Elphaba cringed as Glinda threw out her arm, gesturing to the world at large. "Don't you see," the blonde cried, "don't you see how perfect we are together?" Though time had passed, nothing about Glinda the Good – as she was known now – had changed much, the green girl realized. She was still concealing her passionate heart and analytical mind behind the façade of a girl who cared about nothing more than moving up the social ladder.

Wordlessly, Elphaba nodded, not trusting her voice to speak. "We can do so much good together," Glinda went on. Yes, we can, Elphaba thought, me and you. Don't do this to me. "Once we're married, Fiyero and I can use our influence as the rulers of the Arijki tribe to effect some change in the Emerald City. You can stop your silly protests and underground … whatever it is you do." Glinda dismissed Elphaba's life and motivation with one flip of her slender wrist; after years of dealing with her flip comments, Elphaba knew not to take it personally. It was Glinda's way of showing she cared. That didn't stop it from cutting her to the quick, though.

Turning to face Elphaba, Glinda met her eyes for the first time. Their solemn pleading caught Elphaba off-guard, and she blinked rapidly. "Elphie." The blonde's bubbly voice was reduced to a throaty whisper. "Tell me you're happy for me." 'Tell me it's okay' was the unspoken corollary.

Elphaba opened her mouth, working the words around inside, but they stuck in her throat, making the very act of breathing impossible. Taking a deep breath, Elphaba dropped her broom and wrapped her arms around Glinda, brushing her cheek with a soft kiss. Once the blonde's face was out of sight, hidden in the crook of Elphaba's neck, the green witch's voice returned. "Of course," she murmured huskily. "I hope you're happy now."

FIN