I do NOT own Alice in Wonderland, only this story and my original characters.

This story is rated M, for violence, language and sexual themes.

Chapter 7

Shades of White

At the security that came from being just in the gated walls of the White Palace Alice's body just seemed to give out. The last thing she remembered were white petals dancing across the cobble stone court yard, than her world went black.

Slowly Alice made her way to the world of consciousness and the first thing she was aware of was that she was in a bed. Not just any bed either but the comfiest bed she had ever laid in. Second was that she didn't hurt anymore, anywhere.

Sitting up she also noticed she was in a white night gown. It felt like silk and stopped mid-thigh. As she stretched Alice looked around the room she was in. It was huge. It had glass doors that led to a beautiful balcony that over looked what seemed to be the gardens. There were two other doors opposite of the bed she was in, and another set of doors off to the side, these ones were a frosted glass. There was a sitting area that included a couch and some comfy looking chairs, as well as a huge wardrobe.

Slowly pulling off the blankets which were so soft and warm, Alice got out of bed. She went to the doors across the room and found they led to what appeared to be a study. Going over to the frosted doors she found her dream bathroom. It had a huge clawed bathtub, a shower that could fit four of her and a huge vanity.

Quickly she ran to the wardrobe and found the clothes Chessur had made for her noticing they had been washed. She grabbed them and two of the big white fluffy towels before returning to the bathroom. Turning on the shower and shedding her night gown she stepped in.

The hot water was heaven to Alice; she never wanted to get out. She used the soaps and oils to wash her hair and body before reluctantly stepping out and drying off. As she dressed she couldn't help but notice the scars that now danced across her body.

They were a soft pink. Some were thin clean lines, others were rough and jagged. For a while she just stood there, looking at her body. After a bit, Alice decided she was proud of her them because she received them when fighting for what she believed in. She also had a feeling that she would receive a lot more before this is over.

Going back into the bedroom after she finished dressing Alice both felt and heard her stomach growl. So walking over to the biggest doors, which she figured led to the hall, in which she was right, she stepped out of the room and left in search for the kitchen.

Alice was in awe of everything around her, from the silver suits of armour to the views from the giant windows which lined the walls. It was all so soft and elegant. Yet one thing she noticed was that there was no one in sight. Turning down another hall Alice was met with the adorable sight of three puppies playing together.

"Hello, sorry to interrupt but could you tell me where the kitchen is?" She asked kindly. The puppies looked at her before one stepped forward.

"Oh Lady Alice you're awake. I'm Atlas; this is my sister Miya and my brother Theo. We can show you the way Lady Alice, if you'd like." Atlas said while bowing his head.

"That would be wonderful Atlas, but please don't call me Lady Alice, just Alice is fine." She said with a small laugh.

"Ok Alice, follow me." He said while walking down the hall, his siblings chasing after him.

"So how do you know my name?" She asked curiously.

"The Queen told everyone about your arrival. You were really hurt when you got here." Miya said shyly.

"I figured. I don't remember much past the gate. Could you tell me what happened?" She questioned gently.

"Sure! You passed out in the court yard. Dad found you and you were sent to the infirmary right away. You've been sleeping for almost thirteen days." Theo explained.

"Once you were stable they moved you to one of the royal rooms, the Queen then told everyone who you were and what you did for us." Atlas finished.

"You should take it easy until you regain your strength though." Miya said quietly.

"Wow, I knew I was hurt but thirteen days, that's insane." Alice though out loud.

"Well here we are. This is the kitchen. Why don't you get something to eat and we'll inform the Queen that you're awake." Atlas said happily.

"That sounds like a splendid idea." She said just as happily. With that she went into the kitchen in search of something to eat.

The kitchen was just as amazing as the rest of the castle. It also had all sorts of ingredients that Alice didn't recognize so she settled for some bisects that were on the table. Grabbing one she spread some marmalade on it. It was the best thing she ever tasted. Quickly she grabbed four more. Each bite was better than the last.

Alice was so caught up in her breakfast that she didn't even notice the voices in the hall or the door opening. She did hear the sound of a gasp. Than before she knew it she was on the floor with two fuzzy things hugging her.

"Oh Alice! You're awake! We were all so worried about you! Are you all right?" Came the muffled voice of Chessur.

Looking down she saw that she had been tackled by Chessur and Thackery.

"Awe guys, of course I'm ok. I'm so sorry for worrying you it wasn't a very nice thing for me to do now was it?" She said gently. As she looked to the door she was met with the sight of the Mad Hatter.

