AU: A long awaited sixth chapter; just a chapter to set the scene and wet the pallet. More action will ensue, and more naughty things later (well sooner than later).

Chapter 6

Lunch came and went, a bit later than expected, and the Hatter had whisked away to the castle to meet with the Queen. Alice had returned to the library to finish her reading. Minutes turned to hours and before she knew it dinner time was almost upon her. The Hatter really did have a magnificent library. She set her book down and wandered to the dining room where the mechanical spiders were setting out dinner plates and tea cups. Alice shuddered. She still didn't like the look of the creatures and couldn't fathom why Hatter had chosen spiders as his companions.

This made her thoughts turn in a different direction. She figured the Hatter would be back by now. It was getting rather late and the sun was almost gone. Sighing, she sat down in the chair she had come to call her own in a short day's time. Alice believed there was some kind of enchantment on the place to make her feel so comfortable. After all, she had practically been kidnapped and that should have bothered her more than it did currently! Fidgeting nervously as one of the spiders carried a tea pot in her direction; she wondered what they would be eating tonight. That was, if Hatter returned from his trip in time.

Hatter was, he decided, very happy with the way the meeting had gone. The Queen seemed very pleased that he had accomplished his task and had successfully brought Alice to Wonderland. She was very eager to meet with the young girl and had quickly set a date for a week from the day. She was a Queen after all, and she had many other important appointments she needed to keep. They had discussed all manner of things, from the mundane to the case. The Queen knew that the Cheshire Cat was behind all the terrible things happening in her lands but she needed to be able to bring him in for a proper trial. Even with all the horrid atrocities he had committed it was still her duty to uphold the laws and treat this case with a fair hand.

He materialized in front of his home and strode in happily. For once, he didn't feel weighed down by all the problems surrounding his home land. He had hope that everything would be back the way it was before that damned Cat had lost his mind. Walking through the dining room, his path set for the library, he was surprised to find Alice already seated at the table, barley flinching as the spiders set about placing the food for dinner.

"Ah! Alice, I see you are adjusting well." He stated, referring to his companions.

"Only just," She replied, a small, almost unidentifiable grimace on her face, "How did the meeting go with the Queen?"

"It went quite well. She has set a date for a week from today to meet with you!"

Alice watched him take a seat next to her and she smiled, noticing that he wasn't wearing his mask. Perhaps he no longer felt the need to hide behind it?

Dinner was a long and enjoyable affair. All sorts of delicious fare were available. There was baked wheat breads, a scrumptious pot roast with tender potatoes and carrots, and a honey flavored tea. Alice noticed that she was starting to like drinking tea. It was different here than it was in her world. It had more flavor than simply warmed water with a bitter taste.

After, Hatter lead Alice to the sitting room where he promptly lit a cozy fire and both basked in the warmth in companionable silence. When Alice yawned for the first time that night Hatter suggested it was time to go to bed. It had been a long day and he was ready for some sleep himself. Alice nodded in agreement and they made their way down the hallway toward the bedroom.

"I will take the guest room tonight. I realize I overstepped my bounds last evening." Hatter said, gathering a pair of white silk pajama bottoms from the dresser.

Alice wasn't sure what to say. Sure, he had made a move on her when she was least expecting it, but had he really overstepped his boundaries with her? In the end, all they had done was go to sleep.

As he was leaving the room she reached out and touched his arm, "You can stay…" she said tentatively.

Hatter stopped and looked down at the delicate hand resting on his forearm. He wanted, badly, to take her up on the invitation but he wasn't sure he should.

"That might not be such a good idea." He said softly, trying to control his hastened heart rate.

"We can just sleep. Like last night. I just…don't want to wake up and think I'm dreaming again." She replied, her eyes downcast.

The Hatter licked his lips nervously but nodded in consent. He knew she was still fighting with the reality of her situation and he wanted nothing more than to reassure her that he was real. That Wonderland was real.

They dressed for bed; backs turned toward each other for privacy and then crawled beneath the comforter. Hatter curled his arms protectively around her and held her to his chest. Within minutes he felt her breathing deepen and he knew she was asleep. At that moment he knew it was going to be harder to resist her, as he knew he would have to in order to save Wonderland. She already had a grip on his heart and his body. His thoughts turned from innocent to no-so-innocent in seconds. He swallowed lightly and closed his eyes. That was something best left for another day. Or, at least, when Alice wasn't around to witness the physical reaction he was currently fighting.