LAND WITHOUT COLOR

"How in the world," Rebekah spun around, looking in every direction. This place, this new world, it had absolutely no color. She held out her hand, looking at it as she tilted her head as she studied her now gray skin. She looked to Jefferson and saw that he was no longer in color either – how was this even possible? "All the colors," Rebekah whispered, running past Jefferson to look at the garden they had arrived near, "They're gone!" She spun around to face Jefferson who was smiling in amusement.

"Nothing gets past you, princess." He said, his facial expression still amused.

"I'm not a princess." Rebekah corrected him, walking over to where Jefferson stood and poked him in the chest, "Just because my sister married a King, does not make me royalty." She poked at his chest again, eyes narrowed at the man.

He laughed, moving his hand to wrap around her wrist so he could pull her finger away from his chest. "Perhaps not by blood. And I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this, but you are very much a princess. As long as your sister is Queen – you're stuck with the title." His thumb rubbed at her wrist where the pearl cuffs had once been.

During their jump in the portal, the pearl cuffs had been destroyed.

Somehow Jefferson knew the cuffs would be destroyed. He had told her that his source had good information. And that he was rarely ever wrong.

Rebekah looked down at her wrist that Jefferson still held, thumb still rubbing soothing circles on her skin. She felt her neck flush and slowly began to pull away from him, and once she was far enough away, she turned her back on him, not wanting him to see her face. "Maybe I don't want that title." Rebekah said quietly, looking at the gray garden.

A land without color yet is was still so breathtakingly beautiful to Rebekah.

She could feel Jefferson move behind her, his hand moved to her shoulder. She felt a shiver run up her spine and held her breath when he turned her around to face him again. "You don't have to be a princess here." Jefferson looked down at her, "Or any other world we go to." He spoke softly. "Only in the Enchanted Forest will you ever be a princess."

She frowned, not liking the way Jefferson was quickly becoming someone she could care for. Because that was too dangerous – Rebekah couldn't allow herself to feel anything towards him. The risk was far too great. So, she pulled away from him again and began to walk forward. "Alright, Hat-boy. Show me all this world has to offer me." Rebekah said in a playful tone.

Jefferson laughed from a bit behind her but caught up to her pace shortly after. "I can take you to a man who can raise the dead." He offered.

Rebekah laughed at that, "A Necromancer?"

"He prefers Doctor."

"Hmmm...Doctor." She said the name as they continued to walk. "Doctor what?"

"Dr. Frankenstein." Jefferson replied, taking a few wide strides so he was now walking in front of her, he walked with his back facing the path they were walking, and kept his eyes on Rebekah, his one blue eyes now just a shade of gray. "I just call him Victor."

Rebekah paused, standing in the middle of the road. "...That name sounds familiar." She said quietly, trying to recall when she had ever heard of that name before, or maybe even met someone who went by that name. But she couldn't remember. When she looked back to Jefferson, he looked off and there was the slightest bit of concern in his eyes.

"Have you ever met someone by that name?" He asked, standing still as well.

She shrugged, no memory coming to mind. But she could have sworn she had heard of that name before! "I can't recall." Rebekah admitted. He still looked quite odd. She raised her eyebrow, "Why?"

He quickly smiled, and began to walk backwards again, eyes full of mischief. "Oh, no reason. It's not everyday you meet a necromancer, as you referred to him as. I wouldn't want to introduce you to someone you've already met before. I did promise you an adventure, and I'm a man of my word, Rebekah."

They continued their journey in silence until Jefferson finally broke it with a question.

"How old were you when you last saw me?" Jefferson asked, looking over at her.

Rebekah frowned, trying to remember her age. "Ten, I believe."

"Hmmm, and that would have been how many years ago?" He asked now.

She chuckled, "It's rude to ask a ladies age – but if you do, don't dance around in circles to try and get the answer." Rebekah smirked. Jefferson laughed. "I'm sixteen." She told him. "And you?"

"Well, when you first saw me I was eighteen." He said, "-Which, in your time was six years ago."

"But time works differently with portal jumping...or...time jumping? How old are you now?"

"I just turned nineteen." Jefferson answered.

