Thanks for the Favs/Follows/Reviews guys! They help keep me motivated! This chapter is set in FTL and it's the longest chapter I've written (so far). I personally enjoyed writing this chapter so I hope you'll like it!

That Mischievous Grin

Chapter Five

By LoveMeNever

A while had past since Cheshire, Chess for short, had visited the Mad Hatter in his cell or room where he worked all day trying to "get it to work". She finished doing her dirty work for the Queen just for today, so she went to check on Jefferson's progress.

"Mad Hatter! I see you're still going mad over making a suitable hat." Chess said when she burst through the double doors. They shut behind her. There were hats of all shapes and sizes, some only half finished, scattered all around the room.

Jefferson mumbled violent things while he roughly sewed a hat, he ignored his visitor standing in the room.

Chess smirked, she sat on the chair directly in front of the Mad Hatter's work table. "It's very rude to ignore your guests, you know."

He still ignored her.

She threw her hands up in defeat but she gave him her trademark grin. "I get it! You were blinded by your own desires and now this is your punishment, right? What's wrong cat got your tongue?" She laughed.

"Shut up! This is your fault! All of it!" Jefferson growled glaring up at her with wild eyes.

Chess only laughed more. She stopped when her eyes landed on a hat somewhat separated from the others. It didn't look any different from just a normal hat but it felt different.

It was on a bookcase shelf at the back of the room. She could only explain it as an aura around the hat felt like magic.

She raised an eyebrow walking over to it and glancing at Jefferson, amusement in her eyes.

"What's this?"

Jefferson stood abruptly, "It's another failed hat."

Chess looked him up and down, "Yes I see from your behavior you're quite disappointed by it." The sarcasm dripped in her tone.

"It doesn't work, none of them do!" The Mad Hatter threw the hat in his hand on the ground and stomped on it harshly.

He couldn't fool Cheshire though. The way he was acting was just him attempting to distract her. She picked up the hat from the shelf and analyzed it. She grinned.

"It works, doesn't it? Ha! Mad Hatter you've been trying to hide this hat?"

Jefferson moved and tried to snatch the hat from her hands. "Didn't you tell me not to give it to the Queen?"

Cheshire slowly disappeared from sight and reappeared a few feet away from him. "Ah, so you're memory is still intact!"

"Then give the hat back, if you would be so kind."

"Do you know the story of the tortoise and the hare?" Cheshire asked thoughtfully her eyes never leaving the hat.

Jefferson tried again to lunge for the hat but it had the same effect. He gave up on trying to take it from her. "I'll take that as a yes. The story says slow and steady always wins the race but I disagree."

"What does that even mean? Are you trying to apply that story to this situation?" Jefferson scrunched his face in confusion.

"Hmm, was I?" Cheshire grinned.

Then Cheshire held the hat out to him, her face getting as serious as possible with a grin still there. Jefferson tentatively took the hat from her, much to his surprise she let him. He turned to put it back on the shelf but Cheshire grabbed his arm.

"I'm a bit curious to know... why you haven't used it to escape yet."

"Curiosity killed the cat."

Cheshire's eyebrow shot up and her grin turned into a frown for the first time that Jefferson had seen, "What a horrid metaphor please never use it again."

It was Jefferson's turn to laugh. "If you must know, it's because I used the hat to come here with two people. I have to leave with two as well so I was going to wait for the right moment to do it."

"You make no sense, Mad Hatter." Chess gave him a dumb look. "The Queen is getting impatient and she's planning to lock you up for good soon. If you're going to leave Wonderland, you'd better get out now."

I make no sense? Does she realize she's the last person that needs to tell people that? Jefferson briefly thought. Then it registered that Cheshire had said the Queen was going to lock him up for good and then he assumed she would kill him.

That caused Jefferson to panic, "Wait... she wants the hat to work, she can't lock me up! The hat would never be finished then."

Cheshire looked in his hands at the hat and crossed her arms, "Is your head alright? The hat works and I suspect the Queen knows it."

Jefferson didn't look convinced, "There's no way the Queen knows." Then a thought popped in his head. "Unless, you told her."

"Now that's just hurtful. I just found out that it works and I've been here the whole time." She feigned a sad, pouting face.

Realizing she was right he relaxed a little. It didn't last long because he remembered the Queen's guards could burst through the doors at any moment and lock him away for good. Assuming the cat was telling the truth.

Cheshire hummed, "So, what are you going to do Mad Hatter?"

"When the guards come I'll drag one of them through the portal with me so I can escape."

"A guard? Really?" Cheshire said dully though her eyebrows shot up curiously. "He'll just kill you when you go through."

Jefferson rolled his eyes in annoyance, "That's why I'm going to kill him first."

