Chapter 1

Disclaimer: I do not own Alice in the Country of Hearts or any of the characters

Maybe I shouldn't leave… The idea was an echo in my mind as I debated. Leave all my friends, just to see my sister… loosing twelve wonderful friends; one whom I care for intensely, just to go back to my drab old world? I shook my head, pulling out the little vial. My mind was blank, as I popped the top off. Slowly, my hand turned as I poured the pink liquid out, letting it fall to the ground. I stopped once half was gone, just in case I changed my mind. Wouldn't want to start from scratch all over again.

"Alice!" I sighed, as I heard the sound of Peter White's voice behind me. "I wanted to tell you goodbye before you left…" he sadly whispered.

I turned to him, my face indifferent. "I'm not leaving, Peter. I have decided to stay."

I braced myself, ready for him to launch himself forward, hugging me as always. But instead, he stood frozen, his mouth slowly dropping open.

"Really?" he whispered. I nodded one stiff bob, biting my lip. "YAY!" he yelled, flinging himself forward, as I predicted. "I knew deep down you wouldn't leave me! You truly do love me, don't you? Oh this is wonderful!" he cheered, hugging me.

"I didn't stay for you," I growled, pushing him back. His smile dropped, as he ran a hand through his snowy white hair. "I stayed… for a different reason," I whispered. "I have to leave," I hastily said, barreling forward.

"Where are you going?" Peter asked, as I quickly walked through the forest.

I bit my lip, knowing he wouldn't like my answer. A little lie wouldn't hurt… "To Julius's. I have to let him know I stayed," I whispered.

"To the clock maker? You love him don't you! He is getting in the way of our love!" Peter yelled, drawing his gun.

"Put that away," I hissed. "Julius is like family to me, no more. Now please, return to Vivaldi… let her know I'm staying as well, please."

Peter sighed. "Fine, Alice. Anything to make you happy," he grinned.

He turned, walking in the opposite direction. I let out a sigh of relief, watching his figure fade in the distance. I turned, hurrying towards my true destination. It wasn't Julius that I had wanted to see. It was Blood. I started to run, when I finally saw the mansion in the distance. I thanked my rare lucky stars that Dee and Dum were not at the gate, and that Elliot was visible on the other side.

"Elliot," I called.

He turned and smiled, his brown rabbit ears perking up when he saw me.

"Hey, Alice," he grinned, walking over and opening the gate. "You here to see Blood? I'm sorry to say that he is in the rose garden at the moment…" Elliot mumbled.

"That's not a problem. I'm welcome there," I replied, walking inside.

"Really?" Elliot asked, his eyes wide. "Wow… I guess he really does like you," he smiled. "Go on, then. I have to find the stupid twins," he sighed, it coming out more like a growl.

"Okay," I replied, starting along the path that led to the garden.

I continued along, until the scent of roses drifted in the air. The roses finally became visible, along with Blood Dupre. He was kneeling on the ground, in front of a rose. His face was hidden due to his black hair. His hat was laying on the ground beside him, his fists clenched at his sides. Suddenly, he reached up, yanking one of the roses into his hand. Even with his gloves, the thorns had to of hurt him. He fiercely yanked each petal off of the rose, letting it drift to the ground. Once every last petal had fallen, he sat there unmoving, his shoulders hunched. I then heard him speak.

"I missed my chance," he whispered, his voice breaking. "She's gone."

His head hung, as his hands reached up, clawing at his hair. I gaped at the sight before me, finally realizing that Blood truly did care for me. I started forward, pausing once I was behind him. I kneeled down, slowly reaching out and laying my hand on his shoulder. His head shot up, his eyes wide.

"Alice," he whispered. Like the flick of a switch, the innocence and compassion in his eyes were gone. He was guarded once again, his mouth setting in his usual scowl. "I thought you were leaving. At least that was what Vivaldi had said," he mumbled.

"I decided to stay," I replied.

"Why?" he asked, his voice monotone.

"Because… because…" I pursed my lips, not knowing what to truly say to him. He was so guarded and cold right now… But he apparently did care… "Because I didn't want to leave you," I replied, boldly holding my head up.

"Ha," he snorted, standing up. My hand slid off his shoulder. "That's the funniest thing I have ever heard."

"I'm telling the truth," I growled.

"After all I have said to you. After all I have done; threatening you and all, yet you stay for me?" I nodded, frowning. "What about all of those other men bowing at your feet? You didn't stay for them?" he asked, his eyes hard.

"No. I don't feel the same for them as they do for me. You are the only one I have truly cared for," I whispered, my cheeks turning pink. "Why are you asking these questions anyway? Just a moment ago you were pulling petals off of roses and talking about missing your chance. Yet when you see I am here, you return to your normal self!" I stood with him, crossing my arms.

"It is because I know you are probably just messing with me like the rest of the lowlifes around here," he spat.

I gasped, taking a step back from him. "You are mad," I hissed. "Completely crazy! Believe what you want, Blood. I'm leaving. You can sit and destroy roses, pining for something you want just as much as I do. And the sad thing is how easy you could have it."

