The chill in the air chased Elphaba unwillingly from sleep. Avaric's warmth on the far side of the small mattress lured her like a Siren song. Eyes closed, she considered burying her face in that warmth and feigning sleep, but in the end, she couldn't do it.

She stretched, muscles stiff. The angry scrapes on her elbows had faded, and the light burns all but disappeared. Still, she felt decidedly worse for wear.

The sun hadn't risen yet, but it would. Zephyr would bring a new mission, no doubt. What must they do now? Scale Kumbricia's pass with only a shoehorn?

Her braid coiled thick and long under her collar as she redressed. She itched for a knife to slice the damn thing off. Avaric was right. It wasn't practical. But neither was short hair in her eyes. She sighed. Sometimes she envied his gender. But then, she couldn't imagine being so ruled by a single body part.

The rain had fled in the night, but the remains still pooled and puddled on the ground. She checked the soles and laces on her boots. Better safe than sorry.

She sought out breakfast, and Avaric woke at her return, no doubt from the wafting smell of coffee. He rubbed a weary hand over his stubbly chin, eyelids at half-mast. "Morning?"

"Close enough."

He groaned, and forced himself out of bed. He hadn't buttoned his shirt, and the bruises stood out clearly. They'd darkened overnight.

Maybe she should've listened to him and waited.

They ate and dressed in tired silence before Zephyr's knock. Avaric let him in as Elphaba smoothed the comforter in place. Better not to invite questions. Her mask felt odd on her face after so much time without it.

"Yes?"

Avaric's eyes were unreadable. "A success."

She refused to let it lie. "If that's what you call it. There were Animals on that train." For once, Zephyr's cold stare did nothing to quench her fire. She snapped her arms in front. "And I won't be put off this time by some 'do and die' line."

Avaric tensed beside her. She could tell he wanted to chastise her, but wouldn't for solidarity's sake. An odd thrum of appreciation drove through her.

But she might as well asked to be queen of the Vinkus for all Zephyr acknowledged her.

"You have information?" He leaned back against the closed door as he listened to their update, a hand to his chin. "I see." Another lengthy pause, and he pushed off to stand tall. "I will join you this time."

Her glare faltered at this surprise. She'd been with this command for over a year, and Zephyr had never before joined a mission. "What's so special about this time?"

Avaric asked another question at the same time, and their leader looked none too amused at having to explain himself. "We will intercept this Maximus. I believe him to be the diverted shipment lost on your previous mission. Gather your belongings. We need to reach the station before their connection."

She frowned. "So you knew about this?"

"Only of a train headed toward Delaney. It's too coincidental not to be."

"But that was yesterday. You think they haven't left yet?"

"Must you ask every thought that enters your mind, like a little babe just learning to speak?" Zephyr reached to pinch the bridge of his nose, but was prevented by the mask. He settled for rubbing his temple. "Hurry, Rho, we must buy this one a lolly on the way."

Her face seized in a snarl, but she held her tongue. She hefted her bag, and waited in stony silence as Avaric finished his. At the door, Zephyr paused.

"I doubt we'll find much in the way of cover, and I believe our masks will draw more attention than we'd wish." He touched his mask idly. "It breaks protocol, I know, but would you consent to dropping the masks?"

Elphaba relaxed, her mask stowed quickly in her pack. She'd already grown tired of the damn thing. Was this why so many agents worked alone? She understood the need for secrecy, but she needed fresh air more.

Avaric lowered his as well, though with more reluctance than she expected. He at least had no glaringly memorable physical features.

Zephyr dropped his then, though he pulled the brim of his hat low on his face. "Very well." His thin, sharp nose and round chin made for an interesting profile, and she didn't envy the effort it must've taken to find a fitting mask.

If he found her green skin or Avaric's generic good looks surprising, Zephyr didn't say, and they fell into an awkward silence on the way to the station that had her reminiscing fondly for the days when she had only one partner.

Avaric carefully avoided her, afraid their commander would pick up on their history. She, for her part, had to swallow a hundred questions that spun into her mind about the past few days and this newest round of secrets.

The train stop bustled with activity. People waited for tickets, waited for trains, or waited for luggage, all while chatting, rushing and bandying about. Zephyr shifted into a niche near the door. "Wait for me by platform…17. I'll purchase our tickets."

