Jefferson slammed the steel door of the land without colour, letting out a frustrated groan, words failing to convey the anger that pulsated inside his head.
"Stupid girl, how can she think I love her?" He muttered to himself through gritted teeth before kicking a foot against the metal door and immediately regretting it.
Jefferson's foot began to throb, but for a moment he was distracted from the battle of emotions that raged in his head. Cursing loudly at his stupidity, Jefferson hobbled across the hall to the enchanted forest's wooden door.
Rumplestiltskin had enchanted the hat to land Jefferson in the middle of the woods rather than taking him directly to the castle, in the event of anyone managing to follow the portal jumper through. But with a sore foot, having to trudge through the woods was the last thing Jefferson wanted. As he clambered through the eerily quiet forest, Jefferson's thoughts wandered back to his argument with Elizabeth, his irritation increasing with every step towards Rumplestiltskin's castle.
"Ah, you've returned," the imp announced upon Jefferson's arrival, "I was beginning to worry you'd got lost."
His trademark giggle was cut short by his business partner's unamused scowl, and though Jefferson knew well to tread warily with the Dark One, he couldn't help but make his annoyance known.
"I take it things didn't go too well with a certain Frankenstein?" Rumplestiltskin queried; his choice of words only making Jefferson suspicious. He didn't reply, though Rumplestiltskin seemed keen to interrogate Jefferson:
"Since when did you start limping?"
With that, Rumplestiltskin raised a hand to cast a spell, although Jefferson indignantly waved away his offer.
"I can do it myself thanks," he snapped, quickly casting a healing spell. Jefferson sank onto the nearby bench, holding his head in his hands as he attempted to shut out his thoughts.
"Is there something troubling you?"
For once Rumplestiltskin's voice had no trace of irony and Jefferson was thrown by his genuine sounding concern. He cautiously looked up, expecting his business partner to suddenly quip one of his sarcastic remarks. But Rumplestiltskin remained silent, though Jefferson was at a loss of what to say.
'Why should I feel guilty? I'm not in love.'
"You were right earlier; I had a disagreement with Victor Frankenstein."
Rumplestiltskin tutted, as though he wasn't fully satisfied with Jefferson's answer.
"Well settle your disagreement," the imp coldly replied, looking Jefferson straight in the eye. Both of them knew he wasn't referring to Victor. Jefferson nodded in agreement, but remained slumped in his seat.
"But leave it for a day or so," Rumplestiltskin announced, grabbing a small pouch of coins and throwing it to Jefferson's feet, "take your wages for today's work: I no longer have any need for you. Go and enjoy the evening. Don't even think of returning until you are so drunk that you cannot remember her name."
Despite his grin, the words seemed almost threatening, though Jefferson raised an eyebrow and rose from his stooped position.
"Very well." He gave a tip of his hat before doing up the buttons of his coat as he thought of his next destination.
The tavern lay empty, almost every seat abandoned, half eaten food resting on grimy plates, creaking wooden seats pushed out from the tables. Only one table was in use and it was there that all the travellers, pirates, villagers, knights and barmaids had gathered. Sat at this table were three hunched figures, their faces half masked by clouds of perfume and cigar smoke. The fourth figure was casually sat back in his seat, a velvet top hat resting on his head.
Jefferson waited until the last second to slam down his cards onto the table, relishing in the sound of the crowd's roar.
"Looks like I win another round," Jefferson declared, smirking at the stunned faces of his opponents.
With a flourish, he swiped the mountain of coins towards him and waved for another round of drinks with his free hand. One of the other players left and their seat was quickly taken by another foolish enough to believe he could beat Jefferson.
As the seating arrangement shifted, the woman to Jefferson's left sidled even closer until she was almost perched on his lap. She draped an arm around his shoulder, and he felt her vodka scented breath whispering in his ear.
"Marie! Can't you wait a little longer?" He teased in a low voice, before announcing to the crowd, "I'm afraid there will be only one more round and then I must retire to my bedroom."
Jefferson raised his eyebrows suggestively, the throng of women around him giggling. He took a swig from his glass and winked up at the barmaid serving when Marie wasn't looking.
