AN. I'd like to dedicate this chapter to the 298 people on flight MH17, and their families and friends. At least 27 of them were Australian (there's still many who haven't had their nationalities confirmed yet as I write this AN), and over 100 were on their way to Melbourne for the 2014 AIDS conference. It's such an awful thing to happen, and my prayers are with them all.

Chapter 5: A Second Chance

The moment Frex had reassured himself that he was back in the present, he sprang into action.

He quickly dressed, thinking hastily. It was half past two in the morning. If he called for a carriage immediately, he could be at Shiz by noon, as long as traffic was light and they made good time. With luck, he might even make it before Elphaba went to lunch. He had a feeling this might be easier without other people around if possible.

His carriage driver and stable boy clearly weren't too happy to be woken up in the middle of the night, especially on Lurlinemas, but Frex couldn't care. For the first time in twenty-two years, Frex could say that Elphaba was his top priority.

As he prepared to leave, Frex had considered sleeping in the carriage, but had immediately dismissed that as a possibility. He felt too wired to even consider sleep. However, somewhere near the Munchkin River, Frex fell asleep.

When he awoke, the sun was shining brightly and Frex's watch told him that it was just after twelve. On his inquiry, the driver told him that they were half an hour away from Shiz. Fiyero tried to think back to what he had seen. If memory served him correctly, he would be interrupting their lunch. It was later than he had hoped, but it couldn't be helped.

Once he arrived at Shiz, it took him a few minutes to find someone who could direct him to Fiyero Tiggular's suite. The HeadShizstress was apparently not festivating Lurlinemas, and although she was surprised to see him, she was eager to help.

"I hope nothing is wrong, Governor?" she asked in concern.

"A family matter," Frex replied shortly, and thanked her before leaving.

He found Fiyero's suite with no problem, and after a moment's hesitation, he steeled himself and knocked on the door.

It felt like an eternity before the door opened and Frex found himself face to face with Boq.

"Governor Thropp!" he exclaimed, unable to hide his surprise.

There immediately came the sound of cutlery dropping onto a plate. Frex would be willing to bet it had been dropped in shock.

"Hello, Boq," he replied shortly.

Boq looked awkwardly over his shoulder, and then Nessa wheeled herself into view. She looked just as surprised to see him.

"Father? What are you doing here?"

Frex cleared his throat. "I came to see-"

Boq swung the door open wider, and Frex could see into the apartment. Elphaba was standing up from the table, her face pale but determinedly set. Fiyero was standing beside her, one arm around her waist protectively. Galinda sat opposite her, looking anxiously between her friend and Frex.

"Elphaba."

Elphaba looked at him, saying nothing.

"Um… Father, why don't you come in?" Nessa suggested awkwardly, looking over her shoulder towards her sister and Fiyero.

Frex stepped into the room, and Boq closed the door behind him. The air was thick with tension, and Frex wasn't quite sure where to start.

To Frex's surprise, it was Fiyero that made the first move. He stepped away from Elphaba and approached Frex. It didn't escape the Governor's notice that he still placed himself in a way so as to block Elphaba from his line of sight, as though to protect her.

"Governor Thropp, I'm Fiyero Tiggular."

Frex extended his hand to the young man, striving to keep his mind on what he had seen this past night and not on the prince's reputation that he knew of. This was the boy who loved his daughter. Who would one day be his son-in-law and the father of at least one grandson. The boy who Melena had chosen for their daughter, who was good to her.

"Frexspar Thropp. It's nice to meet you," he said cordially. A small part of him enjoyed the shock on Fiyero's face as he shook his hand.

"I'm sorry to interrupt your lunch," he said, looking at the table.

"What are you doing here?" Elphaba asked, speaking for the first time.

Frex looked past Fiyero to his eldest daughter. "I'd like a word."

Elphaba looked understandably wary. Frex noted the first thing she did was exchange a glance with Fiyero.

"You can use my bedroom," Fiyero told her quietly.

Elphaba hesitated, and then nodded.

"This way," she said quietly, looking at Frex.

She led him into the bedroom and sat herself on the edge of the bed. Frex took off his cloak and sat on the desk chair and looked at her.

"Elphaba, I came to apologise."

Elphaba's eyes widened in surprise, but said nothing as Frex continued.

