Chapter 12 - What Now?

"Elphie! Elphie," Glinda called out from the front door. "Elphie!"

Fiyero swore silently to himself. "Doesn't your friend ever use the telephone?" He gulped his coffee. "Did you have plans today?"

"I completely forgot. Glinda wanted to take me shopping to make me feel better for what I've been going through."

"To make you feel better? Tell her I beat her to it," Fiyero smirked, rising from his chair. "I'll get the door."

Elphaba grabbed hold of his hand. "Wait."

"What? You want me to hide and you'll get rid of her?"

"You're not dressed for company! You're in your boxers!"

He looked down at himself. "Oh yeah, right," he laughed. "You get the door."

Elphaba folded her hands, and pleaded. "Please get along with her. She's my best friend."

Fiyero shrugged as he headed into the bedroom.

"Glinda," Elphaba said, opening the door.

"You're not dressed! Elphie, did you forget our plans? Did you oversleep? Didn't you go to bed as soon as we left last night? Well, hurry up! I'll wait. We have a big day ahead of us." Glinda stared at her friend. "You're glowing. Must be that new moisturizer I gave you."

Elphaba touched her face. "I am?"

Fiyero walked out of the bedroom, and into the living room zipping up his jeans. "Hi, Glinda."

"What are you doing here? You're the last person I expected to see." Surprised, the petite blonde turned to Elphaba. "What's he doing here?" She turned back to Fiyero. "Haven't you done enough already? So how long have you been here? Early this morning? What time?"

Fiyero shook his head, letting out a loud sigh. "Always full of questions, aren't you? I've been here since nine."

"What did you want so early in the morning? Don't bother Elphie. She doesn't want anything to do with you."

"Glinda, he's not a bother."

Fiyero looked at his wristwatch. "Nine last night. I've been here since 9:00 o'clock last night. You do the math."

"Last night? What could you possibly be talking to Elphie about all night and all morning long?"

Fiyero and Elphaba stared at her.

"What? Why are you two looking at me like that?" She glared at them. "Oh. Oh."

"I'm glad you figured that out," Fiyero said.

"I see," Glinda said. "You're back together."

Fiyero held out his hand. "Truce."

"Pfft!" Glinda fluffed her golden locks, and stepped back.

"Glinda, don't make me choose," Elphaba said.

"Me of course. You'll choose me," she said assuringly.

"Fine," Fiyero said, lowering his hand. "Just don't get in my way."

"Glinda, please," Elphaba pleaded.

"Oh, very well." She cringed as she shook the prince's hand. "If you hurt her, I know where you live."

"I know you don't like me. Guess what? The feeling's mutual," he said. "We'll be fine, okay? You don't have to worry about her."

"Whatever you say," Glinda said.

"I'd better go since you two have plans." Fiyero embraced Elphaba, then gave her a kiss. "My dad and I are having a meeting regarding new rules and regulations of the monarchy. I'll come by around six. We could have dinner at the castle at seven with the folks and sister. They'll be happy to see you back."

Elphaba smiled. "It would be nice to see everyone again. I'll be ready."

Heading to the front door, he turned to Glinda. "See you around. Or not."

Glinda made a face at him.

"Elphie! Are you happy? I mean really happy with him?"

"Yes, I am. I really am. Please try to get along with Fiyero. Don't give him a hard time."

"Just for you. I'll do it just for you even if it kills me."

...

It had been three months since they've gotten back together. Elphaba hadn't been herself for the past week. It worried Fiyero that maybe she was falling out of love for him, and being in the presence of royalties was not the sort of life she had ever imagined. He watched her from the deck as she walked through the castle gardens deep in thought. Sitting on a bench, she stared at nothing in particular.

How could she tell him what was going on in her head. She didn't know where to begin. Elphaba had the words memorized, but when the time came, she drew a blank.

Fiyero walked into the garden, and sat beside of her. "I have one question to ask you."

"Okay," she said.

"Do you still love me?" He held his breath, waiting for the worse.

"Yes. Don't ever doubt my love for you."

"Then what's wrong?" he asked.

Elphaba held up two fingers. "That's two questions."

"Sorry."

"I'd like to go home tonight. I do have my own place."

Fiyero nodded. "Alright. But you do know that everyone welcomes you here."

"I know. Thank you very much. But just for tonight, I'd like to go home."

"I'll take you after dinner," he said.

"If you don't mind, could we leave now? Besides, I haven't had much of an appetite lately," she said.

"I've noticed. How about I ask Cook to make your favorite? Monte Cristo."

"Not tonight. Maybe another time." The thought of food made her nauseous.

Fiyero sighed. "Okay, then. I'll take you home." He stood up, slightly annoyed, and walked ahead of her.

Elphaba caught up with him, grabbing his arm.

"What?" He glared at her.

"Are you angry at me?"

"At the moment, yes I am! You tell me you love me, but I don't understand you right now. You seem distant. You can't open up to me. What the hell is wrong?" He's never raised his voice to her until now.

"Don't talk to me in that tone of voice!" She too, raised her voice. "Never mind! I'll walk home!"

"Hey! That's fine with me! Go right ahead!"

TBC - Chapter 13