"Do you have any better suggestions?" he asked.

Alice glanced at the material around Hatter's shoulder. The colourful fabric was stained blood red. Unable to argue with Hatter's suggestion she helped him cover the speed boat with large obscuring leaves once they'd parked at the forest bay. That was when they heard a roar.

"What was that?"

"The Jabberwocky."

"The what?"

"Look on the bright side, Mad March won't be able to get us now."

Alice glared at Hatter.

"What is the Jabberwocky?"

"A creature local to these woods." Hatter explained. "If you're unlucky you'll see it for yourself."

He took a few minutes to regain his breath before staggering forwards.

"Where are you going?"

Hatter stopped and leant against a nearby tree trunk.

"Good question." he murmured, closing his eyes.

For a few minutes he was silent. Feeling concerned, Alice went over to him.

"Hatter?"

He opened his eyes to find hers staring at him. They were a rather beautiful chocolate brown. He forced himself to think practically.

"Reckon we should make camp somewhere round here."

"In the Jabberwocky's lair?" said Alice dubiously.

"It lives in the centre of the forest; so long as we stay on the outskirts we should be fine." Alice raised an eyebrow and Hatter groaned. "You have some serious trust issues."

In many ways Alice knew he was spot on, but she wasn't about to admit anything to the wacky stranger.

"Why should I trust you? You would've handed my ring over to that bird – "

"Dodo."

" – just like that!"

"I didn't know it was the ring of Wonderland!"

"Neither did I!"

"I got shot because of him Alice, I think I've learnt my lesson."

Her eyes flickered to his shoulder. He had taken a bullet for her. Surely that had to count for something? She glanced at their surroundings.

"Should I get some more of those leaves?"

Hatter nodded. He was glad that the stubborn brunette was at least agreeing with him, if reluctantly. She went to find the leaves and he followed.

Camp took a surprisingly small amount of time to set up. Well, to Hatter it seemed like that. He had initially tried to help out with the work but his shoulder made it difficult. He tried to hide the pain but Alice saw through his disguise when he collapsed. After that she'd forced him to rest. Hatter certainly wasn't complaining. He currently lay against the tree trunk, drifting in and out of consciousness as she made the harsh environment temporarily cosy. By the time it was dark it seemed that she had finished and she crouched down so she was staring him directly in the face. He felt like he could drown in her worry, it made him feel a hell lot worse.

"How are you feeling?"

"Sore but I'll survive."

He carefully shifted himself into a better sitting position and she sat down in front of him.

"What are we going to do about food?"

Hatter checked his jacket pockets, then his trouser pockets.

"I haven't got anything on me, but that can change."

He slowly stood up and pulled a gun from his lower trouser pocket.

"Why the hell do you have a gun?" Alice screeched.

"Pinched it off Dodo, you can never be too careful." he muttered. "Don't panic, I won't use it on you."

Alice didn't look convinced. He squinted at the forest skies and put a finger to his lips, indicating for her to be quiet.

It wasn't long till they heard birdsong. Hatter grinned. Bingo. He shook off the dizziness, narrowed his eyes, aimed and shot. Alice jumped as a bird some distance away fell to the ground with a loud thud.

"You get the fire started, I'll go get dinner."

Alice stared at the ground resolutely and started to rub a few stones together like she'd been taught to do at scouts. Hopefully her childhood would pay off round about now.

By the time Hatter returned Alice was warming her hands by the fire. She'd got it going nicely after a little practise. She glanced up. He still looked pale, but there was a smile on his face and a rather large bird in his hand.

"That's huge!" she exclaimed.

"It's been a while since I last got one this big." he admitted.

"You're a good shot."

Hatter shrugged.

"Normally I miss. I just got lucky."

He sat down and started to cut up the meat with a knife he had in another one of his pockets. Alice stared at him.

"You're very – prepared."

"This day had to come sometime."

She frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"When you work both sides of the court you need to have a back-up plan. I don't know if you noticed Alice but my shop was raided. The resistance isn't about to take me in, my only option is to go back to your world with you. Or at least, stay in the forest and make the most of nature without getting eaten by the Jabberwocky."

He said it with a grin but Alice could tell it wasn't genuine. Hatter was a desperate man and his eyes gave most of it away. He had rather nice eyes, even if they were a little haunted. She realised, feeling slightly guilty, that she knew very little about the friend who was helping her in this strange new world. She didn't even know what haunted those eyes. It couldn't have been easy growing up in a place as bizarre and rebellious as Wonderland. He glanced up at the sky.

"It's getting late. You should probably get some sleep."

"What about you?"

"I'll take first watch."

Despite the man's bravery demonstrated earlier Alice was still reluctant to let a complete stranger watch over her.

"I'll do it." she said. "You need to rest."

He looked a little surprised, but relieved nonetheless.

"Okay." Hatter snuggled up against the tree. "Wake me up when you start feeling tired."

Alice nodded.

He fell asleep almost instantly and she didn't blame him. She knew that he must be exhausted by now. It was the first time she'd properly seen him with his guard down, he was always alert in case of danger, always looking for a way out, but he'd still saved her. Despite his manipulative ways Alice knew that she owed him big time for that bullet. She couldn't help but think that Hatter was kind of cute when he was sleeping but Alice instantly chastised herself. She should be worrying about Jack.

Her boyfriend was out here because she wasn't smart enough to say yes to an amazing ring. Even if neither of them had understood what it meant at the time. She glanced down at it and sighed. There was no getting Jack off of her mind now. It was going to be a long night.