I keep getting the best reviews! Thank you so much! I promise that things are finally going to get better for Rapunzel now. This story will continue until the end of her junior year, so there's still plenty to go. Thanks everyone once again!

Ana had kept the police from badgering Rapunzel all day. She informed them that when Rapunzel was ready, she would talk about what had happened, but she wanted her safe in her new home first. Rapunzel was helped into her skirt and one of Miss Ana's sweaters so she could leave.

It was strange getting inside her counselor's car and driving somewhere completely foreign to her. She'd never imagined her freedom would come in this form.

As they drove she tried not to let the meds make her loopy. Miss Ana promised not to give them to her until she'd adjusted to her new home. Unfortunately that meant the pain in her arm would start creeping back in.

Rapunzel winced and Ana would look over in concern off and on. Rapunzel focused on the music instead. A soft lilting voice belted in the car and she found she liked the singer's voice.

"Michael Buble." Ana sighed, "My main man."

Rapunzel looked over to see her teacher humming to the relaxing tune.

"He's good." She said quietly.

"You know him?" Ana asked.

"No…but he sounds very good."

"Oh he is. You should hear Josh Groban too. Voice of an angel."

Rapunzel leaned her head back, feeling dizzy again, "Can I hear?"

Ana smiled and quickly switched some CD's and turned up her volume.

Ana wasn't kidding; Josh Groban's incredibly smooth voice filled the car and Rapunzel was consumed with the sound, closing her eyes peacefully.

Ana watched in amazement at how at ease Rapunzel looked as she let music flow through her. She did the same thing in art class too.

"Here we are." Ana said suddenly, turning off the music and feeling terrible for killing the mood. But she knew Rapunzel would not want to miss getting a good first look at her new home in a classy suburban neighborhood.

Rapunzel stared at the nice structure. It was a big house and it was very nice looking. The brick and white siding made it look like something out of a magazine. The white picket fence surrounding the backyard next to a forest was very serene and added to some of the Halloween decorations already displayed. It was so nice Rapunzel actually forgot for a moment that she was living here; couldn't possibly. She was so used to shabby houses and rundown streets, no way was she supposed to live in a luxury house like this.

Ana got out and then opened Rapunzel's door for her, helping her up to the large oak door that had a brass knocker on it.

Ana rang the bell and Rapunzel heard large footsteps from inside the house as well as a dog yapping. The door opened and she couldn't stifle her gasp at the large burly figure standing before her, but it wasn't because of his size; it was because she knew him.

"Mr. North?!" she gasped.

North smiled at her kindly and spread his arms to welcome her into his home, "Come in, welcome to your new home, Rapunzel!" he said happily.

They walked in and Rapunzel stared in awe of the place. To her left was a quaint little sitting room with red and white furniture, fine china, artwork, and model trains. To the right were sliding double doors that led to a rather messy office that had papers, books, and tools for tinkering scattered everywhere. In front of her was a winding staircase under a chandelier. She didn't even know if she wanted to see the rest of the house she was so fixated on the grandiosity of the front of it.

He led them towards a swinging door and Rapunzel noticed a large kitchen complete with an island for cooking. A round table sat next to a giant glass window to look out at the forest full of colorful leaves. There was another room past the table that held a fireplace, a couch, and a giant TV.

"Here is the kitchen and the family room where we have games and movies." North explained, "Those doors in the family room lead to a porch and the backyard. We mostly eat in here, but there is a dining room behind that door and next to the sitting room out there." North directed, shrugging, "But we hardly use it except for Christmas and Thanksgiving, maybe to make a toy or something."

Rapunzel looked around and admired that although the place was big and expensive-looking, it still looked lived in. There were sports equipment by the garage door, video games, movies, cards, and dog toys were scattered around the carpet, food items and dishes that needed to be cleaned, and papers or artwork littered the fridge. Rapunzel even noticed family pictures on the mantle and walls.

"Now, help yourself to anything in the kitchen." North said, "And that door leads to the basement. It's mostly storage down there." North explained, "Laundry is right here next to the garage."

They heard the dog yapping from behind the garage door and North sighed and looked at her, "Are you afraid of dogs, Rapunzel?"

She shook her head quickly and almost excitedly. She'd never had a dog before! She'd always wanted one too.

North smiled and then went to the garage door, "Maximus is a good dog, but he can be protective and hyper sometimes. If he bothers you we'll just make sure he stays outside more often."

