He had promised her that if she became stranded in Wonderland, he would look after her – Alice needed Hatter to keep that promise now.
After the fall of his mother, Jack had managed to send all the oysters home, but a few problems arose when Alice tried to get through – like the fact the mirror wouldn't let her. It had become a flat and hard surface, and the technicians had been able to do nothing.
Alice still stood looking at the mirror, now – everyone had already departed and Jack had business to attend to, so she was alone in the mirror hall. Her reflection stared back at her, sad and desolate – night had come on as she stared, and it stung that Hatter hadn't been there to see her off.
But, she supposed, Hatter had what he wanted now – he didn't need her.
But she needed him.
Alice had no idea how to get to Hatter's tea shop, so there she stood just waiting for something to happen – her legs eventually gave out, and she fell to her knees as tears streamed down her face. She had no one now – her mother would be alone in her world, and Alice would be alone in Wonderland. Hatter had disappeared, and Jack was engaged to Duchess – Alice didn't want to burden anyone, but she needed…someone.
It was as those thoughts ran through her mind, that she heard something…
"…such an idiot…should've come earlier…"
It was muttered, barely a whisper, but she still heard it – the voice was sad, full of regret.
She looked past herself in the mirror, and saw the one person she needed…
"Hatter!"
His head snapped up – he couldn't have heard that voice…could he? He had been wallowing in guilt and regret for not going and finding Alice – she was back in her world now, and forever away from him…but then who did that voice belong to?
He walked through the rotating door, into the mirror hall, and froze – there, on the floor, was Alice…his Alice.
"Alice?" Hatter breathed, barely daring to believe his eyes – then he saw how fragile and broken she looked… "What happened? Why are you still here, alone?"
The tiniest whimper escaped her and Hatter ran to her – he skidded to a stop and fell to his knees. He cupped her face in his hands and relished the feel of her skin beneath his touch, until he felt her wet cheeks.
Hatter brushed away her tears, "Alice? What's wrong? What happened?"
Alice leant forwards and rested her head against Hatter's chest – her mouth was dry and her tongue was heavy, she didn't think she could managed any more words other than his name…but she did.
"Broken," she murmured softly, and Hatter held her to him as he felt more tears saturate the silk of his shirt.
"The mirror – the mirror's broken?" Hatter asked, as his body automatically curled around Alice's protectively.
Alice nodded, "Everyone went home…and when I tried…to get through…it wouldn't let me…"
Hatter shushed her softly when little sobs began escaping her, "Come on, love – don't cry."
Hatter had never seen Alice so vulnerable, and he didn't like it – a part of him relished the way that she liked him well enough to let down her strong walls around him, but Hatter didn't like seeing such a strong woman break down.
"This is all Jack's fault," Hatter growled.
Alice looked up and rolled her eyes at him despite her tears, "It's always Jack's fault to you."
"Yeah, well…" Hatter grumbled, tenderly wiping away Alice's tears, "This time I'm blamin' the right person – if 'e didn't go to your world, then you wouldn't've been brought 'ere."
Alice knew that that was true, but then if she hadn't have come she would never have found her father…and she wouldn't have helped Wonderland…and the Red Queen would still be in power…and she would never have met so many wonderful people, like Charlie…and Hatter…
Alice stopped sobbing, knowing that she was a strong woman and she would get through this – Jack hadn't said that the mirror would never work for her…they just had to keep trying to get it working for her. He hadn't sounded hopeful, but he wasn't saying it would never happen.
Alice just stayed in Hatter's embrace, enjoying his warmth and the slight smell of tea that clung to him – it was soothing, and peaceful.
Hatter liked the way Alice didn't take his arms away from around her, and he closed his eyes to savour the sensation of Alice in his arms, finally.
Alice suddenly mumbled something into his shirt, and Hatter didn't catch it – he smirked down at the beautiful girl in his arms.
"What was that, Little Oyster?"
Alice piercing blue eyes looked up at him, and in the darkness that surrounded them, they looked positively luminous – Hatter's breath caught in his throat and he felt his heart begin to hammer against his ribs…
He almost missed her answer.
"Will you please help me, Hatter – like you promised that time in Charlie's camp?" Alice asked, and she internally cringed – she hated to bring up his promise, and she felt like she was using his honourable side against him…but she really needed the help.
