Addena watched Breena as she walked to her dresser, her shoulders slumped. She seemed so fragile. So lost. It made her want to rush across the room, take her in her arms and tell her everything was going to be all right. But coddling wasn't what Bree needed right now. Just like she didn't need someone talking at her. It wouldn't be easy, but Addena was going to have to get her to open up if she really wanted to help her.

"You don't have to stay."

Breena's voice interrupted her train of thought.

"I'm a little old for a babysitter."

"I didn't stay because you need someone to watch you. I just thought," she shrugged. "I thought maybe you would want to talk."

"I'm all talked out." Breena kicked herself as the words left her mouth. Why was she being such an ass? "Addy, wait…" She turned, shocked to find the blonde right behind her.

"Did you honestly think a little attitude would get rid or me?"

Breena couldn't stop the corner of her mouth from turning up. "I should know better by now."

Addena grinned. "You're learning." She ran her hand up one of Breena's arms. "I had to make sure you were all right."

"I'm fine."

"Hey," she used the same hand to lift Breena's chin when she started to lower her gaze. "What's with not looking at me? I'm suddenly not pretty enough for you?"

"No. I mean yes, of course you're pretty. Gorgeous actually. I just…"

"It was a joke, Bree." Addena felt guilty when she saw the anxiety in her eyes. "I should have known better than to tease you right now."

Breena visibly relaxed. "I guess we're learning together."

"It's a process." She looked at the open drawer before them. "Want some help picking out a shirt?"

"There's really not a whole lot to choose from."

"So I noticed." Addena's voice dripped with sarcasm. "What is it with you and Elphaba wearing black all the time?"

"It goes great with her skin tone." Breena shrugged. "And it brings out my eyes."

Her grin made another appearance. "We're going to have to add some color to your wardrobe." She wrinkled her nose as she started going through the shirts. "A shopping trip is definitely in order."

"For you and Glinda maybe."

"Are you saying you won't go shopping with me?"

"Yes."

"Not even if I say pretty please?" Addena stuck out her bottom lip.

"Especially then." Breena rolled her eyes. "Would you stop that already?"

"Ah ha, a sucker for the pout. I'll have to remember that." Addena couldn't resist anymore and put her arms around Breena, pulling her close. "And I love you even if you don't like shopping." She frowned when she felt her stiffen. "Bree?"

"Addy, we need to talk."

Her frown deepened when Breena pulled away from her but tried to keep her voice light. "What would you like to talk about?"

"Us."

"What about us?"

"I think…" Breena sighed. "I need some space."

Addena was too blown away to respond.

"All the kissing and flirting have been nice, but..."

"But what?"

"We barely know each other, Addy. All this is happening way too fast."

"What are you trying to say?"

"I think we should slow down."

"Slow down?" Addena echoed her words. "You can't be serious."

"I am." Breena's voice was flat.

"I don't believe this." Addena clinched her jaw, unwilling to accept what was happening. "Can you look me in the eye and say the same thing?"

Breena stared into her blue eyes, her face void of emotion. "I think we should slow down."

"I… You…" Addena stammered. "Fine." She let go of her. "If that's how you want it."

"It is."

"Then I guess I'll leave you alone."

Breena answered by nodding.

Addena stood where she was for a second, hoping Breena would say something else but she didn't. She wouldn't even look at her.

She turned on her heel and stormed toward the stairs. She would have loved to let Breena have it with both barrels, but wasn't about to let her know how upset she was. Why give her the satisfaction? It was pretty obvious she didn't want her, which was just fine. The witch could rot for all she cared. She would go downstairs and… and…

And try to come up with a way to get her woman back. Because as much as she hated to admit it, she needed Breena. Now that she had finally admitted her feelings for her, the thought of not being with her made her want to curl up in a little ball somewhere and cry.

She stopped dead in her tracks. What the hell was she doing? If she was going to fight for Breena she might as well start right here, right now. Running away wasn't going to solve anything.

Breena sighed when she turned back around, "Addy."

