A Week in Wonderland, Ch. 10

by wingsinheaven5

A/N: SO SORRY! I know I've been gone for, how long, more than a month now? SO COMPLETELY SORRY! Life got in the way. School kinda took over my life for a while there: papers, speeches, projects, and finals galore! Then right after that, I had some family events that never seemed to end! And in these past two weeks when I could finally return to the computer, I had no idea what to write next! Can you say writer's block? Sheesh! Believe me, though, I've been feeling really guilty this whole time!

As for this long awaited chapter, here we are! I randomly got inspired today, and this is the result. Hope you like it! I'll try to post the next one soon!

Remember, reviews are greatly appreciated! =]

She was avoiding him. She had to be. Ever since their latest tense moment in the forest, Alice did all she could to steer clear of a certain orange-haired someone for the rest of that afternoon.

After his revelation, the Hatter had followed Alice back into the castle, only to see her clutching closely at James' side; she didn't look his way, but he knew she was aware of his presence. He smirked before walking away. Alice peered over her shoulder to watch him leave, much to her surprise. The doors closed behind him, and Alice felt a wave of relief. Or was it disappointment? She lied to herself and decided it didn't matter. The important thing was that she was back with James, the man she really loved.

"Are you alright, Alice?"

Alice turned at the sound of James' voice. His brows were slightly furrowed.

"Of course!" Alice smiled sweetly to assure him she was fine. James gave her a pointed look before dropping the matter. He turned back to the group he had been talking with before Alice appeared at his side, and excused hisself. James then pulled Alice aside, still in plain view of his comrades, and took her by the waist. Alice automatically placed her hands around his neck. James' fellow court members watched intently as the pair snuggled closely.

"Now," James drawled, "where were we?" He kissed Alice lightly on the lips before she pulled away slightly.

"James, hold on." Alice kept a firm grasp against James. "Are you alright? What did they need you in the parlor for?" Alice did not appreciate his leaving her, and then not telling her what for…especially since it was when he left her that she ended up alone with…

Alice pouted.

James chuckled. "Always so curious." Alice looked up at him with large eyes. "If you must know," James nodded towards the group watching them curiously, "they wanted to know about us."

"Us?" Alice glanced at the group of finely dressed courts men and women.

"Yes. They were imploring whether we" he gestured his hand back and forth between them, "are together." Alice turned her attention back on James.

"But of course! We're together right now!" Alice leaned into James; James chuckled.

"Yes, but they mean, together together."

Alice pulled back slightly. "Oh. And what did you say?"

James paused a moment before he spoke, his eyes locked with Alice's. He dropped his hands from Alice's waist, and reached into his coat pocket, extracting a shiny diamond ring. Alice gasped. The courts people leaned in closer.

"If she'll have me."

James then kneeled, and took Alice's left hand. Alice's eyes went wide. James slipped the ring onto Alice's finger.

"You love me, right Alice?"

"Of course!" Alice gushed.

"Well then, marry me." He stood, taking both of Alice's hand in his as he did so. "Alice Kingsley, marry me."

Alice's eyes glowed the brightest pink possible, to which only James noticed (much to his satisfaction), and she smiled from ear to ear before tackling James with a hug. She pulled back enough to kiss him eagerly on the mouth.

"Yes! Yes, James, I'll marry you!" James noticed the pink from Alice's irises spilling lightly into the whites of her eyes. He smiled, not because he was happy she was marrying him, but because he was happy his plan was working out ever so nicely. He pulled Alice into him and kissed her back. The group (now a crowd) of courts people cheered, excited for their champion.

"Do you have any sixes?" Mallyumkun stood to peer up and over her hand of cards.

"Go fish." Thackery brought his cards close to his nose, eyeing the others carefully.

"Liar." Hatter finally emerged from the castle, and towered over the sitting Hare.

"Hatter!" Mallyumkun grinned. "Where have you been?"

Hatter sighed, and rubbed the back of his neck. He didn't answer, and instead took a seat in the grass in between Mally and Chessur. He picked up a hand of cards.

"Who's turn is it?"

Mally glanced at Chessur, who glanced at Thackery, who glanced at Mally. The Hatter was distraught.

"What happened, Tarrant?" Chessur folded his arms over his chest, and eyed the Hatter.

Hatter stared at the cards in his hand. What had happened? What was he supposed to do now? One minute, he thought he had her, the next minute Alice was in James' arms. Fat chance of her leaving his side any time soon. And he couldn't very well have continued to press her on with the whole court watching him do so – they were all on James' side.

The castle doors suddenly burst open, trumpets sounded, and people cheered. Hatter looked on in the distance, but couldn't quite make out what was happening.

"What's all the commotion about?" Thackery's hand of cards lay forgotten on the grass, and he began shaking back and forth.

"Chess?" Hatter turned to Chessur.

"I'm on it." Chessur disappeared into thin air, and after a few moments, reappeared. "Alice and James are getting married."

"Really?" Mally's brows raised.

"Oh boy, a wedding!" Thackery began jumping about.

"What?" Hatter's breath hitched. He got up and ran as fast as he could towards the castle. He reached the crowd, and frantically pushed his way through.

