Authors note: Thank you to OpheliaTheActress for reviewing. I'm happy you're enjoying it.

Thanks to nannyandpotocrazy to reviewing. You actually gave me an idea for part of this chapter and the next. I was going to let the Wynne issue slide until she was gone but realized it would too much fun to let them have it out.

Thank you to heatqueen, one of my two constant reviewers, but it showed you as a guest, which is curious. I seem to have a horrible habit of spoiling cute Gelphie with things. And I hope you like how I went about this chapter.

Finally, than you to my other faithful reviewer, MyLittleElphie. This one is a bit longer than the last, which I know you will like. I'm glad you also liked the bath scene, but if Fiyero can dance through life, why cant Glidna kiss through it? Seems like a good philosophy. ;) And as for the Adept, the clue is there but its obscure and from the book.

On another note, I guess I know how to get reviews. Intercept Gelphie with another woman. :) But I hoep you all like this chapter. As always, read, enjoy, and review

2/20/14

Slowly, Wynne bent her head low and Glinda tilted hers back. She closed her eyes and felt cool lips on hers, slightly rougher than she was expecting. The kiss held for just a moment, then Glinda felt Wynne's tongue give a slight caress of her lips. Glinda pulled back suddenly, blushing.

"I…Wynne…"

"Wrong person, wrong time?"

"Yes."

"It's ok. It was still a great experience." She assured and stepped back. Glinda held her hands in front of her, not knowing what to do. Wynne smiled at her awkwardness and turned back towards the river.

"I assume you were going to bathe?" she asked.

"Yes." Glinda replied, gathering her toiletries and towel from the ground, and following her towards the river.

"The water is a bit cold."

"I can tell." Glinda replied before she could stop herself, and blushed. Wynne barked out a laugh.

"Well, it's a bit chilly and I had no chance to dry off. But I'll dress and leave you."

"Oh, don't go just because of me!" Glinda said, and Wynne arched an eyebrow.

"I'm kind of getting mixed messages here."

"I mean, you don't have to leave just because I'm going to take a bath. You can stay. I'd actually prefer the company. I mean…you know what I mean."

"Well, I don't want to make it awkward, with you being naked and all."

"It's ok. I've always been comfortable with my body."

"Well, I'll stay here. Have fun in the cold river. "

"Hardly. A sorceress is never without amenities."

Glinda waved her wand and a tub formed out of the riverside. Another flick and water from the river began to fill it. A third and it was hot.

"Nice. Any chance you could do one for me?" Wynne asked. A series of flicks later and there were two identical baths. Wynne slipped into hers with a sigh.

"What kind soap are you using?" Glinda asked from her bubbly bath.

"Soap?"

"Oh for the love of Ozma, you're worse than Elphie. Here." She floated over a bar of soap to Wynne. She sniffed it and arched an eyebrow at Glinda. "If you are going to be in my retinue you must adhere to a certain quality of standard. First by not smelling like a barn."

"Uh…ok." With that, the two women went about cleaning themselves. Glinda deliberately looked the other way while she did so as not want to give into the temptation that still lingered. She glanced back over to notice that Wynne had finished cleaning but had not washed her hair.

"Here." Glinda said, and floated two shampoo bottles over to her. "First the pink, then the purple. Leave the purple in for a few minutes."

Wynne sniffed them. "What are they?"

"A special oil based shampoo and conditioner. It makes your hair feel amazing. I picked up the oil base from Elphie, and combined it with a normal shampoo. It's a best seller in the Emerald City boutiques."

"Well, nothing bad has happened yet, so I guess I'll just have to trust you."

As Wynne went about washing her hair, Glinda waited until her eyes were closed and conjured bath salts into her water. She paused a moment, and then did the same for herself. She was very glad she met that cosmetologist witch now. Thinking on it, she reheated both of their water as it was cooling off quickly in the cool night air.

"Why is my water foamy, and why am I starting to feel much…softer?" Wynne asked.

"It's a special bath salt that helps exfoliate and moisturize your skin."

