Wow, you guys are really supportive, thanks for all the reviews and putting up with my slow postings. Keep it up, and follow me to the party!

Reviews, flamers, questions, comments and nonsense welcome!

Disclaimer:I own nada

Chapter Eleven: Cattiness of a court

When Alice awoke, her mind was still trapped by a nameless nightmare that she had been having. But as her mind cleared and her thoughts cajoled them together, she realized she was lying on something solid and warm. Soon her vision started to work for her too and she recognized the light blue vest and looked up.

Hatter lay underneath her, his head resting on his chest. His hat was resting askew on his head as his salmon colored ribbon hung over his shoulder. His hair was still straight but it seemed to curl more.

Yesterday's conversation played over in her mind and she couldn't keep the smile from spreading across her face.

The hatter loved her.

And she loved him.

It seemed too unreal to her, Alice sincerely hoped that whatever dream she was in, she didn't wake up from it. She wanted to hold on to this one forever and ever.

The Hatter loved her, despite all the reasons why he shouldn't and the risk of her hurting him. He still loved her. Underneath all the madness, he was a gentleman through and through and he was in love with her.

Suddenly, Hatter's eyes opened unfocused, she found his expression rather pleasing and genteel. He then looked at her and the most breathtaking smile touched his lips. Alice couldn't believe that anyone would be afraid of him, he was handsome to her.

"You know it is very improper to stare at someone when they are just waking up," Hatter said in a matter of fact tone. Alice smiled again broader this time.

"Yes but who is to say what is proper anymore," She said. He seemed to contemplate it before he just smiled.

"Too true indeed," He said. Alice laid her head down on his chest once more. She hadn't felt this good in a long time and she felt another emotion. It warmed her entire body and left her feeling as if she could fly.

"Alice?"

"Hmm?"

"Why is a raven like a writing desk," He asked. Alice lifted her head just as Hatter was lowering his.

They were inches apart; she felt her heart fluttering as she went perfectly still. She heard his swift intake of breath and saw him swallow hard.

As she pulled away, she felt a hand touch her cheek gently. Alice tensed before she caught sight of the hatter's hand. It was bandaged heavily spots of pink had begun to appear. She wondered when he had taken off his gloves and noticed the scars on his wrists that peeped out from underneath his cuff. When he caught her staring and felt her tense, he misinterpreted it. He withdrew and covered it quickly with his other hand.

"Pardon," He said. Alice saw the pain in his features and felt her heart give a wrench.

She pulled her knees under her and reached up to touch his hands gently. She gently pried them apart and examined each one. She didn't look up so she missed the darkening of his eyes and the tensing of his features.

She let her hands gently stroke his skin where old scars rested and scabbing cuts had been taking their time to heal. How long had this taken to heal, she wondered after a particularly gruesome looking scar that marred the back of his hand.

She had seen a hatter, once, in London; her mother hadn't let him near. She always remembered his hands, they had been gloved but she had glimpsed the molted looking skin, scarred and heinously overworked. She wondered if her hatter's hands would look like that someday. She loathed the thought of anything bad happening to him. She knew she would be able to slay who ever it was but didn't muse further on the thought. The thought itself was too painful.

Instead, she gently lay her cheek against his hands and let her tears come. This time, she didn't cry for herself, instead she cried for her hatter's hands. But more over, she cried for the pain he must put himself through for his trade. She didn't think many men could do what he did and not give in to their madness.

"Why do you cry, lass," He asked.

"You're so strong Hatter," She said as she closed her eyes. "You really are a good man."

He cupped her cheek, Alice didn't flinch.

When Tarrant awoke, it had been from a nightmare. He dreamed Alice was leaving again, begging to understand that she needed to. When he opened his eyes though, it was an entirely different scene.

Alice had been staring at him with such a tender expression he for a moment was spellbound. Then she gave him the most breathtaking smile which caused his heart to dance inside his chest.

When he caught her staring at his hands, he thought she had been afraid, but instead, she pulled them to her and had wept. But these tears were different. They weren't the soul screaming ones she had cried when she first got here, or the breaking ones that she cried more often than not, these were gentle tears for a sadness he couldn't understand.

Cupping her cheek now, he felt its texture become engraved in his hand for he knew no other fabric could match it. Its warmth, its glow, her skin was beautiful and he could only marvel at it.

