((Hi, guys! Sorry it took so long to update! I've been swamped with reports and stuff, but I figured I might as well update a brief chapter. Hope ya'll don't mind! I promise to update properly this weekend! Bare with me! Reviews are always welcome as well! I'd love to hear your input good or bad!))

Chapter 21: Satisfaction Brought it Back

The following morning Alice awoke to the quiet squabble of birds as they flitted around outside the window. Eyes fluttering open, she found herself snuggled in bed next to the Cheshire, who was sleeping soundly. It wasn't any new experience to Alice—after all, since her first stay in Wonderland, the Cheshire recommended she stay in his room purely for safety reasons—but this time, it was different. A blush stung on her cheeks as she recalled the previous night's actions.

'A kiss?!' She mentally chided, squeezing her eyes shut. Her head felt as if it was floating around in a pool of fog, unsure of which way was up or down. 'You kissed him!' she scolded herself again. 'That wasn't appropriate under any circumstances!'

A lion-like murmur caused Alice to jerk out of her thoughts and open her eyes. Beside her, the Cheshire sprawled out, a low vibration in the mix of a yawn and a purr emanating from his throat. He then rolled toward her, flopping onto his stomach and folded his arms underneath him as a sort of cradle for his chin. Although his hood eclipsed his eyes, Alice could feel his stare land upon her. She stared back warily, propping herself up on her elbows.

"Yes?" the Cheshire purred in the means of a question. The tone of his morning voice—hoarse from a long night's rest—sent butterflies raging in Alice's stomach. Had she always found his voice attractive?

"You're the one staring at me," Alice responded defensively, trying to rope in her scattered thoughts. She sat up, raking a hand through her blond tresses in a mean to get her frazzled mind elsewhere.

"How could you be sure?" he questioned, his distinctive grin growing wider. Alice could almost picture a tail flicking behind him roguishly as he appraised her expression. "Are you growing paranoid?"

A blush betrayed Alice's stern glance and she tipped her head forward, letting her waves cascade over her shoulder to create a curtain between her and the Cheshire. "No, I'm not paranoid," she huffed. The Cheshire's chuckle in response made her purse her lips together in an attempt to keep her cross expression.

"You're like a child," he commented, stretching his arms out in front of him. Bending his outer arm at the elbow, he propped his chin up in his palm while his inner hand gently swept Alice's tresses behind her ear.

"And you're like a cat," she retorted, swatting his hand away. As much as she hated to admit it, his touch sent butterflies rampaging within her.

The Cheshire let out a throaty "hn," before shifting his position. He sat upright, edged to the foot of the bed. Alice felt a bit of remorse as he stood up, bedsprings squeaking with a protest almost mimicking that of her own. Then, almost unexpectedly, he leaned toward her, planting a prompt peck on her forehead before abruptly striding out of the room.

Once he left, Alice had to bite her bottom lip to force down the urge to squeal like almost every teenage girl depicted in movies did after someone they fancied did something even on the borderlines of cute. She flung herself backward, plopping down contently on the bed—his bed. She allowed a deep inhale, taking in the soft aroma of the Cheshire before grabbing the pillow above her head and hugging it to her chest. 'A kiss?' she questioned herself contently.

Then, the faceless, grandfatherly servant found his way inside the bedroom, peeking at Alice from the doorway. He paused upon seeing the sight of Alice cradling a pillow to her chest with a cheeky expression painted across her face. After his observation, Niles turned and strode back into the hall. From her perch, Alice could hear him faintly call out, "Master, my pronouncement is that you have 'wooed' her, sir."

Alice couldn't help a smile forming, and soon it was spanning ear to ear, almost like the Cheshire's. Perhaps she was in fact, 'wooed'.