"I'll pretend to know what that means."

"So, Wynne, can I ask you something very…personal?"

"Sure."

"How was Duran?" Glinda asked shyly.

"I was not expecting that." Wynne sputtered and Glinda smiled.

"Catching a swordswoman off guard. I should pat myself on the back." She said jovially and Wynne laughed.

"I'm not sure that question is entirely appropriate, Miss Glinda." Wynne replied, mimicking her tone from earlier.

"I know." Glinda said, blushing. "It's just I don't get to have these girl talk types of conversations. Elphie is not much for them."

"I can see that."

"Plus, knowing Duran…let's just say my curiosity got the better of me. Forget I asked"

"No, no, it's fine. Duran in bed is very like Duran when he fights."

"How's that?"

"You've never seen him fight?"

"Not really. A few things here and there."

"He's very focused on whomever he's fighting. In bed, he's the same. As such, he's very attentive, if you know what I mean." She winked. "And energetic. Man wore me out after a few hours. He's almost as good in bed as he is with his sword."

"Wow. Sounds pretty amazing." Glinda replied, blushing. "Can I ask you a strange question, though?"

"I don't see why not, considering."

"Did he sleep afterward? Or have you ever seen him sleep?"

Wynne cocked her head and stared into space for a while. After a moment she shook her head.

"I can't say that I have. That is a bit strange."

"I can't either. Even after the night with the White Skulls."

"What? You had a run in with White Skulls?" Wynne hissed, suddenly tense.

"Yes. I thought you knew. On our first night out they captured me and Elphie. Duran came to our rescue. I didn't see it because they blindfolded me but Elphie said he made it look effortless."

"How many of them were there? There may still be more after us." Wynne said and started to get up.

"Duran said fifteen." Glinda answered and Wynne froze, wide eyed.

"Fifteen? I didn't know there were that many. Duran fought fifteen White Skulls?"

"Elphie said it wasn't much of a fight. She used the word slaughtered."

"Oz." Wynne breathed and sat down rather hard. "How good is he?"

"Wynne. Wynne, look at me." Glinda said sternly, and Wynne finally did. "Do not ask Elphie about it. She was very distraught over seeing those men die like that. Do you understand?"

"Yes." Wynne replied softly, and shivered. They were silent for a bit but then Wynne shook her head to clear the dark thoughts away. "Can I ask you a question, Miss Glinda?"

"I don't see why not. I asked you plenty."

"How long has it been for you?" Wynne asked, eyes twinkling.

"You mean, since I had…sexual…attention from someone?"

"Yeah."

"About six years now."

"Seriously?"

"Seriously. My first, and only, partner was my ex-fiancée. As Throne Minister I had neither the time nor inclination. Not that they didn't try. Every unattached noble, and sometime not, threw themselves at me." Glinda laughed. "They didn't realize I saw through them easily. Afterwards, I just couldn't connect with anyone in that way. I still get the urges but I take care of those myself."

Wynne placed her head in her hands at the edge of the "tub" and looked at Glinda, sighing. "No wonder you're a ball of energy. I thought it was all hyper. Now I know it's just pent up sexual frustration."

"No, it's mostly hyper. But Oz help whoever it is I get to next. I might give them a heart attack." Glinda said, and then realizing what she said blushed and giggled. Wynne laughed.

"But not a word of this to Elphie. She's not very comfortable with these things." Glinda continued when they had calmed down, then shyly added. "And don't tell her about, you know."

"I promise I won't tell anyone." Wynne gave her a wide grin. "But it will kill me to not tell Duran. I think he has a thing for you."

"And Elphie would not like to hear that."

"Hear what?" came Elphaba's voice. Glinda jumped and turned red. She started to sputter something out but Wynne stepped in.

"We were discussing Duran's bedroom behavior." She said.

"Ugh. Yes please, leave me out of the girl talk." Elphaba replied as she neared them. "I was worried since you were both gone a long time. Now I see you two are having a good old time, I'll head back."

