AN: I was going to add the escape at Ever After to this BUT this chapter is already 3.500 words so I'll save that for next chapter. Nothing much happens, its just Donna adjusting and rekindling with Matt. But hey, who doesn't love Matonna!

Creator of Magic: Yeah I meant the Therapy thing as a joke. Just because they don't have the time until the raven skull thing is done. And the parents are pretty protective, but if you were in a war you wouldn't want your kids to go through the same thing. Ye! Snow white is COMING SOON. In like next chapter or the chapter after that. Ally and Derek will have made up by next chapter so get pumped for that!

Mia: Yeah...I made the eyes scene a little awkward because its provokes some emotions in Donna this chapter. Ally will have more awesome moments coming next chapter. Snow White's encounter will be awkward but also quite useful. To be honest, I don't even know exactly what's going to happen with the triplets.

Sky: As for the prequel...I don't know either. Definitely something with the Broken, but I'm not sure. The therapy thing was a joke because they just don't have time for that therapy. Teenage rebellion is my favorite thing to write about!

NymhadoraTonks: Don't worry, Ally and Derek will make up by next chapter. I wanted to show that relationships aren't all sunshine and rainbows. Donna is very insecure right now and this chapter will dive into that. We'll be back at Ever After next chapter so stay tuned for the rest of the gang!

PowPow456: Things are beginning to heat up, but this chapter is a little bit of a cooldown. Matt and Donna will keep on getting cuter. :)

THANK YOU ALL FOR REVEIWING! PLEASE ENJOY!


Everyone sat down at the long table for dinner. Donna had to admit her nerves were getting the best of her. Ever since she fell down the well, her stomach had been in knots. She really didn't feel like eating. There was something so strange about all of this. Maybe because it was all becoming real. She was really going to destroy her grandmother's spirit. With any luck.

She kept her eyes down mostly. When Wade commented on her eyes, there was just something that dragged her down. She was used to many stares, but then Wade said they 'weren't like Raven's'. Donna never truly put that together. She knew they were like her grandmother's, but didn't know they were noticeably different than her mom's. Maybe once the skull was destroyed, her eyes would just to a simple violet instead of her grandmother's could and dark purple with those pink specs that looked like embers of fire.

"Alright then," Wade said excitedly, "Let's eat!" Servants came in with some dishes. It was a pretty simple meal, but Donna didn't mind. She liked how simple and laid back Matt's family was. It reminded her of when she was younger. Her mother had become so stressed since then. Ryder and Donna's sudden leave must've been hard on her. Donna didn't know what Raven would do with her new time, but she would have to find something soon.

They ate in silence for a while. But then, Wade kept up conversation. She thought he must have been lonely in this big castle without his only son and wife. "So, what have you all been up to?" It normally would be a general question, but given the circumstances, this calm small talk didn't sit well with Donna.

"I'm still teaching at the middle school," Dexter said plainly. "Obviously not right now, but on a regular day."

"That's good!" Wade cheered. "Teaching is a great career to have. I think my Maddie couldn't have chosen a better calling."

"Well after spending years at Wonderland High I knew I had to transfer," Maddie shook her head. "Some of those students were completely mad."

"You're completely mad," Wade teased. Donna exchanged looks with Ryder. They weren't used to parents bantering like this. The twins both looked to see Matt's lips had curved into a slight grin.

"No," Maddie's eyes widened. "You're the one that drove me mad." They both looked at each other in silence, but then laughed. They seemed to have a special connection that even thought they had been apart, they always fell back to where they left off.

"Ah," Wade looked to the Charming-Queens. "We like to have fun here." Donna almost laughed. Her family wasn't exactly known for 'fun.' She grinned as she caught Matt's eye.

"What have you been up to these past couple months, Wade?" Raven asked as she took a bite of her food. Donna studied her mother, she was actually at peace with herself. It was weird to see her mother in this element.

"Oh, you know," Wade leaned back in her chair. "Ruling Wonderland, chasing out some rabbit mice, knighted a few squires, just the usual. Although, speaking of the knights. I just had one about Matthew's age come through. She's really something. She wouldn't give her full name, only Elle. Strange girl really, but she's got skill. I think you all would like her." He winked at Matt. Donna felt a pinch in her heart. Was he suggesting Matt should chase after this Elle girl? Donna remembered they hadn't said anything to their parent's but Donna was still put off by it. She thought Maddie knew, or at least had an inkling. But there was nothing really certain with Maddie.

