Alice slowed the Chronosphere, her heart sinking in her chest as she directed the sparking orb toward a burned field. She held her breath as the metal sphere settled onto seared grass, crunching softly as dropped its full weight.

She stood frozen, her murky green eyes wide as she beheld the field before her with dismay. But Tarrant spoke with his family, Alice shook her head. They remembered me, it was supposed to stop all of this.

After several painfully silent moments passed, she turned to look at Tarrant whose face was tight and whose eyes shimmered. "I'm...I'm so sorry, Tarrant," Alice numbed as she pushed past him, her fingers unfeeling as she slid open the door to the Chronosphere and stepped out onto the field.

The grass broke beneath her boots, her steps ringing out in the silence. The birds no longer nested in the charred trees, chased from the outskirts of Witzend by the damage done.

Alice felt tears slip down her face as she scanned the clearing for signs of life. Her gaze only took in the scorched remains of a village, the smell of singed hair and skin still hanging unpleasantly in the air. Ashes lay in piles strewn about on the yellowed grass.

A hand on her shoulder caused her to turn, her eyes blinking as she was brought back to reality from her thoughts. Tears that had been hanging heavy on her lashes were set loose, sliding down her face. His scarred hand reached out to sweep them away, his thumb lingering on the curve of her cheekbone as his green gaze searched her, never settling.

"Alice," he said softly, a tear of his own slipping free.

"I thought," Alice turned back, shaking her head. "I thought that I could have stopped all of this, that I could have changed the past."

"No, Alice," Tarrant shook his head, grabbing hold of her cheek tenderly to return her gaze to his face. "It happened as it was meant to be. You weren't supposed to change the past," Tarrant looked beyond her to the damage he had returned to once in his distant memories. "I don't remember anything different about the Horunvendush Day because I am not supposed to. And that is alright."

"What do you mean?" Alice's eyes widened. "How can you say such a thing? I know that if I could save my father, I would have."

"And your path would have diverged," Tarrant shook his head, softly scolding her. "Alice, if my family had lived, that would have meant I would have had people beside me to fight alongside the Jabberwocky. An entire clan, even a handful of Hightopps, would have been able to secure the Vorpal sword and helped Mirana gain her crown back. There would have been no waiting."

"What do you mean?" Alice looked at him, her skin tingling with the realization of what he meant.

"It would have meant that I would not have been at the tea table when you were little. I would not have been there when you returned. If you returned," he stepped closer to her, taking her hands in his own. "Alice had this not happened, I would not have needed you. Underland might not have needed you."

"And I would have never been brought back," she turned her head away from him, realizing what that could have entailed. "And I might have become Lady Ascot." She shuddered.

"Perhaps," Tarrant shrugged. "Perhaps you would have had sense return. That I cannot say."

"But don't you want them back?" Alice turned to look back at the field.

"Of course I do, Alice. I know I don't have to explain it to you, as I am sure you yearn for you father in much the same way," he tightened his grip about her hands comfortingly. "But it was not meant to be, Alice."

"You cannot change the past," Alice muttered, recalling what Time had said to her. She dropped Tarrant's hands, turning away as she thought about what the deity had said. "But you can learn from it?"

"What was that, Alice?" Tarrant asked, straining to her what she had mumbled.

"Maybe I was meant to have the Chronosphere," she looked down at the shrunken sphere laying in the scarred earth, "because I was meant to fix what was wrong with Iracebeth now. Not what happened to her in the past."

"That would mean we would need to return to the future," Tarrant concluded, bending down to take the Chronosphere in hand.

"Wait," Alice placed her hand over his, stopping him from tossing the metal orb to the ground. "Are we sure that is what we are supposed to do? Maybe we need to go back…"

"Alice," Tarrant stopped her. "We cannot change the past, you yourself just said that. Returning to see my mother, though, I was reminded of how much my father was proud of me. How I did become a Hatter just like him, but with my own style and way. I didn't tell you what had happened after you met the younger me on my way to meet Thackery and Mally, did I?"

"No," Alice shook her head.

"Something you had said to me struck a chord. And while I never apologized to my father about the row we had, I did return to my home. I tried to learn what my father so desperately wanted to teach me," he reached out to grab her hand once more. "Because of the look in your eye when you told me you wish you could have had your father back every day. I had as much pride as my father, and I am ashamed to say that I think I still do. I let myself slip away because I worried that I shrank in his shadow. That I had been abandoned by the ones I loved. When I was blossoming in my own right, when I was surrounded by people who cared." He tilted his head slightly. "Well, almost everyone who cared."

Alice hung her head. "Hatter, I'm so sorry."

