(A/N: Wellll.......I felt bad about taking a long time to update, so here's a longer chapter than usual. Elphaba's new title really comes into play in this chapter as does Fiyero's actual purpose for being undercover. Thank you to all that reviewed. So yeah, I don't really have anything to say.....besides enjoy and review and also if there are any typos etc, sorry!)
Galinda stayed with Elphaba, because Fiyero didn't, because Elphie needed Galinda and Galinda cared about Elphaba. Elphaba put on a strong front, and appeared happy, but Galinda knew she was still hurt. Galinda didn't know whether or not Elphaba would ever get over Fiyero, it was possible, but then again it was entirely impossible. Whenever that new servant, Daniel, came around, he always flirted with Elphaba and it always made Galinda giggle uncontrollably because Elphaba was completely oblivious.
"Elphie!" Galinda squealed, bouncing down the hall to the library. She skipped in and jumped onto the loveseat Elphaba was sitting in. Elphaba jumped, her book flying in the air.
"A ball!" Galinda cried ecstatically, "A ball is going to be held here in the palace, in your honor!"
"So I've heard." said Elphaba, frowning, "I think you're more excited than I am."
"Well, of course I am!" Galinda said, "What are you wearing?"
"A black dress." said Elphaba.
"NO, no, no, no, no, NO!" Galinda cried, "I will not allow that. You're a princess now, you have to wear gowns to the balls, and you're wearing an ivory one."
"White?!" Elphaba asked.
"A pearly white, it'll look good against your skin, James and I picked it out," Galinda squealed, "You get to wear a tiara too!"
"Oh joy." said Elphaba sarcastically, "When is this ball anyway?"
"Tonight!" Galinda screeched, grabbing Elphaba's hand and pulling her into the hall to get ready. They ran straight into Daniel. Elphaba stumbled, but Fiyero caught her quickly. You'd think he'd be used to her by now, but his breath still caught in his throat, his mind still went fuzzy and he always became extremely nervous. It seemed that now that his identity was secret, she seemed to bring even more of the school boy crush behavior out of him.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Elphaba said, "Thanks for....um....catching me, Daniel was it?"
"Uh...yeah." said Fiyero hurriedly.
"Yeah, you can let go of me now." said Elphaba awkwardly.
"Oh, sorry princess, I didn't realize---I mean, I forgot to---I was...." Fiyero stammered, "Uh...good day." he quickly rushed away before he said anything stupid....well, stupid-er, too late for just stupid. He turned back around as he heard her call him.
"Daniel!" Elphaba called.
"Yes Princess?" asked Fiyero.
"Elphaba," said Elphaba, "My name. You can call me Elphaba." she said.
"Right, princess," said Fiyero, "Elphaba." he bowed and hurried away, his heart in his throat and his stomach in his feet.
"Oh he likes you." Galinda said as she and Elphaba continued on their way down the hall. Elphaba didn't think twice about Daniel 'liking' her, because all she could think about was Fiyero.
**************
Fiyero and David were arguing in Fiyero's room.....again.
"You have to stay away from her!" David said.
"I can't!" Fiyero said in exasperation.
"You can, and you will!" David said, "Do you want me to report you to the Organization? You'll be out of this operation faster than you can say: Ozma. You can't give up your identity, and you can't get mixed up with the princess of Oz, she's Oz's sweetheart, everyone loves her, everyone is watching her every move, you can't be in the spotlight, and you certainly can't be with her."
"Can't, can't, can't,can't!" Fiyero yelled, forgetting to keep is voice low, "Is there anything I can do? Haven't you ever been in love?" said Fiyero.
"What?" asked David, "Stop trying to switch the topic to my side."
"Imagine being in love with the most beautiful girl in Oz, and she loved you too. What if I told you to stay away from her? What if she was in the same place as you, and I told you not to go near her, even though she was only a room away? Do you know how hard it is to stay away from the person you love? Do you know how much it hurts? You never know how much you need a person, until you can't have them. I have to be with her, I can't stay away from her." Fiyero said.
"Look, I know you love her, but she's out of your league now, you're a servant, and she's—she's the princess of Oz!" said David.
"You don't understand." said Fiyero, "She's more than just a girl to me, she's my life! She's everything to me, you can't just tell me to--to stay away from her!"
"Fine," David sighed, "I can't believe I'm doing this. I won't tell the Organization, but you better be careful. If anyone finds out about this, guess who's head is going to be on the chopping block."
"Thanks David, I owe you one," said Fiyero.
"One? More like five." David scoffed.
************
The ball was to be the ball of a lifetime. Anyone who was anyone was invited. James was a very social man, beloved and known to throw great balls and parties. Of course, he had to arrange for a ball in honor of his daughter. She'd need to get to know the people of Oz, and get used to everyone treating her differently. What better place to get acquainted than at a ball? The guests were arriving at around eight, and everything was in order. Galinda was in Elphie's room, trying to give her a makeover.
