Somewhere I

Belong

Let's Try This Again

Atlas remained by Elphaba's side, watching over her throughout the cloak of the night. The gentle flicker of yellows, entwined in fiery oranges and twisted in reds cast a dark shadow to crest over his face, darkening his appearance. Silence reined, save for the gentle pulse of Elphaba's weakened heart, echoing in the darkness.

For weeks, he stayed watching over her, the fallen Angel of Darkness; her silent sentinel, guarding and protecting her from the darkness of the shadows; invisible phantoms riding on the currents of the east, the four horsemen of the Apocalypse, seeking to destroy the one who would herald the end of the Silence.

Many of times, Aeryella, the rest of the Sprytes, the Animals of the Resistance and Doctor Dillamond frequented the room, checking to see what little progress, the emerald witch of the west had made, only to leave with their hearts heavy with sorrow.

Elphaba had not regained consciousness, since her abrupt "wake up" call a few weeks prior, which left Atlas still a bit shaken inside. And her fever, had yet to break, which worried the old mage all the more.

It troubled and infuriated him to no end. After all, why in Oz's name should he care whether or not this woman survives? She was of no consequence to him, just another victim to the Wizard's propaganda. A high, spirited young woman who's only fault was to do good, only to find herself casted into the realm of darkness for a good deed punished by the loving guide of a foolish heart.

She was idealistic, a rebel without a cause, fiery, with a temper that would set many asunder. She was strong, yet weak in heart and mind; an innate innocence, shimmered within her, hidden beneath a veil of sarcasm and wit. In other words, she was a lost soul, seeking to find her place in this wretched world.

A sigh and he turns and for a moment he stares, mesmerized, at the emerald beauty lying before him. Her features were hard, yet a hidden softness could be seen, hidden just beneath the surface. A delicateness that only he could see shimmered back at him, stilling him.

His heart twisted tight in his chest as he stared at the emerald beauty. Her soft, even breathes filled his ears, and pounded in time with his wretched heartbeat. Her soft lips were pursed, and a few lose raven strands of silk fell over her forehead, the tips tickling the fine bruise, pulsing against her cheek. Her long, black eye lashes curled gently, and danced along the edge of her high cheekbones.

Absently, his hand reaches out, and threads with hers. Inwardly he winced, feeling the cool tingle of her skin pressed against his, and a hidden ache, rippled like a stone across his heart.

Tenderly, he brought their entwined hands up to his chest. The tips of her fingers lightly brushed against his skin making him shiver. He could feel it, his beat of his heart, pulsing hard against the pads of his fingers, and yet he ignored it, for all he could focus on, was the emerald angel.

"Elphaba" whispers Atlas.

"How is she?" came a soft voice. Startling and shattering Atlas out of the crystal veil, falling in around him. "Has she awakened yet?"

"No" sighs Atlas. Absently, he lowered their hands back down to the bed. Weakly, he untangled his fingers with hers. "She still moans in her sleep, and the fever has yet to break"

"And you?" Slowly, Aeryella steps up behind Atlas. A sigh and she rests a slender hand on the wise mage's shoulder. She could feel it, tingle against the tips of her fingers,; love vibrate from deep within Atlas's heart, and yet he cloaked it beneath indifference and rage.

"What do you want Areyie?" growls Atlas. He knew what Aeryella was doing, and he hated her for it. He wasn't ready to open his heart to another and he knew he never would be.

"Doctor Dillamond requested I give you this" sighs Aeryella.

Atlas turns, and eyes the steaming mug of bubbling liquid, clasped loosely in Aeryella's hands. Frowning, he looks up, and quirks an inquisitive eyebrow up at the Elder Spryte.

"And…what's that?"

"It's Lavender Bay leaf" smiles Aeryella. Holding it out, she waits for Atlas to grab it. A few minutes pass, and he makes no move to take the offered drink. Sighing, she pulls the mug against her chest. "It's tea Atlas"

"Oh…then why didn't you say so" chuckling, Atlas takes the mug from Aeryella, and eyeing it, turns and casts a suspicious glare back at the Spryte, before tipping his head back and swallowing the foul brew.

"And what's with that face?" scoffs Aeryella. Angrily, she clicks her heels together as her fisted hands rise and press against her slender waist.

"I thought you were drugging me" burps Atlas. Wiping his mouth with the end of his sleeve, he turns and hands Aeryella the empty cup. For a moment, the two stare back at each other, dark emerald vying with glaring chocolate. "What? What's with that look?"

