A / N : oh - erm... this may be the longest chapter to date in this story. It just sort of, managed to develop itself when I was sorting through my plan. I hope that's a good thing ... ?

Thank you for the support on the last chapter. I know it wasn't the most - interesting - chapter to date, but I think you'll agree with me when I say, it was somewhat needed, yes? Anyway, I'm sure that this chapter will be loaded with enough Alice & Hatter stuff for your enjoyment (or at least, I hope it will be). A few things: number 1, I thought about what story the Hatter would most probably be most amazed about that Alice could tell him, which led to the one that was chosen in this chapter (I know one person won't like the tale she tells him :) haha) and number 2: for all those movie quoters that found a hidden movie quote way, way back in chapter 3 - there is another hidden in this chapter. See if you can spot it :P

&& reviews. again, as you know I try to reply to all of them to the best of my ability, even if you're not logged into an account. So, it's time for another shout out, this time to Caznikk. Thank you for the kind review, it was a pleasure to read. And also, you must be some sort of mindreader! I was actually wondering what people would think about what I had planned for this story, and I have been considering a sequel. I just haven't mentioned it yet because, well, I want you guys to focus on this one before I proposed the idea (but now you guys know the idea so ; ... it's already been proposed! haha). But yes, more news on that idea in the future, you'll see what I mean later. Thank you for putting that forward though!

Now please, I will leave you to enjoy this extra - long chapter :)

Investigating things that begin with the letter 'M'

Alice couldn't help but be confused by a number of different things at that moment in time.

Number one, she was still trying to work out just what it was the Queen had meant by what she had said yesterday at her visit. Although Alice had somewhat taken the advice given to her, whenever she tried to think of what the Hatter meant to her, she only continued to be even more lost and bewildered about everything, and wished she could just stop thinking about the entire thing totally. She got very little sleep the previous night due to her non-stop thinking, and it was driving her insane.

Number two. Alice could not understand the anxious feeling she had within her at meeting the Hatter the previous morning. She couldn't fathom why such a thing worried her so much, especially considering how many times they had already been alone together. Silently, Alice felt she had Mirana to thank for her nervousness, especially with the way she had constantly poked her about what stood in their relationship.

And of course, there was a third reason to add to her confusion, was their not? And that was, the Hatter himself.

When he had told her the other day that he wanted to escape outside, Alice had assumed that that meant he wanted to partake in the usual tea party event with the rest of their friends. However, when she had asked him what they would be doing previously that morning, she got a very different answer. Well, she didn't get much of an answer at all, to be completely honest – all she received was his usual odd ways to divert the subject, to which he then added 'it's a secret' at the end of it.

So now, she was following her dear friend to lord knows where, without any inkling of what was going to happen. Alice only knew, that whatever he had planned – it had something to do with the basket he was carrying with him. And as he proceeded to carry on walking and talking a thousand different things at once, Alice found herself submerged in her own hundred and one confusing thoughts in her mind, once again trying to make sense of the entire situation she was currently stuck in.

However, as she was stuck in her own thoughts, the Hatter must have somehow noticed. For he had stopped walking for a moment, and when Alice looked up she saw he was staring at her, a look of concern on his face.

"Alice? Is everything quite alright?"

She forced a smile slightly, trying to bury the confusion she was currently trapped in. She, most definitely, did not want to discuss it with him. Of course, he would be nothing but a good listener to her problems, but some – if not the majority - of those problems concerned him. And – well, Alice partly feared that telling him some of the things in her mind that even she didn't understand might result in her frightening him. So instead, she lied.

"Oh, yes. Everything's fine. Why do you ask?"

A pause, and the Hatter walked towards her slightly, his eyes never leaving her face, as if searching for something. Alice wouldn't have been surprised if he knew she was lying; for he honestly knew her too well sometimes. However, if he did – he had chosen to ignore it, perhaps realising she didn't really want to discuss it.

