Chapter Nine

When Alice woke up it was dusk. The fire was going, but Charlie was nowhere to be seen. She stretched languorously, feeling rested for the first time in over a week.

"Welcome back," Hatter said. Alice shifted so that she could look up at him; he was sitting with his back against the iron headboard and Alice had been lying on his stomach.

"I think that's my line." Alice smiled, but it quickly faltered. "Hatter…are you really okay?"

"I really am," Hatter replied softly. "My mind is clear."

He reached out and touched the bruise on Alice's face. She put her hand over his.

"Don't," she said. "Just don't."

Hatter looked away, his jaw clenched. Alice knew he was angry with himself. He'd always done his level best to protect her, even in her world where it wasn't really necessary. The only thing he hadn't been able to protect her from was himself.

Alice put her hand on his cheek, forcing him to look at her. "Don't do that either. I've gone through hell trying to get you back and I'm not going to have you pulling away from me now."

Hatter gave her a small smile. "I put you through that. I can never be sorry enough."

Alice sat up. "You didn't put me through anything, Hatter. The blame for this lies squarely on Jack's shoulders, and I don't want to hear again how sorry you are, or how you don't deserve me, or how my life would be better off without you. Because it's a load of crap."

"Alice…"

"Don't you Alice me! If I was losing my mind would you just send me off to a padded room and a straitjacket and get on with your life? No? Than how dare you assume that I could do the same! As if I could have any kind of life without you! How you could just assume that, after all we've been through…all we've meant to each other…"

"Shut up, Alice." Hatter pressed his lips to hers, cutting off her tirade.

Alice melted against Hatter, languishing in the silken feel of his mouth. This, more than anything, convinced her that the Homesickness had run its course. When she felt incapable of stringing a single sentence together, Hatter pulled away.

"Um…" said Alice. She felt like her bones had melted. Her brain too, maybe.

"I've never had anyone feel that way about me, Alice. Sometimes I don't know what to do with it. I do know I'd be dead if not for you." Hatter cupped her face in his hands. "Thank you, my Alice, for loving me so well."

*o*o*o*

Charlie turned up after a while, carrying a plate full of food. Alice thought nothing had ever smelled so good.

"Borogove cutlets and roasted veggies," the White Knight said with a flourish. He set the plate on the foot of the bed. "You are far too thin, Harbinger."

"Charlie, I could kiss you!" Alice picked up a slice of the meat with her fingers and popped it into her mouth. "This tastes even better than I remember!"

Charlie blushed, and drew up an overturned bucket to sit on. "Yes, well…"

"Is Jack still here?" Hatter asked between mouthfuls.

"No. He's gone back to the Palace. He will send a Scarab in the morning to take you both there."

"He wants his guards this time," Hatter noted with a smirk.

"You should not have struck the King," Charlie said, wagging his finger at Alice. "However…he did seem to have it coming."

Alice laughed, covering her mouth to keep from spraying borogove all over the bed.

"I'm afraid Toby is rather awe-struck with you," Charlie went on. "No doubt he's told the other lads and Maryann every detail."

"Maryann?" Alice asked after she'd gotten herself under control. Charlie tugged on his beard.

"Yes, well, I couldn't very well turn her away now could I? Not when every lass in Wonderland wants to be like you."

"One of your knights is a girl?" Hatter asked, amused.

"Knight in Training," Charlie corrected. "She's devilish good with a sword."

Alice wasn't sure how she felt about being a role model. It's not like she'd set out on purpose to overthrow the Queen and bring down the Casino. Although she supposed it was a good thing if it was helping girls like Maryann get to do things they normally wouldn't be allowed to do.

"So what's the news of Wonderland?" Hatter asked, having eaten his fill.

Charlie settled himself more firmly on the bucket, and pulled a long white pipe out from behind his chest armor. He put it in his mouth and puffed it a bit, though it wasn't lit.

"What's with the pipe, Charlie?" Alice asked.

"Toby thought it would make me look wise. The tobacco is awful stuff, though."

Alice had to admit that it did give him a certain air of respectability.

"Despite recent…um…circumstances, I must say the King is doing a fine job." Charlie tapped the pipe stem against his teeth. "The tea addicts gave us quite a lot of trouble, and there are those who don't want another Heart on the throne. Having the heroes of Wonderland on his side would be a boon."

"We're not on his side, Charlie," Alice said, frowning. "We just need to get Hatter his inoculation and then we're going home."

"You can't leave now!" Charlie hopped up off the bucket. "There is much I have to show you! And…I've…well. My Nan used to say, absence makes the heart grow fonder."

Alice knew what it was Charlie was trying to say, and felt tears come to her eyes. He'd become a good friend during her last, brief visit to Wonderland and she'd missed him too. She got up off the bed and gave the White Knight a hug.

"Maybe we could stay for a couple of days," Alice said. She glanced over at Hatter, who nodded his approval.

"That would be wonderful!" Charlie stowed his pipe. "When you return from the Palace I shall give you the grand tour."

"I'd like that," Alice said with sincerity.

Charlie made a little bow. "I must make sure the lads, and Maryann, are bunked down for the night. I shan't be long!" He took the now-empty plate with him as he left.

Alice crawled back on the bed, sitting propped up against the footboard across from Hatter. She looked at him for a long moment, enjoying the play of shadows across his face. He had a strong face and warm, intelligent eyes. She could never get tired of looking at him.

"What is it, love?"

"Just admiring the view," Alice grinned. "Is it okay? For us to stay a few days?"

"Fine with me," Hatter said. He put his hands behind his head. "I'd like to check out Charlie's operation here myself."

"It would be nice to see some of Wonderland when I wasn't on the run." Alice mused. "Or being shot at. Or falling into the lake."

"I'd like to show it to you," Hatter said softly.

Alice shifted on the bed so she could give him a kiss. "You miss it."

"Some." Hatter pulled Alice against him. "I don't regret leaving, Alice. I don't want you to think that."

"I don't," Alice said. She curled up against him. "Wonderland is your home, Hatter, just like New York is mine. I could live anywhere, but it would always be my home."

Hatter sighed happily against Alice's hair.

"Do you think Jack will give us any trouble tomorrow?" Alice was so tired, even after sleeping a good portion of the day away. She closed her eyes, listening to Hatter's heart beat.

"If he wants a busted lip as well," Hatter chuckled. "Tired, love?"

Alice mumbled an answer, which told Hatter all he need to know. He shifted them both until they were lying down, Alice's head nestled against his neck. She breathed in the familiar scent of him and didn't give another thought to tomorrow; it was enough that they were together.

AN: Okay, I know there's an inordinate amount of sitting around and talking in this chapter. I promise we'll be getting back to more action in the next chapter. Are you still interested? Let me know and please review!