Enchanted Forest:

"Beth. Beth, wake up." Elizabeth groggily sat up in her bed. Her room was pitch black, but she could feel her sister sitting on the edge of her bed. "Beth, you awake?" Snow whispered.

"Ugh, I am now. What, Snow?" Elizabeth whined in an annoyed voice. She did not appreciate being woken up in the middle of the night.

"I need to tell you something." Came Snow's urgent whispering. Elizabeth sat up further, Snow's urgent tone finally registering in her brain.

"What? Is everything okay?" Panic was starting to take over the younger girl.

There was a pause before Snow said, "Yes. Yes, everything is fine. I just needed to tell you that I love you and you're the best younger sister I could ever ask for."

The sincerity in Snows voice kept Elizabeth from scoffing at this confession of love in the middle of the night. Since their father's death, Snow had been acting strange. Elizabeth rolled her eyes to herself, but said "I love you, too. Now can I go back to sleep?"

Snow suddenly pulled Elizabeth into a tight hug. "Just remember everything will be okay and never give up hope."

"Snow… What is going on?" Elizabeth was starting to worry. Snow cleared her throat and reassured her younger sister that everything indeed was fine. "Remember who you are, Elizabeth. And remember I'll always be there for you."

After one more tight hug, Snow stood from the bed. Elizabeth waited until the door to her room shut before laying back down. Sighing she rolled back over and tried to go back to sleep. "This family is weird, that's for sure." was her last thought as she drifted back to sleep.

"What do you mean she left?" Elizabeth asked Regina. Tears forming in her eyes as she tried to understand how her sister could up and just walk out. "I'm sorry dear, Snow wasn't who we thought she was."

"What are you talking about? She's my sister, your daughter!"

A dark look crossed Regina's face at these words. "Step-Daughter." Regina corrected, "and sometimes those we love hurt us the worst."

"No, she wouldn't leave me. Not without a good-bye. I don't understand..." Elizabeth was confused and hurt. She adored Snow. Everyone did. Suddenly she realized that the night before had been a goodbye. That's why her sister had woken her in the middle of the night. Elizabeth felt terrible. She should have stopped her. She should have realized something truly was wrong. The lump in her throat became even bigger.

"I didn't want to tell you this, but Snow was behind your father's death. She's not who you think she is, love. She's not to be trusted."

The younger girl's eyes whipped to meet her mother's. This couldn't be true, but Regina's dark brown eyes held sadness and empathy. The tears filled Elizabeth's gray eye's finally spilled over. First her father and now sister. Half her family was gone in such little time and her heart was breaking all over again.

Regina pulled the girl into her and comforted her daughter, while her face instantly hardened and a puckish smile appeared on her lips. Her daughter cried into her shoulder. "There, there, my girl. I'm here. I'll always be here for you. I promise you Snow will not get away with what she's done."

Storybrooke:

School had lasted forever and I honestly couldn't wait to get home so I could go for a run and clear my head. Entering the front door, I called out, "Henry, I'm home!"

Dropping my bag by the stairs, I went to the kitchen to grab a banana. Heading back to the stairs, I paused when I registered voices coming from abover. "Who on earth is Henry talking to?" I wondered to myself.

Picking up my backpack, I started up. As I got to the landing, I instantly recognized the Sheriff's voice. "What the hell is going on?" I said to myself.

"She never wants you to be able to feel again." Came Henry's sympathetic, but serious little voice. Shaking my head, I started toward the end of the hall. Just as I got to my brother's door, Sheriff Graham came out. We literally collided, causing me to stagger back slightly. "Whoa, Sheriff, are you okay?"

Sheriff Graham looked at me, but it was like he wasn't actually seeing me. "Sorry, I need to go. Sorry." Was all he said as he continued past me. "Uh, weird." I thought as I turned to confront Henry.

"What was that all about?" I asked walking into my little brother's room. He had the storybook on his lap, and was flipping through the pages.

Henry looked up at me as I entered. "He's remembering who he is. He kissed Emma."

I felt my eyes widen. "He kissed the blonde and you're okay with it?" I asked in disbelief. The younger boy simply shrugged, but now my head was spinning. How did this all work? My mom, Emma, the Sheriff. On second thought, I realized I didn't want to know anymore.

"This town is way too small." I muttered to myself. "I'm going for a run. Make sure you start your homework." I said to Henry, as I turned to go to my room to change. I threw my bag on my bed and fished out my phone. The flashing blue light indicated I had a message, so I pushed to button and the screen lit up.

Ray: Can we talk? Please?

I gently threw my phone next to my bag. I wasn't figuring anything out until I cleared my head, so I quickly changed, and then shot my mom a message telling her I was going running and where exactly I'd be.

I was replaying mine and Ray's conversation in my head as I turned down the main street of town. It was just over three miles if I looped around the town and went back to my house. I was so caught up in my thoughts, the I almost didn't see Ms. Blanchard coming out of the post office in time.

Quickly, I jumped around her, but caused her to drop her purse, and me to dive into side of the post office building. An "oofff" escaped my lips at my abrupt stop, but other than that I was okay. "Oh my, Maddie are you alright?" Came Ms. Blanchard's concerned voice from next to me.

I straighten up, and pushed myself off the building. "Yeah," I said as I turned to face her. "I'm sorry for running into you, are you okay?" I asked in response. Ms. Blanchard was bending to pick up her purse, but as she stood, she smiled at me. "I'm fine."

I let out a breath and then looked up and down the street. When my eye's went back to Ms. Blanchard, she was still staring at me, her head slightly cocked. "What?" I asked, surprised by her look.