There was Alice, smiling up at James, his arm around her shoulders, hers around his waist. And there, on her slender finger, rested a foreboding white diamond.

So it was true.

"Alice!" Hatter tried desperately to push through the rest of the crowd in order to reach the blond. "Alice!" He finally pushed through to the front. "Alice!" Everything thereafter seemed to happen in slow motion to the Hatter. Alice sharply turned to face him, her smile dissipating into a slight frown. Her bright pink eyes flickered brown for the briefest moment, before flicking back to their evil shade. She brought her left hand to her ear and tucked away a strand of hair, pausing long enough to make sure the Hatter saw the ring burning against her finger.

"Alice!" Hatter tried once more to push through, but eventually found himself further engulfed by the crowd, Alice walking away with James. The couple eventually reached a carriage, mounted, and were off. The crowd began to dwindle away, and Hatter all too soon found himself standing alone.

Hatter paced back and forth in his room the White Queen had pointed out for him. She was sweet, yes, but more daft than should be allowed. When asked about Alice and James' marriage, she merely smiled and said something along the lines of "true love is a gift, so we should cherish it." Really now? True love? This was not true love. Knowing Alice was probably going to be staying here at the castle with James now, the Hatter decided it'd be best if he stayed for a while longer himself. He had to keep a watch over Alice. He had to convince her she loved him, not James. He had to break whatever spell Alice was deluged in. But in order to do any of that, Alice had to be there.

He stopped pacing and looked at the clock. 11 pm. Where was she? He couldn't take the waiting any longer, and began for the castle doors. Upon reaching the doors, he began to push against its wood when he saw James helping Alice out of the carriage. Hatter quickly retreated, and kept the doors open just the slightest – enough for him to peer through with one eye. He watched as James held Alice's hands in his. Hatter could just barely make out what they were saying.

"I'm so glad you enjoyed dinner, Alice. I though you'd like it if we were alone."

"I did very much."

James kissed Alice on the cheek. "Now, you'll have to forgive me, dear, but I have something I must attend to." He began to pull away when Alice grasped at his arms.

"You're leaving me?" Hatter couldn't make out her expression since she had her back to the castle.

"Only for a short while. I have some important matters to clear up. Trust me, Alice, I'll be back soon." He kissed her on the mouth briefly before mounting back into the carriage, leaving Alice all alone.

Hatter pushed the door open, and walked towards Alice. Alice was watching the carriage disappear into the night, and didn't notice the Hatter move behind her.

"A charmer, that one."

Alice jumped. She turned and was met with the one person she had been avoiding all day. After accepting James' proposal, James suggested the two of them have dinner alone tonight, and she so eagerly agreed. She did not want to get caught with the Hatter again, especially after her engagement. Yet here she was. How was it he always managed to sneak up on her without a sound?

Alice rolled her eyes, and began heading towards the castle. Hatter caught up with her and began walking at her side.

"What do you want, Hatter?" Alice had to get away from him. Her stomach felt funny, and she reasoned it was probably all the excitement of the day combined with her big dinner (quite simply ignoring the fact that the reason for her funny feelings could currently be walking by her side).

"To…congratulate you, I guess." Alice stopped walking, and faced him. "On your engagement." Alice softened her gaze, eyes still bright pink. Hatter thought for a moment before speaking again. "So… are you sure—"

"Yes, Hatter, I'm sure I love James." Alice stopped him short. Hatter's forehead wrinkled at hearing his name.

"No," he composed himself quickly, "I was going to ask…" He looked Alice straight in the eyes. "Are you sure he loves you?"

"Oh," Alice dropped her gaze. "I'm sure. I mean, yes. I'm pretty sure." Alice thought about it. James never actually said he loves her. But he had asked her to marry him! Of course he loved her! "Of course!" The minute she spoke, Alice knew herself she didn't sound all too convinced. She looked back up. "Of c—"

This time, Hatter interrupted Alice, warm lips pressed against hers.

"Stop!" James looked out the carriage window. "Here is fine." James stepped out of the carriage. "Don't worry about me. I'll find my way back." James closed the door, and watched the carriage retreat back the same path they had come. Once he was sure the carriage was out of sight, he turned and began down the twisty path. In all the excitement of his engagement to Alice, his half-full vial of Blind Love somehow managed to fall out of his pocket and break. Luckily, no one saw. But now he needed to make another batch just in case; he was winging his plan so far, and wanted to make sure he was ready for anything to come next. The White Queen, unfortunately, did not have all the ingredients he needed. Unlike her sister.

Things couldn't have been going better. For someone winging everything on the spot, he really had things in the palm of his hand. The white court revered him now. The White Queen was beginning to trust him more. And Alice thought she loved him more than anything else, even accepting his proposal. He thought about his next plan of action. He needed to get rid of the White Queen, yes, but first he knew he had to get rid of Alice. With Underland's champion around, there was no way he would be able to fully take control of the kingdom, let alone get rid of the White Queen. But he had to do it in such a way so that he didn't look responsible. He had to… frame someone. He thought about who he could place the blame on, when it clicked. The silly man with orange hair. The Hatter.

A/N: Feels so good to finally put out another chapter! What do you think? What do you think? =] Remember, reviews are awesome!