A/N I'm so sorry for the long hiatus. I lost my spark, but hopefully now I'm back and I shan't leave it so long again, I've missed this! Who's had the chance to see the Wicked movie? All I'll say is wow!

Sadness and Secrets

.

Weeks passed without much further incident, and the ice was thawing between the Thropp sisters, enough for their friendship group to stop walking on eggshells, waiting to see which sister would blow up first. Boq had returned to the school after two weeks and remained sullen and quiet, ignoring any attempts at conversation, even Glinda's.

"It must be awful for him..." The blonde sighed as she and Elphaba made their way to class.

"Hmm..." it worried Elphaba, too. She'd never seen her friend so despondent, but then she was but a child when she lost her own mother and didn't have a point of reference to go on. "It's hard losing a parent."

Glinda nodded with a frown.

"What?"

"Nothing, I was just thinking."

"That's dangerous."

"Ye- Hey!"

Elphaba cackled. "I'm sorry. Look, we've had enough sadness to last us a lifetime. I'm sorry for him, I am, but we can't keep our lives on hold waiting for him to catch up! He'll learn to live with the pain, it never goes away but it gets easier. And the best way to deal with him is just to carry on! He'll join us when he's ready." SHe shoved open the classroom door, sneering at other students who glared at their entrance, scattering away from the door.

Glinda pouted, heading over to their seats. "Really Elphie, do you have to?"

"What? Their parents never taught them to stand in doorways gossiping?" Elphaba settled her bag on the back of her chair and then dropped into it

She shrugged in response, copying her friend. "Have you had any more notes?"

"Nope. But I still can't wrap my head around the last one that Yero got."

"What about it?"

"The handwriting. Call me crazy, it wouldn't be the first time, but I know that writing. And if I could just go back to-"

"No!" Glinda winced at how loud she said it and lowered her voice to a whisper. "Have you lost your mind?! To go back would mean-"

"To face him, I know..."

"Surely... wouldn't Nessa know something?"

Elphaba shook her head as their professor walked in. "No... At least I don't think so... if it's who I think it is."

"Who?"

"Something to do with my mother's side of the family... Technically I'm supposed to take over from... well that's unlikely to happen, and the line continues with Nessa, not the supposed first-born as it should."

Glinda was about to say something else, but the professor was already starting the lesson and there was no point in carrying on, with Elphaba sat ready to take her notes, she took out her own books to do the same, left with the thought and not for the first time, that her best friend's life could have been so much different if she hadn't gone through the pain that she had gone through.

Soon the bell had gone and they packed up their books, got up and left the classroom arms linked.

"Why don't we go down to the Oz Dust tonight?"

Elphaba stifled a groan. "Really? Why now?"

Glinda gave her friend a sidelong glance and grinned. "Because we need to go out and relax. Things have been stressful! Come on! It'll be fun!"

"Fun for you, maybe."

"I'll suggest it to Fifi and Oli. They can be our dates!"

"As opposed to who else?" Elphaba raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, you know what I meant. Come on, let's-"

"No, we have another class to get to."

Glinda rolled her eyes with a smile as they walked out into the late-spring sunshine across the courtyard to the history block. "Yes, and we'll see them; and they will of course want to go out -"

"Because Fiyero's never going to pass up a night of drinking." Elphaba interrupted.

"And don't think I've forgotten our conversation from earlier." she finished as though she hadn't been interrupted.

Elphaba scoffed, which turned into an incredulous laugh. "There's nothing more to tell! I don't even have a photograph of my mother, I have to rely on memory alone, which is fallible at the best of times. The title of Eminence and Governor is primarily a female role in the family, and with mother dying, father would have had to step in, but he was never going to pass it to me when we came of age, even if I am heir to the title. Even my relationship with Fiyero is above my station, but we knew that one already."

"So what would happen if you did take over?"

The green girl shrugged. "Not my problem now."

Glinda fell silent as they walked. I'll just speak to Ffi and Oli, they'll convince her to come out and she can relax! Oz knows she's been stuck inside those books for weeks! And our exams are in a few weeks one night isn't going to hurt! she told herself. Oh... who am I kidding... she's not going to relax until she finds the source of those notes... or stop the Wizard's plans... whichever comes first.

