Alice can't help but dwell on Charlie's story as she heads away from the knight, giving him some time to collect himself after retelling his worst memories. She thinks there's some kind of common thread here, as her fingers tentatively drift over the deep purple jacket Hatter had provided her at the start of this mission, her lips pursing.
Charlie's sudden dedication to avenging his people-- Hatter's determination to getting her home while helping the resistance-- the only common threads between the two were this place and... and, well, her. It feels overly self-important to even think that she's inspiring anyone to do anything but she's not completely stupid-- she's seen the look in Hatter's eyes whenever Jack gets mentioned, and it may be a little deluded since they've only known each other for a few days but she thinks he might like her and it makes her head hurt as her chest flutters all at once.
Mom's always told her actions speak louder than words and, well, Hatter's always been there, since she was dragged into his tea shop, soaking wet and shivering. He's protected her from Dodo-- even taking a bullet for her, body armor or no--, didn't mock her about her fear of heights, the jabberwocky, even freed her from the clutches of her own fearful mind... She sighs, shaking her head. Hatter may have done a few questionable things but he had fought to protect her from the beginning... the same could not be said for Jack... two-timing Jack with his Duchess and evil, evil mother...
Her eyes return to the jacket and she almost smiles. He hadn't moved the jacket from where she left it, as if silently admitting it was hers, not his any longer... She delicately takes it down and lets her fingers run across the soft fabric once more before slipping it back on, taking in the lingering scent of spices and tea that seems to be a permanent part of the jacket, possibly the last remaining bit of Hatter's tea shop. She swallows, her mouth dry at the thought of how much he's lost because of her and her hands tighten against the sleeves of the jacket.
She wouldn't blame him if he never returned, finally accepted that her mission was too suicidal. Not worth his life.
A small, trusting part of her that she thought died when her father left ten years ago knows that he will return though, clings to the fact that Hatter's not like every other man out there. With this thought in mind, she climbs a hill to wait and watch.