Title: Only A Dream – Ch.3
Fandom: Alice in Wonderland (2010)
Pairing(s): Stayne/Alice, possibly more later
Rating: PG-13/T (for now)
Summary: The Knave and Alice make a deal. People are strange and things get complicated. Stayne won't let Alice forget her promise and she comes to find that everyone has their secrets
Disclaimer: I own NOTHING! Everything belongs to creative people, companies, (etc) that are not me and I make no money from this venture…trust me. Also: All mistakes are my own and I take full responsibility for them
Author's Note: Okay! So…all of my faithful readers have every right to hate me. I'm sorry, but school and grades came first! But I finally graduated college/uni so I am FREE to write now (yay!) I thank you again and again for being so patient. FASTER updates are in the future, I promise! *tea and cookies for all of you* And to those that gave me writing advice, thank you! Let me know if it looks a little better now :)

The walk to Marmoreal and the greeting that met us upon our arrival, passed by in a blur because I gave little attention to those around me, as I was so preoccupied with my thoughts on everything that had just happened. So, before I knew it, Mirana led me to my room and just as I was breaking out of my trance, I saw her lead Stayne down the hall to, what I could assume, would be his room during his stay.

I entered my room, closing the door with a soft 'click' and repressed a sigh, before I started to get ready for bed. I was exhausted between the recent battle and all the emotionally draining events that had happened today. I took off the armor and placed it gently in the corner of the room and started to wash myself, to get most of the blood and dirt off me, as I tried to stop thinking about him. I quickly changed into my bed clothes, as I was growing so tired I could barely stand, and crawled into the bed. As soon as my head hit the pillows, I was in a deep sleep.

A few hours later though, I head the door scrap across the floor as it opened and closed, followed by soft footsteps heading towards my bed. Just as I was wondering, if I should let the intruder know I was awake, or if I should pretend I was still asleep, I felt warm breath against my ear whispering, "Alice?"

I felt the bed dip with the added weight of an extra body as I turned to see who the owner of the voice was, even though I already knew, I could recognize that voice anywhere.

"Stayne, what are you doing here?" I couldn't believe I forgot to lock the door before going to bed, but I was so tired that it must have just slipped my mind.

"I thought that was rather obvious, Alice, we made a deal."

I clutched the sheets closer to my body, reminded that I was only wearing a thin white nightdress.

"Get out, Stayne. Leave now or I'll scream for the guards," I threatened and was proud of myself for being able to keep my voice strong and even.

"The only thing you'll be screaming is my name, begging me for more," he said as he gripped me hard by my shoulders and pushed my head against his chest.

"Stop, Stayne! I don't want this, let me go!" I replied, panicking slightly as I tried to claw my nails alongside his body in a vain attempt to get away.

"You want me Alice, why are you fighting this? Tell me," he said as his large hands left my shoulders, one to slide down my back and hold me in place, while the other grabbed me by the wrists and lifted them above my head.

I whimpered as I refused to give in to him, refused to acknowledge how good he smelled or how my face flushed, being pressed against his toned chest. This whole thing was wrong; it was every shade of wrong.

"Tell me!" Stayne demanded, tightening his hold on my back almost painfully to entice some kind of response. I still couldn't look him in the face as I suddenly said, "Not like this! I don't want…this."

There was a long stifling pause, the air around us became thick and heavy, and I was finding it hard to breathe. "Do you want me to be gentle, Alice? Loving? Is that what you want from me? I could play along, I could do that," Stayne said as he released his grip on me and started pressing tender kisses along my face. At the same time, he gently caressed my back, running his big hand along in a circular motion and asked, "Is this better, Alice? Is this what you want? I can play the part for the night, I don't mind."

This still wasn't what I wanted. None of this was, right? It was hard to think when his kisses tasted so sweet and his sure hands knew just how to make my body melt underneath him. Before I knew it, I was lying against the many pale pillows on the bed with Stayne on top of me, hitching one of my legs over his hip, kissing along my jaw line and nipping at my collarbone.

"There's just one last thing I need you to do for me, my Alice," he huskily said against my parted lips.

"What's that?"

