Alice and What Came After – The Extras

Disclaimer: Nada. Just me, myself, and my demented mind.

Alternate and Deleted Scenes – Chapter Forty-one

This chapter wasn't running very smoothly. So I decided to cut some of the unnecessary conversations and odd bits. Some of them stayed in different forms.

(Before Sarah wakes up – in her hospital room…alternate and deleted bits.)

The following day, Sarah rejoined the world of the living. Connor stayed at her side, holding her hand. It was clear to both Alice and Hatter that it had been something between the twins that pulled Sarah back from the brink of death. Wonderland didn't have the kind of magic the twins did.

Neither Sarah nor Connor talked about it. Hatter didn't ask about how his daughter knew her brother had been shot. He also didn't ask how Connor had pulled her back to life. All he knew—all he cared to know—was that they were still alive.

"Mr. and Mrs. Hatter?"

They looked up from the couch to see the newcomer. Dressed in a stylish suit, Chase Heart finally looked like someone worthy of a title.

"Hello," Hatter said, rising up to shake his hand. "You're… you're the one that carried Sarah up here…"

"Yes, yes I did. I'm Chase Heart, the Duchess of Diamonds' son."

"You look like your father," Alice added, shaking the young man's hand as well. "Where is Jack?"

"My father was executed several days ago. He spoke highly of you, Mrs. Hatter."

Alice smiled at him, a small smile. "I'm sorry for your loss. Jack was a good man despite his flaws."

"We are all flawed to some extent," Chase said. "I would like to apologize for all the pain and suffering that my family has put you through over the years."

"That's not necessary—"

"It is. I had the pleasure of getting to know both your children and I can't believe what my family's greed and lust for power has done to them. This never should have happened. Sarah never should have been shot. I'm very sorry…"

Alice looked up into his face, her hand on his. "It's okay, Chase. Really. Thank you for looking after Sarah. Charlie told me that you took care of her in the woods. Thank you…"

Chase nodded. "If there's anything else… anything at all…"

"No, thank you," Hatter said. "Just…take care of Wonderland."

"Oh, you thought—no. I'm not going into politics. No. I'm going to abdicate my throne, my title. My mother will rule. She has a good, strong heart."

"You are you going to abandon your world?" Hatter asked.

"I don't know yet. I just know I no longer care to be a royal."

"I will send for you when Sarah wakes. I'm sure she'd like to see you," Alice said, smiling at the young man.

"Thank you, Mrs. Hatter."

Chase turned and walked away, leaving the Hatter family alone. Connor and Sarah slept on, their hands locked together. Alice turned to her husband for comfort. Hatter put his good arm around her, pulling her in to his chest.

"Don't worry, Alice. Don't…"

(Alternate and deleted conversation between the Hatters after Sarah wakes – Connor is still out. Sarah has just asked about Connor.)

"Resting." Hatter helped her lay back down. "Your friend Chase was here…"

"He was?" Sarah looked surprised.

He touched her unruly hair. "He was worried about you. Sarah, did we miss something?"

"Miss what?"

Alice looked at her daughter. "With Chase. Are you…?"

"No… NO! I barely know him. He pulled me up a tree after Connor and I were separated. He stayed with me when the Suits came. He would have followed me anywhere. I sent him away."

"So the two of you aren't… a couple?" Alice asked. "Or do you have feelings for him?"

"Mum! I just met him!"

"Jabberwock, we just want to make sure you're happy. If he makes you happy…we don't want to pull you apart," Hatter said, putting his hat on her head. She half-smiled at him as his other hand took Alice's. "I know it may feel like you just met, but I knew the moment I saw your mother—half-dressed, dripping wet—in my shop that she was special. I knew I loved her."

"I'm not you, dad."

"No, that's true. You're half-and-half. You're torn by the two worlds. You always have been. Even as a baby, you were more Wonderlander than Oyster…"

"Dad, really… can we talk about this later? I'm tired."

Hatter gave her a kiss on her forehead. "Rest, little Jabberwock."

Rest she did, albeit with a heavy heart and a troubled mind.