Rapunzel woke up and realized she was still in Jack's bed. But curiously, Jack wasn't in it. She yawned and found his alarm clock and realized it was ten in the morning. She felt somewhat well rested and a little better now.
Decided to get up, she crawled out and headed downstairs where she could hear North talking to someone from his office.
She figured that she would ignore it until she heard her name mentioned. She knew it was bad of her but curiosity won out and she had a feeling she could thank Jack for her sudden boldness.
Creeping like a cat she made her way to the door and listened carefully.
"So soon? Well thank heavens it's after the holidays."
She wondered what it was he was talking about until he finally said it.
"This trial is really going to upset her; it may even set her back if she sees that woman, Elinor."
Rapunzel blanched, freezing on the spot.
"Isn't there a way to make sure that bitch isn't in the room with her? You know she's going to pull every single manipulative trick in the book to scare Rapunzel. What?!"
Rapunzel flinched, tears forming in her eyes.
"She expects Rapunzel to visit her?! Is she daft? There is no way in hell that is happening…You are joking? That's what she's fighting for? Custody?! Like hell I'll let that happen!"
Rapunzel's lip trembled and she didn't know if she could listen to this anymore.
"Of course I know she won't get it…but what if Rapunzel gets scared and says nothing? Then they'll let her go and she'll just harass Rapunzel in her new home."
Rapunzel held her chest, her breath hitching dangerously.
She heard North sigh, "Yes…it just makes me sick to think that woman has no remorse. She's not even sorry for what she's done to Rapunzel…of course she'll pull that in court, she's devious."
Rapunzel straightened and wiped her face, turning around before listening to his last words on the phone.
"I'll do everything I can to help…I just don't want Rapunzel hurt anymore. She's getting so much better. You know Jack is taking her to a movie tonight?"
Rapunzel didn't even feel elation to hear that tonight she would get to go out on her first date with Jack; what she just heard about her mother terrified her to her core and she didn't know if she could even face anyone after this.
Making a decision, she ran upstairs and closed her door quickly, rushing to her bay window to hug her knees and rock back and forth, willing her mind to take back control.
She flinched when she heard a knock on her door. She forced herself to stay incredibly quiet.
"Hey Rapunzel! I made omelets!" Jack said happily on the other side. Oh if only she could be that happy!
"O-okay…I'll…I'll be right down…getting dressed." She called, hoping she sounded better than she felt.
"Make sure you hurry or North is gonna eat them all." He laughed as he walked away.
Rapunzel wiped her face and felt as though her skin were going to break from the constant crying and rubbing. It was all ruddy and felt dry like sandpaper. She needed lotion and she had a feeling Flynn was the only person in this house who might actually have some.
She got up and quickly changed into some jeans and a lilac colored sweater with a sun on it. She quickly ran downstairs, avoiding the office as much as possible as she walked towards the kitchen and prayed that she didn't look like crap.
She walked in, pasting a smile on her face as she found a seat at the table. She avoided North's gaze and instead looked over at Flynn, "Flynn?" she asked finally as Jack handed people heaping plates of the messiest omelets ever.
He smiled at her, "Hm?"
"Do you have some lotion I can borrow? My face is really dry." She admitted softly.
Flynn frowned and shook his head, "I don't have lotion, sorry. I mean it's more like acne stuff really, but the products might do you more harm than good."
She frowned, looking dejected until Flynn chuckled, "Jack has lotion though. I believe he has a whole collection of skin repair by Jorgens."
Jack turned red and glared at Flynn, "How else can I keep this silky smooth perfection? At least my face didn't break out like small pox."
"Boys!" North warned.
Flynn grumbled and shoved the eggs into his mouth to avoid arguing with Jack.
"Jack can I borrow some?" Rapunzel asked, not caring that he wore lotion, just glad she could find some.
"Yeah sure. After breakfast I'll pull out my stuff." He smiled.
