Disclaimer: See the first chapter.

AN: Thank you for the reviews, favorites, and follows. This chapter is mostly Katelyn pushing her limits. She's testing her barriers and what she can get away with. I've written and rewritten several parts of this and not exactly happy with the way it's turned out. Nevertheless, enjoy!

Gold woke up early the next morning. He looked over at the beautiful woman in the bed next to him and smiled. It was still hard to believe that she was back with him and that she was safe. He thought of their daughter and the renewed happiness the girl had. He could only hope that when he found his son that their happiness would expand. He got up slowly as to avoid waking the sleeping beauty next to him. He leaned over and kissed her before heading into the bathroom to prepare for the day.

Katelyn woke, got up, and dressed quickly. She ran to her parents' room. She tapped gently on the door and opened it slowly. She noticed that her father was already up, but her mother was still sound asleep. She walked over next to the bed where her mother still slept and watched her. She smiled at the sight of her. She was happy for the first time in a long time. She felt complete.

Belle stirred at the feeling of being watched. She opened her eyes and saw her daughter standing there watching her. She looked over and noticed that Gold wasn't there with her.

"Good morning, Mama."

"Good morning, my darling. Where's your Papa?"

"In the shower. He's getting ready to go to the shop."

"Okay. What are you wearing?"

"My school uniform, it's almost time for me to catch the bus."

"School?"

"Mmm-hmm."

"Do you enjoy that?"

"Yes and no. I enjoy being able to spend time with Henry, but I don't enjoy being talked about."

"Talked about?"

"The other kids, they don't like Papa."

"Why not?"

Katelyn just looked at her mother. Belle nodded in understanding. At that moment, Gold came out of the bathroom fully dressed and prepared for the day.

"Oh, you're both up. Good, are you ready for some breakfast?"

Katelyn nodded and looked over at her mother who did the same.

"Okay, I shall go prepare it. Katelyn, help your mother to get dressed please?"

"Okay, Papa."

Gold went downstairs and Katelyn helped her mother prepare for the day. She showed her how to operate the shower and helped her blow-dry her hair. Belle laughed at the irony.

"What?"

"It's just that in our world, I'd be the one teaching you everything and here it's reversed."

"It's strange, but you'll get used to it."

"How long did it take for you to get used to it?"

"Not long, I guess. We were cursed here and so we already knew how everything worked. Even after I got my memories, my other self was still there, is still there."

"What was your cursed name?"

"It's the same. I don't know why, but it is."

"Aren't all the children's names the same as before?"

"No. My friend, Paige, her name was Grace in our land."

"You have friends here?"

"A few, very, very few."

"How come?"

Katelyn sighed and turned away as her mother pulled the dress on. Belle noticed the look on her daughter's face. She sat down and pulled Katelyn to her.

"Darling, it won't be like that forever."

"Yes, it will. They'll always be afraid of him and of me."

"Why would they be scared of you?"

"Because he's my father. Because I have power. Because I'm different."

"There's nothing wrong with being different."

"You have to say that because you're my mother."

"No, I was considered strange because I read a lot. It wasn't natural for a woman to read or to be a hero."

"But you are a hero. You saved your village and your people. You faced the Beast and changed him."

"Be that as it may, I'm still considered odd for loving your father."

Katelyn became angry and protective.

"No one better say anything about it to you. Not after what you've been through."

Belle looked at her daughter and saw a glimpse of the darkness she inherited from her father.

"Katelyn, if they do say anything, you'll do nothing to them. Do you understand me?"

Katelyn looked at her mother.

"Yes, Mama, I understand. I just don't want anyone to hurt you."

"I know, darling, and I love you for that, but that doesn't mean you hurt anyone for vengeance."

Katelyn nodded.

"Now, come on, let's go see what your Papa has prepared for breakfast."

Katelyn took her mother's hand and they walked downstairs to see that Gold had fixed pancakes, eggs, and bacon for breakfast. They sat at the table and enjoyed their breakfast.

