Authors Note: Hi. I'm uploading a bunch of chapters simultaneously, so I thought letting you know that chapter 9 is the first new one if you're like me and can't remember what chapter you left off on. Otherwise, just keep on going.

This one is similar to the last. I hope you enjoy. Reviews welcome.

"I think we should start your study today with the levitation spell." Elphaba said. Elphaba had finished her sorcery refresher, and was now studying the Grimmerie for a way to reverse Fiyero's condition. At the same time she was starting to tutor Glinda in the instruction of actually understanding what the Grimmerie held.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"But that's your signature spell."

"Really, it's our signature spell."

"I guess you're right. Hey Elphie?"

"Yes?"

"What did riding on a broom feel like?"

Elphaba's face split into a wide grin. "Want to find out?"

"Oh, Elphie, we can't. They burnt your broom."

"Glinda, that was like the sixth or seventh broom I had. They got shattered, split, splintered, not to mention uncomfortable to sit on. I kept replacing them."

"Really? I'd love to!" Glinda yelled happily.

"I don't know if that's a good idea." Fiyero interjected. He pointed to Elphaba. "You're supposed to be dead, and you," he gestured to Glinda, "shouldn't be seen flying around on a broom."

Glinda pouted but Elphaba said "You're right, Fiyero."

As he turned around she shot Glinda a mischievous wink. Glinda barely managed to conceal a giggle.

The next night they snuck out onto the rooftop of the villa. They told Fiyero that some spells were only able to be done in the moonlight. It was true; the levitation spell jsut was not one of them. Elphaba quickly enchanted to broom to fly without even needing the Grimmerie. Glinda wanted to try but Elphaba thought best she do it. The broom jumped into her hand and Elphaba through a leg over.

"You coming?" she asked. She was still cloaked in her Vinkun outfit (a red and black affair) but without her face veils. Glinda could see her smile in the moonlight. It took her back to all those years ago.

"Of course." Glinda replied, wishing it had been her reply then.

"Now hold on tightly to me." Elphaba instructed and Glinda wrapped her arms around her waist. "When we take off, wrap one leg around the handle and curl the other one underneath."

"Ok." Glinda replied timidly.

"Ready, my sweet?"

"Ready."

Elphaba thrust up from the ground and they shot into the air. Glinda, accustomed to riding by bubble, thought it would not be much different. She was wrong. The bubble was a stable thing, floating blissfully along. Glinda could easily stand in it. The broom was a wild thing. The wind buffeted her, the broom pushed against her thighs, the air howled past. It was alive.

She yelled as Elphaba drove them higher and could her Elphaba laugh in exhilaration. Glinda realized it had been probably five years since Elphaba had ridden a broom. They climbed ever higher into the night away from the city of emeralds until at last it lay before them, spread out like a map. Elphaba stopped and they floated above the City.

"So, is this what it was like that night?" Glinda asked, and Elphaba laughed.

"Not quite. I had no idea what I was doing. I ended up careening around until I eventually hit a tree. I was ok but, I still had to slowly figure it out. Good thing nobody outside the Emerald City was looking for me yet." She laughed again. "If you'd have come with I probably would have killed us both."

Glinda saw light to her right. "What's that?"

"That, my sweet, is Shiz. The place I went careening off to. I needed clothes, after all."

"And that?" Glinda pointed again to a dark, shifting shape.

"Restwater would be my guess."

"Wow. How long would it take to get there?"

"About twenty minutes."

"Really? The bubble it would take two hours."

"Want to go?"

"I'd love to."

Elphaba tipped the broom forward. They streaked across the sky, Glinda holding onto Elphaba for dear life. She never realized how terrifying the broom was. It was amazingly agile but one had to keep from being torn off. She also did not figure on the darkness. The bubble illuminated itself; here, they were just a black streak across a black sky. She closed her eyes, unable to take it anymore. They came to Restwater a few minutes later and Elphaba gently descended. Elphaba put her feet on the ground, but Glinda refused to open her eyes.

"My sweet, were down. You can put your feet down now." She whispered. Glinda's leg uncurled hesitantly, and felt for the ground. When they found it, they planted themselves firmly. "You can let go, too, my sweet. I need to breathe."

Glinda opened her eyes and let go of Elphaba, who took a deep breath of relief.

"So, how was it?" she asked Glinda.

"Terrifying. Thrillifying. Both at once. So free and intense." She looked into Elphaba's eyes. "It reminded me of you."

They stayed like that for a few moments, staring into each other's eyes, until Glinda shivered.

"Oh, the cold! I didn't think of it. Here." Elphaba said, and slipped off her tunic to give to Glinda. Now she was warmer, Glinda took time to admire Elphaba. Having been just around the villa, she had not put on the endless layers that she did to go out. As such, she was in a form fitting underdress with connected sleeves, and a long flowing skirt that barely concealed the tights she was clad in. For a woman who hated people seeing her body, Elphaba had always like tight clothing.

"What's that?" Elphaba said suspiciously and Glinda looked in the direction she was facing. It was a decrepit mansion, barely able to stand.
"Mockbeggar Hall. Belongs to one Lord Chuffrey, Baronet of Paltos. He never uses it; he's a recluse with no wife or children."

"I see." Elphaba responded, a little awed at Glinda's knowledge.

"Elphie?" Glinda said excitedly.

"Hm?"

"Can we go swimming?"

"I think not. We better be getting back."

"Oh, boo."

"Come on Glinda. Best we go before we're spotted." They remounted and sped off to the Emerald City. Glinda kept her eyes open this time.

They landed and attempted to stifle giggles as they were giddy from the trip. Glinda went about fixing her appearance whereas Elphaba simple straightened her braid.

"Tough work?" came a voice and they both jumped. They saw a figure that had to be Fiyero sit up.

"Fiyero, you scared me. What are you doing up here?" Glinda asked.

"I brought some food and water because I thought you might need it." They saw the platter and pitcher now. "But to my surprise, you weren't here. I figured you went for a broom ride, and I was right."

"Look, Fiyero, I know it was a dumb idea-" Elphaba started.

"You're damn right it was a dumb idea!" he spat and they both recoiled. Elphaba had never seen him like this and Glinda but once, though not directed at her. "What if someone had seen you? Hm? Did you think of that? You're supposed to be dead. If they catch a whiff that you aren't this entire plan falls apart. And that's only if they don't discover us. Can you take being on the run again? How about you, Glinda? Can you live being hunted, with people wanting to kill you on sight? I thought not. That doesn't include what could happen if they got the Grimmerie. With your notes, Fae, think of what they could do. Or, Oz forbid, if they held Glinda hostage for your cooperation. Everything that has been accomplished would be gone. Up in smoke." He did not have to add: And I'd be stuck like this. Elphaba took a step forward and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Fiyero, you're right. It was careless. I promise we won't do it again."

He shrugged her hand off. "Do whatever you want." He strode off, leaving both women distraught over their actions.

"You hear? Some people think they saw the Witch's ghost last night riding a broom, cackle and all."

"People love to make things up. You shouldn't listen to it."

"Not our job to decide. I'll let the Commander know.

Authors Note: I know, I'm a bit of a buzz kill. But my brain told me not to let the opportunity pass by.