Disclaimer: I do not own any of the brilliant characters or plot of Lawless and The Wettest County in the World. I just like to pick their brain for a bit.

"It's a funny thing comin' home. Looks the same, smells the same, feels the same. You realize what's changed is you."

Elena thought of her late grandfather's words as she toyed with the large quilt on her bed. Her old room that she shared with her sister looked unaltered from before she left. The two beds were still parallel to each other; the sheets were crisp and white as if they had never been laid on. Her tattered boots that were now two sizes too small were lined up neatly in the corner.

Everything was the same but completely different. She had grown up a lot in the six years that she had been gone. When she had left Franklin County she was a silly, naive and free-spirited child. Now, she was more aware, poised and mature.

She left with her older sister, Lorraine, to New York when she was 14. They were sent to New York to help with her grandparents ailing health. Her whole family had wanted to move out at first but the costs were too high. Also, her dad operated a general store that his family had owned for generations. If they left they would leave their business and whole livelihood behind.

It was decided that Elena and Lorraine would go and help. New York seemed so far away at the time. She had always considered herself an independent woman but she wasn't prepared for the city life. Elena remembered how she had clung to her sister's arm like a frightened little girl upon arrival. The city was so vast and the people were so loud.

She and Lorraine tended to their Mother's parents together. Their grandfather was suffering from pneumonia and passed away 2 months after they got there. Her grandfather had owned a clothing factory so financially they never struggled. The two sisters stayed in New York to help their grandmother with her health and around the house.

Their grandmother had always wanted them to be educated so she had them go off to a girl's school in the years they stayed there. They would go to school and come home and tend to the house.

Lorraine was two years older than Elena and adjusted quickly to life in New York. Her sister had always been fiercely independent, talkative and bold. She was lady like but a bit of a spitfire. Elena was definitely not a meek person by nature. She could be quite feisty herself but she always appeared to be more reserved. However, she had quite a bark to her when it came to the people she loved.

Both girls had always loved to learn so their studies were not difficult for them. Elena soaked up the information like a sponge. She immersed herself into learning about health and science, devouring the pages like a starved man. She prepared many of the medicines that would help with her grandmother's multiple ailments.

Ironically enough, Lorraine was the one who ended up leaving first back to Franklin. After four years of living there, she had completed her education. She had aspirations to teach back in Franklin. Elena yearned so much to visit her family as well but she couldn't leave her grandmother behind, even for a week or two. Who would be the one to check her temperature, buy and prepare her food, or comfort her when she wheezed in the night?

So she stayed behind. For two years she helped her grandmother and watched her grow weaker, until she passed away two weeks prior. For the past two years, her grandmother had been her only family. She thanked God that she no longer suffered but the pain of losing her was sometimes more than she could bear.

She had finally been reunited with her whole family a week ago when her grandmother's funeral took place. Their reunion was bittersweet to say the least. Her parents and sister had all held her, weeping upon seeing her. Her dad looked the same except for more wrinkles around his blue eyes. Her mom was as pretty as ever but her dark brown hair had a few strands of silver.

Elena hugged Lorraine, happily patting her belly and looking at her ring. She had missed her sister's wedding the year previous. She was now seven months pregnant with her first child.

She had cried even harder when she saw her baby brother, Charlie. He was a cherubic, little toddler when she left. He was ten now and she couldn't believe how much he had grown.

She had been so afraid that he wouldn't remember her but he had run up to her and held her so tight around the waist that she couldn't breathe. She had let out a sigh of relief and rumpled his hair as she hugged him back. He had followed her around for the past week like a puppy dog updating her on his life. Elena didn't mind at all. It was simply lovely.

Her family helped her tie up a few loose ends while they were in New York. Her grandmother's belongings were packed, her finances secure and the rest would be handled by her uncle who lived in Maryland.

Seeing her family had been lovely but overwhelming. She had missed so much and they all took turns filling each other in on their lives. They had always stayed in touch by writing each other over the years but seeing them in the flesh was amazing.