"Don't you want a bath, Elphie? I can conjure you up a tub just like ours." Glinda hurriedly said to stop her. Elphaba arched an eyebrow.

"That's an interesting offer, my sweet. Normally you try to get my in your tub." Elphaba replied, then blushed when she realized she was being very informal in front of another person.

"Oh, I just thought it actually might work. I know how you are Elphie about being seen in public, but you're starting to get rather smelly. And a dry scalp."

"My adorable blonde stylist, always making sure that I look good." Elphaba said amused.

"If I can be your dainty flower that needs massages, you can be my rough emerald that needs some polishing." Glinda replied in the same way, and Elphaba laughed.

"I don't know if there is enough polish in Oz to make me beautiful, my sweet. But if anyone can, it will be you."

"Thank you, Elphie. Now are you getting in here or am I conjuring a tub?"

Elphaba arched an eyebrow. "I somehow thought there were more options than that."

"Well, that was silly of you."

"Of course it was. I'll join you but I'll keep my undergarments on."

"And how do you plan to bathe in your undergarments?"

"That's actually a good question. Fine. But turn around. And no peeking." Elphaba said sternly and Glinda pouted. Elphaba realized that may have sounded harsh to Wynne. "Wynne, I didn't mean you no peeking. I meant Glinda."

"No, it's quite alright." Wynne replied with a smile as she turned around. "I may have had the urge to peek."

That caused Elphaba to blush. She was used to Glinda being that way about her, but not someone she barely knew. She started chanting spell out of necessity as much as to try to get her coloring back to normal. After she was satisfied, she slipped out of her clothes (folding them neatly as always) and into Glinda's bath.

"Elphie." Glinda said after they had all turned back around, "What was that spell?"

"Illusion spell. Anyone looking this way will simply see flat ground."

"Handy." Said Wynne. "I can imagine you use that a lot."

"Not as much as you might think. It covers only a set area, and isn't mobile. The second you break any of the planes of the illusion it dissipates, making moving around in it difficult. I placed one over the camp before I left that made it so only someone who has been there can see it."

"Huh. You learn something new every day."

Elphaba went to say something but she was suddenly beset upon by Glinda.

"Hey! What are you-Glinda!"

Wynne watched as the smaller woman witchhandled the green one, scrubbing her down and shampooing her hair while Elphaba cursed. By its nature it seemed like something the two had done often. Ten minutes later a grumpy looking Elphaba was having her hair brushed out by a pleased looking Glinda.

"And that," Glinda said, "is how you polish an emerald. With determination, force, finesse, and love."

Wynne laughed while Elphaba grumbled.

"Don't laugh too hard, Wynne, I can see the same gleam in her eye when she looks at you. Once the Glindafying claws are sunk in you never can escape." Elphaba warned.

"Hush you." Glinda said, giving Elphaba a light pat on the back as she still brushing her hair.

"Glindafying?" Wynne asked, confused.

"You see," Glinda answered, "whenever I see someone less fortunate than I…"

"Oh no, I sat through it once and I'm not doing it again." Elphaba interrupted. "Let's just say she'll pretty you up and it will be there in the back of your mind, affecting your decisions for the rest of your life."

"Ah."

"In all seriousness, Wynne," Glinda continued, "your clothes could do with a makeover."

"What's wrong with my clothes?" Wynne asked in disbelief. Elphaba took the brush and started brushing her own hair.

"They're…mannish."

"I'm a swordswoman, not a model."

"I know, I know. But you can have functional clothing while looking good."

"I don't think my clothing looks bad now." Wynne replied, still a bit shocked. Glinda gave her a mournful look.

"Oh, honey, that's so sad. Here, for instance." Glinda levitated Wynne's under tunic and pants and with a flick of her wand they changed into stylish pair of black breeches and a loose long sleeved shirt with a V-neck.

"I can't wear that!"

"Why not?"

"For one, it will be far too cold. Also, I don't want the girls hanging out the entire time."

