Author's Note: I meant to update this yesterday, but didn't get around to it. Sorry about that. I hope this chapter makes up for it.

Thankyou to everyone for the lovely, lovely reviews; but a special shout-out to Maddy (Ultimate Queen of Cliffies) for picking up my own favourite lines (what a surprise ;P) and to Glitter-Bunnii for the same reason and also for picking up my subtle Defying Gravity reference. :)

CHAPTER 3:

As it turned out, Elphaba didn't need to worry about cooking dinner, as there were very few supplies in the small cottage. What Elphaba did find was some cheese and some slightly-stale bread, both of which Fiyero helpfully sliced up to divide between the two of them as instructed by Elphaba, who was very strict on how much to consume that night and how much to put aside for later.

By the time they ate and Fiyero had his bath, Elphaba's hand had settled down enough for her to bathe herself.

When she came out of the bathroom, she was somewhat surprised to see Fiyero sitting in front of the fire he had lit earlier, staring into the flames. She had fully expected him to be sprawled out on the floor asleep.

As she sat down beside him, Fiyero glanced up. "How's your hand?"

"It's fine." Elphaba was silent for a moment, before she spoke again. "I meant to thank you earlier." At Fiyero's surprised look, she clarified, "You know, for fixing it up."

Fiyero shrugged nonchalantly, though a hint of a smile tugged at his lips. "It was nothing."

Elphaba shifted her gaze to the fire. "Well, thanks, anyway."

After a while of silence, Elphaba finally suggested they go to sleep. Fiyero agreed readily and the two made themselves as comfortable as possible on the floor in front of the fire.

The night was uneventful and Elphaba awoke early the next morning feeling a bit stiff, but nonetheless refreshed.

However, when she turned onto her other side to find Fiyero gone, she couldn't stop a wave of panic from washing over her. She quickly sat up and scanned the room. No Fiyero. She rose and searched the tiny cottage, but there was still no sign of him. His luggage was still there, however, and she tried to calm herself down by reassuring herself that he couldn't have gone too far. But when she looked outside and still found no sign of him, she began to grow worried despite herself. What if something had happened to him? Would that something happen to her, too?

Half an hour later, Elphaba heard the back door open and close. She fairly flew into the kitchen to find Fiyero standing there, covered in snow, his cheeks tinted with a pink glow and his eyes sparkling.

"Where were you?" Elphaba demanded, trying in vain to keep the shrill edge out of her voice.

Fiyero grinned and held up a hand. "Catching our lunch."

Elphaba's eyes widened as she realized he was holding up two dead rabbits. "You…went hunting?"

Fiyero nodded. "I had the idea last night when I spied that rack of rifles in the sitting room." He placed the rabbits on the table and strode through to the adjoining room, replacing the rifle he had taken.

"And you managed to shoot two rabbits. How long were you out there?"

"It must have been about five o'clock when I went out. But I only caught one rabbit."

"But –"

"I found the other one outside on the door handle. It looks like someone left it there for us."

Elphaba frowned. "Left it for us?" she echoed. "But who? No-one knows we're here…there's no-one nearby…"

Fiyero shrugged. "I don't know. But I'm not going to look a gift rabbit in the mouth. I just hope you know how to prepare rabbit."

"Well, I've never actually done it myself before," Elphaba admitted, "but I have read some recipes. I'm sure I'll manage." She bustled over to the pantry and took out some of the remaining bread and cheese. "Breakfast?"

Fiyero nodded and sat down. "Thanks."

The two enjoyed a quiet breakfast. Afterwards, Elphaba offered to make them some tea, but Fiyero insisted on doing it himself so that Elphaba wouldn't hurt her hand any further. For that, Elphaba was immensely grateful, even though she didn't explicitly say so.

"The coachmen put the horses in the stable, didn't they?" Elphaba asked suddenly.

There was a small, four-stall stable at the back of the small cottage. The men had decided to rest the horses so that they were fresh for when they began to travel the next leg of their journey. Besides, they had reasoned, it might actually be quicker to seek out help on foot.

"Yes, they did," Fiyero confirmed.

"I suppose we should attend to them," Elphaba mused thoughtfully.

