Hey everyone! I'm happy to say that this chapter was pretty easy to write, and I managed to completely finish it all in one shot last night. Well anyway, this chapter is a bit shorter than usually, but I think it's actually my favorite one so far. I won't say anything else. Read and enjoy and I'll answer comments at the end.

With the remainder of the strength that was rapidly fleeing his muscles, Fiyero began to scramble backwards frantically, ignoring the concerned cried of those crowded around him. He wasn't sure what sort of long term effects the spell could cause, and he knew he needed to get back into the safe zone before he was forced to find out. Only once he was close enough to Elphaba that the strange sensation left his body did he finally allow himself to collapse on the floor, panting heavily. He looked up at the concerned faces around him as he struggled to sit up.

Ignoring the ringing in his ears, he nodded weakly in response to those asking if he was alright. Only once he stood on shaky legs did the entire crowd seem to calm down and realize that he was going to be okay. Glinda seemed shocked by the goings on, and she was standing at Fiyero's side clinging to his arm. He really wished he'd had a chance to explain things before they'd gotten so out of hand.

However, Fiyero didn't have the chance to say anything, for as soon as the whole scene was over one of the guards turned and demanded "What have you done to him?"

This was directed at Elphaba, who had been watching the whole scene from her cell. She too seemed to have forgotten that the spell was still in place, judging by the expression of shock on her face. However, this was soon replaced by a smug grin as she turned to answer the guard.

"I've done nothing," she said, her voice sounding a bit more menacing than Fiyero remembered it, "It's the effects of a spell I cast earlier this morning and never had the chance to remove."

"Then remove it now!" the same guard shouted.

Elphaba still seemed indifferent, though Fiyero knew that she was probably as worried by this complication as he was. However, he could practically see the cogs turning in her mind. She knew she had the upper hand at the moment, and she was going to play it if it meant a chance at her freedom.

"I can't," she replied, narrowing her eyes, "I don't remember the spell to remove it, and my spellbook was left behind when you idiots dragged me here."

The guard began to move forward to approach the cell, but he was stopped by Madame Morrible, who held out her arm in front of him. The man seemed a bit annoyed by this, but he did not question it as he stepped back among the other guards. Morrible herself stepped up to the bars, looking at Elphaba as though sizing her up.

"I think you had best remove that spell dearie, if you know what's good for you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. The rest of the crowd watched her with bated breath.

Elphaba stood and drew closer to the bars as well, so that she and Morrible were now practically nose to nose. Eyes narrowed into slits, she replied, "I've told you that I don't remember the spell. You're supposed to be so powerful; why don't you remove the spell yourself?"

"You know very well there's no chance of my finding the counter spell, not when you so graciously stole the only spellbook capable of assisting me you conniving little thief. I think you're lying, and I think that if you can't remove this spell we'll have to kill you more quickly than we'd originally planned," Morrible snapped, her voice much louder now.

Unexpectedly, Elphaba grinned at this, as though silently laughing at some sort of strange inside joke. "You wouldn't do that," she said, her voice oddly calm, "because if you kill me while this spell is active, your precious captain dies with me."

A stunned silence met this statement, as though no one in the room could quite believe what they had heard. Fiyero was of course the most shocked to hear this, and could do nothing but gape openmouthed at Elphaba. Certainly she had never mentioned that particular side effect to him before.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Morrible spoke, "You're bluffing."

"Am I?" Elphaba responded, her face betraying nothing. Morrible seemed to have no response to this, and it was evident she was not absolutely positive that Elphaba was lying. Fiyero really hoped no one would be too keen on testing it.

There was another long pause before Morrible spoke again. "The spell book then," she said, sounding annoyed and a bit desperate at this point, "Where is the Grimmerie?"

"It's safely hidden in the place that I called my last home. The entrance to this hideout is well hidden, and only I know the spell to reveal it," said Elphaba.

Morrible was obviously losing her patience quickly, "Well then? Tell me where it's hidden!"

Elphaba crossed her arms, "I'm sorry, but why would I be inclined to disclose that information?"

It was obvious that Morrible could think of no response. There was no way she could force Elphaba to give her the information, and she couldn't simply kill the green woman, for there was the chance it would kill Fiyero as well. He wasn't sure how worried Morrible was for his safety, but it wouldn't be a good move to consciously put his life on the line with so many witnesses present. Torture didn't even seem an option, for it wasn't clear how deep their connection went and there was obviously a chance Fiyero might feel that as well. There seemed no obvious solution to this predicament, Elphaba had them backed into a corner.

Morrible narrowed her eyes, "Then how do you suggest we get rid of the spell?"

"If you'll release me, I'll take your captain, go back to my hiding place and reverse the spell myself," she said.

Fiyero was pretty sure Morrible had seen this coming, but the woman still appeared outraged that Elphaba would suggest such a thing. "How foolish do you think I am girl? We've waited too long for your capture, and if you think we're going to release you this easily you're obviously delusional."

