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

*~*~*~*

Faye walked to Granny's from the the heart of the town, where the hospital was setting up the game booth for Miners' Day, and after she entered, she took a seat at a booth, setting down a duffel bag next to her. While at Granny's, she looked around wondering if she would see Henry here. 
 
As if on cue, the soft but audible [i]ring[/i] of the door bell sounded as Henry walked through; the crisp cold air cutting through the air-conditioned environment of the diner like a sharp blade until the door closed behind him, keeping the wicked wind from permeating any further. 
 
At first not seeing Faye at the booth, Henry promptly removed his gloves; stuffing them in his coat pocket as he loosened the scarf around his neck. His eyes drifted across the restaurant until landing on her, staying locked there for a few moments. Though it was quite obvious he wanted to approach, something held him back: fear, apprehension maybe, possibly even shame. 
 
Dr. Stevenson quickly noticed him after the bell rang and when his eyes landed on her, she quickly looked out of the window, as though she hadn't been looking at him to begin with. She could hear the whispers coming from the other customers who noticed Henry enter the diner. She never really read the town newspaper, because she knew that it was biased in Regina's favor. 
 
She noticed that some people left after Henry entered, and there were fewer customers in the diner. She shook her head and she leaned back into the booth seat. 
 
Henry watched everyone leave with almost apathetic disinterest, but it didn't take a doctor to notice the pain that hid in his eyes. He let his head cock to look at Faye once again, rapping his fingers against his leg as he seemed to debate speaking to her or not. He had no other choice. 
 
"I need your help." He said aloud to her, not letting his eyes leave hers for a moment. 
 
Faye looked up to him when he came over, and after he said that he needed her help. She nodded and she stated while gesturing to the empty booth seat, opposite to hers, and she offered, showing that she was willing to listen, "Why don't you take a seat?"
 
She noticed the pain in his eyes and the fact that he had a suitcase in hand. She can guess as to what his problem may be.
 
Henry muttered a quiet "Thank you" and walked over, sliding into the opposite booth and managing a small smile, though it was hollow - not [i]his[/i] smile. "Hello." He said simply, clasping his hands together before relaying his issue. 
 
"Regina's evicting me." He said, not caring to use the mayor's proper title. "She's lost the court case and she knows it, so she's pulling every last string she has to keep me out. I need somewhere to stay, and I was wondering if...." He trailed off, though it was quite obvious what he was asking the doctor. 
 
"If you wanted to stay in my home," She finished his question for him. She seemed to think over it for a moment, and she answered "Yes. However there is a condition. Are you going to be ok with the fact that my home has video cameras as part of its security system? The cameras are not in the bathrooms or guest bedroom,"
 
Henry couldn't restrain an audible sigh of relief, his shoulders seeming to relax slightly. "Faye, I can't...I can't thank you enough for this." He said with a warm smile, his [i]true[/i] smile. 
 
On the question of a security system, his expression turned to one of slight confusion for a moment, but settled back down. "Yes, that's fine. I've nothing to hide." He reassured. 
 
Faye seemed to be a little relieved as well when he said that he would be fine and that he had nothing to hide. She said "Good, good," After she stated that, the waitress brought her lunch, and left after Faye thanked her, but before Faye could ask the waitress to take Henry's order.
 
She then said "Also...there was something I hoped you could help with," She then asked "But first things first, have you ever heard of Miners' Day?"
 
"Yes, of course, it's been the talk of the town - besides me." He said, finishing with an almost bitter tone to his voice. "Are you helping there?" He asked curiously. 
 
Faye nodded and said "Yes, in a way. As Head Doctor, I'm having Storybrooke Hospital run a fundraiser on Miners' Day. We will be raising funds for research into ALS, so we will be running a little game booth on Miners' Day. The game will be the classic dunking game, where someone will be dropped into a tank of water if they hit a bulls-eye. The thing is...we need someone to be dropped into the tank...and no one's volunteered for the position,"
 
She finished the explanation awkwardly, knowing how unappealing the idea may sound to Henry.
 
"I see..." Henry replied, sounding quite perplexed. "Very well, I'll be your guinea pig." He said with a huff, running a hand through his hair. Under regular circumstances, he would have most likely made a joke about her wanting to see him soaked - but times were awkward and cold now, and he presumed it would remain like that for some time...
 
Faye smiled kindly and she said in response to his answer, with a sigh of relief, "Thank you," She then said "Hopefully, this will be able to help you a little more as well,"
 
"I certainly hope so." He replied, letting his eyes drift off out the window to look out at the street. "So..." he began almost awkwardly, "Howya been?" He asked in a conversational enough tone, turning to look at her once again. 
 
Faye answered awkwardly, "I've been well. I haven't blacked out in a week, so that's good," She wanted to ask how he was doing, but she knew better. She probably would have a hard time going through with the town hating her as well. 
 
"Well, that's good. I'm happy for you." He said friendly enough, though still seeming distant. "I uh--I missed talking to you." He said, sounding almost...nervous; a trait uncommon with him, [i]especially[/i] when talking to others, which he was especially good at. 
 
She noticed the nervous tone in his voice, and she knew that that was uncommon. She nodded in response while biting her bottom lip and she answered in agreement, "It has been a while since we last spoke, hasn't it?" 
 
"Indeed it has." Henry replied, purposefully dodging the altercation in the hospital that strictly limited their interaction. "So...when's your work day over?" He asked curiously, more and more confidence entering his voice. 
 
Faye answered simply, the awkwardness gone as she spoke, "Today's Miner's Day. I'm free except for the fundraiser," She then looked at her watch and she stated, "Speaking of which, we should head there, and get you on your throne," She joked at the last bit as she stood up and waited for Henry to do the same.
 
 "Oh, I see!" Henry exclaimed, looking at his own pocketwatch he kept safely secured in his suit jacket pocket. "Yes, I suppose we should. Do you have any spare clothes or a...hairnet?" He asked, placing a hand on his, admittedly well-styled hair, adding emphasis. 
 
 Faye answered Henry, showing him the small duffel bag she brought with her, "Yes, there are spare clothes in here...and there's a swimming cap in there too," 
 
"Sounds good." He acknowledged, rising up from his own spot at the table. "Well, let it never be said that I denied having a bit of fun. Shall we be off?" He asked warmly, hiding his excitement of being able to actually [i]stay[/i] with Heather...or Faye longer than a few minutes.