Thanks for the reviews…hopefully the slowness of the last chapter didn't turn you guys off…

"I've got it all laid out," Elphaba announced proudly, spreading two sheets of paper on the kitchen table. "This will require two spells; one to turn me into a wolf and the other so I can hear your thoughts." Eerie silence permeated the air. "Well, what do you think?"

"I think you're certifiably insane," Jared replied in all honesty.

"I don't see how you could want this for yourself," Embry muttered, still bitter about his recent transformation.

"I think it's gonna be a hell of a lot of fun to see you try," Paul snickered.

"Thanks," the green girl retorted dryly, picking up one of the papers. "But I don't need your approval." Scanning over the carefully worded spell she began to chant slowly. Her voice got louder and more intense with every powerful syllable.

"Elphie wait!" Galinda appeared at the bottom of the staircase just as the last word was fading away. Sweet Oz she's gonna burst into flames or spontaneously combust or explode into a million little pieces now. The blonde's lips weren't moving but Elphaba heard her thoughts as if they'd been spoken aloud. She smiled.

"Galinda I'm fine," the green girl assured her friend. "The spell didn't do anything to me."

But it could have. She could be dead or mutilated or irreversibly harmed. Calm down Galinda you've got to pull it together and get her to talk with you.

"Talk with you about what?"

"Huh?" The blonde's mouth twisted in confusion. "I didn't say that out loud." What the heck is going on?

"That spell was…um…so I could hear the werewolves' thoughts," Elphaba explained sheepishly. "I guess it works on everyone."

"So you can read minds?" Sweet Oz this could get embarrassing.

"Apparently."

Awkward, Paul thought amusedly.

"I heard that!" Elphaba snapped. She turned back to Galinda. "What did you want to talk to me about?"

"Oh nothing," the blonde replied, casting a glance towards the three boys at the table. Just that I'm terrified one of your little magic tricks will kill or maim you and you treat my completely valid concerns like they're nothing. Oh yeah, and also the fact that you treat me like a child who can't make my own decisions about stuff when all. Darn it stop thinking! Elphaba's expression softened.

"I'm sorry," she said gently.

"Get out of my head!" Galinda growled stubbornly, crossing her arms. Don't try apologizing when I'm mad at you.

"I'm not trying to get in your head," the green girl snapped. "Oz, now I know how Edward feels."

"Ugh, you mean the leech?" Jared asked, his lip curling upwards in a silent growl. I hate him so very much.

"Yes, the leech that chose not to destroy your ancestors all those years ago," Elphaba reminded him sharply, turning back to the spellbook lying open on the table. "I think I'd better modify this mind reading spell before something goes awry."

"Elphie…"

"Galinda I swear to Oz I'm being absurdly careful and meticulous with this," Elphaba assured her sincerely. "I understand that you're worried but…I don't know how to prove to you that this is totally safe. My own magic won't harm me."

"Ok," the blonde replied, still concerned. She wrapped her little arms around the green girl. "Just promise to be careful ok?" You're my best friend and I couldn't bear to lose you.

"I promise."

***

"Knock, knock." Elphaba smacked her fist against the wall of Jacobs's garage as she entered.

"Hey Elphaba!" Bella greeted elatedly.

"Hello Artichoke," Jacob tossed over his shoulder, still messing with the bikes. The green girl had become a regular occupant of the Blacks' garage, as had her petite friend.

"Hi Bella!" Galinda squealed, flouncing to the pale girl's side.

"Hello Blondie," Jacob grumbled. His nicknames for the two Ozians were becoming almost affectionate.

"So how are the two wheeled death machines coming along?" Elphaba wondered.

"They're almost finished actually," Jacob informed them all proudly.

"They look great," Galinda enthused, her eyes never leaving the russet skinned boy.

"I still can't believe you're going to ride one of those things," the green girl teased Bella, reaching to snag a soda from Jacob's paper bag.

"Hey!" he protested, grabbing her wrist. "Those aren't for you." Jacob's eyes widened and he quickly dropped Elphaba's hand; her skin was feverishly hot.

"Possessive much," the green girl retorted with a scowl. Just then a wolf howl sounded from the nearby woods. Elphaba stiffened. "I've gotta go."

"Elphie…"

"See ya Artichoke!"

***

A slim, emerald green wolf came crashing through the underbrush, hackles raised. What happened?

We picked up a scent, Sam replied, stretching his massive shoulders. I thought it best that we wait for you.

Actually he thought it best that we wait for your finding spell, Jared clarified. We all know you can't fight.

I believe the situation is currently too dire for me to stop and wipe the floor with you, Elphaba replied coolly, forming a spell in her head. Luckily, magic was still possible in wolf form. As soon as the ball of light appeared all five wolves were off in pursuit of Victoria.

***

"Where's Elphaba?" Fiyero's head ducked into the garage his girlfriend had occupied minutes earlier.

"Who are you?" Jacob demanded, sizing Fiyero up. They were about the same size, though the Winkie was considerably more mature looking.

"This is Fiyero," Galinda introduced brightly. "He's also staying with Sam." Something in the blonde's tone alerted Jacob.

"Is he your boyfriend?" he queried with a smirk.

"No," the petite girl snapped painfully. "He's Elphaba's boyfriend." Bella's head swiveled, recognizing the same sorrow she felt when thoughts of Edward crossed her mind.

"So the Artichoke's got a boyfriend," Jacob whistled, returning to the motorcycles. "Well you just missed her; she ran off a minute ago."

"Do you know where she went?" the Winkie pressed. Galinda cast him a meaningful glance. "Oh." His face crumpled with concern. "Well I'll just head back to Sam's place then," he shrugged. "I'll want to be there when she gets back." With that he departed. Bella reached across the seat of Jacob's half finished car and took Galinda's hand. She gave it a gentle squeeze that said everything she couldn't. The two girls were more similar than they could have ever dreamed; both still loved men they couldn't have.

Sorry for the slowness…it will get better!