"I've been… thinking a lot lately, about what happened over the summer. Not having you girls come home for Lurlinemas has helped too. It's put a lot of things in perspective for me."

This was the hard part, even harder than apologising. Frex took a deep breath. "Elphaba, I was wrong."

"About what?" Elphaba asked uncertainly.

"I shouldn't have judged Fiyero before meeting him. Despite his… reputation in the past, I should have reserved my judgement until meeting him. Most importantly, I should have trusted your judgement."

Frex was sure that had surprised Elphaba more than anything else.

"My judgement?" she repeated in wonder.

"You're a very good judge of character," Frex said quietly. "And I know Fiyero must be a good man if you… trust him."

He couldn't quite bring himself to say "love". Not yet.

"What does that mean exactly?" Elphaba asked.

"It means that I… look forward," Frex said haltingly, trying to convince her and himself that he was sincere. "I look forward to getting to know him, as your… b-boyfriend," he said with a slight grimace.

Elphaba caught it and stiffened and he hastened to explain.

"It's always difficult for a parent to realise his daughters are no longer children," he said quietly. "I'm sure you'll understand when you have children of your own. But I will make an effort to get to know him. He will be welcome in our home, as your boyfriend. I promise you that."

Elphaba met his gaze. "Our home?"

Frex cleared his throat. "Yes."

"But you said-"

"I know what I said," Frex interrupted. "But I shouldn't have. Elphaba, I haven't been a good father to you."

Elphaba's brow furrowed slightly, as though she wasn't sure if she was meant to agree or not.

"Lately, I've realised how badly I've treated you. And I regret that. I'd like to make amends."

"You'd… like to make amends… for being a bad father?" Elphaba asked, sounding confused.

"Yes," Frex nodded.

She seemed to struggle for something to say. "And how exactly do you make up for that?" she asked.

"Money? Gifts? What, do you buy me a pony?"

"Elphaba-"

"No," she cut him off. "Why? What's changed? Why now?"

It was a fair question, but one that Frex wasn't sure how to answer. The truth would make him sound crazy.

"I realised that your mother would have liked him," Frex finally said, deciding upon a version of the truth.

"I was thinking last night what your mother would have done in this situation, and I realised that she never would have put you in that situation," he said.

"She would have trusted your judgement on whoever you decided to date, and made an effort to get to know them. And the more I thought about it, the more I found myself thinking about the past. What Lurlinemas was like when your mother was alive."

Elphaba stared at her lap. "I don't really remember," she said quietly.

Frex nodded silently.

"I remember how much she loved you. And how… ashamed she would be of me."

He had her undivided attention now.

"When she was alive, she tried to make me see how I was behaving, but I couldn't see past your skin," Frex admitted. "When she died, I used Nessa and my grief as an excuse to keep you at arm's length. It's only been recently that I've realised the full extent of how badly I've acted.

I'm sorry Elphaba. You're not a child anymore," he said simply. "You're a… beautiful, intelligent young woman. And your mother would be very proud of you."

Elphaba's eyes were wide.

"I've missed a lot with you, and no matter how much I try, I know I can't get that back. Even if I buy you a pony," he said.

He actually smiled slightly, and Elphaba's lips quirked slightly in response.

"The fact of the matter is, is that I don't want to miss any more important events in your life. Your wedding, your children… I want to be a part of that. And that's why I came today."

Elphaba was silent for a long moment.

"You must have had to leave Munchkinland in the middle of the night," she blurted out abruptly.

"I believe it was about three am," he nodded.

"You left at three am on Lurlinemas morning… to tell me that you're sorry?" she asked.

Frex nodded again.

"For me?"

Frex could have winced at the pure disbelief in her tone.

"Yes," he told her quietly.

Elphaba fell silent, thinking. Frex didn't interrupt.

"Mom- mom would have liked him? Fiyero?" Elphaba's voice was quiet.

Frex nodded. He knew that for a fact.

"She would have liked that he loves you," he said. "She would have been glad that he loves you, and that he's good for you. She would have been very happy that you've found someone who treats you well and makes you happy."

Elphaba looked at him strangely. "How do you know he treats me well? You haven't met him yet."

"You wouldn't be with him if he didn't," Frex said and Elphaba couldn't argue with that.

