The Strange Case of Mr Hyde and His Assistant

Can I Adult Today or Not?!

We finally pulled up at a little shack called Granny's. It was quaint. It had an outside eatery part, a vine covered archway, a cobblestone walk way to the wooden stairs leading to the door, and it was massive. It looked like a bed and breakfast type of deal. It looked inviting though. Busy as can be. I went to get up but I realized I had no idea how to undo this seatbelt. Was it as simple as just pushing that button in to release the belt?
"What do I do? Press this red button to release me?"
I asked looking at Jefferson with a raised brow. He chuckled with a nod.
"You catch on quick"
He said flicking my forehead. I groaned as I swatted his hand away then glared up at him.
"Um...Owe? Dick"
I said with an annoyed smirk, and as I pushed it in, the seatbelt came up. I looked at the door confused but before I had time to figure it out the inside handle was for opening the door, my brother had already opened it
"Here we are princess"
He said smirking.
I shot him a blank stare. He knew exactly why I hated being called that.
"I am not a princess. I've asked you a million times don't call me princess. I'm sorry I'm not used to all of this advanced technology, however I am a quick learner so please be patient. It's just gonna take me some time to get used to it and once I do, I don't need you parading me around and doing things for me, but if it's too much of a nuisance to you-"I was cut off by his voice ringing in.
"Calm down sis, if I can't pick on you then why are we related? I have no problem helping you learn new things here but if I can't poke the bear while I'm doing it then we'll both have a miserable time, now, you just wait till you see the bathrooms. Then you'll really feel clueless. Come on " He laughed amused.
I gave him a look of confusion and a smidge of apprehension as we walked in.
I looked around, not many people I recognized at all. I mean some looked like the everyday faces of the land of untold stories but none that I knew or have ever spoken to enough to remember. I sat at a stool in front of a bar like table.
A short old woman with a sweet smile, white hair, glasses, wearing a light blue dress and an apron came to stand before us and greeted us.
"How ya doing Jeff?My, my, Who's this pretty girl? I don't believe I've seen you around before. Are you one of the new refugees?"
The elderly woman asked with such a bright and contagious smile. I couldn't help but match her smile.
"Oh, god, no, this is my baby sister Jessica. She was in the Land of Untold stories at the time everyone got brought over here. She lucked out though, having family here already, now she has a place to stay"
He said smiling at her. I smiled at my brother with adoration.
"I'm not even a baby. I'm 29!"
I said laughing with an annoyed and embarrassed expression as I shook my head.
"I'm 35, so you're still my baby sister to me"
He responded smirking. I shook my head, accepting defeat with a groan.
"Oh well welcome to Storybrooke dear. I do apologize the lack of room here. We're all a bit overwhelmed by the giant mass of new faces in our small town. Emma and Regina may have to whip up some more land for all of these people"
She said looking guilty. I smiled, holding my hand up and shaking my head
"Nonsense! You're doing the best you can with what you have and that's all that matters. Now. I just have to locate a friend before I settle in....after lunch I need to grab a new outfit because I can't have a respectable conversation with him looking like I've been sleeping in a ditch"
I said biting my lip as I looked myself over to see my dress dirty, tattered and torn, some leaves even clinging to the fabric at the hem.
"Well my granddaughter left a while ago to be with the one she loves, she left all of her clothes here, and you look about her size and style, I can show you her room after you eat if you'd like to take anything. She told me to get rid of it to make room for others but.. well I just miss her so much I can't bring myself to do it, however giving it to someone I known in need of clothing would make me happier than just getting rid of it all"
She said smiling. I smiled excitedly as I rubbed my palms together.
"That'd be wonderful, I shall wear them with pride and gratitude. Thank you so much, ma'am"I said brightly as I placed my hand on top of hers.
"No problem!You seem like a sweet girl, you have to be with a troublesome young man like him for a brother"
She said smirking looking at my brother. I laughed as his jaw dropped.
