A/N: This story is now on AO3 as well! (I'm GretchenMaurice there, too.)

Thanks to everyone who's reading and reviewing. Also, shout out to caliax for recommending this fic on tumblr. It made me smile a lot.

Enjoy!

What makes a being sentient? How does one prove that level of consciousness?

Books covered Elphaba's desk, overflowing onto the floor around her chair. She flipped rapidly through them, scribbling down notes and dog-earing pages as she went. Dr. Dillamond had been in the middle of analyzing the components of the brain: which areas of the mind did what, which chemicals resided in which section, actions, reactions, all coiled up and fit together to create the mind. There were comparisons—the makeup of both humans and animals—to see which one Animals were closer to.

But it wasn't finished. In fact, this part of the research had only just begun. But so far…so far, the chemical makeup of the Animal brain was identical to the human brain. Elphaba leaned back in her chair, her heart pounding. This was it. This was the proof Dillamond needed, the breakthrough he was so close to. If they could finish this research…

But how? This was farther than anyone had gone before into the biology of living beings. She knew for a fact that the library she relied so heavily on wouldn't help her now. Maybe there would be more at the boys' library, in the restricted sections. But she needed a teacher's signature to get in there, and even then it was just a shot in the dark. This was a completely new field of research. She was going to need more than a library to help her this time.

Elphaba now understood why Morrible had gotten rid of Dr. Dillamond when she did. He needed his labs—it was crucial at this point—and she had cut him off from that. The green girl flipped through the journal. There were notes on the results of his latest experiments. Maybe she could piece together what he had done and replicate it. But that would take time, which was something she didn't have. Even if she got into Dillamond's old lab, someone would catch her before she had the chance to do anything.

She closed her eyes and sighed. She was over her head here, and she was alone.

You don't have to do this alone, Elphaba.

A green hand reached up and rubbed her brow as Boq's voice came back to her from last night. He had pulled her gently aside before Glinda showed up.

"You know, you never answered my question."

The green girl tilted her head. "What question?"

"About Dr. Dillamond." Boq had lowered his voice so that Crope and Tibbett, who were busy flicking water at each other, wouldn't hear.

"I told you I didn't know anything," she said tensely.

The Munchkin crossed his arms over his chest and scowled at her. "Your tone suggests otherwise."

"What, you think I'm lying to you?"

"I think there's more to all of this than we've been told. I think you've been hiding something since Dillamond left. I think he was forced to leave for reasons other than what Morrible told—hell and Oz, it has something to do with Morrible, doesn't it?"

Elphaba had tried her hardest not to make a face at the first mention of their headmistress, but she had obviously failed. Boq was staring at her, realization and confusion, nervousness and determination all playing across his face.

"Fine," she said. "I know something. But it isn't much, and I don't want anyone else to get involved."

"But—"

"Listen to me," she hissed. She closed her eyes for a moment, pulling herself together. "I don't want anyone to get involved because yes, it has to do with Morrible. And if it's enough to get Dillamond kicked out then I don't want to know what will happen to anyone else. Whatever this is, it's controversial. Dangerous. She's dangerous. I won't put anyone else at risk."

Boq's face softened. "I want to help. I don't care about the risk. I admired Dillamond, too, and whatever he was working on is more important than the danger."

But Elphaba was shaking her head. Boq sighed. "I won't push you right now. Let's just go eat dinner. But…just think about what I said." He had reached a hand up, tentatively, and gave her arm a gentle squeeze. "You don't have to do this alone, Elphaba."

But she did. Elphaba opened her eyes, pulling herself back to the present. There was a sort of thrill every time she cracked open Dillamond's journal. If Morrible found out what she was doing…the old Goat's warnings echoed in her head. Stay away from her… You don't know what you're up against.

With a sigh, the green girl pulled the journal closer and looked at the experiment notes. She could try to recreate the procedures without going into a lab. And there was still plenty of other research she needed to go through. And if she really had to, she could ask Boq to get her into the boys' library after hours. Maybe then the Munchkin's desire to help her would be satisfied, and he would leave her alone.

Yes, that would all work. There was still so much to do outside these experiments, stuff she could do on her own. Everything would be just fine.

Elphaba picked up her pencil and began writing again just as the door swung open, revealing a tiny, upset blonde.

"Why do they hate me, Elphie?"

The green girl was distracted, still mentally buried in research and experiments and menacing headmistresses. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she had heard what Glinda said, but she couldn't bring herself to focus on it at the moment.

"Elphie?"

"What happened this time?" She didn't mean to sound so impatient, and she didn't look up to see Glinda wince.

"You know what? Just forget it." Glinda shuffled over to her side of the room and tossed her bag down.

Elphaba made a noise in the back of her throat, hardly paying any attention. The blonde huffed. "Elphie, what are you doing?"

"None of your business."

"You've been working with that old journal ever since Dr. Dillamond left. Is it his? Is that what it is, his research?"

"It's none of your business, Glinda." Now the green girl's voice was intentionally sharp—a warning.

"Why not? Why can't I know?"

"Just drop it."

Glinda pouted. "There's no need to be so mean."

"There's no need to be so nosy."

"You know, my day was bad enough without you treating me like this."

Elphaba gripped her pencil. "Please, tell me more about how the entire campus hates you. I couldn't possibly have any experience with that."

"Well at least you're used to it!"

"And I suppose I deserve it, too!"

"When you act like this, yes!"

