AN. Ordinarily, this is where I would apologise for the delay in updating. But not this time. Only a few hours after I posted the last chapter, my grandfather died, so understandably, writing/posting wasn't my main priority. It just felt really weird to update... like it would mean life is returning to normal, when I am reminded every few hours that nothing is normal anymore.

But it is to my Grandad I would like to dedicate this chapter- even though he never read anything that I wrote like this. RIP Grandad.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Fiyero was sitting in his usual spot in History the next morning, completely distracted. He hadn't seen or heard from Elphaba since they'd spoken the day before and he was wondering how much time she'd need to think things through.

He didn't want to push her, but he was dying to know what decision she'd come to. But here it was, five minutes until class started and neither Elphaba or Galinda had arrived yet. That wasn't too unusual for Galinda, but for Elphaba it was odd, and Fiyero wanted to know if that was a good sign or a bad sign.

Four minutes….

More and more people were beginning to enter the classroom now, taking their seats and chattering to their neighbours as they unpacked their things.

"Hey, Tiggular!" Finor called across to him from a few rows back. "Didn't see you at the OzDust last night!"

"Nope, I was busy," he called back.

Granted, he'd spent his evening sitting in his room trying to distract himself in case Elphaba turned up to give her decision, but Finor didn't have to know that.

In Fiyero's mind, that was the most important thing.

Three minutes…

Dr Dillamond arrived now, greeted a few students and began to open his briefcase to set up for that days lecture.

Nessa wheeled into the room, her chair, to Fiyero's surprise, being pushed by Teron. When he sat next to her, Fiyero wondered whether something was going on between the two of them.

He kind of hoped so. Teron was a nice guy and Nessa was very sweet, if a little too proper at times.

Two minutes…

Boq and Galinda entered the room together, holding hands and talking quietly. Galinda was giggling and Fiyero smiled slightly, but the sight of them made him a little sad.

They had started dating only a few days after he and Elphaba had, and if it weren't for Fiyero, that could have been him and Elphaba now.

But, he realised, and sat up straighter in expectation. Galinda was Elphaba's roommate, which meant she couldn't be far behind.

One minute…

With a mere minute to spare, Elphaba slipped into the classroom. She was wearing a simple black dress, and her hair was in a tiny braid.

No one gave her any real attention, most of the girls were still ignoring her since she had broken Fiyero's nose. Fiyero watched her eagerly, to see if she would give him any sign or indication.

She headed for her usual seat in the front row, where she'd sat for the past month, and Fiyero's heart sank.

But then she kept walking. And finally, people started noticing her. More and more watched as she made her way back up to where Fiyero was sitting in the fourth row back and put her bag down, as she sat in the seat beside him.

Fiyero held his breath, hoping it meant what he thought it did, but not daring to believe it until she actually gave him a sign.

As though reading his mind, once she'd unpacked her books and pen, and had set them atop the desk ready to take notes as soon as Dr Dillamond began speaking; she reached over and slid her emerald hand into Fiyero's.

His heart swelled and he felt an overwhelming wave of relief and giddiness. Not wanting to make a big deal of it- yet, anyway, he'd wait until they were out of class, he lifted her hand up to his mouth and kissed the back of it hard, trying to convey the relief he felt into the gesture.

He could practically feel her blush, but she gently squeezed his hand and he lowered their still joined hands to rest on the desk.

Dr Dillamond was ignorant to the whispers that were filling his classroom and quickly called the class to order and began speaking.

Elphaba's attention immediately went to the lesson and to writing notes, but Fiyero was too happy.

He quickly scrawled a note and subtly slipped it onto Elphaba's page. He didn't expect her to reply, she never had before, but it was only a few moments later when the slip of paper reappeared on his desk.

With a sideways glance at her, he unfolded it. There on one side was his original message,

I love you.

Hastily, he flipped it over to see her reply.

I love you too. Now pay attention, we need to know this for finals.

Fiyero grinned.

The End

AN. There is a sequel posted- Three Leaps Ahead.