DISCLAIMER: in the first chapter...

A/N: Thnak you for your wonderful reviews. Don't worry about the outcome, happy endings are a must fro me. Do expect, though, my hurdles to cross. Eowyn-Faith said it all... one changed action affects the outcome.

TURNING POINTS ONLY COME TO THOSE WHO BOTHER TO LOOK

The semester was almost at an end.

The last two months had passed rather swiftly for Elphaba, who had worked hard to loose herself in study, in Liir's almost perfectly drawn eyes and her friends' happy faces. The woman, trapped in the life of a girl, used all the self control she had learned, which wasn't all that much, to keep her powers from coming to the surface. She had also, carefully and steadily, instilled changes to those around her, willing for these altered details to result in a different ending.

And she had succeeded.

But, with so much different, there remained a sense of sameness she could not shake.

Nessa and Boq had parted ways amicably. Nessa, though, still harbored deep feelings for the munchkin boy and doubt lingered. Could the outcome of that disastrous relationship be repeated? Galinda and Fiyero had also parted ways. Galinda had cried silently that first night, but never since. She and the Prince remained friends. That seemed important for the blonde girl, that they stay close. Elphaba worried about that almost desperate need. And Fiyero, always near, always there. A painful reminder of what she lost and would never be able to have. Not anymore.

Morrible, too, seemed inescapable. Relentless like a dog sniffing a meaty bone, she hounded the green girl almost daily. Had she changed her mind? She found new and rather inventive ways to make sure Elphaba remained aware that she was still available for the Sorcery Seminar. A class, which Galinda insisted on taking, regardless of the Head's low opinion of her abilities.

Elphaba feared that her current approach to the problem could end up being unsuccessful in the end. Morrible and the Wizard wouldn't be put off forever. And Galinda could still be in danger. As could Fiyero.

No, she couldn't have that.

So, when Morrible approached her, a week before finals and the school year were over, with a deep emerald envelope in her over-jeweled hand, Elphaba was forced to make a decision.

She just desperately hoped it would be the right one.

"My dear!" Elphaba waited patiently for the woman to come closer, face impassive.

"Elphaba, I know you considered yourself below such an honor, but proof has come to say otherwise…" Enthusiasm and blatant manipulation could almost clearly be heard in the dramatic pause the older woman imposed.

"Is that so, Madame?"

Morrible frowned, clearly disappointed with the lack of a proper reaction to her announcement. She would, however, not be deterred like previous times. "The Wizard has written to you, personally!" The bright emerald envelope was theatrically produced.

Had I been so naïve as to fall so easily for that transparent performance?

Elphaba took the letter and opened it slowly. Eagerness and near desperation shone clearly through the hand written words and she saw in them, what had escaped her comprehension the first time around. Oh, what a difference some years could make to your eyes! The Wizard needed her; needed someone with real power.

What to do now?

Could she just walk away, she wondered. But it was useless to think she might be able to. The Animals still suffered, Dr. Dillamond was still missing. The green girl hadn't changed that much. She just hoped she had changed enough.

With movements still languid, she closed the thick parchment and put it away. It was only then that Elphaba allowed her eyes to meet Morrible's expectant gaze. Forced smile. The older woman sighed, discreetly, though not that much. She was obviously relieved.

The green girl felt the smile she wore widen.

Oh, how the tables have turned…

"If the Wizerd believes in my abilities, I should give it another try. Right?" Innocent look. Hook, line and sinker.

"Absolutely!"

A few more words exchanged, travel plans settled and the two parted ways. Elphaba clutched the envelope tightly, long legs carrying her quickly to her dorm room. Worry ruled her thoughts.

--

Galinda occupied herself with packing, ignoring the books she should be using to study for her last final; the only thing standing between her and home. Suits, dresses, shoes…

Click.

The door opened. Galinda hadn't expected her roommate back so soon. The blonde, filled with glee for the upcoming holiday, bounced towards the green girl. She stopped short, however, when Elphaba's face came into view. She was deadly serious, a deep frown marring her smooth skin. Her mind seemed to be a million miles away.

Galinda stood back.

Elphaba showed no sign of having noticed the room's other occupant. She marched to her bed, sat heavily onto the dark covers, closed her eyes and buried her face in her trembling hands. She looked… fragile.

"Oh, Lurline… What should I do? What should I do?" tears could be heard in her weak voice.

"Elphie?"

Sigh.

Elphaba glanced up, defeated, and only mildly surprised by Galinda's presence.

"What happened?" The munchkinlander lay back in bed and stared at the ceiling.

"Lynn… Have you ever wondered what the world would be like if you hadn't been born?" Galinda didn't like the way she spoke those dreadful words.

"Don't talk like that, Elphaba." She approached the bed and sat beside her friend, placing a hand on the emerald arm lying limply near her pink dress. "Just tell me, Elphie. Please."

"I tried to change things so that…"

"So that things could end differently?"

"Yeah." Brown eyes met blue. "But… I'm still heading down that same road, towards my very unhappy ending." Again, with that unacceptable defeat!

"Then leave the road! Make your own path."

"You make it sound so simple." Sigh. "I've already tried that, Lynn."

"It is simple." A gentle caress, a dubious raised eyebrow. "Weren't you the one to tell me that we should never allow other people to dictate our lives?"

"Maybe I was wrong… Actions have consequences, Galinda. What you do affects other people's lives in ways you can never begin to phantom." Elphaba sat up and drew her knees towards her heavy chest. A green chin fell upon these black clad knees.

"Your dream?"

A nod.

"Tell me, Elphie. Don't carry all that weight by yourself." Galinda's head tilted slightly to the left, inquisitive.

"When did you get so wise, Lynn?"

"When you became my friend, Elphie."

Elphaba produced the emerald envelope.

"The Wonderful Wizard of Oz wants to meet me."

"What's going to happen?" Wise, indeed. When did she get so grown up, Elphaba wondered. She had always thought that had happened after she had left.

"I'll have to prove my worth." Again with the sarcasm.

"Will you?"

"I guess." Shrug. "It will have horrible consequences, though." She looked away. "I don't want them to happen, Lynn. I can't let them happen. Not again."

There should have been determination in her voice, in her eyes. There wasn't. All Galinda saw was utter despair, ingrained so deep, the blonde couldn't help her own heart from breaking. She grabbed her dear roommate's hand and squeezed it tightly.

"Then we won't allow them to happen."

Elphaba smiled weakly.

We…

"How?" A whisper.

"Don't prove your worth. Don't let them set the rules. You saw what happened, Elphaba. Use that!" She sounded so much like Glinda in that moment, that Elphaba couldn't help but be inspired.

"So, using my words against me must feel good."

Galinda giggled and Elphaba's lips curved upward on the left.

Knowledge was power.

And who knew more than her?

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