A/N: Sorry for the wait folks…this chapter was tough going. My Primeval fic kept trying to distract me into writing another chapter before I had finished this one. I didn't give in. No siree.
Thanks for all the most excellent reviews! I kept re-reading them to get me going :) Hope you enjoy…
Chapter 4
Hatter hadn't had any of his horrible nightmares in a long time. He had told Alice that she kept them away. She said that was a sweet sentiment, but she thought it was most likely due to the fact that in her world he didn't have to worry so much about someone killing him while he slept. The worst dreams he had experienced recently were the barest beginnings of bad dreams; she was able to soothe them away with a hand at his brow and a kiss. He was right about one thing; her touch seemed to chase them away.
This night was different. It began with him speaking words under his breath as he slept… muttering nonsense. It was enough to wake Alice. He was sweating, his skin radiated heat, and his voice didn't sound like his own. Small and weak and terrified…she heard him call her name. And then he began to shudder and cry out, his hands tore at the sheets. She tried to smooth his brow, brush her fingers through his thick hair…but it just got worse this time.
She tried to wake him gently, but he didn't respond. He started to thrash and Alice had to move back to avoid getting hit. He screamed and sat bolt upright…but he didn't see her. His chest was heaving and his eyes wide open and panicked. She took his face in her hands and said his name…his eyes cleared.
"Alice?" he asked, his voice ragged.
"I'm here," she answered, her tone low and soothing.
He pulled her to him closely and breathed her in.
"You were gone…" he whispered, his voice breaking.
"No. I'm here. Just a dream," she comforted, holding him to her tighter.
She felt him nod, but he didn't let her go. She felt each of his fingers digging into her back, but she didn't even contemplate complaining. She knew he would let go if she voiced any discomfort… she didn't want that.
A glass of water and twenty minutes later, a much calmer, but slightly embarrassed Hatter had lain back down to sleep. He wrapped his arms around her more closely than usual; he needed her near him. She didn't know what had brought this on, or why now…but she suspected it had to do with her leaving town in a couple of weeks.
He had told her she should go, and it was an important aspect of her job and of her life. Not only that, but her students would expect her to be there to coach. She didn't want to let them down. Guilt washed over her, but she knew there was no help for it. This was something that Hatter would just have to deal with, as sad as the thought made her. He would get more help for the shop, and in the future he could come along. Still…she wished she didn't have to leave him…even for a few days. Thoughts circling around and around just led to the same end. She didn't want to go, he didn't want her to go…but she was going. In the end she slept, and her own dreams were troubled.
Alice woke before Hatter, as usual, but it wasn't because she was refreshed or well rested. Her eyes were gritty, and she had a headache. She tried to go back to sleep, but unfortunately there was only so long that she could stay in bed before the urgent need to visit the bathroom drove her from it. After that, she gave up on getting more sleep.
Hatter woke an hour after her, bleary-eyed and exhausted. He felt like he had hardly slept at all and he was more than a little disappointed to wake without Alice beside him. More so than he should have been, considering he could hear her in the next room. He didn't want to suffocate her or to cling to her like a needy child, but he couldn't help wishing she was curled up next to him. He sighed and pushed himself out of bed; he couldn't let her see how much it bothered him that she was leaving. It was stupid of him to feel this way, he berated himself. They had been apart before, and he had survived it.
He made his way to the kitchen and to Alice. He smiled and kissed her softly as if nothing was bothering him. He ignored her concerned glance, pretending not to notice, sipping at his tea. Her soft concern morphed into a glare. Right. Like he thought that would work on Alice. Although he admired the fact that she could see through his bullshit, at times it was right inconvenient. Like now. He sighed deeply.
"I'm fine, Alice. Really. Can we just forget about it, yeah?" he asked.
She studied him, debating on whether or not she should just let it go. She nodded finally in acceptance and let him drink his tea in silence.
"Do you fancy some fried bread and marmalade? Or if you…" he began.
