By Your Side
He was free from the clutches of Cora and Hook. Those days were dark and he was scared out of his mind. When Belle found him, he felt his prayers had been answered. However, his freedom came at Regina's expense. He learned that she was accused of his murder. To him, it was absurd. She was changing. He saw how hard she was changing.
Now, he was at her front door nervously waiting. He wasn't sure if she knew he was even alive. He knocked on the door.
Regina opened it and her eyes widen. "Archie?"
"Hello Regina," he replied.
"You're alive," she whispered. Her eyes misted as she reached out to touch him. She gasped when her hand cupped his face. "I'm not dreaming."
He chuckled. "No, I'm very much alive."
She practically tackled him but he managed to keep them upright. He let her hold him. It gave her reassurance that her only friend was still alive. After a few minutes, she stood back. "I don't understand. What happened to you? I mean, Ruby said I came to your office in the middle of the night. I didn't though. She had to be mistaken."
"Can we talk inside?" he asked.
She nodded and let him in. They sat on the couch. "Tell me what happened."
Archie cleared his throat. "You knocked on my door and I was surprised to see you. Then Pongo started barking. That should've been my first clue. I tried to calm him but when I turned around you choked me."
Regina shook her head. "Archie, it-
"I know who it was. Some woman named Cora kidnapped me." He saw Regina visibly flinch.
"Regina," he said concerned.
She stood up running her fingers through her hair. "Cora. How did she even get here? Archie, she's my mother."
"Your mother?"
Regina huffed. "That's how she was able to frame me for murder. That manipulative witch. Archie...the things she must have done to you. I'm sorry." He watched her nearly fold into herself at the mention of her mother. He wondered what trauma Regina must have went through.
"You have nothing to be sorry for," Archie said. "I don't blame you for anything." He stood up and placed his hands on her shoulders. "What happened to you?"
She looked away. "Nothing you could possibly understand. You're the conscience after all."
He snorted. "Not always. My parents forced me into a lifestyle of thievery. I didn't want to trick people. They laughed at my dreams and ambitions. Then one day I met a little boy and I ended up making a bad deal. I cost him his parents. It was Geppeto. The Blue Fairy came to me and asked what I wanted to be."
"So you decide to be a cricket?" Regina questioned.
He laughed softly. "Yeah. I was free. I could go where I wanted. I could help people for a change."
"Freedom. Something I never had," she said to him. "Cora told me power was freedom. Maybe but it trapped me. I allowed power to consume me because I couldn't have what I most desired."
"Daniel," he pressed.
"Yes."
"Regina, I can help you. I know I wrote you off when you were queen before but I would like to help again. If you would allow me to. Your mother is a very influential and convincing person. I don't want to see you fall prey to her again."
"How are you going to help me?" she inquired. "My mother won't stop until she has me."
"I'll be by your side fighting with you and for you. Friends don't let each other fall. She's going to have to go through me to get to you."
Regina blinked back tears. "Thank you Archie. I don't know what else to say."
"Say you'll fight with me," he replied.
"I'll fight with you."
