Disclaimer: (yeah I went with Latin this time) EGO don't own Alice. Servo in mens suus publicus domain. Tamen Burton quod Disney's poema poematis EGO don't own. Tamen damno Volo EGO did causa. yeah. Hatter Factum.
Authors Note: Another long chapter. Tarrant you are killing me. This one has a nice hot bit of fluffy fluff. I like hot fluff. It makes the world go round. I have no idea how many people are still reading this. Thank you for those who have reviewed the last few chapters. Reviews also make the world go round.
I may have to start working on a couple of my other fics soon, so updates might be staggered here in Underland. But fear not, I'm writing out this whole story. I've got a plan damn it. But I write quicker when fed tasty reviews so there you go (wink) Enjoy as we will be heading out of the caves soon. Till then, this chapter is 99 percent just Tarrant and Jessie being their cute selves.
Chapter 21: Safe
Tarrant's sleep was fitful. He dreamed of horrors; of battles and blood and worst of all Jessie lying in a pool of her own. She looked like a doll, lifeless and pale. Tarrant ran to her side, calling her name while around them Swine and the White Queen's subjects fought and clashed. He'd cradled her in his arms and saw her look up at him through eyes that had lost their lovely blue and were now pale and grey. Her blood soaked his clothes, as though it would never stop flowing…as if all the Alice's that ever had been had their own life's blood within her.
Tarrant couldn't stop it no matter how he tried. He begged her to not leave, he prayed for it not to be so. But she only smiled and reached up to him, her fingers like ice where they touched his face. "A price must be paid…" she said, then her hand fell back to the ground and Tarrant screamed.
He sat up in the bed with that scream still on his lips, his wide eyes darting about. He was panting, chest heaving in terror. It took a moment to realize that it was a dream, a horrible horrible nightmare of a dream. He turned and looked to find her sleeping soundly next to him, still wrapped up tightly in the purple and gold blankets he'd tucked around her before, lips slightly parted in dreaming breath and not stained with death.
The Hatter ran shaking fingers through his unruly hair and sighed heavily. He'd not sleep again that day; perhaps not even the next or the one after that. Instead, to steady his own nerves he lay back beside her and pulled her close. In her sleep she turned and he found her nestling her cheek against his shoulder and one hand grasping hold of his shirt front. He relaxed with her in his arms and trailed his fingers up and down her back telling himself over and over that she was safe and here, really truly here.
"Well my sweet girl I won't be sleeping for a while, but I daresay you will be." He whispered softly to her. "Perhaps I should tell you a story or two to while away the hours." He smiled as she snuggled closer, her hair tickling his neck. He took that as an affirmative. "You've always liked my stories. They always seemed to make you happy."
Tarrant looked up to the ceiling for inspiration and didn't find any there. He glanced over at his work desk and a memory of three lifetimes ago came to him of Alice and him alone and an inventive use of ribbon. He'd been cross with her at first…she'd had brown hair that time and a dimple in her chin…because she was interrupting a very important project he'd been working on for the Queen. Of course she had soon made him forget everything, including his irritation, with only a kiss and a whisper of his name.
The Hatter smiled sadly at the memory. Her name had been Alice again that time. It had happened seven of her returns to him, that she carried the name he'd always known her by. It hadn't helped in her remembering but still, it was something.
Jessie had remembered even if she still tried to deny who she was…or still didn't believe it all was true. She'd known his name in their dream and now she'd shown that his training with the sword was coming back to her as well. She'd known the words to the lady's vow. His lass was becoming more and more who she truly was, her muchness was returning.
But now he knew why so much of her muchness was gone. He remembered her rambling tale of her life in the land above and frowned deeply. While some of it was unknown still, he now had a clue into what had happened to his Alice in this life up in the over world. She'd been treated wrongly. He already knew she had no idea of her true strength and beauty, how very special she really was.
It intrigued him when she said she wanted to be a writer. His Alice always loved his stories and had always been adept at making up her own. It would seem that trait had been made even more so in this lifetime. But then she'd spoken of how this…husband…had told her that she and this goal were worthless. Tarrant felt the burning in his eyes at the thought. Oh if only she'd been here, if only she'd come sooner. If only he could rip the luddites arms off and beat him with them.
She shifted in her sleep and mumbled something against his shoulder. Tarrant glanced down, his dark expression leaving him as he caught a few words. "Hatter…chocolate…naughty…" and then she went quiet once more. He raised a brow, grinning and promising himself that he'd ask what sort of dreams she'd had later.
