A/N: Thank you to my fabulous reviewers for your input and encouragement.

Cerberus Angel - What Rum wanted at the end of the prologue is actually the subject of one of my side stories I'm working on. Short answer though: Baelfire. Rumple prefers being that dark presence over everything though while only making minimal appearances.


Jefferson had already been relatively sure that the royal family would find a room for their current doctor while he was spending time examining the Prince. It left him however without a house guest or much to do other than wait for some sort of news. There was always the option to return just for the sake of keeping the Princess company outside of Igor. Besides the manservant was going to have his hands plenty busy as it was without Victor around. Jefferson stayed right where he was though, poking at his fireplace and just enjoying being back home. It would have only turned into an argument about him trying to baby-sit her and he didn't need the frustrations. The most likely thing to harm her was in places she couldn't go in the first place.

The highlight of the week was the day early return of Grace with a bag filled with herbs and Baelfire right at her heels.

"Another adventure finished... And guessing I would be better off to stick around here for the long run while you run off. Right?" He just sat at the hearth trying to warm himself, undoubtedly just torn back into their world from somewhere cold considering the melting ice that was just turning his hair wet and frizzing out as it dried.

Jefferson pulled out the extra ingredients needed for soup from the larder and just sat at the table chopping it all up. "Who's leaving?"

"They can't have actually rejected you!" Grace looked aghast. "We have to go to the Gray World to get Victor."

"He's already at the castle…"

"But… How…?"

Grace sat down and listened as he went on while continuing to prepare the food and going over the Princess just ordering him around and sparing few details along with his commentary on the rest of the family. It was still a little unnerving not having the gentry glaring down their noses at him like he was a simple peasant. Or the other half that usually had something they wanted from him once they knew what he could do. The conversation would not leave those four walls and Baelfire was already amused at the rather strong opinions that seemed to be coming out now. "So she's there, I'm here, and with any luck I can return her safely back."

"You like her." Grace just grinned, looking over at Bae to confirm he was thinking the same but only got a look of surrender in return. He wasn't going to get involved in any potential argument between the Hatters. "Not like that. Just… She doesn't just go along with whatever you say and kind of keeps you on your toes sort of like her. And she's apparently not just the delicate little Princess either. I could see you getting to be friends with her. And don't hold too much against her. She doesn't know." She reached over and just tugged lightly on the ends of his scarf. "No one knows, Papa… But otherwise it went… Fine?"

"I'm better…"

"I know. I know…" She traced small patterns on the table and looked down the white line down her arm. "But I also know that the only other person who has been in a real position to try and get you down from another attack has an impressive scar to show as well. While it might have about serve her right for pushing you into a corner, it wouldn't have turned out too well if something had set you off." She got up and just ran a hand along his back before adding water to the cooking pot and starting to collect up the vegetables he had already cut up.

"Advantage to Victor's world though. The only bright colors are what I bring along with me."

"True" She nodded a few times with a smile. "Explains the visiting the good Doctor more often, and if there's something more you two are working on, I don't need to know about it."

"It's not so much something we're working on when I go to visit. Just talking mostly. And it's about as far away from Wonderland as you can get."

"True... March did want me to pass on well wishes to you and hoped things were going well." Jefferson smiled slightly, but said nothing of his old friend. "All keep talking about the day the White Queen will rise like they've prophesied for years. Really starting to wonder if she even exists."

"Or maybe the White Queen is actually a male?" Bae suggested.

"Perhaps... Would you rather we talk about something else though, papa?"

Jefferson felt about as steady as ever, but there was always that small nagging nervousness that came with knowing Grace had been to Wonderland. Possibly why she never told him ahead of time where she was going. Today however there was something else nagging at him about it. "Why do I get the feeling you have news from Wonderland and just afraid to share for any number of reasons?"

"Told you he was too bright not to see right through us bringing it up." Bae chuckled, brushing his hair out with his fingers. "The White Queen isn't the only one they talk about... There's still the Queen of Hearts keeping all the folk in fear of her, but there is also the Red Queen."

"Also part of all their mythology..."

"Exactly," sighed Grace. "Never ran into her, but she sounds just as bad if not potentially the slightest bit worse. And we've got prices for our capture if you or I are found and taken within Wonderland at any time. Correct names and everything."