"Perhaps I could start getting to know him now?" Frex suggested.

Elphaba hesitated.

"Ok," she agreed reluctantly.

She led the way out of the room where the others were gathered.

"Is everything ok?" Nessa asked immediately, looking anxious.

"It's fine, Nessa," Elphaba reassured her sister.

She went immediately to Fiyero's side, who shot her a concerned look as he wrapped an arm around her. She nodded faintly, and Fiyero relaxed.

None of this escaped Frex's notice.

"Would you like something to eat, Father?" Nessa asked. "There's plenty of leftovers. Fabala made lasagne."

Frex couldn't remember the last time he'd eaten. But he didn't remember how good that lunch had smelt.

"That would be wonderful, thank you, Nessarose," he said.

"I'll get it," Boq offered quickly.

"Please, finish your lunch," Frex addressed the others. "I interrupted your meal."

Awkwardly, the six of them sat down to eat. Frex noted the others all sending Elphaba meaningful looks, clearly wanting to know what was going on.

After lunch, just as Frex had been shown, Fiyero and Boq offered to clean the kitchen before doing presents.

"Actually, if you don't mind," Frex spoke up. "I'd like a word with Fiyero."

Fiyero agreed immediately and offered up his bedroom again. As Frex made to close the door behind him, he saw Galinda and Nessarose immediately move towards Elphaba, no doubt demanding an explanation.

"What did you want to talk about, sir?" Fiyero asked politely. He didn't sit, he stood facing Frex determinedly.

Frex had to respect that.

"You are in love with my daughter."

There was no question there, but Fiyero answered it anyway.

"Yes, sir."

"You intend to marry her?"

If he was surprised, Fiyero didn't show it. "Yes, sir. Once we're both finished with school."

Even if he had admitted to Elphaba he was wrong, Frex wasn't ready to apologise to Fiyero. Not just yet.

"Your reputation precedes you, Mr Tiggular."

He felt a small flicker of satisfaction as Fiyero was unable to hide his wince.

"Governor Thropp, I'm aware that there are stories… things," he amended as Frex raised a sceptical eyebrow. "Things in my past that aren't that great. Things I'm not proud of and I regret. But I give you my word that my feelings for Elphaba and my intentions towards her are a hundred per cent honourable."

Frex regarded him sternly.

"I love her more than anything," Fiyero said quietly. "My parents approve of her, and they know my intentions."

Frex remembered the letter from Fiyero's parents that he had seen. No doubt it was in the boy's jacket pocket right now.

"Sir, you and Elphaba-"

"Do not always see eye to eye," Frex finished, his voice cool.

Fiyero looked doubtful, clearly he would have worded that differently.

"I am aware, Mr Tiggular. Despite that, she is my daughter."

"I'm going to treat her right, sir. And do everything I can to make her happy."

Frex looked at him, not sure how to end this conversation.

"I believe you," he finally said, and headed for the door before Fiyero could say anything.

When he stepped into the room, the others were in the living area. Elphaba looked particularly anxious.

"Father, would you like to stay while we open presents?" Nessa asked him. "Or do you have to go back to Munchkinland right away?"

Frex considered the offer for a moment.

"Thank you, Nessa. I think I should be getting back so the driver can see his family for Lurlinemas."

He didn't want to overwhelm Elphaba- or himself- by forcing their relationship to change too quickly. Nessa looked disappointed, and Elphaba… well, Frex couldn't be sure.

"Perhaps I could come back after the holidays?" Frex heard himself suggesting. "For a weekend. Spend some time with- with you girls."

Nessa looked immediately over to Elphaba, which made Frex's chest clench automatically.

Elphaba glanced at her sister, and then to Fiyero, before meeting his gaze.

"Ok," she said quietly.

Frex nodded. "I'll look at my schedule when I return home and see which dates work best," he said.

He put his cloak back on and headed for the door.

"Merry Lurlinemas," he said shortly, and left.

Even from the hallway he could hear Fiyero's exclamation of "What in Oz's name just happened?!"

He may have smiled a little.

Maybe everything wasn't perfect now, maybe it never would be. But Frex felt it was a start to mending bridges. He'd take it.

The End

AN. Book recommendation: FANGIRL by Rainbow Rowell.