AN: Ok. This is chap 1 version 2.0. Let's see if Emily has gotten straightened out or not. I think what happened is, I was writing this preliminary chapter just to get the idea out of my head so I could actually make some progress on another story's chapter. I think the other story's character, who is not immature but is a bit more idk…she rants when she's nervous etc. I think the extremes of her personality amplified, becoming entirely too over the top, and forced themselves into Emily where they didn't belong.

Let's see if I've fixed the problem. Thank you for your patience. Reviews and constructive criticism (polite) are welcome. DISCLAIMER: Don't own stuff recognizable as other people's stuff. Such as the song 'How Can I Be So Thirsty' by Jerrod Niemann

The queen's court was abuzz with talk. A distinctive tabby was twirling and drifting through the throng of excited people lazily. Occasionally taking to disappearing in tendrils of dark smoke only to reappear disjointedly elsewhere.

A white rabbit wearing a crisp waistcoat took out his large golden pocket watch and looked nervously at the time. He stood next to Queen Mirana, who sat composedly in her throne. Looking immaculate and beautiful as she smiled softly to herself.

At that moment the doors to the throne room as a twitching hare entered; a white mouse boldly perched upon his shoulder.

Nivens gave a slight gasp. Not only were the two late, but this trio was short one.

"Oh dear! You are late! And where is the Hatter?"

The hall fell silent as Thackery Earwicket the March Hare and Mallyumkin the Dormouse kneeled before their White Queen.

Her voice was soft and musical. "Rise my friends. I see that you were unable to pry the Hatter from his tea today."

Mally looked abashed on behalf of her missing friend. Scuffing her tiny feet upon the floor. "We tried your majesty. He's caught up in one of his fits again you see."

The queen nodded sagely. "It's alright. I did not believe he would come, but it was certainly worth the offer." She stood gracefully. Her arms lifted delicately, as if she were trying to become a swan.

"My subjects. There has been joyous news brought to me this fine morning. Having received word that the Queen of Hearts rules no more, survivors from Horunvendush day are making their way from the terrible Outlands where they have been taking refuge and recovering. Their numbers are small, but their hearts are strong." She pauses here. The hall in stunned silence. A bright and genuine smile graces her features and increases her beauty infinitely.

Loud cheers begin to ring vibrantly through the room. Cries of "The Hightopp clan lives!" mingling with other exclamations of happiness.

Mally began to dance a small jig before bounding back up onto the March Hare's shoulder.

"We must go tell the Hatter! Surely this will bring him back from his mind!"

Mirana knelt so that she would be at eye level with the shorter creatures. Speaking with slight urgency. "Yes. Go and bring these glad tidings to Hatter. His clansmen will travel through that area and I wish for them to be reunited there. Perhaps making the rest of the journey to the castle with his kinsmen will lift his spirits for the celebration. Go now. Make haste back to Witzend."

With a tiny salute Mally nodded and prodded Thackery. "You heard 'er Hare. Let's get a move on!"

As they quickly left, Queen Mirana turned to Nivens. "As for you my dear McTwisp. You must go to the above land and retrieve our honored guests. Absolem has already located a suitable group of entertainers and will show you when to find them. As for our fair Champion. Well. She may prove a bit more difficult to locate. But I trust that find her you will."

She stood and looked upon her rejoicing subjects. "After all. If it had not been for her slaying of the Jabberwocky we might never have known these brave souls still thrived in the barren Outlands."

Nivens looked a bit confused for a moment as he registered fully what his queen had said. His confusion overriding his immense joy at the prospect of bringing Alice back down to Underland.

"Excuse me your majesty. But the entertainers. You said when; I believe you meant where?"

The Queen laughed lightly. "No. You heard correctly, I did say when. These visitors shall be found in a time that differs greatly from that of Alice's." She raised her hand, allowing a vivid blue butterfly to land upon her outstretched fingers. "A most peculiar time if I remember what you've told me Absolem."

