Author's Note: Thanks MyLittleElphie for reviewing. I'm working on a Dancing through Life parody just for you. Lol. And yeah, I couldnt see Glinda getting any in the intervening years between work and social life. As for polishing her: an emerald does not change its core when polished, just a bit more refined. And I'm glad you enjoy my non-random Gelphie.

Thanks to heatqueen for reviewing. It's really hard to not make every chapter a cliff hanger. And the Gelphie is coming. Soon. :)

Thanks for afrojohardee for reviewing. I'm glad you are enjoying it.

Thanks for nannypotcrazy for reviewing and the offer. Inspiration comes from all places. Its scary.

Thanks for nursejoy7 for reviewing. I wasnt planning on it; after ten pages I figured I should just cut it off there. But here it is.

Thanks to CuppaTea for reviewing. I'm glad youre enjoying it.

Thanks for Beserkeroo for reviewing chapter 5. I hope you enjoy the story when you get this far still.

Another note: I apologize for the lateness. I went to see Wicked on Friday and it kind of cut into my editing time. Alison Luff and Gina Beck were amazing. Best acting I've ever seen. Also, the Gelphie was super strong in the show. They were always like two inches from each others face during loathing, and then after were always touching affectionately on stage. They kissed each others hands numerous. At one point, in For Good, Alison Luff put her hand around Gina's waist and drew her close, and then after her verse, turned to look at her and put both hands on her face.

Elphaba tore through the woods. She violently kicked branches and leaves out of her way, and sometimes detoured to kick others just because. Entering a clear patch, she finally stopped barreling along and tried to think.

To say Elphaba was angry would be an understatement. She was livid, furious, enraged, and a multitude of other things person with her vocabulary could come up with. It seemed as if a dragon had appeared in her chest, roaring and breathing fire. All because that woman, Wynne, could not keep her hands to herself. If she wanted to sleep around, that was fine by Elphaba, but she should have stayed away from Glinda.

Did she think that Glinda would give it up that easily to her? Glinda was very sexual but Elphaba knew for her it was about connecting deeper and expressing her love, not just having fun like Wynne. That damn woman was probably just trying to add a trophy to her collection. She wanted to brag she got with Glinda the Good.

Or was Wynne trying to ingrain herself with Glinda, trying to get close to her to get a position, or blackmail her? That would be more like it. Trying to take advantage of Glinda's position. Maybe she thought she could cuddle up to Glinda and become a trophy wife. The ridiculousness of that idea snapped Elphaba out of her line of thinking but she soon drove down another.

Wynne was connected to Duran, the puppet master. What if he was pulling strings even now, waiting in the shadows to talk to Wynne or to try and woo Glinda? She'd never let someone so manipulative get close to Glinda. Now she knew he was wealthy, she figured he was just some playboy getting his fun moonlighting as a swordsman. He probably returned to his comfy mansion every night with is conquest or to pat himself on the back. He probably was a business or banker, making money off people while pretending to help others at night to get their service for free. Something, however, did not add up with that and it shattered in her mind, which soon went elsewhere.

And why was Glinda taking their side? Could she not see what they were trying to do? Trying to get between her and Elphaba. She would not put it past them to drop the idea of liking women into Glinda's head so Wynne could get close to her. Poor Glinda was not the smartest person and could be easily swayed.

Elphaba shook her head. No, that was not true. Maybe Galinda was that, but Glinda had grown into a smart, strong woman. Elphaba thought about Wynne planting the idea again but she dismissed that too. She was too strong for something like that. Attraction could not be planted. It had to be there. So why was Glinda taking their side? Or was she? She had not agreed with Elphaba but had not taken Wynne's side. Wynne more took Glinda's side.

And why was Glinda not mad? She kissed Wynne but there seemed to be no hard feelings between them, or any other feelings for that matter. Why was she not upset? Her Glinda would be if she was rejected. If she did not care it meant she did not feel anything. That meant the kiss must have meant nothing. The dragon inside her gave a triumphant roar but Elphaba did not acknowledge it.