Cheshire giggled, "My, my you've been holding back." She could see all over his face he didn't really want to kill but he would if it meant him getting home.

He won't be able to refuse my offer then, good.

"What if you did not have to kill?" Cheshire hummed. She turned to walked around the room looking at the hats not particularly interested in them but rather to give herself something to do.

"Meaning?" He didn't like where this was going.

"Take me with you through the portal, I promise I won't try to kill you. It would be a win win situation."

No, Jefferson thought, There is no way I'm releasing her into the Enchanted Forest. Jefferson didn't trust the Cheshire Cat, she was way to cryptic and he guessed that there was a specific reason she wanted to get to the Enchanted Forest.

His gut told him it wasn't an innocent reason.

"Absolutely not. I can tell you're hiding something, for all I know you actually do work for the Queen and just want to go to my land to take it over or spy for the Queen."

Cheshire quirked an eyebrow, "We're all hiding something Mad Hatter. I know you don't trust me but believe me I have no other motive besides escaping the Queen." Just as she said this they could hear a thundering of footsteps.

"You might want to make a decision because that is not thunder." She grinned.

Truth be told, Jefferson was playing right into her hands. She knew he thought she was dangerous and crazy but with the guards threatening to lock him up forever with no chance of getting back to his Grace, he would take her with him. She did want to escape the Queen but she also had a personal reason.

She needed to visit someone in the Enchanted Forest.

Jefferson looked at the hat, the door, and then to the Cheshire Cat. He rolled his eyes and growled in frustration.

He threw the hat up into the air and watched it spin on the ground it slowly opened into a green portal. He really needed to figure out a way to stop being taken advantage of by all these woman. "Come on then, cat!"

They both jumped through the portal at the same time just before the guards broke the door down. Cheshire grinned wickedly at them as she fell disappearing into the portal.

The two roughly fell on the ground inside the portal room. Jefferson laughed finally feeling free. Cheshire smiled broadly and looked at the room.

"So many options... tell me, do you ever travel through realms on your own?"

Jefferson was surprised by the legitimate question, usually everything she said was sarcasm or some kind of riddle or just gibberish. "Not usually. Travelling realms on your own is dangerous. Never know what you'll find."

Chess smiled, "Isn't that the fun part? Anyhow, Enchanted Forest... which portal is it?" She gestured to all of the doors.

For a moment, Jefferson thought about leading her to the wrong portal but then he wouldn't be able to pass through the portal to the Enchanted Forest. Pushing the thought away he walked to a door with vines wrapping around it. He opened it, then motioned for Cheshire to go in. She did and he followed.

When they stepped through they were greeted by trees of all sizes and woodland creatures running around. The woods were thick which made since to Cheshire since it was, after all, the Enchanted Forest.

"Well then, goodbye Mad Hatter. And thanks for playing my little game." She winked at him and started to walk forward.

Jefferson blinked, What just happened?

"Wait! What do you mean?" He followed behind her waiting for an answer. His home was in this direction anyways so wasn't like he was actually trying to follow her.

"I did know you were finished with your hat before today and I also told the Queen so you would be rushed to get out of Wonderland. I knew you wouldn't take me through the looking glass unless your life depended on it." Cheshire didn't stop walking or even look back at him.

"What?! Why are you really here?" Jefferson mentally cursed himself for being so gullible.

"I am here because you told me too."

Jefferson grabbed her arm to stop her from walking. "You know what I mean. What's your agenda?"

He couldn't let her out of his sight without knowing why she wanted to be here. She has never been to the Enchanted Forest.

Right?

He felt uneasy about this whole situation.

"Oh don't worry so much you'll get more wrinkles." Cheshire looked at him, grinning... what a surprise there.

There was a specific place Cheshire was heading too. Actually two places. First on the list was the Evil Queen's castle. She just wasn't going to tell Jefferson where she was heading.

Not like he really needs to know. Chess smirked to herself. I wonder how the castles are here?

They walked for hours occasionally taking a couple breaks when finally they reached a village. Jefferson seemed over eager to Cheshire so she assumed it was were his daughter was. She noticed his pace quickened and he had a determined look on his face.

She really didn't feel like seeing a sappy reunion between father and daughter. Call her heartless but she just didn't do sappy moments. This is where they would part ways.

"Good luck, Mad Hatter. I'll be travelling on my own from now on." She bowed mockingly and got off the road to the village. She just wanted to disappear into the vast forest and continue her travels that way.

Being free to do what she wanted without being tracked and watched was exhilarating.

"Good, if I see you ever again you'll regret tricking me into letting you cross realms."

