Author's note: Thank you to Opheliatheactress for reviewing. Glinda knows it, and Elphaba somewhere does to, but there's still that little problem of Fiyero hanging between them.

Thank you to MyLittleElphie for reviewing. I tried. :) I may have written the dream sequence after all the reactions to Wynne. And had too much fun writing it. And yes, Elphie is getting there. But like I said to Ophelia, there's still that Fiyero thing standing between them.

Thank you to heatqueen for reviewing. At least I got someone. :) Wynne has at least one more role to play in this story. Hopefully she redeems herself a bit. And I'm glad you like the bath scene. I don't know what it is with me and bath scenes. I promise I don't purposely put them there. The ending is not sinister at all, it's just…well, I'll let you read. ;). Finally, as for Glinda being a classically trained singer: I wouldn't feel it too far out of the way for a young lady to be trained to sing as it would improve their marriage stock. I just assumed she stopped it shortly after arriving at Shiz. Elphaba, if she was trained to sing, I could see being self-taught as no one in her family would think it worthwhile to train her. Also, it is one of my many tip of the hats to the fact I'm writing ff for a musical; like Glinda humming popular when making over Elphie in an earlier chapter. Or my Mary Poppins reference.

Thank you to cestlavie23 for reviewing. That they were, and that's after the edits to keep them in T.

Thank you to cuppasound for reviewing. I'm glad you got a good giggle out of it. And thanks for the compliments. I'm fond of libraries myself, for various reasons.

Thanks to nursejoy7 for reviewing. I'm happy you love it.

Thanks to Tris Prior 121601. Thank you and I plan on it.

This chapter is a bit shorter than usual, but I cut it where I think it's best, and that's all I'm going to say. ;)

I'm also sorry it's late.

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

3/17/2014

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

When that brought no response she started to wonder if she had drawn the wrong conclusion, but her heart knew she had not. Elphaba was one to hide when things unsettled her. She walked the library rows, between desks and aisles, searching for the words to draw her out.

"Elphie, my beautiful girl, are you here for me?" Glinda tried again, and this time heard the light scuffling of feet. She smiled to herself. Elphaba tended to be thrown off her poise when complimented. It was one of the things Glinda loved about her. She glided back towards the center of the library.

"My emerald beauty, are you here? I feel so alone." Glinda tried again, her voice tinged with a bit of manufactured fear.

"You are never alone, Glinda. I'll always be with you." Elphaba voice rang across the library. It was her usual, strong and confident; but the soft, caring, confused tone she had when her emotions threatened to overwhelm her. Glinda caught a scent of sandalwood and knew she was close.

"My love, are you here for me?" Glinda melodically spoke, putting desperation into her voice. "I need you."

Strong arms enveloped Glinda from behind. Sandalwood washed over her.

"I will always be here when you need me, my sweet."

Glinda relaxed into the embrace, savoring the heat of Elphaba's body. An oddity of her love was that she had a slightly higher body temperature than normal. Glinda unconsciously synchronized her breathing with Elphaba's. She loved this feeling. It felt so…safe. However, right now she needed to settle some things. She turned around slowly and looked into Elphaba's eyes. There was love and confusion behind them, but also something else. Glinda admired the reflection of the flicking lamplight for a moment, then stepped back.

"You heard?" she asked.

"Yes. There's a secret passage to the box. It doesn't look like it has been used in years. I decided to drop by and say hello, but had to wait until there was a lull. That's when I heard you two talking." Elphaba replied and trailed off into silence.

"How did you like the music?"

"It was pleasant. A couple of the chorus members were a little off. I…" Elphaba started but trailed off again. Glinda reached up a hand and stroked her emerald love's cheek.

"We can discuss this tomorrow. It's late now and we should probably go to bed." Glinda coaxed gently but saw Elphaba tense when she said bed. "I can sleep on the couch in the parlor, if you want."

"No. I can do that."

