"Thank you so much doing this," said Mary Margaret.

"Oh it's fine. I'm glad they're having fun," said Natalie They watched the kids in the kennel with Bear, a male Black Lab and Sugar, a female Saint Bernard. They had just finished a tour of the kennel and were letting the kids play with two of the friendliest dogs they had.

"Maybe we should do this again with your class next year," said Natalie.

"That would be nice," said Mary Margaret.

"Hey Natalie," said Henry.

"Hey sweetie. You having fun?" asked Natalie.

"Yeah. So did Archie ask you?" asked Henry.

"Did Archie...oh yes he did. I would love to be part of Operation: Cobra. So what's my first assignment?" asked Natalie.

"I'll get back to you on that," said Henry and went back to playing with the dogs. Mary Margaret grinned.

"Aren't you lucky," she teased.

"Don't be hating," laughed Natalie and she went into the kennel with the kids. David came in and Mary Margaret couldn't help but straighten out her sweater.

"So can we meet tomorrow night?" asked Mary Margaret.

"For a little while," agreed David. He touched her wrist and he went into the back to take inventory.

"Ok kids. It's time to go," said Mary Margaret.

…...

Archie poured Kathryn a glass of water and sat back down, they were waiting for David and he was twenty minutes late.

"Do you want to start without him?" asked Archie. Kathryn shrugged and put her elbows on her knees.

"It's like we're stuck...like I'm always waiting for him to be where I need him to be," said Kathryn.

"Was it like that before his accident?" asked Archie.

"Honestly I think it's always been like this. I love him and I think at times he loves me too, but it's like there is something that doesn't want to let me in all the way," admitted Kathryn. Before Archie could say anything, David came in.

"Sorry I'm late. I had to help Natalie with inventory," said David sitting down. Archie raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything. Natalie had told him last night that she was having physical threapy tonight with Jane. Kathryn took a sharp breath but didn't say anything. David sat down and took Kathryn's hand and Archie couldn't help, but spot how guilty David looked in his posture.

"Ok, Kathryn why don't you tell David why you want him here and what you hope to get out of this," said Archie.

"I want you here because I want us to be us again. I know we were having issues before your accident, but at least before...I felt close to you. That things could be ok. Now it's like you're building a wall to keep me away and I don't know what I'm doing that makes you want to stay so far away from me. I guess my goal here is for us to have a better marriage," said Kathryn.

"David?" asked Archie.

"I guess I've been distant lately and I don't mean to be, it's just...I feel like I'm not me anymore and I don't know who I'm supposed to be and it's unfair to you," admitted David. They talked for another twenty minutes about what Kathryn had gone through when he had been in a coma and what she had felt when David had come home. David didn't say much and Archie had a feeling they weren't ready for counseling together, but they clearly needed help.

"I think for now I would like to see the both of you, but it might be best for now if we start this off slow. I would like to see each of you one on one for a few weeks and than work on bring you two together," suggested Archie. David agreed quickly and Kathryn did after some hesitation. They set up their sessions and left together. Archie went over to his phone and noticed he had a missed message from Natalie.

Hey Jane isn't feeling very well so she ended things early. So come over whenever. Love you. Archie gathered up his things and decided to pay Natalie a quick visit before heading home to take care of Pongo. She was in her pajamas and making a cup of tea when he came in, she had given him a copy of her key last week. Natalie gave him a hug and went to make him a cup.

"So Jane got sick?" asked Archie sitting down.

"She's dubbed it All the time sickness since it's not just in the morning," said Natalie sipping her tea. "You alright?" Archie had this strange expression on his face that she couldn't make out. Archie was trying to figure out why David would lie like that and why he would bring up Natalie like that.

"I'm fine," he said and he gave her a kiss on the forehead. "I should go, I have to let Pongo out. See you tomorrow night." Archie left and started his walk home. David had been lying, that much was clear to Archie. Natalie hadn't brought up work and she had already told him that she was meeting with Jane last night. She would never lie to me.

…...

