"Ok. I think everything looks good here," said Natalie finishing up the stitches on Magpie, a young hound who was in getting spayed.

"That was sort of impressive," said David studying the stitches. Dr. Thatcher always left the stitches up to Natalie, she had a very steady hand and her stitches were always perfect and uniform.

"It's a gift," said Natalie taking off her gloves and tossing them in the trash. David careful picked up the dog and took her into a recovery room.

"Well I need a break after that," said Natalie washing her hands.

"Sounds good," said David. They went into the break room and made themselves a cup of coffee.

"So this might sound odd, but I have to ask. Kathryn and I were thinking about going to see Dr. Hopper...Archie for some couple's counseling and well...what's he like when he's in offical doctor mode?"

"I really don't know? I never saw him as a patient, he wouldn't be dating me if me if he had," joked Natalie. David smiled.

"Doesn't seem to stop Whale?"

"Archie tries very hard to keep the personal and the private separate when working. I promise when you see him at Book Club he won't ask if you've done your journal for the week," said Natalie.

"I have to keep a journal?" asked David making a face.

"Or role-playing exercise or whatever happens in therapy. What happens in his office stays there," said Natalie.

"He never talks to you about work?" asked David.

"No names, no serious identifying traits, but sometimes if something is really bothering him he might ask what I would do if I was in his sitiuation. Trust me whatever you and Kat say to him is safe and if he does say anything to me, it says with me I promise," said Natalie.

"I'm just nervous I guess," said David.

"It's going to be fine. So you going to meet her for lunch today?" asked Natalie. David took a sip of his coffee to buy time. He told Natalie that he was going to meet Kathryn for lunch when in fact he was going to meet Mary Margaret, it had been going for over two weeks now.

"Yeah."

"See. It's going to be ok between you guys, all good things need work," said Natalie sipping her coffee.

"Speaking from experience?" asked David.

"Archie had to have a near death experience before asking me out," said Natalie. David laughed and she went to go see if Magpie was waking up yet. David finished his coffee and rinsed his cup out. He didn't like lying to Kathryn, but he didn't know how to talk to her about his feelings. He felt bad lying to Natalie too, she seemed to be his only friend other than Mary Margaret. He went to see if Natalie needed help with anything and she was on her cell phone.

"No, Jane it's totally fine. Just let me know when you're free and we'll fit in sessions than ok. Ok, thanks. I'll see you than." Natalie hung up her phone.

"Who was that?" asked David.

"Jane. She does my physical therapy, however she's expecting her first baby so she needs to move people around. So it means I won't be having thearpy on Tuesday afternoons anymore, it's whenever Jane is free. Can you watch Magpie while I talk with Thatcher?" asked Natalie.

"Sure thing," said David. Natalie went into his office and David got a text from Mary Margaret.

Can't wait to see you at lunch.

…...

"She can't fit you in on Tuesday anymore?" asked Archie when they were having dinner that night at his house.

"Tuesday was the only night she could go to parenting classes and Fridays are no good for her," said Natalie. Archie had been coming with her to theapry when he was free to understand what it was about.

"When can she fit you in?" asked Archie.

"She thinks either Monday afternoons or sometime on Thursday. Wednesdays are for us," said Natalie sipping her water. They had dinner at Granny's together before going to Book Club together.

"Monday's are always a coin toss for me, but Thursday afternoons are out for me. Will you be able to get there?" asked Archie.

"Yeah Jane is going to pick me up. She feels bad about messing up my routine,"said Natalie.

"So other than that how was your day?" asked Archie.

"David wanted to know if Doctor you was different than normal you? He's nervous about seeing you on a professional level."

"Most people tend to not see doctors as people after seeing them in a professional setting," said Archie.

"Is that why you waited so long to ask me out?" teased Natalie. Archie gave her a smile and kissed her on the forehead.

"It was rather intimidating to ask out a woman who is skilled in surgery," teased Archie.

"Only on small critters," joked Natalie.

"Still..." joked Archie and Natalie nudged him.

"Watch yourself sir."

…...