"No," Alice snapped.
He paused, taken aback, "No?"
"No, you don't fancy that, or you don't want anything at all?" He asked with an edge to his voice.
"Look, I'm just not hungry. Leave me alone about it," she retorted.
"Fine!" he snapped back.
She narrowed her eyes at him and went to the main room to watch TV; she decided she would let him wake up enough to not be a pain in the ass.
He let her go because she was in a mood that didn't invite conversation and he didn't feel much like talking anyway.
He ended up making toast.
Alice ignored him when he left the kitchen to get showered and dressed for the day.
"Alright?" he asked hesitantly as he passed by her in the main room.
She gave a noncommittal grunt and didn't look at him, staring at the TV instead. He rolled his eyes at her and threw up his hands before he walked away. He hoped she had snapped out of her mood before they met with the lawyer that evening. He wasn't feeling none too chipper himself, and he was a little short on patience.
He was buttoning his waistcoat when Alice came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. He paused and leaned back into her embrace.
"Sorry. Just grouchy today," she apologized.
"S'okay. Me too," he acknowledged.
He turned to face her with brief twist of a smile, "Din't sleep too well."
"Yeah. I know. Me either," she replied wryly.
He kissed her forehead and hugged her to him briefly.
"Just trying to feed you breakfast," he grumbled, but his voice held warmth.
Alice was supposed to meet Hatter and James in the tea shop at four o'clock; they were going to meet with the lawyer and get the bones of the contract written up. The lawyer was also bringing a preliminary statement of sorts, to make the purchase official. Once the promissory statements were signed and the money changed hands it was as good as done...they would own the tea shop. The lengthier contract would fulfill certain other legal requirements, but the initial contract was binding. Hatter was in a much better mood once he started thinking about that would mean for him and Alice.
He and James had agreed to shut down the tea shop for a few hours to allow them time to conduct their business. James insisted on taking over the remainder of the shift that evening. He said that Hatter should take Alice somewhere and enjoy the evening. Hatter broached the subject of hiring at least one additional person for the shop, and asked James if he would help to train them and watch over them if necessary. Ideally he wanted a few employees, and he could just manage…like he did back in Wonderland. It was a ways off before he could afford to do it; meanwhile one employee would be a tremendous help. He had already spoken with Alice about it, and she was all for it.
Alice came in at three-thirty, and she wasn't alone. Her friend Erica from the dojo was with her; he almost didn't recognize her in street clothes. He quirked an eyebrow at Alice, curious as to why she had brought a friend into the tea shop today. As usual, he showed her to her table, and then pulled over an additional chair for Erica.
"Two of the daily special," Alice ordered with a grin.
He smiled back, confused, "Okay."
Alice told Erica she would return shortly, and followed Hatter back behind the counter.
"She needs a part time job," Alice told him in a low tone as he begun to ready their tea.
"Ah. Was wondering why you brought her today," he admitted.
"She's a student…a wiz at computers…programming, all that sort of thing. She needs something flexible and …I trust her. Even better, she is likeable and friendly, and she will work for minimum wage if you schedule her around her classes and around the dojo," Alice pitched.
Hatter considered her words, "Computers?"
"Yeah. She's a genius. She's only twenty-three and she's almost done with her Masters', and all while working at the dojo," Alice gushed.
Hatter looked at her rather blankly.
"The higher level of school…it's a big deal," she expounded.
"You trust her?" he asked seriously.
Alice nodded, "I do. I don't have many friends…but Erica is one of them."
Hatter grinned suddenly. "It is your shop too, love. If you think it is a good idea, I do too. Does she know?" he asked.
"No. I wanted to talk to you, first. She thinks this is just to try one of your famous special tea blends," Alice replied.
"Hmm. Okay. Lemme talk to her though?" he asked.
"That was the idea," she answered with a good natured eye roll and a smile.
Hatter handed Alice her cup of tea, and then carried the other two back to the table. He sat it in front of Erica with a flourish, and then snagged another chair and sat with them.