"Uh, excuse me, I've been quite behaved the last few years or so"
He said in defence with a playful smirk as he crossed his arms.
"I'm only kidding, so, I'm sure you're starving after that whole ordeal dear, what can I get you two?"
She sassed as she pulled out a pen and paper from her apron. I looked at brother with a raised brow, not sure what to even order, but he just smiled.
"We'll take the egg special and could you make her that mocha granny joe?"
He asked smirking as he shot me a side eye. She smiled and looked at me deviously.
"Coffee virgin?"
She asked with a light laugh.
"Ohh yeah. Her world is about to change"
He responded amused. I rolled my eyes, growing impatient of the mystique.
"Hey, I can't try this if you two keep playing these word games"
I said blushing as we all laughed
"That'll be right up, what are you having to drink Jefferson?"
She asked
"I'll just take some tea, two sugars"
He said and she nodded rolling her eyes
"Why did I even ask"
She said chuckling as she walked off. I pulled out the bracelet again looking down at it in my lap sadly.
We weren't that far from each other... how could he have gotten so far from me.. was he even looking for me like I was? Did he even care?I ran my thumb across the doe's silver head with my heart feeling low.
He has to care somewhat to give me this..right?
"What's that?"
My brother asked making me gasp and shove it back in my dress pocket.
"Nothing. Mind your business"
I said nervously with a bit of irritation, not wanting to talk about it any further but that's just not in my brothers nature.
"I literally just looked at it for a good 30 seconds...I saw it fully well...so who gave you that bracelet? Has to be someone special if you're running your thumb over it looking like someone just shot your puppy"
He asked with a raised brow and a smirk.
I shot him a glare before I gave in and sighed, pulling it from my back and looking at the little doe charm again, running my thumb and index over the doe.
"My friend....my boss"
I said blushing, keeping my eyes on anything but my brother. He was quick to judge.
"Jessica no...you fell in love with you boss?"
He asked making me glare at him with a raised brow.
"Hey! I never said I was in love! Don't put words in my mouth!"
I snapped, with a blushed face. He laughed, pointing at me as he held his ribs.
"I've seen that look on your face before...come in Jess be real, the last one ended by the hands of..you know..wasn't it? Why would you ever want to open up and let your walls down again for someone ?"
He said sadly as he put his hand on my shoulder but I swatted him away and darted outside to get some air. The air was chilly but just what I needed to catch my breath ironically.
My eyes glassed up...my brother never really was good with girls... let alone emotions...
Just because he refuses to open up to anyone again after what happened to Alice...doesn't mean I have to..
Hyde chose to spare my life and allow me to give him my services and loyalty to him.. he could have killed me then and there. He could have let me starve.. instead he protected me...From himself.. his other self.. he's cared for me for years now.. it was only natural I fell for him eventually.. He was handsome.. and careful. He was calculated and made sure to document anything he could so Jekyll couldn't throw him off. He was kind to his prisoners. He truly was a noble and fair man. To the ones who deserved it. They all had good food, recreation time, unlimited amounts of books and art and music, classes to rehabilitate and teach a prisoner how to live an honest life, then once they got out, Mr. Hyde would always have a job lined up for them to keep them out of trouble. Any prisoner who didn't behave, simply would go into the dungeon and their privileges were revoked. It started with a week, and anything worse you would get added time down there. The prisoners learn quick how good they have it once they go down there. Some are willing to change others...well like I said.. Hyde is a fair man. No matter what..
However as noble and good of a man he is, he's just as complicated. I know about his late love, the one Jekyll killed and like a coward, changed himself into Hyde so he would take the blame,leaving him and his pathetic lesser half to run in exile. This is how he found the Land of Untold stories. His had to stop because Jekyll was cruel and selfish. That's when he realized he wasn't the only one who needed to run from their messed up life. Just like me, just like all of us who got brought to Storybrooke. He was trying to save us all from the pain and suffering he went through in his own life. This is why I loved him the most. All the pain and stress he puts himself through just to make sure the people of our land were thriving. Though we were in a dying land and as best as he tried nobody can truly survive in a dying land so that's why he brought us all here. I just hope this would bring everyone happiness. I know that would make him happy...
