A/N: Another chapter! Have to admit, i'm not in love with this one completely. It has its charm, but i feel like the writing isn't the best. I got lazy. But, then next chapter should be better.

Also, I use a lot of terms of endearments when it comes to Alice and Tarrant. Most commonly used are 'dear,' 'dearheart', 'sweetlet,' 'flower'. I know dearheart and dear are actually terms of endearment but others i've picked up from other fanfics...i intend no plagiary, i just liked them a lot. I've tried to get more creative with the words i use so, hopefully i won't keep repeating the same ones.

Again, sorry if this chapter isn't the best. I'm trying to come up with a long-term storyline and i just so happened to look up to my faerie wind chime. So, Faeries it is. Plus, Alice always kind of reminded me of a Faerie. Wild with crazy hair, kind of earthy and untamable. If i end up coming with a different storyline, however, i may tell you to disregard some parts. But hopefully i can do something with this chapter's explanations.

Anyway (i just realized all of my paragraphs have started with the letter 'A'), I hope it's decent enough to read. Reviews would be great!

Alice and Tarrant said goodbye to Margaret and Helen as quickly as they could. Alice felt like she was going to explode if she remained in Aboveland much longer. They said their polite adieu's to Imelda and Mrs. Hamish and took off as fast as they could. She would be able to see her mother again, soon even, so Alice didn't feel too guilty for leaving on such short notice.

"I need to go get my things," Alice said, as they stepped into the carriage, "but we can come back later and go down the rabbit hole."

"Oh dearest, there's no need for that. We won't be taking an silly old rabbit hole!" He poked her nose lightly and smiled. Alice gave a quizzical expression as they both sat down, facing each other.

"What do you mean? There's other ways to get to Underland?"

"Yes, yes, of course!" He said happily, "How do you think I got here? There's no more Jabberwocky blood, as it's all dried up. And that, sweetlet, is the only way up a rabbit hole. We will be taking The Looking Glass."

"The looking glass? You mean like a mirror?" The Hatter nodded, "where is it?"

"Everywhere!" He said giddily, taking a vial full of teal-colored liquid from his jacket's inner pocket, "this, is Dreggel's Buff. It turns any old mirror into a Looking Glass. Since all of the Looking Glasses were destroyed during the Golden War of Iplam, Mirana has been working on a potion that would allow us to get to and from Wonderland more easily. And she, quite ingeniously, invented this."

Alice didn't know where to start asking questions, since the Hatter's statement had, once again, boggled her mind completely. Finally it settled down and asked:

"So, we can use any mirror?"

"Any mirror!" He confirmed.

"Well, then, we might as well use the one in my room. It's certainly large enough for two people to fit through without much effort."

"Excellent!"

Once they arrived at Kingsley manor, they hoped out of the carriage. They raced to Alice's room, where she began to pack.

'A small suitcase should suffice.' She thought, as she picked out a few of her favorite dresses, (mostly blue ones) as well as some shoes. Along with her she brought several notebooks filled with her mad ideas and daydreams, photos of her family as well as her father's journals.

As soon as she was done packing her most important trinket's, she heard the pitter patter of little feet.

"Oh, Snowcap! I almost forgot about you!" Alice shouted as she looked up to see the no-longer-mangy ship cat jumping onto her bed. Her sudden exasperation startled Tarrant, who was busy examining Alice's oversized wall-mirror, "Oh, Tarrant, do say I can bring him with me?"

"Yes, yes. I don't think it will be a problem," he resumed his inspection, "I'm sure Chess will be delighted to have another cat around."

"Are there no more cat's in Underland?"

"No. Not as far as anyone's been able to tell. Seems like the Red Queen decimated the feline-population as well. Bloody big head." His fingers traced the edges of the mirror, admiring, or examining, the intricate design, "Alice, I dare say this might be an original Looking Glass!"

"What?" She exclaimed, "how on earth would one get here?"

"I've no idea. Only royalty had them, and then they were all destroyed. How very curious. We must tell the Queen."

"Why? Surely it's not that big of a deal." She giggled as she snuggled with Snowcap.

"Aye, but that is it dearheart," he slipped into his brogue, only slightly, in his moment of worry, "in the wrong hands it could be quite dangerous."

Alice remained quiet. How would her family have ended up with a Looking Glass? The mirror had been her father's, and before that her grandmother's, and so on. It had been in the family for generations.

"Perhaps someone in my family in from Underland." She offered, only half-serious. Tarrant's back straightened. He turned around, looked her straight in the eyes. It sent a shiver down Alice's spine.

"What is your lineage? What are you? Full English?" He said much too quickly.

"No," Alice hesitated, "My father was born in Scotland. My mother was born in England but her family is of Irish heritage. So, I'm half Irish half Scottish, but born in England. Why?"

His eyes widened, turning a fiery orange. He gave an eerie smile.

"Hatter?" Alice asked, concern filling her voice. It seemed to have broken his daze because he shook his head and his eyes were green again.

"Nothing, nothing. Just a hunch. Now," he said clapping his hands together, "what do you say we get out of here, eh?"

