Is the glass half empty, half full, or twice as large as it needs to be?

The man formally known as Carpenter frowned at the tray of food before him. Four more days of this bland unfulfilling food until the suddenly overworked and overwhelmed doctors here would release him and he could have real food again. As a man of science he understood the need for a balanced nutritional meal for a recovering patient but really, his was a mental issue, not a physical one, and surely such food would only increase his mental duress and prolong his stay here? Part of said mind chimed in that he was attempting to apply logic to a mostly illogical world before he pushed the tray of food off to his side. Probably not the best argument for his case if he still felt like his mind was split in two right now.

Robert sighed as he glanced at the blinking contraption that the wires attached to the headpiece led to. If it weren't for that blasted bit of machinery he was connected to, he'd doubted he'd be able to make it another four days on this attempt at food, let alone feel like one person again. Still, his need to go back to his old life once more was stronger than his want for better food so he was willing to bear it. Supposing his old life wanted him back of course. Lord only knows what sort of hell Carol went through since his abduction. He'd meant it when he'd told Alice he wasn't sure her mother would want anything to do with him anymore. Alice…

Thinking of her brought a smile to Robert's face finally. He'd missed so much of her life and yet she'd readily forgiven him, even fought to bring him out from under the Queen of Heart's manipulations in the end. The brief encounters he'd had with the staff were proof enough that his-not so little any more-girl was being spoken about in reverence and awe thanks to her actions; which was something he felt for her as well really. From what little he had learned about this suddenly grown up Alice, he was certain that she wouldn't take well to such flattery and it was probably the only positive thing to come out of her leaving as soon as she did.

He already missed her fiercely as it was and it had only been a day since he'd last seen her.

The door to his surprising bland colored room swung open and a familiar form strolled in through it, breaking his depressive train of thought. Upon seeing who it was Robert couldn't help but return the smile given by his guest. Speaking of Alice…

"You look like a man who's counting down the hours to his execution or something ya know," Hatter brightly chirped as he walked up to Robert's bedside. Seeing the tray of untouched food, he raised an eyebrow at Robert before lifting up the tray and taking a curious sniff of its contents. A look of grimace was quick to replace it as he jerked away from the tasteless food and held the tray back at almost a full arms length from him instead.

"That is truly horrible," Hatter stated blandly at the tray before looking back at Robert, "Do you mind if I...?" He gestured to the door as he already started to walk back towards it.

Robert chuckled, "Please do. I don't think I can even entertain the idea of eating more of…that, anytime soon."

"Can't say I blame you really," the younger man replied as he set the tray down outside of the room as far as Robert could tell and came back over to stand near him. "So….how goes," Hatter gestured to the wires and headgear, "all of this then?"

"Well, no one really has time to say for sure but if my guess is correct, then things are going well," Robert pulled a bound journal off his bedside table and flipped to a page near the front, "I haven't had a take over of the false persona since yesterday afternoon shortly after Alice left. Doctor Chalk thinks the two events are directly connected and is having me describe them now."

"And what do you think?" the former Tea Pusher asked.

"That he's an idiot. A partially right idiot, but still an idiot none the less," Robert stated as he closed the book and set it down on his lap. "Obviously she's connected to the issue, but since Alice was the one who helped my memories break through the personality replacement, I'm fairly sure the regression is just an immediate reaction to the loss of her presence. Not caused by it."

Hatter smiled a touch sadly as he looked distantly at a spot of the wall beyond the bed, "She certainly has a way with emotions doesn't she? A mini distillery in her own right, yeah?"

Robert scrutinized the man next to him before this brief moment of vulnerability passed. The pair had admitted to their relationship being a new development, and having just met a little under a week ago he wasn't surprised, but several times yesterday they both seemed to share a look and sometimes a touch that spoke of a deeper connection than he would have anticipated at this stage. And now seeing the look on this young man's face…

"You love her, don't you," Robert stated more than asked, and the young man immediately appeared flustered by his words before snapping a disarming grin and relaxed posture on his face to cover the lapse of control; something that had likely become a force of habit under the Queen's rule. It was both comforting and frightening to see his suspicion confirmed so. Alice's father was suddenly happy that the gap of time seemed to lessen his protective desire towards his daughter dating someone instead of heightening them…well, mostly anyway.