Oh, she loved birthdays! It had been quite some time since she was able to celebrate such an occasion. But Rebekah remembered that each birthday she had while living with Regina and her husband, the King, had been so grand! Birthdays were Rebekah's favorite kind of celebration. "I suppose I should wish you a happy birthday." Rebekah looked to Jefferson.

"My birthday was two weeks ago." He told her, smiling.

"Well, a very merry un-birthday to you." Rebekah said causing Jefferson to laugh.

Rebekah smiled, and Jefferson continued to talk about the many adventures he had been on while portal jumping while they continued on with their journey, now side by side. Rebekah could feel Jefferson's eyes on her every once in a while, and her skin would involuntarily flush. The young woman would have to keep reminding herself that Jefferson was just a means to escaping Regina's grips. And, sure, he was very handsome. But if Regina ever found them – well, Rebekah did not believe for a second that her wicked sister would spare his life. No, she'd rip out his heart and crush it right in front of Rebekah. So, she couldn't care. She wouldn't care. Rebekah refused to care.

But each time she felt his eyes on her...she felt the lines blur.

_________________________________

STORYBROOKE. Maine

"Did you notice?" Mary-Margaret asked, sitting down at the booth Rebekah was seated in. The young woman looked up from the morning paper to her friend. "The clocks hands moved!"

"Oh, we must alert the papers!" Rebekah said dramatically, slapping down the newspaper with a grin.

"Oh, come on! You have to admit that this is quite the big deal around here. For as long as I've lived in Storybrooke – those clock hands never moved. They were just...stuck."

"In time?" Rebekah smirked only to have Mary-Margaret roll her eyes at her pun. Rebekah simply shrugged her shoulders and moved to grab her cup of tea. "-Why is everyone making such a big deal about the clock hands moving? Maybe someone just finally fixed them? There's a million different explanations as to why the clock started to work, Mary-Margaret. Unless you've been speaking with Henry who believe this all has to do with Emma coming to town."

Mary-Margaret shrugged her shoulders now, head tilted while making an obnoxious face which already had Rebekah shaking her head with a smile. "Quite the coincidence that the hands start moving justas Emma decides to stay." Mary-Margaret's voice rose an octave higher.

"She's not staying, she's just staying the week." Rebekah sipped at her tea and then set it down on the table, "Besides, I think it'll be good for Henry to spend some time with his birth mother, God knows Regina has never been motherly towards him."

Mary-Margaret frowned, "But you have."

Her eyes landed on Mary-Margaret, giving her a warning glance. "I'm not his mother." Rebekah reminded her friend.

When Henry was just a little one, barely forming words together; he had called her mama. Regina had been furious. She refused to let Rebekah near him for a week. But by the end of the week, her older sister couldn't handle her crying boy who she couldn't seem to soothe. That's when Regina allowed Rebekah to see the boy. But Rebekah made Henry repeat the word auntie like a mantra until it was glued in the small child's head that she was not his mother. She was his auntie.

And just last year when Henry had a sleepover at Rebekah's place, the boy had snuggled up to her on the couch and whispered; I wish you were my mom, Auntie Bex. And it broke her heart. Not for Regina's sake, but for her nephews. He didn't feel like he had a mother and that was just devastating. It's no wonder he went through the lengths he did to try and find Emma Swan.

Her friend frowned again, "You may not be his mother, Rebekah, but you did raise him. And for someone who has never had a child, you sure have that motherly instinct." Mary-Margaret told Rebekah who simply frowned. For some reason the comment Mary-Margaret had just made caused a sharp pain in her chest, but it went away as Mary-Margaret continued on, "It is good that Emma is here to get to know Henry," Mary-Margaret agreed, "But I truly hope that you don't think that Henry doesn't know what it's like to feel a mother's love. Because you have given him that and so much more."

Rebekah took another sip of her tea but didn't reply. Something, no, someone had caught her eye. She smiled when she saw the man walking into Granny's diner. He walked towards the counter and Rebekah watched as he tried to slyly look over his shoulder to her booth. She chuckled, pushing her hair behind her ears when the man quickly looked away when he saw that she had seen him trying to watch her.

"Who's that?" Mary-Margaret asked, looking to where Rebekah was still looking. "I don't recognize him."

"Jefferson." Rebekah looked back to her friend.

"Oh," Her mouth formed into a small circle.

"The hermit." They said together and then laughed.