"I already did."

Elphaba glanced up in surprise. "You did?"

Fiyero shrugged. "Yeah, I took care of them before I left. I found some fresh hay in a corner of the stable."

Elphaba fought to keep her voice neutral as she said, "That was thoughtful of you."

"Yeah, well, I have my moments," Fiyero replied, casually waving away the remark. "How's your hand?"

Elphaba frowned at the sudden change in topic but let it slide. "It's fine."

"Good."

The pair lapsed into silence.

After a while, Fiyero spoke up. "So, what are we going to do today?"

"What can we do?" Elphaba countered.

"I can think of plenty of things," Fiyero returned with a suggestive wink.

Elphaba groaned and put her head in her hands. "Oz, Tiggular, do you ever give up?"

"Nope," was Fiyero's cheerful reply.

"Figures," Elphaba muttered under her breath.

The morning wore on tediously slowly, which both Elphaba and Fiyero blamed on the lack of something constructive to do – at least, Elphaba did. Fiyero blamed it on the lack of entertainment. By the time lunch rolled around, Elphaba was worried she hadn't packed enough books to last the trip. However, when she expressed her concerns aloud, Fiyero simply rolled his eyes and said she would have to re-read something if she was that desperate.

Elphaba was relieved when, finally, it was time to prepare lunch. Nervously, she attempted to prepare and cook the rabbit Fiyero had shot that morning.

Surprisingly, it didn't turn out half bad, although it was slightly overcooked. It was nothing they couldn't deal with, though, and Elphaba felt confident that she would do a better job the next time around.

The afternoon passed in much the same manner as the morning. As evening approached, Fiyero and Elphaba went out to take care of the horses. As soon as they were finished, Elphaba cooked the second rabbit – which did indeed turn out better – for their dinner, and then the pair had their separate baths. Afterwards, Fiyero changed the dressing on Elphaba's burn, before the two decided to go to sleep earlier that night.

During the night, Elphaba awoke and, in need of the amenities, slipped quietly outside.

Five minutes later, having finished with the outdoor toilet, Elphaba opened the door, only to see a tall, shadowed figure standing there – a sight which prompted her to emit a terrified scream.

The figure lurched forward and clamped a hand over Elphaba's mouth. "Oz, Elphaba, anyone would think I was strangling you!"

Elphaba pushed the hand away and whispered roughly, "Fiyero? What are you doing out here?"

"I woke up and you were gone. I, uh, didn't know where you were and thought maybe something had happened to you. So I came out here to investigate."

"Oh. Sorry."

"Come on; let's go back inside before you catch your death." Fiyero turned and headed back inside, Elphaba following. Once they were safely in the kitchen, Fiyero noticed that Elphaba was shivering. And no wonder, he thought, she's only wearing one layer of clothes and a jumper. He shook his head. "Here, let's get you warmed up. Tea?" he offered, putting the kettle on the stove.

Elphaba smiled gratefully. "Thanks."

"Next time you need to go somewhere," Fiyero said, "wake me so I know where you are."

Elphaba smirked slightly. "Now you know how I felt when I woke up this morning to find you gone."

Fiyero grimaced. "Touché. Okay, from now on, we let each other know what we're doing."

"Not every single tiny, unimportant little move, though," Elphaba agreed hesitantly.

"Deal." Fiyero set a cup of tea in front of her. "Here you go."

Elphaba accepted the cup eagerly and took a sip. The hot liquid instantly warmed her up and she closed her eyes, savouring the moment when the heat travelled through her body. "Thanks," she murmured.

When she finally opened her eyes again, it was to discover Fiyero watching her. "What?"

Fiyero averted his gaze. "Nothing. I think I'll go back to bed. Or whatever it is you call our sleeping arrangements."

Elphaba nodded. "I'll join you in a minute."

Fiyero, who was now halfway to the doorway, turned and quirked an eyebrow at her, and Elphaba's eyes widened.

"Oz, no, not like that!" she stuttered quickly, her face heating up.

Fiyero merely gave her a tired smirk. "Sure, Thropp." He turned and headed back into the sitting room.

