Alice pulled herself out of the bath and wrapped a robe around herself. She was getting ready for a date with Hatter-err-David. Well it was David when others were around and Hatter when they were alone. And they would be alone tonight because her mother was out of town for work. Alice was nervous for this date because she knew one of two things could happen. Perhaps even both. She and Hatter had been seeing each other for a several months now and neither had said those notorious three words. Also they had not yet. . .Alice blushed just thinking about it. She pushed it away from her mind and resumed getting ready. She brushed her teeth and put make-up on.
It was hard, sometimes, with Hatter. They argued a lot and the fact the both belonged to different worlds was hindering. It hadn't been this hard with Jack, but Alice didn't want Jack anymore. She wanted Hatter. Alice was afraid that he didn't know that and that it was one of the reasons they were having such a hard time. But both were determined to make it work even if the other didn't know it. But secretly Alice wondered at their future. Perhaps it was to early to be thinking about that, but didn't need thinking? If one day they decided they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together, how would they? Which would give up their home to be with the other? Too early, Alice forced herself to think, We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Alice slipped into a blouse and skirt and then did her hair.
When Hatter visited her he brought news of Wonderland. Jack had easily slid into power as King and most had accepted him. Most. However there were still those that lingered on the old regime. Jack had ordered all tea be destroyed but a black market had sprung up for those who still clung to the old corruption. But the tea couldn't last forever because production of it had been, of course, halted. Jack wasn't worried overmuch about it. Still he had sent teams of detectives breaking up the market anywhere they could. Caterpillar's Hospital of Dreams was overflowing with patients and Jack had ordered that it be expanded. As for Charlie, Jack had given him the task of training suits, and those who desired it, to be knights. He also declared the site of the old kingdom a Wonderland monument and charged Charlie with setting up a preservation plan. Jack had broken off his engagement with the Duchess but both remained in a tentative relationship. His mother, Jack had imprisoned. Many had expected him to execute her but Jack wanted to show his kingdom that he wasn't like his mother. Imprisonment for life seemed a harsh enough punishment. Indeed, she had to endure the shame of her failure as well the loathing of her former subjects. At least most of them. Jack knew there were sympathizers to his mothers cause, if you could call it that, but he didn't think them capable of striking back or organizing. After all, most of them were tea junkies, their whole existence bent on consuming the ever-dwindling supply of tea. But a couple weeks ago Hatter had brought Alice troubling news. The Queen had escaped. None knew how she accomplished it, but when the wardens had come to check on her, she had disappeared. Now the threat of an underground opposition was all too real. Jack had turned his black market detectives on sniffing out the Queen and her followers. So far he'd had no luck but no one could hide forever.
Hatter was on edge, she knew. All they had worked for could be destroyed if they didn't find anything soon. Wonderland had only just begun the clean-up of the corruption of the Queen's rule, no one wanted to see their progress destroyed. Hatter himself had become one of Jack's detectives and worked closely with the new King on finding the Queen. Hatter's early resentment of Jack had faded and been replaced with respect. For that Alice was glad.
The buss of her doorbell shook Alice from her thoughts and she rushed to let Hatter in. She smiled at him and gave him a quick kiss.
"Hey Alice," he greeted her with his quirky smile. "You look beautiful." He winked at her and she laughed her thanks. "Ooh, smells delicious. What're we havin?"