"Katelyn, I just got a call that said the school is closed, so you can stay home with your mother."

"Why can't we go to the shop with you?"

"I don't know what shape the town is in after… everything has happened."

"You mean you don't know the level of damage or danger that Mama or I could be in and want us locked away safely."

Gold looked at his daughter.

"Katelyn, do not speak to your father that way."

"Well, it's true."

"I don't…"

"Belle, it's okay. She's right. I do want you both here where it's safe. I don't want anything to happen to either of you. Not since we've just gotten back together."

"But, Papa, I want to help them."

"You can help them by staying here safely."

Katelyn folded her arms across her chest angrily. The chandelier about the table shook.

"Stop it, young lady."

The chandelier stopped and Katelyn stormed off to her room.

"You can't protect her from everything, Rumple. One day she's going to have to do it herself."

"I'm her father. I'm supposed to protect her from everything, Belle."

"I know, but you're going to have to get used to the fact that she is our daughter and is quite stubborn."

"Oh, I have no doubts about that."

"I'll talk to her. Will you be home for lunch?"

"Yes, I will. I love you."

"I love you too."

Belle kissed Gold and he left. She put the dishes in the sink and went upstairs to talk to her daughter. She walked in to see Katelyn on her bed looking out her window.

"It wasn't right for you neither to speak to your father that way nor to lose control of your magic that way."

"I couldn't help it."

"I understand that. It's been a while since you've had your powers, but you've had respect for your father a lot longer and I suggest you use it more."

"Am I going to be a prisoner for the rest of my life now? If so, I think I'll just leave now."

"You'll do nothing of the sort, little girl. No, you're not a prisoner. Things here are a little disorganized with everyone waking up from the curse. They have to find their footing just like I do. Not everyone had the luxury of having their memories return beforehand."

"I wouldn't call it a luxury. It was more like a nightmare considering that's what I thought my memories were."

"Maybe so, but when your father comes home for lunch I want you to apologize for your behavior this morning. It was uncalled for. He was only trying to protect you."

"Sometimes he does that a little too much."

"He's your father. It's his job. If you knew about everything he's been through, then you'd understand. "

"He doesn't talk about it."

"No, he doesn't because it hurts him to do so. Maybe you should ask him. That way you can understand why he is the way he is."

"It's because of the Dark One curse. I wish he never got those powers. Maybe then things would be different."

Belle sighed. She wasn't getting anywhere with the conversation. She thought about what he'd told her about Baelfire, how he lost him and his mother. She thought about how he did all this to find him again.

"Kate, did he ever tell you about your brother?"

Katelyn looked at her mother.

"I don't have a brother."

"Yes, you do. A half brother. Your Papa lost him long ago. He blames himself for it and has for as long as I've known him. That's why he does what he does."

"Why didn't he tell me?"

"I told you that. It's too painful to speak of, but if you ask him about him, I'm sure he'd tell you."

"I guess. I'm sorry for this morning, Mama."

"I'm not the one you need to apologize to."

"I know, but I'm sorry anyway."

Belle hugged her daughter.

"I love you, my darling."

"I love you too, Mama."

Belle and Katelyn enjoyed a movie before Gold was due home. Katelyn showed her mother how to operate things in the kitchen in order to prepare lunch for when the man got home. They worked together and got everything prepared just as Gold came into the house.

"Belle? Katelyn?"

"In the kitchen, Rumple."

The sound of his footsteps and cane came into the kitchen. He looked around.

"What's all this?"

"Kate and I made lunch."

Katelyn looked proudly at her father. He grinned.

"I see that someone is over being angry with me."

Katelyn looked over at her mother who nodded. She got up and stood in front of her father.

"Papa, I'm sorry for the way I acted this morning. It wasn't how I should've spoken to you."

"It's okay, my darling. I understand why you did what you did."

"Let's eat, you two."

Belle brought the lunch of grilled cheese and tomato soup to the table and they sat down to eat.

"Anything new in town?"

"Um, Emma and Mary Margaret were transported back to the Enchanted Forest. David is looking for them."