"Now is not the Time to dwell on that," he pulled his hand from her, fisting the Chronosphere. "We have to get this back to Time before we end up destroying everything else."

"I'm afraid I've been terribly selfish," Alice frowned, shaking her head. "Hamish was right."

"I hardly believe that," Tarrant paused to look at her with stitched brow.

"He told me I was impulsive and was irresponsible. And he was right." Alice winced at the realization. "I also had a row with my mother before I left, because I had forgotten about her in England. She had absolutely nothing while I was striving for everything. She was abandoned while I was on my merry adventures, shewing responsibility and prudence." Her head hung as she confessed to Tarrant her own hubris. "I should have returned when I was meant to, I should have made sure my mother was secure on her own in England. But I was too busy trying to fit into my father's footsteps, making my list of six impossibles," she pressed a hand to her forehead. "He never neglected me or Margaret or Mother. He dreamed his wild fantasies, but he never got so high in the clouds that he left us behind."

"You can still make things right, Alice," Tarrant's lisping voice was soft and reassuring.

"Yes," Alice looked to the orb in his hand. "I think it's about Time that I start doing so."

He returned her determined look with a wild smile of his own, tossing the Chronosphere to the ground before him. The two watched eagerly as the sphere distended.

"Come, Alice," he held out his hand to her. "Let's right some wrongs."

Alice took the proffered hand in response, hurrying behind him to climb into the Chronosphere. Tarrant took the helm as she held tightly to his waist. His steering was jerky as he guided the sphere into the gray skies of Grievorrow and back into the Ocean of Time.


Time lighted his craft back at his castle, his heart burning as he stumbled off the damaged cart and into the door of his study.

He could hear the Grand Clock ticking in the background, satisfied that Wilkins and the Seconds were able to keep the clock going in his absence. He needed to search for Alice, to force her to return the Chronosphere, but first he needed to rest. The clock face on his chest tinkled as it continued to shatter, laboring his breathing and sapping his energy.

"Wilkins!" He cried weakly, hoping his butler would hear him.

The craftsman entered the room hastily, wringing his hands as was his usual nervous habit. "Y-y-y-yes, sir?" He hopped to attention when he realized he was addressing Time. "You're back!"

"I'm afraid the kindergarten is more elusive than I thought," the deity winced as the small clock on his chest zapped with electricity.

"Oh dear," Wilkins wilted as he looked at his fading master. "What are we to do?"

"I'll go after her, as soon as I've had some rest," Time sank back into his chair, his cheeks colored a sickly gray.

"Having trouble with Alice?" A familiar grating high-pitched voice asked. Wilkins quickly stepped back, his eyebrows crossing as he watched the Red Queen approach.

"I'm just taking a little…break," Time assured her as he slumped uselessly in the chair.

"Why do I trust men to do my biding?" Iracebeth pouted as she gestured for her vegetable servant to enter. She had fashioned her servants out of the foliage and fauna from the mountains of the Outlands. Time watched as the creature, whose head was a radish and whose dress was made from oversized flower petals and tied vines, followed her mistress closely. "You are about as helpful as Stayne was. Which is to stay, of no use at all." Iracebeth turned to look at the plant maiden at her side. "Bind him," she commanded the creature.

The creature nodded her vegetable head, her leaf-like hands raised to take aim at the deity. Time winced as she webbed vines from her hands, the thick plant wrapping about his body and holding him fast. Not that much effort was need to hold him back; he had already lost any strength he had to fight, wasting it on cursing that silly mad milliner.

"What…are you doing?" Time wheezed as he looked the ungrateful queen with crossed eyebrows.

"Alice has too strong a moral compass to not return the Chronosphere once she realizes the damage she has done," Iracebeth's thin eyebrow rose as she looked down on the immortal being. "Which means she will return to this castle to put it back. I intend to be here when she returns."

"The Chronosphere?" Time groaned as he felt his arms try to break free of the vines, though he knew that wasting what little energy he had left was useless. "Is that all you wanted from me?"

"No," Iracebeth shook her head, pausing to consider the thought for a moment. "Actually, yes!" She shrugged with a smile. "I'll be back, Tick-Tock, don't worry. But then I shall have the Chronosphere and you shall have to give all of eternity over to me if you wish to save Underland." She giggled maliciously before turning her back on the being.

"Where are you going?" Time demanded.

"I think it only fair that my little sister has the opportunity to watch," Iracebeth turned to look at Time with a cruel grin. "And I'm sure she'll appreciate the surprise."

"Iracebeth!" Time growled. "You are just as cruel as the Hatter said you were."

"Oh, I know," she wrinkled her small nose. "I wasn't sure why it took you so long to figure that out. But I'm glad you have. It's going to make our relationship less complicated. Or maybe even over!" She clasped her hands together gleefully. "We'll talk about those details once I've gotten the Chronosphere from that insufferable girl and had her head served to me on a platter. But I really have to run, Tick Tock! I don't want to be late for the show."

"Iracebeth!"

She paused, addressing him one final time before leaving him bound to his chair. "Do try to stay alive in the mean time. It would be terribly inconvenient if that clock ran out."

"Iracebeth!" Time raged as he watched the woman walk away from him, clicking away nonchalantly on her heeled boots.


Tarrant steered the Chronosphere forward, his eyes watching the waves as the two passed by. "We're nearly there," Alice said as she caught sight of a memory of she and Absolem talking just before she fell through the door and into the conference of friends. "That's just before I came to see you."

Tarrant pressed the lever forward, skipping along the waves rapidly. Alice grabbed onto his waist tightly, shaking her head as she watched the memories of the early day pass by.

"You're going too fast!" She insisted, her fingers tangling in the fabric of his waistcoat.

"I'm rather curious," he canted his head slightly, so he was able to see her out of the corner of his eye.

"What about?" Alice looked with concern at the popping sparks dancing about the Chronosphere.

"Do you think one can go forward as well?"

"I'm not sure," Alice answered as she clung to him. "I haven't tried it. Besides, aren't we supposed to be returning this to Time?"

"We will," Tarrant assured her. "But I have a sneaking suspicion that once we put the Chronosphere back where it belongs that we shan't have a chance to use it again."

"I suppose if it's between your curiosity or the fate of Underland," Alice replied dryly, but Tarrant's gleefully ignored her.

"It's just a bit of fun, Alice. We won't be more than a moment or two." Tarrant insisted as he drove the Chronosphere forward toward the more turbulent waves ahead.

"Do be careful," Alice insisted as she balked, Tarrant narrowly missing being sucked in by a crashing wave. "These tides are far more dangerous."

"It's the future, Alice, the water hasn't had the time to settle."

"I think you should still be careful— " Alice shouted the last word as Tarrant drove through a swelling future memory, the orb shuddering around them. The creaking sound of the metal put Alice's nerves on edge.

The Chronosphere whistled through the air as Tarrant directed the whirling orb through the clear afternoon day. Alice's fingers dug tightly into his outer coat as he continued to hurtle toward the earth. She ducked her head, her eyes squeezing shut and her limbs bracing as she prepared for a rather unfortunate landing.

Tarrant surprised her, however, by gently setting the sphere down on the soft grass. When the craft had stopped, Alice opened her eyes in wide surprise to see that he had landed with grace instead of crashing, her fingers aching as she released her grip.

"Where are we?" She asked, her head swiveling from side to side as she tried to orient herself.

"Somewhere in the future," Tarrant pushed the lever into place, turning to the opening in the Chronosphere and grandly stepping out. He turned to offer Alice a hand. "This looks a bit like a reformed Witzend." He directed their attention to the walled city before them.

Alice looked up in wonder at multicolored houses that loomed above the creamy brick walls, a majestic castle sitting higher than the abodes at the city's center.

"Do stop it!" The shrill voice of a young girl demanded. Alice looked to the field beside the walls, her eyes widening as she took in the sight of the two children.

The young girl was about six, her blonde hair falling in waves about her shoulders as she chased after her brother. The boy, holding a ragdoll aloft, was the spitting image of the young Tarrant she had met only hours before. His curly ginger hair was dancing as he trotted about, playing keep away with the girl's toy.

"Young man," Tarrant was the first to intercede, stepping toward the two. The children stopped in their steps, looking to the hatter as he approached. The boy reddened, immediately giving the doll over to his sister as he folded his hands behind his back.

"I'm sorry, da," he pleaded, his large green eyes shimmering with tears. "Don't keep me from the parade tomorrow."

Tarrant froze, turning to Alice with a confused look. "I'm afraid you have me mistaken, young man," Tarrant shook his head as he addressed the boy.

"Kenzie took my dolly!" The girl protested, running to Tarrant and throwing her arms about his legs. Tarrant's arms flew up toward his shoulders, his body taut as the young girl clasped him about the shins.

Alice quickly came to her dear friend's side, kneeling in the grass to meet the girl at her level. "I'm sorry, little one, but I think you have us confused for the wrong people."

"Mummy!" The girl concluded after shyly glancing at Alice. She let go of Tarrant's legs and instead through her skinny arms about the blonde woman's neck.

"No, no," Alice shook her head, trying to dislodge the girl's stubborn arms. "I'm afraid you have us a bit mixed up."

"You mean you're not mum?" The boy, Kenzie, looked at her bewildered.

"No," Alice shook her head. "Who might you be?"

