"So how much trouble do you think Mal and Jane are in?" Audrey asked as she and Jay sat in the Jenkins's backyard on one of the lounge chairs after the party, Audrey lying across Jay, his arms wrapped around her waist.

Jay snickered, his characteristic crooked grin appearing on his face. He didn't want to think about how much trouble those two would be facing, or the punishment that would definitely be going along with it. What he wanted to think about was the beautiful brunette he was currently holding.

"Well?" Audrey asked again.

"Do you really want to talk about that?"

"Yes, especially since, if anything, they should get some consideration over the fact that they were defending themselves," she told him.

"Something tells me that Fairy Godmother isn't going to be too upset about that," he replied. "She's probably gonna be more pissed about them sneaking out – again. Why such an interest in them?"

"Can't a girl worry about her friends?"

Jay looked at her in slight skepticism. "Friends? Are we talking Jane and Mal?" Audrey stiffened in Jay's grasp and her expression turned almost sour. "What?"

"Even after all the things I've done to become their friends, and the fact that we do get along, what; I'm still just Auradon's stuck up pink princess?" Jay looked at her guiltily. "Didn't think I knew people called me that behind my back?"

Jay stayed quiet. One thing he'd learned quickly about Audrey was sometimes it was better to just let her do all the talking, get over her anger, and only talk when she insisted. "Did you ever call me that?"

Although there are times when talking, even when she insists is still the way wrong thing to do, he thought.

"Oh my God, you did?"

He stayed quiet again. He was debating answering the question because as much as he knew he'd make her angrier, he wanted to be honest with her. But he also knew that an angry Audrey was an Audrey he preferred to not deal with because she tended to reveal her less than ladylike traits. Finally, he hoped that in the end, angry or not, she'd eventually forgive him for being honest. "Like once, when I was letting Mal vent about you."

Audrey felt like she'd been punched in the stomach. She was never naïve about how people felt about her. Sure, she put up the front that everybody loved her since she was Sleeping Beauty's daughter, but she wasn't blind. She knew that there were those that didn't like her, whether it was genuine or just jealousy, it didn't matter, it never bothered her. Even now, with her trying to be nicer all around, it still never bothered her if someone claimed to dislike her in the past.

But Jay's admission struck a nerve. She'd genuinely come to value his opinion because he seemed to not care that she was princess, or about all the privilege that came with it. When they were together, he saw her, not the clothes or the makeup or the crown. And she was finally, after almost four months together, able to say that she was doing the same. When she looked at him, she didn't see the street clothes or the cocky bravado or even the Isle anymore. She just saw her boyfriend.

Before she could stop it, she felt tears welling.

"Babe, it was before we got together," Jay told her.

"I know, and I get it. I've bashed people when talking to friends whenever they were venting, so I understand," she whimpered, trying her hardest to hold back her tears. "But it…"

Audrey was interrupted by a knocking sound. The couple sat up and looked back toward the house. Liz was standing at the door. "Sorry to interrupt, but Audrey's ride is here."

"Thanks, Liz," Jay sighed.

Audrey got off of Jay and began making her way to toward the house. Liz could immediately see a difference in the girl from when she, Jay, and Carlos arrived. "Are you alright, sweetie?"

Audrey nodded. "Thank you for letting me stay so late, Mrs. Jenkins, I know it was a small inconvenience."

"You're welcome here anytime sweetheart," Liz told her.

Audrey simply nodded again. She then turned back to Jay who was still standing next to the lounge chair. "I'll…I'll call you tomorrow," she told him quickly.

"Sure," he responded, his voice full of doubt.

With no further words, Audrey walked away, Jay watching as she disappeared into the house, Liz following behind her. He let out a deep breath and ran his hands through his long hair. He turned and sat back on the lounge chair and just stared up at the night sky. Minutes later, after having seen Audrey out, Liz came and sat on one of the other loungers next to Jay. "Want to tell me what happened?"

No I do not, he thought. But against his instincts he began to tell Liz about the past few minutes. She could clearly see that Jay was upset, and not just about the end of the evening being ruined, but about actually hurting Audrey. She felt sad for him since she knew that something like this was probably new for him. She didn't doubt that he'd had other girlfriends before, but she figured he was able to move passed them quickly if the need arose. But Audrey was different for him, especially since she could tell that he was starting to feel deeper feelings than just your average teenage couples. And for that reason she was hoped that he – they – could makeup from this because Audrey was just starting to bring out a maturity in him that she hadn't seen when he first moved in.

"Give her some time, Jay. She's not upset at what was said, but because of who was saying it." Jay looked over at Liz confused. "Just like you're starting to have really strong feeling for her," Liz began, holding up her hand to silence Jay when it looked like he was going to interrupt her. "Don't deny it, I can tell. Just like you, she's probably starting to feel something more, and hearing the person she's having those feeling for admit that at one time, he felt something other than…affection, it hurt."

