A/N: I do not own the characters, though I wish I did. This is chapter three. I'm working on a few other stories, so my updates may be slower. Enjoy!

"You're late for TEA!" March yelled, throwing a cup. Hatter grabbed Alice to make her duck from the cup that broke as it hit the front door.

"There is no more tea in here," Hatter said. "Go outside if you want some." March ran towards them, and Hatter pulled Alice back to let let him through. He wasn't stopping.

"Still hyper, as I..." she stopped herself. Hatter looked at Alice, wondering what was wrong.

"As you what?" he asked.

"Nothing," she said, walking to the fireplace to keep warm. She felt cold suddenly. "Since when do you not have tea in the house?"

Hatter went into the kitchen over to the stove where there sat a special teapot. This was his favorite teapot, that no one but him touched. It was made of crystal, but it wasn't completely see through. He took out some tea bags and mixed them into the teapot, where there was already boiling water. He took out the vanilla and poured the perfect amount in to mix it with the tea. He grabbed two crystal cups from the cupboard, and poured the tea into them. He brought it over to her on a silver tray.

"Alice," he said quietly, but not quite a whisper. "I always have tea in the house." She gasped as she saw the tea cups. She took one off, holding it with care. "What's wrong Alice? You've seemed upset for the past few moments."

"Hatter, this...these cups....where did you..." she rambled. He explained to her about the crystal and that the set wasn't March's everyday throwing porcelain. He kept them in a safe place, the top cabinet. He hadn't used these cups in forever. They were special to him, and to be able to share it with Alice was...it felt comforting. He wanted to reconnect with her. He felt distant. Alice complimented on the tea and they spent most of the day talking.

***********

That night, Mirana still hadn't showed up or sent anyone to get Alice from March's. Hatter offered her the extra room in the house. She noticed there were only two bedrooms.

"Where does March sleep?" she asked.

"Couch or table outside," he replied. "Depends on the day."

"Oh." Alice got ready for bed, putting on a blue nightgown Hatter made for her earlier. She glanced out the window, seeing March fast asleep at the table. Smiling, she covered herself in the warm covers, and fell asleep...

She ran, fast as she could. The footsteps still casing her, loudly. She fell again. The sword came out, and she dodged the stabbing motion. She got back up, running again. She felt the sword just barely missing her, but she felt it cutting her. "No!" she screamed, but the footsteps kept coming. She tripped again, but she saw her attacker. The patch stood out the most. Then, the scars across his face...

"Alice!" she felt herself being shaken. Everything went black in the picture she was seeing.

"Alice!" Her eyes opened, terrified. She sat up quickly, meeting Hatter's emerald eyes on the said of the bed. Without thinking, she wrapped her arms around him.

"Tarrant," she said desperately. Hatter embraced her, slowly cradling her back and forth, trying to calm her down. She wept into his chest. This time, it was the worst as all her memories rushed back to her.

"Alice," he whispered in her ear over and over. "It was a dream."

"I...kn...know," she said, between sobs. "It...w....was...s-so...real." Tarrant felt the back of her neck, feeling a wet, somewhat sticky substance. He looked down at the pillow. It was in certain spots, covered in blood. He saw the loose glass piece on the lower side of the headboard and he pulled it out. How it got there, he hadn't the slightest idea. He felt he should cover that wound.

"Alice," he whispered. "Please, stay here."

"Don't leave," she begged softly.

"I'll be back in a moment," he said, releasing her. He grabbed a small bandage wrap along with a bowl of water. He came back to her. She looked so scared and helpless.

"Alice." She latched onto him again, still sobbing. He let her hang onto him and he took the cloth from the water he put it in and wiped the back of her neck.

"That...feels nice," she said, but she had no idea she had even cut herself.

"I believe it," he said, knowing she was quite warm. He wrapped the bandage around her neck lightly. "Calm down." He put the rag back, setting everything on the floor. He embraced her again, just holding her. "It's okay now."

"I know it's okay...because you're here," she said, finally relaxing. Her words surprised him, causing him to take a quick breath. He had to change the subject.

"What happened?" he asked her.

"Dreams," Alice explained. "I've been having similar ones for about a week now."

"Must be awful," he said. Alice let go of him, apologizing.

"I'm sorry if I woke you up," she said. Hatter was taken aback by this too.

"No, no, no," he said. "Don't be." he put his hand over hers. They sat in silence, but it wasn't an awkward silence.

"Stay," she whispered. She was frightened that once she closed her eyes again, the dream would come back like it had in the past.

'Anything Alice," he replied, laying down next to her. He pulled the blankets over them, and he flipped her pillow over. He didn't want to scare her more.

When she laid back next to him, her back faced him. He put a protective arm around her waist. She leaned back into him, resting her head on his neck. Hatter sighed, realizing something important. Alice trusted him, almost with her life. He knew to be gentle with her neck, considering he had no idea how deep her wound actually was.

"Tarrant," she murmured.

"Hmmm?"

"I...I...never mind," she said, putting her hand over his where he held her waist. She didn't have the nerve to say 'I love you' tonight.