It was past six when David finally came home and Kathyrn sat her book down and and gave him a look.

"Hey, do you want me to warm you up some dinner?" asked Kathryn.

"It's ok, I had a late lunch," said David.

"Work was busy?" asked Kathryn.

"Yeah. Thatcher hurt his back so Natalie needed my help lifting some dogs," said David. He had been with Mary Margaret at her apartment since Emma was working late.

"I set up a meeting with Dr. Hopper for Thursday evenings," said Kathyrn.

"I'll be there," said David going upstairs to take a shower. Kathryn frowned and picked her book back up. She smelled perfume on him and it wasn't hers.

…...

"Going to lunch," called David before heading out. Thatcher made a face

"He is the biggest sap ever," teased Thatcher.

"I think it's sweet that he meets his wife for lunch all the time," said Natalie.

"You have become the biggest sap since you started dating," he teased.

"Don't judge me," said Natalie.

"I like it," said Thatcher. They went back to finishing up paper work and Natalie bit her lip and she couldn't help but smile to herself. They finished up for the day and Natalie went across the street to meet Archie before Book Club, they had a quick dinner and headed over to the B&B. Archie went to get somethings set up and Mary Margaret came up and gave Natalie a hug.

"So are we on for next week with the kids?" she asked.

"You got all the slips signed so it's good," said Natalie. They talked about what they were going to do with the kids at the shelter when Kathryn walked by and she smelled the same purfume she had smelled on David. She works with him...it could have just rubbed off...he would never hurt me like that.

…...

"I would invite you, but you're a taitor to the cause," said Ruby mock glaring at Natalie. Today was Valentine's Day and Ruby was inviting Ashley, Mary Margaret and even Emma out for a Girl's Night.

"The first time in years I have a boyfriend and I'm a traitor. What a load of crap," said Natalie sipping her tea.

"Yeah but you get to spend the holiday with him," said Ashley with a pout.

"So dish what are you guys doing?" asked Ruby.

"I don't know dinner, movie, the usual," said Natalie.

"Wow. You two know how to have a good time," teased Mary Margaret. David bit back a laugh and pretended to read his book while they talked. Natalie headed home to shower and change before Archie came over. She really didn't care what they had planned, like she had told Ruby and the others she was just happy to have someone for a change.

…...

Archie walked into Mr. Gold's shop and repressed the urge to shudder. He had never set foot in here before, but he wanted to get Natalie a present for Valentine's Day. Natalie wasn't a very high maintenance girlfriend and she never asked for gifts or anything overly extravagant like some of the other couples he counseled complained about. Archie looked around and spotted a pair of wooden puppets with almost horror stricken expressions on their faces and they gave him the creeps. Maybe I should have just stuck with a book or some flowers or anything else.

"Why Dr. Hopper what brings you here?" Archie almost jumped hearing Mr. Gold come up behind him. "You interested in the puppets?"

"No," said Archie a little to quickly. "Actually I'm looking for a gift for Natalie."

"The lovely Dr. White...she doesn't strike me as a puppet person either. A ring maybe," suggested Mr. Gold.

"I don't think that..."stammered Archie and Mr. Gold smiled at his discomfort. He went behind the counter and started looking through shelves when Archie spotted a rather unusual hair clip. He picked it up and started to study it. It was wooden and hand crafted, it had carved flowers, leaves and what looked like a cricket in the center. Something about it felt right, the cricket in the center stuck him as funny. Henry would approve.

"I think I have a nice bracelet she might like," said Mr. Gold showing him a beaded black bracelet. Something about it gave him the creeps like the puppets did.

"Actually how much for this?" asked Archie showing him the hair clip.

"Interesting choice. I'm sure she'll like it," said Mr. Gold taking the clip from him and ringing it up and placing it in a box for him. Archie paid him for it and placed the box in his pocket.

"Thank you," said Archie and he left the store quickly. Mr Gold couldn't help but smile a little to himself and he placed the bracelet back on a shelf. It wasn't for her anyway, it would only bring out the worst in her.

…...