"Well, you don't seem very 'Alice' today, that's all. Usually, you're much more talkative – or you're at least trying to make some attempt to catch up with my own bad habit of rambling. Right now however, you seem very ... silent. Almost, worried over something."

Alice's fake smiled turned into a genuine one then and she sighed. Of course, he knew her just too well. As she looked back into his concerned face, all her worries flew away. How could she have been so nervous in spending the day with him? He was ... so special to her, and she knew that they knew each other better then they knew even themselves at times.

"Really? Maybe I just had a lot on my mind, I don't know. I'm – seriously fine though Tarrant. You needn't worry. Although, I do appreciate it."

Another pause as they looked at each other then and Alice saw the Hatters expression change to a small smile then. She guessed that her answer managed to sit with him somewhat, even if he wasn't a hundred percent convinced that she was 'fine'. Standing up straight – when had he moved so that his face was level with hers? – he turned around slightly, looking up in the direction to which they were previously walking in.

"Well, we'll be there soon. If it'll help take your mind of whatever it is that is leaving you in such a dazed state, perhaps I should give you a hint as to where we will be going." He turned to face her again, smile much stronger than it was only moments before.

"A hint? Why, that's awfully generous of you! Normally, you like leaving me in the dark till the last minute about your plans."

"And quite right too! You know how I always believe that the best type of things often come as surprises. Now, here is your hint:" He held up a finger then, as if making a point with whatever it was he was about to say. He moved forward again, so that his face was once again level with hers, and continued to speak.

"I've been investigating things that begin with the letter M."

He tapped her on the nose after he finished his sentence, and then once again stood up straight. Alice on the other hand stood where she was, and blinked. As quickly as what he had said sunk into her mind however, Alice found herself crossing her arms. Oh it would be a riddle with him wouldn't it?

"Well, that really wasn't overly helpful you know? If anything, I'm now even more confused than before you decided to throw a riddle at me."

The Hatter however, merely smiled and continued to walk on, carrying on his babbling of nothing in particular as Alice once again chased closely behind him. Well, quite obviously he was taking her somewhere that began with the letter 'M', but that could mean anything. It could be a town, or a village she had not yet heard of. The M could merely be a description of where he was taking her. In fact, with the Hatter, M could have nothing to do with where they were going at all, and he could have in fact just posed the suggestion, just to annoy her – or to just focus her mind on something else. But Alice wasn't giving in. So, she decided to think of any places in her mind that could possibly start with the letter M. The result however, did not look to be very pretty.

After a relatively short period of time, Alice found herself stuck at a dead end. What places were there that began with the letter M? She decided that she honestly, obviously, did not know nearly enough about Underland as she even thought she did, and it proved to her that she needed to be shown to a great many more places before she had any hope of understanding anything.

"Oh, I don't know!" She said loudly suddenly.

The Hatter however, didn't look up – instead Alice heard his laughter at her predicament. Oh of course the whole thing would be hilarious to him, everything always was.

"Something wrong, Alice?"

She glared at the man's back, knowing all too well that he was probably grinning from ear to ear at that moment.

"I don't know the answer to your riddle Tarrant, I honestly just don't know it! What do you even mean by the letter M? Are you describing where we're going? Or is that really the title for it? I've tried to think of a possible idea, but each possibility I find draws a blank."

"Dear Alice, it seems like you are developing my problem at rambling, judging from your predicament."

She stopped in her tracks then, and crossed her arms once again, pouting like a young child. This always happened when he threw a riddle at her. He'd continue having fun, whilst she'd be stuck for goodness knows how long pondering over the silly thing!

Looking at her from the corner of her eye and noticing that she'd stopped walking, the Hatter turned around and walked towards her once again. Alice looked up and saw a soft smile was placed on his face – not a mimicking one that she had half expected from him, but a kind one. She uncrossed her arms then and; whilst she was wondering what he was thinking within his very muddled mind, she felt his free hand grab a hold of hers, neither of them looking away from each other as he did so.

