A/N: Yay! I haven't written in awhile and now I'm back! Gotta fuel this tiny ship.

"I'm sorry… I-I can't."

"What do you mean, 'you can't?'"

His eyes focused on the streak of scarlet that slashed across her dark hair, desperate for any distraction as he shifted his weight uncomfortably.

"I just don't think it will be a… a good idea."

"A good idea?"

"Yes. You seem very emotionally stable, and I don't think therapy would be a good idea for you."

"Archie, since when did confiding in your friend become a bad idea?"

He flinched slightly at her label of him. He had been her "good friend Archie" for too long. Grasping at straws, he decided half-truths would be the best idea.

"Well, I am your," he struggled with the word, "friend. So it may be hard for me to remain… impartial."

"Bullshit, Archie! Half the patients you see are your good friends!" Despite her anger, he could see the sparkle of budding tears in her eyes. "Why won't you see me?"

"I-I-"

"I've always been there for you! Any time you come in to the diner after a hard day, I'm there with a pot of coffee and a whole lot of sympathy. And now, when I ask you to listen to me once-"

"I can't listen to you talk about him!"

"Him?"

Ruby fought through the surprise at Archie's sudden anger and searched her memory. There were a lot of "him"s. Mostly harmless flirting and drinks she didn't have to pay for, nothing to warrant such an outburst. And even if there was cause for Archie's eruption, she would never expect it from him. He, who had seen her flirt with many a handsome patron at the diner. He, who had been there the night Dr. Whale invited her home for another drink.

Dr. Whale.

She had been talking to Archie at the bar, marveling that he'd set foot in one, when the doctor cut in. After who knows how many rounds of alcohol and bad jokes later, Archie was nowhere to be found. Dr. Whale looped an arm around her waist and requested they deplete his liquor cabinet. Too tipsy to argue, Ruby complied. As she donned her coat, she spied a bespeckled face at the back of the bar wearing an unspeakable expression of sadness and regret.

The same face that was staring at her now. Smoothing out his expression, he composed himself long enough to speak.

"What I meant to say is… I don't want you paying for my friendship."

A knowing smile crossed her face. He wouldn't explain his sadness. Not today. But he didn't have to. That's what made him different than any other man. Ruby would wait for him.

"Come on," Archie grabbed his coat, a small smile taking hold in his expression, "I know where we can find a pot of coffee. And where you can find a whole lot of sympathy."

Their smiles grew wider as she flung herself into Archie's arms.

"Thank you, Arch. You're the best friend I have."

A/N: Let me know what you think! I tried to leave the ending as open to interpretation as possible. Remember to review, please. It takes a couple seconds and keeps me happy for much longer.