Rapunzel was shivering as they trudged through the snowy park. But she couldn't stop staring at all the Christmas trees ready to go. Flynn had already picked his out and was tying it to his car, now it was Rapunzel's turn. She'd never picked out a tree before, let alone celebrated Christmas. She was worried she'd pick a bad one or take too long. Jack could tell she was flustered and merely took her hands, covered up in white fluffy mittens as she decided.

"They're all really nice…" she whispered, "What am I even looking for?" she asked him.

"Just the one you think would look real nice decorated in our family room." He smiled.

She sighed and looked around and finally spotted one that looked very green and lush. She cocked her head to the side and Jack did the same.

"I like it." He smiled, "Matches your eyes a little."

"Really?" she grinned, "You think it's good?"

"Do you?" he asked her.

She bit her bottom lip and then nodded, "I like it!"

"She found one!" Jack called to North who was also admiring some of the trees. He had a tendency to want to bring all of them home, so because of this he always let his kids decide on the trees.

"Ah! Now that one is a beauty!" he smiled proudly, "A perfect pick Rapunzel!" he beamed.

Rapunzel was relieved and watched as North made the deal with the salesman like a pro and had the guy help him tie the thing to his car carefully.

Jack led Rapunzel through the throng of trees back towards the car and smiled at her as she looked around at the others, her eyes alight and completely blending it to the beautiful green around her. He always likened her eyes to grass in the springtime but today they were almost a dead ringer for the Christmas trees surrounding them.

"What do we do next?" she asked Jack.

He was glad to see her funk from yesterday had worn off. He was sad that she had to see Miss Elsa pretty soon, but after that she'd get to come home and they'd decorate the trees before going to the movie together. He couldn't wait to take her and had already decided on a movie for them; a nice low key comedy. He knew after yesterday horror was out of the question and something told him she would not even begin to understand sci-fi. Action might be a bit much so he begrudgingly resigned himself to sitting through a romantic comedy. But it didn't matter because he'd get to spend time with her and watch her as she lit up watching her first movie in a theatre. He couldn't wait to see the wonder in her eyes.

"Jack?" she asked him, breaking him from his thoughts.

"Sorry, I was thinking." He admitted, smiling sheepishly, "Well…after your appointment, we're gonna decorate the trees together and then we'll go see our movie." He smiled.

She nodded, looking slightly nervous but okay with it all. He knew seeing her counselor was what was really bothering her but he didn't want her to worry. He wished he could tell her that right after they dropped her off at Elsa's they were going shopping for her down the road. They'd all agreed about a week ago to not spoil Rapunzel's Christmas and really help her feel that Santa was real (of course he was and he came in the form of North in Jack's opinion). They wanted to share all of their traditions with her and help her feel like a kid again, only without the abusive household.

"It'll be over before you know it." He told her encouragingly, "And then afterwards we're gonna have so much fun." He promised.

She smiled weakly and nodded. He could still see the bags under her eyes from all of her crying and sleeplessness. He could tell the Care Bear worked because he checked on her later that night to see she was holding it tight and sleeping soundly, but he had a feeling she'd had a few bad dreams because when she woke up she was very jumpy and nervous.

"Ready to go?" North called to them.

They both nodded, Rapunzel a little less enthusiastic than Jack.

Flynn waved from his car and took off while North held up any branches from hitting the kids in the head.

Rapunzel started biting her nails as he took off, a bad habit she was starting to form.

"Are you wearing your bracelet, Rapunzel?" North asked her and she had a feeling that was his way of telling her not to bite her nails.

She quickly put her hands down and removed her other mitten to find her bracelet under her sleeve and start using it.

Jack smiled at her and got out his Yo-Yo. He fiddled with the strings and tapped on the round wooden block that had paint chipping. He'd have to ask North to repaint some of it for him later.

"Here we are." North said softly as he pulled up to Miss Elsa's office.

Rapunzel looked at them and then out the window and sighed, opening the door and getting out.

"I'll come in to get you Rapunzel." Jack said to her as she stood there nervously.

She nodded and closed the door, standing there fidgeting with her bracelet and deciding to just get it over with.

She walked to the door and stepped inside. She could hear North's car pulling away slowly; probably making sure she actually walked inside before taking off.