Whatever Hatter was going to say in response was delayed by the door opening once more as Hatter's younger cousin walked in with a covered tray in his hands. "So I was on my way back from the loo, when I noticed some bloke apparently didn't want this tray of food I found outside, and I thought I'd see if you'd like it instead. Can you believe someone would actually toss out perfectly good food?" Harry smiled while Robert regarded the tray with caution, worrying that the well meaning boy had brought the dreaded hospital food that Hatter had just disposed of back in.

To his pleasant surprise however, removing the lid revealed a decidedly non-hospital approved tray filled to the brim with delicious looking, and smelling food. Not able to fight the relief that filtered across his face, Robert just barely caught the smile exchanged by the two cousins, and suddenly came to a startling conclusion. "You planned this didn't you?" he remarked with a tone of appreciation as he looked back and forth at the pair.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Harry innocently replied as he set the tray down on Robert's lap desk, "How could I have planned such a fortunate happenstance, or even know that you'd be hungry? Not to mention Hatter had no idea which way I'd come back from the loo now, could he?"

Robert shook his head good humouredly and smiled, but didn't push for more, "If you say so…" He'd worked under the Queen long enough to recognize when a situation was being manipulated to a degree and decided not to push his luck. It was a surprising and sweet gesture on their part, so it would be rude to refuse it at this point on principle alone. Besides, the roasted chicken smelled absolutely mouth watering. He made a point to thank them anyway and dug in to the contraband hungrily while the cousins rolled over some chairs to sit near him.

"Right then," Hatter began once he got comfortable, "What are your plans once you get out of here?"

Robert thought for a moment while he ate before replying, "I'm actually not sure. The Queen's had me so overworked this past year synthesizing a larger variety of emotions that I'd moved all of my belongings into the Casino, so I won't have much to pack, and I'm not sure I'd have wanted to bring any of it anyway."

The former Tea Pusher nodded understandingly while Harry spoke up, "So where will you stay then?"

"The Prince has graciously offered me a place at the palace until we go through the Looking Glass so I'll probably take him up on that," Robert looked up curiously at the pair, "Why do you want to know."

Hatter smiled and leaned back in his chair with his arms hanging over the back, "Would you be interested in a bit of a business proposition?"

Five days later in the loft above Hatter's office, the man in question was regarding the hat in his hands with serious consideration. It was a grey colored slouch hat with a dark purple band that he hardly ever wore since the long brim tended to push the front parts of his flyaway hair back down into his face instead of letting expand as it liked. Still, the fabric was an excellent quality and should the occasion call for it he wouldn't want to be with out….Deciding to go with his gut, Hatter flung it over his left shoulder where it spun off vertically before tilting and landing neatly inside the Mushroom Trunk on his bed. A useful piece of furniture so named for its ability to grow and shrink depending on how far, and which handle was turned; with left serving for upwards and right for downwards of course. He'd bought a whole mess of them to make the job of packing up their belongings for the trip between worlds even easier. While a majority of them would go to use for Hatter's things, he had made sure to buy a decent set of replacement clothes for Harry since a majority had been destroyed when his room was torn apart and those sets would be packed as well.

The process of elimination was further simplified once Robert had come to stay with them after his release from the Hospital of Dreams. Bringing Alice's father lunch before offering him a place to stay besides that of under the Prince's thumb in exchange for suggestions on what would be suitable to bring to the Oyster World had worked just as he'd hoped. Better even since he'd come to find they got on well enough without any manipulations on his part.

Hatter glanced over at an already packed and shrunken trunk on his shelf at that thought. Well, that was more of an omission than a lie really so that didn't count.

