She didn't run home, she instead found herself racing to a place she hadn't been in years, a place she had once felt safe, a place that was now haunted by the phantoms of her past.

Stefan's apartment.

He had become the landlord shortly before the accident. The building itself had not changed. Its appearance was much the same as the day she'd first laid eyes on it. It didn't look particularly grand from the outside in fact any passers by would have overlooked it if they were not familiar with the man who had once possessed it. The driveway was separated from the sidewalk by a large metal gate, rusty and unattractive but enough to add security. Its purpose was unknown to everyone, but Maleficent had always suspected it'd been something to do with her. Though it didn't look any different and of course she still felt uneasy at standing so close to the home of a man that'd caused her so much pain, but at the same time, Maleficent noticed that the atmosphere had changed considerably since the day Stefan died. It was more tranquil, almost harmless and Maleficent closed her eyes, frustrated. That part of her life was over, finished. She no longer had anyone to fear. So why was she so afraid of her own feelings?

She had known for a while now, that she was beginning to fall for Diaval, though she had tried to hide it. It was partially because of the risk of dating an employee. She knew that if it ended badly it would just make working together difficult and she feared this would have consequences for his career, but mainly she'd remained silent because she was afraid that her assistant would not feel the same way about her.

So Maleficent concealed all her unwanted feelings. Yet her heart still fluttered every time he touched her or even brushed past her, she still secretly admired his handsome features when he wasn't looking (though he had caught her doing this on several occasions) and even she couldn't deny the chemistry between them. But for so long she had believed in his indifference. He was a laidback, kind-hearted soul and she could not imagine how a relationship would ever be possible between the two. He had plenty of admirers and the love of his boss would surely not have satisfied him.

But tonight it all came clear.

Diaval felt the same way about her. It was evident in the way he always jumped when she caught him looking at her, the way he always listened so intently to what she had to say, the way he squeezed her hand when he held it, how he would drop anything he needed to do in order to help Maleficent, how he treated her Goddaughter with as much love as she did. She hadn't realized how completely terrified she was of loving again until that moment.

A cold wind swept across her bare shoulders, knocking Maleficent out of her thoughts. She shivered hugging her arms across her chest, and groaned in annoyance when she realized she'd left her coat at that stupid party. There was no way she was going to return after her abrupt exit so she reluctantly decided it was time to make her way back home.

….

Aurora was half asleep when she heard the ring. Blinking sleepily she reached for the phone.

"H…Hullo…?" She yawned. She was worried it would be ANOTHER prank call. She'd gotten several already today and she was considering asking her Godmother if they could change the number, she never knew how to deal with those sort of calls.

"Oh…Aurora its you, I thought you'd be in bed..." Aurora immedietly knew it was Diaval's and relaxed. She laughed in response, it was an absurd thing to say.

"Then why did you call, if you didn't think I'd be awake?" She rolled her eyes, he could be dim at times.

"I was actually hoping to get through to Maleficent…" His voice was filled with concern and Aurora's eyes widened.

"You mean she's not with you?" Aurora peered at the clock beside her bed and gasped. It was 1:40am.

"N-No she left the party about an hour ago, she seemed upset. I assumed she'd come back home so I thought I'd call to check on her…"

She quickly ran to the room opposite hers, Maleficent's 'Lair' as they both fondly referred to it. Her bed was made and the room was empty.

Aurora was so afraid her voice came out in a whisper. "Diaval she's not here."

There was a pause that seemed to last a lifetime. She could almost hear his mind ticking, she was sure he'd have an idea where she might have gone.

Finally his voice returned. "Listen, everything's gonna be alright. I promise. I think I might know where she went. I'll go and look for her. Just stay by the phone and I'll call you when I find her." And with that the line went dead.