So Wynne had kissed Glinda but Glinda had stopped it. They even had said so themselves, Elphaba remembered. Good. Perhaps Wynne got what she deserved, being rejected like that. But she did not seem to be affected. Well, Elphaba did not expect her to put much stock in a deeper connection. To Elphaba and Glinda a kiss was more than just a kiss. It was a declaration of love to the world. It meant not just something but everything. That is how she felt when she kissed Fiyero. At least before his transformation.

She thought back to the times she witnessed Glinda kissing Fiyero. The dragon roared at the thought but she unconsciously quieted it be telling herself Glinda was not a threat to their relationship. It did not seem placated. She went back to those thoughts and saw how Glinda kissed passionately, declaring her love to the world. Fiyero was more reserved with Glinda than with Elphaba, but she assumed that desperation fueled that. Glinda's kisses, though, were even more passionate; no, more sensual than Fiyero's were. She wondered it was like to be kissed like that. Kissing Glinda, with her soft lips and closed eyes –

Elphaba snapped herself back to reality. She felt the heat rising to her cheeks but dismissed it as embarrassment. As for thinking about Glinda kissing her, she tried to force the idea out of her head. She figured she was letting her thoughts for Fiyero blend together with Glinda because of the stressful and confusing days. She loved both Fiyero and Glinda, but was in love with Fiyero and just loved Glinda. Or was it vice versa.

"Gah! This is getting nowhere!" Elphaba yelled, her voice echoing through the forest.

She went back to the beginning. Why was she so angry? Was it because Wynne had taken advantage of Glinda? No; both had explained it was not so. Was because Glinda had kissed Wynne? No; she loved her friend and would not be upset if she loved a woman. There was something there, however. She followed the thought and feeling, and realized it was because she felt like she lost Glinda. Why did this upset her? She finally concluded it was because she felt like she failed to protect her. It must be because of the situation and being unable to protect her from it. She was merely confusing her feelings and projecting them onto the situation. That made sense. She felt calm settle over her. She knew what the next actions should be, though she loathed to do them. She needed to apologize to Glinda and Wynne for her overreaction. The dragon in her chest snorted in derision but eventually slept. Elphaba sighed and took in the night, hoping for its coolness to calm her more.

"Elphie?" she heard Glinda's voice. She turned to see her moving towards the clearing, her light ball floating in front of her.

"Here." Elphaba said and, as Glinda made her way over to her, she asked, "What are you doing out here, my sweet?"

"I heard your voice and started seeing you hurt or captured, and I had to come check on you."

"Nothing like that. Just angry."

"Ok. I'll go then." Glinda said and turned to leave.

"Wait." Elphaba said flatly. Glinda stopped and looked at her expectantly. After a few more moments of silence Glinda got impatient.

"Yes?"

"Look…I…I mean…"

"Elphie, just say it."

"I was wrong earlier. I shouldn't have gotten angry at you."

"You were. And I wasn't the one you were angry at. You should be apologizing to Wynne."

"I know, and I will. I just thought…this would be easier now."

"I see. So this is your apology?"

"Yes."

"Well, it's kind of lackluster."

"I admitted I was wrong."

"Which is good; you're accepting blame. But you're not acknowledging the consequences of your actions."

"I said I shouldn't have yelled at you."

"Yes but you haven't told me why you shouldn't have, and what the results were."

"I don't know what you're saying."

"Since I'm tired and don't want to be up all night, I'll just tell you. You hurt me, Elphie, deeply."

"What?" Elphaba recoiled.

"You hurt me. My best friend, after I told her I liked women, got angry and yelled at me."

"Glinda, I didn't - "

"Shush. I'm not done. You yelled at me and stormed off. How did you think that made me feel?"

"Hurt, you said."

"Yes, and scared, and overwhelmed. I'm scared, Elphaba, of what the future will be like for me. Not just because all of this but because even if everything goes back to the way it was, I still will have to live a life completely different than before. A new me. The only thing I always knew I could count on was you. You are my rock, my constant; and you fled."