Hatter smiled, flicking away a piece of hair that had fallen over Alice's eye, "Of course – I'll feed and clothe you, and keep you safe from all the nasty, nasty Wonderlandians about… Actually, that part's very serious. There will be people after you, Alice – so, be careful. But I'll look after you, don't worry."
Alice managed a small, watery smile and the sight of it made Hatter smile right back.
"Let's get you home," Hatter beamed.
Alice was so tired that Hatter had to hold her up the entire way back – they had managed to get a scarab close to Hatter's tea shop, but Alice was too weak to walk the short way without help.
"Bloody hell, Alice – you shouldn't've stayed there in the cold for as long as you did," Hatter admonished. "Didn't anyone offer to help you anywhere?"
Alice half-nodded and half-shrugged, "I can't really remember – I was a bit numb at the time. Jack said he'd be back later, and Charlie said he'd find me after he'd done some things…but otherwise…"
"Well, haven't we shown you a true Wonderland welcome!" Hatter snorted sarcastically, turning a corner and preparing to see the damaged to his shop – he hadn't been able to get back due to his indecision about Alice and all the commotion to do with the oysters, but he'd bet anything that he'd been ransacked.
Tea was going to be the first thing to go now that oysters were no longer on the menu, and any addicts out there knew that Hatter had the biggest stash in Wonderland – so, he was quite surprised to see his shop still standing when they turned another corner.
"Well, the bastards didn't burn it down at least," Hatter muttered.
Alice's foot suddenly slipped, and she went flying towards the edge of the sidewalk and the twenty-storey drop – Hatter's arm clamped around her waist and pulled her back just in time.
Alice's heart was pounding and her eyes were wide with shock, "Has anyone ever fallen off before?"
Hatter shook his head disbelievingly and scooped Alice up in his arms with only a slight wince as she pressed against his injuries – Alice let out a girly squeal at the sudden movement and clung to Hatter for dear life.
He just smirked as they crossed over to the tea shop, "Love, you're not very good at this whole 'stayin' low' thing, are you? No one's ever fallen off, and if they have then it was an oyster – Wonderlandians are built with a better equilibrium, I think."
Alice tucked her face into Hatter's neck, and took in his soothing scent as she tried to calm her heart – she didn't know exactly why, but Hatter made her feel better…
Hatter felt his neck break out in goose bumps where Alice's hot breath fanned over it, and he found himself wobbling slightly – she was going to be the death of him.
As they approached the door to the shop Hatter could see the sign was cracked a little, but everything else looked pretty good…until he stepped inside. Shattered glass was everywhere, and there were upturned tables and broken chairs – Dormie's desk had been ransacked, and the Tea cupboards behind it.
Hatter sighed, knowing that his office would probably be the most damaged area – his boots crunched on the glass and his injuries prickled slightly, but he wouldn't stop until he knew the full extent of the damage done.
When he went to open his office door, he found it locked.
Hatter frowned, "What the…?"
Alice looked up from Hatter's neck, "What's wrong?"
"Nothin'," Hatter smiled down at her, "I'm just thinkin' that we might've had a bit of luck…"
He knocked four times on the door, each spaced out more than the last, and then he heard a squeak and the sound of locks sliding back – the door swung open, and Dormie was before them.
Hatter grinned down at him, "You're gettin' a raise."
Alice thought Dormie looked pretty damn pleased about that, and when Hatter stepped inside, she supposed he should – the room was exactly as she remembered it, and it looked like only Hatter's chair had been disturbed. Alice smiled a little as she remembered the way Dormie liked to fall asleep in the middle of a sentence, and she would bet that he had fallen asleep in there waiting for Hatter to come back – the way Dormie rubbed his eyes sleepily told her she was correct.
Even though Hatter wanted to keep Alice in his arms forever, his injuries were becoming more and more painful and he couldn't keep holding her.
He strode onto the grass and gently set her down on his couch, "You just stay here, Alice."
"Alice?" Dormie squeaked, "The Alice?"
Alice sighed, laying back and rolling onto her side so they couldn't see her pained expression, "I'm just Alice."
Hatter's heart ached for her, knowing the pain she was going through of losing her family and her world all too well – he flashed a glare at Dormie for making her feel that way.
