Hatter watched his Duchess dance on the dance floor. They had been out of wonderland for a year. He watched her twist and twirl and move her body in ways all the girls envied. It made his heart hurt watching her. He could see the tears leaking out of her eyes. Jack never took her out like this or anything. Everything hatter did for her was new to her. In a moment he was very aware of the boy getting close enough to her as he placed a hand on the swell of her hip. He got up and went to intervene until he caught the look on her face.

He could see it her eyes, she needed the attention. That so called king had starved her of it for so long, she needed this feeling. The feeling of being lusted after….He realized she was a very hurt and damaged creature…His Duchess….It still felt odd calling her that.

Then he saw her face change, she was no longer comfortable with the situation and he saw why. The punk had his lips all over neck and shoulder. Hatter wanted to kill the boy but he calmly slid between the two, which was actually rather hard. He put his arms around her waist

"It's okay love, I'm here now." he whispers softly. While the two are lost in the moment. Time seemed to fly by very fast, until a young girl with bright pink hair walked up. Hatter recognized her from the hat shop in the mall, she often had more bizarre hats then him. He had nicknamed her Cheshire after an old friend. Duchess had adored the girl just as well.

"I really hate to bother you two cuz you look so very perfect together bur may I steal him for one dance?" the girl asked shyly. The couple had sensed her crush on them both and something struck them both as odd. She looked like she was crying. Duchess nodded and stepped of the young ladies way even if it was the last dance of the night. Something was not right and she sense she wanted to talk to Hatter.

Duchess took her seat and watched the two. The young girl was stunning but she could see bruises playing peek a boo with her sleeves and her collar. It concerned her and she knew hatter had to see them to. She watched carefully as they spoke. He had a look of genuine concern. Though that was just hatter being hatter. As the song died down she watched him take a firm grip on her wrist and haul her over. She knew what he was going to say before he even spoke it. Seems they had a room mate. The ride to their apartment was quiet and long as she notices the girls tormented look and the mixed emotions in his eyes. They got home and the girl collapsed on the sofa.

" So what happened to acquire us a new room mate?" Duchess asked, full of curiosity. She noted the way Hatter glanced at the girl first and waited for an approving nod.

"Seems her ex isn't a man like she thought. She tried to leave he beat her about a week ago and then kicked her out and kept her stuff. I told her for tonight she can stay, but after that it is up to you, love." hatter explained as Duchess looked at the girl. Her young eyes were filled with shame and hurt.

" She is welcome as long as she needs. And I suppose we are going to go get her stuff." duchess smiles as she goes and gets som blankets from the hall closet along with a few pillows. The young girl looked at them curiously. She was not sure why they were being so nice, nor as to why she trusted them in the first place.

After getting her settled in for the night, hatter stopped and looked at her.

" I will be gone early in the morning, so it will be you and Duchess tomorrow." he smiled as he turned off the light and went into the bedroom with Duchess.

He tossed his shirt off and crawled into bed nex to her. He noticed the troubled look on her face.

"Are we fixing to adopt a sixteen year old?" hatter asked with a smile. He recognized the shine on her eyes. It was on of a mother.

" what about her family?" Duchess asked.

" She doesn't have any. An orphan like myself." Hatter responded and duchess gave him a curiuos look. But for now, sleep was fighting her ad she was loosing. They would talk more in the morning.