AN: I AM SO SORRY GUYS! I know I promised on update to some of you on Sunday, then I discovered a ton of homework for Monday I had forgotten about, so I had to do that. Life has gotten busy with school and everything and a trip into NYC for the first time: yes I did get to see Wicked, which is the 2nd time I have seen it. Again, I am sorry but here you go. And just so everyone knows: this chapter kicked my butt and has been difficult to write. I knew what was supposed to happen but it was not coming out in writing the way I wanted it too. WARNING: THIS CHAPTER IS A LITTLE MORE VIOLENT THAN I NORMALLY DO.

The group of Gale Soldiers assigned to join the Wizard and Fiyero was a somber one, for both men could see the worry mingled with anger glisten in the eyes of each man standing at attention. The intensity in the air was thick, that one could almost slice it with a knife. The group knew where they were headed, but they were afraid of what they would find. That same fear resonated deep within the hearts of the entire group, down to the last soldier.

As the group made it to the corn exchange, the tension grew even thicker. The tension shattered when a shrill scream tore through the air. Oscar lunged forward towards the door, only to be yanked back by his captain of the guard.

"Why did you pull me back? That is my daughter in there you bastard!" The Captain's expression turned grim as he explained.

"We do not know the current situation and just barging in may do more harm than good at this point! If you want your daughter back safely, you and Master Fiyero will obey my orders, despite your status." Reluctantly, Oscar nodded and pulled back.

After assuring himself of Oscar and Fiyero's compliance, he nodded to one of the men, who drew a slim metal pick from his pocket and set to work on the door, making quick work of the lock. Soon, relief filled Oscar's heart, hearing the gentle click of the lock as the door slid open. Silently, the men filed into the building, each with their ears tuned to the slightest of sounds. Their worry increased as the sounds of a struggle reached them. This time, the captain could not hold back Oscar as he and Fiyero raced for the stairs. As they burst through the door, the sight that met them sickened them.

"Elphaba!"


Angry at Elphaba's lack of participation, Avaric backhanded her across the face, the diamond ring he wore tearing across her cheek. When that failed to get a response, he repeatedly swung his belt down across her torso and legs, screaming at her.

"Open your eyes dammit! I know you want this! Now be a good girl and tell me how good it feels to have my hands in a place no man has ever been!" He continued his crazed rage and rained down painful blows on Elphaba's already beaten form.


Elphaba felt as though she was swimming in a thick fog. She vaguely remained aware of the feel of Avaric's fingers touching her between her legs and every fiber of her being screamed to move away from the intrusion and the pain ripping through her, but her body refused to obey. She could have sworn she heard her father call her name but found she had no strength or energy to even try and respond. It was with open arms that she welcomed the blackness as the fog in her mind grew even heavier and she lost all consciousness.

Avaric was so intent on his activities with Elphaba that he was startled out of his rage when a hand grabbed his wrist as he went to bring the belt down across Elphaba's torso once again. It was with panic that he realized he was looking at the Wizard's Captain of the Guard. He started to struggle.

"You don't want to do that." The Captain spoke in a deceptively calm voice, but as Avaric looked into the man's eyes, the malevolent gleam told him the truth of his situation. Desperate, he grabbed the dagger in the Captains belt and swung it at the man, catching him in the arm, causing the Captain to lose his grip. Avaric stumbled away and raced towards the door only to be met with Fiyero blocking his only means of escape. He swung the knife again, but Fiyero, having grown up in the Vinkus dodged the knife and grabbed Avaric's arm. Without thinking, he twisted it, causing Avaric to cry out in pain.

"Not so tough now against someone who can fight back now are you?" Fiyero sneered at the older man and let go, pushing him away, and causing him to stumble to the ground. Fiyero spit on him before turning to face the interior of the room. As Avaric looked around, he realized he was well and truly trapped as more soldiers streamed into the tiny room. He raised the knife and made a desperate lunge across the room towards Elphaba in an attempt to gain a hostage. Oscar, who was headed towards his daughter, drew the dagger the soldiers had insisted he carry and praying to every God and deity he knew, threw the knife at Avaric, striking him in the stomach. It seemed time itself slowed to a halt and Avaric froze and let out an inhuman howl before taking the knife out of his stomach and attempting to advance towards the Wizard before he stumbled and fell. Everyone watched with bated breath to see if he would rise again, but the knife seemed to have done its job and Avaric breathed his last.

With the threat of Avaric out of the way, Oscar made his way over to Elphaba. His heart broke at the sight of his daughter lying unconscious and injured on the floor. He let out a breath, noticing for the first time that it was cold enough in the room for him to see his breath. With a trembling hand, he reached down, looking for a pulse. When he could not find one, he let the tears he had been holding at bay to fall.

"No! She can't be dead! I just got her back!" Everyone watched as he broke down. Fiyero gently laid a hand on Oscar's shoulder and leaned down, attempting to deny what Oscar was saying.

It was as he placed two fingers on the pulse point in her neck and waited, that he felt the most wonderful thing in the world: her pulse. He quickly jumped into action.

"I've got a pulse! It's weak but it's there. She needs a hospital, now!" The skin under his hand was cold, but as he put a hand to her forehead, he realized she was burning withy fever. Quickly, he stripped off his coat and gently lifted her into his arms as the group made their way to the carriage.

As they got to the hospital, Fiyero was forced to release her into the medical staff's care.

Oscar made to follow, but was stopped by the Doctor.

"Sir you cannot go in there!"

"But, but I am the Wonderful Wizard of Oz and that is my daughter clinging to life in there. I am going in!" Oscar exploded and grabbed the Doctor's arm.

"I don't give a damn if you are the Unnamed God himself, you cannot go in there! Now if you want your daughter to live, I suggest you unhand me and let me do my job! Rest assured sir, she is in the best hands possible right now." With a swirl of his white coat, he whisked away through the doors Elphaba had been taken through moments before, leaving Oscar and Fiyero with nothing to do but wait and try not to give in to the desperate thoughts running through their minds.