"Oh Kathyrn, what can I do for you?" asked Dr. Thatcher looking up from his paperwork.

"I was hoping to steal David away for lunch," she said holding up a bag.

"You just missed him, he was going to meet you," said Thatcher. Kathryn bit her lip, David told her he was going to be working through his lunch.

"I must of forgotten. Is...is Dr. White here. I was hoping to talk to her."

"She had an appointment with her physical therapist, but she should be back in a little while. You want to wait?" he asked.

"No...I should be going. You have a nice day." Kathryn turned to leave and stopped. She needed to know one more thing. "How's your back?"

"It's fine why do you ask?"

"David said...nevermind. You have a good day." She turned and left and tried not to cry. It was so painful to realize that her husband was a liar. She went home and waited for him, she would give him one more chance to tell the truth. She had gotten the letter from Boston today, she had been accepted to Law school. We just need to leave...I just have to get him away from this and from her. David came home on time for once and she made him his favorite dinner, roasted chicken, potatoes and salad. She didn't bring up that she had gone to see him at lunch and that he wasn't there.

"This chicken is delicious," said David and Kathryn nodded. She wanted to scream at him, throw something at him, she just wanted him to love her again.

"David we need to talk," she sat down her silverware and clenched her fists. David sat down his too and looked at her concerned. He had been waiting for this since last week. Using work as a lie about his time had just become second nature. It wasn't until after they left Archie's office that he realized he had mentioned Natalie in lie and that all Archie had to do was ask Natalie about work and the truth would come out.

"I applied to Law School," she said and he smiled at her the way he used to and told her that he was proud of her. "I got in." She handed him her letter and his smile slipped for a second.

"It's in Boston," said David.

"I know things have been hard between us, but maybe a fresh start is what we need. We've been trying so hard to get back old memories when we should be making new ones. This could be really good for us," said Kathryn.

"It's just a lot to consider. I'm going to take a walk ok." David got up and left the table before she could say anything else. Kathryn waited until he left and she called Archie's office and he picked up.

"Can I come over and talk to you?"

"Of course," said Archie. Kathryn got her car keys and drove over to his office and was barely keeping her tears in check. She walked up to his office and felt sorry not only for herself, but for Archie. He always came off as the nicest guy and he seemed very smitten with Natalie. They seemed like such a good couple. How could they do this to us?

Archie opened the door for her and saw that she was clearly distressed and made her sit down right away.

"What is it Kathryn?" asked Archie sitting down across from her.

"I'm pretty sure David is having an affair...and I'm pretty sure it's with Natalie," she said wiping her eyes.

"That's a serious accusation," said Archie trying to keep his tone steady. He had just spent the whole weekend with Natalie and while he knew David was lying, he never had a feeling that Natalie was lying to him about anything. When had brought up work, she said inventory had been done Wednesday so David couldn't have been doing it Thursday night. Unless they're both lying, hissed some hateful voice in the back of his mind.

"David is always working through his lunches, working late and he's so distant and I can hardly get him to touch me lately," muttered Kathryn. This past weekend, Natalie hadn't been able to keep her hands to herself, he had never dated someone who expressed such an interest in him physically as well as emotionally. She wouldn't hurt me like that.

"Kathryn I can assure you that David and Natalie are not cheating," said Archie. "David does love you, you just have to give him some time to work through your issues." Kathryn wiped her eyes and looked at Archie.

"You love her that much?" asked Kathyrn.

"I do and I know her. She and David are not having an affair." She decided to not bring up the purfume or the looks she had seen David give Natalie during Book club. She just needed to get him out of this town, she needed out of this town.

"Thank you Dr. Hopper for listening to me...I'm sorry that I..."

"It's ok. You've been under a lot of stress with David and waiting to be accepted into school," said Archie. She had brought that up during her Friday morning session with him.

"I got in." Archie gave her hug.

"That is great news. I'm sure David is very proud of you."

