Chapter 10: The Hatter

"Wakey, wakey!" The dark one exclaimed as he went around waking everyone up. Regina sat up in bed and almost threw a shoe at him. Almost. She got up after pushing Snow off the bed. Snow had apparently experienced a nightmare based around Leopold's death and wanted to sleep with Regina instead of her boyfriend. Regina was half-awake when she asked so she ended up mumbling yes to get the girl to shut up.

The young princess crashed to the ground and immediately shot back up.

"Regina!" She screeched. Regina cracked a grin at her and the girl ending up bursting out laughing. Regina didn't know what it was about her that prevented the girl from staying mad at her but she liked it. Snow playfully shoved her before heading down to the dining hall.

Everyone gathered to have a quiet breakfast served by Belle. No one seemed to be in the mood to talk about today's activity.

Once everyone finished, they all got suited up and went out to the stables. Rumpelstiltskin provided more horses so everyone got their own. The only one who seemed to have trouble, was Jefferson. Throughout the whole morning his hands were shaking badly and he barely seemed to acknowledge anything around him. Rumpelstiltskin merely wished them luck and went back to flirting with the maid.

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The only sounds made throughout the journey was the beating of the horse's hooves and the breathing of her companions. None of them really knew how to fight yet here there were, on their way to break into King George's castle to steal back Jefferson's hat.

"Regina."

She glanced over to see her father riding up alongside of her. He gave her a warm smile due to the fact that she was probably showing her concern on her face.

"We're not a bunch of imbeciles, we know how to take care of ourselves."

"I know, I'm just worried. They have a bunch of trained guards roaming the castle while we have two teenage lovebirds, an apprentice of dark magic, a hatter, and an old man." she let out an exasperated sigh which made her father chuckle.

"I agree that we sound like the start of a bad joke. At least we have the element of surprise on our side."

She grunted in agreement and looked down. If only Robin was still here. He'd know exactly how to handle this.

Unbeknownst to the group, a couple rode along another road, parallel to the group's. The two watched through the holes in their cover to follow along with their prey. Once their suspicions were confirmed, they kicked up their horses and headed down the trail to alert the King.

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"Annabelle!"

The young blonde poked her head out the window and looked down at her caller.

"Yes?"

"I need to talk to you. I was actually about to start throwing rocks at your window before you answered." She said as he started climbing up the rope of sheets she had thrown out to him. When he got up and sat on the windowsill, he reached into his pocket and pulled out an emerald. He held it out for her to see and a smirk appeared on his face. The sun seemed to hit the emerald just right to cause a glare off on the side and illuminating the entire gem.

"Oh Jefferson, it's beautiful!"

He started to glow at her words and a warm smile spread across his face. Not one of his smirks; An actual genuine smile. Annabelle's face only grew serious as she remembered what happened after the last encounter.

"Jefferson, you know I can't see you."

"You're looking at me right now, aren't you?"

"Yes but, you know my father doesn't like your line of work." She looked down at the gem again so she wouldn't have to see the look he gave her.

"Annabelle, your 20; you don't need your father's permission."

Her eyes darted back up to his. "I live with my father. I have to obey his rules." She said it forcefully as if she had to tell herself to believe that.

"Then come live with me. I have another job that might be able to get us the money we need."

"Jefferson, please tell me your not using that hat again!" As she pleaded she tried to keep the desperation in her voice toned down but she failed miserably.

"Ana, it only one simple job. I snatch a glass ball for the dark one and get a huge sum of gold in return." He said as if were the as simple as breathing.

"The dark one! I thought you were down working with him."

"He's the one that pays me the most." He looked down and pretended to find interest in the wood holding him up. She took his chin in her hand and lifted it up so their eyes met again.

"Jefferson, just give up the hat. For me, please?"

He looked into her deep brown eyes for a moment and shifted so he could get back down the rope.

"I'm sorry Annabelle; I have a job to get to."

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"What?!" King George screamed at his son's news.

"The hatter is coming to take back the hat." Jack steeps into the conversation.

"Don't worry father, we will get rid of them." James cuts back in.

"Wait. I have a plan." King George gathers the two and discusses it.

"Guards! Gather in outside my quarters."

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The group stops short someways away from the castle and wait for nightfall.

"Jefferson?" Regina calls while tying up Rocinante.

He looks up from the fire he started. "Yes?"

