When Worlds Collide | Mad Hatter OUAT x Reader |

Chapter 18 ✂ Suspect One

Present Day Storybrooke... Again

"(Y/N)? (Y/N), wake up."

You groaned as you fluttered your eyes open. The source of voice was familiar but it felt like the wind cooed into your ears, fading the voice. When you gained dominance over your eyesight you found Emma bridging over your weary figure. "Oh you're awake- how are you feeling?" She asked taking your hand to tow you off your back.

"I-I could be better," you grunted, holding your giddy head.

"Do you want Tylenol?" She asked, reaching into the cupboard.

"That would be nice, thank you." You muttered, glancing around Mary Margaret's apartment. "Where's Jefferson?"

"He's at his place," she stated plainly, handing you a pill and a glass of water. "You shouldn't be hanging around him too much-"

"Any reasons?" You retorted.

"I have many- one meaning he's insane."

"You can't be too sure about that Emma. You're not a psychiatrist-"

"He tried to kill me and Mary Margaret." You went silent in shock. "Oh and that was there least he did."

"What do you- mean?"

"He held Margaret captive when Regina was on the murder case. If I didn't get Margaret from that crazy mad man, she would have been a goner."

You listened intensely but you shut your eyes, blocking out the words before they drowned into your mind. "I-I'm really not in the mood to hear this. My daughter's out there somewhere and I'm not interested about talking about the past."

"Gotcha... you'll have to come to my office for investigation though. Do you mind?" She asked. You shrugged and listlessly followed behind the blond haired woman as she drove you back to her office. The entire time, Jefferson was on your mind. What if Emma was right about all this? And that gut feeling of not trusting him- what if that was all true? Were you honestly going to let this man steal your daughter and heart at the same time? This wasn't right. No. It never was from the start.

The second you found Jefferson casually sitting in the sheriff's office, you knew something was wrong. Your mind shut sound out as Emma spoke to him, and your felt like you were on autopilot. Despite that feeling you felt a mixed rush of feelings shooting you from whatever bliss you found in that gentle smile he directed at you. It was comforting but just too comforting. It was like he was stealing you. He was getting just close enough to tear your daughter away-so you could love but never love again.

Your decision was final- you would never fall for him. You promised-

"(Y/N)? Snap out of it, what's wrong?" Emma shook your shoulders. Your shook your head.

"O-Oh I was just thinking-"

"About?" Jefferson interrupted. You glanced at him but tore your eyes away from him.

"I want to find my daughter. That's what means most to me..."

Emma noticed the tension between you and Jefferson as you replied. She exchanged a worried glance at the man before heaving a sigh. "Do you have any suspects-?"

"Gold."

Both you and Emma stared at Jefferson's abruptness. "Mr. Gold? What makes you think it's him?"

"I can feel it in my bones." Jefferson retorted glancing softly at you. "It's best we find him first."

Although there was no justification, Emma took his word for it and led you both to Gold's shop. As Jefferson expected, it was not open. After nearly an hour of driving, you finally managed to get to the old man's house. It was beautiful and elegant, filled with antiques from the garden to the inside of the aired man house. Emma blew out a breath of frost and knocked gently at the door.

Jefferson gently brushed his shoulder against you. You instantly tensed, casually stepping away from him. He furrowed his brows and you tried to ignore his presence. "Well- Ms. Swan, it's a pleasant to see you here." The brown long haired man cooed, leaning against his black and gold staff. "Oh and I see you've brought... friends." He directed the comment towards you foully.

"Paige is missing." Emma stated listlessly.

"You mean-?"

"Yes, Paige is missing." Jefferson glared at Gold with a cold stare.

Mr. Gold shifted uncomfortably, deep in his thoughts. "Do you think I'm the reason to the girl's disappearance?"

"I know you're the reason." Jefferson retorted. Gold, chuckled in a disappointed manner. "Well then. I'm sorry to disappoint you. I don't have her."

"Show us." You snarled.

"Let's see, you bring the evidence I have anything to do with your daughter- and you personally have my grant to search around the house on your own. I won't stop you." He replied.

"I don't need evidence-"Jefferson growled, stepping into the house. Gold abruptly blocked the man with his features darkening. "Don't try me."

Both men had the most deadly stare down possible. Eventually you gave up on them and softly took Jefferson's hand. "Forget it," you muttered, taking your hand away once you realized the intimacy between you both. Jefferson locked her eyes with you before he finally gave into your words and let them drown into his mind. Emma nodded to your gesture and took off to the car while Gold slammed his door shut. Both you and Jefferson were left at the doorway but instantly you knew you should depart before Jefferson mentioned anything. Too late you suppose.

"(Y/N)?" He called, grasping at your wrist. You stayed silent, keeping your eyes off his blue orbs. "Please- say something... All day you've said nothing and I-I....I feel alone." He muttered, his eyes soaking with tears.

"I don't know what to say..." You muttered, confronting him with your eyes in downcast.

There was a long silence between you two before he tilted his head, getting a lower view of your face. "Do you remember when I smile?"

You narrowed your brows, "You always-"

"It only exists when I'm with you." He grinned softly.

There he did it again. Made you fall for something so stupid it wade your heart ache in either love or annoyance. Whatever it was, it hurt you- again. "I'm honestly not interested in this."

"I'm not asking you to be interested. I'm- asking you to stay with me one way or another."

You heaved a vulnerable sigh and shook your head, "Jefferson- I-"

"(Y/N)! JEFFERSON!" Emma hollered, peering out from her car. "Get over here!"

Both of you swapped troubled glimpses before bolting towards the woman. She looked horrified as she passed you a note from the seat of her sunshine yellow car. "What is this?"

"Read." She stated plainly, her lips trembling a bit.

The note, in a discolored page, said things that stole the last of your breath:

Hopefully you don't mind the clothes. It was getting in the way.

~The One

"No..." Jefferson wheezed as he pulled out clothes from a plastic bag. Your eyes tears in realization. The white shirt and flora designed skirt were the last clothes Paige wore before she went missing. They- took them off- and it only meant one possible thing. The man unstably propped himself against the car holding the clothes to his chest. "I let them hurt her,"

Although you were on the verge of tears, you comforted the man with a gentle hug. "It's not your fault."

"I'm so sorry-" He cried into your shoulder, holding you tightly in his arms.

"I promise- we're going to find her." You mumbled. "Even if it's the last thing I do."