The boys seemed eager to meet Elphaba's approval.

Crope and Tibbett were—unbelievably—masters at the art of keeping secrets. They were also up to date on all of Shiz's gossip—even more so than Pfannee and her followers—and proved to be an invaluable source of information about all of Shiz's students, staff, and teachers.

"Did you hear?" They would ask as they slipped into chairs across the tables. "Morrible called Nikidik to her office last night. Supposedly they were talking for hours."

And, "The librarians have been given a new, stricter set of rules. They're cracking down hard on people who stay past closing."

And, "An older student apparently wrote his final paper on Animal rights. He got a failing grade, and now he has to spend the summer here in order to graduate."

Fiyero, for his part, grew bolder, cleverer, every time he went to swipe something for the group. And Boq worked harder than ever, discovering more research and information every time he stepped into an academic building.

She had told them almost everything. They knew about Dillamond's research, the theories they had come up with, the letters back and forth, the Goat's idea to get the work to someone who could help them test it. They knew about Morrible's ever-growing presence, about the Wizard's involvement, and even about Dillamond's suspicion that the Wizard was doing all of this to hide the fact that he had no real power. The only thing she kept to herself was Peric and the Resistance. Something told her no one could know about that, and honestly, she was happy to file the information away and pretend it didn't exist.

The boys knew almost everything, but Glinda knew almost nothing. It infuriated her to no end, especially now that she was starting to suspect she was the only one left in the dark.

"Does Fiyero know?" she asked one day, watching the green girl at her desk.

"I'm not answering that."

"Obviously Boq knows. But does Fiyero? Do Crope and Tibbett?"

"Still not answering."

"Do you not trust me?"

"You know that's not the reason."

"You don't think I can handle it?"

Elphaba sighed. "Glinda, please. You're just going to have to—"

"Trust you," the blonde finished for her. She exhaled and went back to her own work. "I know."

And for the most part, she did. But every so often she would see Boq passing a note to Elphaba. She would watch as Fiyero slipped something out of his bag and handed it to one of the others. She would catch Crope and Tibbett deep in conversation, only to break off when she came into view.

"Just a bit of gossip," Crope would say when she asked. Then Tibbett would lean in, eyes glinting mischievously.

"Did you hear, that red-head from Settica is dating a member of the Gale Force? Apparently they've been writing letters back and forth…"

They were excellent at distracting her whenever she grew too suspicious, and their gossip always turned out to be true, making Glinda wonder, once or twice, if it was all just in her head.

But then she would see Morrible leering at Elphaba. Or she would find the boys sitting in a corner of the café with their heads together. Or she would pretend to be asleep as the green girl slipped out of the room late at night, and she would be certain that whatever was going on, everyone was set on keeping her out of it.

The last instance hurt the most. She forced herself to lie still as Elphaba gently pulled away and crawled out of bed. It took all her self-restraint not to tighten her grip when Elphaba untangled their fingers. Glinda would pray with all her might that she was just going to the bathroom, or even taking a restless, midnight walk around the dorm. But she wasn't naïve enough to ever actually believe that.

One night, she'd had enough. As soon as Elphaba closed the door behind her, Glinda sat up and lit the lamp between their beds. She pulled Elphaba's blanket around her shoulders and hugged her knees to her chest, intent on waiting up all night if she had to.

As it turned out, she didn't have to. It was only an hour or so later when the door to their room opened again, and the green girl slid quietly inside.

She froze when she saw the lamp on. The bag slid from her shoulder and landed on the floor with a quiet thud. Glinda rested her chin on her knees and looked at her roommate.

"You're not going to tell me, are you?"

Elphaba kicked her bag over to her desk and began slipping off her boots. "Tell you what?"

"Elphaba."

"No, I'm not going to tell you."

"Of course not," the blonde said. "Why should you? You're only sneaking off in the middle of the night."

She sighed. "I can't tell you. You know that. I've asked you to trust me, and—"

"I do trust you, Elphie," Glinda said, her voice rising. "When are you going to trust me?"