"Elphie!!" Galinda whined, "You've got to hold still!"
"Ow!" Elphaba cried as Galinda pulled at her hair. Elphaba was sitting at the vanity in her room, Galinda behind her, doing her hair. Galinda wore a pink gown (of course). It was long and spread down to the floor. It sparkled in the right light and looked very pretty on her. Somehow, Galinda had gotten Elphaba into the long, flowing ivory gown. It was long, it swept across the floor, the perfect image of a princess's dress, it had many layers and swished when she walked in it. It was sleeveless and had an elegant, graceful look about it. Galinda was trying to curl Elphaba's hair, but only a few strands. She had pinned it up in a sort of messy bun, tendrils of curled hair spun lose, arranged artfully and looked very pretty.
"Now," Galinda said, "For the final touch." she picked up the simple, elegant and modest tiara off of the vanity and put it on Elphaba's head, making sure to make it look right. It was a simple tiara, not extravagant or decorated in millions of jewels. It was silver, made to look like entwining roses.
"Why Miss Elphaba, look at you...you're beautiful." Galinda sniffed. Elphaba looked at herself in the mirror and was shocked at what she saw. A small smile tugged at her lips. For a moment, she thought she might actually look beautiful, but then she saw her skin: green, she hadn't been born to be beautiful. Fiyero used to call her beautiful...oh damn him! Why did every moment have to be ruined with thoughts of Fiyero?
"Thanks Galinda," said Elphaba, smiling at her friend. Galinda beamed. She thought Elphaba looked just like those princesses in the story books. She'd tried to coax Elphaba into heels as well, but she let Elphie get away with flats, because no one would be able to see her feet anyway.
***********
Fiyero and David were getting ready for the ball, as servants of course. They were expected to show and help with the refreshments and ushering etc. Fiyero wore black pants, a white long sleeved shirt with a black vest over it which he'd wear at the mini bar and refreshments table thingy. He picked up his cap and put it back on. Surprisingly, no one had asked him about the cap, or why he wore it all the time. The Organization told them to keep a sharp eye tonight. They thought that maybe Frex might be sending in spies, or some of his men. The Organization would send a few men too, for Elphaba and James' safety. Fiyero exited his room and saw David down the hall la ways exited his room too, dressed exactly the same as Fiyero.
"Remember what I said," said David, "Be careful around her." Fiyero nodded and followed the other servants up to the ball room to start preparing it for the grand occasion.
************
The palace was lined with paparazzi and citizens begging to get in. Guests showed up in fancy carriages, wearing ball gowns and tuxedos, their faces full of anticipation at meeting the princess. Lights flashed everywhere, either from the flash of someone's camera, or the lights set along the palace. Carriages pulled into the circular drive and the doormen would help the guests out. They'd walk up the short bit of stairs into the palace, where they were then directed down a long hallway to the ballroom. The ballroom was traditional style. It was grand and beautiful. Pillars lined the walls and the windows framed the room, stretching up to the astonishingly high ceiling. An amazing chandelier hung from the ceiling, emeralds rather than crystals dangled from it, and a grand staircase stood at the front. The entrace to the ballroom was at the staircase. Fiyero stood behind one of the tables, serving refreshments and o'dourves. Classical music played in the background and pairs danced elegantly. Others stood and mingled, usually around the refreshment tables, sipping their wine and gossiping. Fiyero looked up as he heard a name being announced.
"Galinda Upland," announced the man. Galinda leaned over and whispered something in his ear. The man nodded and rolled his eyes, "Of the Upper Uplands." he added." Galinda felt a little nervous as she saw everyone turn to look at the newcomer. She concentrated on not tripping. A few of the boys looked her over and nudged each other and giggled. She reached the end of the staircase then.
"A dance?" asked a voice. Galinda turned and saw a very handsome boy with dark brown hair and brown eyes holding his hand out to her and smiling.
"I—I--" Galinda spluttered, embarrassed at her blushing cheeks. She closed her mouth and nodded, taking his hand. He was obviously a servant, by the clothes he was wearing, but she didn't really care.
Fiyero watched as David asked Galinda to dance and she accepted. That bastard! And he told me to stay away from Elphaba! He's such a hypocritical—before Fiyero could finish his thought, David and Galinda danced by and David called over his shoulder, as though he'd read Fiyero's mind.
"Not the same thing!" he said.
"Yeah right!" Fiyero called back as he filled someone's glass and handed it to them.
