Author's Note: Thank you for your reviews etc, here is the beginning of a huge session of fiyeraba fluff. To the person who asked if I meant to say Fiyero was awarded a 95% not a 59%, no that was deliberate and thanks for asking! Let me explain: I'm at uni, and the percentages between 80 and 100 are almost hypothetical and they are incredibly hard to achieve. Anything between 60 and 80 is exceptional and between 50 and 60 is above average. So considering Fiyero had only had a few sessions with Elphaba and taking into account his past attitude to work a 59% was really good. Hope that makes sense for those of you who asked!

Enjoy! xx

"I still can't believe he actually beat you." Galinda laughed as she tied the ribbon on Elphaba's shoes. The whole afternoon Elphaba had been finding her in random fits of giggles at the outcome of her and Fiyero's bet. "I mean, that was just so unlikely. Elphie, he must have tried really hard on his essay just to get you to go out with him. It's actually quite sweet when you think about it."

Elphaba scowled. "I don't want to think about it." Galinda's hands dropped from Elphaba's feet and she jumped off the bed. "Thanks." Galinda shook her head at Elphaba's stubbornness; she would have called her on it but she knew it would be much more fun to watch her melt at whatever Fiyero was going to say when he saw how gorgeous she looked. Dressing up had been one of his stipulations when he smugly handed Elphaba his mark and demanded to be shown hers. When she saw the percentage, Galinda thought she'd throw him across the room for showing her up. To his credit, he'd only done it in front of Galinda . . . who had then told everyone else.

Elphaba knew she was being stubborn, but it was Fiyero's fault really. Whenever she saw that smug attitude of his two things happened; she would suddenly want to throw herself at him and to prevent this desire from becoming public knowledge, she would tense up and become 'stone Elphaba' again. She really did hate to be proven wrong, especially when it was obvious that he was right. On the other hand, she felt exhilarated at the prospect of this evening. If the feelings that had come rushing through her when he'd asked her were anything to go by, then she knew that spending a long period of time alone with him would be just as thrilling.

Though it was not unlike having an out-of-body experience, Elphaba sat at the vanity and frowned at all the objects in front of her, trying to determine which ones would reduce her flaws. It wasn't so much that she didn't recognise them but she could not remember what any of them were for. Galinda kneeled next to her and picked one of them up. "This is mascara, Elphie. I'll put a green ribbon on it for you so you remember next time."

"Gee, thanks." Galinda chuckled and applied the stuff. "Please . . . please tell me you're alright with this."

"Oh stop it, already. I'm actually quite excited for you. Besides, I've met someone." Galinda's mind sieved through the dozens of boys she had met during her few weeks at Shiz, trying to find the one person whose face had stayed with her from the get go. She smiled when her mind's eye brought forward combed ashen hair and green eyes. He had kissed her hand.

"Really?" Elphaba rolled her eyes and scoffed. "I knew it. You've been all giddy."

"Well you know that's how you're supposed to act when you're attracted to someone. It lets them know that they are not wasting their time."

Galinda stared at her. "If you don't make it blatantly obvious, how will I ever know when you're trying to make a point, Galinda?"

The blonde threw her head back and laughed, pulling Elphaba up with her and turning her to the mirror. "I'm just saying that it'll only hurt his feelings if you don't give him the tiniest little indication that you like him. I know that you do, and I know that you can't wait for tonight."

"Yes I can." She replied, confidently.

Galinda spun her friend round abruptly and held her gaze. "I'll believe you if you can honestly tell me without laughing that you wouldn't be thrilled if he kissed you tonight."

Elphaba steeled her expression and returned her friends' heated stare. For roughly five seconds, she kept her composure. Then the image of Fiyero staring at her the way he did entered her mind and the corners of her mouth began to turn up before she finally wore a fully fledged grin on her face. "I knew it."

Elphaba began to giggle and Galinda covered her wide-open mouth with her hand trying to stifle her laughs. She rolled about on her bed, thoroughly enjoying this side of her friend. "D'you think he will?"

Galinda breathed in carefully and composed herself. "I'm not about to discuss with you whether or not Fiyero is going to plant one on you."

Elphaba shrugged. "Fair enough." Elphaba quickly wiped the smile off her face and tried to analyse why she had reacted that way.

"You look very pretty, Elphie. You'll have an amazing time." Elphaba thanked her and jumped when she heard the inevitable knock at the door. Galinda smiled excitedly and watched her walk from their room to the suite, closing the door behind her. "Good luck, Elphaba." She whispered to the walls, the smile disappearing from her face.

Fiyero steadied his emotions; he was actually quite nervous and that was something he had never felt before a date. As he had before the B Bar evening, he pictured what she would look like, especially since he had made it a point to tell her that she had to dress up. He'd also told Galinda – but only as insurance because he didn't know what Fae's understanding of 'dress up' was. Before long, his knock was followed by a surprisingly strong draught of cold air mixed with perfume and Elphaba stood in front of him. She had swathed herself in a black satin that, when she moved even discreetly, would gleam midnight blue and captivate the most distracted mind. Her hair she had let dry by itself it would seem; the curls were wilder and less defined but they retained the heavy gloss of fine silk and reflected the colours in her dress. She was exotic and precious and he couldn't take his eyes from her.