Mary-Margaret looked back at Jefferson, "He is awfully handsome." She pointed out.

Anyone could see that, though.

"And quite the mystery." Rebekah added, tilting her head as she watched him, his back still facing her.

"Tall, mysterious, and handsome. Watch out, Rebekah, that could only mean trouble." Mary-Margaret teased.

Rebekah looked back to Mary-Margaret with a kinked brow, "Looking and admiring from afar has never hurt anyone." She looked back at Jefferson and saw him looking over his shoulder at her again, a blush crept up to his cheeks and he quickly looked away again. He was wearing a scarf again, purple this time. He kept it tucked under his gray coat and Rebekah couldn't help but notice it wasn't the slightest bit chilly today.

Or the day before when she had seen him.

Why did he always wear a scarf?

A fashion statement?

He could definitely pull it off, that's for sure.

Both Rebekah and Mary-Margaret watched as Jefferson paid for his drink and headed towards the entrance again, both of their heads titled to the side as they watched him leave. He looked back and chuckled when he saw both of their heads snap back up straight, pretending that they weren't just blatantly checking him out.

Mary-Margaret quickly looked away but Rebekah simply smiled – he had seen them watching him, there was no use in her trying to act like she wasn't staring. So, instead, she gave him a little wave and watched as a grin formed on his lips before he walked out of the diner.

Once he was gone, Mary-Margaret looked to Rebekah, "And what are you going to do on your day-off, Miss Rebekah?" She asked.

Rebekah smiled happily, excited for her plans. "I am going to do what I do on all my days off."

"Black and white movie at the theater?" Mary-Margaret chuckled.

"A Street Car Named Desire."

The woman laughed, "You are such a sucker for Marlon Brando."

"I simply enjoy black and white movies. It reminds me of a simpler time." Rebekah said as she pulled some cash out of her purse to give to Granny. "And...Marlon Brando is a total fox." She winked and then left her friend to sit alone in the booth. Rebekah walked over to Granny and put some cash in the tip jar and told the older woman she'd see her tomorrow.

"Have fun at the movies, Rebekah!" Ruby yelled from the kitchen.

She had to chuckle.

The hands on the tower clock may be moving forward, but Rebekah enjoyed her routine. She wasn't frozen in time – she just...really liked black and white movies.

Or Marlon Brandon, it was head or tails with either.

_________________________________

LAND WITHOUT COLOR

"So, this whole 'no color in this world' thing is starting to become less alluring to me." Rebekah said, looking up at a very ghastly looking castle a few yards away where lightening was striking right above it, the sky lighting up briefly after a roar of thunder, only to turn pitch black moments later. A lightening and thunderstorm with no rain. That wasn't terrifying at all. No, this place was just wonderful.

Jefferson chuckled, "I will warn you, it's not any more appealing once we're inside. But Victor is a good man. You aren't in any danger, Rebekah." He tried to assure her.

She huffed out a laugh, "I suppose I have to take your word for it." Rebekah walked forward, picking up the skirt of her dress, hoping to get to the castle before if or when it started to rain. "How did you meet Dr. Frankenstein?" She asked Jefferson on their journey.

"Well," Jefferson drew out the word. "That tale involves stolen jewels, a few to many cups of Ale, and a weeping woman."

Rebekah hummed, "So, you met this man because you drunkenly stole jewels from a crying woman? Is that it?"

He laughed, "Oh, if only it were that simple."

"Not only are you a portal jumper – you're also a thief. Oh, I don't regret coming with you at all." Rebekah said sarcastically in a flat tone, the nights air causing her to shiver.

Jefferson moved in front of her and began to shrug off his long leather jacket. "I suppose I should have told you to bring a coat." He smirked, moving to place the coat around Rebekah's shoulders.

"Or a change of clothes." She added, hugging to jacket to her body as her teeth chattered. She flinched when Jefferson moved one hand to her face, moving it up to push back her hair. It was intimate. No one had dared to touch her this way before. But Jefferson didn't seem afraid.

Rebekah had been kissed once by one of her sister's guards. The next day, the guard had his lips sewn shut. Everyone in the palace quickly learned not to go near Rebekah after that incident. There was only ever one guard who spoke to her.

The Huntsman.