I can't help but wonder though...do I ever make him happy?
"Hey, sis I'm sorry. I crossed a line, I know that"
Jeff came and sat down at the table I had sat at, lost in thought.
"I just don't appreciate you talking about him like he meant nothing brother."
I said looking up at him with a saddened expression.
"I just don't want to see you get hurt again. You've been through so much already and I just worry you fell for him because he got you out of a shitty situation and death. After everything you've been through why would you want to take that chance to feel pain again?"
I looked up at the sky, then over to Jeff.
"I understand your reservations brother, but just because you are afraid to open your heart up again, doesn't mean I am. Maybe there's something wrong with me, maybe I'm in love with love..but.. you don't know Mr. Hyde like I do so please just drop it. He has no idea of my feelings and I intend to keep it that way so please let it be brother. If I get hurt.. well that's a risk I'll take when I'm ready to"
Jeff's brows raised and his mouth fell open, causing me to feel more confused
"What?"
I asked with an annoyed raised brow
"Your boss is Mr. Hyde? Is that a joke?"
Jed said as Granny walked up and awkwardly put down our drinks. I took the drink, that was thankfully in a to go cup...
"Um...food will be up shortly"
Granny said, feeling the heavy atmosphere and awkwardly walking back inside.
"You clearly don't understand. I have to find my friend. Thanks for your help brother but I've gotta-"
I stood up, attempting to walk away, but he stopped me, grabbing my arm gently.
"Okay okay! I'm sorry. I overstepped. Look, I know you loved him, there's gotta be a good reason. Even if he is a deranged madman, I shouldn't of made you feel bad about that, I'm sorry sis"
He said genuinely. I sighed pulling myself together.
"He is not a deranged madman. I don't know why you think he's so bad. It's Jekyll who's the madman. Look, I have to eat and change quick...I have to find him. We have business to discuss. I do work for him still, after all"
I said sitting back down slowly as I looked around our surroundings. Not a single face I recognized.
"Your boss has been pretty busy in your absence since he's been here"
He asked with a raised brow as he sipped his tea.
"Has he now? Mmm this is really good!"
I said sipping more. What a delicious chocolaty drink! It was so rich and creamy and seemed to give me a burst of energy I so desperately needed. He smiled knowingly at me.
"I knew you'd love it....okay so here's a basic tour map of our town, call me when you want to get picked up. Once you learn your way around town I'll teach you how to drive"
He said as our plates were set in front of us.
There was eggs, bacon, and toast. I smiled happily, seeing such good looking food after eating the bare minimum for a year.
"This looks like royalty"
I said as I picked up my fork and dug in. I groaned in bliss the food was delicious. Granny chuckled, pleased with the delight of her cooking.
"I see you like the cooking"
She laughed. I smiled giving a thumbs up as I chewed.
"My god. Have you no table manners?"
Jeff asked looking at me up and down with embarrassment.
"Forgive me brother, I haven't eaten in what feels like days. I don't know how long I was in that cell before I was here and I'm missing time"
I said touching my head after taking a drink of my coffee.
"It'll probably come back to you once you talk to the ones you were with last. Are you walking around the town once you've changes into new clothes?"
Jeff asked me, to which I just nodded back at him as I chewed and wiped my face with a napkin.
"Might as well learn my way around while the sun is still high"
I said smiling as I finished my plate, wiping my mouth with my napkin and sighed happily.
"Delicious"
I spoke with joy.
"If you'd like, before exploring, you can grab clothes and take a shower at the house..you have... twigs in your hair"
He said pulling out a twig from my hair. I shot him a blank stare.
"Thanks for waiting till now to pull that out of my hair. Some brother you are"
I said embarrassed as I tried to comb out my hair with my fingers in a haste.
