Another chapter. I should be filling out college applications, or even doing homework or accomplishing something in this mundane of life. Do I do this? No. Ah, well as they say Procrastinators Unite Tomorrow. As always read and review.

Samson had to repetitively say in her head ,'At least he's a happy drunk' as she forced Hatter up the stairs. If she hadn't, she would have given up and left the man there. He sang a strange song as they progressed, something about someone named Nonnie, whoever that was. He also seemed to do more hat tricks, which were neat, granted, but not when he dropped the hat...down a flight of stairs. As they finally made it to the door, Samson slipped the keys out of her pocket. Afterwards, she briefly wondered how she managed to hold up Hatter and unlock her door.

As she opened the door the first person she saw was her sister. She hid her surprise and then proceeded to half-drag Hatter to the couch. Her sister watched, a smirk on her face. Hatter looked up at her sister and laughed.

"How'd you manage that' standin' over here and bein' ovah there?"

Between the slurs and the accent Samson barely understood his words.

"That's my sister, Jessa, call her Sullivan or Sully."

"Sully, y'both got men's names?"

"Long story. Now you stay there while I get you some coffee."

Sullivan was Samson's twin, the only difference being her manner of dress. She wore a tight fitting red and black pinstriped suit. Her hair was done in a neat, pulled back bun and to contrast with her outfit she wore combat boots. In other words, she'd stepped straight out of Wonderland and not remembered to change.

"What are you doing here Sully," hissed Samson as she took out the kettle.

"Jack sent me."

"For what!"

"Hatter or whatever 'e's callin' himself."

"What, what're you talkin' about?"

"He is with Alice, the Alice!"

"He's what!? That drunk man over there? And how'd you know where he was, where I was, for that matter?"

"Hatter left this address to Alice and she'd been-"

"Worried? Didn't seem like she worried much, leavin' him to his own devices."

"Well, she is now and we've come to help-"

"No," Samson shot back as she slammed the kettle full of water onto the stove. Now she was pissed off. She thought she had been done with Wonderland a long time ago, apparently not.

"No? You would disobey a direct order from your Ki-"

"Not my King! I live here, been livin' here since I was fifteen. You say you found better on the other side of the mirror, then for once just stay there!"

"What would our-"

"Don't you fuckin' bring them up or I swear I'll-"

"What? Hurt your only relative? What will you do Samson?"

"Look, if he is who you say he is, doesn't matter. He's drunk off his ass and gettin' him down the stairs would be dangerous. Let me talk to him in the morning. If he wants to speak with Alice then, I'll reach you."

"You will reach me. Here's Alice's number and address. We will be waiting."

"Sure."

Her sister spun similarly to a soldier turning on their heel and left. Samson let out a shaky breath and turned the stove on. She went back into the living room and sat down next to Hatter. He had his arms stretched out over the back of the couch and his head tilted towards the ceiling.

" 'ou people have...the most stranges' tea I have evah drank. My kinda tea makes you feel 'appy, lus'ful, blissful...yours just makes you..."

"Makes you what?"

"Mad as a...hmm, mad as a...H-Hatter."

Hatter began to snore immediately after the statement and Samson couldn't help but smile at the cuteness, that was drunken Hatter. He'd been rather loud getting up the stairs but he was a sleepy drunk after all, snoring softly his hat on the floor behind the couch. How could anyone turn someone as wonderful as Hatter away?

"Alice doesn't deserve you."


The attempt at making coffee abandoned, Samson poured out the water and put the pot away. She went to her room and fetched the blankets and pillows she had put out for him the first night and brought it to the couch. She pulled Hatter's arms down and helped him from his jacket. He moaned lightly and looked up at her blearily.

"Hey."

"Why don' you sing?"

"Because...where I sang, it wasn't good t' make the people happy."

"Why no'?"

"Somebody would steal it from them and I...I didn't like it."

"Oys-oyst-"

"Shhh, you're very tired, get some rest now."

"I am a bi-"

And Hatter promptly collapsed onto the pillow she had set down. She smiled again, glad that he was somewhat happy and comfortable. She dreaded the conversation that would take place in the morning, the way that happiness would quickly be stolen away. She knelt down beside him until she was staring at his content and dreamy face, his heart shaped lips, and his eyes. Even as they were closed, they seemed to be beautiful, something wonderful to concentrate on. When his eyes were open things were lighter, a little more funny, considering when his eyes were open it meant he also had something witty on his mind. Samson almost couldn't believe she'd known Hatter for two days, tomorrow three.

"Night, Hatter."

"Nghh, nigh', love."