She ran after him, keeping her strides close enough not to lose him but far enough to give him space if needed. He abruptly stopped letting himself fall against a tree. His hands were covering his face."I was afraid of that... I did that... It was me, Ellie…"

Elphaba dropped to her knees beside him and placed her hands on his shoulders. "No, that wasn't you... And you know it. "

"It was me. You should go they can't find you with me." He said pushing her away but Elphaba didn't let him.

"I'm not leaving you, especially now. "

Sanevan only pushed her back once more. "If they find you they wont change you…" His teeth began to chatter as he kept trying to keep his distance from her. "Not you, you have magic. I don't know what they'd do to you… I don't know." He shook completely afraid.

"Hey, hey!" She called for his attention and he slowly looked up at her, tears running down his face. "They won't do anything to me and they didn't to anything to you...you were... just defending yourself - nothing else. " She wiped aways his tears with her thumbs and he stopped her hand.

"Defending myself?" He panted. "You saw that? You saw me hit him even after he lost conscious and I didn't stop until you forced me."

"It's nothing more than you relieving your anger from what happened San." She told him as she met his eyes.

"Relieving my anger? Don't make excuses for what I've done I—Go. Do you hear that? It's that machine get away from me. "

She didn't hear anything other than his labored breathing.

"Go Ellie, I rather not have you be caught with me. Go back and make sure he's okay."

She rested her hand on his before she nodded and fled.

"Did you find him?" Galinda asked once she had her sights on her.

"…No, it's hard to catch up when you're in a skirt." Elphaba gestured to her skirt, her eyes on Fiyero lying on the ground with his head on Galinda's lap. His head was turned to the side so the blood coming from his nose would not choke him.

"You did this in purpose didn't you? You led Fiyero here to find me with him. " Galinda put Fiyero's head on the floor gently and stood.

Elphaba gaped at her. "What? I didn't even know you were over here Galinda. I saw you go another way and even then, you were the one rubbing your hand all over his chest! "

Galinda's mouth fell open. "I was being friendly!"

Elphaba rolled her eyes. "That's not being friendly thats border lining on caressing."

"Why do you even care?" The blonde huffed.

"I don't care." She lied, knowing she cared more than she knew. "You can caress anyone you want, but you can't be blaming me when everything goes wrong for you." Elphaba jabbed her finger at Galinda's direction.

Galinda merely looked at her and Elphaba sighed, knowing it was the wrong time to start fighting. "How about instead of arguing you go and get help for Fiyero your boyfriend, who is still laying on the ground bleeding out - Stop frowning and go. "

Galinda huffed again but stomped off and Elphaba blew air out of her mouth going to check on Fiyero.

"Oh, Fiyero… You idiot." She berated, crouching to the floor. "Why in the world would you hit him? He wasn't the one doing anything wrong." Elphaba used her skirt to wipe some of the blood off his face in doing so her finger accidentally brushed his lips. She held her breath as she felt that same sensation as before. That yearning, the desire, the ache, the need that she hated feeling for another. Unconsciously her thumb trailed over his cheek unable to stop herself when she leaned down and placed her lips on his, a moment of absolute contentment washed over her before she realized what she was doing and scattered back.

What did she do? What was she doing with him? Her head whipped around to see if anyone was there to witness her thoughtless action. Elphaba pushed her hair out of her face and brought her knees up to her chin.

"What the hell am I doing with you? " She questioned out loud. Deep down she knew the answer to what was going on, but she didn't want to admit it. How could she? She had Sanevan who she loved.

"I don't even know you." She whispered staring at Fiyero's face. The handsome man completely unaware of the inner turmoil going on in her head.

"So why?" Her words stuck to her throat as she sat there resting her head on her knees to think about the words she didn't want to say out loud.

The sound of footsteps around her didn't make her break away from her spot. It wasn't until a few seconds later that she realized that Galinda was standing in front of her and Fiyero was already gone.

Galinda looked at her nervously. "Elphaba? Are you going to stay here?"

"Do you care?" Her words came out rough. She tried clearing her throat. "Now that Fiyero's in the hospital why don't you go look for your guy. " Galinda glared at her.

