A/N - Well, last chapter. I actually finished my first story. Thanks for reading and reviewing!

Epilogue

Six weeks later

Glinda returned to her duties within a matter of days of Cravin's attack. The councilmen were extremely respectful and almost afraid to cross her it seemed. She was required to approve of everything they did, whether she really cared to or not.

Elphaba was almost always consulted for her opinion on the enactment or suggested solution as well. She was quickly earning respect for her quiet wisdom. And she felt renewed passion for the Animal rights cause as the bans continued to be repealed. It would take time for the Animals to regain their prior status as actual citizens but there was definite progress being made and Elphaba was proud to be a part of it. She was even more proud of Glinda for trying to protect the equality for all the citizens of Oz, Animal and human alike.

Elphaba was feeling stronger and more confident with each passing day. She was still unable to allow Glinda to touch her other than the frequent, lingering kisses they would share. Glinda was patient and didn't press when Elphaba would pull away. In fact, Glinda was more than pleased that the faraway, lost look was coming to Elphaba's eyes less and less. That alone was enough to bring tears of joy to her own eyes.

One day, about six weeks after Cravin's death, Glinda and Elphaba were spending the day working on current legislation in the large conference room. Glinda was droning on and on about the pros and cons should the legislation pass but Elphaba was unable to summon the slightest bit of interest. She never took her eyes off Glinda as she spoke but Glinda could tell her mind was elsewhere.

Later in the day, as they were speaking to the councilmen themselves, Glinda had the distinct feeling she was being watched. She glanced up numerous times to find Elphaba staring at her, a look of awe and love mingling on her features. Glinda caught her eye and Elphaba quickly glanced away blushing.

Glinda spent the remainder of the afternoon meetings trying to catch Elphaba's eye if for no other reason than to smile at her warmly in a subtle offer of encouragement. Toward early evening, when she caught Elphaba staring, it was with an almost predatory gleam in her eye. Glinda felt as if Elphaba was a tiger, stalking a prey looking for the perfect opportunity to strike. When caught, Elphaba would again glance away, flushing a darker shade of green. The glances and stares back and forth left Glinda feeling slightly light headed, her heat rising.

The meeting was interrupted and Glinda's presence was requested to settle another minor matter. As she stood to leave, she once again caught Elphaba following her with her eyes, one brow raised slightly. Oz, I wonder if she knows what she's doing to me. Glinda thought blushing.

She didn't see Elphaba again until that night when she returned to their room to prepare for bed. Elphaba had retired early and was standing out on the balcony when Glinda returned. Glinda stopped and watched, Elphaba not yet aware of her presence.

The wind was blowing softly and Elphaba's raven hair was billowing slightly. She was uncharacteristically dressed in a flowing white robe, also fluttering in the slight breeze. Glinda's breath caught in her throat as she watched. Elphaba turned, suddenly realizing she was no longer alone. The moonlight made her eyes seem to almost glow as she smiled and moved back into the room toward Glinda who was still transfixed by the vision before her.

Still smiling, Elphaba pulled Glinda into her arms and pressed their lips together. The kiss deepened and when Elphaba pulled away, Glinda was left panting slightly. Instead of pursuing another kiss, as she truly wanted, Glinda sighed softly and leaned her head onto Elphaba's shoulder.

Glinda felt Elphaba smiling against her temple. "Why don't you go get ready for bed my sweet." Elphaba said softly. "You had a full day of meetings, you must be tired."

Glinda nodded, reluctant to leave Elphaba's embrace. She retreated to the bathroom, trying to control her emotions lest she pounce on Elphaba and frighten her. When she returned, Elphaba was already in bed, the lights dimmed to a soft glimmer.

Glinda slipped silently into the bed, assuming Elphaba was already asleep. Glinda was just getting settled in when she felt Elphaba's arm snake around her waist and she found herself being pulled closer. Glinda giggled as she felt Elphaba's warm breath on her neck, tickling slightly. Contentment flooded Glinda's spirit as she felt Elphaba wrap herself around her tightly.

"Glinda?" Elphaba said softly.

"Hmm?" Glinda replied.

Elphaba placed a gentle kiss on Glinda's shoulder. "I couldn't help but watch you today."

Glinda giggled again. "I noticed. And I must say, it didn't hurt my ego any love."

Elphaba laughed softly and if possible, pressed herself even closer to Glinda. "I was thinking." She said, her voice husky, as she trailed her hand down Glinda's hip and thigh to the hem of her nightdress, "Remember I mentioned being afraid to love you completely? I'm feeling brave and I think maybe we should give that a try."

Glinda gasped as Elphaba's hand slid back up her inner thigh lightly and another kiss was pressed to her pale neck. "Elphie are you sure? I don't want to pressure you…oh…sweet Oz Elphie…" She breathed as Elphaba gently began to caress her. "Um, yes. I definitely think we need to give that a whirl."

*******

Morning broke with brilliant sunlight filtering into the room as the two laid tangled, limbs and sheets. Glinda stretched and a smile formed on her lips as she thought of the previous night. She could still hear the soft moans and sometimes not so soft cries filling the room as the two lovers were once again reacquainted.

Elphaba had loved Glinda freely, though somewhat timidly at first. As Glinda gently encouraged her, Elphaba soon regained confidence and Glinda was left writhing on the bed. Reciprocating had been a bit tricky. Elphaba, as hard as she fought against it, began to panic as Glinda first entered her. Glinda was certain she would have a black eye come morning but assured Elphaba that her panicked blow hadn't really hurt that much.

Glinda was patient and both she and Elphaba were rewarded for it. Glinda softly caressed and uttered soothing words until Elphaba had calmed. Glinda could not describe the love she felt as Elphaba clung to her and cried out as her body began to relax. Glinda brought her down slowly, speaking tenderly but neither really hearing the words.

When Elphaba had finally opened her eyes, Glinda almost cried at the sight. Elphaba seemed like a lost child, vulnerable and frightened. Glinda almost choked at the thought of the trust Elphaba was placing in her. And then, Elphaba had smiled up at her and pulled her close. That was the beginning of their first night again as lovers.

And now, here in the morning light, Glinda reached to softly cup Elphaba's cheek. Elphaba stirred, a soft smile tugging at her lips. "Woman," she said sleepily, "you keep me up all night and don't even have the decency to let me sleep in? Have we awoken a monster?"

Glinda laughed and cuddled closer to Elphaba's side. "No you silly green thing. Just saying good morning."

They snuggled against each other again and when Elphaba spoke, Glinda almost missed it. "Thank you." Elphaba said, almost in a whisper.

"For what love?" Glinda asked.

"For not giving up on me. For saving me."

Glinda pulled back slightly to see Elphaba's face. "Elphie, are you all right?"

Elphaba smiled, the sweetest smile Glinda could remember ever seeing. "I'm fine. And thanks to you, I'm going to be fine." Still smiling, Elphaba pulled Glinda closer and kissed her.