A/N: Hola! This be my first chapter fic I'm posting... and I'm actually working on another chapter fic simultaneously, 'cause I just do crazy stuff like that to myself. So that one will hopefully be up soon too. But anyway, this idea came to me not too long ago, what if Nessa wasn't crippled? How much of Wicked would remain the same, what would change? Musicalverse with a smattering of book references for flavor. Musical pairings. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Wicked? *tear*

"Miss Nessa, you have a letter."

The sixteen-year-old daughter of Governor Frexspar Thropp of Munchkinland looked up from the book she was reading in her bedroom window seat to the older and plump, but slowly aging head servant of Colwen Grounds and reached for the envelope offered her.

"Thank you, Trina."

The woman bore a broad smile under her golden red ringlets and made no move to leave, but pulled the envelope away. "Guess what it is, Nessie dear."

The girl laughed, "You shouldn't read other people's mail, Trina."

"I didn't, but I can tell what it is by the return address on the front."

The envelope was pulled farther away and Nessa sighed. "Is it a birthday invitation?"

"Nope."

Nessa's eyes gleamed mischievously. "Is it from a boy?"

"Your poor father would have cardiac arrest. Nah, you'll never guess," the woman finally said placing the letter into Nessa's waiting hand. She examined the fancy cursive that formed her name and home address before letting her eyes roam to the top left corner of the envelope where only the words Shiz University registered before Nessa was squealing with delight, the rest of the address forgotten.

"And if your father had been around, he would have had cardiac arrest from that lovely shrill shriek," Trina grinned.

Nessa ripped the envelope open, unfolded the letter, and began to read.

Dear Miss Nessarose Thropp,

Your academic excellence and advancement in your private studies have been noted by the Board of Administrators here at Shiz University. I understand you are yet two years away from a typical secondary educational graduation, but have completed all academic requirements needed for such graduation in your home schooling. You are therefore cordially invited, if you wish, to an early registration for the next semester at Shiz. I look forward to teaching an ambitious and accomplished young woman such as yourself.

Sincerely,

Madame Morrible

Headmistress,

Shiz University

"Well, you best be off to tell him."

Nessa leapt from her window seat, thanking Trina quickly, and bounded downstairs to her father's home office, where she promptly threw the door open and rushed in before remembering to knock. She stopped short when her father and older sister halted their conversation (or more likely her father halted his lecture) and acknowledged the intruder. Nessa winced, "Um, sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt."

Frex's stern look faded into a more prideful expression seeing the paper in his youngest daughter's hands and her extremely rare display explosive excitement. "I see Miss Trina visited you, and it must be what I expected. Congratulations, Rosebud."

"Then it's all right that I go to Shiz this early?"

Frex smiled widely, "Of course, sweetheart."

She turned to her older sister who was clearly happy to see Nessa so excited. "Just think, Elphaba! We'll be at Shiz all four years together!"

The green girl's beautiful smile faded to a somber expression. "I don't think I'm going, Nessa," she murmured as she looked down, but Nessa did not miss the furtive glare she sent in her father's direction. Briefly, the younger girl followed her sister's attention, noting the pointed look her father was giving Elphaba before returning her gaze to her sister. "What do you mean you don't think you're going? You've done nothing but talked about going to Shiz for the last few years now."

"Well someone doesn't want me to go," came the reply through clenched teeth. Nessa turned incredulously to her father, "And why is that?"

"Rosebud..." Frex's furrowed brow added weight to his pleadings, which Nessa ignored.

"No! Why won't you let Elphaba go to school? She's just as smart as I am. Smarter," she corrected. "She deserves to go."

"No, she does not," Frex's tone became commanding.

"Why?" Elphaba demanded. Frex turned his scowl on her, "Don't start this again. Get out."

The girl accepted defeat, but stormed out of the office making sure to slam the door behind her as hard as she could. Nessa realized that they must have just had this very talk. And it clearly hadn't gone very well.

"That is why I won't let her go."

Nessa turned her attention back to her father, "She asked you a valid question. And she wouldn't act like that if you were nice to her once in a while."

"Her pigheadedness and quick temper are what get her into trouble. I would find her more becoming if she learned to cool herself down and act civilly once in a while."

"No! The problem is you don't find her becoming at all. You think she's a freak and you treat her like dirt because of it! You always have."

"I do not treat her like dirt!" Frex roared. "And I do not need my daughter of sixteen telling me how I treat my children. I am more than well aware of that."

"So you'll admit that to say you treat us the same is a lie."

"Yes. I know how to manage my cursed, unruly daughter, and how to reward my good daughter."

"Cursed? Unruly?" Nessa was shouting now as well. "Elphaba can't help it she was born green and she has always done everything you've told her to do! She may have voiced her protest, but she's always obeyed you. She'd never admit it, but she's too scared of you to disobey."

"Scared of me? Whatever for?" Frex scowled again.

"She doesn't know what you'd do if she ever disobeyed you. You've locked her in her room, prohibited her from eating a meal or two in a row, you've even struck her before whenever you found cause to blame her on one stupid thing or another!"