Alice nodded, still somewhat shaken by their moment of oddness. It reminded her too much of her dream she had of Tarrant. He smiled his normal smile and took out the vial of liquid. Dipping his finger into the vial, he began to chant something under his breath. Alice couldn't make it out but it sounded Latin. But then, he stopped.

"Alice, give me your hand." He said, extending his own and putting the vial away with his other. She did as he asked, placing the cat down. Before she knew it, he was pricking her finger with one of his sewing needles. Where it came from she didn't know.

"Ow! What the bloody…" but she stopped her curse mid-sentence when the mirror began to glow slightly.

"It's as aye thought, lass. You are Fae." He slipped into his brogue again, this time more deeply. It reminded her of when he recited the Jabberwocky poem as she rode on his hat. It was odd, but even though it was eerie, it made her feel alive. It made her light-headed and her body feel funny…

"Fae? As in Faeries?" She asked, interrupting her own train of thought.

"Sort of. Kind of." He said with his lisp, breaking out of his accent, "not Faeries in the Aboveland sense, as tiny people with wings. But magical beings who live between and inside both Aboveland and Underland. They are the ancestor's of royalty in Underland."

"So, you are saying, " Alice breathed, trying to wrap her mind around yet another unbelievable fact about herself, "I'm a magical being?"

"Yes. It is my suspicion anyway. Mirana will have to confirm it. You see, Fae didn't originate from Underland but were instead born into the realm of the Nowhere."

"The…Nowhere?" Alice's voice was shakier than she'd thought it would be. For some reason the word made her terrified. Suddenly, she saw a dark shadow move in the corner of her eye. She looked to spot it, but it was gone. Tarrant gave a befuddled expression.

"Are you alright dear?" He asked, obviously concerned. Alice only nodded.

Why was she acting in such a way? It was like memories from her past that were blocked from her view were pushing their way to the surface. She shook her head to rid her mind of such thoughts.

"Sorry, I just didn't sleep well." She lied. Though, it was true. And she was prone to hallucinations when she didn't sleep. She'd never told anyone that fact, and didn't plan to any time soon. People considered her mad enough.

"Anyway," he resumed, "The Nowhere is a place that exists between all dimensions, all time and space. Between Aboveland and Underland. The Fae, known in Underland as Celestialings, usually live in the Valley of Iplam, just south of Witzend, where I was born. I grew up on stories of their magic and wonder. The gate to the realm of the Nowhere exists between Iplam and Witzend, which means that citizens of both counties have been known to slip away into the void."

"Slip away?" Alice shivered. It just kept getting worse and worse.

"Yes. They are drawn in by the lure of the Nowhere. It's where all the magic of Underland was born, and thusly, it's quite alluring. The Celestialings were born there as well, inside the void of light and darkness. That's why they are so drawn to it. It's their homeland. Some say the Hightopp clan are descendants of the Celestialings, but that could be just an old folk tale."

Alice hoped, with all her being, that none of this was true. She didn't want to be a Celestialings. That sounded like loads of trouble in a box full of cats.

"I hope you're wrong about me." Alice said, rubbing her sore finger.

"I don't know why else the mirror would glow when you bled. That's how the Looking Glasses work. The blood of royalty opens the portal between Aboveland and Underland. But, perhaps it's because you are the Champion of Underland…I can't be sure until we talk to the Queen. "

Alice didn't say anything. She wanted to get the idea out of her mind.

"Well, I guess we can ask the White Queen then. Now, can we go?"

"Of course but," he took both of Alice's hands in his own and began to pet them slightly, "I hope I didn't worry or scare you with my story. Who knows? I could be wrong. I just thought you ought to know. But still, even I don't know the full story. We will talk to the Queen and get this all settled, alright cupcake?"

Alice smiled at the endearment. She'd never been called a cupcake before. She took it as a compliment.

"I'm fine. It's all just a little overwhelming, you know? But anyway, I'm anxious to see everyone. Let's go."

She gave a wide smile, which seemed to appease his worries. He gave her a smile in return. He grabbed her hand, holding her finger and squeezed a tiny drop of blood from it. He then simply touched the mirror, which was now dimly illuminated at the sight of Alice's blood. Still holding Alice's hand, he picked up Alice's suitcase. Alice picked up Snowcap and they approached the mirror.

Tarrant stepped through first, the mirror's glass undulating like water ripples as he moved through it. He didn't disappear, but instead, a light, sparkling mist shimmered around his body as he moved inside the Looking Glass. He gave Alice a reassuring look and tugged on her hand lightly. Slowly, she inched towards the mirror.

When she came into contact with the glass, it was not cold at all. Instead, it was a lukewarm lightness with a feathery quality, like wind. The substance brushed against her skin and Alice felt the urge to hold her breath. But there was no need. She was breathing the purest air she'd ever breathed. Breathing it in started to make her feel dizzy.

"Alice, try not to breathe so much. The vapors can make you a bit…" he paused, trying to find the word, " reckless."

"What do you mean?" They both continued walking through the Looking Glass, but there didn't seem to be an end in sight. Alice just followed the Hatter.