She opened the office doors and found a chair to sink into, staring at the paintings and plants. At least it was nice and warm in here. Rapunzel decided to remove her cap and coat while she waited.

She heard the familiar sliding door and winced, knowing what was coming.

She dared herself to look up at Miss Elsa, who was enchanting in her lavender turtleneck dress that went to her knees. Her brown boots covered her stocking legs and her hair was done up in a nice braid. After yesterday Rapunzel didn't even know if she could face her, but the smile Elsa gave her always managed to put her at ease.

"Come on back, Rapunzel. Did you want something to drink? I just made some hot chocolate and tea?" she asked kindly, holding out her hands to lead Rapunzel to her room.

"N-no, I'm fine, thank you." Rapunzel said quickly, her nerves about to fry.

Elsa smiled at her and Rapunzel made her way to the couch to sit on stiffly, putting her coat next to her.

"You look very pretty today, Rapunzel." Elsa smiled as she sat down in her chair across from her.

"Jack's taking me out later…do you think this looks okay?" Rapunzel asked, indicating her jeans and modest pink peasant top. It had purple embroidered flowers at the neck and Rapunzel remembered finding it and thinking it was so cute and fancy only for Miss Ana to just pick it up and buy it for her no matter what.

"I think you look beautiful." Elsa smiled warmly.

Rapunzel finally relaxed a little as Elsa asked her what plans she'd had for the day. Rapunzel answered them with ease and was wondering if Elsa might just let yesterday go when her spirits died as Miss Elsa finally nodded and asked Rapunzel to tell her as comfortably as she could what had happened the day before.

Rapunzel looked down with tears in her eyes, "I don't know where to begin." She admitted.

"Can you tell me what happened when you woke up?"

Rapunzel thought back, remembering she'd stayed in Jack's room, glad she could actually sleep through the night. She then clenched her fists when she remembered what she'd heard North saying that morning over the phone. She stared at Elsa who watched her patiently.

"I came downstairs to find Jack and…North was on the phone in his office…he was talking to…I think it was Merida's mother and…it was about me…and my mother…"

Elsa straightened, "Did you hear what he was saying?"

Rapunzel nodded as she repeated the conversation to her and Elsa could feel the lights turning on in her mind, knowing what really sparked Rapunzel's anxiety that day; the upcoming trial.

Rapunzel began crying, "He didn't know that I'd heard him but…is it true? Does my mother want me back?"

Elsa sighed and finally walked over to sit next to her on the couch, carrying some tissues with her, "Rapunzel I want you to listen carefully to me."

"She loves me. She wants me back! I know she does but…I just-"

"Rapunzel!" Elsa said sharply.

Rapunzel gulped and listened.

"Your mother no longer has custody rights, at least not to you."

"So…she won't…I don't have to …go back to her?"

"No."

"Why do I feel so bad?" Rapunzel asked her.

"It's okay to feel sad. This is a woman who took you in after your parents died and raised you for years. But what she did to you is a crime, yes, a crime. And the state wants to be sure that this case is handled the right way. Your testimony is merely to make sure that no one is hurt again and that the right action is taken. That is all."

"What do I do?"

"You tell the truth, Rapunzel." Elsa told her simply, "I know that's not easy, but in court, you have to tell the truth no matter what."

"I love her…I don't want her in trouble but-"

"If you really love her Rapunzel, you will tell the truth about what she did to you in court and if you're comfortable, with me."

Rapunzel took a breath and nodded, "I don't want to lose Jack or Miss Ana…or my friends." She admitted.

"You won't." Elsa smiled, taking her hand.

"I still have to talk about the…the closet don't I?" she asked her timidly.

Elsa smiled, "Take your time; we can even continue the talk to our next session, give you more time to think on some things and recover. But the sooner the easier." She explained.

Rapunzel took a breath and finally decided to talk about decorating the house, painting the jars and listening to music. She felt her thoughts go darker as the basement came into view.

"Why are you afraid of closets Rapunzel?"

"I don't like being trapped in the dark." Rapunzel told her.

"Why not?"

"Because of the punishment room."

"What's that?" Elsa asked, not sure she even wanted to know.