"You honestly thought me to drug you? Come on Atlas what kind of person do you take me for" stopping, she holds out a finger, silencing Atlas. "Don't answer that"

"Well…you were an agent of the Shadows remember" waggling his eyebrows, he smiles back at a now fuming Aeryella. A growl, and her hand clenches into a fist, shattering the mug. "Wow…so how's the spinach intake going for you Popeye?"

"Atlas" growls Aeryella through clenched teeth. Her fist tightens, making the remaining shards crumble into dust and sift through her clenched fingers.

"Yes" smiles Atlas unperturbed.

"How many times…have I told you…to never bring up my past…hmmmm?" growls Aeryella.

"Ah…gee" smirks Atlas. A mischievous glint, sparkles in his eyes as his finger rises and presses against his chin. "I honestly can't recall"

"Atlas" lounging forward, Aeryella grabs hard onto the collar of Atlas's shirt. A grunt and she pulls him to his feet. Her head lowers, until the tip of her nose bumps into his. "Don't. Ever. Ever. Bring up my past again…understood" huffs Aeryella. A darkened shadow, an aura appears around the Elder Sprytes body, pulsing and quivering in time with her rage.

"Ah don't get your panties in a twist" nonchalantly, Atlas waves off Aeryella's threat. She was powerful yes, and truthfully pretty scary, which is what kept many of the members of Resistance to stay a far distance away from the Spryte; especially when she was really pissed off. But only a few, like Atlas, Bonileea and Chrystilena knew that beneath that hard, scary exterior, lay a big softie, a teddy bear in need of a great big hug.

"Crystal" smirks Atlas. A huff and Aeryella lets go. "So…what's the big cheeses upstairs up too?"

"They are all waiting for Elphaba to awaken" explains Aeryella sighing. Turning, she takes a seat in the far corner.

"Why?" frowns Atlas.

"Why do you ask me questions you already know the answers too?" growling, Aeryella's fingers rise and press against her aching temple. Oz, if there was one thing she hated, it was stupidity.

"Like I'm supposed to know what the Elders are up too?" frowns Atlas.

"They won't make a move until Elphaba wakes up…and you as well as I know exactly why they are doing this" growls Aeryella.

"Do you really believe she is it?" asks Atlas in a serious tone.

"Of course…why wouldn't I" replies Aeryella softly.

"It's just" turning, Atlas's eyes soften as he gazes upon Elphaba's still form. "How can someone like her…lead us into battle…how in Oz can the Elders believe that this woman…this fragile beauty…be the one to strike the Silence, and end the darkness slowly falling over Oz?"
"I think the better question is" starts Aeryella as she rises from her chair. Stepping up behind Atlas, she rests a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Why can't you?"

"She's only a child Aeryella…a lost soul…how can they…how can I believe this innocent has the power to rid Oz of the Silent Shadows?"

Sighing, Aeryella's hand slides down Atlas's shoulder, and stills at his chest, and for a moment, she stood, feeling his heart beat vibrate against the pads of her fingers.

"Here"

"I don't" turning, Atlas stares confused back at Aeryella.

"Your heart…it'll never lead you astray" is all Aeryella says, before winking and turning, leaving Atlas alone with his thoughts.

"My heart" whispers Atlas. Absently, his fingers rise and caress the spot where Aeryella's was.

Silence follows, before a light moan knocks him from his thoughts. Turning, his eyes widen, as Elphaba's long black lashes flutter open. Dark chocolate stares vacantly back into shimmering emerald.

"Who…where…am I?" croaks Elphaba weakly.

"You're alright…your safe" whispers Atlas gently.

"Where am I?" repeats Elphaba again, fear tinged deep in her voice.

"You're in the Underground"

"The Resistance" breathes Elphaba.

"Yes"

"And…you?" asks Elphaba.

"I'm Atlas…the Mage of the Resistance"

"Did…did I do that…to your face?" whispers Elphaba, her voice cracking slightly.

Slowly, Atlas's hand rises and cups his cheek. A wince and his fingers lower.

"Yeah" smiles Atlas.

"Oh…how…how long have I" starts Elphaba.

"You've been unconscious for a few months now…it was touch and go there for a long time" smiles Atlas.

"Why…why would you have even bothered?" frowns Elphaba.

"You don't know your purpose yet…do you?" asks Atlas.

"Do you?" counters Elphaba.

"Touché" smirks Atlas.

"Why am I here?" asks Elphaba darkly.

"To help the Resistance defeat the Silence"