I can't make promises I'm not sure I can keep. "Tricking is such a cruel way to put it, Mad Hatter."

With that she turned and changed into a cat then darted into the thick treeline.

It was so nice, running through the woods, dodging trees, jumping over roots, and wind blowing against her fur. She, of course, ran in Wonderland but the feeling of the Queen of Hearts knowing where she was at every moment took the fun out of it.

Before she got too far though, her foot stepped on something and she heard a click. A large net sprang up from the ground, catching her and lifting her a good ten feet from the ground. She let out a surprised cat-like yelp.

The hell is this?! She struggled against the net. It was small and probably made for an animal. Oh goody, I am an animal at the moment.

She turned into her human form hoping that it would weigh the net down and break it but it still held her in the air. She rolled her eyes.

Off in the distance she heard rustling of fallen leaves on the ground being stepped on.

"I caught something!" A excited little kids voice yelled.

"No, you caught someone." Cheshire made the kid jump slightly, he wasn't expecting that something to talk. She smirked at the reaction.

The kid was a young boy, probably only ten, he was short and scrawny. He was wearing brown baggy pants, paper thin shoes, and a green shirt with many stains on it. His hair was brown and short, his eyes were brown as well, and he was tanned. Either plays outside to much or works on a farm or in the fields. She guessed.

"W-who are you?" The kid asked.

"Someone who wants very much to get out of this net." She stated very plainly.

The kid moved to the trunk of the tree the net was hanging from. Cheshire tried to see what he was doing but before she could the net fell down causing her to face plant the forest floor.

She groaned. Oh I hate kids.

The boy tried to help her up. "Um... sorry, there wasn't any other way to get you down."

So much for always landing on my feet.

"Right." She brushed herself off when she stood without accepting the kids help. He only came up to just above her waist. "Watch where you put traps, kid."

She started to walk away but the young boy ran in front of her walking backwards as she walked forward. "What were you doing all the way out here anyways? Where are you from? I've never seen you do you live far away?" He asked curiously.

Cheshire sighed, "Paths that end in trouble are all the same. They only appear different when you don't know where they lead."

"You're strange."

"Not strange, mad." She corrected.

"Mad at what?" He was now walking beside her.

She rolled her eyes. This is why she didn't like kids, they always had to many questions, and they never understood anything. Or maybe that was just the case with Cheshire around, no one understood.

"I'm Aladdin, what's your name?"

"Why are you following me, Aladdin?" She stopped walking and turned to face him with her arms crossed. A small frown on her face, which was pretty rare.

The kid shifted his feet a little and looked shy. "You're the first adult who hasn't told me 'Scram street rat or I'm calling the Queen's guards!', you seem different."

"In a good way, I mean." the kid corrected.

"Perhaps I have said it and you just haven't heard." Cheshire almost felt sorry for him with the pitifully hopeful look on his face but it dropped to sadness again when she basically told him she was thinking it. Fine, I feel a tiny bit sorry for him.

"Different denotes neither bad nor good, but it certainly means 'not the same'." She said as she started walking again knowing the kid would follow her.

"Are you good not the same or bad not the same?" His eyes twinkled with fascination.

"Neither, I prefer to remain in the middle. I'm like a void between the two." She smirked.

Aladdin laughed but then his face turned sad. "I want to be good but everyone always tells me how bad I am."

"The pure of heart are only what they want to be, not what others say." Cheshire couldn't let the kid think he was completely bad based on what other people said. "I can be stolen or given away and you will live, but without me you cannot live."

His face scrunched in confusion.

"Your heart. Did your parents never tell you riddles?"

"I'm an orphan. I have to do bad things in order to survive. That makes me bad, doesn't it?" He shrugged but Cheshire could tell he hoped she would say that it didn't.

"Perhaps and perhaps not." She raised an eyebrow at him. "Good is sappy sweet fairy tales and evil is far to competitive and cruel for my taste."

Aladdin thought for a moment. "So... its not good to be good and bad to be bad?" He looked like he was confusing himself.

Cheshire smirked. "Exactly."

Aladdin nodded a few times as if trying to get it all straight in his head.

"Where are you going?" He asked wanting to change the subject now.

Cheshire chuckled, she was hoping the kid would leave once he realized she wasn't going to stop walking. They were getting further and further from the village so she knew he would need to go back.

"The Evil Queen's castle."

Aladdin stopped walking and looked shocked. His mouth was hanging open. "Are you trying to catch a insect?" She smirked while he closed his mouth quickly at the thought.

"...Why do you want to go there?" He said nervously.

Cheshire let out a single laugh and turned to face the boy, "I have to thank someone there." She watched as he scrunched his face in thought.

Don't tell me he is actually thinking of...