The butterfly spoke with a deep and languid voice. "Yes. Bizarre. This new realm the rabbit holes have opened upon." With that flew away. Nivens scurrying quickly after him at Mirana's prompting.

Silently she glided her way to her private study behind the throne. With intent eyes Mirana carefully removed the glass case covering the precious Oraculum.

With steady hand she unrolled the parchment until she saw the depiction of her making the announcement. The next image clearly showed Alice and another group of people entering the palace with the surviving Hightopp clan. After that, the parchment blurred its lines and refused to foretell any farther.

Mirana smiled at the image of a once again smiling Hatter entering the castle. At least now his future had been re-written from what it had been before; a future dominated by an unending and dark madness from which he could never be pulled again. But the queen frowned.

This would only be a temporary respite for her most trusted subject. Once Alice left again…it would be the end of him…

Looking upon another woman in the group of visitors Mirana wondered idly if this woman smiling indulgently to one of the clan's babbling children could possibly be of more importance than initially perceived.

Music was turned up high on a set of speakers; they, along with several other electronic technical equipment and instrument cases were tossed haphazardly about the clearing.

"Last night I went to town

Hit every bar around

100 bottles of beer on the wall

Thought I could drink 'em all"

There was some groaning and stirring of movement. A man with buzz cut red hair was first to shift reluctantly into a sitting position. Rubbing brusquely at the fiery stubbly growth upon his chin he squinted at his surroundings. Taking a few moments before realizing all was not well.

"But Jose, Jack and Jim

My best drinkin friends

We poured em up, I shot em down.

Lord, I thought I was gonna drown.

"Oy! Brett! Get your arse up boy-o! We got ourselves a problem 'ere." At his loud volume a second man with messy black hair groaned in annoyance. Sitting up and cradling his head.

How can I be so thirsty this mornin?

After all I drank last night

Sippin and a-tippin and a-chuggin and a-luggin

Huggin every pretty girl in sight

"Not so loud Gerry. Some of us actual experience hangovers when we drink whiskey. You Irish bastard." At this point Gerry wasn't paying much mind to his friends grumblings, he was too engrossed with the strangeness of their new surroundings.

Yeah I woke up with this cotton mouth

Wrapped around my throat so tight

How can I be so thistry this mornin?

After all I drank last night

Locating the iPod near him on the grass, Gerry shut the music off so that he could listen more closely. He could have sworn he heard other voices in the ferns and forest.

"Quit your caterwauling and open your eyes. Something isn't right." He turned to face his companion with a puzzled expression.

"Did the party move last night?" His Irish lilt raised pitch slightly with his next observation.

"And where did Emily run off to?"

At that, Brett finally looked up and met the eyes of Gerry. Where indeed?

They both twisted around, looking in every direction possible in attempts to try and find their missing compatriot.

With some difficulty Brett stood, looking a bit nauseated. Gerry stood with a spring in his step however, laughing at his unfortunate buddy.

"Lookin a bit green in the gills there sonny. You might be wantin to sit yourself back down before your bullocks meets the dirt." Before Brett had a chance to reply to the good natured joking a slight yell could be heard right before a body fell seemingly right out of the sky. Landing with a loud thump a few paces from the two and narrowly missing a sharp impact with a rather large guitar amp.

"What the bloody hell was that mate?" Gerry didn't have to wait long for an answer as a feminine voice could be heard groaning. Brett smiled.

"Well" he said, "It seems we learned where Emily was."

Both men went over to check on their new found friend just as she sat up. Her hair a wild mess of dark auburn tangles as it obscured her face. Gerry kneeled down and flipped the thick mane back over her head for her whilst she attempted to regain her breath.

"What in the Sam Hill is going on? What happened to the party? Where are we? Did I pass out? What did you two do this time? I swear, you're like children sometimes-" She didn't get to continue her tirade as her face paled and her eyes widened. Gerry chuckled as Emily spun onto her hands and knees and began retching violently. Brett began to check over all of their music equipment; just in case they had made the journey the same way Emily had and shook his head a bit in sympathy at her hangover blues. He was nearly in the same boat as she.