"He is. I should get going," she left his office and Archie sat there for a while trying to get his head clear before going to see Natalie. Wasn't it just a little to convenient that her thearpy sessions had been moving around so much? He shook his head and started walking over to her apartment. She would never do that. She would never hurt me like that, thought Archie when he heard that voice of self doubt in the back of his mind. David is her age, a better looking guy, someone who could keep her happy...how long do you think you could keep up with her? By the time Archie had walked the three minutes to her apartment he was just a bottle of nerves and questions that he shouldn't be having after being with her for months now. He let himself in and Natalie was sofa reading. She heard him come in and she smiled at him.

"Hey...wow you look beat," she pulled herself into her chair and took his hand, "You ok?"

"Just really tired." She went into the kitchen to get him something to drink and Archie shook his head. She loves me...she would never do that.

…...

Kathryn had the day off of work and decided to put her best foot forward and start planning her new life with David and was looking at apartments on line. She called David and he promised to be home for lunch and to her surprise he was on time.

"I was thinking about asking Emma which neighborhoods we should look into since she's from there," said Kathryn.

"I can't go to Boston with you," said David sadly and it took everything she had to not scream.

"Can't or won't?" Just tell me the truth...tell me what I already know.

"I am so sorry and I don't know what to say," said David.

"Try the truth! Is there something going on that I don't know about?"

"No," said David and she couldn't even look at him. How stupid do you think I am, thought Kathryn and she listened to him go about how he couldn't connect with her and that she needed a fresh start without him.

"I can't believe you. I love you and you have no idea how much you've hurt me and you...both of you are so selfish to hurt us like this! You won't tell me the truth! Than I'm going to get it out of her!" She grabbed her keys and before he could stop her she was out of the door. David grabbed his phone and went to call Mary Margaret and she didn't answer her phone.

"Please call me the second you get this!"

…...

"Oh that one's pretty!" said Ruby holding up a picture of a bright red bridesmaid dress.

"Not my style," said Ashley. Natalie shook her head and started flipping though another bridal magazine Ashley had brought. Since she had gotten engaged she had thrown herself into wedding planning.

"How about this one?" asked Mary Margaret holding up a picture of a while dress with a train that went on for days.

"Too puffy," said Natalie making a face.

"Oh come on Nat! You've never played Wedding when you were a little girl?" asked Mary Margaret.

"I had a bunch of stuffed animals and we played Doctor," said Natalie. "However, I always did want to learn to make my own wedding dress."

A few tables over Regina listened to their conversation and stirred her soup. How could this happening...the curse was supposed to make sure that no one got their happy endings. Listening to Ashley talk was just reinforcing that Emma was messing with her curse. First Ashley, those kids got their father back, Natalie and her cricket, Mary Margaret and her Prince...everything is going so wrong. She despised the fact that Mary Margaret was finding her happiness with David, even though she was sneaking around with him. It was Natalie's very public relationship with the cricket that got under her skin more than anything. I don't know if I should laugh at the patheticness of it all or despise the fact that she's so damn happy with him.

"I think I like this blue one," said Ashley. The door opened and there stood Kathryn and she looked upset. Regina spotted her first and saw her glare at the table where Mary Margaret and the group was sitting. She walked over to the group and Natalie went to greet her and got slapped in the face.

"You conniving, manipulative bitch!" snapped Kathryn.

"Whoa...wait a second! What are you talking about?" asked Natalie stunned.

"Don't play dumb! I know about you and David!"

"What?" asked Natalie. Mary Margaret sat there stunned. David was supposed to tell her the truth about them and somehow it must have gone horribly wrong.

"The saddest thing is that Archie actually defended you!"

"Ok wait just one second! I have no idea where you got the idea that I've been sneaking around with your husband..." Kathryn cut her off.

"He's always working late and through his lunches and I've seen how he looks at you!" Now Natalie cut her off.

"I have never made David work late and he always leaves a lunch to meet with you!" snapped Natalie. Mary Margaret stared at the floor and couldn't find words to make this stop.