"I'm sorry, I didn't see it until now!...-sigh- Do you want a shower or not?"
He asked, smiling with annoyance at his baby sister.
"Is that like a bath?"
I asked tilting my head to the side. We had baths but no showers. I think I've heard of them where water sprays over your head like a waterfall of some sort but we had no running water like that in the land of untold stories so we had to make artificial water in the lab. It was quite a godsend when Hyde and I finally had the breakthrough. Of course it required a little magic, thanks to some of Hyde's guards having a gem to go to other lands, with his approval of course so we could bring back magic water. As long as we kept it in our well, it was ever flowing. Hyde hated that we used magic but it was for the sake of our people who inhabited it.
"Yea, You just stand in the tub and water sprays all over you. It's cleaner and more convenient that way. Plus, you're not sitting in a bath of your own dirt"
He said excitedly, which I nodded in understanding with a laugh.
"Alright then, sounds nice, I should go grab some clothes and things first though"
I said as Granny walked up to take our plates away. Jeff followed inside to pay the bill as Granny led me upstairs.
My jaw dropped at all the stuff that was here. It was all so cute!
"Red just left this stuff behind?"
I asked in amazement, walking up to a jewelry box with a wolf on it. I opened it and saw red rings and ear rings. She has a makeup desk. I looked at her mirror, seeing photos of her and some people I have yet to know. I smiled at that. She seemed to have a pretty full life here. I looked around her room to take it all in for a moment. She really made it feel like her spot in here. She had a big bed with black sheets and red fuzzy blanket. I saw a stuffed wolf animal in the bed. Her floors were a red wine/burgandy wood, her closet was not only walk in, but the doors were full length mirrors with lights wrapped around them. She had a big 8 drawer dresser and her sneakers, boots, heels, and sandals were on a shoe rack built into her closet, next to her  dresser, in a perfect line. She was very organized. Unlike me.
"Yea my granddaughter was quite a fashionista. But where she went, unfortunately she can't come back she has no way to that is. But she left me a magic mirror so we FaceTime every night"
Granny laughed which made me laugh awkwardly because what the hell is FaceTime?
"Everything is up for grabs...you know, if you'd like to work for me, you could live in here, but I wouldn't be offended if you got your own place either once you're established well here"
Granny said making me smile.  Y heart felt warm hearing that. She truly was a sweetheart. Red was lucky. She must have really been in love and torn to have to leave her behind. By the looks of it it was a sudden decision as well.
"That's so sweet of you, love. I want to reconnect with my brother and niece for a while but if my boss doesn't have work for me, I may be back. I appreciate the offer. Thank you for making me feel so welcome so quickly. I'm not used to such kindness, I'm in your debt"
I said smiling over to her while she stood by the door and smiled back
"Of course dear! Maybe you just remind me of her a little bit, but you do seem like a sweet girl. Welcome to Storybrooke dear. I hope to see you again soon. I'll leave you to it, I have hungry customers to assist"
She said smiling and walked out the room.
There was at least a month's worth of laundry, which was more than enough for me so I bagged it up and walked down stairs
"Shall we?"
I asked smiling at my brother as I stood before him now. He was at least a foot and a half taller than me. Damn beanstalk.
"Yes we shall shorty"
He said placing a green piece of paper that read 50 on the counter and waving to Granny. Must be the currency here. Paper....
"Thanks for everything Granny!"
I said waving as she waved back
"Anytime dear!"
With that, we left.
He helped me in the car and I buckled my own seatbelt this time and we drove to his house. It was a small one story, but remote and inviting. A cream colored house with red roses bushes on either side of his porch where his front door lead. He had a conjoined garage as well, so he pulled the jeep into his garage and clicked a button, the garage door closing.
"Okay, I am impressed. You have a tiny house for your car too? Now that's real magic"
I smiled opening the door myself and grabbing the bag.