"Announcing, The Princess of Oz, Elphaba Thropp!" announced the man at the top of the staircase. Everyone turned to look at Elphaba. Fiyero dropped the glass he was filling and it shattered on the floor, but no one seemed to notice. She was wearing an ivory colored gown. She looked beautiful in it. She looked nervous and shy as ever. As she began to walk down the steps, a light applause rippled through the crowd, growing larger. At the foot of the stairs it seemed the group had gathered there in a small circle, James at the front. Fiyero saw Galinda across the room, mouthing the word smile and then breathe. Elphaba took a deep breath and smiled shyly. Everyone's heart seemed to melt at that. When she reached the end of the staircase, James came forward and gave her a big hug, pressing a kiss to her forehead before starting to introduce her to people. People eagerly went up to her and kissed her hand, or shook it and made small talk. She entranced everybody at the ball. Fiyero leaned on the counter and wished her could go and talk to her or ask her to dance, but no, he had to serve drinks.
"Hey!" said a man, waving a hand in front of Fiyero's face.
"Oh, sorry sir." said Fiyero, giving the man his drink. Fiyero never realized how small Elphaba was until she was in the center of a crowd of people who for the most part, were all taller than her. The orchestra was given a break, so everyone was mingling and milling about Elphaba, eager to meet her. Fiyero tried not to stare at her so much, because he kept getting yelled at by people at the bar for not serving them fast enough, but she was so hard not to look at. Every now and then, Fiyero would catch a glimpse of sadness in her eyes which he didn't quite understand. A while later, the orchestra was back and struck up another waltz. The bar area was mostly deserted as everyone was eager to get back on the dance floor and Fiyero was stealing a couple shots, but trying to be discrete about it, so he didn't notice when the princess herself walked up to him.
"How many does that make?" asked Elphaba as she sat at the empty counter, a small smile tugging at her lips.
"Wha--!" Fiyero jumped, surprised, dropping the glass. He blushed as the glass shattered at his feet, "Well that makes the second glass I broke." he said, "You look beautiful tonight."
"Thank you," she said, "You don't look so bad yourself." She smiled at him and Fiyero had to turn away so he wouldn't blow his cover and kiss her. There was silence between them. Fiyero pretended to clean off some glasses with a rag and Elphaba watched the elegant couples waltz. When Fiyero knew she wasn't looking, he set the rag and glass down and leaned on the counter and watched her. That sad look was in her eyes again, and Fiyero wanted so much for it to go away. Fiyero was about to ask her why she was sad, when Galinda came over, bubbly and happy, with David.
"Elphie!" Galinda cried, "I can't believe you're over here....being.....over here and you're not dancing!"
"Well...." Elphaba said, thinking of an excuse, "No one asked me to dance."
"Now that right there is a lie, every male in here asked you to dance!" said Galinda.
"Well I wasn't in the mood to dance." Elphaba said.
"How can you not be in the mood to dance, when you're at a ball?" asked Galinda, a genuinely confused look on her face. Elphaba just rolled her eyes.
"Why don't you and..." Elphaba began.
"David." said Galinda.
"Yes, you and David go for another waltz?" asked Elphaba.
"I'm not leaving you alone until you go and dance." said Galinda, crossing her arms.
"Would you like to dance with me?" asked Fiyero.
"What?" asked Elphaba, "I mean—I don't--"
"She'd love to!" Galinda shouted.
"I really--" Elphaba began to argue.
"Great." said Fiyero, coming from around the corner and taking her hand. David sent him a glare and Fiyero stepped on his foot.
"Ow!" David said, at Galinda's strange look he said, "Um, my foot just randomly started hurting, I'm fine." Fiyero smirked at David and took Elphaba out onto the dance floor. The dancers cleared a small path as they watched the pair. Elphaba picked up a length of her gown and took Fiyero's hand, her other hand rested on his shoulder. He let his free hand rest at her waist.
"So..." Elphaba said as they danced, "How are you?" she asked. Fiyero chuckled, of course only Elphaba would be one to want to hold a conversation during a waltz.
"I'm fine," said Fiyero, "And yourself?"
"I've been better." Elphaba sighed, the sad look returning to her eyes.
"Why are you so sad?" asked Fiyero. Elphaba looked at him, surprised.
"I'm not sad....or disappointed or--" Elphaba stammered.
"I didn't say disappointed, but now I know that you're disappointed as well." said Fiyero, "Why?"
"I'm not....I just...had the completely wrong idea about someone." Elphaba sighed, looking away.
"Wrong idea?" asked Fiyero. Wrong idea? No, she had the perfectly right idea, he loved her, there was no mistake there, now she though he hated him!
"I thought he--" Elphaba began, then stopped abruptly, "I don't even know you that well, and I'm not growing too fond of this conversation."
"I'm sorry princess, I didn't mean to pry." sad Fiyero.
"Elphaba," Elphaba snapped, then she softened, "You can call my Elphaba."
"Right princess." said Fiyero, he couldn't help but grin, remembering when he'd had an argument very similar to this one, only reversed and with Elias.