I hurried away from the rose garden, trying to get as far away as I could from here. I was eager to get to the quiet, soothing workplace of the clock tower, so I could see Julius. I hope Peter White isn't waiting for me there... I walked past the gate of the mansion, my jaw clenched. I reached into my pocket, clutching the little vial that was only half full. Wouldn't that just figure. I continued along through the forest, until the clock tower was visible. I knocked on the door, waiting for Julius to answer. The door pulled open, Ace standing at it.

"Hey, Alice," he smiled, his cape nearly covered in blood. He removed the small mask that covered his eyes. "Just going out to do some more work. Julius is inside; he just went on break," he added, walking past me.

I walked in to see Julius sitting at his little table, clock pieces littered across its length. His face was frustrated, his fingers impatiently tapping on the table.

"Julius… I'm home," I called.

He lifted his head, his eyes slowly looking up at me. "Hello," he replied. "Peter White stopped by," he murmured.

"Oh…" Damn you, Peter.

"He said something about you deciding to stay, and was coming to tell me…?"

"Yes… um… I was planning on going back home earlier. But I decided to stay here," I whispered, not knowing what to make of his expression.

Julius stood up, his long black hair shifting as he moved. "I never heard of this…" he mumbled, avoiding my eyes.

"I told you I was going to leave when I could…" I replied, my eyes widening.

"But you never said when," he noted, pursing his lips. "I would have liked to of said goodbye, Alice."

He met my eyes, and I could see the sadness in them. Oh my…

"I didn't think you… would be that upset…" What am I saying? Of course he would! I consider Julius family, therefore he should see me that way, too. There is no use trying to lie and say I really was going to say goodbye. "I'm sorry," I whispered, my eyes watering. I couldn't let the tears fall… he might try to squeeze me to death again.

A half smile formed on his face. "It's alright, Alice. I'm glad you stayed… but if you ever decide to leave in the future… please let me know when so I can properly say farewell," he grinned.

I nodded quickly. Without thinking, I ran forward, hugging him. For such a grouchy, cryptic man, I sure do adore him. He hugged me back, not as tight this time, thankfully. I pulled back, seeing there was slight color in his cheeks.

"So how is work?" I asked, nonchalantly.

He frowned, sitting back down in his chair. "There has been a lot more clocks to fix. I asked Peter if he could kindly ask Vivaldi to cut back on the beheadings. Perhaps you can give her one of your… 'values of life' speeches," he chuckled.

"I should," I agreed. I never really did see Vivaldi's interest in beheadings. "Maybe Ace could cut back on the killings as well."

"I have spoke to him about that. He is only to kill if his life is truly on the line now. Not if someone approaches him with a challenge. The more clocks saved, the better," Julius sighed. I nodded, with a yawn. "Go on, get some rest. When you wake you can get me some new parts," he winked.

I smiled. "Alright." I turned, walking to my room. I slumped onto my bed, falling asleep almost instantly.

"Well, I'm surprised to see that you stayed."

My eyes flickered open. I sighed, realizing I was dreaming. Nightmare was standing before me, his usual smirk on his face.

"Yep," I replied.

"And that was because you feel for the Hatter… what a disappointment that must have been for you," he chuckled.

My cheeks burned, as I stared at my feet. "He confuses me," I mumbled.

"He doesn't express his feelings very often. You caught him in a rare moment," Nightmare said, narrowing his eyes. "This is going to take time. You must already know that he cares for you… if you don't, you're stupid. But he still believes you are just playing with all of the men in this world… when I can see you are really not," Nightmare added. "But I believe you can get through to him if you try hard enough… if you are willing to."

"Of course I am," I replied, no question in my voice.

Nightmare nodded, smirking. "I have a question for you. Your feelings for Blood… do they not have anything to do with your ex? Are you treating him as a… replacement?"

"No!" I yelled out, shocking him. "Their personalities are totally different… and their faces aren't quite the same. Only the hair…" I mumbled. "It has nothing to do with my ex…"

"You sure do compare them frequently."

"And I promised Blood I would quit doing so if he promised to quit treating me like an outsider."

"But you are," Nightmare laughed.

My eyes narrowed, as I began to get frustrated. "He took it to an entirely different level. He treated me like an… alien."

"If you want to get into a technical evaluation, from all of our perspectives here, you are an alien. You are from a different land/world. You just look like us. Even your heart is different, and you can't reincarnate."

"But I am just like all of you! He treated me like I was… some sort of freak, when I act all the same."

Nightmare sighed. "I suppose I shouldn't argue with you about this any longer. I do somewhat see your point. Blood is just a closed off person. You are going to truly have to reach out, and try. I have faith that you will succeed," he whispered, a small smile forming on his face.

My heart warmed as I returned it. "For someone called Nightmare, you aren't very bad. Thank you…"

Nightmare paused, before breaking into a fit of coughs. Blood spewed from his mouth, as I dodged to get out of the way.

"I need to quit making you happy," I laughed. "That happens whenever I do."

"No, no. I like it when you make me happy," he replied, wiping it up. "Well, I suppose this dream is over, Alice. I will see you later," he grinned.

Moments later, I awoke from my dream, staring up at the ceiling.

Could I really get Blood to open up to me?

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