"I'm sorry." Elphaba said quietly, and Glinda could see tears in her eyes, "I didn't want to hurt you."

"Then what did you want?" Glinda managed to get out. Seeing Elphaba cry always made her too. She was just managing to hold back tears.

"To protect you."

"From what?"

"Everything."

"Everything? You can't protect me from everything"

"I know, but I want to." Elphaba replied and sank to the ground, head in hands. Glinda went and knelt next to her, gathering her in a hug.

"Shh, my beautiful girl. Can you tell me why you feel the need to protect me from everything?"

"I don't know. Ever since we've been friends I've wanted to. Somebody would say you're dumb and I'd get in their face about it, or some boy who made an inappropriate comment."

"People called me dumb?"

"It was always along the lines of 'She's pretty but…'"

"Ah."

"Maybe because you're the only one left."

"Only one left of what?"

"Of people who cared."

"And where do you think I'll go?"

"I don't know. It's not rational. It's just everyone else has been taken or left. I'm afraid you will too."

"Elphie, I'll never leave you."

"You say that but how long until you get sick of all this?"

"Oh, Elphie, I'll never leave you. I've never told you why I cast that spell from the Grimmerie, did I?"

"No. You said you were looking for something."

"It was your bottle. I kept it on me constantly that year. Before then it was just little touches or glances every so often, but I slowly needed it more and more. Elphie, I was coming undone without you. I think that's why you were summoned. I wasn't calling the bottle but you, which I associated with the bottle." Elphaba stared at her in wonder and Glinda smiled. "I can never leave you, Elphie, because I would fall apart without you."

"I know what you mean. I feel…whole… when with you. Like two pieces of a puzzle. You balance me perfectly, and I don't know what I'd do if I lost you. Go crazy, probably."

"I know, Elphie, but you can't protect me from everything. I'm not a porcelain doll. I don't break at the slightest touch."

"I know."

"The only thing that can break me in this world is you. Your words can crush me, and if you'd ever leave again I'd shatter into a thousand pieces that could never be put back together. I need you, Elphie."

"It frightens me, my sweet, that I could harm you so; even unintentionally like tonight. I need you too, Glinda."

It was right there on the tip of Glinda's tongue. She wanted to confess all but her friend, her love, was not in the condition to hear it let alone understand it. She kept her only secret from her Elphie, and said instead,

"Come on, let's go back to camp. We both need sleep."

"Yeah."

"But expect no cuddling tonight." Glinda said sternly and Elphaba looked confused. "You sleep on your own bedroll. Just because I've forgiven you doesn't mean you can escape the consequences. It's the metaphorical couch for you."

"I guess I deserve that.

Elphaba's eyes flickered open. There was movement in the embered glow of the camp. A tiny thing in a long dress came over. As it neared Elphaba saw it was Glinda in her sleeping roll and pillow. Elphaba shifted and Glinda placed her objects next to her, and cuddled into her chest.

"Enough punishment. I'm cold and the ground's hard." She whimpered and fell asleep on Elphaba almost instantly. Elphaba smiled and wrapped her arms around her.

Rustling caught Elphaba's ears and she instantly woke. She caught movement, fluid and purposeful, across the fire. Elphaba tensed and tried to stealthily go for her wand. Buttons in the firelight caught her eyes and she recognized Wynne. As the woman passed through the light and Elphaba drifted back to sleep a strange thought crossed her mind.

Like a Tigress protecting her pack. She frowned at the thought. Tigers were solitary animals.

The next morning Elphaba woke slowly. By now she was used to waking with Glinda on her, and wiggling out without waking her. As she was doing it she saw Wynne building a fire. The swordswoman had stacked her kindling in a pyramid and turned get her striker. Elphaba lifted her wand and muttered a spell. The wood burst into flame, and as Wynne turned back with her striker she saw it and chuckled. She put her striker back and saw Elphaba standing.

"Can we talk somewhere?" Elphaba asked quietly, eyes downcast. Wynne had never seen her like this, and she nodded.

