She can kill with a smile
She can wound with her eyes
She can ruin your faith with her casual lies
And she only reveals what she wants you to see
She hides like a child
But she's always a woman to me

She's Always a Woman, Billy Joel

Chapter 2

She was running out of ways to occupy herself. Galinda had tried studying, but quickly lost interest in her history book. She had carefully manicured her nails, and then paced impatiently while they dried. She then rearranged her pillows and sorted her shoes by color. It was altogether uncharacteristic of her, to organize anything, but she felt a need to keep her hands busy. Now, she had slumped down on her bed in exasperation, frustrated with herself for even caring about her roommate's whereabouts.

She wasn't sure why she cared so much about the choice Miss Elphaba had made today. Normally, she let the green girl do whatever crazy thing made her happy, or at least tolerable. She wasn't sure that Elphaba ever qualified as 'happy'.

Perhaps it was that suddenly, her roommate had become very much a woman. She was no longer just a 'green bean' or some sort of potentially asexual bookworm. She was capable of touching and kissing and lovemaking, even romance. And romance was something Galinda could actually relate to.

Galinda's eyes had just closed in exhaustion when the sound of the door startled her. She bolted upright and shook herself awake.

"Oh," Elphaba looked surprised, "I didn't mean to wake you."

"You didn't. I was up…" Galinda replied.

Elphaba went to her bed and silently stripped the sheets. She stuffed them in a wicker basket she used for laundry, and tediously spread her one other set across the bed. She acted nonchalantly, as though she were not cleaning up the evidence of having given up her virginity that afternoon.

"Elphie," Galinda started, trying out the name she'd only just begun to use, "will you and Fiyero be courting from now on?"

Elphaba tossed her pillow on her bed and sat down to remove her shoes. "I don't suppose so. We don't have much in common. And I'm not the courting type."

Again, Galinda was shocked.

"So…" she tried again, "You slept with him, but you're not…"

Elphaba finally stopped and stared at her, "Is there some reason why you're so terribly interested in my love life, or lack of one?" she snapped.

Galinda was a little hurt, "I'm just a little surprised…I didn't imagine you were the type to…to…"

"To have sex?" Elphaba finished easily, "I am female, Galinda, even though that may run contrary to what you might've heard."

"I know that," Galinda whispered, "You've just never seemed like one of those flouncy girls who go to bed with whoever will have them!" she blurted the last part out, not exactly sure how else to make her point.

Elphaba's expression darkened, "I do not go to bed with whomever, Miss Galinda. I chose to have sex with Fiyero. It was a deliberate choice, but that does not mean I'm suddenly in love, or betrothed."

"Well, I'm sorry for being so shocked! In my world, one does not give up their virginity until one is married, or at least betrothed! Or at the very least in love!" Galinda threw up her hands in frustration.

There was a moment of awkward silence.

"Well, I suppose we come from very different worlds then," was all Elphaba said in return. She stood up and started to dress for bed, peeling off her clothes with her usual lack of modesty.

"Damn…" Elphaba muttered when she removed her undergarments.

Galinda couldn't help but see they were streaked with bloody fluid.

Elphaba pulled out clean clothing and added to her laundry pile.

"Elphie…are you okay?" Galinda's voice was small and concerned.

Elphaba sighed and dropped back onto her bed, realizing she could not shake off her roommate so easily.

"I'm fine, Galinda. Lovemaking is not all delicacy and roses, as you might think."

Galinda waited a long moment before asking, "Did you enjoy it?"

Elphaba's eyes narrowed, "Are you searching for some juicy gossip, for your yappy friends?"

"No!" Galinda was angry, and then she sighed heavily, "I'm treating you like a friend, Elphie. Like a girl. You're the first person I've ever known who's…been intimate. I don't want gossip, I want to talk. Have you never had anyone to just share things with? Perhaps your sister?"

Elphaba didn't respond right away. She looked out towards the blackness beyond the window, and her expression softened, "No," she finally answered, "Nessa and I did not often share secrets…"

Galinda suddenly felt badly for her, and her heart softened toward Miss Elphaba.

