A/N: The Yea's have it!

Marian popped into the castle with anger boiling in her veins. She blew the guards away with a simple wave of her hands. Then she proceeded to disappear into thin air and reappear directly in the Queen's living room.

"What are you doing?" Marian demanded of her sister angrily.

"Ah," the Evil Queen smiled, "I see you've gotten my message."

"Regina, stop this," Marian begged, "Haven't we all suffered enough?"

"No!" Regina replied icily at best, "I've suffered while the rest of you have gotten to live your happily ever afters! You haven't suffered yet."

"You're my sister," Marian replied, "Everything you do, everything she does to harm you; it hurts me just the same."

"Well you shouldn't have chosen Snow White," Regina remarked.

"That girl had no one, Regina!" Marian howled, "What was I supposed to do? I love her like my own child, just like you're supposed to!"

"I hate her," Regina snarled, "I've hated her every day since Daniel died. Do you have any idea how I've suffered raising that child, the child who murdered my true love?"

"You didn't raise her, I did!" Marian shouted, glaring at her wretched sister as if she was completely worthless already, "You were too busy training with Rumpelstilskin and becoming Mother to even notice the girl. I was there for every nightmare, every scratch, and every teary eye. You were only there when I couldn't be."

"Don't be ridiculous," Regina replied, turning around with a dismissive laugh.

Marian didn't take the dismissal lightly. She rushed towards her sister and forced her to face her. She was abruptly invading the older woman's personal space with a snarl on her face.

"I raised her!" She said, "And I will not let you destroy her."

"Then you will die with her."

Silence followed the Evil Queen's words. It was heavy, deafening to all. Their father stood there, staring at each like a deer caught in headlights. He was completely unsure of which side to follow. He was finally forced to choose.

"Girls," he said, "no more of this fighting, please."

Marian turned on him in an instant.

"You should have put an end to this long ago," she said, "Right after she spoke with Rumpelstilskin."

"I did my best," he argued.

"You didn't do enough," Marian growled.

Her fury vanished moments later as guilt filled her heart. She rushed to her father's side and fell to his feet.

"I'm sorry, Daddy. I know you did your best."

Henry stared at his youngest daughter, tears in his eyes. He gently laid a hand on the top of her head, caressing it. Then he turned towards Regina and smiled.

"Let this rage go," he begged, "Listen to your sister. You know she is right."

"I've had to suffer for years," Regina complained, "I deserve my justice just like everybody else!"

"You've already killed the king," Marian remarked, right on cue. She rose to her feet in an instant, "You turned the genie into a magic mirror because of your need for vengeance. When will the suffering end?"

"When Snow White is dead!"

Silence filled the room again at the impending doom. Marian and Regina were glaring daggers at each other. Henry, their father, was forced to watch the two. His heart broke with every hateful glare they sent each other's way. His girls were no longer the best of friends they once had been.

"You're bringing war onto a peaceful kingdom," Marian said.

"A war has been long overdue," Regina replied.

"Fine," Marian huffed, "but father doesn't need to be a part of this. Let me take him somewhere safe. Neither one of us can afford to let him go."

"You're taking her side?"

"I'm not taking sides," Marian growled, "My husband and I will remain neutral throughout this ordeal, you have my word! Please, let me save our father like I cannot save you."

"Daddy?" Regina gasped, turning towards her father expectantly, "What do you want me to do?"

Henry stared at both of his daughters in amazement. Sometimes he wondered how he ever became such a lucky and unlucky man. He had two wonderful daughter yet they both seemed destined for different sides. How could he choose between them? Yet, how could he allow them even the smallest of worries?

"You can't complete your mission if you're worried about me, sweetheart."

And that was the end of the discussion.

%%%%%

Jefferson was diligently threading the needle with string. His hat was almost complete. All he needed were a few minor touches, the most important of which was the string of Marian's hair. He quickly threaded it through the eye and made quick work of sewing it into the hate's rim. It sparkled just right in the sunlight but made no other sign that it was magical in the slightest. He quickly called his daughter over.

"Grace, come quick," He smiled in pride of his handiwork, "It's time to go home."