"Is Henry doing okay, Papa?"

"I don't know, sweetheart. I haven't seen him."

"Can I go call him?"

"Finish your lunch first," Belle told her.

"Yes, Mama."

Katelyn ate her lunch quickly and looked at her mother who nodded. She went into the living room and dialed a familiar number.

"Hello?"

"Henry? Are you okay?"

"Yes and no. I'm not hurt, but I miss Emma and Mary Margaret."

"I'm so sorry. I just heard. Do you need me to come over?"

"No, it's not safe for anyone out here."

"You're out there? Be careful, Henry. I don't want to lose you."

"I'll be fine, Kate. I promise. I gotta go. Gramps is calling me."

"'Gramps?'"

"Yeah, David."

"Oh right. Be safe. Bye."

"I will. Bye."

Katelyn hung up the phone and looked at the door.

"Don't even think about it, young lady," she heard her father call.

She shook her head and headed back into the dining room to help clean up from lunch. Belle and Gold watched their daughter closely.

"Where did you think you were going to run off to?" Gold asked.

"I was going to find Henry and see if I could help him and David."

"You'll do no such thing," Gold said.

"He's my best friend!"

"I don't care! You're not going to put yourself in harm's way just to help that boy!"

"Rumple, it's her friend. She cares for him," Belle tried to reason with him.

"And she has no regard for her life or her safety!"

"Don't yell at Mama!"

"Alright, that's enough out of both of you!" Belle said sharply, "Rumple, go cool off. Katelyn, your room now, I'll be up to talk to you in a moment."

Gold left to go back to the shop and Katelyn ran up to her room. Belle sighed and continued to clean up the mess from lunch. Once everything was clean, she went upstairs to her daughter's room. She pushed open the door to see her daughter on the bed reading Beauty and the Beast again.

"I spoke to you about yelling at your father. You want to tell me what's going on?"

"I'm tired of things being kept from me because it's too dangerous. This town needs help and all Papa wants me to do is stay locked up. I understand about Baelfire, but I'm not him! I can take care of myself. I've done it for a while."

That comment cut Belle to the heart. It made her realize just how much her daughter had to go through without her or Gold around to help her. It made her realize that her adoptive parents hadn't really cared enough to understand what was going on with her little girl.

"Well, you may have had to take care of yourself for a while, but those days are over. Papa and I are here and we're going to care for you whether you like it or not."

"I'm not going to like it. I'm supposed to be around 36 years old now and I'm still only 8. I'm confused about being a child, but not being a child. I don't know who I am."

"Well, I know who you are. You are my little girl. You are sweet and kind and caring. You hide behind a mask just as your father does. You are a hero in helping your best friend and wanting to help this town. You are who I love and nothing can change that."

Katelyn looked at her mother with tears in her eyes. Belle pulled her to her. She kissed her head.

"You and Papa really need to sit down and talk about everything you're feeling. If your emotion is tied to your power, I worry about it causing damage."

"You mean you're worried about me hurting someone."

"That too, but I don't want you to be scared of your powers. It may make them worse."

"I'm fine, Mama. I can control them."

"I just want to be sure. I don't want anything to happen to you."

Belle kissed her daughter's forehead and left the room to clean up some more of the mess though Gold told her several times not to fuss with it. Katelyn waited until her mother was busy before hanging her rope ladder out the window and climbing out.

She ran across town and bumped into David.

"Whoa, where are you going in such a hurry?"

"I was looking for Henry. Isn't he supposed to be with you?"

"Yes, but Regina took him."

"'Took him?' Took him where?"

"I would guess she took him back to her house."

"Why aren't you headed that way to get him back?"

"Because the town is trying to leave and if they cross the line, their memories will be gone forever."

"You mean, they actually become their cursed selves?"

"Yep. I've gotta go stop them and then I'll get Henry back."

"Don't worry about him. I'll get him back."

"No, it's too dangerous for you to face her alone! Do your parents even know where you are?"

"No and I'm getting my best friend back no matter what it takes."