"Kenzie Hightopp, m'am," he puffed out his chest, looking proudly at Alice with a beaming smile. Alice felt her heart beat quickly, her body swirling with waves of warmth.

"Do you suppose, young lad, that you'd be able to help us? I'm afraid me and my friend here are a bit lost." Tarrant asked the young man, crossing his arms as he looked down on the small ginger.

The girl still clung to Alice's neck determinedly, pinning Alice in her kneeling position. "And perhaps free me of her?"

"Let her go, Ceri," the boy approached the two and grabbed hold of his sister's arm. "It's not mum." His sister reluctantly let go of Alice, stepping back with a pout and holding her doll possessively to her chest. "Who can I help you find? I know almost everyone in Witzend."

"The Mad Hatter," Tarrant's red mouth lighted with a smile.

"I can certainly help you with that," Kenzie took hold of Tarrant's hand. "He's been down in the village all afternoon."

"No," Ceri shook her blonde waves. "He's in his workshop. Mum said that to you this morning. You were to meet him after the bell struck twelve, and you didn't, and he'll be right upset with you, he will."

"He's in the village, Ceridwen," Kenzie instead, dragging Tarrant forward.

"He's at home," the little girl grabbed hold of Alice's hand.

"How about," Alice looked down at the girl, "you lead me to your house and if he's not there, we will meet my friend and your brother in the village?"

"Fine," she agreed with a reluctant sigh. "But he knows I'm right,"

"Do not!" Kenzie took off running with Tarrant in hand. Alice was jerked forward by her own guide.

"I suppose I'll see you in a moment or so," Tarrant called back to her.

"I hope you know what you've done, Tarrant Hightopp!" Alice shouted over the children's heads as she was dragged forth into a bustling city with only a little blonde girl as her guide.


"Do you suppose this is a good idea?" McTwisp asked the queen anxiously. The two were standing before the grandfather clock, the monarch looking resolutely at the door to the time piece.

"It must be," Mirana looked at her loyal subject with a determined frown. "If I ask Time for help, I'm sure he can figure out what to do about Tarrant. He is in charge of each person's life-watch, after all. There must be something he can do."

"But you haven't gone down to visit him in years," McTwisp watched the door anxiously, his white paws wringing together as he looked past the glass into the vastness beyond. "And he wasn't too pleased when you returned the last visit, either."

"Well," Mirana's chin rose stubbornly as her dark eyes stared down the golden clock. "As Tarrant would say, there must be a Time to forgive and forget, forget and forgive. Besides, I am not doing this for my own gain, but a dear friend's."

"Are you not going to bring Alice?" He looked to the door which led to this solitary room.

Mirana brushed an absent tear away from her eyes with quick swipes of her fingers. "That girl was too late. This is the job for a queen, not a Champion, I am afraid to say."

"I can go with you," the rabbit trembled as he offered his services.

Mirana looked down to the creature warmly. "Thank you, McTwisp," she shook her head. "But I think it would be best if I went alone."

"Only if you're certain," he nodded his head.

"I am."

Mirana reached forward, her fingers wrapping about the metal handle of the door. Pulling the small portal open, she stepped back in shock, her dark eyes widening. "Iracebeth?"

"Surprise!" Her sister smiled proudly as she stepped out from the door of the clock. Her heels clicked on the chessboard tile as she walked toward her sister. "I was hoping you would be more happy to see me than you are." A look of mock disappointment graced her features.

"You were banished," Mirana's voice was low, a warning.

"And I got myself unbanished," the sister shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly. "But you do me such a favor to remind me of what you did. It renews my desire to strangle you." Her small eyebrows stitched. Her hand rose, her fingers flicking toward the pair of them. Mirana gasped as she beheld a vegetable woman stepping through the portal and into the room. "Bind her," Iracebeth's voice was tight and unamused.

Mirana tried to turn to flee, but she quickly found her wrists bound in thick vines, her legs hobbled together as she tried to run. She fell to the ground violently, her crown tumbling from her hair and resounding with a clink as it hit the marble floor.

"I will take that," Iracebeth retrieved the headpiece, placing it on her mound of hair once again, settling the metal circle into the shape. "And as for where I'll take you," she turned back to her plant servant. "Put her in Tick-Tock's room. She'll need to see the show before she's banished."

"What?" Mirana struggled against her captor, trying to gain her footing once more.

"Your little Alice is still off and about with the Chronosphere," her sister explained as the plant lady began to drag the White Queen through the door of the clock. "You'll be obliged to join us in our waiting for her before I send you to the Outlands, little sister." Iracebeth seethed.

