My buddy "Denpa Wave Chick Saki" co-wrote this with me. Enjoy!

Elphaba had faced many daunting tasks in her life, but one of the ones that really challenged her was packing for Miss Galinda, not only because the blonde was fickle, but because nothing ever wanted to fit. Elphaba would often find herself using many kickboxing moves on a trunk full of dresses in an effort just to shut and lock it. Right now just so happened to be one of those times, and Elphaba was losing... "AHHHHHH! GO IN!"

Galinda sat at her vanity, putting her makeup on. She glanced over at Elphaba in her mirror. "Don't ruin any of my dresses or you'll have to get me new ones." She set down her eyeliner and picked up her lipstick. "And you know how expensive my tastes are..."

Elphaba gave the dresses another kick before she slammed the lid shut, grunting as she threw her whole body weight on top of it, finally latching it closed. "Ha ha ha!" Elphaba panted, brushing a few strands of hair from her face. "Would you like me to pack anything else, Miss Galinda?"

"All of the bags and shoes that go along with those dresses you just packed."

Elphaba sighed. "Of course." She rolled off the trunk and pulled out another one, opening it as she started to load it with shoes and bags. Of course, overflow was to be expected and Elphaba soon found herself taking up her punching technique. She gave a yelp of pain when a rather sharp heel slashed her hand. Elphaba grabbed the offending shoes and threw it against the wall angrily with a yell. You're not bringing those, she said slamming the lid shut and locking it.

Galinda turned to glare at her. "Oh, yes I am. Put them in the trunk, Miss Thropp."

Elphaba clenched her fists angrily before she went to retrieve the shoes, bringing them back and managing to shove them into the trunk, closing and locking it again. "Fine, but they have blood on them now."

"Then wash it off." She turned back to her makeup, beginning to apply a light eyeshadow.

"I will...when we get back to the Emerald City. And I don't know why you're so averse to taking the train...it would be much faster."

"Because those seats are filled with the grime and dirt and sweat..." she shuddered, "of all the commoners who have ridden on them for years. I will not subject myself to such filth."

Elphaba rolled her eyes. "Oh, please..." She cleared her throat. "Have I packed everything you want? We should be leaving soon."

"That should be all I need. I'll just pack up my makeup and a few other things while you pack up your own things."

Elphaba nodded. "Alright." She turned away from Galinda to pack the few possessions she had into her beat-up suitcase. She threw her cloak around her shoulders, tying it.

Galinda finished applying her makeup and grabbed one of her smaller duffle bags. She started to transfer all of the makeup from her desk into the bag, along with all of her hair styling supplies. When she saw Elphaba's back turned to her, she quickly pulled her sketchbooks and pencils from her bottom desk drawer, throwing them in the bag and zipping it up. Her art was the one thing in her life that the green woman didn't know about, and she intended to keep it that way.

Elphaba latched her own suitcase shut before she straightened up to face the blonde. "Are you ready now? If you had as few possessions as me, it wouldn't take so long."

"If I had as few possessions as you it would mean that I'm dirt poor." She looked down at her packed duffle, picking it up. "Now I'm ready. Bring my bags, will you?" The blonde turned for the door.

"Of course..." Elphaba picked up the first trunk and left the room, heading down to the carriage and tying it on the top. She hopped down and returned to the room, picking up the second trunk and heading back outside to tie it onto the carriage. "This would be so much easier on the train..." she grunted. She tied that one as well before returning to the room for the third and final time to grab her own suitcase

Galinda sat on the bench outside, watching Elphaba run back and forth with her bags. "Are you finished yet?"

Elphaba looked at her, slightly panting. "Yes. I am done. No thanks to you..." she muttered under her breath. "Shall we go?"

"Yes." She stood, grabbing her duffle and her purse and climbing into the carriage. "Yes, we shall."

Elphaba climbed in after her, setting her suitcase on the seat beside her. She leaned back with a sigh, looking out the window as she took off her glasses and rubbed the lenses with her dress. Galinda was nothing more than a blur, even though she was no further than an arm's length away

The blonde shook her head with a sigh. "Must you always wear those? They look ridiculous."

