Ten studied the face that stared back at him in the mirror. Lack of sleep left dark shadows under his eyes and he hadn't shaved in weeks. When the Tea withdrawals had first begun his hands shook so fiercely that he could barely hold a razor without slitting his own throat. Bad as they were, the shakes were nothing compared to emotional upheaval that followed.

Ten was a survivor. He did what he needed to do and became who he needed to be to keep his head on his shoulders and the Teas that had so devastated Wonderland had helped him do just that. The smallest sip of Clear Conscience would erase any guilt or remorse he might have felt as an accessory to the Queen's many atrocities. His nightly dose of peace would ensure that he slept soundly. He had kept a flask of Cheerfulness and Serenity on his person at all times as it was a threat to life and limb to be in a sour mood around the Queen. She wanted her retainers always to be happy and helpful.

Now the Queen was gone, sentenced to life in solitary confinement. And the Teas... well the Teas were gone too.

Without Tea, Ten was forced to face his own emotions for the first time in years. If there was a hell, Ten had a pretty good idea of what it was like. His nerves had screamed and the onslaught of pent up anger, fear, heartache, guilt, guilt, and more guilt, nearly broke him. And he would have broke, if he had gone through the turmoil alone, but the new king made sure someone was always with him providing a gentle touch, a soft voice. Jack Heart had every right to try him as a war criminal, but instead he offered to help. In fact, he saw to the care of every one of his mother's Tea addicted minions as they suffered through detox. And for that, Ten was eternally grateful.

The chaotic torrent of emotion had subsided, but it had certainly left its mark. Nothing could hide the weariness etched into his face or the bleakness reflected in his brown eyes. Guilt sat like a heavy stone in his stomach. Sighing he picked up a small pair of scissors and his razor. He worked carefully, closely and slowly, even sacrificing his trademark goatee for something a little less flamboyant.

Ten dressed mechanically, donning the same black suit, cape and club hat and pendant that he'd worn practically every day for the last five years. He checked his appearance in the mirror one last time and grimaced. Loathing of the man he'd become filled him, but this time there was no Tea to smooth it away. Ten steeled himself, squared his shoulders and prepared to rejoin the world. How much could it have changed in the few weeks he'd been gone?

The Old Palace was unfamiliar to him but somehow he navigated his way through the maze of hallways and stares of the people he passed. Some he recognized from the casino. The others must have been members of the resistance. They had an edge about them and a wariness that came from years of hiding, of not knowing who could be trusted. Ten didn't have to wonder what they thought of him. He could see it in their eyes. He was a thing of filth, someone to be hated and blamed. And they were right. He dropped his gaze, unable to face their censure. Who knew the truth could cut so deeply?

It was a relief to reach his destination, to hear the door click shut behind him, shielding him from those wrathful gazes.

"Ah, Ten. You're here. Good. Please sit." Jack Heart, newly minted king of Wonderland, gestured to the chair in front of his large paper strewn desk. Ten complied, wincing as the chair creaked alarmingly under his weight. Jack smiled wryly. "It's definitely not the casino, but I find it has a certain charm to it. If you can look past the dust, cobwebs, moth eaten carpets and general decades of neglect. Personally, I like to imagine the look on my mother's face if she were here. Somehow picturing her disgust and air of disappointment makes all this," he gestured to the dilapidated state of his study, "tolerable."

Ten looked around. The wallpaper was peeling, and the upholstery on the ancient furniture was frayed and threadbare. Dust lined the book shelves and faded portraits of past royalty hung crookedly on their mountings.

"But," Jack continued, "I didn't call you here to discuss the decor."

Ten turned back to his king. "Why did you call me here, Sire?"

Jack leaned back and studied his subordinate. "We've known each other a long time, haven't we?"

"Yes sir."

"I'm only going to ask this once, so I need you to be honest. And I warn you, I will know if you are lying to me."

Ten knew this to be true. Coming off the Tea had left his emotions raw and hyper-sensitive. He couldn't hide anything even if he wanted. He swallowed nervously and nodded.

Jack leaned forward. "I need to know if I can trust you. Can I trust you, Ten? Will you swear your loyalty to me, to Wonderland?"

This was his second chance and Ten knew he wouldn't get another. He met Jack's searching gaze unflinchingly. "Yes, My lord," he said, his voice thick with sincerity.

With his confession, the atmosphere suddenly seemed to lighten. Ten had taken his stand and Jack knew it. He relaxed in his chair.

