Once Upon A Wondrous Love (A Once Upon A Time Fanfiction)

Chapter Sixteen: Remembering

Hey everyone! Sorry for the break and the short chapter but this one is going to drop some serious bombs. Enjoy and more to come, I promise!

Jefferson waited anxiously at the island in the kitchen, not bothering to touch the marvelous spread of food that the guests had procured. Instead, he found himself downing another glass of clear liquid that was way too sharp to be water. 

"Jefferson, what are you doing here?" Emma appeared holding an empty plate and glass. 

"I'm--um waiting for Alice." Emma raised her eyebrows and placed her dish in the sink. 

"Did you guys make up or something? I heard your wife put the brakes on things." Jefferson dropped his eyes as Emma placed her hand on his shoulder. "We are gonna figure out what she is up to, I promise. You and Alice just go together, at least that's what Henry says." Emma added, offering him a smile. He nodded back to her and she left him in silence.

A moment later, Victor appeared refilling his glass. "Is Alice back yet?" Victor gave him a look. 

"No...was she supposed to be?" 

Jefferson exited the house and glanced around the yard. When he didn't see her, he proceeded to follow her high heeled footprints down the front walk and out onto the road. He followed her steps and stopped when multiple ones began to pollute the snow. 

He quickly muddled through and found her shoe print. After locating hers he followed them to the asphalt where all traces of her had completely disappeared.

"Alice?" he called softly. He called again, and again, each time his voice became louder until he found himself back on the porch and hoarse. He opened the door and almost smacked Grumpy in the face. 

"Emma?" Emma appeared looking concerned. "What's wrong?"

"S-She's gone." 

"Who? Alice?" Mary-Margaret asked, taking his arm. "Y-Yes. She said she'd be right back and now she's gone!" he cried as David pulled on his coat and instructed a few partygoers to follow him. 

Ruby handed Mary-Margaret a glass with brownish liquid in it. 

"It'll take off the edge." Jefferson took it and sunk into the couch. "David will find her-he always finds a way." Mary-Margaret's words rang on deaf ears.

Many Years Ago

"Come on Alice! One more time!" Jefferson cried as Alice smiled to him. She lifted her small hands and blue light shimmered from them and into the dark sky. 

Mallymkun clapped forcefully as the glittering lights floated down to the table and disappeared among the multiple mismatched dishes. 

"What do you suppose it is?" Alice asked, examining her hand and sitting back down as the March Hare tinkered about with various spoons. 

"Magic of course. I've seen it before in Camelot." "Where is that? Is it far?" Mally asked from her tiny seat that was held up by multiple books. 

"Not if you travel by hat." Jefferson said, patting the hat that rested beside him on the table. 

"Oh Jefferson how silly you are! You need hats to travel when all I have to do is close my eyes." Alice stood and began to waltz around the dimly lit yard. Jefferson smiled at her, and couldn't help but marvel at the small, but fearless girl before him. The March Hare joined her and hummed a tune as he took her hand. 

Twinkle twinkle little bat, how I wonder where you're at. They sang in happy unison and the animals joined in the serenade. 

"Do you think she'll come back?" Mally asked quietly from his side. Jefferson held the teacup firmly in his hand, his eyes falling to his scar. He wondered when he would have to explain to Alice what really happened. 

"She will." His firm exterior shuddered at the thought of never seeing her again. Never tagging around the tea table, or racing about the Caucus grounds ever again. His heart ached but he had hope. She would return. 

"How do we know for sure? The Red Queen will know soon enough." "And when that time comes, I will protect her. I'll do whatever that takes." 

"That is correct. If my mind is not failing me, it is almost time for Miss Alice to go home." Cheshire appeared, laying upside down across Jefferson's shoulders. Jefferson eyed the blue and gray cat with his large, white grin. 

"I can't be time yet, can it?" Alice asked, pulling away from the March Hare and looking to Jefferson. He pursed his lips and reached into his pocket. 

Revealing an old pocket watch, he sighed and nodded. Alice let out a pained sigh and bade all of her friends goodbye. Cheshire and Jefferson followed her inside the warm house of the March Hare. 

Up the stairs and to her right, she came to the bedroom where she took her place on a large beautiful bed decorated with tapestries. Cheshire curled next to her as Jefferson perched on the edge of the bed. 

"See you tomorrow?" he asked as Alice's eyes became heavy. "Always."

Alice

I opened my eyes to darkness. I had no idea what had transpired, how long I had been gone, or even where I was. 

One thing was for certain: I remembered. I tried to grasp as many memories from the dream as I could, but they all slowly started to float away and become replaced with the darkness that pressed down on me. 

Where was I? I felt around, the floor was below me, the ceiling was high enough to not impede my arms. 

Faint light came from a small window to my right. I pulled myself up, fighting against my sore body and approached the opening. It was a window that you might find in a prison door. 

On the other side lay a room only lit by a fluorescent light that was a ways away from where I was. It was quiet here, but not the type of quiet that was comforting. Something shifted and scraped along the rough floor, and I jumped. 

"Hello?" I asked the darkness, pushing my back against the door. 

"P-Please I won't hurt you." The voice was strained and soft. Something about it comforted me and why I couldn't explain. 

"Are you hurt?" I asked softly, moving towards it. 

"Yeah...there's a candle in the corner and some matches." 

After some fumbling, I found the stubby stick and after some swipes of the match, soft warm light illuminated the small room. The metal rungs of a beds foot-board gleamed in the light as I finally located the source of the voice. Sitting on the bed was a woman. Her face was contorted in fear as she gaped at me. 

"Alice?" she asked softly. My brows furrowed in confusion. "Yes?" Her mouth closed and she pushed herself into a standing position. 

"It's Elizabeth." I shook my head. "I-I'm sorry I don't know you." I said softly. 

"How can you not remember me? Alice it's me." 

"Lizzy. Your sister."