Katarina dresses quickly, sitting on the edge of the bed. She glances over her shoulder to her sleeping husband, his outgrown golden brown hair glistening in the last rays of sunlight from the window. She turns away and smiles to herself before gently standing up, looking around the room, holding her long brown hair out of her face, searching the floor. She takes two amble steps on the floorboards and leans her weight on a creaky floorboard before kneeling to pry it from the floor. Underneath the floorboard a bundle is wrapped carefully in brown paper. She pulls the package to her lap and returns the board to its place. Satisfied with herself, she stands up swiftly, grasping the package in her hands and turning to glance at her sleeping husband again.
Jefferson is propped up on one elbow, laying on his right side, watching her silently with his piercing icy blue eyes. The hint of life now returned to his face. A small smirk displayed across his cracked lips, his facial hair grown in along his jaw and cheeks. Katarina's gaze lingers on his bare chest, the blanket covering just over his waistline. She clears her throat and returns her gaze to the package in her hands before tossing it on the bed to him.
"I had some time to be able to make you and Grace something for when you two would come to visit me. But um. I seem to have lost my mind before you did come back to visit me and couldn't recognize you. " Katarina rambles on, gesturing his her hands at nothing around her.
Jefferson breathes in sharply, looking down at the package. He hadn't ever thought to come back to look for her. Just that she had been helpless and was executed before he could do anything. He had accepted her death before even proving it. He had made Grace believe the same thing.
'Grace…she believed that…' Jefferson thought to himself. With his free hand he scratched at his eyebrows, hiding his expression of guilt and despair. 'How many days did she wait….'
"What's the matter darling?" Katarina's voice comes to him in a soft, hushed tone. She watches him carefully, searching his expression.
Jefferson waves the question off. He begins to pick at the paper of the package.
"Nothing, my love, just didn't..expect anything like this." He says in a false tone of an enlightened mood.
Katarina nods and clasps her delicate fingers in front of her, her arms hanging lazily. She twists her fingers slightly, imploring his face.
"You didn't come back, did you?" Katarina says, more in realization to herself. "That's ok, I understand completely. But please do get dressed, we have to find somewhere safe, and somehow to get back to Gracie." She continues on, making her way to the ladder to the exit of the room.
She quickly descends the ladder, feeling her feet on the ground, testing the weight she had long forgotten, and the balance.
Jefferson dresses himself in a clean, newly made, charcoal gray button up shirt, with a black vest with black leaf filigree sewn in patterns over it, along with a wine colored scarf made of a soft, caressing fabric. Along with his worn tight black pants. He rubs down the fabric of the vest and turns towards the window, catching a weak reflection of himself. Noticing his mop of hair on his head, he turns towards the side table, next to the bed and opens the top drawer. Everything in it is neatly arranged, a pair of gleaming sheers rests comfortably on a square of fabric, he retrieves the sheers, opening them and inspecting the blade, the fabric catching his eye, he retrieves it gently, feeling the material between his fingers. Turning the fabric over, he notices a hint of stitchwork. He places the sheers down on the table and unfolds the square to reveal:
'K.C.' With a purple flower embroidered onto it. Jefferson closes his fingers around the cloth and brings it to his lips, his hands trembling, a wave of anguish coursing through his body.
"Is everything alright?" Katarina's voice drifts to him from behind. Her tone like a sweet song.
He turns around quickly, stuffing the cloth into his back pocket swiftly. He shakes his head and points to his hair and laughs. Katarina smiles warmly and strides over to him, pushing his hair back from his face.
"It's ok, I can take care of this for you." She whispers to him endearingly. She glances past him at the table and spots the sheers.
She leans past Jefferson to pick them up and places the closed blade in her empty palm, closing her fingers over them. She stands upright and returns her gaze to Jefferson's eyes. A hint of sadness in them. Katarina slightly turns her head to the side and furrows her brow.
"Something is bothering you." She states calmly.
Jefferson rubs his eye with the back of his hand and then starts to scratch at his facial hair on his chin. He shakes his head slightly and smiles.
"Nothing is bothering me." He responds softly, his voice almost inaudible.
Katarina shakes her head and motions for him to sit at the foot of the bed. She retrieves a fluffy cloth and wraps it over his shoulders before sitting behind him on the bed and begins to snip at his curly locks. She methodically runs her fingers through his hair and snips away carefully.
"No. Something is bothering you, Mr. Hatter. I've yet to know exactly what, but something is. I'll find out sure enough though." She says playfully.