"It's okay." Rapunzel said, shivering with excitement at seeing a dog, "I love animals."

North smiled wider, "Is it okay to introduce you two?"

Rapunzel nodded and when North opened the door, her jaw dropped at the sight of the…dog?!

It was way too tiny to be a dog! It was just some white little ball of fluff with a golden collar to even show that it was a dog. She stared at the scampering little fuzz ball as it came barreling at her and sniffing her legs excitedly, yapping up at her.

She looked down into its dark brown eyes and couldn't stop the smile from forming on her face. The dog was tiny, fluffy, and odd, but boy was he cute.

"Maximus?" she asked North, who nodded.

"We call him Max." he told her.

"He's so…fluffy." She giggled as the dog stood on its hind legs, jumping up and down.

She reached down carefully to pet the dog that sat for her obediently and licked her hand happily.

"Ah! He loves you!" North chuckled, "He's a sucker for treats and love."

Rapunzel giggled as she stood and the dog stood as well to go find said treats.

"Let's go upstairs and show you your room!" North suggested.

Rapunzel didn't know if she could keep up as they decided to take her upstairs. When they reached the top, he pointed down the hall to her left, "That last room is Jack's, the one next to it will be yours, then that's Flynn's room, a bathroom, and then my room. Come find us if you need anything." He said, leading her into her new haven. She couldn't stop the small smile when he opened her bedroom door. The walls were a soft cream color that made the room look pretty bland. The hardwood floor looked to be the only source of color, besides a throw rug. The bed and furniture were white as well and she was starting to feel white-washed until she looked over and gawked at the most amazing bay window she'd ever seen. It had red cushions on it and she knew right then and there that it would be her favorite spot in the entire room. Yes the whole thing was bare, the closet was almost empty save for some of her clothes; but it was big, beautiful, and peaceful.

"You can decorate your room however you like." North smiled, "And once Miss Ana takes you shopping, I have a feeling there will be lots of color in this room, eh?"

Rapunzel looked to him excitedly, "I can paint my room?"

"I don't see why not. It's so boring in here you might as well go crazy!" he chuckled, "You should see Jack's room."

"That's wonderful North." Ana smiled, noticing how happy Rapunzel looked. She went to the bay window to look out at the other houses in the street. Luckily the window on the other wall looked out to the forest so she could at least see the trees. She then walked over to the bed that had been made up with a gorgeous patterned quilt.

"This is your room now, Rapunzel to do whatever you wish." North said, smiling at her.

"Thank you." She breathed softly.

He nodded and then led them downstairs. Ana looked at her watch and sighed, rubbing her eyes, "I'm going to head home and get cleaned up. I'll be back later this evening when the police come." She explained to them.

Rapunzel looked to her nervously and Ana smiled, reaching out to touch her shoulder, "I'll be back. I want you to get some rest and explore your new home. North will look after you."

North nodded, "You get some rest too Ana, you look exhausted."

Ana shrugged.

"Thank you Miss Ana, for watching me." Rapunzel said quietly.

Ana smiled, "You're welcome, sweetie, I'll see you tonight."

"I'm making chicken parmesan tonight." North said happily, "And I bought a cake to welcome Rapunzel, please stay for dinner."

Ana smiled, "I might just take you up on that, North."

He laughed, "I will have Flynn set a spot for you then."

Ana watched Rapunzel looking at her imploringly to stay, but she knew she had to get some things ready before the police and her case worker came by to meet Rapunzel. She came forward and hugged Rapunzel gently, "It's going to be okay, I'll be back." She promised once more and Rapunzel nodded, watching as Ana left. North turned to her and saw how dead on her feet she looked. The only reason he looked jolly at the moment was because he was genuinely happy to have Rapunzel live with them. He had always wanted to foster a girl, but had never had the opportunity and he planned on spoiling her. But deep inside, he was seething from anger at how hurt the poor girl was. Not even Jack or Flynn had looked this emaciated and broken and Flynn had been abused by multiple people.

He sighed and reached out to her carefully, pretty sure she was still nervous about her surroundings and adjusting after what had happened to her.

"Would you like to come and have something to eat? Maybe watch some TV?"

Rapunzel didn't know what to do really. She'd never really watched TV for the heck of it and if North was making such a big dinner so shouldn't she wait to eat?

"Come." He ordered, leading her to the kitchen area. She was led to the maroon L-shaped couch where she sunk down onto the cushions. For a moment she squeaked in fear of sinking too low, but once she got comfortable, she felt as though she were floating on clouds. She almost wanted to just lay there and sink lower.