He had been the one Regina had sent to bring back Snow's heart. But he couldn't do it. He was good. And because he had let her go and tried to trick Regina's with a stag's heart, he lost his own heart. The Huntsman was the only one brave enough to speak to Rebekah when he stood guard outside her doors. She'd sit by the door and ask him questions about what she may have missed while being locked away and he'd tell her stories about being raised by shapeshifting wolves. But she never saw his face. Because if The Huntsman ever stepped foot in her room without Regina, he'd die.

When Regina caught word of her friendship with the man, he was no longer tasked with guarding her bedroom. And she was alone.

...Until Jefferson.

Who seemed so fearless and brave and spoke of giving her the world.

Rebekah took in a shaky breath as she cast her eyes away from Jefferson, moving back a bit so his hand would drop. "We should get inside before it rains," She said, finding the courage to force a smile as she looked back at him, "-There is only one coat between us, and I don't plan on giving yours back anytime soon." She teased.

Jefferson licked at his lower lip as he smiled, "After you," He held out his arm, motioning for her to lead the way.

They arrived at the castle just as ran began to pour down, both running to the door for cover. Rebekah laughed loudly when Jefferson began to quickly shake his head, rain droplets coming from out of his hair came flying at her, getting her wet.

"I once had a pet dog who did the exact same thing." Rebekah teased while Jefferson continued to shake out his hair.

"Very funny." He said, finally stopping. Jefferson placed his hat on top of his head and took a step towards the door and gave it a sharp knocking causing the door to open on its own. He looked over at Rebekah who wore a worried expression. He raised his brows and motioned to the door. "Shall we?"

They did come all this way...

Rebekah took in a quick breath and stepped through the door.

_________________________________

STORYBROOKE. Maine

Rebekah sat in the back of the theater eating her cherry Twizzlers and drinking her Coca Cola. It was the place she always sat when she came to the theater – and she always got the same snack. There was only two other people in the theater, an older couple who sat huddled together sharing a small bag of popcorn and a drink. They would whisper and giggle like a pair of love struck teenager while watching the movie.

"It's dark in here," Mitch said to Blanche.

"I like the dark! The dark is comforting to me!"

"I've never seen you in the light! That's a fact!" Mitch moved to turn on the lights and Blanche quickly ran into the nearest dark room. "-I've never seen you in the afternoon!"

Rebekah chewed on her Twizzler, watching the scene progress to Mitch forcing Blanche under the light so he could truly see her, revealing the woman's deception.

"I don't mind you being older than I thought," Mitch continued to hold Blanche under the light by her chin, examining her aged face. "But all the rest!"

Someone walking by her seat caused Rebekah to look away from the screen, watching in the dark as someone took a seat a few aisles down. She squinted her eyes and moved forward a bit, trying to see in the dark.

It wasn't until the person turned to the side briefly that she saw who it was.

Jefferson.

Rebekah smiled, grabbing her snack and drink and left her seat and walked down to the aisle he was sitting in. He looked over when she took a seat next to him. "Two outings in one day." She whispered. "If I didn't know any better, I might think you're stalking me." She kept her eyes on the screen as she whispered, her lips twitching as she tried not to smile. Rebekah turned her head to the side and faced Jefferson. "So, Jefferson, are you stalking me? Or is it just a coincidence?" She asked, jabbing a Twizzler at him as she playfully narrowed her eyes.

Jefferson raised his brows at her and snatched away her candy. "I'm just taking the advice on how to lose my hermit status." He replied, looking back at the screen.

"Sooo," Rebekah drew out the word. "You're not stalking me?"

Even though she could only see the side of his face, Rebekah could tell he was grinning.

"I saw that the Mayors son is safe." He said quietly the moment Rebekah had turned back to watch the movie. "And that his birth-mother is staying in town."

Rebekah moved a bit in her seat, looking at Jefferson with raised brows, "And how has the town hermit managed to gather all this information?" She teased.

He chuckled, and it sounded so familiar. "People talk. I listen."

"Ohhh, so you eavesdrop on other people's conversations, I get it." She sat back in the seat and took a sip of her drink. Rebekah heard him huff a little, trying to hide his amusement. Rebekah sat with him for the rest of the movie, occasionally offering him a Twizzler which he always accepted. When the movie was over, they walked out of the theater together and stood on the sidewalk outside of the theater. "Can I ask you a question?" Rebekah said as she pulled on a light coat.