Flynn winked at her and then grinned at Jack, "It puts the lotion on its skin."
Jack rolled his eyes and tossed a biscuit at his brother's head before North could say anything.
"Both of you behave, there is a lady present." North reminded them.
Rapunzel found the silly actions of both to be soothing really. It certainly got her mind off of what she had heard earlier. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad. Maybe she was making it more than what it really was? But then again…what if what North had said is true? What if her mother got custody of her again? What if she never saw her friends or teachers ever again? What if…?
"Pass the salt?" Flynn interrupted her thoughts.
"Huh? Yeah." She gasped, immediately grabbing it and shoving it at him before she broke down and knocked something over.
Breakfast was silent for the most part, the sounds of everyone eating the only thing that broke it. North finally cleared his throat and Rapunzel worried for a minute that he would bring up the phone conversation with them. But to her surprise he smiled jovially and looked excitedly at them, "Today we will start putting up decorations. Tomorrow after Rapunzel's session with Elsa we will go look at trees. Jack are you and Rapunzel still wanting to see a movie tonight?"
Jack looked at Rapunzel who nodded, shrugging her shoulder. What harm could it do to go do something different with Jack? It might even get her mind off of her worries.
"Alright, look up movie times and after we get the lights up, you two can go." He smiled.
Jack nodded.
"Flynn, you and I will be doing the house lights. Jack…I don't want you to hurt yourself so you'll be putting up the lawn decorations. Everything is in the garage and ready to go."
Jack nodded.
Rapunzel looked up expectantly as North smiled at her, "Rapunzel, you get to stay inside and help make the party decorations. I need a very artistic someone to make centerpieces and paper chains and help with the invitations. Can you do that?"
"Yes!" she smiled excitedly. At least her day would be calm and crafty.
"I have already gotten the supplies and it's in that box in the sunroom. You can take as much time as you need."
She nodded happily and quickly finished her food so she could get started. Jack and Flynn seemed less inclined.
"I'll put some hot cocoa on the stove." Jack put in as he put his head in his hands. Apparently they did do this every year, but it was most likely a lot of work.
Max scratched Rapunzel's leg, hoping for some eggs. His little eyes imploring as he willed her to drop some scraps on the floor.
Luckily, it was Jack who 'dropped' his food.
Flynn glared at the dog and rolled his eyes, "Spoiled rat."
Max growled at him as though he heard it but ignored him as he gobbled up the food off the floor.
Rapunzel finished quickly and ran to the sunroom to look through the box of supplies. She also noticed instructions that North had printed out from online of ideas for centerpieces and paper chains.
Apparently he wanted painted mason jars depicting a snowy scene with a candle inside of it. She thought it was a neat idea but Jack's stars gave her an idea and she decided to paint a night sky on a snowy landscape on the jars, leaving dots for the candle to make the stars light up. She then looked at the paper chain and thought all the colors were nice and festive, but she wanted more than just a color pattern, she wanted the paper chain to stand out. Maybe cutting cool designs in it would make it much more festive! She got excited and got to work right away on the jars, finding some paint in the box and getting everything set up. There were at least thirty jars and she had a feeling North wanted more but this shouldn't be so hard to finish; at least not for her.
She suddenly looked up in time to hear Christmas music coming from a radio near the kitchen. It was calming and fun and definitely got her into the spirit of things as she watched Jack and Flynn don their coats and hats to go outside and help North.
Jack saluted her as he went outside and Flynn pushed him playfully. She wondered if they'd have a snowball fight together. She had a feeling they played all the time as kids. It sounded like fun really.
She hummed as she worked on the jars, letting the art take over completely. It really was a lot of fun and she found she liked the solitude, save for Max who was lounging by the stove in the sunroom with her.
No nasty thoughts invaded her mind as she worked and all she could do was let go of all her problems by painting. It felt good to be productive and she couldn't wait to tell Elsa tomorrow.