"Speaking of knights," Dexter changed the subject. "What happened to the Red Castle?" Donna felt her nerves building up inside her. She didn't want to talk about it. It only reminded her of how she let Laura escape. This was her fault.

"We're not sure," Wade shook his head. "There are barricade of thorns around it. All we know is that the Queen of Hearts had been taken. We had lost contact with her all together. Then, the poison ripped across the sky. It was such a horrid thing to see. I'm just glad it didn't hurt anyone. There was purple lightning hitting all aroun-" Donna suddenly stood up from her chair.

"Excuse me," Donna whispered. She kept her eyes on the table, but she already could feel everyone's concerned eyes on her.

"Donna?" Raven called out.

"I'm fine, just need some air," Donna turned and left the dining room quickly. She went through the steaming kitchen. Workers glanced at her but didn't stop her. She then went to the main hall. She had seen the small ivory steps earlier. Donna ran up the curling staircase. Once she had reached the top, she realized she was in the main tower.

There was two big glass doors in front of her. She placed her pale hand on the glass. Once she pushed open the doors, Donna stepped out in the cool night air. She would have grabbed a jacket, but she felt as if she had a fever. The nerves were tingling in her knotted stomach. She hated this feeling. It made her feel like she was all alone again.

Her eyes gazed out to see the poisoned sky, it now looked blue with the setting sun. It was getting darker by the second. Night came sooner everyday for the winter solstice. Donna didn't mind. She used to like the dark. Between the clouds, a single star shown. Donna felt her eyes tear. Her heart had gone out to the star. It was all alone in its sea of poison. She had felt the same. It was her who was drowning.

Her watch continued as she saw the distant Red Castle. The thorns wrapped around it had a distinct pink glow. Donna knew Laura was behind it all. She was probably trying to find the raven skull at this very moment. Once she found it, Donna would have to fight to get it back But once she did, could she destroy it? Donna wished she didn't let Laura escape.

Donna's mind wondered how Laura was possessed. Donna had fallen into an old trap set for her mother, but Laura hadn't done anything. She had always been kind, in her own way. Perhaps her drive for power just made her aspire to be the Evil Queen. But then that wouldn't explain Eliza's glowing eyes. No, Laura was possessed, but Donna wished she knew how.

Thinking of the Queen of Heart's capture made Donna's heart sink. How terrible it must be for Derek and his family to wonder where she was or if she was safe. Donna now understood how her friends felt during her possession. It was why they all wanted to protect her now. It made Donna feel good to remember everyone. How she missed going to school and just being with them. Without a care in the world.

"Donna?" a whisper called. Donna looked around, but no one was there. "Donna are you up there?" Donna peered over the edge of the balcony to see another not far below it. She was on the one closest from the peak, but this one was lowered and bigger in size. She saw the top of Matt's head and grinned. He sighed when there was no answer and began to walk back.

Donna launched herself off of the balcony. She had never done this before, but Donna held out her hands. Wings of fire appeared on her back. As she continued to fall, the wings caught the wind and gave her an easy landing. Matt had not even noticed her sudden presence. The wings evaporated into the air. Donna leaned back towards the rail.

"You didn't want to look up there yourself?" She called to Matt, who was pushing the glass doors open. He stopped and turned. His blue eyes studied her.

"You know I'm afraid of heights." Donna actually didn't. "Well," Matt shrugged. "That height at least." She laughed a little, then turned to see her new view. Here, she couldn't see the Red Castle.

"I'm surprised you were looking for me," Donna said as Matt came next to her. "I thought you would look for your new girlfriend Elle."

"Did that really bother you?" Matt leaned against his elbow. "My dad just does stuff like that. He knows about you, you know."

"What?" Donna raised an eyebrow.

"Well you knows that I liked a girl," Matt said. "Back when I visited in September I told him about you." Donna felt her cheeks go red. Matt had talked about her to his parents, when she hardly said a word to hers. "Oh and I guess your dad knows too. We uh, kinda had a chat."

"Did he threaten you?"

"No, he was just surprised its me because I'm a good kid," Matt ran his finger through his curly hair. Donna grinned. It was nice that her father would be so accepting of Matt. He really was a nice guy.

