It didn't take him long to find some poor, unfortunate soul to take back to Wonderland to free Alice, just as he promised. In a tavern he sat, smirking at the drunk man at the end of the bar. Perfect. He didn't need to know the man's name, nor did he really care. He was a businessman and this was in fact, business. Polishing off his mug of ale, Jefferson pushes up from the bar and makes his way towards the other man. He had been there for hours and watched the man down his tenth shot of rum and third mug of ale. This was almost too easy.
"My good man, come with me… I have something curious you may be interested in." Jefferson says, placing a hand on the man's shoulder.
If he weren't drunk the man probably would of protested, but in this state, you could probably ask him for a limb and he would oblige. Drunkenly, the man stands and staggers a bit causing Jefferson to turn his nose up a bit at the display. He was above these common people, the drunks passed out around the tavern or trying to take the pretty bar wenches home for a nightcap. To be honest, Jefferson was slightly disgusted by this place, but he had a job to do. A man of his stature didn't associate with common drunks.
Without much of a fight, Jefferson leads the man from the tavern, into the woods that sat behind the bar, far from where anyone could possible see them. There, hidden in a tree stump was the hat, the hat Jefferson used to travel between worlds. The man stands, simply staring and Jefferson doubted the man was even coherent. Right now though, his only concern was getting back to Wonderland.
Approaching the man, he smirks before throwing a right hook, connecting to the man's temple, knocking him out as fell the the ground. Jefferson gives an amused chuckle as he tosses the hat to the ground and watches as it begins to spin, opening a purple vortex. Leaning down, he hoists the man over his shoulder with a grunt, muttering about the guy being heavy and to lay off the ale.
Jumping through the portal, it doesn't take Jefferson long to reach his destination, instantly dropping the man just inside the door to Wonderland before dusting himself off and adjusting his coat. Glancing down he chuckles to himself.
"I wish I could say sorry, but I would only be lying." He mutters.
Grabbing the man's ankle, he drags him off the path, hiding him in the woods before stepping out, back to the path. Now, he just needed to find the blonde and they could both be on their way.
While Jefferson made his way towards Alice's hideout, Alice herself was quite busy. Books were thrown everywhere, clothes thrown carelessly to the floor, she was looking for something. Something of importance by the way she was tossing things around. Below, Jefferson found his way to the tree house, about to speak when a shoe flies from the brush covering the tree house and smacks him in the forehead. Stumbling back, he puts his hand to his forehead and grunts as he rubs the spot that was now aching. Hearing the grunt, Alice stops and makes her way over to the door and peers down at Jefferson. She spots the shoe and laughs as he glares up at her, making her laugh harder.
"Glad you find assaulting me with a shoe amusing." Jefferson mutters.
"I find it hysterical." Alice responds, dropping the ladder for him before disappearing inside.
Jefferson mutters, shaking his head and calling Alice a devil woman before he ascends up the ladder and ducks inside the treehouse. Looking around at the mess, his brow raises and his gaze turns to Alice who finally smiles and stands up straight, holding a pocket watch in her hand.
"So I got assaulted with a shoe and a mess was made over a pocket watch?" Jefferson's tone carrying a bit of sarcasm.
"When and if I assault you, you'll know it and you will ask me for more." She rolls her eyes before tucking the pocketwatch into her pocket.
"Yes, mistress." He chuckles, rolling his eyes.
"That's better. Now, did you bring a friend with you?" She asks.
"He is taking a nap in the mushroom garden, he'll come around eventually." He comments, hands coming up to adjust his collar.
"Perfect. Let's go, the Queen has been looking for me all day and I rather not be locked in her dungeon." She comments as she starts down the ladder.
After a small raise of his brow, Jefferson follows Alice down the ladder, both sets of boots thudding against the ground. With a wave of her hand, the tree house disappears into the trees before she turns to look up at Jefferson.
"Show off." He chuckles.
"Shut up, no one likes you." Alice teases back as they make their way to the path.
"I like me, that is the only person who has to like me." He says with a bit of arrogance in his tone.
Alice laughs, but as she goes to retort a voice in the distance echos, yelling "there she is!" Alice mutters and grabs Jefferson's hand, tugging him as they both start to run, the queen's guards not far behind them. Over the winding hills they run, Alice manages to turn and throw a ball of light to knock some of the guards down. They are almost to the door when Alice loses her footing and stumbles forward. Before she can hit the ground, Jefferson has her, scooping her up and slinging her petite form over his shoulder as he jumps through the portal. He keeps his hold on her until the tumble from the hat, hitting the ground with a thud.
