A/N: Here's Chapter 14 as promised! From here on out there will be some Tarrant/Alice in just about every chapter. I'll also include some characters from Lewis Carroll and Disney that weren't mentioned in the Tim Burton film. Enjoy and Read and Review!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything of Lewis Carroll's, Disney, or Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland or Through the Looking Glass. The plot and the characters I create, I do.

Rating: T

*Alice's room in the White Castle*

Alice woke up to the sunshine streaming into her room from her balcony. She was thankful that for once she had no nightmares the previous night. She squinted at an old grandfather clock in her room and noticed it was 9am. She lay back in the soft bed.

'Just 5 more minutes...it's too early...' Alice thought then she remembered. Hatter had told her that he would be by to pick her up at 10 for her shopping trip to get new dresses for the month she was there. Therefore, she shot out of the bed and headed to the washroom to freshen up. Once she was done, she put the horrendous white dress back on. She hated it but until the day was nearly over, it would have to do.

There was a small knock on her door. Alice looked at the time. It was only 9:30am. She wondered if the Hatter had come by too early. She opened the door.

"I apologize if I awoke you Miss. I'm Bridgett, I'm one of the White Queen's maids and she wanted me to bring you some breakfast." The young girl stated while waving her hand over the tray on her cart.

"Of course! Thank you! I'm Alice Kingsleigh." Alice said.

Bridgett rolled the breakfast cart into the room by Alice's bed.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you Miss Alice, thank you so much for saving us all, Champion." Bridgett said and curtsied.

"Just call me Alice and please there's no need to curtsy." Alice said smiling.

"Alright A-Alice. If you need anything else don't hesitate to ring the bell that's next to your door." She said as she turned to leave.

"Oh, one more thing Alice, there's a box underneath the breakfast cart for you. I believe it's from the Hatter." Bridgett said with a wink as she closed the door.

Alice looked under the cart to see a white box with a note attached to it. Her stomach grumbled. She placed the box on the table next to his other gift to her and began eating her breakfast. While she ate, she wondered what he had gotten her this time. She knew the first gift was some type of dress for the up-coming ball as he had said as much. She looked at the clock again...9:45. She quickly finished her meal. She took the box over to her bed and opened it. She could not believe it...

It was an exact replica of the dress he made for her when she was stuffed into his teapot only it was made for her proper Alice size. There was a note on top of the box. She took it out and read it.

Dear Alice,

This is just something I whipped up last night for you to wear today. I know it is an exact replica of the one I made for you before but I figured anything was better than colorless white. Blue is such a pretty color on you and it compliments you so well...unlike colorless, blank, boring white. I will see you at 10!

T. Hightopp

Alice stared at the letter and realized she had been right about his name starting with a T and his last name. Today's journey into town, she was going to find out exactly what that T stood for.

She quickly took off that horrible white dress and put on her new blue one. Even when she wasn't the size of a doll, the dress looked good on her.

The clock chimed 10 and was followed by a knock on her door. Alice got that nervous-excited feeling again. She somehow knew that if she didn't tell him her feelings that this was going to continue.

She opened the door to reveal one happy Hatter.

"Morning lass, I see you got me gift. Are yew ready to go?" Hatter said slipping into his brogue a little. People that didn't know the Hatter well always assumed he only spoke in his brogue when he remembered the past or when he was angry but he also occasionally slipped into it when he had certain slurvish thoughts about a certain Alice.

"I am!" She said looping her arm through his outstretched one and they were off.

*Bardrick's throne room*

Bardrick sat on his throne contemplating what he needed to do next. He knew that the word had gotten out that there was a war coming soon...his war...and he needed to act fast before the White Queen sent her soldiers out in search of the Red Queen and her Knave. He needed them to take the fall for him and he needed to convince them to be on his side no matter what. Most of all he needed to make sure that the village girl was turning into the Jabberwocky as expected.

"DUNCAN!" Bardrick screamed. Duncan was Bardrick's main guard.

"Yes Sire?" Duncan said.

"Bring me the Red Queen and her Knave right now!" Bardrick roared.

"Yes, your majesty, right away!" He said and scrabbled off to do as he was told.

*In the dungeons of Salezem Grum*

Duncan came to the cell that held Iracebeth and Stayne.

They noticed Duncan unlocking their cell and looked at one another.

"Bardrick had summoned for you both." Duncan said confirming their suspicions.

Stayne nodded.

Before they entered the throne room, Stayne got as close to Iracebeth as he could and whispered.

"Whatever he wants from us...go along with it." Stayne said hoping she understood.

The huge doors opened.

Iracebeth saw Bardrick sitting in her old throne. She wondered if people she had summoned felt as ever bit a nervous as she did now. What was taking Bill so long to break them out of here? She hoped and prayed to time that this wasn't an execution hearing.

"Ah, you've made it at last my dear Iracebeth. Stayne. I was hoping you reconsidered and decided to join me in my taking over Underland. What say you Iracebeth? I already know Stayne is on board." He said with a dastardly smile on his smug face.

Iracebeth knew she had to act out her part well so Bardrick would believe their lie. She had to buy them more time until Bill could get them out of there.

"I'm still thinking about it, Bawdwick. I need to know how I and Stayne will benefit from joining your side?" Iracebeth said.

"Tsk tsk...Well Iracebeth, one benefit would be that I let you two live." Bardrick said darkly.

"I see, Bawdwick. If that's the only benefit you can offer I and Stayne then we are no better off here then we would be if we were with my sister. No doubt, she's probably rethinking the punishment she placed on us the first time." Iracebeth said to Bardrick with a wise look upon her face. She turned to the guards.

"Duncan, if you would please escort me back to the dungeons please." Iracebeth said turning on her heel back the way they entered.

Duncan looked between Iracebeth and Bardrick unsure of what he needed to do.

Bardrick nodded an approval.

"Wait!" Stayne said grabbing Iracebeth by the arm to hold her in place.

"If you want us on your side, you are going to have to rethink what our benefits truly are and I know for a fact you need us otherwise we'd already be dead." Stayne said staring down at the lizard-like creature with his one cold green eye.

Bardrick held his head down and nodded.

"You are a smart man Stayne...very well, let me rethink what I can offer you and I'll have one of my subjects write it up." Bardrick said.

"Fair enough..." Stayne said.

"Duncan, you may take them back now." Bardrick said.

Stayne and Iracebeth were led back to their cell.

Once Duncan left, Stayne turned to Iracebeth.

"I told you to go along with him, what part of that didn't you hear?" Stayne said furiously.

"Stayne, I did what you asked. I had to be convincing. If I had acted as though I changed my mind over night then the cover would be blown and you bloody well know it! Don't you remember my threats to him. He knows I'd rather have my sister in power over some animal any day. I think I played my part well." Iracebeth huffed.

Stayne knew she was right, he hadn't thought it through that much either and it made sense.

"You're right. I apologize for jumping to conclusions. Either way, it has bought us more time. I just hope Bill remembers his deal and breaks us loose soon." Stayne said.

Bill came in with their lunch trays a few minutes later. He looked nervously around making sure the guards were out of earshot.

He motioned for Iracebeth and Stayne to come get the tray.

Stayne grabbed the tray to take it away from Bill but Bill held on to it tightly and whispered to him.

"I just found out that Bardrick plans to make a journey to the Sundial village in the Outlands to make sure the female tove is turning. I'll have to free you two while he's gone. It's our best chance!" Bill whispered.

"Very well then, when does he plan to be gone?" Stayne asked.

"I thought I heard him say he'd be gone during the end week." Bill said.

"Good that will give us plenty of time to escape to Marmoreal." Iracebeth said.

"Oh! One more thing! I've heard rumors that the White Queen is throwing a ball in honor of the return of the Champion and it just so happens it's during the same end week." Bill said.

"Champion...You mean Alice has returned?" Iracebeth asked.

"Yes, though as to why, no one knows and there isn't anything in the Oraculum explaining it either. Or that's what I hear amongst others. Most believe she returned to be with Tarrant Hightopp." Bill said.

Stayne spat on the ground as a form of insult.

"I take it you don't like the Hatter very much?" Bill asked.

"Well, I like him! He saved my life!" Iracebeth said matter-of-factly.

"No, I don't! He's the reason I lost my eye and he tried to kill me...three times!" Stayne said angrily.

"Well Stayne, one of those times was self-inflicted. He tried to kill me." Iracebeth said pointing at Stayne.

"I suppose you are never going to forget that? I must honestly say that I was actually rather surprised that he didn't let me go through with that."

"And why is that?" Iracebeth asked.

"Because it was you that ordered the attack on his clan in order to get to Mirana. They were innocent bystanders and your Jabberwocky killed every single one of them except the Hatter and the White Queen. If the situation were reversed I would have killed you and any of your cohorts without a single thought." Stayne replied.

Iracebeth knew he was right.

"I know what I did was wrong...I wish there was some way to go back and undo all the horrible things I've done but I can't...so that's why I must warn Miwana of Bawdwick."

"Well, if you'll excuse me folks, I need to get back to the kitchens before someone realizes I've been down here too long." Bill said twitching from the uncomfortable conversation.

Stayne nodded and waved him away.

"Well, we need to form a plan and how we're going to convince Mirana that this mess is Bardrick's and not ours. I am assuming we will go to her the night of the ball, as it will be easier for us to sneak into the castle. We must go to Mirana first and unawares cause if that bloody Hatter finds us first we might not live to see the next day." Stayne said.

Iracebeth nodded and they started their planning.

*Journey into town*

Once the Hatter and Alice were out of the castle gates and away from the prying eyes of the White Guards and Mirana's court they began conversing.

"Hatter? I-I want to thank you for making me this dress. You're right when you say white doesn't exactly suit me." Alice said sincerely with a genuine smile upon her face. She hoped he would think of something to converse about. She didn't know why but she had come down with a sudden case of shyness and wasn't sure what to talk about.

"You are most welcome, my dear!" Hatter said turning his head to her and smiling.

Little did Alice know that Hatter was every bit as nervous as she was, maybe even more so, as he knew that he was in love with her.

They continued down the path that led into town with an awkward silence.

Hatter wasn't sure what to say he just needed to break this horrible silence. He realized he hadn't asked her to the ball yet and knew he needed to before someone else did...

Alice wasn't sure why Hatter was being so quiet but since he spoke last she felt it was up to her to break the silence. Maybe now was a good time to ask him what his real name was...

"Hatter can I ask.."

"Alice I was wondering..."

They both said at the exact same time and giggled when they realized they both started talking at the same time.

"You first Alice."

"No it's okay, you can go first if you want too?"

"I must insist Alice, as a lady you should go first." He said sincerely.

Alice sighed as she just realized she wasn't getting out of this and she felt almost sick now that all the pressure was on her. She couldn't understand why she was so shy all of a sudden.

"Okay...Well I got your note this morning and saw where you signed it and I realized I don't think I ever got your name? I guess I always assumed Hatter was your name. I thought I heard Chess say it once but that was when I still thought this world was a dream." Alice said shyly.

"D-Dream? So you no longer think this world a dream?" Hatter said a little too excitedly.

Alice realized she only told Absolem that it wasn't a dream because she regained her memories of when she came here when she was six before he went into his cocoon.

"No I don't! I regained my memories of when I was first here right before the fight with the Jabberwocky. I told Absolem before he transformed." Alice stated.

"I'm glad you no longer think this world a dream then." He said and then a confused look crossed his face as they continued walking.

"Why did you ever think you were dreaming?" Hatter asked Alice.

"Where I come from animals and plants don't talk or wear clothes and the impossible is believed to be exactly that...impossible." Alice said glumly.

"Oh how dreadful! That place sounds r-rather boring...what is a world where animals and plants don't talk or wear clothes..?"

"I know...my world is a little too proper for my liking..."

"If it's so bad, why go back?" Hatter asked and Alice realized he had dodged her question about his name and wasn't going to let him get away with it.

"Hatter! You never told me your name?" Alice laughed.

"Oh I'm terribly sorry...must have sipped my mind! I've been called Hatter for so long that even sometimes I forget...it is a name though...a nick name of sorts-"

"Hatter!"

"I'm fine! It's Tarrant! Tarrant Hightopp!" He blurted out.

"Tarrant..." Alice said trying it out. Tarrant decided he liked how she said his given name and hoped she'd continue calling him that.

"You can call me that if you like or you can still call me Hatter, I'll answer to either." He said secretly hoping she'd choose his real name over his nick name.

Alice was glad that she finally knew his real name but she couldn't help but notice the similarities his name had to Lord Ascot's nephew.

Tarrant noticed Alice seemed to be deep in thought.

"Is something wrong Alice? You look as if you are lost in your thoughts." Tarrant lisped smiling down at her.

"Oh it's silly really but right before I came through the Looking Glass, I was on a ship heading for China. There was a man on the ship that's name was similar to yours." Alice laughed.

"Interesting, what was his name?" Tarrant said.

"His name was Tarrance Hightower..." Alice said scanning his face for a reaction.

"Ah yes, similar but not the same!" Tarrant said trying to mask his worry that seemed to be seeping up from somewhere.

"Well that's not all that this man had in common with you...in fact I almost mistook him for you." Alice confessed.

Tarrant stopped abruptly in his tracks, which startled Alice.

"What do you mean he had other things in common with me?" Tarrant more or less demanded.

Alice tried to find the best explanation she could give him.

"Well, he could pass as an Aboveland twin of yours..."Alice said hoping that he would understand.

"Interesting..." Tarrant said but he was starting to worry that there could be some truth to the folk tale that Mirana had mentioned to him the previous night. They continued their slow progression to town.

"I'm sure it's just a coincidence..." Alice trailed off.

"Yes, yes of course! It must be! Alice, may I ask why you were going to this China place?" Tarrant said trying to change the subject.

"It was one of the things I had to do Tarrant..." She said somewhat sadly and he noticed.

"Something you had to do or were you forced to?" He asked not understanding the underlining sadness in her voice.

"Oh no! It was something I very much wanted to do but I still haven't accomplished it yet. I came through the Looking Glass before reaching China." She said.

"So, you won't be staying with us this time either..." Tarrant stated gloomily.

"I don't know...it all depends..." Alice said. 'If you love me...' she thought inwardly but didn't dare say it.

"Depends on what? Why is this China country important to you?" Tarrant said trying to keep control of the madness that was threatening to show itself.

"It depends on the future I suppose. I've always wanted to stay here and I feel more at home here in Underland than I do anywhere else but I want...no...need to finish my trip to China first. It's important to me because my father owned a business and he wanted to expand it further but he never got the chance too. He died not all that long ago and I wanted to do this in his honor." Alice said wiping a few tears that had slipped out.

"Oh Alice, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to make you cry! I was just curious as to why you were sad about your trip to China. I'm so sorry about your father as I was not aware you had a family, I mean I knew you had-have a family I just never heard you mention them..." Tarrant rambled.

"TARRANT!"

"Before...uh I'm fine!" Tarrant shook his head to make the madness stop. He was thankful to have Alice there to make him feel grounded. He wished he was how he used to be...back before his clan had been wiped away right in front of him. He wasn't nearly as mad as he was now. He had always been mad like everyone else in Underland but the difference was he had more control over it then. He wandered if his madness bothered Alice...well he knew she had told him once that all the best people were mad but he hoped his madness wasn't so far gone that it would scare away any possibilities he may have with her romantically.

"Tarrant, is that it?" Alice said pointing at a shop with dresses displayed in the window.

"Yes, yes! Of course!" Tarrant said leading her toward the humble looking shop. He hadn't realized that they had already made it into town, much less the dress shop. They had been too wound up in their conversations to notice.

He opened the door for Alice and followed her inside.

*End of Chapter*

A/N: Sorry it took so long to update...writer's block and life don't mix very well I'm afraid! Anyway please read and review and I hope to update as soon as possible! Thanks!