"We just have to hide it from my mom," Donna shrugged. "Its shouldn't be too hard." Matt's face had gone blank. He didn't agree or disagree. This made Donna a little concerned, but she brushed it off when her nerves began to poke at her.

"Well that whole dinner was a little awkward," Donna admitted.

"Are you going to tell me?" Matt asked.

"Tell you what?"

"You know," his hand lightly tucked her hair behind her ear. She kept looking out.

"Its all my fault," Donna shook her head.

"Donna," Matt sighed. "We've been over this. It wasn't your fault you got possessed."

"No," Donna felt tears begging to brew. "Its my fault this happened to Wonderland. That the Queen of Hearts has been taken."

"You didn't do any of that," Matt turned her face to his. "Laura, Eliza, and Fauna are behind this."

"But I let them go," Donna let her tears fall. She referred back to looking away from Matt. "I should've stopped them when I had the chance but I couldn't, and now its just adds to my stupid nightmares."

"Wait," Matt stopped her. "Your nightmares are back."

"They never really stop, Matt," Donna defended as she continued to cry. "I just wished I would've put an end to it when I had the chance, then we wouldn't be here. I wished I never was possessed, then I wouldn't have these nightmares. And I wished I never had my stupid violet eyes, then people would see that I'm not her, I'm just a regular person."


Matt's heart sank at her words. It wasn't all her fault, she had to understand that. Matt placed a hand on her shoulder, but then Donna finally opened up to him and allowed him to wrap his arms around her. He pressed his cheek against the top of her head. He held her close to him as she buried her face under his coat. Her tears bled into his sweatshirt, but he could care less.

He felt tears spring to his own eyes. He wished Donna was into this pain. He loved her so much, and she didn't even know. "Donna," Matt whispered. "I know how you want to take it all back, but you can't. What happened happened. You can't escape that. Laura would've escaped either way, you know you couldn't have taken them on your own."

She pulled back from him. Her eyes streamed with water. "I know, but can't I just pretend?"

"No," Matt shook his head. "Without your possession, we wouldn't be so close. I realize you feel guilty, but I have no regrets, except that I didn't help you sooner."

"How can't you feel this pain?" Donna asked in a quiet voice. "We're just teenagers, and yet we're making decisions as if we were the wisest people in the world. Its too much pressure."

"I do feel it, but I've never been a normal teenager," Matt took his thumb and wiped her tears away. He was referring to his past year. How he had to deal with his injury and neglection. "We may have the freedom to write out own destinies, but I think destiny still writes for us." Their eyes locked. Her violet gleamed in the blue light from the clouds.

It was only now Matt realized how close their faces were. Heat began to build between them. Her breath grazed his skin lightly. His cheeks became red as he pulled her closer to him, even though the gap was already closed. His hand cupped her cheek as he leaned in even closer. Their forehead pressed together, Matt finally let himself close his eyes before he kissed her gently.

After the soft kiss, the two lingered. Their faces still close together. Matt's heart beat wildly in his chest, but at the same time, it was calm. He wished for more moments like this, because they were just so special. They both knew what lies in the next couple of days, maybe that's why Matt never wanted this to end, but they pulled their faces away.

Donna's eyes studied his for a moment. She then leaned against the balcony's beam. "What?" Matt asked. He already missed the warmth of her body.

"I can't help but feel you're uncomfortable with my eyes," Donna looked down. Matt's heart pinched.

"Donna," Matt turned her towards him. He took her hands in his own. She still didn't look up at him. "You're eyes shouldn't be anything to be ashamed of. People can say they look like your grandmother's but they're not actually hers, are they?"

"No," Donna mumbled.

"Sorry what was that I couldn't hear you?" Matt said in a loud voice. Donna laughed.

"NO," she said with her eyes wide. They both laughed, but Matt's face was serious again.

"No, they're not," Matt shook his head. "To your mom they may be a reminder, but to me there just my favorite part of you."

"They are?" Donna looked up at him nervously.

"I love your eyes Donna," Matt took a deep breath. It was time. "I lo-"

"Donna!" Raven's voice called. She seemed to be coming up the stairs. They didn't have much time.

Donna turned back to Matt expectantly. The moment had already passed. "You better go." Donna's smile faded a little. He turned to go, but she kept hold of his hands. When he turned back to her, she kissed his cheek.