"Oh but you'd look so good. Very dashing." Glinda pouted but a stern look from Wynne made her acquiesce. "Fine. How about this?" and transformed the shirt into a loose doublet.

"Now that I could do. It will be great against most cutting weapons. Not to mention I could hide all sorts of things in it." Wynne said, excited. Glinda bounced happily and Elphaba shook her head. Less than a week and Wynne was already wrapped around Glinda's finger. Elphaba inwardly smiled; she was still reigning champion of holding out on Glinda.

"Now, those boots. First, they need a touch up; they're getting old and worn."

"That would be nice."

"And they need to be higher; knee high. And less clunky."

"That clunkiness is for riding and protecting my legs."

"Well, they can be functional and pretty. How about this?" and changed them into knee high boots with an embossed pattern of swirls that laced and wrapped around buttons on the inside.

"Wow. Those are amazing."

"Thank you. Now about your hair…"

"You leave my hair alone. It is functional and nondescript."

"But if you just styled it a little bit-"

"No, Miss Glinda. If I wanted my hair to be noticed I would have left it its original color."

"What's its original color?"

"Red."

"Like strawberry blonde red?"

"No, like a ripe apple red."

Glinda got a faraway look and Wynne grew distressed.

"Miss Elphaba, please help me out here."

"As much as I enjoy watching someone else get this treatment, I can't let you suffer through it anymore. No more Glinda." Elphaba said.

"But…but…but…"

"No, Glinda. I think you've done her up enough for one night."

"Fine." Glinda pouted.

"Thank you." Wynne sighed in relief.

"As repayment, Miss Wynne, please answer me a question."

"Shoot."

"What's Duran like? As a person, I mean. His dashing swordsman persona is a bit over the top."

"Well, that's a tough question." Wynne replied thoughtfully. "His dashing swordsman style is not all persona. Much of it is the real. He laughs a lot, he jokes a lot, and he's a good sport when he's the butt of jokes. He also cares very deeply about the people around him and people in general. Though we all serve him, he gave us years and miles before he ever asked anything of us, and only if we asked first. But there's something there, a weight that sits on his shoulders that most don't see. I don't know what it is."

"It's sadness." Glinda replied softly. "He carries responsibility for so many deaths with him."

"But they're all bad men. That much I know." Wynne replied fiercely.

"We're not saying they aren't." Elphaba continued. "But I think now I understand why he's sad. He has great power, Wynne. As we know he's an amazing swordsman. Imagine how it must feel to know you can walk into a situation and change it simply by your own will, and then know to do so isn't because you're right but because you are strong."

"I've never thought of it like that." Wynne replied. "I guess for me any situation is dire. But for him almost all situations have an easy solution if he wants."

"Right." Elphaba continued. "But no matter how much good he does he'll never be acknowledged for it. No one cheers a killer, even if they slay a tyrant. Most are regulated to the footnotes of history, or conveniently used as scape goats. That must be why Duran is such a puppet master in getting what he wants."

"I'll have to disagree with you there." Wynne interjected. "I've never seen or heard of Duran getting something he wanted. Wait, no, let me rephrase that; I've never seen or heard of him getting something he wanted for himself. He pulls strings for sure, but it's always on someone else's behalf. He tugged mine, but that's because you needed me, not him." Wynne paused. "You don't like him, do you?"

"I distrust him."

"I can understand that but he seems to have done nothing but help you without asking for anything."

"That almost makes it worse. I've had a number of people who helped me like that, only to be using me for their own ends."

"And what could he gain from you?"

"I don't know. Maybe I just don't like getting my string pulled, even if it is for my own benefit."

They fell silent, all pondering the mysterious person they had in common. Finally, they reluctantly hauled themselves out of the baths and went back to camp to sleep.

The Adept rode the Yellow Brick Road. She had almost caught them at that little cottage but by the time she had gotten there they were off on their horses. She knew she'd never be able to catch them over open ground on foot. She did manage to overhear their destination; Wittica. She was going home, but on business. The Adept pondered the implications and possibilities, but there were far too many. She would have to deal with it when she got there. She also considered sending a wire to her love but decided against it. Best not to raise hopes. The road was long and the Adept soon tired of it, her love on her mind.

