AN: Okay so here's the story, Angelycdevil started watching Once Upon a Time. I got fed up with listening about it (and I was bored one night) and started watching it too. Now no one told me the Mad Hatter was in or I would have watched a long time ago. Needless to say, we both developed a love for Sebastian Stan that borders on our love Robert Pattinson. It only made sense that one night rewatching Hat Trick for the fifty billionth time the two would merge and become Hatterward. The rest as they say is history.

Chapter Four

The Hatter

Against all odds, Edward grew more stable as the days went by. We were still looking for any records of him or his daughter. On the upside, he was finding it easier to focus. His emotions were still extreme, but he could control them better. He still had a long way to go.

We'd established a routine, which probably helped. In the morning we got up and went down to the city hall to go through records. When Edward got too frustrated with that we went home. He usually stayed upstairs while I opened the shop.

My customers got used to the change in schedule, but my paycheck was having an issue.

I was scowling over my pay book and computer, and didn't realize Edward had come down. I jumped when he asked, "What's wrong? Opps. Sorry."

"No, It's fine. You just startled me." I tried to forget my stress. Edward would feed off my emotions and he was already frustrated from not finding anything this morning. "What did you ask?"

His wide, concerned eyes were at my eye level as he leaned on the counter across from me. "Are you okay? You looked unhappy."

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just losing money out the wazoo and I've worked so damn hard for this store. If I lose it now, then I don't know what I'm going to do." I smiled sheepishly and blushed under his intent gaze. "It's not a big deal though, are you okay?"

He nodded slowly, his eyes surprising steady as they never left my face. "No, I'm fine. I don't like that you're upset. Is there anything I can do? I feel like you've been taking care of me without me helping you."

I blinked in surprise. It was the most articulate I'd ever heard him. I didn't know if it would last, but I could appreciate it. I reached over to squeeze his hand. "You're sweet, but I really don't mind. I just want you to get better."

His pale cheek turned the lightest shade of pink. It was adorable, and my heart fluttered in my chest. I wouldn't have said he was happy, but he was functioning and it was good to see. "I know, but I can't find My Flower and I'm trying to be patient like you said, but it's hard."

He choked up when he mentioned his flower. I understood, he needed a distraction. I didn't think he could help me with the books, but I could find him something around to help.

"Come on. I need to some of the candy jars filled."

Edward very carefully placed his hat on the countertop. I didn't miss the unspoken message. Please take care of it. It was a great deal of trust. It must have taken a lot.

After I showed him what to do, I went back to figuring out what I was going to do about the store. I had enough to keep it going for a couple months or more.

We worked for a while in silence. Occasionally, I would hear him mutter to himself. It was surprisingly nice not to be alone. I'd never been able to hire an assistant so it had always just been me in the store. It was different knowing that someone else was in the room. I wouldn't say I had been lonely before, but knowing that he was there made me feel connected. If I was being honest, it was something I could get used to.

Edward was still working when a set of customers came in. I noticed him stiffen. He hadn't been around a lot of people since I'd taken him in. I didn't really know if he was scared or just uneasy. I would just have to keep a close eye on him.

It was a mother and her two little boys. Angela and I were acquaintances, so we struck up a conversation while the boys oohed and awed over the bundles of candy and toys. They were just typical boys and were generally loud and wild. I didn't mind, but I noticed Edward shied away from them at first.

Slowly, he crept closer. It was like he was mesmerized. I wondered briefly if he was seeing his daughter in them.

Finally Edward took a few jelly beans out of the bin and made a show out of losing them up his sleeve and pulling them out of the boys ears.

The grin on his face was like a miniature sun. He'd captured the boys attention in an instant, not an easy task when surrounded by candy. I starred, more than a little dumbfounded. I'd never seen him so animated. So alive. It was stunning.

Angela and I continued talking and before long all three boys were pirates. They'd pulled out the foam swords, Edward had his hat pulled low over his eyes, and my store was their pirate ship.

Edward became the pirate captain, adopting a deep, guttural growl with his voice and a swish to his step. He looked a little maniac with that tattered top hat and mad gleam in his eye. You couldn't argue however that he knew how to play pretend and the boys loved it.

Angela finally got the boys their candy, gathered them up, and left. Edward put away the foam swords and dropped his hat on the countertop. It was only then that he looked at me and the life seemed to drain out of his face.

"What did I do wrong?"

"What?" I gasped in shock. "You didn't do anything wrong."

"Then why did you look at me like that?"

"Because, well, you're amazing. Kids are in and out of this shop all the time, but I've never seen them have that much fun."

Edward's cheeks turned just a tad pink. "You and their mother were trying to talk and they were getting into trouble because they were bored. They just needed someone to play with."

"That's a special kind of talent, Edward. Thank you."

He nodded and went back to the candy bins to the candy bins. I cleared my throat, and he turned back around.

"Where ever she is, your daughter must miss you a lot."

After that the kids that came in and out of the store began calling him The Hatter.

AN: I want all the theories!

Happy Birthday Twifey!