He's sitting in his chair. Henry is on his couch.
"You can't help me you know."
"And why do you think that Henry?"
"Because you don't help kids, you destroy their lives."
Henry is no longer sitting on his couch. Another dark haired boy is there. The boy is younger than Henry. Beside the boy are the puppets.
"Why did you do this to them Archie?"

"Archie?"

"Archie?"

Archie opened his eyes and sat up with a gasp. Marco was standing over him, looking concerned.

He blinked a few times. His hands hovered slightly above his desk as he tried to orientate himself. He had fallen asleep and judging from the drool mark on his papers, he'd been asleep for a while.

"Are you alright?" Marco asked.

Archie rubbed his hands down his face, "Sorry Marco, I was up late last night working and must've dozed off this morning."

That wasn't entirely a lie. He was up late working. He'd been asked to provide testimony to Mary Margaret's character and while he wasn't sure it would help, he didn't make things worse. He'd been reviewing what could be asked of him to ensure he wouldn't be caught off guard. However, he'd also been distracted ever since his trip with Ruby to Mr. Gold's shop. He was sure it was a result from overworking and being over occupied with Henry and his book. He was well versed in Henry's story of Jiminy Cricket and the puppet people and was sure that was why he had such a reaction to seeing those things in the shop. Unfortunately, the more he thought about it, the more he realized he needed to re-evaluate Henry's treatment. Perhaps letting the imagination run wild with no restraints wasn't the best thing.

He was also worried he made an ass of himself in front of Ruby when things between them had been going so well.

"You're working too hard my friend." Marco said, interrupting Archie's thoughts. "Come, let's go eat."

Archie looked down at the pile of papers on his desk and then at Marco who was already holding the door open. He'd neglected their friendship lately with everything going on and cancelled lunch with him several times already.

"Excellent idea." He told him and grabbed his coat.

-

As they entered the diner Archie saw Ruby taking orders at another table. He shot her a meek smile, hoping she wouldn't be upset with him for abruptly leaving her yesterday. She returned it with a big grin that eased his nerves considerably.

Neither gesture was lost on Marco, who was looking expectantly at Archie as they sat down.

Archie said nothing. Marco looked over at Ruby and back at Archie.

"So... are you going to tell me what those looks were about?"

"Oh. Well, Ruby and I have spent some time together lately."

"That's great I'm glad you finally saw the light and asked..."

"Sshh!" Archie said waving his hand over the table. He looked and saw Ruby approaching. Lowering his voice to a whisper he added, "I haven't. It's not like that."

"Archie! I'm so glad to see you are okay. I worried about you all day yesterday."

"Yeah, I'm sorry about that. I'm not sure what came over me. Like Marco said earlier, I've been working too much I guess." It was a flimsy excuse but he hoped Ruby wouldn't push the subject.

"Well as long as you're okay," she smiled, "Seems like you need some fun time."

"Yeah your probably right but I'm working on something to hopefully help Mary Margaret right now so that takes priority."

"I know the whole thing is just awful. " Ruby looked up as two more customers entered, "What'll be today guys. Our special today is the club sandwich."

"That sounds great." Marco said, "With a coke please"

"Me too" said Archie, "Same thing."

Ruby nodded and walked away.

Archie looked over at Marco who was staring at him with pursed lips, eyebrows slightly raised and arms crossed.

"What?" Archie asked.

Marco uncrossed his arms and leaned forward, placing them both on the table.

"Archie, you are my dear friend so understand when I say this, I say this out of love. Stop being a fessacchione."

"A what?" He had no idea what that meant but he knew Marco's past history with Italian phrases and was certain it wasn't good.

"A big idiot." Marco said, throwing one hand up in the air.

"Sssh," Archie said again looking around to see if anyone heard.

"No." Marco wagged his finger but lowered his voice. "I have to say this. You've been pining for this woman for how long? As long as I can remember and now you say you've been spending time together?"

"Yes but I'm not sure how that makes me an idiot."

"When the woman of your dreams says you need some fun time, the correct response is what are you doing this weekend or ask her when her next day off is. You absolutely do not tell her maybe later."

"Just because she said that doesn't mean she wants to go out, she was just being nice."

"Ruby's nice to me too but she doesn't look at me the way she looks at you."

"I think you're just seeing something because you want to."

