Alright, just to sum up: What do you think would happen if Alice Kingsleigh, upon her return to London, found her old freind the Mad Hatter waiting for her? A slight shock, no doubt, but what if he came bearing evil news for her beloved Underland? Choosing to return to the place of childhood dreams, what might await her?

This is my first real attempt at publicly showing off what I write, so if it's absolutely awful, feel free to say so, in a nice way, maybe? Also, feel wecome to point out any spelling, punctuation, or grammar issues you may see, other than fragmented sentances, as I know those exist here.

I'm just saying here and now, I own nothing to do with either the book, or the movie Alice In Wonderland. All credit goes to those directly responsible for making the above media happen, save the words on the following pages.

Thank you all so much for your reviews! I'm reaching the end of what I had pre-written with this chapter, so if anyone has any ideas where to go from here, please, lay them on me! And, to I think... maybe three people, yes, John deserved every word he got in chapter 2. Glad others find him pushy and annoying, as that maked my life easier!

A/N: I know the chapters are really short, but that's just kinda how I write, so yeah, try and put up with it, I guess! Also, the story gets a bit awkward from here on out, so again, try and put up with me. =)

Anyway, thank you all, and enjoy!

Chapter 3

Horror flashed across Alice's pretty face, the happy pink fading from her cheeks. "Stayne? And… and the Red Queen? What of her?"

"Nothing can be found of her, anywhere in Underland. I've been up here for days waiting for you Alice, and no one knows what just an hour will do these days, so the moment you're ready we really must be going."

"Indeed. Let me just patch things up with the others, and I'll be along shortly." She smiled a small, reassuring smile, and darted back off towards the docks.

While she was 'patching things up', the Hatter had a chance to think. Not that he hadn't been doing much too much mental work of late, especially for a madman (or supposed, as next to the March Hare he was quite sure he seemed altogether normal. Or, as normal as possible in Underland), but he now needed a chance to over-analyze Alice's every word and motion.

There certainly hadn't been the overwhelming joy he'd been expecting, or rather hoping for. Or perhaps there had? The look in her eyes when she realized who he was… did she not look pleased? And of course Alice's nature itself would have demanded seeing him squirm, just a bit, so was it possible that she'd been as glad to see him as he'd hoped?

As he reached this point of reverse logic, however, Alice returned with a small knapsack over one shoulder. "I've given them a reason for extended absence, and, for the rest, my dear," She said smilingly, "I'll rely on you."

"Only once through the Rabbit Hole. Your world is still a mystery to me."

She grinned at his admission of confusion. It was still so very easy to make her smile. "Good enough. Come, I'll get a carriage." He gently plucked her pack from her shoulder, and they began upon their way, her with a secret smile at his actions.

Roughly halfway down the side street, towards the main road, running footsteps sounded from behind them. The two whirled, to see this John person, to whom the Hatter had taken an immediate dislike, bearing quickly down on them. Alice's face drained of color again, and in some corner of his mind Hatter was grateful she wasn't facing him, as he felt his eyes flash orange.

"Alice!" John caught her roughly by the arm upon reaching them, and though she tried to hide it Alice cringed at the pain caused by his grip.

"John, let me go!" He voice shook only slightly, and her tone was firm. The problem was not up for debate.

"Let you go?! Let you go indeed! I come home only to find my fiancée rushing off before I say half a word to her, and here she is telling me to let her go! A good joke, perhaps, but not this!" He still had Alice by the arm, and the fact was it was really starting to hurt.

"John, just let go." She said deliberately, through clenched teeth.

"Not another word, Alice. You will come back with me and put this silly matter out of your head. As well as your friend with the odd hat." He added, and afterthought, with a glance in the Hatter's direction.

Alice tried pulling away then, but her betrothed didn't loosen his grasp, and as she moved his fingernails broke her skin, leaving great, fat drops of blood on her arm.

She let out a low scream, whether of pain or anger neither man could say.

That was too much for the Hatter. Much too much, in fact. Still holding Alice's pack, he reached out a quick hand and gripped John's wrist tightly. The other winced. "I'm sure you heard the Lady." He noted in that thick accent that came over him along with anger.

"You sir, have no place here." John reapplied, but there was a shakiness to his voice that spoke of his discomfort.

Alice could see the road this was taking, and shuddered to think what could happen… If this came to blows, as she assumed it would without her intervention, she was nearly sure Hatter would come out on top, though she'd underestimated her fiancé before.

At any rate, she spoke up then, "John, please just let go and we'll talk about this. Please." She begged him with her eyes.

"The Hell I will." John growled.

The Hatter twisted the other man's wrist painfully, causing him to release his grip, but that was hardly the end of it.

Alice caught a glimpse of Hatter's eyes, and cringed inwardly.

As the Hatter continued a stream of generally unrepeatable obscenities in his thick brogue, Alice quietly debated the best course of action. Of course, this had to be stopped, but it was generally easier to deal with Hatter for long periods of time if he'd had a chance to vent, and John certainly deserved something, though Hatter's idea of punishment and the judicial system's varied on many points.

At length, she returned her Underland friend to himself with a brief flick of the tongue. He started, as if she crept up on him, before thanking her politely and assuring her that he was fine.

John himself was more frightened than he'd have let on by this man. Clearly there was something not right in his head, and he seemed dreadfully protective of Alice… Who the devil was this chap? And why the devil did a high-class girl like Alice know him? And aside form knowing him, why did she seem so glad to see him?

Perhaps the oddest part however, was that once Alice has seemed to recall his sense of self, John noticed after a moment the startling green of the other's eyes. But just a moment ago he'd have sworn…

"John, go home." Alice commanded firmly. "I'll not be gone long. A few days, maybe…"

"And without me? Likely!"

"It is in fact. Please, you know me. There's no use trying to reason with a madwoman." She insisted.

"Alice…" He protested tiredly.

"Just go home. I'll be in perfectly good hands." Did John imagine the sideways glance? "Please." She insisted.

John stood for a moment, uncertain, but at the sincerity in her eyes (and the hostility in her friend's) turned with only a word of caution before starting back to the dock.

"How do you do that?" The Hatter asked quietly once Alice's fiancé was out of earshot.

"Do what?"

"Convince people of anything you want. You've been doing it since you first came to Underland."

"I don't know, really. I think I learned from my father." They began again toward the main road as they spoke.

"What was your father like?" The Hatter asked with genuine curiosity.

Alice thought for a minute. "He loved people who weren't afraid of being different. He was a visionary, and he liked anyone who could think outside the normal pattern. People who were a tad off." She paused. "He would have loved you." She added with a laugh.

Any reviews apreciated! Again. Good or bad, tell me what you think!

A/N: I'm sorry about the run-in with Alice's fiance. Not for writing it, but you can totally tell I wasnt sure how to word it, or where to go once I began, so yes, I'm sorry for the obvious uncertainty.

At this point I'm looking forward to the next chapter as much as you, so it may take a while between installments from here on out. Sorry for that!