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

Chapter Twenty-Five: Going Home

"Jefferson, why do you have your hat?" Emma sat down beside Jefferson and handed him a coffee. They had been waiting patiently for Alice to awaken for the past two days. 

Hours after the kiss and Alice's recount of her experience, she had fainted and hadn't stirred since. Ruby slept on the other side of Jefferson, using her jacket as a pillow.

"Oh, I just figured I'd keep it with me. You know, in case she wakes up and wants to go home," he explained softly, licking his lips.

"When you say home, I am assuming you don't mean New Jersey?" Emma asked, rubbing her hands down her face. Jefferson shook his head.

"Wonderland is where she belongs, where we belong," he said, checking his phone. Granny had sent a text assuring that Grace was having a wonderful time helping play 'house' at the inn. Emma sighed.

"Well you can't leave until we figure this out," she said, fingering the manilla file folder in her lap.

"Did you guys find anything on that Bumby guy?" Jefferson asked worriedly as Ruby shifted. Emma exhaled.

"Nothing. We cased that entire basement and there isn't a trace of anyone other than Elizabeth and that bitch. Cruella is about as talkative as a corpse." Emma replied, kicking her foot.

"You think Cruella did everything? Shaved her head, put that hole in it...what even was that?" Jefferson asked, confused, angry, and shuddering at the thought of the condition he had found Alice in.

"I don't know, but I don't wanna rule anything out. I mean she was dead until you kissed her." Emma said in a matter-of-fact tone. Jefferson scoffed.

"Cra-." Before Jefferson could finish the word, a series of beeps rang about the hallway. Suddenly, Dr. Whale was rushing down the hallway followed by the nurses. Ruby jolted awake as Jefferson stood.

"What is it?" he asked as Whale rushed past him and into Alice's room. Jefferson darted Ruby and Emma in his wake. Through the open door, he could see an orange light. He pushed through and gaped at the scene before him.

A circular portal was firing in the corner of the room and a tall man with black holes for eyes was grasping Alice by the wrist. She was clearly unconscious and the beeps had sounded when she was disconnected from the heart monitor.  Jefferson rushed forward but before he could reach them, the man jumped through the portal, Alice with him. The portal sputtered, sparked and disappeared.

Everyone just stood in shock for a moment before Jefferson turned and entered the hallway.

"Jefferson, where are you going?" Ruby cried, following him out of the nearest exit and into the rain-soaked day. Jefferson tossed the hat on the ground, muttered a few words and crouched.

"I'm going after her." he said, his hands on the brim.

"We don't even know where that thing took her!" Ruby cried, running a hand through her hair.

"I have a good idea. Are you coming?" he asked as he turned the hat and the portal opened.

"I won't lose her again," Jefferson said, looking at Ruby as he stood.

"Me either." Jefferson held out his hand and Ruby gripped it tightly.

With that, they both leapt forward and into the cyclonic smoke that created the only chance they had at locating Alice. Then, as quickly as it had appeared, the smoke evaporated, taking the hat and any trace of Ruby and Jefferson with it. 

End Book One