Elena ran her hand warily over her face as she looked in the mirror. The past few weeks had taken quite a toll on her. She had light bags under her brown, almond-shaped eyes and her dark chestnut, shoulder-length wavy hair was coming out of its bun.

Elena turned to her shelf and affectionately thumbed the spines of her old books that were still placed neatly on the shells. She smiled slightly, thinking of reading those books as a child in the warm summers with her good friends. Her best friends growing up were the Bondurant boys.

Howard was the oldest, six years older than her. He was more of a protective brother since he was so much older than her at the time. Jack was the youngest, two years younger than her but he always tagged along.

But there was only one brother who consumed all of her attention and his name was Forrest Bondurant. He was two years older than her but they had been attached by the hip since she was six years old. He was her companion her confidant, her everything before she left.

Elena's family had given her a little alone time to unpack and gather her thoughts which was thankful for. Packing away the last six years of her life was both overpowering and exciting. She hadn't seen her family and friends in six years. What would Forrest think of her? Was he still, kind, strong and protective? Or had he changed? Perhaps he didn't even want to see her anymore.

She thought of her first encounter with Forrest. She first ran into the three Bondurant boys when she was six and stumbled upon them fishing. She was always a wanderer and had a hard time staying still for too long.

She had shyly watched them for awhile as she watched the boys fishing. Jack was just a little boy at the time so it was a surprise to see that he was already trying to fish. She noticed that Forrest was giving him tips while fixing the line. He explained everything in a calm, slow manner while Howard collected the worms.

Howard noticed her watching and had beckoned for her to come forward, a puzzled expression etched on his face.

"Where's ya parents? A young gal shouldn't be out on ya own?" He asked as she came forward, slowly.

"I live very close. I was wondering if you…could teach me." She had asked a bit nervously as the older boy regarded her.

He just chuckled, shaking his head as his wild brown curls fell on his forehead. "Well hell. Why not? Jack, let 'er use your pole?"

The youngest Bondurant turned to look at her and whined, sticking his lip out. "But I just got mine. And she's a girl!"

Elena frowned and Forrest turned to her, eyeing her coolly, his expression neutral. "Give her a chance, Jack. You 'ave plenty of time to try later," he said his eyes still calmly trained on her,

Jack did not look happy but he handed the pole over, reluctantly. Elena looked at Forrest, silently thanking him with her eyes. Their silent communication would only continue over the years. It was interesting that he was only a little older than her but he seemed to command a lot of respect. Something in his gaze was mysterious and a bit intimidating.

All three of them fished throughout the afternoon. Jack warmed up to her a bit as they took turns. Elena was clueless but she caught two fish and was very proud of her loot. Howard caught quite a bit but Forrest was the most successful by far. He stood patiently, as still as a stump. The fish seemed to come to him.

By the end of the afternoon, they had caught over two dozen decent-sized fish. More than half were caught by Forrest. Howard divided half the fish and gave it to her, wrapped in brown paper and put it in a pail for her. Elena was surprised by this. Throughout the afternoon, she had noticed that the boys quarreled and were a bit rough with each other but they seemed like good people.

"We never gave ya a proper greeting anyway. So this is for your folks. Tell them the Bondurant brothers gave it to ya," Howard said and she thanked him as he patted her head.

"I've gotta get Jack home but Forrest will take ya. Just lead the way," Howard said as Jack waved at her happily.

"Come play again!" Jack shouted. After the initial shock and disappointment of her taking the line they had bonded quite quickly.

Elena waved back and watched them leave. She turned to look at Forrest as he was eying her slowly. "Where do ya live?" he asked curiously, putting his hat back on his light, golden blonde hair.

"Just up the road. You don't have to come if you don't want," she offered, wondering if the boy would be irritated by her.

"Naw, its fine." he shrugged and he motioned for her to lead the way.

They traveled in a comfortable silence for about ten minutes until they reached her house. Elena turned to Forrest.

