After the looking glass: (And what Alice found there)

We were sailing towards South Africa. It was my mother's idea and mine, now that we had established our own trading company named Kingsley and Kingsley. I loved my mother, but on nights like these when the weather was warm and there it was too nice to be indoors, I told her, "I'm going outside for a breath of fresh air. It's too hot and stuffy in this cabin." When there was a party going on outside, it didn't help to concentrate on our trading plans either. The music was simply too loud.

She glanced up from her book and shrugged her shoulders, "Alright dearest. Do as you wish." She had surprisingly adapted to sea-life fairly well. I was surprised that she had decided to keep the ship. Happily surprised. I couldn't have been more grateful if I tried!

When I stepped out, I noticed that James Harcout was manning the wheel. I also noticed some of my crew had been betting on who would win the chess match two of the smartest members were playing. I told them I didn't mind betting, so long as they didn't expect me to sort out issues that would inevitably occur later on.

I walked up to Mr Harcourt and felt a little like my heart was jolting in my chest. I sometimes did get that way around him. It was completely embarrassing! Mr Harcourt smiled at me, "Good evening, Miss Kingsley. Coming to check on me?" I huffed a loose strand of my short hair out of my face, "No, Mr Harcourt. I find myself positively bored inside that cabin and am searching for some entertainment."

He grinned at me and shrugged his broad shoulders, "I'm sorry Miss, but as you can see, I'm rather preoccupied." I shrugged and sighed, "It's fine. I'll just go and stare out to see then." He raised an eyebrow at me and I walked over to the star bid side. I stared out at the soft waves and inhaled the fresh, salty sea air. It immediately helped me calm down. As much as I love being on the ship, I also loved being off it. Long journeys drove me a bit dilly, sometimes.

A minute or two later, Harcourt ended up by my side. I laughed and asked curiously, "I thought you were busy?" He shook his head and said, "Nope. I got one of my crew mates to swap shifts with me, just so I can entertain you." I laughed and stared into his sea-blue eyes and smirked, "And how did you manage that?" He chuckled and shrugged carelessly, "I told them it was captain's orders." I raised my eyebrow skeptically, "You're taking a fat risk there. They weren't actually orders, you know." Harcourt rolled his eyes at me, "I know. But I thought I'd try my luck with the captain."
I giggled- I wasn't one prone to giggling- but he certainly liked to test his limits, and my boundaries. He asked me suddenly, "Do you mind if I ask you something…something that may be a bit personal, but has been making me curious." I bit my lip, not sure I'd like to know what he was thinking. I whispered, "I…uh…you can try." He nodded and stared me bravely in the eyes as he asked, "How did you escape the institution?"

I glanced down at the rocking ship below us. I couldn't answer this question. Not unless he wanted me to go into the whole saga about how I actually met time. And Wonderland. And everything else fantastical about my secret little world. That was my place and my secret. I wanted it to be a secret forever.

I sighed and shook my head, "I'm sorry I can't. It's not because I don't want to, but we would be here for weeks. I wouldn't know where to begin." He chuckled, "Surely escaping from a building isn't that confusing?" I knew he was just trying to understand, but I groaned, "I can't tell you. I haven't even told my mother, even though she was there. The most simple thing to say would be that I ran the stairs to the top of the building. From there I managed to tie a knot around my waist from some rope I found on the roof, and then scaled down the wall." His eyes bugged wide and he chuckled, "I would have loved to have seen those bugger's faces when you managed to get that far!"

I grinned and then a thought occurred to me, "What did Hamish do when he found out?" Now Harcourt glanced below us at the waves and he sighed, "He went ballistic. He was right pain in the rear- more than usual- for days afterwards. I truly feel sorry for his new wife. I'm sure you're pleased you said no to marrying him."

I shrugged my shoulders and sighed, "You know, I am. I couldn't live that kind of a life." He stared at me intensely before whispering, "But you almost did, for your mother?" I nodded with a smile, "Yes. In my adventures, I realized family is the most important thing we have in life, because we only have one. So if I had to be a Clarke, then so be it."

Harcourt shook his head and grinned, "Miss Kingsley, you are not like other women, that's for sure." I laughed and said passionately, "Mr Harcourt, you fail to realize, I'm not trying to be like other women. I still believe in six impossible things before breakfast." He looked at me seriously and asked, "Where did you get that saying from?" I stared out at the ocean and whispered, "My father. He used to believe so too."
There was a round of cheering as one of the ship mates beat the other at chess. Harcourt beside me chuckled, "They're going to want to be asking to battle you next, Miss Kingsley." I grinned and laughed, "Well they can. I'm quite good at chess, if I do say so myself." He offered his arm and I took it, "You want to play me then?" I grinned and nodded, "You bet!"

X X X

Mr Harcourt approached the men and said seriously, "I'd like to have a match with our captain, sirs!" They all smirked at each other and the two guys who had just finished playing got up, "Please, feel free, James." There was silence and we both sat down on the barrels. Mr Harcourt stared at me and asked, "Can we make a bet?"

I grimaced and raised an eyebrow skeptically, "Sure. What's the bet on?" He grinned and cheekily and whispered, "If I win, you go on a date with me." The crew members all chuckled, although they clearly didn't feel as surprised as I felt. I my heart did a little flutter in my chest and I nodded cautiously, "And if I win?" Harcourt shrugged his shoulders, "If you win, you can get me to do whatever you want me to do for four weeks."

I grinned at this suggestion. I liked the idea. He could clean up my quarters…and there were other things I'd like him to do to- similar to what he had just asked of me. I chuckled and said confidently, "You're on! I'm going to win this one!" He smirked and his sea-blue eyes stared dangerously at me. The somewhat danger in them told me not to try winning, but I knew he was a nice guy. It was the competition that had him all fired up, just like me. The crew yelled for us to start and so we did.

X X X

It proved to be a tough match, but forty five minutes later, Harcourt had beaten me by a landslide! I placed my hands on my head in embarrassment at being defeated. The crew members were offering me wine for consolation and I drank some.

Harcourt frowned in confusion and he pulled me aside, "You know…Miss Kingsley…you don't have to come on a date with me…if the idea is that appalling." I shook my head and smiled kindly, "No, not at all. That's not the reason. It's just…losing in front of everyone is a bit of a blow to the ego." He laughed and pretended to wipe his brow, "Phew! I wondered if I was that much of an awful person." I grinned at him and took another swig of wine, "Nope. I actually would have made you do something like that had I won anyway. Now I just don't need to look so desperate." His eyes bugged wide up and he was stunned for a moment. I laughed at his expression, and then returned to my cabin with my glass of wine. This sure was going to be an interesting date…two very head strong people together. What next?

A/N: Hey guys! This was inspired by me watching Through the Looking Glass after buying it yesterday! Whoop whoop! Love that movie so much! I cried both times. I don't know why it has such bad reviews. Can anyone answer this question for me?

Anyway, this is meant to be a one shot but I can write more if there are enthusiastic enough people out there! Much love.