Alice felt her jaw drop. He was so handsome. He had vibrant green eyes and incredibly red hair that stuck out in all directions. Her thoughts were interrupted by a small voice.

"That's not Alice! She looks nothing like our Alice." She looked at the source of the voice to find a dormouse.

"Mally! I told you she is Alice just a different one." Chess exclaimed protectively.

"It's ok Chess, I don't care what or who she thinks I am because both you and Thackery are ok, and that's all that matters." Alice said happily, tears running down her cheeks.

"Then why are you crying?" He asked clearly upset.

"Because I'm so happy. God Chess I was so scared they would get you once we separated." She said slightly shaking. When she was fighting she didn't have time to let her fear out and deal with it, but now she thought of just what could have happened if they failed.

"Oh Alice it's ok, everyone is fine, look for yourself." The cat said gently. Slowly she stood up and looked Chess all over for any sign of injury, then she repeated the same thing to Thackery, who had yet to say anything or let go of her.

"Thackery? Are you ok?" She asked gently. That was all it took, the Hare broke down crying.

"I was so scared when we found you at the gate; I thought you were going to die!" He wailed.

"Oh Thackery, I'm ok. I'm not going anywhere ok? After all we still have to save Underland, and then we have to repair everything and have all those parties we talked about. So you see I'm not going anywhere, ok?" She said hugging him while softly rubbing his back.

"Ok Alice." He said finally calming down.

"Great, now I think some introductions are in order here." Alice said turning back to the Hatter and the rude little mouse.

"My name is Alice Kingsleigh, the great-granddaughter of your champion Alice Kingsleigh." She said with a pointed look at the mouse.

"A pleasure Alice, I am Tarrant Hightop and this is Mallymkun." He said gesturing to the mouse.

"Nice to meet you Tarrant, Mallymkun." She said with a genuine smile. Tarrant smiled back vibrantly while Mally just glared. Just then Atlas, Miya and Theo came running in.

"Alice! Alice! Come play with us." Theo exclaimed happily. Laughing Alice knelt down to pick him up.

"What did you have in mind Theo?" She asked curiously.

"How about tag?" He asked hopefully.

"That sounds like a great idea." She said smiling. She put him down gently and after saying she would see them later, she raced off down the hall after the laughing pups. They played together all though the morning and Alice had met most of the people that lived there, but she still hadn't seen the Queen.

Around lunch the pups took off to be with their parents so she decided to go out to the gardens. Her muscles were sore from all the sudden use and she thought it would be good to give them a rest. However she wasn't ready to go back to her room yet, because she knew she would fall asleep again.

Upon reaching the gardens she went straight to the back. From what she heard no one ever came back this far, which was a shame because it held many plants and flowers that didn't grow anywhere else in the garden.

She sat on one of the benches and started looking through her I-Pod. She wanted to hear something relaxing but cute and happy. After she selected the song; "Can't help falling in love with you" by the "A-Teens" Alice let her thoughts wonder as she quietly sang along.

Her mind went over everything that had happened; from falling down the rabbit hole, to finding Thackery, singing on the way to Crims and tricking the evil Red Queen. Fighting the shadow and the red army, befriending Stayne, to almost dying. She felt herself shudder.

Alice forced herself to focus on the positive. They freed the White Queen and her followers. She now had many friends of all shapes and sizes, not to mention species. Plus she finally got to meet the Mad Hatter.

Letting out a sigh of longing, singing and the music long forgotten Alice let herself daydream. Tarrant was everything she thought he would be and more. From his stunning eyes to his crazy hair. Then there was his smile. Bright and white with small gap in the front teeth. Looks wise, he was perfect to Alice, and then he spoke.

When he introduced himself and Mally she thought she was going to melt. His voice was soft but very cheerful and happy. It was the kind of voice that could bring joy but it also had an undertone that was as hard as steel. From what she knew from the stories her great-grandma told her Tarrant had a temper when pushed and when he lost it he picked up a thick accent.

Thinking about it she figured he was from the Underworld equivalent to Scotland. After all in Otherworld the name Hightop would defiantly be Scottish. She sighed again. She loved a Scottish accent and she couldn't wait to hear Tarrant's. It was probably delicious.

Just then she heard a snap. Looking up quickly she saw the man she was just daydreaming about.

"Oh, Tarrant. Hello is everything all right?" she asked seeing how the man looked like he was going to faint.

