Okay, I know I said I was going to end this with the last chapter, but I had to add this last little bit in, because it seemed more fitting with Rumpelstiltskin's personality. And once again, I may have been forced to tweak a few story details to fit what I wanted to happen.

The next night, Jefferson had finished putting Grace to bed, and was just thinking of going to bed himself, when a voice said, "Are you busy?"

He whirled around, and saw none other than Rumpelstiltskin leaning nonchalantly against the wall, smiling that smile that made people alternately want to run away really fast or strangle him.

"What do you want?"

"Your help, of course." From behind his back the Dark One produced a large, familiar top hat. The sight made the realm-jumper's throat constrict uncomfortably.

"Where did you-"

"Never mind where it's from. All that matters is that I need you to get rid of someone for me."

Jefferson's eyes narrowed. "Sorry, what?"

Rumpelstiltskin then produced a photograph of a tall man with close-cropped hair. "His name's Will Scarlet, and I need you to take him home to Wonderland."

As soon as he said that, the Hatter took a step back, exclaiming, "No!"

Rumple sighed inwardly; he should have remembered that Wonderland would hold unhappy memories for this man.

"You wouldn't even have to go into the hat. Just send him through."

"Then one person would have to come back. No, I'm not doing that again. I have my daughter back now, I'm not going to risk losing her. Absolutely not."

The curse roared for him to threaten the man, threaten his child, his house, tell him he'd lose them all if he didn't do what he wanted. But he brought back the image of Belle's face, of her sending him away, of the disappointment she'd feel if he broke his promise...again. So he contained himself, and finally said, "I've done a few adjustments to it. Nothing will be able to come back through the hat unless I wish it. It's perfectly safe."

Jefferson still looked suspicious. And then he asked, "What's in it for me? You don't have anything I want."

"But I might in the future. So I'll-" he swallowed, as if the very words choked him- "I'll owe you a favor."

The hatter, already looking bemused, practically had his eyes popping out of his head. He finally said, "You must want to get rid of this man very badly. What's so special about him that you can't do it yourself?"

Instantly the Dark One's face became cold. "That's my business, dearie. Is it a deal or not?"

Of course, the next time Rumple came to see her, Belle was curious as to why Will had suddenly vanished from Storybrooke.

"You didn't-didn't hurt him, did you?"

He wasn't surprised she instantly worried that. Hurt, maybe, but he knew why she'd think that, based on past experience.

"No, Belle. I just found someone who could take him home."

She smiled. "That was very sweet of you."

"Not really. I just wanted to get rid of a rival." He forced himself to be honest.

"But at least you did it in a way that would help him be happy. That's progress."

The Dark One gave his wife a crooked smile, and they continued planning their strategy for how to get rid of the Queens.

Okay, this is the end of the story for sure. I may write more in this world in the future, but until then, ta-ta, dearies!