Hello, It's Mrs. Hyde

Chapter 20: The Weight We Carry

Belle stirred just as the morning sun stretched its golden fingers across the walls of Jefferson's guest room. Her eyes blinked open gently, still adjusting to the soft light filtering through the curtains. She sat up slowly, careful not to disturb Jessica — until she noticed the figure curled in the window seat.
Jessica.
The young woman looked smaller somehow, folded in on herself, a blanket loosely tossed over her shoulders. Her raven-black hair was mussed with sleep, but her body was taut, her knees hugged to her chest. There was something heartbreakingly young about her in that moment.
Belle rose quietly, padding across the floor. "Jess?" she whispered.
She reached out, her fingers barely brushing Jessica's arm.
Jessica jolted awake with a sharp gasp.
"Don't touch me!"
Belle staggered back in shock.
Jessica's eyes were wide, unfocused, shimmering with tears. Her chest heaved once, and then she blinked — fast, furious — and wiped at her face with the sleeve of her sweater.
Belle hesitated. "Jess... are you alright?"
Jessica swallowed thickly, her composure slamming back into place with mechanical precision. "What? Yeah. Sorry. Just... just a bad dream."
Belle's gaze softened, lingering on the dark circles beneath Jessica's eyes and the unnatural pallor in her cheeks. "How much sleep did you get last night?"
Jessica's lips curved into a crooked smile, charming but hollow. "Enough. I'm fine, really. We should get moving — you need a place for you and your little peanut." She gestured vaguely to Belle's stomach. "That's priority one."
Belle didn't believe her. But she also knew better than to push. Not yet.
So she nodded slowly. "Alright."

In the kitchen, Jefferson leaned down to kiss Gracie goodbye when he noticed Jessica's strained expression. Her smile was bright, but too forced, too brittle around the edges. Her hug with Gracie lingered just a heartbeat too long.
He stepped beside Belle as Jessica knelt to tie her niece's shoelaces.
"She alright?" he murmured low.
Belle shook her head with a sigh. "Honestly? I don't know. She looks worse today than yesterday."
Jefferson frowned. "Can you keep an eye on her? I'd stay, but I've got early hat orders — and if Gracie's not at school in fifteen minutes, she's going to stage a coup."
Belle offered a soft smile. "Of course. I think we could both use the company today."

Granny's was bustling.
Emma stood near the counter, clipboard in hand, coordinating with Snow, David, and Granny as new arrivals from the Land of Untold Stories filtered in through the door. Killian stood beside her, arms crossed, surveying the chaos with mild exasperation.
The bell chimed as Belle and Jessica entered.
Emma's head snapped up, and a relieved grin spread across her face. "Belle! You're up."
Belle smiled. "Up and standing."
Emma crossed the diner in a few quick strides and hugged her warmly. "You look great."
Then her eyes flicked to Jessica. "How're you holding up?"
Before Jessica could answer, Killian added, "Yeah, lass. After last night... you alright?"
Jessica's eyes narrowed as Emma asked "Last night?"
Belle turned to her sharply. "Wait — you left?"
Jessica threw a glare at Killian, who raised both hands innocently.
"Bloody blabber mouth," she muttered. "I'm fine. We're here to find Belle somewhere to stay that doesn't involve Rumplestiltskin.That's all."
Emma gave her a skeptical once-over but didn't push. "Well, you're in luck here— Granny's got rooms, but I wouldn't trust the mattresses and besides all these new people you don't wanna be here with a new baby"
"I wouldn't trust the meatloaf," Killian muttered.
Emma ignored him with a smirk and turned to Belle. "Killian can help you find one. I'd go but I've gotta go meet Archie."
Jessica raised a brow. "Therapy?"
Emma smirked. "Believe it or not. Gotta keep the Savior from snapping. It was Killian's idea."
Killian grinned. "It's bloody brilliant you're going. I know being vulnerable isn't your strong suit but I'm bloody proud you're going back, love."
Emma kissed his cheek and nodded to Belle. "Thanks. You're in good hands ladies. Try not to burn down the ship."
Jessica blinked. "Ship?"

