Guest: I don't even want to think about what would have happened to me if I had laughed any harder. And now you're not trusting me? ME? What in Oz did I do? The bad thing that should have everybody worrying hasn't even happened yet! Really? I gave you fluffy Fiyeraba and this is how you treat me?!

Nelly: OMO! I'm so sorry! I totally forgot about that! My bad!

"F-Father?"

Elphaba sensed her father move closer and gently grasp her hand. "Fabala, why are you out here all by yourself?" Frex asked.

Elphaba frowned. She was more than capable of being outside by herself. "I was just about to go back to my room."

Frex nodded and slowly released Elphaba's hand. "How are you?"

"Fine. Why do you ask?"

"Nessa sent me this letter a few days ago," Frex said, pulling a folded piece of paper out of his pocket.

Elphaba stiffened and bit her lip. "How… what does it say?"

"My dear Father," Frex read. "School is wonderful. I am doing very well in all of my classes, and so is Fabala. I know you'll be very proud. I am writing to you in regards to Fabala. It appears she is being bullied by two of the girls here. They attacked her and beat her. She is refusing to tell Madame Morrible about it. I'm worried about her, Father. I fear that if something is not done, the problem will only get worse. She says that she doesn't want any of us to get involved, but she refuses to do something about it herself. I hope you will be able to help. Your loving daughter, Nessarose."

Elphaba felt her face turn red. Nessa had written to their father about her behind her back. The rage began to grow inside of her and she angrily balled her hands into fists.

"Fabala," Frex began. "Is something going on?" In reality, he knew the answer. He knew that because of Elphaba's green skin and blindness, she was an easy target for ridicule and hatred. That was the exact reason why he didn't want to send her to Shiz in the first place.

"It's nothing, Father," Elphaba said, trying to keep her voice strong. She could feel it, the pity in her father's voice. And she loathed pity.

"Elphaba, Nessa wouldn't have written a letter if it was nothing," Frex pointed out.

"Nessa worries too much," Elphaba said, shaking her head. "I'm fine. Really."

Frex sighed. "Fabala…"

"Elphie!" an all-too-familiar perky voice called. An oof and Elphaba was attacked in a massive bear hug. Giggling, Galinda looked up at her roommate. "Hi."

"Hi, Glin," Elphaba said calmly.

Galinda frowned and was about to question her roommate's lack of excitement when she noticed an older man standing next to her. "Oh, hello, Governor Thropp," she said politely, giving the governor a small curtsey.

"You must be Miss Galinda Upland," Frex smiled, extending his hand for the blonde to shake.

"Of the Upper Uplands," Galinda smiled, politely shaking the governor's hand. Oz, how she hated it when people didn't use her full title.

"Father!" a cheerful voice called.

Frex turned around and smiled, seeing his youngest quickly wheel over to him with a short, Munchkin boy speed walking behind her. Kneeling, he engulfed Nessa in a caring hug. "My precious Nessarose."

Elphaba made a low growling sound in the back of her throat. She couldn't believe that Nessa had done this to her.

Galinda noticed how fuming Elphaba looked and gently took her hand. "Elphie."

Elphaba felt the blonde slip her hand into hers and relaxed. "Thank you," she whispered.

"How are you, Nessa?" Frex asked.

"I'm very well, Father," Nessa smiled. A cough and she turned towards Boq. "Oh. Father, this is Boq. Boq, this is my father."

"H-Hello," Boq said, his voice slightly squeaking, despite his efforts to remain calm.

"It's a pleasure, Master Boq. Nessarose has told me so much about you," Frex said, smiling slightly as he shook the boy's hand.

"Mmhmm," Boq squeaked, starting to lose feeling in his hand.

"Father, you're hurting him," Nessa said, trying to help Boq free his hand.

"Oh. My apologies," Frex said, releasing the Munchkin's hand.

"No problem," Boq said, his voice still high pitched.

Nessa giggled as she gently kissed Boq's hand. "Does that make it better?"

"No," the Munchkin whimpered, lightly smacking his right hand against his thigh, trying to regain feeling. "On the bright side, I'm a lefty."

Nessa giggled again and gave Boq's hand another kiss. "Is it better now?"

Boq looked into the brunette's eyes and smiled. "Yeah," he said slowly, giving his girlfriend a goofy grin. For a moment, he completely forgot that he was in pain.

Galinda looked up and saw Fiyero approaching them. She tried to give him a subtle headshake, trying to warn him, but it was too late.

"Fae, I just realized that you left one of your books in my ro- Governor Thropp," Fiyero said, his voice slightly squeaking at the end.

Frex's expression turned cold as he laid eyes on the young prince.

"Father, this is Fiyero Tigulaar," Elphaba introduced, though she knew her father knew who he was.

"Master Tigulaar," Frex said, his voice colder than his glare.

Fiyero tried his best not to shrink under the governor's gaze.

"He's just a friend, Father," Elphaba lied, not wanting her father to overreact.

"Fabala, don't lie," Nessa admonished.

"Shut up, Nessa!" Elphaba hissed, sending an angry glare in her sister's direction.

"Elphie!" Galinda whispered, squeezing Elphaba's arm.

"Would you like to join us for dinner, Father?" Nessa asked, casually changing the subject, which only infuriated Elphaba all the more.

Frex smiled. "I wouldn't want to intrude." He turned to Fiyero. "But I would like to talk to Master Tigulaar."

It was hard to tell who looked more scared; Elphaba or Fiyero.

"We'll just be over here," Galinda smiled, gently pulling Elphaba away and motioned for Nessa and Boq to follow her.

