Summary: After two years, Alice returns to Underland, to face a destiny far greater than she could ever have imagined.

Genre: Romance/Adventure

Pairing: Alice Kingsley & The Mad Hatter/Tarrant Hightopp

Rating: M

Disclaimer: I don't own any characters or locations from Lewis Carroll's novels Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass, nor do I own any characters or locations from Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland. All rights go to Lewis Carroll, Tim Burton, Linda Woolverton, Disney, etc.

Alice in Underland

Chapter Ten

Day Two

As the carriage began making its way back to Marmoreal, Alice and Tarrant were quiet. Tarrant had pulled Alice back onto his lap once they'd set off and they wrapped their arms around each other and stayed like that for a long time, content to just be together, cuddling close to one another in a sweet, intimate embrace. It was perfect. After sharing such intensely deep emotions, both of them were a bit overwrought and they each needed comfort from the other.

Finally Alice pulled back to look at Tarrant. They gazed into each other's eyes then Alice spoke. "Tarrant?"

He caressed the back of her neck with such tenderness it made her heart swell. "Hmmmm?" he murmured.

"Do you love me?" she asked.

"Of course I do," he answered, pulling her to him and kissing her gently.

"Tell me..." she said softly. "I need to hear you say it."

He gazed at her, his eyes shining. "I love you, Alice. Just Alice. My Alice."

She smiled. "I love you too," she said. She rested her head on his shoulder, sighing happily. "I've never loved anyone but you, you know."

"Me neither," he whispered. "It's only ever been you."

"I don't think I've ever been happier than I am right now," she said, nestling against him contentedly.

"Me neither." He stroked her hair tenderly.

"Tarrant?"

"Hmmm?"

"Loving someone this much is a little scary," Alice whispered.

"Yes," he said, still stroking her hair.

"It's scary because suddenly that person means everything to you and you worry that you could lose that person. And you know if you did, your world would turn black and you would never be happy again."

"You're never going to lose me," he whispered, wrapping his arms around her tightly. "But I know what you mean. I worry about that too."

Alice pulled back to look at him. "This is Fate. You and me. We're meant for each other. So you can't lose me. I'm yours and I always will be. Forever."

Tarrant leaned in and kissed her in response.

"Mmmmm," she murmured dreamily. "Do that again."

Tarrant smiled and kissed her again.

"Don't stop," she whispered.

He kissed her mouth then began kissing a trail down her neck and back up again.

She sat up and shifted a bit on his lap so she was facing him more directly.

Their eyes locked for a long moment then his eyes turned emerald green.

Alice smiled wickedly, and still gazing deep into Tarrant's eyes, she slowly slid her hands up his back then wrapped them around the nape of his neck.

Tarrant responded by pulling her tightly against him and kissing her passionately.

She pulled off his hat, carefully placing it on the floor, then she ran her fingers through his hair, and when he grabbed hold of her and kissed her fiercely, she returned his kiss just as fervently.

He whispered something in Outlandish and in one move pushed her onto her back on the seat of the carriage and began kissing her with wild abandon, his hands all over her.

Things grew more heated until an amused voice said, "I suggest you two stop, as you're getting rather close to Marmoreal."

Alice and Tarrant gasped and jolted upright abruptly in shock.

"Chess! What are you doing here? Get out!" Tarrant growled dangerously, his eyes turning gold. "Get out of here before I bloody kill you!" he shouted.

Chessur just grinned then disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

Tarrant began to rant furiously in Outlandish and Alice couldn't help but laugh. "Shhhh," she said, cupping his face with both hands and gazing into his eyes.

She stroked his face gently and he calmed down almost immediately, his eyes turning back to their usual lime-green colour.

"Oh dear," he said softly, his accent still strong. "You look thoroughly ravished."

"Not thoroughly," she whispered.

Tarrant grinned. "Come here, my naughty little temptress, let me fix you up." He gently smoothed out the wrinkles in her dress and then deftly ran his fingers through her hair, making it more tidy. "There, that's better," he said, nodding in satisfaction. He leaned closer and kissed her nose.

She laughed then picked up his hat and placed it on his head. "Come here, now it's your turn. Your clothes are a bit rumpled," she said.

He moved closer and she began to smooth out the wrinkles on his jacket and waistcoat then stopped when she saw his eyes were starting to turn emerald green again. "Perhaps you better do it yourself," she said softly, smiling.

He did, then asked if he looked alright.

She nodded and smiled. "You look lovely. Very handsome. Quite dashing really."

He laughed and took hold of her hand, intertwining their fingers. "And you look beautiful. Exquisite. And really quite naughty."

She had the grace to blush.

"Come here, angel," he whispered. "I'm only teasing." He pulled her close and kissed her softly then whispered in her ear, "I love you, Alice."

She reached out and tenderly stroked his face. "I love you too," she whispered back.

He smiled then pulled out a pocket watch. "Ah, I believe it's tea time. Do you fancy going to a Tea Party?"

"Alright. But only if you protect me from Mallymkun."

He kissed her sweetly. "I'll always protect you, Just Alice. From anything and everything." His eyes turned serious.

"I know you will," Alice said softly. "And I'll protect you, if you ever need it. From anything and everything. It's you and me, Tarrant Hightopp. We're in this together, you know."

Tarrant kissed her in response then smiled and tapped the side of the carriage. "You can let us out here," he called to the horse.

The carriage stopped and they got out, then Tarrant sent the horse and carriage back to the castle. "My Lady?" he said, holding out his hand.

Alice took it and they wove their fingers together then began to walk to the March Hare's house.