Glinda's light laughter filled the air and she saw Elphaba smile in the dying lamplight. "My emerald beauty, you wouldn't fit on the couch. You're far too tall. I'll be just fine."

"No. Stay with me. A bed without you feels…unnatural."

"If that is your wish." Glinda answered and, as if listening to their conversation, the light extinguished, casting them into darkness.

"It is my wish." Elphaba's voice came, filling the room. She broke contact from Glinda, leaving the blonde (well, naturally blonde) woman to grasp out in the dark.

"Elphie, you aren't going to leave me here, are you?" Glinda asked, a slight hint of real fear creeping into her voice.

"Of course not, my sweet. Haven't I told you I'd never leave you again?" Elphaba's voice came from everywhere. An arm wrapped around her waist and she was led towards a different passage than from where she came in. Elphaba's hot breath was in here ear, and it made her shiver in delight. "But tell me my sweet, what made you dim the lights and call out for me like that?"

"I've noticed you always feel safer in the dark. I figured sicne you were upset making it so you could see me, but not I you, would help."

"I am not upset. Just…confused."

"I can understand that. As for calling out, it was a game my Popsicle and I would play. He would hide in the manor at night, and I would look for him. If I couldn't find him, I'd call out like that, and he'd come out of nowhere and hug and kiss me."

"Tell me, is there any a time you did not get what you want?"

"Only a few and they made me dreadfully upset." Glinda said, pouting.

The emerald woman chuckled as she led her blind blonde friend about the dark secret corridors back to their suite.

As they returned to the room the two women began to get ready for bed. Every so often they would stop and look at the other, wanting to say something, but move on. Finally, Glinda went to clean up from the night, walking into the bathroom and shutting the door. Elphaba felt a pang of something as the blonde did not ask her to join or sit with her as was custom. Elphaba shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts, and changed into a nightdress. Grabbing the spell book they had been given, she attempted to review their earlier lessons. It seemed like she had just started when Glinda came back out, dressed in her own nightgown.

"Done so soon?" Elphaba asked confused.

"What do you mean? I was in there for at least a half an hour." Glinda replied just as confused. Elphaba frowned. She had not even gone over a few sentences of what she had wanted to review.

"Huh. I must be more tired than I thought." Elphaba replied, taking off her reading glasses. She placed them next to the bed and looked at Glinda, who had not moved. "You coming to bed?"

"Elphie, look, I know you said it's fine, but if-" she started timidly.

"Glinda, I'm not afraid of you jumping me in your sleep. And if you're not here I won't sleep anyway. If you're alright with it, then I'm alright with it. Ok?"

"Ok." Glinda replied in the same voice, and moved to the bed. Elphaba held back the covers for her. She crawled into bed and Elphaba drew the covers over her. It always amused and warmed the green woman when she watched Glinda burrow into the blankets to find the most comfortable position. Elphaba scooted and placed an arm around her. Glinda wiggled around so she was buried in her customary spot in Elphaba shoulder. Nightly ritual completed, Glinda sighed in contentment.

"Hey Elphie?" Glinda' soft voice came.

"Yes, Glinda?"

"Tomorrow, right?"

"Tomorrow, of course."

"Ok. One other thing?"

"Yes, my sweet?"

"How could you see me in the dark? You seemed to know exactly where I was."

"It's strange, my sweet. I could almost sense you. I'd catch flashes of rose and light, almost like a summer day. I just knew it was you."

"That's interesting. Has it always been like that?"

"No. It has only happened recently."

"Huh. I wonder why?"

"Me too. But that's a thought for brains not clouded in fog. Now, sleep."

"You'll be here in the morning, right?" Glinda worried dreamily. Elphaba knew the warmth and softness were taking its toll on the blonde.

"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"

"You like to run when things get emotional."

"I promise I'll be right here, Glinda my sweet."

"That's good. I don't know what I would do if you weren't here." She mumbled, and Elphaba could tell she was soon deep asleep. Elphaba held her close, wondering what in Oz she was going to do about this situation.

