What might've happened if Jack hadn't interrupted Hatter and Alice's "almost kiss"…..
DISCLAIMER: DON'T OWN, ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO SYFY!!! =P
Big Thanks to BlueNewt113 for proofreading this for me!!! I uploaded this at 3am when I was half asleep and didn't realize that I made that many mistakes. =)
And now I present for your viewing pleasure….. "Your Luck Is Finally Changing"
Hatter returned to the fortress a few hours after ordering Dormie to take his message to Caterpillar. Hatter returned to find Charlie fast asleep in his hammock and Alice nowhere to be found.
'Where'd she go this time?' Hatter thought to himself as he approached Charlie.
He leant down so that he was right by Charlie's ear.
"Charlie!" he called.
Charlie, surprised, fell out of his hammock and onto the ground, but quickly leapt to his feet to face Hatter.
"You're supposed to be looking after Alice." Hatter replied, his back to Charlie.
Charlie grasped his teddy bear in his hands, "now, I know what you're thinking; but I wasn't sleeping. I simply let my soul lift up out of its mortal shell to watch over things from a higher plane."
Hatter closed his eyes, still not facing Charlie. 'Dear God, here he goes rambling while Alice could've been taken away by the suits while he sat here singing in his sleep.'
Hatter turned around to face Charlie with a straight face, "Where's Alice?"
"Uh-ummm, she said something about taking a walk to get a better view of things, she couldn't have been gone longer than a few minutes."
Hatter patted Charlie on the shoulder, "Charlie, maybe you should lie back down, I think that fall might've knocked a few screws loose. I'm gonna go and find Alice and be back in a jiffy."
Charlie smiled and rushed back to his hammock not caring what Hatter had just said to him and fell right back to sleep.
Hatter shook his head and went to find Alice.
While he wandered aimlessly through the woods, he thought of the past few days. Before Ratty brought Alice to him, he was running a teashop, as a double agent, not a care in the world except for himself. Now, he was on the run from the Hearts, Dodo and Mad March. However, Mad March's sudden resurrection had puzzled him, maybe puzzled was the wrong word, more like terrified him.
Something was changing him though. He never used to care so much about what was going on. But now, it was like he had something to make him care, someone to make him care. He felt crushed though; he risked his neck to help her out. Hell, he even broke into The Hearts Casino to save her from the queen, only to find out that she still didn't trust him. She was still choosing Jack over him.
What did Jack do for her? Lead her into a trap is what he did.
Hatter's thoughts stopped there as he reached the top of a hill and found Alice standing there gazing out towards the horizon.
'Wow.' Was all he could think.
She looked over at him with a blank stare.
He quickly jogged the rest of the way up the hill towards her.
"Good news, the resistance wants to help. There sending a special agent that will take us to see Caterpillar." He smiled to try and cheer her up.
He quickly turned to gaze back at the hill he'd just scaled and pretended to breathe heavily, "whew, that's-that's quite a –that's quite a steep hill."
He noticed that she still hadn't said anything.
He smiled again, "you ok?"
She looked him over several times before replying, "I was beginning to think you weren't coming back."
He shifted back and forth looking her in the eyes.
"You still don't trust me." It came out sounding more like a humorous statement than a straight-forward question.
"How soon til he gets here?" was all she asked.
He looked away somewhat hurt, "those guys can move pretty fast when they need to."
They both looked down toward the valley where the resistance hid.
"You're gonna join them aren't you?" Alice asked.
He felt her staring at him, "Fight along side of them?"
"I have to try. As Dodo's said, I've lived my life playing both sides of the court."
He turned to her, "I made the Hearts think I was working for them, while I fed their enemies. Those days, are over." He looked back down toward the valley.
Alice continued to stare at him.
He jumped as if jilted out of a dream, "Well, come on, can't stand here all day, they'll be coming soon."
"Yeah, yeah. Let's head back towards the fortress."
They were both silent the whole way back as if they both sensed each other's discomfort.
Hatter noticed Alice slow down after he had walked a bit ahead of her and turned to stop.
She kept rubbing her right arm, as if she had damaged it or something.