"Fine," Elphaba said coolly, "then I suppose the captain and I will be getting rather cozy together. Either that or you can start planning his funeral as well as your celebrations for my death."

Glinda, who couldn't seem to believe that her friend was behaving this way, seemed to want to say something to Elphaba. However, as she obviously couldn't address the woman with so many guards present, she instead turned to Morrible and said frantically, "Madame Morrible, you can't-"

"Don't you tell me what I can or cannot do!" Morrible snapped, causing Glinda to take surprised step backwards. However, seeing the shocked stares she was getting from everyone present, she composed herself and continued in a much calmer voice, "Don't worry dear, we're not going to let anything happen to our Captain Fiyero."

Fiyero was immeasurably glad to hear this; he'd grown rather fond of living.

Morrible turned back to face Elphaba, obviously resigned to the fact that the green woman held the upper hand at the moment. Resentfully, she conceded, "Fine, you'll be released and allowed to return to your hiding place and undo the spell yourself," she began, but upon seeing Elphaba's triumphant smirk she continued, "Oh, but don't think I'm just going to let you go. You'll be accompanied by a good number of guards, who are going to bring you back here as soon as you've completed the spell."

"Of course," Elphaba replied, though she was obviously not very worried. If Morrible was concerned about this, she did not let it show.

Turning away from the cell, she addressed the Gale Forcer nearest her, "You, go find the rest of the guards who assisted in the witch's capture. You are all to accompany her to wherever she goes to undo the spell. Do not let her out of you sight, and bring her back as soon as she has released the captain from her clutches. Bring me her spellbook to me as well."

The guard nodded, saluted, and hurried off to carry out Morrible's orders. Elphaba watched all of this calmly from behind the bars of her cell. It was obvious she was already planning something. Fiyero felt as though Madame Morrible was underestimating Elphaba, especially once the green witch was in possession of her spellbook. However he said nothing, obviously rooting for Elphaba. Perhaps he'd have a chance to explain things to her while they traveled back to her cave, though this was obviously going to be difficult in the presence of about sixty Gale Forcers.

The guards Morrible had requested entered the dungeon a few minutes later, and only then was Elphaba released from her cell. Fiyero made sure to remain very close to her, not keen on feeling the effects of the spell again. Morrible was not looking all too pleased about what was happening. She was obviously not used to being manipulated this way; she was used to being the one in control.

Glinda didn't seem to be very happy about what was happening either. She looked helplessly back and forth between Elphaba and Fiyero, as if still trying to figure out what had gone on between them in the past week. Fiyero felt horrible about leaving her again without an explanation. However, there was nothing he could do about it now.

With another smug glance at Morrible, Elphaba turned and left the dungeons, Fiyero next to her and the other Gale Forcers right behind. She glanced at none of them as she walked, and kept her gaze focused straight ahead. Fiyero imagined she was still not too pleased with him at the moment.

A few seconds later the dungeons emptied as the last of the guards filed out, leaving only an aggravated Morrible and a dazed Glinda standing by Elphaba's now-empty cell.

There, as I promised, a non cliffhanger-y ending. And you guys didn't believe I could do it! …Can't promise that I'll be able to keep it up, but I'm rather proud of myself for now.

Ok, so anyways:

MoonlitInoku: Well, that probably would have been some good analyzing if it hadn't been for Morrible getting in the way. As it is, Fiyero really hasn't had a chance to say anything yet.

elphabathedelirious32: Thanks, I'm glad you like it. Hmm…angry mobs are always fun. Do we get pitchforks? Oh, and that's actually pretty cool about Morrible's name. It's actually rather fitting.

LostOzian: Well, you were half right. Fiyero's going back to the cave, but Elphaba's going with him. And…about sixty guards as well. Which I guess wasn't exactly romantic.

X-Kate-X: Thanks, I'm glad you liked the way it turned out. And le gasp, you snubbed me with the RENT philosophy…how could I possibly argue with that!? But…I did technically not do the cliffhanger today…which is like yesterday's…tomorrow. Which doesn't really help my argument at all. Shutting up now.

Western Arawen: No problem, though I have missed hearing from you. Well, I guess Fiyero's dealing with it by just following along with whatever's going on. Well anyway, thanks for the review!

Kennedy Leigh Morgan: Well, if you were looking forward to Morrible making it difficult, then I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Of course, Elphaba was really the one calling the shots here. Unfortunately, Fiyero hasn't really gotten that chance to speak to Glinda though.

Raining Dreams: Wow, thanks for that very kind review. I'm really glad you like the story and are satisfied with my use of commas.

Thanks to everyone else who reviewed as well, it's always very appreciated. Please leave a review for this chapter and tell me what you thought and I'll try to get the next one up soon!

S.P.