Elphaba liked the darkness of her hiding place. It made her feel safe and relaxed, two emotions she never experienced much in her life. She had been there for only an hour but it seemed like an eternity. "Where the hell is Fiyero?" thought Elphaba as she shifted restlessly. She was beginning to feel claustrophobic in the tiny pit. "They are probably celebrating my 'death'," she mused bitterly. A small smirk flitted across her lips. "Well, at least I did something right for once."

A sharp rap above her head startled her. "Elphie?" a male voice whispered.

"Fiyero, thank Oz."

Elphaba shielded her eyes in anticipation of the unforgiving glare of daylight. She was surprised to see night had fallen. Fiyero's blue diamond skin seemed to reflect the moonlight.

"Fae, we need to move quickly. A group of the Wizard's loyalists are on their way here to ransack the castle. If they find you here they will kill you for good."

Elphaba reached down for her satchel and broom. Her hat had somehow been misplaced in the earlier commotion.

"I'm ready."

Her eyes darted around cautiously as Fiyero helped her out of the pit.

"Here put this on."

Fiyero handed her a large hooded cloak. She smiled at him gratefully and put it on.

"I'm so glad you're safe. I thought you might have been...," she trailed off, tears stinging her dark eyes.

"I know. But I'm here now and we are going to get through this together."

"Oh Yero, where are we going to go? I feel like no place is safe anymore."

Fiyero stroked her long, black hair. "I found a secluded cave a few miles from here. I've been watching it for weeks. No one has ever used it. I used to hide out there when I was a small boy." He kissed her emerald forehead. "Let's go before the Loyalists find us here." He took her hand and began their long journey.

They traveled by night and slept in small caves during the day, taking turns as a watch. After four days they came upon the cave. It was surrounded by a huge rock outcropping that concealed the entrance. "Yero, it's perfect!" Elphaba smiled for the first time in four days. She wrapped Fiyero in a warm, embracing hug. He was stunned for a moment because Elphaba was not one to display her emotions so readily. Suddenly she pulled away, realizing what she was doing. "We better head inside before we are spotted." She scaled the outcropping as nimbly as a mountain goat. Fiyero shrugged and followed close behind.

Once inside the safety of the cave Fiyero could see Elphaba visibly relax. He walked up behind her and circled his arms around her waist. She leaned against him, and they stood for a while just listening to the sound of their breathing. Finally, Elphaba

turned to face him. She looked at him so lovingly that Fiyero could feel his heart melting. "I'm sorry about before. I just didn't feel comfortable out in the open." Fiyero smiled at her and brushed a strand of hair away from her face.

"It's okay. I was a little surprised at your reaction. You're not usually like that."

Elphaba blushed and turned away from him. "I don't know what came over me but it's strange."

"What is?" Fiyero asked. She turned to face him.

"It felt nice to be able to trust someone for a change." She flashed him a big grin before taking the Grimmerie out of her satchel.

"You kept that book?" Fiyero inquired.

Elphaba looked at him steadily and simply said, "You never know when it might come in handy. Besides it's of no use to the Wizard now that I'm gone."

Fiyero regarded her for a moment before saying, "Maybe you're right."

Elphaba studied the ancient writings trying to decipher their code and unlock their secrets. The words began to swim before her eyes. She would have continued reading despite her fatigue but the light was starting to fade outside and darkness was pervading the cave. Elphaba and Fiyero lay down and slept with their arms around each other. As the night grew darker Elphaba snuggled closer to Fiyero. "I love you, Yero," she whispered before drifting into a peaceful slumber to the sound of his heartbeat.