A/N: Shout out to my beta, gnarly, who used her day off to beta this! She's awesome! Sorry I haven't posted the smutty one shot yet, I will let you guys know when it's finished. Also, since this is the 25 chapter, I'd love to get to 125 reviews. Come on, you can do it.

Dawn broke through a haze of white gossamer. At first, Arista assumed she was still dreaming and went to bury her face deeper in Jefferson's side. His arm was draped across her neck, holding her close and she was almost content until she realized she couldn't move. Panic gripped her, but she didn't struggle. Struggling might make things worse. The mermaid swallowed and rolled her shoulders. The minimal movement didn't do much, but it did give her a bit more room to breathe.

"Jefferson?"

Dread filled her stomach when he didn't respond. Cautious and curious, Arista reached out to touch the strange pale cloak. She had never seen anything quite like it. It was thin and strong and felt like sticky silk. It clung to her bare shoulder and hair and from what she could see, the Hatter was completely covered as well.

Slowly, she crept her hand from his stomach down to the bottom of her dress. With a yank, her legs were replaced with a much longer tail that split through the barrier with a swift slash of her fins. Cutting it away with her claws, she gasped as her lover's body came into view.

His hat still slung over his brow, slung over his eyes to hide them from the light. She repeated his name and eased his hat off. His eyes were closed, his lips parted and his breathing raspy. He was pale. So, so pale and when she touched his cheek it was cold.

Another pull of her dress gave her legs once more. Cupping his face, Arista gasped as his head lulled back. His neck was swollen and red on the left side. Two chunks had been taken from it, leaving gaping, puss filled wounds that made her stomach roll. She clamped a hand over her mouth and sat up.

It was then she realized they were being watched. Very intently, it would seem, by what had to be hundreds of glittering black eyes. With a swallow, the young blonde set the hat on her lover's stomach and began to very slowly turn the brim. She had seen Jefferson do it dozens of times; seen him using his hands to start the process instead of throwing it. Usually when they were in a small space.

Tears began to leak as the hat spun on its top to no effect. Arista was certain she was doing it right. She had to be. There was only so many ways to spin the stupid hat. Her fingers shook and all she could think of was how cold Jefferson's skin was and the looming silken webs that lined the trees around them that had been invisible the night before. A scream of frustration escaped her throat as she gave the hat a rough jerk.

With the speed it need, the hat opened a portal under them.

Rumplestiltskin jumped as the couple fell into his study. He opened his mouth to make a snide comment about their position, but the mermaid's helpless cry of his name made him pause. In a few long strides, he was at her side. The Dark One's eyes widened at the gash on the boy's neck, at his white skin and choked off breathes.

"Arista, Arista, get back, give him some space."

"He- I- there were these monsters in the trees," Arista sniffled as her employer placed a hand on her back. Grasping the back of her jumper, he tried to pull her back from the prone Hatter's body. The mermaid wretched away from him. "No!"

"There's nothing I can do if I can't see him, dearie."

Even with her nod, Arista stayed where she was a moment. Jefferson was cold and stiff under her and for a moment she feared him dead. A strangled gasp left him and she let out a sob. Unsure if she was relieved or horrified, she barely noticed when Rumplestiltskin poofed them into one of the castle's many bedrooms.

A thought struck her and without a moment's hesitation, Arista placed a tentative kiss on the portal jumper's slack lips.

Nothing happened.

Panicked, she began to pepper his face with them, each touch getting a bit rougher and a bit less composed before Rumplestiltskin pulled her away.

Bewildered, he asked, "What is it you think you're doing?!"

"It's not working!" The mermaid shoved her master's hands away. Helpless, she looked back to the Hatter. There had been no change. Her fingers stroked at Jefferson's brow. "Regina said it always worked!"

With a hint of knowing dread, the Dark One asked, "What always works?"

"True Love's Kiss."

He rolled his eyes at her sentiments. "That only works for curses, girlie. Not ailments." Her employer eyed them a moment. He watched her stroke the Hatter's brow and nuzzle against his cheek, desperate for a response. Stomach in knots, Rumplestiltskin sighed. "I didn't know you felt so strongly for the boy."

