Author's Note: So apparently, all it took was some low-level extortion to get those reviews flowing! I have never had so many reviews on one chapter before! I would hate to have to do that again, so don't make me. But thank you all, from the bottom of my heart. I knew this story had gathered a small loyal following, but I never realized how much you liked it! I really needed the encouragement this week, so you guys are awesome, and treat yourselves to your favorite episode of Once for me, since I can't give you all hugs. Don't fret, I will update weekly until it's finished! Which won't be for a little while, if my calculations are correct. That's right, I actually have a master plan for this story, complete with flowchart! And yes, Mr. Gold is included in this flowchart, and has been, since the story's inception, so never fear, he will be getting a chapter. But I shan't say when!

This chapter is even angstier than last week's. If this bothers you, just bear with me for one more week, and we'll be back to lighter territory next week!

sudoku: Good summary of the characters that have not gotten stories. You only missed one season 1 character that could have been considered. However, not all of those listed will be getting chapters, for reasons that I will be happy to explain if asked.

LacieAlice: Thank you for reviewing. Yes, last week's letter happened during 1x15. If you notice, I occasionally put up the episode names, when relevant. ;)

karjens44: Good for you for noticing that Regina hasn't responded to anyone yet. She will. Eventually. Stay tuned!

**I took massive liberties with a character's cursed backstory in this chapter. I apologize deeply if it is not to your liking, or if you find it offensive, for any reason, but it is the way it is. No way to change it now. Please keep any flames to a minimum.

Standard Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time. On to the chapter!

Man, what a day. There had been so many tasks to complete today. Exhausted, this citizen stepped into Granny's hoping for some quick relief. With the customary tumbler full of amber liquid in hand, the person savored the drink, relishing the break from the day's frenzy. Finally, as the last drop was drained from the glass, the tired worker was forced to admit that there was work to be finished. While exiting Granny's, the advice box caught their eye, gleaming in the sunlight.

Curious, the unwilling worker went over to check what was inside, grateful for yet another excuse to shirk the never-ending responsibilities. The top was opened to reveal a single folded sheet of paper pressed into the bottom of the box. A letter. Curious, the finder pulled the letter out of the box and stored it inside a worn jacket. It would be saved for a break later on in the day. For now, there was work to be done.

At last, the workday ended. Relieved and exhausted, the laborer headed home, ready to collapse into bed, before remembering the letter still nestled away inside the jacket. Pulling it out, the letter was unfolded roughly to show thin, narrow script, creeping across the page like a spider-web. It had an old fashioned quality to it, but also an unspoken strength. Wondering who on earth could have handwriting with such contrasting traits, the recipient began to read the letter, thinking that maybe its contents could hold a clue.

Dear Friend,

I have tried to solve this on my own. Everything I knew, I tried, in the hopes that it would help. Believe me, I would not be writing this if I had not already done everything in my own power to solve this issue, but nothing helped. I am at wit's end. This is my last resort. If this letter doesn't solve it, nothing will. There will be nowhere else to turn. Some history would be nice. I am having trouble with my granddaughter. Here's the problem. When she was barely old enough to know of the world around her, her parents died in a car crash. She doesn't remember them at all. I, on the other hand, am haunted by the memory every moment of every day. Death is never pleasant, but when your child goes before you, it is particularly painful. After her parents passed, it fell to me, as the closest remaining relative, to care for the girl. Even if it weren't so, I would have taken her in a heartbeat. She was such a lovely child, with her dark curls framing a creamy face, with inquisitive blue eyes staring up at you in wonder. I remember, she would always ask the most difficult questions. Even then, she was willful, testing my boundaries and never taking my reasons at face value. Back then, I indulged her. The girl had lost her parents, after all. She would never know them, and my love was all she would get. I let her play longer than she should, have an extra cookie here and there, wander around outside in the forest as it was growing dark. It was impossible to say no to her pout. But, after a while, she picked up on this, and learned to manipulate it. When she wanted something that I would normally have said no to, she would tug her lips into a pout and fix me with those huge puppy eyes of hers. Of course, I would then allow it. Looking back, I may have been too soft with her as a child, which makes the situation now even more difficult. Now, I have no control over her whatsoever. She goes out whenever she wants, comes back in the early hours of the morning, with absolutely no regard for anyone but herself. When she does show up for work, she is sloppy, dressed like a drag queen during Fleet Week, and unreliable. I asked her to pick up a few extra shifts during the week because these old bones aren't what they used to be, but that was met with many protests about how I'm infringing on her life and her freedom. If she had her way, she would be partying it up in Boston right now, leaving me all alone. She's all I have left in this world, and I couldn't bear to lose her as well. I see the way she looks at me. She despises me; she thinks I am too harsh with her. If she knew what had happened, she would understand, but I don't have the heart to tell her. I have to be harsh with her, otherwise she won't listen. I love her desperately, and all I ask is for the same in return. What should I do?