"In my old house…in Chicago…Mother found this small closet or something in the basement. She'd put a lock on it and called it my punishment room. When I was really bad, she'd lock me in and leave me there; sometimes she'd beat me before or after. I had to pray while I was in there, for forgiveness. In the closet…I was alone and…I didn't know how much time had passed or if she would even let me out. Sometimes I'd find out she left me in there for a whole day without food or water and it would feel really disorienting…like…almost like Narnia time. You know Narnia?"

Elsa shook her head, "I've read them but it's been a while, can you explain that to me?"

"Well…the kids in the story were in Narnia for years and years, but would come out and no time had passed. But for me…I was stuck in a place with no time and I'd come out and all this time had passed without me."

"Rip Van Winkle." Elsa commented.

"Who?"

"Rip Van Winkle fell asleep for many years under a spell. When he woke up, times had changed without him."

"Yes! That's it!" Rapunzel nodded, "In our new house, she did the same thing, but…the closet was smaller so I couldn't even stand or stretch in it, I'd have to curl uncomfortably and…most of the time she beat me before putting me in but afterwards was worse." She admitted, hugging herself.

"So you are afraid specifically of basements or being trapped in closets." Elsa commented.

"Yes…I know it's stupid but-"

"No, Rapunzel that is a legitimate fear. And to be honest, I think this is something we can conquer together." Elsa said happily.

"Really? You mean…I won't be afraid of them anymore?"

"We can try." Elsa smiled, "I once had a child who was thrown off of a very dangerous horse and got trampled by accident. After many years of therapy, that child was able to try riding horses again. It took time but with help and courage, it worked."

"You think it'll work for me?"

"It may take a very long time and we'll do it step by step, nothing big. And you are not to do this on your own, always ask for my help or your guardian's help, understood?"

"Yes…I don't think I could do it alone anyways."

"Now the important question is; do you want to overcome your fear of basements and the dark?"

Rapunzel nodded, "Yes! I'm tired of being afraid. And…I don't want to be afraid of belts either."

"Okay, then that is something else we can work on as time goes by." Elsa smiled, "It all depends on you, Rapunzel, what you want to overcome and I can help you get there."

"Oh…Miss Elsa that's…that would be so wonderful! I…" she flustered with her words, unable to form a coherent sentence, "I want to start now! When can we start? Now?!"

Elsa laughed, "Slow down, sweetie! We won't start until next session. And some of these will have to be at your house. Again, it will take a lot of courage and time, but be patient."

"I will! I promise! I just don't want to be scared!"

Elsa smiled, "I'm very proud of you Rapunzel, this takes a lot of strength and I can tell you have it."

"I feel so…like I just want to take my life back and…and…"

Elsa smiled and nodded, "You will."

Rapunzel finally took a breath and wiped her tears, "Thank you Miss Elsa. I never thought I could just…do anything before and to know that I can conquer my fear of the punishment room, to know that there's hope for me…it just feels so…so amazing." She smiled.

"I'm glad and I think we're gonna get very far." Elsa nodded to her, "Now…before we end, did you and Jack ever finish those jars?" she smiled.

"Yes!" Rapunzel smiled, "But before that, North got us pizza and Jack gave me a Care Bear!"

"He did!" Elsa giggled.

"He knows how much I love them and have always wanted them. I wish I could show you! Oh it's so sweet and it helped me sleep through the night. I love it so much." She smiled happily, "And then after this I get to decorate my first tree and go to my first movie! I'm just…I just can't wait!"

Elsa beamed, happy that Rapunzel was finally getting over her fear from the day before. It always astounded her how so many kids were different. Some would take ages to break through those walls and some just opened up, ready for a change that very day. Both kinds were still as equally challenging to work with but both always had that glimmer of hope once you got through to them.

Elsa stood and helped Rapunzel up, "How are you feeling now, Rapunzel. I know yesterday was not easy and I'm proud of you for opening up to me about your fears."

Rapunzel smiled and took a breath, just like Miss Elsa had taught her, "I feel…excited! I mean…I have a lot to look forward to and pretty soon I won't be so afraid!"

"Now…as for the trial…"

Rapunzel's face fell and Miss Elsa had a feeling that would happen, "Remember everything I told you. There's nothing to be afraid of. You have a lot of people on your side and you don't have to worry for a while about this, okay? We have time to help get you ready to face this."

