Hello there! I'm new to this fandom, and this is my first story for the wonderful Syfy series "Alice."

Just a heads up, I think this story--though not this chapter--is gonna be kinda dark and twisted....that's just my style. But hopefully, it won't be that dark and twisted. ;)

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or have anything to do with the series. Those rights go to Syfy, NBC (I think), and some other people that have a lot more money than I do.

A Prologue of Sorts

Alice rolled over in bed and realized that she was alone. That wasn't right. Where was. . .

"Hatter?" she mumbled, sitting up and blinking away the sleep from her eyes.

She noticed the dim light coming from the main room of the small apartment. The volume of the television was low, but she knew it was on.

This wasn't the first time Hatter had snuck out of bed in the early hours of the morning to watch a movie or read a book. On one occasion, she and half of the floor's tenants had been woken by the fire alarm going off because of Hatter experimenting with the toaster. Thankfully, he'd given up on modern cooking appliances after that.

Alice shuffled out into the living area, running her fingers through her hair before joining him on the couch.

"This again?" she asked, "I thought you said Walt Disney got the story all wrong."

"He did, mostly. But this song is just so infectious. Delightfully catchy." Teapots on the screen hopped and whistled an obnoxiously happy tune. Hatter hummed along, swinging his fingers through the air, conducting his animated chorus.

"I guess it has a certain ring."

Hatter was too engrossed in the movie to notice her sarcasm.

The young woman found herself staring at the man next to her. She'd caught herself doing it a lot lately. Even after two months, she didn't understand what had made Hatter come after her. But she was damn glad he did.

Since he'd come to her world, everything had happened so quickly. Time was a blur. She was already in the process of moving in to the tiny apartment she'd helped him to find and rent. That decision hadn't gone over well with her mother—who told her daughter it was a hasty decision every chance she got—but Alice was twenty-three; it was time for her to finally leave her comfort zone.

Besides, she wasn't alone. She had Hatter.

Their relationship wasn't normal by any standard. How could it be, when Hatter didn't know the definition of the word? They hadn't really dated—though they had gone on numerous dates—or gone through the traditional courting phase. They just. . .were. Alice had never felt this close to another man before, not even Jack. In fact, Jack didn't come close to what she and Hatter had. They understood each other on levels that Alice couldn't even put a name to. She supposed fighting for each other's lives against an evil Queen had that kind of effect.

It was simple, really. She was in love with him. And it scared the shit out of her.

It scared her because she wasn't sure how Hatter felt about her. He had come all the way from Wonderland for her. That counted for something. But somehow, "I missed you" didn't quite translate to the words she'd wanted to hear.

If she was being truthful, Alice would admit that she was scared of losing Hatter, of him leaving her. None of her previous relationships had worked out—Jack being the most recent and perfect example of her failed love life—so she was more than nervous that she would mess things up with Hatter. Because her failed realtionships had to be her fault; something was wrong with her that she wasn't able to hang on to a man.

But what absolutely terrified her was the thought that Hatter wouldn't be able to adjust to her world and he would return to Wonderland. Even though she'd like to think that she would, Alice wasn't sure if she'd be able to follow him back. Whether she stayed or went, she'd lose someone: her mother or Hatter. Maybe it was selfish, but she didn't want to give up either of them.

The televised Alice fled after the White Rabbit, cueing the end of the tea party, Hatter's favorite part of the film.

He turned to her, a wide grin on his face. "Do you know what day it is?"

"November twelfth," she responded mechanically, still thinking about what path she would take if given an ultimatum between the man beside her and the woman who had raised her.

Her lack-luster tone didn't deter him. "And do you know what that means?"

She shook her head. His grin grew wider.

"It's my un-birthday! Both of ours, actually."

She must not have given him the reaction he wanted because his grin turned to a pout almost immediately.

"Somethin' wrong?" he asked, bringing a hand to her cheek.

"Why would you think something's wrong?"

"Alice, you're crying."

"Oh," she said, quickly wiping at her eyes, embarrassed.

Hatter cupped her face and brought her forehead to his lips. "You can't be cryin' on your un-birthday. It's bad luck."

"Sorry," she mumbled.

"Would a present make you feel better?" he asked, his face still inches from hers and his hands running over her hair.

Alice gave him a small smile. "What kind of present?"

Hatter lowered his lips to hers, the kiss turning from gentle to teasing to passionate. When they broke away, Alice had all but forgotten her fears of losing him. Something in the way he kissed her—the way he claimed her lips as though he owned them—made her feel that he would never leave her.

"That's more like it," he said in response to her smile.