Taking one more look at the remaining hats left before him, Hatter just decided it couldn't hurt to take all of them. He'd paid good money for them after all. Placing them in the trunk with the rest of his hat collection, Hatter looked about the room for anything else he could get away with packing now that he wouldn't need in the coming week. After a minute of idly worrying the ring on his right hand, an idea struck him and he stopped to consider the full set of jewelry there. He'd mentioned a week ago back at the hospital the one detected poisons, but didn't elaborate on the other two. They were a set he'd gotten custom made to look not only common, but protect him from the more common dangers in Wonderland and it had always been a distant plan to get a set for Harry as well one day.

Unsure if he would ever be able to come back (who knew what Jack's plans for the Looking Glass were now that all the Oysters were gone?) he decided to consult Robert's vast knowledge of the Oyster World to see if they'd be necessary before ordering a set made up. Hatter was under no disillusions that the land on the other side of the Looking Glass was free of darkness, contrary to Harry's comment long ago, and his frank talks with Robert had only reassured him that packing things like his gun and body armor were not quite as paranoia-fueled as he once thought they might be.

Okay…perhaps just a touch, but he'd rather they be there and unnecessary than dead.

Seeing no point continuing with that line of reasoning, Hatter made the mental note to go see the jeweler he'd commissioned for his own set after mid meal and placed the already miniaturized trunk from his shelf in with his hats before securing the lid shut. He then turned the right handle so it could now be carried easily under his arm and hefting it at his side, the former Tea Shop owner made his way down the spiral staircase to check on the progress in his office.

The other half of his deal with Robert was secured disposal of the remaining crates of Emotion Tea that had been undiscovered when his shop was looted during his unexpected, but definitely rewarding, adventure with Alice. Hatter stopped mid descent and closed his eyes to allow the feeling of sadness pass over him. Harry had given his older cousin all of a day to outwardly pine for the woman he loved (though he'd yet to admit those words out loud to anyone but himself) and the lack of her presence before reminding Hatter that he'd see her in a month again, maybe less if things went well, so 'quit being such a mock yeah?'.

Hatter had compromised by only allowing himself to feel the longing that thinking of her brought to the surface when he was alone, and even then only for a moment. He knew better than to drink of a negative emotion for too long.

Letting it all out in a steadying breath, Hatter resumed his trip down to the office and was immediately greeted by the sight of Robert Hamilton sealing a set of crates next to his couch. Robert wiped an arm across his brow and smiled as he saw Hatter approach. "That's the last one," the former technician declared and Hatter returned the smile as he set the trunk down on his desk.

"Brilliant!" Hatter acknowledged before checking his pocket-watch, "I'd say were due for a tea break if you'd fancy a cup."

Robert stretched his back before making an appreciative noise and nodding, "That would be marvelous." It was a very different reaction then the shock and disbelief the older man had expressed when Hatter had first offered him a cup. Harry had thought it hilarious once they explained of course.

Speaking of the lad, both men turned to face the hallway as pounding footfalls could be heard coming down it before Harry's form burst into the office with an anxious expression on his face and something gripped in his hand. "So I was doing a check of the main floor, and I found something strange lodged partway between the wall and floor," his younger cousin stated before holding said item for Hatter's inspection. By all appearances it looked to be just a bit of polished wood to his discerning eye, albeit one that had definitely seen better days.

"Probably just a piece of furniture from when the Suits tore up the place that got wedged in I figured yeah?" Harry continued, "But when I picked it up…it felt warm for a sec and then let off some multi colored sparks from the tapered end here that disappeared harmlessly when they hit the floor."

Hatter frowned as he inspected the loosely held piece of wood closer and he could definitely make out which side Harry was referring to as the other end, which Harry had resting in his open palm, had what could have once been described as a handle. "Nothing else happened?" Hatter questioned and his cousin shook his head negatively, "And it didn't do it again?" Another head shake. "Right," he continued as he straightened up from his hunched over inspection of the object, "Let me take a better look at it then." Figuring it must have been a died out enchantment of some sort, Hatter held out his hand to receive it so he could look for any sort of seal or marking that would possibly indicate where the object was made. Not the he had any use for a stick that made light effects, but if he could deduce who made it, he could figure out the value and add it to the cost of the place that the Prince was oh so generously buying from him so that he could use the money for his relocation. Any reason to swindle more money out of the Royal coffers was a good enough one for him.