The other players set down the cards, though Jefferson knew he would win. He always did. Because of this Jefferson didn't pay the slightest attention to the game, although this didn't bother the crowd. To them he was just a mysterious and rich stranger who was paying for their drinks.
Just as Jefferson was about to set down another winning hand, the tavern door swung open. A pair of heels clicked against the stone floor of the hovel and the room fell silent, the people staring up at their queen, shocked by her arrival.
The only person who hadn't noticed was Jefferson, who puzzled by the sudden silence, looked up with a drunken hiccup.
"Regina! What do I owe the pleasure?" Jefferson cried, out-stretching both arms in welcome.
"I wish to speak to you: in private," Regina said briskly.
Jefferson got to his feet and Marie made a small noise of protest, feebly grabbing onto his coat sleeve.
Dismissively, Regina gave a wave of her wrist and the girl vanished in a whirl of purple smoke to be replaced by a Queen of Hearts playing card.
Terrified, the crowd parted and Jefferson stumbled past them upstairs, followed by Regina.
He shoved the battered door of his bedroom until it locked and flopped onto the bed. Regina remained by the wall, gazing in disgust at her surroundings.
"You know I usually get up to other activities aside from chat when on a bed with a woman," Jefferson said.
Regina looked down at him haughtily, any seduction lost by his slurred voice.
"You'll have to try better than that," she sneered in response, "I'm not like those barmaids downstairs. I won't just fall at your feet."
Regina took a step towards the drunken portal jumper so that she stood over him.
"Why are you doing this Jefferson?"
Before Jefferson had a chance to explain, Regina continued,
"Getting drunk with a bunch of commoners, whist cheating them of their money and romancing barmaids! Isn't this the life you worked hard to rid yourself of?
Jefferson shrugged before grinning widely up at her and tossed the jangling bag of his winnings in the air. Regina grabbed the pouch before it could land.
"What did you do that for?" Jefferson demanded sullenly, reaching up to snatch it back.
"This is serious. What about Elizabeth?"
He stared blankly up at her at Regina.
"Who's Elizabeth?"
"Elizabeth!" Regina sighed, "the girl who only a month or so ago you claimed to have feelings for?"
"Oh…her," Jefferson muttered, scowling as though Elizabeth was a particularly bad taste in his mouth.
"Yes: her," Regina's business-like tone vanished as she carefully sat down beside him, the pouch still just out of reach, "I know you've had some 'disagreement' with her, but is this really the best way to resolve things?"
"This is Rumplestiltskin's orders."
"Can't you see he just wants to keep you from falling in love? Love is the most powerful magic of all: I lost my chance, but I refuse to let you."
"Maybe it's not meant to be," Jefferson retorted, "maybe you haven't lost all your chances."
He leant in a little closer, his hands caressing Regina's waist, winding around her back as he pressed his lips against hers. Distracted by his advances, Jefferson grabbed the pouch of money, the intoxicating scent of apples filling his senses.
But it was quickly repulsed by the horrible guilt that knotted in his gut, flashes of his kiss with Elizabeth, walking in the garden together and their reading sessions making Jefferson realise his mistake. He reeled away from Regina, whose composure couldn't hide her shock.
"Maybe I haven't…" She murmured softly, tentatively reaching out to take his hand. But her words fell on deaf ears, as Jefferson leapt up, his drunken stupor vanishing.
"You're right!" He cried joyously, "I have to find Elizabeth!"
Jefferson's shaky foot tripped on the loose floorboard and he fell forward, grabbing at the wall to stop him from crashing headfirst onto the floor.
"I should probably sober up first," he said to himself.
Jefferson turned to Regina, placing a hand on either shoulder.
"You should go back to the castle and the king of course. But thank you for making me realise that Elizabeth is the only one for me."
"It's fine," Regina replied, swallowing hard before half-smiling at the beaming hatter.
Once Regina had gone, Jefferson settled back onto the rumpled bed. He gave a contented sigh as he gazed up at once white ceiling, the spiders webs stretched out like constellations. Overwhelmed by fatigue, Jefferson yawned loudly and closed his eyes, dreaming of how he was to present Elizabeth with a bunch of the best red roses from Wonderland.