"His name is Sanevan," Her glare slowly fell. "And…he's a little violent, but I still want him."

"It looked like he didn't want you." She sneered and Galinda's glare came back, just not as bad.

"He will, you don't have to worry about that."

Elphaba scoffed shaking her head at what she was hearing. "I can't believe you. Your boyfriend is going to the hospital and you are thinking of another guy, that's just... It's just so wrong . " She muttered to herself banging her head back against the tree.

"And I can't help it... I can't help that I'm in love with another, I mean I thought I loved Fiyero but then this boy came." Galinda shrugged, smiling at the thought of him. Elphaba bit the inside of her cheeks. Galinda couldn't possibly be in love with him.

"Are you sure it is love? It's not just because the boy has a pretty face?"

"I realize that it's weird to fall in love in such a short amount of time. I don't know how to explain this to you without you yelling about how I already have Fiyero."

"It's really as simple as breaking up with him, even then you aren't going to have a lasting relationship with any boy you've known only for a few days. " She told Galinda and it felt more like she was telling herself.

"That's why I want to work on getting to actually know this one and it would be easier for me if I had a friend who would help."

Elphaba shook her head."I'm sorry Galinda, but I'm not going to be a part of this."

Galinda seemed to come to understanding with that, letting Elphaba walk away from her without another word of protest.

She thought of going back to her room to process everything that had happened. She kissed him, actually kissed Fiyero. A guy she has known for a few days. Here she was telling Galinda that you couldn't know if it was love if you've only known someone for such short time but at the same time she knew what it was that she felt for Fiyero.

No.

No, he was attractive that was all. He was attractive and he had been the only other boy to look at her the way her san had.

San, who lost his parents, his identity, and he was losing his way... She couldn't abandon him now or ever. So she made up her mind and went to his room hoping he would be in there.

He was just laying there looking up at the ceiling as she came upon the window. He didn't notice when she unlocked it and went inside. She took a few steps forward before he suddenly scrambled out of bed and threw her back into the ground.

"Hey—" Her voice was cut off when he wrapped his hands around her neck. As soon as he realized it was her he widened his eyes and fell away.

"Ellie, I'm- I'm so sorry, I thought... What am I turning into?" He apologized as Elphaba started coughing, rubbing at her neck.

"Did I hurt you?" He asked helping her sit up.

"I'm okay," She said clearing her throat. "I understand. I know you didn't mean to do that, you are just jumpy is all."

"I almost kill him, the prince of the vinkus, and then I strangle you. I think it isn't safe for me to be here. It might be that you can't run away with me, but I can."

Elphaba stared at him. "And where will you go?"

"Under a bridge, in a cave, anywhere that will stop me from hurting you or anyone else. "

"And do you suppose I help you if you go under a bridge? How are we supposed to learn for what reason exact they did this to you and Avaric?"

He opened his mouth to say something but closed right away not having an answer.

"Exactly, so you're staying right here with me. I've already been without you once don't you dare be the one to leave this time."

"I've made fun of you, I've insulted you, played pranks on you, called you names... Not once have I ever lifted a hand to hurt you my love. Not ever, and I can't live like this, I don't know what's wrong. " He buried his face in his hands and Elphaba pried them apart.

"Look at me... San look at me." Sanevan slowly looked at her from the corner of his eye.

"I won't leave you, I won't... I'm not letting you go through this alone. I'll be here by your side whether or not you want me there, we'll be able to change whatever they did to you... San, I give you my word on that just please don't cry. "

He shook gently, forcing back the sobs that she knew he was fighting back to control."How can you give me your word on something like that? I don't even know what they changed or if it's safe for you to do that."

"It doesn't matter, it's my word to you."She assured, sitting down right next to him trying to smooth the tears away with her fingers. "At this moment I'm exactly where I need to be and—"

"Is that where you want to be though?"

Her brows knitted together."How can you even ask me that?"

He made a noise at the back of his throat. "It's more than a feeling I have Ellie, something's changed and not just with my mind. "

"But what does that have to do with me not wanting to be here with you?"

