Rapunzel walked through the crowded restaurant. She was used to this since she was a food critic, but this time they wouldn't treat her as one. No, this time she was here to meet Jackson and Elsa. She searched through the crowds trying to find them.

Her blonde hair was gorgeously tied up in a bun. She wore her sleekest black dress that hugged her curves nicely. Soon, her bright green eyes spotted him. A smile grew on her face as she neared the table. He stood up, ready to greet her. "Wow," he smiled. He planted a kiss on her cheek. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you." She replied as she sat down in her seat close to Jackson. She was ready for everything to fall into place. Tonight, Elsa was going to pop the question.

"Do you have a date later or something?" Jackson teased as he sat down. Rapunzel never dressed up this nice. Sure, she could be seen in a dress, but never one like this. Maybe she really has changed.

"Never can tell." She grinned.

"Hi." Elsa greeted, brushing her blonde hair behind her ears. She was nervous about this. She had no idea what Jackson say or what he would do. She was thankful to have Rapunzel along.

"Just the way you look tonight," Jackson sang. Rapunzel smiled wide at him. "Remember?" He asked. Oh yes, she remembered. That was their song. After no reply, Jackson fidgeted in his seat. He never was comfortable in these fancy restaurants. "Okay, kid, you're up." He smiled at Elsa.

Elsa nodded, anxiety building up inside her. It was like she had forgotten all of her words. She could feel her throat tightening. Her blue eyes darted to Rapunzel who gave her an encouraging nod. Jackson noticed this and looked at Rapunzel. Quickly, she looked down, acting like she didn't know. He looked back at Elsa.

Elsa fidgeted in her seat as she cleared her throat. Here we go. "Well, it's really my father who needs the favor." She started. Rapunzel glanced at Jack from the corner of her eyes, watching for his reaction. Immediately, his face dropped. He knew what she was going to ask.

Elsa noticed his change, making her heart beat faster. God, she was so nervous. "You see, he's, um, reorganizing some of the divisions of the company. Public relations is a real problem area for him."

Jackson nodded his head. God, just when he thought he knew her. Elsa realized that he was seeing right through her lie. She glanced at Rapunzel then back at Jackson. Maybe she should keep going. "It would only be six months, maybe."

He let out a sigh. Anger was beginning to build up in his veins. He knew what she was doing. Rapunzel talked about this last night. He didn't even know what to do except glare at her. "Or three or four." Elsa quickly added.

"And you knew about this?" He asked, looking at Rapunzel. She had rehearsed her lines over and over in her head. She knew exactly what to say.

"Well, I think you ought to listen to her, Jackson. It's her life, too." She replied, glancing back at Elsa. Geez, well, okay. Jackson didn't know how to take that.

"Well, you gonna tell me that, uh, Walter thought this one up?" He questioned, glaring at Elsa. "Why don't you start by being honest for one second, Elsa?" He spat. She jumped at his harsh words. This wasn't going like Elsa thought.

"I am being honest," She replied. Okay, so maybe she was lying a little, but this wasn't fair. "What? All of a sudden I'm supposed to drop out of school, forget my family, forget my career, forget about all the things I had planned for my life?" She fired back.

"Forgive me for screwing up your plans," Jackson replied. Rapunzel watched the couple, her plan falling into place. This was what she was hoping for. "I'm just sure glad I'm hearing about this now before it's too late."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Elsa questioned, slightly raising her voice.

"What am I supposed to do with my life? Huh?" He snapped. Elsa's eyes began to fill with tears. "I work in a low-paying, zero-respect job which, unfortunately, I happen to love."

Elsa looked to Rapunzel for help. She didn't know what to do. Rapunzel was his best friend. She could calm him down for her. Rapunzel placed her arms on the table. "Jackson, it sounds like a great opportunity." She joined in.

Jackson sat there. Just great. Now his best friend was against him too. "Does it really?" He grumbled. "How come you never took some sellout establishment job, huh?" He fired back, hoping to shut her up.

It got quiet. Elsa eyes were red from holding in tears. She didn't like how this was going. Rapunzel sat there, letting him fire his anger off at her. She didn't care. "I'll tell you why, because that isn't you. And guess what, Els, that's not me either." He growled, turning back to face her.

"Okay, if that's the way you feel-" Elsa started.

"You're damn straight that's how I feel!" He shouted. "Just come out and say it. My job's not good enough. I'm not good enough."

Rapunzel fidgeted in her seat. Okay, she didn't mean for it to get this far. "Jackson, I never said that!" Elsa cried, tears threatening to spill. She just wanted everything back to the way it was.

"Yes, you did." He nodded. Silence filled the table as Elsa looked at the floor. "Great, Els. You wait until two days before our wedding to lay this on me, and I'm just supposed to roll over and drool."

"No." She sobbed. She couldn't hide back her emotions anymore. Elsa was feeling awful. Why did she even bring this up? She sniffed, trying to hold herself together. Rapunzel watched, beginning to feel sorry for Elsa.

"Fine. I'm the asshole. I'm an insensitive sexist asshole! You're better off without me." He exclaimed as he rose from the table. He couldn't take it anymore.

"No, Jackson! No!" Elsa shouted, grabbing onto his arm. She couldn't let him walk out. She loved him. She loved him soo much. "You're so... So right. I was so wrong." Elsa hiccuped.

No. No she didn't. Rapunzel's face dropped as she heard those words tumble out of the bride-to-be's mouth. "We settled this, and I reneged. That just wasn't fair." Elsa carried on, looking towards Rapunzel.

"You have to forgive me and forget this ever happened," Elsa begged as she pulled Jackson back into his seat. "Okay? Or I'll just die! Please!" She pleaded. No. Don't fall for it. Rapunzel couldn't have him fall for it. She looked between the two of them.

Elsa continued crying and sobbing. Jackson looked at the floor. "I'm sorry," He whispered. "I'm sorry."

Elsa reached her hands over his shoulders. "No, no," She replied. They began apologizing as they made out in front of Rapunzel again. Are you kidding me? Was there nothing that could pull this couple apart? "I love you." Elsa stated, making Rapunzel's eyes widen.

The couple began to softly chuckle. They looked at Rapunzel who gave them a fake smile. God, Rapunzel just couldn't win, could she?

xxx
The phone began ringing, but Eugene didn't care. He had guests over and he considered it rude to answer it so he let it go to voicemail. "Eugene is not in. Brevity is the order of the day." It beeped, letting the person leave a message.

"Eugene! Answer this, damn it!" Rapunzel shouted. "I'm in a meltdown here!" Everyone continued talking, ignoring whoever was leaving a message. "She double-crossed me! The little twerp groveled!" The guests began to go quiet as they listened to whoever was shouting on the other line.

"She's so wrong for him," Rapunzel ranted. "Jackson and I are the same person. Self-absorbed and vaguely lovable. We deserve each other." Everyone was silent, confused about what was happening.

"I'm running out of time. I'm completely out of sneaky ideas. I have come to the end of my rapidly fraying rope! Eugene, you have got to think of something!" She shouted. The line went dead, signaling she hung up. All of the guest stared at Eugene.

He rubbed his goatee, unsure what to do or what to say. Suddenly, he noticed everyone's eyes on him. He looked around, trying to act like that didn't just happen. "Coffee, anyone?" He offered. The guests began chatting again, thanking him for the offer.

~~~~~~~~~~