"Well…" Galinda started, "I never had a sister. And I always wanted someone to share things with…especially first things. And I know you think me terribly shallow, but I do study occasionally. And I can listen, unlike the company I've been keeping up to this point…"

Elphaba was quiet again. When she finally spoke, her tone was different, as though she'd given in a little.

"It hurts…some," she admitted, not meeting Galinda's eyes.

Recognizing that Elphie was really talking to her, for once, Galinda crossed the room and sat on the far end of Elphaba's bed.

"Was it…as great as all the boasting boys make it out to be?" she finally found the courage to ask.

Elphaba looked away, considering the question, as was her way.

"Yes," she finally answered, "but not in the same way as those ridiculous boys think."

"Then how so?" Galinda whispered, even more curious.

"It's carnal and raw and entirely immodest. It requires complete surrender and utter selfishness at the same time. I'm afraid you'll have to crack your porcelain façade before you'll be able to experience it completely. Perhaps that is why so many of you high society creampuffs are so unhappy in marriage…" Elphaba looked away as she finished, as though she was realizing something just for herself. She seemed oblivious to having insulted Galinda once again.

"You are entirely rude sometimes, Elphie, and entirely too frank," Galinda folded her arms and pouted a little.

"Sometimes the truth is rude," Elphaba shrugged.

Galinda refused to speak for several moments, feeling frustrated. Talking with Elphaba was exhausting, and like no conversation she'd ever had.

Finally, Elphaba broke the silence, "Are you really angry because of my opinion of you and your cronies, or are you angry with me simply for stealing a piece of your world?"

"I do not know what you mean," Galinda still looked away.

Elphaba slid a little closer, folding her knees beneath her, "You believed the world of men and lovemaking belonged only to you. This subtle power you have over the boys, it makes you feel superior. You resent me for having a part in it. Although I must admit, I still want no part of your flirting and silliness. Our motives are entirely different."

Galinda sighed and looked down at her hands, silently admitting guilt. She finally shook her head and asked, "Then what is your motive?"

"Mutiny. Political upheaval. Revolution," Elphaba let the words slip across her tongue like warm tea, sweetened with honey and flavored with the bite of whiskey.

Galinda turned to look at her, and realized how close they were. Her breath caught, as she looked at Elphaba. Her roommate's eyes were ablaze with intensity, and her hair fell around her like a mythical shroud. Her features were as sharp as ever, her silhouette thin and lithe in only her nightshift. Galinda saw it then, this strange beauty that was not soft and delicate and obvious.

Elphaba oozed passion and power, and something about it drew Galinda in. For the briefest, most fleeting moment, she wanted to lean in to kiss her. It shocked and horrified Galinda, but a part of her wanted to experience that intensity. She understood, suddenly, what had captured Fiyero. What would draw in any person who looked past the brash exterior and harsh features. Elphaba was hauntingly sensual with her raw passion for what mattered most to her. Galinda quickly turned away, before she could be further hypnotized.

Elphaba reached out and turned her chin back. Galinda's stomach fluttered, because she was terrified.

"Don't worry, Miss Galinda," Elphaba wore a wry smile, "We're still part of two separate worlds, you and I. You'll have the boys to yourself like nothing has changed."

Elphaba refused to talk anymore, and blew out her lamp as she climbed into bed.

Galinda lay awake for a long time, unable to sleep. Brown eyes were emblazed into her mind. Rich, dark eyes the color of upturned earth, flecked with emeralds. Eyes that gave away deep, dark dreams of wonders and horrors unknown. It was terribly frightening, and yet enthralling.

And that was what scared Galinda the most.

Fiyero woke up the next morning groggy, with a vague feeling that something was different. He rolled over and scratched his wildly disarrayed hair, as the sun streamed in through the curtains. He sat up, and suddenly it came back to him. The feeling of flesh on flesh, the racing of his heart, and the rushing release, all become real again. For a moment, he thought it might have been a dream, and then he rubbed his shoulders, where her deceivingly delicate fingernails had dug into his skin. He had slept with Elphaba Thropp.