"I'm afraid I'm no longer the same person that you once knew," His bottom lip trembled. "I just choked you, I almost killed him." Something in his features hardened. "Elphaba I'm sorry but we can't be together."

Her hand fell from his face. "What?"

"Until I find someway to figure out how to change what they have done, you and I need to be apart. I don't want to hurt you—"

"And this isn't hurting me?"

"Do you think this doesn't hurt me too? I love you Elphaba and that's why I have to stop being with you. Don't you see? I can't and I won't hurt you. I would never forgive myself so please try to understand."

Her jaw clenched and she fought against the tears. "I don't want to." She choked out as she stormed out of his window.

She shouldn't really be this surprised. Elphaba never expected their relationship to make it as far as it did, but she didn't expect that when she went to his room.

She wanted reassurance, that she loved him and that what she what she was feeling for Fiyero wasn't anything of importance, just a silly crush.

Although she always wondered when their relationship would end that wasn't the moment Elphaba imagined it would happen.

Weekends at Shiz were always a time of peace for Elphaba; they usually meant no giggling roommates with equally annoying friends; they meant time to catch up on studies and on her reading, but at that time all Elphaba wanted to do was curl up in her bed and close her eyes.

Which is exactly what she did until Galinda returned to the room.

"I broke up with Fiyero." She said as she came in. "Are you happy now? "

Elphaba pressed her eyelids together and wiped furiously at the stupid tears. "You broke up with him while he was in the hospital?" She asked in disbelief, sitting up from her position.

Galinda looked as if she was about to reply until she noticed Elphaba's face. "Elphaba, what's wrong?"

"Nothing." She shook her head, hating herself for showing any emotion— even if Galinda wasn't her enemy anymore.

"You were crying!"

Elphaba's response was to turn away from Galinda.

"Do you want to talk?" Galinda asked quietly.

"I'm fine."

"You're not, otherwise you wouldn't be crying."

"How are you so sure it's not an allergic reaction to something?" Elphaba heard only silence from the other side of the room and she hoped Galinda decide to give up on her but to her surprise Galinda sat beside her.

"Elphaba?" She called her name delicately, placing a hand softly on her arm. "Elphie, You and I have been friends for a short amount of time and not the best at that, but you have to understand that I'm not here to make fun of you or hurt you. I want to help so talk to me. "

"I don't need any help." She told her firmly, shaking her hand off her.

Galinda sighed, putting her hand back to her own side. "Alright, maybe you don't want to talk, but I won't leave your side until you do."

Elphaba couldn't help but smile."I give you fifteen minutes. " She joked as fresh tears spilled from her eyes. Galinda heard and wrapped her arms around her whispering calming words to her. She didn't have the strength to push her away this time. She didn't know how long they spent like that but after a while Galinda spoke up. "I'll be back really quickly." She heard before she was left alone in the room. She took deep breaths not wanting to cause another mess if she started to let her emotions go.

"Fabala? What's wrong?" Her sister's voice appeared and her head whipped over to where Galinda entered pushing Nessa's chair inside their room.

"Nessa?"

"Fabala?" Her sister looked at her with worry before turning to Galinda. "Galinda thank you for bringing me here, I hope you don't mind if I speak to my sister."

"No, not at all." Galinda smiled politely sitting down across from them.

Elphaba smiled slightly as Nessa looked perplexed at Galinda.

Galinda looked between both sister's before nodding with a smile. "You meant alone didn't you?"

Nessa bent her head in agreement.

Galinda looked sheepishly at both of them. "I'll go get something to eat... I'll leave you two alone." She said grabbing her purse and scurrying out of the room.

Nessa watched her leave before turning her attention back to her, "Fabala you never cry... Why are you crying?"

Elphaba forced herself to smile, wiping at her eyes with her sleeves."It's really nothing Nessa —"

"Is it because...What happened to the Valners? Or to their son to be more precise?" Nessa said softly and her head whipped up.

"What?"

Her sister offered her a small smile. "I always knew you two were friends.…I saw you sneak out at least twice."

Her eyes widened."You did?"

Nessa nodded her head."And I lied to father twice for you when he would wonder why you weren't causing some problems."

She felt thankful for her sister at that moment.

