My buddy "Denpa Wave Chick Saki" co-wrote this with me. Enjoy!
Elphaba turned the page of her book as she sat by the blonde's bed. It was difficult to accept that there wasn't much she could do but wait. She glanced over at the blonde, as she so often did, waiting for any sign of her waking. Galinda's eyes clenched tightly, as she gave a soft moan, her head turning slightly. Elphaba's head snapped up at the noise. "Galinda?" The blonde slowly opened her eyes, squinting as they adjusted to the light. The green woman leaned in a tad bit closer. "Galinda, can you hear me? It's Elphaba..."
"Elphie?" She turned to her.
"Yeah...it's me." Elphaba took her hand gently. "I'm back...and you're going to get better, I promise."
The blonde gave a weak smile, her voice quiet and hoarse. "...glad...you're back..."
"Me too, my sweet." Elphaba lifted the blonde's hand, kissing it gently. "Me too..." Galinda wrinkled her nose, reaching up to scratch it. Her fingers ran into the breathing tube and her nose wrinkled again. The blonde pulled at, trying to get it out. "No, leave that alone," Elphaba said, pushing her hand away gently. "You need that."
She whimpered, mumbling, "But...uncomfy..."
"I know, my sweet, and I'm sorry, but you need it." Elphaba took both of Galinda's hands in her own. "Try not to think about it."
"...alright..." The blonde sighed.
"How about a song? Would you like that? Perhaps it would help you fall back asleep."
"I don't...wanna sleep..."
"Well...what would you like then? Just tell me, and I'll do whatever it is."
Galinda smiled. "Sing..."
"All right..." The green woman paused before she began. "The sun'll come out tomorrow. Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow there'll be sun. Just thinkin' about tomorrow clears away the cobwebs, and the sorrow 'til there's none." The blonde smiled. She tried to hum along to the song, but only ended up coughing. Elphaba gripped Galinda's hands a little tighter. Galinda gave her hands a weak squeeze, closing her eyes and enjoying the song. "When I'm stuck a day that's grey, and lonely, I just stick out my chin and grin, and say, oh! The sun'll come out tomorrow. So ya gotta hang on 'til tomorrow come what may. Tomorrow! Tomorrow! I love ya tomorrow! You're always a day away..." She looked at the blonde. "I hope that was acceptable...Galinda, you really should try to rest. You're still not well."
"I'd rather...talk to...you..."
"How about I talk and you listen? I saw your new drawing, and, like all your others, it's quite good."
The blonde frowned a little. "Even though I...ruined it..."
"No...you didn't. It's still good." Elphaba gave her a smile. "You know, Fae hasn't left your side. She's your little guard dog."
Galinda gently pet the puppy curled up against her, receiving a good amount of licks to her hand. She chuckled but broke out into coughs. The blonde smiled, "Such a good...puppy."
"Yeah...she is." Elphaba left only to change the rag on Galinda's forehead. "Are you hungry at all?"
She nodded. "Just a little."
"All right. I'll make you some soup." Elphaba stood up.
"N-no..." Galinda didn't let go of her hand.
The green woman looked at her, before she sat back down. "Okay...I'll stay." She kissed the blonde's hand again.
"Thank you." Not too long later, the blonde sat up, slowly scooting over to the edge of the bed. Fae leapt up, jumping over to block her step with a bark.
"Where are you going?" Elphaba asked. "You need to stay in bed. If you need to pee, that's what bedpans are for."
Galinda groaned. "But that's...so...embarrassing..."
"It's under the blanket. No one will see. Galinda, I am not budging on this. You can't leave the bed."
"...fine..." The blonde reluctantly got back into the bed, feeling better when she stopped moving.
"Thank you." Elphaba retrieved the bedpan and slipped it under the blankets. "Let me know when you finish."
Galinda's face flushed, but she did her business, grumbling, "...so unsanitary..."
"If it really bothers you that much, I will personally go down 'there' and clean you up."
"N-no...it's fine..." The blonde laid back down. "Can you get...Fae's ball?" Elphaba retrieved said item, handing it over to the blonde, before she pulled the bedpan out and left to deal with it.
Galinda rolled over so that she was on her side by the edge of the bed. She lightly rolled the ball away on the floor, watching with a smile as Fae chased after it every time. The well-trained puppy brought it back and put it right into the blonde's hand that she left hanging over the side of the bed. Galinda gently pet Fae's head. "Such a...good puppy..."
The green woman returned, smiling slightly at the scene. She chose this moment to slip out, going to make the soup she'd promised for the blonde. A few minutes later, Elphaba returned, carrying a steaming bowl. "I have your soup, Glin."
Galinda was laying on the ground, her breathing tube partially yanked out and the bedsheets half-off the bed. The blonde had passed out while she was playing with the puppy, and she had fallen out of the bed. Fae was jumping around her hysterically, every once in a while nudging an unmoving hand with a whimper. The puppy ran over to Elphaba and barked before running back to the blonde, nudging her hand again.
The bowl fell from Elphaba's hand, as she ran to the blonde's side. "Galinda!" The green woman lifted her back into bed, tears forming in her eyes. She yanked the panic cord again, practically screaming, "Fix her, fix her!" when the doctor arrived. She picked Fae up to save her from the commotion, holding the dog close with trembling hands.
The doctor quickly had the breathing tube properly in place again. While he was there, he did another examination. With a frown, he stepped back when he was done. "She is extremely malnourished..."
"Then fix her! Why aren't you doing your job?"
"We're doing everything that we can, Miss Thropp. Please calm down." He turned to one of his assistants, telling him to go retrieve the necessary tools. The man quickly scurried away.
"Don't tell me what to do! She's getting worse!" Elphaba buried her face in Fae's back, trying to calm down.
"I'm doing my best, Miss. It's not like I have ever seen anything like this before." When his assistant returned, the doctor hooked Galinda up to an IV drip.
Elphaba didn't reply, but she sat back down, stroking the puppy. "Just make her better..."
"We are trying."
"Yeah..."
After she left the Wizard's office, Rosalina made her way down the halls of the palace.
Nessa had just left the kitchen and was currently heading back to her room, her prayer book open in her lap. She didn't notice the other person she was headed towards. The older woman noticed just in time, stopping herself. "Oh, I'm sorry, dear."
The brunette looked up. "Oh...hello. I'm sorry...I wasn't paying attention."
"The fault was all mine, Miss Nessarose." She gave her a smile.
"You...you know my name? Have we met before? I apologize if we have, because I don't remember."
"Don't worry about it, dear. You can call me, Rosalina." She held her hand out to the brunette. Nessa took her hand, shaking it.
"Nessa? Where are you?" Elphaba came around the corner, her gaze falling on Rosalina. "Oh...hello again. Here to torture me further?"
The older woman sighed. "Please believe me when I say that when I said those things I had no intention of hurting you."
"Well you certainly weren't being sensitive of how I felt, but I suppose that can be overlooked considering who I am."
"Elphaba..." Nessa said, laying a hand on the green woman's arm. "How's Galinda?"
"Worse than before."
"Is it alright if I see her?" Rosalina asked, looking to Elphaba for permission.
"Why? So you can continue to do nothing?"
"Elphaba, you're letting your anger get the better of you again, stop it!"
The green woman sighed. "I'm sorry...yes, you can...see her..."
Rosalina nodded her head. "Thank you. Can one of you please lead me to her room?" Elphaba moved behind Nessa's chair, leading the way to the Galinda's room. She took her place beside the blonde again, brushing some hair from her face. The older woman frowned at the sight of her granddaughter. She circled the bed, examining her closely. "Oscar got her a very good doctor. Not many would know how to cope so well with such a mysterious illness." She eyed Elphaba. The green woman didn't say anything, afraid that somehow Galinda would hear her angry words even in unconsciousness.
"You mentioned an illness at the ball...did you know she was going to get it?" Nessa asked. "Is it possible I could catch it too?"
Before she could stop herself, Rosalina replied, "Oh, you needn't worry about it, dear. You won't catch this."
"What...what does that mean?"
"She just means it's not contagious, that's all," Elphaba said quickly. "Uh, Nessa...m-maybe you should go."
"Yes, yes. That's exactly what I meant. It was pleasant to meet you, Miss Nessarose."
Nessa didn't exactly appreciate this, but she left, though she felt her old doubts welling up again. Is...is it possible that Galinda and I aren't...related? She headed back to her room, these thoughts weighing heavily on her mind.
"Why did you say that?" Elphaba asked.
"It just slipped out. The poor girl looked so worried about catching it, and I just wanted to ease her mind."
"You probably made it worse. I have worked so hard to make sure that I don't destroy Nessa's world...and now you probably planted the seed of doubt."
"I sincerely apologize, Miss Thropp. I did not mean to upset either of you."
Elphaba looked down. "Maybe...you should go..."
"I will leave in just a few minutes. I would like to speak with you about something before I go."
"What is it?" Elphaba asked.
"Oscar and I have decided that it is in everyone's best interests if Galinda does not learn that I am her grandmother."
Elphaba stared at her. "You want me to keep the truth from her? She has a right to know after being put through this hell!"
"What you say is true. However, by knowing we are related, she may feel driven to speak to her parents to figure out why they abandoned her. And...knowing my son, they will not hold back the truth. It could hurt her deeply to know she was such an unwanted child. Do you wish to see her in more pain?"
"What a question to ask me, the only person who has done anything to help her." Elphaba looked back down. "Fine, I'll keep your secret...but if she blatantly asks me, I won't lie to the woman I love."
"I will settle with that for now. Just don't be surprised when the truth hurts her."
"Don't you admonish me! You don't know me, now get out! I've had about all I can take of your high society crap!"
"Very well, Miss Thropp. When she is finally healing, will you be explaining what happened to her, or would you like me to?"
Elphaba's hands formed fists. "Please...leave..." she managed through clenched teeth, her voice strained.
"Have a good day then. And I wish swift healing for your girlfriend." Rosalina bowed her head politely before leaving the room.
The green woman slowly unclenched her tense muscles, feeling Fae pulling on her dress. She picked the puppy up, setting her on the bed. Fae gave her hand a reassuring lick before snuggling up with Galinda. She laid down by her hip and wiggled under so the blonde's hand was resting on her, licking the fingers gently. Elphaba smiled slightly, before she picked up her book and resumed reading.
Nessa knew she had to start somewhere, and while the palace did not provide the best outlet for such personal information, the words of Rosalina supplied her with a clue. Why was she so confident that Nessa wouldn't catch what Galinda had? And how had she predicted Galinda's illness? It would be understandable if it had been a family trait, but then...why not the brunette? Of course, this wasn't the first time Nessa had had doubts. Just the very fact that she and Galinda didn't share many traits in common was the first clue. Of course they were both adopted, but Nessa had always assumed they'd been adopted together. She couldn't remember a time in her life without Galinda in it. Nessa came to the conclusion that the only way to find out was to ask the man she called 'father.'
"Father? May I come in?"
The Wizard opened the door, standing aside for her. "Of course you can, my dear Nessa."
Nessa wheeled in slowly, looking down. "I...please understand that this is very difficult to say...I know that I'm adopted, you needn't lie about that..." The brunette wrung her hands nervously.
"What is bothering you, my dear?"
"I am beginning to have...doubts." Nessa took a deep breath, before she looked up at him. "Is Galinda...really my sister?"
"My dear Nessarose..." Her father sighed, moving over to kneel in front of her chair and take her hands in his own. "No...she is not your sister."
The brunette nodded, trying to swallow the lump that was quickly growing in her throat. "I am not a child anymore...why did you lie? You told me that you brought us in together...but you love Galinda more don't you?"
"Of course not, my dear. I love you both equally. The two of you are my world." He frowned a little. "Perhaps I did lie to you when you were a child...but I only did so because I didn't want to hurt you."
"Then who am I? Why did you take me if I was broken? It wasn't out of pity, was it? And where did I come from?"
"I am truly sorry...I cannot tell you right now. But what I can tell you is that I did not take you in out of pity or for any reason other than love. You needed a loving home, and I was happy to give it to you."
Nessa sighed. "I appreciate what you have done...and I will always love you as my father." The brunette gave him a hug as best she could. "But I just...I need to know. Perhaps for my birthday you will tell me?"
"I promise to tell you when the moment is right..." The Wizard stood, leaning forward to gently kiss the brunette's forehead.
"Thank you..." Nessa slowly left the room, closing the door behind her.
Elphaba smiled slightly, as Fae yet again fetched the ball she had thrown, bringing it back to the green woman. She looked over at her still unconscious girlfriend and sighed, before she threw the ball again, watching the puppy fight to gain traction so she could chase after it.
When Galinda stirred she heard clattering on the floor. Somewhere in the back of her mind she knew it must be Fae, but when she weakly opened her eyes, she was shocked.
"Good girl," Elphaba said, as Fae brought the ball back again. The green woman chuckled slightly, as she and the puppy engaged in a small tug-of-war for the ball. The blonde shakily brought a hand up, holding it in front of her face. Galinda blinked a few more times, gently touching her eyelids to make sure her eyes were indeed open. Her breath caught in her throat. The tiny noise caught Elphaba's attention, and she turned towards the blonde. "Galinda, you're awake...how are you feeling?"
Galinda jumped a little at the sudden voice. "E-elphie?"
Elphaba's brow furrowed slightly. "Yes...I'm right here." She took the blonde's hand gently. Galinda weakly gripped her hand, as tears started to stream down her face for the first time since all of this had started. "O-oh! Please don't cry! What's wrong? Does something hurt?" Elphaba quickly sat beside the blonde, pulling her into her arms.
"I can't...I can't see..." She choked on the words, clutching to her girlfriend.
Elphaba felt her heart drop, yet she did her best to remain under control. "You can't...see? At all?"
Galinda shook her head. When she tried to move her other arm, she felt something holding her back. The blonde used her free hand to feel what it was. "What...what is this?" She cried harder.
"It's just an IV...the doctor said you weren't getting enough nutrition...I'm so sorry." Elphaba kissed her forehead, holding her all the closer, as tears ran down her own face and into the blonde's hair. "D-don't c-c-cry..."
"E-elphie?" Galinda slowly reached up. She kept missing, but her hand finally found the green woman's face, immediately feeling wetness. The blonde wiped Elphaba's tears away. "N-no...you'll burn..."
"I keep trying...to keep it together for you...because if we both freak out..." Elphaba kissed her again. "We'll get through this...you'll get better...you will..."
"I'm...trying..." The blonde nestled against her.
"You will...and I won't leave until you do." Elphaba stroked her hair, fighting back more tears.
"Thank you..." she breathed.
After Galinda had fallen back asleep, Elphaba remained in bed with her, beginning to doze off herself. At the sound of approaching footsteps, and then a cleared throat, Elphaba looked up, seeing the Wizard in the doorway. His eyes saddened when he saw his daughter's condition, but then he turned to Elphaba. "I wish to speak with you in my office."
Elphaba sighed, but she gently got out of bed, so as not to wake Galinda. She pushed Fae closer to the blonde, before she followed the Wizard to his office, standing in front of his desk and looking down after he closed the door. "Yes sir?"
"Just a little while ago, Nessarose came into my office asking if she and Galinda were truly related and who her real family is." His eyes narrowed at her. "It had better not have been you who mentioned it to her."
"Miss Nessarose and I have no relation to each other. I am an unwanted orphan, and she is your daughter. I would not spread such lies," Elphaba recited emotionlessly, still looking at the floor.
"Good. Make sure it stays that way. Your mother made it very clear when she gave Nessarose to me that she was not to know until the proper time."
"Miss Nessarose and I do not share a mother, so there is no reason for me to say anything to her."
"Very well. You are dismissed." Elphaba nodded, before she turned and headed for the door. "Oh, and Miss Thropp?" he called, stopping her before she left.
The green woman paused. "Yes sir?"
"I was planning on telling Nessarose everything on her eighteenth birthday. I have decided, however, that if you or Galinda wish to do so yourselves when that times comes, you may. Though you will have to speak to Galinda yourself to decide who."
Elphaba had to fight back her emotions. "There is nothing to tell. I will not destroy the life you have given her." Elphaba turned back to him. "You may hate me, sir, but Nessa loves you...and I would never take that away from her."
"She will learn the truth whether it be from me, you, or Galinda. I am simply giving you the chance to tell her yourself."
"Spare me your false kindness. You cannot make up for the wrongs you have done me."