"Oh Alice, yes I'm fine, you just surprised me that's all. Not that it isn't a good surprise because it is. A very, very good surprise and I quite like surprises."

"Hatter!"

"Thank you, I'm fine." He whispered.

"So tell me, what brings you out here Tarrant?" She asked quietly.

"Oh yes, I came out here for some inspiration for my hats, some of the plants here are quite unique." He said softly.

"What about you Alice?" Hatter asked.

"I wanted to just get away for a bit, you know to go over everything that's happened." She said so quietly that she was sure he missed it.

"Do you miss your family?" Tarrant asked gently.

"Not really, but I can't help but wonder if they miss me. If they even noticed that I'm gone." She said sadly.

"Not that it really matters I guess. But I just can't help but think over all that I've done here. I mean I never fought like that in Otherworld. I never felt more compelled to move forward like that I did then last night." Alice said while staring at a rose.

"What do you mean compelled?" the Hatter asked.

"I never stopped Tarrant. Despite the injuries, the fear, and the pain. In fact the only time I stopped was when I took a nap in the forest, but even in my dream I was running through the forest." She explained.

"I see and you've never felt like that in Otherworld? I'm sure it's because you're an Alice. Alice's always feel drawn here and even if they lose their muchness they always seem to get it back." By the time he finished he too was looking at a rose.

"You know what Tarrant; I don't ever want to lose my muchness. It's the reason I don't have friends in Otherworld. Maybe I was always meant to be here in Underland." She said smiling softly.

"That very well could be Alice. But if you stay won't you miss anyone?" It sounded like there was a hidden meaning but she ignored it.

"Well of course there are some people, I would miss Rose-Mary for example, she's my little sister. I will also miss Duncan and Tristen, there boys from my class. " She explained.

"Over all I think Ro is the only one I would truly feel lose for." She finished.

"What about your mother and father?" He exclaimed.

"Oh Hatter, my mother is dead. As for my father, well we're not that close." She answered.

"Oh Alice, I'm so sorry!" Tarrant said as his once vibrant green eyes turn a dull blue.

"Tarrant it's ok, you didn't know." She said gently while giving him a small hug.

Mean while all Alice could do was blush when she felt Tarrant hug her back.

"I can so die happy now!" She squealed mentally. For a while they just stood there; in the back of the garden hugging. Pulling back Alice smiled brightly, for looking back at her were the beautiful green eyes she had loved since a child.

"So Alice, didn't you think it was dangerous taking a nap in the middle of the forest like that?" The question caught her completely off guard.

"Well not really I had Stayne there to watch over me and the area." She realized that was the wrong thing to say a moment too late.

"What!" He roared.

"You fell asleep and let your guard down around that bloody knave! Alice are you mad!" He was pacing around the small space waving his hands like a true mad man. His once jade eyes bleeding crimson.

Stepping forward Alice grabbed his upper arms to hold him in place. Then looking him in his garnet eyes she told him the truth.

"Yes Tarrant, I am mad. I'm bonkers, crazy, a complete loon. But I'll tell you a secret. All the best people are." She noticed he had stopped struggling and was looking at her intently.

"Tarrant I am friends with Stayne. He helped me escape, he helped me with my injuries the best he could and I even have a note for proof." Alice declared while giving him the note.

She let him read it before continuing.

"Stayne isn't a monster; if he was he would have killed me long before I got here. We have a lot in common and we became friends. Think about how useful this will be when fighting the Red Queen." Alice said practically begging for him to understand.

"But Alice, what if he betrays us?" He asked cautiously.

"Tarrant do you trust me?" She said; silently happy about the "us" part.

"Of course I do Alice, but-"He was cut off by her hand covering his mouth.

"Then trust me in trusting Stayne. You know I would never endanger the Queen. But you have to realize Tarrant not everything to do with the Red Queen is black, sometimes there are shades of white that get over looked." With that she slowly walked away and back to her chambers for that nap, letting what she said sink in.

"Shades of white, huh." Tarrant whispered to himself before returning to the castle as well, fully inspired.

~A.N.~

Alice and Tarrant moment! I was so glad I finally got to write some! I like this chapter because it speaks the truth, when people hate someone for so long the slowly begin to believe that anyone associated with them is bad as well, but it is true that there are shades of white that get over looked. The puppies Theo and Atlas are inspired by my older sisters adorable dogs whom I love to play with. Please review and let me know what you think! *smiles and bows*

Song List

Can't help falling in love with you – A-Teens