Glinda and Wynne were alone. Wynne was starting a fire while Elphaba had gone off in search of more firewood. Over the last couple of days their kiss had been plaguing Glinda's mind.

"Miss Wynne?" Glinda said shyly.

"That's a personal question; otherwise you wouldn't have used the Miss. And it's always just Wynne."

"Wynne, I've been thinking about what you said."

"About?"

"Time, place, person."

"Ah yes. I was the wrong person, I was assuming."

"Yes. Don't take it personally."

"I don't. But I can say I'm a little green with envy." She replied with a mischievous tone. Glinda knew that she had guessed it.

"What do I do? How do I go about it?"

"Well, Miss Glinda, that's the question." Wynne replied, and sat back on her haunches. "I'm guessing since you are unsure of how to precede you and her have never had that type of relationship before. The same sex, I mean."

"Yes. We were attracted to the same man, actually."

"There's a story there I'd love to hear. But later. Well, you have to feel it out. Don't let your own uncertainties hold you back. I know that if I ever felt the way about someone the way I think you do, I'd fight for it. Even if I wasn't sure it was perfect time, place, or person."

"Thanks, Wynne."

Over the next couple of days Wynne's words echoed in Glinda's head. She could no longer deny that she did not just love Elphaba, but was in love with her. She tried to figure out when that transition had occurred. She had loved Fiyero; she was sure of that. When he had grown distant at Shiz (due to loving Elphaba, she now knew) she had been distraught. Elphaba had helped comfort her and see the positive side of things.

Was it during that trip to the Emerald City? That's when everything did change for them. Not just because Elphaba flew away but because that is when Glinda started on the path to being 'Good' and Fiyero started working his way into the Wizard's graces. Their relationship had grown deeper but Glinda could now see it was because of mutual loss instead of a deeper connection. That is when she stopped loving Fiyero, she realized; it was only after he eloped with Elphaba that she began to acknowledge it. The pain of losing her only confidant was worse than the pain of losing a lover, but at the time she could not distinguish between the two.

But when did Glinda start loving her? She decided to start from the beginning. She hated her at first, for numerous shallow reasons, but also because she made the thing Glinda wanted most in the world look easy: magic. Schoolwork was not difficult for Galinda. Her teachers were wrapped around her finger; social interactions were not difficult either as the student body was wrapped just as tight as the teachers. But Elphaba always commanded attention through her depth of knowledge and skill. She did not need the tricks Galinda needed.

Glinda thought on the fateful sequence of events that turned them into friends. It had taken a while to gain Elphaba's trust after the Ozdust. Knowing Elphaba as she did now, the first night she had just been vulnerable and overwhelmed. It was those innocent eyes that Galinda had been taken with, eyes that were so full of hurt but hope. Galinda had just wanted to help her dreams come true; to show her that there were good things in world where she only experienced bad. Maybe that is where it started.

Befriending Elphaba and silencing her tormentors had just been the start. Her popularity had taken a huge hit, but it came roaring back when Elphaba and Glinda became the prominent sorceresses on campus. Along with Fiyero on her arm and the rest of their charmed circle, they became the envy of Shiz. Their circle had been close but the three were as tight as could be; Glinda helped Elphaba with her social skills, Elphaba helped Glinda with her homework and magic, and Elphaba and Fiyero sparred over something or other. Then, half way through their final year, the letter from the Wizard arrived that destroyed their circle.

Was it in those bright days in the classrooms and halls of Shiz when she began to love Elphaba's laugh and sarcastic wit? Was it during those dark nights when they would share their fears that she began to love her passion and optimism? Was it during the warm summers when Elphaba would go on quiet walks with her, or the cold winters when they would huddle close under blankets to stay warm; Glinda cuddled close on Elphaba's chest while she read. It must have been because Glinda could not remember loving her before, but knew she did after.

