Alice closed the door to the Captain's Quarters behind her. Weeks more sailing with Mason was something she was not entirely looking forward to. She closed her eyes for a brief moment, taking in her future - sleeping for the night. Sleep after a day of bickering and sailing felt heavenly.

She removed her coat and lied down still dressed in her knickers and shirt. Her eyelids grew heavy and she doused the candlelight. Sleep took her instantly.

Her eyes opened - something was pulling her from her deep slumber. She couldn't remember if she had heard anything. She stretched and listened.

Pounding feet sounded above on deck. Her heart raced as an attack was the first thing that came into her mind. She stood quickly and stumbled as she tossed on her coat. She unsheathed her dagger from her belt and held the blade behind her back. She didn't have time to prepare for much when the doorknob rattled.

She prayed pirates hadn't found them-

The door swung open and she was enveloped in bitter sunlight. She couldn't see much save for a small creature with curly hair as they bounded into the room.

She stood still and unsure. Her eyes soon adjusted and she realized the being was talking to her- rather, squealing to her. She sheathed the dagger and looked at the.. little girl.

A little girl of about five scampered closer. Alice noticed her skin was fair and pale, her nose was rounded a bit like her own, her hair was raven-black and very curly, and her eyes were bright blue. And the little girl was an excited flurry squealing, "Mama! Mama!"

Alice frowned and watched the girl stop in front of her.

She lifted her arms to the woman. "Mama?" she asked. Her eyes filled suddenly with wonder and a bit of sadness. "Are you still sick, Mama?"

The blonde snapped out of her stupor and hesitantly picked up this child who obviously knew her. Her mind raced for some sort of motherly phrase to say to the little girl. But all she could think of was, "Uh, where's... Dad?"

This child had to have a father.. which would mean she had married someone. Nerves boiled in her belly as she waited for her answer.

"Daddy's talking to the annoying man," she replied. She rested her little arms on Alice's shoulders, clasping her hands behind her mother's neck. "Daddy also said I'm not s'posed to bother you. I'm sorry."

Alice zeroed in. "Annoying man.. who's- who's that?"

"Monty," she replied quickly. Then she shrugged. "He hates the name Monty. But Daddy stops him from sayin so, specially to me." Then she squirmed and Alice put her down and she scurried to the door. "Come on, Mama. You promised to teach me how to use that big wheel!"

She watched her disappear out the door. Then she took a breath and followed her.

"Alice." His figure was obscured by the sun but she could tell he was smiling.

She squinted. "Time?"

He stepped forward and covered the sunlight but she had turned away from him - she didn't see what he looked like. His arms snaked around her waist. "Who else, my darling?"

Her heart skipped a beat as his breath tickled her ear. Where was she? Why were they on a ship? Were they on the Wonder? And who was that little girl? She had so many questions.

She chose to ask one that would give her most of her answers. "A-are we aboard the Wonder?"

"Yes." Then his voice dipped, "Have you forgotten. You're not ill again?" He spun her and pressed an ungloved hand to her forehead.

They were aboard the Wonder.. and that meant Time was a part of her world. No, that was impossible. But this child was obviously their daughter.. Time wasn't human, and he would never be. Alice's head started to hurt. This wasn't real.

This was all a dream.

But she wanted to hold onto it as if it were as strong as reality.

"Mama!" the little girl launched herself at Alice who caught her.

"Your little brat keeps hiding my scopes," Mason's voice suddenly cut into her little circle. Then he stepped closer and laced his fingers through her blonde hair.

She wanted to pull away she couldn't move. She watched his lips move as he continued talking... then he stopped. His mouth changed from a frown to a thin smile, and her world grew dim.

"But I can let it slide." His fingers twisted in her hair and gave her an uncomfortable tug. "After all, my son is the most precious thing in the world to me. To carry on the Montgomery name."

Alice frowned and looked down to the raven-haired child in her arms. She was shocked and sickened to see that she was no longer holding the little girl but a blond and green-eyed boy. She started but didn't let go of him.

Mason groaned loudly. "You always do this."

"Do what?"

"Look at our son like you've never seen him before." He laughed bitterly. "I knew I should have gotten rid of that strange man with that black-haired brat the moment I met them."

Alice felt a fire spark within her. "Where are they? What have you done with them?" she heard herself demand.

He laughed again and turned back to the helm. "They're long gone."

She set the boy down and anger rose to the tips of her fingers. "Why, you miserable-"

"Alice!"

The shout sliced through her dream and she swung out at the voice. Her fist collided with a solid form and brass buttons of a sea captain's coat. Her eyes shot open.

Mason stood over her. "Are you alright?"

She stumbled off the cot and backed away from him until her back hit the wall of the cabin. "I- I'm fine," she trembled out in shaky breaths. "Just a weird dream is all."

He neared her and pressed the back of his hand to her forehead. His voice went surprisingly gentle - and it made her stomach turn. "I was only joking that you were ill. Are you sure you're alright?"

"I'm fine." She pushed past him and shrugged on her coat. Her breath was still uneven and rapid. She tried not to think about all she had dreamt.

She changed the subject to more important matters. "Everything alright on deck?"

He was still skeptical. "Yes. If you need to rest, I can cover your shift-"

"I'm fine," she pressed. She opened the cabin door and clambered up the steps to the helm. "I need the sea," she whispered to herself as she stopped before the wheel.

Glasdon gave her a tight nod and she asked, "How much further have we gone?"

"I say twelve miles, so far, Captain. Should reach forty-one by sunset."

"Excellent," she smiled.

She looked out upon the men and saw Mason watching her carefully. Rage boiled inside her and she focused ahead. Then something high up on one of the sails caught her eye-

A blue butterfly.

Her heart twisted and her throat threatened to close.

She needed to return to Wonderland.

What do you think? Foreshadowing or feverish dream? ;)

Thank you for reading!