Gerry gently held back her hair for her until the heaving passed.

"There you go, Emmy sweetheart. Get it all out now." Having lived in the States and England for a good portion of his life, Gerry's Irish lilt was soft in his speech. The slightest of accents as he tried to sooth his friend.

Brett looked on with compassion."You never could hold your liquor well Emmy."

Gerry simply smirked and continued to hold her hair for her. "There's nothin to worry about lass. It's alright for now. We just need to nurse your hangovers and figure out where we are. Yeah?"

Emily nodded slightly, taking deep breaths and trying to spit the offensive taste from her mouth. She took Gerry's offered hand to help her stand.

Now that she had regained her breath and stomach calmed a bit, Emily began to really take in her new surroundings. Plants she'd never seen before mixed with those she'd seen all her life. A large oak tree here, a wiry willow there, and a strange nameless one between the two. The colors all seemed so vibrant, she found herself a bit awestruck by the wild beauty.

And despite Gerry's assurances, she couldn't help but feel worry creeping through her.

"Where are we? There's no city noise. No sign that man has ever marred this place. We can't possibly be at your Great Grandmother's estate Brett."

On some level, she supposed she should be outright terrified. Falling, literally, into an unknown place after a night of companionable drink with her two friends.

Instead, she found the artist within her become dazzled by the colors around her. The 'nature girl' thrilled with the sight of so many new plants. The small child, hidden deep within her, irresistibly drawn and curious to the adventure at hand.

Worry and some fear. But no abject terror.

Brett just shook his head in perplexity. "I have no clue at all. This isn't any place in Britain I've ever heard of. Anything seem familiar to you Gerr?"

Gerry just rubbed his hand over the burr of his scalp, looking around him intently. "I don't know anything mates. The only thing I've picked up on is that there's been a bit of whispering around the edges of this clearing since we been here."

At that moment a smoky-silver and bluish-green banded tabby appeared before Emily's eyes. Her brown orbs widened when she registered the fact that this particular feline was not only floating lazily upon its back mid-air, but smiling widely at her as it began speaking.

"Hello my dear. Lovely weather we're having." His body evaporated with smoky tendrils leaving only his fading wide smile.

She looked quickly over to her male cohorts and was relieved to find them with the same wide-eyed stare as she.

She wasn't crazy or hallucinating.

She had actually seen a floating and oddly colored tabby smiling widely at her.

And speaking idly about the weather to her.

"What on Earth…" She jumped and turned quickly as the same drawling voice spoke from behind her. Perched contentedly atop one of their amps.

"Do these instrument cases belong to the three of you?" His grin broadened, if that were even possible, when Emily jumped a bit. He rolled onto his back. His tail swishing and flicking through the air lazily.

At the silence of all three humans, the creature gave a roll of its large greenish blue eyes.

"Come now. Cat got your tongue?"

Emily cast a wary glance at her friends; this seemed like something from her daydreams, but felt unbelievably real.

Gerry spoke for them with a reluctant "Yeah…they're ours."

The tabby batted absently at a blade of grass. Clearly bored with the whole situation. "Good." He heaved a heavy sigh. "I suppose you are fond of pleasant formalities. So let's do hurry with the introductions. I would hate to miss the entertainment sure to occur back at Witzend."

He floated up into the air and cast his turquoise orbs over the group. "I am Chessur the Cheshire Cat. Whom am I speaking with? And again. Be quick about it silly creatures."

Emily furrowed her brow. Witzend? Glancing at the other two men, she saw they were not forming any reply. And something about this Cheshire Cat's speech told her that in this place, wherever it was, manners were to be upheld.

"My name is Emily Roberts. The slim dark haired man is named Brett Davidson and the stocky red head is Gerald O'Reilly." She paused a moment, fighting past the urge to laugh at the absurdity of this situation.

With a hmm he rolled back onto his paws and floated up to her diminutive height. "Emily. A nice enough name I suppose."

