We're All Mad Here (Jefferson x OC)

Chapter Fifty-Four

After Regina had left, Serena walked down an empty hallway back to her room. Her skin crawled as she felt eyes on her, even though there was no one around. She brushed it off and kept walking until she heard the sound of armor clinking.

She turned to see a guard standing behind her, stopping and giving her a bow. "I'm sorry. You scared me." She said with a nervous laugh. "Are you new here? Usually the guards announce themselves in my presence."

The guard pulled off his helmet, revealing Prince James, or Prince Charming as Snow White knew him. The man that both Regina and King George were after. "Forgive me, your Highness. Snow White asked me to find you. She thinks you might be able to help us."

"With what?"

"We're trying to take down the Queen." He explained to her. "Snow said that you know what your sister's planning."

"You want me to spy on my sister?" She asked him, moving closer. "You don't think she'll notice?"

"She trusts you." He answered, seeing her hesitation. "She won't suspect anything if you were helping Snow. Snow thinks you're the key to ending her reign of terror. I don't see it, but if she thinks you can help us, then I'm willing to give you a chance."

"What? You think I'm just as evil as her?" Serena crossed her arms over her chest. "Regina wasn't always a bad person. Once, she was kind and raised me to see the good in the world. I won't help with anything if it ends with her death."

"We might not have a choice." James sighed. "We can't put the safety of the kingdom at risk by keeping her alive. But that's not up to me. Snow knows what she wants to do. She's given me some details that she wants to share with you, but I can't tell you here."

"Put your helmet on and come with me." She looked around, glad there weren't any mirrors nearby. "It will cover your face until we get somewhere safe. Don't speak to anyone." He nodded and put the helmet on before following her down the hallway.

She wasn't sure why she was helping him. There was so much more at risk than just her life. If Regina found out and killed her, Grace wouldn't have anyone to protect her. Serena had to think of Grace.

She had put too much at risk. But if Snow won, Serena wouldn't have to live in fear of Regina. She could find a way to get Jefferson back and they would never have to worry about Regina coming after them.

That could only happen if Snow succeeded in taking back the throne. If there was a small chance that Serena could help her, then she would have her family back. She would get to see Snow again while being reunited with her family.

-Storybrooke-

Jefferson let out a quiet sigh as Sam snuggled into his chest, finally feeling some sort of peace since her breakdown earlier that day. After getting her some food, Jefferson stayed with her to make sure she was okay.

He hated to see her cry that much, but he knew that she had been holding in all the stress of everything that had been going on. A wave of guilt washed over him since he just made everything worse.

At this point, he was sure the only reason she let him stay was because she was too exhausted to push him away. She still didn't fully trust him, which he knew that he didn't deserve her trust. He wanted to make it up to her. This was a start.

He had been walking near the cemetery when he saw her, realizing something was wrong very quickly. He knew her better than anyone, so he knew by the blank look on her face that her mind was getting too much for her.