Killian's pirate ship creaked as it bobbed against the dock.
Jessica stared at it, arms folded. "You're joking."
Killian gave an affronted scoff. "Absolutely not. Captains' quarters has a full bath, kitchen, and locks. I never let my men use those quarters. I'll stay downstairs, we've got a secondary cabin. No rats, no pirates."
Belle laughed. "It's actually...kind of charming. But, I'm sorry I can't stay here. If Rumple finds me—"
Killian cut her off. "Then I'm a dead fish in the water. I understand and I don't care."
Belle smiled, touched. "You would risk your life for me?"
"Least I could do, after all the grief I gave you over the Crocodile."
Jessica watched the two of them, warmth blooming in her chest for a moment — until it flickered out again. That cold weight returned.
"I need to go," she said quietly.
Belle turned. "Jess—"
"I need to tell Hyde what happened. About last night."
Killian's face tensed. "You're sure that's wise? I mean he did push you away so who's to say he even cares"
Jessica gave a half-shrug. "He doesn't like it when Dr. Jekyll messes with me. Maybe it'll motivate him to get out of that damned cell."

Back at the prison, Jessica approached the reception desk with her usual straight-backed confidence — until the receptionist behind the counter raised a hand.
"No visitors for Cell 13."
Jessica's eyes darkened. Her hand flicked upward, red smoke curling around her fingers.
"Don't make me ask twice."
Before the magic could spark, a familiar voice cut through the air.
"There's no need for force, Jessica."
Jessica turned and found herself face-to-face with Regina, Snow White, and David.
Regina held a steaming casserole dish, her expression somewhere between regret and pride.
Jessica arched a brow. "What's with the lasagna,evil queen?"
Regina glared
"It's Regina now and ironically we're here to see if Hyde knows of a way to stop the evil queen"
Snow sighed. "Regina, we don't need his help—"
Jessica lifted her hand. "Sorry, is this lasagna supposed to persuade Hyde?"
Regina frowned. "Well, what would, then?"
With a smirk, Jessica conjured a bottle of Syrah and two glasses in her palm. "This will."
Snow blinked. "He drinks wine?"
Jessica chuckled. "You really don't know him at all. But lucky for you, I do."
The guards opened the door.

The four of them quickly stood in shock, jaw dropped to see Hyde's cell was no longer a cell.
A table was set near the back wall, draped in fine linen. A steak dinner sat steaming under candlelight. Classical music played softly from a vintage phonograph. A half-empty bottle of Syrah rested beside a half-full glass.
Jessica stepped in, Regina and the others just behind her.
"Jessica, what a lovely surprise," Hyde greeted warmly. Genuinely. A flicker of light entered his eyes.
She didn't respond.
She walked forward, and slammed the second bottle onto his table so hard the silverware clinked. Hyde frowned instantly at her anger.
"You've been busy," she said coldly. "Didn't take long to find my replacement."
Hyde's brow furrowed. "The Evil Queen is not my assistant. She merely traded all of..this for information. That's all. I assume that's why you've brought Regina and her circus of clowns, am I right?"
His eyes scanned her then. Really scanned her.
"Jessica," he said softly. "When have you last slept?"
She stiffened. "It doesn't matter."
Hyde stood up and took a step forward. "What happened to you?"
"I said it doesn't matter!"
She reached into her coat and pulled off the bracelet. The silver doe charm glinted once before she dropped it on the table beside the wine.
"Don't worry. I won't burden you anymore."
She turned to leave.
"Jessica, I know you're lying to me. Jessica, wait."
Her name cracked in his throat. He took a step toward her, but Regina placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I thought you had something to tell him."
Jessica looked back — at his eyes, at the concern — and for a moment her lip trembled.
Then her face hardened. "Forget it. Doesn't matter anymore. He's got the Evil Queen now."
And with that, she walked out.
Hyde stood frozen, the bracelet still trembling where it landed.