Grace entered the room with both of their bags firmly packed. Their suitcases were stuffed to the max with all of their possessions. Her bunny rabbit stayed wrapped in her arms while a giant grin appeared on her features. She looked more than ready and eager for their newest adventure. Thankfully they would be together this time around.

"Are you ready, my darling?" The Mad Hatter demanded of his favorite girl.

"Yes, Papa!" The girl squealed in delight.

He wondered if she was excited for the adventure or the return to their home. Either way the smile made his heart squeeze with joy. It had been only last year when she had no idea who he was or how much he loved her. Now she remembered everything and he was free to raise her properly. He had his second chance and he was not going to waste it.

"Now when the portal first opens it may be a little frightening," he explained, "Don't worry. There is absolutely nothing scary. Just hold onto my arm and don't let go. That is very important, Grace. Don't let go. Just stay by my side and everything will be alright."

"Okay, Papa," she giggled.

The Hatter took a deep breath. He concentrated very hard on the land he wanted to return to. Then he closed his eyes and pictured it in his mind's eye. He took another steadying breath and opened his eyes, tossing the hat into a whirlwind in the process. He waited for the hat to work its magic.

And waited.

"How long are we supposed to wait for it to work, Papa?" Grace asked, looking highly perplexed and confused.

"We're not," he replied, "It's supposed to be automatic."

The hatter rushed towards his prized portal and lifted it for closer inspection. He twirled it in his hands to test its sturdiness. Then he observed it closely in the light. He constructed it properly, right down to the last detail. There was absolutely no reason for it not to work.

"Maybe you twirled it the wrong way?" Grace suggested, catching onto her father's thoughts immediately.

The man shrugged his shoulders.

Why not, he thought. And he twirled it again, this time picturing their home more clearly and in better detail.

Still, the hat remained unmoved and they were still standing.

"It's not working," he groaned.

"Maybe it's the magic," Grace replied, "Perhaps because it works differently in this world you have to do something different as well."

"No, that's not it," he shook his head, "It worked perfectly when Regina needed it the last time I used it."

"But it's the same as your last one, Papa."

"Except it isn't."

Jefferson groaned as realization finally hit. There was one, very slight difference between his last hat and his current one. It wasn't even the strand of hair. He used Marian's hair during one of her many visits to Wonderland. He grabbed ahold of it when she came to speak with the Red Queen. That was how they became such good friends. She was the only way he could spy on his daughter and be sure of her protection. The hair was a gift when she learned of her sister's dreadful curse.

"It's not the hair," he sighed, "but the person it came from."

Grace looked towards her father in complete and utter confusion.

"What do you mean, Papa?" She asked.

The hatter turned towards her daughter with sadness on his features. He smiled grimly at her and debated the pros and cons of telling her the truth. He figured he owed her too much to lie.

"Marian's curse is different than the one that was put on us," he explained, "And she's still cursed."

Grace gasped.

"The hat isn't working because you used her hair."

"And the hair isn't that of a portal jumper."

Grace turned towards her father with worry once again in her eyes.

"Whose hair do we need, Papa?"

Jefferson took a deep breath and tried not to feel fear for his next answer.

"Rumpelstilskin's."

%%%%%%

Sophie stared at Granny's diner with many emotions soaring through her veins. It had been well over ten years since she had been a part of this wonderful community. She had a family that cared for her and friends who stuck by her through thick and thin. Then one mistake changed everything and she realized just how much power her sister had over the community. Now she was with her new family and leaving her old behind.

"Are you alright?"

Sophie turned towards the mastermind with sadness in her eyes. She wanted to give him a giant hug for caring about her but that would be too much. Neither one of them were any good with showing emotions. It was safest to just let things be for now. She could show her gratitude later, when it was safer and she was less vulnerable.

"I'm fine," she lied.

The mastermind's lip turned downwards just a fraction. His bright blue eyes clouded over and he was suddenly a lot closer than before. The concern was vibrating off of him in waves. His right hand shot out and cupped her cheek. Then he was forcing her to meet him eye for eye.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

Suddenly the grifter's skills were in overdrive. She was detecting more than just simple friendly concern. She could sense some fear in his voice and worry to boot. He sounded almost nervous but at the same time angry. He didn't sound jealous but for some reason he was very overprotective.