"Perhaps my stories aren't as entertaining as what you are seeing in your mind's eye my sweet girl." He said gently and brushed a kiss against her temple. "But I think I'll tell you a tale in any event. I do believe I'll tell you the story of how you returned to us the first time…and how you slayed a Jabberwocky. Only barely a woman you were, but a fire was within you lass. And you burned with it so brightly."
And so Tarrant told Jessie her own tale while she dreamed. He still did all the voices perfectly, mimicking everyone with a skill that was downright scary. He knew he probably could have simply told the tale without this trick…but she did always enjoy it. When the story ended with his Alice going back to the world above his voice betrayed him by cracking slightly. At her promise to remember he managed to hang on, but only just. "Of course…" He added, clearing away the tightness in his throat. "You did remember and you did come back…and here you're with me once more."
Jessie still slept, which Tarrant knew she would do. He let his fingers trace the curve of her bare shoulder where the blankets had slipped down. The redness of the wound had faded already, and her creamy skin was as soft as silk. "Shall I tell you another of our adventures my darling lass? Perhaps the day we defended the Queen while she was traveling through the Wetlands of Briar? That was quite the muddy experience."
That had been her fourth lifetime. The fighting had left them both covered in muck and mire. The battle had been a fierce one with the Red Queen's minions having an advantage in such terrain. But they had bested them and kept Mirana from being slaughtered by the unholy things. Tarrant told of the battle with relish. "Of course the fact we were allowed to go to the hot springs on the other side of Briar to divest ourselves of the mud we'd been coated with was quite…invigorating." The Hatter's expression grew wistful. "I shall have to take you back there my Jessie. The springs were surrounded by such lovely trees and flowers back then. The flowers would sing as twilight fell and we danced to their song."
Tarrant felt his eyes growing heavy then. The sweet memories and the sweetness of her warmth against him were actually lulling him back to sleep. He wanted to fight it because he could simply not stand another nightmare like that. But he was so very tired suddenly and it was so very nice where he was. It was a pointless fight and he knew it, so he prayed that the gods would be kind. With a sigh and a yawn he settled next to her and let his eyes close.
His sleep was actually peaceful this time, something he was infinitely grateful for. When he awoke it was hours later according to time who may or may not have been trying to trick him by the show of its hands on the clock. Jessie was still curled closely to his side he saw with a smile. She'd put an arm about his waist during her slumber and had settled quite comfortably.
Tarrant let out a deep breath and went to work trying to extract himself from her arms even though his heart wasn't in the task. He knew today would not be a day of rest for anyone in Underland, especially for those in the White Queen's court. He should have felt guilty for not checking on anyone else's wellbeing or status after the attack. But he could only think of his lass and keeping her safe.
He stood up from the bed and looked down longingly at where his Jessie still dozed. He already missed her closeness. Tarrant placed a kiss on her cheek and headed towards the bathroom to shower and change. Within minutes he was ready, wearing a pair of dark green trousers and white shirt with a deep blue vest embroidered with gold. His hair was still damp but Tarrant paid it no mind as he headed to the kitchen and began preparing breakfast.
He prided himself on his breakfasts and this one would be no exception. His lass needed her strength, and if she didn't stir soon he'd wake her just so she could take some nourishment. Kernid poison was harsh and she'd need it. The Hatter quickly set about cooking some delicious pancakes with berries and some skillet potatoes while brewing two pots of tea. Two would do right now of course, but he'd make more. Toast as well…he started searching for jams in the cupboards.
When he had his chambers dining table laid out as he saw fit, with three steaming platters of food and two stacks of toast and three different types of jam he brought over the tea pots sided with cream, sugar, and honey. Yes, this would do nicely. Tarrant tossed off his apron and glanced over towards his bed. Jessie still hadn't stirred so he would have to wake her.
The Hatter sat back beside her and whispered softly into her ear. "Darling girl, you must wake up…I have a feast for you and you need your strength." His fingers brushed her shoulder, tickling.
He was rewarded with a groan and not much more. He pouted slightly. "Come come now, you can settle back for rest once you've eaten. But I will not have you wither away."
"There's too much of me to wither away." Jessie muttered, trying to swat his hand away but not succeeding.
Tarrant pursed his lips at her. "None of that foolish talk. Come eat with me before I'm most likely forced away to court so that I do not have to worry that you've done so. For I shall, all day... and t'will be your fault."