"It's not that I don't trust you," Elphaba insisted.

"Really? Because that's what it seems like." Glinda curled up tighter, scowling at the green girl. "Everyone else is in on it. You're up to something—sneaking around, stealing things, doing all this research—yet I'm the only one who doesn't know what's going on. Does that sound like trust to you?"

The green girl winced, but her hands curled into fists. "You can make me feel guilty all you want, Glinda, but I'm not going to tell you."

"Why not?" she demanded. "You think I can't handle it? I'm not strong enough? Smart enough? Brave enough? Everyone else can do this, but not me?"

"You're being ridiculous."

"Then what is it? Why are you hiding this from me?"

"To protect you!" Elphaba cried. "You know how dangerous this is! I just don't want you to get hurt!"

Glinda jumped to her feet. "I'm not made of glass, Elphaba. I'm not some fragile little doll you have to tiptoe around. I can handle myself. I'm not weak."

"I never said—"

"And if you're so busy protecting me, who's going to be there to protect you? If this is so dangerous, who's going to save your sorry hide when you get into trouble?"

"I don't need—"

"You don't?" Glinda questioned, stepping closer. "Morrible killed Dillamond, and now she's on to you. She almost caught you sneaking out of the library, for Oz's sake! I don't even want to think about what she would have done if she'd actually found you!"

The color drained from Elphaba's face. "I…I didn't think you…how did you know that?"

The blonde glared. "Morrible told me. She said some students had been sneaking around. Oz, Elphaba. If you're going to be this stupid, the least you can do is tell me when something happens."

"And what would you have done?" Elphaba challenged. "Nothing. She's too powerful, too clever. There is nothing you could do!"

"If you would actually let me know what's going on, then I could do something!"

"No!" the green girl snarled.

"Dammit, Elphie!" Glinda cried. "Why? Why do you have to be such a stubborn—"

Elphaba grabbed her, yanking her around and shoving her against the wall. Glinda's protest was smothered by the kiss that followed. Her knees shook and almost gave out, but Elphaba wrapped an arm around her waist and held her up. Her other hand went up to tangle in the blonde's hair, tilting her head back and deepening the kiss until they were both gasping for breath.

When the green girl pulled back, Glinda let out a whimper and pressed her forehead into Elphaba's neck. Her arms found their way around Elphaba's waist and held her tight.

"It's because I love you," Elphaba whispered. All the anger had left her voice, replaced by a vulnerability Glinda had only heard once or twice before. "I love you, so damn much, and if you were ever hurt…because of this…"

"Everyone else knows," Glinda breathed, blinking back tears.

"I wanted to protect them, too, but they wouldn't let me." She swallowed. "If you truly wanted to know…if you went through my stuff or listened in on our conversations…I don't think I could stop you from figuring it out. But the thought of you being involved in this…"

"I just want to help you."

"I know, my sweet. And I hate keeping things from you. But I don't know what I'd do if…if…"

Glinda tilted her head up and met her eyes. "It's okay, Elphie. It'll be okay."

Elphaba shook her head. It wasn't okay. None of this was okay. But whatever protest she had faded away when Glinda stood on her toes and pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth.

"At least…at least tell me when you're going to leave, instead of sneaking away all the time."

The green girl nodded. "I will."

"Promise me."

"I promise."

Glinda reached up and tilted her head closer so that their breath mingled and their lips brushed over each other when she whispered, "Come back to bed?"

Elphaba licked her lips and nodded, tangling their hands together. When they had crawled back to bed and curled up together under the covers, she kissed Glinda again, lingering for a moment before settling back against the pillow. One hand cradled the blonde's head against her chest while the other moved to trace aimlessly across her back.

"I know it's hard," Elphaba whispered. "But…please. Don't go looking for trouble with this."

"I won't," Glinda answered softly.

"Promise me."

"I promise."

When Elphaba started on Dillamond's research, she had known a dead end was coming. She knew that, eventually, her resources would run out. She would be unable to continue without help from Dillamond himself. And she was right.

She felt the same way now.