Addena didn't say a word. She marched over to her, grabbed her by the arm and put their mouths together, pouring everything she was feeling into the lip lock. Her breath hitched in her chest when she finally pulled away. "Now try to tell me you don't want the same things I do."

"I..." Breena growled in frustration before crushing her mouth against Addena's, reciprocating the kiss she had just received. "I can't." She breathed against her lips. "I can't want you, Addy."

"Sure you can," she moved in for another kiss.

"No," Breena pushed her away. "I can't. Please Addy, just drop it."

Addena guffawed. "You say that like it's the easiest thing in the world. You can't want me and I can't not want you. So I'd say we have a problem because I'm not going anywhere until you convince me I'm wrong."

"How am I supposed to do that?" She turned away when the blonde shrugged. "Damn it, Addy. You're not playing fair."

"Me? What about you? One minute we're fine and the next you're telling me we're going too fast. How do you think that made me feel? I gave you my heart and you threw it back in my face."

"I... I didn't mean to."

"Well you did." Addena watched her paced. "That's all I get, an 'I didn't mean to.'"

"What is it you want to hear?" Breena ran her hand through her hair. "How my heart does this weird flip every time I see you? How my mouth goes dry and my stomach ties itself in knots whenever we're alone? How I can't live without you? Fine. It's all true. Every word of it. You're everything I've ever wanted, Addy."

"Then I don't see the problem."

"Of course you don't because you're thinking with your heart and not with your head."

Addena looked confused. "What?"

"Being with me is dangerous."

"You're not making any sense."

"You heard Yackle!" Breena closed her eyes for a moment before speaking again. "I can't get away from this, for lack of a better word, power I'm tapped into. I've already lost my best friend. I can't lose you too."

"What happened to Milynn wasn't your fault. And you won't lose me."

"You don't know that. I damn near did already! If anything happens to you because of me I..."

Addena went to her, putting her finger over her lips. "Stop." She raised her eyebrows when Breena tried to open her mouth again. "What did I just say?" She nodded when the witch stayed silent. "That's better. I appreciate you watching out for me, Bree, but don't you think I should have a say in this whole thing?"

"I..."

She kept her finger firmly over the other woman's lips. "I'm not going to let you push me away. I can't."

"Addy..."

"No, I'm putting my foot down. I love you you idiot." Addena captured her lips in a passionate caress.

Breena leaned her forehead against the doctor's once they tore themselves apart to breathe. "You win."

"I do?"

Breena nodded. "I love you too. I can't do this whole Morrible thing without you."

"Damn straight you can't." Addena put her arms around her again, giving her another gentle kiss before pulling back to look at her. "Just for the record, there won't be any more talk of us slowing down or not being together, right?"

"Right."

"Good."

"I'm sorry I said those things. It was my way of giving you a chance to reconsider those second thoughts we talked about before."

"I told you I didn't have any."

"I know, but..." Breena shook her head. "After everything that happened earlier I wouldn't blame you if you did."

"We're not going there again." Addena gave her a squeeze. "And it's really sweet of you to try to give me an out. But if you ever try to get rid of me like that again I'll kick your ass. Whatever happens from now on, we're in it together."

"Together." Breena started another kiss, deepening it as she steered Addena toward the bed.

"Hey!" Addena chirped when she found herself sprawled on the mattress. "What are you doing?"

"Making sure you know what you're getting yourself into."

"I already…" Addena's voice trailed off as Breena quickly unbuttoned her shirt and unfastened the clasps of her bra, placing a gentle kiss between her breasts. "Oh my."

Breena grinned as she crawled on top of the doctor, trailing feather light kisses up her stomach, chest and neck until she reached her mouth, which she promptly conquered.

"Elphaba."

Breena frowned at her response. "Please tell me you didn't just say my sister's name."

"I did." Addena looked up at her. "Not because I'm picturing her in my head or anything because I wouldn't do that. You're the only one for me." She mentally kicked herself for rambling. "She and Yackle are waiting for you downstairs. What if someone comes looking for you? And you said you wanted our first time to be perfect." She kept going before Breena could say anything. "Well so do I. Not that what you were doing wasn't amazing, but you would have to rush and once we were done you would have to run and I don't want that. I want us to be able to do it until we're both half dead from exhaustion. And then I want to fall asleep in your arms and…"

Breena silenced her with another kiss. "I get the picture. And you're right, now really isn't the time." She reluctantly moved to sit on the edge of the bed.

