Disclaimer: I do not own OUAT, only my oc Alice
The Shepard
A book in hand, Alice subtly stole glances at Jefferson as he focused on recreating another hat. She smiled slightly, seeing the crease between his eyebrows as he concentrated on getting the needle through. Ever since the mining incident, Alice had been visiting Jefferson every day for the past week. She felt a comforting presence being around him. Alice looked up from her book again to steal a glance, this time Jefferson looked up as well, locking eyes with her.
"You're distracting me," He teased, focusing back on the hat. Alice dropped her book in appall.
"What?! How?" Alice argued, her face flushed in embarrassment from getting caught.
"How am I supposed to make a hat with you staring at me like that?" He murmured picking up the needle. Alice let out a scoff before picking up her book and putting it high up to cover her face.
"Fine," She huffed from her seat. Jefferson placed everything down with a smile before quietly walking towards her. He stopped till he was face to face with her book, before slowly taking it out of her hand. Alice felt her breath hitch when she noticed how close he was.
"I didn't say I didn't like it," Jefferson whispered, his breath echoing off of hers. He leaned in closer till their lips ghosted over each other. Alice let her eyes slowly close, waiting in anticipation. Just as he was inching closer, something vibrated causing Alice to push herself against the chair with her eyes shut. Jefferson gritted his teeth before handing Alice her phone, which lied on the end table. Jefferson removed himself from his spot before going back to the hat. Alice let out a quiet, shaky breath before pressing answer.
"Hello?" She dared to glance up at Jefferson. He looked up and gave her a small smile before picking up a needle.
"Where are you?" She heard Emma's voice on the other line. Alice's furrowed in confusion, "You're missing David's party, he'll be here any minute." Alice closed her eyes in remembrance.
"Yeah, sorry I kinda lost track of time, I'll be there in a few minutes," Alice sighed before hanging up. Jefferson looked up from his work before making his way over to her. "I'm really sorry; I completely forgot I had plans tonight."
"Don't worry about it," He said as they walked out to the front door, "I'll be here if you need me." Alice gave him a grateful smile before pressing her lips just above his jaw line. Jefferson restrained himself from grabbing her and taking her then and there.
"Goodnight Jefferson," Alice smiled before walking out. Jefferson closed the door and gripped the pocket watch tightly.
"So that's where the great and terrible Oz is," Jefferson mocked as he and I sat on the side of the yellow brick road. Jefferson was leaning against the tree as I turned around to face him.
"Enough about Oz, tell me, what's Wonderland like?" I asked in wonder. He let out a bitter laugh.
"You wouldn't like it trust me," he frowned, "There's nothing wonderful about Wonderland."
"I think you're wonderful," I argued. I couldn't place the emotion in his eyes when he looked at me.
"Really?" He asked, genuinely curious. I nodded furiously.
"You're the most interesting person I've met," I admitted before looking at him in pure excitement, "Maybe one day, I can go back with you to Wonderland! Then maybe you wouldn't hate it so much." I turned my head to look at Emerald City's Palace. We sat in silence for the rest of the night, but I could still feel his gaze on me.
"You know," Jefferson said breaking the silence. He reached out and tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. I blushed at the contact, "I think you're right. Maybe one day Wonderland won't be so horrible if you're around."
"Hey," Alice greeted Emma and Henry breathlessly. She had managed to sneak behind David and Kathryn after they entered the door.
"Where have you been?" Emma asked as Alice took a seat beside her, "You've been disappearing here and there this week." Alice glanced up and saw David coming towards them as Henry looked at Alice suspiciously.
"I'll tell you later I promise." Alice whispered. Emma and Henry glanced up when they noticed his presence.
"Hey," David greeted the three. Alice couldn't help but notice the lost look on his face, "You're the ones who saved me, right?" Emma only looked at him in confusion before putting on a smile.
"Oh yeah, I guess," Emma stood up from her seat.
"And, uh, you're also the only ones I know here," David admitted as Alice and Henry stood up as well.
"You can hide with us," Alice smiled as a tray of food passed by.
"Fantastic," He returned the smile before taking a toothpick and stabbed a carrot. He twirled it in his hand before turning to the man, "Thank you.
"So, you ever use a sword?" Henry asked looking up at him in interest.
"I'm sorry?" David laughed before turning to Alice, "Alice, you're best friends with Mary Margaret right? You know if she's coming tonight?" Alice knew she needed to cover for her friend.
"No, she couldn't make it tonight," She smiled sadly as David looked away in disappointment and walked away from the three. Emma then turned to Alice with raised eyebrows.
"You wanna tell me where you've been the past few days?" Emma asked as Henry looked at her curiously. Alice bit her lip before leaning in.
"I've been seeing a guy," she admitted biting back a smile as Emma looked at her in shock.
"What? Who?!" Emma asked excitedly. Alice allowed herself to grin widely.
"I don't know if you'd know him, he kind of keeps himself secluded from the town," Alice said before sighing, "But he's different, there's just something about him that… just draws me in." Emma smiled at the dazed look on her new friend's face.
"Well as long as he makes you happy," Emma said with a pleased smile. She squeezed Alice's hand before pointing over to the small crowd of people, "Wanna join me in some socializing?" Alice wrinkled her nose.
"Nah, I think I'm gonna turn in for the night," Alice ruffled Henry's hair before waving goodbye to the two.
Alice woke up the next morning, or afternoon to be specific, feeling oddly refreshed again. No nightmares or odd dreams. It worried her slightly but she wasn't complaining. Maybe she just needed someone to scare away the dreams. Alice smiled, thinking of a certain person who might have done just that. Mary Margaret rushed into her room in a daze, taking in Alice's state.