"I'll come with you." He finished her thought for her.

No, no, no!

"Kid, you are most definitely not coming. Path's traveled blindly are often dangerous ones."

He took two steps forward, "Do you even know where the castle is?" For a kid, he sure did look smug.

Cheshire raised an eyebrow. He was implying that he knew how to get to the castle and it was true that she had no idea where she was going. Then again, she couldn't let this kid come with her, what would she do with him after they reached the castle? Or even while they were travelling there? Cheshire didn't want to care for a child.

"I can get a map." She decided.

"What about travelling there? Are you planning on going on foot the whole way?" He crossed his arms over his chest and looked pleased with himself. He thought he had won her over now.

"I was actually." Cheshire laughed at his immediate change of demeanor. He looked at her astounded.

"That would take you at least three weeks on foot!" He sounded exasperated, it was quite amusing to Chess.

It was news to her though, she could have guessed it would take a while to travel on foot but three weeks seemed excessive. Either this kid really did know where he was going, she still had her doubts about that, or he was telling a fib just to get her to take him along. The main question Chess had was why did he even want so badly to go with her? They have only known each other for all of ten minutes.

"Why do you want to tag along so much? Once I arrive at the castle I guarantee you I will leave you behind."

Aladdin looked down, embarrassed. "I have nothing better to do..." He shuffled his feet, "you need help, too. I owe you because of before."

Cheshire assumed he meant the trap thing. Yeah you do owe me, big time. I think I chipped a tooth.

"Right-o. Then where to, ace?"

Aladdin started to mumble about how he could help her and how she couldn't leave him here, then it hit. "Wait... you're letting me come?!" He beamed.

"If I think for a second you don't know where your going, I'm trading you for a map." Cheshire put her hands on her hips. "Got it?" Aladdin nodded eagerly. "So? Where to?"

"We should get horses from the village and then we will head north for a few days." Aladdin turned around walking back to the village but Chess just stood still looking at him amused.

"Unless you've found some magical well of currency, how are you planning to get horses?"

"Um..." Aladdin stumbled, "you don't have anything?" He laughed nervously as Cheshire quirked an eyebrow at him like he was crazy.

"Nothing."

"Oh... well... leave it to me."

"I've got to see this." Cheshire followed as the kid ran back to the village. It wasn't as far as Cheshire thought it was.

Aladdin told her to stay where she was that he would be back soon. Just out of curiosity Cheshire actually listened. She wondered what he could possibly be doing after twenty minutes passed. Well, not like it's hurting me. I can travel in peace and quiet now.

She was about to turn and leave when she heard thundering of hooves on the dirt road. The sight made her laugh, Aladdin was riding a running black horse with a brown one running along side him. "Hurry get on!" Aladdin yelled when they got closer.

The horses didn't slow down so Cheshire panicked, "Wait, now?" they continued to get closer. Then she saw them. Guards dressed in all black armor chasing Aladdin and the two horses. "Shit..."

Cheshire braced herself and held out her hand aiming for the horse reins and saddle. When the horse got close enough she grabbed the saddle and pulled herself up. She ended up on the horse awkwardly but she managed to get her boots into the stirrups. She barely got herself situated before the horses both broke out into a full gallop.

It was all quite acrobatic.

When they finally lost the guards the horses slowed into a canter then a trot. Cheshire and Aladdin were finally able to relax in the saddle now.

Aladdin waited for Cheshire to start yelling at him about stealing and getting the guards to chase after them but nothing like that happened. It fact quite the opposite. She was laughing. "I'm impressed, ace!"

Cheshire controlled herself long enough to look at the boy but that only made her fit of laughter worse. He looked totally astonished. "W-what?" She's not mad?

They pulled the reins stopping the horses.

"I said I'm impressed, you actually got the horses, I didn't think you were going to." Her laughter turned to snickers and chuckles. "Learn to take a compliment, ace, it's the last you'll be getting from me."

"Why are you calling me that? My name is Aladdin." He asked referring to her calling him 'ace' not that he was really complaining, it was just curious. It made him feel kind of happy. "And you never told me your name!"

"What do you use everyday but you don't pay for? What is truly yours but came from somewhere else? What is very personal but shared with everyone?" Cheshire waited for an answer but heard none. Even though she couldn't see him she imagined he looked rather confused.

"I know what your name is." Cheshire smirked and urged her horse forward.

Aladdin did the same. He wondered why she didn't answer his question and what her riddle was. He was never any good at riddles.

"Wait I still don't know your name!"

This is going to be a long, strange trip. At least I'm finally out of Wonderland. Chess simpered.

Next Chapter is back to Storybrooke time! Let me know how you felt about this chapter! (: