Author's Note: Thansk to heatqueen for reviewing. Lol. She's actually trying to come from a good place in that chapter, but I can see how her getting in the way of Gelphie could be bad for her health.

Thanks to My LittleElphie for reviewing. Yes, poor Glinda cant take what she dishes out, but she's a softie like that.

Thanks to nursejoy7 for reviewing. Ill be continuing it until this is done. Though it continue to lengthen on me.

Thanks to cuppasound for reviewing. I try to keep them as much in character and out of caricature as possible. Also it was fun writing Elphaba's thoughts since it was almost stream of consciousness for me, which is fun to do every now and then.

Sorry for being a day late. I'll try to get these up every Monday so you have something to look forward on that dreadful day.

Feel free to send me critiques and comments. As always, read, enjoy, review.

3/11/2014

Elphaba was chewing on an apple she snagged from the Wittican Opera House kitchen. They had been there for a couple of days. Surprisingly to her, when they had reached the inn to meet the carriage nothing more sinister than a few curious looks occurred. They were spared more public scrutiny as the carriage was covered and had been driven straight into the personal stables of the Opera House. The staff paid them almost no mind as they were used to having exotic artists in residence. Robiere had met them personally and set them up in the large private suite used to house traveling artists. The suite was closer to a small apartment with a bedroom, a parlor, and a large bathroom. The bed was an extra-large four poster king size bed with silk sheets that had raised an eyebrow of Elphaba's. The deep, sunken tub large enough to comfortably fit four people had elicited a squeal of delight from Glinda.

After that, Wynne had left. She had a place to reside in Wittica with a local personal security club, as she was much sought after for her sword expertise. She was a bit unhappy when she learned that the spell Glinda had cast would not wear off for another day, but accepted Glinda changing her clothes back to her new traveling wear as an apology. They had said their goodbyes with some reserved affection, but Wynne informed them she would still be checking in everyday until they were on their way to Frottica, and to send for her if they needed.

Elphaba and Glinda had been given full reign over the Opera House by Robiere. He understood that it would be claustrophobic for them to stay in the room for a week and that it would draw more staff attention. Elphaba instantly took to finding all the secret alcoves and niches. She quickly grew comfortable walking the scaffolding that comprised the attic where the stage equipment was stored and strung. It also allowed her to move almost unseen from one point of the Opera House to the other. The maintenance and theater staff were often startled when she appeared with her Vinkun clothing giving her a ghostly appearance. After staff complained, Robiere, who had a sense of the absurd, showed her the various hidden passageways through and underneath the Opera House. Glinda, however, simply wandered looking at the architecture or watching performers rehearse. A few times she went with Elphaba for amusement, though.

Elphaba was currently not wearing her veils, and was dressed in only her tights and under tunic. As it was later in the evening, the staff had been sent home and she did not have to stay confined to her cloth prison. She left her dark black band of makeup that covered the green around her eyes on; she thought it made her look fiercer, and was contemplating adding some Vinkun designs to increase that image. She had secured some fruit from the kitchen since she knew her blonde best friend was bound to be hungry. Biting into the apple and holding it in her teeth she turned the handle to the door to their suite and frowned. The lights were out. She took the apple out of her mouth and began to silently creep towards the bedroom. As she neared she saw the door was open. A quick scan of the room she saw no signs of a struggle or any shadows lurking in the corners. She opened her mouth to call out to Glinda, but a moan stopped her. It had come from the bed and sounded like Glinda. Becoming worried, she quickly strode over to over to it. She froze as she heard another moan. One that was not Glinda's voice.

The moans came again, louder this time, and they were undeniably of pleasure. They grew more passionate and began to meld together. Suddenly, Glinda sat up, and Elphaba jumped. She was straddling someone and Elphaba could make out that it was a woman. Glinda came into focus for Elphaba, as if she brightened the world around her. Elphaba could see the sheen of sweat glistening across the muscles of Glinda's back as she moved her body against her lover's. The sight was entrancing and Elphaba felt a heat come over her. Glinda gasped and threw her head back. Elphaba thought she must see her, but Glinda's eyes were closed in pleasure. As she gasped again she let out a name.