"Archie I'm saying this because your my friend and I want to see you happy. I want to see you in love. Don't you remember what you told me after you were stuck in that mine? You said you were going to take more risks. Ruby was supposed to be one of them. Months have passed and you've done nothing."

Archie stared at the table. Marco was right. He couldn't be angry at the man and there was a change in Ruby. The truth was he was still terrified of rejection.

"I see you know I'm right."

Archie nodded and looked over to Ruby who was approaching with their drinks.

"Here you go guys. Burgers will be right up." She looked over at Archie. "Too bad you came in during the lunch rush. I have no time to visit."

She rushed off and Marco gave Archie another look.

"Alright I get your point."

"So do something."

He looked back over to Ruby, who was bringing out plates to another table. He could hear his heart pounding. He felt warm and hoped that just this once, it didn't mean he was blushing. He took a couple deep breaths and continued staring at the table for several moments. Finally, he took a long sip of his drink and watched Ruby approach them with their orders.

"There you go, two club sandwiches."

"Um Ruby," his voice sounded muffled to him.

"Yep."

"What... I mean when is your next day off?"

"Well Saturdays are supposed to be mine. I've been working them lately but I'm sure Granny would give them back if I asked. "

"Would you like to do something with me Saturday? Have some fun time?" He couldn't believe he actually said it. Even more he couldn't believe Ruby was still smiling.

"I'd love too." Just then a crash came from the kitchen. "Crap, gotta go. We'll figure out details later okay?"

"Yes, absolutely. I'll drop by later when things have slowed down."

"Sounds good." Ruby replied, rushing back to the kitchen.

Archie exhaled and sat back in the booth. Marco was beaming.

"Aha! See? If it wouldn't look so obvious I'd order some drinks to celebrate."

Archie smiled at his friend. "I can't believe I did it and she said yes."

"You don't give yourself enough credit. Now let's eat. "

-

He got nothing done for the rest of the afternoon. He tried but kept looking at the clock to see if 2:45 arrived. He knew Ruby was off at three. Plus, his mind kept wandering on what to do Saturday.

He looked at the clock again. It was 2:35.

He thought about a picnic, if they went out during the day. A day date is a safe bet for a first date but being night owls was something they both had in common so a night date would be more meaningful. They could go for a nice dinner but since Ruby works in a diner maybe she would wnt to avoid restaurants. That didn't leave much choice in Storybook. Maybe the picnic was best.

He shook his head. He had to get a grip.

He would just ask her if she had anything she'd liked to do first. Then if she didn't, he would resume worrying, fretting and obsessing over it. He looked at the clock again.

2:40.

Close enough.

He had not even gotten off his front step when he heard a scream coming from across the street. It sounded like Ruby.

He raced over to the diner and heard voices in the back. Once he arrived at the scene, he took several steps back in shock.

Emma was helping a very much alive Kathryn Nolan off the ground.

He looked over to Ruby who was being consoled by the writer that had come to town.

She saw Archie and ran over to him. He instinctively put his arm around her.

"So she's alive?" Ruby asked, "She's real?"

Kathryn gave her a frightened look.

"I'll explain later. Let's just get you to a hospital." Emma told her. She looked at Ruby apologetically. "I'll need to come by after and get a statement from you."

Ruby nodded.

After Emma, August and Kathryn cleared out, Archie finally found his voice.

"Are you okay?" He asked her.

Ruby nodded again. "She approached me when I was taking out the garbage and I freaked. I mean I found that woman's heart. I thought she came back to get it. Stupid, I know, but I pushed her to the ground and started screaming. I feel like such an idiot."

Archie thought back to his reaction to the puppets.

"No need to feel stupid, most of us has had at least one instance of our imagination getting the better of us."

She pulled away and turned to face him. "Thanks but you're just saying that to make feel better. I can't believe I reacted that way."

"Well I do want you to feel better but it's also true. Yesterday in the shop, when I saw those puppets, I had this image that they were real people and who were cursed. You at least have a reason for reacting that way. Mine just came from nowhere."

"Really?"

"Really. You know, now that Kathryn's alive my schedule just cleared up. If you like, I can wait with you until Emma comes back? We could sit and have a coffee."

"I'd like that but after all this, I think we need something a little stronger than coffee," Ruby said as she grabbed his hand and headed into the diner.