"That's settled then." Jack said. Reaching into a drawer, Jack produced a small device and placed it on the desk. "What do you see?"

Ten stared at the little black box that was so commonly used in Wonderland. "A hologram recorder."

"On that hologram recorder is Wonderland's best kept secret. Play it."

Ten picked up the recorder, pressed the round button on the side and placed it back on the desk. As the device activated, an image of Caterpillar appeared.

"My dear Jack," the recorded hologram spoke. "In the event of my demise I wanted to ensure that you, the new leader of the resistance, know the truth. If you are watching this then I am dead and the secret that I have so fiercely guarded now falls to you. All of Wonderland believes that the ancient kingdom of the Knights was wiped out 50 years ago. I am here to tell you that a remnant of that kingdom remains. You see, I was never the sole leader of the resistance. From the beginning I have been secretly working with the White Queen and her people. Since the fall of that great kingdom the Knights have lived in hiding, deep within the Forest of Wabe, safe only as long as their existence remained unknown to the Queen. But over the years there were many who left the safety of their hiding place to join the resistance at great risk to their own, but they knew that until Wonderland was freed from the Queen of Hearts' grasp no one would truly be safe. I ask you now to complete my mission. Protect the people of Wonderland, and deliver the Knights from their exile. It is a heavy burden I have asked you to carry, but if you accept it then return to the Hospital of Dreams. Along with this recording, I have enclosed a key. It opens the lock to Room 112. Any questions you have will be answered there. Goodbye my boy. I am proud of you."

The hologram flickered and faded, leaving Ten stunned. Surely this was a joke.

"Oh, it's no joke," Jack remarked, reading the incredulity on Ten's face.

"I received it the day after Caterpillar's death, after the casino was destroyed, courtesy of one Cheshire Cat."

"Cheshire Cat?! How is that possible? He's just a myth."

"Funny thing about myths," Jack countered, "look hard enough and you just might find some truth to them."

Jack retrieved the recorder and placed it back in the drawer. "I had some doubts in the beginning. But I couldn't take the chance of being wrong."

"You went to the Hospital of Dreams?"

Jack nodded. "As soon as the last oyster was sent through the Looking Glass."

"And?" Ten asked curiously.

"The key worked just as Caterpillar said it would. The White Queen's agent was waiting for me."

"Cheshire Cat? What was he like?"

"The room was dark, all I could see were a pair of glowing green eyes and a terrifyingly deranged smile that would put a crocodile to shame." Jack shivered at the memory. "The meeting was brief. I accepted Caterpillar's last request and Cheshire Cat told me he would send word to the White Queen. I would hear from him soon, he said. Three days ago I received this letter."

Jack handed Ten a piece of heavy parchment with a broken red wax seal. The contents read;

Jack Heart,

I am well informed of the most recent events and your desire to fulfill Caterpillar's last wishes. Now that your mother has been deposed I see no reason to deny your request for a meeting. I do, however, have one stipulation. I require the presence of a neutral party to act as mediator between our two kingdoms. I am told that an Alice Hamilton from beyond the Looking Glass was largely responsible for ending the Queen's reign of terror. I would very much like to meet her. Bring Alice and three of your most trusted subordinates to the citadel ruins six days hence. An agent will be there to retrieve you. Should you fail to bring Alice, our agreement will be nullified.

Respectfully,

Peony, White Queen of the Knights of Wonderland.

Ten folded the letter and returned it to Jack. "This... this is incredible." He was beginning to understand the king's desire to pursue such a lead. Re-uniting the two kingdoms could very well be the key to saving Wonderland. "But your majesty, why are you sharing this with me?"

"Why not you? You're smart, resourceful and you do what needs to be done. If this is to succeed I need your help. And as you said, I can trust you."

That vote of confidence was all Ten needed to hear. "What do you need me to do?"

"Go through the Looking Glass to Alice's world and bring her back here."

"What if she doesn't want to come? Her last visit to Wonderland wasn't exactly a walk in the park."

"If I know Alice, she won't be thrilled about the idea, but I believe she'll help us. I took the liberty of moving the Looking Glass to the apartment I rented when I took the ring to her world. Everything you need is already there."

"I assume I'll be leaving right away?"

"Preferably. We are on a time-table."

Ten rose and headed toward the door.

"Oh and Ten," Jack called, "get rid of that ridiculous outfit."

For the first time in a long while Ten smiled. "Yes, your majesty."