"Oh, Wynne." she moaned, and Elphaba froze. The heat that had been building turned to anger, and then embarrassment. She shook her head and turned to leave but Glinda's voice saying her name stopped her. Elphaba turned. Glinda had dismounted the bed and was walking towards her. In the light coming from her Elphaba could make out every curve, every crevice, every bounce of her body. The sway of her hips was alluring, drawing her in.

"Elphaba." Glinda said again as stopped, their bodies almost touching. Elphaba could feel the heat and lust coming from her, and it stoked her own.

"Glinda…" Elphaba started but trailed off. She could not help looking at her, and her mind would not work.

"Do not hate me, Elphaba."

"I could never hate you."

"I am so lonely; I have no one. I needed someone and you weren't there for me."

"I'm…I'm…Glinda, I don't know…"

"If you weren't going to love me, I needed to find someone who would."

"It's not that, it's…I should go." Elphaba stuttered and attempted to look away. She knew Wynne was sitting on the bed, probably smirking at the situation. She knew she should just turn and leave her friend to her pleasure. She knew that her friend had every right to indulge herself. She just could not deal with it, and fleeing was the tried and true option. But her body, and her mind, would not leave. She just kept staring at Glinda, drinking in every detail.

"You like what you see?" came the sultry whisper from Glinda's mouth. Chocolate eyes met crystal blue, and saw a deep burning desire there.

"What?" Elphaba whispered back.

"Do you like what you see?" Glinda whispered again and pressed her body against Elphaba's. The green woman was hyperaware of the contact, and stepped back.

"I should go." Elphaba repeated, but still could not move from the spot. Glinda stepped toward her again.

"Go ahead and touch. I don't mind. In fact," Glinda said, voice dropping low and grasping Elphaba's hands, "I want you to."

Glinda took a stunned Elphaba's hands and placed them along the curves of her hips. Elphaba was aware of the heat, the softness, the sensuality of touching Glinda like this. The blonde, seeing the green woman needed some encouragement, ran both their hands up over her hips and waist, and trailed them upwards. Elphaba held her breath in anticipation as her hands started to slide over the swell of Glinda's-

Elphaba bolted upright in bed, tossing the blonde off her body. She was met with a very startled mew and an unhappy huff. Looking at the blonde's disheveled appearance, Elphaba's mind made the logical jump and she sprang from the bed. Only when did she notice that the blonde was clad in a nightdress did her mind distinguish between her sleeping and waking realities. By that time said disheveled blonde was shooting her a very grumpy glare from under her mess of curls.

"Elphie." The blonde said patiently. "I know you probably just had a nightmare, and I'm trying to be understanding. But if you don't come and get in bed right this instant I'm going to be very upset with you."

"I'm sorry, my sweet. You're right." Elphaba said, and got back into bed. After rearranging the covers and tucking themselves back in, Glinda snuggled back into her spot on Elphaba's shoulder.

"Now, Elphie, what was this nightmare that caused you to catapult me in the middle of the night?"

"It was nothing my sweet."

"Elphie, it startled you so much you almost threw me out of the bed, which is saying something because it is about the same size as our room at Shiz."

"Makes you wonder why they need one so big."

"Probably because artists love to indulge themselves. Just like these sinfully decadent sheets. But you avoided the question."

"It wasn't anything you should trouble yourself about."

"Elphie, why don't you want to talk about it?"

"I just don't."

"Fine. You keep your secrets. But I'm going to back to bed now. I hope you get some sleep. And if you do, I hope you don't throw me across the room if the dream comes again. I won't be so forgiving the next time."

"I'll try to sleep, my sweet, and I promise to not startle you if I wake up."

"Good. Goodnight, Elphie."

"Goodnight."

The green woman stroked her blonde friend's hair until she drifted off to sleep. She hated deflecting Glinda but she could not talk to her about it. Elphaba could not even figure it out herself. She never had dreams like that, so…erotic. Elphaba's skin warmed as she recalled the dream, and she blushed. She felt almost perverse holding Glinda while thinking these thoughts. She looked down at her best friend and smiled at the peace on her face. Before she knew it, she planted a light kiss on Glinda's forehead. The blonde sighed and mumbled something, then giggled. The giggle lightened Elphaba's heart. That sound always had that effect on her. She slowly let the thoughts of the dream slip from her mind, but the last image she saw before sleep claimed her was Glinda striding towards her, skin glowing in the moonlight.