"I'm her father, I wouldn't kill her."

"You don't act like a father to her, you act like a slave driver! And there are a lot of fates worse than death."

"Enough!"

Both sides attempted to take calming breaths, but found it a difficult task. Frex was the first speak again, "Enough, Nessa. This discussion is over. I have made my decision. Please, dearest, just run along now."

Fuming, Nessa realized she would only make things worse if she continued to prod now. But as she turned on her heel, she couldn't help but bitterly mutter just loud enough for Frex to hear, "Yes, I know I'm your dearest. Mother would be ashamed of you."

She threw the office door open once more and marched through without even bothering to close it behind her.

* * *

Elphaba took the stairs two at a time two flights up, burst into her tiny room slamming the door shut behind her, and fell hard onto her sagging bed, which squeaked under her weight. She hated him! She absolutely hated him! Her features scrunched and facial muscles tightened trying hard to hold the tears at bay. It was her dream to go to Shiz, the greatest university in all of Oz.

Sad, the girl thought. My big dream, my life's ambition is to go to school so I can get a degree to teach in a school.

Well, she'd have to admit she wanted to meet the Wizard at least once, but that would have little to do with the rest of her life and career. She was a practical dreamer. Nessa was more the typical dreamer. While it was common knowledge she was expected to take the mantle of Governor when their father retired, Nessa wanted to be a singer or an actress in the Emerald City. And she could do it, Elphaba mused sadly. Nessa can do anything she sets her mind to, and I can't because of that... that jerk!

A sigh escaped her and permeated the room. Tears under control, Elphaba sat up and grabbed her anthology book Myths of the Vinkus that Nessa had given her this past Lurlinemas. She had already read it straight through once, but left it on her nightstand next to her bed for some relaxing reading before she went to sleep each night since the myths were fairly short. She was hoping Nastoya, The Elephant Princess would relax her now, but after reading the fourth line three times, she gave up in frustration and slammed the book back onto the little bedside table. Her glasses came off, were folded, and laid on top of the book to allow her long fingers better massage access to her face. She had to figure out a way to change the old geezer's mind. But how? He never listened to her. Ever. He didn't care. He was so embarrassed by her, he'd prefer she never be seen outside of Colwen Grounds. Oh sure, she'd been to town before, but only because Nessa had begged for her older sister's company. The few times she'd slipped out on her own, well, there had been serious repercussions. That was why she had been schooled at home. Frex couldn't bare the humility of even sending her to a public school. Of course, Elphaba thought with a smirk, that hadn't been so bad. She felt sure she had received a better education from working one-on-one with her strict tutors, an advantage she had a hunch was not as readily available to public school students. When Nessa had turned five, Frex had enrolled her in Center Munch Elementary, which had all been well and good until the first day of school as the carriage was leaving the grounds and the little girl realized her older sister was not coming with her. Elphaba could only imagine the tantrum Nessa had thrown, but it must have been terrifying. Frex had to order the carriage to turn around before it had even left the private drive, and the look of panic on his face when he emerged from the carriage with a screaming Nessarose in his arms had been an image Elphaba burned into her memory, forever hers to cherish.

"Elphaba!"

Ah yes, the call for help. The green girl of seven had swooped in and rescued her father from his fate. Nessa stopped crying the instant Elphaba had taken her. Later, the younger child had announced, "I want to do school at home like Elphaba!"

"Wouldn't you rather to go to school with all the other children, my little Rosebud? Make some new friends?"

Nessa's lower lip quivered. Frex surrendered. When Frex's back was turned, tender Nessa had shot Elphaba the most impish little grin that could have scared a demon. Yes, the child had a special talent for getting what she wanted; she had Frex wrapped around her little finger. And she knew it.

So now the question was, was Nessa possibly wielding her magic right now? Elphaba knew that all she needed to do was ask her sister and Nessa would play it up to Frex. The sisters had worked in this manner before, but Elphaba wasn't so sure the pigheaded man would give in so easily this time. Not after she'd collected the mail, found her sister's letter from the University, and confronted him about it. He'd been furious she had even dared to bring up the subject.

The faint sound of the doorknob turning pulled Elphaba out of her reverie of misery.

"Elphaba?"

Don't get your hopes up, she told herself grabbing her glasses and turning to her sister. "What happened after I was booted out?"

The beautiful girl sighed and plopped down onto the bed next to Elphaba. "Fight. Big fight."

There was silence, neither really knowing what to say, but it was relaxing, not strained. Out of her window, Elphaba saw storm clouds begin to roll in. She sensed the slow darkening of her room and reveled in it. Beside her Nessa shifted and nestled closer to her letting her head rest against Elphaba's bony shoulder. Without taking her eyes off of the darkening sky, Elphaba dropped her head automatically against her sister's in loving recognition.

"I'll work on him, Faba. I promise I will."

Elphaba allowed a small triumphant smirk, "I'm sure you will, Nessa. I'm sure you will."