Belle stood there, watching the two smile knowingly at each other. She assumed Mad Hatter was a nickname they had come up with at some point in time, since they clearly knew one another. She watched Jefferson slowly step forward and then grab Alice into a tight embrace. The two of them stood there holding one another for what felt like a few minutes. But Belle didn't want to interrupt the moment; they were so happy to see each other that it made her heart ache for that kind of reconciliation.
"I thought I'd never see you again." Jefferson whispered into Alice's hair.
"It's been a while." She said under her breath. They finally pulled back but Jefferson kept his hands on her shoulders, as though taking her all in.
Finally he collected himself and started to question how this was at all possible.
"Alice…what are you doing here? I thought you went back to your world?"
"Technically this is my world…or it was."
"What happened?"
She was about to say something but then she noticed Belle in the corner.
"What was your name?" She asked, stepping forward slightly.
"Belle." She answered sweetly.
"Hi Belle. I'm Alice. An old friend of…Jefferson's."
Jefferson laughed to himself. It was strange hearing her call him by that name. He wasn't used to it.
"You must be freezing, here come with me I'll find you some clothes." She reached out her hand and guided Belle into her bedroom, which was simply a few curtains hung up to section off the room.
"Make yourself at home," She called back to Jefferson as she looked through her drawers.
She held up a light blue sweater and a pair of black pants.
"Here put these on." She handed the clothes to Belle and gave her the room to change.
"Thank you." Belle said gratefully. She stared at the clothes; it had been a long time since she'd worn actual clothing, so far back she couldn't even remember.
She got changed, appreciating the warmth and softness of the sweater against her skin. Stepping out from the curtain she realized she had just walked in on a serious conversation Jefferson and Alice were having. She stood awkwardly in the corner, not wanting to interrupt them but at the same time curious as what they were talking about. She moved herself behind the curtain once more and listened closely. She felt bad for eavesdropping but it was hard to resist.
"I don't understand how that's possible. You should have been taken back to this world…" Jefferson said wearingly. It was clear whatever they were talking about was causing him anxiety.
"I don't either. I did everything I was told to leave Wonderland. But it…it sent me there instead."
Jefferson gently squeezed her hand. "I am so sorry Alice. If I'd have known I would have…"
"You wouldn't have been able to do anything. Mad…I mean Jefferson, you were trapped there. Nothing could have been done. I suspect the Queen of Hearts had something to do with it…"
"That's sounds about right. But why would she want you there? What was the purpose of sending you to Regina's land?"
"Probably as punishment. She separated me from my family, from my life, just as Regina has done to everyone here in Storybrook."
"So you were in that land for…what twelve years? That means you're 19?"
"Just about. And of course I spent another 28 here. So technically I'm 47." She chuckled to herself, Jefferson joined in.
"Yeah well if we are thinking like that I'm afraid to even know how old I really am." They laughed together.
"Wow. Has it only been 28 years? Feels like we've been trapped here much longer."
Alice nodded, gazing off across the room.
"Have you seen anyone else from Wonderland here?" He asked her.
She shrugged.
"I haven't seen anyone. Or perhaps I just haven't been looking. You don't think…she's here do you?" He asked.
Alice took a moment to answer. Then she looked down at her lap. "I actually work with a few of her guards. We are over at the Kingdom of Hearts Banquet Hall. I haven't seen her though. Who knows if she's even here?"
"Ah. Kingdom of Hearts Banquet Hall huh? I would say that's ironic but everything here seems to fall into place. I underestimated Regina's creativity, so many connections," Jefferson said.
"Indeed. Believe it or not the guards and I actually get along quite well over there. Never though I'd say this but they aren't so bad." Alice looked coyly at Jefferson, who stared at her in disbelief.
"You are joking right?" He asked, but it was evident by his expression that he knew she was being honest.
"If you'd just get to know them…"
"Oh I know them! Alice I've spent years in Wonderland! I've been surrounded by that scum for far too long. They aren't good people. They're dangerous…" He grabbed onto her wrists, trying to get his point across.
"They aren't the same here. What threat could they possibly be, especially without the Queen here…"
He let her go, shaking his head. He took a deep breath and said, "You always knew how to find trouble. Haven't changed one bit, have you?" He smiled slightly. She returned the gesture.
"Enough about what I've been up to. What have you been doing?" She asked.
He didn't seem too keen in talking about himself. "Trying desperately to get the hat to work, as usual."
Alice stared at him sympathetically. She reached out her hand and rubbed is arm.
"You never found Grace?"
"Oh no I did. She's with them. Her new family. For the best I suppose, I don't want her to know about the curse. She's better off with them here. But I will find a way to back to our world. Somehow." He starred off, deep in thought.
"If I can help in any way…"
"Thanks. But there's someone else's help I need." He moved his eyes back to Alice, communicating something through his look. Alice raised an eyebrow in return.
"Who…"
"Not right now. Another time." He told her. She was noticeably disappointed.
"So who's...?" She pointed back towards the curtains.
"Found her locked in the asylum underneath the hospital. Regina's little secret."
"Are you serious? What does Regina want with her?"
Belle's heart started to pound. This was it, everything could be explained right now.
"I don't know," Jefferson said. "But I plan on finding out."
Belle furrowed her brow in confusion. And this wasn't the first time while overhearing this conversation she did so. He had told her he knew why she was there. Was he lying to Alice or to her?
"Do you have a plan? Or are you just making it up along the way as you did so brilliantly in Wonderland?" She smiled at him. But he remained serious.
"No I do. But it needs some tweaking. Care to help me with that?"
"I'm all yours." Alice leaned in close, waiting for Jefferson to explain the plan but he was aware that they weren't the only two people in this conversation.
"Belle. Are you dressed?" He called to her. Alice blinked a few times, as if she had completely forgotten she was still back there.
Belle had so many questions, she didn't know where to begin. She slowly made her way out, feeling uncomfortable as they both stared at her. Did they know she had been listening?
"Alice and I were just discussing our living arrangements. She has generously offered us a place to stay as long as we need." Alice looked at him, puzzled, but she didn't deny anything. She turned towards Belle and smiled, knowing that this was going to help Jefferson and she was willing to do whatever it took.
Belle smiled back, but on the inside she felt sick. He lied again, the one persons she thought she could trust. They weren't discussing the living arrangements at all, why was he hiding things from her?
"I'll go make up a couple beds for you." Alice said, walking over to the linen closet to fetch some sheets.
Belle eyed Jefferson with distrust. He got up, giving Alice room to make up the beds on the couches and stood directly in front of Belle, smiling, as if they weren't fugitives on the run and instead everything was perfect.
"What about your friends house?" Belle whispered quietly.
Jefferson took a second to answer and then shrugged. "We don't need her anymore I guess." He tapped Belle lightly on the shoulder and made his way over to the kitchen.
He searched the cabinets and eventually found what he was looking for, a teapot and a few teacups.
"Time for tea!" He called out, causing Alice to giggle while Belle continued to stand there, mystified by what she had overheard and seeing a completely new side to Jefferson. His nickname was taking on a whole new meaning; the only thing that was actually making sense to her right now, maybe he was mad…