It wasn't long before they approached their classroom, and seeing Fiyero with his back to them, Elphaba unlinked her arm from Glinda's and snuck up behind him. "Boo!" she burst out laughing as he jumped with a yell, turning to face them. She quickly jumped out of the way, hiding behind Olivander.

"Hey leave me out of it!" he laughed as she raised his arm in an attempt to shield her.

Fiyero dodged around his friend to grab her into his arms tightly, laughing with her. "What's up with Blondie?"

At that Glinda looked up, having missed the commotion, and plastered a smile on her face. "Oh, nothing. Just girls' stuff." she answered, kissing Olivander on the cheek.

Elphaba shot her friend a grateful look from Fiyero's embrace.

"Oh! Before I forget, I thought we could go out tonight. It's been a while since we went out to the OzDust."

"Sounds like a plan to me." Olivander grinned, pulling her into his arms, and Fiyero nodded his agreement.

Elphaba sighed, rolling her eyes. "Of course you'd agree. We've got work to do!"

"And it's the weekend, the books can wait." Fiyero grinned at her. "Come on, even if it's an hour. It'll do you good to let your hair down for a bit, being your sister and Boq's keepers and all. Ouch! Again with the elbows!"

"That was a nail."

He frowned, rubbing his side. "Well it's true, you've been preoccupied with making sure they don't kill each other and trying not to kill your sister in the process I'm amazed you're not grey."

"Hmph!" Elphaba pouted.

"And it's not like they're your responsibility." Olivander pointed out.

"Nessa's still my sister."

"Sister. Not your child. She's not your responsibility."

"Well it's a difficult habit of a lifetime to break." she shrugged.

"You're still coming out tonight." Glinda smiled.

"Do I have a choice?" she asked, and her friend was shaking her head. "Fine. But an hour only."

Glinda grinned as the four entered the classroom, taking their seats near the front and waited for Professor Nikidik start the lesson.

Fiyero slung his arm around the back of Elphaba's chair, watching her with a thoughtful smile. He had to admire her resilience as well as her empathy. In his mind, he'd have left Nessa to fend for herself, but then again... he was a normal colour and didn't have a lifetime's worth of misplaced guilt at the girl's current state. He knew if she could, Elphaba would give her sister anything she wanted, and what she wanted most of all was the use of her legs.

"What is it? Something on my head?"

"Hm? Oh. No, nothing." he shook his head, taking hold of her hand to move it away from her hair. "I was just... stuck in my head I guess."

Elphaba raised an eyebrow in slight disbelief. "Thinking? What about?"

"You." he grinned, raising her hand to his lips and then dropped it after he kissed it. "I know you don't want to go tonight, but I do think you should take a break. You're ahead in practically everything."

"Except this."

"And you'll catch up, you always do."

She gave him a small smile and nodded. "Yeah... Maybe." she turned her head as their professor walked in, apologising for his lateness.

Fiyero tapped his pen on the blank page of his notebook and then started to take his notes.

Once their classes had finished, the four of them headed to the canteen for lunch.

"Oh, I know just what to wear for tonight! And of course, I'll help you with your outfit too, Elphie."

She rolled her eyes at the blonde with a smile, too used to it now to argue. "Fine, I'd say do your worst but I don't want to give you that challenge."

Glinda giggled as they took their seats. She just glanced up to say something else, when someone caught her eye. "Elphie."

Elphaba looked up from her food and followed her gaze until it fell on Boq walking with Nessa, both appearing to be in conversation. "Good luck to him." she shrugged, returning to her cottage pie. "What? We can't tell them what to do. If they're looking like they're back on track it has to be a mutual thing, I'm not picking up after her again."

Glinda nodded, looking between Fiyero and Ollivander and she too went back to her food. They remained in silence until Boq and Nessa approached their table and Glinda put on her best cheerful performance. "Oh, It's good to see you both."

Boq looked sheepish, while Nessa looked just as she had all those months ago when Boq had first approached her.

"I think I owe you all an apology." Nessa spoke softly.

