Deepest Bonds

She couldn't believe him... How dare he do this to her? She hadn't asked for this and she didn't deserve it.

"Cricket, get that mangy mutt out of my room! How did you even get in with that beast."

Pongo barked loudly and Archie could tell he was offended by what Zelena had just said. Truth be told, he hadn't brought Pongo along before because he had a feeling the two would never get along. He was right, they both stood in the hospital room bickerring back and forth. Perhaps it would get better and the two might begin to bond. However, Archie shifted his attention back to, who was out of bed and fully clothed to go.

"I couldn't get that protection spell to work again. Imagine the horror when I had to ask my dear sis for help. She practically laughed."

Archie smiled, Zelena had spent several days in the hospital and she was already dying to get out. She hadn't seen much of Merida unless Regina or Robin stopped by to say hello at Merida's past three appointments. Her little girl was still sick, but Zelena was only happy that she was responding to the medicine and that the illness hadn't become pulmonary. Of course, Archie had warned her that she shouldn't only be focusing on Merida's help. She was just as sick, if not more! She glanced at the mirror, but quickly turned away. Doctor Whale had said the drastic amount of weight she lost after her pregnancy was most likely caused by the tuberculosis. Now, she was just as skinny as before her pregnancy; the glow she had worn on her face, was pale and decorated with tiny blue veins. Even her hair seemed to be lifeless, as it was dry and terribly messy. She must have looked like quite a fright to the others that came and visited her... Not that many did.

"Well cricket, as much as the Doctor would love to keep me in this dank place, I'd really like to leave."

"Of course! You're already signed out and Pongo and I happen to be your designated escort."

Pongo barked again and Zelena cut her eyes at the Dalmation. Archie realized that at this rate, when he made it home, it would proably be with only one of them. He wondered what he could possibly do to get those two to see eye to eye. Suddenly, a brilliant idea popped into his head. How had he never thought of this before? He walked swiftly, trying to make his way out of the hospital. Soon, he had to slow down... In his rush of excitement, he had left a tired Zelena a good fifteen yards behind him. Eventually she caught back up and Archie asked if she would like to ride in a wheel chair. If looks could have killed, Archie would have been dead. He should have known better than to ask if Zelena a silly question like that. He knew Zelena was perfectly capable of walking and he was just being impatient. Archie scolded himself... Of course, Archie had been scolding himself for a lot more than that lately. As if the universe had just read his thoughts, the most horrible thing happened and Archie cringed.

"Hello Zelena! It is good to see you up and about. You have been in the church's prayers. Er-hello Dr. Hopper... How are you?"

Archie looked right through Mother Superior, too afraid to stop or to say a word... Too ashamed to face reality and whatever consequences came with it.

"Oh, don't mind the cricket... He's already tried to run off and leave me. I say, does he do that to everyone?"

Zelena noted that Mother Superior quickly turned her head to Archie, as if she was trying to communicate with him telepathically. This made Zelena feel uncomfortable, so she did what any person would do in this situation... She left. No one had time for useless dilly-dally and she certainly didn't have time for those two to make failed attempts at telapathy. She was ready to be free and go out! Maybe even eat some pie... Well, maybe not pie. It seemed as if everytime she tried to eat pie, something bad always followed. She placed the thought in the corner of her mind and began to shift back to reality. Archie had finally caught up and Mother not-so Superior was inside the hospital doing who-knows-what.

"Well cricket, if it was ever any constellation to you... I think the nun wants you to enlighten her spirit, if you know what I mean."

Archie cringed at her innuendo, it was meant to be light-hearted but all it did was make Archie feel horrible. He couldn't keep going like this. It felt like he was lying to her and he figured a relationship could never be built on things like that. It would hurt Zelena too much. She had already felt so much pain. Still, he couldn't find a way to tell her... Not now.

"Um, if you'll hold on to Pongo. I think I forgot to sign something for Doctor Whale. Go ahead and head home, I know you're dying to see Merida. I'll pick up Pongo later."

