Well here it is. Another chapter ^.^ thank you to all you reviewers, I really appreciate the comments (especially you Kitty Invictus, i'll fix that and you are 100% right ;P thanks for pointing it out). The usual disclaimer applies

This chapter has to go to Sake Kun though. Because she gave me a Hatter hat that she made ^.^ Thank you Holly 3 I'm wearing it now

Enjoy :)

Hatter's POV

'No' I whispered, staring at Dodo in horror, 'No!'

'Yes methinks' he smirked

Alice was looking from me to Dodo; she was obviously trying to keep her composure but was worried that I had cracked and she had no idea what either of us were on about.

'What?' she cried, frustrated and scared she turned to me 'Hatter what is it?' she implored.

I sighed, better for her to know what was going to happen than try and protect her feelings now

'Alice, you have it in your world. It involves a revolver and … in our case two bullets.'

'Precisely' Dodo beamed, 'one for each of you. I've never lost, but I'll give you a shot … so to speak' he winked boyishly

Alice was shaking her head back and forth, eyes wide and fearful

'Russian roulette; Oh no, no, no.' she whispered 'Hatter!'

I squeezed her hand

Yes! Your little Oyster seems to have grasped it' Dodo said cheerfully 'this means only one of us will survive' he didn't look at all perturbed that it might be him.

It was practically impossible to cheat at Wonderland Roulette. But it had been done; and I didn't put it past Dodo to figure it out; or at least try. I wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him, and because of his impressive bulk I'd probably just drop him (if I could pick him up at all) and beat the bandersnatch out of him.

'If you don't want to play little Oyster then tell me where you hid the stone of Wonderland!' he cajoled 'I give you my word that you will be spared if you tell me.'

Alice pressed her lips tightly together and looked tortured

'Don't you understand girl? Justice will only be restored to this goodforsaken place when the current queen is out of her throne!'

'What about Hatter?' she asked, glancing at me for less than a second. Dodo stopped his lecture on the 'good old days' and looked momentarily confused

'What about him?' he dismissed, looking my way too, I shifted restlessly, not sure where Alice was headed, although I'd bet my hat (theoretically) that it had something to do with …

'Will you set him free too?' BAM. I keep my hat; but I rolled my eyes all the same

'Alice' I hissed, low enough so that Dodo couldn't hear 'What are you doing?' I could feel the panic rising, Dodo didn't hate Alice … well … not much, and she was no threat to him so letting her go was no big deal. But me? Dodo had always loathed me. He only kept me around because I was useful and knew too much. I think he was happy now he had an excuse to blow my brains out for real. And he didn't want to let that go too.

'Saving your skin' she hissed back

'No!' I retorted through clenched teeth 'forget about me Alice, he won't kill you. He can't! You're the only one who knows where it is!' she pulled her hand away from mine, too angry to need comfort. Dodo merely looked baffled and amused

'Then I have nothing to worry about. Look. I get you released first, you get out of here, he releases me and I kick his ass and run! Simple.'

'There are things worse than death Alice' I said stonily 'And you can bet that Dodo knows them all' That's beside the point anyway, even if the first part of her 'plan' works and he lets me go, no WAY am I leaving Alice to fend for herself

'Besides, he's not an idiot, despite his similarities to a Borrogrove.'

Alice rolled her eyes and huffed back into her seat. But it wasn't anger circulating in her eyes. It was fear, and defeat. She knew the plan was Griffin plop but she still wanted to try anything.

Anything other than Wonderland Roulette.

For those who played willingly, it was addictive; I've heard them in my Tea shop, talking about the pointlessness of life, the mingling thrill and fear of pointing a gun to your head, the relief and disappointment of the empty click and the satisfaction of taking all the losers' possessions.

Those people weren't regulars

But we weren't here willingly. We had too much to lose; there was too much at stake.

And I couldn't lose Alice. Wonderland needed her. I needed her.

If Dodo had fixed it so that I die first then Alice would be wracked with guilt; that was just how she was. If she still wouldn't talk then he'd torture her.

He would kill her eventually; probably calling all his contacts to search the whole of Wonderland for the stone, which almost made me grateful for the alternative, but all the same, if I had to I would rather me than her.

Dormie would have a heart attack if he heard that thought. I can't say I'd ever thought it before; and I'm surprised that I did, but it doesn't change the fact that I would.

And I don't know why.

Dodo sighed 'I suppose so' he said reluctantly.

Alice shook her head 'Suppose isn't good enough'

'Fine' he spat 'I promise!' she relaxed slightly

'Good'

I don't think Dodo was done with his tormenting yet though. This could be a sign that he didn't want to risk his own or Alice's life (those were the only useful ones to him). Or it could just be his sadistic side coming out. I briefly wondered if he'd ever met the Tweedle twins.

I was right

'So … where is it Alice?' she tensed again

'I'm not going to tell you until you let us go'

'Oh no; I can't have that' His voice was slick like he'd just downed a bottle of flamingo oil 'Because I know for a fact that if I let you go then you'll run for it'

'Well if I tell you then you won't let us go' Alice shot back

Dodo nodded once, lower lip jutting out

'True. True. So it appears we have a stalemate'

Alice bit her lip. Waiting.

I shifted my gaze between them. Something had to happen in order for one of these demands to be adhered to. And I just had a feeling …

'Let Hatter go first.' BAM. Again.

'Alice!' I moaned 'No!' although if he did then he'd have to free my right fist … maybe her idea wasn't all bad

Unfortunately, Dodo had the same idea. Eyeing my restrained hand warily he shook his head. Extra unfortunately, his sunken eyes lit up. He had an idea.

'Shall we see how well you work under pressure my dear?' he asked. And he snapped his fingers once more.

So ... watcha think?

Was it a bit too rambly? :S I thought it might be a bit but I wanted a bit more feelings and detail before I commenced with the action so we all understand (including me)

Also ... Because I'm a very cruel person I like tormenting my characters. Especially the good ones ;P I makes me love them more 3

Please let me know (btw i'm going to repose chapter 3. It will be exactly the same. I'm just going to correct a little error that Kitty Invictus kindly pointed out)

Love you all

Love Tibbins xx