Elphaba and Glinda were sitting in the parlor eating breakfast. Glinda was looking radiant as ever, her blonde hair restored the previous day. Elphaba was looking beautiful also, the spell Glinda cast on her still in effect. Elphaba had a solid suspicion that it was intended to last a long time, as Glinda's had worn off the first day. Elphaba's suspicion was all but confirmed when Wynne walked in still made up. Elphaba tensed, the images from her dream flashing in her mind.

"Good morning." Wynne said, and snagged a piece of fruit from the center of the table.

"You should ask before taking things." Elphaba snapped, then blushed at her harsh response. Wynne cocked an eyebrow and Glinda looked at her strangely but neither commented.

"Sorry about that. I must have forgotten my manners. Anyway, I have a letter for Miss Glinda. Perhaps in response to the wire she sent to Frottica a couple of days ago?"

"From Momsie and Popsicle?" Glinda said excitedly. Wynne shrugged.

"I didn't open it."

"Let's see what they say!" Glinda bubbled but Elphaba frowned.

"You wrote them in code, yes?" she asked

"Of course."

"Just checking."

Glinda tore open the note and anxiously began reading it. At first she started to smile but as she read further her brow furrowed and a slight frown appeared. It was an unsettling image for Elphaba.

"What is it?" Elphaba asked.

"Momsie wrote me back. She's happy that I'll be coming to visit, and to arrange a meeting time. She told me in code, however, that she doesn't believe I'm actually free, and to use the secret code word to indicate I'm completely safe."

"So what's the issue?"

"I've forgot it." Glinda replied, and her eyes began to tear up. "It's been so long and I've never really used this code except for fun."

"Why do you even have a code?" Wynne asked.

"It's common practice among elite families." Elphaba replied. "We have one for the Thropps that even I had to learn. Basically, if you're worth enough money to ransom, you have a code in case you're ever kidnapped to communicate privately with your family."

"Oh, curse my stupid brain!" Glinda yelled. "Why can't it remember something important for once!"

"Glinda, stop that." Elphaba said sternly, and Glinda looked at her. "We all forget things sometimes. Before you say anything, yes, even me. Especially when we haven't used them in ages. Now, write them back, using all the code you can to tell them you're safe, and have them meet us in a spot that would be only known to you and your parents."

"When should I tell them to meet us?"

"That's a good question. Wynne?"

"Well, we can't get a covered carriage with a trusted driver for another few days. The Resistance also needs to shuffle around a bit to get the necessary escort. So about another five or so days. So, let's say a week on the safe side."

"Ok. A week at our secret spot. Got it." Glinda confirmed.

"Why does the Resistance need to have people? Can't you escort us?" Elphaba asked. She did not necessarily want the swordswoman to go with them but she preferred the devil she knew to the one she did not.

"Because we're changing the cover. I'm far too known and conspicuous like this," Wynne said and looked at Glinda, who just giggled, "and you are far too conspicuous in general. As such, we going with the noblewoman play, but Glinda will be the noble and you will be the veiled attendant."

"Won't that still be recognizable?" Elphaba asked.

"If Glinda dyes her hair black and goes with a bit more muted appearance, not by much. We're also veiling you because we don't want the Resistance members to know your movements too much."

"Except all of the ones in the City."

"Don't know anything about that. But the harder you are to find, the better. And that's for the both of you."

"What are you going to do, then?" Glinda asked, and Wynne smiled.

"Go back to what I was doing before. Apparently after my makeover my stock went up. I've got quite a few offers for discrete protection from some very wealthy families."

"Oh. Well I'm glad it helped." Glinda said, smiling.

"Yep. Though I don't know how I am going to recreate it."

"I can write you a style guide with the options that would best suit your face, and give it to you before you go. That way any salon can do it. I'll just need some paper."

"Thank you. I'm sure Robiere has some. I'll make sure he sends some up."

With that, the swordswoman left them to their own devices.

