"Home? What, with you?" questioned Elphaba. Fiyero said nothing but flashed the biggest grin he had shown in a long time.

A week had passed, Elphaba was allowed out of hospital partially due to her constant complaining about threatening to break out if they didn't let her out. She was still very week and sore, she had trouble walking but mostly she was very jumpy. Just about everything scared her. She eventually told Fiyero about it and he re- assured her that it would get better she just needed time. Elphaba sighed, she hated being like this.

"C'mon Fae" smiled Fiyero as he and Galinda made their way into Elphaba's hospital room "let's get you out of here". Elphaba smiled in return and then slowly sat up trying not to use her arms for support.

About two days ago Elphaba had decided that she could no longer take living in the hospital anymore. When Galinda had left and Fiyero had fallen asleep in a chair, Elphaba had gotten up on shaky legs only to fall to the ground and awkwardly, landing on her wrists, consequently ending up with two broken bones and two casts.

"Are you feeling any better today Fae?" questioned Fiyero. Elphaba nodded slightly, dropped her head then looked at the other side of the room where Galinda was packing up the few items Elphaba had with her.

"It's alright Fae, you don't have to put on a brave face all the time, you can tell me, you know that don't you?"

"Yes, it's just…I don't want to trouble you with my problems and-"

"Elphie stop rambling, I need to help you get changed or no one is going to be going home today" called Galinda. Fiyero laughed "the lady has spoken".

"Shush you, now would you be so kind to give us a bit of privacy?" said Galinda. Fiyero bend down and kissed Elphaba's neck then made for the door.

"Galinda really I think I can get changed myself you know"

"Nonsense Elphie, look at you every time you move it hurts you plus I don't know how you expect to do anything with two broken arms". Elphaba sighed then let Galinda take her hospital gown off and help her into some casual clothes. "See that wasn't so bad was it?"

"No"

"What's wrong Elphie? You should be happy; you're going home with Fiyero"

"I am Galinda, it's just…it's just I'm scared"

"Oh, Fiyero's not going to hurt you silly, he loves you remember?"

"It's not Fiyero, it's that I, um, I haven't been outside since well you know and what if…"

"Ohhh Elphie everything will be ok, I promise you Fiyero wont left anything happen to you".

Five minutes later Fiyero came back in. "Are you ready Fae?"

"Yes, thank you Yero"

"Hey guys I have to get going, momsie is waiting outside, have a good holiday break and take care of yourself Elphie!" Squealed Galinda as she waved goodbye to her friends and flounced out the door.

Fiyero helped Elphaba into the carriage that he had organized then sat down next to her. "We're in for a long trip Fae-Fae"

"Mmhmm "was Elphaba's reply

"Are you alright Fae?"

"I'm fine Yero, I'm just a bit tired, I don't know why it's only lunch time"

"That's alright Fae, you rest, and you can put your head on me if you want". Elphaba slowly put her head on Fiyero's chest and then with her left hand took a fist full of his shirt. Fiyero lay down with Elphaba resting on his chest; he put his hand over hers and rapped the other on protectively around her waist carefully minding the bruises underneath her top. Elphaba stiffened, this was very new to her nobody had ever cared this much.

"Are you ok there Elphaba?" questioned Fiyero as he loosened his hold on her.

"yes, sorry Yero, this is all very new to me, I…I didn't expect you to touch me because, well… of what happened and I feel dirty…and, and…so um I must look dirty too and I just thought that you-"Elphaba paused for a moment and looked up at Fiyero then continued "Sorry, um can you, can you hold me Yero please? It makes me feel safe"

"Oh Fae all you had to do was ask" whispered Fiyero as he took hold of Elphaba again. He smiled and looked down into her eyes, he could see fear and hurt. For the second time in his life Fiyero's heart broke for her. How he wished he could take the emotional and physical pain away from her.

Elphaba could see Fiyero was thinking. Thinking hard. Something which he rarely did. She extended her arm and stroked his cheek slightly.

"Don't be sad Yero, I'll be ok you'll see". Fiyero went to reply but Elphaba had fallen asleep again, her eyes twitching under her eye lids.

The Vinkus was a day away.

TBC