Chapter Twelve

As Alice had promised Charlie, she chose one of his dresses to wear to the party. It was a pretty blue dress, sleeveless and falling to about mid-calf. Embroidered daisies circled the wide collar. Hatter gave his approval, and dressed to match in a light blue silk shirt with a leaf pattern on it.

"Hmmm. Needs one more thing," Alice said, after studying herself critically in the mirror. She went to Hatter's hat rack, and selected an off-white fedora.

"You're wearing a hat?" Hatter asked, surprised.

"Your club is called Hatter's," she replied, tilting the hat this way and that until she got the angle she wanted. "How would it look if I didn't wear one?"

"Alice. You look beautiful." Hatter gathered her into his arms, kissing her hard. When they came up for air, Alice was gasping.

"I can see I'll have to wear hats more often!"

"Maybe we should skip the party," Hatter said, suggestively. Alice just laughed.

"Dormie's expecting us, Hatter." She put her arm through his and pulled him towards the door. "Besides, later we can see how I look…in just the hat."

"You're killing me, love," Hatter moaned. Alice just grinned.

Dormie met them at the entrance to the club and motioned for them to wait; he wanted a big entrance. Behind the bar hung a banner that read 'Welcome Back Heroes', which just made Hatter sigh.

"Attention, everyone!" Dormie called. The room instantly went silent. "Hatter's is proud to welcome back the Heroes of Wonderland, Sir Hatter and Lady Alice. In their honor, the next round of drinks is on the house!"

A cheer went up, and Dormie moved aside to let Hatter and Alice walk into the club. Every available table was full, and people were standing along the walls as well, talking in little groups. Everyone raised their glasses as Hatter and Alice walked to the bar. Alice felt a bit self-conscious, but Hatter was beaming. She hoped this would be good for him, a nice shot of confidence.

"What can I get you, boss?" Stork asked when they reached the bar.

"Just tea, thanks," Hatter said. "Alice?"

"Surprise me with something fruity, please," she said. Alice didn't know what kinds of alcoholic beverages people drank here, so it was easier just to let Stork pick something out.

Alice's drink arrived in a tall, skinny glass. It was a creamy pink color and garnished with a strawberry slice. She took a small sip, and grinned. It was sweet, tasting of strawberries and something else that was a little tangy.

"What's this called?" she asked Stork.

"Sweet Breeze."

"Perfect." Alice took another sip, enjoying the way it tingled along her tongue. As soon as Hatter got his tea, they went out to mingle with the crowd.

Hatter, of course, knew almost everyone. They shook hands, exchanged hugs, and spent several minutes at each table making small talk. Alice was surprised to see Sandro and several Suits occupying a booth.

Sandro stood, and made a bow. "As a representative of the King of Hearts, I welcome you both back to Wonderland."

There was much chatter following that announcement, and Alice realized that having Sandro here was almost as big a deal as Hatter being in residence. Whether she agreed or not, it showed their support of Jack and vice versa.

"It was nice of you to come out," Alice said.

"Yes, well, we'd been meaning to check it out. I heard it was the place to be." Sandro smiled and sat back down.

"Dormie says we do okay." Alice looked down at her glass and saw it was empty. "Excuse me."

"You alright, love?" Hatter asked.

"I'm getting another drink," Alice said. She shook her glass at him. "Be right back."

Alice made her way back to the bar, though she was waylaid several times by people who wanted to shake her hand. It was a little overwhelming, she had to admit. She'd never remember the names of most of them. Still, everyone had been extremely friendly and gracious.

"Another Sweet Breeze?" Stork asked.

"No, give me something different this time." While Alice waited, she wondered how they could get some music in the club. Were there any bands in Wonderland? There were no CD players, but maybe records? She made a mental note to bring back her MP3 player when she went back to see her mother. And some good speakers.

"Here you go," Stork said. The new drink was in a martini glass, and was a shimmery green. Instead of an olive, there was a fat red berry impaled on the toothpick. Alice sipped. This one was a little bit sour until it hit the back of her throat, and then it was extremely sweet and fruity; a mix of apple and pear.

"This is good, too!"

"It's a Green Jolly," Stork said.

"What's this berry?"

"Jollyberry."

"Well, that explains it!" Alice carried off her new drink. She knew she'd have to stop drinking soon. She didn't have a high tolerance for alcohol, and she didn't want to do anything embarrassing at her own party.

Alice looked through the crowd, trying to locate Hatter. More people had come in since they'd started mingling and she wondered how many more could squeeze in here; it was already filled to capacity.

"Alice!" Dormie came hurrying over, a gleeful look on his face. "Do you see all these people?"

"I know, it's amazing!"

"Even with the free round we're gonna make a fortune tonight!"

"That's great, Dormie." Alice took a big swallow of her Green Jolly. "Have you seen Hatter?"

"He's over there somewhere." Dormie waved his hand towards the left side of the club.

"Great. Thanks." Alice started to walk away but turned back around. "Dormie, we need some music."

"Right now?" Dormie asked, looking flustered.

"No. I just think it would be nice to have some, in case people wanted to dance or something."

"I'll take that under advisement," Dormie said very seriously.

Alice nodded and went back to find Hatter. She thought she saw his hat along the far wall, but she never made it there. At a table near the door she saw someone she'd never expected to see again.

"Owl?"

The woman looked up at her, blinking behind her cat's eye glasses. She was dressed a little fancier than the last time Alice had seen her, but she still had that handkerchief tied up on her head. She looked nervous.

"Alice…oh…hi there."

Owl was sitting by herself, so Alice sank into one of the empty chairs, thankful to get off her feet for a bit.