"Do you even know where the hat is?"

"Its in the king's bedroom."He says gravely. Everyone snaps their head around to look at him.

"And you didn't think to tell us sooner?!" Snow shouts.

"Snow?"

Her face goes deathly pale. "I'm sorry Regina, he just got me upset." She quickly turns and buries her face into David's arm.

"I'm sorry. I thought it if I told you, then you wouldn't want to help." He mutters sheepishly.

"Nonsense." Another voice calls. Everyone turns to look for the familiar voice's source. Robin steps out of the shadows with a bow in hand.

"I've broken into many noble's homes while they were sleeping. A royal shouldn't be that much different."

Regina's heart almost leaped out of her chest. She still didn't know what exactly pulled her to this man but she didn't care. Tink told her it would be true love. "Robin!" She ran over an hugged him. Did I really just do that? We barely know each other- Her thoughts broke when he actually hugged her back. When she pulled back, she was positive her face was bright red.

"Did you really think I would leave you all like that?" He said with a laugh. "Besides, you need my expertise." He went over and sat next to the fire. "So what's the plan?"

"We don't really have a plan..." Snow confessed.

"Well what are you trying to obtain?"

"My hat."

"Where is it?"

"King's bedroom."

"Ah, no problem."

"No problem?" Regina couldn't believe what this man was saying. She lived in a castle and found it hard just to get from her room to the garden at night. Was this man really that good?

"Yes. We climb up into a guard tower, sneak across the outer wall until we are under the king's window. Then we just climb up, take the hat, and be on our merry way." He paused for a moment. "King George's castle has a pretty simple design."

"How do you know that?" David asked, intrigued.

"Marian used to work as a maid for him. I broke in sometimes to see her."

"How is she? By the way." Snow cut in.

"She's doing great. We now have a son named Roland. He just has the most beautiful eyes; like his mother."

Well that really whacked Regina with a sense of Deja Vu. King Leopold would take any chance he could to go on and on about how beautiful his daughter is and how much she looks exactly like her mother. Now Robin was doing the same thing to her. She knew she could never have him but it still hurt.

"I'm sorry. I just can't believe I actually have a son now." He said with a huge smile.

"I understand. When I got my little girl, I wouldn't talk about anything else." Jefferson said and patted Robin on the back.

"Welcome to the club man."

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After getting what he needed from Rumpelstiltskin, Jefferson jumped at the chance to take part in the scam with the doctor. It would give him more money than he needed for now. After the task was done, his thoughts were proved true.

"Annabelle!" He couldn't wait to break the news to her. He skidded to a stop outside her window and called again. Still no answer. Something wasn't right.

"She's not here boy. She is no longer welcome. Neither are you." Annabelle's father called out to Jefferson from where he was busy chopping wood. Jefferson put aside his anger and crossed over to the man.

"Where is she?" He growled.

"Probably at the tavern." He didn't even look up a the younger man. Jefferson didn't waste any time and bolted off towards the inn.

He pushed open the door and burst inside. He looked around quickly and immediately spotted her carrying a tray with mugs of beer. What? Why is she working at the tavern? This can't be right.

"Annabelle?"

She looked up at him and put down the tray and dragged him to a closet all in one swift motion. Once inside, she burst into tears. The strong mask she always wore, fell away as she sobbed into Jefferson's shirt.

"Annabelle, what happened?" He grabbed her arms and forced her to look at him.

"My father disowned me." She said then burst into tears again.

"What?" he couldn't believe his own ears. The one respectable thing about the man was that he was always protective of his little girl and had an unfathomable love for her. One that apparently had gone away.

"What happened?"

She looked up into his eyes and reached up to hold his face.

"Jefferson, I'm pregnant."

Time seemed to have stopped as soon as she said those words. His heart race sped up and his breath hitched. A wide smile spread across his face as everything finally sunk in.

"For real?" He had to make sure what he was hearing was true.

"Yes. My father found out and he disowned me."

"Screw him. I got enough money to get us by for years."

Only then did Annabelle finally accept what happened. She let out a laugh and hugged him tightly. Jefferson only broke the hug to pull her into a deep kiss. She relaxed in his arms and they stayed like that until the need for air arose.

The two left the tavern that night and never went back...

Let me know what you think!

I wanna remind you guys that this is only my second fan fic so if you see anything off please let me know.