Falling Stars

The Royal Hatter stared at the beautiful girl – no, woman – who had just slain the Jabberwocky. Standing proudly in the ruins of the battlefield, silver armor gleaming in the sunlight and golden curls cascading down her back, she looked for all the world like Joan of Arc – like one of the mighty angels of the heavenly army, come to rid the world of evil. Truly, she was an angel, his angel. She had delivered them from the Red Queen's reign of terror and brought more joy to his heart than he'd felt in years. But now the battle was over, and it was time for his angel to fly away, to return home to heaven where she belonged, for surely no creature as marvelously muchy as an Absolutely Alice could belong in a world as dull as Overland. He knew she could not stay, and yet, a part of him hoped that maybe...

"You could stay," he whispered, not daring to look her in the eye.

"What an idea! A crazy, mad, wonderful idea." She smiled, and for a moment, he dared to think that perhaps she would choose him. But then her smile faltered, and it didn't look right for an Alice to have such a sad expression. "But I can't. I have things to do, questions I have to answer." She put the vial of purple Jabberwocky blood to her lips, then paused. "Be back before you know it," she smiled sadly.

"You won't remember me," he lisped.

When you forget me
When you don't remember my name
Not even a memory
Somewhere in the back of your brain

I won't be offended 'cause I always knew
That the day would come when
I'm not enough to make you stay

It was inevitable, he knew. No matter how hard she tried to remember him, Overland made people forget...Gradually, he would become nothing more than a figment of her imagination again, a dream of sorts, if he was lucky. Most adults who come to Underland don't even remember that much...Last time she had the dreams, at least, to jog her memory. But grown-ups do not dream as much as children. It was highly likely that if she left, she would completely erase the Hatter and all of her Underlanian friends from her mind. It made him sick to think such thoughts, but he could never hold it against her. It was just the way things worked, and he would have to accept that if she chose to leave.

"Of course I will," she insisted. "How could I forget?" She looked hurt. Did her friends really have so little faith in her? She gently touched his arm. "Hatter, it would be impossible for me to ever forget you."

You tell me it's not possible
No way that we could break
But nothing is illogical
Believe me...

He looked up sullenly. A smile that didn't quite reach his eyes tugged at the corner of his lips. "Only if you believe it is."

Like falling stars over your head
We were bound to burn up alive
Crashing cars
I'll never get over you,
Never over you 'cause
You are so beautiful, yeah

He knew, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that even if she forgot him, he could never, NEVER forget his Alice. He wondered what she would think if he told her how he felt. Did she know? It seemed unlikely that such a beautiful, strong woman could ever have such feelings for a mercury-poisoned Hatter with scars both inside and out. Still, he would never know if he didn't ask...

"Hatter," her melodic voice interrupted his thoughts. "Why is a raven like a writing desk?"

He smiled – almost a true smile. "I haven't the slightest idea."

The world is turning
And time keeps on lingering on
The sun will be burning
Eventually you will be gone

She lifted the vial to her lips again, preparing to leave. His time was running short. He was wondering what to say when a sudden thought popped into his head.

"Alice, wait!"

She looked up with questioning chocolate-brown eyes. "Yes, Hatter?"

He licked his dry, cracked lips nervously and took the top hat from his head. "A-Alice, I want you to take this with you," he swallowed, "t-to remember me." He held the hat out toward her.

Gingerly, she took the hat from his calloused, bandaged hands into her own soft ones, looking rather shocked. "Oh, Hatter, thank you...but...But I cannot take your hat. You don't look yourself without it."

"Aye," the Scottish brogue crept in, though he tried to control it, "but Ah am nae mysel' w'out ye, lass."

Alice looked as though she were about to cry. "B-but I have nothing to give you."

He reached toward her, then withdrew his hand, afraid to spoil her radiant purity with his stained and pricked fingers, but to his surprise, she curled her own fingers around his. He gently traced her cheek with his other hand. "Ye 'ave already given meh everything Ah could e'er wish for."

I'll always love you
Oh, believe it or not
But baby, that's not enough to,
Not enough to stop these...

Falling stars over your head
We were bound to burn up alive
Crashing cars
I'll never get over you
Never over you 'cause
You are so beautiful, yeah

"Hatter," she stared into his eyes, now a pale shade of blue, "I...I believe I do have something for you, after all. But you must close your eyes if it is to be a surprise." She smiled. "Have I made a rhyme?"

"So ye have, lass. But must Ah close mah eyes?"

"Please?" she asked.

It was the most frightening thing he'd ever done. More frightening than facing the Red Queen or Stayne or even the Jabberwocky. Because if he closed his eyes, he knew there was a possibility that when he opened them, she would be gone. But he trusted her, so he obeyed.

When it's all said and done
I'll be just a speck in the galaxy
Floating far away by gravity
Tell me it's not possible
No way that we could break

She leaned in close, taking in his scent – like tea leaves and sugar and summer sunshine. He could feel her breath on his neck.

"This belongs to you," she whispered, "and always will." [1]

Then she lifted her chin and gently pressed her lips to his. And the Hatter's heart felt as though it would burst.

Like falling stars
Like crashing cars

Then she stepped back and tossed the Jabberwocky blood down her throat. Because she knew if she hesitated, if she thought about how happy she was here with her Hatter, she would never leave. She would regret this decision, she knew, but it was something she had to do. "Goodbye, Hatter."

"Fairfarren, Alice."

And then she was gone.

Like falling stars over your head
We were bound to burn out, just like
Crashing cars
I'll never get over you
Never over you, 'cause
You are so beautiful

From the shadows, his friends emerged as the Hatter stood dumbstruck looking out at the spot where Alice had been standing only moments before. No one knew what to say.

Mally was the first to break the silence. " 'Atta, 'ave you gone completely gallymoggers? What in Underland were ya thinking, giving Alice your 'at?"

"Indeed," Chessur floated slightly above his head. "If you were going to give your hat away, the least you could do was give it to someone who would truly appreciate it." He grinned widely, then frowned. "I don't think she fully understands the significance of our Underlanian custom." For you see, when a hatter gives away his favorite hat to a lady, he is asking for her hand. By accepting it, the lady claims his heart forever.

"Ah, know, Chess."

Mally looked worried. "But what if she nevah comes back?" she squeaked.

"It does nae matter," he sighed, still staring at the spot where she had vanished. "She is the only lass who will ever own mah heart."

You are so beautiful, yeah

[1] This quotation (and the following kissing scene) is a direct reference to the 2003 live-action Peter Pan. Wendy says this to Peter on Hook's ship when she realizes that, although she must grow up, she will always love him.