Arista sniffed. "I'd do anything for him." Arista squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head. Pressing her forehead tightly against her lover's, she dug her nails into his waistcoat as Rumple tried to pry her away again. Jefferson's skin was cold and clammy and she choked back a sob at how utterly still he was. "Please, please I'll do anything…"

"Hm."

The mermaid flinched as the imp reached out and caught one of her tears on a sickly finger nail. She sniffed, confused but didn't move from her lover's side. Rumple rubbed it between his fingers before he pulled a glass vial from thin air. Arista swallowed, but said nothing as he pressed the mouth of it to her chin, catching another of her tears. It hovered in midair and pulsed with a subtle azure glow.

"Well…" Holding it up to eye level, her master grinned at the small glowing droplet. "That should be payment enough."

Her brown eyes brightened with hope. "You can save him?"

Rumplestiltskin gave the vial a little shake. "Of course."

With a casual flick of his wrist, Jefferson's limp body was enveloped in a familiar purple smoke. When it disappeared, the young man was still unconscious, but breathing easy. The young woman all but collapsed on top of him. Relieved, Arista began to laugh as she once again began to kiss the portal jumper's face.

Jefferson let out a quiet groan. His eyes fluttered, but didn't resist the affection the mermaid offered. With a faint smile, he greeted her, "Morning." When she nestled against his chest, the Hatter realized they were in a familiar castle. "Did you use my hat?"

The young woman nodded into his leather waistcoat. His hand was heavy on the back of her head, his black stained fingers gentle. With a sniff, the blonde pulled him close. The Hatter sighed at the familiar halo of sea salt that lingered in her hair. His whole body hurt, but her weight was a comfort.

"Arista." Rumplestiltskin reached out and touched her shoulder. When her misty brown eyes turned to him, he told her, "He needs to rest."

The maid nodded. When she went to lean back, to give the portal jumper some space, Jefferson held tight. Fingers tangled in her blonde curls, the boy weakly shook his head. "Don't go."

At her hesitation, the young man gave her hair a soft tug and pressed their brows together. Jefferson's flushed skin was a relief after his previous pallor and the mermaid melted into the touch. Her fingers stroked his cheeks and she had to remind herself not to be too rough with him. That he was still fragile, but she couldn't keep from digging her nails into the leather of his waistcoat, afraid to let him go.

Behind them, Rumplestiltskin nodded to himself. He was hardly thrilled, but he made no motion to stop her as Arista climbed into the bed next to the portal jumper. He supposed he should enjoy the little mermaid's presence under his roof while it lasted. It wouldn't be long before she ran off with her Hatter and the Dark One would be left to face an empty castle once again. Half of the reason he had made the deal was because he was lonely and he could admit he had enjoyed indulging the paternal part of himself he had locked away. True, she was no substitute for Baelfire, but it was still nice. With a pensive frown, he left the two alone. It wasn't until the door closed behind him that an idea struck.

A few hours later, Jefferson managed to wriggle out from under the sleeping mermaid. After gulping down a few handfuls of water from the adjacent bathroom faucet, the portal jumper stripped out of his coat and his vest and returned to the bed. Or at least, he tried to.

Rumplestiltskin sat in his place. His legs were kicked up on the covers, ankles crossed and smirking at the young man's visible, if exhausted, surprise. "Evening, dearie."

Jefferson blinked before he swallowed and offered the Dark One a nod. "I suppose a thank you is in order."

"I would say so, but not to me." The imp nodded to the mermaid.

Arista hadn't noticed the switch, still curled up on her side without a hint of distress. It occurred to the Hatter that her slumber may not be completely natural. The thought was frightening, but he didn't dare comment. Instead, Jefferson just sniffed and asked, "She made a deal?"

"Not exactly." The Dark One's fingertips came together as he leaned back against the ornate gold headboard. "But you're going to."

The boy's stomach tightened at the grin on the man's lips.

"If you can find someone to get you a marriage license who knows full and well that your bride to be is a daughter of Triton..." Rumplestiltskin twirled a finger in the air. His head inclined to where Arista slept at his side. "I'll let her out of her contract. Unspoken and business. I'll even let her keep her legs to boot." He offered him a sneer of a smile. "No pun intended."

