Another delay? I'm sorry :( I've been out for every night this week so writing time has been short. Also, went to a trampoline arena last night! So fun! You know how they say 10 minutes of jumping equals 30 minutes of running? Well, I was in there for an hour and boy do I believe it! My everything hurts! Anyways, on with the chapter!

Elphaba rebounded off of the figure before her, wincing as she crashed onto the hard road. Scrambling to her feet she faced the uniformed man before her. "Hey! Watch where you're going!"

"Sorry, Greenie," The soldier smiled uncertainly, the loaf of bread hanging awkwardly from his hand. "I didn't see you there. Not that you're very hard to miss."

"Wow, smooth." Elphaba deadpanned, reaching down to pick up her book, only to have it snatched away before she could reach it.

Heaving an annoyed breath, she straightened up to glare up at the soldier.

"But I could say the same to you," He said, tossing aside the bread so he could flip through the pages, "walking with your nose in a book is hardly watching where you're going."

"Give that back." Elphaba attempted to snatch it from his hands only for it to be waved just out of her reach.

"A-ah," he grinned down at her, "What's the magic word?"

Elphaba glared up at him for a moment, her arms crossed, "Would you like to have children in the future?"

The soldier paused for a moment, unconsciously shifting to protect his manhood before lowering the book for Elphaba to take. "That'll do, I suppose."

"Hey, Fiyero! What are you doing, man?" Another soldier's voice cut through the air.

"Give us a sec!" Fiyero called back.

Her book safely in hand, Elphaba turned on her heel and strode off in the direction of the church.

"Woah, not even a goodbye?" Realising she was leaving, Fiyero jogged up and fell into step beside her, "That's a bit harsh don't you think, Greenie?"

"My skin may be my defining feature but that does not mean 'Greenie', as you so eloquently put it, is my name."

Fiyero quick-stepped in front of Elphaba, effectively blocking her escape, "Well then what is it?"

She glared up into his face, "Are you always so impertinent?"

"I'm going to say yes, even though I have no idea what that means." His smile was quick, and unapologetic.

"Why am I not surprised?" Elphaba tried to step around him, only to be blocked again, Fiyero's cocky grin replaced with a bemused frown.

"Are you implying that I'm stupid?"

"Yes."

"I'm not just some brainless soldier, you know!"

"Well, you could've fooled me." Elphaba snapped, and moved again to leave but Fiyero's hand flew out, grasping her upper arm and preventing her escape, once again making her drop her book.

"Let go of me!"

"Pride dictates that I cannot let you leave with you still thinking that I'm an idiot!"

"Well, too bad! My mind's made up."

"Well, then I'm just going to have to un-make it."

"You're not off to a very good start."

"Well you should learn to be more open-minded." Elphaba's mouth dropped open in shock, just as one of the soldier's comrades called out, "Hey, Fiyero! Fall in, it's time to head back to camp."

Fiyero turned and called back at his comrade, unconsciously releasing his hold on Elphaba. "Yeah, yeah! I'm coming!"

Turning back to continue his conversation with Elphaba, he was met with only empty air. The green girl had vanished, and in her rush she had left her book where it had fallen.

Back at the church, Elphaba channelled her rage from the encounter into furiously cleaning the kitchen. She knew she shouldn't have let it get to her, but something about that brainless idiot of a soldier had pushed all of her buttons. She was so lost in her thoughts that her hand slipped on the soapy surface of a plate causing it to fall to the bench and snap in two. Elphaba cursed silently to herself as she fumbled with the pieces, trying in vain to fix her mistake.

"Elphaba!" Frexspar came storming into the kitchen, his face red with barely contained rage, "What in Oz have you done?"

Shocked, Elphaba looked up from the sink, attempting to block the broken plate from Frexspar's view with her body. "Done? I haven't done anything."

"There is a soldier at the door asking for you, specifically!"

Confused and, admittedly, a little worried, Elphaba hurried to dry her hands and open the large church doors only to see the smiling face of a certain blue-eyed soldier.

"Oh, it's you," stated Elphaba in a shocked and wary voice.

"That's not very nice," Fiyero teased.

"Go away." Elphaba began to close the heavy church doors but Fiyero stopped the wood with one of his hands.

"Woah, hear me out."

Elphaba just looked up at him in exasperation, folding her arms across her chest.

Fiyero cleared his throat before beginning, "I had quite the time tracking you down, none of the townsfolk seem to like you that much."

"I can't imagine why." Elphaba said, dryly. "What do you want?"

"In your rush to escape me, you dropped your book, again." Elphaba's eyes widened in recognition as Fiyero held out the book. He smiled, satisfied when Elphaba hesitantly took it.

"Also, I wanted to apologise." He continued.

Elphaba looked up at him in surprise.

"I know I'm not the most sensitive person, let alone smartest, " Elphaba scoffed, but Fiyero plowed on "but I know I was out of line, and I'm sorry. Those guys bring out the worst in me."

Elphaba, looked up at him, confused by his sudden change. "What is it with you?"

"What?"

"When you ran into me, you weren't repulsed by, well, my skin."

"Was I supposed to be?" Fiyero frowned, confused.

Elphaba shrugged and looked away, "That is the usual reaction."

"Well, in the Vinkus, where I'm from, the people are all diverse in skin tone, and many have decorative tattoos. See?" Fiyero reached up and pulled back his collar to reveal a trail of small, blue diamonds tattooed down his neck, disappearing into his shirt.

Elphaba's eyebrow quirked, "The tattoos may impress the ladies where you're from, but you're falling short here."

"Why so abrasive? Can't we just be friends?"

"No."

"Hey!" He pouted at her. "Why not?"

Elphaba paused, uncertain if she should continue the conversation. The soldier watched her for a moment before deciding to move the conversation for her.

"I'll start us off. My name is Fiyero."

"I heard."

"And you are?"

She paused, considering her options, "Elphaba."

"Nice to meet you, Miss Elphaba." He bowed slightly, a small smile teasing the edge of his mouth.

Elphaba just watched him blankly. "You've given me my book now go away."

"Alright, I'm going," He held his hands up in mock surrender, releasing his hold on the door. "I hope to see you around, Miss Elphaba."

"The sentiment is not returned." Her tone was forceful as she slammed the door in his face.

Congratulotions to those who guessed title of show to be the musical from last chapters challenge! Broadwaygirl21 and The Wizard Of Wicked both get virtual high-fives! For this week's challenge we'll be doing something a little bit easier (but a lot older): Which Gene Kelly musical had him tap-dancing on roller skates?