Dormie got the message and scurried away, but not before Hatter called out, "Get the lady somethin' to eat an' drink!"
Hatter watched Dormie leave and shut the door behind him, and then he relaxed a little – he turned around to see all his bottles of Tea still exactly where he left them.
When he looked at Alice, he saw her scowling at them.
"They'll be gone soon enough, love," Hatter smiled reassuringly.
"You're not going to sell them, are you?" Alice asked, and relaxed when Hatter shook his head.
"No," he breathed, picking up a glass bottle of Desire, "It's time for a fresh start. I'll send them to the Suits to deal with – I'm sure they'll be roundin' all of it up soon enough." Hatter turned back to Alice, a dark look passing across his face, "I mean it when I say you're goin' to be hunted, Alice – addicts are goin' to want to find all the Tea they can, and if they find out you're an oyster… They won't care if you're Alice of Legend or not, they'll just want your pearls…"
Alice smiled weakly, "I don't think I have any left…"
Hatter came around the desk and dropped to the floor in front of Alice on the couch – he tipped up her face for her gaze to meet his.
"You're a survivor, Alice – you brought down the Red Queen, and you saved Wonderland, and… You've done so many things an' you're still here – you'll get through this, an' I'm 'ere to help," Hatter smiled softly, his dimples flashing. "And it's not true – about your pearls – you've still got 'em, they're just worn out."
Alice sighed, liking the feel of Hatter's fingers softly tracing her face, "Thank you, Hatter…"
Alice closed her eyes, sleep slowly crawling over her – she heard Hatter say something in reply and felt a warmth brush her forehead, and then she was out…
Hatter watched Alice sleep, wondering how anyone could handle what she had – let alone an oyster.
Dormie came back, interrupting his thoughts, "I got some food, Boss, and some water – y'need anythin' else?"
Hatter took the paper bag off of Dormie and shook his head, "No, that's it – if you get some information then come to me, but other than that you can go. I'll find you when I need you."
Dormie nodded then raked his eyes over Alice's sleeping form, "She yours, Boss?"
Hatter growled, throwing the bag onto his desk and picking up Dormie by his collar, "Yes, she is – so don't you dare look at 'er like that. Got it, Dormie?"
Dormie frantically nodded his head, "Got it!"
"Good," Hatter grunted, putting him back on the ground. But before he released him, he added, "An' you tell everyone else that, too – if they don't stay away from 'er when they're not wanted, then they're goin' to answer to my right fist."
Dormie visibly blanched, and then breathed, "I will."
Hatter gave him a tight smile, "Good man."
He slapped him on the back and Dormie ran out of his office like his ass was on fire – Hatter followed him and made sure the locks on his office door were done up, before checking the door to the streets. When he was happy that the office was secure again, he picked up the bag of supplies and slid Alice's legs off of the couch – he sat down where they were and then pulled them onto his lap.
Hatter felt for the right square on the side of the couch, flicked open the camouflaged plastic cover and pressed the button beneath it. The couch rattled for a moment, before slowly dropping – it took no longer than ten seconds for them to arrive in Hatter's secret apartment and for the dim lights there to automatically come on.
The lift the couch operated on pulled back up once Hatter had safely removed himself and Alice from it, and the trap door in the ceiling of his apartment sealed over once again.
Alice wasn't very heavy, but his injuries didn't allow for that kind of lifting – so he was surprised when he managed to get her to the bed before his strength gave out. Alice fell to the red and brown paisley sheets with a soft bounce, and then turned over in her sleep, mumbling softly and incoherently.
Hatter smiled tenderly down on her, before making his way over to his little open-plan kitchen – once the supplies were safely stored away in the fridge and cupboards there, he sighed and turned around to lean on the counter behind him.
He looked around his apartment – it wasn't much, only serving as a place to eat, sleep and shower, but it was home…and he hoped it was good enough for Alice. The bathroom and the closet were two separate rooms, but everything else was in the one main room – there were tons of books in piles everywhere, and the whole place was very dimly lit.
That reminded Hatter that he didn't have to black-out his windows anymore, and he strode over to the left side of his apartment, where wood had been placed over the large floor-to-ceiling windows. He carefully removed the pieces of wood, and put them to one side – he smiled when he saw the city bathed in moonlight.