"Kathryn please. Stop this," said Regina coming up to her and placing an arm around her. "This isn't Natalie's fault. I am shocked that you would be willing to let your friend take the fall for this." Regina glared at Mary Margaret and Natalie looked back and forth between Kathryn, Regina and Mary Margaret confused.

"Would someone tell me what the hell is going on?" asked Natalie.

"I thought Kathryn and David were working out their issues, however someone couldn't keep her homewercking to herself. Sidney took pictures of David and Mary Margaret and I had them burried. I didn't want anyone to get hurt. I see it was a mistake." Kathryn pushed away from Regina and ran out of the diner in tears. Natalie sat there stunned and was trying to make sense of everything that had just happened in the last forty seconds. She had just been slapped, called out for having an affair with a co-worker that she wasn't having, that Archie had known and defended her about and that it had been Mary Margaret having the affair and she just sat there letting her be blamed for everything.

The buzzing got louder and she realized that everyone was staring at her and whispering.

"Natalie...Natalie I'm so sorry," said Mary Margaret touching her arm and Natalie pulled away.

"You...were you going to let me take the blame?" asked Natalie stunned.

"It wasn't supposed to be like this," protested Mary Margaret. Natalie looked at her and she just shook her head and wheeled herself out of Granny's. "Wait Natalie." She started following Natalie down the street.

"I am so sorry," said Mary Margaret. Natalie went to turn around and her wheel slipped on some gravel and she fell over.

"Damn it," hissed Natalie. Mary Margaret picked the chair up and went to help her up and Natalie pushed her away. "Don't you touch me." She had gravel in her hands and it hurt to pull herself up and back into her chair.

"What's going on?" asked Archie. He had gone over to Granny's to get some lunch and Ruby told him that Kathryn had just been there and had accused Natalie of having an affair with David, only to have Regina come forward and tell everyone it was Mary Margaret.

"Did you think I was cheating on you?" asked Natalie looking up at him stunned.

"No...no I didn't," said Archie, but he forgot that this was Natalie he was dealing with and he couldn't lie to her. She had to close her eyes and try to keep herself together. This was by far the most painful three minutes of her life.

"If you had any doubts about me or this why didn't you just ask me?" asked Natalie.

"Kathryn came to me as a patient and expressed her fear that David was having an affair with you and I told her that I didn't think you or David were having an affair," said Archie.

"She brought our relationship into this and I should have been told," said Natalie.

"I am so sorry," said Mary Margaret and Natalie turned to her and glared.

"You! You're suppose to be my friend and this is how you repay me? What the hell!"

"David was supposed to talk to Kathryn and tell her the truth. You shouldn't have been blamed for any of this," said Mary Margaret.

"Natalie, please let's go somewhere we can talk," said Archie.

"I don't want to talk to any of you right now," said Natalie and she started to wheel herself away. Mary Margaret sighed and looked up at Archie.

"I'm so sorry," said Mary Margaret and she walked away quickly. Archie turned and went after Natalie. He let himself in and heard her swearing in the bathroom. He went in and found Natalie was picking gravel out of her hand.

"Natalie please just talk to me!"

"You didn't want to talk when you thought I was cheating on you," said snapped cleaning up her hand.

"Natalie, please just listen too me! I...I was stupid and honestly it was just for a minute and than...I am so sorry I thought even for a second that anything happened between you two," said Archie.

"I love you and if you thought that I would hurt you like that than...you clearly don't feel the same about me," said Natalie and she started wrapping her hand up.

"It was me! I'm the idiot...I look at you and sometimes I wonder what you see in me and..." Natalie cut him off.

"I saw someone who I thought I could trust and who I thought loved me. I was wrong. So very, very wrong. If you thought I would hurt you like that...even for a second than we shouldn't be together," said Natalie.

"Please," said Archie and she wouldn't look at him.

"Please just leave me alone," said Natalie barely keeping herself from crying. Archie stood up and left. He heard Natalie sobbing as he left and hated himself. I do love you and I am so sorry...

…...

