Nine Lives

Life Five: Part Two

Charlie left the pawn shop with no confidence left over. She had to use it all to face the dark one without being scared of him using his magic on her. Sure he was trying to turn good for Belle or it could be after he isn't the dark one anymore but she had a feeling he still was. The ginger turned to walk into Granny's only to run into Red who had the closed sign.

"Oh sorry" Red smiled and laughed. "We are closed today seeing as the curse just broke. I'm helping out down at the convent with helping find people. I'm sorry I'm Red or Ruby either one"

"My names Charlie" Charlie smiled and glanced back at the diner before turning to Red. "I'll come with you. Maybe I'll find what I'm looking for there"

'So it is just after the curse broke. Emma and Snow are back in the enchanted forest' Charlie thought to herself as she walked down the road by Red's side. Now she knew when she was, she just had to figure out who she was here. When the two of them got to where the whole town seemed to be. It made sense seeing as everyone was confused and scared. Being ripped from those you love most must be painful. Charlie helped out for a bit until she saw someone lurking around far away from everyone else. It was a rather handsome man who didn't know rather or not he should come over. She followed his line of sight and noticed he was watching a group of kids. That made her realize who he was, Jefferson or the MadHatter. She handed out the blanket she was holding before sneaking around another building and ending up right behind him.

"You know watching children like that, anyone would think something bad about you" Charlie tease. She giggled when he jumped and spun around quickly to face the ginger. However the face of fear quickly turned a bright smile which made her tilt her head slightly confused. She loved that smile for some reason. In the show he hardly smiled.

"Alice" Jefferson breathed out softly stepping closer to Charlie. She blinked surprised as she had finally been given what she was looking for. She was Alice? Sadly she didn't have an memories of the fairy tale life she had been given but she knew a lot about Jefferson from the show so she could fake it.

"I go by Charlie here" Charlie smiled stepping forward. "Why don't you go talk to Grace? She needs her father" She said glancing behind him and smiled. "Shes beautiful"

"I abandoned her" Jefferson turned around to look at Grace again. Charlie joined his side and shook her head.

"The evil queen tricked you. You were trying to give her a better life and you were tricked" Charlie told him turning him to face her. "You are an amazing father. She has already spent so long without her father. Don't make her spend any longer without him." Charlie took his hand and started leading him towards Grace. Jefferson pulled away from her quickly

"No no Alice I can't..not yet" Jefferson turned to her with pleading eyes which made Charlie melt.

"Hatter" Charlie said firmly yet sweet as she took both of his hands. "Trust me"

Jefferson and Charlie stood there eyes locked for a moment before he finally nodded in agreement. Charlie was changing things which scared her but this thing was for the better. She smiled before pulling him towards the children. All of them seemed to huddle in one area to see if they could find their correct parent.

"Grace" Jefferson called weakly however it was enough for Grace to pick up her head and look around until she finally spotted Jefferson. Charlie stepped away as the two of them shared the heart warming moment of father and daughter coming together at last. This moment in the show always made her cry.

"Grace I want you to meet someone very special to me" Jefferson pulled Grace towards Charlie making her look at him confused. He grabbed her hand and smiled softly before turning back to Grace. "This is Alice. She was with me when I was in wonderland."

"Wonderland? The place you went to when you were working?" Grace asked. She didn't know that but as Paige, 'Alice in Wonderland' was her favorite fairy tale and she put the pieces together.

"Yes. She helped keep me sane while I was trying to find my way back to you" Jefferson smiled at Charlie.

"It's wonderful to meet you Grace" Charlie bent her knees to be eye level with Grace. "I have heard many amazing things about you"

"And I've read about you..well what this world wrote about you anyways." Grace smiled before hugging Charlie. She was surprised at first but hugged back anyways. Charlie felt bad about lying about these memories she was suppose to have but in this world this was the life that was given to her. It was the first time she has ever felt wanted.

"Come on lets go home" Jefferson took Grace's hand and looked at Charlie. "Coming?"

"Me?" Charlie asked surprised.

"Of course. Your family" Jefferson said with another one of his brilliant smiles. Charlie couldn't help but allow a smile to come to her lips. Jefferson held out the hand that didn't hold Graces and Charlie grabbed it.

"Let's go" Charlie smiled brightly.