His eyes traced the curve of her jaw, the slight slant of her eyes, and the shape of her mouth. . . . . .

Before he realized what he had been doing, he had leaned forward; his body was moving without him. Though his mind protested, he found his lips pressing gently to her forehead. Alice's eyes remained closed as she smiled. He gave into the whim as he timidly pressed a small kiss on her lips.

Her eyes flew wide open and he suddenly berated himself for the imbecilic action. He had mused on what it would be like to kiss her and suddenly he had done it. Looking at her repentively and settled on a sheepish laugh.

"My apologizes, Alice-," He was caught off by Alice touch his lips. He went still as her fingers gently touched his, and then hers. Her expression was one of child-like wonder and curiousity.

"What be on your mind?" He asked. Her cheeks flamed as she touched her own mouth with her hand.

"My first kiss had been stolen from me," She said as she looked at his lips again contemplatively. "So I was wondering if all kisses were bad."

"And what have you come up with," He asked.

"I am not sure yet," Alice said.

"Then might I suggest, trying it with me," he asked. Alice gaped at him and he quickly amended. "That is if, you do not mind. Though I could see how you would mind, kissing me might not be pleasant, I don't know because I had never really been kissed and I am-."

"Hatter!"

"Am . . . as . . I'm fine," He said. Alice smiled slightly as she took his hands again.

"If you do not mind, I would like to see," She said very shyly. Hatter felt his mouth go dry as he realized what she meant. Time stood still (Not that he ever moved for him in the first place) and neither of them moved. Hatter place a tentative hand on her cheek and Alice closed her eyes as they both leaned forward.

It was like nothing he had ever experienced before in heaven or hell. He was sure someone somewhere was most cross with him for such an act but he didn't care one way or another. When his lips touched Alice's, all his cares sped away on the backs of Bandersnatches and left him alone with his thoughts. Though not many were left either, all the voices in his head went quiet say for his alone and it let out one, shocked expression.

Oh!

Her lips were soft, warm, almost burning against his cold ones. He cupped the side of her head with his hand and let the feelings inside him resonate in this single kiss. Eons seemed to pass but neither one pulled away, Tarrant felt for sure that if he could stay like this forever, he would send Time an entire wardrobe filled with teas, cakes and his best creations.

When the kiss finally broke, Tarrant felt his mind swimming and his body warm. He was sure that no one in the world had ever felt what he had in such a short time.

Alice looked dazed, her eyes unfocused and her lips slightly parted, Tarrant wanted to kiss her again for such a look but refrained from doing so.

"Are you alright," he asked. Alice looked up at him and smiled a true Alice smile.

"Never been better," She said. Tarrant felt his own smile stretch his features as he was sure he must look like Chessur.

"So what have you deduced," He asked. Alice's smile widened as she touched his cheek with her hand.

"I liked it," She said and then with a shy smile she deep into his eyes. "Do you want to do it again?"

Tarrant's laugh resonated through out the hall.

When they finally went to his workroom, Tarrant knew he must have gone to the tea party in the sky, for no other place in Underland could be so perfect.

He quickly changed into a flamboyant outfit of a dark burgundy paired with checkered burgundy and wine colored trousers. He fixed a green ascot on his neck and brushed his hair until it was straight. As he grabbed his hat, he did a little trick before he popped it onto his head with flourish.

When he met Alice outside of her room, he though for sure his smile was permanently set on his features. She wore one of Will's more selective creation, a pretty pale rose colored dress embroidered with silver and slippers, on her head she wore what he called, 'the rose party' which was a large hat with a bouquet of roses on it and a ribbon that hung all the way down her back. She met his eyes and instantly a smile came across her face.

Tarrant offered her his arm as they entered the hall together. They were immediately intercepted by Chessur whose grin looked a bit too wide.

"Hello Chessur," Alice said. Chess's smile became impossibly broader as he floated around them.

"So how did you enjoy your night together," Chessur asked. Alice's cheeks colored and Tarrant held her closer. He felt his eyes darken on the cat.

"That be out business," Tarrant said protectively.

"Suit yourself, but be warned, your liaisons are being monitored," He said. Tarrant furrowed his brow before he glanced about.

Several people in the hall glanced at them, whispered, some subtly, others openly. The White Queen looked up at them and a strained smile touched her face and Tarrant knew something was amiss.

"Hatter?" Tarrant looked back down at Alice, her expression worried. He then looked at Chessur.

