The Talk.

Disclaimer: I do not own Wicked, these characters, or anything affiliated with it (besides my truckload of merchandise). That pleasure belongs to Gregory Maguire; I just play with the characters as I please.

Warning:

Author's note: Please let me know if you still have any interest in this story, or if I should just wrap it up. I have a lot of chapters written which were going to be a different story, but I could possibly add to this story (a while away yet – they're from after the Defying Gravity moment onwards.).

-xo-

"Elphieeeee." Galinda whined, poking her love in the arm at a rapid pace. "I'm boooored."

Elphaba paused for a moment before closing the book that she had been reading. The previous day the girls had decided, Galinda reluctantly, that they would spend a day doing all their schoolwork so they could get it out of the way. Now the time had come to put that in to practice, however, and Galinda was even more reluctant.

"You haven't even opened a single book, my sweet. We discussed this yesterday." She caught Galinda's hand before it could poke her again and held it still.

"I know, I know... But I didn't think we'd actually do it! Besides, you're reading, not studying!"

Elphaba ignored the girl's last statement, barely holding in a chuckle. "Have you met me, Ali? In what universe did you think I would let you get out of doing your schoolwork?"

"Uh, the universe where you love me; duh!"

"Yes, and that would be this universe, and it isn't happening."

Galinda huffed, sitting back in her chair with her arms crossed. The girls were silent for a moment, Galinda pouting whilst Elphaba looked on with amusement. Before either one could speak again, there was a voice out of nowhere from behind them.

"Don't scare us like that, daddy!" Galinda squealed, bounding out of her chair and at her father. She wrapped her arms around his middle as he embraced her with as much love.

"I'm sorry, princess. I guess I entered a little more quieter than I thought." The older man chuckled, releasing his tight hug on his daughter.

"It's alright, Popsicle; just don't do it again!"

"I promise. Now, I came here to steal Elphaba away for a while, my darling daughter. I promise she'll be safe." He spoke, directing his words at Galinda. He knew that the girls had rarely spent any time apart since the green girl had inadvertently disappeared for the day, but this was something that he felt he had to do, as a father.

"But daddy, we're studying." The blonde protested, her best pouting eyes making an appearance.

"From what I could see, Elphaba was studying. You were just being an annoyance."

Elphaba could see the twinkle in Dmitri's eyes, knowing that he was just jesting his daughter.

For her part, Galinda looked aghast. "How dare you! I was so... She... Elphie wasn't even studying!"

Dmitri chuckled, ruffling the blonde curls atop Galinda's head. "Relax, daughter; I'm just teasing you. But seriously, I need to borrow Elphaba. I'll send your mother up to help you with your schoolwork; some of which you will have done before I return Elphaba to you."

Galinda knew that whatever her father needed her girlfriend for had to be somewhat important for him to separate them for a period of time after the events of the last couple of days.

"Yes daddy." Galinda pouted, looking downtrodden.

Elphaba looked between her love and Dmitri, unsure what to think or make of the whole situation. She knew nothing of what was coming, and because of this, her anxiety levels were rising by the seconds. For Galinda, however, she made sure she looked as calm as she possibly could.

"I expect at least your History work to be completed, my sweet." Elphaba said before following Dmitri out of the bedroom. A sad nod from Galinda was the last thing the green girl saw before they were out of sight.

-xo-

"Take a seat, Elphaba." Dmitri offered kindly. He had taken them through the house and down to the library. It was a place that he knew Elphaba would be the most comfortable, other than Galinda's room, of course. He had debated that fact with himself for a while, given that the last time they were in there was when Fiyero was with them. After some help from Elise, however, he decided that it would be alright.

Elphaba hesitated, looking around briefly, before finally taking a seat opposite Lord Upland. The room held bad memories for her, but the books were comforting, and she was in there with Galinda's father; the man who got Fiyero away from them.

"I'm sorry to have to take you away from your studies, and my daughter, Elphaba. But, I thought perhaps it was time that we had a little one-on-one chat. There's no need to be nervous or alarmed, I promise."

Elphaba nodded, feeling her throat go dry. In a few brief moments she thought over how much she had changed since being with her love; how much quieter (if possible) she had become, how much less sarcastic and bad tempered she was. Then she thought of how much of her was influenced by Galinda, and all the good points she could use in their defence should the talk she was about to get turn for the worst.

Dmitri, being the sort of father that he was, could see that the girl in front of him still wasn't completely relaxed and wondered if the library was a bad idea after all. But, after looking at Elphaba for a little longer, he realized the look she was giving had nothing to do with where they were and more to do with his daughter; although he wasn't quite sure what.

"Now, Elphaba... I've never really done this sort of thing before. I mean, Galinda has had many chaperones, and many boys that we thought would be possible suitors for her when she turned of age, but she has never had anyone in her life for which she has felt so emotional about. Although she was quite the socialite, she was always a little different from the other girls around these areas; she didn't have as much interest in suitors and her future; more about the present and what she could discover."

Still unsure where this was going, Elphaba remained still, her eyes trained on Dmitri as if his expression was going to give anything away; although it remained soft and gentle.

"What I'm getting at, I guess, is something along the lines of what a father would say to his daughter's boyfriend should it look like he was after something more serious. Are you following me?"