Glinda thought she fell deeper in love after Elphaba defied the Wizard. Though she was no longer close, every tale whispered about her told the passion of her conviction. Glinda drew her strength from them to be "Glinda the Good", the face of the Wizard. After everything she went through with her second meeting of the Wizard, the death of her sister, and the transformation of Fiyero, Glinda thought she finally broke at Kiamo Ko. But she knew now it had been the same strength as before; this time to set Glinda up to make both their dreams come true, even if Elphaba was not a part of it. That is what Glinda drew on to do what had needed to be done those five years. Her love of Elphaba. And after nearly a year of having her back, she had only fallen deeper in love with her.

But Elphaba loved Fiyero. She stilled loved Fiyero, after all this time. Or at least seemed to. She was very affectionate with Glinda, and had only grown more so over the last couple of weeks. There were also times when Glinda would catch Elphaba sneaking glances at her or when she would say something that could be taken suggestively, and then blush. In a man, these would be signs of attraction, but in her Elphie she just had to be sure. She could not jeopardize her friendship with her best friend. She decided to do what Wynne had suggested, and feel it out. Tonight, she would broach the subject of her having feelings for women to Elphaba and see how she took it. She would then go from there.

They had settled down to make camp for the night and the two witches were done practicing magic. Glinda waited for Wynne to do her usual scouting of the surrounding area, which usually took about a half an hour. As Elphaba got up to go gather more firewood Glinda stopped her.

"Elphie, can we talk?"

"Sure, Glinda." Elphaba replied a bit nervously. "What is on your mind?"

"Um…" Glinda replied. She had no idea how to start it. "Well, Elphie, you see…what I mean is…"

"Glinda, it's ok. Whatever you want to say just say it."

"Elphie, I think I'm attracted to girls." She blurted out and Elphaba was stunned. Of everything she had thought Glinda would say that was not on the list. She blinked a few times, trying to comprehend what she just heard. Glinda noticed and became very nervous.

"I'm sorry, Elphie, I should never have said anything." Glinda said, tearing up. She went to rise but Elphaba grabbed her hand and sat her down.

"Glinda, wait. I'm just trying…to get a handle on this. Why do you think you're attracted to females?" Elphaba asked, and Glinda bristled a little bit.

"Elphie, I know what attraction feels like. If you're not going to take me seriously-"

"No, it's not that. It's just what about all those boys you used to go on about, and Fiyero?"

"Well, I think I'm attracted to both."

"When did this start?"

"Elphaba, this isn't a disease that I caught."

"I'm not suggesting that. I'm just trying to wrap my head around it so I can understand how you feel. You know I'm really bad at this empathy thing."

"I know. And I love you're trying. I don't know when it started. I mean, I've always had an eye for pretty girls but I wasn't attracted to them. Or at least I didn't think so. It's only recently that I had to admit that I wasn't just admiring them."

"How recent?"

"Within the last six or so months." Glinda said quietly. Elphaba's face held the same pensive look as before, showing no reaction to the time frame. Glinda inwardly sighed in relief. She had no way of knowing that Elphaba was not concerned with it in the least. Glinda was her best friend and she trusted her completely; so much so that she did not relive the moments over the last six months to see if Glinda had been hinting at something more. "So, about six months ago you realized you liked females but didn't bring it up to me until now?"

"No, about six months ago I started noticing becoming attracted to females but I didn't really admit it was attraction until a couple of nights ago."

"Why a couple of nights ago?"

"Well, you remember by the river?"

"Yeah."

"I sort of stumbled upon Wynne taking a bath."

"Oh. But you were taking a bath later with her."

"Yeah but before that I kind of, sort of, was watching her."

"Glinda, really?"

"I couldn't help myself, Elphie. I couldn't look away. That's when I knew it wasn't just admiring. I was attracted to women."

"How did you know? I mean, you've always had that little voyeur streak in you."

"Elphie!"

"Don't Elphie me. I remember you at Shiz, sneaking around watching couples kiss and go on dates."

"That's not the same! I thought it was nice to see them doing something romantic."