He just shook his head and laughed at me
"That's mechanics. You're living in an advanced industrial world now Jess. Things are a lot more convenient here. You're gonna love it now come on"
Jeff opened a door inside the garage, that led to a den with a fire place a little ways in front of and to the right of me, directly to my left was a bathroom and a laundry room. Then directly in front of me I could see a hallway with multiple doors, a living room, dining room and kitchen.
"Just set your bags down right here and I'll show you where your room is after you meet someone"
He said smirking at me. I raised my brow
"No way, she's-"
A little blonde girl that came up to my hip ran up to me and brother
"Daddy!"
She said excitedly, jumping in his arms.
He picked her up and threw her up in the air a bit making her laugh and me a bit nervous.
"Hello princess, do you know who this is?"
He asked as he held her in his arms. She looked at me, who was smiling happily at her, then back at Jeff, then back at me.
"She looks famleer but I don't know Daddy"
She had tried to say familiar, which I thought was not only cute but impressive
"This is Daddy's younger sister, your Aunt Jessica. She just arrived in our world rather unexpectedly today, but she's here to stay and she loves you very very much"
He said kissing her head. I smiled, nodding my head as my eyes got glassy. Her golden hair.. my god she was the spitting image of Alice. She was so beautiful.
"I really do love you. I'm sorry it took this long to get to you little one. I got a little lost but I really am here to stay. I've waited so long to meet my little niece. And what a beautiful girl you've grown to be too. You look just like your mommy"
I said giggling.She smiled at me. Jeff smiled but I could see it hurt to think about her.
"Oh!Okay!Hi Aunt Jessica!"
She said and literally jumped in my arms.
"Oh!
"I said in surprise, dropping my to the floor once I spun to keep from tumbling over with her.
"Gracie!Be careful!"
Jeff said worriedly
"I'm sorry Daddy! I just got so excited because our family just grew!"
She said hugging me around the neck. I giggled happily as I cuddled her in my arms
"You're literally so perfect...I can't wait for you to meet my friend..hopefully his appearance doesn't scare you"
I said giggling. Jeff raised a brow at me.
"Does he look like a monster?"
She asked with wide eyes
"Yeah Jess is he okay to be around kids? I mean...this is my daughter and I trust you, but I don't know this guy"
Jeff said crossing his arms making me laugh
"No, he just looks a little intimidating, a tad rough around the edges, and he keeps his walls up because he's afraid to get close to anyone, but he has a scar and his right eye is a little damaged but he's a rather sweet kind man, especially to all children"
I said smiling at her
"Well...if you trust him I trust you but one wrong move and he's going in the hat"
Jeff pulling out his hat. I gave him a blank stare, stuck on stupid that he both had the hat still and threatened to put Hyde in it.
"I thought you said something about it getting destroyed in a letter?"
I said standing up now with a raised brow and a hand on my hip.
"I made a new one! Compliments of Regina for destroying it"
He said smiling
"Regina...the evil Queen? She's here too? Oh great"
I said rolling my eyes.
"Yeah she's actually not so evil now. She's actually a really good woman now. You have to meet her at some point..maybe she can help with some...past....aggressions"
He said scratching his head smiling nervously.
"Oh yeah we'll have loads to talk about"
I said smirking as I rolled my eyes.
"Well then I can't wait to meet him!Where is he?"
She asked looking around. I giggled at her.
"I'm not sure yet, we got separated when we were moved here, after a shower I'll go find him"
I said holding her to me
"Okay!I'm gonna go play now!"
She said and wiggled down, running off making my heart feel warm and fluttery.
"How old is she?"
I asked sitting on the floor as I watched her play sith some connectable blocks (legos, remember, she is from a different world)
"She's 7. She's brilliant isn't she"
He said smiling as we watched her.
"She's so smart for her age...Alice would of been...so so proud"
I said smiling as I watched her play with her dolls.