"Don't be mad." Addena joined her, refastening her bra.

"I'm not." She smirked mischievously. "Half dead from exhaustion?"

Addena blushed. "That just kind of slipped out."

"I like how you just kind of think."

"Shut up." She gave her a playful push before climbing to her feet. "I'll get you a clean shirt."

Breena grabbed her hand, pulling her into her lap for another drawn out kiss. "Thanks."

Addena grinned. "For what?"

"Not giving up on me."

"I couldn't even if I wanted to." She ran the back of her hand down Breena's cheek before continuing her trek to the dresser. "I meant what I said about adding some color to your wardrobe."

"And I meant what I said about not shopping with you."

Addena stuck her tongue out. "Do you mind if I borrow a shirt while I'm in here?"

"You mean you'd wear one of those drab things?"

"Don't start."

"Would helping me change make it up to you?"

They shared a smile as Breena joined her at the dresser.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Elphaba was experiencing major information overload. Normally what Yackle had just thrown at them would have taken her at least a week to process but she didn't have the luxury of that kind of time. If they were going to succeed in stopping Morrible, she needed to be thinking clearly when they got downstairs. But how was she supposed to do that when her head was practically spinning?

If Yackle was to be believed, there was some invisible all knowing, all seeing bond between her and her sister that was just waiting to step in and 'help' if need be. Part of her agreed with Lion when he said it was creepy but the other half thought it was interesting. How many people could claim to have a magical guardian angel of sorts watching over them?

Oz only knew they would need it when they took on Morrible again. Remembering her vision still left her feeling weak in the knees. She couldn't let her get away with hurting any more Ozians. Enough people had already fallen victim to the weather witch's greed for power. The spell Yackle mentioned could be just what they needed. Stripping her of her powers and throwing her back in Southstairs seemed like the perfect way of getting rid of her once and for all but it all seemed a little too easy.

And then there was her biggest worry… her sister. She had failed Breena in the worst possible way. How her sister could have been going through something like killing someone without her noticing was beyond her. She might have gotten through to her upstairs but she had a feeling it was just the tip of the ice burg. She was going to have to work harder at getting Breena to open up to her.

Hopefully Addena would be able to work some of the Upland magic on her. Oz only knew Glinda had her ways of…

She suddenly found herself pressed against the wall, a familiar pair of lips gently teasing her own. "Glinda?"

The blonde pulled back to look at her. "There you are. You had me worried for a second."

Elphaba furrowed her brow. "What?"

"I kept talking to you but you weren't answering. I thought maybe I was being more boring than usual until I turned around and noticed you were too busy staring off into space to even hear me. So when I snapped my fingers in your face and you still didn't respond I decided to take matters into my own hands."

"You snapped your fingers in my face?"

"Twice."

"Sorry. I was thinking."

"I hoped that was it. I don't think I would have been able to carry you if you had another vision and passed out again."

Elphaba frowned as she took in their surroundings. "What are we doing in our room?"

"Like I said, you were almost catatonic. I brought you in here in case a kiss wasn't enough to pull you out of it." Glinda grinned. "I don't think the hallway would have been the best place for phase two of operation 'get my Elphie back.' Lion might have inadvertently learned a few of the sex game rules."

"Glinda." She blushed.

"I know, I know... Yackle is waiting for you and we don't have time for that kind of thing. But Breena won't be down for a few minutes. And I need to know that you're all right."

"I'm fine."

"Why don't you let me be the judge of that?" Glinda kissed her again, letting her lips linger on green ones for what seemed like an eternity. "No, it's still not quite right." She brought their mouths together again, instantly seeking out Elphaba's tongue for a wrestling match. "Em," she grinned when she finally came up for air. "That's much better."

"Glad I passed. Feel free to test me again anytime." Elphaba quirked an eyebrow as the blonde took her hand and led her toward the bed. "I thought we didn't have time for this."

