Alice lounged in her war room with her feet propped on the circular table that held the map of Oz. Though she and her supporters had stormed the Emerald City to find an easy victory and most of her cabinet were more than happy to take up residence there, she herself, was much more comfortable in her rock-face castle.

After much deliberation and several political debates, many of which Alice conspicuously missed, Oz had elected two presidential candidates. The elections would begin the following day and the short blonde could not even pretend to mind who won. Both the candidates would be excellent choices to lead the people and the warrior witch had complete faith in both of them. Now it would remain to the new leader to rebuild the country and the population.

Everything was ahead of schedule; it was more than ideal as matter of fact. Then why do I feel like this? The woman sighed and pushed herself to her feet to stride to the balcony and look out over the mountain range at the setting sun as it sank in the splendor of gold and pink. What is this emotion? The woman pondered as she paced back and forth in the golden light restlessly.

All was well, the turmoil was gone and yet…yet Alice couldn't help feeling a sinking feeling of disappointment. She felt an itch between her shoulder blades; the same itch she contracted when the need to investigate and adventure overtook her. Perhaps she had been in Oz too long? Maybe it was time to move on. The Ozians no longer had any need of her…maybe she should travel elsewhere and seek out those in need. But how would her friends and supporters take it? How would Rishtay take it?

In Storybrook, Emma picked up the enchanted mirror. "Regina, it's time to check in on Alice!"

"You make it sound as though she's a television program." The brunette chided but rounded the sofa to lean behind the blonde and peer into the glass.

"I want to know who got elected as the president. Besides, we need to tell her about how we got Henry back safely."

"Yes, the last time we spoke was before we stripped Pan of his powers and left his corpse in Neverland." Her lip curled a bit at the last words.

"Careful, your Evil Queen is showing." Emma said then glanced at the reflection in the mirror. "Oh, and your cleavage; cover those puppies up, Your Majesty."

Regina huffed and pulled the neckline of her silk blouse up a bit before reaching out and stroking down the glass with one finger until it glowed and a scene flashed before their eyes. They could make out the war room, but it seemed unoccupied.

"Where is she?" Emma muttered.

"Look," Regina pointed to the balcony at the blonde figure standing with bare toes curled over the ledge with no railing. "She's out there."

"Jesus, that close to the edge? She's brave."

"Or an idiot." Regina murmured.

"Alice!" Emma called before the brunette could stop her.

The blonde, hearing her name, stepped back from the ledge and turned slowly. Seeing her friends in the looking glass, she smiled warmly and strode quickly to snatch the mirror up. "Emma! Regina! It's been months." She said, happy to see them.

"Really? It's only been weeks here." Emma mused.

"Time is different." The shorter blonde explained. "What's happening? I take it you rescued Henry and vanquished the villain?"

"We did." Regina smiled. "It's a thrilling tale, but first how are things in Oz? Last we heard you had overthrown the old government and campaigning for president was underway. Do you have a new leader?"

"Election is tomorrow, but either way, Oz will be in great hands."

"So you didn't run?" Emma asked in surprise.

"Me?" Alice laughed. "Definitely not. I'm a warrior; a military leader even. I'm no queen or president." Her amber eyes danced with mirth at the thought. "I wouldn't want it any way. Even now, I feel as though I have been here too long. I need to get moving again."

"Where will you go?" Asked Regina in curiosity.

But the blonde merely shrugged. "I haven't figured that out yet."

"Why don't you come here in the meantime?" Emma asked and Alice looked at her in surprise, but Regina cocked her head.

"That's an idea." She murmured.

"I don't know that would work." Muttered Alice.

"Why not? It could be like a vacation. You certainly deserve one."

"Yeah, but-"

"You could meet Henry." Regina cut her off.

"I don't know-"

"And the rest of the Disney characters."

"But surely-"

"Just think about it:" Emma cut her off again and the other blonde gave a disgruntled grunt. "A nice soft bed, hot shower whenever you want, plenty of adventures keeping the dwarves in line…and a fine selection of ladies too…"

Regina glowered, "Excuse me." She said pointedly.

"I mean for her. For her, Regina. Jesus…" The tall blonde made a face at the mirror.

"I saw that, Miss Swan."

"Back to Miss Swan, you are in trouble." Alice smirked at her pair of friends.

"So are you coming then, Alice?" Emma asked the blonde.

The warrior looked back and forth between the two faces of her friends and she caved. "Yes, I'll come vacation for a spell. But don't get used to me being around." But the last of her words were drowned out by Emma's cheers and Regina's happy laughter.

"Great, we'll make arrangements for you to stay at Granny's Bed and Breakfast for as long as you like." Regina said happily.

"We're gonna have a blast!" Emma fist pumped. "We can show you town and meet our friends-" Regina cleared her throat and the blonde looked up and shrugged. "Well, my friends and Regina's mortal enemies, but who really can keep track anymore?"

"I'll set my affairs in order here and contact you again in a couple of days." She smiled at Emma and Regina. "Thank you for inviting me, I appreciate you opening your home to me."

"It's the least we can do after all you did for us in Oz." Regina dismissed.

The women said their goodbyes and the mirrors faded to reflective glass. Alice set the device aside and stood as she heard a rustle of wings. She did not turn, but spoke to her friend. "Rishtay, you've found me."

"Don't I always?" He asked from his customary perch in the doorway. "Are you really leaving, Alice?"

"I am."

The monkey sighed. "I knew the time would come when your wandering spirit would need to move elsewhere, but I put off thinking about it." He hopped closer and she turned to regard him.

"This isn't goodbye forever, you know." Alice knelt on one knee to be eyelevel with the beast. "I'll come back and visit."

"I know, but it won't be the same without you here." He said quietly. "Will you take Venus?"

"Yes, I think it's about time she was reunited with Regina; she quietly pines every day."

"I've noticed." Rishtay said and then sighed once more, his simian face registering sadness and resignation. "You are leaving Oz a better place than you found it. All of this is possible because you chose to will it into being. We were lucky you happened upon our land."

Alice took the monkey's hand. "I am the lucky one, Rishtay. I learned a great deal about myself and about leadership while I was here." She stood from her kneeled position and leaned against the map table heavily. "Take care of this castle so that I might have somewhere to stay when I return." She smiled down at him as he fluttered into a chair. "I entrust it to you." He bowed to her.

"I would never let you down."

"I know." She said and the two remained in companionable silence as the darkness fell thick and fast outside the walls.