DISCLAIMER: in the fisrt chapter...

A/N: Happy new year, everyone!!! I hope you all have a great time and good luck this year. And, as promised, I didn't forget... More chaps! I am also glad to annouce that rewriting season is over and this baby is officialy done! I'll be posting one chap every week until I'm through. Don't forget to keep reviewing, though. REVIEWS make me so happy!

ANOTHER SHORT DAY…

Galinda and Elphaba were sitting in a small café, seeking refuge from the madness of the urban Emerald City. The green became too much to bear, too. After hours of shopping, Galinda's relentlessly excited and Elphaba's almost constantly complaining, the two friends had decided to take a much deserved break.

"Aw… I want one, too!" Chocolate cake was doing wonders on Galinda, dissipating her tiredness. "There are too many cute clothes and accessories for babies!" She gave her friend a somber look. "Though… it would have to be a girl. No offence, Liir!! But, what would I do with a boy?" Galinda pouted, placing her hand on Elphaba's large stomach. Liir kicked. What his response was supposed to mean, though, was anyone's guess.

Elphaba laughed wholeheartedly at her dear friend's antics, her vision of some days before pushed to the back of her mind. She still worried, and dreaded, but chose not to think about it for the time being. Her face glowed with happiness.

A shadow descended upon their corner table. It wasn't their nice waitress, but a tall man dresses all in green. When both women had turned their attention to him, the man bowed respectfully.

"Mrs. Elphaba Tiggular?" He was looking at the dark haired girl and waited for her nod of confirmation before continuing. "I have a letter for you." An emerald envelope made an appearance. "I'm to wait for your reply, madam."

"What does it say, Elphie?"

"The Wizard is inviting us to dinner tonight." Galinda noticed the small frown marring her companion's brow and the way she bit the corner of her lip.

"Are we going to attend?" Elphaba glanced up.

Another moment of doubt. The vision came back to the forefront of her thoughts, multiplying her worry tenfold. Then a look of resolution. She had made it this far; upsetting the Wizard now wouldn't be wise. Glinda would have been proud at her willingness to think first. "Yes."

The messenger bowed once more and made a haste retreat.

"Are you sure, Elphaba?" The blonde remained serious, fully aware of the implications of the second invite. A nod and a forced smile were her only reply and Galinda remembered her vow to protect her beloved friend. She would not fail.

Uncertainty flashed in Elphaba's eyes. "You catch more flies with honey, right, Lynn?" Galinda smirked at Elphaba's unusual logic. A playful smile soon made an appearance.

"Where did you learn such a wise lesson?"

"With you, of course." The mirth was temporary and soon passed. The dread lingered between them noticeably.

------

The room they were shown to, when they arrived at the Emerald Palace, was, unsurprisingly, green. Lavish fabrics and furniture didn't usually result in a homey atmosphere; this room proved to be an exception. A warm fire burned in the fireplace, invitingly casting golden hues upon the emerald. The settee was comfortable and the atmosphere calming.

The girls remained tense, though.

The Wizard, Jonathan, was already waiting for them and greeted the pair with polite, yet affectionate words. When the pleasantries were through, he informed them that dinner would be ready shortly. A momentary silence descended after that.

"So… Elphaba. Tell me; how are you and Liir doing?" Elphaba, still reticent, even after all the letters and the promises kept, answered the question only in general terms. She couldn't easily forget his past – future…- well, alternate actions.

"And you, Miss Galinda, how has Shiz been?"

"Wonderful, your Ozness, thank you for asking." Though nervous for meeting the ruler of Oz, and having to worry about things going wrong, Galinda couldn't help but notice that Elphaba's description had been extremely accurate. He was just an unremarkable old man.

The rest of the night passed quickly, the tension surrounding the group easing considerably. Elphaba didn't lower her guard for a single moment. Nevertheless, she allowed herself to enjoy the evening. Even surprising herself with her positive response to the Wizard.