Her brow furrowed. "Begging your pardon, Mr. Cheshire, but where are we? And how did we come to be here?"

Chess only grinned wider. There was something about this woman with the slightest lolling accent.

"Well, since you are being ever so polite. I will tell you." He sat and curled his tail about him as if he were sitting upon something solid.

"You are in Underland, and the White Queen has brought you here. But we'll get to that later. For now, I will take you to the Hatter and the Hare. Our journey shall continue from there."

With nothing more he disappeared, leaving all three humans confused. Wasn't he leading them somewhere? How was he going to do that if he was invisible?

Off to Emily's right he reappeared at the tree line.

"If you would hurry?"

Brett frowned. "What about our things? This is expensive equipment; we can't afford to leave it laying here."

The cat huffed with impatience. "Leave it. The Queen's knights are on their way to retrieve it for you. Now come, come." He once again poofed into dark tendrils of smoke.

The three friends looked to each other. Silently debating whether to trust this strange talking animal, in this even stranger land.

Brett spoke first. "I don't know guys. I'm not sure how much we should trust this Cheshire Cat, or whoever he is."

Gerry nodded and then Emily spoke up. "This Hatter person though. He sounds like he could be human; maybe we can get some better information from him?" Brett still seemed reluctant as Gerald shared his thoughts.

"Another thing mates. Doesn't any of this strike you as a bit. I don't know. Familiar? Like something strait out of Carroll's book?"

Emily's became thoughtful. Thinking back through the literature she'd read throughout the years and searching for any possible similarities that might help them.

She shook her head. "That would be impossible. Those were only fairytales. Fiction. Make believe. There couldn't possibly be a place called Underland or Wonderland, and even if there were how the tarnation could we have gotten there?"

She looked to her friends, Gerald shook his head.

"I don't know. But standing here won't get us any answers. Maybe we can try and meet that Queen the cat mentioned. If anyone has information I bet it'll be her lads."

Brett shrugged his shoulders. "Alright then. I guess we follow the evaporating cat." He pinches at the bridge of his nose. "God we must be going mad. Following a talking, smiling, evaporating cat."

Emily smiled softly and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Cheer up Brett. I'm sure there's a perfectly good explanation for all this. We just need to be patient and search out the answer."

They began to carefully make their way through the forest; Gerry kept his eyes open for Chess's directions and any other beasts that might be lurking in the foliage. Brett kept step with Emily; observing the different fauna and flora along their path. The journey was mostly silent aside from ocassionally pointing something of interest out to one another.

Emily couldn't help but chuckle when Brett tossed moss at her playfully once or twice. She took in a deep breath. Enjoying the smell of the woods and fresh air. Her headache was stubbornly refusing to dissipate though. Being slighter than her companions, she really wasn't one to imbibe much alcohol at one time. But last night they'd insisted she let loose a little, and sure enough, she was paying for it this morning.

They finally reached an opening in the forest. A grassy hill leading down to a run down, massive windmill with a large disjointed table before it.

The three stopped to look down at what lay before them.

From behind the dilapidated mill a small group of weary travelers emerged and, a little ways down the tree-line from where the trio stood, a woman who appeared to be around thirty years of age, with blonde hair escaping the confines of a bun, stepped from the forest with a white waistcoat wearing rabbit. Down at the eclectic table, a dormouse, a hare and a tabby sat conversing and sipping from tea cups. The figure sitting at the head of the table kept his head down. Muttering incoherently to himself about time and biscuits and various letters. Completely oblivious to his surroundings.

Emily's imagination struck her with a vision of tripping and rolling and rolling all the way down the hill. Bumping and bouncing and with every jarring blow. Ending with her face planted into the ground.

Her brows jumped slightly at the horrific daydream. When Brett and Gerry began making their way down the hillside, Emily kept her gaze upon her feet and paid careful attention to her foot placement. She was clumsy enough at times so there was no need to tempt fate in this situation.

A good first impression could be all the difference in learning what you need to know and being stuck here clueless.

