Author's Note: Kind of random but I've always thought that the song Breakeven by The Script somewhat represents what the Hatter went through while Alice was gone.
Sorry this is such a short chapter, the next will be longer! Happy reading.
Returning Home
Alice pouted as he held her hands still, "Ask away"
Tarrant sighed and said a silent prayer, "Well…there is…ah…a situation you see…"
"Situation?"
"…Well, yes I suppose a rather sticky one…"
She was beginning to grow a little impatient by his pauses, and the fact that she couldn't wiggle her hands free.
"Hatter…what are you trying to say?", Alice asked as she managed to pull her right hand away, using it to prop her head up. She stared down at him while he struggled to form his words.
The Hatter looked up at her, fear in his eyes.
"You're staring at me as if I had sprouted the head of the Jabberwocky itself. I assure you Tarrant, whatever it is, I will not bite your head off"
Alice noticed the slight movement his body made towards the edge of the bed, as if he was creating some extra space between them. Mirroring her, he propped himself up on his elbow and sighed heavily.
"I want you to know that our quarters are exactly 300 feet high, so if you decided to toss me out the window, I'm afraid I wouldn't survive it, though, that might be your intention that I do not, of course I would be dieing a happy man after tonight, you know we never did finish our tea-"
"Hatter!"
"Sorry!"
He shut his eyes tight and spoke in a rush, ""
There was a moment of complete silence; he could hear the spray from the waterfall outside the window.
Cracking an eye open, he saw that all the color had completely drained from Alice's face.
"But you know, she wants me to escort you, so I will be by your side the entire night" he said comfortingly, but Alice had already started to groan.
Burying her face in the pillow, she shouted every curse word the crew had taught her.
Thankfully Tarrant could only hear muffled angry noises emitting from the pillowcase.
With a huff she rolled over onto her back. She was still naked but it hardly fazed her.
"I would rather walk across broken glass"
Tarrant frowned a little, "I know that I may not offer much conversation, but I know that I dance well…"
Alice looked over at him. Reading the hurt on his face she scooted back over and kissed him lightly.
When she pulled back he was beaming again.
Alice laid her head on his shoulder, "I would love for you to be my escort Tarrant. I would take no other gentleman"
"I know you dislike these large crowds Alice, but I've never asked why"
"I'm afraid that all of the awful parties Mother took me to when I was younger created a distaste of events such as these. She would always sic Margaret after me and find me hiding in some shadowy corner. I know Mother wanted the best for me, but I knew society could go on without another young girl husband hunting", Alice inhaled the scent of his skin as she spoke, relaxation coming over her once again, "I never got the chance to enjoy myself. Everyone was always gossiping, not to mention dreadfully snobbish. I vowed that when I grew older I would only have small gatherings of my closest friends and family"
Tarrant laughed softly, "Really Alice, you'll have a splendid evening. Everyone will be there in your honor to celebrate your return, not to shop for your dowry"
Alice couldn't help but laugh as well, "I know…And it will be nice spending more time with everyone, I feel like I've missed so much since I've been gone"
Alice shivered slightly, the air in the room having cooled.
"Shall we fix ourselves?" Tarrant asked while glancing at the tall clock.
They dressed quickly. Alice had just finished pinning her last piece of hair into place when they heard footsteps echoing down the hallway. There were sounds of confusion at Alice's door when she did not answer. Then there was a knock on Tarrant's door.
Alice giggled while he placed a few last minute kisses on her neck before opening the door.
A squat butler, dressed in a pearly-white uniform, stood peering nosily into the room at the two of them.
"Can I help you my friend?"
The snoopy servant checked himself and cleared his throat.
"Dinner is being served in the Grand Hall tonight, the Queen has sent me to escort the Lady Alice…but it seems that I have been replaced" he said with a smirk as he glanced toward the messy bed.
Alice took a step closer to the door, blocking his view of the room.
"Nonsense, I wont have your gracious efforts gone to waste. Shall we?"
Alice hurriedly took the arm of the startled butler and marched him down the hall. She glanced back and gave the Hatter a bemused smile as he tipped his hat at her and returned to the room.
R&R Please