"I need you to wake up, Alice…right now."

~~~~~AiW~~~~~

I woke up suddenly to a knock at the door. My nightdress was sticking to my sweat drenched body and I was breathing heavily, my eyes wide.

There were a few more knocks at the door while a soft, hesitant voice asked, "Miss Alice? Are you awake?"

I took note of my surroundings and could see the sun peaking in behind the curtains. Was it really morning, already? I swung my legs off the side of the bed and pushed myself off, my bare feet touching the chilly marble floor. My feet retracted a little from the sudden coldness, before lying flat on the floor again and moving towards the door. I swung it open to see a petite, brunette woman in the silver garb of the hospitality staff.

"Excuse me miss, but breakfast will be ready soon and the Queen wanted me to check on you."

"Oh yes, thank you. I'm…" I tried not to think back on my night, which luckily was only a dream, and responded, unconvincingly, "fine."

"Well, that's good to hear, miss. Would you like me to draw you a bath?"

I couldn't deny that I'd been craving one since last night, but I was too drained to take one and it was too late to summon someone up to help me. "That'd be wonderful, thank you."

"It's no problem miss, I'll have someone bring you up something to wear as well," replied the lady as she brushed past me to enter the room before continuing, "I can remove and clean your armor too, if you'd like."

"Again, thank you, that sounds lovely and you're very kind."

"It's no problem at all, miss. The Queen has also assigned me to take care of you, for the duration of your stay, since it seems you will be staying with us for awhile longer, if that is alright?"

The few days I stayed here leading up to the battle against the Jabberwocky, the various staff were taking care of us "new guests" while longer residing guests and permanent residents were assigned their own person to help clean and maintain their quarters while also tending to their other needs. So, it would seem Mirana meant it when she said she planned on me staying here, for a little while longer.

"That sounds wonderful. Though please, call me Alice."

The small, slightly plump woman blushed and said, "Alright mi—Alice, if that is what you want. If you need me for anything, just call for Helen," she replied as she started straightening up my room and finished preparing my bath.

A few minutes later, upon entering the bath, which smelled of lavender and vanilla, I let my mind wander. I tried not to think about Stayne, but I couldn't help it. Why did I pardon him? Who was he, exactly? Every time I saw him smirk or grin at me, I didn't know if I wanted to wipe it off with a kiss or with my fist. To say I was puzzled about the whole situation would be an understatement. And then there was Mirana and Tarrant, the Queen was acting more strangely than usual and Tarrant, I exhaled deeply as I slid further into the perfumed water and thought about my best friend. I didn't know how to make things right with him.

Not wanting to dwell on my thoughts anymore, as it didn't seem to be helping, I got out of the bath, and dried myself off. On the bed, was a yellow, butter colored dress, no doubt made by Tarrant. I picked up the dress and held it against me, it was very pretty. Upon further inspection though, it didn't look like it was done by Tarrant's hand, but who else would send me a dress? I figured this was his "peace offering" for last night, which just made me feel guiltier. I know he's just trying to take care of me and my best interests, but I hate feeling coddled and like I need protecting. Still, Tarrant is the greatest friend I've ever had, and I should apologize to him as soon as I had the chance to.

I quickly finished getting ready, brushing my hair, and putting on the dress. I gave a small twirl in front of the ornate mirror and deciding I looked decent enough, headed out towards the dining hall where breakfast was served.

The smell of baked goods, delightfully invaded my senses, and I ducked out off the way in time to avoid the March Hare's tea cup that came flying towards my head. It was odd, how quickly that had become habit and how no one seemed to reprimand the March Hare for his erratic behavior, though I doubt it would do much good anyway, and that was probably why they didn't bother.

"Good Morning, Alice! Here, come sit next to me," Mirana greeted me joyfully, as she signaled me over by patting the empty chair next to her. Tarrant was sitting next to Mirana on the other side and wouldn't meet my eyes, pretending to busy himself with spreading jam onto his toast.

There were other guests enjoying the meal too, but mostly staff, knights, and advisors that I didn't know by name yet. I looked around, feeling a mixture of disappointment and relief in finding Stayne absent from the table.

I reached over and grabbed a blueberry muffin from a large basket and poured myself some orange juice. We ate in content silence for a few minutes before Mirana asked, "Did Helen take good care of you this morning? You look refreshed, at least."

"Yes, thank you. But I don't think I'll be staying long enough to warrant my own personal…"

But Mirana interrupted me with that mysterious smile again, and with a wink said, "Well, you know, just in case."

Before I could continue, Mirana changed the subject with a delicate wave of her hands, and announced, "I was thinking about the ball tonight."

I almost chocked on my juice before looking up and saying, "Tonight? Doesn't it take more time to plan things like that?" I finished, lamely. I know Mirana said she planned on having it "tomorrow" and that was the other day, but still! All I could think about is that I'd have to face Stayne earlier than I expected, I had planned on dodging him for at least a few more days.

"I think the perfect time to have one, is now! It'll raise everyone's spirits and we can celebrate your victory and all you've done for Underland," Mirana stated smiling, and finished eating her pastry without dropping a single crumb, or making the slightest mess. She dabbed at her lips with a napkin daintily and continued to talk about what she had planned for the ball. Her grace would continually amaze me.

