Alice crawled back into bed as Nivens left. She felt as if a great sadness had been lifted by his words. However Tarrant may act towards her, she should keep in mind that he cares for her. But how far does that caring go? She also felt better that Nivens looked a little better as he left. Only morning would tell for sure. As her thoughts drifted sleep crept in and stole her away for the rest of the night.

The next morning Alice woke up late, but felt better than she had before as she showered and dressed for the day. She threw on a pair of dark blue jeans and a blue tank top with a light-weight black cardigan. She braided her hair, slid into a pair of blue flip flops, and left her room in search of the others.

As she wandered the halls she came across Nivens' room. His late night visit was still fresh in her mind. She pressed her ear to his door and listened. She couldn't hear anything. She tried knocking lightly, but still nothing. Finally she just opened the door a crack and peeked inside. Nivens was sprawled across his small rollaway bed dead asleep. He was nearly as bad as Dormouse, but it made Alice smile. He really needed the sleep. She quietly shut the door and continued on her way.

There were a few of the stagehands in the halls. Alice greeted them as she passed. In a very circuitous route she ended up at the lounge. Thackery sat on the couch on the wall with his bass in his lap. His fingers played along the strings. The sound was muted and sounded strange not coming through the amps.

"Good morning," Alice said and went to the fridge in search of breakfast.

"Morning," Thackery grunted in return.

Alice pulled a plate of sliced apples out of the fridge and sat in on the table. She took one up and frowned over at Thackery. "You're not still beating yourself up, are you?" Thackery didn't respond. "It wasn't your fault," she tried to remind him.

"We'll see what he says when he wakes up," Thackery sighed. He stood up. "I'm going to go back and practice in my room."

She pouted at him. "Why'd you even come out then?"

He just shook his head and disappeared out of the lounge. Alice sat down and ate a few more of the apple slices, but she felt lonely. The one person she really wanted to see hadn't made an appearance yet. After she'd finished the apple she put the plate in the sink and went looking for him.

She checked his room first, but he wasn't there. The door was unlocked, but the room was dark. "Tarrant?" she called. No answer.

Next she checked in the lot next to the Mad T Party area. It was empty.

Finally she went and checked the Mad T Party stage. Hatter was sitting on the edge of the stage staring into space. He was dressed in his normal clothes: slacks, button up shirt, vest, oversized overcoat. His hat ever present upon his red hair. She hadn't seen him out on the stage out of his stage clothes. She walked around to the front of the stage and gazed up at him. His eyes seemed like they were seeing far into the distance through more than just space, but also time. She waited for him to notice her.

After a long while she reached forward and placed her hand lightly on his knee. He blinked and looked down at her. "Alice?" he asked. "When did you get here?"

"Just now," she said with a smile. "What are we doing?"

He took a deep breath and held it for a moment as his gaze wandered out over the empty space once more. "Trying to determine where we are."

"We're at the Mad T Party stage, of course."

"Yes," Tarrant said with a nod. "But why am I here?"

Alice folded her hands over his knee and rested her cheek upon them. She shut her eyes. "I asked you to come here," she said softly.

She felt Tarrant's fingers brush some of the loose strands that had escaped her braid back away from her face. "Yes, you did. And happily we came. I came."

Her eyes fluttered open and she looked at him. "Do you regret that decision?"

He smiled warmly down at her and shook his head. "Not one bit." His fingers traced her jaw line down to her chin. She felt warmth flood her cheeks. "Why do you worry so much, Alice?"

"Because I care," she said without a thought.

"We've been through worse," he reminded her. "You and me. And Thackery. And Mallymkun. Chesshur, Aboslem, and Nivens, too. You helped make us stronger."

She shook her head. "No. It was you who helped me."

He laughed and it warmed her heart. "Perhaps we can agree that we helped one another." He patted the empty stage beside him. "Come here."

Alice turned so her back was to the stage. She planted her hands on the stage and jumped to join him. He put his hand under her arm and helped pull her onto the stage so they were sitting side by side. She leaned her head on his shoulder as he wrapped his arm around her.

"Are you happy here?" she asked softly.

"Hey," Tarrant said. His free arm crossed in front of him and she felt him touch her chin. He turned her face so her eyes met his. "I'm happy with you."

Alice blinked back tears. "Tarrant. Don't say things you don't really mean."

His brow furrowed and his hand dropped back to his lap. "Why wouldn't I mean what I say?"

"Because lately you've been saying what you think people want to hear. What you say on stage is for the crowds. What you say to the fans back stage is for them. What you said last night to Mally…"

"I mean what I say," he interrupted. "At least, I do when I say it."

Alice nodded. "I'm sure you do. So please, be careful what you say to me when we're alone."

He looked back at her in confusion. Alice shook her head and buried her face against his arm. "Don't be sad, Alice." He rubbed his hand up and down her arm.

"I'm not." Her voice was muffled against his coat. "I'm scared."

There was a moment of silence. Slowly Tarrant asked: "Scared of what?"

"That I'm losing you guys." Alice gushed. "Losing you, more than anything else Tarrant."

"Why do you say that?"

She took a deep breath to organize her thoughts before she pulled her head back to look up at him. He looked so confused. "It feels like you're fracturing, Tarrant. I'm never sure which side of you I'm going to see, or when those side are going to shift. Nivens tried to reassure me that they are all you, but do I even know the real you?"

Tarrant grasped her hand and threaded his fingers through hers. "Of course you do. Back in Underland I thought we got to know each other very well."

"But did that version of you stay in Underland? If so, who am I talking to now?"

He shook his head. "I don't understand. I'm still me. I'm still Tarrant."

Alice smiled and gently pulled her hand from his to touch his cheek. "I didn't mean to upset you. I'm sorry."

He put his hand over hers and held it to his cheek. "No, I'm the one who is sorry if I've caused you so much distress."

Alice chuckled. "Lets just say we're both sorry."

"No," he insisted. "This is very serious. Alice: none of us are here against our wills." As he spoke she pulled her hand away. How had he so quickly figured out what she herself was struggling with? He continued: "You came to us in our time of need. We'd happily do anything for you."

She felt her jaw drop open in a surprised "Oh."

"We love you, Alice."

Alice blushed fiercely. "I love you guys, too."

"May I be blunt?"

"You haven't been already?" She let out a little laugh.

He cut her laugh short when he ducked forward and pressed his lips to hers. His lips were soft and warm, but firm. Her breath caught and her eyes fluttered shut as she returned the sudden kiss. His hands came up and cupped her face. She twisted in her seat to better face him.

Before the kiss could deepen and take both of them with it, Tarrant gently pulled back. "Make no mistake: I love you, Alice."

"Oh, Tarrant," Alice sighed.

"Shh." He pressed a finger to her lips. "You don't need to respond. Despite anything else I put you through, remember I love you."

"Thank you," Alice said as another tear slipped down her cheek. Tarrant wiped it away and nestled her head back against his shoulder. They sat together in silence for a little while longer.