The three reached the table before the group of travelers but happened to arrive at the same time as the blonde woman and rabbit.

Once the larger group finally arrived introductions were exchanged all around. It was really quite the production.

Among the group of travelers was an elderly couple; Frederick and Ilisa. His weathered and tan skin contrasting with the intensity of his pale blue twinkling eyes. His black hair graying but still thick as the day is long. Ilisa was boisterous and energetic where he was stoic and calm. Her fiery hair barely pinned back from her rosy face as she clucked over Emily's small scrapes and bruises like a large mother hen.

Little Rosemary was anything but shy, with her curly strawberry blonde locks and wide green eyes. The cutest dimples beset her face when she smiled brightly up at you.

Her companion, Mackenzie, was a bit more reserved but still curious about the stranger's odd clothing. His dark brown hair shaggy and mussed by the wind and play. Lovely hazel eyes that were filled with his inquisitive nature and intellect.

Rosemary's parents were friendly. Adair and Carowyn, who insisted on being called Cara, were so sincere and open. Adair is tall and built like an oak tree, just like his father Frederick, his brown hair was trimmed short and looked nice with his blue eyes and chiseled jaw. His large, muscular, tanned physique was sure to be quite daunting should the mood suit him. His wife, Cara, was fair complexion with freckles sprinkled across her nose and cheeks. She was of medium height, inches taller than Emily's comparative 5'3", but still only reached her husband's shoulders. The grass green of her eyes went well with her own straight red hair.

Lastly, Gregor and his wife Briallan. Their son, Mac, certainly reflected their good looks. The two were well suited for each other. Gregor had similar brown trimmed hair and expressive hazel eyes that seemed to soak up every detail around him. He was tall like Adair but more of a wiry leaner build. His skin was just barely kissed by the sun as was his wife's. Briallan had long wavy black hair and striking blue-grey eyes. She was the same height as her husband and had the same thin build as Cara.

Overall they were a cheerful and friendly group of people, easily welcoming Emily and her friends amongst their ranks.

Emily noticed how well everyone spoke and the etiquete they seemed to conduct themselves in with ease. Especially the blonde woman. She stood with such grace and poise. Judging from everyone's garb, these people had taken up the Victorian era mannerisms. Leaving Emily a bit uncomfortable and cautious of committing a social faux paux.

She had been raised to be polite and had even received a bit on etiquette from her mother in true Southern fashion. But she felt in no way equipped for this level of formality.

The introductions came to the blonde woman finally, and she saw Brett's eyes widen once more at the name she provided.

"I am Alice Kingsleigh." At her perfectly enunciated words the figure at the front of the forgotten table jolted and looked up. His lisping voice shocked and elated.

"Alice? Alice? You've returned?"

The animals, which Emmy had learned were Thackery and Mally, gasped slightly and exclaimed joy. Alice smiled slightly and walked over to greet her old friend.

"Yes Hatter. I've come back." The man's whole countenance seemed to brighten, right down to his large bowtie.

"You remember." Emily didn't hear much after that as she caught sight of the Hatter's appearance. Her artists' eye was captivated with how vivid his green eyes shone from his pale features and how strikingly fiery his wild hair contrasted them from beneath his top hat.

Emily hadn't felt the urge to sketch in many years, the flow of her inspiration always waxing and waning between various hobbies she enjoyed from time to time. But looking at this man she felt her fingers itch for her charcoals and pastel sticks. Such color. Such life. He'd make a magnificent subject.

A great shout drew her from her thoughts once more. The man was standing and literally jumping with joy as he met the travelers. He was so overjoyed that he was babbling rapidly in an unfamiliar dialect with them.

Emily went closer to Mally and spoke softly to the small female mouse. "I lost myself to my thoughts unfortunately. What did I miss here?"

Mally smiled. "That's the last survivors of Hatta's old clan. The Hightopp clan was thought to have been killed on Horvendush day but they weren't! He didn't know nothin about it though till now. And only because Alice snapped him out of his dark mood. He's been hopeless without her ever since she left." Emily raised her brows and mouthed 'oh'.