"What's the matter?" Hatter asked concerned.
"What'll I do?"
Hatter rocked back and forth on his heels looking up and down at her, 'what's she trying to say?' he thought.
"If I get stuck here?"
Hatter moved closer towards her as if he couldn't hear her. He looked her straight in the eyes, compassion clear on his face. "Then, I'll make sure your okay."
He was unconsciously holding her in his arms, as he leaned in towards her.
'This is it,' he thought, 'I'll prove to her that I'm trustworthy.'
"I think your luck is finally changing." He muttered as he leaned in and kissed her on the lips.
He was surprised that she had even returned his kiss. It was a soft, yet passionate kiss. It did not even matter that they had only known each other for a week.
'This is what love feels like?' Hatter thought, having never tried any of the emotions he sold in the teashop.
However, like all good things, it didn't last long, as they heard a person clear their voice. They quickly broke apart and stared at the perp.
It was Jack.
'Dammit! Hatter thought. 'What's he doing here?'
"Yes, your luck it is….Hello, Alice. I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" He smiled.
Hatter wanted nothing more that second than to royally kick Jack's ass. 'Actually you were, you dumbass.'
Hatter stepped in front of Alice, putting his hand out to protect her.
That's when the two of them noticed Charlie tied up on the ground coming to.
"I know what you're thinking, "how could anyone sneak up on me?" of all people, and in my own manor too."
Hatter ignored Charlie, picked up a sturdy branch and ran towards Jack, who was wielding Charlie's sword.
"You think you can take me with that?" Jack taunted.
"I'm not an old man." Hatter replied, ready to strike at any moment.
"Oi!" Charlie called from the ground offended.
Suddenly, Alice came running between the two of them, "Look, no one is fighting unless it is me. I'm a black belt, remember?"
"Who's your friend?" Jack asked insulting Hatter's presence.
"Just a friend." Alice replied.
'That really hurt, Alice.' Hatter thought, as he felt his heart begin to crack. 'Is she seriously going to choose him over me again?'
"Yes, you two look pretty friendly." Jack replied snobbishly.
Alice looked back at Jack wanting to hit Jack for interrupting the kiss, "You jealous, Jack?"
"A little."
"Did I hear that right? A guy who's engaged to a duchess is worried about me?"
"You know that was just an act."
"No, I don't." Alice replied raising her voice ever so slightly.
Jack began to walk away from them, "come, I've brought you a horse."
That was the last straw for Hatter, he charged toward Jack, "She's not going anywhere with you."
Jack smirked, his back to the two of them, "you know she can't stay here."
"Look, stop it both of you." Alice replied gabbing ahold of Hatter.
She looked Hatter in the eyes, "Look, I need to know about my dad."
'Forget about your dad, he's lying! Can't you see that?!?' Hatter wanted to scream.
"Is he here?" Alice replied taking a few steps in Jack's direction.
"Yes," Jack turned to face them, "he's alive and well, and if you let me, I'll take you to him."
Hatter stood shaking his head, staring at Jack with a crazed look in his eyes. 'I swear, if he takes her, I'll kill him.'
"Really?" Alice asked still completely trusting Jack.
'Unbelievable! She still trusts this two-timing weasel, but she still doesn't trust me!' Hatter thought keeping his eyes on Jack.
"But we better get going, we don't have much time." Jack replied.
"Where is he?"
"We're moving him into the city and if we hurry, you can see him by nightfall."
"What do you mean 'moving him?'" Alice replied.
"I have people helping me."
Hatter rushed to Alice's flank, the crazed look still in his eyes, "What people?" he asked angrily.
Jack completely ignored him, still looking at Alice, "Do you want to see him or not?"
Hatter glanced at Alice, 'please say no, don't fall for it.'
"Yes, of course." Alice replied.
'What?!?' Hatter thought, 'You're supposed to say 'Hell no, Jack''
"Right. Wow. Um, ok."
Hatter leaned in front of her, "don't tell me you trust this guy."
Alice looked at him, with that blind look she got when she talked about Jack. "He knows where my dad is."