It finally clicked in to place for Elphaba. Lord Upland was trying to give her 'the speech'. She had never experienced it before, but she had heard about it when she was younger and hidden away in the trees with a good book. No one ever bothered looking up to see if anyone was listening before they started giving away their deepest and darkest secrets. She nodded.

"Good, good. That makes this a little easier, I guess. I want to keep this casual, Elphaba. The last thing I want is to make you or me, for that matter, uncomfortable. This is a first for both of us, I would assume?" At Elphaba's nod, he let out a little sight of relief before continuing, "Okai, good. So, I guess the first question would be what your intentions with my daughter are?"

Elphaba fidgeted with her hands, something she had never done. There was rarely a situation where she couldn't use sarcasm or well-timed comments to get herself out of. She stayed silent, thinking of what she should say; what she thought Mr Upland wanted to hear.

"I love her, Lord Upland. I just want her happy." She finally settled on.

Dmitri gave a single nod. "Now, I know that you're not after her money. If I understand correctly, you're the Thropp Third Descending on your mother's side, the next heir to the throne in Munchkinland?"

Elphaba nodded, giving a slight blush. She hated people knowing about where she came from, who she was. But then she figured that the Uplands had the right to know exactly who she was.

"You don't have to answer this if you don't want, but are you planning on taking over the title once..."

"Once my grandfather dies. I honestly don't know, Sir. I've never wanted the position, I still don't want the position, but I'm not sure what choice I really have. My younger sister, Nessarose, would take over if I was to decline the position, I'd assume, but I don't know if I have that option."

Dmitri considered this to himself. He could see the turmoil behind the green girl's eyes at the talk of her background. He felt for her, as if she were a daughter to him.

"Thank you for your honesty, Elphaba. We can probably come back to that if something were to change within the hierarchy. So, if I understand it, you don't want Galinda for her money, for her standing in Oz with her family history, or any other accomplishment?"

Elphaba nodded confidently. She loved Galinda more than she ever thought possible, and making sure that the girl was happy was her primary goal.

Dmitri, for his part, believed Elphaba. The way she looked at his daughter was with raw and pure love. It was the same way that he looked at his wife, the same way that Sierra looked to Helena and vice versa. Elphaba was harmless, genuine, and someone with Galinda's best interests at heart.

"I believe you, my dear. I believe that you love Galinda and that you just want her to be happy. I have to admit that you being in her life has made her unbelievably happy. It's like she is a whole different person, and for the better!"

Elphaba couldn't help the smile that spread across her face. When she entered the library she immediately thought the worst; thought that perhaps the Uplands didn't think she was appropriate company for their daughter and were going to suggest that she stayed away from her. Now, however, her anxiety was calming down again, her thoughts becoming more positive.

"You have to understand, Elphaba that we are here for you as much as we are Galinda. You have a special place in my daughter's heart, and this means in mine and Elise's as well. If you ever need to talk to someone for whatever reason, we are more than happy to listen. I'm sure Helena and Sierra feel the same way. Oz, even Cook would listen if you needed, and she doesn't get along with many people!"

The green girl let out a grateful laugh, feeling as if a whole weight had been lifted off of her.

"Oh, and Elphaba? When it comes time to decided what to do about taking the title in Munchkinland, Elise and myself are behind you whatever you decide... But keep in mind that we will have to revisit that topic if we think that it's going to affect Galinda in any way."

Elphaba understood this, and she told Dmitri so.

Feeling the need to diffuse and tension that might have been left, Dmitri started some light chatter, to which Elphaba gratefully joined in.

-xo-

"They're back, momsie!" Galinda shrieked, getting out of her chair and running towards Elphaba.

With quick enough reflexes, Elphaba caught her love and managed to keep them both stable on their feet instead of toppling to the ground.

"We're back, my sweet." Elphaba chuckled.

"You were gone for ageeessss!"

"It was a little over two hours."

"Precisely!"

Galinda let go of her love before coming to stand in front of her father, making herself as big as she possibly could.

"You gave Elphie the talk!" she accused as toughly as she could.

Dmitri looked over to where Elise has just gotten up out of the chair, an eyebrow raised.

"She just sort of got it out of me!" she smiled with her hands in front of her, feigning innocence.

Lord Upland turned back to his daughter, placing his large hands on her shoulders. "Yes, my lovely daughter, Elphaba and I did have somewhat of a talk. It had to happen sometime, didn't it?"

Galinda shook her head. "Absolutely not!"

"Please tell me you at least got some homework done?" Elphaba interjected lightly.

"All of her History and started on her Geography." Elise reassured, nodding to Elphaba.

"Muuum!" Galinda whined, "Tell popsicle that it wasn't necessary!"

All three people that weren't Galinda let out their own versions of a chuckle.

"Now, now, darling; like I told you, your father just wanted to make sure that Elphaba knew she was welcome here any time, and that she had a special place in our hearts, like you."

Galinda relented, shrinking a little in her place. "Okai... so long as he was nice!"

"Ali, my sweet; everything is alright. I expected it at some point, I guess. Now I just..." Elphaba went quiet, shying away from what she was going to say.

"Just what, Elphaba?" Galinda demanded.

Keeping her head down, Elphaba replied; "Now I just feel... well, even more a part of your family than before."

Hearing this, the blonde launched at her girlfriend again, hugging her tight around the middle.

Lord and Lady Upland smiled at each other, Lord Upland giving his small nod of approval, before they both enclosed the girls in their arms, enjoying a heart-warming family hug.