"I hope my momma and pa aren't mad. They hate when I leave for a long time," she whispered in a quiet voice in case they came out.

Forrest shook his head. "Just give 'em this fish. It might help." He suggested and Elena nodded.

"Thank you. I liked fishing with you guys. I have a sister but not many friends. Next time you guys can meet her and we can all be my friends," she babbled quickly, in the way that children do.

"Can we be friends Forrest?" She asked, feeling a little silly but wanting to make sure that they would all play again. Usually boys didn't like playing with girls often and she was anxious for his answer.

Forrest smiled for the first time around her the whole afternoon, his eyes twinkling. "Sure thing Elena."

Elena smiled back at him and waved, running to her house with her fish in tow. When she came in, she was scolded by her parents who were livid that their young daughter wandered off yet again. She felt ashamed for her actions but it was worth it because she made new friends. Her mind kept drifting back to Forrest and his cool, grey-blue eyes.

The spicy bite of the pepper damn near burnt Forrest's nose as he picked it up. He decided to get it. The pepper would taste great in his potato soup.

He put it in his basket along with a stick of butter, a chunk of cheese and a loaf of bread. With three men in the house, food disappeared quickly. Howard and Jack never cooked a day in their life so he was the one who did the shopping and cooking at the general store each week. He didn't really mind. Cooking was soothing, calmed him down.

He was thinking about buying an onion or two when little Charlie Grey ran into the store. He eyed the boy, curiously. He was a hyper, active young boy. He held a soft spot for him, knowing him since he was born. He was surprised that he was back so soon. He knew the Grey's had traveled up to New York to bury a loved one.

He grunted as the boy almost tripped over his shoes and Charlie looked up at him, his hazel eyes widening.

"Sorry about that Forrest. I didn't know you was there. My mom sent me to get more bread. We're having a celebration tonight."

Forrest nodded. The Grey's had owned this general store for years so Charlie was always in collecting supplies for their family. He was a good kid, rambunctious but polite. For awhile, he was by himself with no siblings around. Forrest always made sure to watch out for him over the years.

"Heard about yer loss," he said nodding sympathetically and the little guy thanked him as they walked to the register. He was never too good with deaths and sympathy. He wondered why they were celebrating so soon after a death but Charlie beat him to the punch.

"Elena's back!" He smiled, his eyes lighting up.

Forrest almost dropped his basket at those words, catching him completely off guard.

"She just got here last evenin' when we came back off the train. We're celebrating that she's here. You should come." He said excitedly, not bothered by Forrest's silence.

Forrest had a million questions. How long would she be back? Was it permanent? Did she miss Franklin? And even more pathetically, did she miss him?

He quickly composed himself and maintained his cool exterior. "That's good Charlie and thanks but I don't want to intrude on a family dinner," he said as he waited for the man at the front to total his purchases.

Charlie vigorously shook his head no. "You wouldn't. Ma and Pa say you guys are basically family anyways and ma said that you and Elena were the best o' friends. If my best friend was home again I would want to see them. You got to come."

Forrest marveled at the boy's logical reasoning as he finished paying for his food. He had a point but a weird part of him was almost scared to see her. It was strange to know that someone he had known everything about for years was almost like a stranger to him now. What if she had changed? Surely, she wasn't the same Elena after being gone for 6 years.

"I'll stop by," he agreed and Charlie actually whooped. He looked up to Forrest in every possible way since he was a small toddler so he was always eager to see him.

"Dinner starts at six. You should bring Howard and Jack too. See you Forrest!" He waved excitedly before leaving, ticking the bread under his arm.

Forrest nodded at the clerk and took his bags, a feeling of excitement and nervousness bumbling in his stomach. He hadn't felt like this in awhile. His Elena was back and he had no idea what to say to her.

Disclaimer: The opening line is from the film, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. I know there is quite a bit of background information but I wanted to introduce Elena. Please review. I am always eager to hear feedback. I'll try to update soon.

-Almond