Mirana watched with wide eyes as McTwisp scurried from his hiding spot in the corner and made headway for the door, scurrying quickly around out of the room. But not before glancing back to meet his monarch's gaze; he nodded his head in a promise that he would fetch help.

Mirana continued to struggle as she watched the room grow smaller and dimmer as the plant lady escorted her through the clock's door. Iracebeth followed, a cruel smile on her red lips, shutting the door behind them.


Alice followed the quick moving blonde girl, dodging men and women in the streets as she held firmly to Ceri's hand. The girl led her through the backstreets toward the center of town, not far from the castle at the center. Alice prayed she'd be able to find her way back; Tarrant and Kenzie had taken off in the opposite direction as soon as the two children had led the adults through the city's gates. She was once again separated from Tarrant and she knew it was only a matter of Time before she would be causing irreconcilable damage with the Chronosphere.

"Here!" Ceri stopped suddenly, pushing Alice from her worried thoughts as the woman struggled with her footing. She looked up to see that the young girl had led her to a haberdashery. A swinging sign advertised this shoppe as "Hightopp's Handsome Hats".

"Thank you," Alice said breathlessly, watching as the girl strode through the blue door with confidence, leaving it ajar behind her.

"Da?!" The girl yelled.

"Cer?" A familiar voice called back.

"Kenzie's in the market. And he stole my doll." The girl continued to have a shouting conversation with the man in the other room. Alice entered the shoppe hesitantly.

This room was akin to the one she had stumbled into behind a young Tarrant. Hats of various shapes, sizes, and colors were displayed on mannequin heads. Bolts of fabric, measuring tape, buttons, and ribbons were hung or kept on shelves. Alice found her head spinning as she tried to take in the dazzling creations on parade around her.

"Did he now?" The voice called back. "And he's very late on top of it all."

"Well, he did return my doll," Ceri cradled the object lovingly in her arms. "But he's still late."

"I'm glad he made the right choice about one thing."

"Oh, also, someone is here looking for." Ceridwen looked up at Alice's marveled expression with an amused grin.

"Who is it, Cer?"

"I don't know," the girl shrugged as she continued to study Alice. "She said she was looking for the Mad Hatter."

"Hello?" Alice shouted after Ceridwen finished.

Footsteps from the other room grew louder. Alice turned to her left to face the doorway, her cheeks flushing as the man stepped into the frame.

He was older, she could see it in the shadows on his face, but he still looked spry and clever and very, very mad. His shocking red hair was unkempt, his head bare as he emerged from what she assumed was his workshop. He was wearing a black and white striped apron, brushing his fingerless gloved hands on the material to wipe away the glue and sweat.

"Alice!" He cried out with joy, striding towards her, his arms outstretched. Alice let herself be encompassed in his embrace. "You certainly aren't my Alice," he looked down at her with happiness in his eyes.

"Not this again," she groaned playfully.

"I do not mean it as an insult this time, dearest," his hands cradled her face gently. "If you were to see yourself today, you'd know why." His thumb brushed along the crest of her cheek. "That must mean you were dragged here by younger me, heady and impulsive and far too curious."

"I'm afraid so," Alice nodded her head.

"Which means there isn't much time," he nodded his head. "It's good to see you, Alice, as you are like this."

"Why?" Alice looked his features over worriedly.

"You're just so young and so very…very Upperlandish and new." He mused as he looked her over. "Did I make this wretched thing for you?"

"Your future self certainly likes to critique your past self," Alice laughed as she brushed his hand away from inspect the seams near her shoulders. "What about me? What about future me?"

"I can't tell you those things, Alice," Tarrant shook his head. He turned to Ceridwen. "Go on, m'bairn, go upstairs and work on your reading. Your mother will be expecting it."

"Yes, da," the girl groaned, huffing before obeying reluctantly. Alice smiled as she heard the girl stomp up the stairs. "There shouldn't be books without pictures," the girl's voice was barely audible as she whinged.

"So," Alice looked at his hands that enveloped hers. She saw the golden wedding band gracing his left hand. "You married?"

"Aye," he nodded his head.

"And you have children," she said, shifting uncomfortable.

"My wife and I are expecting our fourth one, yes," Tarrant nodded his head.

"I am so happy for you, Tare. That you were able to create your family," Alice blushed nervously, turning from him to inspect a hat and simultaneously hide her disappointment.

"Thank you, Alice," Tarrant added sincerely. "You turned out pretty splendid yourself," he added.

"Did I go back to Upperland? To England?"

"Aye," he nodded his head. Alice turned away from him, taking a shaky breath and holding back tears. "Alice," he stepped forward, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Are you upset?"

"I just thought…" Alice turned, looking about the room and feeling a swell of jealousy rise in her chest. "I just thought I would have the sense to stay here."