"You're not going anywhere except back home or I'll call your father who is already less than happy with me."

"Call him, but he'll have to meet me at Regina's because that's where I'm going."

She went to walk by David who picked her up and headed to her father's shop. She kicked at him and beat his back with her fists. That's when sparks shot out of her fingertips and David nearly dropped her. He hunched over as the magic gripped him. Katelyn was stunned and a little nervous at what she just did. David made a gasping sound before Katelyn calmed enough to release him. He took a deep breath of air and looked at the girl in front of him in astonishment. She crossed her arms defiantly.

"I'm going to Regina's. Call my dad, come after me, but don't get in my way."

She stormed off to the Evil Queen's mansion with a stunned David left in her wake.

She got there and threw the normal pebbles at Henry's window. He opened it.

"Henry, are you okay?"

"No, I'm a prisoner here! She has a spell on the tree that won't let me leave."

"A barrier spell? I haven't learned how to undo that one. Do you think it'll keep me from coming in?"

"I don't know, but I don't want you to risk it."

"I'm coming up."

"Kate, no! It's not safe."

"I don't care. There are things we need to talk about and I'm going to stay here with you until my Papa or David comes to get us."

Henry knew it was pointless to try to argue with her. She'd figure out a way up no matter how much he'd try to keep her out. He threw down the sheet rope and she climbed up. The tree gave no indication that someone was trying to get in. She sighed as she climbed into his room.

"See? No problem."

"If my mom catches you here, there might be a problem."

"She doesn't scare me."

"She should. What's going on?"

Katelyn walked around him and sat down on his bed.

"First, my mom is back and Papa is being overprotective. He thinks it's too dangerous to do anything right now and yet he's still going to the shop. He wants to keep me and Mama locked away. Not to mention, I have my powers back and I'm still learning them. It's been a while since I had them."

"Twenty-eight years to be exact."

"Right! And that's the other thing! I'm supposed to be in my thirties now and I'm still an eight year old. Being frozen doesn't help."

"No, it doesn't. Getting caught being in my room by my mother is a bad thing too."

"I told you I'm not afraid of her."

"I'm afraid for you. She's got her magic and you can barely use yours. What happens then?"

"I'll call Papa. He was always there when I did that in the Enchanted Forest."

"I'm sure he's told you that magic here is different."

"He has, but that doesn't mean he can't do it."

"I'm not willing to test that. You need to go before she comes in."

"No! I'm staying here to make sure that David comes to get you."

"He's coming to get me?"

"He didn't say that exactly, but I know he's coming."

"I don't want you getting hurt because of me."

"I won't, Henry, trust me."

"I do trust you. I don't trust her."

At that moment, Regina came into the room.

"What are you doing in my house?" she demanded.

"I'm making sure that my best friend is safe and not hurt."

"You can see he's fine. Now, leave."

"No."

"Excuse me? Leave now!"

"No! I'm not leaving here without Henry!"

"Oh, yes, you are."

Regina put her hands out and Katelyn was grabbed by the tree and suspended in midair before it dropped her on the ground outside.

"Stop! Leave her alone!"

"I can't believe you ever became friends with the imp's daughter."

Katelyn began climbing the sheet rope again and Regina used her magic to pull it in, causing Katelyn to fall. She hit the ground hard.

"Katelyn! Let me see if she's okay! Please! I'll stay with you just let me check on her!"

Regina regarded him for a moment before allowing him to run outside under her watch. He ran over to Katelyn and shook her gently.

"Kate? Kate? Are you okay?"

Katelyn groaned as she opened her eyes and coughed. She sat up and rubbed her head. She pulled her hand back to see that there was blood from a small cut on her brow.

"That Evil…"

"Kate, don't. She's only letting me check on you and then I have to go back in. Please go home. If David is going to come for me, then you don't have to worry about me. I'll call you when I'm back with him."

Katelyn looked at him and then up at Regina.

"You can't keep him locked up forever."

"No, but I can try."

