Disclaimer: I own nothing; the real owners are Burton, Disney, and Carroll.

I would like to add that in this fic the romance aspect will develop slower then in some others. I just feel that the best kind of love story is the one that keeps you waiting.

~Chapter 2~

Tarrant Hightopp could not believe how lucky he had been that day. He had come to the other world in search of Alice the White Queens champion. But so far had not had much success in finding her. He had asked a few of the flowers and rabbits if they knew her but they had all been very rude and not answered his questions. Then the people had stared at him as though he was unwanted or causing trouble. A not so friendly officer of the law had even chased him, after a woman had screamed that he had escaped from the asylum. He had managed to loose the officer in the woods.

While he had been catching his breath, for it had also run away from the cop. He spotted who he thought was Alice, though she had grown young again. How lucky was that? He figured she must have because very good friends with time if he had made her a little girl again. He was able to get her attention every easily since she was already sneaking away from her mother. When she saw him she went straight to him at a dead run. He was so happy that she had remembered him after all this time, however he was slightly disappointed that she had lost the size, shape and strength one got with age and maturity. She had run up to him and grabbed his coat sleeve.

"Come on, let's go and hide, before she notices I've gone." Little Alice ran through the woods with the hatter close behind. They stopped when the sound of a frantic voice started to call.

"Quickly behind here" She said. They settled down and for the first time Tarrant got a good look at his little friend. The face was so similar but there was something in the eyes that was off.

"Your not Alice at all." He said after a moment. The little girl giggled.

"No. My name is Sophie. Nice to meet you." She took his hand and shook it vigorously. Realizing that he had made a mistake Tarrant decided that it would probably be best to wait for Sophie's mother to come and get her. He considered climbing a tree to avoid the wrath of her mother, but he couldn't leave the child on the ground alone. What if a hungry monster came along? So he pulled out a full pot of tea from his pocket and two unbroken cups and settled down.

Sophie giggled.

"Are you a magician?" She asked as he handed her a full cup.

"No, I am in fact a Hatter. A Royal Hatter to the White Queen."

"Oh" Said the child, as if that was explanation enough. "Who is Alice? And why are you looking for her? Did you think I was her?"

"Why as a matter of fact I did think you were her, you look almost exactly like her, even your dress is the same…almost." Sophie looked at her dress.

"My mommy makes me wear it, it was a gift from Grandmother.' Sophie took a sip of tea. 'Have you asked anyone where Alice might be?"

"Well I asked the flowers and some of the animals but I supposes in this country they don't talk."

"But they talk where you come from?"

"Yes. But don't let the flowers know that you don't have roots or else."

"Or else what?" Sophie inquired.

"They call you a weed and chase you out of their beds."

Just then the voice of the child's mother shattered the quiet conversation.

"Sophie Pleasance Hudson, don't you ever run off like that again." Sophie stood up so that she could see her mother. Since the Hatter was still sitting he could not see her face.

"Mommy,' Sophie ran around the bush and out of his sight 'did you know the flowers and animals can talk?"

"Don't be silly dear, of course they can't talk. Now who ever were you talking too?"

Then she was there, Alice the right one. She had been only a maiden when he had seen her last but now she was in the full bloom of womanhood. He stood up and started towards her.

"Alice I've found you." He could feel every fibber of his being glowing with happiness at seeing her again.

"That is close enough. Thank you sir for entertaining my daughter but we really must be going. Come along Sophie."

She didn't know him.

"Then you did forget me." He said softly.

"Forget you? Sir I assure you that I would remember someone as colorful as yourself had we met before." Saying this she stared to walk away with the little girl in tow.

"Mommy wait we haven't finished our tea yet." Alice stopped for Sophie had pulled out of her hand and was walking back towards him with a look of determination on her face. Tarrant was touched that Sophie wanted to finish their little chat. Just then something blue fluttered by.

"Sophie, you come back here…Phew" It had landed right in Alice's mouth.

"Wow!" Sophie said in awe, both she and Tarrant could see the giant swam of blue butterflies quickly approaching Alice's location.

"Absolem"

Sophie started to move towards her mother in an attempt to help. But Tarrant knew this was Absolem's doing and any interference might destroy what he was trying to do. He took hold of the child and pulled her back with him several feet. They watched as Alice was completely consumed by the swarm.

"Mommy! Is she all right sir?" Asked Sophie. Sadly Tarrant did not really know. Not a sound or a movement came from the giant blue form. But to stem the child's fears and also his own he said.

"Don't worry, Absolem knows what he's doing."

Yeah Chapter 2 is up. Coming soon, Chapter 3

I promise this is the only back tracking I will do in this story.

Reviews please.