The Adept stared at the Wittica Opera House. She sighed. The letter she had tracked from Frottica had led her here. Her observations over the past few days told her there was more going on than Glinda just hiding out here. While she may have been able to handle the unknown factors herself, she thought it best to get back up instead. However, she knew she could not ask for help from the Gale Force with everything that was going on in the City, and she did not official exist to anyone else. She'd have to hire some locals.

The Adept made her way back to Minkos Manor. She could simply have walked to the front door but did not want her love to know she was there. It was always so hard to drag herself away, and the Adept feared she would not have the strength to do it. As such, she cast a concealing spell and snuck into the Manor. She made her way to her room, and saw the sleeping form there. She smiled to herself, and quietly gathered the secret stash of currency she kept in case of emergencies. As she went to depart she scribbled a quick note and sealed it, leaving it on the desk. Her love would probably think she magicked it there. With that, she snuck out of the Manor and went to her business. She had a very few short days to get everything accomplished.

It was late morning by the time the two witches got out of bed. Not awoke; but finally dragged themselves out of bed. In the night Glinda had to go to the facilitates as usual, and the ritual of snuggling Elphaba back to sleep was a comforting one. Afterwards the blonde did not sleep, savoring what could be the last time she was held in her love's arm. The thought brought tears to her eyes, but she calmed herself because she did not want to wake Elphaba. After a few hours of drinking in her love, trying to burn the feeling into her mind forever, Elphaba began to stir. Glinda knew if she found her awake they would have to get up and talk. She turned over and steadied her breathing, feigning sleep.

Elphaba looked at (what she thought was) the sleeping woman in her arms. She looked peaceful, happy. Elphaba loved Glinda with all her heart, and did not want to lose her friend. This last almost year was one of the best of her life. However, she also did not want to lead her on to something that could not happen. She wanted her to be happy. Elphaba frowned. She tried to find a thought in her mind that was not shifting back in forth. She finally found it, a feeling of peace and contentment with holding Glinda in her arms like this, and focused on that instead. Whatever would come, would come. Knowing herself, probably awkwardly and wrong at least the first few times. Elphaba sighed and just enjoyed the feeling of contentment.

By late morning Glinda could no longer feign sleep as she felt the familiar urge beckon her again. She cursed her small bladder and began to shift and stir as if she was waking. Elphaba, who knew her to be awake for at least a half an hour, simply played along. Glinda yawned.

"Morning, Elphie."

"Morning, Glinda. How did you sleep?"

"Very well. You?"

"Same."

Awkward silence hung in the air but the urge struck Glinda again and she got out of bed. As she was washing her hands she hoped she would find Elphaba lying in bed, waiting for her. Her hopes were dashed as she found the emerald woman putting on a tunic and pants.

"I'm going to grab some food and bring it back. Do you want me to grab you something?" she asked quietly.

"Sure." Glinda replied just as quietly. The emerald woman left and Glinda sat down. She knew she should get dressed, but could not muster up the energy to do so. After about ten minutes, she managed to get a robe on to cover her nightdress. That seemed to take the last of her strength and she sat at the table in the parlor. A minute later Elphaba entered, precariously balancing a tray in her hands.

"Room service." She said jovially and Glinda managed a wan smile.

The emerald woman placed the collection of fruits, cheeses, baked goods, and spreads on the table. The pair grabbed their food and ate in silence, both searching for the right words and hoping the other would start. Since neither did before they finished eating, Elphaba silently cleaned up the dishes and plates, and left. After she was gone, the blonde buried her face in her hands and cried. She could not seem to find the words nor the courage to start the most important conversation of her life. She knew she had to say something rather than let the divide between them grow. As she resolved to do something, anything, to move forward, Elphaba came back into the room, and their eyes met.

"Elphaba." She started, but seemed not to be able to get past it. Silence pressed down on them, heavy as a mountain. Then, "What did you hear last night?"