"Alice, it isn't fair to tell you details," Tarrant's hand slid down her arm to take hold of hers. "But I can tell you that you become the bravest and most daring of women, you are a force to be reckoned with, and you are where you are meant to be."

But what if that is here? She thought sadly. "Could I…could I meet your wife?"

Tarrant smiled sadly, his free hand cradling her face once more. "I'm afraid that's impossible, Alice."

"Oh," Alice frowned.

The clock on the wall struck one. "And I'm afraid you need to be on your way. To find the younger me."

"Why did you bring us here, Tare?" Alice asked, her heart sinking in her chest.

"Because I have an overwhelming curiosity, dear one," Tarrant smiled affectionately. "When you go out that door, go straight for three blocks and then turn left and then right. You'll find the town square and there you will find me."

"Tare, I don't want to go, not yet," Alice gripped his hand tightly. "I have so many questions. So many things I want to know…"

"And I cannot give you answers, Alice. That would not be fair to present or future you." He twisted free of her grip, turning her about the shoulders and escorting her towards the door. "And if you want to avoid breaking Time and Space now, you'd best be on your way."

"Fine," Alice answered, quickening her steps. "I shall be on my way. But Tare, I have one final question," she paused, her hand frozen on the ornate handle of the door.

"And what would that be, my ever inquisitive darling?"

"Did you ever forget me?" She asked.

A large smile played across his gat-teeth. "Alice, you have made yourself so evident in my life that I would not have the ability even if I wanted to."

Alice nodded her head slowly, then turned back toward the door. "I promise I won't forget you," Alice said before departing.

"Oh, Alice, I assure you I've made it just as hard for you to leave me behind. The gardens of memory and the palace of dreams have made themselves quite ornate with both of our presences."

"Goodbye, Tarrant." Alice frowned.

"Fairfarren, dear one," he answered, watching as she shut the door and turned on her way.

He then looked over to a picture that had been hanging over the door, one that Alice had missed on her way out. There, in black and white echoes of themselves, sat Alice on a chair in front of a beaming Tarrant, her arms holding a baby who slept soundly in her arms. Tarrant sighed contentedly, turning to return to his workshop, waiting impatiently for his wife and sons.


Tarrant hurried after Kenzie, his hand holding tight to the boy. He dodged women carrying baskets and men walking with canes as the boy led him further into the heart of the city. Tarrant began to recognize the outskirts of the town square of Witzend; it was newer, cleaner, but there was no mistaking the shops and pubs that dwelled not far from the heart of the city. The sounds of merchants and customers buzzed not far ahead.

Kenzie turned to the right sharply, his feet skidding as he avoided colliding with a merchant, who immediately scolded the boy and commanding him to watch where he was running. Kenzie made a hasty apology before turning back to Tarrant.

"The Mad Hatter usually has a stall over in the corner, that's where he was this morning," the boy explained. "He sells some of his wares there, while my mum shops for fabrics. She takes over for the late morning and…"

Tarrant quickly tuned the boy's words out as he beheld the statue at the center of the square. It once had been in the likeness of some old king of Witzend, a man he had learned about in his boring history lessons, but now it was no longer male. In fact, it was in the perfect likeness of his Alice, dressed in armor and holding the Vorpal sword aloft. Tarrant marveled at the static likeness of her wavy hair, now a cream color instead of its rich deep gold. Her brows were twisted in her determined grimace, her pale eyes looking toward the outer wall of Witzend. Tarrant approached to read a plaque commemorating this statue and its honors to "Alice the Champion" who saved Underland from the tyranny of the Red Queen.

"Kenzie!" A sharp voice scolded the boy who stood near the Hatter's side.

Tarrant turned his head to behold Alice, making her way through the crowd toward the boy, a cross looking marring her features.

"Alice?" Tarrant called out, a smile crossing his mouth.

"Tarrant?" Alice's eyes narrowed as she approached the man. She pushed her way through a pair of men haggling over a piece of meat, brushing her skirts as she stood before the hatter and the boy.

"Alice, where did Cer— " Tarrant stopped as he beheld the woman. "You're not my Alice," he looked at her with wide green eyes. This Alice had a bulging middle, signaling she was a month or so from having a bairn, her hand rested gently over the swell of her belly.

This Alice let out a hearty laugh as she approached closer. "I didn't think you were my Tarrant, but now you've proved my suspicions. Kenzie," she turned her attentions to the boy with a smile. "You should be in the workshop at this hour. Run along home, and fetch Ainsley from the Meddles on your way," she instructed.

"Mum!"

"You know your father will be cross with you for being late, especially since he has let you go early the past few days. Now get! And fetch your brother!"