"I'm just going to miss this place," she said, hoping to snap him out of his weird funk, "This used to be my home before you and your silly crusade."

"And?" He pressed.

"And," she rolled her eyes, "and I just feel as though…"

"As though…" He looked very eager all of sudden and hope shined brightly in his eyes.

She smiled as she realized exactly why so many emotions were in his voice before.

"As though I'm leaving this place for the very last time."

She saw the sigh of relief leave his lungs before he could cover it up with a sad smile. His hand was back on her cheek in an instant and he did his best to show that he cared.

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" He asked.

She decided to reward him for his worrying. Besides he did deserve the truth, if only a little.

"Well there is a sense of foreboding in the air but I'm chalking that up to the fact that I'm finally admitting this place is no longer my home."

She watched as his mind struggled to absorb the words she spoke. She nearly laughed at the reaction when the words soaked in. His eyes grew boyishly bright and his grin almost matched it perfectly. She could see the excitement at her tiny admission and he wasn't going to take it for granted. His hand found hers and his lips dangled dangerously close to her own.

"Are you saying that home is somewhere else?"

She smiled and stubbornly rolled her eyes. "You know full-well where home is, you bastard. I suggest you stop while you're ahead. You only get one confession today."

"But there will be more confessions?" He asked, his eyes growing impossibly brighter at the implication. Teasing him was the only response she could give.

"I don't know," She hummed, "If I were you, I'd take what I could get. You never know what you'll have to do to get me to say anything more."

"Hey you two!" Eliot scowled, suddenly appearing around the corner out of nowhere, "Quit flirting and get a move on! I don't want to be here when the town decides to go to the dogs!"

Nate rolled his eyes dramatically at the hitter's words. He then defiantly placed a chaste kiss on top of her lips and winked. Sophie giggled at the evil glint shining in his eyes. Whether White Knight or Black King, that man always knew when to put up a fight when he wanted to.

"Come on, love," she said, "Our hitter is impatiently waiting."

Together they walked hand in hand to the car. Apparently one glimpse into her past was enough for the long haul. The mastermind didn't seem interested in anything but getting her out. It kind of made her wonder what plan he had developing in that head of his. If this town was truly that worrying, why was he leaving so soon?

"You're going to send Hardison, Parker and Eliot back here, aren't you?"

The mastermind looked like a mouse caught in a trap. It was such a surprising look on his face she couldn't even contain the laughter. Of course he would.

"I can explain," he rasped.

Sophie rolled her eyes and tried her hardest to ignore the plentitude of emotions filtering through her head. She needed to focus on what she missed. They all sensed it and they even worked around her to get it. What made them so nervous?

"Jefferson," Nate said, correctly reading her mind once again, "Hardison couldn't find his information in any of the township documents."

"So just because he didn't do anything wrong you're going after him?"

"Actually there's nothing on him," the hacker popped into the conversation showing he had never even bothered to get into the car, "I've checked everything, everywhere. The man doesn't exist. And they have a mental ward in town. For all we know he could be dangerous. There are no records, nothin'. It's like he just fell out of the sky."

"Which isn't exactly as unheard of as you think," Parker huffed, "I mean come on, you've all seen what I can do on a daily basis."

Sophie could sense the hitter's reply before the words even formed in his mind. Eliot turned towards the thief with aggravation all over his features.

"Parker," he said, struggling to sound gentle and not growl at the thief, "You're not normal! Normal people don't fall from the sky. They use elevators, or stairs… and doors."

"But that's so boring!" Parker pouted.

Sophie listened to the bickering with her attention firmly split. The only thing she seemed to be in agreement on was killing Nate. She knew she was sending the right message with her gaze. The mastermind was staring at his shoes and acting like a child. And to think, she actually thought he was finally becoming a decent human being again.

"You're telling me that you're conning me into leaving so you can do whatever it is you can to prove Jefferson is up to no good?"