Time must have flown by. Flynn came in nearly two hours after they'd begun working. He was hunting for some hot cocoa and it seemed something else. He was looking flustered and annoyed, his face red from the cold.
"Did you need help?" Rapunzel asked him as she put down her twentieth jar and wiped her hands on a towel so she could get up and help him.
He rubbed his face in annoyance and sighed, "I need to get back outside but if you could do me a huge favor, I would be so happy!"
"Sure!" she smiled.
"I need these clear light hanger clips, like this one." He showed her, "I can't find them up here and North is on the roof like a madman and I can't have Jack spotting him for too long…"
"I can look for them." She smiled.
"Okay, thanks! They're downstairs in the basement." He told her.
"The…the basement?" she swallowed nervously, her face falling drastically.
"Yeah, there's this small little room-closet thing around the corner under the stairs. Anyways, the clips should be in there on the shelf to the…right. They're like right in the middle or something like that so you can't miss 'em."
"FLYNN!"
Flynn turned around and yelled out the garage door, "I'm coming!"
He turned back to Rapunzel who had turned very pale suddenly, "Okay, just get 'em and bring them out as soon as you can, okay?"
"FLYNN!"
He rolled his eyes and turned, rushing out the door, "Damnit I said I'm coming!"
"LANGUAGE!" North boomed.
The door slammed and Rapunzel stood there frozen. She just so happened to be standing right in front of the basement door and it almost seemed a menacing force, taunting her with horrible memories.
She shut her eyes, thinking that maybe she could just tell Flynn she couldn't do it, but a boom on the roof told her that these clips were important. She took a breath and decided to quit being such a baby and just do it. It would be quick!
Her hand shook violently as it reached for the doorknob. Her breathing felt hitched and short, causing her to get dizzy and almost see and hear things she knew weren't really there.
Gritting her teeth she grabbed the doorknob and pulled the door open quickly.
Her eyes widened as she stared down the dark staircase and felt bile rise in her throat. She reached over unseeing as she found a light switch on the wall and turned it on quickly, hoping to make the darkness below less frightening.
It did little to ease her anxiety as she stood there, willing herself to move.
Breathing felt like an absolute chore at this moment as she took her first brave steps down the stairs. It felt as though with every descent the destination got further away. What was that feeling called again? Oh yes, vertigo.
She reached the bottom and was relieved to see there was no belt hanging on the wall. And looking around it was mostly shelves with boxes all with labels on them. It was still dark and dank, even with the light shining. She turned and noticed the dreaded door and every single memory of that horrid crawl space flooded back into her mind. Granted this door looked much bigger and she was in a totally different house, but God did it scare her to her very core.
She considered running back upstairs, running to her room and hiding, anything but going towards that closet, but she was too scared of what they would do and think if she failed them. What if they got angry with her? What if they never let her help again? What if North let her mother take her back? What if Jack never wanted to see her again?
Surprisingly, she made it to the door.
"Okay…" she told herself in a shaky voice as she trembled, "Just open the door…open the door…get the stuff…open the door…open…the…door…"
She reached out and pulled it open so quickly and violently, it hit the shelf standing against the wall with a clang and caused her to jump and scream in surprise.
She laughed at how stupid she was being and looked inside the dark little room. She could see the shelves against the wall just like Flynn said, but what she didn't see was a light. She gulped and looked through the dark room, squinting her eyes and hoping she didn't have to go in very far to get what she needed.
She looked where he'd told her to look and was relieved to see the hooks on the shelf like he said, but where they were meant that she had to go inside the dark room and get them.
She turned around, hoping no one was behind her and was relieved to see no one was there. But all the dark corners and hidden nooks and crannies really didn't help.
She turned and decided that at least she had the light from the basement to help her. All she had to do was walk in and get the clips and then run upstairs. She could do this. She could…
She took a breath and then rushed inside to grab what she needed.
She jumped and screamed when she heard a crash behind her and as she turned the door slammed shut, trapping her inside the dark room.