Once they were out of earshot, Frex turned towards Fiyero. The poor prince looked like a baby deer that lost its mother. He looked like he was about to burst into tears of fear at any given second. Though no one could blame him. Frex was intimidating.

"Master Tigulaar," Frex began.

"F-Fiyero's fine," Fiyero managed to say without squeaking.

"Master Tigulaar." Fiyero wondered in Frex had heard him. "You know Fabala."

It wasn't a question. It was a statement. A fact.

Fiyero nodded. "Yes, sir. We're dating."

The look Frex gave him told the prince suddenly began wondering if he should begin fearing for his life. Could he escape? Did he have enough time to write to his family and tell them how much he loved them?

"For how long?"

"About… a few months, now."

Frex narrowed his eyes. Fiyero slowly shrank away, feeling as though Frex was looking into his soul. He took a deep breath. "I know, sir, that my reputation isn't… the most… reputable. But I can assure you that –"

"You're dating my eldest daughter," Frex interrupted. "Why?"

"Wh- What?"

"Is it some type of joke or trick? Because if it is, I can assure you that –"

"It's not a joke, Governor Thropp," Fiyero said. He knew he shouldn't have interrupted the governor, but he didn't want him to finish that sentence. "I love Elphaba for who she is; the smart, beautiful, caring girl that she is."

Frex slightly softened at this, which didn't go unnoticed by Fiyero. He could tell that Frex had never heard such things about his daughter.

"I love her, and she loves me. I would never do anything to hurt her," Fiyero continued.

"Has Fabala been to your room?"

Fiyero stiffened. "How… what makes you think that?"

"You were about to say that she left one of her book in your room," Frex said, nodding to the book that was still in Fiyero's hands.

Aren't I brainless? Fiyero mentally face palmed. "No. I… I mean yes. She was in my room. But we didn't… do… anything. I mean, we were studying and it got late and… she fell asleep."

"She fell asleep in your room," Frex clarified.

Fiyero played with the collar of his shirt. "Y-Yes, sir. But we didn't… I… I gave her my bed and I slept on the couch. We weren't… in the same… we didn't… And then the next morning, I woke her up early and escorted her back to her room." Oz, this man was making him feel very uncomfortable.

Frex sighed. "Boys at this age are one of three things. They're either useless, idiots, or useless idiots."

"I can assure you, sir, that I am none of those things," Fiyero said, deciding to brush off the fact that his girlfriend's father called him a useless idiot.

"Do you intend to marry her?"

That question came out of nowhere. Fiyero stumbled back, startled. "I mean… marry?"

"Yes."

"I… I do love Fae, but –"

"Fae?"

"It's my nickname for her."

"And she calls you…?"

"Yero."

Frex nodded for the prince to continue.

"I do love Fae, but I wasn't going to propose until we graduated."

"So, you've thought about it?"

"Yes, a little. I've never met a girl like Fae. In a good way," he added quickly. "And when… if she's ready, I would like to spend the rest of my life with her."

"Glin, what is my father saying?" Elphaba asked, gently nudging the blonde.

"Well… Fiyero's not cowering in fear anymore, so maybe that's a good sign," Galinda reported.

"Well, Fiyero, it seems that you have proven that you genuinely care about Elphaba," Frex said.

Fiyero smiled, realizing that the governor didn't call him 'Master Tigulaar'. "I do."

Frex smiled. It wasn't a large smile, but it was a smile nonetheless. "Very well, then. I'm glad we had this opportunity to talk."

"Me too, Governor Thropp," Fiyero said, shaking Frex's hand.

Turning, the two men walked over to where Nessa, Elphaba, Boq and Galinda were waiting.

"Are you staying, Father?" Nessa asked as her father leaned over to give her a hug.

"No. I'm sorry, Nessa. I must go back to Munchkinland now," Frex said, rising and walking over to Elphaba. "Goodbye, Fabala."

"Goodbye, Father," Elphaba said, giving her father a small smile as she wrapped her arms around him in a hug. "Have a safe trip back."

"Thank you," Frex said as he turned and walked off.

"Are you okay, Fiyero?" Nessa asked as she watched the prince wrap her sister in a gentle hug.

"I thought I was gonna pee my pants," Fiyero whimpered.

"At least he didn't kill your hand," Boq retorted.

"What did my father say, Yero?" Elphaba asked, gently pulling away.

"We just talked, that's all," Fiyero reassured her.

"Galinda said you were cowering in fear."

"I was not cowering!" Fiyero protested.

"Fifi, you were cowering," Galinda said simply.

"Hey, I'm still alive, my pants are still dry, and I still have my hand, thank you very much. I think it went pretty well, don't you think?"

"And my father… he approved of… us?" Elphaba asked unsurely.

"He did. He wasn't doing a happy dance, but he approved of… us," Fiyero smiled, passionately kissing his girlfriend.

"I was so worried that he wouldn't," Elphaba said once they pulled away.

"I can understand why."

"Did he ask you a lot of questions?"

"Yes."

"Did he make you feel uncomfortable?"

"Very."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. What concerned parent wouldn't ask a lot of questions?"

"He didn't with me," Boq said.

"You're a Munchkin," Fiyero retorted.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing."

Boq pouted, but stopped talking.

"You don't have a scandalous reputation, dear," Nessa said, gently patting the Munchkin's hand.

"Thank you," Fiyero said, innocently sticking his hands in the air.

"You're welcome," Nessa smirked as they all headed back to the dorms.

No, Frex didn't break up Fiyeraba. I don't have time to run away from the Nia Hunters. I have a lot to do, and going into hiding is not one of them. Also, how do you all like my new penname?

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