Jefferson focuses on her fingers moving through his hair, he can feel the weight lifting from his head as she cuts away the tangled mess. Small ringlets and tuffs of hair falling to the floor around him. His chest feeling heavy, all the while.
"Kat…" He starts in a soft tone.
"Yes?" She responds in the same playful tone, attempting to lift his mood.
"What was the last thing you remember before Wonderland took it's toll." Jefferson asks carefully, slightly glancing over his shoulder.
Kat sits back, tapping the tip of the sheers to her lips, she looks off to the wall in thought.
"It wasn't like that for me, where one day I was myself, and the next I was Chesh. There were moments. Almost like a dream." Kat explains in a dreamy voice, trying to remember.
Jefferson turns around to face her, sitting halfway on the bed. Kat waves it off and gestures for him to turn back around before she continues her work on his haircut. Jefferson sits quietly, his hands clasped, resting on his thighs as he straddle sits.
"Do you remember how long it was before?" Jefferson asks meekly.
"I can't say that I do." Katarina lies swiftly. '217 sunrises..' She thinks to herself.
"You're lying." Jefferson states, having heard the inflection in her voice.
"As are you." Katarina responds quickly, she pulls on the fabric from his back pocket abruptly.
Jefferson turns around at the realization of the motion. She places the sheers back on the side table before holding up the cloth to him. Jefferson grasps it carefully and turns it over in his hands. His hair now cut into it's usual fashion, short on the sides and back, fluffy on the top.
"What is bothering you so much, my husband." She asks softly.
Jefferson shakes his head and brings the cloth to his lips again, looking towards the window, away from her, a deep orange sun setting beyond the horizon.
"It's ok…" Katarina continues on, she places her delicate hand on his upper arm, squeezing gently.
Jefferson stands and removes the towel from his shoulders, shaking it off of the hair. He kneels to use the towel to sweep the hair into a pile, picking it up and moving it to a small wastebin in the corner by the door, he drapes the towel over the brim. Returning his gaze to the sunset through the window, he rubs his chin absentmindedly, pursing his lips together.
"Where did you get this?" Jefferson asks quietly in a flat tone.
"I found it in your study a long time ago. I don't think that that's what's bothering though. It's something else. Something you're feeling ashamed of, or disappointed in." Katarina continues, studying Jefferson's stature.
Jefferson turns his head sideways, causing his neck to pop, he shakes his shoulders in an attempt to regain his composure.
"You're treating me like I've done something wrong..Jefferson? Please tell me what it is." Katarina pleads in a weak voice, her words shaking.
Jefferson looks to his trembling wife, sitting on the bed still. Her hazel-gold eyes filled with worry and fear. He lunges forward, dropping to one knee in front of her and taking a hold of her delicate arms, sliding his hands down the length of them to her soft hands.
"No, no. My lovely, Kat. It's not anything of that nature. Don't jump to such a conclusion. You have done nothing wrong. It is the nothing that I have done, that bothers me." Jefferson mutters out quickly, placing a gentle kiss on the back of her hands.
"There was nothing that you could have done. I don't understand why you're doing that to yourself." Kat responds quickly.
Jefferson lingers above her hands, his warm breath brushing the back of her fingers. He stares blankly at her soft skin, slightly freckled from the sun's exposure.
'She came to the same conclusion, long ago…I couldn't just condemn two other people to their deaths…a sacrifice..' Jefferson thinks to himself, remembering his initial plan of bringing two other people to leave, in return for his wife and brother-in-law.
Katarina retracts her hands from his grasp and pushes his hands down, getting his attention to return to her face. She tilts her head slightly, giving him a small smile of reassurance that everything is alright, as her loosely curled hair spills over her shoulder.
"I never came back to you…" He whispers, almost to himself.
Jefferson searches his wife's face for any expression. Katarina remains still, her eyes glazing over, lost in a thought unbidden. She shakes her head and waves her hand in front of her face, as if brushing it off.
"I understand. It would have been too dangerous, coming back, I mean. Bringing Gracie along, there could have been another accident where she was stuck over here as well. Or even yourself, and she would be all alone." Katarina justifies with maturity.
Jefferson's shoulders sinks as he listens to her.
"That wasn't why….but that's exactly what happened, for the wrong reasons." Jefferson mumbles out quickly, his heart sinking in his chest.
"I don't understand by what you mean." Katarina states blandly.
Jefferson turns his eyes to the floor. Katarina shifts uncomfortably on the bed, crossing her legs and resting her hands on her thighs. She taps her fingers quickly out of irritation and habit, like a swish of a tail. Jefferson looks up to catch her tapping fingers and returns a raised eyebrow glance at her. She stops her tapping as she looks to meet his glance.
