Twins of Wonderland – Chapter III – Trouble Making Hatter, Meet Trouble Magnet Connor
A/N: So, here we are at chapter three! I'm really happy because Connor and Hatter finally meet. And, I'm already planning the prequels to this (Twins of Wonderland: Connor's Story and Twins of Wonderland: Hatter's Story). They won't be posted in the crossover section because the prequels will focus more on Hatter and Connor individually. Don't expect them to be posted for a long while though. This story has to be finished first. Fair warning, THE PREQUELS WILL BE RATED M. They'll be rated M for lots of things – just no lemons. Promise. I've also got the sequel in planning and a few companion fics. ToW has completely swept me up. Sneaky Hatters.
Also, I apologize profusely for taking so long. Real life turned into a pain in the ass and I've been job hunting. Oh, and I've got a schedule hashed for writing. I should have the next chapter sent to my Betas by the 15th. And this chapter is currently unbeated. I'll replace it with the betaed version as soon as It'sOnlyForver and NightlyRains are done with it.
One more thing: Happy Independence Day!
Summary: We all know that there's a certain Mad Hatter who happens to look exactly like a young paleontologist (who works for a secret government organization, but that's another story). Who's to say they're not related? Cousins, second cousins thrice removed…or maybe…twins.
Rating: T
Warnings: -insert witty remark here-
Betas: The amazingly patient It'sOnlyForever and NightlyRains.
Word Count: 1,760
UPDATE (1/21/12): This is the nice and shiny BETAed version of chapter III. Many thanks to It'sOnlyForever, because not only has she BETAed this chapter, she is currently providing major help on the next one. See you soon!
The whole time they were in the van, Hatter point blank refused to let go of Alice's hand. The woman who was driving (she had introduced herself as Abby Maitland) hadn't done anything to show she had an inclination to start shooting at them, but he still didn't trust her (or any stranger) as far as he could he throw her. And he was getting tired of her constantly looking at him. Alice had told him it was because he looked pretty much identical to her friend but that didn't stop it form being annoying. Or creepy. Or paranoia inducing. Hatter frowned and turned toward Alice. She squeezed his hand and sent him a smile. "Relax and be nice, Hatter. They're good people."
Hatter sighed and asked, "Are we almost there?"
Abby answered, "Just about. Shouldn't be much longer. I know Cutter wants to talk to you both."
"Cutter?"
"Our team leader. Recently, a lot of people have been mistaking Connor for someone else – he thinks they might be mistaking him for you. He's worried."
Hatter raised an eyebrow, "Worried about who he could be mixed up with?"
"Sort of. He's got a bad habit of writing off how badly he gets hurt." Abby's eyes flicked into the rearview mirror, and Hatter and Alice both saw the worry and frustration reflected in her eyes. Hatter shared an amused glance with Alice.
"So," Hatter said, "You love 'im?"
Abby jerked, "Connor! He's my best mate!"
Hatter smirked, 'Well, this is interesting' He looked over at Alice and grinned; she rolled her eyes and gave him an exasperated look, though the effect was ruined by the suspicious upward tilt of her lips. That, and Hatter could read people – especially Alice. He knew she was more then likely thinking the same thing he was. What was that saying she liked so much? 'Denial isn't just a river in Egypt.' Personally, Hatter thought it fit rather well.
"Well, here it is," Abby said.
Hatter and Alice looked out the window to look at the large building. To Hatter, it appeared to be made of windows. Abby unlocked the doors and jumped out of the van. Alice got out behind her and raised an eyebrow at Hatter. Reluctantly, he climbed out of the van and together, he and Alice walked up to Abby, who was talking to a man with long blonde hair.
"-sprained his ankle running up the escape. Becker dragged him off to the infirmary to get it checked out," The statement was followed by and exasperated eye roll from Abby.
"Honestly," she said, "I'm going to sic Rex on him."
The man chuckled and shook his head, "Come on. They should be back by now, and the sooner we go deal with Lester, the sooner we can let these poor people get on with their lives."
Hatter felt his eyebrow go up. "Anyone mind explaining what's goin' on? Not knowing is getting a little annoying, yeah?"
Abby snorted and bit her lip while the man smirked. It was the man who answered Hatter, "Well explain once Connor and Becker are with us. Less confusion, and unfortunately, less annoyance for Lester."
Hatter and Alice shared a look. Whoever this Lester person was, he apparently wasn't well liked by the team of…whatever they were. They still hadn't explained that. Reluctantly, he followed Abby and the sarcastic man into the large glass building, and sincerely hoped that he and Alice would be out and gone soon.
By the time Becker and the doctor let him out the infirmary, Connor was ready to go back to bed. The alarm went off at an ungodly hour (again), he was chased and almost eaten by prehistoric creatures (again) and he was being lectured by Becker (again). He was ignoring Becker for the most part, thinking over ways to improve the ADD and make mobile ones. He was fairly sure he could make them compact, close to a cell phone, it was just figuring out how. Maybe…
"Temple!" At the shout, Connor jerked and lifted his head to stare at Cutter. He grinned sheepishly. "Sorry," he said, "I was thinking about the improvements I wanted to make to the ADD and…" he trailed off and shrugged. That was when he noticed the three people standing behind Cutter.