"Perhaps you need more hints, my dear." He said in almost a whisper, and almost instantly afterwards turned around to carry on walking, pulling Alice along with him.

Alice looked down at where their hands met one another, noticing that ever since he'd taken hold of hers a soft, fluttering feeling had burst in her stomach. The feeling wasn't unpleasant – in fact it was the opposite, yet it was still rather unusual. She noticed that it was very much a new sensation that she had not felt before, - or at least one she wasn't aware of feeling before then - but knew it was not something to be afraid of. So lost in her own thoughts, Alice almost didn't catch that the Hatter had started talking – or better yet rambling - again.

"Let's see, something beginning with the letter M – what could describe this place that I am taking you to? Well, I guess magnificent would be a good start, and would fit the description rather well. And of course, when we use the word magnificent; marvellous must follow shortly after. So this place is both magnificent and marvellous. Hmm what else? Oh yes! Now I think about it, it is rather magical as well. So, we are going somewhere that is magnificent, marvellous and all together magical. Now let me try and find another M word to describe it. Hmm, what could begin with the letter M to describe such a place...?"

Alice looked up, and almost gasped at the beauty of the scene that was in front of her.

"A meadow?!"

She noticed the Hatter turn to her, smile still on his face – and he stopped in his tracks, Alice stopping herself when she was standing right beside him. Their hands still clasped, Alice was in awe at what was around her. Her friend however, just nodded.

"That's right. A most magnificent, marvellous and magical meadow."

Alice was speechless, for lack of a better word. The sight before her was breathtaking. She knew that Underland was a place of beauty, so much more beauty then what she would ever find back home – but she never thought that such a place as the one she was in now existed even in Underland. It was like looking upon a dream, the meadow was just so beautiful, so serene. It was as if such a place couldn't even exist; only in imagination. It was impossible for such a place to be there, yet there it was. As that thought came to her mind, Alice remembered the Hatters words only a few months ago when they were facing yet another impossible thing before them. It's only impossible if you believe it is.

"Why Alice, you look absolutely flabbergasted."

Alice turned to look at the Hatters face then, feeling herself smile as she did so.

"Oh! Sorry. It's just ... it's so ... beautiful."

Hs smile grew then, as if happy with her answer.

"Good. You know, this is one of my most favourite places in the whole of Underland that I've found to date. Yet, I've had no one to share such a sight with. Ever since you decided to stay I thought, well, sort of knew I suppose, that I would most definitely end up bringing you here one day."

Alice looked back at the meadow, her smile reflecting how happy she felt in that moment. It was truly beautiful and – well, it was as if it was their little secret now, she supposed. Alice couldn't express how happy she was that he'd taken her to the place. Secretly, she was now glad he did – instead of taking her to another tea party. As much as she loved the tea parties, and the company of all their friends with them, she knew that if they had gone to such an event, she may not have known about the meadow's existence at all.

The Hatter held up the basket he was carrying in his other hand then, letting go of her own as he did so. Alice turned to look at him as he did, breaking out of her daze as she did so.

"Dear Alice. How would it be, if you had tea with me?" He asked her, and Alice then noticed that it was the same basket he used when packing cakes and other sweet foods for their tea parties. She laughed slightly at his actions; all the confusion and nervousness she had felt earlier gone far away.

"That - would be lovely. After all, I am rather hungry from the long walk here."

It wasn't a lie either. As soon as he had introduced the idea, Alice suddenly realised how hungry she really was. Not wanting another scene of her stomach speaking for itself as it had done before, they both sat down and prepared the meal.

Alice was happy to see that for once, they weren't just going to feed out on cakes as was usual for a lunch. She almost let out a sigh of relief when she saw sandwiches. She however, wasn't shocked to find a teapot buried in the basket, and suddenly she wondered how he possibly would hope to try and make tea in the middle of nowhere. Still, Alice decided to be smart and not question it, instead just letting it slide. After all, this was the Hatter – he most likely had a plan for everything that involved tea.