"You think I don't realize that? There is nothing in Oz that I could do to make up for the things I have done to everyone..." The Wizard stood and moved to stare out his window, his back to Elphaba. "You may return to my daughter's side now."
Elphaba started to leave, but she paused once more. "There is only one Animal professor left at Shiz, and I know Morrible is looking for any excuse to fire him. Perhaps you could find it in yourself...to help him stay..." And then she was gone.
"Can we just walk through the doors of the palace? Is that even allowed?" the munchkin asked his companion nervously, as they stood before the imposing doors.
Fiyero laughed, clapping him on the back. "Lighten up, little man. You worry too much." He knocked loudly on the door. The guard who opened the door recognized the prince and let the two of them inside the palace.
"Easy for you to say! You're...well, important! This is where the Wizard lives, and Miss Galinda too!"
He looked unimpressed. "And? Tons of people come to the palace all the time." Fiyero stopped one of the maids scurrying by and asked where they could find Galinda, growing confused when the woman's face saddened.
"The right person to talk to would be him." She pointed to the man who was quickly making his way out of the infirmary and up the stairs. "Have a good day, young Masters." She bowed and scurried away again.
The prince stared after her. "Why did she seem so sad? You know...now that I think about it, this whole place is seeming way more somber than usual."
"Maybe someone died," Boq suggested, looking at the prince.
After questioning the doctor, the two made their way to Galinda's room. Before they could see anything, Elphaba emerged, closing the door behind her. "What are you two doing here?"
Fiyero had sobered up by that point. "We hadn't seen you two at school lately and thought we would come see what happened. Elphaba, is Galinda okay? Everyone we ask looks depressed when we bring her up, and the doctor refused to tell us anything."
Elphaba sighed. "She...is rather ill."
"With what? What could possibly be so bad that you've missed more than a week of school?"
"I...I cannot say. I'm not permitted. If you wish to see her...I must check with her first."
Elphaba disappeared inside the room again and Boq looked at Fiyero. "It must be serious...I've never seen Elphaba so shaken before."
The green woman approached the blonde's bedside, stroking her hair gently. "Hey...are you awake?"
Galinda slowly started to stir. "Elphie...?" Her voice had grown quieter
"Yeah, it's me. Boq and Fiyero are here...do you want me to let them in?" She gripped the blonde's hand reassuringly.
Galinda nodded. "Help me...up...first?"
"Sure." Elphaba put an arm around the blonde, helping her sit up. She readjusted the pillows behind her. "Better?"
"Thank you..." Galinda coughed, staring blankly at her lap.
"I'll be right here the whole time...I promise." Elphaba kissed the blonde gently, letting it linger longer than usual. The heiress gave as strong of a smile as she could. Elphaba left to open the door, allowing the two men in before she returned to Galinda's side, taking her hand in her own.
"H-hello, Miss Galinda..."
The blonde's gaze didn't move. "Boq?"
"Y-yes...it's me." The munchkin looked at Elphaba, but the green woman couldn't meet his gaze, looking down instead. It occurred to Boq just how much this hurt Elphaba, but he didn't dare say anything in front of the prince.
"And Yero?"
"I'm here too, Galinda." Fiyero made his way to the other side of the bed, taking her hand in his own.
The blonde jumped a little at the sudden touch. "It's so good...to see...you both..." she managed to get out. Elphaba bristled slightly at that, but she didn't say anything, instead releasing the blonde's hand and leaning back against the wall.
"We've missed you," Boq said.
"I've...missed you...too..." Galinda coughed. "Why did you...guys come?"
"We were worried about you. We thought maybe something had...happened."
"You think I'm not doing my job?" Elphaba asked coldly.
"N-no...we just-"
"Elphie..." Galinda patted around the bed until she found the green woman's hand, giving it a squeeze. "...don't..."
Fiyero watched carefully, realization hitting him. "Galinda...why won't you look at us?"
"I..." The blonde choked up, grasping Elphaba's hand tighter.
"Must you pry? Would you like an escort out, because I can arrange that!" Elphaba said, advancing on him.
Fiyero threw his hands up defensively. "I didn't mean to upset either of you, I swear."
Galiinda pulled the green woman back. "Yero, I can't...I can't see...at all..." A few tears escaped her eyes. "The doctor doesn't...know why..."