"I want you to stay with me tonight," Donna said quickly. Before Matt could say anything, she turned and let go of his hands. Raven came up the stairs. Donna already looked calm. The pink from her cheeks gone. Matt licked his lips and kept his distance as Raven entered the balcony.

"We've ben looking for you everywhere," Raven pushed her hair off her shoulders.

"Yeah," Donna looked from her mother to Matt. "Matt found me up her only a couple minutes ago." Raven barely looked at Matt, which he didn't know if it was a good thing or a bad thing.

"Well I just needed to be sure you were alright, you left pretty abruptly." Raven kept her eyes on Donna.

"Oh yeah its just been a long day," Donna yawned. "I think I'll head to bed pretty quick." She glanced Matt before leaving with her mother. Matt stood there on the balcony, watching them go. Before they turned down the stairs, Raven shot Matt a look. He couldn't tell her expression exactly. But whatever she was doing, Matt always became nervous.

He then turned to the sky and sighed. All Matt wanted to do was tell Donna he loved her, but he wanted it to be in the right moment. Not just when they were together, but during the special moments. He thought here was the place and the time. But he was always interrupted. Was it a sign? Maybe he shouldn't tell her at all? Confused, Matt sighed sighed and went back into the castle.


That night, Matt had said goodnight to his mom and dad. Wade looked at his son up and down. "You've changed since I've last seen you."

"I guess so," Matt shrugged.

"He's in love," Maddie said quietly. Matt knew his mother had an inkling, but was it that obvious. He knew both of his parents to be very good a reading people but it was just odd how well she knew him. Wade looked down at his wife before putting an arm around her. The White King's gray eyes met Matt's blue.

"I mean," Matt thought about denial. It just wasn't worth keeping secrets. He scratched the back of his neck and looked down. "Maybe." He was expecting some kind of look of discourage, but when he met his father's gaze, there was only a glimmer of pride in his eyes.

"Very good son," Wade smiled. Matt felt relief flush over him. "I'm glad to have raised a boy willing to admit to such feelings. It takes a true man to tell a woman you love her."

"No wonder it took you so long," Maddie kissed her husband's cheek before kissing her son's. "Goodnight my little mouse. Well, I guess you're not so little anymore." She ruffled Matt's hair before turning back to the room. Wade had watched her go. He then turned back to Matt.

"This girl," Wade raised a silver eyebrow, "Raven's?"

"Yeah, Donna," Matt felt his heart flutter at the mention of his name. "She probably didn't give off the best impression bu-." Wade held up a hand and silenced him. Matt was curious why his father was asking about her.

"I trust she is lovely," Wade said smoothly. "But I was talking to Raven. She is afraid."

"Well we're all afraid," Matt admitted.

"Yes but-" Wade was cut off. The door to his and Maddie's room swung open. Maddie was standing there with a big smile on her face.

"You didn't tell me you bought a tea maker!" Maddie jumped up and down excitedly. Matt kept his eyes on his father. Wade yawned.

"Its nothing to worry about. I just wanted you to know to be careful around Raven," Wade said before putting a hand on Matt's shoulders. "Protective parent's are the worst to deal with public affection." Wade grinned. Matt nodded. "Goodnight son."

"Goodnight dad," Matt watched his father walk to Maddie and close the door behind him. Matt wondered what his father was going to say, or if that was really it. He walked to the other hall where he knew Donna was. He was already in his hoodie, basketball shorts, and white socks for sleep. He stifled a yawn as he crossed over Raven and Dexter's room.

Once he had gotten to Donna's door, he tapped it with his finger for a soft knock. In a matter of seconds it swung open. Even though the hallway was dim, Matt could see the slight sparkle in Donna's violet eyes. She said nothing before she leaned up and kissed him. It was a light and quick kiss, but Matt still felt the butterflies in his stomach.

They went into the room. Matt felt weird to be there without Ally watching his every move. They were alone, but Matt liked that. He had missed laying next to her. She was always so calm. Wordlessly, Donna and Matt climbed into the bed. Donna rested her head on Matt's chest. His arms wrapped around her. Being at his maximum comfort level, Matt fell asleep in a matter of seconds.

He was what she needed, but he felt he needed her more.