Another groan, but this time he saw a lovely blue eye look at him…or more so glaring at him. "Guilt is not okay." She mumbled.
"Ah, but its truth and you know it. So will you cause me unknown hours of worry and fretting or will you join me for breakfast?" He batted his large jade eyes at her innocently.
Jessie felt like she'd been ran over by a truck after running a marathon. But the food did smell really good and she was hungry and very thirsty. Plus Tarrant was pulling off that look of pathetic cute like a pro. "Alright…" She acquiesced. Jessie pulled the blanket up around herself and sat up slowly, wincing at her tired muscles.
Tarrant gently started to rub her back and she sighed. He was really good at this. "I thought the plan was for me to make it over to the table." She said.
"Yes it is, but there's no need for you to be in undue pain. And it truly is not a chore my Jessie. I do love how your skin feels against my fingertips." The Hatter smiled and kissed her shoulder, feeling the knots of tension release beneath his skilled hands.
Jessie shook her head grinning and blushing in equal measure. "You are shameless."
"I never denied the fact." He replied, kissing the nape of her neck this time and making her squirm. He kept sweeping gentle circles around her shoulder blades, making sure not to get too close to his stitching of her wound. "I do have to say though my darling, we have a bit to discuss while we dine."
Jessie turned to look at him. "We do?"
The Hatter nodded, motioning for her to turn back around and lean forward. She did and he started kneading her neck with his thumbs. "Yes we do sweet girl. You see, you battled and defeated six of the Red Queen's soldiers. That speaks of skill that would have been trained over a period of time, far longer than our one session." The Hatter felt himself grow tense himself at the thought of that "session". Naughty lass had had him at her mercy. And truthfully Tarrant would have gratefully been at her mercy for the rest of his days. Just the thought made him want to…well…now wasn't the time.
Jessie pulled away from his fingers reluctantly, moving to sit with the blankets pulled back around her shoulders. "Or it was dumb, desperate luck." She told him wearily.
Tarrant had a look of disapproval and disappointment on his pale face. "And you still refuse to believe…after all of this?"
"Tarrant…" She sighed. "Just give me time okay? I'm not…"
"Barbie?" He cocked a red brow at her, lips thinned. "Whoever that is…I know you aren't her."
Jessie's eyes went a little shocked. Lord, what had she rambled at him? "No. I wasn't going to say Barbie. I'm just not…" She huffed trying to put it into words. When her eyes found his he saw within them a pleading that made his frown lessen.
He took her hand in his and brought it to his lips. "I'm sorry my dear, I shouldn't push you. You've come so far and I just…with what could have been…" He blinked, turning away and gazing towards the door. "I just don't want you unprepared. I can't let that happen."
"I've got a great teacher, which is why I was able to do anything at all against those monsters." Jessie gave him a small grin, glad he was just letting her take it a little slower.
Tarrant turned back to her. "You sell yourself short…which since you haven't been drinking any pishalver of late is not something you should be doing at all."
Okay, he'd lost her again. She had no idea what he was talking about.
He grinned broadly. "At any rate, you need to eat before the food gets cold as well as the tea. And cold tea will simply not do. I won't have it in my home." He stood gracefully from the bed and tried to get her to follow.
Jessie resisted. "Tarrant, I'm in nothing but a blanket here…" She gave him a pointed look.
Tarrant looked unconcerned but realized she seemed to regard that as a problem. He thought it rather charming personally. "Oh…well…" He looked about the room and grabbed his dressing gown from a chair back. "Here you go my dear." The Hatter handed it over to her.
Jessie took hold of the satiny fabric and was immediately hit with the scent of earl grey and lemon that laced the material. "I'll be back in a minute." She told him. Keeping the blanket wrapped tightly around herself, she held the robe over her arm and headed to the bathroom on weak legs.
Tarrant's bathroom was as colorful as the rest of the house. There was a massive purple claw footed tub that dominated one side of the room. Jessie's eyes widened at it and she immediately wanted to go take a very hot bubble bath in the thing. But there was no time for that. So instead she took a quick shower.
When she was done she got a good look at herself in the mirror. Her right shoulder had stitches, very neat and tiny. It was still tender, but not as bad as it should have been she guessed. Everything was achy. She vaguely remembered rattling off something to Tarrant the night before while he was fixing her up. But she couldn't remember…apparently it had something to do with Barbie, AKA Alice. Jessie rolled her eyes heavenward. God what had she said?