"You don't have to explain yourself," Elphaba said. "Is this all you came for?" She threw another glare at the other blonde.
"No, of course not. We just wanted to check up on you to see what was wrong."
The heiress gave a pleading look in the general direction that she knew Elphaba to be. "Elphie, please..."
"Please what? I can't..." The green woman collapsed beside the blonde, one arm draped across her lap. "I can't...anymore. I'm sorry...I tried so hard..." Galinda gripped her girlfriend's hand, coughing into her other.
Fiyero frowned at the scene. "I didn't mean to upset either of you. Perhaps it's best if we leave..."
"N-no...stay..." The blonde's coughing grew louder. When she felt something wet hit her hand again, she frowned, her hand shaking. "Maybe...it's good...I can't see..."
Fiyero couldn't hold back a shocked gasp. "Oh, sweet Oz. Galinda..."
Elphaba forced herself to sit up, grabbing a cloth and wiping the blonde's hand and mouth. "It's not...as bad as earlier." She set the rag aside with a sigh.
"Are you sure? Because we could...go..." The munchkin didn't like seeing his friend this way, and he couldn't even imagine how Elphaba felt.
Elphaba meanwhile replaced the damp rag on Galinda's forehead. "Is that better?"
The blonde's only reply was a weak nod. Fiyero gently stroked her hand. "I think we should go anyway. You should rest, Galinda." The prince gave her hand a kiss. "Everyone at school misses you dearly, and everyone here is worried about you too. You have to get better for us all, okay?"
Galinda cracked a small smile. "I'll...try..."
Boq nodded in agreement, though remembering that Galinda couldn't see it. "We hope to see you back at Shiz soon."
"Yes...wouldn't that be nice..." Elphaba muttered.
"Have a...safe trip..."
"We will. Don't you worry. We'll see you soon, Galinda." Fiyero made his way to the door.
"Y-yes." Boq followed the prince.
Elphaba stood after they left, running a hand through her hair. In a way, she was almost glad Galinda couldn't see her now; she wouldn't have to witness the green woman losing her composure. Elphaba could count on one hand the amount of hours she'd slept since this started, and it was showing.
Galinda soon passed out again, exhausted from the encounter. Fae took her spot by her hand again, licking her mistress's hand as if it would help her. All Elphaba could do was take her place beside Galinda again.
"I know you're about to fall back asleep, and I'm almost done." Elphaba lifted the blonde's arm gently, as she ran the damp sponge along it. Galinda couldn't do anything but give a weak moan, her tiredness and the pain in her stomach catching up to her. Elphaba lowered her arm back down, before she moved to the blonde's neck and then onto her other arm. When she finished, the green woman tied the Galinda's nightdress up again before taking the water bowl and sponge back into the bathroom.
Galinda immediately passed out again, though she still grimaced in her unconsciousness. A maid came through the door after a quick knock. "Miss Thropp, this letter came for you."
The green woman nodded, taking the letter. She collapsed in her chair, opening the envelope and finding a letter from Rosalina inside.
Judging by what I've seen of you, I know that you have been by her side every second, which is all you can do for now. I am not writing this for you to bring up any bad subjects, but I thought of something that you should know. When Galinda's magic has settled in, you will see a sign. I can't say what, as it changes from girl to girl. But know that it will be very clear when it is happening. And after it has happened, you won't need to worry about it any longer. It will only get better from there on.
Elphaba lowered the paper. A sign? What did that mean? A sudden flash of light caught her attention and she wearily looked up. There was a glowing bubble of light floating in the air by the blonde. Right in front of Elphaba's eyes, more of these bubbles glimmered into view until there were hundreds of them surrounding her girlfriend. Before she could really grasp what was happening, the bubbles floated in towards Galinda, popping against the blonde as their light absorbed into her. When they were all gone, the blonde glowed with light for only a few seconds before it faded, leaving her looking as though nothing had happened. The only visible difference was Galinda's painful grimace faded with the light and turned into a much more peaceful expression.
The green woman could only stare, unsure if what she had seen was real or just brought about by her lack of sleep. "Bubbles...who would have thought..." And with that, Elphaba fell forward onto the bed, joining the blonde in unconsciousness.
Songs used:
"Tomorrow" from Annie