I've already got quite a few votes on the poll, which is awesome! Keep them coming! :)

In the meantime, here, have some FIYERABA. ^_^

8. Frank Analysis

"She's smart. Maybe we could use that to our advantage somehow?"

"But how, Chistery? Being intelligent isn't really a skill you can show off. Besides, we'll all be taking an intelligence test later on in the competition. She's bound to do very well on that one." Nessa shook her head and brought her cup of tea to her lips, frowning into it when she realised it was empty. She glanced surreptitiously at the waitress and Boq, catching her look, waved the woman over, earning himself a grateful smile from his girlfriend.

"Can't she sing or dance?" Dr Dillamond suggested. "Or maybe something else that would be appropriate for such an occasion?"

Glinda actually laughed out loud at that. "I'm sorry, Dr Dillamond, but have you ever heard Elphie sing? You might as well bring a cat and step on its tail. It sounds about the same."

"Gee, thanks," Elphaba muttered, but no-one was paying any attention to her.

"She danced very well at the ball last weekend," the blonde continued, "but she's not good enough to be able to use that as her talent. And honestly, I can't think of anything else ladylike that she could do."

"A speech about Animal rights? She helped us very well, after all," said Chistery. "She's done a lot for us. She'd do great."

"She would, but is that really a skill?" Nessa asked him. "Besides, we also have to present our charities the week afterwards and she has the Animal rehabilitation project as her charity already, too."

Chistery nodded thoughtfully. "A political speech, then?"

"No," Dr Dillamond said instantly. "She can't give anything away about her political viewpoints. Don't forget the main reason she's in the pageant is still because she needs to find this opponent who wants to wreck Oscar's government. We don't want to alarm him or make him suspicious of Elphaba in any way. That's why showing off her magic is out of the question, too."

The Flying Monkey sighed. "I hadn't thought of that."

"Me, neither," Glinda said gloomily. "For Oz's sake, Elphie, why don't you have any proper skills?!"

"Come on, be nice," Boq protested mildly, but Elphaba waved a weary hand at him.

"It's fine, Boq," she said, pushing herself to her feet and grabbing her bag and her half-empty paper cup of tea. "They're right. I don't have any talents I could possibly show off during this ridiculous contest." She glanced at the group gathered together in the café. "Why don't you continue attempting to come up with something and let me know once you have?" she said sarcastically. "I'll be in the library helping Fiyero with his Politics essay. At least that's a skill I'm good at." With that, she left the café.

She'd hated this competition from the very beginning, but she found that as it progressed, it was starting to irk her more and more. There were so many stupid things she had to pay attention to that in the end really weren't relevant at all. She cared about her education and she cared about helping Oscar catch the guy who was threatening to blow up the pageant finale; that was it. She didn't care about all the little details of the competition – the clothes she had to wear, the talents she had to show off, and all the other silly tricks she and all the other girls had to perform.

By the time she reached the library, her mood had turned exceptionally foul and even the lopsided grin Fiyero gave her couldn't cheer her up. She slammed her books down onto the table and plonked into the chair, scowling as she demanded to see what he had done for his essay so far.

He gave her a cautious look. "Is everything okay?"

"No," she snapped. "Don't make it worse."

He held up both hands in self-proclaimed innocence. "Not saying anything."

"You just did."

He pretended to lock his mouth and throw away the key. She threw him a disgusted look and pulled his essay (or, well, what he had written for it so far) towards her, scowling down at it as she started to read, but he quickly snatched it away.

"Hey!" she protested. "Do you want me to look at that or not?!"

"Not in your current mood," he told her. "I know you when you get like this. You're frustrated and you're just looking to pick a fight right now, so I'm not going to let you read anything I've written because you'll criticise it to the point where I'll be crawling under this desk in shame and will remain depressed for a week because of all the horrible things you said. It's not worth it. Just go and blow off some steam somewhere, Fae – you need it. I can do this by myself."

She seemed to deflate a little, her shoulders slumping. "So apparently I'm not good at helping people study, either," she sighed, miserably resting her chin in the palm of her hand. "Am I really such a wicked witch?"

"Not at all," he comforted her. "Or, well, just a little, when you're in a really bad mood. I don't mind, though." He winked at her. "I like it when you get a little wicked." He only realised once he'd said it how that sounded and he flushed a little, but she didn't seem to notice. She just sighed again and he scooted closer to put his arm around her shoulders. "Do you want to talk about it?"

