Hatter let his head fall back, staring up at the ceiling of his old office.
The "clean up" of wonderland after the fall of the queen had taken a lot longer then he thought it would. He counted backwards in his head. 1…2…3….4…5…6… oh god. His eyes closed slowly, his face tightening. It had been 6 months in Alice's world according to his calculations. Six months since he promised her he would come for her. Six months since she disappeared from his life.
What is she's forgotten me? He wondered quietly.
Hatter ran his fingers through his hair. He could feel the tears gathering behind his eyes.
I need to see her.
Hatter stood, setting off out of his office a fast jog. He knew he couldn't leave. Not Yet. But he had to see her. He HAD to.
Outside, he mounted his new "flamingo" and kicked it into life. Soaring off into the sky towards the hearts castle, just visible off in the distance.
He made it in record time, landing not so gently and wincing as he heard gravel crunching on the bottom of the flamingo.
He dismounted quickly, tugging his hat back into place and running to the small door on the roof, yanking it open and moving inside.
He ran down the hallways, going by memory alone as he searched for the "mirror room". He stopped several times, grabbing suits rather roughly and asking for directions.
"The the mirror room? It's down stairs, room 314" One of the suits said, smiling politely.
Hatter dashed off, flying down the stairs and leaving a disgruntled suit in his wake.
It took only moments to finally find the room. He rounded the corner and froze. The memory's washing over him as he stared at the empty room.
The mirror stood, humming quietly, against the far wall. He walked towards it slowly. Watching his reflection as it grew larger the closer he got.
He stared for a long moment at it. Taking in his disheveled appearance, and his crazy hair. He reached out one hand, tentatively towards the glass.
He stopped.
No… he thought. I cant go.. not yet. His eyes stung. In his head he could hear himself calling himself a coward. Telling him to go, leave the rest of the work, just go. Hatter closed his eyes.
"S-show me… Alice Hamilton." He said slowly. His eyes still closed.
He could hear the whirring of the mirror, could see the light coming off of it as the picture formed.
He opened his eyes.
Alice…
She was there, sleeping, she was on a couch as he guessed. She looked the same as she had left. Hatter smiled widely, she looked so peaceful as she slept. He also noticed the copy of "Alice In Wonderland" that was on the couch, still open to a page. Hatter reached out, his had meeting the solid glass. He rested his hand on Alice's cheek, smiling gently.
"Bang!" Hatter jumped looking around. Then he heard voices. Hatter spun slowly, looking for the source of the noise. He then realized that the picture on the mirror had changed. The sound had come from Alice's side of the mirror. She was sitting up now, awake, her blue eyes shining dimly in the light.
Hatter smiled. He loved her eyes. He loved everything about her.
He watched her turn, talking to someone out of sight. He wished so badly that he could hear her voice. Then, it happened. He noticed.
Alice stood slowly, carefully, while adjusting her clothes. Her large pregnant belly becoming visible to hatter now.
He stared at her, speechless and she sat upright on the couch, her hands resting on her belly as she continued to talk to someone out of ear shot.
Hatter closed his eyes, a tear sliding down his cheek as he turned away.
"Clear" he choked out and the image of Alice disappeared, reverting the mirror simply back into a mirror. Hatter sank to his knees, true realization sinking into him. His worst fear confirmed. Alice had moved on. Found someone else. He was alone again.
Hatter sat there, silent tears running down his face. He had been to late. He should have gone to her sooner. Then maybe, by now that would be his kid she was carrying, not some other nameless man's.
If only…
Okay this is the last short chapter for a while!!! sorry for all the short ones :) anyway, the next one is where things get a little more interesting. warning though, Alice is a little angsty :)