The soap she'd used on her hair and skin smelled very brisk and clean. Very much like a mountain forest with summer berries. As she dried her hair with a thick gold towel she could hear Tarrant humming in the next room. She pulled on his robe and tightened the sash around her waist. The scent of tea was comforting, and she grinned at herself in the mirror. Her life was beyond surreal now.
When she walked back into the room Tarrant glanced up and saw her in his robe and nearly dropped his cup of tea. Oh lucky robe. He placed the tea cup on the table and went to pull out her seat for her. She thanked him and as she sat down the scent of his soap on her skin made him nearly say to hell with propriety and being a gentleman. He truly needed to control himself far better than he was doing. He leaned closer and let his nose trail along her cheek just briefly, his eyes closing for only a moment. Then Tarrant went to work piling a plate full of food for her.
"Here you go my love. I do hope you enjoy. I've also brewed some of my favorite tea this morning." He handed her a plate piled high with everything.
Jessie looked down and decided that Underland would not make Dr. Oz or Jillian Michaels happy when it came to what the diet was like. Apparently carbs weren't a problem to Tarrant…and who was she to argue that. She was missing coffee though.
"Did you just say coffee?" Tarrant's voice was nearly as angry as when he was talking about Swine.
Oh lord, had she said that aloud? "No, no…I said toffee. The syrup smells like toffee." Nice save Davies. That was brilliant. She speared a forkful of pancakes and chewed.
"Toffee, well I do believe your right." Tarrant still looked suspicious but decided to drink some tea instead.
Jessie and The Hatter ate in companionable silence for a while. He really was an amazing cook. She devoured half of her plate before Tarrant decided to bring up the night before. "You should try the nettleberry jam, it really is quite good." He gestured to a jar to her left.
As she was putting some on a slice of toast he spoke again, carefully. "You did…say some things last night about your…life above."
Jessie nearly dropped her knife. Her face grew a bit paler and her eyes widened. "Really…oh…"
Tarrant studied her closely. "Some of it didn't make sense to me, but I am mad…so that should come as no surprise." He took a sip of his tea. Her distress was evident as was the fact she didn't remember her actions. She didn't know of how she'd spoken of her family, the loneliness and the treatment by the husband who'd nearly broke her.
No…he wouldn't press her, he'd promised… "I didn't realize you were a scribe." He finished, taking a piece of toast and adding some of the nettleberry jam to it.
Jessie looked confused for a moment. "A scribe?"
Tarrant looked thoughtful. "Oh, let me think…another word…a writer!" It would seem that those above hadn't seen fit to appreciate the skill or desire that his lass had for the written word. But Tarrant knew if such a skill was there it should be followed. Hightopp's appreciated the arts.
"Oh…I talked about that?" Jessie looked embarrassed and felt it. "I…I wasn't a real writer Tarrant."
The Hatter looked perplexed again. "Whatever do you mean sweet girl?" He took a bite of toast.
Jessie wished she'd kept her mouth shut. "I'm not a writer Tarrant. So just forget I even babbled it at you."
The Hatter's brows narrowed at her over his tea cup. "Is it because this so called husband told you that?"
Jessie nearly choked on her food. "Don't…no…just forget it." Her shoulders slumped and she shoved a piece of toast in her mouth to keep from having to speak.
Tarrant wasn't going to forget it, but he wouldn't push her either…as he'd promised. Her words were as good as an admission though. He'd have to see to it that she was given opportunity to follow this passion if it was there. He was nothing if not a cultivator of Alice's passions. A tiny smile crept upon his lips at that thought. "As you wish my dear, I didn't mean to distress you."
Jessie shook her head, taking a sip of tea and swallowing. "No, not distressing just embarrassing. I'm almost afraid to know what I was saying. Everything is sort of hazy after you brought me back here, and then just one big blank."
"It's of no concern now my sweet girl. Would you like some more?" He gestured to the now diminished stack of pancakes.
"Oh god no…I'll pop." She'd devoured most of what he'd put in front of her. "Thank you though Tarrant. It was delicious."
The Hatter grinned and gave her a slight bow. "The least I could do sweet Jessie. Now that you've been fed to brimming as it would seem, I want you back under the covers to rest." He got up and walked over to stand behind her chair, ever the gentleman and pulling it out for her.