"I heard Robiere ask you if you loved me."

"And?"

"You answered yes. I'm guessing you didn't mean as just a friend."

"Not just a friend, no."

"Glinda, I don't know what to say."

"Me either."

"I care about you more than anyone else."

"I see."

"It's just…."

"Just?"

Elphaba opened her mouth to answer but both heard a pounding of feet. Elphaba and Glinda instantly ran for their wands in the other room. They grabbed them as the door burst open and the booted feet charged towards them. They aimed at the parlor door and started chanting. As the person burst through the gap they almost released their spells in surprise.

"Wynne? What the hell?" Glinda asked. "I almost spelled you."

"I'm glad…you didn't." she managed to get out.

"What is so damn important that you have to interrupt us?" Elphaba snarled and Wynne noticed the demeanor of the two ladies.

"Well, there's rioting in the Emerald City." She started.

"Who the hell cares? Why does it matter now?"

"Because the rioters burst into the Palace."

"What?" both witches exclaimed.

"Yeah, it was ugly."

"How? What? Who? What" each witch started, trying to get out questions. Wynne waved them down.

"I'll keep it short. Basically, remember how I said the Gale Force was losing soldiers left and right?"

"Yeah." Elphaba said.

"First, they tried to get them only to go out in groups of eight. That only increased their casualties. Then came the conscriptions, which I told you about. The people weren't too happy about it, but when they found out about the numbers of men the Gale Force was losing, they began to get upset. They didn't want their children to be cannon fodder."

"Rightly so." Elphaba added.

"The Gale Force decided it would be best to go into the ghettos to make a statement, and to possibly find who was doing the killings. They assumed they operated from there."

"Oh no…" Glinda murmured.

"Yeah. It wasn't pretty, apparently. The Gale Force went in with massive numbers, five hundred plus with their commander, but didn't manage to get far in. The groups there learned they were coming and hit them hard. Shingles and pots from roofs; knifes and boards from back alleys; flaming bottles from windows; the works. They caused a good bit of casualties. Needless to say, the Gale Force retreated back to headquarters. And that's where it got worse."

"The rioters followed them?" Elphaba concluded but Wynne shook her head.

"No. They weren't that gutsy yet. The Gale Force went back to their base to find everyone they left there dead."

"Oz." Elphaba said, and Glinda looked horrified.

"Yeah. From what the Resistance gathered, they all died fighting too. It was bad."

"You mean the Resistance didn't do this?" Glinda asked.

"No. They don't have that kind of strength. Encouraged the rioters, maybe; tipped off the people in the ghetto, for sure; but slaughter a few hundred Gale Forcers in their own base? I can't imagine who could do that."

"I can." Elphaba said coldly and Wynne looked at her confused until realization dawned on her.

"You're saying Duran did it? Killed all those soldiers? That's crazy."

"So's fighting fifteen White Skulls."

"That was different. He had the element of surprise. You're saying that he somehow managed to kill well over three hundred soldiers in their own base. That's impossible."

"Then who would you suggest?"

"Probably some terrorist cell."

"That happened to strike at just the right time?"

"We're getting off on a tangent here." Glinda put in sternly, trying to avert the argument. Both women stared harshly at her, but then softened.

"You're right. I apologize." Wynne said. "Anyway, when the people of the City heard this, they had enough. They stormed the gates of the Palace. The Throne Minister was not in residence at the time so it wasn't as heavily guarded as usual. The Gale Force and the Palace Guard tried hold them but it was nasty fighting, up close and personal. They made for the Throne Room, assuming that's where the Minister would be. And that's when it happened."

"What?" Glinda asked and Wynne looked nervously at the two witches.

"Your friend, the Scarecrow, tried to get everyone to stop fighting. Apparently being made of straw allows him to be immune to most injury."

"Sounds like something he would do." muttered Elphaba.