"I'm going to make some grilled cheese." He said, "With some soup. I'll bring you some while you rest here."

"I'm allowed to eat before dinner?" she asked nervously.

He smiled, "Of course, in fact, you're allowed to eat whenever you want. Shoot, my boys are always in the fridge." He laughed, "And Max is the worst at getting into the pantry!"

"And…I can eat in here?"

"Of course!" he smiled again, "And not to worry if you spill. When you live in a house with a giant, a Pomeranian, and two teenage boys, you get used to the mess."

Rapunzel smiled and nodded, "I'll try not to make too much of a mess." She promised.

He chuckled and left her to go cook. She sat in the quiet room that was lit up from the light coming from outside. Max managed to jump up on the couch next to her and settle himself on her lap. She found it very therapeutic as she stroked the dog behind his ears.

"Maximus." She whispered, "What a regal name for a regal dog." She gushed.

Max seemed to like the compliment as he sighed contentedly and closed his eyes, letting her continue her petting.

She looked over at the mantle and could see some pictures of North, his family, and even some of Jack and Flynn growing up. She felt sad knowing there were no pictures to tell her where she came from or even showing what she looked like growing up. No one would ever know unless they knew her before that she had long flowing blonde hair. Now here she was a beat up emaciated short haired girl, with no past to show for it.

She suddenly smelled frying butter and her stomach rumbled as she looked over into the kitchen to see North quickly making lunch. It sounded just as good as it smelled and she couldn't stop the smile from forming on her face. She closed her eyes and sunk even deeper into the couch, her mind floating away to the smell of food with the feeling of warmth.

She was jolted awake when North appeared before her, gently tapping her shoulder, "Rapunzel? Did you want to eat at the table or here?" he asked her.

She shot up, hissing from the pain in her arm. Max woke up and growled at North, a rather small and not-ferocious sound. Needless to say it did not strike fear into the heart of North, but it did come as no surprise to him. His dog was very protective and the minute he felt someone was in trouble, he had to find the source of the problem.

"You alright?" he asked her with concern.

She nodded, biting her bottom lip.

"We'll have you take your medicine with your meal." He said, helping her up off the couch.

Max hopped off, stretching and obviously over his previous growling spree.

She walked to the table and the minute she saw the huge grilled cheese sandwich and the giant bowl of tomato soup her eyes practically glazed over. She sat down and waited for North to tell her she could eat. She didn't want to get smacked for eating too quickly.

"Is everything alright?" he asked her as he made himself a plate.

She looked up, "May I eat?" she asked politely.

"Of course." He smiled, nodding.

She dug right in and didn't know when she'd ever eaten anything this warm and filling in her life.

He sat down next to her and handed her a pill, "This is for the pain, it will help you sleep too." He told her.

She picked up the giant white pill and put it in her mouth and then grabbed the glass of water carefully with her left hand and did her best not to spill. She was still adjusting to becoming a leftie.

She was so focused on the meal that she didn't realize how fast she was eating. North was observing her and couldn't hide his frown at the way she practically inhaled the food. How long was she going without food?

When she was done eating she looked up to see North watching her and grew panicked, tensing up, "I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't eat like a pig!" she gasped.

He chuckled, "My boys eat like pigs, you eat like a lady." He told her smiling, "And I eat like a yeti." He laughed.

She looked up, feeling relieved that he wasn't angry at her and gave him a small smile. She suddenly started feeling very heavy and relaxed. She was leaning to the right a little and North had to get up quickly to keep her from falling.

"Let's get you to the couch to rest. That medicine is pretty strong." He said.

She nodded tiredly and let him lead her back to the couch where she practically collapsed. He laid her gently onto her left side and found a small pillow to put under her head and softly tucked her in with the blanket from earlier. She immediately dozed off, the medicine obviously taking effect.

Max hopped back onto the sofa and found a spot right next to her to curl up and sleep.

North sighed as he watched the sleeping girl; he had a lot to do this weekend. Lucky for him his boys were always helpful and he knew how much Jack was looking forward to having Rapunzel stay with them. Both Flynn and Jack would be great brothers for Rapunzel, even if it was only for a while.

He went back to the table to start dinner and begin making a list of things he needed to do to make Rapunzel's stay here a little easier, the first being good meals and better clothes, and of course, lots of care and love.