Authors Note: Sorry it took so long guys! Its been a long week and I wanted to get this chapter right =)

Returning Home

Alice stole a quick glance at Tarrant before Mally reached the top of the stairs, his eyes had returned to their normal green. She blushed at the realization why they had changed when she was holding

his face. If she remembered properly, they only changed when he was angry or…aroused in some fashion.

"Hatter, where've you-", the small dormouse skidded to a halt at the top of the steps. First surprise, then utter annoyance crossed her features once her eyes landed on Alice. She folded her arms, "Well, well, so you've finally come back".

Mally had always been a little possessive of Hatter, and visibly jealous of Alice and his relationship.

"Of course she's here Mally", the Hatter said patiently, he turned to Alice, "Mirana has been telling everyone for ages to be expecting you on this very day, it is told in the Oraculum!"

"Yes Absalom said it was," Alice bent down towards Mally, "Really now Mallyumkun, are you that disappointed to see me?" She asked sweetly.

"Don't fool yourself, love", she spoke arrogantly, nose in the air, "just a little surprised teh see yeh is all". Alice was not entirely convinced this was the truth.

"So Mally what was it that you were calling me for?" asked the Hatter, breaking the tension.

"Cheshire is slinking in the yard, said somethin' bout a delivery to the castle", she said shrugging her tiny shoulders.

For a second, the Hatter looked confused, but his confusion was almost immediately replaced with terror. "Oh!", he jumped backward trying to shield whatever was hung on the wire mannequin,

throwing out his arms. Alice attempted to peek, but he mirrored her move, blocking her view.

"Mally, why don't you take Alice down for some afternoon tea, and send Cheshire up for me wont you?" he asked anxiously.

"I aint her servant!" shouted Mally brandishing her tiny sword, Alice rolled her eyes.

Hatter gave her a stern look. She sighed, sheathing her sword, "Alright, come on", Mally headed down the steps. Alice threw the Hatter a humorous look as she followed her. He was still hiding the said "delivery" from view, but he smiled, "Run along now, I'll be down to join you two shortly," he said as he tipped is hat at her.

"What's he up to", she thought.

Alice and Mally walked outside to find Cheshire floating along the tea table, looking rather bored.

"Hello Cheshire!" Alice called. He turned abruptly as a wide grin stretched across his feline face.

"Ah Alice, welcome back, "he purred, "I have missed your mischief since you've left, its been rather boring here". He disappeared suddenly, and then reappeared next to Alice's shoulder.

"I suppose that's a good thing, it's great to be home again", Alice sighed in content. "Oh, Hatter wants to see you upstairs. What are you two up to?" she asked, peering at him.

"Private business you see", he said floating towards the door, "I'm afraid I cannot share such official information". Alice pursed her lips.

"We will catch up in due time, my fair-haired snoop", and with that he vanished.

"Well now this is making me far too curious, Mally do you know what this is all about?" Alice turned and saw Mally glaring up at her. She thought her attitude was a little more sour than usual, and she was going to find out why.

"Honestly Mally, what's the matter with you? When I left here it was on good terms, I'm surprised, and admittedly a little hurt", Alice stared down at her tiny figure, brows furrowed.

The dormouse continued to glare back stubbornly. She turned and hopped up onto the table, settling herself on top of a teapot, "Sit", she commanded. Alice did as she was told and took the seat directly in front of her. Mally glanced once at the door to the windmill, and her face fell into a defeated look. Her small, red eyes met Alice's, "Alice I'm not angry you've returned…" Alice sat listening

patiently, "…I've been angry that you left. Hatter wasn't the same for a while you know…he was different. He's only just been acting himself these last few months, especially after the Queen

announced you would be returning soon". Her voice was soft and sad and Alice felt a sharp stab of guilt at her words. She had no choice but to leave, he had understood her, hadn't he?

"We all missed you Alice, including me, "she added quickly, "but it wasn't nothin' compared to Hatter…he hardly ever took tea".

Alice's mouth fell open, "Hardly taking tea!?", she thought for a moment how silly it must sound, to be worried over lack of interest in tea, but this was Hatter. She leaned in closer, "I am so sorry I've

caused him pain. I had to leave. There was my mother, and Margaret to take care of. I couldn't have left them standing there, I would have worried them to death. I never plan on leaving again Mally. You see… my mothers' passed away and Margaret is happily busy with family life. Business is completed. I'm home now, and I'm not going anywhere, as much as that might annoy you", she added with a smirk.

Mally looked up and returned a smile. Sliding down off of the teapot, she held out her small hand, "You have to promise, I wont put up with not having my tea regularly", she said warningly. Alice laughed and shook her hand with her fingers, "I promise".