"You're still in bed," She pointed out as Alice looked at her confused. Alice merely nodded.
"And you're happy," She stated and Alice nodded again. Mary Margaret joined her in her bed, looking absolutely amazed.
"This guy must be amazing," She gushed and Alice bit her lip to hold back a smile before whispering excitedly, "I know." Alice then looked at Mary Margaret and noticed the oddly pleased smile on her face.
"What happened?" Alice asked, shocking Mary Margaret. Before she could open her mouth Alice cut her off, "Is it David?" Mary Margaret openly gaped at her.
"How'd you know?" She asked with wide eyes. Alice gave her a pointed look.
"You just came back from school looking way to happy, what else could it be?" Mary Margaret went to argue before shaking her head.
"Yeah you're right," She pulled Alice up from bed, "Hurry and change, I wanna tell you and Emma at the same time." Alice held her hands up in surrender when she was pushed again before running to the bathroom to change.
"Emma can we talk to you for a minute?" Mary Margaret dragged Alice into the Sheriff's station. There Emma was seated eating a donut and Graham was standing with a box full of them. Graham noticed the looks he was receiving.
"I'll just go patrol my office," He said giving a smile to Alice as she waved him goodbye.
"Thanks," Emma called as he walked out. Emma looked at Mary Margaret expectantly.
"He left his wife," Emma and Alice exchanged shocked looks, "David! He left her! He left Kathryn!" Alice placed a hand on her shoulders to calm her down.
"Okay, slow down." Emma said as Mary Margaret looked like she goes going to explode in happiness.
"He did it for me," She said glancing between her two friends, "He wants me to be with him. He wants me to be with him. He wants me to meet him tonight." Mary Margaret waited for their reactions
"That's, uh…" Emma looked at Alice for help.
"Is this what you really want?" Alice asked cautiously as her friend paced around them.
"I mean, I'm trying so hard to be strong, but he just keeps coming," Mary Margaret pointed out, "I mean, how do I stop it? You know, how do I let him down? What would you guys do?" Alice nodded at Emma.
"I'd go," Emma said causing Mary Margaret to stop pacing.
"What?" Mary Margaret looked at her in surprise.
"Well, he left her. It's one thing to say that he wants you, but it's another to actually make a choice and now he has." Emma explained. Mary Margaret looked conflicted before turning to Alice for her opinion.
"That's all you can really ask of him," Alice shrugged and Mary Margaret nodded.
"Given her new friendship with Kathryn, I don't think Regina would be happy," Mary Margaret added.
"All the more reason to do it!" Emma said taking a bite out of the donut.
"Good lord. Is this really happening?" Mary Margaret asked in disbelief.
"I've been asking myself that question since day one," Alice laughed taking a piece off of Emma's donut.
"You're leaving?" Disappointment leaked through my voice as I stared sadly at Jefferson. He had his hat in his hand, ready to jump through into another world.
"I got what I came for," Jefferson held up the crystal ball I helped him snag, "But 'm not gonna lie you've grown on me." He shot me a genuine smile before placing the globe in his bag. I gave a small smile before frowning.
"But the slippers?" I asked. He merely shrugged.
"Guess I'll have to find some excuse to tell Rumple," He said before noticing my worried look, "Don't worry about, I'll make up some excuse." I bit my lip before glancing down at the round bulge in his bag.
"This is what you do? To survive," I asked curiously as a wave of guilt hit me. Jefferson sighed before placing two hands on my shoulders. He leaned in slightly closer and locked eyes with me.
"I'll be fine, and as for you, no one will know you had any part of this," He smiled; I gave him an uncertain smile before it turned into a sad one.
"Will you ever come back?" I asked as we walked further into the forest. He quirked an eyebrow as we came to a stop at a clearing.
"For you?" He asked looking at me intently before giving me a lazy smile, "Always." He walked closer and brushed back a curl away from my face. I felt blood rush to my cheeks at the contact before grinning.
"You better, or I'll just go to find you myself," I teased. Jefferson laughed before taking large steps away from me. I watched in awe as he spun the hat and purple smoked merged from t, creating a cyclone. He locked eyes with me once more before jumping through. The cyclone caused the wind to blow in every direction. I closed my eyes to block out any dirt from entering. When I opened them, he was gone and I was alone in the forest again.
"Mary?" Alice called out when she heard the door open and close. She walked out from her bedroom and noticed Mary Margaret standing in the living room, her face blank from any expression. "How'd it go with David?" Alice asked cautiously when he reached her friend. Mary Margaret stayed silent as she slowly grabbed Alice in a close embrace. Alice's expression went from curious to concern until she felt Mary Margaret's body wreck in silent sobs. Alice closed her eyes and sighed in understanding as she led Mary Margaret to the couch and pulled her friend closer. She rubbed her back in comfort when she felt her tears stain her dress. Alice placed a comforting kiss in her hair. Mary Margaret had always done the comforting and now it was Alice's turn. Alice stayed silent, knowing her friend needed comfort right now, not words of fake hope. The apartment stayed quiet for the rest of the night; only Mary Margaret's silent sniffles and tears filled the room.
A/N:
This chapter was a bit short due to my new SAT classes this month + I didn't really know how to fit her in an episode about David's past. Thank you for all the nice reviews, it seriously makes my day reading them:
Holy cow I just finished season three and you can bet that Alice/Dorothy will have a huge role in that season! One of the episodes I'm looking most forward to writing is the heart is a lonely hunter because Alice/Dorothy will be a major contributor in it!
xo