She shrugged. "I'm just frustrated," she muttered. "There was a poll in the newspaper this morning. Glin and Nessa, along with Saraphina, Lunare, Faye, and Nathalinia, were in the top 6, meaning they'll be in the semi-final if they manage to keep their spots; but I came in tenth and Glinda completely freaked out over it. She insists we have to take it up a notch to get me in the top 6 before the next poll, otherwise it will be unrealistic and suspicious if I suddenly end up in the semi-final after scoring so low on the public opinion polls. As if that's not bad enough, I haven't found anything out about that bomb threat yet. This whole competition is silly and idiotic and a complete waste of time, but at the same time it's also pretty hard and it costs me a lot of time and effort – time and effort I'd much rather be putting into my education instead. I'm falling behind on my school work –"

"Okay, not yet having started on a presentation you're supposed to be giving in two weeks' time does not count as 'falling behind'," Fiyero interrupted.

She scowled at him. "Under normal circumstances, I would have been halfway finished preparing that presentation already!"

"But these aren't normal circumstances," he said. "And that's okay. You'll be fine, Fae, really. You've only spent, like, two full days with the people involved in the pageant. That's hardly enough time to have been able to find out anything. You'll discover something eventually; I don't doubt that for a clock-tick. Your education isn't going to suffer because of this competition, either, and if you need a break, just tell the others to leave you alone for a day or so and do your own thing."

"As if they'd allow that!" She rested her cheek on her arms on the desk now. "Glinda can't go a single hour without pestering me, let alone an entire day. Even Nessa, Chistery, and Dr Dillamond seem to be stalking me now – hell, even Boq talked to me about the pageant the other day – and they don't seem to have any faith in me at all. No-one is leaving me alone about this whole thing and I just can't take it anymore!"

"Okay," he said firmly. "That's it. I know you have classes all day tomorrow, but the day after that, I'm taking you away from Shiz."

She moaned dramatically. "Where?"

"I don't care," he said, "but I happen to know you only have morning classes, so straight after those, I'm kidnapping you and we're going somewhere else. Bring whatever you need to get yourself to relax a little. We can go get ice cream, or visit a bookshop, or just sit in a café all day and do nothing – whatever you like. You can bring a book and read, or do some school work if you must, but I'm not letting you anywhere near any of those beauty pageant freaks. Everyone is starting to get obsessed and it's ridiculous. You look like you haven't had a good night's sleep in forever, Fae. It's physically and emotionally unhealthy."

She knew he was right about that and so she conceded. "Tuesday, then. Will you let me have a look at that essay now?"

He looked hesitant and she rolled her eyes. "I'll try not to be a witch about it," she promised. "But honestly, Yero, we both know that usually when you ask for my help, you need it. And especially in your Politics class, you can use all the help you can get."

He had to admit defeat at that. She chuckled and pulled his notebook towards her, starting to read as Fiyero mentally congratulated himself on getting her out of her bad mood.

It was a relief greater than she could have imagined to be away from Glinda, Nessa, and everyone else beauty pageant-oriented for a while.

When Elphaba's morning classes were over, Fiyero waited outside for her and instantly whisked her away despite Glinda's protests. The blonde had to watch helplessly as her ex-boyfriend and best friend quickly disappeared between the other students, heading off campus and over to a waiting carriage. The security guards keeping the press (and other threats) off campus glanced their way, but Fiyero gave them a wave and they went back to what they were doing. Elphaba supposed they recognised the prince, since he was supposed to be unofficial part of security, too. It irritated her a little, but she supposed it was better to have Fiyero around in case the guy making the threats showed up than to have an actual guard following her whenever she left campus.

The moment they were inside, the carriage started driving and it didn't stop until they were in a small town near Shiz, where Fiyero gallantly helped the dark-haired witch out of the carriage and gave her a crooked grin.

"What would you like to do first?" he asked. He bowed. "Your wish is my command."

She rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. "I don't know. Didn't you mention ice cream yesterday?"

"I most certainly did," Fiyero said, his eyes brightening, and she laughed at his eager expression.

"Lead the way," she said, gesturing for him to go ahead, and he grinned again and started walking, Elphaba right behind him.

"What's your favourite flavour?" he asked her as they got in line and she shrugged.

"I don't really have one."

He looked shocked. "You don't have a favourite flavour of ice cream? How can you live with yourself?" he demanded and she scowled at him.

"I thought we were here to get me away from people judging me all the time," she complained and he gave her an apologetic grin.

"I was only joking. I'm sorry. Can I pick ice cream flavours for you, then? They have a lot of different ones at this parlour. You have to taste my favourites."

She shrugged. "Sure. Surprise me."

Of course, he then insisted on getting her a cone with three scoops of ice cream because "There's no way I can choose only one favourite out of these three, Fae". When she tried the ice cream, though, she had to admit that he'd picked delicious flavours.

"What are these, even?" she asked as she devoured the ice cream. "It's amazing, but I don't think I've ever had these flavours before."

