A/N: My dear readers, I sincerely apologize for the wait. It's completely unforgivable how long this has taken me. However, I'm here now, and I guess that's all that matters? I took a break from writing to focus on getting my grades in good shape for the first quarter of the year. But I'm using all of my lunch and study hall periods to write, write, write. I promise the chapters will eventually be longer.

As you may have noticed, I have changed both the title and summary of this fic. Don't worry, G(a)linda catching Elphie naked will not be forgotten. ;) I've just had a change of direction in where and how I want this story to develop.

I hope you will be satisfied with this chapter, because I honestly have no idea when the next one will be completed. As always, thanks for reading, and reviews are greatly appreciated. :)

Disclaimer: I own absolutely no part of Wicked.

Chapter 3: Call Me Glinda

Elphaba awoke the next morning to find that her roomate had already left.

That's odd, she thought to herself. Galinda almost never woke up early, and when she did, she was nowhere near quiet about it.

Elphaba pulled back the covers on her bed and stood up. She gathered her clothes for the day, and lazily walked into the washroom. Upon walking in, she discovered a shadow originating from behind the shower curtain. Slowly, Elphaba walked towards it and with only a short pause, she pulled it back.

The sight in front of her was truly alarming.

Galinda was sitting on the floor of the tub, her legs pressed close to her torso. Her eyes were set straight ahead, and it was easy to see Galinda hadn't slept at all. Usually, Elphaba's mind would have been reeling with thoughts as to why Galinda was like this, and what had happened to her last night.

But Elphaba's mind had stopped the minute she laid eyes on Galinda's lower torso. Across her left arm, there were bright red marks, some of which were still bleeding. And in her right hand, Galinda held a sharp knife.

Horror ran through Elphaba's body before rationality kicked in. She dropped the clothes she had been holding and knelt down on the cold tile near the tub. She knew she needed to say something, but she could not seem to materialize the correct words.

"G-Galinda?" She managed to choke out.

Galinda blinked once, and Elphaba was not sure if that was a response.

"Are you...are you alright?" Elphaba mentally hit herself for that. Of course the girl was not alright.

I have to get her out of here somehow.

Elphaba reached out and was about to grab Galinda's shoulder before noticing something she failed to previously. Galinda was wet.

Shit. Elphaba observed Galinda once more. She hoped to find even a flicker of emotion on the girl. She expected to see sadness, but was surprised to realize that Galinda wasn't conveying anything.

Elphaba saw nothing but complete emptiness. Her usual shining blue eyes were replaced by cold, black holes. She could feel herself fighting tears in her eyes, and Elphaba suddenly wanted nothing more than to make Galinda's pain go away.

She would have to hurt herself in order to get Galinda out, but it was a sacrifice worth making. Elphaba took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and wrapped her arms around Galinda.

Within seconds of making contact with her roommate's wet skin, Elphaba's own started to burn. She bit her lip and in one swift move picked up Galinda. She ran into their room and carefully placed Galinda on her own bed. As soon as Galinda was secure on the mattress, Elphaba dashed back into the washroom and grabbed her oils. She picked the closest burn oil and downed her arms in it. She rubbed the liquid around, focusing mostly on the large burn placed on her wrist, from where she touched Galinda's hair.

After most of the burning and swelling receeded, Elphaba walked back out. She looked at Galinda, and with a sigh, walked to the bed. Galinda had readjusted herself back to her huddling position, but this time, she was looking directly at Elphaba. Elphaba cautiously sat down on the bed in front of Galinda. She returned Galinda's gaze with the same amount of intensity.

She should try again, right?

"Ga-" No sooner had Elphaba spoken the first syllable of Galinda's name when she burst into tears. Galinda practically jumped into Elphaba's lap, wrapping herself tightly around Elphaba's torso. She readjusted Galinda's body so that her skin didn't touch any of Galinda's.

Elphaba was surprised at the sudden contact, but was nevertheless thankful that her roommate was showing emotions once more. She wanted so desperately to fully return Galinda's embrace; to stroke her hair and hold her as long as she wanted to be held.

Elphaba had no idea where this sudden feeling of passion towards Galinda had come from. Not once had she felt this away about her, about anyone. And the intensity of her desires was beginning to frighten Elphaba.

She had no idea what to do at the moment, for she didn't know the source of Galinda's despair. But she did know that she had to calm Galinda down. Her sobbing had now turned into wailing and moaning, and if she got any louder, people might get the wrong idea.

Elphaba silently chuckled at that thought, letting her imagination run wild. Somebody would walk in to find Galinda moaning, with both of them on the bed in their nightdresses.

She was quickly snapped out of that daze, however, when she felt movement below her. Galinda had released her tight hold on Elphaba and returned to her huddled poistion. Elphaba looked at the woman and was reminded of a small child. Galinda's hair was long and curly at the moment, and her lips were quivering slightly. She looked like a little girl who had just lost her mom.

Elphaba was pleased to find that some blue had returned to Galinda's eyes, and she was beginning to look like herself again.

"Miss Galinda?"

In a weak, wavering voice, Galinda whispered a reply.

"Please. Call me Glinda."