"You look like you need to talk." I was about to protest when she gently asked, "How about some hot chocolate?"

I had no idea why, but I wanted to talk to her. I wanted to talk to someone who wasn't wrapped up in my family and friend drama. I nodded to her, but then blurted, "but we can't go to Granny's!"

Ms. Blanchard let out a chuckled, but turned in the direction of her apartment. I'd never been to a teacher's house and this seemed weird, and yet, I followed.

The hot cocoa in front of me smelled and looked delicious. "Henry's right, the cinnamon is a nice touch." I said, giving Ms. Blanchard a shy smile.

"I'm glad you think so. Now, want to tell me what is going on?"

I thought for a minute. "Why did the Sheriff stop by your classroom?" The question clearly took her by surprise. "Oh, that. He.. He had a question... How did you know he'd come by?"

I proceeded to explain the day's events, even the part about realizing my mom was sleeping with the Sheriff. "It's not that I think my mom's a nun or anything. I mean she had me… I just. I'm surprised is all. And totally grossed out."

Ms. Blanchard laughed, but then faced me and gave me a sympathetic look. "It can't be easy being the Mayor's kid." My eyes drifted down to the table in front of me, and locked onto my mug. I was tired of people saying this to me. "There's nothing wrong with following the rules, being a good kid, and trying to help your mom." She paused until my eyes met hers, "but Ray might be right, too. Having fun, being a kid... that's what this time of your life is about." I started to protest, but Ms. Blanchard held up a hand. "I'm not saying you should sneak out, lie to your mom, or become a rebel. Your brother has that down enough for the both of you." I smiled at this. "What I am saying is stop putting so much pressure on yourself. You're a good kid, Maddie."

I was lost as to what to say, so I took a sip of the cocoa. "I'm sorry, too." My eye's shot to hers in surprised. "Sorry about what?" I asked genuinely confused. "I never expected that book to do all of this." She said, with a tight smile.

"Oh…" I sighed, "I both love and hate that book." I admitted. "Henry has become a totally different kid since you gave it to him. He went from being sad, lonely, and miserable to being lively, mischievous, and hopeful… with a hint of crazy. I just wish he'd realize he's gone too far into this whole fairy tale thing. When I got home this afternoon he was explaining to the Sheriff who he was in the storybook."

I shook my head. "So you don't believe him?" Ms. Blanchard asked. I looked at her surprised. "Do you?" I shot back. "It's a book. A storybook about fairy tales! All of this is absurd!" My voice had risen and I shot to my feet to start pacing. "Maddie, I didn't mean to upset you." Ms. Blanchard said standing herself and holding her hands up in a stance of innocence.

"This is insane." I said, the agitation evident in my voice. "Look, let's sit back down and we can talk about something else." She tried to reason with me.

"I shouldn't even be talking to you… You're my brother's teacher!" A humorless laugh escaped my lips. "Maybe I'm the crazy one."

"Look, Maddie, I know everything has... become strange around here, but as long as you stay true to yourself and always remember who you are, you'll be okay. And yes, I'm your brother's teacher, but I'll always be here for you. We're all connected now and I care about you."

A sense of Deja vu washed over me, but I simply nodded. I needed to get out of there. "Thank you." I said, trying to sound sincere. Ms. Blanchard really had been very kind to me. I looked around the room one more time, and then turned to leave. However, something pulled at me and I turned back. "Can I hug you?"

I felt ridiculous asking, but I felt connected to Ms. Blanchard, and she was so inviting and warm. A smile instantly spread across her face at my question. She quickly made her way over to me and enveloped me into a hug. She smelled of honey and cinnamon, and she seemed so… familiar.

After our hug, I thanked her again and headed out. I made my way home at a brisk walk, knowing that if I tried to run with a stomach full of cocoa I'd probably throw up.

Once I'd made it home, I quickly showered and changed. Laying on my bed, I stared at my phone. Eventually, I typed: Sorry I was such a jerk. Let's talk tomorrow. Love you, Ray.

Taking a deep breath, I hit send. I still didn't know which of us was in the wrong, but I knew acting like an angsty teenager wouldn't solve anything.

It was late, but I finally heard my mom come in the front door; so decided to ask her about hanging out with Ray tomorrow after school, before she went to bed.

I made my way downstairs, but instantly stopped when I made it to the door of the study. Peaking in, I could see my mother sitting behind the desk, an ice pack held to her face. She looked both furious and distraught. A shiver shot down my spine at the look on her face, and goose bumps formed on my skin. I quietly backed away from the study, and hurried back to my room. Something wasn't right, but something told me not to ask. Honestly, my mother looked down right murderous, and it terrified me.

An uneasy feeling settled in my stomach, but I couldn't figure out why. Laying in my bed, in the dark, I turned and knocked gently on the wall three times. After a couple of seconds, three quiet knocks came back and after a minute, I heard Henry quietly opening my door.

"What's wrong?" He whispered, as he walked in. "Want to sleep in here tonight?" I asked lamely, unable to voice my uneasiness. I could tell he shrugged in the dark, and then made his way over to my bed. Once he was settled in on the other side all he said was, "Night, Maddie."

I was grateful that he didn't ask questions. Today had been crazy, and weird. Very, very weird, but Henry made things seem normal. Safe even. After a moment I finally whispered back, "Good night, little brother."

My apologies for the name mix up with Sheriff Grant vs Graham. I know it's Graham, my laptop on the other hand does not. I finally went in and changed it in my personal dictionary. Again, my apologies and thanks to the reviewer that pointed it out!