Alice felt relief that their friendship had been reinstated, but she couldn't shake the terrible guilt that was still clawing at her. She had hoped secretly that Tarrant had missed her, but not enough to become depressed, her stomach lurched at the thought. Alice decided that she would investigate; she could not pretend that Mally's words had not disturbed her. His pride may be at risk, so she will be as subtle as possible.

Alice's thoughts were interrupted as Tarrant came strolling out the front door, Ceshire was nowhere in sight.

He headed towards the two of them," Now where were we?"

The three of them chatted until the sky turned purple, and tiny stars began to appear. All of the tea had been drunk, and the food trays were empty. Alice's face actually ached from smiling; she couldn't remember how long it had been since she'd laughed so much in one afternoon. She had attempted, once more, to inquire about this special delivery Cheshire was making to the castle, but he was too

quick, sidetracking her by asking questions about her travels. Alice thought she'd give up for the night, she would eventually catch him off guard.

Mally let out a loud yawn, "Alright then, time to settle down for the night". She slid sleepily off of the table.

"Are you staying here Mally?" asked Alice.

"Got my own place over the hill, about a hop" another yawn, "skip and a jump away. G'night Hatter… Alice", she slowly made her way toward the hill just beyond the house.

Alice felt rather exhausted herself, it had been a long day and she had never slept last night. Though she wished the night could last forever, she would have the rest of her days to enjoy the company and beauty of Underland.

"The moon is full tonight." said Hatter, looking thoughtfully up at the round, white orb, "It seems everything is complete today, in a sense", he smiled at her. Alice laid her hand on his, her heart began to pick up, this is the first time they'd been alone again since this morning.

"I missed you Tarrant, it wasn't an easy thing, staying away so long", a guilty creature battled with the butterflies in her stomach.

"I was going to try and visit you, you know", he said abruptly, looking down, hiding his face.

"I didn't know how I would find you, but there were times that I walked half way to Marmoreal to seek out the Queen, when I realized…I had no idea what I was going to say when I saw you", he laughed nervously, still avoiding her eyes, "Or if my visit would have been welcomed", he said the last part in a whisper.

Alice's heart sang, he had actually missed her enough to try and come to her world. His confession gave her courage, "I wanted to come back so badly Hatter. At times I would close my eyes and imagine that I was sitting right here, with you. Oh, and the dreams I had! There was so many, every night in fact, sleeping was always something I looked forward to all these years", she said with a smile.

"All these years…" he repeated, finally meeting her gaze. They stared at each other, his green eyes showed brilliantly through the dark shadow of his hat.

"If it were possible, it seems that you've grown even more beautiful Alice". He moved closer to her, raising his hand to her face.

She began to feel dizzy, and her eyes couldn't focus on any one thing. She felt like she was falling…

Wait she was falling, sideways off of her chair. She felt him catch her just as her hair brushed against the grass. She was never the fainting type, "Perfect Alice, you bloody wimp", she thought as her

vision came back into focus, his eyes were full of worry.

"I must be a little more tired than I anticipated" she said, embarrassed. He giggled at her obvious disappointment.

"Time for bed", and with that he scooped her up, walking towards the windmill. The heat from his body felt nice against the brusque night air. She cautiously laid her head on his chest where she could hear his heart beating.

"What terrible timing", she mumbled sleepily. That seemed to be the repeating theme for the day, first Mally, and now this. He carried her through the first floor and onto the next, pulling down the attic stairs and bringing her into the cozy bedroom, filled with sewing supplies and discarded hats.

He laid her on the bed softly, being careful not to jostle her. His careful touches awakened her enough to reach for his arm as he twitched up the blankets.

"Thank you Tarrant", she whispered, eyes half closed. He looked down at her, searching her face for something. He bent closer, hesitated, and then ever so gently, brushed his lips against hers.

Her eyes popped open, wide-awake now. She was about to reach up to him when he put his mouth to her ear, "Sweet dreams Alice", and without another look at her, he blew out the candle on side of the bed, and left the room, closing the staircase with a soft click.

She sat up on her elbows staring at the floor where the stairs where hidden, feeling a million different emotions at once.

She flopped back onto the pillow, a wide grin spread on her face. She was delighted, tickled pink, but slightly disappointed at his retreat.

"He kissed me", she thought in astonishment.

She pulled the covers over her face, as if to hide her secret delight from any prying eyes. Sighing in complete bliss, she turned over to stare at the moon through the window.

"He must feel something, even if it is a little something…He had never done it before…He kissed me…"

"And it was lovely", she finished her last thought out loud, as she closed her eyes and drifted into a deep sleep.