"Yes, mum!" The boy conceded, turning reluctantly from the pair and heading toward the east side of the village.

"Sorry about that, Tare," Alice smiled, her hand rubbing her belly affectionately.

"You're a mum," Tarrant looked at her with wide green eyes, his limbs frozen as he watched her. "And you stayed in Underland."

"Sort of," Alice nodded her head. "About the Underland. Not about the mum part, obviously," she laughed as she indicated her belly once again.

"Oh," Tarrant found himself speechless as he looked at her motherly size.

"I am assuming you are from the time after we visited Grievorrow day?" Alice smiled warmly.

Tarrant nodded, still watching her silently. Alice shook her long waves. "Come now, Tare, I really won't bite," she insisted, her hand reaching out to take hold of his wrist. He noticed a set of rings on her left ring finger, glinting in the sun as she moved her hand.

"You're married," he added.

"You're very much the detective today," Alice mused, placing his hand on her round middle. Tarrant immediately felt tiny feet kick against his hand. Alice laughed as she watched his mouth fall open. "I couldn't help myself, I love seeing that reaction on your face." Her chuckles deepened as he gave her a blank look. "Of course this child is yours, Tarrant. Well, future yours. And he'll be terribly cross that I've told you this, so do please try and forget it before then. We knew you two would be coming and he thinks that telling you your futures is like cheating. Though, futures are always subject to change. Even the Oraculum has morphed over centuries as future entries approach."

"This…this is my bairn…my f-f-f-family?" Tarrant stuttered as he placed his other hand over her global stomach. The baby rolled about beneath.

"Are you pleased?"

"Oh, I rather am pleased, especially to see you in this way. And to know that you're staying in Underland. And, though it is rather undignified and presumptuous to say, I am rather glad that you are all mine, and I should be ashamed to say that I have grown endearingly fond of you, Alice, at least increasingly fond of my Alice and I really would like to have a family with my Alice and…"

"Then you have to convince me, Tare. And not by cheating!" Alice placed her hands over his.

"This isn't…" Tarrant looked past Alice toward the direction Kenzie had scurried off towards. "This isn't your only?"

"This is our fourth, Tare," Alice nodded. "'Family is important', like you've always said to me. 'You only have one', and you've determined to make that one as large as we're able." Alice looked up at the clock. "I have to get going, Tare. Future you is expecting me, and I'm afraid past me is on the way. And there will be dastardly effects if we are to see one another."

"Oh?" Tarrant hummed, his hands traveling across her belly, yearning for just a few more moments of realization. Alice pushed away his searching fingers hurriedly.

"I really must go," Alice reached up to place a hand on his cheek lovingly. "Convince me, Tare. Convince me to stay. I will if you ask." She took a basket quickly in hand, having set it beside her before speaking with past Tarrant. "Fairfarren, love."

"Fairfarren," Tarrant answered, watching as this Alice turned and took off in the direction her son, no, their son had gone moments before. He watched her until he could no longer see her.

"Tarrant?" A hand was placed on his shoulder.

Tarrant turned to behold his Alice, her belly flat beneath his old waistcoat. Tarrant reached out, wrapping her in his arms, bringing her close to his body in an embrace. "Alice," he murmured into her hair.

"What has gotten into you?" She asked with a smile, her hands wrapping about his arms as she leaned away from him, his arms still wrapped about her waist.

"Nothing," he shook his head. "Were you able to find the Mad Hatter?"

"Indeed," Alice nodded her head. "What about you? You look as if you've seen a ghost."

"I just met a milliner's wife, and she was lovely," Tarrant nodded, remembering what future Alice had said about talking about what was to come.

"Oh," Alice answered unenthusiastically.

"I think it's about time we get going," Tarrant reached into his coat pocket, fetching the Chronosphere. The orb sparked in his hand, causing him to yelp and drop it to the ground. Alice's eyes widened as she beheld the sparking object.

"I dare say it is— and quickly," she took the Chronosphere in hand, running toward the outer wall, Tarrant fast on her heels.


"Were your questions satisfied?" Alice asked as she steered the Chronosphere into the calmer seas of the past.

"I didn't have any specific questions in mind," Tarrant shrugged as he stood behind her, his arms looped about her waist comfortably. "I merely was curious."

"Was your curiosity satisfied, then?" Alice restated her question with a raised eyebrow.

"Is yours ever?"

"No," Alice licked her lips as she caught sight of the swelling wave revealing Time's castle before her. "Hold tight."

Tarrant obeyed, his grip about her middle tightening as Alice made for the wave, cutting through the current and gently guiding the sparking orb through dark skies surrounding the looming Castle of Eternity.

"Is this what that the old being calls home?" Tarrant inquired, an air of disgust in his lilting tones.