Elphaba placed her glasses back on her nose, bringing her world back into focus. "I cannot see without them. I would never be able to serve you. What does it matter to you, anyway? You don't have to wear them."

"No, but I have to be seen with you. How did you even get this job if you're so blind?"

Elphaba gave her a cold stare. "I did not ask for this. I was forced into this li...I was about the same age as you. That meant it was far less likely for me to outlive you or vice versa. And I'm female, so I would never try to take advantage of you. Besides, it wasn't like people were clambering for the position. It's not paid, as I said. And I'm green...so it doesn't matter how you treat me. No one will care."

"Well, I suppose that is true. Nobody does care how I treat you. Although I can't say the bit about taking advantage of me is quite true. Using your undeniably larger size to gain advantage and choke me isn't exactly fair..." She turned to gaze out the window, no longer wishing to talk.

"I meant sexually. As in rape. And that was an accident..."

"Oh, yes. Everything's just an accident with you, isn't it? Who knows, perhaps you've planning on raping me in my sleep as well. You can never tell a person's innermost thoughts..."

Elphaba stared at her. "Is that what you think? That I would try to..." She looked down at her hands. "I never meant to hurt you...and I would never attack you when you're asleep...only cowards do that...it's like shooting someone in the back."

"Or maybe that's exactly what you want me to think. So then I will lower my guard and you can easily get rid of me."

"Galinda, stop it! I am not a monster!" Elphaba said, standing up angrily. "I am a person! I have feelings too and a soul, despite what you may think! It would be nice if someone would actually treat me as such for once!"

"And so do I. So maybe I'm tired of you assuming that all I ever want to do is hurt you or have you killed! Now, sit down before you topple the carriage over."

Elphaba sat. "You're the one who pushed me in the tub...you beat me...you almost choked me...you left me stranded in the rain...tell me who's abusing who, Miss Galinda. Oh, and I'm sorry. You mean this?" Elphaba stood again and threw herself against the wall, causing the carriage to wobble slightly.

Galinda gave a small shriek, throwing her hands out to stop herself from falling. "Yes! That exactly!"

"Yes? That? Do it?" Elphaba threw herself against the other wall. The carriage wobbled again.

"Stop it!" She shrieked again. "This is not funny!"

Elphaba sat down. "I'm amused," she said, crossing her arms.

Galinda crossed her arms with huff, looking out the window. "Well, I most definitely am not."

There was a pause. "What does amuse you, Miss Galinda?" Elphaba asked, no trace of sarcasm in her voice, only curiosity.

"Not you, that's for sure."

"That's obvious. But what do you do for fun besides shop?"

"Are you kidding me right now? You're with me almost constantly. I hang out with my friends, I shop, and on rare occasions I actually do my homework."

"No...you do more than that. There are times when I'm not with you, or lost in my books. I don't always pay attention..."

"Well, my dance and singing rehearsals take up the rest of my time. And that's it."

Elphaba took off her glasses and folded them, holding them in her lap. She leaned back and closed her eyes with a sigh. "When you said I couldn't sing...did you really mean that?"

Galinda sighed as well. "Only partially."

The green woman smiled slightly. "I apologize...for thinking so lowly of you...you're different...away from your friends..."

"No, I'm not," she answered a little too quickly. "I am the same person who I've always been." She continued looking out the window, refusing to look at the green woman.

Elphaba shook her head. "You don't need to lie...I'm not going to judge you...besides, I already know the truth." She pulled out one of her knives and began to flip it over and over in the air and catching it, never opening her eyes once.

"And yet you always seem to be the biggest judge of them all..." she mumbled. The blonde's eyes kept being drawn to the glint of the knife every time it was tossed. She turned to her. "Must you do that?"

"Does it make you nervous?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact, it does!"