"Tell me what you think," he said as Erica picked up her cup, but his eyes were all for Alice.
Alice took her sip, conscious of Hatter's eyes on her. It was citrusy and bright, tasting of jubilation and glee. It almost made her want to giggle. She closed her eyes and took another sip, trying to place the flavors…lime along with the orange, bergamot, ginger…
"What is it called?" Alice asked.
"Promise," he answered.
She smiled and grabbed his hand to give it a squeeze, "Good name."
Erica's eyes widened, "Wow."
Hatter's grin broadened to encompass her as well, "Thank-you."
"You made this? And it is just tea?" she exclaimed.
He nodded, "Yep."
"Just…wow. That is so cool! No wonder Alice brought me," she grinned, her bright blue eyes flashing.
Hatter appraised Erica as they spoke, taking in her ever cheerful voice, bright wide smile and disarming manner. Unlike his own charming facade, he could tell that Erica was exactly as she appeared…a genuinely nice and happy person. She was tiny, shorter than Alice although she was rounder. Her hair was a couple of shades lighter than Alice's, bound back in a thick braid that fell to her waist. She spoke animatedly, her words almost too quick for him to follow. She was more cute than pretty, but her personality was something special. He liked her. She would be a good fit for the tea shop.
He interrupted her constant flow of words with an amused smile and raised hand.
"Oh. Sorry. Just tell me to shut up, or wait until I take a breath and interrupt," Erica laughed.
Hatter chuckled in response.
"Alice said you might be interested in a job?" He asked.
Erica looked at Alice and smiled hopefully, "Really?"
"I need a little help on occasion…I can't pay much and it would only be a few hours a week," He warned.
Erica jumped out of her seat and hugged him spontaneously and then leapt back, mortified.
"Sorry! Sorry! I just lost my job a couple of weeks ago…and this is really good timing," She explained, tears standing in her eyes.
Alice hugged her briefly, "You are helping us out…honest."
"When do I start?" Erica asked brightly.
Hatter raised an eyebrow at Alice. When she raised her shoulder slightly in a shrug he figured that it was up to him.
"Come in tomorrow afternoon for a couple of hours and I'll show you around. Bring your schedule for school and the dojo and we'll sort out your hours, yeah?" he offered.
Erica grinned again, "Okay! Yay! Thank you both! Oh! I have to teach in like five minutes! Goottagobye!"
Bemused, Hatter watched her leave the tea shop; she reminded him of a small tornado. As unlikely a friendship as Erica and Alice seemed to have, he could easily see how his reserved Alice had been pulled out of her shell by the outgoing Erica. Sweet and open with not a trace of artifice to her, he couldn't help but like her. Alice trusted her, and that weighed very heavily with him. He knew firsthand that Alice didn't trust easily.
The meeting with the lawyer went smoothly, and was surprisingly quick. Their lawyer mentioned that the next meeting would be much lengthier and would involve considerably more paperwork. James would be bringing his own lawyer in on that one. At the end of the meeting, Hatter was glad he had let James convince him to take the rest of the night off. He was so excited that he couldn't possibly concentrate; he could hardly stop smiling.
Alice suggested they go listen to a live band playing at one of the local clubs. Hatter had been pestering her to do that very thing since he had learned that it was an option here in her world. He smiled and agreed readily…the grouchy mood both of them had woken up that morning with had completely dissolved. Hatter was dressed for work, so for him it was an easy transition to going out for the evening.
He had chosen dove grey pinstriped trousers, a soft purple shirt (in cotton for once) with diminutive little white and black paisleys, and a black waistcoat. He just had to shake out his hair and brush off his black fedora.
Alice was uber-casual in jeans, converse and a t-shirt. There was no way she was going anywhere with a man as delicious as Hatter without being dressed well. People might get the wrong idea and try to poach him. Hatter watched her sort through the closet, finally deciding on slim fitting white pants, knee high black boots and a jewel toned purple crushed velvet top. Its cap sleeves and wide neckline showed off her pretty collarbones, toned arms and upper chest, and the empire waist made the most of her …assets.