"Sure." Wynne replied just as quietly. Glinda stirred and Elphaba crouched down. Wynne watched her murmur something in her ear and then brush a curl out of her eyes tenderly. Glinda mumbled something back to her and turned over. Elphaba adjusted the covers, brushed the hair out of her face again, and stood.

"Wherever you want." Elphaba said quietly, and Wynne led them to a small clearing. She was fairly certain that nothing unpleasant was going to happen but was ready just in case.

"So what's up?" Wynne asked.

"I wanted to apologize for my behavior yesterday."

"Apology accepted."

"I know that – wait, what?"

"Apology accepted. You're forgiven."

"But, you're not angry, or yelling, or…anything really."

"Miss Elphaba, you're under a lot of stress. I understand. There are bound to be blowups. I'm not angry about it. It happens."

"But I said terrible things."

Wynne chuckled. "I've been called worse. And, technically, I am promiscuous and if I could have relations with Miss Glinda I would. But, I'm well enough mannered to respect a no."

"Uh…"

"I'm making you uncomfortable again. But let me ask you one question: why were you so upset?"

"I figured it was because I really want to protect and for some reason projected it onto you."

"That could be. But tell me: when I mentioned me having sex with Miss Glinda what did you feel?"

"Uncomfortable."

"Because it's sex, or because of me having sex with her?"

"I don't know."

"Is there anything else you feel?"

"It's a mess of things."

"Well, my suggestion is you figure that out, and it might shed some light on this."

"Ok."

The left it at that and went back to the fire. Elphaba looked at Glinda and sighed.

"I hate to wake her up. She didn't sleep well early in the night, and she's always exhausted the day after a fight."

"I understand. I'll tell you what; you put that concealing spell over the camp and we can get some more sleep. I didn't sleep much last night either."

"I saw you cut through camp. Do you often prowl around at night?"

"Prowl. That's an interesting way to describe it."

"Sorry. My sleeping brain equated you to a Tigress."

"I like it." Wynne said after a moment. "I like it a lot. And no, since you've been shielding us I've been sleeping more."

"Ah." Elphaba said, and then placed the concealing spell. She went and cuddled Glinda. Wynne smiled to herself. As she lay down and started drifting off to sleep, she hoped the green witch figured out her feelings soon.

Glinda stirred. The call of nature had woken her (something that had not happened in a couple of weeks). Opening one eye, she saw it was light and the fire had burnt down. She was cuddled close to Elphaba, who had a look of peace on her face. She loved that look on her love's face for after she woke her defense would go back up and she would have the stern look she now always carried. She snuggled closer, taking everything her love would give her: her scent, her warmth, the feel of her skin against hers, and the light sound of her breathing.

The call increased and Glinda could no longer stall. She reluctantly detached herself from Elphaba, who instantly started to wake. She woke much quicker now, her old habits resurfacing. Glinda whispered in soft tones her intentions which sent her back to sleep. As she made her way across camp to find a bush Wynne's eyes opened. Glinda gave her a little wave and Wynne smiled. She waited until Glinda came back and watched her cast a spell. The concealment spell shimmered over them and Wynne's smile grew wider. Glinda gave her another wave and went to snuggle down a stirring Elphaba. Soft words led both of them back into sleep. Wynne closed her eyes, the smile on her lips only hindered by the fact only one witch knew her feelings.

The two witches cuddled close as they practiced levitation spells. The three women had decided to rest for the day. Wynne was stretched out watching the two witches practice with a smile on her face. After a particular difficult levitation they decided to take a break. As Glinda opened the book to check the dynamics of the spell a letter fell out.

"Elphie, what's this?" Glinda asked as she looked at the blank piece of paper.

"Oh. I forgot about that. It's the note Duran gave me."

"Then one that he said you'd be able to read when you're ready?"

"Yeah. I haven't looked at it since."

"Here. Try to read it now."

"Fine." Elphaba took it and her name appeared again. After a moment, she turned it over and opened it.

Learn to see with your heart, not your eyes. Feel, sense; don't always analyze. The words appeared slowly.

"What does that mean?" Elphaba asked.

"What does what mean?"