As soon as she was alone, Elphaba let her head fall onto her arms, which were folded on top of the table. Oz, how embarrassing! Elphaba was sure she would never live that one down. Just as well no-one else had been around to hear it.

Thankfully, by the time Elphaba had finished her tea, Fiyero was already snoring away happily. Elphaba rolled her eyes as she settled down underneath her blanket. As she drifted off to sleep, her fuzzy mind hoped Fiyero would have forgotten all about her little faux pas by morning.

When Elphaba awoke the next morning, she found Fiyero propped up on his elbow, watching her once again. Before she could react, however, Fiyero spoke.

"Did you know you look almost human when you sleep?"

"Damn, you saw through my façade of being a mean, old vegetable," Elphaba said sarcastically, though the effect was ruined by the sleepy mumble her voice insisted on using.

Fiyero let out a low, throaty chuckle, causing an uninvited shiver to run up Elphaba's spine. "Maybe you should let yourself wake up properly before attempting sarcasm."

"I'm awake," Elphaba protested, sitting up. "What time is it?"

"Somewhere about eight, I'd say," Fiyero replied.

"So you didn't get up before dawn to go hunting?" Elphaba asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

"I promised I wouldn't leave without telling you, didn't I?"

"I know," Elphaba replied drily.

"You don't trust my word?" Fiyero put a hand over his heart. "I'm hurt."

"I've heard that before."

Fiyero grinned. "Are you telling me I'll have to get some new lines?"

"Yep."

"Then will they work on you?"

"Nope."

Fiyero leant back on both elbows. "Then why bother?"

Elphaba snorted. "You're irrepressible."

"That's me."

Elphaba glanced over at him, before bursting out laughing.

Fiyero looked at her in amusement. "What?"

"I was just thinking."

"About…?"

"This whole situation."

"And you suddenly find it funny? You didn't before."

Elphaba shook her head, still chuckling. "No, I don't think it's funny. I think it's ridiculous."

"Why?" Fiyero pressed, now curious as to what was so ridiculous that it could make Elphaba Thropp laugh.

"Had it been any other girl, you would have found out about this place in advance, arranged for the carriage to get caught in a snowdrift, buttered her up, and you'd have been in each other's arms five minutes after you got inside. Am I right?" Elphaba didn't give him a chance to answer before continuing. "Yet here we are – nothing about this was pre-arranged; we've spent two days here and still hate each other."

"Do we?"

Surprised at his soft, serious tone of voice, Elphaba narrowed her eyes at Fiyero and was startled to find an intense look in his eyes as he gazed at her steadily. "Do we what?" she asked faintly, caught off-guard.

"Do we really hate each other?"

Elphaba shrugged, looking away uncomfortably. "Well, you've made it abundantly clear that you hate me."

"I wonder."

"What do you wonder?"

"Well, it seems as though I haven't made it clear at all."

Elphaba rolled her eyes. "Believe me, you've made it more than clear."

"I mean," Fiyero clarified, sitting up, "it seems as though I haven't made it clear that I really don't hate you."

Elphaba's head jerked up, a look of shock written across her face. "You what?"

Fiyero moved closer so that he was sitting directly in front of her. "I don't hate you, Elphaba. In fact, I'd have to admit you're kind of cool…in an unorthodox way. You're spunky and I admire your spirit."

Elphaba gave him a doubtful look. "Then how come you're always making rude comments about me?" she challenged.

Fiyero shrugged, looking sheepish. "I really don't have a good excuse for that," he said apologetically, "but I'm sorry."

Elphaba was silent for a long moment and she chewed her lip as she registered Fiyero's words. Finally, she nodded in acceptance of his apology. "I'm sorry, too. I suppose I don't make it easy for you to be nice to me; I'm not so great at being nice myself."

Fiyero smiled gently. "It's okay. Really. I started it, anyway; you were just reacting. I guess I can't say I really blame you for that."

"I don't really hate you, either," Elphaba confessed. "I just hated what you said."

After a moment, Fiyero asked, "So, what now? What happens when we get back to Shiz?"

"You can go on hating me. Afterall, you have appearances to keep up, don't you?" Elphaba smirked slightly. "You can't suddenly stop hating the Green Bean. People will talk."

