Disclaimer: I do not own Alice in Wonderland (2010), if I did, then I would be rich, and not needing to write this on a fan based web site. So it all belongs to my hero, one of my many role models, Tim Burton, and one of the world's biggest production companies, Disney. Give them a round off applause everyone, for a job well done. (Beta Add: and to Lewis Carroll for first writing the wonderful books.)

Title: Love is Maddening.

Summary: A year since Alice refused Hamish's proposal, and ventured out to sea; she was ready to come home, to her wonderland. But she has been caring a secret with her, and she is unsure if she should tell.

Every day he waits. He knows Alice is almost always late to every tea, but he is growing weary, and decides to act, or he might surrender to complete madness!

Besides, they have a riddle to solve, `Why is a raven like a writing desk`?

Rating: for the most part it will remain PG, or teen, but in the later chapters, near the very end of the story, it might change to +14A, so just be warned where this is going.

Author: Kissedbynight.

Beta reader: Ranguvar27, everyone must thank her, otherwise this story would not be on this site!

Pairings: Alice Kingsleigh and the Mad Hatter/ Tarrant Hightopp.

Chapter One: The English Soil

Alice POV:

Home was not on the shores of England, or in the proper society of London. Home was not down the gravel road that leads to the Kingsleigh estate, even though it was once. For twenty-one years, as a matter of fact.

No, in my home, time stood still, animals talked, cake would make you tall, and a clear liquid would make you shrink, and rabbits wore waist coats, and tea was not always drunk. It was my very own Wonderland.

"Alice, my dear girl, is your head in the clouds again."

I laughed, it seems like every day I am getting more of a reputation for that, just like the one I have back in London. Oh, Mother would scold me if she knew of this reputation went all the way to China and back!

Mother. I felt a pain run through my heart. What would she say if she knew I was in love with a mad man, and planned on running to him? I turned to face my business partner and mentor, my eyes filled with worry and concern.

"Mr. Ascot, do you think Mother will understand?"

His fatherly eyes looked at me, and he smiled gently, placing his hand on my arm in a fatherly gesture. "In order to answer that question, I would have to know what your mother will have to understand."

Averting my eyes from his, I looked to the sea, and watched the waves roll along the water. After a bit, I felt that their rhythm had calmed me enough so I could speak.

"It seems time has caught up to me, and I know it's time to stop running around, trying to finish what I started. I have to go back home, to where I belong."

Lord Ascot frowned at me in understanding. "I take it this home is not in London."

I laughed, shaking my head. "No, it's nowhere close to London I'm afraid."

"Why do you wish to leave dear one?" he asked, his eyes full of concern for my well-being. I paused in surprise, having never actually contemplated my reasons for wanting to return to where I truly belonged. Why did I want to leave? Was I willing to put my heart on the line for a man, who may not return my feelings for him? Was I willing to fight against the unknown dangers of Underland? Could I risk everything for a Mad Man? I straightened up in determination, my head held high.

Yes, I could do all those things and more if I had to! "Well you see, I made a promise, and I intend to keep it."

Lord Ascot smiled in understanding. "Aah, I see, and does this promise that you made have anything to do about a hatter?"

I felt my mouth go dry, and my heart went frantic, beating faster than normal."H…How do you know of him?" I stammered a blush on my face. Lord Ascot chuckled, pointing his finger at me.

"Alice, you have a bad habit of talking in your sleep."

My checks were burning as I answered him in a voice that I prayed wouldn't quaver. "Well, then to answer your question, yes this promise has everything to do with the Hatter."

Once again Lord Ascot looked at me, "Alice, I know that look." I looked at him in confusion.

"Look, what look?"

He smiled. "I can see it in your eyes, it's the very look that your father used to give your mother, and you love this hatter, don't you?" I blushed, and then nodded.

"Yes, I do. He's like no one else I have ever met."

"Then Alice, I can now safely answer your question."

"And..."

He took my hands in his, gazing softly at me, and spoke in a comforting voice. "Your mother will understand, and your father would be so proud of you."

His words sank in, and hot tears ran down my face. This man has been my business partner, friend, and fatherly figure, and at one point, he could have been my father in-law. I embraced him in a bear hug.

"Mr. Ascot, it seems this might be my last time in London, so from this day forward, you are the sole owner of this company." He beamed at me, slightly surprised, but answered in a pleased tone.

"Why, thank you Alice."

"That's not all, but I fear you might think I have gone completely bonkers when I tell you the rest."

Lord Ascot gave me a reassuring smile. "Well, like your father always said, all the best people are."

I grasped his hands in mine, staring at him in complete seriousness. "You must promise to believe that this story is true."

After all, I can't just leave without telling at least one person where I have gone to. A sense of relief runs through me at Lord Ascot's firm reply. "Alice, after the success of China, I will never doubt your word."

I grin madly, just like the person who is constantly on my mind. "I will keep you to that, any way's this story begins..."

