This chapter is in the Hatters p.o.v. It's got some violence in, but its nothing too bad. Just blood really. Anyway, hope you enjoy it! Xxx

I stared down at Alice's sleeping form, unable to sleep with so much joy inside of me.

Her chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm as her deep breathing filled the otherwise silent room. Her legs were entwined with mine and her back was pressed against my chest. I smiled at the feel of her naked body against mine. She truly made me the happiest Hatter alive.

Her left hand rested next to her head on the pillow, the ring, which was now hers, sat daintily on her finger. It looked so right on her, as if it had been made solely for her.

I carefully eased myself into a sitting position and laid Alice down on her back. Her naked chest was exposed to the cool air, so I tucked the blanket in around her frame. As I kissed her soft lips, she smiled in her sleep and sighed. I wondered for a moment what she was dreaming of and was glad it was pleasant for her. She smelt like strawberries and her skin was ever so soft. To me, she really was an angel, to me anyway, if not much of Underland. She was our champion and for some reason, she wanted me and that made me very happy indeed.

"I'll be back soon Alice; I'm just going to make myself some tea. I'd offer you some, but you're sound asleep and I wouldn't want to wake you from that because I love it when you look so peaceful. I love you, Alice. Forever."

I walked slowly to the door and opened it, trying not to let it creak too much and slipped out.

Ideas of what her wedding dress should be like filled my head as I worked my way to the small kitchen. Ooh, and her veil, that will be one of my finest works. All of her wedding clothes will be. I thought to myself.

I put the kettle onto boil and thought of what I would wear to the wedding. Something she wouldn't forget. So nothing too simple, but nothing like my usual clothes. I knew my clothes didn't match one bit and I sometimes looked quite a state, but since Alice had returned, I'd taken more care in my appearance and my persona in general. I was glad that colour had returned to my face and my hair had grown out again. It was so much easier to keep under control when it was like this.

The kettle whistled and I added some milk, cream and vanilla and mixed it with a big spoon. I poured myself a cup and inhaled the soothing fragrance. Too energetically and eager to taste the delightful smelling liquid, I too a big gulp and quickly regretted it.

I spat the boiling tea out and jumped up and down on the spot, flapping my hands in front of my mouth. My tongue was sizzling.

"Ow! Hot hot hot!" I grabbed the nearest empty cup I could find and filled it with cool water and knocked back the whole glass. "Aaah." I sighed and cautiously picked up my tea again.

I hope I didn't wake Alice.I mused. I'll head back up now and check on her.

As I walked up to the second floor, something caught my eye. My hat sat in the middle of the steps that lead to the third floor. I smiled and went to retrieve it. The stairs were littered with scraps of material, beads, buttons and many other things from my toolbox. I picked them up; deciding now was as good as anytime to clear the stairway, remembering how hard it was to avoid tripping while carrying and kissing Alice at the same time. I entered my workshop and grinned at all Alice's new dresses. I would never let her wear the same dress twice again.

It was during another daydream, that I heard the first noise. A shrill cry rang through my ears and I felt my blood go cold. I bolted down the stairs and threw myself through the bedroom door.

A hooded man held Alice in a vice grip, a blade pressed to her pale throat. she was crying and trying to pry the mans arms off her. I growled in anger and lunged at the intruder.

"Get your filthy hands off her!" I shouted, outraged.

He picked up a paper weight off Alice's desk and struck her around the head with it.

"Alice!" I cried.

My eyes followed her body as he threw her aside as if she were but a mere doll. My eyes stayed focused on her still form, which I quickly realised was a mistake. The man ran at me with the dagger and I was almost too late to move aside. I felt the blade slice my skin, but I didn't have time to look at how much damage had been done because he lunged again.

We fought violently, destroying the room as we went. His fist smashed into the side of my face and fell to the floor. He approached me, but I kicked his legs, hard, and he too, fell. We both jumped up and grabbed each others arms, we were sent back and forth and I managed to push him into a mirror, which shattered. shards flew everywhere, cutting us and my arms fell away from him as a shard pierced my forearm. I pulled it out with a sickening noise and looked up at the man. I watched him run towards me, arm extended, knife in hand. I knew I didn't have time to move, so I grabbed the nearest thing I could and drove it into him at the same time the knife entered my stomach.

My hands clutched at my bloody stomach. The dagger was sticking out from me. Hoping I did equal damage, I looked up at the intruder, who just pulled the ink pen out of his upper arm. He groaned, but snickered afterwards.

My eyelids became heavy, but I fought against them as the man walked over to Alice and picked her up in his arms. She remained limp and a wine escaped my lips.

"Alice."

The man just scoffed and climbed out of the window, his injured arm apparently doing nothing to weaken him.

I was suddenly so angry with myself. I was so pathetic that I couldn't even protect the woman I loved. I was too weak to save her and whatever happened to her would be my fault. It is my fault. I'm pathetic, mad, selfish, useless. And Alice was paying for it. it burned my insides to know I was causing Alice distress.

I dragged in another breath and wept. For myself, for Alice, for my heart.

I'm very grateful for reviews if you have the time to write one

Xxx