Jefferson hesitantly entered Regina's office the next morning. Frantically typing on her computer, she didn't hear him at all. Yesterday he had spent a sleepless night, conflicting thoughts plaguing his mind. His nostrils had been filled with her perfume, his lips still tasted of her lipstick (surprisingly, it was cherry), skin still marked by her kisses. However, he had also had thoughts of whether he could afford to jump into this. Once, a long time ago he would have jumped into anything just for the fun of it. But he was not a reckless mad-child anymore. He had a daughter now; he couldn't bring anyone into her life, into their life if he wasn't sure. And he wasn't. It felt like he had at least five voices in his head, each telling him different yet equally logical things. At one moment he would convince himself that this was Regina and whatever they would try would end like it always did – in failure. At the next, he would convince himself that this was Regina and that every effort they would put into staying away, especially now, would end like it always did – in failure. Their paths first crossed more than 30 years ago and however often they parted, they managed to cross again and again.

Now that he saw her so engrossed in her work, slightly narrowed eyes glued to the screen, he couldn't help but think she looked extremely sexy. And with that image in front of him most of his doubts were pushed aside and he decided it was time he took a chance and lived his life. "I hope I'm not interrupting."

She snapped her head up. "No. Not at all."

He approached the desk and handed her the coffee.

Her expression was indecipherable. She was quiet and, he started to doubt, uncomfortable. "So I brought you this." he placed a bag in front of her, "I forgot yesterday."

She rounded the desk and took the item out. It was a cashmere scarf. Her unfocused eyes softened a bit. "You shouldn't have." she started to fiddle with it, her gaze downward.

He took it from her and wrapped it around her neck. "Well what do you know? It fits." he smiled.

She finally met his gaze. The lavender color emphasized the depth her eyes carried, if that was even possible. It also emphasized its' sadness. "What's the occasion?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "Tradition? Remember our first adventure?"

She tilted her head to the side, trying to remember.

He tossed the hat onto the ground and indicated for her to step back. The hat started spinning, forming a purple whirlpool.

"Now we jump." Jefferson yelled against the noise.

She nodded and bravely stepped forward. He stopped her. "Together!" he took her hand and she followed.

The jump was exhilarating. Like being in the middle of a tornado yet being hardly affected by its strength. She was screaming, more from adrenaline rush that fear.

"This was much better that teleportation." she exclaimed when they appeared in what she assumed was a small cottage.

"Yes." he dismissed her coldly, "First, let's check your magic. It is different here, almost non-existent among humans." He waved his hands like Rumplestiltskin would, "Do something."

She looked around the nearly empty room. Then she smirked. She flicked her wrist and Jefferson's hat appeared on her head.

Her rolled his eyes and took the hat back without even looking at her. "Don't touch my hat. It's not a toy."

Being glad she was away from the castle, Regina disregarded his tone.

"Second, this is a quiet village, they don't like strangers. So keep your head down and keep quiet."

She nodded dutifully.

He came closer to her. How did she not notice before how tall he was? His hands reached for her face. She held her breath. But he reached behind her and put the hood on her head. "Let's go." he said quietly. She felt his palm on her forearm as he guided her outside.

She didn't see much of the outside since she agreed to keep her head down. She saw a dirt road and, as she peeked couple of times, small wooden houses much different from the ones' in their realm. Then they entered the crowded street, probably the market. People were shouting prices and bargaining all around her. Before she could see more, Jefferson pulled her into one of the stores.

They found themselves in the quaint room framed by shelves filled with strange looking sculptures, vials containing liquids of various colors, candles, books and other odd objects. A jar in which floated a strange yellow creature captured Regina's attention. She got closer, her eyes glued to the beautiful creature. It turned and looked at her. Its eyes were too big for its body. They were like a vortex of green and red. They were saying something to her, she could not understand. Maybe if she freed the creature…

"Don't listen to it, child." a rasping voice broke her admiration, "The little bugger's been trying to escape for years."

"Oh, I didn't…" she tried to explain to the petite old lady behind the counter.

"No harm done." she assured her and turned to Jefferson, "And what trouble are you getting yourself into now?"

"No trouble. I promise." he grinned innocently and handed her the list, "Just grocery shopping."

The lady glanced at the list and shaking her head left the room.

Jefferson was tapping his fingers against the counter.

"Why are you nervous?" she asked him.

"I'm not nervous."

"And I am not stupid." she challenged, "What's wrong?"

His gaze finally found the way to her. He looked conflicted. "They don't like me here." he admitted, "And the country is at war so I would like to leave as soon as possible."

"Being all fidgety and worrying won't make the time go faster."