"Now you're just doing that on purpose." said Elphaba.
"Maybe." said Fiyero. He knew that Elphaba was never supposed to figure out who he was, but for some reason, he wanted her to figure it out. He had some fantasy that one day, she'd just realize it had been him all along. That Daniel would remind her so much of Fiyero that she....figured it out. He wanted her to fall in love with him again and then...figure out it was him. This all sounded so preposterous, and it would never happen, because he couldn't let her figure it out, but—Fiyero realized he shouldn't get into romantics with her. She needed a friend, not another boy to be cautious around. Finding out 'Daniel' was in love with her would scare her off and so he'd keep things between them friendly. She didn't need any more complications--Fiyero's thoughts were interrupted by a tap on his shoulder. David was standing there, an urgent look on his face.
"Daniel, we've got to go," said David, "We're needed in the kitchens."
"The kitchens call." Fiyero sighed and kissed Elphaba's hand before following David out of the ballroom. Elphaba sighed as she watched him go. Friends. Only and always friends.
*********
"What's the big problem?" asked Fiyero once he and David had gotten into the hall.
"The Organization cracked someone's identity." said David, "Gale Force member Paul Smith, under the name of Henry Keller."
"No, that can't be right, I was just talking to him the other day, he's a nice guy--" Fiyero argued.
"You can't trust anyone." said David.
"Well, what are we going to do?" asked Fiyero.
"Great, they had to give me the most inexperienced guy from the Organization!" David said.
"I'm new!" said Fiyero, "What do you expect?"
"We're not going to kill him, but we're probably going to have to knock him out and take him back to headquarters." said David, "Alright, according to the message, he should be patrolling the hall outside of the dining room."
"What do I do?" asked Fiyero.
"Oz!" David yelled, "Just follow me and watch." they crept towards the designated hall and leaned around the quarter. They saw Paul, or rather 'Henry' standing against the wall, looking bored as ever, yawning. David put a finger to his lips and slowly went towards Paul. Fiyero followed behind, unsure, a sudden adrenaline rush shooting through him in anticipation. Suddenly, David grabbed Paul, putting an arm around his neck, his other hand going to his mouth to muffle his yell of surprise. Paul struggled, and David struggled to hold onto him.
"Well?!" David said to Fiyero. Fiyero grabbed a vase propped against the wall and smashed it into Paul's head. Paul jerked and then went limp.
"There are easier ways to knock out a man." said David, dropping Paul on the floor.
"It was the first thing I could think of!" Fiyero defended himself, "It did the job, didn't it?"
"I suppose." said David, "C'mon, now we've got to drag him all the way down to headquarters without being seen."
"That sounds like too much work." said Fiyero. He went into the dining room and came back with a bottle of beer. He splashed some on Paul's face and then took a swig himself before putting it back in the dining room.
"What was that for?" asked David.
"Well, now it doesn't matter if we get seen," said Fiyero, shrugging, "We can just tell everyone he had too much to drink and passed out, we're taking him out for air or something."
"That's so stupi—actually, that's not a terrible idea." said David.
"I'm a genius." said Fiyero a bit sarcastically, leaning down to hoist one of Paul's arms around his shoulder. David took the other arm and they began to drag Paul down the hall. People didn't even ask when they saw them, turns out Paul had a bad reputation for drinking anyway. They tried to go out back to avoid the swarming paparazzi and people, but they were all around the palace. They pushed their way through and finally got through the crowds into the dark nearly deserted light, save for the few drunks stumbling down the road or the homeless sitting on the sidewalks muttering to themselves. They reached the pie shop and went in through the back down the long stairs to the cellar. Two Organization members met them at the door and took Paul off their hands.
"We'll take him from here." said one of the men, "Third guy we've caught tonight, and two more are on the way."
"Great." said David, "You have money for cab fare?"
"Sure, sure." said one of the men. He dug in his pockets and found a few coins and tossed them to David.
"Thanks." David called over his shoulder as he and Fiyero began to walk back upstairs.
"You get the gist of what we do now?" asked David once they'd hailed a carriage.
"Yeah." said Fiyero, "What does the Organization do with the men?"
"How should I know?" asked David, "All's I know is they either train 'em to be on our side, or they lock 'em up till this whole thing blows over and their leader is behind bars or dead."
"So they won't kill them, right?" asked Fiyero.
"Nah," said David, "They don't kill 'em." Fiyero sighed with relief, that had been the only thing bothering him about the whole scheme.
"So," Fiyero began, grinning at David, "You and Galinda?"
"Shut up." said David, shoving Fiyero, "It's not like we're 'together'."
"Yeah, but you want to be!" Fiyero laughed.
"She's out of my league. We all want stuff, but when was the last time any of us ever got anything we ever wanted?"
"Good point there." Fiyero sighed, thinking of Elphaba.
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