"Well, as he was trying to get it to stop, somehow a lantern got broken. Deliberate or not, we don't know. What we do know is that the Scarecrow got caught in it."

"No." Glinda breathed and sat down. She was in shock. She reached her hand out and took Elphaba's. the emerald woman was in shock.

"Yes. He disappeared, apparently trying to find something to fight the flame, but it was too late. After the Administration got control of the Palace, all they found was his hat, burned around the edges." Wynne finished quietly. Elphaba hit her knees.

"No…Fiyero." She breathed as tears began streaming down her face. Wynne looked from her to Glinda and saw tears there also.

"I'll leave you two. You have my condolences." she said quietly, sincerely, and then departed.

There was silence now, until Elphaba fell forward, slamming her fists into the ground.

"Why, Fiyero? Damnit, why?" she sobbed., pounding her fists into the floor again and again. "I had the spell, we were going to come back and make you human. Why?"

Glinda hurt, but not in the way Elphaba did. She had lost Fiyero once and though in the past year had reconnected with him, it was not as real as what Elphaba had. She still did not feel as if it was the real Fiyero, but Scarecrow Fiyero. She tucked her pain away and bent down to grab her love's shoulders.

"Come here, Elphie." She said, and maneuvered the emerald woman until her head was in her lap. "Let it out."

The emerald woman sobbed into Glinda's lap as she stroked her hair. There were no words of comfort; there were no words that would comfort. Glinda was simply near, and Elphaba hugged her close, clinging to Glinda as if her life depended on it. At that moment Glinda it became real to her that she was the last thing Elphaba had left in the world. She silently promised she would not pursue her feelings anymore for Elphaba's sake. The emerald woman cried herself out, and then attempted a bitter laugh.

"Oz. It seems all I do is cry and you hold me."

"Quite the reversal from school, is it not?" Glinda replied, attempting at a joke. Elphaba smiled.

"Glinda, I…"

"I'm here for you, Elphaba. I'll always be your best friend. As for the rest, don't worry about it." She said gently. Elphaba looked at her strangely. "Elphie, are you ok?"

"I…I…" she started, but looked away. Glinda bent closer, to see the emerald woman's face, but like lightning she turned. Some emotion was on her face, but Glinda could not read it before green lips crushed against hers. To say she was shocked was to put it lightly; he was stunned. A minute ago Elphaba had been crying over her lost love; now she was pressing her lips desperately into Glinda's. Yes, desperately, needfully. Glinda understood. Elphaba was scared and needed comfort. Solace. She wanted to feel something other than pain.

Glinda gently pulled the emerald woman of her dreams back, breaking away from the thing she wanted most in the world and would most likely never experience again. She stared into those chocolate eyes full of pain and confusion.

"Elphie. You're hurting. I understand but I don't want you to do something you'll regret later. Something I'll regret later. Do you understand?"

"Yes." Elphaba intoned hollowly.

"Ok. How about we crawl into bed and sleep this day away?"

"Sounds good." Elphaba replied tiredly, and Glinda knew it was the right thing to do and it would be best in the long run.

Or that is what would have happened if Glinda's her heart had not overrode her head. In reality, she pulled her emerald love close to her. Elphaba rose, not breaking lip contact and leaned over Glinda on the bed. They broke finally, for air, but one gasp and they were locked together again.

Glinda's hands rode up the side of Elphaba's tunic, feeling the flex of her muscles as she suspended herself above her. Elphaba's slid down the side of Glinda's nightgown, tracing the curves as she had in her dreams. Glinda's robe got in her way, and Elphaba fumbled trying to take it off her, both jostling position while trying to keep in contact. It was in vain, and they broke the kiss. Elphaba quickly divested Glinda of the garment, and Glinda's hands slid up the under tunic of Elphaba's, throwing it off of her. Elphaba crashed into Glinda again, pushing her farther back on the expansive bed. Neither woman thought about what they were doing, just lost themselves in the closeness of the other.