She had no clue what Horvendush day meant but it couldn't have been pleasant if 'survivors' was being used. That was something worth celebrating though. Emily was startled a bit as the white rabbit, Nivens if she remembered correctly, hopped up and down a bit with impatience.

"We really should be going. The Queen is expecting us by morning to begin preparations for the celebrations. There's clothes to be fitted, food to be cooked, and equipment for our entertainers to set up!"

The light bulb went off in Emily's head just then. That's why they'd been brought here. Brett, Gerry and she were meant to be the musical entertainment. But why couldn't they have gotten people from their own world? They mystery continues.

And she blanched a bit internally. Queen. If she felt lacking in etiquette now, however would she face a monarch? She couldn't risk offended the one person that was most likely to provide all the answers she and her friends sought.

The red haired man turned at the harried rabbits words. "Celebrations! Yes! Yes indeed! We mustn't dilly or dally! To the White Queen's castle at once! We should be able to get half way to Marmoreal by nightfall." His smile was wide and Emily noticed a slight gap between his front teeth. He seemed very sweet but his lisping speech still held the hint of a mind half gone.

His large eyes fell upon Emily and her friends, noticing them for the first time. "Oh! Who might the three of you be?"

Brett stepped forward first with outstretched hand. Warily getting between Emily and this Mad Hatter character. "I'm Brett Davidson. I believe I have been told they call you the Mad Hatter?"

The colorful pale man looked down at Brett's hand before shaking it vigorously. "That's right. I am Tarrant Hightopp, honorary hatter for the Queen and otherwise known simply as the Mad Hatter." His emerald eyes turned to Gerald next as did his enthusiastic handshake. When his unique gaze fell upon Emily she saw the open kindness in them and felt a little more at ease for a moment.

Before she could provide her name for him, he randomly posed a question to her.

"Have you any suggestions for words that begin with the letter M?"

Before her family fell apart, Emily used to play a game with her mother where each would choose a letter and the other would have to form a sentence using as many words beginning with that letter as they could. Emily's soft smile fell at the painful memory.

That was before her father began to drink too much. Before her mother lost whatever it was within her that made her larger than life.

The last time she'd seen her mother; she'd kissed Emily on the cheek and whispered into her ear.

'Never let anyone steal your muchness and your light. Promise me dear heart.'

"Muchness…"

Emily hadn't meant for her voice to sound so sad; her mother had committed suicide shortly after Emily left. The loss of her own muchness apparently too much to bear.

The Hatter's eyes softened a bit. Recognizing the look behind Emily's eyes and understanding it somehow for what it was. He took her hand into his larger one gently. The long nimble fingers tinged slightly at the tips with a pinkish hue. The skin around his eyes darkening slightly to a mauve color. More subdued from the vibrant pink from before.

"A wonderful word m'lady. And your name?" Emily looked into his eyes and saw understanding. She saw the madness, the sorrow from before, the fear of more sorrow to come.

"Emily Roberts." His gap toothed smile brightened once more.

"Emily. What a lovely name. Like the poet!"

Emmy chuckled. "Yes, like the poet. My mother held a great fondness for literature; which she eagerly passed on to me."

Gerry piped up at the moment; choosing to tease her slightly about the middle name she was omitting in her story. "Yeah. Her mum loved literature so much, she named the poor girl Emily Lenore."

Brett chuckled and quoted the famous poem quietly. "For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore."

Emily felt her cheeks redden slightly. She had never really agreed with that line's claims when being applied to her. "I don't know about all that nonsense. But it was the name my dear mother bestowed up on me."

Hatter smiled kindly down at her. "It is lovely. I do rather hope you avoid trouble with bothersome ravens in the future though." He squeezed her hand slightly before letting it go and returning to stand nearer to Alice.

Alice spoke kindly but the words still stung Emily a bit. "I didn't think you would be familiar with Poe's works Miss Roberts. Your speech, begging your pardon, is quite plebian. And your accent most peculiar."