When she stood and turned he was still standing there close enough that she could feel his tea scented breath on her face. His jade eyes were surrounded by a rose colored hue on the lids and the skin beneath. His fingers moved to run down her cheek, resting at her jaw. Jessie had never seen an expression so filled with melancholy in all her life. His moods were so random and ever changing…but this one seemed even more so.
"Tarrant, are you alright?" She asked him softly, placing a hand on his arm.
He made a sound, half sigh half laugh at her question. Was he alright? His thumb ran along her jaw. "Lass, I nearly lost you because of my own daftness. I nearly lost you." His other hand went to the collar of her robe, pulling it back to expose her injured shoulder. He swallowed thickly as his eyes stared down at her now eternally marred skin. She'd have a scar there, no matter how thin t'would be. She'd always have a scar. His eyes tensed, a little line creasing in the middle of his brow at the thought he'd caused that to happen as well.
The Hatter's gaze went back to hers and Jessie saw in their green depths that haunted look that she'd seen before back at the camp. "Lost forever, I've lost so much…but this would be too much. Too much muchness, but not enough. I love you so much but not enough, never enough. And this is proof of it. I must try harder, so much more to do, so much more…"
Jessie could see he was losing himself to those shadows in his mind, whatever it was he saw within himself as he'd done before. She had to pull him back because he was going to take all the blame for something that wasn't entirely his fault. She didn't have to run away as she'd done. But truthfully this all fell on the Red Queen and the Swine. Really the Red Queen was the core of the issue. But Tarrant wasn't going to listen to that. He was still mumbling about how he needed to prove his love more than he already had. Jessie had to do something to bring him back. So she leaned up and kissed him soundly.
Jessie was pleasantly treated to the taste of syrup and jam on his lips. Apparently the action had the desired effect for The Hatter realized what had happened and had his arms around her in the next moment and was kissing her back with as much relish as ever he had. Perhaps a bit more, there was an almost desperate way he parted her lips to taste her, his fingers grasping hold of her through the thin material of the robe and pulling her as close as he could. He actually had her bent back over the chair then and Jessie realized she needed to breathe soon or she was going to faint. Which wasn't altogether a bad thing…but air was important.
It appeared it was for the Hatter too as he pulled away from her gasping slightly, but soon began kissing his way down her neck, his hands sliding up the front of the dressing gown making Jessie even more breathless than she was before. "Tarrant…" She couldn't help how she was panting his name because that electric current was happening again wherever he touched her.
"Jessie…love…" She tasted like berries and cream and heaven. Tarrant needed to wrap himself in her warmth, in her light. She was all that mattered now. She was all he had in this world. She was all that had ever mattered. He who was so broken needed to mend what had been broken within her. He had to show her just what she was, who she was. He wanted to carry her far away from the caves, from everyone and everything till it was just the two of them and nothing else. Tarrant wanted her safely in his arms forever, as she was now with her sweet voice sighing his name.
"Back under the covers?" She managed to ask as he slid his hands beneath the robe and pushed it off her shoulders.
"Gods yes…" He growled against her ear and she was suddenly glad the chair was there because she would have fell into the floor with what that sound did to her otherwise.
Jessie was once again reminded of just how strong her Hatter was when he lifted her up and wrapped her legs round his middle without even a single word. She on the other hand let out a yelp of surprise, her arms going around his neck. He looked at her with a wicked grin, his eyes swirling pools of jade and garnet. "Told ye mah back was strong lass…or did ye forget?"
"No, I didn't forget…" She grinned. "Not used to being swept off my feet though."
He smirked as he swung her around and started striding to the bed. "Get used to it lass…for your legs should always feel welcomed round mah waist."
"Tarrant…that's…" She blushed and hated the fact that she did. God knew she was old enough to not be embarrassed by things like that. But no one had said anything like that to her before…he kept doing that to her.
"Naughty?" He drawled the question while he laid her back against the cushions, not letting himself be moved from the delicious prison of her legs. "Wha can I say lass? Ye bring it outta me…" He pressed against her, his trousers no longer very loose at all and showed her the evidence of his statement.
Her eyes closed and she felt them roll back in her head as that one movement made everything seem to explode. Jessie heard a moan and didn't even recognize the sound as coming from her. But it was and it was answered by the Hatter's growl of delight as he tossed his shirt and vest away and then untied the belt at her waist. "Gods ye're so soft…" He purred against her cheek as he started kissing a path down her neck again and along her shoulder, his chest pressed against her.
