We're All Mad Here (Jefferson x OC)

Chapter Eight

"Rumpelstiltskin?" Jefferson searched for The Dark One as he carried Serena through the castle. He turned down a hallway, finding a set of doors. The doors to the library flew open as he rushed in, looking around frantically before his eyes landed on The Dark One himself.

"You're here earlier than expected." He said, not bothering to look up from the straw he was spinning into gold. "You said you would be here within the next few days."

"That's not important." Jefferson responded as Rumpel finally turned to him. He gave the hatter a confused look as he stepped forward.

"When I said "bring her to me," I didn't mean unconscious." He said as Jefferson sighed. "May I ask what happened?"

"Something in Wonderland." The brunet practically growled as he held Serena closer to him. He took a deep breath before continuing. "Something in Wonderland made her sick." Rumpel nodded and motioned for him to bring her over.

Jefferson hesitated, unsure what Rumpel was going to do. Rumpel rolled his eyes with a scoff and with a flick of his wrist, Serena disappeared from Jefferson's arms. He looked up at The Dark One in confusion, making Rumpel groan.

"You had a job, bring her to me." He reminded Jefferson. "You held up your end of the deal. I'm going to assume you failed to retrieve the Clock of Evermore. Instead, help yourself to as much gold as you deem appropriate."

"What about Serena?" Jefferson asked as Rumpel turned back to his spinning wheel. Rumpelstiltskin continued to look at the straw, not bothering to turn back to him. A small smirk appeared on his face at Jefferson's question.

"What about her?"

"You're not going to let her die, are you?"

"If I can't find her true love, yes."

"What do you mean?"

"She's no use to me if she's dead." Rumpel answered. "And she won't survive without true loves kiss." He faked a gag after the words 'true loves kiss.'

"Is there any way to find her true love?" Jefferson asked as Rumpel sighed. "There has to be something right?"

"How is this your business?" He responded, sending a glare in the hatter's direction. "What happens to her is of no importance to you." Jefferson bit the inside of his cheek, holding back the argument he wanted to start.

An argument he knew he wouldn't win.

"Is there any other way to help her?" He pressed, knowing if he continued to ask, Rumpel would eventually give him some other answer. "There can't be just one cure. Not in all the realms, at least."

"There's no known cure in any realm." Rumpel sighed, pressing his hands to his lap. He was getting annoyed, but he knew Jefferson wasn't going to give up. And he was counting on that. "If there was, it wouldn't be a very powerful curse."

"What about Victor? He might know how to help her." Jefferson suggested as he took a step forward. "You said it yourself, she's no use to you if she's dead."

"Alright, I'll make you a deal." Rumpel turned to him with a smirk. "If you find a way to wake her, she's free to go, but you give me a strand of your hair and hers."

"And if I fail?"

"Then I send her dead body to her sister's doorstep."

"These last few days have been exhausting." Sam groaned as she walked with Emma and Henry to the bus stop. She had stayed up most of the night reading Henry's story book. She hadn't even realized how late it was until she fell asleep.

"Tell me about it." Emma sighed, tying her hair back. Sam had woken up in an uncomfortable position since she had fallen asleep reading the story book. Emma had called a few minutes after, so Sam had to dress quickly.