"Neither will you asking questions." he snapped.

She felt tears forming so she turned her back on him. She blinked them away. The jerk didn't deserve to get upset over.

The shuffling was heard behind. "Here. Take this girl to some place nice next time. She is too sweet for your ploys." she placed a palm on Regina's arm. Her grip intensify, eyes turned from blue to gray. It all lasted a second before Regina could wrestle her arm back.

"What was that?!"

"Forgive me." the lady said, visibly terrified. She turned and wit her hands shaking handed her a small wooden cage, "This is a lucky cricket." she said and sorrow filled her voice, "You will need it."

"We must leave. Now." Jefferson ushered her before she could respond.

He took her hand and whispered. "Whatever you do, do not let go of my hand."

As if she weren't frightened enough. She was rushing with him through the crowd, keeping the cricket close to her chest. Soon she heard someone shout that the Huns were attacking. The panic spread like a wild fire and she squeezed Jefferson's hand tighter as the streets turned into stampede. Regina felt like she would suffocate while Jefferson struggled to reach the safety. As they skipped couple of fences and finally ran into an empty alley, they thought they could catch a breath. But the huge man jumped from behind them, Regina thought him a half-giant. They both noticed him too late and he punched Jefferson right in the jaw. He fell and Regina jumped back with a gasp. He took out his sabre and lunged at Jefferson who managed to avoid the strike and get back on his feet. He looked over at Regina and told her to run. But his eyes pleaded for her to use her magic. And she wanted desperately but she couldn't, she was too afraid to even move.

With couple of swift moves the Hun was left without his weapon. Jefferson lowered his hands for only moment but it was enough to receive another punch, this time in the stomach. He doubled over. Regina looked at the wooden cage in her hands and smashed it against the Hun's head. The cricket lived up to his name and escaped unharmed. Then all went silent. The man turned and leered at her like an animal. Jefferson tried to interfere but he was easily pushed away. The Hun neared her and his hand settled on her neck, whole body pressing against hers. Tears were welling in her eyes. She shut them tightly, waiting for the inevitable. Then she heard Jefferson shout.

'"Do not… touch…" he took a lurching step forward with each word. On the third, he swung, "… her."

She was free, her assailant unconscious. Jefferson hugged her then inspected her neck. "Are you all right?"

She nodded.

"Then let's get the hell out of here." he threw his hat in front of them and it started to spin.

Just as they were about to jump in, a hand grabbed her. She couldn't believe it. How was that man still on his feet? She was angry and tired and tried to push him away. The magic finally worked and he went flying backwards. She didn't see how far for Jefferson pulled her into the portal.

"You mean how you were sulking and acting like a jerk the whole time?"

"It wasn't the whole time… just most of it."

She rolled her eyes, though a smirk escaped her. "Then you are surely referring to the part where we almost got killed."

"That too turned into a tradition of sorts, but no." she knew well enough what he was referring to but he guessed she wanted him to say it, "I meant when we got back. You were laughing hysterically…"

"Because we escaped alive!" she justified it.

"Whatever you say." he waved his hand, dismissing the subject, "And then you saw something caught on my sleeve."

"Our would be-murderer's broach." she added in almost a whisper.

"Yes. A falcon. And you kept it as a remembrance of our little adventure. And we did that every time since then. So why not this time?" he finished casually.

"I also remember why you took me with you in the first place and that you wished it was our last meeting." she insisted.

"But it wasn't. Remember…"

She sighed deeply. "That is the problem Jefferson! We need to stop! We spent too much time reminiscing. Whatever good happened or could have happened is already soiled by our mistakes. Surely you can see that?"

"For the sake of the argument, let's say that I do." he said through his teeth. So this was the time she would bail. He took a step away from her.

"Jefferson…" there's a hint of resignation in her voice, "Don't do that."

"Do what? We had a moment, it was fun. But it was just that. Am I phrasing that correctly?" there was no malice, he made sure of that, "The gift is a trifle, nothing more."

She was studying his every move. "You do understand that this between us could turn into a disaster." she wavered for a moment, "We better nip it in the bud."

"I get it. Really. I had the similar thoughts actually. I'm just glad we are on the same page."

"Are we?" she was still not convinced by his performance.

Jefferson put his hands on her shoulders and dipped his head a bit. "Yes."

"It's safer that way."

He opened his mouth to ask if she was convincing him or herself. But it was better to leave it at that. If she wanted to stay away he would not put pressure on her, if she wanted to be stubborn so be it. "I'll see you around sometimes then."

This was supposed to be a short chapter but I didn't want to cut the flashback short. Eventually I will learn how to write happy, fluffy things and fix this :) Thanks for reading.