Jefferson had no intentions at all of going near that particular land, but still that was troubling information. "You told me you went by Alice there." Grace nodded, looking down. "But then who would have... Regina." Another nod. "And you think she's the Red Queen?" She looked back up and met his eyes before nodding again.

"Makes sense at least."

Jefferson just nodded back, delving into his own thoughts that were growing darker by the moment. No wonder he was on a blacklist, but still not some place he relished the thought of returning to in the first place. Time might heal all wounds but it did take plenty of itself when it came to getting his mind back. He put on a smile and banished the thoughts of the over-saturated nightmare.

"Wanted to go see how things were with Victor anyhow and see if I can figure out something… Feel like coming along?" Jefferson just looked between the pair, both lacking in much to do at the moment.

Grace just grabbed her cloak and put it on, grinning to herself as her father followed her out, tossing the hood up behind her. He'd slowly gotten used to having a grown daughter who looked more like a younger sister now, but there were still the little things that still reminded her of her papa when he was all she needed in the world.

Jefferson was starting to think that he should start learning the names of the palace guards considering how quick they were to let him pass with the small party. Not knowing them when they were so quick to recognize him seemed rude. Plus it was nice to be acknowledged as someone other than the madman. Though it felt the slightest like security was rather lax around the palace. What fears did they really have left?

"Long time since I've been here," Grace commented wistfully. "And definitely wasn't just told where to go and then left without supervision to make sure I got there."

"Hoping that means Victor's actually making progress..." Jefferson was just looking around at the walls and taking it all in. Royalty really didn't seem all that grand when your hallways all looked the same.

There was the sound of feminine laughter down the hallway as they approached near Victor's rooms. The three just exchanged looks before knocking on the door. It was answered a few moments later by the Doctor who just looked at them before commenting back into the room, "just my dear Hatter and company." He turned back to Jefferson with a slightly more sober expression. "Nothing too serious then?"

"Not at all..."

"Ah... Good then." He pushed the door open, revealing Red just sitting at a table with a jug sitting between her and a recently vacated chair. "I was actually going to come by to see you this evening. And lovely to see you Miss Grace and your... Friend?"

"Baelfire. He's my traveling companion you might say. And my best friend."

"You wanted to see me?" Jefferson knew it was rude, but the also knew where his friend's comments would stray toward, given the opportunity. The last thing he wanted today was Victor flirting with his daughter.

"I should go... Give you time to talk." Red smiled around at them, finishing her glass and getting up.

"I'll see you later?"

"Perhaps, doctor..." Red smiled over at him before heading out the door, red cloak just draped over her arm. The three nodded with respect though Jefferson was the first to look back at Victor and just shake his head with an amused grin. Only here a few days and he was already flirting with the locals, and rather successfully as well from the looks of things.

"Well then sit, sit… Really they've left me with far too nice accommodations, but at the very least it does make it easy enough to entertain. Not that there's really been much call for it here." Victor went back to his chair and sat back, stretching out his legs in front of him as the others found seats. "Did want to see you, but it wasn't all that urgent. Few things from my house. Igor should be able to collect it all together." He pushed a list over across the table toward Jefferson only to have it snatched up and looked over by Grace.

"I have two of these five plants already. Not a whole lot of call for them. Then it's all a matter of finding someone who knows what to do with them and wants any. I could probably get the others, but easier just to get yours…" Grace smiled. "It's what I do though. Studying how to use plants to make medicines and collecting things that are harder or impossible to find here to sell. Poppy powder for instance. Though I stopped processing it myself after accidentally sneezing a finished pile of the stuff into Bae's face. He was out for three days straight…"

"Just glad I wasn't there," quipped Jefferson and glancing over the list before putting it in his pocket. "Any chance of possibly seeing the Prince? I'll leave you three to talk plants and the like, but as long as I'm headed back then she's going to want a full report."

"If you'd like… He might be with their nursemaid if anyone, but they were headed out to the gardens." Jefferson nodded and went to get up as Victor turned back to Baelfire. "Are you sure we haven't met before somewhere?"

"I believe you've worked with my father, but I haven't been here for long." He looked a little uncomfortable in his chair and glancing to Grace for help.