"Chessur, would you mind leading Alice out to the garden? I assume Thackery and Mally started brunch without us, please accommodate her," he said. He pressed a light kiss on Alice's cheek. He didn't see the scared expression on her face or how she worried her dress as Chessur guided her away.

Without a word, he strode up to the queen's table and took his seat by her. Mirana turned and smiled though Tarrant could see that she was troubled.

"What is amiss?"

"Why do you ask, Tarrant," She said. Banging teapots and china were clanging in his head as he looked back around the court.

"It seems that Alice and I are the center of attention, have we done something wrong yer majesty," he asked. Mirana set down her cup as sighed.

"Many in the court do not take your relationship as a good thing as I do, Tarrant," She said with a sad look in her eyes. "They think that the champion should act as such and not be dallying with someone as . . . eccentric as you."

"Ya mean as strange as me," Tarrant said coolly though inside, he was downright offended. What right did the court have to judge him?

"They are just worried as to how it would look to the other kingdoms," Mirana said swiftly. "I personally am glad to see Alice smiling as she does, Underland is happier when she is and I am glad to see you are in your right mind now of days now that she is here, but to others who only know you both for your deeds it is . . . well a bit disturbing." Tarrant couldn't believe his ears.

"So what is being said," Tarrant asked, his brogue becoming thicker and thicker with each passing moment. Mirana looked at her cup before she set it down on its saucer and folded her hands.

"Many are hoping I arrange an appropriate match for both you and Alice, saying that you should be with someone in more standing with you and Alice should be married to a knight or perhaps someone in court."

"I belong to this court," Tarrant snapped, his temper rising with indignation. "I have given too much to this court to be scrutinized because I fine a dame pretty. What I do is me business, no one else. They be fergettin that I am their hatter and I be as much apart of this court as the couriers or the guards!" Mirana looked at him with sad eyes.

"So you are really coming back as my Royal Hatter," She asked. Tarrant paused for a moment before he nodded. "Then they can not say anymore, I will silence what I can, but please be careful. Words can be dreadfully poisonous and I wouldn't want either of you to be hurt." Tarrant excused himself as he made for the gardens. He glared at the men who changed to look at him, sending to fop into another man and to fall. Tarrant too a glee in the accident he caused.

When he entered the garden, he saw Alice and Mally talking to the trees in polite conversation by the tea table. Bayard and his wife had joined them for once. When Alice saw him, she gave him a smile that sent the matter of court away.

Brunch was a happy affair. Everything was lighthearted and gay. Tarrant watched as Mally engaged the Dandelions in battle, winning by a slim margin (they were most fierce indeed today). Bayard and his wife retired early to check on their pups before Mally followed Chessur to investigate the dragonfly infestation off in another part of the gardens which suited him fine, he was glad to be alone with Alice.

Alice sipped her tea though her eyes were stormy. Tarrant wondered wildly what had put her in such a mood. He was at lost as how to comfort her before she spoke quietly.

"Hatter, what was going on," She asked softly. Tarrant was torn between a lie and the truth. "Why were we getting stared at?"

"Seems that the court is just like every other, catty to the core," He said feeling out of charity with the whole thing. He still couldn't believe that he was being judge by rules! He was the hatter! He had no rules and he was a man unto his own! Rules be damned.

He took Alice's hand as she gripped him. He saw the fear in her eyes and his heart was again torn. Throwing caution to the wind (he would apologize later to them), he pulled her close. "No need to worry, I won't leave you." Alice offered a sheepish smile, he then knew that was what she was afraid of.

"I have been contemplating things that begin with the letter E," Alice said before she released his hand. "Eggs, Errands, escorts?"

"Escorts," Tarrant asked.

"I was wondering if you would like to escort me to the peacocks ball tonight," Alice said.

"Peacocks?"

"Yes, her majesty said that tonight would be for the ambassadors, politicians, and representatives for the other kingdoms, I keep pictures a room full of peacocks strutting around," Alice said. "So I am calling it the peacock ball." Tarrant returned her smile, mirth dancing in his eyes.

"Of course! Though I will have to make sure we wear something just as extravagant," He said as he ran through his wardrobe in his mind. "How about we dress accordingly?" Alice smiled as she touched his cheek and he felt his heart speed up.

"I would be delighted."

I know its a short chapter, but it is worth it. Please stay tuned!