Katelyn jumped to her feet, ready for another round against the Evil Queen. Regina sneered at her.

"Gonna do something, little girl?"

Katelyn pulled her hands in front of her to gather her magic, but Henry grabbed then. She looked at him.

"Please, I don't want you getting hurt because of me. I'll be fine. She won't hurt me."

Katelyn sighed and nodded, putting her hands back to her side.

"This isn't over, Regina, not by a long shot!"

"Bring it on, little sorceress!"

"Oh, I intend to."

Katelyn hugged Henry tightly and left. She limped home as her injuries seemed more severe than she thought. That one fall had really given her head a good knock and her leg seemed to throb as well. She got to the outside of her house when her mother ran out the door to meet her.

"Katelyn Jane, what did you think you were doing? Sneaking out like that!"

"I had to check on Henry. I had to see him."

Belle then noticed the blood on her daughter's brow and the limp she had. Belle scooped her up into her arms and took her inside. She laid her gently on the couch.

"I'm calling your father."

"No! He'll be even angrier than he already is!"

"You should've thought about that before you snuck out. What happened?"

"I got into a fight with an Evil Queen who is holding my best friend prisoner in her home."

"You did what? Are you out of your mind? I'm definitely calling your father now!"

"No, Mama, he'll kill her!"

"No, he won't, but he'll be able to heal you. What exactly happened?"

"She knocked me down hard."

Belle could tell that this was a lie and gave her a look.

"Fine, she used her tree to take me out of Henry's room. Once I was on the ground, I tried to climb back up his sheet rope and Regina pulled it in. I slipped and fell to the ground."

"Katelyn, you could've been seriously hurt!"

"I know, but I wanted to help Henry."

"He's not your concern. You should've let the adults handle it! "

"He's my best friend! He's the only one who stood by me when I thought I was going crazy with all the nightmares and then when I thought it was weird how we never aged! He protected me from the bullies who picked on me because I was different. He was there when you and Papa weren't!"

Katelyn moved to get up when the pain in her leg made her hiss and groan. Belle went to the phone and dialed the number next to it.

"Rumple, you need to come home now. Katelyn is hurt."

"What happened?"

"I'll tell you when you get here."

They disconnected and Belle went upstairs to get the first aid kit from the bathroom. When she came back down, Gold walked into the house.

"What's going on?"

He saw his daughter on the couch with her head bleeding and her leg turning into a huge bruise.

"What happened, Katelyn?"

Katelyn looked at her father and refused to answer him. Belle sighed.

"She decided to go up against Regina. She snuck out her bedroom window and went over to Henry."

"You did what? What did I tell you? I expressly told you to stay here and you go off and pick a fight with the Evil Queen! Do you have a death wish?"

Katelyn folded her arms across her chest and looked away from him. He walked around and she turned her head to glare at the ceiling.

"You're in more trouble than you know right now, little girl, so I suggest you drop the attitude!"

Katelyn ignored him.

"Katelyn, stop this right now. It's not helping anyone."

Belle saw her trying not to relent, but she did. She unfolded her arms and let out another hiss of pain.

"Where does it hurt?"

"My head and my leg."

"What happened?"

"Regina used a barrier spell to get me out of Henry's room and when I tried to climb back in with his sheet rope, she pulled it in and knocked me to the ground."

"I'm going to kill her!"

Katelyn looked at her mother smugly.

"No, you're not. You're going to heal our daughter and then you two are going to talk."

"Talk about what?"

"About whatever it is that's bothering the two of you and you're not leaving this room until it's resolved!"

They both knew that she was serious and that they were going to have to talk about everything. Gold put his hands out and they glowed purple. He ran them across his daughter's forehead and down her leg. The cut disappeared and the bruises were gone.

"Is that better?"

"Yes, thank you."

Katelyn sat up and considered how far she'd get before her mother caught her.

"Don't even think about it, little girl."

Her mother's tone left no room for argument. She sat back against the couch and looked up at her father.

"What is going on? I thought we were doing so well."

"We were until you decided that Henry wasn't important."