Elphaba jumped up from her desk. "Well at least you don't hear me complaining about it every second of the day! It's almost like there's more to my life than some petty reputation!" She spun on her heel and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

Glinda grabbed the pillow on her bed—the closest thing she could reach—and threw it at the closed door. But by the time it hit the floor, all the anger had drained out of her. She walked across the room, picked up the pillow, and tossed it back to her bed.

Someone knocked on the door, so quiet that she barely heard it. Glinda opened it to see Elphaba standing there, an apology in her eyes.

"Oh, Elphie." The blonde pulled her roommate inside and wrapped her arms around her. "I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry."

"I am too." Elphaba rested her cheek on top of golden hair. "It's okay. It'll all be okay, I promise."

"Will it?" Glinda kept her face buried in the green girl's shoulder. "I lost all my other friends, and you and I keep arguing like this, and I…I don't…"

Elphaba gently hushed her. "Just give it some time. Things will settle down. You're not used to being unpopular, and I'm not used to having a friend, but we'll figure it out."

The blonde sniffed. "Promise?"

"I promise, my sweet. It'll be okay."

Glinda tightened her arms and buried herself further into the green girl, breathing in the scent of oils and parchment. It'll be okay.

Like usual, Elphaba was right, and things at Shiz began to settle down after another week or so.

Glinda learned from Elphie which sidewalks were less traveled, and she got better at avoiding attention as she walked around campus. She focused on her studies, trying to ignore the fact that finals were getting closer and closer. She continued to excel in sorcery—even Madame Morrible had admitted, however grudgingly, that she was now one of the best in the class. Glinda took to sitting near Elphaba or Boq or Crope or Tibbett in every class she had with them. Ignoring the stares and whispers got easier after a while, and when it got to be too much, Elphaba was always there.

The green girl, for her part, found her time equally divided between Dillamond's research, her upcoming finals, and her roommate. Although the new rumors around the university included her, too, she didn't care. That is, until she would hear Glinda's name. The students of Shiz soon learned to shut up whenever Elphaba Thropp was within earshot. If Glinda was with her, then she'd simply put a hand on the blonde's shoulder and steer her away to safety. If not, then whoever was talking was lucky if they got away with nothing but a menacing glare.

As the girls' friendship solidified, so did the rest of the group. Boq stopped blushing every time Glinda came into view, and she soon came to enjoy the Munchkin's company. He kept questioning Elphaba from time to time about Dillamond's research, but the amount of homework they had soon distracted him from pursuing the matter too much.

Crope and Tibbett took it upon themselves to be the comic relief of the group. They could make any of the latest gossip sound absurd.

"Look out, Shiz!" They were calling out one day as they walked with Elphaba to history. "If she can bewitch the blonde beauty, she can bewitch you! Who will be the next victim of the emerald witch's spell?"

And try as she might, Elphaba couldn't keep the scowl on her face.

Although she was stressed about finals, Elphaba couldn't help but think of what would come afterward.

They had a month off for Lurlinemas and winter break, but Shiz allowed students to stay in the dorm if they wanted to, for no extra cost. From the moment she knew it was an option, Elphaba was determined to stay on campus for break. She dreaded seeing her father again and falling back into the routine of taking care of her family. And now that she had Dillamond's research to work on, staying here for Lurlinemas was more tempting than ever.

But a letter in the mail changed all of that.

Dear Fabala,

Sorry I haven't responded since your thank you letter. Father and I have been busy moving into the Colwen Grounds. We're almost settled in now, and I think we'll be staying here for a while. Grandfather is really interesting to talk to, although he and Father disagree about a lot of things.

As for the Grounds themselves, it's beautiful here. But it is quite a bit larger than anything we're used to. It will be a relief when you come here for break. If you write back and tell me the day you move out, Grandfather can arrange for a first class carriage to pick you up from Shiz (and don't worry, we've already told him about your skin).

I hope you're doing well, and that you've looked up from your books long enough to hold a decent conversation or two. I hope to hear from you soon.

Love,

Nessa

Elphaba sighed and pushed the letter away. She didn't want to go back to Munchkinland. She didn't want to visit the Colwen Grounds, and she certainly didn't want anything to do with the Eminent Thropp. But how could she tell that to her sister?

Biting her lip, she reached for paper and a pen and began writing. She decided to write the easy part first.

Dear Nessa,

Things are picking up here at Shiz as finals draw nearer. But even though classes are getting tougher, I've managed to find time to spend with a few people, my roommate—Miss Glinda Upland—included. We've been getting along quite well these last few weeks, and I do hope you get the chance to meet her someday.

Why had she written that? Elphaba shook her head, but it wasn't worth crossing out. After all, it wasn't untrue. Still baffled, the green girl put her pen back to the paper.

As for Lurlinemas break, I wasn't really planning on coming home. While it would be a wonderful opportunity to visit the Colwen Grounds, there are a lot of things I could get done if I spent the month at Shiz—including a couple of independent research projects I've been working on.

Elphaba looked down at the paper. There. That didn't sound too suspicious.

I apologize if this inconveniences anyone; I know I should have written and told you earlier. But these studies are important to me, and this is my only chance to continue them without the distraction of the rest of the university.

All my love,

Elphaba

As she folded the letter and put it in an envelope, Elphaba knew that nothing she said would really matter. If her father and Nessa really wanted her home, she wouldn't have a choice.

She desperately hoped they weren't dead set on her coming home.