Abby, Alice and a man who looked just like him. Connor blinked. The man quirked an eyebrow. Connor looked and Cutter, who said, "Come on Connor. We're going to Lester's office, and hopefully everyone will get an explanation." Cutter walked up to Connor, grabbed his arm, and led him toward the office.
"How's the ankle?" Cutter asked.
"Huh? Oh, um, alright. Fine. Thanks," Connor answered, and if he sounded distracted, he thought it could be excused for once. Actually, if he weren't distracted he'd be worrying himself.
"Becker, how's his ankle?" Cutter asked.
"Oi!" Connor said, "Didn't I just answer that?"
"Mild sprain. He supposed to take it easy the next couple of days. No going out in the field," Becker answered, completely ignoring Connor. Cutter nodded and Connor scowled. He wasn't that bad about hiding injuries…sometimes. Sort of.
Cutter let go of his arm and Abby walked up and nudged his side. "Admit it Con, you try to hide too much."
Connor's scowl lessened and he let out a huff, "Yeah, well. Just don't want to worry everyone."
Abby rolled her eyes, "That just makes us worry more," she told him. Connor gave a hapless shrug, and with one more glance over his shoulder at the man who looked like him, they stepped into Lester's office.
Hatter watched as Cutter made Connor sit in one of the few chairs in the office. His eyes flicked to the man on the other side of the desk and guessed that he must be Lester. He didn't look particularly strong or imposing, he seemed beyond annoyed (and judging from the looks on the others that wasn't terribly surprising), and he was glaring at Cutter. Abby gestured to the other two chairs in front of the desk, offering them to Hatter and Alice. Alice nodded and dragged Hatter over, sitting them both down. Hatter never let go of her hand.
"So," Lester began, his gaze switching between the two foreigners and Connor. "Anyone want to explain the latest disaster? Oh, I know, how about the person responsible. Connor?" By this point Connor was slouching in his chair and tugging at the chord around his neck. Hatter noted that the leather looked worn – he'd defiantly had the necklace since he was young. Connor shrugged one shoulder and shot Lester a lopsided grin, "Y'see, it wasn't really my fault. How was I supposed to know it would go after Alice? I just told her to duck and pulled her up a fire escape. Nothing bad happened. Escaped alligators – fairly common, yeah?"
Lester looked entirely nonplussed. Connor squirmed and tugged the necklace out from under his shirt, revealing the golden ring that he had hidden. He started twisting it around his fingers and Hatter stared. He knew that ring. It was identical to his. Hatter frowned and stared at the ring as Connor went through and explanation of how he hadn't been expecting a second alligator (Alice snorted every time he said alligator – it was fairly obvious the poor kid was lying through his teeth) and was actually hoping they'd both follow him (Abby groaned, Cutter closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, and Becker sighed) back to the team.
"And you know the rest."
"Well," Lest began, "Now that Connor's filled his quota of reckless stupidity today, I suppose we should move on to the next order of business, shall we?" Hatter's eyes flickered to Lester then to Cutter. Apparently, the blonde hadn't missed his staring, for he was watching Hatter with a curious and protective look.
"First off," Lester said, "I'll need your names."
"What for?" Hatter asked. Generally, when secret organizations asked for your name, it was never a good reason. Lester's stare was even and wholly unimpressed. "The answer should be obvious. We need to do know who you are so we know what we can and can't do in this situation."
Alice raised an eyebrow, "Situation? I thought they were 'escaped alligators.' I fail to see how that requires so much secrecy." Lester glowered and Hatter grinned. His wife was a downright terrifying woman at times. Hatter's eyes flickered back to Connor, who was still playing with the ring tied around his neck and seemed to be just as amused as he – Hatter - was. Well, right until Abby poked him in the head. Cutter seemed to be rather happy to watch his boss get told off by Alice. Hmm.
Lester sighed and said, "We could tell you the truth but then we'd have to have you killed." Hatter and Alice both tensed and Hatter tightened his grip on Abby's hand. The office was dead silent.
"Kidding." Hatter glared. Cutter cut in by saying, "We need to know your names so we can send you on your way. This is more of a formality than anything. We could always have Connor figure it out for us."
Connor's eyes moved upwards while Abby snorted. Becker was looking entirely too amused. Alice glanced over at him and squeezed his hand. Hatter grumbled but finally heaved a sigh when Alice glared. "Fine," he snapped. "My name is David Hatter. Call me Hatter. This is my wife, Alice."
"Well, now that we have that out of the way, I want all of you out my office while I sort this mess out. Cutter, no fits of insanity, and Temple, no hacking of any sort and try to stay out of trouble." Cutter smirked while Connor grinned. Abby turned on her heel and said, "C'mon, Con. The sooner you do whatever upgrades you're making to the ADD the sooner we can go get lunch."
"Pizza?" Connor asked as he scrambled out of his chair and after Abby. Hatter glanced at Alice and they both got up to follow Connor and Abby.
"Why not," Abby said. Connor cheered and rushed toward a chair and something that looked vaguely like a computer with several screens. Alice squeezed Hatter's hand one more time and went off after Abby. Hatter decided to go after Connor – he had a few questions after all. So, when Hatter caught up the paleontologist (who was already typing away) he put his hand on Connor's shoulder and said, "I need to ask you some questions."