Fiyero chuckled. "Lemon cake, blueberry yogurt, and hazelnut," he informed her. "They don't have them at your average ice cream parlour. That's why I usually go to this one." He watched in amusement as she dug in so enthusiastically that she got some ice cream on her nose and he reached out to wipe it away. "Here, you have a little something…" He trailed off when she lifted her head a little, just when he was about to touch her nose, and his fingers touched her lips instead. He instantly drew away, clearing his throat. "I mean… um… on your nose."

"Oh." She quickly wiped the ice cream away, blushing. "Thanks."

He cleared his throat awkwardly and changed the subject.

After finishing their ice cream, they took a walk in the park and then installed themselves in a cosy, intimate café, where they had lunch, after which Elphaba pulled a book from her bag and curled up against Fiyero's side on the bench they were sitting on.

"What, have I been turned into a back rest now?" he asked with a laugh and she nodded, smirking a little.

"Yep."

"Fine." He slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her against him, which, much to his surprise, she hardly protested. He put his chin on her shoulder and she even shifted a little, allowing him to better see the pages of her book so he could read along.

They spent the rest of the afternoon that way, deliciously quiet after all the craziness surrounding the Miss Emerald competition. By the time they left the café to return to Shiz, Elphaba almost felt human again.

"Thanks for doing this for me," she said to Fiyero as they sat in the carriage together. "I really needed that."

He smiled and turned his head a little to drop a kiss to the top of her head. "You're welcome."

He could tell she tensed a little at that and she brooded for a few moments before bursting out, "Why do you always do that?"

"Do what?"

"Kiss me," she said. "Or touch me. Don't get me wrong, I don't really mind, but… well, not many people touch me. Afraid the green is contagious, I guess." The corner of her mouth quirked up into a weary half-smile, but he didn't return it.

"That's nothing to smile about, Fae," he told her flatly. "And you should know by now that I'm not like that."

She flushed a little. "I know," she said apologetically. "I didn't mean it like that."

He nodded, accepting her apology, and she gave him a small smile.

"Just so you know," she said, "you're pretty much the only person I don't mind being around right now. I'm just glad the insanity hasn't gotten to you, too. I hope you know I always did like spending time with you – I mean, we're friends, so I guess that's obvious, but… well, especially since this stupid contest started, you've been really great. Helping me out, and escorting me, and making me take a break when you think I need it… thank you. I owe you."

He grinned a lopsided grin at her that made her heart do a little somersault in her chest. "Not a problem, Fae," he said, casually letting his arm fall around her shoulders. "And you don't owe me anything. I don't mind. As long as I'm with you, I'm happy."

She gave him a scrutinising look, but he just blinked back innocently at her until she looked away again. He knew she wouldn't realise how true his statement had been and he didn't feel like explaining himself to her. Not yet, anyway.

Then he got an idea and he grinned a little. "Hey, Fae?" he whispered into her hair. "What do I get if I help you out again?"

She glanced up at him. "My eternal gratitude?" she tried. "A big hug? I know how fond you are of hugs."

He chuckled. "Not quite what I had in mind, but I'll take it," he teased her.

She stuck out her tongue at him. "What are you even going to help me with, anyway?" she demanded and his grin widened.

"I know what skill you can use for the talent part of the competition."

She stared at him and when he told her what he was thinking, she gave a very un-Elphaba-like squeal and threw her arms around him in the hug she'd promised him. "Oh my Oz, Fiyero, that is perfect! Why didn't I think of that?!" In her exuberance, she planted a big kiss on his cheek, failing to notice how badly that made him flush. "Thank you. Again. I'm eternally in your debt. You just keep saving my life."

He gave her a sceptical look and she amended sheepishly, "Okay, not my life, but my reputation in front of the entire country."

He laughed and she shook her head. "I'm serious!" she protested. "I honestly thought I was going to have to take a crash course in juggling or something, just to have something to show everyone as my 'talent'. You're wonderful. I mean it. I could kiss you right now."

His laugh died away and he stared at her. She blushed a little when she realised what she'd said, but she didn't look away when he locked his eyes with hers. Quietly, he said, "I wish you would."

She let out a nervous chuckle. "What?"

He, however, seemed completely serious and she stared at him, dumbstruck. "Yero…"

"Never mind," he said, forcing a smile and looking away. He ran his fingers through his hair. "Forget I said that."

But she'd already seen how serious he was by then and although she couldn't begin to comprehend it, she knew he hadn't been joking. For now, that was enough. So instead of allowing him to look away, she put her hand on his cheek to make him look back at her and then she leaned in and kissed him.

I figured that just this once, I wanted their relationship to be a bit more straightforward. They're always dancing around one another for so long (in my fics, at least), I decided to try it a little differently this time around.