"But I didn't get you anything," Alice said, her voice deeper than before because she was still intoxicated from Hatter's kiss.

"Well, I have a list of things I'd like for my un-birthday. And they all involve you, just with less clothing," he said, eyes bright and mischievous, "And a hat."

"A hat, huh?"

They left the miniature, blonde Alice running around on the television screen while they made their way to the bedroom, bumping against pieces of furniture on the way.

Jack stood alone in his study, looking over the latest reports from his advisors. More and more red markers were being added to the map spread out on his desk. Some were larger than others, but all of them told him one thing: the number of dissenters was growing. He realized that if all of the markers merged, his monarchy would be facing a formidable enemy; a force too large to put down without starting a full out war. It was something he wished to avoid at all costs. He didn't want Wonderland's people fighting each other in a civil war.

But war seemed inevitable now. His control of the kingdom was weakening. Apparently his mother had been right when she'd told him that ruling through fear was the only way to ensure absolute compliance.

Then again, Jack and the Resistance had succeeded in overthrowing the Queen of Hearts. But they'd had Alice then. An asset they no longer had because he'd failed to convince her to stay. He had failed at a lot of things in a very short timeframe.

He heard his wife's footsteps approaching and realized how late it was.

"You look positively exhausted, Jack."

He looked up from his maps, rubbing a hand over his strained eyes. "Things aren't good, Duchess. Not good at all, I'm afraid."

She wrapped her arms around him, pulling her against him in almost motherly affection. "You're doing all you can."

"But it's not enough. My mother's supporters are growing. People can't live in a world without Tea, without instant gratification."

"People don't want to feel sadness and all those other negative, nasty feelings."

"But that's reality." The words came out more harshly than he'd intended; he hated having his frustration show through.

"I know. I know," she said with a sad smile that worried him. In moments like this, Jack felt that he had failed Duchess too.

"How are you doing, love?"

"I'm fine."

He narrowed his eyes, telling her he didn't want her to sugarcoat her true feelings.

"Scared," Duchess amended.

"Nothing is going to happen to you or Kimberly. I'll make sure of it."

"What about you? Nothing's going to happen to you either, right?"

"I'll do my best."

"Jack. . ." She searched his eyes, looking for a promise that he wasn't able to give her.

The truth was that all of their lives were in danger until the Queen's supporters and the other dissenters were dealt with. But Jack would sacrifice himself before he let anyone touch his family. They were his world, and probably the only thing that kept him from giving up.

He kissed the top of Duchess' head before letting her go. "You should get on to bed. I'll follow shortly."

***

Duchess came back three hours later to find him sitting at the desk, lost in thought. Her unexpected entrance startled him.

"Have I forgotten the time again?" he asked apologetically.

"You really need your rest, Jack. What's keeping you awake? Surely you can worry about this in the morning."

She came and sat on the desk in front of him, covering the spotted map of Wonderland. Jack rested a hand on each of her legs, squeezing slightly.

"I had a thought," he began. "It might help restore peace and order in Wonderland."

"Well?"

"We need to bring Alice back."

"What? You can't be serious, Jack." His mind was too tired to interpret the strange look she was giving him. Was it shock? Disgust? Jealousy? He didn't know. But he was sure that bringing back Alice was the only way to save his deteriorating kingdom.

"She can help us. The people believe in the Legend. Alice would be able to gain their trust and put down the dissenters."

"And how is some girl going to be able to do that?"

"I haven't quite figured that out yet. But Alice has already overthrown my mother. She has the power we need."

His wife was pouting at him now. "You just want her back."

"Darling, don't be jealous. I have no interest in Alice beyond friendship. Don't you see Wonderland needs her?"

"And what if she doesn't come back? What if she wants to stay in her world? Then what, Jack?"

He stood up and walked to the large window facing the city of Wonderland. From his fortress's position, he could see the city and the hills and lowlands surrounding it. The city looked as bleak and dirty as ever, but now columns of smoke could be seen scattered here and there. So many people were homeless now, trying to survive on next to nothing. Jack's reign had done little to ease their misfortune, though not for lack of trying.

Jack was facing economic collapse, the suffering of his people, rebellion from dissenters and personal attacks from various parties who wanted to overthrow him. And, for all the power his position had appointed to him, he felt powerless in trying to stop Wonderland from falling into complete and utter chaos.

"If Alice refuses," he said quietly, "then all is lost."

A/N: Well? Any thoughts or comments? By the way, if anyone would be interested in being a beta reader for this story, let me know in a review or a PM. I always like having an extra pair of eyes to take a look at things. Thanks for reading!