The Enchanted Forest

"Would you for the love of the farries, please stand still," pleaded Odette. Snow smiled and touched her dress, her wedding dress. Odette had made this for her and today she was getting married. Finally after all this time and all the heartache she was going to have her happy ending. She looked down at Odette who was trying to do a last minute hem on the dress. At least an almost happy ending for some of us. Odette picked up her sewing kit and put it away, she was human again. Her friend had gone through a terrible ordeal to be here with her today and Snow could never thank her enough for that. Odette rubbed her wrist and Snow frowned seeing the dark ring around her wrist.

"You said it didn't hurt anymore."

"It comes and goes and it doesn't matter. Blue said it would fade soon. Besides today is a happy day," said Odette. She made Snow sit down and started doing her hair.

"I know I have said it before and I will probably say it again, but I'm very happy for you. If anyone deserves a happy ending it's you." Odette started putting flowers in her hair and Snow saw that black band around her wrist again and her smile faltered for a second.

"I wish you could have one too," she said and Odette just shook her head.

"I'm happy with what I got. I was lucky to have what I got..." Odette quickly shook her head and wiped her eyes and Snow stood up and hugged her.

"You weren't at fault...she did that to you. I know you...I've known you since I was a child and I know you would never hurt me. Even when she made you your worst you didn't want to hurt me. You were willing to give your own life for mine. The only other person who was willing to do that is marrying me today. I know my father married Regina, but you...you've been a mother to me in so many ways. I just never realized it and I know it's rarely said, but thank you. Thank you for everything." Odette stood there for what felt like forever when someone knocked at the door.

"Your majasty," called a maid.

"In a minute," called Snow. Odette quickly wiped her eyes and studied Snow, they had lost so much, their home, their friends, their families and even after all this they still had each other.

"Ok, enough of this nonsense...you have a wedding to get to," said Odette.

"One last thing," said Snow and she reached into her drawer and pulled out a small box with a small letter attached.

"This came this morning for you," said Snow. Odette took the box and she smiled, she opened it and inside was a hair barrette made out of wood and it had carved flowers, leaves and in the center was cricket. Odette took her other pin out and placed the new one in her hair.

"It suits you," said Snow studying it. Odette tucked the small letter in her pocket to read for later, she had a princess to get to a wedding.

It was much later when she finally got to sit down and read it, after the ceremony, after Regina came in and gave her threat, after the party was over, after all the guests and everyone had gone to sleep. Odette sat down in her room and pulled the letter out and a small magnifying glass to read it.

Odette,

I hope you like the hair pin. Geppetto was kind enough to make it for after I told him what happened. We're sorry we couldn't be at the wedding, we're still working on getting someone to behave like a real boy. I'm sure it was beautiful though.

I do miss you though and even than I don't think that sums up what I feel. I wish I could be with you again...even if it was for just another hour. The pin is the closest thing I could think up to be close to you again.

Jiminy.

Odette smiled to herself and took out the pin to study it. He admited to loving her hair, in the brief time they had together he had held her hand in his and played with her hair. She studied the black mark on her wrist and touched it. It still hurt, Blue said it would fade and the pain would stop. The memories of what she had almost done would never fade. I almost killed Snow...Regina had mockingly called her a Black Swan after she placed the bracelet on her wrist when she had been taken prisoner again. She didn't remember much after that until she returned to Snow and Charming's camp. What she had tried to do was burned into a brain. It had been Jiminy who saw the change in her first, Jiminy who helped stop and had been the one to break both her curses. Odette changed into her night clothes and fell asleep holding the pin in her hand.

…...

Storybrooke

Archie and Natalie made dinner together, they made Beef Wellington and scallop potatoes. Natalie brought over some tarts from Granny's for dessert.

"So how was your day?" asked Archie checking the potatoes.

"Good. Ruby told me I was a traitor to the cause. What cause I'm not sure of, but I'm a traitor so that was fun," teased Natalie. "I also got you a present." It was a small blue box. Archie sat down and opened it. Inside was a small gold pin, it was round and it had an odd knot like design in the center.