"Well, you see, in the days of old, The Fuschia Queen dropped an Emotion Potion in her Looking Glass. And since all the Looking Glasses are connected, the potion, meant to make someone reveal their true feelings, tends to make people act on their deepest instincts."

"Why would they do such a thing?" Alice asked, a fierce blush covering her face. What if she acted on her true feelings for Tarrant? Then again, maybe she should…

No. She stopped herself. That must be the potion vapors talking.

"No one really knows. Something to do with the Fuschia Queen's unrequited love for one of her gaurds. She wanted to know if he felt the same, which he didn't, and admitted before she could even use the potion. That's apparently why she dropped it. She had him killed the next day."

"And the Red Queen is related to her?"

"Yes. Both the Red and White Queen are. She was their Great Aunt. But of course, only the Red Queen seems to have taken any habits from her," Tarrant sighed, "Bloody Big Head killed her husband, the King, because she was paranoid he would leave her. She claimed she only did it because she loved him. Well, if that's love, then love makes people silly."

Once again Alice didn't say anything. She couldn't get the blasted blush off of her face. Did he really think love was silly? If so, what chance did she have of winning his affections?

They continued walking for what felt like forever until Alice noticed a black speck in the distance.

"What is that, Hatter?" Snowcap struggled in her arms.

"That, my dear, is our destination."

"That's Underland?"

"No," he gave her a look of hesitation, "that is the Nexus."

"The…what?"

"It's the door to Underland. We just have to fall through it." As they got closer to it, Alice saw that it was an absolute, pitch black hole in the middle of the room. It almost looked like a cut out.

"Fall?" Alice interrupted, not at all happy, "I thought there would be no falling down anything. Tarrant, you said…"

"I said there wouldn't be any falling down rabbit holes. I didn't say anything about falling in general. Now, you'd better brace yourself. It's quite the trip down."

"But what about Snowcap? I can't just throw a cat down a dark hole now can I?"

They arrived at the Nexus, and Alice grew even more uneasy. It wasn't pitch black, but littered with glittering stars, like he night sky. It would be like falling through space.

"Of course you can. Would you trust Chess to jump down a hole?"

"Well, yes but…"

"But nothing, Alice. The cat will be fine. Just because it can't talk doesn't mean it's helpless. I promise, he will be perfectly fine. You can't discriminate, silly girl." He gave her wink. Still, she was trepid about the whole thing.

"Fine." She finally said, pouting slightly. Tarrant giggled.

"Oh, Alice you are utterly beautiful when you are angry! Not that you're not beautiful all the time, you just seem to have a fire about you when you're mad. And I don't mean mad like insane, though you are a bit insane, but that's a good thing since it's the good kind of…"

"Tarrant!" Alice couldn't help but laugh. He was adorable.

"Mad. Thank you. Now, off goes kitty," he said grabbing the cat. Alice reached for the cat, fear in her eyes. But she stopped herself. It was the only way to Underland and she certainly wasn't leaving Snowcap in the Looking Glass.

"He'd better be alright."

"He will be, won't you little furball?" He dropped the cat before Alice realized. Only silence was heard as the cat fell. Alice was too afraid to look down at first, but finally did. She noticed a tiny blimp in the darkness, descending fast.

"Poor little guy." She gave a frown.

Tarrant them threw Alice's suitcase down. She looked at him unhappily for how carelessly he tossed it.

"Now, it's your turn." He gave a wicked grin. He seemed almost excited about falling down a dark hole.

Alice gave a breath, steadying herself. She wasn't ready for this. She looked down, trying to imagine falling.

"Oh, this is going to be horrid." Tarrant turned her around, grabbing her hands again.

"You'll be fine. I promise," He gave her a quick peck on the forehead, "I will be right behind you."

And with that, he pushed Alice lightly, enough to make her go tumbling down.

At first, Alice didn't believe it was happening. She was going way too fast. She felt no wind and could not breath. The sparkling stars turned into stripes against a navy background. She found herself facing upward, her arms moving frantically, trying their best to find balance. But no balance would be found.

Then suddenly, she was floating. Going down slowly down a hazy lavender sky. The stars weren't as bright but the sky was much lighter, much like the morning sky at dawn.

"I told you it would be fine." Tarrant said, swimming in the air towards Alice. She gave him an unbelieving smile and reached her his hands. They floated together, falling down like feathers. Then, Alice saw something.

"Snowcap!" She yelled, reaching for the cat who seemed perfectly fine. He was moving his little legs like he was in water, trying to make some sense of what was happening. Once Alice reached the cat, she hugged him tightly. Tarrant found her suitcase eventually and took hold of it as they descended towards the now visible ground.

When they reached the ground, Alice noticed there was no visible surroundings. They were standing in the center of a ray of light. The light overshadowed their environment to the point where it appear as darkness. When she looked up, she saw a long tunnel of stars and darkness going up so far it made her dizzy. They'd traveled a long way very quickly.

Slowly, the ray of light began to dim. Alice could make out trees and flowers around them, and she smiled realizing they had arrived.

They were in her Wonderland.