Sincerely,

Grieving Grandmother

Yikes. This family had major issues. Laying the letter out on the table, its reader pulled a pencil out from a drawer and began writing a reply. Honestly, the receiver didn't know how to help, but one thing was known for sure: Ruby deserved a break.

Granny finally set down her pen, having finished doing the books for the day. She was wiped out and ready to go home. Having set everything in order, she left the diner, locking up on her way out, and checked the box to see if anyone had found her letter and responded. Bingo. Her letter was back in the bottom of the box, with To Grieving Grandmother written on the outside in rough, penciled print.

She decided to wait until she got home to open the letter. Having settled in at her kitchen table, she looked around to make sure Ruby wasn't home. Of course she wasn't. She was off gallivanting with Ashley, or Billy, or some other member of Storybrooke's wayward youth. Sighing, partially in relief, partially in exasperation, she unfolded the response, eager to see what it said.

Dear Grieving,

First of all, I'm sorry for your loss. Losing a child to such an untimely death can't be easy, as you said. It has to suck having to deal with that. But, you have to remember that Ruby is not responsible for any of this. She didn't choose to have this happen, and she sure didn't choose to be coddled as a child. I understand that you may have felt guilty about her parents' passing, but you have to lay off of the poor girl, sister! She was just reacting to what she was taught. It'll take her some time to realize that she can't get away with acting like that anymore. Instead of being, as you yourself admitted, harsh with her, try easing up on her, bit by bit. Tell her the things you told me. She's a big girl; she can stand to hear it now. Maybe if you think the details are too much, then you could skim over those, but she is a full-fledged adult. She's not five years old anymore. As cute as her puppy eyes may be, let her know that things are different now, before you start tightening her leash, so to speak. Otherwise, she'll think it's coming out of nowhere and won't understand, like the way it is now. Talk to her and tell her how much you love her. Even if she is fully aware of this fact, it's still nice to hear. But in the meantime, be a little more understanding with her. Try to see things her way. She's been allowed to do whatever she wanted her whole life, and now you're telling her no. It must be a shock for her. Cut back on the indulgences little by little, and give the girl a break!

Sincerely,

A Friend

Granny finished reading the reply, and placed it down with a quiet sigh. Of course that's what it was. How could she expect Ruby to understand something that she'd never seen? She was hoping that her reply could nudge her in the right direction, but now she saw that she would have to gather her nerves and go for a more direct approach. Maybe telling her flat out would help both of them. It would help Ruby see, and get some of the weight off of her as well. She turned the coffee pot on and glanced at the clock. Eleven. After pouring a cup, she settled in and commenced her wait for Ruby to return. They needed to have a talk.

Meanwhile, Granny's correspondent wiped grease off of calloused hands and placed a second letter in the box before whistling all the way home.

A/N 2: So, I'm really unsure of how I handled the response to Granny's letter. Glad you all enjoyed last week's chapter, but I needed to give her a good reason for acting as she did. I think it's pretty difficult to guess this week's respondent, but hopefully some of you will be clever enough to get it! Congratulations to nahbois68, sudoku, janeaustenite6, Linzerj, White Belt Writer, karjens44 (hopefully this chapter shows a little bit of why she's harsh!), flagurl1j, OliviaBe, and Kaishei.

Now, if you all don't mind, I'm off to watch this week's new episode, which I have been told is awesome! Review, review, review until the button breaks! See you all next week!