"I really had no idea what to get you," said Natalie. Archie put the pin on his tie, it looked really nice. He pulled out the box he had gotten for her.

"Well I hope you like this," said Archie. Natalie opened it and Archie watched her smile and take the hair clip out.

"Oh this is really pretty," said Natalie. She pulled her hair back so that half was in a ponytail and the rest stayed down and used the clip to pull it back. "I have to say the cricket is a nice touch...considering," said Natalie. Henry had told her about the curse and that he thought Archie was Jiminy Cricket. He told her he was still working on figuring out who she was when she saw him last time.

"Well I have good news for you. Henry thinks he's figured out who you are now and he asked me to ask you if you would like to be part of Operation Cobra," said Archie.

"I finally get to be a part of Operation Cobra. This is better than the day I got into to Veterinary school. So can I guess who I am...it's the Little Merimaid isn't it?" asked Natalie.

"Why would you think merimaid?" asked Archie and Natalie gestured to her chair.

"She wanted legs for walking on land. If I was a witch going to curse someone well...it's really evil" said Natalie.

"He thinks you were Odette," said Archie.

"Odette. Like from Swan Lake. So that makes me a princess. Sweet," said Natalie grinning.

"Actually in his book Odette was a maid who was cursed to be a swan by the Evil Queen during the day until she found true love," said Archie.

"Let me guess...she found it with Jiminy Cricket," said Natalie.

"Did Henry let you read the book?" asked Archie.

"It was just a guess considering. It's still a bummer that even in fairy tale land I don't get to be princess." said Natalie. Archie had to laugh, the timer rang letting them know dinner was done. Archie took the food out and platted it for them. Pongo came into the kitchen to start begging and Natalie shook her head and rubbed Pongo's head until Archie shooed him away.

"So you really like the clip?" asked Archie. Natalie sat her fork down and took his hand,

"I do. It's a really sweet gift. Thank you." He squeezed her hand back. They finished dinner and moved onto dessert.

"So I have thearpy Thursday night, you want to meet afterwards?" asked Natalie.

"I'll have to see how long my session runs," said Archie.

"Ok," said Natalie going to tuck her hair behind her ears and Archie leaned forward and did it for her. He kissed her and couldn't help but twirl her hair in his hands. "You always do that," muttered Natalie.

"Do what?" asked Archie.

"Play with my hair...why is that?" asked Natalie.

"I just...I've always liked your hair," said Archie. He kissed her again and Natalie wrapped her hands around his neck and she felt Archie's hands drift down to her sides. He broke the kiss and gave her a look that Natalie couldn't make out. Just tell him.

"I love you," said Natalie taking his hand.

"I love you too," said Archie. He pulled his chair closer to her and started kissing her again, harder than before and trying to get closer to her. Natalie broke the kiss and took his hands. She looked in his eyes and saw the love he had for her and that he was having an internal conflict with himself.

"I trust you," said Natalie. Maybe it was what he needed to hear along or maybe he was just tired of fighting his feelings about her, about where this could head if he gave in.

"Are you sure?" asked Archie.

"Yes," said Natalie pulling him closer to her. Archie leaned in and started kissing her again. He had always advised people to never give into to their dark sides, but this...this was different. It was passion, he had never felt this way in his in entire life and the second he felt her skin under his hands he knew it was something he wanted more than anything. That he wanted her more than anything.

"Ok."

…...

Natalie was resting on his chest and Archie found he enjoyed her weight on him, it was pleasant sensation. Natalie felt Archie brush her hair back and him kiss her temple. She pulled herself up and looked him in the eyes. "Are you ok?"

"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" asked Archie. She had been near tears at one point and he almost stopped, she had to assure him that she was ok.

"It was just a lot to process in the moment," admitted Natalie. Archie nodded, he could only imagine what it was like for her in the moment to give him something that she would never get back, to trust him completely when she was at most vunerable.

She leaned over and kissed him again. "I'm fine." Archie kissed her back and pulled her close to him.

"I love you," said Archie falling asleep.

"I know," said Natalie dozing off next to him.