Enchanted Forest:

"He's here!" Elizabeth exclaimed, from her spot by the window.

"That's nice, dear," Came Regina's unenthusiastic voice, as she fixed her hat on her head. "Grab your cloak, and let's go down, then." The older woman finished, with a sigh.

Elizabeth looked from the window, a wide smile on her face. The young girl eagerly grabbed her cloak from beside her, and ran to walk with her mother.

"It looks like he's brought someone with him!" Elizabeth said to the older woman, as they made their way to greet the king. She loved when her father brought back visitors with him. They always had the best stories and this man looked especially interesting with his turban, vest for a shirt, and funny pants. "He's dressed as if he's from some place warm." Elisabeth continued.

Her mother said nothing to this news, but that didn't surprise the girl. She knew her parents had a strained relationship, but she loved them both, and they both loved her. That's what mattered.

"After this, you must finish your writing lesson." The queen said, coolly. Elizabeth rolled her eyes, but responded with, "Yes mother."

Coming down to the court yard, the girl left her mother's side, and ran to embrace her father in an excited hug.

Storybrooke:

Things I've learned in the last 24 hours, the only good thing about living in a small town is that public spaces are often left unlocked and unattended. Over night, I managed to sneak into the school to stay there.; however, at first light, I headed out, not wanting to run into the weekend maintenance crew.

Deciding I needed coffee, and not wanting to risk running into anyone at Granny's, I headed to the coffee shop.

I'd just started my second cup of coffee, trying to write out a game plan in my notebook, when Ray's sharp voice sounded from beside me.

"You're a jerk, you know that?"

I looked up, watching as she threw herself in the chair across from me, and waved at the barista behind the counter.

Once settled, she faced me again. "A complete and utter jerk." She continued, as she nodded her head for emphasis.

Ray then looked down to my duffel bag, back up to my unkempt hair, and scrunched her face. "Why do you look like you slept in the woods?"

"How'd you know I'd be here?" I asked, instead of answering her question.

"After Derrick finally told me what happened, I went to your house to yell at you, but no one was there." This news surprised me, but I said nothing.

"So then I checked Granny's, but you weren't there either, so it was between here and the docks. And, well, with that crazy storm last night I doubted you'd be down there since everywhere is kind of a mess. You forget, I know you, Mads. Now, answer me. Why do you look like crap?"

Sighing I put my coffee down, and looked at her. "Because I slept in the locker room at school last night." Which was scary as hell.' But I don't add that last part.

"Okay, aaand why did you sleep there?"

The kind barista brought over Ray's drink, and gave us a weary smile. I tried to return the smile, as Ray took a sip, and waited for the girl to walk away before saying, "Because I've 'run away' from home."

Ray eyed me skeptically clearly expecting me to explain further.

"My mother… we, we are not on good terms."

"Like that's news. What the actual hell, Mads? You need to start at the beginning, now."

So I did. I told her about the necklace, and my mother putting it back on. I went over every detail of the last few weeks, what happened with Andrew, Derrick, Emma, Henry, and my mother. All of it.

When I finished, Ray was nodding her head again.

"Mads, I'm going to ask you something and I need you to answer honestly."

"Okay," I replied hesitantly.

"Are you on drugs?"

"Raaaay…" I groaned out. "No, I'm not on drugs."

"Then what's really going on, Madelyn?"

I flinched at the name, but kept eye contact. "I just told you." I said as earnestly as I could muster. I was becoming agitated at this interrogation, but I needed people on my side.

Ray eyed me again, and then gulped down the rest of her drink and stood. "Fine, when you're ready to talk to your best friend, I'll be around."

"Ray," I said in a pleading voice, but she cut me off.

"What you did to Derrick was a low blow, and if you want to date someone else then whatever, you do you. But WE are your friends, Mads, don't forget that." She put a lot of emphasis on the last part.

"I'm not lying." I tried again, but it was no use.

"Well, you're sure not telling the truth. You want to be a shitty person, then fine, but don't blame it on your mother. We deserve better than that."

With that, she turned on her heel and left.

I looked down at my notebook, and the list I'd been writing before Ray had walked in.

Destroyed my friendships. I angrily wrote, under the list of things my mother had ruined.

Enchanted Forest:

"Miss, you know your mother dislikes you having wine."

"Hush, Mary. We'll miss the speech." Elizabeth says, as she sips the wine she stole from a nearby table and beams up at her father and sister. It's her father's birthday, and thus far, this evening has been splendid. "Besides, I'm fifteen. I'm plenty old enough."

With that the young maid slips back into the shadows. As she did, Elizabeth glanced around just to be sure that her mother wasn't near.

"Every day, I look upon you, and I am reminded of your dearly departed mother, who, like you, truly was the fairest in all the land."

It's not unusual for their father to speak of his first wife. Elizabeth has heard from many of the servants what a wonderful woman she was, and mother. Snow speaks of her often, too. How they'd spend afternoons together, pick flowers, go on strolls, look at dresses, and she'd tell Snow stories every night. This often-made Elizabeth a little jealous, as her mother never really did those things with her, but Snow and her father had also lost someone they dearly loved.

Knowing how her mother felt about the deceased queen, Elizabeth looked around and found her still seated at the royal table. The young girl didn't miss the look on her mother's face, at her father's words, and watched as the queen left the party.

Turning back, Elizabeth was beckoned to join her father and sister up on the throne. Not glancing back, Elizabeth placed her wine glasses down on a table, and went to wish her father a happy birthday.

Author Note:

So first off, a huge thank you to all of you who reached out to me. Holy cow, SO MUCH LOVE! I really had no idea people liked this story so much. I feel terrible for keeping you hanging. I will try to be better! I will. I know this is a short chapter (like, crazy short), but it's a start. I read over what I had for this episode and ended up not liking it, so I started over.

I hope everyone is doing well, and thank you again for all your support, reviews, and messages. Seriously, y'all are the reason I got my butt back here!

Best, Shan