No matter what information Crope and Tibbett gathered, no matter what materials Fiyero managed to get his hands on, no matter what research Boq and Elphaba accomplished, she knew it wasn't enough. It wasn't even close.

Dillamond had told her to continue her studies. Peric had told her to work with other people. Neither one seemed to be working, and she couldn't help but wonder what new twists would be brought up in the next week, the next month, the next year.

At first, it was easy to forget. Like today, when Crope and Tibbett were skipping through the grass, leading the way to their usual spot near the edge of campus. Fiyero and Boq were next in line, comparing scores on a recent math test. And a few feet behind them all, Glinda was playing with Elphaba's hand, curling and uncurling their fingers and swinging their arms up high between them.

It was a perfect retreat. There was no failing research, no creepy headmistress, no obnoxious professors or classmates. Out here, with nothing but the sunlight and breeze and a thick blanket to stretch out on, there wasn't even the looming threat of a power-hungry Wizard.

"I dare someone to jump in the lake," Tibbett said that afternoon.

"You're crazy," Boq replied lazily. "It's still way too cold."

"But by all means, Master Tibbett," Elphaba said, "Be our guest."

Tibbett made a face, but Crope just wrapped an arm around his shoulders. "This summer, my friend, we can jump in the lake every day."

"Are you boys staying here?" Fiyero asked.

"Sure are," Crope said. "There's much more adventure to be had here, I think." He glanced sideways at Elphaba, but then turned to Boq. "And what of you, dear old Boq?"

"Definitely staying," the Munchkin said. "Most of the library workers are leaving, which means more shifts for me…and more money to send back home."

"I think I will, too," Glinda said, rolling an apple between her hands. "A month alone in Frottica was bad enough. I'm not sure I could stand an entire summer."

"Well then," said Fiyero, shifting a little. The movement caused his tattoos to gleam in the sunlight. "I'm starting to feel left out."

"Stay then," Boq said. "Surely we're more exciting than weeks spent in a caravan to the Vinkus."

"Besides," said Tibbett, "Our escapades aren't nearly as fun without you there."

"I'm still considering it," Fiyero said. "But yes. Staying here would be far more interesting."

Again, they all looked at Elphaba. Glinda scowled slightly and busied herself with her apple. The green girl resisted the urge to squirm. She knew what they were thinking. What could they do this summer, with the campus all to themselves? When Shiz's curfew was lifted for the few students that stayed, and they could spend all night in the libraries or the labs without being disturbed? What could they accomplish when the town was far less busy, and all the energy put into their classes could be spent on Dillamond's projects?

For a moment, all she could see was the daring invincibility in their eyes, the promise of an adventure where they simply could not fail.

But it was too good to be true. An empty campus meant Morrible would be able to focus on them. No curfew meant a false sense of security. A quiet town meant it would be much easier to follow the group and listen in on their conversations.

"What about you, Elphaba?" Boq asked, drawing her out of her thoughts. "Can you stay at Shiz, or will you head back to the Colwen Grounds?"

"I'm not sure," she said, waving a hand dismissively. "I want to stay, obviously. But if Nessarose needs me then I'll be heading home."

It seemed like a logical enough answer, and as far as she knew it was true. Yet, somehow, Elphaba couldn't shake the feeling that she'd just lied to her friends.

As time went on, Elphaba began to feel more and more restless. If she wasn't worrying about the research, she was worrying about Glinda.

Talking about their summer plans had bothered Elphaba. What if she couldn't stay at Shiz? Would she and Glinda be forced to spend an entire season apart? She told herself not to dwell on it, but there were some moments when she just couldn't shake the feeling that their time was running out.

But that was just some moments, and despite it all, she and Glinda grew closer every day.

Of course, it wasn't all easy. While their circle of friends had been rooting for their relationship for months, few others on campus were as delighted. It had been a while since Glinda let Shiz's current gossip get to her, but it still hurt when she heard the whispers about her and Elphaba.

"Do they have to be so vulgar?" she asked one day as Elphaba led her away from the laughing crowd.