"Beautiful…as always," he said with a smile and a decided heat behind his eyes.
She stalked towards him and traced her hand down his chest, captured his mouth for a steaming kiss.
"Not so bad yourself, handsome," she replied with a wry twist of her lips.
He gave her a slow smoldering smile, "we could stay in…"
Alice laughed, "After all your nagging to go hear a real live band?" She groused.
"Alice…given a choice between you and …well…pretty much anything…you win," he murmured.
She made a noise of amusement, "Good to know."
She kissed him again, letting her tongue trace over his perfect lips. It was tempting…too tempting. She kissed up the line of his jaw to his ear, took his earlobe between her teeth.
"Later," she promised.
He groaned and leaned his head back, "Killing me love…you are such a tease."
Hatter watched the band, completely transfixed. She should have felt ignored because of how intently he was watching the band, but he never seemed to forget she was there. He held on to Alice throughout the night, his leg pressed to hers, his arm around her shoulders or holding her hand between his. He kept laughing and grinning at her like she had just given him an early Christmas present. He explained between sets that he had never seen an actual band play. For someone that loved music like Hatter did, this was an incredible experience.
During the slow songs he swept her out to the dance floor. When she was in his arms he had eyes for nothing but Alice. He laughed softly as they maneuvered around the dance floor. Lighthearted and happy, the hard edge of her Hatter dulled for at least an evening. She was glad of it. He carried too much strain and worry, and she knew in the morning that it would return. For now, they could just enjoy this moment in time where they were together and in love and happy and they had a bright future ahead of them.
No one tried to spoil it for them this time. Hatter and Alice both got looks aplenty, but it seemed like people had more respect for the rings on their fingers than they did for a couple that was just out for the evening to have a good time. It was fun and perfect and the evening flew by quicker than they wanted it to. When the band packed up they went to The Diner for coffee and a bite to eat.
Alice had made them turkey sandwiches before they left for the evening, but that was hours ago. Hatter had a super fast metabolism, and Alice had yet to figure out if it was due to him being a Wonderlander, or if it was just the way he was made. She knew he would be famished. She ordered biscuits to come out right away; and coffees for them both, extra cream and sugar for Hatter. His deep brown eyes danced as he stared at her from the other side of the table.
"That was lovely, Alice. Thank you," he said sincerely.
"I had a great time, too. Thank you," she laughed.
He tucked into the biscuits with gusto, and then devoured a whole plate of hash browns, sausage and eggs enthusiastically. They chatted over their meal; Hatter sticking to light topics to try to keep the evening happy and carefree. He had deliberately put the thought of Alice leaving town out of his head. He didn't want to think about it, not tonight. Not when the miracle that was Alice had just ensured that they had the means to make a future with each other.
"Alice…when are you going to let me take you shopping?" he asked with a mischievous grin.
She rolled her eyes and sighed, "Are you ever going to let it go?"
"When you give in," he answered, smirking.
"I think I do fine," she countered.
"You do…but still. I want to," he appealed.
She sighed, but grinned in spite of herself, "Sometimes you are so weird. Okay. Next time you can come along and help."
Alice was rewarded with one of his delighted full out broad dimpled grins.
"Good. And I expect to help pick out your wedding dress," he stipulated.
"That is definitely a violation of tradition," she argued.
"Oh honestly, Alice?" he countered incredulously.
She couldn't help but to laugh, "Okay! I give in!"
They hadn't done anything normally in their relationship…not one thing. Why start now?
TBC
A/N: Sooo? What did you think? Please review and tell me? Feed the muse? Happy muse=more writing.
As tough going as this chapter was, I was able to set some very necessary bits of the story in motion for later and I think it came out quite good (I hope?)…I hope you enjoyed the read.