"I think so too...when I first got her back I didn't know how to raise a girl...not a clue. I wished for so many nights you or Alice were here because I had no idea what I was doing..hell I still don't..so I'm hoping you...stay here with me and help me raise her because..I haven't even had that talk with her about mother nature and a certain age of a girl..how am I supposed to tell her about that?!When did you first get...that"
He made a disgusted face making me laugh
"Relax. You probably have another 2 years at the earliest. Most girls don't get it till 11 to eve 14 sometimes, Granny offered me Red's room but I want to stay here, at least until I find my own story here, but I will have that talk with her now since I'm back and it could happen soon..not right now but I will talk to her"
I said smiling up at my brother. He put an arm around my shoulder.
"Thank you sis"He said smiling down at me. I smiled back up at him.
"And I was 9 when I got mine"
I added, making him snap his head at me
"What?!"
"Alright enough of this mushy crap.Where's the bathroom?"
I asked standing now.
"Right, this way"
He groaned as we walked past Gracie in the living room and walked down a hallway. He stopped at a door to his right.
"Here you go"
He opened the door turning on the light. The bathroom looks weird. It had tiles and there was no tub!Only a door and a weird looking thing at the top of the shower. There was a sink and toilet, that I recognized, but the shower was weird, to say the least.
"What are those?"
I asked pointing to the knobs on the wall under the...shower..head?
"Okay, it gets a little tricky so pay attention"
"Alright"
I said following him to the shower
"Door opens and closes by sliding it, now the left is hot water, and the right is cold. You turn both of them inward to the faucet here, and once you've felt the right temperature you'd like to shower in, you pull the tab right here on the faucet and-"
The water that was coming out of the faucet was now coming out of....out of....
"What is that called, so I know?"
I asked pointing to the thing spraying water
"It's called a shower head. Here, over here there's girly shampoo I got for Gracie. This one is strawberry cream, and this one smells like green apples"
He said showing me
He handed me a washcloth.
"The soap is right here, you can smell like cherry blossom, or you can smell like soap"
He pointed at the bottles on the shower rack.
"I guess I'll go with cherry blossom"
I laughed.
"I figured you would....did you need anything to shave with?"
He asked. I blushed
"Um...I mean...yes?"
I said confused. He nodded with a sigh.
"Should have thought of that. Be right back"
He said and walked out. 5 minutes later, he came back with a pink razor
"Had to run across the street to my neighbors which is pretty far but I got you a razor"
He panted, handing it to me. I examined it seeing it unused and clean.
"Excellent. Thank you brother. I'll take it from here"
I said and he nodded closing the door behind me.
I undressed until I was nude and stepped in the shower. The hot water felt amazing. I sighed happily letting the water hit me...he was right..this was better than a bath.... I started washing my hair, he told me to let it sit while I washed my body and shaved that way it had time to clean my hair. I quickly washed my body and then shaved all over,pricking myself a few times, till I was smooth as butter and rinsed my hair. I was in the shower for a total of 20 minutes. I dried my hair with a towel and dressed in a white t-shirt with a red scarf, black stockings, and short short blue jean shorts. I also slipped on a pair of her bright red heels. I looked at myself satisfied as I slipped on a black leather jacket as well. I walked out the bathroom satisfied and saw Gracie and brother in the living room.
"You look....really good baby sis"
He said looking me up and down with a loving smile. I brushing a strand of hair behind my ear, feeling bashful.
"Thanks, wish I had a bit of makeup though, I feel a tad plain"
I said biting my lip.
"You look fine, you don't need makeup, but if you insist, I'm gonna take you to Emma, the savior in our town, she should know where exactly your friend is..she helped me find Gracie and I'm sure her and her mom Snow White know where to get makeup"
He said standing up. He kissed Gracie's head
"Come on Gracie, we're taking Aunt Jess to see Emma"
He said taking her hand
"Okay Daddy!"
She said and we got in his jeep. Jeff strapped Gracie in what was called a carseat to protect her, and we left. He took me to a big white house and looked at me
"I'll see you later then, she's expecting you, don't worry"
He said smirking.
"Alright thanks! I'll see you later"
I said and got out.