He was a bit ashamed, and a bit exhilarated. Fiyero wasn't sure which the appropriate emotion was. He knew, as far as his Arjiki lineage was concerned, they tended to overlook the indiscretions of a young college student. He wasn't sure about Elphaba's family, though. Wasn't she to be the Eminent Thropp? He didn't know what was expected of a Governess of Munchkinland. Perhaps she had awoken this morning with horrible regret, even disgust, at what she had done. What if she hated him? And then he considered why it would matter so much, if she did.

"Rough night?" a voice suddenly asked.

Fiyero turned to see Avaric, with whom he shared his suite. As a Vinkun prince and a wealthy Gillikin suitor, they were given the privilege of a larger room, with a washroom that was freshly stocked each morning. This morning, Fiyero was grateful for it. He stood up and stretched, feeling gluey and uncoordinated.

"You look like you're about a pint shy of passing out," Avaric teased, "I thought you were a good little prince who studied till midnight?"

"Not now Avaric, it was a long night," Fiyero mumbled.

Avaric smirked, enjoying the harmless jeering, "All right, fine. Doesn't look like you did any lasting damage, but I'll figure it out. There's only so much trouble you can get into around here. And next time," he tossed a hand towel at Fiyero, "invite me."

Fiyero grimaced and tossed the towel into the laundry. He wasn't certain if he would be having another night like the previous one, but he certainly would not be inviting his suitemate.

The previous night, he and Elphaba had arrived at the dining hall just as dinner was concluding. They got the last scrapings of vegetable stew, and Fiyero had proceeded to watch her read a book for the next two hours. It was always a bit disconcerting, how she could eat with one hand and read with other, all while never taking her eyes off the large tome in front of her. Fiyero had tried to make conversation, because it seemed to be the decent thing to. However, Elphaba would simply answer politely and return to her book, as though he had merely dropped by her table because there was a shortage of seating elsewhere. She had given no indication as to whether she was happy or upset, or even affected by what had transpired between them. She was as unreadable as she'd ever been, and it frustrated him.

Now, based on the current time, Fiyero could tell he was going to be late for his first class. He washed up quickly and pulled on fresh clothes. He gave himself a long look in the mirror that decorated one wall of the washroom. He looked like himself. His hair was now combed and his clothes were pressed well enough. Still, there was a part of him that felt everyone would be able to see through him to his secret. He felt like somehow, they would all simply know.

Fiyero Tigelaar isn't a virgin. Fiyero slept with a girl he barely knows.

He imagined that he could hear the gossip before it even began. He knew it was illogical, and was probably born out of being so young, but he was unsettled. Taking a deep breath, Fiyero made his way to first class, his books clutched a little too tightly under his arm.

He tried to catch Elphaba later that day, when he knew she usually grabbed some fruit from the dining hall before her sorcery class. Yet she was nowhere to be seen, and he cursed the fact that she'd picked today to be either early or late. Or perhaps she had woken up, realized what she had done, and fled the university. Maybe she was afraid and ashamed, or would be in some sort of horrible trouble with her father. What if Madame Morrible had found out? Fiyero couldn't imagine how, but his mind raced through every unlikely scenario. Certainly there was a strict rule against him having been in the girls' dormitory. Would they expel Elphaba? What about himself?

Fiyero hardly paid attention in Mathematics and Early Unionist History that afternoon, his mind racing in a way he was sure was altogether unmasculine. Shouldn't he be out celebrating some sort of conquest? Shouldn't he be laughing it up with Avaric and his shallow cronies? Isn't that what his suitemate did most Saturday mornings? But then, Fiyero never knew how much of what Avaric boasted about was true. And Elphaba was not like the dancer girls in the burlesque clubs where most of the young men spent their off nights. She had admitted to her own virginity. She was smart, studious, and she had goals that were bigger than most of her classmates. Why would someone like her have bothered with him anyway? Had she really been that captivated by the idea of committing mutiny by mere association? Was she now filled with a flood of regret?

