Galinda and Elphaba wandered aimlessly across the reservation. Enrolling in school seemed somewhat pointless, what with their vampire hunting schedules, and the Cullens weren't there to forge documents for them. Instead the Ozians spent their time at the reservation; enjoying the beaches and wandering the town. There wasn't much to do but Forks was too dangerous with Victoria on the loose. "Do you think Bella's ok?" the blonde wondered.

"I'm sure she's fine," the green girl replied, trying to conceal her doubt.

"Maybe we should check on her," Galinda suggested. "I mean, maybe Victoria's after her."

"So far all the vampire attacks have been in the forest," Elphaba pointed out. "Bella's not a nature girl; she's perfectly safe."

"What about Charlie?"

"I'm sure he's fine too." The conversation stopped as a familiar red truck came into view. It was parked haphazardly in front of the Blacks' house. Before any words could be spoken the green girl was dashing towards the front door. She knocked on it purposefully, trying not to look impatient.

"Hello?" Billy Black answered the door in his wheelchair. The old man's eyes brightened at the sight of La Push's resident witch. As a member of the council he knew all about the reservation's odd visitors. "Ah, Elphaba. What can I do for you?"

"I saw that truck and wondered if Bella Swan was here," the green girl informed him with a slightly uncomfortable smile. "She's a friend of mine."

"Bella's around back in the garage," Billy told her. "With my son Jacob."

"Thanks!" Elphaba replied, abruptly returning to Galinda and dragging the blonde towards the plastic structure behind Billy's house. They found Bella watching a tall, russet skinned boy work on two derelict motorcycles. Relief washed through the green girl's system upon seeing her old friend safe.

"Bella!" Galinda cried, bouncing slightly. The pale girl looked up in absolute surprise. Her eyes widened at the sight of the two Ozians. Elphaba watched her reaction warily.

"Oh my god," Bella exclaimed, jumping up. Her expression was one of profound joy and relief. "You guys are back?"

"Yep we're back," the green girl replied. "For awhile at least."

Bella's veins rushed with happiness and gratitude. Though the two Ozians brought with them painful memories of better times the pale girl was so glad to have someone here who knew the truth. She wouldn't have to pretend around the Ozians.

"Who're they?" Jacob asked suspiciously, looking up from his tools. Now that Galinda was clothed in Earth garb she looked quite normal but Elphaba's skin was always an oddity. "Aren't you the people living with Sam and Emily?"

"Yeah," the green witch answered evasively. "We're friends of theirs." This only seemed to make the tall boy more hostile.

"These are Elphaba and Galinda," Bella introduced enthusiastically. "They were friends of mine last year." Her voice cracked a little on the last word and a little pain leaked through.

"It's nice to meet you," Jacob muttered, standing to shake their hands. He didn't bother to wipe off the thick grease. The blonde witch offered him a nod but refused to let her dainty fingers brush his dirty palm. Elphaba, on the other hand, put her hand firmly in his and leveled Jacob's eyes with an equally firm stare. "Would you like to…uh…watch me work?" the lanky boy wondered. Galinda couldn't help but notice the thick bands of muscle beneath his beautiful skin.

"That's ok," the blonde replied, totally averted to anything that involved dirt, grime or mechanics.

"I'll stay," Elphaba volunteered, earning her an exasperated glare from her petite friend. "It looks interesting." Jacob's scowl indicated that he wished she'd leave. Unfortunately for him the green girl's opinion wasn't influenced by what other people wanted. As Galinda excused herself, already heading back to the reservation's miniscule clothes shop, Elphaba settled into the unfinished car beside her pale friend. Jacob grudgingly returned to work, trying to ignore the uninvited visitor. "How are you doing?" the green girl whispered.

"Ok," Bella sighed. "Better now that you're here. It's nice to have someone who knows about…everything." Now that the initial joy of reunion had faded the witch could see that her pale friend wasn't looking so great. Her eyes were anchored with deep shadows and painfully dark lines pulled her face gaunt. This was not the happy girl she'd left at the end of Twilight. Jacob did not like the gossipy murmurs he couldn't decipher.

"Could you two speak up?" he called rudely.

"Yes, your Highness," Bella returned with a fond smile.

"Who's this?" Elphaba growled, realizing she didn't know his name yet.

"Jacob Black," the pale girl replied. "He's my best friend."

"Nice to meet you," the green girl said loudly to the boy on the floor.

"Same here," he grunted.

"Are you two here everyday?" Elphaba was trying not to pry, but she was naturally curious.

"Either here or at my house," Bella shrugged. "Jake's fixing these bikes so we can ride them eventually. Charlie'd blow a vein if he knew I was planning to try out a 'two wheeled death machine' so we're keeping this whole operation on the down low."

"Well I'm not gonna tattle on you," the witch chuckled. "Those two piles of scrap metal don't look like they'd go fast enough to do any real damage."

"They will when I'm finished with them," Jake growled haughtily.

"He's an expert mechanic," Bella told her proudly.

"Really?" the green girl snorted. "An expert?" She sounded doubtful.

"Don't antagonize him!" the pale girl scolded, swatting her friend's arm. Though the banter was forced and shallow it still felt nice; though not as natural as when Bella and Jacob were alone. Elphaba sensed this and prepared to depart.

"I've actually gotta be somewhere," she fibbed, getting up.

"Will I see you at school?" Bella inquired.

"No," the green girl answered. "But I'll be around the reservation a lot. Maybe I'll stop in some time." She gave Jacob a venomous smile and strode out.

***

"Mmm muffins!" Fiyero murmured appreciatively as he walked into the cabin.

"My famous cinnamon muffins," Emily corrected as the Ozians settled themselves into chairs around the table. "And eggs and sausage too. Werewolves eat a lot."

"I don't think they've got anything on Fiyero," Elphaba chuckled. "Speaking of which where are the wolf boys?"

"They'll be here soon," Emily assured them. "You know Sam; he never lets them miss a meal."

"Maybe they caught Victoria," Galinda chirped hopefully. She still had nightmares about the redheaded vampire. "After you used that finding spell it must have been easier to locate her."

"I don't know," the green girl shrugged. "It's probably worn off by now. The spells would be so much more effective if I could travel with them."

"Why don't you just enchant another broomstick?" Boq inquired. He'd been brought up to speed on the events of their adventure in Twilight.

"I would," Elphaba told them. "But Sam's all 'you could be hurt; vampires shouldn't be dealt with by human girls'."

"I agree," Fiyero insisted.

"And you're also an overprotective fool," the green girl grumped even as she snuggled closer to him. "But I'll find a way around it…just you wait."