"Who told you about his parents deaths?" She wondered and Nessa pursed her lips.

"Father sent a letter, I'm sorry it was horrible... And then they found his body... I'm sorry Fabala." Nessa added quickly when she scrunched her face in confusion.

"His body? They found his body? What do you mean?" She questioned and Nessa frowned.

"I thought you knew. They found his body only hours away from here, and it was gruesome…I'm sorry I shouldn't—"

"He's dead?" She breathed, her eyes widening and Nessa nodded quickly.

"Yes, I'm assuming that's why you are crying?"

"Nessarose," She spoke her sister's name as calmly as she could. "If you were to see him again would you recognize his face?"

Her sister looked confused at the question."Yes, how would I not, he worked for us."

Elphaba swallowed suddenly and knew she had to tell her. "Promise that what I tell you will not leave this room."

Nessa turned her head to the side, not understanding. "Elphaba?"

"Promise me first." She urged and Nessa nodded a moment later.

"I promise that whatever you tell me will not leave this room."

"Nessa, Sanevan is alive and well here at Shiz. He isn't dead but you must keep thinking of him as dead... Nessa I'm only telling you because you can't recognize him when you see him, you can't for your safety please."

Nessa scrutinized her before shaking her head. "Elphaba, he died—"

She cut her off."He didn't he is alive."

Her sisters forehead puckered. "Fabala… they found his body."

"How do you know it was his?" She protested and Nessa looked at her as she had gone insane.

"They had father confirm it was him. "

"That's not possible. " She murmured to herself feeling her chest tighten at Nessa's words.

Nessa looked on sadly. "Elphaba I know he was your friend but…"

"Nessa he is alive, I saw him, I talked to him." She argued but Nessa wasn't taking none of it.

"He is dead and if you are seeing him...I think it's time we had you see someone."

"Nessa, I'm not crazy." She disputed. The last thing she wanted was for her sister to send word to their father and have her locked up in some loony bin. "Believe me Nessa just wait until tomorrow but don't look like you recognize—"

"ELPHABA!" Her sister shouted her name firmly. "This is so unlike you and I'm starting to worry, seeing dead people."

"—Dead people? What are you two talking about? " Elphaba sent a pleading look towards Nessa when Galinda walked back inside the room, holding a brown bag.

Nessa seemed to understand and nodded, planting another polite smile on her face. "It's nothing Galinda, merely a joke between us. Thank you for coming to get me but I'd like to go back to my dorm now. Please try and feel better my dear Fabala."

"Thank you Nessa. " She said gratefully and her sister smiled wearily as Galinda wheeled her out.

Elphaba had to do something. Nessarose didn't believe her and when she saw him alive she would be more than startled. What would they do to her sister if they find out she knew of Sanevan. They would make her forget things; they would play with her mind. That was something Elphaba would never allow them to do. She would not let them touch her sister. Elphaba was unable to help Sanevan, but Nessarose was not going to suffer the same.

Over her dead body.

"Elphie?" Galinda said from where she was standing and Elphaba did not let her see how surprised she was, not having heard her come in.

Elphaba cleared her throat and looked at her. "Is there something you wanted to say?"

"Not really, well, actually, yes…" Galinda decided. "Why did Nessarose say you were seeing dead people?"

"What do you know of a metal creature here on campus?" Elphaba deflected the question by asking her own.

Galinda stood confounded. "Metal creature?"

"Yes, metal creature. Have you heard or seen it?"

Galinda frowned."What does this have to do with seeing dead people?"

"Have you or have you not?" She urged again standing so she could tower over her roommate.

Galinda looked taken aback but she nodded a short moment after. "Everyone knows of it, Grommetik."

"I didn't know of it." She said and Galinda's lips curled up in a smile.

"You're from Munchkinland, of course you haven't heard of it. However, everyone here in the Gillikin knows about it, it's almost as if it were alive. It's Madame Morrible's own invention."

"Madame Morrible?" She said gnashing her teeth together. Was Morrible working in tandem with the wizard? Was that why she offered her a chance to meet him, so she could use her magic to do what they wanted?