Jefferson nodded, smiling down at her.

God, his smile looked so damn familiar. Rebekah bit at her lower lip and debated asking her question. Why do you always wear scarves? She had noticed him tugging at it in the theater but never took it off. She hardly knew the man – what if there was a real reason why he wore a scarf all the time? It wasn't her place to ask him – because he was a stranger to her, and she was the same to him.

She looked up into his blue eyes and shook her head, smiling a little. His eyes, his smile, his laugh, everything about him was so familiar. But she had never met him – bumping into Jefferson outside of Mr. Golds shop was the very first time she had ever even seen him face.

"Rebekah!" She heard her name being yelled from across the street and looked away from Jefferson to see Regina crossing the street, fury written on her face. "I need you at the office, now!" She yelled once she was on the same side of the street as Rebekah, she moved herself to stand between Rebekah and Jefferson. "Go get in my car. Now!" She seethed.

She was too stunned to argue with Regina, Rebekah simply crossed the road without looking back at Jefferson and got into Regina's car.

Regina got into the car a minute later and looked to Rebekah, "I don't want you speaking to that man ever again!"

She didn't understand why her sister was acting so...scared.

"He is nothing but trouble, Rebekah!" Regina looked away and started the car, pulling into the road and drove away from the theater.

"Why are you,"

Regina cut her off, "I'm not joking around, Rebekah!" She yelled. Rebekah flinched, not expecting the outburst. "Stay the hell away from him or...I won't allow you to visit Henry."

"-Are you kidding me?" Rebekah looked to her sister with wide eyes. "You can't do that!"

"I can and I will." Regina threatened. "I'm going to need you to start working every Tuesday as well."

Rebekah shook her head, in a confused state, "-Why? That's my day off!"

"Because I don't like the people you are choosing to spend your time with."

Rebekah scoffed at Regina's reasoning. "This was the first time I have ever spent more than five minutes with Jefferson and it was in a movie theater, you know, the place where people sit and watch a movie instead of talking?" She said in a snotty tone. "Not to mention that I've only run into him twice. This is literally the second time I've seen him."

"And it will be your last. Or you will no longer have time with your nephew. End of discussion."

"You are such a bitch." Rebekah spat out, sitting back in the seat while she crossed her arms over her chest.

"Oh, don't act like such a child!" Regina spat back. "I'm doing this for your own good. You'll thank me someday."

"I really doubt that."

The rest of the ride to work was quiet, and Rebekah didn't speak to her sister while at work either. In fact, she just sat there and ignored each call that came in, forcing her older sister to answer the phone herself. Rebekah was furious. Regina couldn't just threaten to keep her from seeing Henry like that!

Regine came out of her office two hours later and stood by Rebekah's desk. "You do realize that your job is to answer calls, right?"

Rebekah simply shrugged, twirling in her chair.

"Well, if you had answered, you'd know that Emma Swan was just arrested."

Rebekah stopped the chair from moving and looked to Regina. "What?"

"Apparently that con-woman broke into Dr. Hoppers office and stole his files to get information on us." Regina said, "That woman is only here to take advantage of Henry in this vulnerable state he is in to make some cash."

"That is not true," Rebekah said, not believing her sister. "You've down some pretty low things, Regina but framing Emma? No. That's too much. Henry cares about her!"

"She's a stranger, Rebekah! We don't know what she's capable of! Did you know she was in a juvenile detention center when she was pregnant with Henry? She's a criminal!" Regina told Rebekah, but she still wasn't buying it. "I'm off to go tell Henry about Emma." She said, straightening her jacket. "But I need you to pick him up after school."

"Oh, I'm allowed to see him now?"

"Yes," Regina glared. "And as long as you stay away from Jefferson, you can keep seeing Henry."

Regina left and Rebekah felt a fire ignite in her, feeling nothing but anger and hatred towards her sister.

And then she felt an overwhelming sadness.

Jefferson was good. He was kind and funny.

But Henry needed Rebekah.

And though she didn't want to, for the sake of being able to stay in Henry's life, she'd stay away from Jefferson.

For Henry.

