Alice couldn't help but grin like a fool when she was called up next to meet with Rumplestiltskin. Jefferson too had been called so they simply went together dropping off Grace at a neighbor's house.
"Are you going to see the magic man again?" asked Grace as Alice adjusted the clasp of the girl's cloak.
"Yes, we are," she said.
"Everyone says the Dark One is a monster. Is that true?" Alice exchanged a look with Jefferson.
"Well, he's never been to us. With Piper and I he's always been more of a grumpy old imp," said the Hatter jokingly.
"He's been alone for a long time. And when that happens. You get...prickly. Not to mention people don't always like to hold up their bargains and in that case, they need to pay the price," explained Alice.
"You mean like you make sure people keep bargains with you?" asked Grace. Alice smiled slightly.
"Yes. I try to be nice but it's important to keep one's word or there will be consequences." Grace nodded in understanding.
"But he's not alone anymore. He's got friends like you."
"I...suppose so," said Jefferson his tone slightly questioning in a way Alice understood. They got along with Rumplestiltskin better than probably anyone. It wouldn't be outrageous to say they thought of him as something more than an employer. But whether the viewpoint was returned was an entirely separate matter. That said he certainly had put a lot of effort into solving their romantic dispute...
"Speaking of the man himself. We best be off before he tries to turn us into snails for being late," joked Alice. With a last hug they left Grace behind and headed for the Dark Castle using Alice's bracelet to speed up travel.
They walked arm in arm through the great oak doors to find Rum as usual at his steering wheel.
"Ah sorted out your nonsense I see," snorted the imp.
"With your help," replied Alice leaning her head on Hattie's shoulder.
"Mind you I must say you were rather invested," commented Hattie teasingly and Rum rolled his eyes.
"Ridiculous. I told you I can't afford to have my deals messed up simply because you two are in a snit."
"Sure," said Alice disbelievingly and Rum narrowed his eyes.
"Dangerous waters Pip."
"You can't do anything to me per our deal," said Alice.
"No but I can turn your little lover here into a toad. I don't face you'd enjoy kissing that."
"At least she'd know I'm secretly a handsome prince," quipped Jefferson then paused. "Well one of those things at least."
"Oh you're a prince?" Alice asked teasingly and Jefferson chuckled. Rum rolled his eyes.
"Enough with the banter."
"Alright gloomy guts," said the Hatter. "Where to?"
"The fire swamp on the boarder of Guilder and Florin. That ought to sober you up."
"What do you need?" asked Alice.
"Lightning sand, and the fur and teeth of an ROUS."
"Sounds delightful," snorted Jefferson tossing down his hat and holding out his hand which Alice readily took. When they stepped out they found themselves in something of a valley. Grassy slopes rose on either side while a dirt path went down the middle. In front of them was a thick and ominous looking forest.
"So that would be the fire swamp I take it," said Alice.
"Yes lovely spot for a holiday don't you think?" quipped Jefferson.
"I suppose we'll have to survey the land and see," replied Alice with a smile as they both confidently headed into the forest. It was quite muggy inside and Alice kept her head on a swivel for any sign of danger.
"So what are the reported dangers here besides rodents of unusual size?" asked Alice.
"Lightening sand which is like quicksand except you fall much faster and..." Jefferson was cut off by a popping sound followed by a sudden column of flame bursting up in front of them. It caught on the hem of Alice's skirt and Jefferson quickly helped smother it.
"Phew..." said the Hatter. "That could have been a disaster."
"You don't say," said Alice now listening for the popping sound as a warning. "I take it that was danger number three?"
"Yes, the flame spurts. Kind of them to demonstrate for us. Ah! Here's the sand." Jefferson bent down next to a patch of sand.
"You were telling me what happens when you fall in this stuff."
"Well, nobody has come out and lived to tell the tale. But there's virtually no hope once you've been lost inside unless someone were to pull you out."
"Well, gathering the sand shouldn't be too difficult," she reasoned still on the watch for any sign of danger. Jefferson pulled out a vial.
"No not really but..." Whatever he was going to say was cut off as something large and furry pounced on him knocking him towards the pit of sand. Alice lunged grasping his hand as Jefferson was submerged to his torso.
Meanwhile the ROUS had turned its attention to her. It lunged and sunk it's teeth into her arm the leather of her jacket only slightly helping protect from the bite. Other ROUS also were beginning to approach. She cried out at the searing pain but refused to let go of Jefferson even as he slipped further down and she was pulled closer.
"You've got to let go!" exclaimed Jefferson but Alice shook her head.
"Never!" Thinking quickly she let out a high pitched whistle that caused the ROUS enough pain it released her shrinking away from the cause of the noise. The rest of the pack scampered off. This didn't solve her problem. She was not strong enough to keep Jefferson above ground for much longer.
"Alice I can't let this pull you in too," warned Jefferson. "Someone has to take care of Grace."
"Don't worry, it won't!"
There was no way she was going to let herself lose the man she loved. She'd already lost too much in this life. Taking a risk she removed on of her hands, causing Jefferson to slip more, and strained to reach for one of the creeping vines. Just when she feared Jefferson would fall under she got one and pulled it into her lover's grasp.
"Use this!" she said slowly Jefferson used the thick vine to pull himself out. Alice watching in fear that it would break.
Thankfully he made it out and she threw her arms around him headless of the pain in her arm.
"We'll need to get that fixed," said Jefferson fussing over her injured arm.
