"The clockworks not ticking properly. Why is a raven like a writing deck?"

Blobs of green went up and down moving slowly. Blackness everywhere else. Two stout men pranced around a chair singing, "The sun was shining on the sea, shining with all his might he did his very best to make the billows smooth and bright."

At the word bright the cattle prod was stabbed into Hatter's side again. The electricity burned his skin, and left his sides aching. He screamed. Then they took it out and continued to dance around him.

"But mother Oyster winked her eye and shook her heavy head. She knew too well this was no time to leave her oyster bed." This time the prod want into his neck. Hatter couldn't even open his mouth this time, and blood started down his shirt. He could feel it oozing. Warm and slick.

"But answer there came none. And this was scarcely odd, because, they'd been eaten, every one!" Dee finished the song, "Poor little oysters. Just like your little friend, she'll be sucked dry."

Hatter pulled again at the chair at the mention of Alice and this time Dee swung the stick at his head, "None of that!" Before the stick could hit him though Hatter yelled.

And awoke.

He was sweating, and breathing hard. Gasping Hatter stumbled out of bed. "Just a dream." He said. He went into his bathroom and looked at himself in the mirror. No blood pouring down his neck. No bruises. He felt his ribs, nothing but scars from the original memory of the dream.

Hatter knew it was over. He knew that Dr.'s Dee and Dum were on the other side of the Looking Glass. Probably locked up by Jack Hart. He knew that Alice was perfectly safe at her own apartment right now. Probably fast asleep.

But he couldn't shake the feelings of needing to see her.

*-*-*

The wind blew through the trees. She was standing clutching a purple coat to her chest. She could hear birds, but no Jabbawok Thank God.

Waiting. Waiting. Waiting.

She heard footsteps and turned, "Hatter?" She called. A figure stepped out of the trees.

It was Jack.

"Where's Hatter?"

"Dead."

"Dead?" Alice started to breathe fast, "What?"

Jack stepped toward her, and as he did the sky turned black, "He was caught in the city. He's dead. Now you have to choose me." Jack reached out a pale hand for her and then

Alice awoke. She looked around herself. "Just a dream." She whispered. After a moment of silence she pulled the covers closer to herself, "Hatter is perfectly fine."

Another moment of dark silence. Alice sighed at the ache in her chest. This wasn't going to go away. It never did when she dreamed of Wonderland. The pain stayed there until she saw Hatter.

She glanced at the clock, 4:07 Hatter would be asleep, surely. He'd told her to always call if she needed him no matter the time, but she didn't want to bother him.

Alice made it to 4:09 before throwing the warm blankets aside. No way was she going back to sleep. She might as well get up. The hardwood floors were cold as she slipped into the kitchen. Her phone was sitting on the counter and as she made a cup of tea it glared at her.

"He's sleeping. You don't need to wake him up because you had a bad dream." Alice told herself.

Then it started ringing. In a flash Alice picked it up, already knowing by the ring tone who it was, "Hatter." She breathed.

"Oh. I didn' think you'd be awake." Hatter said, his accent making Alice's heart feel a tad warmer.

"Bad dreams." Alice said truthfully.

"Me too." He said softly.

"Ten minutes?" Alice offered hopefully.

"I'll make tea." He confirmed. She slid the phone shut, already smiling and grabbed some shoes. Hatter's apartment was only a 2 minute walk away.

A/N More fluffy goodness! I can't help myself with these two. They're just so... well, I don't have the words to describe it, but you're reading this so you must know what I mean. If you want more, hit the button below :-) Sorry! Had to re-upload this one. I accidently uploaded half of it, lol