Would she mean it? The silent question passed between Elphaba and Fiyero as their eyes met and then looked around at their two friends.

"You, especially, Fabala."

"Me?"

Nessa nodded, looking contrite for all of her happiness in her face. "Yes. It's not your fault, none of this is. And I'm sorry, for everything." she reached forward with an open hand.

Elphaba looked down at the pale hand next to her arm in thought, aware of the eyes on her.

"She's your sister first." Fiyero whispered in her ear. He had his doubts, he probably always would, and would always keep her at arms length from himself, but he knew her. He knew she needed her sister more than Nessa needed her.

Elphaba smiled a little, not that she needed his input, but valued it all the same. "It's okay." she looked up at her.

"It's not, but will you forgive me?"

"There's nothing to forgive." She turned in her seat and gave Nessa a hug, which was reciprocated intensely. "But," she pulled away after a minute. "No more dramatics. I've enough with blondie over there. No more screaming matches. No more spoilt temper tantrums."

Nessa nodded, even though they'd been down this road before, she was determined to change this time. "I know, I swear-"

"You can swear on your precious bible for all I care, Nessarose. I don't care. I need actions now, not words."

Nessa nodded, suitably chastised and she sat back with a blush on her cheeks. "I know. But please-"

"No, I'll say what I like."

"Oh, I wish you'd see the li- never mind." she stopped as four pairs of eyes turned and glared at her. She looked down at her hands. "Boq and I have decided... well, he's decided really, to try again. We're taking things slow this time."

Boq nodded, finally taking a seat. "Yes, I've had some time to think and... well it was intense."

Fiyero nodded. "Yeah, you sure you're both okay with that?"

"Yeah, we are." Boq smiled for the first time in what felt like an age.

"We're going out tonight." Glinda grinned. "Why don't you join us?"

"Where?"

"Where d'you think? The OzDust of course! Why don't you both join us?"

Nessa looked unsure, turning her head from Glinda to Elphaba. "Are you sure you want us there?"

Elphaba nodded before she could think about it. "Of course, it'll be fun."

"Then that's settled." Glinda smiled. "We'll meet you there."

Later on, Glinda and Elphaba were in their dorm, Glinda with rollers in her hair, while straightening Elphaba's. "Do you think Nessa means it?"

"I don't know... I hope so." Elphaba sighed. "I've missed her. I know she's too much, and I know what I've said before, but... she's all I've ever known."

"Hmm... I guess so. But Elphie, I think we should be careful around her. I don't think she missed the way Fifi looked at you the whole time."

"What do you mean?"

"It was like he was torn between wanting you happy, and wanting to banish her from the school. He knows your happiness is tied to her."

"Are you trying to say he'd tell me what to do?" she smirked in the mirror.

"Oz, no! He's far too chicken!" They both giggled. "But if it meant your safety over anything else? I'm not sure what he'd do. And I don't think he does either."

Elphaba smiled softly. "I know... two different family members, two different reactions."

"Because it's not Nessa's fault... not really... she's a product of circumstance. That horrendible man, however..."

The dark-haired witch grimaced at that. "Yeah, I remember."

"Anyway, that's your hair all done! I've hung your dress in the bathroom." Glinda hauled her to her feet and shoved her in the general direction of the bathroom. "Go, shoo!"

Elphaba laughed again, shaking her head before she did as she was told. She entered the bathroom, and sure enough, on the back of the door, was her favourite royal blue dress. She's right. It has been forever since we had a good night. she thought, casting her mind back to before Boq had had to leave, the last time they'd gone out as a group before their studies took over. She could only hope that now they were on the upward trajectory, and no more fights occurred. She changed out of her uniform and into the other dress. By the time she was done and fastened the back as far as she could, Glinda had taken out the rollers and was fluffing up the blonde curls. "Could you help?"

Glinda jumped up and fastened the dress fully for her with a grin. "That definishly suits you." Glinda had chosen a light pink velvety dress which ended at her knees, the blonde never shy about showing off any part of her body. "Do you think we should wait for them?"

"Thank you." Elphaba shifted uncomfortably and shook her head. "No, you said we'll meet them there, so let's see if they turn up."

