You Can't Stop Me

"You can't stop me... I can my own choices. Merida deserves better than me, she deserves Regina."

"Merida doesn't deserve this story! Please don't do this Zelena... I knowyou can change."

She was by the Toll Bridge and it had begun to rain... Archie dared to only go a few feet near her. One step too close and he could lose his ability to convince her. Of course, if she did jump, they always had Regina's magic to rely on. He didn't want her to be forced into living. Everyone deserved a choice and perhaps with a few choice words, he could help her make the decision for herself. Even so, he knew Regina wasn't about to let Zelena endanger herself. If she dared to fall, she would be frozen in mid air... Or that was the plan. He and Regina had talked it over on the way over. The two had panicked and there wasn't any time to pick up Robin. He wondered if just maybe he could reach out... He needed her to live. He'd never dealt with this type of situation before and he couldn't let her die... She was special. He took a step forward cautiously and Zelena flinched.

"You can't save everyone, cricket... There are some of us who will never live Happily Ever After. It would be better to die now and stop causing harm to those around me..."

"Who are you doing this for, Zelena? For Merida? Tell me, if she was here now, could you do this to her?"

Zelena did not answer... Her hair flew in pieces across her face as she stared aimlessly towards the unknown. She felt so dead on the inside and it felt as if she was being controlled by her own self. Half of her had resented the idea, but the other half wanted to destroy herself. Slowly she turned her head towards the cricket, whose brows had furrowed in worry. Regina had stayed back, but Archie had come closer. Slowly he reached his hand out towards her. He was always reaching out for her... Helping her. She refused or unacknowledged him each time, but this time he wasn't going to leave. She could tell all he wanted was to save her, he wasn't tricking her, he only wanted her to come down... To come home to Merida. She thought longingly of her little girl, who by now would have been hungry. A single tear streamed down her face. She didn't know what Merida wanted. She wasn't a fit mother and she knew that now, Archie would probably have to report this incident. All the more reason to get this over with. Could she go through with this... Doing this to Merida? No, not to Merida. Zelena had acted so rash... What the hell was she doing? This wasn't the way things needed to be. She took a step backwards, reaching her hands to her left where the cricket stood. She felt her fingertips meet his, a small static touch reassured her. She slowly made her way back, careful not to lose her footing. Finally, she was in Archie's arms. Zelena tilted her head up, looking at him deeply. Icy blue eyes met warm cerulean blue... If only for a moment, she would let herself get lost in those eyes.

"Zelena what the hell do you think you were doing? You almost gave us a heart attack, Robin has been worried sick!"

"Well hello to you too, sister... As for Robin, I'm positive he wasn't mourning my impending death."

"You're right. He thought you were going to curse more lips and try destroying Storybrooke "

"I may be a villain, but I am not about to endanger the town that my own child lives in."

Archie interrupted, he knew that if he didn't intervene, the sisters would continue shooting comebacks at each other. Slowly he intercepted himself between the two, eying Regina to take a step back. He remained silent... Archie didn't want to be caught up in the mix of their bickering. Slowly he led Zelena to the car and he noticed that she was still holding his hand. Cold hands that made him wonder if the old saying of 'cold hands, warm heart' were true. What was more noticeable, was that she was shaking uncontrollably and he concluded that it was probably from fear, anger, or the weather... Perhaps all three. Regina made her way to the car and Archie sat with Zelena in the back. No one spoke a word and Archie couldn't help but feel awkward sitting beside his ginger companion. This felt completely out of character for someone like Zelena, who always had something to remark, good or bad. Maybe her silence was good, but then again, nothing good had ever come out silence.

"Are you cold or do you need to stop by Granny's for a cup of-"

"Cricket, you'd be better off not worrying about my well-being... All I wish for is the chance to go home to my Merida."

Immediately, she took her hand away from his. She wouldn't let it be known, but she was scared. Scared of people worrying. The cricket meant well, but he'd gotten to Zelena... Made her feel vulnerable on multiple occasions and now this. She considered herself an independent woman, but now she felt as if she relied on Archie after a mere two days. What sense did that make? Absolutely none. Besides, she figured the feeling was one-sided... One simply couldn't care for someone so wicked. No, it was too easy and nothing ever came easily for Zelena. She looked out her window and watched the raindrops race each other down the window. Suddenly, she felt a warm hand against her face, guiding her back to Archie. She was afraid to look him straight in the eyes, but it was hard to resist being lulled into their cerulean abyss. Zelena mind and conscious felt messy and all she could do was lean in, closer and closer until they were only inches apart. Slowly he removed his hand and smiled at her. Zelena lost herself as she pushed forward, but as soon as her eyes made contact with his, Archie turned away.

"What are you two doing back there? Dr. Hopper, I strongly suggest you keep my sister in line as well as yourself. This is not a taxi service."

"Oh! No Regina, I j-just, I was just examining her for any... Stress?"

Regina laughed, Dr. Hopper was probably the most horrible liar in all of Storybrooke. She knew his conscious would always win in the end. She had learned that not long after Henry had brought Emma to Storybrooke. The two had hated each other, but now Emma was much more tolerable... Well, in small doses. Regina passed Granny's and thought about what she should do with Zelena. She wasn't sure it was a good idea to let her and Robin continue living together. It wasn't selfish reasoning, Regina was worried the two would completely ruin each other. She hadn't wanted Robin to stay in the first place... Now she knew that she may have to convince him to leave. Now she had to think about who would take care of Zelena. Not that she couldn't take care or herself, she just needed to make sure someone kept Zelena in check. The very happy un-Charmings crossed her mind, but she soon shrugged it off. They had quite the history with Zelena and Regina was doubtful that Snow would let her anywhere near baby Neal.

"We're making a stop at Granny's... I do hope you' two are hungry."

"Sister, perhaps you didn't hear or perhaps you ignored me when I brushed off the cricket. Besides, we've already passed Granny's."

Upon hearing Zelena, Regina made a U-turn. Perhaps it was illegal, but it seemed that the sheriffs of Storybrooke were always slacking so it didn't make much of a difference to Regina. She parked on the side of the street and headed inside, leaving Zelena and Archie to their thoughts.

"Zelena, I don't know about us being... I'm not sure it's best for me to be your doctor"

"What do you suggest, cricket? You're the only shrink in Storybrooke and if anyone else seen what happens here, well I'm not sure I want to spend another night in the the psych ward."

"No, I mean... I don't think, well I care about you Zelena and I don't want to hurt you I just..."

Zelena rushed for the door handle and raced inside after Regina. She received multiple cold stares, but she brushed them off. She covered her face with her hands and ran to the bathroom. Locking the door, she looked in the mirror. Tears were beginning to stream down her face.