_________________________________

LAND WITHOUT COLOR

Victor Frankenstein was not what Rebekah had expected.

When they had found him in his study, Rebekah had expected an old man, withering away in a rocking chair. Or some sort of creature. He was a necromancer after all.

"Jefferson," Victor said in surprise upon seeing him. "What brings you here?"

"Spontaneous spur of the moment decision, old friend." Jefferson walked over to Victor, clapping his hand on his shoulder.

Victor looked to Rebekah, "And who might you be?" He asked. "You're far too beautiful to ever come anywhere willingly with Jefferson – has he taken you hostage?" He joked causing Jefferson to roll his eyes.

Rebekah laughed, shaking her head.

Victor walked over to Rebekah, leaving Jefferson on the other side of the room. "-My name is Dr. Victor Frankenstein." He introduced himself.

She smiled when he offered her his hand and took it, "Rebekah Mills."

"Mills?" He dropped her hand before even shaking it. Victor quickly turned to look back at Jefferson.

"Yes." She said slowly. Rebekah looked to Jefferson who simply smiled, jutting his chin out while pursing his lips as he nodded his head, his way of telling her that she was fine.

Victor looked back to Rebekah, "Forgive me," He apologized. "I assumed you were here with Jefferson because you were his wife." He said.

"No, no, no, no, no, no!" Rebekah took a big step back. "No. I'm- I'm not his wife. Not...his wife. I only just met him today! I hardly know him! I would never marry him!"

"Wow," Jefferson laughed, "I have to admit; that was a little harsh, Bex. A simple no would have been answer enough."

Rebekah frowned.

Bex.

No-one had ever called her that other than her father. Not even Regina.

But it just rolled off the tip of Jefferson tongue with ease.

She opened her mouth to speak but Jefferson began to speak, "I think any woman would be lucky to have me as a husband." He walked over to Rebekah. "I'm handsome, charming, quick witted, and I have the ability to take you anywhere you'd ever dreamed of going."

Rebekah had to hold back a laugh, "You don't have the ability to take me anywhere," She corrected him and then took his hat off his head. "This can." She placed it on top of her own head and grinned up at him.

Victor chuckled, watching them. "I do have to say, it does look much better when Miss Mills wears it, Jefferson."

"I do, don't I?" She grinned cheekily up at Jefferson.

He frowned and something in his eyes changed. Almost as if it were...guilt. But why should he feel guilty? "I think it's time we leave." He said, tearing his eyes away from Rebekah after taking his hat off her head and walked away from Rebekah and over to Victor.

"-What? We just got here." Rebekah followed after him.

Jefferson was whispering something to Victor who nodded his head, as if they were in agreement of something. "Come on, Bex, we need to go." He held out his hand.

"Not until you tell me why." She demanded, staying where she stood.

"Well," Victor spoke for Jefferson, "I believe Jefferson has realized the time." He looked over at the wall where a large clock stood against the wall. "Each year on this day I entertain a guest from a different realm. I'm sure he just doesn't want to intrude."

"It would be quite rude." Jefferson agreed.

Rebekah felt something in her gut.

Distrust.

She took a step back when Jefferson tried to move closer to her. "Who?"

"Oh, I'm sure you've never heard of him Miss Mills." Victor told her. "His name is Rumpelstiltskin. He comes from a land called the enchanted forest – have you been there yet? It is quite beautiful, filled with so much color."

And then it all clicked.

She remembered how she knew Victor.

Rebekah close her eyes and shook her head. "I am a fool."

"Rebekah," Jefferson sighed.

"-I knew your name sounded familiar. You came to the castle when I was a child – you came to work with my sister – you," she pointed to Jefferson, "-brought him there! You were at the castle at the same time!"

Rebekah spun and ran out of the room.

"Rebekah!" Jefferson shouted, chasing after her. He caught up to her just as she was at the front door, grabbing her by her arm and spinning her around to face him. "Please, I can explain everything later but we need to leave!"

"I am not going anywhere with you! You're a deceiving bastard!" She yanked her arm out of his hold and opened the front door and ran out into the rain.

"I'm trying to protect you!" Jefferson shouted, running after her.

"Stay away from me!" She shouted back, but he caught up to her when she slipped in the mud while the rain poured down on her, knocking her down onto her backside. Jefferson went down on his knee, pulling Rebekah up. "You're working with my sister!"