Mad Hatter/ Tarrant Hightopp's POV

Tea. Tea has always brought comfort, especially after Alice left. Left, gone, disappeared, vanished, missing, forgot, unknown, vamoosed. I knew my Alice has forgotten me, and it makes the pain so much worse knowing that. I knew she would forget. She always does it seems. I won't let her forget, not again, I can't lose her, not a third time.

10, 9, 8, 7,6,5,4,3,2,1

Shoving open the doors of Marmoreal, I looked around, trying to pin point the White Queen. I spotted her heading towards me from her private chambers, a smile on her face.

"Tarrant, how are you this lovely day?"

I sighed, and my eyes flashed a pale blue. "Not well I fear, it seems I've been pondering things that begin with `R` "

Mirana nods in understanding, well used to my strange habits. "And what are these `R` words?"

I frown, trying to remember the first word. I grin as it comes to me. "Run. Remember, Rescue, Return, Right, and Raven."

Mirana places her hand on my shoulder, gazing into my eyes, and I feel a bit uncomfortable. "Tarrant, have you been thinking of our Champion?"

I frowned, shaking my head. Alice is not an 'Our'. She's a 'My.' My Alice. "Nay, I've been thinking of my Alice."

Mirana gave me a small smile, "We have waited, like we said we would, but it seems we are in need of her once more."

I gaped at the White Queen in alarm, wondering what she meant. Alice is needed, why? She was not fighting anything, or anyone! I feel the anger wash over me, and Mirana steps back, shocked.

"Tarrant, your eyes are orange!"

I glared at her, a Scots burr beginning to creep into my voice. "Alice will nae fight!"

Mirana smiled at me. "That never even crossed my mind."

I blinked, feeling very confused. "Then why is she needed here?"

Mirana shrugged. "We must need someone to equal out the madness."

Before I could open my mouth to ask what she meant by that, Mirana continued. "Come Tarrant, we have much to do, and so little time!" She led me into the kitchens, and on one of the long tables I could see that she had laid out her ingredients for potion-making.

Hours passed, and the stench of the potions was over powering. At long last, Mirana turned to me.

"Tarrant, I do not know if she is home yet, but you must tell them you have traveled far, and must speak with Alice! ` She handed me a pink vial of potion. " This will grant you a safe return to Underland. There is enough for all who drink it, if Alice does wish to return."

I placed the vial into my bag after binding it in an orange hankie. Mirana then handed me another vial, this one dark green and filled with a sludgy brown liquid. "And this is for your health, we don't know what it's like up there, and this, will cure any illness."

I took it, grimacing at the way it looked. It was a nasty looking pasty sludge, but I wasn't about to complain.

Mirana smiled at me. "Now Tarrant, are you ready to leave?"

"Aye, I am."

I held the purple vial up to my lips, thinking of Alice's home, and what it would be like to see her once more after all this time! Oh what a thought! Before I could drink, Mirana pressed something into my hand. It was a small, hand-held looking glass.

"Take this with you, if there is anything that you wish to inform me of, then simply look into the glass and speak my name."

I placed the glass in my bag and smiled at my Queen and friend. "Thank you for everything." I suddenly grinned madly. I won't be late for tea!" I uncorked the vial of transport potion and gulped down the contents.

The purple liquid flowed over my tongue. I cannot say it tasted sweet, nor did it taste bitter. Instead, it was almost as if it were stained water, but with a strange yet wonderful taste to it!

I opened my eyes upon a strange sight. Alice had never told me how frantically busy London was! Worse, I had no idea how to find her home. I finally spotted someone that I thought could help. "Sir could you point-" The man gave me an odd look and hurried away, muttering something about 'mad man.' I frowned, and then brightened up as another man walked by.

"Sir-" This time, the man didn't even bother to acknowledge me. I clenched my fists, growling in frustration, my eyes a light orange.

How in Underland did Alice put up with this? No one talks to anyone, nor do they help those who may need it! I started off down the street, doing my best to avoid being run over by the carriages that raced along, their drivers shouting and cursing at each other.

"Watch where you're going!"

"Get out of the road you loon!"

Voices shouted, and argued with each other, and I thought to myself that London is far more crowded them my head will ever be! For a proper bunch, they are rather rude.

"Are you lost there, Sir?"

I turned to see a young red haired man, no older then Alice! At last, someone was willing to help me! I smiled at the man. "Yes, I am looking for Alice Kingsleigh."

The man's face went downcast, his eyes saddened."Well, she will be home by tomorrow evening."

I breathed audibly in relief. "Can you point me to her home?"

The young man nodded. "Well, I was just on my way there, I would love it if you where to accompany me there."

I beamed at him. "Why thank you-"

He extended a hand. "Lord Hamish Ascot."

I smiled, and then shook his hand a bit too enthusiastically. "Tarrant Hightopp, Hatter to the White Queen, and last surviving member of the Hightopp Clan."

A little sneak-peak: please note this may or may not be in chapter two, as I may do some editing, just, it will still be part of the story, even if the line isn't.

"I don't understand, this is impossible!"

"Do you dream of me often in this world Alice?"

"Tarrant! Hold your tongue; you should never think such naughty thoughts!"

"Only if you think it."

And there it was. The gleam...