Glinda was looking at formal clothing in the parlor. It had been converted for this moment to a personal salon with dresses, shoes, make up, and everything else she would need. Robiere had invited her to watch a performance of the Frottican Choir that was traveling though. Having been one of her favorites since she was a child, she gladly accepted. The invitation was extended to Elphaba, also, but she had declined in favor of studying the spell book more. Glinda was happy to have a night off from practicing.

She looked around at the dresses surrounding her. They were not as elegant as the dresses Glinda the Good wore but they would work for the noble lady friend of the Opera House owner. Glinda thought about the irony of hiding out in an Opera House, and then remembered the comments she had made at the start of their adventure about mansions and good food, and giggled. Sometimes wishes came true. She picked out her clothing and went to get ready for the night. As she passed through the bedroom she saw Elphaba sitting, reading the spell book on the bed.

"Hey Elphie, do you want to take a bath with me?" she asked and grew worried when Elphaba suddenly tensed.

"No, thank you, Glinda." Elphaba replied tersely.

"Ok." Glinda said, mildly confused. "Do you want to sit by and keep me company?"

"I don't think that would be such a good idea, my sweet."

"Why? It's not like you're going to melt." Glinda giggled.

"Because."

"Because?"

"Can't we just let it go?"

"Elphie, you've been acting strange all day, and I've been letting it go. So why don't you want to come sit by me?" Glinda's voice rose as she became upset.

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Are you uncomfortable around me now because I like women?" Glinda sniffled.

"What? No! It's not that."

"Then what is it?"

"I'm still very…unsettled from my dream last night, ok?"

"From your nightmare?"

"It wasn't a nightmare."

"It wasn't? Then why did you wake up like that?"

"It was just a…type of dream I'm not used to having." Elphaba answered and blushed a bit. Glinda looked at her quizzically but then caught on. She giggled and Elphaba's blush deepened. "It's not funny!"

"No, my emerald beauty, it isn't but your reaction is absolutely adorable."

"I don't want to discuss this." Elphaba replied and snapped the book shut. She stood up and made for the door.

"I'm sorry, Elphie. It's just a perfectly natural thing to happen, and you being embarrassed by it is cute."

Those words stopped Elphaba.

"It's natural?"

"Why yes, it is. I get those dreams quite often, especially if I have something going on during the day that makes me think about it."

"Often?"

"At least every couple of weeks."

"Oh. It's just…I've never had one before."

"I'm not surprised, Elphie. You've come into your sexuality a little bit later than most. But it's perfectly fine."

"Ok."

"Now, are your answers going to be the same or should I ask you again?"

"They're going to be the same, my sweet. I'm still too…unsettled."

"Ok. But do take a bath sometime today. We don't want it turning into a swamp down there." Glinda said as she walked into the bathroom.

"Glinda!"

Glinda sat soaking in her decadent bath tub. The water was hot, and stayed that way with a few flicks. There were the finest bath salts, the best artisan crafted soaps, and the most amazing shampoo. The bath was also large enough to stretch out in, and deep enough to submerge herself. She was in heaven and finally made up her mind to get one of these baths installed in her villa, image of decadence be damned.

Glinda floated about for a bit, enjoying the weightlessness the water granted to her. Her skin, flushed from the heat, held a bronze tone from being out in the elements for the past two odd weeks. She objectively (or so she thought) admired the gently curves of her arms and legs that had taken form from her morning agoy. She did not have the lean steel chords of muscle like Elphaba but that was proper for a lady of her stature. She settled into a perfectly shaped edge of the tub as she thought on how the difference in workouts could produce different results.

Glinda with her light work developed slight curves and gentle lines that complimented her hourglass figure. Gentle hills a lover could run a finger across and get lost in the slight dimple it created. Elphaba, with her exercises, created hard lines and angles that complimented her imposing figure. Glinda knew Elphaba's body type was no longer skinny, or gangly. It had simply been malnourished, even at Shiz. She had an athletic body that gained and held muscle very well. Almost a warrior's body, where a soft hand could trace the tough cords of muscle and feel them move, steel incased in silk.

She thought she heard a sound and turned her head to find Elphaba standing there. She was clad as usual in her under tunic and tights, but she had her sleeves rolled up. Glinda looked at her curiously as she moved towards her with that commanding stride she could get. The smirk on her face made Glinda slightly anxious.

