Heyya!

I don't think I've mentioned this yet but I'm going to be heading off to university in the middle of September. I'll let you know more about things soon! But so far I plan to hold off on all updates while I'm gone... but I'm still rethinking that ;)

Thanks for sticking around!

Happy Reading! :3

The kingdom was quiet. Alice leaned against the stone rails of the balcony watching the peace below. She knew she was not alone in her silence. She looked to Time who stopped beside her.

His hesitation was comical as if he were expecting Hatter to spring up at any moment... and barge into their conversations. Again. "What is troubling you, my dearest?"

She watched him fondly for a moment then turned away. She hoped he didn't notice her sigh, but she wouldn't be surprised if he knew her better than she knew herself. Love had that effect on people. "It's nothing."

"I suppose you're anxious to return to your world?" he guessed.

"Not exactly," she laughed lightly. "But the sooner I get back, the sooner I can get done, and the sooner I can return here."

Time smiled at that. "You- you want to return here?"

"Of course." She wondered if he couldn't believe it. "Just because I am a sea captain in my world doesn't mean I'll stop coming here. Sure I have voyages and expeditions, but I'll always come back." She looked at him curiously. "My, Time, are you sure you're alright?"

He shrugged. "I just have this feeling... or at least Hatter keeps muttering about it, that you will find happiness in your world and I'll be as forgotten as time in your world."

She felt a tug at her heart. Hatter and his mutters of Wonderland. But Time really shouldn't listen to him... though she did tell Mason Time wasn't a suitor... Oh her head started to hurt again. "Oh Time, I..."

"I'd understand if there was another-"

She cut him off. "There is no other."

She didn't want to think about it. She didn't want to think of a future without Time... quite literally. A future without Time was indeed a future without time... She would wither away for her heart would always belong to another. Another she could never have for she was mortal and he was not. For he was never allowed to leave Wonderland and she could never stay forever.

That headache was really coming back.

"But yet we cannot ever be-"

She shook her head. "Time, please. The last thing I want is for that dream to come true-"

"What dream?"

There was no skirting around it now. "A few days ago, I-I- Hatter?"

The mad hatter stepped onto the balcony looking solemn and quiet.

"What is it?"

He presented her with a concoction Princess Mirana made. "When you're ready," was all he said.

The few days she had spent in Wonderland recovering seemed to pass by so quickly. She sighed again and took the vial reluctantly.

"You don't have to return," Hatter said quietly. "You can stay here. We can all have adventures- Alice, please. We don't like it when you leave."

She gave him a small smile. "I don't like it either." She looked to Time who also wore a pained smile. "But if I don't go back, they'll go mad looking for me and- Oh, I'll be back, you two. Don't worry." She put on her brave face and teased, "You'll blink and I'll be back before you know it!'

Time tentatively reached for her as she unscrewed the bottle. "Alice-" he began for something did not feel right in his cog heart.

She looked at him but took a drink. Wonderland faded away...

"Why is a raven like a writing desk?"

A familiar face with agonizingly familiar blond hair hovered over her. "My god!" he exclaimed in the most unfashionably horrid voice. "She's talking nonsense!"

"Head for the nearest port!" Glasdon shouted.

The crew started to stumble and scrabble about and Alice sat up at that. "No, no. No need to head for port. I'm perfectly fine."

"Sure you are," Mason grunted sarcastically. "You fell from the ship-"

"A little fall, nothing more. I'm-"

He and Glasdon hoisted her up.

"-fine. Let go of me, Mason."

Naturally, he ignored her. He motioned to Glasdon. "Let's take her into the cabin."

She grew indignant and she slunk back. "You will do no such thing." She was coming back to her real senses.

And her real senses decided to let her know what a real prat she had been in Wonderland towards Time and Hatter. She tried not to think about that. She told them she'd be back. Yes, besides her nerves with Mason were what really bothered her.

She shouted at the crew who were scuttling around the deck. "Belay orders! Back on the path with you!"

She caught Mason's dumbfounded look and she raced for the helm before he gathered his wits. "You will not run this ship, Mason Montgomery," she said as he finally managed after her. She turned on her heel and glared at him. "No one but Time can captain the sea." She said with such ferocity even she was scared of herself.

He narrowed his eyes at her but she held her head high. She was pleased the ship was steered back on course to India.

She however wasn't too pleased as the blue butterfly perched proudly on the helm.