"NO!" she screamed, absolutely terrified as she ran at the door, hoping to open it.
It wouldn't budge and she realized then and there that she was trapped.
"No! No! No! No!" she cried, pushing at the door and banging on it, "NO! Let me out! Please! I'm sorry! Let me out!" she hollered through tears, praying somebody heard her and let her out.
She sobbed and shook violently, covering her ears and shutting her eyes as she collapsed onto the ground by the door.
"Let me out!" she cried, "Please…please I'm so sorry, please let me out!"
No one was coming. Nobody heard her. And she was locked once again in the punishment room and all she could do was pray to the only one who heard her.
…..
"She should have found them by now." Flynn commented to Jack on the ground. North was finishing the roof. He had ended up telling Flynn about the extra hooks in the garage but Flynn had at least expected Rapunzel to come out and tell him if she found the other hooks or not. But she hadn't.
Sure they'd gotten it resolved but it wasn't like her to just sort of ignore a request.
"Maybe she heard North tell you he had them in the garage." Jack suggested as he finished wrapping lights around the porch.
Flynn helped him and nodded.
Right as Jack finished, North finally called them over to hold the ladder as he came down.
"I think some hot cocoa and a good rest is in order, boys." He said excitedly, "Jack the lawn looks wonderful and Flynn you did excellent job with the lights!"
"Yeah, it's starting to look like a pretty epic house." Flynn commented.
Jack smiled as he carried some lights back into the garage to put down on a box.
"Alright, inside!" North said, rubbing his hands together. All three looked pretty chilly as they came in, tearing off their hats and coats, ripping their wet and snowy gloves off to dry in the sunroom.
North bumped into the basement door and shut it, not really thinking about it considering it was normal for doors to be left open in his house.
"Rapunzel?" North called as he walked into the sunroom, "Max?"
She wasn't there and neither was the dog. Her work lay on the table unfinished.
Flynn and Jack looked around, confused.
"Is she in the restroom?" North asked them.
Jack went out to look but saw that both bathrooms were open. He even looked in her room and didn't see her there.
North looked outside but didn't see Max.
Flynn scratched his head and then turned when he swore he heard whining and barking.
"Max?" he called.
Jack came back in and looked at the basement door and opened it. Max immediately ran out, barking and whining, jumping up their legs frantically.
"Did you get trapped down there bud?" Jack laughed, petting him, "Silly guy."
Max was still yipping like a maniac and North looked to Flynn, "When did you last see her?"
"I...asked her if she would get hooks." Flynn told him, "I told her where she could find them."
"I know you asked her to get them but she came out, yes?"
"No…she didn't…" Flynn said.
North stared at him as Max made a huge scene barking at the basement door and at them.
"Where did you tell her to find them?" North asked.
"The basement…that little closet thing-" Flynn explained.
A realization dawned on North and he blanched. Swearing loudly he opened the basement door, noticing the light was still on, "Rapunzel?" he called.
Flynn and Jack stood behind him, both looking worried.
"Dad…what-?"
"Both of you stay here." North ordered as he rushed downstairs.
He looked around and felt his stomach drop when he saw that a shelf had collapsed in front of the door. She was trapped inside the dark closet.
"Boys! Get down here and help now!" he said, changing his mind about them staying up there.
Both rushed down and Flynn gasped, "Oh my God!"
"Rapunzel?" Jack yelled as he crawled over the shelves to the door, "Rapunzel are you in there?"
"Shush!" North yelled.
They got quiet and could hear faint sobbing behind the door.
"Hurry up and get this stuff out of the way!" North yelled.
All three of them shoved things out of the way until Jack reached the door and pulled it open.
He hardly noticed her as a blur ran right past him so fast; he couldn't even tell if it was her. But he caught sight of her just as she managed to run past Flynn and up the stairs, not even stopping to acknowledge them.
Jack didn't even know she could run that fast and nobody expected her to just take off so suddenly.