Hatter pulled Alice towards him, "He's lying to you! He'll say anything to get his hands on the ring!"
Alice shook her head "He hasn't asked about the ring! He doesn't want the ring! Do you Jack?" she turned to face him.
"Yes, I do."
She looked at him in disbelief. "You do?"
Hatter raised his voice, hoping to get through to her, "It's just all an act!"
"We need the ring to get you home." Jack put on his "caring face" "the looking glass won't work without it."
Hatter walked away throwing his hands up in the air, while Alice nodded. "Of course."
Hatter turned around taking a few steps toward Alice, "Don't be fooled by this Alice, he's working for his mother! Blood and water, you remember?"
"Then why am I alone?" Jack countered. "Why aren't there 500 suits at my back and how did I know to find you in the middle of the forest? Think I just followed my nose?"
'Son of a bitch!' Hatter thought as he got up in Jack's face. "How did you find us?"
"You sent for me." Jack replied without lifting his gaze from Alice.
"Come again?" Hatter asked.
"I'm the agent who's supposed to escort you to Caterpillar."
Hatter stumbled back, 'oh God, what've I done?'
"You know Caterpillar?" Alice asked.
"Very well." Jack replied. "Caterpillar recruited me into the resistance, I stole the ring" Jack turned and started to pace away from Alice and Hatter, "hoping to trigger a coup by escaping to your world; but, well, you saw what happened. But if you give us the ring, well, then, we can give it another try."
Hatter stood there, shouting in his head 'Alice, please, please don't give him the ring, let's just run away from here. We can sick the jabberwocky on him if need be.'
"You want to overthrow your mother?"
"I want to stop her before she destroys Wonderland."
Hatter could feel tears welling in his eyes, 'She's gonna leave me, I know it.'
"So who are you going to trust to get you back home? A resistance insider and future king who's already scheduled your return trip through the looking glass, who cares for you more than any one else ion the world?"
'I think I'm gonna be sick.' Thought Hatter.
"Or this man?" Jack finished motioning in disgust toward Hatter.
Alice turned and looked between the two of them.
Hatter looked away in heartbroken defeat and dropped his stick. 'Guess the kiss didn't mean a thing. My charms are no match for his manipulations.' He glanced at Jack and looked away again.
"Where's the ring, Alice?" Jack inquired not even caring that he just ruined a possible relationship.
Alice felt her heart crack realizing she was about to lose her only friend, who could've been much more.
Alice thought for a bit. "It's where it belongs." She replied looking toward the skeleton king.
"Huh." Jack replied as he greedily grabbed the ring from the bony finger.
"Right under my very nose." Charlie replied amusingly.
"Hatter leaned in toward Alice, "I wish you all the luck in the world, Alice."
Alice looked at him in disbelief, "you're coming with us Hatter."
Hatter backed away, "I don't think I figure in the future king's plans."
Hatter scoffed, chocking back tears.
Alice turned to Jack, "He's coming with us."
Jack mused with the ring and stuffed it in his jacket pocket, "the Resistance was very clear, you come on their terms, alone."
"Hatter stood by me!"
"It's for your own good. And for your father's." Jack replied apathetically.
Hatter jumped back towards Alice, and this time she looked at him, "Hey, I wouldn't wanna go with this guy anyway." And walked a few feet away from her.
"What will you do?" She asked worriedly.
Hatter spun around pasting a smile on his face, "Me? You're kidding?" He looked away still smiling, but a look of dread covered his face when he looked back at her.
"Believe me, I'll be fine. Besides," Hatter felt his heart completely break as he finished that sentence, "you're better off with this guy."
He nodded, "Go." And walked away.
Alice stood there, staring at the place he stood for a few moments, remembering their kiss, even as Jack came to her side and literally pulled her towards the horses.
Hatter watched them ride into the valley on his horse musing about the kiss still lingering on his lips."
Something bad was gonna happen, he just knew it, and he would be there to save Alice when it did.
Because in the back of his mind, he knew that Mad March was still out there, waiting, for both of them.
Hey, what'd ya think? Please review!! =)
