Jefferson never really considered his life a success, but he has now been successful in something. He has successfully disappointed everyone he cared about in his life. He let his poor Grace down. He has let his wife, Victoria down by brining that dreaded illness for his trip through a portal. Since it was a foreign disease no doctors in the Enchanted Forest knew a cure. He attempted to go back to find a cure but he was unsuccessful at that as well and upon his return home, Victoria had already died and he wasn't even with her. Grace was. Strong Grace who has had too many sad events in her too short of a life. He has to get back to her. He's been stuck here in Wonderland for these past several months, Grace must think he's dead. Just like her mother. He's so sorry that he ever got involved with the hat but now he must get it to work. He has too. He just has to get back to Grace. It's consuming his mind as he franticly crafts several hats hoping to get one to work.

He hates Wonderland, he never should have come here. He never should have accepted any job from Regina. He should have seen her deceptive ways, he himself had acted in those ways in the past. He is part to blame for the part he played in her joining forces with Rumplestiltskin. He is sorry for that. If only he could turn back time, he could undo a lot of harm and pain he has caused people. It's the should have, could have, would have, that drives him insane. He has to watch every move and step around the, in his opinion heartless, Queen of Heart. She will give the decree of "Off with their head" for the slightest infraction. Why she allowed him to live even after his was taken off, he does not know. Sometime he wonders if it was even a good thing. He spends his days as well as his nights cutting, assembly, sewing trying to make a hat that will work. Trying different feels of material, different styles, different patterns. Sewing until he can no longer feel his fingers, the numbness taking over. Cutting ribbons, designing different hats hoping anything might work. Sometimes he'll work through the night, because if he doesn't the nightmares will come.

He wonders what is worse, the nightmares during his sleep or the maddening thoughts during the day?

His mind wanders everywhere, the places he's been, the things he's seen, the people he's know. The two who fill his mind are Grace and Tiger Lily. He thinks of the times he spent with her, her smile her laugh. What he wouldn't give to see her smile again. He tries very hard to stop those thoughts from going any further, she's gone now. Just like Victoria. He must concentrate on Grace. She still back home. His only reprieve from the madness is the thought that at least Grace is happy with neighbors who have so lovingly cared for during all of his absences. He is forever grateful to them for providing her with the love and stability he never could. Perhaps she is better off. Maybe it's a good thing he is stuck here in Wonderland. Then his thoughts spiral down.

This is how he lived his days, surrounded by the madness until one day he hear a message from the Rabbit in passing, "A curse has hit the Enchanted Forest, it is no more. Regina enacted a curse." Since the message was not intended for him, and the rabbit ran by so quickly, he was unable to question any further details. The Evil Queen? Of course, he probably assisted her in someway. Where was his Grace? Then his world went black.


Jefferson woke up in a large plush bed. This is definitely not his space allotted to him by the Queen of Hearts. He gets up and makes his way through a rather larger house. Yet he's not in a castle. But it was beautifully decorated. He was not sure if this was supposed to be his dwelling all on his own or if he was guest in someone's home. After going through the many rooms he discovers this is a very large home. There's a craft room with many tools for sewing, vast amounts of fabrics. Was he to continue to make his hat work? He figured that is what he is supposed to do. He sits down and tries to make another hat and hopes it works.

He figured this is another realm he was transported to. There were several things he learned about this realm. First it was not the Enchanted Forrest, and if he were to believe the Rabbit, the Enchanted Forrest is no more, due to some evil machination of Regina. Another thing he learned was this realm has amazing machinery. There was a powered machine that did the sewing. There were multiple machines in the kitchen. A box that kept the food cold. A box that showed talking, moving photographs. That box was most informational. He also discovered that in the room dedicated to being a library, there were books that explained each machine, that told of this realm's history, nature, culture. He also discovered an amazing time piece that recorded time. He started it and let it run. As he became engrossed in learning this land, he wondered if someone would come to drag him away to another realm. Maybe he was one of Dr. Frankenstein's disturbing experiments. Time passed and he did not step foot outside the house except weekly to retrieve a box of food that was delivered to his door. This land, Storybrook, had markets that delivered food if you sign up for such service.

Jefferson purchased a telescope. It was a wonderful device that allowed him to watch the people of the town without having to venture out among them. He was content being alone, or so he told himself. He missed Grace if only he knew where she was and how to get his hat to work. One day as he was looking out his window he saw a boy who looked so much like a boy Grace had played with on days they went to the market. He was wearing this realm's clothes. He wondered if the madness had fully taken over him and he was imagining people. He wished he could recall the boy's name, he'd call out to him. Every morning at 7:15 am, the boy would run past and Jefferson would watch him. He started too look at other people walking about in the town. He thought he could recognize a few but could not place from where, he had been to countless realms. He found a park that children would play. He did something he hadn't done in a very long time, he left his house.

He sat at the bench just watching people. He was certain he saw a woman who sold blankets at the market. Her name was Fiona, when he went up to her, she said her name was Joan and she had never seen him in her life. He saw one of the Palace Bakers and he had no recollection of the Enchanted Forrest, then as Jefferson walked away, he heard him say, "That's the crazy recluse who lives up on the hill." He touched the scarf around his neck to make sure it concealed that hideous scar. He didn't need to bring any more added comments his way. Sitting on the bench as people walked by he never felt so lonely.

The school bus was pulling out after children loaded into it. After it left, what he saw was a woman, with caramel skin and long black hair braided down her back. She was walking away from where he was, so he only saw her back but he had heard her voice. She had said goodbye and waved as the bus drove by. He knew it was her. Tiger Lily was here! He ran across the street and ran up to her. He grabbed her in a hug and held her tightly as he spun her around. "I'm so happy to have found you!" he said.

Two things he learned very quickly as she squirmed and tried to fight him off. He immediately set he down. First, she had no recollection as to who he was and secondly, she was very, very pregnant.