"That's just Avaric and his boys," the green girl said firmly. "And he's simply jealous, because no girl would even look at him."

Some instances were worse than others, but for the most part, if Glinda could curl up in Elphaba's arms at the end of the day, she was just fine.

And then came one night, at the end of a long, tiring week, where Elphaba dragged Glinda out of their room as soon as the sun set.

"Where are we going?" the blonde asked. She tried to tug her hand free, but Elphaba held on tight, pulling her along through the dark campus.

"It's a surprise. Come on."

She led them to one of the academic buildings—Glinda was too focused on trying to keep up to remember which one—and unlocked the door with a quick spell. As soon as they were inside, she closed the door behind them and disappeared into the hall.

Glinda stumbled after her, starting to panic at the thought of being left alone in the darkness. "Elphie! Wait up!"

A hand came up to cover Glinda's mouth. "Hush, my sweet. We don't want to get caught."

Glinda stared up at her, eyes wide, and Elphaba replaced her hand with her lips, kissing the blonde softly for just a moment. There was a pout as she pulled away, but the green girl simply intertwined their fingers and pulled her along, far more gently than before.

Down hallways, around corners, up staircases they went. Glinda had no idea where in the building they were, and she was sure no one else would, either. She also knew that was the point.

Finally, Elphaba ducked into a classroom and shut the door behind them. "Follow me," she whispered, moving over to one of the windows. Glinda obeyed, watching as her roommate pushed the glass pane up with one swift motion. She moved to sit in the sill with her legs dangling outside and looked back. With a slight smile, she reached her hand out, beckoning.

Glinda hesitated. "What if we get caught?"

"We won't."

"How do you know?"

Instead of responding, Elphaba grabbed her hand and pulled her forward. Glinda let out a little yelp, but then smiled and started climbing out the window. "Go ahead and drop down," the green girl whispered in her ear. "It's only a couple feet."

Glinda bit her lip. It was too dark to see the roof below her, and she was suddenly terrified of falling. But at the same time, she trusted Elphaba. More than anything. She closed her eyes and let herself drop.

Her feet hit the roof easily, but she still didn't open her eyes. There was a gentle thud of Elphaba following her through the window. Strong green arms wrapped around her before she had the chance to feel the cold night air, and she felt herself being led forward, away from the window.

"Elphie…" The roof was uneven beneath her feet, and the lack of solidity terrified her. Her hand shot up to grab one of Elphaba's. The green girl squeezed her fingers, giving her something steady to hold onto.

"Open your eyes," she whispered in her ear.

Glinda shook her head, shrinking back into her roommate's embrace. "I-I can't. I hate heights, Elphaba. Please, I just—"

Fingers trailed up and down her arms, leaving goosebumps in their wake. "I've got you, Glinda. Just look."

The blonde inhaled, trying to stop herself from trembling. Finally, and only because Elphaba's arms were the safest place in Oz, she opened her eyes.

Her fears melted.

Spread out before her was all of Shiz, from the illuminated brick and marble of the campus buildings, to the glowing orange lamp posts of downtown. The lights twinkled in the velvety night, a landscape of stars at her feet.

"I…never knew Shiz could look so beautiful," she whispered, staring in wonder. "It's like our own little skyline."

"Just for us," the green girl agreed, nuzzling into her neck.

"It's gorgeous." But then Glinda turned to look at her, and suddenly the city lights were the last thing on her mind. "You're gorgeous."

Before Elphaba could do anything more than blush deeply, Glinda twisted around and captured the dark green lips with her own. She felt the other girl smile into the kiss as she tangled her hands in silky black hair. "Elphaba," she breathed.

In response, the green girl pulled her closer, wrapping one hand around her waist and settling the other behind her neck. Their bodies were flush against each other, but Glinda didn't want to stop there. She stepped forward, pushing Elphaba back against the brick wall next to the window, and pressed up against her.

Elphaba let out a soft, breathy moan, and Glinda took advantage of the distraction by deepening the kiss, exploring Elphaba's mouth with her tongue and nipping at her lips.