All in all, nothing remarkable happened until they were preparing to leave.

Back in the cozy living room, the trio were moving towards the door, when it suddenly opened, revealing a rather cheery Madame Morrible. With her timing suspiciously impeccable, Elphaba couldn't help but feel her stomach drop. Dread enveloped her body and she halted the hand that rose to automatically stroke her precious cargo.

"Elphaba, Galinda! How nice to run into you again!" The heavy-set woman still went a little overboard with the make up and Elphaba still thought she resembled a fish. The cheery attitude was new, though. "Will you be returning to Shiz for the next semester, Galinda?"

"Of course, Madame."

"And Elphaba!" The piercing gaze she landed upon the girl was unsettling and the terrible feeling of foreboding Elphaba had been trying to push to the very back of her mind resurfaced full force. "Married now, with a little baby on the way… how is Liir?" Morrible added, putting emphasis on the name.

Elphaba reflexively placed her hand flat against her bulging stomach, receiving a light kick in response. She said nothing, eyeing the older woman suspiciously. Morrible didn't wait for a reply.

"I'm sure he'll be talented like you…" greed descended upon Morrible's largish features and Elphaba's suspicious turned to anger. That woman wouldn't even see Liir, if Elphaba had any say in the matter.

"Yes, well…" The girls shared a look. "We were just on our way out, right, Galinda?" The blonde nodded and made for the half opened door. The Wizard, having watched the scene unfolding, frowned down at his press-secretary, clearly displeased with her interruption. Morrible paid him no mind, her eyes fixed upon Elphaba as she moved towards the door.

A chilly draft encircled the group, danced around the room oddly and met the heavy quoxwood door with surprising force, shutting it. A survey of the room yielded no possible source for such strong wind. It did bring attention, on the other hand, to Morrible, who wore a terribly sickening grin.

"No one will be going anywhere…"

The Wizard straightened his back and demanded an explanation. He was completely ignored. Infuriated, he tried to approach his press secretary and discovered himself paralyzed. "What is the meaning of this, Morrible!!!"

Again, ignored.

"What do you want?" Elphaba demanded, Morrible's intense scrutiny only succeeding in making her anger grow.

"I want power! I want popularity! I want to rule Oz without having to drag this powerless idiot along!" A hand was pointed at the Wizard, but again, no one turned to face him. Elphaba merely rolled her eyes skyward and muttered under her breath. "And don't I deserve it? I am a real ozian, with real magical powers. I am a good politician, who is willing to sacrifice for Oz, kill for Oz, bring Oz to greatness!" Morrible didn't loose her calm, but was unable to keep her voice down during her megalomaniac speech.

"Yes, yes… I got it. You want it all." Heavy on the sarcasm, Elphaba mocked the older woman fearlessly. "What I want to know is… What do you want… from me?"

"I had to work hard and long to achieve an ounce of the magical power you possess naturally. I had to work for years to get the influence you inexplicably have over the Wizard. And you… You just threw it away! Got pregnant by some stupid Winkie Prince!" Elphaba's eyes flashed, her hands fisted.

"What do you want with me?" Her words were slowly enunciated, as if their meaning were just too complicated for the other witch to grasp.

"I want you out of my way."

"I'm not standing in your way."

"Oh, yes, you are. One talk…" A fore finger rose in example. "Just one and you dissipated all my careful planning. The Animal Banns, the Wizard's trust… my ascend to greatness!"

Hindsight is a terrible thing, Elphaba realized. She shouldn't have brushed Morrible's own ambitions from her thoughts so easily. No one presented a bigger threat the power hungry. And no one had more hunger, it seemed, than Morrible. Fear finally shone in the green girl's eyes.

This…

This was the other shoe, dropping oh so loudly in her ear. All the happiness she had believed were hers to have could be gone as fast as that retched woman could snap her fingers.

Fiyero…

Liir…

Galinda…