A/N: Distant Storm, your comment is still making me happy, thank you again!
As always, I don't own anything, please enjoy and review.
3 months before The Day
Zoe raced around the house, tidying as she went and ensuring there was no evidence of an additional person living there.
"Lilo," she called up the stairs, "Lilo!"
"What?" Lilo shouted back, opening her door a crack.
"Mr. Bubbles is going to be here soon, you need to make sure Stitch is hidden and all of his stuff is away."
"I'm already on it," Lilo said as she slammed her door shut. Her home-made 'Kapu' sign swung dangerously on its hook and Zoe frowned at it, hoping that the social worker is not fluent in Hawaiian. Having a 'Keep Out' sign may not be the most positive indicator of a child's emotional state.
There is a knock on the door as Zoe stood in the entryway and she swallowed nervously, smoothing down her shirt. Lilo's door opened behind her and she heard Lilo's feet on the stairs as Zoe moved to open the door.
"Hi, Mr. Bubbles," she said brightly, "How are you? Please come in."
Zoe has always considered Mr. Bubbles a threatening man, not only because of the power he has over her, but his physical stature and reluctance to take his sunglasses off his flat nose had always intimidated Zoe.
He gave her a cursory nod before moving into the house and knelt before Lilo.
"How are you, Lilo? Is everything going well for you?"
"Everything's fine, Mr. Bubbles," Lilo replied earnestly and Zoe is glad she didn't attempt to coach her this time.
"I'm going to take a look around to ensure everything is in order," Bubbles said, his tone disapproving as per usual.
"Knock yourself out," she muttered to herself and followed him into the kitchen. Zoe is about to celebrate as they make their way downstairs, having completed the circuit, so close to finally having an inspection where she isn't scolded or issued a warning, when she heard something thump in Lilo's room.
For a moment, she closed her eyes and hoped that she was the only one to hear it. Mr. Bubbles soon interrupted her daydream.
"What was that?" He asked suspiciously.
"Something must have fallen over, Lilo, do you mind checking it out?"
She must not have hidden her panic as well as she thought as Mr. Bubbles frowned at her suspiciously.
"I'll come with you, Lilo," he declared and Zoe felt her panic rise.
Zoe is helpless and they re-enter Lilo's room, only to find Stitch attempting to scramble back into the wardrobe.
"Who are you?" Mr. Bubbles asked firmly.
"This is Stitch," Zoe cut in quickly, "Lilo's friend, I hadn't realised he was over."
"Something else we will need to discuss, Miss Pelekai," he said sternly as he exited the room. Zoe sighed and followed him, waiting for a day where everything could go right.
"While I am glad she seems to be improving emotionally, I am still concerned about her school progress and friendships at school. I want this to be your focus, Miss Pelekai," Mr. Bubbles said as he pushed his chair back under the table.
"Of course, I'll schedule an appointment her with teacher sometime this week and come up with a plan."
"Are you sure you have time for that? I know you are working two jobs now."
Zoe wished he would take his sunglasses off for once so she could get a better read on him, "I can always find time for Lilo."
"Just remember, Miss Pelekai, you are on your last warning."
"I don't need a reminder of that," she responded fiercely.
He nodded to her in acknowledgement and let himself out. Zoe sighed and leaned against the door, hating herself for the tears that stung her eyes.
"That was close," Lilo said cheerfully, "Stitch and I are going to go play outside."
Zoe had no energy to say otherwise as her head knocked against the wall, giving herself a moment to breathe and recuperate.
Laughter drifted through the window, a reminder that Lilo has been happier these past two months and there is only one explanation that could be given for that.
Zoe pushed off the wall and moved about the house, completing chores as she goes, reminding herself that Lilo was her priority and everything else is of secondary concern.
After The Day
There was a heavy silence after Zoe's plea.
"How do you know who we are?" Snow White asked.
"I'm not going to tell you unless that gun goes away."
"Oh, Emma, put it away," Snow White said impatiently, "It seems like we've all got the wrong impression of each other, let's just go sit down and talk about this."
Zoe only released her death grip on Stitch's hand when the Sheriff holstered her gun.
"And we're not going to get roasted?"
"It didn't seem to have any effect, now did it, dearie?"
The group makes their way back into the office and Zoe followed reluctantly, tugging Stitch along.
They settled on the couches in the dreary office and Zoe looked at each one of these fairytale characters, now interrogating her in the Evil Queen's Mayoral office.
"Alright, let's get to the point, how much do you know and how do you know it?" The Sheriff asked bluntly.
"Well," Zoe stuttered, unsure of how much to reveal, "I wasn't born in this realm, I arrived in this realm about 15 years ago, fleeing a place called Elantris."
"Excellent," The Dark One scoffed, "We've got a realm jumper in our presence."
"You've heard of them?" The Evil Queen asked with surprise, and not a small amount of accusation.
"I've heard of many realms in my time, dearie, the realm of thieves and cowards has not escaped my attention."
Zoe eyes narrowed at the insult, "Well we can't all be as honourable as the Dark One, now can we?"
"We're getting off track here," Snow White cut in hastily, "What happened after you came here?"
"My father and I settled down, we started a life. Eventually he remarried and my little sister, Lilo came along. It was like my other life didn't even exist. Then," she paused, "after our parents died, Lilo and I struggled. About a week ago, Lilo was abducted by some children who could vanish from sight – not something I expected to see in a Land Without Magic."
"Pain and Panic," the man in leather muttered. Being this close, Zoe can see the hook on his left hand and sighed – wondering if the town could get any stranger.
"Wait, what?" She asked, finally processing what Captain Hook said, "Like from Hercules?"
"It's our current problem," the Sheriff explained, "Hades has a bit of a grudge with us – any reason why he'd want your sister?"
"I'd say the answer to that is very simple, dearie, he wanted something not from his realm to use to punish us. He wanted that thing sitting beside her and accidentally got the sister instead."
"Stitch is not a 'thing'," she snapped.
"Oh?" The Dark One asked and she wants nothing more than to punch him for his condescending tone, "He doesn't look too well, something faulty in the way he was made?"
Zoe's eyes quickly shifted to Stitch, who shivered as he sat beside her, eyes still glowing.
"Stitch, what's the matter?" She asked and stretched out to touch him, snatching her hand back with a curse when a painful shock passed through her hand.
She closed her fist, hiding the burn she could feel on her left palm.
"Hey," she said soothingly, "Stitch, it's okay, we're not in danger."
"Monster," he whispered, "I was a monster. I am a monster."
Zoe ignored the pain in her chest and gently reached out, laying her good hand on his shoulder, relived when she was unhurt.
"You're not," she said firmly, "You're Lilo's friend and I need you to get control so we can work with these people to get Lilo back."
Stitch shuddered and met her eyes, the glow fading and with it his fear.
"Okay," the Sheriff said uneasily, "We're going to need a little break to discuss our next step. Killian, do you mind taking our guests someplace where they can relax?"
Captain Hook nodded to the Sheriff and stood, Zoe and Stitch following suit. They are subdued as they walk out of the office and Zoe turned to the group as she neared the door.
"My sister's name is Lilo and she's ten years old. Don't help me, please help her."
A/N: Enjoy the episode today, everyone! I'll be back in a fortnight (hopefully).
Adrina Stark.