Alice rolls onto her back, breathing heavy as Jefferson looks up at her. He gives her a smirk causing her to shake her head and slowly get to her feet dusting herself off as Jefferson jumps to his feet. Pulling twigs from her blonde locks, she then adjusts the corset of her blue dress and looks up at Jefferson who was clearly giving her a once over.
"Oogling me now are you?" Alice teases softly.
"I prefer admiring. I am admiring you, silly woman. I am only a man." Jefferson chuckles and adjusts the lapels of his jacket.
Alice felt the blush creep up over her cheeks, Jefferson caught it and smiled at the fact he was clearly the reason for it. Lifting his arm, he offers it to her, to which she gladly takes. This world was new to her, but she felt like she was safe in Jefferson's company. Right now, she was just glad to be away from Wonderland, at least for tonight she would not have to sleep with one eye open. Though speaking of sleep, she looks up at Jefferson as they step out onto the path.
"Tell me, are we going to be able to find shelter?" Alice questions softly.
"I have it all prepared. I told you, I am a gentleman after all." Jefferson murmurs.
Motioning to the distance where the sun had just set, he points out an inn with candles lighting up the windows. It was small, but it looked good for the evening. Alice beamed a bit at the possibility of a real bed instead of twigs and sheets. Jefferson found himself wanting to know more about Alice, since they were going to be spending so much time together to get what they both wanted.
As they enter the inn, the elderly woman behind the old oak counter smiles at them, rising to her feet and setting her kniting aside. Slowly, she makes her way to the counter to help them, gently pushing the log book over for them to sign.
"Good evening my dears. You look worn, I have one room open… perfect for a young couple such as yourselves." She smiles.
"Oh yes, that will be perfect. We are newly weds, off on an adventure for our honeymoon." Alice lies with a smile.
Jefferson never misses a beat as he signs the book and then glances up at the elderly woman. He was impressed by Alice's lie, he would tell her later. While he thought she would be hesitant in sharing a room, he didn't let it show on his face.
"My wife, she is beautiful and adventurous, what more could a man ask for." Jefferson chuckles, looking down at Alice and pecking her lips.
"Well, you make it easy, my love. And I am sure our little one will have the same spirit." Alice smiles.
"Ah, a little one. A precious gift they are. I'll tell ya what… You both can have the room on the house, think of it as a wedding gift from a woman who was once as deeply in love as you both." The woman smiles and hands Jefferson the key.
"We are eternally grateful." Jefferson smiles.
The elderly woman wishes them a good night, sending them off to their room with a gentle smile. Jefferson leads Alice up wooden steps that creak slightly under their feet. Alice chuckles to herself as they reach thier door. Unlocking the door, he pushes it open and releases Alice's hand, motioning for her to enter first. As Alice enters, she sees the room was small, but cozy. Wooden floors and cream colored walls. A few dark colored rugs decorated the floor to give warmth along with the candles in the window. An oak, queen sized bed sits in the center of the room, covered with a patchwork quilt and oil lamps sitting on top of the night stands on either side of the bed.
"Nicer than my hovel." Alice comments.
Jefferson smiles as he enters, shutting the door behind them and locking it, just so no one could surprise them. Setting the key down on the table by the door, he gives Alice his full attention as he walks towards her.
"Sharing a bed? I'm not going to wake up disemboweled am I?" Jefferson teases softly.
"No… Not yet at least. But if you want to be, we can arrange it." Alice jokes in return.
"Perhaps another time, my dear. Once I have gotten to know you better." Jefferson winks.
Removing his coat and boots, leaving them by the door, Jefferson walks over to sit down on the edge of the bed. The softness was welcoming, a nice change for once. Alice slides off her boots, using her foot to push them under the near by chair.
"I am going to freshen up, get rid of the dirt and twigs." Alice chirps before slipping into the small washroom.
Jefferson answers with a nod, watching her disappear. He found himself smiling for a moment before he releaved himself of his vest and shirt, drapping them over the foot board of the bed, leaving him bare chested. He was a lot of things, but modest was not one of them. Running a hand through his hair, he sighs to himself and then moves to lay back against the pillows on the bed, stretching his legs out in front of him, crossing his ankles.
