AN: Here you go! We are approaching the end, but this is not the end. I plan to finish this before updating Darkness of the Night. I also changed the title and added a new chapter to one of my one shots. It was previously called My Journal, but I changed it to Thoughts of a Witch. Feel free to go check those out, and enjoy this chapter!

The first thing Elphaba was aware of was pain, stabbing, aching pain that spread over her entire body. She tried to open her eyes, but found she did not have the energy. She became vaguely aware of voices speaking around her, but their meaning was undistinguishable. Once more, she tried to open her eyes, and succeeded, only to moan and shut them against the bright light blinding her. This time she opened them slowly and looked around the small room. She grew confused at the drab room. This was not where she had been held captive for two weeks, or her room at home. As she looked around, her gaze landed on Melena, sitting curled into a chair next to her bed.

"Mama? It hurts. " Melena's heart broke, hearing how small and weak Elphaba sounded. Glinda squeezed Melena's shoulder before speaking. "I'll go alert the doctor that she is awake." With that she turned on her heels and quickly left the room

Elphaba only became vaguely aware of the pink blur that left the room for a moment before a wave of pain sliced through her. All she could focus on at the moment was breathing through the pain that seemed to consume her entire being. She grew more and more terrified as she failed to recognize where she was. The last thing she remembered was Avaric and his roaming fingers in her most intimate areas. As the memories of the past two weeks came back to her, she grew more and more hysterical.

"Elphaba, sweetie, it's okay…you're safe now. He can't hurt you again!" Melena tried desperately to calm the distraught girl down, to no avail. The tears and dry heaves kept coming. It was with relief that Melena saw the doctor come rushing into the room. The hysterical girl in front of him did not faze him and he sat down on the edge of the bed.

He took a gentle hold on Elphaba's arms and forced her to look at him. He did not say anything, just sat there patiently, his quiet nature taking over and allowing the girl her own time.

Elphaba slowly calmed as she took in the kind gaze of the man sitting on her bed. Instinctively, she knew he was there to help and the fact that he did not force her to say anything or restrain her stilled the fear from her heart. Even his grip on her arms was strangely comforting.

Eventually, her breathing slowed and she looked up, the Doctor smiled. "Better?" She nodded.

"Good." With that he turned to Melena and spoke. "I understand she views you as her mother, but right now, would you please give us some privacy?" It was phrased as a question, but it was unmistakably a command.

She looked at Elphaba, lying in the bed, hurting, and gave a small nod before exiting. As she made her way back to the waiting room, she was almost knocked over by Oscar as he came flying through the room, followed closely by Fiyero.

"Is it true? She's awake? She's going to be okay?" The questions were fired at her so fast, she had trouble understanding him. She shook her head.

"Yes, she is awake, but we don't know the extent of any of the damage yet. She woke up and grew hysterical almost immediately. The doctor eventually got her to calm down and he is performing some tests right now. He should be able to tell us more soon." Oscar sighed, scrubbing his hands over his face.

"So, it's back to more waiting?" He sighed. "Haven't we done enough waiting already?" He sat heavily in one of the uncomfortable chairs. Melena just sat quietly next to him.

"She seemed to recognize me, she called me mama. The first thing she told me was that it hurts. Oh Oscar, I don't know what to say or do for her. I want to help, but I feel so useless." The three sat in the waiting room, each holding onto the hope that Elphaba had awakened not only on her own, but had recognized Melena. A couple hours later, the doctor came back out. He held out a hand as they all began to speak at once.

"I am happy to say I have much better news this time. She seems to be doing okay. We performed several tests to determine where she is at mentally, and initial brain scans show very minimal damage. She may be hazy for a little while regarding the past few weeks, but as far as functions, education, recognition etc., she should be just fine. I also conducted a few tests to check the state of her hypothermia, and that seems to be progressing nicely. She still has a long road to recovery, but given time, she should be okay."

They all heaved a sigh of relief, before Fiyero asked, "Can we see her?"

"She is asleep at the moment, but if you are quiet and do not wake her up, I don't see why not."

Fiyero was confused. "Asleep? But she just woke up again! Why would she sleep if she is going to be okay?"

"She was unconscious, not asleep. During that time, her mind is not resting. Her body is also using all its energy to heal itself from the injuries sustained during her capture. She almost died, and her body needs rest in order to have the strength to heal. She will most likely sleep a lot these next few days, and be groggy and confused when she is awake. Do not worry, that is natural. Go on ahead."

They all started forward, getting in each other's way, before laughing at themselves. Finally, Melena spoke up.

"Oscar, you are her father, you go spend some time with her first." He looked at her, searching her eyes for a long moment before nodding.

"When this is over, you and I need to have a serious talk with Elphaba, about us." She looked at him with a radiant smile, and grabbed a confused Fiyero by the arm to sit back down.

Oscar stepped quietly into the room and eased himself down into the chair next to the bed and tried to keep what the doctor had said, in the forefront of his mind. Mentally, he kept repeating that she would be just fine in his head, until his racing heart, finally stilled. He reached over and smoothed an errant curl away from her face before leaning over and placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.

She stirred slightly and opened her eyes. "Hi Papa. Love you." She smiled sleepily before falling back into a deep slumber. He smiled at her.

"I love you too sweetie." It was that simple affirmation from her that finally convinced Oscar that things just might turn out okay.