Jessie's fingers were busy threading into the red mane of hair. The scent of Chai and licorice was everywhere and it made her realize she'd never be able to eat black licorice or drink that tea again without thinking about this. She smiled at that and then hissed as his teeth found a nipple and suckled, kissed the reddened flesh, then nipped it again.
He grinned looking up at her, his chin now resting over her heart. He could feel it beating wildly. Her face was a vision, lips parted and skin flushed…not by fever this time but by him. "Tell me lass…tell me again that you love me…" He asked, both voices merging once more.
"I love you Tarrant…" She told him, her voice rough and soft all at once much like his. Her fingers tugged at his hair, pulling him back to her mouth. Jessie wanted to taste more of him. He was as addictive as chocolate. While he was busy feeding her addiction, his hand ran the length of her side, along the curve of her hip and maneuvering her just so till she was perfectly flush to him.
"I canna wait…I must have ye now…" The words were nearly pained in tone as the Hatter said them, his lips barely moving from hers. Her answer was to kiss him again because she didn't think she could speak and make any sense. Tarrant wasted no more time and deftly had his trousers off and tossed away.
The Hatter buried himself in her to the hilt, no preamble no waiting, just pure need. Tarrant felt her body shudder beneath him as he did so, tightening around him which only added to his bliss. He let himself fall into her and be consumed by the heat that she shared. In that moment as he moved within her he knew that she was always meant for him alone. This man above who had dare try would never be able to take her like this, make her heart race in time with his own as he was. "Mine…mine always." He whispered as their hips met again and again. This dance was theirs and no one would ever change that. Tarrant vowed this with each kiss, with each brush of her breath on his skin.
Jessie was overwhelmed by him. It felt more right than ever to be with him like this, but it was more frantic, more intense and more…everything. He was all there was, the rest of it was just gone. All that mattered was Tarrant and this moment, this joining of their bodies and souls. That was the only way to describe it really, body and soul. Each time she thought they couldn't get any closer, he'd push deeper, take her higher to the peak and then when she came down he'd carry her back up again.
Her nails were no doubt scratching his back and shoulders to ribbons but he didn't care and Jessie couldn't stop if she wanted to. Her mind was in a haze. Surrounded by the scent of spice and sweat she could see he was on the edge. Jessie pressed her lips to his ear. "Fall with me Tarrant…" she said and that was all he could take.
The Hatter's strangled cry was cut short by her mouth on his. They collapsed in a heap on the blankets and pillows which had been mussed and wrinkled by their actions horribly. Tarrant couldn't find the strength nor the interest to care at the state they'd put the bed in. He was too busy trying to keep his heart from exploding out his chest. After a few minutes of ragged breathing and found sanity he heard her giggling softly. With some effort lifted himself to rest on his elbow and look down at where she lay.
"Did I amuse ye lass?" He asked with a raised brow.
She grinned up at him, a damp stray lock of hair resting on her forehead. Her eyes glittered like stars and Tarrant knew for certain he would do anything and everything she asked of him. "No…yes…no…amuse isn't the word for what you just did to me."
He brushed the hair away, smoothing it back to lay with the rest. His expression was one of bemusement. "Then what is it that ye find funny?"
"Nothing and everything..." Jessie truly didn't know why she was laughing but she couldn't help herself. "There's the fact that we just barely made it from the breakfast table to here. We're going to both need another shower at this rate. And I was in a cave-in only yesterday after saving a bunny rabbit from a group of monster pigs with a sword."
Tarrant found himself chuckling even though it wasn't a laughing matter, and yet it was. "I see ye're point love." He kissed her softly then turned to lay on his back. He held out an arm and Jessie quickly curled up against him. The Hatter sighed, pulling her close and settling back against the cushions. His voice faded back to its lisping gentle tone. "When you put it that way sweet Jessie I do not blame you in the least for a giggle or two. I was concerned that you had caught a bit of madness from me and I would be most distressed if that were the case."
She laughed again and kissed his bare shoulder. "I am mad about you Tarrant, but I don't think that is what you mean."
He grinned and glanced over at her. "No. But it would appear I do quite enjoy driving you mad. So perhaps in one way it is true."
She returned his grin and wondered if they could just stay like this for the rest of the day. Maybe he was wrong and they wouldn't call him away to court for a while yet. Jessie knew it was selfish and wrong of her to want to keep him all to herself at that moment, not when so many awful things were happening outside of their little sanctuary. But lord it was nice right where she was. And she was tired and comfy and he was drawing little designs on her back with his fingers…and there was someone knocking at the door.