"The words here."

"I don't see anything. It's probably enchanted like the book. What does it say?"

"It says learn to see with your heart, not your eyes. Feel, sense; don't always analyze. What is that supposed to mean?"

"I don't know." Glinda replied.

"It means trust your instincts." Wynne said from across the fire. "He tells me that often. Practice your skills, drill them, know them, but if everything comes up the same, trust your instincts. Your heart is your compass, your feelings landmarks. Trust them."

"Trust my instincts." Elphaba said and words appeared on the paper.

Trust your instincts. They'll lead you well. When you trust your instincts, recite this spell. Odinae mora oron fenum neverum gemi.

"He gave me a spell." She said.

"For what?" Glinda asked.

"I don't know. He just said once I trust my instincts to recite it. What do you think?"

"He hasn't steered us wrong yet. Think of the book."

"You're right." Elphaba said, and took a deep breath. "Odinae mora oron fenum neverum gemi."

Elphaba saw a flash of light and swayed on her feet. She steadied herself after a moment and looked towards Glinda. For a second all she saw was light and smelled roses, but it quickly faded. She shook her head to clear it. She looked at the note.

When you know what you see, more will become clear to you.

"Elphie?" Glinda asked concerned.

"I'm ok. I was just blinded by that flash of light."

"There was no light Elphie."

"It says once I know what I see more will become clear."

"Strange. I guess we'll just have to wait."

"I guess." Elphaba sighed and looked at the letter. When nothing new appeared she tucked it back into the book.

"Miss Glinda?" Wynne said. Glinda looked at her. Elphaba was out of camp for some personal time.

"Yes? Is this about us approaching Wittica tomorrow?"

"No. Can I give you some advice?"

"About?"

"About you and Miss Elphaba."

"Sure."

"You might want to be less affectionate with her."

Glinda recoiled like she was slapped.

"Whatever for?" Glinda asked, horrified.

"A couple of reasons. First and foremost, she may take that affection differently now since she knows you like women. I've seen good friends become uncomfortable after one admitted it to the other; even if the acts were something they had done before."

"What's the other reason?"

"If Miss Elphaba does have feelings for you, withdrawing your affections may force those feelings to the forefront without clouding them with others."

"Oh." Glinda replied, eyes downcast. "I understand Wynne, but I can't do that."

"I know, Miss Glinda, that it will be hard because you like giving her that affection but-"

"It's not that, Miss Wynne." Glinda said quietly, interrupting her. She was quiet for a few more moments, as if pondering something, and then said, "I can't stop being affectionate to Elphie. I'm afraid if I did, that, well, it wouldn't be good. You see, Miss Wynne, until Elphie knew me she never had any affectionate contact."

"What? You're exaggerating." Wynne said shocked.

"No. Every time she remembers being touched before me there was always another reason for it. To hurt her, examine her, discipline her, and manipulate her. No one ever touched her to tell her good job, or that they loved her, or she was beautiful." Glinda sniffled, eyes bright with tears. "After me, only a few others did, but they've all been lost to her. So, I can't stop being affectionate, or even less, because it would mean she's loved less. Her life's been so hard she shouldn't feel like she's loved any less."

At that, Glinda broke down and cried. Wynne was in shock still and did not know what to say or do.

"What's going on here?" Elphaba asked angrily as she came back into camp.

"Nothing, Elphie." Glinda replied. "I just got overwhelmed."

"Come here my sweet." Elphaba said and opened her arms. Glinda rushed into them and Wynne left the camp to give the two women some private time. As she walked she thought on the growing picture she had of the green which. She began to understand why the blonde was so protective of her, and vice versa.

"So, today we go into Wittica." Wynne said. The three women were gathered around the camp. They already knew this but were listening nonetheless because Wynne had yet to lay out the plan. "We have a carriage waiting for us at an inn not too far from here. I arranged it last night. It will take us to the Opera house where we will pull in so were not seen. Our cover while here is a society woman and two handmaids."

"I'm guessing I'm not the society woman." Glinda pouted and Wynne smiled.