Emily smirked a bit. "No ma'am. I've read my share of great literature. As for my accent." She chuckled a bit here. "It isn't nearly as bad as some of my other southern counterparts. I travelled a great bit and it seemed to soften the twang over the years."

The Hightopps simply stood back and enjoyed the show. Thoroughly enjoying watching other people interact after their long isolation.

At this point Nivens began ushering everyone towards the path in the trees of Tulgey Wood. Emily and her two companions began conversing with the Hightopp clan, trying to subtly learn a bit more about the customs of this new place before facing the Queen.

Hatter fell into step with Alice behind the rest of the entourage.

His voice soft. "I've missed you Alice. I thought you had surely forgotten me again. But here you are." He smiled down at her brightly once more. But he noticed her hesitation when meeting his gaze.

"Hatter…there's something I must tell you." She lifted her left hand and there on her finger was a thin golden band with a modest diamond set in the middle. Hatter felt himself dim at the sight.

His emotions had never really been clear, even to him, concerning his dear Alice. Whether he loved her romantically or merely felt like a doting brother. He had never had the chance or the time given him to sort it out.

"I've married Hatter. A wonderful man. We have the most beautiful little boy. And for that reason I must warn you now." She placed her hand tenderly upon his arm. "I will be leaving after these festivities are completed. I'm a mother now and my son needs me. My husband needs me."

She looked up into his dulled green eyes, yellow slowly bleeding in to replace it. For a moment, the nineteen year old girl she had been shone through. A soft smile. The golden locks that framed her face and refused to be confined by her matronly bun.

"I've grown older, my most treasured friend. I've had many adventures since leaving Wonderland and have found the most fulfilling adventure of all. A family to call my own and someone to devote my entire heart to. As he has for me."

She stopped them in the middle of the path. The others continuing on without pause.

Hatter felt confused. Almost lost. Where did that leave him now? She had broken her promise…

He was brought from the brink of an internal rant by the feel of Alice's delicate arms wrapped endearingly around his frame.

"I hope that you are able to find the same Tarrant. I truly hope for that with all my heart. And I hope that you can forgive me." She looked up at him. His Alice looked up at him with those stormy blue eyes he'd seen in his mind a thousand times over, and smiled. He now noticed the slight lines of age upon her features.

"You will always be my dearest friend, and most beloved brother. For you are truly the closest family I have ever known since my father passed."

In his fractured mind, it clicked finally. She wasn't discarding him. She loved him in her own way, as he loved her. But they were family, not paramours. And in his heart, he felt that this was truly more fitting for them. But part of him still felt deeply wounded.

She had been gone for so long. Leaving him here with a promise to return. The only reason she had come back now was because she'd been brought. She'd moved on, without him. And in some ways that was worse than if she had forgotten about him and Underland.

Despite this, his eyes returned to their vibrant green as his spirit lifted. This was how it should be for him and his little Alice. Let these dark feelings be pushed aside until a later time. Right now, it was too joyous of a time to be dour.

Tarrant looked down upon her and gave her a small peck upon the forehead before continuing down the path.

"Tell me of your son. Is he terribly naughty? And your husband? Does he wear sensible hats?"

Alice laughed lightly. Relieved that he seemed to be taking this so well. She had felt such guilt for the longest time for breaking her promise to him. "My son is very well mannered, but he does take after me with roaming adventures in the backyard and a passion for fairytales. As for my husband; his name is Richard Davidson, and he is the most caring individual I've ever met. Aside from you, of course."

AN: Well…..I know I have a zillion other stories I should be revising and updating but….yeah….this was refusing to leave my brain….so….ahem.

A new half-hazard idea to add onto the pile of not-really-thought-out-half-started stories…sigh.

I promise. I WILL update my other stories and WILL be going back and completely re-doing my pirates fic.

I understand the importance of a pre-thought out and written down story outline…but do I have the gumption to sit down and think a story all the way through before writing it? No. I don't. Because I'm stubbornly lazy. Or insane. Pick your poison. Lol.