Collaboration between Ghost Shadow as Henry, and I as Dr. Faye Stevenson

*~*~*

Henry stepped through the glass doors of the hospital, letting the same sterile air hit him; permeating all his senses. Oh how he [i]hated[/i] hospitals. Nothing but pestilence and death to be found. 

Henry let his music player continue to blare in his ears as he entered the waiting room, unable to help his feet do a bit of rhythmic tapping. However, upon feeling the eyes of perplexed citizens on him, he muttered a quick apology and stopped his music. 

He let his eyes wander to the receptionist's desk, noting the same crusty old woman who was there last time. "Why hasn't she died yet?" Henry muttered under his breath, exasperated. He knew the woman (at least he thought she was a woman), wouldn't let him in past the waiting room - and he wasn't in the mood to sit through her yelling. So he decided to wait - until she left her area at the desk, then he slunk through the double-doors like a shadow, grinning maniacally while doing so. 

Making sure the coast was clear, he walked at a normal pace, trying desperately to find Dr. Stevenson. 

Dr. Stevenson walked quickly around a corner in the hospital's halls, only to end up bumping into a familiar figure. She backed away after bumping into the person and she apologized, "Ah! I'm so sorry, are you alright?" She then took a good look at who exactly she bumped into and realized the person was none other than Henry Carlyle. She greeted hesitantly and slightly embarrassed, "Oh, Mr. Carlyle! Hello,"

"Ello." Henry greeted with a wide grin, this glint in his eyes. "You're just who I've been looking for, doctor." He said in an almost giddy manner. "You know, wanted to chat and whatnot. Didn't see you at the mines this morning, poor shame. You missed the fireman chew out Ruby and Knox before they all went in." He said with a small chuckle. 

Dr. Stevenson raised her eyebrows at his comment and she sighed through her nose a bit. Well, she had to admit, it was sweet of him to come by just to chat, but then she was in the middle of working.
She answered his comment about what she missed, and she answered, "Oh, I've heard all about it though. Word travels fast here, Mr. Carlyle. I even treated Mr. Kowalski's injuries that he got from that rescue mission," 

"Hmm...yes, he didn't look his best when emerging - quite the contrary." Henry added on, scratching his chin. 

"Listen, I've got about five minutes before security realizes I'm [i]not[/i] supposed to be in here and escorts me out of here, with or without a tazer in the process. So, I'll tell ya what: lunch at Granny's, you and me, I'll buy. Sound good?" He offered with an obviously flirty grin. 

Dr. Stevenson smiled at the offer, and she answered as she checked her watch again, to see if she had the time to accept his offer (thankfully, she did), "That sounds lovely. I'll see you at Granny's at 1 then?"
She then looked at him and after he answered, she ushered "Now, hurry out of here, before Mr. Kowalski comes and drags you out of the hospital," 

"Fantastic, it's a date! No - wait...not a date. A luncheon, yes, I like that word better." He stumbled before turning on his heel and hastily walking out the door, putting on his headphones in the process. 

Dr. Stevenson chuckled as she watched him leave before she went back to work. An hour later, she left the hospital and headed for Granny's diner, where she figured that Henry would be waiting for her. She never really came to the diner very often, despite that it was a popular restaurant in Storybrooke.

She entered the diner and looked around to see if Henry was there, or if she was early. 

As if on cue, Henry walked in only a few moments after her; taking off his headphones. "There you are! Glad we can be meeting under more...relaxed circumstances. I hope I didn't cause any ruckus in the hospital." He said with a sheepish smile. 

Dr. Stevenson turned to look at him, at first startled by his sudden appearance and ready to punch him, but she calmed down after a few seconds, and she answered him with a brief and quiet sigh of relief, "Ms. Lezowski was quite upset that someone snuck past her, but other than that, there wasn't much of a ruckus," 

"Well good, grumpy old windbag deserved it." He said cheekily, a mischievous glint in his eye. "But anyways, enough bantering about your less-than-savory coworkers. Let's grab a table, shall we?" He offered cheerily. 