She was sobbing as she tripped up the stairs and North stared at her when he realized she was no longer in the closet, "Don't let her leave the house! Catch her!"
Jack was way ahead of him and rushing with Flynn upstairs to grab Rapunzel before she ran out the back door.
He caught her around her middle and Flynn got in front to catch her in case Jack let her go.
She fought them with everything she had, screaming and flailing, reaching for the door to the outside.
"Rapunzel calm down!" Jack yelled.
Flynn grabbed her arms as Jack held her with as much strength as he could muster, both trying to get her into the family room.
North finally reached them and could see how devastated and terrified the poor girl was. Her eyes were wide and red rimmed, with an almost deer-like look to them. Her voice was hoarse but she didn't stop crying or screaming for them to let her out. She was apologizing over and over again and begging them to let her go.
"Flynn close and lock that door. Jack hold on to her." North instructed.
Flynn did as he was told and watched as North came over to her. Jack struggled but managed to hold on, doing his best to try and get through to her.
"It's okay Rapunzel. It's okay." Was all he could repeat over and over to her.
She managed to stop screaming but her breathing was heavy and labored, her shaking was worse, and she still seemed to be trapped in that horrible memory that was obviously taking over.
"Rapunzel…" North said gently and quietly, "Rapunzel can you hear me?"
She met his wondrously blue eyes, the ones so full of life and magic. They held her gaze until she remembered where she was and what had happened…but it was so exhausting, she found she just couldn't stand any longer. With one last shattered cry she collapsed against Jack, her body going limp and weak.
Jack now struggled just to keep her up.
"It's okay, let her go, Jack." North said.
Jack wasn't sure he wanted to but knew that he had to listen to North when it came to this sort of thing. He only remembered what it was like when he was like this, but it was all a blur to him.
He helped get her to the sofa where she curled up into a ball and hugged her knees, burying her face in them and hoping to make everyone and everything disappear.
Jack reached out to touch her but North stopped him, "No…I'm going to call Miss Elsa. Both of you just keep an eye on her. Don't touch her unless she asks you to." North advised.
Jack found a seat near her on the sofa and watched her but Flynn followed North, looking devastated, "Dad…" he said quickly and quietly, "Dad what happened? What did I do?"
North looked at him sadly and then looked over at Rapunzel. He put a hand on Flynn's shoulder, "You didn't know, Flynn. No one is blaming you."
"Dad…what happened? What didn't I know? Why is she like this?" he cried, feeling as though he failed everyone.
North sighed, "I'll explain more to both of you later, but I think it's safe to say for now that Rapunzel is never to go into that basement ever again."
…
Elsa walked in, shedding her light blue coat almost like a cape off of her shoulders. She was wearing every day clothes it seemed; jeans and a turquoise turtleneck sweater with a crystal pendant necklace. North hated calling her on a day off, especially knowing that her family was here for a visit. But luckily, the minute she heard the situation, she drove right over.
"How long has it been?" She asked immediately as he led her to the family room.
"A little over an hour…I'm not sure how long she was in there." North explained quietly.
"She hasn't said anything?" Elsa asked.
"No." North said looking devastated.
Elsa merely nodded and then looked over to see Rapunzel still huddled on the couch, rocking and crying. Jack was sitting nearby, watching her nervously. She could tell he was itching to just reach out to her but knew he couldn't.
Elsa walked over and smiled warmly at him, "Hi, are you Jack?" she asked.
He nodded and met her eyes with a sad smile.
She grinned, "I knew it was you the minute I saw you. Rapunzel says you and I could pass for twins."
He merely nodded and looked away.
"Mind if I take your spot?" she asked kindly.
He looked conflicted but managed to stand on shaky feet.
"Jack, come with me in here. Give them some privacy." North said gently as he held out an arm, beckoning Jack to him.
Jack walked over but his gaze never left Rapunzel.