"And if they don't, we'll still have the best time."

They quickly put on their shoes, grabbed their bags and left the dorm, descending the stairs and out of the building. "There they are!" Glinda waved to Fiyero and Ollivander with a grin, dragging Elphaba past the guards and over to them."

Elphaba linked her arm with Fiyero's, leaning her head on his shoulder, smiling when he kissed her head.

"You're beautiful as always." He smiled at her. "You all ready?"

She paused as Glinda and Ollivander went on ahead to get their carriage. "Wait." she looked up at him. "Are you okay with Nessa and Boq coming tonight?"

"Why wouldn't I be? I don't have to like her right now but she's still your family." he looked down at her catching her eye. "You don't have to seek permission from me."

"I know! It's just... Something Glinda said."

"What did she say?"

"You looked like you wanted to make sure she stayed away for good."

He shrugged. "Maybe, but she's got a lot to prove to you, and if you think she's capable of change, that's your call. I intend on getting very drunk tonight and dancing the night away with my girlfriend, can we do that?" he grinned cheekily.

"You're impossible." she shook her head with a short laugh. "I am not carrying you back to your dorm though, that's up to you."

"So what I'm hearing is you'll dance with me."

"Wa-" she was cut off by a kiss and she hit him on the shoulder, smiling into it. "That wasn't fair." she told him when he broke away.

"Worked though. Come on." he walked with her after their friends and he helped her into the waiting carriage before hopping in after her; the four fell into easy conversation as the carriage moved away from the school.

The carriage finally drew to a stop, the boys jumped out to help the girls out, and Fiyero paid the driver.

"You're watching them, why?"

Ochre turned around to face a Heron. "You wouldn't understand."

"Then help me to."

The woman in the shadows shook her head. "Too dangerous."

"And following a group of teenagers isn't? What's so special about them?"

"They're going to change Oz." She turned back to look for the group, but they'd already disappeared inside.

"I'll get the drinks, you ladies go and find us a table." Fiyero grinned before heading over to the bar with Ollivander.

Glinda and Elphaba found a table in a corner, but still within distance of the dancefloor. "It looks different to last time," Glinda looked around.

"Looks like it's been refurbished." Elphaba agreed.

"So what took you two so long?"

"We were just talking, that's all. I told him what you said about Nessa."

"And?"

"Well he pretty much agreed with your assumption. But he's waiting for her to prove herself. And it's not going to happen while we're in school... there's not much she can do here."

Glinda smiled. "See, I told you."

The boys eventually came back with their drinks and Glinda wasted no time in dragging Fiyero on to the dancefloor.

Elphaba raised her eyebrow again and laughed. "I'm not saving you!" she yelled after him.

Ollivander watched the scene with a grin and sat next to her. "You realise you'll be next."

"And until then, I'll sit back with my drink." she smirked, raising her glass and then took a sip, looking over to watch them.

Boq and Nessa didn't turn up, though the friends didn't notice. Elphaba was eventually dragged from her chair and onto the dance floor. "Glinda, no!" she laughed as the blonde attempted to do the dance that had started their whole friendship. "You're doing it wrong! Ugh, come here!" she stopped and grabbed her arms, manoeuvering them in the right way.

Fiyero intercepted them both at the spin, taking the opportunity to spin Elphaba to him with a smile. "Hey, you."

"Hey yourself." she grinned up at him. "You know... you were both right. This was definitely needed."

"Told you so."

"Alright, no need to gloat." she giggled as he hugged her close. "Have you heard any more from home?"

He shook his head. "No, but usually no news is good news, so I'm not too worried."

"Good."

"We'll be done with this year soon."

"Hmm... We will..."

"Come with me."

"What?" she looked up at him confused.

"Really. I can always run it by my parents, they'll be fine with it."

"I can't... I don't know." she sighed.

"Listen, it was just an idea, you don't have to rush now." he hurried to assure her. "Sorry,"

"No, don't be." she smiled. "I... I'll think about it. Okay?"

He nodded. "Of course. I was just thinking ahead, is all. You're not getting rid of me now you know."

She giggled at that. "Good, I don't intend on letting you go either."