Well, after over a year I've come out with a kind of sequel to "Sleepless Nights." It isn't absolutely necessary to read "Sleepless Nights" to get this story but there may be a few references. And besides, isn't any Gelphie story worth reading? Duh!

Anyway, I don't own "Wicked" or Glinda or Elphaba. Because if I did, well…let's just say a certain Winkie Prince would not have gotten as far as he did.

Btw, this is kinda musicalverse and bookverse. There are aspects in each that I just conveniently forget. *cough* Glinda being married *cough* Fiyero being alive *cough*

A big thanks to Laura for being a wonderful beta and friend. Even if you are all the way over in France. *big hug* I miss you!

So, enjoy and review. And don't flame me just because you don't like the pairing of Glinda/Elphaba. How immature can you be? If you don't like the pairing…don't read it! *smacks your forehead* Get over yourself!

*****

Title: Tired Souls

A full moon rose over the Emerald City, bathing the city in its haunting light. And the bustling city was quiet. It was close to midnight, bringing the 5th year Anniversary Celebration of the Wicked Witch of the West's death to an end. The Ozians were tired. It had been a long day of singing, dancing, eating, laughing, and well…just celebrating.

But there was one Ozian that wasn't asleep. And, as the moon's bright light made its way into her window, it focused on a huge empty bed with rumpled sheets. She had obviously been to bed but hadn't been to sleep. And Glinda the Good was probably entitled to be more exhausted that any other citizen of Oz. In fact, her body was exhausted. But her mind couldn't stop racing.

She sat at her desk, looking out the window to her right, letting the moon serve as her source of light. Not that she really needed to see anything.

Five years. Elphie had been gone for five years. And she was tired. Her body, her mind... her soul…all of her was just plain exhausted.

Living day in and day out with a smile on her face and nice words spewing from her mouth was tiring. Mainly because her heart wasn't into it. Her heart had died the day her love had died.

"It's a wonder I've lived this long," the blonde witch muttered into the empty room.

She sighed and glanced down at her desk, her blue eyes scanning over the many papers littering the top of it. There were laws and proclamations scattered about. Laws she herself wrote. In fact, just that morning she finally proclaimed it unlawful to cage an Animal. And as it was passed, she gave a thought out to Elphaba, knowing that she would hear it. After all, the dead can hear your thoughts, right?

"I can't do this anymore, Elphie," Glinda said, still looking at the papers; not really seeing them. "I've done good things for Oz, I know I have. But enough is enough. I've got to get out of here."

It was time.

**********

The next morning dawned. It was a clear, bright morning; a morning that proved to make a beautiful day.

Glinda was dressed and ready for the day before the sun had even thought about peeking through her window. She had a lot to do. And not enough time to do it in.

Opening the door to her room, she plastered her public smile on her face and walked through the palace, greeting all who passed her with a smile and a kind word. But inside she was grim and dark.

She opened the door to her public office, the place where she held meetings and such. And there, sitting in a chair in front of her desk, was just the person she needed to see.

"Good morning, Centra," Glinda said as she shut the door behind her and made her way around her desk.

"Good morning, Ms. Glinda," the young woman said.

The Good Witch looked over the woman sitting across from her. She had hired her just a year ago as an assistant. However, as the months wore on, the blonde started training Centra for something more.

"How was your day yesterday, Centra?"

The young brunette gave a slow nod. "It was okay, I suppose."

"Just okay?" Glinda asked, raising one eyebrow. But inside, she smirked. So far so good.

Centra bit her lip and looked at the floor.

"Come now, Centra," Glinda said with a small smile. "Tell me what's going on in your head at this moment."

Centra looked back up at her boss. "In all honesty, Ms. Glinda, I hated yesterday."

"Oh?"

Centra nodded. "I think celebrating the death of any human being is horrible, no matter what they did." She took a deep breath, as if getting ready for a big announcement. And in her mind, she was. "And in all actuality, I don't think the 'Wicked Witch' was really all that wicked. I mean, what did she EVER do to earn that title?"

"Spread lies about the Wizard?" Glinda prompted.

"No," Centra said. "She told the truth."

"And how do you know that?"

"I just do," the young woman said. "I feel in my heart that she was good. REALLY good. She wanted to help Oz, not hurt Oz."

"But what about kidnapping that little girl?"

"Dorothy?" Centra rolled her eyes. "I saw that little girl. She needed to be kidnapped."

Glinda couldn't help it. She started laughing. True laughter that bubbled up from deep inside and sprang out of her mouth in waves. Centra was acting a lot like Elphie. Her wit and attitude were dead on. She was perfect.

"I'm glad you feel that way, Centra," Glinda said after her small bout of laughter had died down, leaving a very confused Centra in its wake.

"What way?"

"The way I feel."

Centra's green eyes widened. "What?"

Glinda leveled her gaze with Centra's. "I'm leaving, Centra. I'm leaving Oz."

The young woman couldn't even manage to make a noise because of the shock she was in.

Glinda continued. "And I need someone to replace me. Someone honest, good, and able to take my place without causing too much upheaval in Oz."

"But," Centra swallowed. "But…why?"

I'm tired, Centra. Tired of being someone I'm not. I'm tired of living this lie I call life."

Centra felt her eyes widen. "So, it's true."

"What?" Glinda asked, her blue eyes full of curiosity.

"You do miss her."

"Who?"

"The Wicked Witch."

Glinda felt her stomach drop, her heart stop, and her face flush. "Where did you hear that?" she whispered urgently. If that got out, it would be over for her. They would kill her. But is that really such a bad thing. The horrible thought escaped before she could stop it.

"A Bear at the market the other day," Centra hurried to explain. "He said that not many people can see it, but your smile doesn't reach your eyes. And your bubble seems to be getting duller and duller."

Great Oz, was it that obvious? Glinda tried to swallow the lump of fear in her throat. So be it. It was over anyway.

"Where will you go?"

Glinda looked back at Centra in shock. "You mean…you aren't going to ridicule me?"

"Why should I?" the younger woman asked. "You obviously loved her."

"Oh…shit."

The curse was muttered so softly, Centra was sure she imagined it. In fact, she tried to make herself believe that for the rest of her life. The Good Witch of the North would never mutter such words. Right?

Glinda the Good left that night. She finally convinced Centra that the young woman was ready to take her place. Of course, said young woman was still trying to figure out when she agreed to it all. But Centra was a good person and knew what Glinda stood for. And if Glinda thought she was ready, then she was ready. After all, she knew what Glinda had been trying to do. And that was to make the citizens of Oz happy and full of goodness. Glinda had gotten the ball rolling, it was just up to Centra to keep it on the right track.

To be continued...