Natalie called into work the next day, it was first time she had taken a sick day since she didn't know when. Thatcher had been very nice about it, he clearly had been told about the whole debacle and was taking pity on her. He told her to take the rest of the week off and she didn't protest.

"If working with David is going to be any trouble for you..." Natalie cut him off.

"The man is going to lose his wife. He should keep his job. I promise not to punch him in the bits," said Natalie.

"You are a far better person than I am," said Thatcher. They got off the phone and Natalie curled up on her sofa and tried not to cry. She had never in her whole life been so hurt and embrassed. She heard someone knocking at her door and she screamed at the door.

"Go the hell away!" she snapped.

"Please...I just want to talk to you," called Kathryn. Natalie went over the door and opened it. Kathryn looked downcast and was wringing her hands nervously.

"Can I please come in and talk to you?" asked Kathryn.

"Sure," said Natalie and she let Kathryn in. "My mother would find it rude to not offer you something to drink. Tea?"

"Please," said Kathryn. She followed Natalie into the kitchen and sat down while she made the tea. Natalie handed her the mug and Kathryn took a small sip. "I am so sorry about what happened yesterday. It was uncalled for and I shouldn't have come at you like that. I had no right to say those things to you and I am really really sorry about everything."

"You were hurt and angry. I know what's that like," said Natalie.

"Have you talked to Archie?" asked Kathryn.

"In a matter of speaking," said Natalie sipping her tea.

"He really does care about you and he defended you to me," said Kathryn.

"It's a matter of trust though. If he can't trust me all the time than what's the point?" asked Natalie.

"I've seen the way he looks at you...it's the way David looks at Mary Margaret. He's never looked at me like that and I told them they should be together." Natalie looked at her stunned and Kathryn grinned.

"Whatever you're on can I please get some?" asked Natalie.

"I'm leaving town. I got accepted to law school in Boston and I think a fresh start might do me some good. You know it's silly I've always been scared to leave town and now I can't wait to leave. Have you ever thought about it? Leaving Storybrooke."

"I've always wanted to go to California, see the ocean...I mean I know we live near an ocean, but I've heard the Pacific is really nice. Warm weather all year round...my mom and I were going to go when I was teen and than she got sick. I got into a Vet School here and I've never left Storybrooke," said Natalie.

"I was going to go to New York when David left and than it was like my life froze in place," said Kathryn.

"I accept your apologize. I'm still going to be pissed at Mary Margaret and Archie for a bit and that's not your fault. I wish you luck though." Kathryn shook her hand and took another sip of her tea.

"Thank you," said Kathryn. She left and Natalie took Kathyrn's tea and dumped it and than sat with her own tea and thought. What would it be like to leave Storybrooke? To go somewhere where she didn't know anybody and nobody knew her? To go far away from here? Maybe Emma would be nice enough to let her use the computer at the Sheriff station, see what postitions were open outside of Storybrooke.

…...

Archie walked into his house and Pongo greeted him.

"Hey boy," said Archie and he let the dog out and sat down in the kitchen to think. He hadn't seen Natalie in almost two days, actually no one had seen her since Kathryn had slapped her and she had found out that her friend and her boyfriend had betrayed her. Pongo asked to be let back in and Archie fed him.

"I really screwed up boy," said Archie. She was right to be angry at him, to call him out about not being able to trust her. She had never given him any reason to doubt her and he had in the worst way possible. Archie sighed and picked up the phone to call Natalie and it rang five times before she picked up.

"What do you want?" asked Natalie sounding slightly defeated. This had been the routine for the past two days now. He would call, it would ring five times and she would hang up, this was the first time she had picked up the phone.

"Just to see you. Please," said Archie.

"I don't know if I want to see you. You have no idea how much you've hurt me."

"I do, because this hurts me too." He heard the sharp intake of breath and her sniffle.

"I can't right now...I'm sorry," said Natalie and she quickly hung up the phone. Archie hung up and his end and Pongo whined and nosed at him.

"I know...I know."

Ep's used-What Happened to Fredrick.

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