"Now, you know our school respects and encourages our students to express their individuality." The principal recited to the Golds who were seated protectively on both sides of their son, ready to shield him from whatever the principal was about to say to them.

"However, there are certain restrictions we have for the sake of student safety-"

"In what way did my son cause another student harm?" Mr. Gold snapped at the principal. "You stated on the phone there was no violence on his end so that could only mean—"

Belle reached over and placed a hand over her husband's, cutting him off. "Reid," she soothed, "let her finish."

Reid huffed but sat back, rubbing a thumb over his wife's, their hands hovering over their son's clenched ones.

Principal Mills nodded to Mrs. Gold before continuing. "While I can't force your son to abandon his…behavior, I do have to suggest that, perhaps he…express himself at home instead of in a learning environment."

Before either of the Golds could respond, Gideon shot up, fists clenched by his sides, eyes glaring down at his shoes. With something equivalent to a snarl, he turned and stormed from the office, slamming the door so hard the pictures and framed certificates shook on the wall.

"Gideon!" Belle cried after him, she and her husband rising from her seat only to be stopped by Principal Mills firm but sympathetic voice.

"Mrs. Gold please stop." She said. "He won't go far."

Belle sighed in defeat, turning back to the principal and her husband.

"I was going to ask him to step out anyway. I need to talk to you privately."

"What can you say that we don't already know?" Belle fought, her patience shattered now that her son was. "That our son is different? That there's an entire school full of kids his age that will do all they can to make him feel like an outcast?"

The principal stared at Belle for a moment before she understood the ultimate reason behind the Gold's defensive behavior.

"You both knew about this? Knew about the…crossdressing?"

"We knew our son likes to dress like a woman, yes. That he was going to school like this today? No." Mr. Gold answered, looking unsure of what to say now.

"I watched him pick out his outfit this morning." Belle muttered, covering her face with her hands. "I thought he was going to be okay today."

The principal looked back and forth between the parents, her sympathy for their situation nearly over-lapsing her professionalism.

"How long has this been going on?"

"About three months." Belle answered confidently.

Mr. Gold's glanced at his wife, a secrets in his gaze that he wasn't ready to reveal.

Principal Mills nodded, having seen Mr. Gold's hesitance. "Mr. and Mrs. Gold—"

"Let's drop the formalities Regina." Mr. Gold spoke.

The principal's stiff shoulders relaxed, her professional demeanor dropping into one more casual now that she was with two friends rather than two parents.

"Belle, Reid, I've done all I'm legally allowed to do. In fact, I've overstepped my boundaries letting this conversation get as far as it has."

Reid Gold nodded, feeling out for his wife's hand.

"I'm not going to punish your son, but I can't unfortunately punish the students who hackled him."

"What can you do then?" Belle inquired desperately.

Regina shook her head solemnly. "Legally, I can only insist that you take him home for today, but as a former colleague," she eyed Reid, "and as your friend," she turned to Belle, "I'm going to offer you some advice."

The Golds glanced at each other before giving her their consent.

"I'm a mother too, you both know this."

Reid offered her a small, reminiscent smile. Once upon a time, he had been the most feared lawyer in all of Boston with Regina as his prodigy. He'd trained her to be a ruthless prosecutor who could spot a lie or hesitation a mile away. She was at the height of her career, had made a name for herself and could have even dethroned him anytime she had wanted to. Then the siren called parenthood lured her away, and unlike several of their associates who saw family caring a demotion in career furthering, Gold admired Regina for her sacrifices, and found much more enjoyable to be around as a fellow parent than a colleague.

"If Henry were to go through something like this, I'd do whatever I could to make him feel safe and happy in his own skin."

Belle smiled appreciatively.

"But I'd also try reaching out." She added. "Don't take this the wrong way, but have you sought professional help?"

The Golds didn't move, their fidgeting, intertwined hands stilling.

"I see." Regina nodded, pulling out her purse and shifting through its belongings before pulling out a crumpled card.

"My son once thought I was an evil queen who wanted Mrs. Nolan's head on a platter." Regina stated with an indulgent smile. "With the help of this doctor, I discovered that his fantasy was the result of him coming to terms with his adoption."

Mr. Gold took the card, eyeing the name with a familiar suspicion.

"And you're sure he can help?" Mr. Gold inquired.

"I'm sure he can try."

"Now just a minute!" Belle cried out, snatching the card from her husband. "There," Belle spat at him and Regina. "Is nothing wrong with our son."

Mr. Gold placed a comforting hand on his wife's arm, leading her back into the uncomfortable chair meant for disruptive students.

"I'm not trying to imply anything Mrs. Gold." The principal assured carefully. "I just want to do what I can to make sure Gideon gets the help he needs."

"He doesn't need help!" Belle shouted so nastily her husband and the principal jumped. "He's not sick, he's not delusional, he's who he is! And if that means he likes to dress as a woman than so be it!" the furious mother snatched up her purse and stalked out the door.

"I'm going to find our son. When you're done antagonizing our son, come join us in the car."

"Belle!"

The door slammed and Mr. Gold was left alone with his former prodigy.

"Wish I could offer you a drink." Regina snarked.

"Wish you had one." Gold sighed, straightening his tie before standing. "I should go to them."

Regina nodded, slipping on her reading glasses as she began to fall back into professional mode. "I'll send a group email to his teachers to gather his homework."

Mr. Gold nodded, heading for the door.

"And Reid?"

He turned to look at his former associate.

"Hang in there."

His eyes fell, a snarky remark burning the tip of his tongue but he swallowed it. Regina didn't deserve his malice after all she'd done.

As he left the office to locate his wife and son, the eternal portal filled with guilt dropped from his chest to his stomach, weighing him down and slowing his stride.

As far as Belle knew, Gideon's dilemma had only begun during the last few months.

However, Mr. Gold knew his son's struggle with his mind and body had begun when the lad was barely six years old.