"We're just going to talk, silly."

"I've heard of talking turkey but never talking silly."

"I'm trying to be serious, Elphie." Glinda pulled her down beside her as she sat on the bed. "Are you all right?"

Elphaba nodded, hating the concern she saw in those baby blues. "I'm fine Glinda, really."

"But you passed out. Vision or no vision that's not normal." She gently caressed her cheek.

"I know. It's almost like I get too emotionally involved in what I'm seeing and it short circuits my system."

"Maybe it does. Seeing your sister fighting someone like Morrible and watching innocent people being attacked can have that effect on a person."

"All I know is I can't let Morrible hurt anyone else."

"She won't." Glinda assured her. "You'll stop her."

Elphaba pursed her lips. "I hope you're right."

"Of course I am. Remember what Yackle said? There's nothing you and Breena can't accomplish together." She felt her lover tense. "You don't think Breena will be able to help you?"

"No, that's not it. I just hate that she has to go through something like this so soon after what happened upstairs."

"Are you afraid it will distract her?"

"Just the opposite. I'm afraid she'll use this as an excuse to pretend it never happened again. It will eat her up inside if she does."

"Dena won't let that happen, Elphie. She loves her. And we Upland women tend to protect the things we love." Glinda put herself nose to nose with the green woman. "Let me show you."

Elphaba met her halfway, savoring the feel of those soft lips against her own. One kiss led to another and another until they were completely lost in each other. Somewhere along the way they laid down, curled in each others arms.

"How do you always know just what I need?"

"Like I said, we Upland women have our ways." Glinda snuggled closer. "Do you feel better now?"

"Much." Elphaba grinned. "You didn't bring me in here to protect Lion, did you?"

"Yes."

"Glinda."

"What?" She giggled when a green hand started tickling her side. "Fine. I thought maybe you could use a pep talk of your own." She stared into the brown eyes she adored. "Did it work?"

"Like a charm." Elphaba brushed her lips against Glinda's.

"I love you, Elphie."

"I love you too, Glinda."

"I could stay here with you like this forever."

"Me too. If only Breena and Yackle weren't waiting for me downstairs."

Glinda sighed. "Is that our cue to go?"

"I'm afraid so." Elphaba put her hand on Glinda's cheek. "But we'll pick up where we left off soon."

"You promise?"

"I promise."

Glinda clung to her a moment longer before scooting off the bed and holding out a hand to her love. "The sooner we go the sooner you get rid of Morrible."

Elphaba grinned as she accepted her help off the bed. "That's my girl."

"Just remember your promise." Glinda pulled her into her arms. "You have to come back to me for us to pick up where we left off."

"I'll always come back to you."

They shared another kiss before leaving the room. Glinda stepped out in the hall just in time for Breena and Addena to scare her. She and Addena both screamed.

"Wow." Elphaba's eyes got big.

Breena winced. "Try having it happen twice in one day." She looked back and forth between the blondes. "We've really got to stop meeting this way. It's making me deaf."

Addena elbowed her in the side. "I thought you two would be downstairs by now."

"We needed a pit stop." Glinda grinned.

"Pit stop, riiight." Addena winked at her.

Elphaba looked at her sister. "Bree I..."

"It's all right, Elly. We can talk about everything later. Right now we need to concentrate on Morrible." She reached for her sister's hand.

"Not so fast." Glinda stopped Elphaba as she started toward her sister. "I think you need one of these to tide you over." She kissed her gently.

"Me too." Addena agreed.

Breena pretended to frown. "You're going to kiss Elly?"

"Shut up." The doctor pulled her into a lip lock, giving her a soft, "I love you," as they parted.

Elphaba held Glinda's gaze for a moment once they were through. "Ready Bree?"

"As I'll ever be." Breena gripped Addena's shoulder before following her sister.

Glinda moved to Addena's side as they watched them walk away. "Do my eyes deceive me or are you actually wearing black?"

"Don't go there."

"Want to worry with me?"

Addena sighed. "I thought you'd never ask."