Alice slowly emerges, having used her magic, wearing a long night gown, her hair free from her ponytail. The sight of a shirtless Jefferson stops her in her tracks. Who would of known that solid frame was under those clothes and jacket. She was the one oogling him and he noticed, letting a cocky smirk paint his lips.
"Who's oogling who now?" Jefferson teases.
"Shut up." Alice laughs and makes a face, blushing slightly that she had been caught.
Jefferson chuckles, watching Alice climb into the bed and slip under the blankets. That is when he noticed it, the chain around her neck and hanging from it was the ring he left with her as collateral.
"I see you still have the ring." He comments.
"I do, think of it as me making sure you hold up your end of the deal." She comments in return, laying back against the pillows and sighing as she sinks into the bed.
"Still don't trust me?" He asks with slight humor in his tone.
"That's not it." She murmur softly.
"Then what is it, my dear Alice?" He questions, giving her his full attention.
"I find myself trusting you and I know that trusting the wrong people can blow up in one's face." She answers, looking up at Jefferson with a hint of sadness in her eyes.
"I know that all too well… Part of the reason that I have always been out for myself… nothing more. Till now." He offers a small smile.
"Why me?" She questions.
"I am not sure, you are curious to me… Like a puzzle I wish to solve, or a riddle." He explains.
Alice smiles softly, actually leaning over to lay her head on his bare shoulder. Jefferson smiles softly, for the first time in a long time, he felt peace. Felt like Alice was meant to come across his path, Alice felt the same about Jefferson.
"Tell me, how did you get to Wonderland?" Jefferson asks, tucking his chin to look down at Alice.
"My parents were King and Queen, in a neighboring kingdom. They we kind and fair. After my twin sister, Dakota and I were born, the prophecy came about. Saying how the savior had been born and she was going to free Wonderland from the Queen Of Hearts, Cora… I was born of light magic, my sister of dark magic. We were suppose to both combat Cora, but Cora had our parents killed when we were eighteen…" Alice explains wih a sad sigh.
"Cora… She has always been hungry for power, even destroyed her own daughter's happy ending, the stories say." Jefferson murmurs softly.
"Cora knew I was the savior and she felt me a threat to her crown, but the funny part? I never wanted her crown, never wanted to be queen. I just wanted to be happy. My sister finds me foolish, which is why she keeps her distance from me. Says I am blinded by my search for happiness. It's not that, I just do not wish to rule a land that is not meant to have rules." Alice explains.
Jefferson finds himself wrapping a gentle arm around Alice's shoulders, letting her lean into him a little more. She felt content, safer than she had ever felt since she was just a girl. Jefferson looks down at the woman by his side, taking note of her features and the way she brought her hand up to rest on his stomach when he laid them both back against the pillows on the bed.
"What about you, where do you come from?" She questions softly.
"To be honest, I was an orphan who learned how to survive. The Enchanted Forest has always been home. I stole to survive… then I grew to like it, I guess you could say. The thrill of it, of simply taking what ever I wished. I never really looked back or wondered about the what ifs, they will drive you mad if you allow them too." He explains.
"Is being mad really so terrible? The best people are a little mad you know." Alice chirps, looking up at Jefferson.
"Who says I am not already?" Jefferson teases, meeting her gaze.
"Then we can be mad together." Alice responds.
"I like the sound of that, my dear Alice." Jefferson chuckles.
They continue their idle chitchat before a yawn escapes Alice and her eyes start to close. Jefferson releases her for only a moment to get up and blow out the candles and lamps before joining her in bed once more. He opens his arms for her, watching as she slides into his embrace. It was nice for them both, to feel the warmth of another. For Alice, this was a first for her. Jefferson was the first man she had ever laid beside and it was comforting. He gave her no reason not to trust him. For Jefferson, this was new in a way because he never allowed any woman close enough. Women were usually there for pleasure and then sent on their way, but with Alice, he found himself content in holding her and sharing her wamrth.
"Goodnight, my dear Jefferson." Alice murmurs in a sleepy tone.
"Sweetest of dreams, my darling Alice." He responds.
Alice rests her head on Jefferson's chest, his arm around her and hand resting on her hip. They both fall into a deep sleep, for the first time, neither of them had anything to worry about for the moment. Both felt as if they could trust the other and hoped they weren't proven wrong.