"Elphie?" she said as she watched her kneel beside the tub. That enigmatic smile she had, the one where she knew something Glinda did not, was still there. Strong hands gripped Glinda's shoulders and began to massage. She let out a groan of pleasure. Elphaba's hands did their job very well, as Glinda already knew, but this time there was something different in the way she moved them. They seemed to linger over Glinda's skin as if Elphaba was enjoying the sensation. As if she was caressing her. The hands went up her neck and Glinda practically melted. After a few minutes, they began to drift down. They massaged the tops of her arms, and the moved down the front of her chest.

"Elphie?" Glinda breathed.

"Yes, my sweet?" the breath was warm against Glinda's neck, and she shivered.

"What are you doing?"

"Giving you a massage. As you know the pectorals tend to be one of the tightest muscles on the body." Elphaba replied huskily as her hands moved further down. Glinda arched at the sensation.

"Oh, Oz, Elphie. Isn't that a little low?"

"Are you complaining, my sweet? Don't you want this? I've seen the way you look at me."

"I…oh…I do…but you…"

"What about me?"

"You…you…" the rest was lost as pleasure clouded her brain. She heard Elphaba softly calling her name but she could only gasp in response. She felt Elphaba's rough hands on her shoulders and whimpered at the loss of contact from their previous location. She arched her back again.

"Glinda!" Elphaba's voice was loud next to her ear.

Glinda threw open her eyes and lurched forward, almost pulling Elphaba into the tub with her. She whirled around (splashing water everywhere) to see Elphaba kneeling down next to the tub. Her sleeves rolled down. Glinda shook her head and realized it was a dream. A beautiful, amazing, wish fulfilling dream. As reality returned to her so did tears to her eyes. Elphaba noticed the change instantly.

"My sweet, what is it?"

"Nothing. I just had a good dream that I didn't want to wake from, and it made me sad." Glinda replied, and wiped away her tears.

"I'm sorry."

"It's ok. But I got you all wet."

"It just the tights. They needed to be washed anyway."

At that comment Glinda got a mischievous smirk. She sprang to the side and grabbed both of Elphaba's sleeves. Planting herself against the tub she pulled as hard as she could. Elphaba tipped forward in surprise but arched her back and managed to stay dry. Glinda tried again but Elphaba stood, trying to disengage herself. Glinda was pulled out of the water, and the sight made Elphaba falter. Glinda took the opportunity and planted her feet against the tub one last time and pulled with all her might. Even surprised, she was unsure if she was going to get the steadfast Elphaba in, but like a falling tree the emerald woman pitched forward and into the tub. She came up sputtering to a sweet smiling Glinda.

"Glinda…"

"What? You said they needed washed. And so did you." Glinda replied cheerfully. Her perfect smile faltered a bit when she saw the look on Elphaba's face. With the black eye band of makeup running down her face she looked terrifying.

"Come here, Glinda."

"Now Elphie, let's be reasonable."

"Oh, I'll be more than reasonable."

Glinda tried for the side of the tub but strong hands grabbed her legs and pulled her back.

"Elphiiiiiiiiieeeeeeee!" the blonde screamed as the emerald girl extracted her revenge.

Elphaba watched Glinda get ready for the concert tonight; after all, that was the reason she had went to get the blonde from the tub. Glinda moved as she always did, gracefully unhurried but with certainty. Every time she saw Elphaba or asked for help she pouted a bit.

"That was not fair, Elphie." She whined.

"It was perfectly fair, my sweet. You dragged me into the tub."

"A five minute tickle was excessive."

"It was a minute. And it is going to take forever to dry those clothes. What am I going to wear in the meantime?"

"I almost forgot; Robiere sent some more Vinkun veils up. He said something about your one outfit being too drab, and needing to liven it up."

"Great. Another you."

"Oh, boo. You do need another set of clothes. I think they're…yes, here they are." Glinda said, indicating where they were neatly folded on a chest.

"That reminds me. I was think about adding a more Vinkun tribal design on my eye band."

"Any reason?"

"I thought it would look interesting, and be more fearsome if a veil got stripped away."

"That's so fashion like! I'm happy I'm finally sinking in."

"Glinda, I don't think making myself appear scarier is like putting on a ball gown."