Harry obediently passed the mystery item over to Hatter and no sooner had his hand grasped the handle, a rush of warmth ran down his arm followed by a jet of sparks emitting from the tapered end, just as Harry had described. It was a strangely familiar and distinctly odd sensation, but he couldn't recall ever using or seeing such and item before.

"Like that!" his cousin exclaimed, "It did just that a few minutes ago in the front!"

Hatter's curiosity was growing by the second as he tried switching the bit of wood to another hand to see if it would reproduce the light, but nothing happened. He then continued with his original intent and scoured the object for any markings that would give away it's origin but came up empty. A sudden thought occurred to him as he realized Robert was being very quiet through all of this and he cast a raised eyebrow in his direction.

"So," he started, "Have you any idea what this might be from your vast experience?"

The older man appeared pensive as he regarded the unknown item. "I've never seen anything like it," Robert confessed, "Of course, my specialty lays with chemicals, bio technology. Magic was dealt with by my…other associate." The dark look that passed over Robert's face gave away that there was a story behind a comment like that and Hatter knew better than to ask about it now; maybe if he got the man alone later. Probably best that Harry not hear that story any way, lad was growing up too fast as it was of late.

"But it's definitely magic then yeah?" Hatter commented as he stared at the bit of wood.

"I believe so yes," Robert stated confidently as he frowned at the mystery before them, "Do you mind if I give it a better look to be sure though?"

Hatter shrugged nonchalantly, "I don't see why not," and deftly flipped the piece of wood around in his hand and presented the handle looking part, which Robert reached out to grasp.

"-and this one here provides proof that you can live in either country, but we couldn't swing that for the boy so if you decide to stay in America you'll have to fill out some forms with their government-"

"Are the Oyster's afraid paper's about to go out of style or somethin'?" Hatter interrupted the mirror technician's long-winded explanation, "You've given me pieces that say I am who I am, ones they use for money, a pile that proves I rent property somewhere, and now another stack that tells them I'm from two countries as well? Do they not have a better system?"

"Don't forget the plastic too," Harry added as he investigated their new passports and wallets.

The technician frowned at the young boy before looking exasperated back at Hatter, "They do use electronics for information storage now, hence the plastic cards which I assure you once more, do in fact allow you access to the funds set up for you by the King. All of these are mere formalities but are still essential for proving your validity as a native citizen of Earth for legal situations."

"It's a terrible amount of work setting up a new identity like yours, and appearing a tad more grateful would not be remiss."

Harry, Hatter and Robert all turned at the sound of the familiar voice approaching them from behind. None of the soon to be ex-residents appeared surprised that the recently established King of Wonderland was there to see them off.

"Jack," Hatter stated in a brief acknowledgement before looking back at file in his hands.

"I'm not sure that's the most appropriate greeting for the new ruler of Wonderland," the new King replied as he came to a stop a few feet from the group.

Hatter closed the folder and smiled at Jack, "Yes well, seeing as how I'm a soon to be former Wonderlandian, I didn't want to start any bad habits that might carry over to the other side. Might not make that good of a cover yeah?"

To the former conman's surprise, Jack actually seemed to fight off a smirk before settling on a raised eyebrow, "Indeed," then turning to address the technician, "Have you informed them about the situation with the boy's former relatives?"

"I was just about to your highness," the man quickly replied before picking up a box from the far side of the table, "Now; we've made your adoption of Harry Potter official from the day after his and his relatives' disappearance a little over two years ago. I understand they were quite willing to relinquish it from the Suits that handled the case."

Hatter frowned and clenched his fist while Harry shrugged, "I haven't considered them family in…well a lot longer than I've been here so it's not a bother to me."