Dr. Stevenson nodded and said in response to his offer, hiding a laugh at the mischief in his eyes, "Of course," She picked a seat by the window, and she sat in the booth, greeting Ruby politely on her way in. She looked to him before she looked at the menu for a brief moment, unsure of what she should order in this restaurant. 

She started the small talk asking Henry, "So, other than the recent earthquake, how do you like Storybrooke so far?" 

"Oh, it's a nice enough little town. It's quaint, quiet peaceful - despite today's events. I quite like it." He leaned in to lower his voice, "People are a bit unfriendly it seems, though." He said with a small smirk, but his eyes were serious. 

Dr. Stevenson raised an eyebrow when he mentioned that people seemed a bit unfriendly, noting that his eyes were serious, despite the smirk. She sighed and said at a normal volume, "That's unfortunate. I guess the people here really aren't used to having guests," 
She then commented, "Though, from what I've heard, Madam Mayor seems to like you a lot. Maybe the rest of Storybrooke will come to like you," 

Henry seemed to shift uncomfortably in his seat at the mention of Regina, a sense of....guilt almost welling in him as he looked at her - not Dr. Stevenson, but Dr [i]Jekyll[/i]. He cleared his mind quickly in order to reply as quickly as possible. 

"The Mayor's an...interesting woman. I wouldn't say we're 'friends'...but she hasn't tried to evict me yet." He said with a hollow smile, hoping Faye would let the topic go.

Faye understood the meaning under his hollow smile and she answered "I see," She then sighed through her nose and she said "Still...be careful. The mayor is much more clever than she appears to be," 

She then left the topic alone and she said "So then, what do you do for a living?"

"Oh believe me, I know." Henry said with a chuckle at Faye's mention of the mayor's intelligence. "Well, I was officially given the job of substitute English teacher at the elementary school. Mason - the boy in the mines, is in my class." He added cheerily, "It's a shame they don't know who his parents are..." he finished almost sadly. 

Faye blinked at his job. She had expected that he would have a job online or something like that. When he mentioned that Mason was a student and nobody knew who his parents were, she thought about it, before she suggested, "Maybe I could have a DNA test done in order to find his parents...but that would require Mason's guardians' permission," 

"Well, that'll certainly be interesting." Henry said in an amused manner, "David Nolan was, illegally, I believe, taking care of him while the school gave him food and clothes. Now Regina has him...a DNA test might be in order, if we can *find* a guardian." He added with a small laugh. 

Faye sighed and said "If Regina has him, then it means I would need Regina's permission," She dreaded the thought of asking the mayor. She figured that the answer may be a resounding no. She looked at the menu and switched topics again, saying, "So...Henry, what do you suggest? I've never really dined here before,"

"Well, that's a good question!" He began with a happy grin, looking at his own menu. "I like to be spontaneous, try something new *every* time, and note: the lasagna here's [i]quite[/i] overrated." He said, lowering his voice at that last sentence in order to avoid Granny's wrath. "I just order what I'm in the mood for, you'll never make a mistake here - well, unless you try and mix Coke with sweet tea...I tried that once; quite heinous indeed." He added absent-mindedly, eyes still locked onto his menu. 

Faye smiled at his comment about the lasagna, and she chuckled. She answered in a low tone as well, "I'll be sure to keep that in mind,"
After deciding on what to order silently, she asked Henry, "What are your hobbies? Your interests?"

"Well, I like playing the piano - pretty bloody good at it, too, if I may say so. I like to read...and talk to people, and also..." he leaned in once again. "I'm a pretty good singer." He finished in an obviously flirtatious tone, offering a small wink to add emphasis. 

Faye blushed a bit noticing the flirtatious tone and wink. She said to Henry, "Well, if that's the case, I'd be happy to hear you sing at least one time. Me, I'm not so good when it comes to music," She wasn't used to flirting, and she felt so awkward when she responded. She looked subtly to see if a waitress was coming to take their order. 

