Hello, It's Mrs. Hyde

Current time-Ch.14: Follow the Red Thread

Jessica (Narration):
*"And now here I am...
barefoot, scratched, and covered in twigs,
standing at my brother's door
Like a lost forest creature.
I was many things.
Powerful.
Dangerous.
Mad.
On occasion.
But in this moment,
I was just
The Mad Hatter's little sister."*

The door opened before she could knock again.
Jefferson stood there, frozen mid-motion, eyes wide.
"...Jess?"
She blinked up at him, breathless, half-covered in leaf litter and magic residue. "Hi."
He reached out instinctively, brushing pine needles out of her hair. "What—where did you—" His eyes scanned her clothes, the scratch on her cheek, her bare feet. "Are you—?"
"Alive?" she smirked. "I think so. Still piecing that together."
Jeff pulled her inside so fast she nearly tripped over the threshold.
He slammed the door behind her and spun, his voice low and sharp. "What kind of trouble are you stirring up now?"
Jessica blinked, caught off guard. "What? I just got here—"
"Well your little boyfriend boss tried to take over Storybrooke this morning!"
She stared. "He what?"
"Yeah," Jeff said, pacing toward the couch, rubbing his temples. "Rolled in like a storm. Had a deal with Rumplestiltskin — some dark spell, full display. Emma, Regina, Hook, Snow, Charming— they all showed up and threw him into a cell."
Jessica's jaw dropped.
"That all happened today?"
Jefferson glanced at the clock. "It's 4:30 PM. You must've hit your head on the landing. Again."
There was a pause.
Jessica's mouth opened and closed. Then her cheeks flushed, bright pink. "He's not my boyfriend," she snapped. "He's my boss. I'm his assistant. Loyal colleague. Nothing more."
Jeff raised both brows, biting back a smirk. "Sure. Just your boss. Who you crossed multiple worlds for. Who you trust with your life. Who you're blushing over right now—"
"I am not—!"
"You are."
Jessica groaned and flopped down on the couch, burying her face in her hands.
"...I might fancy him," she mumbled.
Jeff laughed, loud and full of life. "Gods, it's worse than I thought."
Jessica peeked through her fingers. "Rumplestiltskin separated us. Mid-spell. That's why I'm alone."
Jeff's expression sobered.
"But I still knew how to find you," she added softly, lifting her chin.
He stepped forward, gently pulling her into a hug. It wasn't dramatic or tearful. Just grounding. Familiar.
"Welcome home, Jess."

Later — Jefferson's Home
The next hour passed in a blur of comfort.
Jessica showered, scrubbing the dirt and magic residue from her skin, letting hot water run through her hair for what felt like the first time in years. She wrapped herself in one of Jefferson's oversized shirts and sat cross-legged on the couch as Gracie, wide-eyed and giddy, introduced herself as if meeting a fairytale come to life.
Jessica could hardly speak through the lump in her throat. The last time she'd seen Gracie, she had barely even been born.
Now she was beautiful. Confident. Brilliant. Just like Alice.
After school drop-off, Jefferson took her to Granny's Diner.
The bell over the door chimed as they entered, and the warm smell of coffee and cinnamon hit her like nostalgia in a place she'd never known.
Granny raised an eyebrow at them from behind the counter.
"Jefferson. Who's your guest?"
"My sister," Jeff said proudly. "Jessica."
Granny blinked. "The Jessica?"
Jessica gave a polite wave. "Apparently."
Granny cracked a smile. "Well then. Coffee's on me."
They sat near the window, steaming mugs between them, plates of eggs and toast halfway gone before Jeff leaned in.
"So," he said, nudging her elbow. "What were you doing running around with a guy like Hyde?"
Jessica rolled her eyes. "Looks can be deceiving."
Jeff scoffed. "He tried to take over the town, Jess. Hours ago."
She shrugged. "It's part of the plan."
Jeff raised an eyebrow. "Right. Because your plans always go so smoothly."
Jessica elbowed him in return. "Don't make me enchant your tea."
As he rubbed his arm, he caught sight of the silver charm bracelet on her wrist.
His expression shifted. "What's that?"
Jessica stiffened. "Nothing."
Jeff pointed. "It's a doe. That's a gift."
"It's for doing a damn good job. As an assistant."
"Sure," he said dryly. "Totally professional."
Jessica glared at him, sipping her coffee.
"Alright, alright," he chuckled. "What do you want right now, then?"
She exhaled. "Clothes. My dress is ripped to hell. And I smell like portal moss."
Granny reappeared, refilling their mugs. "You know, my granddaughter Ruby left a whole bunch of clothes upstairs when she left town. If you don't mind the color red, I think they'll fit you fine."
Jessica's eyes lit up. "Red's my favorite."
Jeff snorted. "Of course it is."

Montage — Upstairs, Granny's Rooms
Jessica pulled clothes from drawers and hangers with growing excitement: red flannel shirts, a velvet jacket, black tights, laced boots.
"This is like a pirate witch wardrobe," she whispered, delighted.
Jeff helped her bag everything up — a few dresses, a long red coat, even a little silver pendant shaped like a crescent moon.
They made one last stop at the store for essentials: shampoo, makeup, deodorant, and a small black box of crimson lipstick that made Jessica grin like she hadn't in weeks.
By the time they got home, the sun was low, and Jessica — finally clean, fed, and clothed — sat on the porch in her new red coat with a smile tugging at her lips.
She didn't know where Hyde was.
But she'd made it.
She'd survived.
And somehow, she'd come home