As always, I apologize for my long gaps between updating. Now that's it's summer, I really have no legitimate excuse, so I just throw myself upon your mercy. :) Thanks to my perfect girlfriend for beta-ing and for generally inspiring this story.

Morning came too quickly with three kurt knocks on the door. Elphaba, who usually would have been awake by now, found herself groggily getting up to answer it. The light coming through the window told her it was just past dawn. Elphaba grabbed her bathrobe, and the knocks were repeated, much louder this time. Galinda groaned pitifully and pulled her pillow over her head.

"I'm coming, I'm coming," grumbled Elphaba, tying the sash and opening the door. It was Nanny's impatient face that waited for her, Nessarose looking sulky beside her.

"Now Miss Elphaba," she began before Elphaba could even mutter a greeting, "The other girls' nannies are going out this morning for a little time without their charges. They've asked me to come along, and, as I'm sure you know, I'm not one to turn down a friendly invitation. The problem is, of course, there's no one left to tend Nessa if I leave."

Elphaba caught her hint, but she didn't feel particularly affectionate towards the idea of spending her day with Nessa after yesterday's argument.

"I'll just leave her with you then, shall I?" Nanny continued, clearly anxious to get away. Something in her tone suggested that all the nannies were going out for more than an early morning tea.

Elphaba nodded, and helped Nessa into the room. She turned to say goodbye to Nanny, but the elderly woman was already long gone.

Nessarose, now firmly parked on Elphaba's bed, gave a loud huff. Elphaba sensed she was about to get a 'holier-than-thou' lecture. She began to wish that Nanny had told her when she would be back.

"Now Elphaba," Nessa began, completely indifferent to the sleeping blonde not six feet away, "I've already heard from Boq the shenanigans you got into last night, and I must say I am extremely disappointed. You, a minister's daughter, drinking and carousing into the night? What would Father think? I'll tell you, I've already drafted up a letter to him in which I examine your complete disregard for morality. I'm sure he'll be very interested to hear what you're focusing on here at Shiz, dear sister."

"I already told you, I don't give a damn what he thinks."

"I was afraid you'd say that," said Nessa, sighing up a soft prayer for her sister's lost soul. "But I am prepared to offer you a deal. If you simply express penitence for what you have done-perhaps through some community service-I will burn the letter and forget it ever happened."

"That's very kind of you," Elphaba said with a touch of sarcasm, "But I don't feel the slightest bit penitent. Why don't you tell Father that?"

Nessa somehow looked shocked and completely unsurprised at the same time. "You know, there will come a day when you'll have to answer for all this before the Unnamed God, and you won't be able to wit your way out of it."

Elphaba could feel her righteous tirade beginning, and she knew it was easiest to just sit quietly until it was over. She tuned back in occasionally to remind Nessa to keep her voice down and caught phrases like: "the very fires will burn you for eternity," "not a single other soul to comfort you," and "Elphaba, are you even listening to me?"

It was nearly an hour before Nessarose had preached herself out. It was nearly another hour of her sulking while Elphaba read a science book before Nanny returned to collect her, seeming a little tipsier than when she left. Nessa's parting words were, "You'll answer for it someday!"

Elphaba was glad that at least she hadn't gotten lectured for her relationship with Galinda. Although it was unspoken knowledge in the whole group of friends, Nessarose had simply refused to acknowledge it at all. This of course, was fine with everyone. The fewer things Nessa had to preach on, the better.

Although it was now nearing ten, Galinda had not so much as rolled over since Nanny knocked on the door. Not even when Nessa got particularly loud. Elphaba envied her ability to sleep late through anything. It was nearing noon before she finally stirred.

"Urgggerhhrrrr," was the first sound out of her mouth. She sat up and quickly collapsed back on the bed, followed by a louder "Urgggerhhrrrr."

Amused by this dramatic performance, Elphaba came to sit on the bed beside her girlfriend. "Anything I can do to help, Madam?"

"Elphie, you're so goddamn loud," she whimpered, holding her head.

Elphaba played the role of patient nurse, putting a damp towel on Galinda's head and holding her for most of the afternoon, even when Galinda's act was clearly over the top.

"Elphaba," she finally exclaimed, "Get me my bottle! This can only be fixed with more alcohol!"

"My dear, that is the most ridiculous thing you've ever said," Elphaba said, kissing her on the forehead. "And you've had plenty of fun with that stuff already."

Galinda's eyes widened. "What did I do? Tell me about every moment. I can only remember blurry things."

When Elphaba recounted about Galinda making her tell a secret, Galinda giggled. "I do actually remember that part," she confessed, "And I remember us kissing." Galinda held her breath, hoping that maybe Elphaba would feel more comfortable with that particular brand of contact, even without the alcohol.

Elphaba looked slightly embarrassed. "Here's another secret for you. I was fairly certain I was doing it all wrong."

"Kissing?" Galinda asked incredulously. "You were fine. You were great!"

Elphaba hadn't realized how worried she'd been about her performance until Galinda assured her it had been fine. She had a mad desire to pick Galinda up and spin her around, but she stayed put.

"So I was... better than Fiyero?" she asked with a sly smile.

Galinda playfully slapped her arm. "You know, if you're worried about your kissing... Well, they do say practice makes perfect," Galinda suggested in her most innocent tone.

Elphaba grinned, feeling truly comfortable with the idea for the first time. "You know I am devoted to my studies," she quipped as she pressed her lips against Galinda's. Galinda responded urgently, but Elphaba pulled back. "I was under the impression that you weren't feeling well," she teased.

"I feel all better," Galinda breezed, "Now kiss me!"

The two shared several moments before Elphaba's stomach rumbled loudly enough to pull them apart, giggling.

"I'm hungry too," Galinda admitted. The two agreed to get food to bring back to the room, and when they had finished, they spent the rest of the day shoulder-to-shoulder, giggling, talking, and growing closer.