From his view, he could see everything, and he thought that it was beautiful now.
Before all he saw was destruction – the buildings looked decayed and the people were sullen, but now…everything seemed to be in a better light.
Hatter slightly cracked the window open, to get a little fresh air – he breathed it in, savouring the sweetness of the night that he had long forgotten. Night used to be the time to make money and visit contacts of the Resistance, but now…it was the time to enjoy being with Alice.
Hatter knew that the days ahead were going to be full of restoration and the rebuilding of the kingdom, but he hoped that the nights were going to be spent with Alice – Hatter could imagine all the things they could do…and not all of them were in the bed where Alice lay.
He wanted to get to know her, have fun with her, and when she awoke, he was going to start doing just that – he had promised her he would look after her, and he would.
Hatter knew that they'd probably have to change her name, in the presence of others, and Alice wouldn't be able to go out without him around, but he hoped that she would have fun…and maybe come to like it in Wonderland.
Maybe – just maybe – she would stay.
And not because the mirror was broken, but because she wanted to.
Hatter sighed, turning to look at Alice, and muttered, "Wishful thinkin'…"
But he didn't know that at that moment, Alice was dreaming of doing just what he hoped for.
Alice awoke to the sound of sizzling and the delicious smell of bacon.
"Oh, God," she groaned, rolling onto her back.
Suddenly, hands were on her, "Alice! Are you alright?"
When she opened her eyes, she found Hatter staring down at her with an extremely worried expression.
"I'm fine," she smiled, making him relax. "It's just…that smells so good."
Hatter laughed a relieved chuckle, "Oh, good. I hoped you'd like some lunch."
"Lunch?" Alice cried, looking to her right to find afternoon sunlight streaming through the windows…
Wait…windows? She thought, looking around more – she was on a huge, comfortable bed in a place she had never seen before. Books were piled all around and the walls were a nice cream colour, and she could see the kitchen from where she was laying…
"Hatter, the bacon's burning," Alice muttered.
Hatter cursed and ran back to the kitchen – he saved the meat just in time.
Alice slowly sat up, finding that she had fallen asleep in Hatter's coat and she just felt…nasty – she needed a shower.
"Hatter," she said almost shyly, "I don't suppose you have any clothes I could wear…and could I use your bathroom?"
Hatter rolled his eyes at her playfully, "Of course I do, an' of course you can – lookin' after you means you can use my bathroom whenever the mood takes you, Alice, an' I'll find you some clothes. Bathroom's through there."
He pointed to the left door of a pair, and then he went through the right himself.
Alice took a brilliant shower – it seemed to life her spirits a little, at least, and she truly enjoyed just…starting again. She wrapped herself in a towel when she was done and left the bathroom in a cloud of steam to find Hatter and her clothes for the day.
Hatter was just dishing up some bacon and eggs, when he heard Alice exit the bathroom – he turned around, and his heart just stopped. Alice's hair was wet and wild about her pale, beautiful face, and the small towel only covered the basics – Hatter almost felt himself drooling as he watched a few stray beads of water run down her creamy skin…
He just wanted to rip that damn towel off of her and lick that water away…along with doing many other things…
Alice pulled him from his thoughts, "Mmm, that looks delicious."
Hatter smiled, "We're lucky – meat's hard to come by. Dormie must be tryin' to butter me up."
"He's certainly in my good graces," Alice murmured, slowly inching towards the food.
Hatter gulped as her towel slipped slightly, exposing a little more of her cleavage, "Your clothes are there, A-Alice…"
Broken from the spell of the food, Alice raised her head to see a bright blue silk shirt and a pair of black short-shorts on the kitchen counter – she raised an eyebrow at the shorts.
Hatter laughed, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly, "I've never worn them – I went on a splurge, an' they just…ended up in my closet."
Alice snickered, "I can imagine they'd look rather…exposing on you."
Hatter rolled his eyes, "Get dressed, Alice, an' stop imaginin' me wearin' them."
Alice stuck her tongue out at him as a better mood settled over her, and then darted into the bathroom to get changed.
She really didn't feel like wearing her underwear again – for the sake of hygiene – so she decided commando was her best option. She doubted Hatter had any underwear for her to wear – unless he had a girlfriend about…
Although the idea created an uncomfortable sensation in the pit of her stomach, she decided to ask over breakfast anyway.