The green girl was losing her mind. Even though her eyes were closed, she could still see Glinda: the lights reflected in dazzling sky-colored eyes, her hair framed with silvery moonlight, her skin pale and soft, nearly glowing in the darkness. The blonde's hands were wrapped in her hair, twisting the silky locks and scratching the base of her skull. Every breath Glinda took pushed against her own chest, almost matching the pounding of her heart. Their hips were pressed together, creating friction every time one of them moved. It was quickly becoming too much for Elphaba.

Her knees shook and she started sliding down the wall, bringing Glinda down with her. The blonde eased her into a sitting position and immediately went to straddle her. Slender green fingers gripped her waist and pulled it down, and this time both girls let out a moan at the contact.

Elphaba pulled away from the kiss, leaving Glinda for only a split second before moving to her neck. Glinda whimpered as sharp teeth grazed her skin gently before finding the pulse point just below her jaw. Elphaba's breath sent shivers down her spine and the green girl pulled her, if possible, even closer.

Glinda untangled her fingers from Elphaba's hair and brought them down to trace the defined collarbone. Feeling suddenly brave, she lowered one hand even more, until it was resting against Elphaba's heart.

The green girl tensed, but only for a second. She cupped Glinda's cheek and pressed their lips together once again. Grinning, the blonde moved to cup one breast, then the other. Her thumbs stroked simultaneously, tracing circles through the fabric of the navy frock until she felt the nipples harden.

Elphaba let out a strangled gasp, arching her back. The reaction exhilarated Glinda, and she had the sudden urge to see her roommate come undone. She moved away from Elphaba's mouth and kissed her jaw instead, working her way up slowly, enjoying the feeling of each shiver that darted through the green girl, until she was sucking gently just behind the earlobe.

"If you want to stop, tell me," she whispered, her voice surprisingly low, "Or else I never will."

Elphaba's entire body quivered against her, but she nodded slightly. That was all the blonde needed.

Her thighs tightened around Elphaba's and she thrust her hips against the taller girl. One hand stayed on her breast while the other moved down to stroke her side. She let her fingers caress every inch of Elphaba she could reach, drifting softly over the slender frame.

The next moan that came out of Elphaba was much louder, and she tilted her head back, baring her neck. Delighted, Glinda dipped down to her collarbone, alternating between kissing and sucking and grazing with her teeth.

"I love you," she breathed against the emerald skin, inaudible even to herself. Somehow, though, they both got the message.

Glinda moved lower and paused at the top of Elphaba's chest, just above her dress. She pulled back a little to meet the green girl's gaze. Her eyes were brighter than usual, pupils blown, irises smoldering with gold and brown and even some flecks of deep green.

Both girls had stilled. Slowly, without breaking eye contact, Glinda let her hand drift up to loop a finger around one strap of the dress. She waited there for a moment, and her free hand started to trace slow, soothing circles up and down the green girl's side.

Elphaba fidgeted, almost imperceptibly, but that was enough for Glinda. She let go of the dress and moved to cup her face instead. The green girl looked away, but Glinda pulled their mouths together once more.

"Don't you dare," the blonde whispered between kisses. After a moment she broke off and rested their foreheads against each other.

"I love you," Elphaba whispered. "So much."

Glinda smiled, nearly humming. She shifted and started climbing off of her roommate, but Elphaba stopped her, turning her around to nestle between the green girl's legs. Glinda snuggled into the position, enjoying the warmth radiating off of both of them.

Elphaba placed her chin on Glinda's shoulder, brushing her cheek against the blonde's. "I don't deserve you," she said softly. "And I don't say that to be self-deprecating. I say it because there is no one in all of Oz who deserves you."

Glinda turned her head and kissed her verdant cheek. You do, she was saying, and they both knew it. Elphaba smiled a little, almost shyly. She breathed in deep, inhaling the smell of flowers and fresh oils, their scents mixed together, intermingling in the cool night.

Together, the girls stared out across the skyline, their own little view of Shiz. And for a moment, it felt like they ruled the world.