Shoulders low and head down, Jefferson asked, "And if I can't?"

The Dark One flicked his fingers out. "You back off." He jerked his wrist in a cutting motion. "No more consorting with my little mermaid. If you can't offer the girl a future, you don't deserve her." His smile shifted into a more subtle smirk as he offered his hand. "Agreed?"

The idea should have terrified him. Jefferson was barely twenty. Marriage should have made him nauseous but it didn't. The idea of seeing the little mermaid whenever he wanted, of giving her all the freedom she could ever ask for... he wanted that. He wanted to care for her and keep her safe. Since he was a boy, Jefferson had longed for stability and having it with Arista felt right. He crossed to the bed as quickly as his legs could carry him and took the imp's hand. Grip tight and features wary, he shook it. "Agreed."

Rumplestiltskin's smile warmed slightly. It was a jarring expression, but it wasn't too last. "There's a good lad. Three days, Hatter. No more. Should you fail you'll never see her pretty face again. Understood?"

Jefferson offered him a mute nod. The Dark One made a show of standing, gave the younger man a poke in the chest and left the bedroom. After glaring at the empty doorway a moment, the Hatter sighed and crawled back into bed. Nestling back into the mattress, he stared at the sable canopy that hung over them. Three days was plenty of time. He blinked and turned on his side to face the mermaid.

Arista was still sleeping serenely. Her features were lax, her breathing even and he wondered what she had given up for him. Tentatively, Jefferson reached forward to slid his fingers through her hair. The hint of charcoal that lingered on them tainted her gold locks a faint grey. Her eyes fluttered at the touch. Slowly, a smile drifted over her mouth as she moved to rest her brow against his.

A soft laugh left him. "I guess I owe you another 20 percent."

Arista shook her head but didn't tear her brow from his. Keeping their foreheads firmly together, she swallowed. "No, no I don't want it."

With a sigh, Jefferson let his aching eyes close as she pulled back to sprinkle his brow and cheeks with light kisses. "Ris? You like being my partner right?"

"I don't know any more." The young woman shook her head. Brown eyes flickering around his face, she stroked his cheek. "Seeing you like that... I thought you had died-" Her voice cracked at the word and her gaze grew misty a she pulled him close. "I don't ever want to see that again. I don't know if I can take it."

A small smirk pulled at the corner of his mouth. "Because you love me?"

Arista chuckled at his arrogance, but still nodded and answered honestly, "Yes, because I love you."

"Do you still want to see me?" He opened his eyes to peer at her tired features.

"Of course. I just-" The mermaid huffed. "We need to be more careful."

"Maybe we could get a house." He caressed her cheek with the back of his index finger. "Live together somewhere. Settle down."

Her brow furrowed. "Settle down?"

"Start a life together."

"We already have a life together."

Jefferson grinned. "I know but we could be together, just us. How does that sound?"

"It sounds wonderful." She smiled complacently at him. Running her fingers through his dark hair, Arista pleaded gently with him, "Now please rest. You're going to overexert yourself."

"Promise me."

"Promise you what?"

He rubbed his cheek against the luxurious pillow. "When the time comes and I ask properly you'll say yes."

"If that's what it takes to get you to sleep I'll say anything you want."

Jefferson swallowed and pulled her close.

She settled into his neck. Fingers moving carefully over his side, the mermaid was quiet a few moments before she admitted, "I didn't think you were going to come back this time."

"I always come back." He gave her frown a peck. "It's part of my charm."

"It's getting a little old, guppie." At his chuckle, Arista smoothed his hair back. Pressing deeper into the collar of his silk shirt, she thumbed his cheek, over his temple, down his jaw. "I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have you to annoy me."

A small, pleased smile on his lips, the Hatter nuzzled against her touch. "Probably have a lot less fun."

"Probably sleep better."

"We could be asleep right now if you'd just relax."

The woman sighed, but didn't argue. Instead, she just curled closer to him and gave into sleep.

Jefferson quickly followed.