"Please, Jack?"

"I really don't think it's a good idea."

"Why not?"

Jack ran a hand through his white hair, trying to figure out the best way to answer that question.

The truth was, he was old fashioned at heart, despite the impression is appearance gave. So when she said she wanted him to meet her parents, his initial instinct was to say yes. He felt weird that they'd been dating for months and he hadn't met her parents. But then he remembered his tattoos, piercings, hair… and he realized it probably wasn't a good idea, like he'd just said.

"It's not that I don't want to," he sighed. "I do. It's just… well, I've met your father. And not under very good circumstances."

Rapunzel sighed and looked down into her mug of hot chocolate. "I know."

They were sitting at their usual booth in the local coffee shop where he worked. It was his half hour lunch break, and she had a break in classes so they were sharing the meal. She'd brought a home made lunch - something that wasn't actually allowed by the coffee shop rules… but his boss was thankfully turning a blind eye. Probably because Aster adored Rapunzel. It was kind of funny. It was because she was such a good girl that every one loved her, and were willing to bend the rules for her. But if she actively started breaking the rules, she wouldn't be the person they loved so much.

She wouldn't be the person he loved so much. (Though there were moments he enjoyed getting her to bend some rules.)

Rapunzel was the reason he'd gotten his act back together. He'd stopped playing tag with cops. He was nine months sober. He had a steady job - thanks to his AA sponsor, who was friends with Aster and had gotten him the job. And his mother actually trusted him again.

The only little problem was that Rapunzel was the mayor's daughter. It was almost cliche… but he didn't particularly care, because she was Rapunzel. And she made him inexplicably happy. (The little touches, like the blue frosted cupcakes she brought with their lunch) were the ones that made him forget he was trying to convince people he was tough. She came in, melted the snow in his heart and took up residence.

Normally he couldn't deny her anything.

But in this situation, he was pretty sure dinner with her parents (the mayor and his wife, remember) wouldn't be good. He could just picture her father declaring Jack wasn't good enough, and forbidding Rapunzel from ever seeing him again. And Jack probably wouldn't blame him. And that was a rule he wouldn't bring himself to bend.

It came down to the fact he didn't want to loose her.

He swallowed a bite of the chicken alfredo she'd brought him for lunch, watching the way her downcast eyes were on her own food, though she wasn't taking a bite.

"It means a lot to you, huh?"

"It's just… I know what my parents think about you. What every one think about you. I know they think we won't work out."

"Thank you for the reminder," he muttered, taking a drink from his own hot chocolate, to try and wash away the lump in his throat.

"I know I can't change everyone's opinions," she said. "But I want my parents to know you. Not a generalization, or who you used to be. I want them to know the you I love."

She was not making it easy for him to say no. Whenever the word "love" came out of her mouth was when he knew he was done for. He might as well put up the white flag now.

"Okay," he sighed.

She looked up, her green eyes brightening. "Really?"

"Really," he sighed. "When do I meet your parents?"

"Jack, thank you!" She slid out of her side of the booth, coming into his side to throw her arms around him in a huge.

"I already regret this," he muttered, even as he returned her hug with one arm, kissing the top of her head.