"Pooh. Of course it is. The art of fashion is the art of presenting one's self as you want to be seen. If you want to be frightening, that's fashion. Like a certain haggard dress and cape I remember someone wearing. But I thought we went over all this?"

"Most likely, my sweet. When it comes to fashion, I'm a slow learner."

"You're a smart enough girl. You simply need to apply yourself." Glinda managed to say with a straight face before devolving into giggles. Elphaba smiled. "Anyway, what ideas did you have?"

"I don't know. I've seen some of their tribal designs and thought they looked interesting, but I don't want to take something that has meaning simply because I like the way it looks."

"How culturally sensitive of you. I'll see if Robiere has something on Vinkun tribal designs. He is an artist that runs a building that caters to artists. Also, we'll be sitting in box five if you get the urge to join us."

"Thank you my sweet, both for the invitation and indulging me."

"Now, enough talking. I've got work to do."

"I apologize. You know me, I'm a regular chatterbox."

That drew a precious giggle from Glinda.

Glinda sat in the box next to Robiere enjoying the concert. There were quite a few members she remembered from her previous experiences, and they were still quite good. At a lull in the program for the performers to get something to drink and switch wardrobe, Robiere leaned close to Glinda.

"How are you and our special guest enjoying the accommodations?" he asked pleasantly.

"Very well, thank you. Your hospitality is generous. I'm enjoying having a real bath and bed again, and she's enjoying prowling around the theater startling people, especially after you showed her all those hidden passageways."

"Yes. They're a holdover from the last owner. I dare say we don't know all of them. But I cannot claim to understand scaring people for enjoyment. I much prefer good shows and good wine."

Glinda giggled. "Well, we all have our different likes. I am more like you but I guess she enjoys being in control of commotions instead of simply being the cause of them. Which reminds me; I was supposed to ask if you had anything on Vinkun tribal designs. She was thinking of adding it to her visage around the eyes but did not want to be culturally insensitive."

"I have a wonderful book in the library." He said and paused, almost as if unsure to say something. "You care for her a great deal."

"Yes. She is a very good friend of mine and has been through much."

"You love her very much."

"I've never met someone like her before. She has an amazing capacity to care. I try to care for her as much as she cares for everyone, but I always feel like I come up short."

"You're in love with her."

"What a highly inappropriate comment to make, Master Robiere."

"Only if it is not true."

"There are bounds of propriety."

"My Lady, the bounds of propriety is decided by society. If I had listened to society in my day I would not be where I am now. Oh, I know how I appear, as an old dandy whittling his time away in decadence, but I found my heart's desire years ago, and when I go home to him every night I am happy, and couldn't care less if we were in a shack or in our very nicely decorated flat."

"I do not think I know you well enough to have this conversation, and if you should continue, I think I should leave." Glinda replied tersely, embarrassed.

"Then I'll drop it, My Lady, and offer my apologies."

They sat in silence for a moment, then, just above a whisper, she said,

"I do love her, more than I can almost handle."

Robiere smiled.

Glinda walked with her arm in Robiere's as they discussed the concert. Glinda had been a classically trained singer in her youth but sorcery had grown to be her true passion so she let it lapse. Robiere himself loved to sing, but was no great talent. As such, they enjoyed themselves critiquing and praising the concert as they headed to the library. It was a large thing, made to be a storehouse of knowledge for artists who used the theater. The material was an eclectic mix from around Oz and other countries. Robiere walked them over to a cultural section but frowned when he examined the shelf.

"That's funny. It should be right here. I'll go see if it was checked out."

"No, Robiere, that is ok. Can you do me a favor? I wish to stay in here for a bit, and lose myself in my thoughts. Would you be so offended if I were to ask you to leave me here?" she asked with a shy smile.

"Of course not My Lady. You know how to get back to the suite?"

"Yes."

"Then I shall leave you to your thoughts." Robiere said, and bowed low, kissing her hand. He walked to the double doors and slowly shut them behind him. Glinda waited until he did so, then went and turned the lamp light down until it was only a flicker. She walked to the center of the room where the barest glow of light ended.

"Elphaba." She called out in the darkness. Her voice echoed off the walls and came back to her eerily. "Elphaba, are you here?"