By the end of the day, Fiyero's head throbbed from all the thinking. He crossed the campus wearily, hoping for a quick dinner and then some extra sleep. When he entered the dining hall, however, he easily spotted Elphaba sitting at a table with Galinda and her giggling friends. Galinda must have asked the green girl to join them. Elphaba was again reading a book, oblivious to the chatter around her. Fiyero crossed the room and approached the table, clearing his throat.

Galinda looked up and promptly blushed furiously. She averted her eyes and squeaked, "Hello Fiyero."

Fiyero swallowed hard. If anyone was studying Galinda's reaction, it would be obvious immediately that something awkward has transpired. He hoped no one was paying attention.

Galinda put her hand in the middle of Elphaba's book, causing the green girl to look up at him, "Elphie…Fiyero's here…" Galinda announced a little strangely.

Elphaba gave a tiny smile and threw out, "Hello. They've got chicken soup tonight. I heard it's decent, but I don't eat chicken."

Fiyero wasn't sure what to say. Her reaction was typical, casual and unaffected. It was as though nothing had happened. Elphaba turned her attention back to her book.

"Um, thanks," Fiyero muttered, turning to get in line to collect his dinner. He brought his soup back to the table and stood for a moment, hoping there would be an invitation for him to sit down. He waited just long enough to feel incredibly awkward. Elphaba looked up then, as though she'd just noticed he'd returned.

"You can have my seat," Elphaba offered, collecting her books and pushing her dishes to the center of the table for the kitchen staff to collect.

Galinda suddenly spoke up, "I'll be out with Shenshen tonight. She needs help choosing a dress for Saturday night. Don't wait up…unless you want to," she said the last part softly, as though it had only just occurred to her that she and her roommate might have something to say to one another.

Elphaba gave a little smile to show she'd heard, and then strode away. For a fleeting moment, Fiyero envied Galinda. She would have Elphaba to herself in their room that night to share secrets, to discuss him if they wanted. He envied the intimacy, and then he shook it off, because he hardly had any claim over Elphaba. Until yesterday, he'd barely noticed her.

With Elphaba gone, Galinda looked uncomfortable. She ate methodically, refusing to meet Fiyero's eyes. The other girls at the table giggled and whispered a little. He'd been around Shiz long enough to realize that they thought fairly highly of his title as a prince, but realized he wasn't confident enough to be worth a real crush. Plus, none of the lily-white debutantes Galinda associated with would consider courting a dark-skinned Winkie. It was the same, shallow attitude that made them shun Elphaba.

I suppose that is the one thing Elphaba Thropp and I have in common, he thought.

Unable to think of anything to say, Fiyero finished his dinner in silence. He gave a half-hearted wave to Galinda when she and her friends took their leave. Then he sat there, confused.

Fiyero tried the rest of the week to corner Elphaba. He wasn't sure exactly what he wanted to say. He thought more than once that maybe he should just leave it alone. Wouldn't most other guys just thank Lureline for a pretty satisfying one night stand and move on? Maybe he was trying too hard. Maybe Elphaba had gotten what she wanted and wasn't interested in anything else. But was she that selfish? Was it wrong if she was? Fiyero was entirely confused, and wasn't sure to whom he might turn to ask all these questions.

By the following Friday evening, he had worked himself into a funk. Fiyero wanted to be a proper Arjiki prince. He wanted to make his father proud, but suddenly getting an education and returning to Kiamo Ko to wed a girl he hardly knew seemed almost unbearable. He hadn't been much for stirring up a fuss until now. He'd been content to let life happen, skating along and doing only what it took to get by. He was very confused as to how one night with a strange classmate could make him question all of that.

Therefore, Fiyero was relieved, and perhaps too enthusiastic, when Avaric suggested they head to a local café that night and have some drinks. A popular band was planning to entertain, and there would surely be noise, girls, dancing, and drinking. It wouldn't be a wild party, but it was a distraction. Maybe he would find a vestige of his former self and put this week behind him.

He and Avaric put on clean shirts and combed their hair before heading down to the café. It was tucked away in a side street in the university town that thrived around Shiz. The musicians were already playing when they arrived, and Pfannee and Shenshen waived them over to one of the larger tables. Although the girls weren't all that taken with Fiyero, Avaric made them giggle and blush. Fiyero was welcome vicariously, he supposed.