"No, I'm not! I swear, Rebekah, I'm not!" He held her hand but she yanked it away from him. "Please just...just let me explain." She tried to get up by her feet were now submerged into the mud. "...You were just supposed to be a way to pay off my debt, Bex." Him calling her by that name made her stop her efforts to try and escape the mud and her eyes went back to his.

Her eyes filled with tears. She was simply payment.

And if he wasn't working for Regina, there was only one other person who would go to a great length to have Rebekah freed from Regina's palace only to become a prisoner in his. Rumpelstiltskin.

That's why he brought her here! He was well aware of the date and knew that Rumpelstiltskin would be coming to the land without color – they had planned this whole thing!

"Does Victor know?"

Jefferson sighed, "Not until you said your name. And then he understood why we came."

Rebekah wiped a tear away, mud getting on her face as she did so. "I'm a fool. I'm a stupid girl!" She should have never trusted him! She was so naïve! Too young and stupid to see that Jefferson was nothing more than a conman.

He shook his head, "You're not." He disagreed, wiping the mud off her cheek with his thumb, his hand stayed on her face, cupping her cheek. "You're brilliant." Jefferson whispered, moving closer to her. "Victor thought that perhaps if he mentioned Rumples name that it might make you see why we needed to leave – but you're too smart. You figured it out. He was only trying to help me protect you."

"How do I know this isn't just another lie?" She asked, tears still falling. "You owe him me to pay off your debt!"

"I know." He nodded, "And I've tried to not care – but I do." Jefferson admitted. "I thought it'd be easy. Steal you away from Regina's castle and bring you to Rumple but you..." He shook his head, "You've gotten under my skin in the few hours I've spent with you and I can't give him to you. I can't give you up."

Rebekah pulled away from Jefferson, his hand falling from her face. "I can't trust you."

"I don't deserve your trust." He admitted, moving to where her feet were stuck in the mud and began to dig them out with his hands. He freed her from the mud, standing up and pulling her up with him as well. "But I hope I can earn it."

The rain was loud and the thunder in the sky roared.

"We need to leave. He'll be here soon." He took her hand in his. "Please," He begged. "I promise you I will never let him take you."

Regina at least let Rebekah be comfortable while keeping her locked in the castle.

She doubted Rumpelstiltskin would give her that luxury. Rebekah looked to Jefferson, "Please don't make me regret this, Jefferson."

"I won't." He swore to her before placing his hand down on the ground, spinning it until a portal appeared. He held out his hand for her to hold onto, "Are you with me?" He asked.

She had no choice.

Leave with the many who betrayed her? Or stay and be taken by the evilest villain in all the lands. Rebekah took his hand and they jumped into the portal.

_________________________________

STORYBROOKE, Maine

Jefferson slammed the door closed after entering his home, throwing off his jacket and ripping off his scarf in the process.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Regina had spat out at him earlier.

He hadn't answered and Regina raised her brow up at him in a challenge.

Jefferson had sworn to Regina that he'd stay away from Rebekah. Even if it killed him to do so. "She's my wife." Jefferson finally replied back in a cold tone.

"Do not go near her again! Do you hear me? I took your wife away from you before – I can easily do it again."

She had threatened Rebekah. Her own blood. And he shouldn't have been surprised but his need to protect the woman he loved told him to listen to Regina. He knew what she was capable of.

"Why did you leave me awake?" He asked her. "To torture me? You've taken everything I love – why even bring me to Storybrooke – why not leave me in Wonderland!"

Regina glared. "Stay away from my sister. Or you won't just lose your wife. You'll lose your daughter as well."

"-I swear, if you even go near Grace," Jefferson began to threaten, but Regina cut him off.

"I won't go anywhere near your precious Grace as long as you stay away from Rebekah. And I guarantee she won't be seeking you out either. If you want your daughter to continue to stay safe, raised by a loving family, her new parents...you'll do as I demand."

"They aren't her parents." Jefferson glared, "Rebekah and I are."

"Not here." Regina smiled wickedly. "Simple little Rebekah doesn't even know she has a daughter." She walked away, looking over her shoulder one more time, "Stay away from Rebekah or deal with the consequences."