Rapunzel nodded and felt slightly relieved; with Miss Elsa's help, she could do anything it seemed!

"Okay." She said firmly.

"Okay." Elsa said warmly, "Now go enjoy your Christmas Break! I have a reindeer to sneak sugar cubes to." She giggled.

"Your family is in town?" Rapunzel asked her.

"Yep, Anna and Kristoff showed up yesterday; hence why I cancelled so late." She apologized, "But they'll be here for Christmas to celebrate with me and Sven will be doing the Reindeer Games show at the fair in the next town so lots to look forward to." Elsa chuckled.

"That sounds like fun!" Rapunzel said as she walked with Elsa out of the office.

"It is actually. It smells funny, but it is fun." She laughed.

They looked up to see Jack looking at a magazine and appearing bored as he waited.

Elsa nodded to Rapunzel and waved as Jack stood up and smiled at them.

"Ready?" he asked her.

"Yes." Rapunzel said confidently.

Jack took her hand and Elsa had to hide her smile behind her hand at how adorable they were.

…..

"You didn't tell me it was this big!" Rapunzel gasped as Jack led her inside the dark theatre.

He smiled at her, holding a small bucket of popcorn, knowing she had yet to try it so he wanted her to experience that. He of course ordered himself a blue Icee considering they were his absolute favorites and Rapunzel settled for trying a red one.

She didn't seem to watch where she was going so Jack had to make sure she didn't trip as she looked around in awe at all the seats and the giant screen emitting sound that covered the entire theatre.

It wasn't too dark luckily so he was glad it didn't seem to bother her, he was afraid that after yesterday a dark theatre might scare her. But it must have been a good session with Elsa, that or Rapunzel was just too excited to notice how dark it was because she seemed to want to just explore the darn theatre instead of finding seats.

"Where's that sound coming from?" she asked him as he tried leading her up some steps to the middle row.

"All around in speakers on the walls." He answered as they found seats. They still had some time before the movie started so he might as well help her understand how this whole thing worked. To be honest he never quite understood it himself, he just sort of got used to how it worked, but Rapunzel had never in her life experienced something as simple as going to a movie theatre so it was only natural she asked questions others would deem…strange.

"And everyone gets popcorn at movies?" she asked as she sat down and looked at the tub he held. He took a piece and motioned for her to try. She took a few pieces of the buttery snack and he almost laughed as her eyes widened and she seemed to stare into the bucket for answers to life's questions.

"Not everyone, but it's sort of been a big deal since…I don't know since they invented movies and popcorn I guess." He shrugged.

"And you said this is an Icee?"

"Yep, try it!" he smiled, taking a sip of his blue concoction that always turned his tongue his favorite color.

She took a sip of hers and once again her eyes widened and she almost yelped, staring at the cup, "That is good!" she gasped.

"Wanna try the blue?" he asked her.

"Sure!" she quickly took his and he finally let himself laugh as her eyes just seemed to get bigger and bigger and she held it from her, then seemed to look between the two to decide her favorite. He was shocked when she stuck both straws in her mouth and tried them both at the same time.

She let the taste settle and then smiled proudly, "I knew it! They go good together!"

He took his drink back and laughed, shaking his head; she never ceased to amaze him that was for sure.

She looked around as she took bites of the popcorn and finally turned to him, "Thanks for bringing me, Jack and for…the Care Bear…he's so sweet!" she grinned.

He smiled back and nodded, "You're welcome."

Just then a loud noise erupted around them and the screen suddenly came to life, causing Rapunzel to actually scream a little and grab his arm.

"It's okay, the movie's starting is all." He said, trying not to laugh as he put his arm around her comfortingly.

She giggled at herself, her hand going to her mouth to stifle them.

"Yeah I usually jump when they do that." He admitted as the trailers for other movies started showing. He quickly explained them to her and she began watching. Jack wasn't disappointed when her eyes widened and she stared in wonderment at the screen in front of them. Once the movie started, he could care less what it was about and instead sat back to watch her expressions instead, they were far more interesting than the movie anyways. He found himself smiling as he held her, watching her eyes intensify with each scene or sound, listening to her giggles when she thought something was funny, and of course noticing when she thought something was sad and how much empathy she showed for the characters as though she were right there with them. Yep, way better than watching some movie in his opinion.