Her sharp eyes locked with his. "Well," she twirled, making him laugh, "is this dressy enough for you, or do I have to give myself up to Galinda's torture again?"

Fiyero stepped into the room, leaving the door open; he knew Galinda was there and he did not want to stay in their suite for long. He thought it was disrespectful to parade his date in front of her, particularly when your date was your ex-girlfriend's roommate and best friend in the whole of Oz. He concentrated on Elphaba tonight. Fiyero retrieved from the hand he'd kept behind his back the poppy bought for her. "You look gorgeous. Not that I haven't told you that before." She smiled. "Here, since you burned the last ones." Elphaba looked horrified.

She sighed and put a hand to her forehead. "I am so sorry, Fiyero. I hope you don't hate me. I don't even know why I did that." Lies. Elphaba did know, but she wasn't about to tell him.

"It's alright. I was teasing you, Fae. Just wear this one." He tucked it into a hair clip she'd placed in her curls. "Glad its red, Fae. We're like one mind."

"Well then maybe you could inform me as to how you managed to get three percent more than me on that essay?" She threw a purse on her shoulder in the same way she'd yank her schoolbag about. It bounced a little more, though, since it was satin and didn't have any books in it (he hoped, there was no knowing Elphaba). Fiyero felt the wonderful warmth of her hand on his arm. "Umm . . . I am actually very proud of you for that, Fiyero, even if it cost me my bet."

Fiyero was touched at her admission and having decided that he wouldn't waste the opportunity if he won, he kissed her cheek and linked their fingers and walked with her out of Crage Hall. They strolled together down the cobbled streets lined with trees in a storybook fashion. The whole place was bathed in heady glow of dusk. Their heels clicked out of rhythm with one another on manicured pavements which Fiyero thought was just fantasmagous.

"So, where are we going on this 'date'?" Elphaba enquired when they were half-way down the West Boulevard of the University Quad. It was a gorgeous prospect within the grounds themselves and remained well within the boundaries of the ivy-entwined children's fantasy book that seemed to define the area. Galinda had described it as the reason she had chosen Shiz; the historicity of it all (Elphaba's word) attracted her. Elphaba found it could be motivating and sickening in equal measures. A little beyond the gates of Shiz, however, they were in the Ozmopolitan districts; expensive and sophisticated. Beyond that, there were woods with popular open lakes and pools where several restaurateurs had made their names. It was there, Fiyero had replied, that they were going.

"I'm offended at your use of the word 'date'. What do you mean?" He asked innocently.

"It's not like you just asked me out, is it?" She began, turning her body towards him a little. "You turned it into something I would have to do if I ended up losing marks against you. Like a punishment. Are you going to make me suffer tonight?"

Fiyero certainly did not want her to suffer, although the concept of making her squirm delighted him. "No, Elphaba. I'm not." They laughed. "I love teasing you, though. You get so offended at anything I say. Believe me when I tell you that I like you." The words sent adrenaline pumping through him, but he was glad he had said them.

Elphaba felt herself smiling when he squeezed her hand. "You like me?"

"Yes, Fae, I do. Very much."

"I like you, too, Fiyero." He smiled but didn't feel that she needed him to say anything. "Very much."

Having established at least that the tone of the evening was not going to be a merciless teasing session and would encompass more a romantic atmosphere, Fiyero and Elphaba's conversation flowed more easily than before. It seemed the little confessions they had made served to liberate them both and they flirted all the way to the borders of Shiz Town and to the eateries situated on the lakes. They were sat in the middle of glass seas that surrounded them and strange lights danced about different points on the building that lit it so beautifully. Like a little oasis at the end of an ivy-wound path, they were just stunning, even to Elphaba's standards. They were also notoriously extortionate.

Self-consciously, Elphaba pulled on Fiyero's sleeve as they reached the opening. "Fiyero, wait." He turned to her. She was forced to lean into him so she could speak as quietly as possible. "I can't afford a place like this. I'm sorry, I should have said before we got here."

Fiyero chuckled. "Elphaba you're not paying for this. I asked you out, so I pay. Apart from anything else, a gentleman doesn't let his lady pay for things."

"And you're a gentleman?" She teased. "And I'm your lady?" She continued, teasing less.

He took her hand again, walking her towards the entrance. "Yes and yes. How could you dispute that?" She shrugged, knowing she did not want to. Elphaba didn't exactly enjoy the idea of letting him pay for the food and the service and whatever else she supposed they could get away with charging, but she couldn't afford it either and it would be rude to moan about it. The normal little girl inside her became excited at the prospect of the glamour of it all.