Fiyero returned her smirk. "I could always keep flirting with you."

"And why in Oz would you want to do that?" Elphaba retorted.

"Why not?"

"Um, green, remember?" Elphaba said, gesturing to herself.

Fiyero shrugged. "So? You're still a girl."

Elphaba scowled. "Let's just get one thing straight, Tiggular: just because we've made up or whatever doesn't mean you get to treat me like any old floozy. I'd rather you go on treating me as you always have – with contempt."

"Hey, that raises another interesting point," Fiyero announced brightly.

Elphaba raised an eyebrow. "And just what may that be?"

"We may have made up, but we're yet to make out."

Elphaba's eyes widened in horror. "What?"

"Well, it's kind of traditional to make out after you've made up. Seals the deal, so to speak."

"I believe," Elphaba hissed icily, "that 'tradition' is reserved only for couples. Which we are not."

"Not necessarily."

"Do you mean it's not necessarily reserved for couples, or we're not necessarily not a couple?"

"Both," Fiyero replied with a cheeky grin.

"I knew your moment of sincerity couldn't last. Get lost, Tiggular."

Elphaba turned away and Fiyero leant back on his elbows again.

"Why do you find me so repulsive, anyway?"

"You mean aside from your egotism, your snarky comments, your careless attitude, your –"

"Yes, aside from all that," Fiyero cut in seriously. "Just imagine I dropped all of that. Am I so repulsive that you still wouldn't look at me twice? That you'd still insult me, even without due cause?"

Elphaba was silent, and Fiyero didn't think she was going to answer.

"No, I suppose not," she admitted reluctantly after a few minutes. "And if I stopped insulting you? If I were nice to you all the time? If I weren't…green?"

Fiyero replied quietly, "Then I would find you very attractive indeed."

Elphaba's head snapped around in surprise and her eyes locked with Fiyero's. They stared at each other for a long moment, Elphaba feeling hypnotized by the blue depths into which she gazed. "It's a shame I can't get rid of the green, then," she murmured.

Fiyero shook his head. "You don't have to get rid of the green. You're attractive enough as you are." The corner of his mouth twitched upwards as he added, "Insults and all."

Elphaba blushed furiously. "Well, this is new," she managed.

"What is?"

"You exchanging blatant flirting for subtlety. That's something I didn't expect from you."

Fiyero looked amused. "You think these are all still just lines." It was a statement, not a question.

Elphaba didn't reply and Fiyero didn't pursue it any further.

"So you admit I'm not that bad. But what do you really think of me, I wonder?"

"I told you what I think of you."

"No," Fiyero said thoughtfully. "No, I don't believe you did. I know what you think of my attitude. And you've said a few choice words on the subject of my personality. But what do you think of me? As a person? As…a man?"

"I-I don't understand," Elphaba said nervously.

"Well, for example, do you find me…attractive?"

Elphaba shook her head – too quickly, Fiyero noticed.

"Not even in the slightest? I admitted you're pretty attractive… Can you really not say the same about me?"

"I can."

"Truthfully?"

Elphaba stood and made for the kitchen. "I think it's time we had breakfast."

Fiyero rolled his eyes and got up to follow. "You know, avoiding the question just weakens your own argument. It makes me think I'm right."

"Think what you want; you will, anyway, regardless of anything I say."

"Are you scared to admit you're attracted to me? Is that it?"

Elphaba froze.

"You don't like people knowing you have weaknesses?" Fiyero stepped in front of Elphaba, blocking her path. "Everyone has their weaknesses. You're human. You can't be human if you don't have weaknesses."

"Didn't you hear? I'm a vegetable. Vegetables don't have weaknesses."

"That's a load of crap...even if most of it came out of my mouth."

Elphaba turned away, but Fiyero trapped her by placing his arms on either side of her, his palms leaning on the counter. "So tell me: are you attracted to me?"

"No."

"Can you look me in the eye and tell me that?"

Elphaba raised her eyes to his. "Fiyero, I'm not attracted to you." But her voice shook and her eyes immediately shifted away.

"So," Fiyero continued, leaning so close that his breath tickled Elphaba's face, "you wouldn't like it if I kissed you right now."