They headed left, away from the ticket booth. Once out of sight, Avaric's shoulders sagged. "Why do you think he's here?"

"So I ask, and I deserve a lolly. But you ask-"

"You asked him!"

"Well, he knows more than I would," she tossed back with a hand on her hip. "Honestly, why are you so scared of him?"

"Have you never seen the Resistance deal with their own?"

"Your life is in danger on the missions. Why's this different?"

He caught her arm. "I think he knows about us."

"Calm down. He doesn't know anything." She dug a hand through her bag for her book. "There's nothing to know, really."

"Nothing to know?" He arched an eyebrow. "Oh, right. Because if we clap very hard, fairies do exist. Come on, be serious."

He tugged on her elbow, and she set the book back in her pack with a sigh. "Well, it's a big job. Maybe he thinks we'll need him. Or that we screw up all the time."

Avaric's expression melted. "Not true. You've got to stop blaming yourself for that, Fae."

"Elphaba?"

She froze. No. It couldn't be. But his wide eyes ruled out hallucination.

"And…Avaric?"

They spun to face the voice behind them. No point hiding. She couldn't exactly pretend a mistaken identity. Ugh. After so long, why wouldn't her past leave her alone?

"Oh my Oz!" Glinda bounced into a hug, squeezing her old roommate tightly. "What are you doing here?"

She lifted an eyebrow. "Waiting for a train."

The bubbly blonde giggled. "Same old Elphie." She glanced at Avaric and sobered. "Although, I guess not. How are you, Av?"

"I've been well. And you?"

"Good. Great. Chuffrey's hit a bonus in the bonds business or something, and we're off to festivate." She waved a dismissive hand. "So you two are…you know?"

He shifted closer with a conspiratorial smile. "Why? Are we that obvious?"

"Only a little," she confided with a grin. "Fae's an unusualish pet name, but I suppose every couple's different. I can't imagine Elphie would be thrillified if you called her Sweetie Pie."

"And who would call someone a name they hate?"

Avaric barked a laugh, and he slung an arm around Elphaba's waist to palm her hip. She fought to keep her face even, particularly when her old friend said, "No offense, but I can't believe you two, of all people, would be..."

"In love?" He shot her an adoring look that drew her sneer out of reflex. He bent down to give her a slow, soft kiss. "It was a surprise to us as well."

"Aw," Glinda cooed. "I guess opposites attract, right?"

Elphaba's tight smile promised him problems later. "Yeah. And he's definitely my opposite."

"So, a good-natured conversationalist," he teased back, with a quick kiss to her hairline.

She settled into his side in what she hoped was a convincing manner. "Your version of conversation and mine is different. I prefer words."

He chuckled, and his hands slid lower on her hip. "While I prefer…"

She slapped his chest as hard as could be played off as playful, and he pulled back. They needed to wrap this up. Zephyr could be back any moment, and he couldn't see Glinda. For her sake and theirs.

The blonde giggled at whatever Avaric had said. "So how did you two get together? I love a good love story. And you're so…discernifying. I can't imagine you giving anyone the time of day."

Elphaba shrugged. "He's persuasive."

He flinched at her wording, and she sent him an apologetic look. He hid his insult in wrapping her back in his arms, less gentlemanly than before. "Plus, I'm excellent in bed."

She shoved at him as Glinda turned as pink as the dresses she used to wear.

"I meant before that. I'm assuming you at least…courted…first."

He leaned his head on hers. "Hard to court someone you've known ages."

Elphaba's agreement chimed in too late to really sell it as she scanned for Zephyr. How to get away?

Apparently Avaric had a similar idea, and his solution was to make the blonde uncomfortable with public affection. It wasn't likely to work. Nor did it help her think of alternatives. Much as she hated to admit it, even to herself, part of her wanted the charade to continue so his palm would keep searing into her hipbone.

He nuzzled her ear, and she hoped a smile would be an appropriate answer to whatever Glinda asked. Where to go? What excuse?

"What else have you two been up to? Fulfilling your lifelong ambition to save the world's Animals?"

She tipped her face into Avaric's jaw to hide her surprise. "Sure. And you? Fulfilling your ambition to save the world's dresses?"

He tilted his face toward her, too close for comfort. "Why don't I get an ambition?"