"I didn't mean to imply that he's not important. I meant to show you that I was worried about you going off with the town having the issues it's having. Henry is important because he's important to you. Don't think I didn't care, but he's got people looking after him."

"He's with her! I don't think that's safe!"

"Maybe not, but his grandfather can handle her. What else is bugging you?"

"How come you didn't tell me about Baelfire?"

Gold swallowed hard and looked over at Belle. She moved around the couch and placed a hand on his knee and her arm around her daughter's shoulders.

"It's too painful to talk about. I wasn't a good father to him and I lost him. I made a bad choice and I lost him."

"And you think you'll do the same thing with me? Is that why you're so protective?"

"Yes, yes, it is. I want so much to be a good father to you! I don't want to lose you as I lost your brother. I couldn't handle it."

"Papa, you won't lose me."

"I hope not. I love you so much."

"I love you too, Papa."

Katelyn hugged her father and he reciprocated it. Belle smiled at them.

"Well, I'm going to fix us some supper."

"You don't have to, Belle. I'll get it."

"No, it's fine. I think I've got the hang of it."

Belle went into the kitchen to begin supper. Katelyn looked up to her father.

"What?"

"What is my punishment?"

"Oh, you're not to go anywhere without your mother or I and you're going to bed early for the next few nights."

Katelyn sighed, but she knew that her punishment could've been a whole lot worse. Belle finished supper and called them to eat. The phone rang as they sat down to eat. Gold answered it and then rejoined them at the table.

"What was that about, Rumple?"

"They're calling to say that school will reopen tomorrow as will all the other shops. Maybe we can get you some clothing after we take Katelyn to school."

Katelyn frowned at the thought of going to school.

"What is it, darling?"

"I don't want to go to school."

"Why not?"

Katelyn picked at her food, avoiding her father's gaze.

"Katelyn, your Papa asked you a question."

"The others think I'm weird."

"What? No, they don't."

"Yes, they do. They're scared of me because I'm your daughter. They talk about me behind my back."

"What do they say?"

"That you're a monster. That my mother should've killed herself instead of being locked in an asylum."

"Katelyn, they're scared. When people are afraid, they say nasty things to make themselves feel better."

"Yeah, nasty things that usually ends up with me wanting to hurt them."

"But you don't, do you?"

"No, but it doesn't make me not want to any less."

Katelyn looked at her plate once again and picked at her chicken. She pushed her green beans around her plate.

"I'll talk to your teachers tomorrow."

"No, they're the ones saying some of the stuff too! The only one who doesn't ever say anything is Ms. Blanchard and she's not here."

"Snow isn't here?" Belle asked him.

"No, she and Ms. Swan got sucked back to the Enchanted Forest."

"How?"

"Trying to defeat the wraith. It pulled Ms. Swan in and Snow White jumped in after her."

"Have they figured out a way to get them back?"

"Not yet, but I know Charming will."

"Do I have to go to school tomorrow?"

"Yes," Gold said.

Katelyn folded her arms and scowled at her father.

"Don't look at me like that. You're going to school."

Katelyn got up.

"Sit down, young lady," Belle said in an authoritative tone.

Katelyn sat in her chair and looked away from her parents.

"You're going to school. You should be so lucky. There weren't any opportunities for me to go to school back in the Enchanted Forest. I would've given anything to have been able to."

Katelyn looked at her mother.

"Why don't you go instead of me then? You can hear what everyone is saying about you."

"I don't care what people think of me and my relationship with your Papa. I love him and he loves me. That's all that matters. If they don't like it, they can turn their heads because they're not going to change anything."

"She's right, Katelyn. It doesn't matter what people think. It only matters what you think."

"Well, I think they need to be taught a lesson."

"Oh, and what lesson would you teach them?" Belle asked with an eyebrow raised.

"A lesson in manners and what happens when you talk about my family like they don't matter."

"Katelyn, you will not use your magic to hurt those people," Belle said, "No matter how angry you are with them, magic isn't the answer."

Katelyn looked over at her father.

