The evening Phoebus and Rapunzel arrived in Corona, the entire kingdom was abuzz about the prince's return.

They kept their heads down so they wouldn't draw any attention to themselves as they made their way through Rapunzel's village, to her brother's house.

"I guess this is it," Rapunzel said, keeping her voice low. "How long until the crew gets here, do you think?"

Phoebus shook his head. "I'm not sure. Not long, though."

Rapunzel nibbled on her lower lip and nervously played with her hair. "What should we do when they get here?"

"You aren't going to do anything. Once we get to your brother's house, you are going to stay there until all of this is over." She started to protest, but Phoebus interrupted her. "I'm serious, Rapunzel. You have a chance to start over and you are not going to ruin it by getting involved with whatever happens."

"What about your second chance, Phoebus? You can start a new life, too."

Phoebus didn't say anything. Even though Emperor Ratcliffe didn't know he was alive, his empire was not far from Corona and Phoebus could not risk staying here- or anywhere- long enough for anyone to come to know him. He was here solely to escort Rapunzel safely to her brother's house. He planned to be gone as soon as possible. Hopefully before The Damned arrived. If he was still here when the fight began, he didn't think he'd be strong enough to resist aiding them in order to protect Sinbad.

Phoebus gave a start at that thought. Why was he thinking of protecting Sinbad?

Because no one else is going to, he realized. Sinbad was likely the last person to ever need someone to protect him. Still, Phoebus worried about him. It was no secret no one in the crew liked him. Would anyone have Sinbad's back in the fight? Maybe John, but Phoebus knew John would be too focused on Jim. Though Sinbad was on The Damned's side, he was going into this fight alone.

That is not your concern, anymore, he scolded himself.

"Phoebus? Are you all right?"

Rapunzel's voice brought him back. Phoebus realized thinking of Sinbad had caused him to stop paying attention to what was happening around him. They were no longer in the village; they were now walking down a narrow, yet worn, dirt path in the woods.

"I thought your brother lived in the mountains," Phoebus said, trying to move on to a different topic.

"He did. He lost that house in a fire recently and had to move. Don't change the subject. Are you all right?"

"I'm fine."

"I'm not going to pry. I'm just going to say: I know who you're thinking about."

Phoebus shifted the weight of Rapunzel's trunk with a sigh. "I'm not thinking about anyone."

Rapunzel laughed and Phoebus couldn't help smiling at her. He wasn't sure if he had ever heard her laugh like that before. She had been slowly changing during their brief journey together, like maybe she was becoming the old Rapunzel again. Phoebus hadn't known Rapunzel prior to her joining the crew and they hadn't exactly been close while they sailed together; still, he was happy to see these changes in her.

"Deny it all you want," Rapunzel said. "But, I know."

"You don't know anything."

"Yeah, you're right: I don't know anything about being in love with someone who is all wrong for me." She rolled her eyes.

"I'm not in love with anyone."

Rapunzel scoffed. "Sure. Continue to blatantly lie to my face."

Phoebus stopped and looked down at her. She stopped, too, and met his eye. "For reasons I can't tell you, I can't be with anyone. Least of all Sinbad. So, I've cut him out of my life. What I want, how I feel... none of that matters. So, please, just let me be miserable in peace."

Rapunzel studied him for a moment, then realization and defeat crossed her features. "You're not staying here, are you?"

"No, I'm not. I'll stay the night to make sure everything is good with you here. But, I plan to leave tomorrow, if possible."

Rapunzel pressed her lips together as her face filled with inexplicable pain. Her eyes watered and she tried to blink away the tears, but a couple fell down her cheeks anyway. "I meant what I said at Granny's when I told you I considered you family. I don't know why you're leaving or why you can't be with anyone, but I really really hope you find happiness."

Phoebus wanted to reach out to her; to hug her or wipe her tears away, but the trunk he was carrying prevented that. It was probably for the best, though; he needed to cut ties with everyone, even her.

They continued through the woods. Neither of them said anything until they walked into a clearing and approached a small house. A young man with blonde hair was working outside.

"Kristoff!" Rapunzel cried, running towards him. When she reached him, she dropped her suitcase and flung herself into his arms.

Phoebus smiled at them, keeping his distance to let them have their moment. Rapunzel started crying and they hugged a few more times, before they finally acknowledged Phoebus.

"Kristoff, this is Phoebus," Rapunzel introduced, wiping her eyes. "We were on the same crew and he offered to escort me home."

That wasn't exactly how it happened, but he didn't correct her.

Kristoff extended his hand to Phoebus and he set her trunk down so he could shake his hand. "Thank you for letting me stay with you."

Kristoff waved him off and picked up the trunk. "Don't think twice about it. You brought my sister back home safely; my home will always be open to you. You're welcome to stay as long as you want."

"Thank you."

