A/N: After 1x06 "The Shepherd" I became really interested in writing a OUAT fanfiction, so here it is. Pairings are Mary Margaret/Dr. Whale, David/Kathyrn, and (endgame) Mary Margaret/David. Story will primarily take place on Storybrooke with Fairy Tale Land incorporated in later chapters. Starts at the end of 1x06.

I've decided Dr. Whale's first name is William. I won't give away who (in my mind) Dr. Whale is (although it isn't Monstro from Pinnochio, that's for sure). I'll give little hints along the way and see if you can figure it out :)

Reviews are much appreciated!

Mary Margaret couldn't believe any of this was happening to her. This day, undoubtedly, was the most emotionally charged – and draining – day she'd ever experience. Irritation had consumed her morning, first with her awkward meeting with Dr. Whale, who had egotistically insinuated that she had resigned from the hospital due to their butchered first date. Mary Margaret had easily brushed that off, however, because he was an easy man to ignore when she didn't want to talk. His egotism but have frustrated her, but she was glad he could take a hint and leave.

After that, irritation subsided to leave only anger and confusion after Regina had walked in, instantly attacking her for ruining David and Kathyrn's marriage. The roller coaster had started there. That conversation had irritation, fear, and surprise all balled into one. Mary Margaret wasn't joking with Emma when she told her the Mayor was the most feared in the land. As soon as Regina sat down at the small table, asking for a word, fear had flooded Mary Margaret's heart. This woman was powerful and vindictive, two things that, when combined, created nasty results. She had tried hard over the years not to get on Regina's bad side.

It was just better that way. There was no need to start a battle she'd lose.

Then she had learned David had left his wife. Surprise and elation quickly faded to reveal only guilt. The nagging feeling that she had caused the end of his marriage ate away at her until David came to the school, telling her that he wanted her, essentially, more than he wanted his wife. After that she had only felt an intense elation which seemed to warm her heart.

David had ended that the minute he drove a knife into her chest, cutting out her heart so suddenly that she had tearfully stormed away from him, heartbroken and once again alone.

He certainly wasn't the Prince Charming she had hoped for.

So now she sat, sad and hurt, as she tried to find some way to forget how deeply he had touched her soul. It had surprised her how quickly she had fallen for him, but she hadn't questioned it. Love seemed to work in funny ways. Nothing pained her more, however, than to realize that her love remained unrequited. Yes, he had admitted having intense feelings for her, but they apparently weren't strong enough to will him to choose her like he had promised.

Now Mary hated herself for even opening her heart in the first place, believing that someone could come along and save her. She so desperately believed in true love that the moment she realized it didn't exist, she was left exhausted, deeply wounded, and unsure where to go from here.

Absentmindedly toying with her ring, a tear rolling sliding down her cheek at the memory, she hadn't noticed Dr. Whale walk into Granny's diner until he sat beside her. It took all the energy she had left to keep in her sigh.

He stared at her, a soft smirk on his face. "Rough day?"

"I don't feel like talking." Somehow, it came out stronger than she felt. Even Mary Margaret could hear the pain in her voice, a thought which leveled her more. How could she have been so stupid?

"Come on," he coaxed, "Sometimes it's easier to talk to someone when you don't give a crap about what they think."

She smiled softly at his comment. A smirk shined back at her in response, following by patient eyes. Finding the need to unload to someone, she asked, "You ever walk into a situation where you know exactly what's going to happen, and then you go into anyway? And then when what you're afraid of happens, you kick yourself because you should have known better? But that's just who you are, so you keep punishing yourself."

After listening to her, watch her mind work out the situation in her head, he answered, "No." The tear on the corner of her wasn't lost on him.

"How do you do that?"

Dr. Whale laughed; it was hard to conceive that something so simple for him was so difficult for another. Everything came easy to him, even keeping his emotions out of things. "By never doing what's expected," he told her with a smile. "Keeps life interesting." On that note, he quickly asked, "Can I buy you a drink?"

Mary Margaret simply turned her head to meet his gaze. When he thought she was going to throw it back in his face – though he knew she didn't have the boldness for a quick retort – she surprised him when she answered, "You can buy me two."

That certainly wasn't what he'd expected, but he'd take it. "All right then."

"What?"

He shrugged. "Just…Wasn't expecting that."

Mary Margaret smiled slightly. He wasn't capable of making her smile like David could, but it was a start. "Just doing what you suggested."

"I know," he boasted. Nudging her shoulder gently with his own, he added, "I'm a genius."

"Arrogant." She nodded slowly. "But you're a doctor. That's to be expected. So, where are those drinks?" She smiled when he signaled the bartender, ordered himself a beer, and turned to her, awaiting her order. "Can I have a vodka tonic?" Her lips curved in a frown, slightly, when Dr. Whale laughed. "What?"

He only smiled. "Vodka tonic? Really?"

"What? I can't have a hard drink every now and then?"

"No, no," he answered quickly, putting his hands up in defense. "I didn't say that."

"It's because I'm a teacher isn't it?" She asked sourly, defensively, feeling like the entire world was against her. "Because I'm not a nun, okay? I like a good, hard drink sometimes and damn it, I need one."

"Okay," he responded quietly. "That's fine."

Mary Margaret sighed heavily, her rant subsiding. Flustered, his knowing grin throwing her off, she shook her head. "I'm—I'm sorry. That was uncalled for."

"No, it wasn't."

Her eyebrows perked up, stunned. "Really?" She smiled when he nodded. "Well…Thank you."

"Just…uh…enjoy your drink. You need it."

"Thank you." She'd need more than a few stiff drinks to forget what David had meant to her, how strongly she had fallen for him, and the longing ache he had left in his wake. Mary Margaret suddenly felt powerless, unable to save herself from her own inner demons, and was grateful her companion had offered to buy her a drink. She'd definitely need it, he was right about that.

He smiled. "I have a first name by the way."

She smiled. "You sure it's not just Whale?"

He laughed. "It's William."

"Nice to meet you, William," she responded. It was odd, but she was certain she could get used to it. She smiled softly. "You can call me Mary Margaret, I suppose."

"What? You don't like Ms. Blanchard?"

"It's normally a title I reserve for my children," she told him with a slow nod. "You know, the fifteen kids in my class, not the ones I want to have."

Dr. Whale – William, she reminded herself – stared at her quizzically. "I'm sorry?"

"Oh, I told you that on our date when you were checking out Ruby, the waitress." She smiled suddenly, proud of herself slightly when he looked down at his hands, embarrassed. "Yeah."

"Well…Forgive me?"

Mary Margaret nodded. She had forgiven him not far long after that, unable to really hate anyone. Except that right now she seriously resented David for how he had forced her to open her heart, only to have it crushed by the weight of his rejection. Nothing hurt more than that. "You're forgiven. The drinks do that for you."

"Fantastic."

"For you," the bartender cut in, sliding her drink in front of her.

Accepting the drink, she readily downed it, swallowing hard. She coughed slightly, smiling gently at the amusement in William's eyes, and told the bartender. "Can I get another?"

"Sure."

"You want to get drunk?" William asked her with a smile as he carefully sipped his beer, watching her.

"Better than sulking," she replied sadly.

Somehow, someway, Mary Margaret hoped she could get over the man she had touched, and who had awakened her soul in return.

A/N: Review please?