The two of them sat and talked about nothing for what felt like the longest time, and Alice found herself laughing quite a lot at her friend's odd questions, whilst he did the same at what were – Alice would probably count in the Hatters mind – as equally odd questions that she asked him. Oh, how she had missed such discussions with him. When she thought about it, the last time the two of them had got together to talk about nothing in particular was back when he had first asked her about fairy tales. All conversation between them since then had often been about her dress, and various decisions regarding it. Which Alice of course, didn't mind – but it meant that the two of them were missing out on conversations like the ones they were currently having.

After all conversation was made, the two of them laid out on the grass, looking up at the sky above them. Alice noticed that she hardly ever looked at the sky in Underland, and therefore failed to notice the odd shapes that the clouds were. She was about to laugh at the sight of them, when she heard the Hatters voice speak up again.

"Your dress is almost finished, you know?"

She turned her head to face him, noticing that he too was looking towards the sky. She sat up then, excited at what he had just said.

"Really?!"

The Hatter turned to look at her then, signature smile still on his face.

"Really. But notice how I said 'almost'. There are a few finishing touches I'd like to make on it first, but it shouldn't take long. I'll let you know when it's ready. But – in case you were worried, or intending to wear it to the Queens ball, you should know that it will most definitely be ready in time for the event."

Alice smiled, happy to know that she would definitely have a dress to wear at her friend's ball. But then she felt a wave of nervousness wave through her stomach again. She still needed an escort. And the only person who she could or would ever consider ... was right in front of her.

"About the ball ... now you bring that topic up."

She looked away from him then, finding that her hands were unusually most interesting at that moment in time. Obviously sensing her nervousness, the Hatter sat up slightly, turning to look at her.

"Yes? What is it? Is it about the dress? Because I honestly won't be hurt if you already have one ready. I only assumed that you'd want to wear it to the event –"

"Tarrant."

"...I'm fine. Thank you." He squeaked quietly. The two of them looked at each other then; And Alice noticed that he was waiting for her to speak.

"It's not about the dress. I want to wear it at the ball, and I'm more than happy that it'll be finished in time. It's – something else, actually. You see, Mirana told me yesterday that, I had to bring an escort to the ball and well ..." She paused, and noticed that he was still staring, waiting for her to continue with what she was saying. And once again as she played over what she wanted to say in her mind, she felt her cheeks burn again. Oh what a time for her to start blushing, what an honestly perfect time.

"I-was-wondering-if-you-wanted-to-be-my-escort."

Silence. Neither of them said anything for a moment. Alice, fearing that she'd be rejected, turned to look up at the Hatter, but noticed that he was just – confused. She watched him blink, as if trying to comprehend what she had said. Wait, what had she just said?

"Alice, dear – I'm terribly sorry but – I honestly did not catch anything you said just then. It was as if you'd just made up your own language, and where that may be good for you, I'm afraid it is not so good for me, as I would love to be able to understand what you're saying when you speak."

She sighed. Oh but of course, she would jumble all her words together into one huge, inconceivable, unreadable mess wouldn't she? It was just so perfect of the situation, as if someone just wanted to make even more of a mockery of her in that moment in time.

She sighed deeply once again, this time in slight annoyance at herself, her hair flying slightly as she did. This time, Alice was sure she'd get the sentence out, complete – and not as a jumbled up mess.

"No Tarrant, I was speaking in my normal tongue then. Or at least, I was trying to. Sorry if it came out as some made up language. What I was trying to say however, or more – trying to ask – was whether or not you'd be my escort to the Queens ball?"

She watched him blink once then, and Alice almost wished she could take back the proposal. She was almost convinced that he would say no then, for whatever reason he would have.

"Why Alice, is that all you wanted to ask?"

Then it was her turn to blink. She furrowed her brow in confusion, and noticed that her friends expression was nothing but calm and – soft.