The man nodded absently as he continued, "Yes it was a bit of good luck since we really don't have any proof of a family connection besides your word, so we made it a claim on the father's side since records there were quite sparse. You'll find the belongings they claimed were yours in this box here. With that arranged, we've put your location as being in the major city of the country the boy is from called London. We had a few shops used as Looking Glass connections there and in conjunction with the return of so many Oysters, remodeled one as a missing persons agency."

"I'll finish things from here Number Four," Jack stated suddenly as he moved to take the technician's spot, "Why don't you go get the Looking Glass set?" Knowing better than to argue, Number Two nodded and gave a slight bow before walking the short distance to the Looking Glass.

Jack waited until the man was out of hearing range before looking back at the group, "You may not know this, but Alice had been using agencies to try and find…Robert, since she turned eighteen."

"Yes," Robert sighed, "She mentioned it to me the morning before she left."

"Good," the King nodded once, "That will make this easier." He looked as Hatter now, "We've placed you under the employ of our company called 'Down the Rabbit Hole' Missing Persons."

"You know, I think they may have changed the definition of subtle since I woke up this morning," Hatter quipped.

Jack gazed flatly at him, "It's a fault of many people on the other side to ignore the obvious. Something that we are more than happy to exploit, as I'm sure you can understand." Hatter refused to rise to the bait and merely smiled slightly and raised an eyebrow while waiting for the King to continue. "The details are in the purple folder along with the contact information to our permanent Connecter in New York. We'll be sending you through a short while after Alice as far as time there is concerned to make sure you have ample time to adjust before initiating anything." He paused to hand over a large plain looking envelope, "This contains the keys and documents you require for the flat you're renting while you 'supervise' the reunion between Alice and her father. It space is paid for a month and anything longer will require action on your part."

Hatter easily accepted it and gave a cursory look at the contents before passing it to Harry; who had been silently collecting all the items on the table and depositing then into their one Mushroom Trunk while the explanations were going on. "Right, anything else then?"

"Sire?"

Number Four had returned and Jack gave him permission to continue, "The Looking Glass is tuned and ready for transition."

"Thank You," Jack inclined his head and gestured for the travelers to follow the technician. Harry and Robert being closest to the man had followed first which allowed Jack to grab Hatter by the arm before he got too far. The conman raised a questioning eyebrow at the King before easily removing his jacket from the royal's grasp and facing him.

"Something I can do for you then?"

"I didn't treat Alice as I should have. I admit that," Jack stated and glanced off to the side as an expression of regret passed across his face for a brief moment before he looked at Hatter again, "and she deserved-deserves better. Alice is special; she's a savior to this land…our heroine once more."

"You know you're right about that," Hatter wryly commented as he rocked back on his heels for a moment and glanced over to his right to see Harry watching the exchange curiously. "You didn't treat her proper, and she does deserve better. However," he glanced back at the King while turning to join the others near the Looking Glass, "you're wrong about that end bit. She's not special for the reasons you say she is, and that, your highness, is just one example of why you didn't deserve her."

Author's Comments: So...a lot of set up here for the sequel and really, all I ask is that you not make too many assumptions until then. If my writing has shown anything, I'd like to think that would be 'the Devil's in the details' and 'don't believe everything you see'. Beyond that I can't say I'm fully happy with this Moment. CK was kind enough to give a partially completed version a look over for me and give me her opinion so much thanks to her for helping to convince me that I shouldn't just scrap the damn thing. So not much else to say about it really. Feel free to speculate or curse me equally for any unanswered questions. ;P

In other news, for those of you who have enjoyed learning more about my AU by reading these, I'm in the process of setting up a LJ account under the same user name I use here and it will feature much more detailed story notes, history/backstory for the AU worlds I've developed here that may not end up in the story for whatever reason, and my own drawings/illustrations of the characters and some of my favorite scenes. ^_^ I hope you check it out. Look for the sequel to start next week supposing that nothing throw off my groove. :P