With that, he placed the leash in her hands and rushed back inside. Mother Superior hadn't even moved, almost as if she had been waiting for him to come back to her. The lobby was quiet and every nurse seemed to have conveniently left the room. Still, Archie felt it risky to talk to her out in the open. He pulled her to one of the hallways and began to try to make sense of the situation, but he couldn't concentrate on a word he wanted to say. He needed to end this before somone got had kissed her first but a small part of him blamed it on her. She tried to keep eye contact, but her eyes were wandering away from his eyes and to the lips she had kissed several days before. Mother Superior never wanted this, she was against falling in love and this wasn't even love. It was pure lust of the heart. Still, she ached to be kissed again and she knew he did too. Slowly she took her gloves off, remembering last time and before he could stop her, she kissed him as passionately as she'd seen so many other couples in Storybrooke do. Entranced by her passion, he let her slowly guide him to the wall. Her hands had begun to wonder and she wanted to continue, but he pulled away. He was doing it again, silently betraying Zelena... What would she think? If she were here... Was she here? He looked to his side and seen the worst sight he could've imagined. That camel colored coat. His heart dropped, it skipped a beat and he was sure that any moment he would die.

"Please, don't mind me, Cricket. I was just coming to hand you your umbrella, it's supposed to storm. I guess you took my advice and look at Mother not-so Superior, who would've taken her for a bad girl?"

Archie removed his hands from Mother Superior and left her in the hallway so he could catch up with Zelena. She had already begun to make her way out. He grabbed her hand, but she snatched it away. He ran in front of her and stopped her, cornering her by the two walls.

"I was going to tell you and I know if you seen any of that, you know I didn't do anything."

"Obviously, Cricket and there lies the problem! You did nothing. You know, before I passed out... I thought I was ready, to admit that I might have these... feelings. I thought they were mutual. Was I wrong to think that, cricket? Archie, look at me. Was I wrong?"

Archie couldn't look her in the eye. He'd hurt her in the worst way possible and with every passing moment of silence, Zelena's heart would break a little bit more. She tried to hold in the tears, but it was no use. Hot tears began to pour down her face and she could feel her energy and the adrenaline subside. Now, all she could do was cry and she was too weak to try to run away. Not that she could run away from this. Running never worked, she would have to accept defeat. Upon hearing her cries, a nurse rushed to her side and called for another nurse to bring a wheelchair so they could escort her back to her room. Archie watched as they wheeled her away. For a few moments, he stood in silence, but on the inside, his brain and heart was screaming at him. Secrets could only cause pain... The secret hadn't even lasted a full week and it had destroyed whatever chance he had with Zelena.

00

"I knew I should've left her in the ward! This would have never happened. Robin, if I see Dr Hopper again, I swear I will leave nothing but charred remains. Boys, grab your hoodies, it's raining!"

Regina rushed out the door with Merida in hand and grabbed her coat. Roland and Henry followed behind, hopping into Regina's vehicle. Regina sat Merida in her carseat, angrily tightening the straps. Henry had seen her infuriated before, but never like this. Roland on the other hand, had never seen anything quite like it and he held on to Henry for comfort. Robin rushed out the door, closing it behind him. He hopped into the passenger seat beside Regina and grabbed her hand, before she could pull out.

"You know violence isn't the answer, Regina. Keeping her in the ward would've only made things worse. You did the right thing, but other people didn't and you can't blame yourself for that."

Regina sighed in frustration and pulled out to make her way to the hospital. She knew Robin was right but it hadn't made her less upset with the situation. Zelena was supposed to come home today and now she was back in the hospital. Merida had barely seen her mother this past week and had been crying every night. Robin's songs hadn't calmed her down and niether did the formula Regina fed her. Truth be told, everyone was tired, with everything happening in Storybrooke, Regina was hardly ever home, so when she wasn't able to take care of Merida, she'd ask Belle to baby-sit. Belle had a natural way with children and the first moment she had held Merida, the baby stopped crying. Of course, she might leave out that part whenever she talked to Zelena. She was still in that phase where she was particular about who held Merida. It was this time in a baby's life that she formed her deepest bonds. However, Regina couldn't help it when Storybrooke was in danger, which was all the time. If Zelena ever confronted her about it, she would simply remind her of that.

"Okay, we're here... Henry, Roland, I want you guys to be very careful about what you say to Zelena. She's probably won't be feeling well."

"Okay Mom..."

"Yes 'gina!"

Regina smiled as she looked at the boys... She knew they were the best anyone could ask for and to her delight, they were both hers.