Zelena was getting ready to head to the bookstore to pick up a few more books for Alice. She'd read through all the books Archie had left her repeatedly. She enjoyed them amd they were helpful. Zelena was still worried about Alice going to the doctor. She could already see how everything could go wrong. Alice was making progress but it would be so easy to offset that. And only the gods knew how she'd react to a car ride. But there was absolutley no way she could walk to the hospital where the doctor's office was. That was more distance than Alice had ever walked in her entire life, if Zelena had to wager a guess, and the sheer amount of interaction during the visit would likely be exhausting. And doctors could be scary in the best of circumstances, in this one? Zelena wasn't sure it'd be okay. She'd called the office to see if they could let her fill out the paperwork in advnace but they would't, something about some regulation or other. Zelena had argued with them but had not won that argument. Not for lack of trying..

Alice was sitting and reading through her dictionary again. Zelena wanted her to try to use the words in the book but she was still often too scared to speak. Maybe if she left her alone with Robin for an hour or two she'd give it a try. Alice desperstlry needed a way to say what she wanted. Preferably one that was a little safer for the stuffed animals, not to mention everyone else's sanity. Alice threw things to communicate frequently but it was still a struggle to figure out what she was trying to say.

Luna was sitting near Alice as always and brought a toy to her. Luna was smart but still wanted to play, which Alice didn't understand fully. She didn't like to play the way Luna did.

"Here, Luna. I'll throw it."

Zelena weakly tossed the toy at the ground, trying not to make any major movements that would frighten Alice. Luna picjed up the toy and dropped it in Alice's lap.

Alice stared at it. She wasn't supposed to move without permission. But Luna was telling her to do it. And it wasn't really mlving. Was it? She did this all the time to say she needed something or was scared or wanted something.

Alice knocked the toy off her lap. Gently enough that it was clear she didn't need anything.

"Sorry." This was different than throwing things to show she was upset, Alice wasn't sure this was okay. And wasn't the toy Luna's? Alice mostly understood the concept of owning things but it had been far too complex to fully explain.

"It's good. Luna likes playing Good job."

Luna brought the toy back to Alice who knocked it off her lap again. Zelena was really glad Alice was trying to play with Luna.

"That's playing. That's really good."

Luna gave the toy back to Alice who stared at it again. It was okay to play with Luna? Really? She liked this. If it was okay, she wanted to do it. She knocked the toy off again. I'm not angry , I'm not scared, I'm playing. Playing is okay?

Zelena knew Alice needed to be encouraged and kept telling her it was good to play with Luna until Alice decided to stop doing it nd went back to reading her book. Zelena needed to head out.

"Okay, Luna's here and Robin's around somewhere if you need anything. I've got to go get something from the store. I'll be back soon."

Alice nodded. She wanted to read her book and pet Luna. She didn't really want to go anywhere. Zelena wasn't going to make her, was she?

"Okay, bye. There's a grilled cheese in the microwave if you want it, or you can ask Robin to help make something else."

Zelena made sure Alice had options. She had no idea if there were any foods Alice absolutely hated or not. She knew bubblegum wasn't something she liked but other than that, she'd eaten absolutley every food offered and barely if at all expressed any preferences.

Zelena left and went to the book store.

Zelena wouldn't admit it but she needed a break and was relieved to be at the book store without either Robin or Alice. She cared about Alice, genuinely. But it was exhausting taking care of her. Zelena knew it wasn't Alice's fault she'd been taught to rely on someone else in such an unhelthy way. It would take time and effort and unconditional love and support to even bring Alice somewhat away from that. And it wasn't guranteed she'd ever fully be able to distance herself from that mindset. And Zelena wanted to help her but sometimes she just needed a break from watching how she phrased things and making sure she looked as nonthreatening as possible.

Zelena grabbed a picture dictionary and a couple of picture books.

"Excuse me," a young woman said, and Zelena stepped out of her way. The young woman grabbed a few picture books as well then glanced at the books in Zelena's hand.

"How old's your little one? AAny idea if these are good books to start reading?"

Zelena thought for a moment. She wasn't sure how old Alice was. She couldn't be too far from Robin's age. Sixteen at the least? She had no intentions of telling random stranger Alice's life story. It wasn't really any of their business.

"Yeah, pretty good books to start reading. Mine absolutley loves the picture dictionaries too. Trying to find some kind of emotions book."

"Not really a book but maybe the movie inside out?" the woman suggested. "My four year old is obsessed with bing bong."

Zelena laughed a little. She'd watched that at some point with Robin.

"Thanks."

Zelena walked away and headed towards the check out. She was waiting in line and started to think about the docotr again. She was dreading that. She coul think of things that she could see Alice easily mistaking as something she'd done something wrong to deserve. She'd need shots. There was no getting out of that. It was going to be a nightmare. And Zelena couldn't really think of anything that would make it much better.

Maybe she should try to get Alice used to the car, or at least try, before the docotr. That would be too much at once.

A/N: Jennifer Barrata: do they do house calls where you live? Bc that's not really a thing here for the most part. Also why a female doctor?