A Conversation

"Alice?" Carol asked still in shock, "What's going on? Who is this?"

Alice and Hatter looked at each other and then turned to face Carol.

"Um, well" Alice said. Hatter pressed close to her side. Her hand found his and held tight. He tried to keep the grin off his face.

"Is your name David or … Hatter?" Carol frowned. Who was this man? Alice had never even hugged a man in front of her let alone kissed one. Why had she never heard of him before. What happened to Jack who was so special just last night. "What happened to Jack?"

"My name is David, but everyone calls me Hatter." He held up the black hat in his other hand. Alice looked at him in surprise. "David? Really? You don't look like a David"

When the doorbell rang, Carol opened the door still looking at Alice and Hatter. Still surprised that Alice didn't even know his real name. If it was his real name.

"Hello Alice." Jack stood in the doorway. "I want to talk to you." of course he didn't take his eyes off Alice. "Good afternoon Carol"

Hatter stepped forward frowning, but Alice still had hold of his right hand and squeezed tighter. He stopped and glanced down at her. She flashed her eyes, reminding him where they were and who was going to do any fighting here. He frowned, his eyes making no promises.

"Jack? Will someone please tell me what's going on here?" Carol let go of the door and Jack came in and closed it softly. He walked into the loft, straightening his tie and then put his hands in his pockets. He had planned to hold both hands out to Alice, and she would take them and step into his arms. He hadn't expected Hatter to find her so quickly.

"Alice, please just listen to me. Let me explain." Jack smiled down to her. A smile ruined by a very stiff jaw.

"Jack what are you doing here?" Alice asked. She could feel Hatter's hand tremble. Was in anger or fear? Just how had Hatter gotten here. Was he in some kind of trouble.

"She doesn't have to talk to ya" Hatter said clenching his left fist. It wasn't as good as the right, but it would do for this soft prince. His precious hat fell unnoticed to the floor.

"WHAT is going on?" Carol interrupted, seeing things were about to turn violent and not knowing why. "Alice, start explaining."

"I will mom, in a minute. But first could you go to the store or something. I need…. We need some privacy. Please." Alice quickly glanced at her mom, then back to stare at Jack.

Carol just shook her head, reluctant to leave Alice alone with two obviously angry men.

"Mom? Please. I'll be fine." Alice forced herself to smile.

Jack gave a Carol a quick smile. "Just a little misunderstanding, Carol. Won't take long to straighten out"

Carol sighed and grabbed her keys off the table and opened the door, "Five minutes." She said looking at Alice and went out the door.

"Jack? What are you doing here?" Alice asked, trying to pull Hatter to the sofa and failing to budge him an inch.

"I need to talk to you." He felt his tie again, smoothed the sides of his red jacket. He took a couple steps toward Alice. "Alone."

"Ya have a kingdom to run, yeah? And a Duchess waiting on ya" Hatter asked, slightly stepping in front of Alice. He was afraid. Yes, she jumped in his arms and kissed him. But the last time she'd almost kissed him and still left with Jack.

"I said no. Remember, Jack?" Alice said softly. "I can't be your Queen."

"I know. I know. But it was too soon. Look Alice, I know I messed things up, but I'd like a chance to make it right. A chance to start over, with no lies between us. I really do love you Alice." Jack smiled. After all, he was a King now, he could offer Alice anything she wanted. How could she prefer a scruffy nobody to him.

"Please Alice. All I'm asking is a chance." Jack could do sincerity very well. He wanted Alice and he'd always gotten what he wanted. And she was something he really wanted.

"Don't listen to 'im, Alice! It's just another lie." Hatter sounded desperate even to himself. Alice and Jack were still looking at each other and no one was listening to him. The only thing that gave him hope was the fact that Alice still had tight hold of his hand.

"She said no. Go. Home. Back to ya Duchess." Hatter growled.

"Jack, I…" Alice began.

"Just a chance, Alice. That's all I'm asking." Jack interrupted, smiling at her. The new King smile he'd been practicing all the way here.

"Alice?" Hatter said "Ya said ya trusted me completely, yeah?" Hatter squeezed her hand tightly, afraid she would step toward Jack. He watched her eyes, afraid of what he would see there. He couldn't lose her again.

"I do trust you." Alice looked at Hatter and smiled. "COMPLETELY." She smiled into his eyes.

Hatter started to breathe a little.

"Alice, let me talk to you alone. I need to explain." Jack frowned. This wasn't going at all the way he expected. "This man is not good enough for you. You don't know anything about him. You don't know what he's done"

"No, Jack." Alice smiled "I know all I need to know."

"This man? He has nothing here. No home, no job, no money. He can't stay here. I command him to return to Wonderland." Jack lifted his chin a little higher.

Hatter slumped his shoulders and unclenched his fist. It was true. He couldn't give Alice anything here. Not yet anyway. But he would. He would get her anything she wanted. She had to know that.

"He has me." Alice smiled shyly at Hatter.

"Really?" Hatter looked at her and grinned. "Yeah?"

"I'm not giving up Alice. I can't." Jack said "I love you. You saved Wonderland. You should be Queen. My Queen."

But Hatter was kissing her, hands twisted in her hair and she was kissing him back.

Jack sucked in his breath, "This isn't over Alice" and opened the door. Carol stood there, key in hand.

"Carol." Jack nodded at her. "Watch out for that man. He's dangerous." And he walked out.