The interior of the place benefitted from the high glass windows that rose from the floor to the ceiling and afforded a gloriously calming view of the lake. The colour seemed hard to determine, but Elphaba would have described it as warm and pleasant in general. She didn't hear what Fiyero said to the maître d' but he took them from the front, which was populated and loud, to the back where music reached her ears and the full scale of the location became apparent to Elphaba. The room was octagonal, and apart from the walls that were attacked to the rest of the building, they were entirely glass. Dim lights streamed from the ceiling and washed the room in a soft glow. Cloth-covered tables were elegantly dressed and surrounded a dance floor that left much more room to move than the B Bar suite could have boasted, though she guessed the customers paid for it. What was truly dazzling about this . . . space (she was reluctant to name it simply as a room) was that the floor swam out onto the water and became a deck. The music followed it and several couples were conversing in each other's arms, enjoying the magicality of their setting. Elphaba imagined Fiyero's arms around her and suddenly wanted to dance.

To her delight, they were sat beside the glass. "It's just stunning Fiyero. How did you know about it?" She asked when they were left alone with their menus.

"What, you don't give me credit for doing research for this evening? I put a lot of effort into impressing you, Fae, and I don't intend to confine that to my essays." She blushed a deep red. Fiyero smiled. "What is it?"

". . . thanks." She whispered, feeling a little overwhelmed. Elphaba looked at her surroundings and couldn't quite believe how lucky she was to have been invited out by someone like Fiyero. He was a gentleman and he had chosen this place because he thought she would like it. Elphaba was having a glimpse of what it would be like to be with Fiyero beyond the sensation of his touch.

"What are you having, Fae?" He asked, after she'd been staring at her menu for too long. Fiyero had watched her and was glad that what she read had captured her attention so well.

"I've no idea. I have absolutely no idea at all. And that's a first." He frowned. "I've never even heard of some of this food."

Her answer confused him. He had wanted to take her somewhere highbrow because that's what she would have been used to as a member of an elite family, surely? "But . . . but you're the Third Thropp Descending. A governor's daughter." He stammered. Fiyero suddenly felt bad, seeing her face fall and her eyes train too eagerly on her menu. "Elphaba?" She wouldn't respond. Fiyero took her hand and breathed a sigh of relief when she let his thumb caress it gently. "I'm sorry."

She looked up at him and closed her menu. "What are you sorry for? You don't even know what it is that you said that's the problem." She was curious and there was not any kind of harshness in her voice, so he did not feel apprehensive just asking her what was wrong.

"Why don't you tell me?" He prodded. She leaned back in her chair, taking her hand with her when the waiter arrived to take drink orders. Tactfully, Fiyero ordered for both of them, not that Elphaba was listening to what he said, she only realised the man had gone when Fiyero stood at her side with his hand out towards her. He was smiling. "Dance with me?" She looked warily at his hand and the floor. Despite the size of the room, it looked very intimate. The other couples were not interested in anyone other than themselves. Fiyero bent over slightly and whispered. "You know, it's kind of rude to say no and very embarrassing for me."

Elphaba laughed and took his hand, feeling his other one place itself on her lower back and guide her to the deck. "This has to be my favourite part. It's so beautiful." Fiyero drew her into him the way he had at the B Bar, but this time he left enough space between them for conversation. He also didn't think it would be appropriate to make a move right at the beginning of the evening. If he would admit it to himself, he was actually quite nervous about crossing that line with her. It had to go well.

"So," he whispered, his breath sending shivers through her, "do you want to tell me why a governor's daughter has never been wined and dined before?"

"You mean apart from the obvious?" She smiled, watching his hand entwined with hers. "Father is not the kind of man who spends money on luxuries where I am concerned. He's a . . . ah . . . very conscientious with his monies."

"Aren't you in line for the title, as the eldest? I should have felt a little perturbed if my father didn't acknowledge that at least."

Elphaba scoffed. "You over-simplify things. My mother never wanted that title for us. From what our Nanny told me, she wanted sons because they would never have had the responsibility she resented so much. So when I was born, I wasn't exactly what either of my parents wanted; I'm a girl and I have the hidioudious skin."

"Your skin is gorgeous, Fae."

Elphaba looked into his eyes then and saw that he wanted her to commit to memory what he was telling her. But it was hard for her to acknowledge that he was being truthful; it just seemed much more likely that he was mocking her. "You're one of a very few who has ever said that to me and meant it. One of two, actually." Elphaba felt his lips press into her hair. "My parents . . . my father never wanted me in the public eye in that way. I hate the idea of living in Munchkinland, anyway. It's awful and I want to be part of something bigger. I want to find somewhere where people won't judge me because of my looks. I'm starting to think I've achieved that."

His hands were on her back. She rested hers on his chest and let one wind its way around his neck. They hardly moved at all, though the music was soft and slow and matched their rhythm easily. Elphaba sighed into Fiyero arms. "I think you have."

Maybe he's brainless, maybe he's wise, but it makes him happy when you review this story :D