Jefferson threw the first thing he could reach at the nearest wall, smashing a mirror into pieces. He closed his eyes, inhaling deeply. First Regina had taken away Rebekah from him and his daughter, tricked him and left him in wonderland, created a curse that would make her forget all her memories and replace them with new ones, and then brought him along as well, but making sure he remembered everything.

The woman was awful.

When he had left with Regina to Wonderland, he had broken the promise he had made to Rebekah when she was taken by Regina, that he'd never leave Grace, that he'd always be there for her. But Regina had made him an offer he couldn't refuse. He had to go.

Because Regina had promised him that if he helped her get someone out of Wonderland, she would give him back his wife and they would live happily ever after.

But they didn't call her the Evil Queen for fun.

The woman was evil.

And Grace had to live without a mother and father.

Jefferson walked over to the mirror, looking through the broken pieces. He glared at his own reflection and touched his neck, a scar he'd never lose was harsh and red. A reminder of Regina's betrayal – and how far she'd go to get her way and hurt those who have ever crossed her. She may not have been the one to order his head be cut off – but like mother like daughter.

He'd protect Rebekah from ever feeling her sister's wrath again.

Rebekah waited outside of the school for Henry, sitting on the hood of her car.

She felt awful agreeing to stay away from Jefferson. But seeing Henry would brighten her mood. It always did. Rebekah closed her eyes, elbow pressed down on her knee as she held her face in one hand.

"Are you okay?" Someone asked, causing Rebekah to open her eyes.

A little girl stood in front of her, light brown hair and greenish brown eyes. They reminded Rebekah of her own. "I'm okay, just tired." She answered the little girl with a smile. "Long day at work."

"I don't ever want to have a job." The little girl said, crawling up onto the hood of Rebekah's car and took a seat next to her. Rebekah looked down at her in amusement. "School is already too hard."

Rebekah nodded her head, "Well, there's a loophole about having a job when you grow up." She turned so her body was facing the little girls. "If you do what you love – you'll never work a day in your life."

The girl thought on that before she looked at Rebekah. "I like to bake cookies with my Mom." She decided.

"Well, you should be a baker! If you grow up and become a baker – you'll be doing something you love and it won't even feel like work!" Rebekah said enthusiastically causing the girl to giggle.

"I'm Paige." The girl said, smiling at Rebekah. "You are Henry's Auntie Bex, right?"

"I am." She chuckled, "I'm sure he's only said good things about me, right?" She poked the girl in her side causing her to giggle again.

"Yes!" She continued to giggle, squealing like a monkey as Rebekah tickled her side. "That's where I'm most ticklish!" She said, still laughing.

Rebekah laughed. "That's where I'm most ticklish too!"

Paige began to tickle her side as well and Rebekah laughed, jumping off the car and raising her hands up in the air. "I surrender!"

"Auntie Bex!" Henry came running over to where Rebekah stood. "You have to help me get Emma out of jail!"

"Can I come?" Paige asked, hopping off the car,

Rebekah looked over at the girl just as someone pulled up, honking the horn and shouting the girls name. "Paige!" A woman hollered, "Come on sweetheart! You don't wanna be late for dance lessons!"

"Maybe another time you and Henry can get together." She leaned in closer to Rebekah so Henry couldn't hear, "You can have a playdate at his castle." Rebekah said with a wink, and then waved to the girl's mother.

"But you'll come too, right?" Paige said in a hopeful tone.

"Of course!" Rebekah smiled, touching the young girls face.

"Auntie Bex!" Henry drew out the word, wanting to leave.

"Go get going, little monkey." Rebekah said with a smile.

"Bye, Bex! Bye Henry!" Paige ran off.

Rebekah ushered Henry into her car and they left the school.

Henry looked at Rebekah with squinted eyes.

She laughed, looking over at him. "What's with the face?"

"Did you invite her to my castle?" He asked.

"What?!" Rebekah playfully gasped. "I would never! My Liege, I would never break your trust!"

Henry laughed, "You do a terrible British accent Auntie Bex."

Rebekah laughed. "I can agree with you on that, Bud."

"Will you please take me to Emma, Auntie Bex?" Henry begged.

She frowned.

Regina would be pissed.

But she was angry enough at Regina currently to take Henry to see Emma.

So, she did.