Clearly it had suddenly hit Victor. "Rumplest-"

"No!"

"Stop!"

"Oh suck an elf…"

"Iltskin?" Victor just looked around over what the issue was at the four faces in the room. It took a moment before noticing Jefferson's chair was reoccupied and yet his friend was still headed for the door.

"Victor… Rude not to tell an old friend when you're in town, dearie. I thought you had better manners than that." The Dark One just sat there with his fingers steepled and getting comfortable. On the other side of the table however Jefferson was had just the right angle to see Grace reaching over under the table and taking Baelfire's hand and just giving it a reassuring squeeze while the rest of her body language just read as bored to see Rumplestiltskin there in the first place, resting her chin in her free hand. Jefferson turned back and just returned to the table rather than abandon them now.

"Well I haven't been here all that long… And rather busy trying to figure out something that your magic can't fix." Victor sat up a little taller, crossing his arms.

"Ah yes, the little Prince and the Queen's parting gift before they tossed her into jail. Can't harm the king and queen but the children were easy enough bait for anyone looking for a bit of revenge." Rumplestiltskin's grin that followed was short-lived.

"And we all then question if it's a matter of he can't do anything or won't do anything." Baelfire just looked across the table before grabbing for the bottle and pouring a glass. "What good is all the power after all if you can't do some good with it?"

"Can't," Rumple snapped back a little too quickly. Even after it happening a few times any time someone used "the name" around Baelfire, Jefferson was still amazed how the pair could make you feel like you were intruding on a private conversation and should leave despite them being in your house. Hence why they'd come up with about any nickname possible for the Dark One and not actually saying it. "Anyone that has tried anything has only made things worse. Regina made sure of that as well as making sure it wasn't anything quick as poison."

"Takes after her teacher." The four glanced at Jefferson which only got a shrug in response. He wasn't going to make any excuses for the witch that was likely terrorizing Wonderland now. "If you don't mind however, I have other business here and a few things to figure out."

Rumplestiltskin leaned forward slightly, only causing a smirk from Jefferson at how he was trying to maintain his calm and control of the situation. Rum was nothing if he couldn't keep reign over whatever room he happened to be in at the time. "And what vexes you so much, Hatter?"

"The eldest Princess… And if anyone knows her, it would be her younger brother. And she'll want to know everything after all." And if there was anything else to know, he wasn't all that sure he wanted his old business associate getting involved in it. He waited for a moment and went to leave the room again.

"So it has nothing to do with her having magic?" Jefferson paused considering how much he really wanted to know what Rumplestiltskin had to say on the subject. He tapped his fingers against the door frame he was standing in before finally looking back. "So you do feel it. Not that she's aware of it more than likely, or at least exactly what it is that she's feeling. Fate cut short… A life she was never supposed to be allowed to live… And bursting with magic."

Jefferson just frowned. "Back to speaking in riddles?"

"Not riddles, dearie. You of all people should know how one small change can alter a person's entire future. Some things will always happen, but others will change. She has quite the future ahead of her no matter what I've done in the past… Even I've seen that much, but it's still up to her to make her own choices on how she gets there. And what happens."

He hated the bad taste that was left in his mouth of all the things better left unspoken. Jefferson had once worked rather well with Rum, but time had changed them both and the other man keeping him away from his daughter when they needed each other the most had not helped to mend any bridges between them. He was also fairly sure the other man didn't take kindly to his son constantly running off with the Hatter's daughter, but there was little he could do about that and all pushing them apart was going to do was pushing them away.

"I'll be back in a bit… Sounds like we're still going on another adventure." They exchanged smiles before he left and followed along with the guards down to the royal gardens where Prince James sat in the shade of a tall hedge, pruning a potted bush.

He barely looked up from his work and sat there smiling. "One has to wonder what my sister has done already to require a visit from the famous Master Hatter."

"Hardly famous, your highness."

"Cosette's back inside… James is quite fine without the "your highness"es and the like. And you're quite famous enough for this household. Especially after the commotion with Emma. Quite entertaining however." He brushed the trimmings off to the ground and turned his attention back to Jefferson. "Please sit if you intend to stay for a bit. It's not often I get to grant an audience to anyone other than family and people trying to poke at me for answers."