Elphaba quirked a taunting eyebrow, while Glinda offered a smart, "I'm not sure the world needs more of your kind of ambition."

Zephyr turned the corner at the far end of the platform, and Elphaba elbowed Avaric lightly. He caught her gaze, and dropped his arms. "Well, it's been great catching up. We'd better go."

"Oh, so soon? We'll have to meet up later. Chuffrey will be-"

Elphaba dragged Avaric past her. "Yes, certainly. Sorry, we've got to go, or-"

"We'll be late. Lovely seeing you," he offered, and she chimed in half-heartedly. A bewildered Glinda returned the sentiment with suspicion in her gaze.

Zephyr spotted them, and eyed their joined hands. Elphaba snapped hers away, but his glare didn't lighten. "Who were you talking to?"

The blood drained from her face, but mercifully her voice remained calm. "No idea. Asked the time, and wouldn't shut up."

Avaric grinned beside her. "I think she found Fae fascinating."

Zephyr studied her for a moment. "Yes, I could see why you might draw attention. Do you know how to produce a glamour?"

"I meant her conversation." His grin faltered, and her partner took an unconscious step toward her. "Wouldn't a glamour be worse than a mask? It's far too crowded."

Before she could answer, Glinda caught sight of them. The blonde took a hesitant step, and Elphaba snatched his hand. "Come on, she's coming back for round two."

She stalked toward the corner, praying her grip on Avaric looked convincing to one and innocent to another. Once out of sight, she tilted her head back. "How are we supposed to intercept anything if she won't leave us alone?"

Zephyr frowned. "Do you think she's counterintelligence?"

She couldn't help the snort. Glinda a spy? Avaric chuckled. "Unlikely. She didn't really seem to be any intelligence."

Elphaba bristled at that. The blonde might be bubbly, airheaded even at times, but she wasn't stupid. He sent her a look, and she tried to relax. He probably didn't mean it. Oz, this mission was exhausting already, and they'd yet to do anything.

She peeked around the corner to see the blonde only a few paces away. Wide eyed, she jerked back, scanning for a plausible escape. If Glinda said anything to Zephyr…

"What are you doing?"

She spun back to face their leader. "Oh. Nothing. Why, what?"

Avaric tried to telepathically send her a message from behind Zephyr, but she could only shrug.

"Is she always like this?"

"Not at all. She must be distracted by that woman still," he ground out the words. The one who might pop around the corner at any moment? As a matter of fact…

"As I said, Avaric will take the guards, I the prisoner and you the parts."

She frowned. "Alright, but I'm not exactly known for my upper body strength."

"You are, however, known for botching this assignment once already, so you'll excuse me if I don't trust the prisoner to you."

Her jaw dropped in outrage, but then Glinda finally turned the corner, arm in arm with a fluttery-eyed redhead. She ducked behind Zephyr, leaving Avaric to find his own cover. It was Elphaba that the girl would approach, anyway.

Zephyr frowned at her, and she fought not to look sheepish.

"Fair enough. Shall we go get that train?"

"Ours is the one after next. Luckily, we were early, which should give you time to stop acting like a fool."

"Yes, sir." She sobered, cheeks red.

Back at the platform, they split up to blend in. She propped against a column with her book while Zephyr gazed between his watch and the tracks like clockwork. Avaric chatted with those nearby, the picture of ease. A pair of girls tittered at something he'd said, and she rolled her eyes. At least he hadn't kissed anyone yet.

The train rumbled in, and they boarded from their various positions. She walked through several cars before meeting them at the rear of the passenger section. Avaric tried the door to the cargo hold – locked.

"Should we search forward first," she whispered, "or we know it's in the back?"

Zephyr nodded toward the door.

She slipped out a pin while the men blocked her from view and discussed the weather. The lock gave way easily, and the commander sent her a surprised look of approval. Despite herself, she had missed that – ever the bright and eager pupil, if too irreverent for her own good.

She eased through the door, and the others followed. This compartment held nothing of interest, but she could see movement in the next car. Had they been spotted as well?

Zephyr and Elphaba took posts on either side of the door, and Avaric rolled his shoulders. She didn't envy him. No idea how many guards, or weaponry, and with no escape should it prove too many.

Zephyr set a hand on the latch. Avaric gave a sharp nod. The door swung open, and he launched himself through. They dove in after, propelling themselves through the mess of people.

