Author's Note: For this story I'm using a lot elements from the movie but I'm twisting it to suit my own needs. So not everything will exact and some parts will change while others will remain the same. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own nothing. All rights belong to Joss Whedon and Tim Burton (and Lewis Carroll)

***

After all these years one would think the taste of tea would turn sour, yet it remained just as sweet as it had thirteen years ago when she first came to Underland. It was clear no one thought that she would leave such a lasting impression on the people of Underland. Even he had not expected for his heart to grow so fond of the young blond. Yet there was not a day that passed when his rather mad mind did not think of the girl he let go. But Frabjous day was approaching; Alice Kingsley would be returning to slay the jabberwocky.

***

"But Alice can't be gone!" shrieked the White Rabbit. "Who will slay the jabberwocky?"

Buffy Summers just stood there, unsure of what was going on. She still held on to the idea that this was a dream, and that any minute now, Willow would come and wake her up. The idea of being sucked into another dimension, after seeing both heaven and hell, was not at the top of her to-do list.

"Listen, I'm all for the slaying, but if you'll just point me in the right direction or maybe get the alarm working, I'll be on my way."

"You stupid girl," drawled Absolem. "You still think this is a dream. Look around Hardly Alice, could you ever imagine something as stunning as Underland.

Before Buffy could step forward and squish the insulting caterpillar a great rumble began to make the forest floor shake.

"Run!" shouted the dormouse. "It's the bandersnatch!"

Before Buffy even had a chance to ask what a bandersnatch was she was being urged forward by the two bald, fat boys.

"What's your name?" she shouted over the roar of what she assumed was the bandersnatch.

"I'm Tweedle Dee and he's Tweedle Dum," replied the one.

"Contrary wise I'm Tweedle Dum and he's Tweedle Dee," replied the other before they both ducked into the cover of the mushrooms. Out of the corned of her eye Buffy saw a group of playing cards capture the White Rabbit and the dodo bird. Now she was running alone as she watched the dormouse leap into a rotting log.

Now that Buffy could see the bandersnatch she had to admit, it was at least a seven on the big-bad-o-meter.

"But I've faced solid tens before," she muttered. Skidding to a halt Buffy stopped and waited as the bandersnatch approached.

The slobbering beast stopped inches from Buffy and roared.

"Ew, ever heard of breath mints? Or do they not have those in Wonderland?"

In response the bandersnatch swiped at Buffy, leaving long angry red marks on her arm and tears in her sleeve.

"You stupid bandofsnatchers, this shirt was new. You guys better have a mall here."

Before she had a chance to strike back the dormouse was on the head of the shirt-ruining beast. Plunging its tiny sword into the eye of the beast it pulled it out with a quiet pop. "Run!" the mouse ordered. She ran.

***

When Buffy finally stopped only the Tweedles were left by her side. After all of this she was slowly coming to accept that maybe this wasn't a dream. They came to stop at a fork in the road.

"Which way?" Buffy asked, pointing to the gnarled sign.

"East to Queast," Tweedle Dum pointed. Or maybe it was Tweedle Dee.

"No," the other Tweedle argued (Buffy had no way of telling the two apart), "South to Snud."

"And Giles said I butchered the English language," Buffy muttered. Wonderland, or Underland or whatever it was called seemed to have a language all its own. It was mildly frustrating but Buffy realized she put Giles through this almost daily. A small moment of home sickness washed over Buffy. She'd only been gone a day or so and she already missed Sunnydale.

Before she and the Tweedles could settle on a direction a giant bird swooped down from the sky. With her enhanced slayer speed Buffy ducked and rolled out of the way. The Tweedles weren't as lucky. Before Buffy could reach them, the Tweedles were carried off by the creepy bird.

"I've had just about enough of this," she huffed as she began walking. "First the shirt-ruining banderwhatever and then big bird flies off with my only guides. The PTB must be laughing their heads off at this. I'm so sick of being their butt-monkey."

"Might I ask what a butt-monkey is? I don't believe I've had the pleasure of meeting one."

Buffy could hear the voice clearly as if the person who had spoken was right beside her, but when she turned she found herself alone. "Great now I'm hearing things. This all seems like something out of Dr Seuss."

"I have never mett Dr Seuss either. Is he new to Underland?"

Buffy turned on her heel again and this time came face to face with a blue and purple striped cat. And it smiled at her. "I didn't know cats could smile."

"They can't," it replied smugly. And then its smile seemed to grow bigger. "And who are you?"

"Buffy."

"Not Alice?"

"That seems to be up for debate. Could you possibly show me the way out of here? I'd like to go back to Sunnydale."

"Unless Underland has expanded without my knowledge, there is no such place as Sunnydale."

"And you're sure there's no chance that Underland, or Wonderland, has expanded without your knowledge?" Buffy asked hopefully.

"I'm afraid it's highly unlikely." The cat's grin widened and it floated and rested gently on a tree branch. "You should really have that looked at." Buffy must have looked confused because the Cheshire cat clarified. "You're arm. If you don't have that purified it will putrefy. That would be... unfortunate."

"And how would I go about purifying the scratches?" she asked.

"Why I could do it. All I need to do is lick the scratches." If it was even possible (and Buffy was starting to believe just about anything was) the cat's smile grew, stretching from ear to ear.

Buffy took a step back. "I think I'll pass. You're giving me the wiggins. Besides, Buffy and just about any living creature don't mix. So run along kitty cat."

"But without me who will show the way?" he teased smugly. "Underland can be very confusing and without a guide, I do fear you would become utterly lost."

"And what would you want in exchange for you guidance?" Buffy asked as she quirked her eyebrow, already starting to understand how the cat's mind worked.

"Nothing. At least, not yet. If I should ever need favour I wouldn't hesitate to ask. And in return you wouldn't hesitate to help me."

"Fine. Show me the way to.... well, anywhere I guess."

"I'll take you to the Hatter and the Hare. I'm sure you'll find them to be wonderful company."

"I somehow doubt that," she muttered under her breath.

The Cheshire cat disappeared from in front of Buffy. Just as Buffy started to panic he reappeared where the hill crested. "Well? Are you coming?"

"Not like I have a choice," she huffed. "Seems I'm stuck here until Willow can find a way to get me back home." She paused as a thought occurred to her. "That is, if they know I'm missing."

"Come along, we don't have all day," the cat chastised as it flicked its tail impatiently.

"I'm coming you freak of nature. Don't get your tail in a knot." Buffy started moving, swatting at the natural wildlife and wishing she'd been wearing more sensible shoes when she'd been transported to Wonderland. "I hope Willow finds me soon."

***

Review! The Mad Hatter will appear in the next chapter and more about the Buffy/Alice connection will be revealed.