Hatter was sitting at his table with Mallymkin and Thackery once more, trying to act normal for their sake. Hatter would start getting depressed and the shadow under his eyes would get a little darker.

"Hatter!" Mallymkin said loudly, catching his mood and forcing him to lift it up again.

"I've been considering words that begin with the letter M." Hatter said, pouring a fresh cup of tea for him and for Alice.

Mallymkin and Thackery looked at each other.

"Can't you think of any?"

"I can. How about Mad, Hatter?"

"Are you implying something Mally?"

"I bet I am."

"Then why imply something so obvious?"

Thackery started laughing hysterically. Hatter smiled.

"Okay, Mally, since you can't seem to answer, let me do the honors." Hatter said and ran right into a rant. But it was a happy rant, so it continued.

"Moron, Mutiny, Murder, mmmm...Malice."

"Tarrant." A sly grin said beside him.

"I do not believe that begins with the letter M."

Cheshire came into full view.

"Ah, Ches, just who I wanted to see. I wanted to apologize for my unruly behavior yesterday."

"All is forgiven, my friend. I came to let you know that the White Queen would like to see you."

"Is something the matter?"

"No, not at all. She would just like a chat with her dear friend."

Hatter smiled at the thought of talking with her. He had wanted to ask her about something. Hatter made his way to the castle and to Mirana, who was in the courtyard.

"How is my dear friend?"

"Not much better, I'm afraid. I have been caught up in that word you used yesterday."
"Which word?"

The White Queen looked confused.

"Love, Your Majesty."

"Ah, love." Mirana smiled. "What is your question?"

"What is love?"

Mirana smiled as she started walking slowly.

"Love, my dear Hatter, is having strong feelings for someone. Having a sensation in your heart that is only felt when you see or feel or even think of her."

"Like...hatred?" asked Hatter. He was confused. That's not at all what he felt.

"A little, but the feeling is often positive, Hatter." Mirana laughed softly.

"Oh, yes. Of course." He laughed a small, somewhat maniacal laugh.

"But-"

"But?"

"Tarrant, don't interrupt."

"Of course. My apologies."

"But, love has much more depth than just a general definition.

Hatter's face twisted into confusion once more.

"Love often has a name. Hatter?"

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"I'm considering a word that begins with the letter A."

Mirana smiled and walked away. Hatter was alone with his thoughts.

"So?" said a disembodied voice beside him. Soon a wide grin came into view.

"What?" Hatter asked.

Cheshire's grin grew wider.

"Does love have a name?"

Hatter softly smiled.

"Yes, I believe it does." Hatter paused and pictured her face. "Her name is Alice."

Cheshire's smile faded away as Hatter began walking through the wood, thinking about Alice and the word love. They fit so well together. It made him smile.

Then he remembered that he may never see her again. His smile quickly faded as he walked back to the table and sat down. Mallymkin took a look at him, and then looked at Thackery. They started giggling.

"What is going on with you two? You're acting so peculiar."

Hatter looked down at Alice's tea cup and it was empty. Hatter froze. Then he heard a warm whisper in his ear.

"Have you any idea why a raven is like a writing desk?"

Her voice was soft as jumped up out of his chair, knocking it over and turning around. He backed up quite a bit more than he had planned. Alice stood right in view.

"Alice! Is it really you?"

Alice said nothing. She just ran and hugged him tightly, never wanting to let him go. Hatter hugged her back, burying his face in her hair.

"Hatter...are you smelling my hair?"

"Perhaps. I don't recall ever smelling anything in my dreams."

"Hatter, it's really me." Alice laughed.

His heart melted. How he had missed the sound of her laugh. Hatter grabbed her hand and took her into his house so they could catch up. They sat on his couch.

"It's been two years. I never stopped waiting, Alice."

Alice smiled.

"So, what is life like up there...in your world?"

"Well, they seem incapable of grasping anything I say. They didn't believe me when I told them about Wonderland. They sent me back early on a different ship, afraid I had gone mad."

She kept on talking while Hatter grasped the new features on her face. She was thinner than he remembered. Her face had aged quite a bit. Her hair was much shorter than when she was here last. Her eyes had faded. They were not the chocolate brown he remembered. Instead, they looked like a cup of tea that had been watered down a bit too much.

"Hatter?"

"Sorry." He smiled.

"Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing at all. I just realize that you look a little different."

"That's what a couple of years overseas will do to you." Alice said softly, smiling.

"May we go see the Queen tomorrow morning? I would very much like to see her."

"Of course."

There was no talking for a little while. Hatter had Alice running through his mind. Her beauty was unsurpassable. Her lips, he suddenly wanted to put his on hers.

"Has this been done before?" Hatter thought.

"Has what been done before?"

"Did I say that out loud? How silly of me." Hatter laughed quietly, but hysterically.

Alice laughed. She had missed his laugh.

"You look very tired, my dear. You must get some sleep." Hatter said.

"I only just got here. I want to talk more."

"Anything for you." Hatter smiled.

"Hmmm...I have a riddle for you Hatter."

"What might that be?" Hatter asked, curiously.

"What goes up and never comes down?"

Hatter thought for a moment, discarding it after a bit.

"I've missed you Alice."

"I've missed you too Hatter. More than you can imagine." Alice said, laying her head on his shoulder.

But what if Hatter didn't like her that way? Would he grin and bear it or would he tell her? Hatter just sat there talking away, unbothered by her touch.

"Thoughts of you not being here drove me mad."

Did she like him? Was she sending him a sign, or was she tired? He didn't want to take it seriously if it wasn't to be taken that way. She started falling asleep. He wasn't sure how to grab her. With an animal, you grab under their feet to pick them up. That certainly wasn't the way to pick Alice up. She was much too big for that. After much time of debating, Hatter decided to put an arm under her legs and one under her shoulders. He carried her over to his bed and laid her down on one side.

He covered her up and walked over to the couch, lying down with a small pillow and blanket. He lay there thinking that life could not get any better. The girl he dreamed about every night was finally here. She was home.