Elsa felt bad for him; it had to be extremely hard seeing someone you care about have a panic attack or whatever it was that Rapunzel was having. She didn't know if she could even call it that by psychological standards. But either way, she needed to get through to the girl and get her out of that place that was holding her back.
She sat down carefully and reached out her hand, "Rapunzel…I'm just going to put my hand on your shoulder, okay? Can you come back to me?"
She put her hand softly on Rapunzel's shoulder only for the girl to flinch violently and scream.
Elsa didn't move her hand and instead rubbed very gently, ignoring the flinching and letting her energy flow into Rapunzel. If she took her hand away, she'd just have to do it all over again and Rapunzel didn't need that. She needed reassurance.
"Easy…" Elsa said soothingly, "Just come back to me, okay Rapunzel. Very good breathing. That's it." She coached.
Rapunzel was finally lifting her head and breathing a little less panicky now. She blinked a couple of times before looking over at Elsa.
Elsa's smile was as bright as her hair, "Hi."
"H-hi…" Rapunzel mumbled, wishing she could be that pretty.
Elsa kept rubbing her back gently, "Do you know where you are now?"
Rapunzel nodded.
"Where are you, sweetie?"
"I'm at Mr. North's house." She said quietly, wiping her nose.
"Uh huh, what are you sitting on?"
"A…couch."
"Very good. Can you tell me the color of…the carpet?"
"It's like a cream color." Rapunzel said, looking around, "It has a nice fireplace too."
Elsa smiled, "What do you like about the fireplace?"
"It's warm…it has pictures on it."
Elsa nodded, "Go on."
"I like the color of the bricks…and North put up a wreath with lots of colored ornaments on it. He said our stockings are going to up there too."
"Breathe easy…that's it."
Rapunzel held her stomach and focused on her breathing as she finally came back to what felt like the real world after living in a nightmare it seemed.
"Did you want to stay here? Or did you want to go to your room? Maybe in the sunroom or kitchen?" Elsa suggested.
"Can I stay here?"
"Absolutely."
Rapunzel nodded and Elsa made herself more comfortable on the couch, "You want to tell me what happened?"
Rapunzel shook her head, "Nothing."
"Nothing?" Elsa said, raising her eyebrows.
"I don't want to talk about it. Please just leave me alone." Rapunzel sobbed.
"Why don't you want to talk about it?" Elsa asked her.
"I just don't!"
"Would you rather talk about it tomorrow in my office?"
"NO! I don't want to talk about it, please just leave me alone I want to forget it ever happened!" Rapunzel cried angrily, balling her fists into her jeans.
"Rapunzel…that's not how it works." Elsa explained.
"I just want it to go away! I want to be normal! I want to go on dates with Jack and have a family and not be afraid of the dark!" Rapunzel cried.
Elsa rubbed her back, "I know. And you have every right to want all of those things and so much more. You have a right to want to eat ice cream till your stomach falls off and go shopping to buy things you don't even need but want, and you have a right to cry and be angry."
"I…I can't!"
"Yes you can, Rapunzel. And I'll tell you why."
Rapunzel looked up with tear-filled eyes as Elsa sat closer to her, looking sad about something.
"I used to hold a lot of anger and fear inside. To the point I almost lost my sister, the one person I never wanted to hurt. And then one day, I chose to let all of that anger and fear leave. I opened up to her and to so many others, and after that I learned that it was okay to feel. And now I have a lot of friends who love me, I get to work with so many amazing kids, I see my sister and her husband every month for a week, and I look fabulous to boot!"
Rapunzel found herself giggling in spite of herself, causing Elsa to smile back, "If I can do it, you can."
Rapunzel took a breath and then shook her head sadly, "I just…I can't right…right now…it's too…"
"I understand and I know it's a lot. Tell you what I'll make you a deal."
"Okay." Rapunzel nodded.
"I'll help you get through tonight, but tomorrow when I see you, we're going to talk a little more about what happened today and how we can cope with it. Sound good?"