"Well, maybe you'll get the chance one day. I don't wear these headphones for show, you know." He said in a jokingly taunting manner. Deciding to have a bit of fun, he aded, "You're so adorable when you're nervous. This...funny little look in your eyes, I love it." He grinned wider-than-usual, twiddling his thumbs.

Faye blushed even redder when he started complimenting her on her blush and how she had a funny look in her eyes. She tried to answer him, "Oh-Er-Th-Thank you," How was she supposed to respond to that? Was saying thank you the right way to answer that? She cleared her throat, realizing that her co-workers were right when they said that she needed to get out more, and karma was now striking her back for her workaholic tendencies.

She suddenly couldn't help but hear a persistant ringing in her ears, and her mind started to cloud. No...Not here!

Suddenly, an arm seemed to come out of nowhere and placed a plate of onion rings between Henry and Faye, Ruby giving them both an apologetic smile.

"Lunch rush." She said tucking her hair behind her ears, as if that would explain everything. "Onion rings are on me for not getting to you guys quicker. So...what can I get you? Before you say though, we're out of-" Ruby stopped to count on her fingers. "Ice cream, avacado's, cheese, bread and milk..." She gave them a sideways smile, understanding herself that practically meant everything Granny's had to offer. "We have sausages...and...onion rings...sorry..."

Faye gasped, startled by Ruby's sudden appearance as though Faye just woke up from the sound of a loud door slam. She breathed a sigh of relief as Ruby spoke. Thank God for Ruby! If she hadn't come, who knows what kind of disaster her counterpart would've brought upon herself and the others? She swallowed thickly and she answered Ruby politely, "It's alright. I'll have the sausages. Thank you," She thought to herself about how Ruby had absolutely [i]no idea[/i] how grateful Faye was for Ruby's sudden appearance. 

"Those are very specific restrictions!" Henry objected, his tone sounding more whiny than actually angry. "Oh, but very well. I'll just have...more onion rings, I guess, thank you. And your finest carbonated cola beverage!" He added in his usual friendly voice, taking off his glasses and rubbing the lens against his sleeve to clean them. 

Ruby nodded once, committing the overly-simple orders to memory and then left the two to resume their conversation before she had interrupted.

He noted Faye's sudden disposition change, almost as though she was overcome with a terrible feeling or illness. 

"Are you alright, Faye?" He asked in concern, using her first name. He had to strongly resist the urge to put his hand atop hers. 

[i]'She doesn't know you, Chesh. Doesn't know, doesn't know.'[/i] He repeated inwardly to himself, a small frown (an indeed rare expression) curving at his lips. 

Faye heard Henry's voice clearly, and she nodded answering "Yes. Yes, I'm alright. I just had a dizzy spell, that is all," She took in a deep breath and drank from her water bottle. She looked at her watch and she asked in surprise "What? Is that the time already?" She then started gathering her things and she said "I'm terribly sorry Henry. But I have an appointment set, and I can't skip out on it," 

She then said to him, "I enjoyed hanging out with you, and I hope we can meet up again. Thank you, A-Henry..." 
She then hurried out of Granny's, trying to make it seem like she was heading to the hospital, and not to a certain psychiatrist's office. As she walked she thought to herself,
"[i]What was that? I must've suttered...A simple slip of the tonge,[/i]"

Henry forced a fond smile as she bade him farewell, "I enjoyed this too, doctor. Be seein' ya." He said warmly, waiting until she was well out of sight before letting his expression fall to one that could only be described as loneliness. 

He slowly reached for the headphones wrapped around his neck, securing them over his ears before pressing 'Play'. 

He stayed just like that for a few minutes, not paying attention to anyone until a new objective entered his mind: he had to talk to Gold. 

Paying the "lunch" bill, he quickly left the diner, and hastily made his way towards the pawn shop.