Jefferson decided to take him up on the offer. The high hedges were making him the slightest bit nervous, but then there was also just the kind smile of the young man across from him that was reassuring enough. "I didn't recall seeing you there."

"Large enough crowds. And I wanted to hear what you had to suggest, but I don't think anyone was expecting Emma to volunteer. Scarlet is still sure we're going to be hearing any day now that she's been taken hostage by pirates or something of the sort." James shook his head and took a drink from his water glass.

"Well the plan at the moment is to hopefully bring her back home since I'm going that way anyhow for the doctor. Things have been improving? At least what I've been hearing about your health, yo- James."

"So far… Different from what most people have tried since the curse just seems to amplify every time someone has tried magic on it." Jefferson smiled, listening with interest. "Just nice to not have everyone watching me like I'm going to drop over at any moment though."

"I'm sure…" He was still considering how to figure this mystery out. Rumplestiltskin's words were still echoing in his head. Bursting with magic… He just moved his chair slightly closer. "You know I met a fortune teller in another world who showed me how to read palms." Jefferson held out his hand. "If I might?"

James looked to be studying him for a long moment before he finally offered his hand, palm upward, toward the hatter while keeping his eyes on his face. Jefferson only smiled slightly at the feeling and looked over the slightly dirty palm. "Your life line is rather shallow, but deepens past your health line. It is nice a long though. You are a caring person, and if this is believed will soon meet someone. It won't last, but there is someone else in your future… And from there it looks like you will be happy as well as continuing your love of plants."

"You can tell all that just from my palm?" James said skeptically, pulling it back and examining for himself.

"That and the fact that it's rather dirty from spending time out here." Jefferson nodded seriously before his face couldn't take it and broke out into another smile. "As with everything however, I try to take the idea of fate with a healthy dose of doubt. Despite what others might think and say, I don't really think that the future has already been written and can't be changed."

"Apparently those that can see the future found more than one path. The whole curse that was going to imprison everyone… But we were told how to stop the evil witch. I don't remember most of what happened actually."

"Fate changed… Maybe things will still happen that were supposed to happen and maybe they won't. Would you really want to live your life feeling like no matter what you did there was only one set path for you?"

James just shook his head before both were looking over at the sound of footsteps. "That would be tea time… Feel free to stay. Though I'm sure whatever it is Dr. Frankenstein is asking for, the sooner we have it, the better."

Jefferson nodded, getting up and tipping an invisible hat. "With any luck, the next time I see you will involve your sister, your highness. At least once I steal the kids back away from Victor again. I bid you a good day."

He turned back to head inside, mind swimming to make complete sense out of the royal family.


Emma was bored.

It wasn't just the fact that this entire place lacked anything all that interesting to look at when the only thing she thought she even saw flashes of were a steely blue. There was a large library of books to read and she'd been surprised to find that they weren't all on medicine and subjects she thought the doctor would be interested in. The botany books had caught her interest and she was wondering if it was possible to take any of the flowers home to see what would happen to them.

There was no one to talk to though. Most of the time the manservant seemed otherwise occupied in areas that she had been banned from entering. Her mind had started to make up possible scenarios about what was going on back there. Most of them involved the Doctor hiding some secret lover away from the world because his parents never would have approved of her. Or perhaps she had died and there was still a child that he kept locked away and would bring back toys for the little one whenever he went on one of these trips.

It was all that was keeping her with any vague amount of sanity when leaving to go out and explore much more than the grounds seemed like a very bad idea. It had only been a few days but she was considering asking for paper and something to write with so she could start making notes of everything to tell her siblings at the very least. There were just the little things that she thought they would want to know about. Even Cosette might be curious about some of the foods she was being served or how they preferred coffee more than tea. Then most of her observations were just on the one household… Perhaps if this went on for much longer she would ask if there was a town close she could visit during the day as long as she was back before nightfall.

The knock on the door startled her early one evening. The second time she started to look around for any sign that someone was going to get it. It had been threatening rain through supper and likely only a matter of time before it would start pouring down on the knocker. On the third time she got up from her book and went to answer the door.

The man at the door looked about middle-aged with gray streaks in his black hair. Of course everything was gray and black, but she was still sure enough of it while she just held tightly to the door. "I'm sorry, but the master of the house isn't able to come to the door right now."