She used Hatter's comb in the medicine cabinet and then made her way into the kitchen. Hatter had pulled two stools out of nowhere and set them up at the counter – he was already on one, pouring out some drink for both of them.
When he was finished pouring, Hatter forked up some bacon, put it in his mouth, and then heard Alice come up behind him – when he turned around, he choked on his food. Alice's long legs were beautifully exposed in the shorts and they fit her like a glove. The silk shirt of his clung to her curves in all the right ways, and the cool air coming through the open window had affected her in the best of ways – Hatter could blatantly see her nipples poking at the material, and he had to shift himself on his stool as his trousers tightened.
He nervously adjusted his straw pork pie hat, "You look…uh, lovely, Alice."
Alice smiled sweetly, "Thank you."
She took up the stool next to him and they ate in a comfortable silence, until she asked, "So, where are we?"
Hatter smiled, "My hide-away. It's never safe to mix your business with your personal life – no one knows we're here, or even that this place exists."
"Is it connected to your office?" Alice asked curiously, and Hatter nodded. "Oh. So…am I the only person you've brought here?"
Hatter gave her a curious look as he drank some of his water, and then nodded.
Alice's eyebrows raised, "You've never brought anyone down here?"
Hatter rolled his eyes, "No, I haven't – why do you keep askin'? Is it so hard to believe?"
"Well," Alice smirked, "In your line of trade, I can see why it might be necessary…but…"
Hatter urged her on, "Come on – spit it out, Alice."
"But…where do you…" Alice trailed off, an uncommon blush tinting her cheeks. "Where do you take your girlfriends?"
Hatter sat back for a second, analysing her question, before giving Alice a sinful smirk, "Are you askin' where I have sex, Alice?"
She rolled her eyes, "Yes."
Hatter gave her a hearty laugh, "I knew you were curious, but not nosey." He sighed, sipping his water, "Well…I've never really had a girlfriend."
Alice's fork dropped from her loose fingers and clattered to her plate – Hatter smirked at her expression of pure incredulity.
"I'm not sayin' I've never had sex, Alice," Hatter grinned, giving her a wink. "I'm just sayin' that my relationships 'ave never been long-term – strictly one-night stands. No time for love in war, an' – to be honest – no one's ever been that interested in me."
Alice felt her heart sink when he said he didn't have long-term relationships, only one-night stands – she wondered why his admission affected her so much, but it did. She realised that she might like Hatter a whole lot more than she had ever admitted to herself, and if she did do something about it…she didn't just want to be another name on a long list of girls that gave themselves to the charming git for one night.
She wanted more.
Hatter saw Alice's expression sadden, but before he could do anything beyond frowning, Alice exclaimed, "No one's been interested? Come on, Hatter – I don't believe that for a second."
Hatter smiled, "Well, not every girl thinks very highly of a conman who pushes Tea, love. If they do, they're an addict an' they only want you to fuel their fire."
Alice nodded thoughtfully, "I was going to ask you if you had any women's underwear here, but I guess you don't."
Hatter swallowed a sudden lump in his throat at the thought of seeing Alice in some rather select pieces of underwear – oh, he would get her some alright, and he'd endeavour to see it on her first-hand.
"I'll get you some, love," he smirked, his dimples deepening and his dark chocolate eyes smouldering.
Alice very nearly sighed aloud at the sight of his dimples – she loved those dimples…
She snapped herself out of those thoughts and finished her breakfast, "Thanks, Hatter. You let me know what I can do to pay you back – I could help fix the shop?"
Hatter smiled at her offer, "That would be much appreciated – when we've decided what my new business will be, I'll let you know."
"We?" Alice questioned.
Hatter nodded, "You're goin' to help me, Alice of Legend – I don't know how long you're stayin', but you're going to get comfortable while you're here, an' to do that we need income. I know you've got a smart brain rollin' around up there," he tapped her forehead, "an' I'd like you to help me by usin' it."
Alice gave Hatter the most genuine smile he'd ever seen, "Really? I'd love to!"
"I'm glad you're here," he said sincerely, squeezing her knee.
Even though Alice was still full of anger and sadness at being barred from her world and her mother, she was glad she was here with him too.
Author's note: