There is a lot of Tarrant/Alice fighting in this chapter sorry to everyone who didn't want a fight again. Don't hate me :'(

I drew my blade as I jumped to the side to avoid the hit.

"I'm not fighting you Alice!" I shouted as I blocked another attack.

"What, you think just because you've said that, I'll let my guard down so you can kill me. I don't think so."

She struck again and this time, I heard the rip of material as she caught my jacket. She was a better fighter than I was and no doubt Stayne had been training her. I couldn't disarm her, so my only option was to get through to her verbally.

"Why are you doing this? You're not a murderer."

"I don't see killing you as murder; I see it as salvation for Underland."

"But by killing me, you'll end the peace the White Queen has created."

"She doesn't create peace, she's a monster, just like you!"

She swung her sword too fast for me to block and managed to pierce my arm. Blood trickled down my arm and onto the dry ground. She smiled darkly and attacked again.

For what felt like hours, we fought under the burning sun, her energy never faltered, but mine was getting worse every minute. She had managed to get five more hits in and I was covered in blood my own blood, yet I refused to attack her back.

She elbowed me in the gut and I fell backwards and hit the floor.

"Tarrant, get up!" Chessur called.

But I didn't have the energy. We were both drenched in sweat and were panting hard. This could only end if one of us died and I would die a million times for Alice.

I had tried and tried to get through to her, but she wouldn't remember. One last try, I told myself.

"Alice. Please." I begged her as she walked over to my body. She kicked my sword out of my hand and I felt a bone break in my hand as she stood on it.

"Get up." She snapped. "I am not killing a man who is already down."

Despite my lack of energy, I did as she asked.

"Any final words?" She asked.

So she was really going to kill me. Although, if it had to be anyone, I would prefer it if it was her. I loved her too much to hold this against her. It wasn't her fault.

"I love you." I said sincerely.

She faltered for a moment; her eyes ran over my face.

"You really mean that." She said quietly.

"I do."

"I..."

"And if you're going to kill me just do it. This has to end soon and I don't plan on ending your life, so go on, end mine."

Her face was conflicted. She kept looking back at Stayne then back to me, then back to him.

"You have killed so many people. Why isn't this easy?" She said, slightly distressed.

"Because you know, deep down, it's wrong."

"But I don't remember, so how can I know!"

Our voices were loud enough for the two sides to hear now and Stayne was quick to reassure her.

"I have told you nothing but the truth, my love. Ask yourself, who cared for you when you had nothing?"

Stayne's voice was tense. He knew if she had enough time, she would remember. He was stood barely a meter away from me, so Alice could see us both, side by side.

"You did."

"Any who killed your family?"

"He did."

"So why don't you kill him?"

She looked at me, eyes troubled.

"Because you love me."

"No I don't. Stop saying that! You are an evil murdering bastard and I hate you!" She said desperately.

"We were in love. I asked you to marry me-"

"Stop it!" She gripped her head with her hands. "No more lies!"

"-you said yes. I gave you that ring." I pointed to Stayne's hand. "And we made love. We had our whole lives to spend with each other. I love you so much."

"He's lying Alice, don't listen. Kill him."

"You know it's wrong, remember how happy were."

"No! Stop!" She looked desperately between us.

"Kill him"

"No, kill him!"

We shouted at her continuously and I could see how distressed it was making her, but if this was how I got through to her, I knew I had to put up with the fact that I was hurting her. By the end of the day, either Stayne or I would be dead. It was just up to Alice to decide who the real villain was.

The sun still shone and made the whole situation more uncomfortable. Her teeth were clamped together, her eyes were tightly shut, her whole body was shaking and I could hear her heavy breathing.

"Come back to me!" I shouted.

"Do it now!"

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrggghhh!"

She picked up the sword and struck.

At first, I thought she had remembered and I was filled with happiness, but then, the pain came. It was searing hot and was suffocated me. The sword was removed with a sharp movement and I collapsed to the ground.

I looked at my stomach. The hilt of her sword stuck out and I let out a breath. This was the second time I had taken a blade for Alice.

"Well done, Alice." Stayne said. "Now, kill the queen and get the crown. We're only one step away from liberation…Alice. Alice!"

Her eyes were fixed with mine as tears ran down her cheeks.

"We made love?" She said as if what I had said had only just registered with her.

Her hand moved to her stomach and she smiled slightly.

When she didn't respond to Stayne's words, he jerked her arm.

"Alice!"

"Get off me!"

She turned to him and screamed;

"I've been such a fool! So naïve! You're a bastard and I hate you!"

The sword covered in my blood swung at him and he jumped back in surprise.

"Alice! Stop this!"

"Oh, give it up Stayne. I remember them. I remember everything. And now I'm going to make you suffer, just like I am!"

As she began battle with Stayne, my vision began to blur. I slowly drew a breath in and a singing pain struck my body.

"Alice." I whispered.

"He wants Alice. Dorian, swap places with her. It's going to be alright my friend. Hang in there." Someone said to me.

Alice was coming. It was all good. And she remembered me. I could die happy.

I heard some shouting and then seconds later, my angel was in front of me.

"Tarrant…Tarrant, you're going to be ok, you hear me. Stay with me."

"A…Alice." I stuttered.

I tried to reach up to touch her face, but she gentle pushed my arm down.

"I'm so sorry. This is my fault…I should have been stronger… b- but you can't go, I need you. We were going to get married, and be happy."

She was breaking down and I couldn't bear to see her like this.

"It's not your fault. And I- I'll always be with you. In…here."

I used all my strength to push our conjoined hands to her heart.

"That's what they all say! But I can't loose another man I love. Not again!"

Her tears splashed onto my face.

"Take care of yourself." I murmured before I relaxed into her arms.

"No…no! Tarrant!"

I felt her shaking me, but I couldn't respond. She was alive and free of Stayne's influence and I had died for that to happen, just like I said I would.

"Please! No!"

Her cries and sobs faded and I smiled as I balanced on the edge of life and death. I had no regrets of my life and I was glad I had met her, because even though I had only known Alice for a few years, those years had been the best of my life and I would change any moment of them.

A light shone ahead of me and I relaxed in its serenity. This isn't at all bad. Then, just as I was about to step into the light, the pain that had been muted in my stomach increased sevenfold and I was jerked away from the light. I was being pinned down by blazing pain and I could do nothing but scream. Then it was over and the pain softened as I felt myself slip into the oblivion of death.

:D

Next chapter up soon.

Xxx