"That's new." Jefferson says, off-topic.
"Strange habit that had formed over the years of waiting." Katarina snaps in response.
She stands abruptly, causing Jefferson to rise as well and takes a step away from her.
"Well that's in the past. And luckily, our dear rabbit had once told me that he often left Wonderland on some business, to a room full of doors. A blond girl used it once to get in and she somehow got out before using my ticket home. So. Once he is rested and returns to himself, he will be able to lead us out of here. And we will be back with Grace. And we can just never…..come back here, ever again. Sounds….Wonderful. Don't you agree Mr. Hatter?" Katarina explains quickly with a hint of aggravation in her voice.
She smiles falsely before pressing the sheers into Jefferson's hand and exiting the room, down the ladder.
Jefferson turns the sheers over in his hands before returning to the side table, pulling the drawer open again he retrieves a small looking glass and a jar filled with a jelly substance, and places them on the surface of the table. He pulls his scarf away from his neck, loosening it, the tip of his finger runs over the bump of his newly acquired scar, he stops suddenly, his finger lingering on it. He looks over his shoulder to the ladder, reassuring he's alone. He pulls his scarf off and hastily grabs up the looking glass, peering into it. The scar a deep red color, circling his entire neck, the skin is new and fresh, raised up, like a seam.
He runs his fingers along it, feeling the texture of it, wincing at the pain he hadn't expected. The memories flooding back.
'I'm…alive… I'M ALIVE.'
'For now.'
Jefferson lowers the mirror and looks to the wall of the room. He lazily slides the looking glass onto the side table again and picks up the sheers and jar carefully. He clutches the jar in his hand, his knuckles turning white from the pressure, his body beginning to shake in anger. He sits down on the bed haughtily, placing the sheers across his lap, with his free hand he props up the looking glass against the candle holder. He then opens the jar of jelly and dips his fingers into it, applying the substance to his facial hair, satisfied with the amount, he places the jar on side table and regrips the sheers, taking the open blade to his cheek, pulling the skin taught with his free hand.
"Mmm." Jefferson hums as a small knick appears on his cheek, a small drop of blood forming.
He continues to be rid of his facial hair, attempting to not cut himself too much. Finishing with his face, he surveys his scar again before starting at the bottom of his jaw, inching his way towards the scar. His fingers beginning to twitch near the scar. He stops to catch his breath, the sight of his scar causing him to feel dizzy.
'She said a room with many doors. A rabbit hole? I'm.. I'm going home. To my Grace.' He thinks to himself reassuringly.
Becoming frustrated with his task, having to look at what should have killed him, and being afraid to touch his scar, he slams the sheers onto the side table and growls lowly to himself.
"Jefferson.." Katarina's voice drifts from the ladder.
"Mmm yes?" He responds with a hint of irritation to his tone.
"Is everything alright?" She responds in a slightly replicated tone as his.
Jefferson smiles to himself in annoyance with himself, and the situation. He chuckles to himself and shakes his head.
"Could you assist me a moment?" Jefferson asks after a moment of self-loathing.
He hears her ascend the ladder and climb up onto the platform. Jefferson glances over, his elbows resting on his thighs, leaning over in a slight hunch. He twirls the sheers over his index finger, sending the blades in a glinting spiral. Catching the blades in his hand, stopping the cyclone, he taps the handle to his forehead and laughs again at himself.
"I uhm. I've become rather rusty at this shaving business. And I can't seem to get the neckline just right." Jefferson says in his usual inflicted voice. "Could I possibly trouble you to do it for me?"
Katarina nods once and strides over to him, holding her hand out for the sheers. Jefferson places the sheers into her palm, blade first. She opens the blades and inspects them quickly, she squints at them and looks to Jefferson's face, noticing a knick across his cheek. She gestures for him to look up as she kneels in-between his straddled legs. Jefferson peers into her hazel-golden eyes for a moment, blank of expression before exhaling deeply and adjusting himself, looking up slowly. Katarina drops her gaze to his neck, her eyes lingering on his scar. She pauses slightly, hesitating, her eyes transfixed on the scar. Jefferson looks down, back at her again, his face displaying a "I know, this is stupid, right?" expression. Katarina waves him off and gestures for him to look up again. He obliges and returns to his position. She leans forward and carefully begins shaving away stubble here and there, her fingers resting against the clavicle underneath the scar. She clears her throat as she gets closer to the scar, she quickly completes the task and taps his leg when she's finished, rising from her kneel.
"Does it…." Jefferson starts, trailing off, not wanting to ask the question.