"Think I can fix this?"

"Yes," she told him soothingly. "In fact you better," she added, her voice changing just slightly. "Because I like that girl, she brings out your best."

Jay smiled, not saying it out loud, but agreeing with Liz completely.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna check on the twins, make sure they're still asleep, and then grill Carlos about Jane," she laughed.

Jay let out a small chuckle as Liz got up and walked back into the house, leaving him to his thoughts.


"Just what were you girls thinking? Sneaking out and then getting into a fight, and with those three of all people!" Fairy Godmother ranted at Mal and Jane as she stood before them while they sat on the couch. "Well?" They stayed quiet, neither of them particularly eager to answer first. "I expect someone to answer."

"Those three bit...girls, we're picking on Jane. I wanted to show them that no one gets to do that but me...and maybe Evie," Mal spoke up.

"Aww," Jane gushed, a huge smile splitting her face and her eyes lighting up. "Thank you."

"You're welcome, J."

"Focus girls," Fairy Godmother interrupted. "First, I want to know whose idea it was to sneak out and go to a party you knew you weren't allowed to go to since you were both grounded?"

Mal and Jane looked at each other, their hearts beating quickly in the face of Fairy Godmother's anticipated ire. "I'm waiting."

Mal swallowed hard and closed her eyes. Living here's made me soft, she thought as she let out a reflecting sigh. She closed her eyes and was about to speak when suddenly...

"It was mine," Jane lied.

"Yours?" Fairy Godmother asked in disbelief. Jane nodded sheepishly. Fairy Godmother looked back at Mal, suspicion written all over her face. "Mal?"

"I...I just wanted to…"

"Jane's lying," Mal cut in, her face lowered, but her eyes looking up at the Fairy Godmother. "I was the one who decided that we were going to go. I was the one who convinced Jane."

"Janey, is this true?"

Jane nodded.

"I hope you two know that I'm very disappointed right now. Sneaking out a second time, and fighting."

"They started it," Jane said.

"I understand that, and I'll deal with them tomorrow since I know their mothers will probably, once again believe whatever they tell them. But right now, I'm dealing with you two. You're both grounded, even more, for sneaking out and fighting – three weeks."

"Three weeks!" they both shouted.

"But that basically the rest of summer," Jane whined.

"No going out unless I'm with you or unless I give you permission. Phone use only within the house since texting will be the only way you'll get keep in touch with friends. And speaking of which," Fairy Godmother continued, her gaze now strictly on Mal. "King or not, no going out with your boyfriend."

"That's fair," Jane whimpered. What, Mal thought, oh hell no. Mal then raised her hand.

"Yes?"

"Jane needs that same restriction."

"Mal, shut up," Jane whispered while kicking Mal's leg.

"Excuse me?"

Mal smiled. "I am not the only one with a boyfriend, now."

Fairy Godmother looked back and forth between her girls. Jane looked mortified while Mal looked almost proud. "Jane, what is she talking about?"

"Well…Mom," Jane began slowly, not sure how to tell her without it sounding like a big deal. "I…me and…"

"J and Carlos pretty much got together tonight," Mal blurted out.

Despite still being angry over the whole series of events, Fairy Godmother's eyes widened as much as her smile. "Do you finally have your first boyfriend?" she asked excitedly.

"Oh my god," Jane groaned as she let her head fall. "This is so not happening."

"Janey, I'm not upset, obviously, I just wish you'd picked a better time to get one since I now have to amend my restriction," she explained, though she was still happy for Jane. While she wasn't thrilled at the idea of Jane dating, she at least made a good choice in boyfriends since she had to admit to having a soft spot for Carlos as well. "No boyfriends – plural – for either of you. Am I clear girls?"

"Yes Mom," they both answered, Fairy Godmother once again smiling at Mal's slip of the tongue.

As they got up to go to their rooms Jane looked back at her mother. "By the way, how did you know we were in trouble?"

"Mal called me," she answered, causing Mal's eyes to widen in fear. Luckily for her, Jane didn't press the answer and simply left to go to bed.

Once she was gone, Mal, who had lagged behind, faced Fairy Godmother. "Yes, Mal?"

"You're not going to tell Jane how I called you are you?"

Fairy Godmother smiled softly.

"You mean how you called me Mom?" Mal swallowed hard, and, looking away, nodded. Fairy Godmother walked over and hugged Mal, almost becoming misty-eyed when Mal hugged back, fairly tight. "Don't worry sweetie, I won't tell unless you let me."

"Thank you," Mal said, Fairy godmother noting that Mal's voice sounded muddled, like tears were getting in the way. Mal quickly let go and made her way off to her room, but not before Fairy Godmother caught a glimpse of Mal wiping away a tear.

She then walked over to the doorway and stared in the direction of the girls' bedrooms. Both of their doors were shut. "Good night girls."