She scanned. A beefy-armed swing glanced off her shoulder, and she dodged a second. There. In the back. She wished she'd smuggled on a dolly. No way could she get that monster through this.

She ducked another heavy fist. Her attacker growled, and she flung herself at him, knocking him down. He grasped her wrist to pull her after him, and she yelped. The same damn wrist. Why always the same wrist?

"Fae!"

Avaric sent a roundhouse to a guard's stomach and, without pause, drove a foot into her captor's ribs. The cretin let her go with a grunt. She scuttled away, and hurled a nearby case at the prone guard.

"The box," Zephyr hissed at her, as if she'd been purposefully taking her time.

He already had the prisoner half un-tied. She hauled up the box with a grunt. It fell against her stomach. "Oomph. This…was a bad…idea," she sputtered, trying to wrangle the box in position. She swallowed hard and staggered forward, the heavy weight teetering. Her arms strained not to drop it.

How had no one hit her? She made an easy target, struggling with both arms full.

Then she saw Avaric pinned while a couple guards pummeled him. She and Zephyr escaped noticed in the bloodlust, and their commander used that to get the prisoner out. She should do the same, but she couldn't leave him to be beaten half to death.

With all her might, she heaved the heavy box at them. It crashed the closest pair of guards to the ground. Zephyr swung back, furious, but she had no time to consider him. The one on Avaric's left released him in favor of her.

She drove her elbow in his stomach. He folded over, and she rebounded with a punch to the nose. A knee to the groin finished him off, and he slumped down in misery.

One that she'd toppled had recovered, and he came at her. She didn't have enough leverage at this angle to do anything, and he dodged her blow. His shove sent her stumbling over bodies and wreckage.

Her back slammed into the wall. He punched, and she dodged, again. But the third landed, sending her head into the wall with a dull thud.

"Taste of your own," the man growled.

He reared back for another punch, but Avaric crashed into his back. The man crumpled with a shout, only for another to pop up behind. She yanked Avaric out of the way, and the guard's fist crunched into the wall. He grunted in pain, and she kicked out, knocking him off his feet.

"Get the box."

Avaric bent to haul up the heavy thing. She sent another elbow toward the man behind him, and they took the small opening to propel themselves through the door. Zephyr waited, a hard look on his face, but as they made it through, he shoved the door shut and blocked it with some kind of barricade.

A man pounded on the door, but it didn't move. "Come on."

She ran a hand over herself automatically, straightening her blouse. No need to draw extra attention to them.

"Need help with the box?" Avaric shook his head, and she winced at his face. One eye was already swelling, and if nothing else, he would be covered in bruises.

The station loomed ahead, and she hoped Zephyr had a plan to get them away before those men behind them. She and Avaric didn't need a repeat of that beating.

As soon as the doors opened, the four rushed out and across the platform. Zephyr directed them to a public washroom, the men's, but she didn't fuss. Out of sight, she relaxed against the wall for a moment. Zephyr handed her their rescued prisoner. "Don't let him go. We need to debrief him."

Avaric looked up at that, but she took the Goat's arm. "Don't worry. We'll get you out of here."

Zephyr slipped out in the hallway, and she let out a puff of relief for the temporary rest. Avaric set down the box. "Thanks."

She wrinkled her forehead.

"For not leaving me to get pummeled."

She couldn't help the smile. "It was tempting, but I doubt I'd like that face better with a broken nose."

He swallowed a laugh.

"Thanks for having my back, too."

"Definitely wouldn't like your face better," he returned, and she gave him a playful punch to his arm. Despite its lack of energy, he swallowed a grimace.

"Awfully nice of Zephyr to jump in there."

Avaric shrugged. "Guess that's why he's the commander. No fighting."

"Or because it was idiotic of you two to put the mission in jeopardy to spare the other some bruises," Zephyr threw from the doorway, and both of them jumped. From his face, he had definitely overheard. "This is exactly what I was worried about with the two of you together. No wonder I had to come along for you to be successful."

The Goat shuffled a step away from him.

Elphaba started to argue, but Avaric jumped in first. "Do you have a way out of here for us, or are you just going to berate us while we cower in the bathroom?"

Zephyr held the door. "Come along, children. Our ride is waiting."