They took their seats just as Galinda and Elphaba returned form the water closet. Elphaba looked at Fiyero with an unreadable expression and sat down next to him. Galinda pulled another chair next to Shenshen, smiling at a smitten Boq as he waved from across the table. Crope and Tibbett had come as well, taking a smaller table just a few steps away, where they could whisper and argue together.

"What do you think of the band?" Pfannee directed her question to Avaric, her eyes fluttering.

"Pretty good," he tossed out with his usual casual confidence.

The waiter took their order then, and Fiyero asked for wine. He needed something to take the edge off. He was inches from Elphaba and, for reasons he didn't understand, he felt like he was on fire.

"I heard they played in the Emerald City, at Le Palais. And they opened for Wizomania," Boq threw out, referencing the band, "They're trying to drum up a younger audience, by working Shiz," he kept eyeing as he spoke Galinda, hoping to impress her.

"They're good, but they are a tad…stuffy," Galinda agreed. Boq looked like he would burst with joy that she had responded.

"They need vocals," Elphaba suddenly added, surprising them all just by speaking, "It would soften the music, make it personal."

Fiyero looked at her, feeling like he should respond but having lost all ability to make decent conversation. He watched her lift her tea to her lips and sip carefully. Watching her delicate fingers clutch the cup reminded him of how she'd worked those hands over his body, how those lips had caressed him and taught him things that had been beyond his imagination. He envied Galinda, as she reached across the table and took one green hand in her own. She was trying to convince Elphaba to sing.

"Come on Elphie, it would be beautiful. You're the best of all of us. Have them play a song you know," Galinda pleaded.

Elphaba pursed her lips and tugged on her long, dark braid. The others stopped talking, wondering if the green girl would do it. A couple of them smirked, wondering if she would perform, or just embarrass herself. Elphaba finally gave in and stood up. She removed her sweater and draped it over the chair. Beneath, she wore a longer dress that wasn't particularly feminine or delicate, but it left her arms bare. Fiyero swallowed hard as she crossed to the stage and caught the saxophone player between numbers. They spoke for a moment, and the middle-aged musician smiled.

Elphaba took the stage and the band began to play. The song was haunting, with a slow, steady rhythm like the beating of a heart. Swaying just slightly to the music, Elphaba began to sing. Her voice was a rich, deep, mezzo-soprano that turned the heads of the other customers at the café.

Fiyero suddenly felt very warm, and he downed the first glass of wine and ordered another. When it came, he tried to sip, but Elphaba was making his heart pound. She knew nothing of flirtation, but as she swayed to the music, lost in her own world, she let her eyes close seductively. Fiyero noticed how long and dark her lashes were, as they brushed her cheeks. With so much of her emerald skin revealed, he couldn't stop himself from remembering the sight of her whole, naked body, lithe and willing beneath him.

This is normal, he told himself, you're a young man, barely an adult. You've opened the cork on something and now you can't control it. This is why the other boys go to the shows every weekend.

Still, Fiyero tried desperately to reign in his thoughts. As he took another gulp of wine, Elphaba opened her eyes and fixed her gaze on him as she sang. It was probably entirely accidental, but it felt like she could see right through and into him. Fiyero felt his body flush, and then felt his trousers tighten over an arousal he could not control.

He fled the café then, before anyone could notice, before he could have a chance to truly embarrass himself.

A few hours later, Fiyero was still awake and lying in bed when Avaric came through the door of their suite.

Seeing him awake, Avaric threw out, "What happened to you? Surely you didn't get sick off of what, a glass and a half of wine?"

"No," Fiyero threw out without moving, "I…already had a headache. Maybe I've caught something…I thought for a moment I would be sick," he lied.

"Seriously?" Avaric questioned, sensing Fiyero was not being entirely truthful.

"Yeah," Fiyero answered without much conviction.

