CHAPTER TWELVE

The ride to the Undertaker's shop was much quicker from Madam Reds home, which was something, that Alice was deeply grateful for. Slipping down gracefully from the giant steeds back she slipped the reigns over its large head and tied them so the horse couldn't wonder off. Dusting her dress she touched the ancient handle of the shop and smiled gently before slipping inside and softly closing the door.

As always she was greeted by the strange scent that swirled around the dark, damp interior. On the desk in the corner stood one lone candle, its dull light hardly lighting much of the shop, leaving the rest to the darkness. As Alice peered around, she pulled the hood of her cloak down feeling slightly disappointed to find the main room empty.

"Undertaker?" she called out in a low voice as her boots clicked softly against the old wooden floor.

When she got no response she turned towards the door only to walk face first into a familiar chest. She let out the breath she had caught and looked up at the man who towered over her. "You should really stop trying to give me a heart attack Undertaker." She chuckled softly as he snaked his arms around her waist pulling her snuggly against him.

"It is good to see you, love." He ran his fingers through her hair gently. "What seems to be on your mind my dear?"

Alice looked up at him and swallowed nervously. She had never mentioned to the Undertaker that Sebastian would not leave her alone since she had thought she could handle the problem herself, yet she knew she wasn't able to for much longer since he was getting bolder with his affections. Swallowing her pride she looked up at the man and sighed. "Before I tell you what is troubling me I have one request to make."

"Well ask away my dear." His grin widened.

"I want to see…." She broke off staring up at him, her fingertips ghosting along the edge of his bangs. "Your eyes." she finished softly staring up at him. She watched his grin widen at the simple question.

"I was wondering when you would finally ask me something my dear. Go ahead, love, take a look." He whispered leaning into her gentle touch.

He watched through his bangs as Alice took in a breath and held it. Her fingers gently combing his hair from his eyes as she peered up curiously.

What greeted the small woman was the most devastatingly beautiful pair of eyes she had ever seen. Alice couldn't stop herself from staring at them, as they seemed to suck her soul in. She had known before that he had beautiful eyes, but the real thing was always so much better than something illustrated on a thin piece of paper. They were intelligent, cunning and wise, yet as she stared up into them, they held the all tenderness she had ever seen in one look.

The look he was giving her had stolen her breath away and any words she could have uttered in that moment. Her heart had simply stopped beating on its own accord. As she watched him, he moved nearer to her and closed the small gap between them, claiming her lips in a soft kiss.

He watched as her eyelids gently fluttered closed and smiled at the light dusting of pink that had taken its place on her cheeks. He was curious about what was bothering her, but to the strange man it could wait, all he wanted to see was her pretty smile, then he would listen to her.

After a while they pulled away and Alice remembered she had to breathe. She chuckled softly in his arms feeling safe and content. "You shouldn't hide your eyes my reaper." She whispered.

"Anything for you, love." He spoke into her hair leaving gentle kisses. "I will show them only when you are around if it is what you wish." He watched as a warm smile touched her rosy lips. "Now tell me, my little treasure, what seems to be bothering you?" he stroked her cheek making her gaze meet his.

"The butler won't leave me be." She whispered feeling his arms tighten around her.

"Hmm that is quite the problem, love." He mumbled into her hair as his arms tightened around her small frame even more.

"Are you jealous?" she asked in a light playful tone looking up at him to see his reaction.

Undertaker pulled Alice closer and chuckled. "I am not for it is simple, love, what is mine, is mine. I will do anything to protect it even if I must put my life on the line."

"Mmm… I think you are a little jealous, if not you wouldn't be half squeezing the life out of me." She giggled. "But there is really no need to worry, my affections are only with you my reaper." She smiled warmly and placed a gentle kiss on the tip of his nose.

Undertaker looked down at Alice and smiled to himself, he was lucky to have the small woman at his side. He had been around for a long time and never had a living female caught his attention the way she had. She was fascinated in his work, helped him even most days when she managed to get out of tea parties and luncheons she had been forced to attend. And now he had a small idea as to how she felt about him, though one could easily see it in her eyes.

He looked out over the bodies that he had worked on and hoped he would never have to ever work on her. Alice had seemingly looked up at him and managed to follow his gaze over to the female corpses that lay motionless, waiting for their coffins when she looked back up at him, her delicate brows knitted together.

"Jack the ripper again?" she asked in a low voice.

"Mhmm it seems that as of late Jack has been rather busy, you should be cautious when you come and visit me, I wouldn't want to have to work on you like those poor whores." He chuckled lowly before nuzzling his face in her hair.

"I will be all right I do carry my own weapon with me whenever I come on my late night visits." Alice hummed before stifling a small yawn.

"It seems as if all your late nights are taking a toll on that precious little body of yours, love." He spoke in a low voice causing Alice to look up at him.

"Hmm… I try not to sleep due to my stalker whom won't leave me and I don't like sleeping alone." She chuckled softly as the silver haired man swept her off her feet in one swift motion and started carrying her towards the staircase in the back of the shop.

Her face right in the crook of his neck, Alice chuckled and placed gentle kisses on the exposed skin, before she nuzzled softly against him, chuckling darkly when she felt him shudder.

"Who knew a little human woman could make the legendary grim reaper shudder in his very boots." She purred darkly feeling his arms tighten around her as he carried her.

"Don't be a tease, love." Undertaker forced out the strangled whisper, his breath hitching when he felt her soft, warm lips against his neck again.

Pushing the door at the top landing open, Undertaker carried her and placed her gently on the bed crawling over her which caused the small woman to giggle before pulling him into a deep kiss.

Both of them knew the direction their situation was heading, but none of them cared. As breathy moans and low groans floated from the room as two lovers united for the first time.

Alice rolled over in the tangle of sheets giggling softly when the Undertaker kissed the back of her neck and down between her shoulder blades in an affectionate good morning. She stretched out and turned around to face him as he pulled her closer and kissed her. Contently she played with his bangs staring into his mesmerizing eyes, blushing when her stomach gave a lecherous growl.

"Seems someone is hungry?" Undertaker chuckled kissing her nose affectionately.

Alice simply nodded far too embarrassed to speak she hadn't been eating much at Madam Reds as of late since she was always busy with whatever she could find to do and after her nights activities it seemed her body was finally protesting. She watched her reapers every single move as he walked around and slipped on his pants. Bare foot and topless, he made his way to the small kitchen knowing that Alice would soon follow.

She did after slipping on his robe and chuckling wickedly while she snuck up behind him. She knew he was aware of every small movement she made behind him and the fact that her bare chest was pressed against his back as she hugged him. She chuckled again when she heard the low growl escape him from the lack of contact and jumped on a counter crossing her legs as she watched him appreciatingly as he prepared their breakfast.

Life was finally looking up for Alice in the new strange world she had fallen into and the young woman never wanted to give it up for anything. In her own time she had, had relationships but none of the men had really managed to captivate her and keep her interested. Yet her reaper had all the qualities she had ever searched high and low for in a partner.

For the first time in the short eternity Alice had lived, she was finally, truly happy.

A/N: sorry for the late update, I meant to upload this so much sooner, but I was struck by some writers block and had retyped the chapter a few times until I was sort of happy with it. I also decided that in the future chapters to come there will be some changes and twists, so please keep reading and enjoying!