"You never told me how I got here…" Alice mused as she shot a glance down at Elijah.

The mouse shook his head, "That's because we do not know." He glanced at the shifted reality around him. "I do not know how I got here, or Byron. It's only us in your head."

"I think you're both here because I wouldn't want anyone else from Wonderland," She smiled as she twirled her finger around the tip of Elijah's tail. "I need you both."

"And yet you marry Jefferson," Byron finally cut in with a shake of his head. "I don't see the appeal."

"She likes normal sized ears," Elijah squeaked out as he dove out of the way of a foot aiming towards him. "Oi!"

Byron scowled, "At least I'm not a rodent."

"Jefferson is a beautiful man. Don't be jealous because he found me first," Alice giggled as she hooked her hand around Byron's arm. "You remember everything you need to pack, right?"

"Yes," Byron answered as he tapped at his temple. "It's all up here. I know what we need and where we need to go."

"You're certain it's the right location?" Elijah asked as he scurried to the top of Byron's shoe to hitch a ride. "It'll take us where we need to go?"

"I'm… mostly certain," Alice cringed. "It should work without fail. It doesn't seem like it would, with all of the realities shifted and everything. But, we have no choice but to hope. I need you. I need the things you can bring. We'll get you both there."

"I hope that you're right… Oh, we're here. It looks like it opened back up."

Alice glanced through the trees and let out a sigh of relief. Underneath a rather large mushroom was a portal of sorts that had shot her out several days before – it had been almost a week, if she recalled properly. When it spit her out, she fought to get back through to no avail. It wasn't until Byron and Elijah found her that she realized that there might be a reason it closed behind her.

With a sigh, Alice released Byron's arm and reached down to scoop Elijah into her hand to place on the half-rabbit's shoulder, "I will see you both soon. Be safe."

Byron placed a kiss on her cheek as Elijah made a small noise of understanding.

Alice turned back to the portal and with a deep breath, dove forward.

Jefferson was close to falling apart and even closer to wearing a hole in the floor around the hospital bed from his pacing.

It had been a week. Alice had been down for a week. It wasn't fair and far from acceptable.

There had been more than one moment that he considered going to Regina or Rumpelstiltskin to make a deal. It seemed that nothing else was working. Not every manner of creature in Storybrooke had their magic at full capacity yet, so it limited his options.

With a grunt, Jefferson fell down into the chair at her side and let his eyes trail around the room.

Grace was sitting across the room with Henry. Both were slumped down to the floor with their backs to the wall, Henry's book spread across their outstretched legs. Grace was flipping through different stories, but always got brought back to the ones involving her – the ones starring Jefferson and Alice.

"Mom told me about this one," Grace whispered as her fingers trailed over one of the drawings. "She got lost in the Queen's garden when she was running. She fell into a hedge and then she met Papa when he saved her…" She sniffled softly before turning to look at Henry. "Why do you think my Mom is a good guy?"

"It's a theory I have," Henry answered with a small shrug, and left it at that.

"That wasn't much of an answer," Grace laughed.

Henry's eyes widened, "You mean that you want me to explain?" Grace gave a nod of confusion. "Most people just don't ever want to listen. Well, now that I was right about the book they might listen, but – "

"Henry!" Grace said out in laughter. "Will you please tell me?"

Henry began to flip through to different pages of each of her parents' stories, pointing out certain lines and drawings, "I think your Mom is going to be like Emma. I think she's a… a piece of the puzzle. Like a part of the bigger picture to get things back the way that they're supposed to be."

"You mean… to get us out of Storybrooke?" Grace gasped when Henry nodded. "How?"

"I'm still working on that," Henry frowned. "But, reading the stories… something just doesn't fit. The Queen of Hearts was… it seemed like she was scared of your Mom. It doesn't make sense. I think she might have… magic."

Jefferson cocked an eyebrow at the conversation he was overhearing and how observant Henry was with what he read in that book. He always knew Alice was special, but… feared? That would have been a word he never would have used.

And magic? Yeah, no. Well…

"Hmph… no…"

Jefferson's eyes widened as his attention whipped back to Alice and saw her squirming on the bed, "Baby? C'mon, wake up!" Alice's eyelids were fluttering rapidly and her hands were clenched against the sheets as she muttered softly. Jefferson moved onto the bed at her side and pushed down on her arms lightly as a speckle of blood appeared on her lips after a fit of coughing. "No, no."

Dr. Eric ran in a moment later after Henry called for him, and slid passed Grace – who was waiting at the foot of the bed with wide eyes, "Let me through!"

Before he had a chance to assess, Alice shot up in her hospital bed and knocked Dr. Eric and Jefferson back with a rough push, "I'm awake!" Her eyes were wild, frantic and nearly glowing from how bright they were. Short, shallow pants left her lips, "It was… huh… where am I?"

Dr. Eric rubbed at his backside as he got to his feet, "You're in the hospital."

"You've been unconscious for a week," Jefferson finished as he pulled himself up with a wince. "When did you get so strong?"

"I thought it was a dream," Alice whispered as she finally started to settle her rapid pulse. She looked at Jefferson, who already had a bruise forming where his arm smashed into the wall. "I didn't… I don't know. I've never been… I'm sorry." She turned her eyes to Grace. "I'm so sorry, baby."

"I'm okay," Grace assured as she put on a brave face.

"How are you feeling?" Eric asked as he looked over her stats. "Everything seems to be leveled."

Alice shook him away, "I'm fine. I'm okay. Just… thank you, but I don't need the help. You should check on someone who does." She gave him the most genuine smile that she could manage. "Thank you, again."

The doctor nodded and left the room, leaving Alice with Jefferson, Grace and Henry. Alice didn't look at Jefferson as she got acquainted with the boy, and was quite surprised to find out just who he was and what bloodline he came from.

"Well," Henry pulled his book bag over his shoulder. "I should probably go. Mom – I mean, Emma said she would pick me up about now for lunch at Granny's." He looked a little uncomfortable with what name he should use for her. "It was nice meeting you. I'll see you later, Grace."

"Actually," Alice interrupted before Henry reached the door. "Would your Mom mind an extra for lunch?"

"Uh, no. Why?"

Alice looked at Grace, "I need you to go with your friend, alright? Papa and I will meet you there, I promise."

Grace looked from Alice to Jefferson – who gave her a tense nod of approval, "You really promise?"

"We'll be there," Alice nodded.

Jefferson watched Grace and Henry leave the room before turning his eyes down to Alice, "Do you want to explain what just happened?" Instead of a verbal response, he watched Alice pull the wires from her arms with no more than a blink and launch herself into his arms with a soft cry. "Alice? What is it?"

"It wasn't a dream," Alice whispered against his neck. "It happened. I was there."

Jefferson pulled back just slightly, "Where?"

"Wonderland."