Avaric kicked off his shoes and tossed his shirt onto the back of a chair. He flopped down onto his bed and lit one of the lamps, "You're a mess," he accused, "You've been a mess all week. I don't know what's going on with you, but if you don't get it sorted out you might as well pack up and leave. You'll flunk out from this funk you're in."

Fiyero finally sat up, realizing he wasn't going to have any peace tonight. Avaric had had just enough alcohol to make him even more over-confident. Fiyero knew him well enough to know that Avaric would hassle him until he got what he wanted. But then, Fiyero considered, maybe he really did care. Maybe beneath his brash exterior, Avaric really didn't want his roommate to flunk out of Shiz.

Fiyero sighed and ran a hand through his coarse hair, "It's complicated," he tossed out.

"So there is something!" Avaric looked triumphant, "Have they appointed someone else to your spot in the Winkie royal court? Did someone overthrow your family and steal your crown?"

Fiyero shot him a warning look, not appreciating the teasing tonight, "Your future is just as pompous and pretentious as mine," Fiyero reminded him.

"Fine, truce," Avaric relented, "So why are you acting like a psychiatric patient?"

Fiyero took a deep breath, still unsure about what to say. He had to confess, though. He knew he was going to explode if didn't. Maybe Avaric wasn't the ideal confidant, but he had few other options. At least Avaric knew something about dealing with women.

"I…" Fiyero started, "I…slept with someone."

Avaric raised an eyebrow, "And?"

"I'm not you, Avaric," Fiyero was exasperated, "I have an arranged marriage, remember?"

"So, what? You lost your virginity? It's about time. Get over it. Have a good beer and come with us to the shows tomorrow night."

Fiyero rolled his eyes and struggled with what to say. Clearly Avaric didn't understand his struggle, "Maybe it's not the what…it's the…who," Fiyero confessed haltingly.

Avaric was suddenly more interested, "So…who's the…who?" he asked.

Fiyero swallowed, "I slept with Elphaba Thropp," he finally spit out.

The words hung there, with neither of them speaking for a long time. Avaric looked genuinely shocked, "Wait…the green girl? You slept with the green girl?"

Fiyero nodded.

"So…she's really a girl? For sure? What was that like? Is she…normal?" Avaric probed.

Fiyero suddenly felt the need to defend Elphaba, "She's amazing. She's…beautiful."

Avaric smirked, "Still…that would have to be incredibly awkward. How would she even know what to do? She doesn't seem like she's ever touched another human before."

"Oh she knows what to do…." Fiyero threw out instinctively. Immediately, he wanted to eat the words.

Avaric's face broke into a grin, "Well, what do you know. The green bean has cast a little spell on you. We've always known she was a bit…witchy. Maybe, figuring a green girl wouldn't be much sought after by suitors, her family trained in her the art of…shall we say, pleasure?"

Fiyero stood up, suddenly defensive, "If you spread one rumor, if you do one thing to tarnish her reputation or her chances at this school, I'll…I'll…"

"You'll what?" Avaric stood, not as tall but clearly more confident.

"Just…keep your mouth shut, for once?" Fiyero lost his steam.

"Fine," Avaric smirked, "Maybe this is a secret we want to keep between you and I, anyway. Maybe I should pay the green girl a little more attention, if you know what I mean…"

"No!" Fiyero barked, louder than he intended.

"Why?" Avaric's question was clearly loaded, "She obviously knows how to handle herself. Do you now have some sort of claim over her?"

Fiyero felt deflated, "No…I suppose not," he finally admitted.

Avaric flopped down onto his bed with a small bottle of whiskey he produced from under the mattress, "Don't look so tortured," he tossed out, "She still a bit…green, for me."

Fiyero laid down again, suddenly tired. Their conversation had calmed him down a little. It was still a long time before he could fall asleep, though. Based on Avaric's reaction, what he had done wasn't all that unusual. Still, he feared that in defending Elphaba, he had opened a can of worms he should have kept tightly sealed. He wasn't sure how much of Avaric's experience was true, but Elphaba surely didn't need him leering after her.

Fiyero finally fell into a troubled sleep, hoping that morning would bring him more wisdom, and that perhaps Avaric had been intoxicated enough to forget the whole thing.