"He does when he's angry. He used magic to send that thing after Regina."

"And I've apologized for it. I thought we were passed this," Gold said.

"Yes, your Papa has used magic as vengeance, but he won't anymore. Will you?"

Gold looked at his lover and swallowed. Would he give up magic for her to set a good example for his daughter? Would he give up the thing that made him powerful and made people quiver with fear at the sound of his name?

"No, I won't. I'd only use magic if I need it."

Belle smiled. Maybe he was really trying to change.

"I don't believe that. The minute someone does something to you or me he'll use magic to get back at that person."

Belle and Gold sighed. They weren't getting anywhere with Katelyn. Gold suddenly got an idea and got up. He went and picked up the phone and dialed a number before putting it to his ear.

"It's Gold. Have you gotten him back? Could you bring him over? I need him to speak to Katelyn. Thank you."

He hung up the phone and walked back into the dining room.

"Katelyn, finish up your supper. We're going to have company shortly."

"Rumple?"

"It's okay, Belle."

They finished their meal as there was a knock at the door. Gold went to answer it. Katelyn followed and the door was opened to reveal David and Henry standing there. Katelyn ran and hugged Henry.

"You got away!"

"I didn't get away. She let me go with Gramps."

"She let you go?"

"Yeah, she said she's trying to earn my love."

"Wow."

"I know. So, what's up?"

Henry looked up at Gold who had an arm around Belle. Henry smirked at the sight.

"Well, Henry, I wanted to know if you'd look out for Katelyn for me while she's at school tomorrow. She said that some of the teachers and your classmates have been giving her a hard time about her mother and I."

Henry looked back at Katelyn who was looking down.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"You were too busy with Emma and then trying to get the curse broken and then Emma and Mary Margaret got sucked back to the Enchanted Forest. There was never a good time."

"Kate, I would've made time for you. You're my best friend. To be honest, you're really my only friend."

"There's a reason for that too. They leave you alone because you're friends with me. If we weren't friends, they'd hang out with you. I can understand if you don't want to be friend anymore."

"I don't care what they think or say about you. You're my best friend. You stood by me when no one else would. You didn't think I was crazy and you helped me with everything. I'd never trade our friendship for anything."

Katelyn had tears gleaming in her eyes. She stepped forward and hugged Henry. He wrapped his arms around her tightly.

"Tell me next time someone says something to you. I'll take care of it."

Katelyn nodded into his shoulder. She pulled back and sniffled. Henry reached over and grabbed a tissue and handed it to her. She smiled and took it. She blew her nose and wiped her tears. She smiled at Henry.

"Can you stay a while?"

Katelyn looked at her parents who looked up at David.

"It's fine with me, Henry," David said. He somehow knew that nothing would harm Henry as long as Katelyn was around.

"Henry can stay as long as he wants," Belle said looking over at Gold. Gold nodded.

Katelyn grinned and tugged Henry upstairs to her room. Their animated chattering radiated down the hall to the adults still in the foyer.

"David, would you like some tea?" Belle asked.

"Uh, no, thanks. I'm going to go check on the dwarves and then I'll come back for Henry," David said.

"There's no need. Just call us and I'll have Rumple bring him home."

Gold looked at his lover and then to David before nodding his assent.

"I'll bring him as soon as you call."

"Okay. Thank you for this. He does nothing but talk about her. She's good for him."

"He's good for her," Belle said looking at Gold.

David nodded and left.

"Should I be worried that the grandson of Prince Charming is upstairs in my daughter's bedroom alone?"

"Oh, Rumple, she's only eight."

"Technically, she's thirty-six, almost thirty-seven."

Belle shook her head.

"And he's ten. I don't really think there isn't anything to worry about. Now, let's clean up and relax by the fire until David calls for Henry."

"Okay, dear, but one hair out of place and I'll…"

"Do nothing because your heard him. He won't ever hurt her. Now, quit worrying and let's spend some time together before we're interrupted."

She kissed him gently on the lips and pulled him into the dining room.