Disclaimer: I do not own Alice in Wonderland.

It happened one day unexpectedly.

A slight breeze picked up the weary grass, and they danced most gloriously together. The petite house wore its best for the occasion; a set of lacy curtains to every window, as if it was dressing to impress even the sunlight. Outside, a long table had been laid. Eight places boasted small sandwiches and cakes, and red and violet teapots bloomed amidst the newly shined silverware, vainly proclaiming their beauty.

A lady sat and bowed her head slightly, swaying as if she was made of porcelain- and to be sure, her looks could have easily matched that of a doll's. Finished, she corrected the slight slump of her shoulders automatically, and adjusted her hat to better shield her eyes from the sun that threatened to colour her pale-white skin, and to bleach her golden hair.

Oddly enough, her eyes misted a little as she swept her gaze slowly down the table, almost as if she was searching for someone. But no one was present, and she then moved on to the task of eating the teacake in front of her. "Oh," her voice whispered softly, "I do so very much wish Dinnah was here. Although I cannot confirm that she would enjoy the tea; it does seem to be a bit strong for my liking, much more so, I suppose, for hers."

"Not for mine, dear Alice." She visibly jumped a little when she heard another's voice- she had not expected anyone to join her that afternoon, especially while her mother was away to Paris.

"Yeah almo' needs a wee bit o' strengthen'n oup."

She allowed the tiniest of smiles to creep up her cheeks as she proceeded to watch the Mad Hatter and March Hare inhale tea and pastries at an absolutely terrifically rapid pace. Crumbs flying every which way, she shook her head a little at their antics. After all, she had grown accustomed to drinking her tea alone and was now pleasantly amused that she had someone to share it with.

It had been quite a few years, but she hadn't forgotten just yet the first tea she had shared with her friends. Perhaps it was only after three years had passed and no one had come to take her back that she had wanted to start forgetting. Her memories were long to fade, some returning to dust and others stubbornly clinging on, willing her to remember. She had finally made a little box in her mind that she carefully laid away all memories of Wonderland so she would not be distracted by them in her now little than ordinary life. Folding them carefully, she ironed the more wrinkled ones, stroking them gently as she tried to let them go.

Noting a silence, she glanced up from her dusty memories and saw that the March Hare had stopped eating for a moment. He was mumbling something under his breath and fingering the well worn patterns on the cup. "Ya use it oft'n ah shou'dn't wond'a", he remarked out loud.

"Indeed. These cups do look well used. Pray tell, Miss Alice, do you enjoy tea very much?"

For a moment, she wondered if it was somehow a veiled insult, but she brushed the thought away and answered him. "Well, you know that when one is often by themself, they begin to make odd habits to pass the time. You of all people should know this to be true, Hatter. And if you must know, although I had wondered if you mightn't have already guessed, I do love tea very much. It reminds me of a lovely childhood."

He stared at her with unwavering eyes. After clearing his throat, he began. "I do believe it to be true that you are wondering why we are here."

"To be sure."

"Wel' ahm here fo' th' food if'n ya doun't mand me sayin' so."

"Yes, he did wish to accompany me for that reason. Unfortunately, the cat shall not be joining us this evening. I did invite him but he was preoccupied with other matters." He straightened his lopsided hat. You know Alice, we came here for you."

"Mmm..." She mused. "I shouldn't wonder that you came for the tea too. Ah well, I have decided to forget all about Wonderland."

"Forget about Wonderland!" Hatter nearly shouted. He rose quickly out of his chair and knocked over his tea cup. A deep purple stain began to spread over the white lace. "My dear, you can't just decide to forget- it simply is impossible!"

Alice sat in her chair quietly and calmly. Dabbing at the corners of her mouth with her handkerchief, she explained.

"The fact of the matter is, Hatter, I cannot afford to believe in such things anymore. All these memories have brought me is disgrace and embarrassment- I cannot talk to decent people, they all think that I have gone mad. Civilized life shuns me. How do you expect me to live here comfortably if I do not forget the place that forced this upon me?"

"Why Alice," he exclaimed with upbeat enthusiasm, "I do not expect you to live here at all!" He slowly pushed back his chair, then rushed to her side, hastily ignoring her widened looks of disbelief.

"Come, let me take you back." Pulling her chair out for her quickly, she grabbed onto his hand and willingly rose to her feet.

Being the shorter of the two, she had to look up into his eyes, but even then she had trouble meeting them. "Hatter," she began, "I cannot go with you- I need to stay here."

"And why is that, Miss Alice?" He questioned.

"I... am engaged."

_Author's Note_

Please review!

If a bunch of people just read the first chapter, and then refuse to read any more (I know this is happening), I would like to know why.

Is it a problem with the setting, or perhaps the characters?

Is it because I suck as a writer?

Please spend a little time letting me know your thoughts.

I appreciate it.

It's always an adventure with Alice.