"Apologies for disturbing you, mistress… I was only hoping to find a place to wait out the storm." The man smiled at her slightly and pulled his cloak more tightly around himself. "And it is terribly cold out here."

Emma returned the smile, glancing back and still seeing no sign of anyone else in the house. "Well then come in and try to warm yourself by the fire. I'm sure I could also get you some tea or coffee if you would like."

"No, nothing." He seemed to hesitate for a moment before entering the house as Emma offered him a hand to assist him. The poor man was about frozen to the bone just from the feel of his hands and led him over to the sofa to sit down. "You are a very kind young woman."

Emma chuckled, half amused at his comment and half enchanted with his strange accent. "Well my mother did always teach me to treat others with kindness even if they are not as apt to do the same." She made sure he was comfortable and brought over a blanket before going to take a seat over in one of the chairs. "Or as my sister would probably put it "it costs nothing to be kind, but potentially everything to be impolite"… She tends to quote everything she thinks sounds slightly wise and toss it back out at us whenever it seems to fit."

The man relaxed and put the blanket over himself while looking back at her with amusement. "You're not from around here."

Emma just laughed. "However could you tell?"

"People here… They are often rude and only care for themselves a great deal of the time. It's not only your appearance but also how you act. I had several people turn me away this evening without a second thought."

"How awful." Emma couldn't imagine even Igor making the man leave with the rain that was about to start. "Well at least you're safe and inside again until the rain stops… Are you sure there's nothing I can get you to eat?"

"Perhaps later."

She couldn't help the feeling of ease that was coming over her, perhaps just from playing hostess and having someone who was actually willing to sit and talk with her. She got rather comfortable in her chair and told him some things about her home, leaving out the details of her position in the other world. The man just listened kindly and only asked occasional questions when he needed something clarified. He didn't mock her either when the thunder started in.

Instead he just told her about his own home over the mountains and trying to get back there since leaving London. It was the most about this world that she had heard since arriving that wasn't out of one of the books. Not to mention distracting from the thunderstorms. He was also incredibly charming which wasn't helping her pull herself away to try and get to bed.

"It's getting rather late…" She commented idly as the clock on the mantle started chiming for midnight.

"And you are getting very sleepy…" She smiled as it almost sounded more like a command than a comment. Emma covered her mouth as a yawn overtook her and looked over at the door to the forbidden rooms opened as Igor stepped out and just looked a little stunned at the visitor.

"You…"

"Ah, so I did find the house of Doctor Frankenstein. The young lady here has been ever so kind to me." He stood with a faint smile as Igor looked at the walls frantically. Emma was confused as to why he was pulling off a cross and brandishing it like a weapon.

"You are not welcome in this house, monster!"

The man laughed and she was sure she had only blinked and he was across the room and had Igor by the throat. "And are you going to stop me with a little piece of gold like it's supposed to scare me away? And where is the good doctor?"

"Not here… And you're not going to get near him no matter how many people you trick."

The stranger just lifted him up into the air. Igor just kicked his feet while his face was turning purple. Emma was trying to shake off the feeling of sleepiness that had come over her and just went looking for the nearest thing she could find with any sort of sharpness to it. Her limbs all felt like they weighed about twice as much as usual. Not that something as silly as sleepiness was going to stop her now.

"Leave him alone!"

The stranger grinned, showing off sharp teeth and looked back at Igor before shrugging and tossing him back against the wall. Emma cried as he slumped to the ground but had no time to see if he was even breathing before the stranger was on her. "So the girl is going to fight back? Good luck with that, little one…"

His hands that had been just gently in hers before were now like iron gripping onto her arms as he sunk his teeth into her neck. It didn't stop her from trying to pull away and managing at least twice to stab him with the sharp object in her hand.

All she got in response was the feeling of warm chuckles against her neck and an increasing feeling that she was going to die right here. Likely not helping her much as she heard her heart pounding in her head and aiding her attacker in sapping her of all of her blood and energy.

The edges of her vision were getting fuzzier.

Slipping.

Fading into oblivion.

Somehow it didn't hurt as she just fell back into the darkness.

More like falling asleep.

.

.

.

.

.

"I've got you, Princess."