"No, you're supposed to be kidnapped. I will be it and you two will be my maids. Elphaba will have to be veiled, no matter how much attention it will draw; there's nothing to be done about that. Both you and I will have to change our appearance somewhat." Wynne said and sighed.

"Oh, I'm going to enjoy watching this time." Elphaba said, smirking. Glinda looked confused.

"I'm sorry; I must have not been here. What's so amusing?"

"You." Elphaba explained. "Get to Glindafy her." And pointed to Wynne. Glinda let out of squeal of delight and bounced, then drew her wand.

"Now let's not-" Wynne started but there was a flash of light. Wynne's hair changed to a vivid red color. "-overdo it. Crap."

"Don't fight, Wynne." Elphaba chuckled. "It will only hurt worse."

"Elphaba, please." Glinda said, scowling at her. She turned back to Wynne. "She's right, though."

"I'm your accepting doll." Wynne deadpanned, and Glinda squealed in delight again. She went over to Wynne and began examine her, making her move and lift her arms by poking and prodding her with the wand.

"Ok. You have fantastic hair and skin which is like half the battle. Your hair is a bit too short for respectable but with some style we can fake it. What we will do is the mussed look to frame the face, clean up and darken those eyebrows, some light green gold shadow to accent the eyes, and a light pink on the lips to darken but not make them pop."

"Uh…"

"Your body is very nicely shaped also." Glinda continued and a comment popped into Elphaba's head and out of her mouth before she could stop herself.

"I thought you knew that already." She said and Wynne looked slightly shocked. Glinda, in full make over mode, did not even bat an eyelash.

"Oh no, that was for sex. This is for beauty. Two different things. Now, you have long lines, which is good. Your shoulders add curve to your smaller bust, accentuating it, but raise the curve a bit higher than traditional. You have a trim, muscular waist which his good for shape but bad for cinching."

"There won't be any cinching."

"Of course not. Anyway, you've got a great posterior, full and high, if a bit too firm for my tastes. Nice hips, also very firm. I'm guessing from training?"

"Lunges and low stances."

"I'll have to remember that. Anyway, more curves on the legs, just as tight. Nice long legs, too. All in all, we have a lot to work with. The main difficulty will be to soften you. Your lines are too hard and man like. We will be using a flowing, solid color base with a contrasting bodice around the midsection to blur those lines. Something fuller, vibrant; something to contrast your skin otherwise you'll be washed out. Hm." Glinda thought, tapping the wand tip to her lips. She then smiled and waved it. Wynne's clothed formed into a long, flowing emerald green dress with black accents, and a purple bodice that came under to under her bust with pink delicate swirls. Wynne looked at it and then at Glinda.

"Why this?" she asked and Glinda giggled.

"Green is for Elphie. It matches her skin. The black is her witchy color. A pink bodice would not have gone well at all, so I made it purple for Duran's scarf and pink swirls for me. You visually announce your affiliations to the world."

"Interesting."

"Now hair and face." What followed was a marathon of hair and face combinations. Every so often Elphaba would chuckle or laugh but after Glinda hit her with her personal, custom created beauty spell, she was quiet. Finally, Wynne was ready.

"Now us." Glinda said happily."

"Nothing too pretty, remember?" Wynne warned.

"I remember." Glinda replied merrily. She waved her own wand and was transformed. She was wearing a simple brown frock with laces similar to what Elphaba had worn. However, the most striking thing was her hair. It was black and straight.

"Glinda, your hair…"Elphaba said and Glinda giggled.

"I always wanted to see what long raven tresses felt like. However, my hair is too short." She pouted but waved her wand again. Her hair transformed itself into two short braids on either side of her head. She waved her wand again and Elphaba's Vinkun outfit appeared.

"Well, let's get going then." She bubbled and set off.

"Miss Elphaba, how did we end like this?" Wynne asked.

"That's easy, Miss Wynne. Because she wanted us to."

"Who are we that we can't say no to her?"

"Take heart. Remember, she took over Oz the same way."

To which only Glinda giggled delightedly.