"I'm afraid so," Alice smiled. "Not as cozy as the Hightopp home, I suppose?"

"It's rather…dingy, wouldn't you say?"

"I don't have to live here, so I would much rather not," Alice concluded as she carefully landed the Chronosphere outside of one of the gates.

Tarrant stepped from the orb first, helping Alice down once again with a gentle hand. The two watched as the Chronosphere shrank, Alice leaned over to scoop the small object up in her hand. "I think it's time to get you home." She mused.

Alice led the way up the stairs and down the main corridor, hoping her memory served her correctly. She was delighted to see the balcony which oversaw the grand clock, happy that her instincts had been correct. Her smile melted, however, when she looked up to see the face of the clock.

The clock was sparking and sputtering, its face cracked and splintering. Seconds had been turned into Minutes had morphed into the Hour, the great creature laboriously trying to keep the hands moving on the Grand Clock. The metal groaned and creaked under the pressure, and it was obvious that at any moment the time piece could collapse.

"What have I done?" Alice shook her head, her fingers loosening around the Chronosphere she had fisted tightly.

"I think it is best we brought that back," Tarrant noted as he looked up at the clock. "I don't suppose that's how a clock should look. Perhaps give it some butter and jam?"

"That certainly won't do," Alice hurried toward the stairs that would lead her toward the clock. "Hurry, Tare!"

Alice watched the stairs below her feet, hurrying but not wishing to fall. She was startled, then, when she crashed into a figure at the bottom of the stairs. "Alice!" The shrill voice cried accusingly.

Alice gasped, her hands windmilling as she fought for balance. She had stumbled into Iracebeth, who was waiting with hands crossed and a sneer across her face.

"Guards!" Iracebeth cried. "Seize her!"

Two large beasts made entirely of vegetable and fauna, but looking human-like all the same, stepped forward to wrap their large hands around Alice. Alice grunted as she tried to pull from their grasp.

"'ey! Le' goe of Ahlice!" The burring warning tone of Tarrant could be heard as he thundered down the stairs.

"I should have guessed," the queen said with an unamused tone. "Where Alice goes, the Hatter is never far behind. Guards!"

"Tarrant!" Alice cried out as she tried to wiggle herself free of the vegetable hands. She turned her head to see several more vegetable guards approaching. "Tarrant, run!"

"Nay!" Tarrant shook his head, increasing his speed as he charged the guards. When he was close to the bottom step, he took a flying leap, landing upon one of the guard's heads, sending him flying backwards.

The other guard lost his balance as well and went crashing to the ground, bringing Alice with him. In his fall, the creature loosened his grip and Alice broke free. She scurried to her feet, making a break for the clock.

The guards approaching, however, were faster than they looked and quickly caught hold of her, taking her by her wrists once more. They dragged Alice to stand before the queen, Tarrant was held just as firmly by the recovered pair of guards at her side.

"Get it!" Iracebeth commanded, her hand held outstretched before her, waggling her fingers expectantly.

The guards holding Alice lifted her upwards, suspending her in midair as their hands went to search her person.

"Get off of me!" Alice screeched.

"Ah'll keel yeh!" Tarrant cried as he pulled against his restraints.

The guards let Alice go with a thrust, sending her sprawling to the floor. The one guard triumphantly held the Chronosphere in hand. Alice watched in dismay as Iracebeth took the orb in hand.

"Thank you, Alice," Iracebeth began, her dark eyes sweeping over Alice as she fisted the Chronosphere in hand. "You have just delivered to me the most powerful device in the universe."

Alice returned the ungrateful gratitude with a glare, struggling to her feet in an attempt to charge the Red Queen by herself. The guards behind Alice stopped her before she was able to reach the haughty woman. "Put them with the others," Iracebeth commanded, turning from the two and entering Time's office with a raised chin and clacking heeled steps.

Alice looked to Tarrant with wide eyes. He gave her a comforting grin, quieting his protests as the guards dragged the two after Iracebeth.

His gesture said the same thing her racing thoughts did— they would find a way to escape. For now, it was about biding their Time. Until they could find him.


A/N: So sorry that it has been a million years since my last update. Life has been super busy. And it'll probably be a million more until my next, as I am planning to participate in NaNoWriMo starting next week, and I am taking 3 college courses for most of that month. I will get this story done, however, as the last three chapters are outlined and just need to be written.

I hope you enjoy what I've done so far. I was thinking about throwing away the look into the future, but it was a lot of fun to do. And will perhaps have you scratching your heads in a couple chapters :)

Thank you (gracias!) to all who have reviewed so far. Reviews are ALWAYS appreciated, as are favorites.

Until I see you next.

Lydia