This argument was the same one they had been having the past few weeks. And similar to all the others, it was hard to say who started it...or for that matter, what brought it about. Tempers and sharp words were always simmering beneath the surface lately. Nora was restless and wanted to move. It didn't have to be far. Just enough to at least have some sort of new beginning or a bit of excitement.

Inside her, there was a pull that something was missing. Lately, it had been getting stronger. On the other hand, Michael was more than content. Staying at his job, staying in the house; as far as he was concerned, it was all good.

As Nora railed on about complacency while seated at the kitchen table, Michael poured a cup of coffee and tried to remain calm. This time, he tried to form an answer in his mind before speaking. He had learned his lesson during previous arguments. Any statement tossed out haphazardly would just precipitate the full force of Nora's temper.

As Michael stated his position again, Nora's expression grew grim. She had heard the same protest time and time again. As her eyes drifted towards the ceiling, her mouth set into a determined line. He could tell that she wasn't about to give in and he braced himself for the onslaught that was surely coming.

Michael watched as Nora shook her head slowly as she listened to his objections. "I am going," Nora pronounced and stood up. This movement was also deliberate and slow as if she was daring him to try and stop her.

"Going where?" Michael asked. For all the arguments and discussions both serious and casual, they had never spoken about a destination or made any kind of formal plans.

"I'm not sure. I just need a change," she stated and walked out of the kitchen.

With a prolonged exhale, Michael set down the coffee mug and followed her out of the room and up the stairs. Nora didn't hesitate as she walked to the bedroom closet and started pulling out clothes and placing them on the bed. With a sharp glance in Michael's direction, she went and retrieved a suitcase from the spare room. After somewhat haphazardly stacking the clothing inside, Nora then grabbed her large tote that was sitting in a corner. It was soon filled with a laptop, cords, a spare notebook, and a paperback book. With her mission completed, Nora finally stopped and looked over at Michael awaiting his response.

"Where are you going?" he asked. His voice was calm and controlled, and it surprised them both.

"I'm not sure. Somewhere I can write; somewhere I can get inspired."

"What's the problem with working here?"

"Because I can't. I've tried; mornings, nights, middle of the day. Music on, music off. Nothing works." Nora slung the tote bag over her shoulder and pulled the suitcase off the bed. She carefully navigated the stairs and collected her keys, phone, and wallet from the side table near the front door. After checking to see if she had some cash, Nora grabbed her leather jacket from the hook.

Michael stood on the steps and watched her silently. A few weeks ago, he would have tried to stop Nora from leaving but now... now it was best if she got the need for a change out of her system. A day or two spent with one of her friends and she would be back.

"You'll let me know you're okay," Michael said.

Nora was unsure whether it was an order or a question. She nodded, her eyes scanning for some indication on Michael's face of what was coming next. An angry outburst, a fist slammed on a wall, a plea to stay... something. But nothing came and Nora walked out the door. She lifted both bags into the trunk of her small SUV and slammed it shut. Before getting into the car, she looked over at the front door and gave a brief, small wave to Michael. He gave a small nod and watched her go.

After withdrawing some cash from the ATM, Nora pulled into a space in the bank parking lot and tried to come up with a plan. For as long as she was discussing some sort of move with Michael, she had never mentioned or really even thought of a destination. Nora mulled over calling Gwen, her best friend, and seeing if she could impose for a bit. As much as she loved Gwen's company, Nora knew she needed something more than a girl's night out. She picked up her phone and began typing some words into the search bar and eagerly awaited the results.

Storybrooke, Maine. Sounds quaint and a perfect place to write. Nora mused. Without another thought or more planning, she started the directions on her phone and got on her way.

It was late afternoon when Nora saw the sign announcing Storybrooke. A few minutes after passing the marker, the rear passenger-side tire began to go flat.

"Damn." Nora slowed down but decided to see how far she could get. Currently, the only thing she could see were woods on either side of the road. A bit further down the road, she found herself approaching a very large house. She steered the car into the driveway happy to be near civilization. As soon as she was off the road, Nora put the car in park and went to assess the damage. The tire was most definitely flat and as she opened the hatch, Nora realized she didn't have a spare. She looked up at the dwelling and wondered if anyone was home as she walked around the car.

"Is there a problem?" a voice asked.

Hidden by the car, Nora jumped and fell out of her crouched position. She righted herself and brushed off her pants as she cautiously stood up. Despite the silence of the surroundings, she hadn't heard footsteps from anyone approaching.

"Flat tire," Nora offered in a quiet voice. She brushed back a few strands of light brown hair from her face and found herself looking at a man in a dark coat. Nora found herself noting that the coat was exquisitely tailored. Bespoke, she thought. Not exactly what goes out for a stroll in.

His blue eyes were piercing and they narrowed as he took in her face. His mouth opened slightly but no sound came out and his brows furrowed.

"Tati," he said as he continued to stare. It was nothing more than a whisper and uttered more to himself than to her.

Nora shook her head slightly just in case the whisper was meant for her. "Sorry for parking in your driveway but it seemed safer than the road. It is your driveway, right?"

He nodded and almost smiled. The man then walked around to where she was standing and bent over to get a closer look at the tire.

"I'm Nora, by the way."

"Jefferson," the man replied. When he looked at her this time, he shook his head. It seemed to Nora almost as if he was trying to clear the cobwebs. "It's not a problem that you parked here. I rarely use the driveway."

"Do you know someone I can call to get the tire fixed? I don't have a spare." Nora asked and silently cursed to herself for not remembering that Michael had taken the spare out a few months ago with the thoughts of saving some money.

Jefferson looked back and forth from the tire to Nora and nodded. "Let's grab your things and get them up to the house. Wouldn't want someone to take anything if they happened by."