"All of this mingling is hard on the feet," Alice explained. She slipped off her shoes and wiggled her toes. "I hope you don't mind."

"Oh, no. Of course not. Anything you like."

Owl was twitchy and seemed anxious. Was she afraid that Alice held a grudge from their last meeting? After all, the woman had frequently pointed a gun in her direction. Alice tried to put her at ease.

"I'm glad you're finally able to come out of the Library. That must be a nice change for you."

"Oh, yes. It's very nice." Owl gave a quick smile.

"What's Duck up to these days?" Alice couldn't help but ask. Owl jerked like she'd been hit with a hot poker.

"Duck?" Owl paled. "I don't know. I'm sure…he's fine."

Alice frowned. She got the feeling that Owl was lying, but she didn't know why. She took a last swallow of her Green Jolly, and cast a glance over at the bar. One more?

"Oh, let me get you something," Owl insisted. She got to her feet so quickly she almost tipped over her chair.

"Surprise me," Alice said, accepting her offer. Anything to get Owl to relax a bit. She was wound up much tighter than she'd been the last time, poor woman.

When Owl returned, she handed Alice another one of the tall glasses. This one was filled with something bright yellow. One sip filled Alice's mouth with what she could only describe as liquid sunshine, warm and slightly lemony. It had a strangely bitter aftertaste, though.

"What is this?" Alice asked. She liked knowing the names of the drinks, in case she wanted to order them again.

"What? What is what?" Owl wrung her hands. Alice just shrugged.

"Never mind." She took another swallow. "Have you seen Hatter?"

"Hatter? Oh. Yes, I think he went outside."

"Outside?" Alice looked towards the door. Maybe he needed some fresh air; it was getting awfully close in there. She fanned herself with her hand.

"If you'll excuse me, Owl, I think I'll get some fresh air as well." Alice slipped her shoes back on and took her drink with her. She went out the door and onto the porch, breathing in the cool night air. On second thought, she should've left the drink inside. She was starting to feel a little queasy.

"Hatter? Are you out here?"

He certainly wasn't on the porch. Alice went down the steps, grabbing on the rail when her steps became unsteady. Yes, she'd definitely had enough to drink for one night. She set her glass down and stood at the bottom of the porch, looking out in the darkness.

"Hatter?"

"Did you find him?" Owl asked, startling Alice.

"No, I…" Alice started to turn around but everything started to spin. She put a hand to her head.

"Everything alright?"

"I'm not feeling very well," Alice said. What the heck had been in that last drink? "I think…I need to go lie down."

"Let me help you." Owl put her arm around Alice, but instead of leading her back up to the porch, she started walking towards the old red phone booth. Alice tried to pull away, but she didn't seem to have the strength.

"No, what…"

"I'm sorry, Alice," Owl whispered.

They went another five steps, and then Alice collapsed altogether. Everything was starting to dim and blur and she could feel herself losing consciousness. This was bad.

"Hatter…" Alice said, and then everything faded to black.

*o*o*o*

When Alice woke, she found herself in a dimly lit room strapped to a chair. There was a raggedy looking sofa, an empty bookshelf, and two small tables in the room, all covered in dust. No windows. No sound at all. She pulled at the leather restraints on her arms, but there was almost no give to them; she managed only to chafe her wrists.

Her head felt stuffed with cotton and her heart pounded in her chest, so loud she was afraid someone would hear it. And whoever had tied her to the chair was someone she didn't want taking notice of her. Was it Tea addicts? Maybe they thought that she could get Hatter to give them some Tea, if there was even any left. But how was Owl involved?

And then a voice spoke from the doorway and Alice felt as if she'd been doused with ice water. Tea addicts she could maybe have dealt with. But not him.

"Awake, are you?" Dodo stepped into the room, looking as fat and full of himself as he did when Alice had last seen him in the Great Library.

"What do you want?" Alice fought to keep her voice from wavering. She'd faced him down once before, though she was admittedly not in the best position at the moment.

"You know, I couldn't believe my luck when I heard you were back in Wonderland. All those months dreaming of revenge, and here you are." Dodo stood next to her, leaning down to look her in the eye. "Dreams really do come true."

"Stay away from me!" Alice cringed back into the chair. She knew she shouldn't let on that he was getting to her, but she remembered how casually Dodo had ordered her death the last time; he'd also shot Hatter, point-blank and with no obvious remorse. She was clearly at a disadvantage here.

"I wondered," Dodo continued, as if Alice hadn't even spoken. "What would be the best way to make Hatter suffer? But really, there is only one thing he values. You."

"Why are you doing this? We did what you wanted! We brought down the Casino!"

Dodo's face turned red. "You stole the victory from me! Years I lived in hiding, doing my part for the Resistance! I should have been the hero of Wonderland, not some silly Oyster or that Tea-swilling conman. And for what? There's still a Heart on the throne!"

"Jack was one of you," Alice argued. Keep him talking, she thought. Just keep him talking and he won't hurt you.

"He was never one of us! He's a Heart, a royal. Caterpillar was a fool to trust him." Dodo was looking positively apoplectic at this point. "That wretched upstart had the gall to remove me from the Great Library. Me!"

Alice didn't know what to say. She couldn't very well defend Jack, not when she was still so angry at him herself. And clearly nothing was going to change Dodo's mind. She was in trouble. She just didn't know how much.

AN: Bet you didn't see that coming. It's no secret that I'm not a Dodo fan (sorry, duchessfaleen!) and he's really going above and beyond to be nasty now. And just when things were settling down for Hatter and Alice, too. Me wonders what Dodo has in store for our poor heroine!