Kristoff led them inside and set the trunk down. The house looked just as small inside as it did outside. It was a little messy, but it looked more like a home than any place Phoebus has ever seen.

"Everyone's talking about the Prince's return," Rapunzel said. "How long has he been back?"

"No one knows for sure. The Queen's birthday ball last night was the first anyone has seen him. He's all anyone has been talking about today."

"Are they excited to have him back?" Rapunzel asked.

"I think they're more curious about what this means for the kingdom and what will happen to Queen Grimhilde if he's back for the throne," Kristoff told them. "There's also a lot of curiosity about the woman who accompanied him to the ball."

"He had a woman with him?" Phoebus asked.

Kristoff nodded. "That's what I hear, anyway. I wasn't there. But, there's a lot of talk and speculation about who she is and why he brought her back with him." He shrugged. "Anyway, I'm sure you're tired. There's only one room and it's all yours, Rapunzel. Phoebus and I can take the living room; Phoebus, you can have the couch, I'll take the floor. There's a river behind the house, if you want to bathe."

"I appreciate your hospitality, but I don't want to put anyone out. I can just check into the inn for the night," Phoebus told him. He had originally planned to stay with them, but after seeing how small the house was and having his host offer to sleep on the floor for him, made him a little uncomfortable.

"Phoebus, please stay," Rapunzel pleaded.

"I insist," Kristoff added. "I know the inn has better accommodations than sleeping on a couch and bathing in a river, but I'd really like it if you'd stay with us. You have no idea how much it means to me that you brought Rapunzel home."

Phoebus didn't mention that Rapunzel could take care of herself and would have gotten herself home just fine without him- and neither did she.

"Please?" Rapunzel repeated.

Phoebus nodded. "All right."

X X X

Rapunzel couldn't sleep that night. She crept past the boys sleeping in the living room and slipped out the back door. The clearing behind the house sloped downward and the river lied at the bottom of the hill. The river wasn't visible from the house, which offered privacy while bathing. It also meant that Kristoff and Phoebus wouldn't see her if they woke up and looked out the window; hopefully they'd think she was still sleeping. She needed just a few moments to herself. She could have had the alone time when she bathed earlier, but she had been so tired that she just wanted to get it over with. And, if she was really honest, she was worried Phoebus would try to leave while she was gone. Rapunzel knew it was likely she'd never see him again once he left, and she just wasn't ready to let him go, yet.

Plus, she did something she probably shouldn't have and she needed him to stay in Corona as long as possible.

That night back at Granny's when she invited Phoebus to come to Corona with her, after he had gone to bed, she snuck back onto The Damned to talk to Flynn. She told him about Phoebus and Sinbad. It hadn't been her place, she knew that. But, it was so obvious how Phoebus felt about Sinbad. She didn't know if Sinbad felt the same way, but if there was a chance that he did, she couldn't let them part like that; not with the possibility of Sinbad getting killed. So, she told Flynn Phoebus was going to Corona and where Sinbad could find him. She had no idea if Flynn would pass along the message; he and Sinbad weren't exactly on good terms. Still, Rapunzel needed to keep Phoebus in Corona in case Sinbad came for him.

Rapunzel sat down in the grass next to the river. It was too dark to see anything reflected in the water other than the stars. Still, Rapunzel looked down at it. She had loved sailing and living out on the sea. Part of her would miss it. But, now that she was back home and reunited wit her brother, she couldn't imagine ever leaving again. That life had been exciting, but she was ready to settle down now and have a family someday.

"Rapunzel?" Kristoff suddenly appeared next to her.

Rapunzel jumped. "Kristoff, you scared me!"

Kristoff chuckled softly as he sat down next her. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."

"What are you doing out here?"

"I heard you come out here and wanted to make sure you're okay."

"Oh. Did I wake you?"

Kristoff shook his head. "I was awake. That floor is rather uncomfortable. Phoebus had insisted on taking the floor, but I refused. I'm regretting that decision."

Rapunzel smiled at him. "Well, I really appreciate you letting him stay with us. He wants to leave tomorrow, but I need to get him to stay as long as possible."

Kristoff eyed her. "You're meddling in something, aren't you?"

Rapunzel gaped at him. "I do not meddle."

Kristoff laughed. "Oh yeah? What about Mr. Gracey and the widow Henshaw?"

Rapunzel crossed her arms stubbornly. "They were perfect for each other. I just gave them a little push."

"You meddled."

"Fine. I meddled," Rapunzel conceded. "But, it worked out well."

"It did," Kristoff agreed. "So, what are you trying to do for Phoebus?"

"The person Phoebus is in love with is coming to Corona and I need to keep him here long enough to get them back together." Rapunzel sighed in exasperation. "Although, he won't admit he's in love."

"Maybe he's not, Rapunzel. You can't force two people together if they don't want to be together."

"So, you won't help me?"

"No, I'll help you. But, if it doesn't work out, you need to let it go."