We're All Mad Here (Jefferson x OC)

Chapter Seventy-Five

"There's some people I want you to meet. They're my friends." Scarlett said as she guided Jefferson through the market. To his surprise, there were no wanted posters up for them despite them robbing a few people in the past at that exact market. He was relieved that there was no one looking for him, especially after the rough missions that he and Scarlett had to deal with recently.

"You said we would take a break after the last job." He sighed, but he followed her anyway. She rolled her eyes and turned to him, not stopping once.

"This isn't for work." She rolled her eyes.

"Feels like everything has been about work lately." He grumbled. As he followed her, he noticed a few posters about the King and Queen. Some ball they were hosting. He didn't care.

She pushed open the door to the tavern, letting him in first. "Don't worry, that's not what this is about." Being led to a table in the back, Jefferson saw two guys and a girl drinking ale as they played a game of cards. "Jefferson, this is Matheo, Lorelei, and Lucian. Everyone, this is Jefferson."

"Nice to meet you." They all said simultaneously, focusing on the game. Lorelei, a girl with brown hair and a red highlight strand that signaled she was probably from Wonderland, slammed a card down, making the two men curse and push coins towards her.

"If you couldn't tell, Lorelei is a master at cards." Scarlett explained to Jefferson. "She's a stowaway from Wonderland. Hijacked a ride from the White Rabbit."

"I didn't hijack. He owed me a favor." She retorted, counting the coins before pocketing them. "That's Matheo. He's from the Land Without Magic."

Jefferson looked at him in confusion. He had never really heard about a Land Without Magic. Did such a place even exist? "No magic?"

Matheo simply shrugged and set up another game of cards. "It's a lot more boring. You'd be surprised the kind of places that exist."

"We've barely scratched the surface." Scarlett explained and sat down, pulling out a chair for Jefferson. "And this is Lucian. He's from the Land Without Color. His cousin is a scientist."

"You have to meet him." Lucian nodded and ordered another round of drinks. He slammed his hand down excitedly on the table. "That's exactly what we'll do! Scar, we have to take him. Victor will love him."

Scarlett laughed and nodded. "I agree. What do you think, Jefferson?" He took a moment to look at the group, a slight smile on his face. He could tell he was going to like them.

So, he nodded. "Yeah. Sounds great."

"Then, it's settled." Lucian smiled brightly. "We're going to see my cousin."

"After we finish the game." Lorelei cut in and sipped her drink. Lucian simply nodded and started another game.

A few months later, the group had become inseparable, welcoming Jefferson as if he were one of their own. He was still a thief, still stole where he could. But he was less alone now. He had people who cared about him.

"Why are we back in Wonderland?" Jefferson grumbled, keeping his head low since he and Scarlett were still wanted by multiple people there.

"We'll be quick." Lorelei rolled her eyes. "Go sit with Scarlett." He huffed at her response. She, Matheo, and Lucian had been teasing him endlessly, making jokes about them being a married couple because of how protective she is of him.

"Shut up." He said, glancing over at Scarlett, who was seemingly oblivious to the conversation and jokes.

"We just need to grab a flower and then we're done." Matheo said, bringing the conversation back to its original topic.

Jefferson raised an eyebrow, clearly not amused. "A flower? It better be made of gold if we're staying here to find it."

"It's better than gold." Scarlett responded as she moved closer to him. "It's magic."

"Of course it is." He rolled his eyes. She smirked, explaining that it has the power to bring one person back from the dead.

"We're bringing it to the Land Without Color. For Lucian's cousin, Victor." She told him, showing him an illustration of the flower. A blue orchid. "We're doing it as a favor. We have to get it to him safely. There are a lot of people who want this flower."

"Then let's go." He sighed. Victor was nice, and he didn't mind doing favors for him. So long as he could leave Wonderland sooner than later. "We're headed to the edge of the Tulgey Woods, right?"

"Yep." She nodded. She didn't notice the others watching them as if they knew something that both Scarlett and Jefferson were oblivious to. "Are we ready to go? Great. I want to get out of here before sundown."

-Storybrooke-

"Princess, come to bed. You've been working too hard." Jefferson whispered, kissing Serena's shoulder from behind. It was almost three in the morning, and she had been trying to figure out a way to help Emma and Mary-Margaret since she left David's apartment earlier.

"I'm almost done." She muttered, already feeling sleepy. Jefferson brushed her hair aside, lovingly kissing her neck as he closed her notebook.

"Bed. Now." His voice was gentle, but firm, not leaving any room for argument. He gently picked her up, carrying her bridal-style to their bedroom. He kissed her temple, his lips lingering on her skin.

For a moment, he could breathe again. His family was back. Serena had her heart back. He could pretend that everything was okay. Grace was asleep in her room, completely comfortable and safe. His wife was in his arms.

"Sleep, princess." He murmured, laying her in bed and covering her with the blankets. He laid next to her, watching her chest rise and fall with each gentle breath. His fingers ran through her soft curls, smiling when she leaned into his touch. "Goodnight, sweetheart..." He rested his head on her chest, listening to her heartbeat as he fell asleep.

Regina stormed into her vault, immediately noticing everything that was out of place. She had originally stopped by to make sure Henry hadn't taken anything, but after realizing Jefferson was probably helping him, she didn't know what Jefferson could've taken.

He wanted revenge against her. What better way to get it than to use her own magic against her?

She practically tore through her things, trying to find anything out of place. She immediately found the large box in the center of the room, and her heart dropped. He wouldn't. He couldn't. He wouldn't go that far, would he?

She was relieved when she found the two-headed viper still in its box, which had been most likely opened by Henry. After locking it up, she looked around, finding the box where Serena's heart was supposed to be.

"No..." She muttered, slamming the box shut and putting it back on the shelf. Whilst she didn't need it anymore, she still wanted to keep it as a backup plan. Still, she couldn't get it back now. Fortunately for her, nothing else had been taken.

She still worried about what Jefferson was planning, even if he hadn't been planning anything. He wanted revenge, or so she thought. His threat was stuck in her mind, especially if he convinced Serena to go against her as well.

Taking a deep breath, she looked around, trying to gather her thoughts. Nothing would happen. She would find a way to keep Jefferson away from her sister and get her son back. But she would leave them alone. For now.