"And what do you call trying to cast an invisibility spell to be able to watch the boys shower?"

"You said you'd never tell anyone that!"

"And I haven't. But it makes sense."

"Because, Elphie, if you must know I didn't just watch her. I was lusting after her." Glinda said quickly and quietly. Elphaba raised an eyebrow.

"Well, you always did have a healthy sex drive."

"Elphie!"

"What? It's only us."

"But still…"

"So, let me make sure I got everything straight: You realized you were attracted to females six months ago but tried hide it from yourself. Then, a couple of days ago you lusted after Wynne and that made you admit to yourself you are attracted to females. And then had you a bath next to her."

"Well, no, not exactly."

"Not exactly to what part?"

"Well, you see…" Glinda looked at the ground.

"Go ahead my sweet. You know I'll accept you no matter what."

"It wasn't the lusting after her that made me realize I like women." Glinda continued quietly. "It was the kiss."

Elphaba tensed. "I'm sorry. Could you repeat that?"

"The kiss. She kissed me Elphie."

"She…kissed you?" Elphaba said, anger creeping into her voice. Glinda tried to head it off.

"Yes. You see, I sort of made some noise, and she kind of snuck up on me and scared me. I fell down and when she helped me up she asked if she could kiss me and I said yes." Glinda said very quickly.

"She took advantage of you and kissed you!" Elphaba said, standing up. Her fists were clenched in anger.

"No, Elphie that's not what happened!" Glinda tried, standing up with her.

"No? That's what it sounded like to me. The gall of that woman!" Elphaba began shaking.

"No, Elphie, please listen…"Glinda begged but it was no use.

"I heard enough. When she gets back I'm going to-"

"Well I guess I have excellent timing then." Wynne's voice came and she entered the fire's glow. "Or terrible, depending on how you see it."

"You! I knew you were trouble!" Elphaba yelled.

"Elphie, calm down!" Glinda pleaded.

"I see that there is trouble but I don't know why it exists." Wynne replied calmly.

"You forced yourself on Glinda!"

"I'm fairly certain that's not what the Lady Glinda said. She said I asked permission, which she granted, and I stopped when she revoked that permission. All within the bounds of proper behavior."

"You took advantage of her in a vulnerable state!"

"Considering how long she was watching me, I could make the same claim."

"It's not the same! She's in a stressful situation!"

"I understand it is stressful for you both. But I acted properly the entire time, Miss Thropp, and I've continued to do so. Haven't I, Lady Glinda?"

"She has, Elphie, she has. She's been perfectly proper." Glinda assured.

"That's not the point!" Elphaba yelled, still furious.

"What is the point, then?" Wynne asked calmly. "Why are you so angry?"

"I told you why!"

"Because you think I took advantage of her? Even though the Lady Glinda said I did not?"

"She may be just saying that."

"Elphie, I'm not. She didn't take advantage of me, I swear." Glinda said.

"See. She's fine." Wynne said.

"That's not the point."

"What is the point? Why are you so angry right now?"

"I'm just trying to protect her!"

"From who?"

"You!"

"Why? We've established I'm no threat to her safety."

"No, you're just some slut that wants to bang her!"

"Elphaba Sophelia Thropp!" Glinda yelled. "That is uncalled for! Apologize!"

"You're on her side!" Elphaba yelled back.

"I'm on no one's side but my own! Either apologize or get out!"

"Fine!" Elphaba yelled and stormed off.

"Fine!" Glinda yelled after her. After Elphaba disappeared into the darkness, she fell to the ground crying. Wynne stood there awkwardly for a moment, then made a move to comfort her. "Go away. I'm not angry at you but I just can't deal with this anymore tonight."

Wynne nodded, placed a hand on her shoulder for a second, and walked off in the opposite direction of Elphaba. After she got a good distance away, she sank down next to a tree. She took off the ring and looked at it.

"I'm not cut out for this. You owe me a drink when this is done." She told it, then slipped it back on. "Well, at least I didn't get cursed."