"Err, yes?" She replied, her bewilderment evident in her voice.

Alice watched for a moment more, and then watched as the Hatter laughed. She blinked once more, unsure as to what was so funny. She tried to play the whole scene that had just happened over in her mind, and found that, even to herself, it was quite humorous. As if it was contagious, Alice found herself laughing too then. Suddenly, as the two of them laughed, the whole situation seemed to be so much less ... serious then it had before. And once again, Alice began to wonder what she was so nervous for in the first place.

Once their laughter had subsided enough for them to talk, Hatter continued to speak, and Alice was suddenly ready for whatever answer he'd give.

"Oh Alice, dear sweet Alice. You are an odd one, you know that? For one, you get all tongue-tied worse than me when asking one simple thing." He shook his head then, still stifling some laughter.

"Well, you still haven't answered me. Will you, or won't you?"

"Well I would have thought that the answer would have been obvious, no?" The Hatter paused, calming himself down from his laughing fit just moments before. He looked at Alice, who continued to stare back at him, dumbfounded. At that, he sighed. "Oh no, it obviously wasn't as obvious as I thought it would have been. I guess I'll have to ask for something in return at the fact that you obviously don't know the answer."

Alice's expression became confused once again, and looked at her friend. Ask for something in return? Was that a yes or a no to her answer and – more importantly, what could the Hatter possibly want in return? Sensing her confusion only grew once again, the Hatter continued talking.

"I shall be your escort to the ball, on the condition that you finally tell me one of those many fairy stories you have buried in that mind of yours. And by that I mean actually tell, like a story should be told and not skip out on all the boring bits."

Alice, felt a huge wave of relief overthrow her then, happiness replacing the confusion and nervousness as she looked at her friend in mild disbelief. He had agreed, yes, and yet all he wanted was a story in return? Well, she did promise she'd tell him one eventually, she supposed that now would be a better time than, especially considering how happy she was currently feeling at that particular moment in time. She smiled back at him, and nodded.

"Okay, deal. Now let me see, what kind of fairy story should I tell you ..."

She began to think, trying to find a story that the Hatter most probably would like the most. And then it hit her. Why, it was so obvious!

"Let me tell you the story of the boy that never grew up, and remained a child forever."

As expected, Alice watched as the Hatters eyes lit up then, both eager and excitment being evident there.

"Never grew up and remained a child you say? Why, did he have an argument with time like I did?"

Alice smiled at her friend's enthusiasm, a knowing smile on her face. Of course, that was why he would love the story so much.

"Oh no, nothing like that. You see, the story goes like this. Once upon a time ..."

And so she began to explain the story of Peter Pan to the Hatter, watching as his expression changed from shock to wonder throughout the time she told him it. He was like a young child being told a new story for the very first time. Well, in a way Alice supposed he was just like that. Quite often she found herself stifling laughter at his expressions and outbursts. Honestly, Alice couldn't think of any place where she was happier than when she was sitting next to him, or when they were on one of their many journey's – or 'adventures' as they were so often called.

And as she told her story to the Hatter, that's when she finally discovered it. What the Queen had meant when she questioned her constantly about what he meant to her. Why she had such a knowing expression written on her face yesterday that made Alice want to hit her head a thousand times for not understanding until now. But now she did. She understood. Well, in truth she probably always knew it, self-consciously within herself. She just never took any notice of it.

Alice was falling in love with the Hatter.

And as much as it seemed to shock her at first, she was actually more than fine with that feeling.

-whistles innocently- Oh, you know by now how much I love them two guys :D I wonder what Alice will do, now her - somewhat new - feelings are discovered?

The next chapter will be up relatively soon. I hope you like more of these two's adventures together, because you may just see more ;) -dosen't want to reveal anything- I honestly do hope you enjoyed reading this, keep those reviews coming! They fuel me to write, and actually - really help me know what it is you guys want to see :)