Nate's head shot up at that.

"No!" He said, "No, no, it's not that! No, you're too close to this case. Sophie…" He suddenly turned very angry, "I'm trying to protect you!"

She shook her head in anger, "Typical Nathan Ford. It's okay when you're the one going through some emotional distress but god forbid it be anybody else. Oh, then you care about the safety of the team and the success of the con, not necessarily in that order by the way!"

"Sophie!" The mastermind sounded angry at her words, but a bit hurt too.

"No, we're not doing this. If you want to leave so badly, fine! But don't you dare make it out to be that you're worried about me! Bloody Hell, you're incorrigible."

Nate grabbed her by the arms and looked on the verge of killing her. Even Eliot stepped forward a bit unsure of the situation. Sophie pushed against him with just as much fire in her eyes. If he wanted to dance, they would. And with a lot more fire than ever before.

"I'm trying to keep you from getting hurt," he growled sounding far more furious than he had a right to be, "You know the one thing nobody else in this town has ever been capable of!"

Sophie had a wonderful retort on the tip of her tongue. She really did. She even had it ready for return fire. But naturally something had to stop her from saying them. If only her bloody phone didn't pick that moment of all moments to ring.

"Hello," she growled into the earpiece. She mentally cursed herself for that one because it only served to prove the mastermind's point just that much more.

"You told me to call if I was ever in trouble," Jefferson's voice filled the other end of the line.

Sophie tensed, sensing both Nate and Eliot's interest piquing.

"Jefferson," she said, knowing it would set the two on further edge, "What can I help you with?"

"Nevermind about that," he replied, "I just need to know where you are right now."

"Jefferson, what's going on?" Sophie asked, picking up on the slight stress, "Are you alright? Do you need me to come get you? I can send Eliot if need be. I promise he won't do anything ridiculous this time around."

"I'm fine. It's you I'm worried about. Where are you?"

"Jefferson, I'm fine. Why would you-"

"Where are you?" Jefferson asked, sounding highly out of breath.

"I'm about to leave, Jefferson. Where are you?" Sophie was worried now. There was something going on with her old friend and she had a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach about it. He sounded like he was in a lot of trouble.

"Sophie, hang up right now." Nate ordered, his eyes connecting with the hitter's instantly.

"I'm already tracking the phone now," Hardison replied.

"Sophie, get him to tell you what's going on," Eliot growled.

"Whatever you do, don't go anywhere near Mr. Gold's pawnshop," His voice sounded desperate on the other line, "Do you hear me, Sophie? Don't you dare go anywhere near it! It's too dangerous for you, you understand?"

"Jefferson, you're not making any sense," Sophie waved the mastermind and hitter towards her, "Where are you?"

"I'm taking care of all our problems," Jefferson replied, "Just promise me you'll stay where you are?"

"Jefferson, I…"

"Promise me!"

Sophie cringed at the urgency in his voice. Nate was shaking his head no and the hitter was looking to her for answers. They both seemed far more worried than they should have. It was Jefferson. He was harmless. Didn't they understand that? He was only doing whatever this was to protect her. The question was: why did she need protecting… and from Mr. Gold of all people!

"I promise," she said.

Jefferson let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you," he said.

And the line went dead.

The grifter grabbed the hitter's arm before he could even think of saying something else.

"Eliot," she said, "Go to Mr. Gold's right now. Take Hardison and Parker with you. Something isn't right and I have a feeling he's in the middle of it."

"Sophie?" Nate asked.

She shook her head. "I don't think Jefferson will kill him but he sounded highly stressed. Whatever it is he thinks it endangers me. Jefferson is one of the few friends I truly have in this town. I love him like a brother. He would do anything to protect me and I mean anything."

"Eliot, go!" Nate ordered.

The hitter took off without a backwards glance, the others nipping at his heels. The mastermind stayed put and wrapped his arms around the grifter. Sophie took comfort in the fact that her friends were on their way. Then she pulled out her phone once more and dialed another familiar number.

"Yes, Mr. Nolan? I think there's about to be trouble in your town."