"It's just a flesh wound," said Alice even if the pain was starting to make it's way to her now the adrenaline had faded.
"It's not..." Jefferson broke off as he pushed Alice out of the way just as another ROUS made a dive for them from a nearby log. Jefferson pull out a knife and stabbed the creature several times. It squealed pathetically but eventually died. He turned to face Alice his hand bloody.
"I hate this place."
"Look on the bright side, at least now we can get our ROUS teeth and fur," said Alice crouching down to remove the teeth and cut off some fur.
"Yes, a real ray of sunshine that is," said Jefferson dryly. He removed his scarf and used it to bandage Alice's arm until they could get home and clean it. "There's probably enough sand on this coat to fill his darkness's quota and then some."
"Yes, I don't imagine Rum intended for you to actually get it by falling IN."
"I didn't fall in I was PUSHED. Let's get the facts straight thank you," huffed Jefferson.
"Because there's a gigantic difference?" asked Alice as they strode out of the forest.
"Yes, one is my fault one is not," said Jefferson with a chuckle.
"Fair enough," she replied giving him a peck on the cheek. "I'm just glad you're safe."
"You didn't have to risk yourself you know," said Jefferson.
"Isn't that what love is? Being there for the other person? I won't claim to be the purest soul in Misthaven but even I would never abandon someone I love to their death." she said firmly.
"And if there's no choice? Better only one go down so there's someone left to look after Grace."
"Better yet she not lose anyone. Especially not her father. After all I'm just her father's love."
"You mean more than that," Jefferson told her. Alice gave a small smile.
"To you maybe. To Grace I may still be new. Though I am deeply honored you would trust me with her."
"I know you'd keep her safe," said Jefferson. "When you look at her. I can see the love in your eyes. I also think you underestimate her adoration of you."
"It's true. I do love her. As I do you," said Alice as they finally stopped and Jefferson tossed down his hat. Together they jumped into the swirling vortex and soon after were back in the familiar halls of the Dark Castle.
"You two look like you had quite a time of it," said Rum impishly.
"MORE than a time of it," scoffed Alice. "Hattie nearly died."
"Well only nearly," shrugged Rumplestiltskin and Jefferson rolled his eyes.
"Your sand, fur, and teeth your darkness,"
"And your payment," said Rum handing over bags of gold. "And a little something extra." He waved his hand and Alice found the wound on her arm healed.
"What's the price?" she asked.
"I'd say you paid it with the delivery," said Rum shortly. "Can't have you dying from infection." Alice rolled her eyes.
"Thank you Rum."
"Don't mention it," said Rumple quite seriously before shooing them out.
"And he couldn't bother giving my coat a clean," snorted Jefferson.
"I'm sure you'll live," chuckled Alice. "Besides he likes me better."
"Well nobody disputes that," said Jefferson dryly as they ambled back home. Neither was in a rush after the adrenaline-fueled trip of the fire swamp. It was nice to simply stroll along. They did eventually reach home and went to pick up Grace from the neighbors. Upon seeing them the girl beamed.
"Mama, Papa!" she ran forward and it was only Alice's quick reflexes that helped her catch the girl despite being completely thrown by the title.
"Gracie darling, what did you just call me?" she asked gently kneeling in front of the girl. Grace looked nervous.
"It's alright isn't it? You are my new mother after all aren't you? I mean you love Papa and me." Alice shared a glance with a slightly smug looking Jefferson whose face screamed I told you so. She turned back to the girl her heart swelling with affection she reserved for a rare few.
"Of course it is darling." she pulled the girl in for another hug and pressed a kiss to the crown of her head tears in her eyes.
"Don't leave me out," said Jefferson in a playfully offended tone as he joined in the hug.
"Never Papa," giggled Grace.
OUAT
Gracelyn was thrilled. She'd never had a mother and while it wasn't as if Papa had ever been insufficient in his love and attention she wouldn't deny there had been times she'd felt a twinge of jealousy when she saw other children with BOTH their parents.
Then Piper had come into their lives. The woman didn't exactly radiate warmth when she was in public but when it was just her, Grace, and Papa there was nobody more loving. It was obvious even to young Grace that his father was in love with the woman and she with him. And it brought Grace joy to see him happy.
She knew he worked hard to provide for them and that he always tried to put her before himself. But the best thing was. Piper didn't just care for her father. She cared for Grace herself. Truth be told Grace never felt safer than when she was with Piper and her father and the more time the woman began to spend around their home the more she started to seem like family until one day when Papa and Piper returned from a deal with the Dark One the title slipped out as she greeted the woman.
She'd been terrified for one brief moment that she'd said something wrong and that Piper would leave again.
"It's alright isn't it? You are my new mother after all aren't you? I mean you love Papa and me." she stumbled over her words a bit. The Piper's grey eyes were soft like a rabbit's pelt as she surveyed Grace for a moment before pulling her into an embrace.
"Of course it is darling." Grace felt her press a kiss to the top of her head and smiled into her new mother's shoulder.
"Don't leave me out," called her papa playfully before pulling the both of them into a group hug and Grace giggled. Everything was complete.
"Never Papa."
Author's Note: So! The fire swamps make an appearance and Piper finally earns the title of mother! I'm kind of running slow on ideas regarding this fic as far as prior to events of the best tea cup is chipped. If you've got any thoughts for what you want to see from Pip and the Hatter feel free to let me know! If you like the story please leave a note below it really helps me keep going to know other people are interested in this. Thanks for reading! Until next time!