Elphaba flipped the knife towards her own face and caught it inches before it hit her. She opened her eyes and grinned before she put the knife away. "I told you: I am a trained killer. This is second nature for me."

"That doesn't mean I want you to do that in front of me. It's unnerving..." She turned to the window again.

"Miss Galinda...if someone were to attack you...would you trust me? To protect you? If I told you to run and never look back...would you?"

"I...I'm not sure..."

"I want you to know that no matter what I say...no matter what happens between us...I will always lay down my life for you...if anyone wanted to hurt you, they'd have to do it over my cold, dead body...I want you to know that..."

"Well, that's an awful big promise to do that for somebody you hate so much."

"Maybe I don't hate you..." Elphaba muttered. "I would die to keep you safe...just know that."

"We'll see about that when the time comes..."

Elphaba looked at her. "When it comes? Are you hoping for it? Do you doubt me?"

"Of course I don't want it to come. I'm just saying that with my position being as it is, it is bound to happen eventually."

"Yes...yes it will. Which is why I act the way I do. You may think I'm trying to embarrass you...but I am only trying to stave off the inevitable. But if you were in danger...and I told you to run...you need to run. Don't look back; just run."

"If it's so inevitable perhaps you should just give up now and avoid yourself the trouble."

Elphaba furrowed her brow. "What does that mean? You...you want me to kill myself?"

"No! Of course not. I just mean..." She shook her head. "And what if that's exactly what I mean?"

"If you wanted me to kill myself..." Elphaba pulled out her knife and held it at her wrist.

Galinda quickly grabbed her hand, pulling the knife away from her wrist with an unreadable expression on her face. "Don't."

"Galinda...I would die to protect you." Elphaba grabbed the blonde's hand tightly. "I need you to promise me something right now. If I tell you to run and never look back, you run. No matter what. Even if I'm screaming in pain, you run and never look back. Understand?"

The blonde looked away, unable to meet her eyes. "I...I don't know if I can make that promise."

"Galinda, look at me. Promise you'll run. Don't let me die in vain."

"Fine, alright! If it will make you leave me alone, I promise. Now, let go of my hand." She pulled away from her.

Elphaba smiled before she leaned back again. "You are different..."

No further words transpired between the two for the rest of the trip.

The blonde couldn't get out of the carriage fast enough when it finally came to a stop. She couldn't take being in such close proximity with the green woman any longer. After their conversation, it had been...she supposed "awkward" was the correct word to describe it.

Elphaba climbed out after her and moved to untie her trunks, carrying them in one by one. After it was done, she grabbed her own suitcase and followed the blonde inside the palace.

Nessa was on the second landing and looked down to see them. "Galinda!"

Galinda looked up at the brunette, a smile appearing on her face. She quickly moved up to the landing, dropping her duffle and hugging her sister. "Oh, Nessa. 'Tis so good to see you!"

Nessa embraced her tightly. "I missed you both. How is Shiz?"

Elphaba watched the two, not without some jealousy. Nessa should be hugging her.

"Believe me, it's not as fun as it sounds. There's so much work to do! And the teachers, don't even get me started. Horrible Morrible is the worst by far."

Nessa giggled. In a lower voice, she said, "And Elphaba? How is she? You haven't been too hard on her...have you?"

Galinda frowned. "Don't worry. I haven't hurt her or anything recently. In fact, I think I've been going far too easy on her."

Nessa gripped her sister's hands. "No, Galinda, I'm so happy to hear that...thank you."

"Only for you, dearest," she kissed her on the forehead. "Only for you."

Nessa smiled before she moved around Galinda, approaching Elphaba. "Elphaba..."

"Miss Nessarose..."

The brunette suddenly hugged her, causing Elphaba to stiffen. "It's been hard...to fall asleep...without your lullaby."

Elphaba turned dark green. "Yes, well..."

Galinda picked up her duffle bag and left for her room, her nose held high.

Elphaba watched her as she and Nessa broke away. "Excuse me, Miss Nessarose..." She went after the blonde, following her to her room. "Is...is there anything else you need?"

"No, there isn't. You may unpack my bags later. Now, leave me be." She moved about the room, setting out her makeup and hair things.

Elphaba looked down. "She loves you far more than me..." And then she was gone.

"That's what you think..." She turned around, making sure that Elphaba was gone before she pulled her sketchbooks and pencils from her bag, hiding them in one of her vanity drawers. The vanity was the one place Elphaba never had any need to go through. She returned to unpacking her makeup.

Nessa came wheeling into the room. "I heard you have a boyfriend," she said with a sly grin.

Galinda turned towards her with a toss of her hair and a blush. "Oh, I have no idea what you're talking about."

Nessa rolled her eyes. "Oh please. Elphaba already told me all about it." Nessa wheeled closer to her sister. "So...Fiyero Tiggular? I heard he's not exactly bright."

"Elphaba's the only one who doesn't like him. He's so dreamy and perfect..." She sat on her bed with a dreamy sigh. "Amazingly perfect..."

Nessa smiled. "You seem happy enough...and that's good." Her smile faded. "Galinda...is it true? Did Elphaba...did she attack you?"

Galinda got up, moving away from her. "Wherever did you hear that ridiculous story? It's preposterous."

"She told me...in her letters. Why would she lie if it wasn't true?"

The blonde sighed. "Alright. Perhaps it is true. I don't know why she told you."

"Because she felt awful! She couldn't sleep...she had nightmares of being shot...surely she told you all this?"

"No, of course she didn't. And why would she? We are not friends."

Nessa sighed. "I wish you would try to get to know her..."

"Nessa, I wish you would stop trying to bring us together. It will never be. Me and her, it's simply not meant to be."

"But why? Why can't you even try?" Nessa buried her face in her hands. "She deserves some happiness...at least one friend...she won't die protecting you...she'll die from the inside out...being so alone...no one who cares...how must that feel?"

"Because we are from two completely different worlds! That is why, Nessa! Perhaps it's time you figure that out for yourself."

Nessa glared at her. "Maybe you should get over yourself."

"And maybe you should get over your martyrdom complex. Not everybody can be saved, dear sister. Not everybody deserves your affections. You're not the perfect princess who loves every single person, and you know it. And you say that I need to get over myself?"

Nessa looked at her before looking down. "You're right...I'm sorry."

Galinda immediately felt bad. She rushed over and kneeled in front of the brunette, taking her hands in her own. "No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. You do love everyone. You're the kindest and most caring person I've ever known."

Nessa smiled sadly. "I just...I just don't understand how such good people...can be thrust into such awful conditions...It's not fair."

The blonde cupped her sister's face. "Oh, honey. Life isn't fair in general, but that doesn't mean we can stop living it, now does it?"

"No...I guess not." Nessa smiled. "I simply must show you the dress Father bought me for your birthday ball!" She grabbed Galinda's hand and led her from the room, almost running right into Elphaba.

"O-oh, Miss Nessarose! I...I apologize...I didn't see you..."

Galinda looked down at Nessa. "You were going to show me something, weren't you, dear sister?"

"Oh...yes..." Nessa led Galinda past Elphaba and to her room, going into the closet. "Here it is. Isn't it lovely?" Nessa said, gesturing to a deep emerald dress.

"That looks like yours, Miss Galinda," Elphaba observed, coming in behind the blonde. "You two will match..."

Galinda had a brief flash of anger, quickly hiding it with a thoughtful expression. She was supposed to stand out at her own birthday. But her sister's dress was far too much like her own for comfort. She looked at her sister and knew she couldn't bear to tell her. "Oh, Nessa! It's beautiful." She looked at it closely, flashing a grin at the brunette. "We'll be twinsies."

Elphaba rolled her eyes. "Very astute, Miss Galinda."

Nessa nodded. "It's a little too long though..."

"Shush yourself, Miss Elphaba." She turned back to the dress. "That's alright, dear. There's still time before the ball. I'm sure we can find somebody to hem it up for you real fast."

"I could fix it," Elphaba said, her gaze on the floor. "That is, unless you feel like paying someone."

Nessa looked at her. "Elphaba...you don't have to..."

She shrugged. "It won't be hard...I already know your measurements..."

"See? I told you we could find somebody." The blonde held the dress out to Elphaba.

Elphaba took it from her and left with a nod. Nessa looked at Galinda. "Now you tell me she isn't worth getting to know."

"Hemming up a dress hardly makes her worth my attentions."

Nessa shrugged before she started to leave. She stopped right at the doorway, looking back at her sister. "You know...it might be good for you too...it could help you both...if you'd both let it..." The brunette then disappeared down the hall.

"It's not meant to be, Nessa..." She whispered to herself. Galinda sighed and left her sister's room, heading down the hall to return to her own room.

Elphaba sat in her room, pulling out her small sewing pouch and beginning to work on Nessa's dress. It wasn't that she minded working on the dress...but now that she was back...she had to be even more careful under the watchful eye of Galinda's father...no screw ups were allowed.

The day soon came to a close and soon enough, Nessa was lying in bed, listening to her blonde sister regale tales from Shiz. "Did Morrible really fawn over you like that?"

Galinda nodded to her sister with wide eyes. "Oh, yes. In my whole life, I have never seen anybody who has tried so hard to like me. We'll say she's a little...'ambitious' I suppose is the right word..."

Nessa giggled. "I can't wait until I get to go back with you...life is dreary here, what with just Father and myself."

Elphaba, who was standing in the doorway, cleared her throat, announcing her presence. The blonde looked up at her. "What is it, Miss Thropp?"

"Nothing."

Nessa looked at Galinda. "Thank you for talking with me, Galinda."

Elphaba came into the room and stood beside Nessa's bed. "Hopefully you will be able to fall asleep tonight."

Galinda got up from where she had been sitting, moving to lay a kiss on Nessa's forehead. "Yes. Sleep well, dear sister. I'll see you in the morning?"

"Of course. Good night."

Elphaba looked at Galinda. "Beware. You're going to hear my crappy singing again if you stay."

"Well, you sure know how to get me to leave a room." She stuck her tongue out at Elphaba before leaving the room and returning to hers. She went into the bathroom and turned the faucet on to fill the tub for her bath.

Elphba turned back to Nessa. "Sure you're not too old for this?"

Nessa shook her head. "Never. Please...it's been months."

Elphaba smiled. "Alright." She cleared her throat before she began to sing. "This is the story of a bird with no wings, but certain that it can fly. Sailing on love, into the headwinds, forcing its way by and by. If only we were as strong as this bird, our spirit would never die. What do we name it? Hope is the right word. Hope is the bravest, most beautiful bird in the sky..."

Galinda turned the faucet off, stripping out of her clothes and sinking into the warm water with a content sigh. Soon enough, Elphaba came into the blonde's room. "She's asleep...is there anything you need from me?"

She didn't even open her eyes to look at the green woman from where she was completely relaxed in the tub. "You still need to unpack my things."

"Already done."

"Very well then. Set out my nightdress and you're free to escape."

Elphaba set out the nightdress and paused, her gaze starting to lose focus. She quickly regained herself and left the room hurriedly, slamming her own bedroom door when she arrived. Elphaba sat on her bed, bringing her knees up to her chest and hugging them. She buried her face in her knees, soon becoming lost in her own world and thoughts.

Galinda raised an eyebrow after the green woman left. "Well that was strange, even for her." The blonde enjoyed her extremely long soak in the tub. It felt incredible after the long carriage ride that morning. Sadly, the water grew cold after a while, and she had to finish up. She stepped out of the tub and dried off, wrapping the towel around her before she moved into her room. Galinda brushed through her hair before she slipped on her nightdress and crawled into her bed with a content sigh. "Oh, how I've missed you, my big comfy bed." She smiled, cuddling up with one of the pillows and drifting into a deep sleep.

Song used: "Hope" by Idina Menzel