Elphaba shook her head.

"Not even the tiniest bit?" His breath was on her neck now; his voice low and husky.

Another shake accompanied by a shiver.

"We'll see about that." Before Elphaba could register what was happening, Fiyero had dipped his head and taken Elphaba's lips with his own.

Elphaba's eyes widened when she realized what was going on and she pushed him away. "What the hell are you doing?" she screeched.

"I'm experimenting," was Fiyero's calm reply.

"Well?" Elphaba demanded. "Does the green taste any different?"

Fiyero gave a throaty chuckle. "You're a strange girl, you know that? And I'm not talking about your skin." He raised one hand and gently stroked Elphaba's jaw. "Can you honestly say you didn't like me kissing you?"

"Yes."

Fiyero hummed thoughtfully. "I beg to differ. You see, I happen to know quite a bit about body language when a guy is flirting with a girl, and you've given yourself away, what with your shivering and your uncharacteristic silence. If I kissed you again, you wouldn't try so hard to push me away." His face hovered dangerously close to hers.

"Don't you dare." Her voice was quieter than she would have liked and she cringed internally.

"Why shouldn't I?" he teased. "I rather enjoyed the first time." Once more, Fiyero closed the distance between them.

Elphaba, who was prepared for it this time, immediately pushed him off. "You were wrong."

Fiyero grinned. "Actually, no. I knew you would push me away again – but only because you were desperate to prove me wrong. You try too hard, Miss Thropp. You're more transparent than you think you are." He lightly brushed his lips along her jaw line, eliciting yet another shiver from her. "Just admit it, Thropp. You're attracted to me."

"I am no such thing," she said, trying to sound indignant but not succeeding.

"Then why are you shivering?"

"I…I'm cold," Elphaba lied, suddenly acutely aware of just how cold she wasn't.

"You seem to shiver more when I do this," Fiyero said, nuzzling her jaw and smirking when she did indeed shiver. "How do you explain that?"

"I find you repulsive," she said weakly.

"You just admitted before that I'm not repulsive," Fiyero pointed out.

Elphaba bit her lip. She had no argument to that and she knew it. And what was worse, he knew it, and he knew she knew it. So what now? He was close to checkmate. She was trapped.

"You know, if you don't admit it soon, I'll just have to keep on kissing you until you do," Fiyero whispered lightly in her ear, causing the hairs on the back of her neck to stand on end.

"Alright, stop!" Elphaba cried, roughly pushing him away. "Fine, I admit it. You're attractive. But that is it," she said firmly.

Fiyero quirked an eyebrow. "Not convinced."

"Of course not," Elphaba muttered.

Fiyero decided to press his luck a little further and put his hands on Elphaba's waist, lightly moving his thumbs up and down.

Elphaba stepped back, only to find her back pressed up against the counter.

Fiyero stepped forward with her, slightly tightening his hold on her.

"What are you doing?" Elphaba asked, fighting to keep the note of panic out of her voice.

"That depends. What do you want me to do?"

Elphaba scowled at the smirk on his face. "I want you to let go of me this instant."

"Are you sure that's what you want?" Fiyero asked. "Or do you actually want me to kiss you again?"

"Get off me!"

"You still don't want to admit it, do you? You're attracted to me. Don't be embarrassed about it; afterall, I'm attracted to you, too."

"Fiyero…" Elphaba began in a warning voice.

"Okay, okay, I won't push it…for now."

"You already did."

Fiyero ignored her. "But I'll be pursuing this again later." He dropped his arms to his sides and stepped away, giving Elphaba some breathing space.

Elphaba immediately took advantage of her newfound freedom and moved away. "I'm going to take care of the horses. You don't have to come."

"I know that's code for 'I really don't want you to come', but I'm coming anyway."

Elphaba shrugged. "Just keep your hands – and your lips – to yourself."

Fiyero sighed internally as the gravity of what had just transpired hit him. How could he be such a pig? He had been presented with an opportunity to redeem himself, and what had he done? Reverted back to his daily façade of being a jerk. Next time, he promised himself, he would try to actually think before he said or did anything.