At the beginning, I was listening to the Queen excitably ramble about the celebration that was to happen later tonight, but as I reached to grab some scrambled eggs from the platter that was in front of Tarrant, I noticed that Mirana was lightly and comfortingly stroking Tarrant's leg underneath the tablecloth. I tried to act very nonchalant about it, but my mind suddenly started reeling. Were Mirana and Tarrant, for a lack of a better word, together? I never really thought about it before, but it made sense. Tarrant's unyielding loyalty to "his Queen" might run deeper than I originally perceived. This new revelation was, interesting. But maybe I was reading too much into this? I often let my thoughts and active imagination take over me, at least that's what my family and everyone in England used to say. It was not proper for a young girl to think so much. Too "dangerous", they'd say.

I shook my head silently, to myself, as I noticed I already thought of home in the past tense and that worried me a bit.

"Morning, Alice. I trust you…slept well?"

Just when I thought I was safe from seeing the man that was in my dreams last night, there he was, in nothing but black, baggy cotton pants. He rounded the table, looking at the array of food, apparently not waiting for my answer. I blushed, trying not to look at the pale expanse of his muscled chest, which was hairless, except for a small trail that led from his bellybutton and continued down under the waistband of his pants.

"In the name of everything holy, Stayne, some of us are trying to eat here! And you're positively indecent in front of mixed company!" Tarrant fumed, face turning red with anger.

The other guests were snidely whispering to each other and giving side glances at Stayne as they were doing so, which meant that his attire was not entirely appropriate here in Underland, as well. I could only imagine what would happen if he came dressed like that to a meal in England, attire like that was not acceptable, except in your private rooms.

"Yes, well, I am sorry about that," Stayne replied not sounding sorry at all, "But I just came here for a quick bite, I'll be on my way," he said as he grabbed an apple and bit into it.

As he was chewing the piece of fruit slowly, he surveyed me for awhile before saying, with an air of indifference, and a hand on his hip, "Yellow looks good on you Alice, I knew it would."

What was he talking about?

"You, knew?"

"I had a few of the seamstresses make that for you last night, do you like it? I had them send it to your room this morning."

I gasped silently, looking down at the dress, my palms suddenly perspiring. What was he playing at, sending me this dress? What did he gain from doing this? I really liked the dress before, but now I wanted to rip it off my body and tear it to shreds, and yet oddly…very oddly, my heart skipped a beat at this knowledge and I found myself wanting to wear it again, as soon as possible. It was maddening and it didn't make any sense. I noticed Stayne staring at me though, waiting for a response and said, "Y-Yes, it's…lovely."

Suddenly he was behind me, leaning over me with his rough cheek rubbing against mine, and his hands resting on the edge of the table, "Don't I get a thank you, Alice?"

My heart starting beating faster and my breath was shaky, as I pushed the chair closer to the table and further away from him, and replied quickly, "Thank you, Stayne."

"Are you quite through, Stayne? I thought you were leaving," Tarrant bristled from his seat, his voice starting to become thick with his accent again.

Stayne stepped back, heading to the door with a casual shrug, and simply stated, "I'll be around, if anyone needs me."

Mirana took a sip of her tea nonchalantly, as if Stayne wasn't half naked and the awkward tension that was suffocating the room wasn't there. Setting her cup down, she cheerfully said, "Don't forget to be present at the ball tonight, Stayne."

To which Stayne gave a small, half bow, before turning around and shouting back as he was leaving, "Yes, your highness."

After Stayne left, we finished eating in uncomfortable silence until Tarrant pushed his chair back, a tad aggressively, and whispered something into Mirana's ear, who simply gave his hand a quick reassuring squeeze before saying, "Yes, of course Tarrant. I'll see you later."

It was then I realized the rest of the guests had left and only Mirana and I remained, except for a few of the staff that was occupied with clearing off the table. I realized this was the time, it was now or never.

"Your highness, can I talk to you about something…kind of important?"

"Of course, Alice, and you know you may call me, Mirana."

I just smiled and nodded my head gently before replying, "It's about Stayne."

"Ah," was her simple reply before she turned to me with her usual gentle manner, smile gracing her lips as always, "What exactly, would you care to talk about?"

"I need to know what kind of man Stayne is, I don't know him, not really. And I don't know if anyone does but…" I took a deep breath, willing myself to find some courage before continuing, "I feel like you, Tarrant, and Stayne have some kind of history that I don't understand. I want to know what's going on."

Mirana cleared her throat, and I was surprised to find that she was a little unsettled, "You were always a curious creature, Alice."

I didn't know how to respond to that, so I just waited, hoping she would continue, when she turned to me completely and took my hands in hers. She straightened her back and looked me in the eyes before saying, "Alice, there are some things about the past…I don't know if I can tell you everything, at least not right now."

"Well then tell me something, anything. Please Mirana, I know the tension between everyone isn't just because of what happened the past few days."

"You're no fool, Alice and that's why I respect you. But I hope you can respect me, when I say that today, I can only explain some things to you. Do you understand? Alice, some things are hard to explain…not everything is black and white."

I nodded immediately, just because I wanted some knowledge of what was going on. I hated being left in the dark and maybe this would shed some light on the situation?

I thought the whole battle was over, that with the Frabjous Day victory, things would be simpler now. Except, then why did it feel like I was still fighting something?

TBC

Sorry for the long wait, I hope you enjoyed the chapter and that it was worth it! Do you like the direction it's heading in? Did it feel rushed? I hope not. I love writing this for all of you, the characters are becoming "more alive" and Stayne is driving me nuts but in a good way ;) Let me know your thoughts! Reviews make the writer very happy ~ Love it? Hate it? FEEDBACK