"There's just…there's so much and I-"
"We have all the time in the world, Rapunzel." Elsa said, hoping to ease her worry, "It's why I'm here. We'll get there. You don't have to do it alone."
"You…you won't give up on me?"
"Of course not. Now Hans and that deer of his…sometimes I have no clue. But you? Of course." She grinned.
Rapunzel nodded and then frowned, "Jack was going to take me to my first movie tonight." She whined, feeling completely ashamed, "He'll never wanna do anything with me again!"
"Why don't we ask him?" Elsa suggested, "Would you prefer that?"
Rapunzel didn't know what else to even do at this point so all she could do was nod. At least Elsa had a plan of action ready at all times. Rapunzel was still getting over the fact she got herself trapped in the punishment room again after nearly two months of recovering from it.
"Jack?" Elsa called, "Jack?"
Jack seemed to have been waiting anxiously by the door as he came right in, looking ready for anything.
"Yeah?" he asked.
Elsa beckoned him over and he rushed right over, looking at Rapunzel and Elsa curiously.
"Rapunzel just wanted to talk to you really quick before I leave." Elsa explained.
"Okay." Jack nodded, standing awkwardly.
"Here." Elsa smiled as she got up and walked to a chair. Jack immediately sat down and faced Rapunzel who he noted was looking much more alert but still very frightened.
"What is it?" he asked her.
"I'm…I…I don't even know what to say to him!" she cried to Elsa.
Jack looked pretty confused but Elsa merely smiled, "Just tell him what you told me."
Rapunzel glared at her therapist. So much for a plan!
She groaned and then bit her lip as she stared at Jack. It took her a few moments but once again, his eyes managed to capture hers and all her cares and worries vanished. He was Jack; and he was right here.
"I'm sorry about…about today, Jack." She told him meekly.
"It's okay." He smiled supportively, "I'm just glad you're doing better."
"I understand if you…if you don't want to have…have anything to do with me anymore." She said dejectedly.
"What?!" he gasped.
She hugged herself, looking sad and he couldn't help but smile and laugh, "Rapunzel, nothing's changed. I still wanna go out with you." He told her firmly.
"You do?"
"Yeah I do." He nodded, "So you had a bad day. I had a bad month from what I recall." He told her with a chuckle.
She finally managed a small laugh at that and rubbed her arms, "Yeah…you have a point."
Elsa watched them and smiled.
"But if you want, we can see the movie tomorrow." Jack said, "Tonight we can just…I don't know…maybe we can finish painting those jars or something." He suggested.
Rapunzel nodded, "Thank you!"
Elsa sighed happily and stood up, "I like the sound of that. Rapunzel, are you feeling a little better now? Less anxious?"
"A little…I mean…I'm just glad Jack doesn't hate me." She admitted and Jack took her hand softly and shook his head, smiling at her.
Elsa nodded, "Jack are you doing okay?"
"Yes ma'am." He grinned.
Elsa chuckled, no wonder Rapunzel was head over heels with the guy, "Okay, I'll leave you two to it then. Rapunzel, don't forget our deal."
Rapunzel looked grim but nodded.
"Just take it easy tonight and we'll talk tomorrow, sound good?"
"Yes." Rapunzel nodded again.
Elsa came over to her and put a hand on her shoulder and knelt before her, "Please don't ever hesitate to ask for help, Rapunzel. You're doing wonderful work and I'm very proud of you."
"Thank you Miss Elsa." Rapunzel smiled weakly, "That…that means a lot."
"Well I mean it, sincerely." Elsa noted, "I'll see you tomorrow. You two have fun."
She got up and Rapunzel watched as she practically glided away.
Jack watched Rapunzel and waited for her to turn around and face him on the couch. He could tell she was very exhausted and pretty traumatized after today. She hugged herself tightly and seemed lost in thought.
"Hey." He comforted, his hand finding her knee and squeezing it a little, "It's okay now."