"Yes, why are we talking about her weird machine thingy?" Galinda furrowed her brow and Elphaba changed the subject again.

"Galinda did you know who Avaric when he was younger?"

"Avaric?" She said in distaste.

"Yes Avaric," She repeated looking at Galinda's face which suddenly turned sour. "Did you know him or were you ever friends with him?"

Galinda shrugged, waving a hand in the air. "When we were much younger but what does this—"

"And how was he?" She continued despite Galinda's obvious hesitation on the subject.

"What do you mean? Why are we talking about that twit?"

She tried to find the words to tell her, a little amazed and somewhat proud of Galinda's strong aversion to Avaric."I want to know what kind of person he was or if he's changed throughout the years."

Galinda narrowed her eyes at her, "Why the sudden interest? He's a horrible person now and that's all that matters."

"I don't care what he is now, I'm wondering how he was then."

"Different, he was somewhat kind back then when I associated with him it's almost as if he was a different person."

Those words gave her all the confirmation she needed.

"He changed didn't he? And not just the regular —guy grows up and starts chasing girl—sort of thing."

"Yeah" Galinda said sharply suddenly finding the neck of her dress important to play with. Elphaba would not let her go so easily, she needed to know.

"If you knew him then you knew his family right?"

"Yes," Galinda confirmed moving to sit on her bed. "All of his family. He was a close confidant before he changed."

"So if you knew his whole family, why didn't you know of his cousin before?" She challenged and Galinda sat up.

"Well, that's easy because... because..." She scrambled to think of something but pouted when nothing came to her.

"You don't know do you?"

"No, that's odd…" Galinda muttered to herself, deep in thought. "I could have sworn I met his entire family at a ball before. Hmm... "

"Has he ever mentioned him at all before?"

"Now that I think of it, no... " Galinda frowned deeply. "He never has mentioned him, this is confusifying."

"So then where did this cousin come from?" She wondered and Galinda was looking on wordlessly.

"I don't know... I'm going to ask him, come with me." Galinda grabbed something from her bed and came over to her, suddenly determined to find out.

Elphaba looked out the window seeing the sky beginning to darken."Right now? Isn't it a little too late?"

"Yes," Galinda said surely, trying to pry Elphaba off her bed. "I won't be able to rest now just thinking about it so hurry up!"

Her eyebrows rose as she was pulled to stand."And isn't it going to look odd that Galinda Upland is going into Avaric Tenmeadows room after breaking up with Fiyero Tiggular?"

Galinda giggled as she pulled with all her strength to get her to take two steps. "Don't be silly elphie, he isn't in his room on a saturday night, he's out drinking! Now come on!"

She stood her ground. "I'm not going anywhere I've had a... long day and I just want to rest right now, you go on ahead." She moved to lay back down but Galinda wouldn't budge. A strange expression fell over Galinda when she mentioned going by herself.

"Like you said it would look rather odd if I went to looking for Avaric on a saturday night and so soon after my breakup with Fiyero, which no one but you knows about, but still I'm not going by myself." She said with more determination, grinning widely. "Maybe he'll be there!"

She was referring to Sanevan and she knew it. "That makes me want to go even less after what he did."

"He was only defending himself Fiyero is the one who went after him!"

"Don't you dare protect that violent jerk.. He... hurt... He hurt... Did you see what he did to Fiyero?" She asked angrily. "He is dangerous I don't think you should try to associate yourself with him, and it already doesn't help that he's a Tenmeadows."

"But I'm in love with him!" She squealed still pulling at her arm. "He's so sweet and kind and he defended me against Avaric."

"He could hurt you. He isn't safe, san isn't-" She shut up at that moment, hoping Galinda hadn't caught her mistake.

If Galinda's inclined head meant anything it was that it was too late.

"San?" She murmured with a frown and Elphaba scrambled to cover her mistake.

"Isn't that his name?" She pondered and Galinda shook her head.

"No, it's Sanevan."

"Oh, I wasn't paying attention when you said his name."

Galinda believed her easily and nodded. "Okay, now get up and come with me I don't want to leave and come back to see the room destroyed."

Elphaba grumbled but let her lead her out that room.