her way to the bed. " I told you I'd be right back." The fingers of her right hand instantly found their way to Breena's wrist, a sigh of relief passing her lips when she felt the consistent thumping against her skin.

Her brow furrowed at the reaction. What was wrong with her? She was acting like Breena was more than just another patient. OK, so none of her other patients had ever put themselves in harms way for her the way Breena did when Morrible attacked, but that still didn't explain why she felt so protective. Or why she couldn't shake the urge to hit someone for hurting Breena in the first place.

"I'm going to take care of your side now."

Addena sat on the edge of the bed, her eyes instantly drawn to Breena's face. She didn't really have time to look at her when they first met, but now that she did she couldn't help but think she was beautiful. Striking. That was the word her mother would have used. It fit Breena's strong jaw and angular cheeks better.

She absentmindedly dipped her right hand into the jar of balm in her left, making sure her fingers were covered in the soothing substance before rubbing them on the angry looking bruises. Breena had a nice figure too. Probably from training with the Gale Force when she went undercover to watch over Glinda. Addena still couldn't believe she could glamour into a man. Maybe when Breena was feeling better she would...

Her thoughts scattered when she suddenly found her right wrist in a vice like grip.

"I'm naked."

She looked at Breena's face again to find glassy green eyes staring back. Haunting green eyes. Why hadn't she noticed their color before? "Hey you."

Breena frowned. "Where are my clothes?"

"Trashed. They were filthy and torn from your trip out the window."

"That doesn't explain why I'm laying here with nothing on."

"I'm treating your injuries. It's easier for me to get a good look at you this way."

"I guess it's only fair." Breena let go of her arm. "I saw your goodies earlier."

"Goodies?" Addena looked bemused.

"Yep." Breena nodded. "And they were nice goodies too."

The corner of Addena's mouth went up in a grin. "I'm glad you enjoyed them."

"You're..." She hissed in pain as Addena went back to rubbing her side.

Addena instantly stilled her hand. "Sorry. Do you want me to stop?"

Breena groaned, her eyes closed and her brow furrowed. "I'm not even sure what you're doing."

"I'm putting some balm on your side. It's an old family remedy that's been passed down from generation to generation for as long as there have been Uplands. Works wonders on bruises."

"I have bruises?"

"Scores."

"And it will help?"

Addena shrugged. "It always has for me."

"Then go ahead."

Addena worked as quickly as she could, trying not to think about how tense Breena's body was under her hand or the fact that she could hear her trying to stifle a whimper. After all, she was helping her, right? That was her job as a doctor, to do whatever it took to make her patients feel better even if it might hurt them a little at the time. Then why did she want nothing more than to take Breena in her arms to keep the world at bay until she felt better?

"Still with me?" She asked, shoving her thoughts away as she finished.

"Yeah." Breena's voice was gruff.

"I need to bandage you now. Do you think you can sit up for me?"

She responded by trying to push herself up.

"Here, let me help." Addena slipped her arm under her shoulder and guided her into a sitting position. "Are you good?"

"If you hurry."

She did as she was told, grabbing a roll of cloth and a gauzy pad from her doctor's bag. She held the pad over the cut on Breena's stomach as she wound the cloth around her midsection, being sure to keep it as tight as she could. In less than a minute she was done, but Breena was still panting from the effort and had a fine sheen of sweat on her brow as she helped her lay back down.

Breena swallowed hard after taking a moment to recoup. "You're very gentle."

"The way I see it Morrible was rough enough for all of us today."

"She did have quite a few nasty tricks up her sleeve." Breena grinned halfheartedly. "Threw me around like a rag doll. It was embarrassing."

"That's funny. I thought you did a pretty good job of holding your own." Addena spoke as she took Breena's left arm in both of her own and started probing her wrist.

"What are you doing?"

"Seeing if I really broke your arm so I can splint it."

"Don't bother. Broken bones are usually the first things that heal."

Addena frowned. "So you can heal yourself as well as others?"

Breena nodded. "With a little sleep I'll be good as new." Her eyes suddenly got big. "What time is it?"

"What?"

"What time is it?!"

"I'm not sure." Addena was confused by the sudden shift in their conversation. "Early evening I guess."

"Shit." Breena tried to sit up only to grunt in pain and fall back to the bed.

"What do you think you're doing?!" Addena put her hand on the woman's shoulder when she realized she was going to give it another try.

"I..." She breathed through her pain. "I have to get to Munchkinland."

"Munchkinland?"

Breena nodded. "Milynn. I'm going to be late."

Addena put her free hand on Breena's brow to check for a fever. She was a little warm but not enough to cause this kind of delirium.

"I have to go."

"You're not going anywhere." Addena chastised. "At least not anytime soon."

"You're right." Breena's body finally relaxed. "I wouldn't get very far like this. But I should be OK in a little while." She gripped Addena's hand. "Please don't let me sleep longer than a few hours."

Addena shook her head. "You're not making any sense."

"Milynn." Breena fought to keep her eyes open. "I have to get to Milynn. I can't be late." She looked pleadingly at Addena. "Please promise you'll wake me up." She was barely hanging on. "Please..."

Before Addena could reply Breena was out again. Addena stared at her, wondering who the hell Milynn was and why the hell Breena wanted to get to her so bad.

If she didn't know better Addena would have sworn the feeling in the pit of her stomach was jealousy.