Tarrant let out a string of Underland profanity that Jessie didn't understand but figured was fairly graphic since the equivalent was going through her own head at that moment. His eyes grew black around them and glowed slightly orange. That was a new one. "I know that bloody knock…" He growled.
"Maybe they'll go away…maybe it's not for the Queen." Jessie offered, her arm going round his waist in an attempt to hold him there, pathetic but worth a shot.
His hand took hold of hers and he sighed again. "We're nay that lucky."
"Hatter! Hatter we've been summoned." Nivens voice called through the door.
It was Jessie's turn to growl that time which made the Hatter's lips curl up in a smile despite his now fouled mood. "Aye, I told ye I knew that knock." His now slightly less orange eyes looked down at her. She hadn't moved her arm yet. "I donnae want to leave ye…" He said gently.
"But you need to." She answered him, her hold loosening…much to Tarrant's dislike.
He kept hold of her hand though and didn't move. "I do…tis my duty. But it doesn't make it easier to leave your side my love."
His voice was changing back and forth she noticed. Apparently both of his very distinct personalities liked it right where they were too. "Maybe I can come along?"
Tarrant hesitated then shook his head no. "You need to rest for a while more my darling girl. I really should control these…urges you bring forth from within me. T'was unfair of me to…"
"Ravish me senseless and cross-eyed?" She offered, smiling.
"Uhm…well…Yes…" He looked embarrassed and his eyes changed back to a glowing green completely.
"Hatter! Do get a move on!" Nivens called again.
"Bossy little bugger." Tarrant growled, getting irritated again. "Excuse me lass." He said to her and grabbed his dressing gown from the floor. He stood from the bed and pulled it on, belting it as he strode across the floor. He threw the door open with a force and startled the rabbit who was standing there with two guards. "Do ye understand I have mah lass in here? Do ye understand she be resting and I am taking care of her? Do ye kin that yelling and pounding on mah door is not the way to get in mah good graces rabbit?"
Jessie listened to this from the bed and tried very hard not to burst into laughter. It was obvious from his lack of attire just how Tarrant was taking care of her. She could almost make out McTwisp's shocked and scandalized face from there.
"H…h…Hatter…" The royal rabbit stammered in surprise. "I…I…I was going to mention that the Queen inquired about Miss Jessie's health and stated that if she was well enough that she should attend as well."
This peeked Jessie's interest. She sat up and called out before Tarrant could say no. "Tell her majesty that I'll be there." She heard a brogue laced grumble and knew the Hatter wasn't thrilled about this.
"Thank you Miss I shall let her know." Nivens called back. "I will go ahead and let Her Majesty know that you'll be there within the hour." He told the Hatter who looked rather irritated.
"Off with ye then." Tarrant replied and shut the door. He turned and headed back to where Jessie was sitting on the bed wrapped up once again in a blanket. "Ye shouldna done that."
"Why? I'm supposed to be involved with this stuff right?" She asked.
Tarrant knelt in front of her, placing a hand on her knee. "Aye ye are." He sighed and looked away for a moment hesitant, conflicted. The brogue slipped from his voice and his green gaze turned back to her. "Tis my nature to want you away from such as we will be facing. I cannot help that my Jessie." He took a breath then continued. "But if you are sure and well and ready then together we shall go to court to discuss vengeance and war on these fiends and their Queen."
"I think I'm ready, so let's do this." She squeezed his hand where it rested on her leg.
"Alright then my sweet." He helped her to stand, pursing his lips for a moment. "As much as I would relish the thought of sharing the shower with you, for expedience sake I suggest you go to your rooms to make ready. I will not put such a lovely temptation in my way for I know I will succumb and then we'll be far later than an hours' time"
Jessie grinned shaking her head. "Well if that's the case I need the robe back." She told him with a raise of her brow.
"I swear you are the devil my dear." He told her. Her eyes were turning that lovely shade of blue he'd come to recognize. He actually looked like he considered it then shook his head. "A moment vixen…" He said as he walked past her. Once he was partially behind the bathroom door he tossed the robe out to her on the bed. "There you are my sweet. Now off with you and be quick."
"You're no fun Tarrant." She called back pulling on the dressing gown and laughing.
"Hush and away with you." He groused and turned on the shower, making sure it was cold.