Hi guys I am sorry about the long wait but I have been terribly busy with preparing for exams and actually doing my exams. 11 down, 1 to go! Please forgive me and I will do a futterwacken!

Also I would just like to say something to anyone who read this story before this update...I have changed the age of Jennifer and she is now the same age as Alice was on her first visit.

Anyway on with the story...

"Darling this is the real Mally, Thackery, Nivens, Absolem and Chessur cat!" Alice had been trying to convince Jennifer of this fact for a good ten minutes.

"So what you are saying is that ThackTwisp is actually two animals? Also all of the other animals are not called that and that they are in fact names of these animals?"

"Yes!"

"But that is rude calling them by their given names!"

"She really is just as stubborn as you were at that age Alice." Chess said whilst trying not to chuckle. In fact everyone at the table was trying to stop themselves from laughing.

"Thank you for your input Chess." Alice said sarcastically. "Well what are you going to call them then flower?"

"I will call them Lady Mally, Sir Earwicket, McTwisp, Sir Absolem and Sir Chessy!"

Alice giggled "Okay dear..."

The clocked struck and Alice finally noticed how late it was.

"Flower it is time to go to bed." She said as she turned to Jennifer.

"But I'm not tired!" she moaned.

"It has gone past your bedtime."

"I don't care!"

"Do not take that tone with me young Lady!"

At this point Jennifer looked down at her hands and felt bad. "Sorry mummy."

"Come on say goodnight to everyone and then lets get you to bed."

After Jennifer had said goodnight to everyone and at least tried to hug them, Alice had put her to bed and was now walking back to the kitchen. She put her hand on the door handle but stopped herself to listen to what was going on inside.

"I agree Mally, Jennifer is so much like Alice. Tarrant why have you been so quiet this evening?" Alice heard Mirana say.

"I cannot believe it. Alice has a daughter! But she can't be married; she has no ring on her finger!" Hatter sounded like his thoughts were far away.

"What has tha' go' ta do with anything Hatta? She coulda easily open'd 'er legs to any man she wanted!" Mally was shouting and Alice had to resist the urge to burst into the room right there and then to confront her. She felt tears starting to form in her eyes.

"Mally!" everyone else at the table shouted at her.

"That is not the truth and you might want to know the truth before you speak!" Chessur said.

"She may be a stupid girl, but she isn't like that!" Absolem said and Alice was willing to overlook that insult.

"Bu' 'ow else would she 'ave a daughter which is exactly like 'er? She is obviously not as innocent as everyone believes! Is she tha' much of stupid and slurvish whore?!" Mally screamed and Alice couldn't stop the tears from rolling out of her eyes. Just as Alice was about to tear open the door she heard Elizabeth slam her hands on the table. Then she spoke for the first time since Alice had been listening.

"Silence you irritating mouse! You do not have a clue what is going on or what Alice has been through this past week! Alice is most definitely none of the bad things you are saying! You don't know the half of what she went though this week!" Alice had never heard Elizabeth scream at anyone before.

"SPOON!" shouted Thackery.

Alice burst into the room with tears rolling down her face and everyone turned to look at her. She looked around the room. Thackery had fallen on the floor because he jumped, Mally was standing in the middle of the table, Elizabeth was standing with her hands still on the table, Mirana looked like she would cry, Hatter's eyes were blue, McTwisp had fainted and Chess had disappeared!

Elizabeth went to Alice and hugged her tightly. "Alice I am so...so sorry."

They pulled away from each other. "It's not your fault Elizabeth. Thank you for standing up for me; I've never heard you shout like that before!"

Chess reappeared at Alice's side. "I believe you may need to explain everything dear."

Once everyone was seated back at the table and McTwisp had been brought round, Alice explained all. Every little detail of the week. By the end of it Alice was standing up and pacing whilst recalling the week. When she finally finished she let her emotions come out and she sobbed. Elizabeth went up to her and pulled her into a tight hug. She was then followed by Mirana who put her hand on Alice's shoulder to try and comfort her. The next thing she knew, there were a pair of strong arms wrapping around her from behind.

Elizabeth and Mirana walked back to the table and sat down. Alice turned around and saw that the arms belonged to Hatter. His eyes were now back to their normal green, but seemed to be slightly duller. He once again pulled her close to him and they hugged for a few minutes in silence with him stroking her hair. That was until they heard someone clear their throat and they turned around to notice that everyone was watching them.

Alice blushed and walked back to the table.

"I am really sorry Alice...I shouldn' 'ave said tha' 'bout you." Mally said whilst looking at her feet.

"It's alright Mally, You did not know. You was only looking out for your friends." Alice picked up Mally and hugged her tightly. She was was glad that Mally decided against poking her with her hat pin sword for doing so.

"I didn't even think tha' she may 'ave been callin' you 'er mum by choice!"

"Don't worry it's fine. We all make mistakes sometimes." Alice put Mally back down and then the door burst open.

"MUMMY! MUMMY!" Jennifer shouted and ran to Alice. Alice picked her up and sat her on her lap. Jennifer was sobbing and was hugging Alice tightly.

"Petal what on earth in wrong?" Alice said whilst stroking Jennifer's hair.

"I-I had a n-n-nightmare and-and..."

"What happened darling?"

Everyone in the room were now wondering how a simple nightmare could literally put terror into this poor child.

"He-he said he knew you. He said that he would harm you and everyone in Underland. He will rule and the white will fall. He is going to kill us one by one, starting with me because it will hurt you. Off with our heads!"

Jennifer was sobbing in Alice's shoulder and everyone gasped. Alice looked up and looked at everyone individually. They all had different levels of shock on their faces and finally she locked eyes with hatter. His eyes had started to go orange and he stood up. He walked around the table, never leaving eye contact with Alice and stood behind them. He crouched down and lifted Jennifer's face up using one finger.

"I am going to promise you that I will not let that happen...no matter what the cost."

"You really promise?" she smiled.

"Yes, really."

"Thank you Mr Hatter."