Katarina closes the sheers and returns them to the drawer in the side table, brushing her hands off on her pants. She stops and watches Jefferson rub at his jawline.
"It looks good, a nice clean shave." Katarina says, trying to compliment her husband to make his mood turn for the better.
Jefferson shakes his head and runs his fingers through hair, chuckling, he looks up to meet her gaze, a serious, yet mocking smirk across his lips.
"No, not that. Does the… um.." He points at his neck in a swiping motion. "Do you find me.."
Becoming frustrated with his question he waves it off and stands quickly, grabbing up his scarf and looping it around his neck hastily.
"Ask your question so it doesn't fester and put you in a sour mood." Katarina states bluntly.
Jefferson wipes his hands over his cheeks and jawline again, his icy blue eyes lingering on her face. Her eyebrow is raised, a fierceness to her eyes, her lips closed comfortably, showing no sign of strain.
"Does it disgust you?" Jefferson asks. "As it does me."
Katarina's face instantly snaps into a scowl.
"You're a vain man, Jefferson. But if you've become daft as well, I will not have it. Are you worried that I no longer love you or feel attracted to you? Because why? Because you didn't come back for me, not even to see if it was possible that I may have survived. Or is it because you thought that I was so weak and feeble to be unable to save myself and my brother? Do you think that I hate you? What is it Jefferson that is eating you up so much that you have come to be a person that no longer tells me anything and everything on his mind. I will not stand here and try to pry every last strand of guilt from this web that you have woven over the years. Just know that I love you, I promised that until death. And I didn't die, I'm not dead. Do get over yourself." Katarina unleashes upon him, her hands planted firmly on her hips.
Jefferson rubs his hands together, taking in her words. He nods once and looks to the floor, having been scolded. Katarina steps forward, placing her hand on his cheek, rubbing her thumb over the cut. Jefferson turns his eyes to hers, a softness now displayed in them, he reaches up quickly, removing her hand from his cheek and cupping it in his hands, kissing her fingers gently.
"No. It doesn't disgust me. It hurts me that it happened. And I watched it happen. It's a memory I'll never forget." Katarina states softly before withdrawing her hand and dropping it to her side.
Jefferson nods again and turns to the bed to retrieve another dark item along with the package wrapped around another item. He hands the package to Katarina, she accepts it and watches him as he adorns his new black coat, with silver stitching and leather collar. He brushes down the sleeves and adjusts the collar again, allowing the coat to fall into place. He turns around to face his wife, pulling on the cuffs of the sleeves, he holds his arms out, looking down at himself before returning to her eyes, seeking her opinion.
"Remarkable." Katarina says sweetly.
"Well of course, you did make it." Jefferson says blandly.
Jefferson continues to look over his coat, the length reaching mid thigh, he inspects the buttons and the embroidery of Victorian filigree on the fabric in a darker black thread. He raises an eyebrow and nods, approving of the handy-work. Looking up to meet Katarina's eyes, and an unexpected smile displayed on her dusty rose lips, not a wide grin but a soft delicate smile.
"I didn't mean the outfit." She states playfully.
Jefferson bursts into a grin with a slight laugh.
"Then what is it. Just go on and say it." Jefferson snaps back in the same playfulness.
"Do hush, Jefferson. You know what I meant. You're always fishing for compliments." Katarina waves off his vanity.
"Oh, come on." Jefferson continues, taunting her, he stands up straight, clasping his coat at chest height, his chin held high.
Katarina giggles, covering her lips with the tips of her fingers and slapping him on the arm with her free hand. Jefferson feels his chest lighten as he inhales deeply, chuckling out in excitement.
"You look rather dashing. And more like yourself." Katarina finally admits.
Jefferson smirks immediately, he reaches for Katarina, sliding his arms around her waist and picking her up swiftly, pressing her to him, lifting her off of her feet. She braces her hands against his shoulders, looking down at him as her hair tumbles over her shoulders. Katarina laughs in surprise.
"Kat. Mrs. Mad-Hatter." Jefferson says in a hushed tone.
Katarina hums in response.
"You look as beautiful, if not more so than the day I met you. And I love you." Jefferson speaks gently, gazing into her eyes.
Katarina smiles warmly, she leans down slowly, placing a small kiss on his forehead.
"Let's go home to our Grace now." Katarina whispers to him.
So we're to the point where we are going to be entering StoryBrooke. I've got a lot of ideas for this part, it's just taken so long to get to. Haha. I'm terribly sorry for the neglect as of late. I'll try to keep up on this more. Thank you for reading.