"I feel like such an idiot." She mumbled sadly, looking down at the carpet, "I'm asked to do one thing and…"
"Don't think about it. Besides, you did a lot today with those jars. North's actually really excited. He says they look amazing."
"He said that?" she asked him, her voice hopeful.
"Yeah, while you were in here, he noticed them and told us how good they look. He says he's never been able to do anything like that before."
She smiled a little and felt just slightly proud of herself, maybe just a little. Perhaps things would get better before the night was over.
North came back in with Flynn just then.
"Rapunzel? Are you feeling better?" North asked.
She nodded and smiled up at him, "Yes…I am…I'm sorry about-"
"No apologies needed. I am just glad that you are safe and feeling better."
Rapunzel nodded and North motioned to Flynn to sit down, "I think it's important that everyone hears this." He explained to them all, "Jack. Flynn…Rapunzel is to no longer go into the basement. And after the collapse of that shelf, I don't want any of you or Max going down there. If something needs to be found, just come find me. Understood?"
Everyone nodded and Rapunzel, despite the small reminder actually felt some relief; she didn't have to go into the basement! There was no punishment room! She wasn't in trouble!
Flynn cleared his throat just then and looked over apologetically at Rapunzel, "Listen, I am very sorry about this…I should have just gone down myself or something and-"
"No…it's okay." Rapunzel said quickly, rubbing her arm, "You didn't know."
Flynn bit his lip and nodded, "I promise I won't make you do something so harebrained again."
"Okay." Rapunzel giggled.
North seemed pleased that all of them were looking in somewhat better spirits now, "How about I order a pizza and we just relax and finish the decorating tomorrow, sound good?"
"Yeah pizza!" Jack cheered.
Even Rapunzel looked excited by this concept.
"Alright, everyone wash up and I'll call you down when it gets here." North said, rubbing his hands together and excusing them.
Rapunzel got up and felt very drained as she made the trek to her room. As she walked in she looked towards the window outside and decided to just sit there for a while. She liked that she could see outside into the streets and watch the snow falling from her little bay window perch. She even put a couple of pillows on the seat just so she could be comfortable as she sat curled up.
She focused on her breathing and tried getting the darkness of that closet out of her mind, almost falling asleep actually, until she heard a soft knock on her door.
She turned as Jack came in, holding something behind his back, "Can I come in?" he asked her.
She nodded.
He walked over to her and found a seat across from her on the bay window, still hiding the object behind his back. He was smiling almost excitedly.
"I was actually going to give this to you for Christmas but…I think you could use it now."
She watched as he held out something in front of her and she audibly gasped.
"Is…is that…?!" she cried happily.
"Yeah." He smiled, extending the yellow Care Bear towards her. She took it gently as though it were made of glass and stared at the worn yellow fur and the cute little sun on its belly. It looked just like her costume at Halloween!
All she could do was stare at it and smile like a child at Christmas, which wouldn't be too far off really.
"You like it?" he asked.
"Where did you get it?" she asked him in awe.
"I actually found it at a thrift store. I went with Hiccup before Homecoming. He tends to go to those places to find doodads and such." He chuckled, "But the minute I saw it I thought of you."
"Jack…this is…this is so…so wonderful." She whispered happily, "I love him."
He smiled proudly as she finally brought the bear to her chest and held it close as though afraid to let it go. It was her first stuffed animal ever!
"Sorry it's so early, but I promise I got you something else." He smiled.
"I don't need anything else." She said tearfully, "This is so much. Thank you."
He nodded, ready to get up and head downstairs to set the table before he was pulled into a rather violent hug that almost sent him tumbling to the floor.
He corrected himself and hugged her back, closing his eyes and savoring the moment.
"I don't think I've ever had a greater gift." She whispered into his shoulder.
He smiled, thinking how he was going to prove her wrong; the six other Care Bears in his room would be proof as the year wore on.