Have I scared you all? Are you worried? You should be ;) I'm kidding, I'm kidding. Don't worry, it'll all be fine.

That was not sarcasm by the way xD

Alice followed Princess Mirana down the many halls of the castle. There seemed to be no way out of it. She had no idea the great lengths the woman in front of her would go to protect her people, but she had a feeling Princess Mirana wouldn't stand down. But her nerves grew as she anticipated what she had to do – break Time's heart.

"He's in here." She opened the door and Alice stepped in.

Hatter rose to his feet first.

"Alice, my dear!" he exclaimed softly but in surprise. He rushed over to her and embraced her tightly. "My, what are you doing here?"

"Oh, Hatter, if only I knew myself," she hugged him in return. "I intend to find out." She pulled back and moved around him. She focused on the figure leaning weakly against the wall. "Time?"

The figure moved and she heard the gears in his head working hard to get him to come to his senses. He sat up a bit and looked over at her. "Alice?"

She heard the smile in his voice and went to him. She knelt beside him and took up his hand. "Yes, I-I came to see you," she said. She swallowed. She was not going to tell him her true reason – or the reason she had been given. "How.. how are you? You look… you don't look well."

The corner of his mouth lifted up and he gave a weak chuckle. "I've been through worse," he reminded her with humor. His finger twitched and he slowly ran it along her knuckle. He met her eyes. "My dear, you didn't abandon your journey on account of me, did you?"

"Anything for you, my love," she breathed. She hugged him tightly, ignoring Hatter's faint blah in the background.

"What is wrong, my Alice?" he asked once she pulled away. He could see the unhappiness in her face. "Why have you come here?"

In her heart, she couldn't lie to him but she feared what the truth would do to him.

"I have heard," she began. She took a breath, "I have heard that time is coming undone in Wonderland. I-I- I just needed to see for myself. I needed to see you were alright."

He frowned. "I am fine," he said as if it were clear as day. Then he frowned unconvinced at her excuse just as much as she was at his.

"But you're not," she tried. She looked around and glanced at Princess Mirana then back at Time. "Please.. just.. prove to me that you are okay. Prove it to me, my love, and I shall go back to my world, pleased that you are well."

He faltered. He couldn't do that.

And she knew why.

"Show me," she said quietly.

He looked reluctant but did as he was told. He gave a sad smile but it looked more like a wince. He opened his cloak, showing her the face of the Grand Clock that rested on his chest.

She gave a light gasp and sat on the seat beside him. "Oh, my Time." Princess Mirana was right. Time was dying and Wonderland was falling apart… because of their love.

She turned to Princess Mirana who stood in the doorway. She had refused to leave the girl alone with the clockwork-being for fear she would go back on her word.

But Alice wasn't one to listen to the rules.

"I'd like to see the Grand Clock," she requested firmly.

Time took her hand and brought it to his chest.

She lifted her hand and caressed his pale face. "The real Grand Clock. In the Castle of Eternity."

Princess Mirana looked at her for a long moment. She knew Alice was putting off the inevitable but in the castle, the girl would have nowhere to run. She nodded. "Very well. If it'll help you, Alice."

She nodded. "It will."

Alice looped her arm through Time's as they slowly broke away from the group – everyone including Iracebeth of all people had tagged along (or in her case, been forced to follow). She caught Princess Mirana's eyes as they diverted into another corridor. She gave the princess a grim look, her mouth in a thin line and Princess Mirana nodded in understanding.

She'd leave the two alone, trusting Alice to do her part, and Alice could have complete faith in not being interrupted.

Time nudged her. "So, what were you so afraid of telling me in front of the others?" he asked quietly.

She shook her head. "Nothing," she said.

"Nothing?" he smiled. "Ah my kindergartener, then, what do I owe this unexpected visit?"

She gave a shrug. "Oh, the journey to India was getting a bit boring," she lied.

"Did the water turn silvery again?"

She chuckled lightly. "No."

"Then how did you get here?"

Oh... yes, that would have been a fine way to get to Wonderland... "Uh, th-through a looking glass. Truly sent me back to the days that made me fall in love with you."

He grumbled a bit. "Yes, yes, those were wonderful days for you, I suppose."

"In a way," she mused. "But Hatter needed to find his family."

"Is that your way of telling me I am not the only one who holds your affections?"

"Hush," she scolded. "Both of you are dear to me, but only you hold my heart."

He smiled but a bit weakly as time itself was slowly unraveling. She rested her head on his shoulder in comfort.

The true reason for why she was there sat in the pit of her stomach. She dreaded in telling him – breaking their love apart. But she knew she couldn't hide it from him for long, especially with Princess Mirana lingering nearby.

With a heavy heart, she opened her mouth to speak-

He turned to her, vaguely sensing she was about to talk when a loud and splintering crash sounded. He grumbled and rolled his eyes.

Alice couldn't stop her small giggle. "I'm sure Wilkins has it under control," she said. "You've taught him well."

"I hope so," he groused.

She smiled a bit more – thankful for this interruption – and squeezed his arm. Then she had not walked two steps when a little second ran into her boot and toppled over. She bent and righted it with a sweet smile. "My, what can I do for you, little guy?" she asked.

Time snorted at her and she gave him a light scolding hit. Someone around here should be nice to his little artisans.

The second hopped wildly and started sputtering.

Its sputters sent Time back to when Iracebeth had taken Alice. He shifted uncomfortably.

"What is it?" she asked. Alice – unlike Time then – followed it, purely curious at what this little guy had seen. She followed it to the balcony that held a clear view of the Grand Clock.

But she stepped back in shock at what she saw.

Time stopped beside her and nearly did the same. He noted the familiar crest at the chest of the… the…

Metal parasite.

Eating away at the Grand Clock.

A spark shot through him and he collapsed.

Time!

So, short-ish chapter after I've been gone for a bit. Honestly, I wanted to add more but after trying a few times, this length felt right.

Anyway, how was that? ;) Again, don't be worried. Everything's gonna be fine ;D