Ooc: Here is chapter four. Thank you all for reviewing and favoriting. If you review again, I'll send another preview.

Dislcaimer: I own nothing. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass belong to Lewis Carroll. "Alice" belongs to Syfy.

"The gray one, with the pink sash really is nice. Don't you think so, Jack?"

The man in question barely glanced over at the sketch lying in Alice's lap before nodding. Woman's fashion was something that he had never understood, and had never bothered to learn about. Why they needed several petticoats, a corset, stockings, garters- not to mention their actual gown- was totally unnecessary, according to the new king. But he simply smiled and nodded to the seamstress to accept Alice's choice.

The woman gathered up the remaining sketches before quickly curtseying and exiting the room. The pair could hear her walk all the way down the hall by her jingling pockets of pins. Hurrying across the room she embraced her best friend in thanks. "It will be a wonderful present," she said, smiling as she pulled back from him. "I can't wait to wear it. Thank you so much, Jack."

As her seventeenth's birthday neared Jack had given her the chance to choose a new gown from the royal seamstresses for his gift, although he continuously hinted at another. She had tried to pry it out of her friend for at least a week but he hadn't given her any clues at all. Although she didn't like the idea of giving up, she knew that she wouldn't get an answer out of him until the next month.

Jack bent to kiss her, not minding at all that the Suits standing guard at the door could see.

**

Robert coughed into his handkerchief while pausing in his work. Turning away from his mixture of chemicals he glanced into the handkerchief, already knowing what he would see. Bright red blood starred back at him, as it had starred at him for the last three years. At first he had thought it had been a fever, or cold of some type that had been causing him pain. But years later he was finding no relief in the illness. He wasn't exactly sure what it was that was destroying his lungs until a month earlier.

It had come to his attention that a substance he had been testing in a vaccine three years earlier had been discovered lethal. He had excluded the substance from the vaccine before distribution and had thought himself safe from the contact. But the week that he had worked with it had been enough to start the slow decay of his lungs.

He had only linked the two together after re-reading his notes in reference to an earlier vaccine. Now, he knew, it was only a matter of time. He had tried to broach the subject to Alice but hadn't been able to break the news to her. She was much too excited planning for her birthday that he just couldn't ruin her smile. After her birthday he would tell her. He could last a month, he hoped.

But how could he tell her? And what would he do to make sure that she was protected after he was gone?

He couldn't stand being in their apartments anymore listening to her, watching her smile, watching her continue not realizing that soon he would not be with her anymore. So he had taken to walking around the city at night, trying to avoid seeing her. He had begun to notice that she was slowly taking offense to his time spent away from him which only kept him away longer, since he couldn't stand to see her upset. If he continued this way they both were going to get hurt.

But there was so much to think about. What would happen to her when he was gone? He couldn't let her fend for herself. For all its advancements in science and medicine, Wonderland held a very Victorian way of thinking. There wasn't many opportunities for a single woman to make her own way in life without being shunned.

He would have to find her a guardian of some type. He had no family here to take up that position and he certainly couldn't send her back to the other side of The Looking Glass. Had there been a reigning adult King and Queen, he could have left her under their care as a ward. But with a King that was barely older than Alice, Robert wouldn't dare propose the idea. The young man barely had any knowledge of the world yet and would be much too consumed with his new duties and spending some of the treasury money that had been guarded from him for so long.

On one particular walk he had been making around the city he had paused inside a nearby shop to warm himself for a moment before beginning the long walk back. Wonderland winters were colder than he had felt before in his life beyond The Looking Glass. Alice of course made no complaints, having nothing to compare it to.

"Can I get you something, sir?"

He looked up, startled, as a young man looked at him imploringly. Glancing around Robert realized himself to be in David Hatter's shop, having not even recognized it when he had been strolling through the streets. Robert turned his attention back to the boy, who clearly was a new employee by the nervous look in his eyes, and answered.

"I'll have half a pound of strawberry tea leaves."

Alice had begun to grow suspicious of his nightly walks. At least with this he could give her a reason for why he had gone out that night. The boy hurried behind the counter, nearly upsetting a stack of saucers that had been resting on mahogany counter, and began to measure out the leaves. Robert reached into his pocket to pick out a shilling to give the boy as he watched him clumsily place the leaves onto the scale.

Another thing that struck him as odd in Wonderland was their money. They used the British system of money, but with their own crests. When he stopped to think of it, it was almost as if he had been thrown into a time machine. Along with their old-fashioned ways of thinking, their style of dress also seemed to be taken from a page in a history book. Wonderland dress ranged from the Middle Ages to the Victorian period. Even as he looked around the shop he could pick up on different eras: a couple in the corner clearly in 17th century clothing, complete with the woman's french hood; a young woman in a Regency era gown by the window sipping from a delicate looking tea cup; a man standing up from his table with a 19th century jacket and trousers. Robert himself was wearing an outfit similar to the other mans, having found the ensemble more comfortable than the breeches and stockings some men favored from the 18th century.

"I'll take over Chase. Why don't you help Eric with the cups in the back?"

Hatter tried to ignore the relieved look in his new employee's face as he was able to go hide in the back from customers for another hour. Shaking his head he turned to Robert as the man settled himself at the counter.

"For Alice, Mr. Hamilton?" he asked, trying to sound indifferent. Had Robert not been caught up in his thoughts he might have noticed how hard Hatter was trying to sound that way. Instead he nodded. "She enjoys a cup at night sometimes. I figured I might as well pick her up some while I was out."

Hatter scooped the tea from the scale with a small, silver shovel before placing it in a cloth sack. He tied a string carefully around the top before handing it over the counter. Noticing the distracted look on the man's face he hesitated before replacing the shovel. "Is everything alright, Mr. Hamilton?"

For a moment Robert thought how weird it was that Hatter would call him by his last name, even though the tea shop owner was probably older than him. Straying from his thoughts he realized that Hatter had asked him a question. "Its nothing, its...." He hesitated. It would be nice to get advice from someone who has live in Wonderland his whole life; he might know what would be best to do with Alice when he was gone. "I'm worried about Alice," he began, not bringing his eyes from the cloth bag for a few minutes.

"I don't think that I will be here much longer, and I am worried for her."

Hatter took a moment to understand, before realizing what Robert was implying. He observed the scientist for a moment as he tried to calculate his age. Those on the other side of The Looking Glass lived longer than Robert looked. At least, he thought so.

"I've been ill," he continued, as if reading Hatter's thoughts," and I don't think it will be long now. I need to know how to take care of Alice when I'm gone. I figured that you would know what to do, having been in Wonderland your whole life. How do the people of Wonderland do this? She has no family here to take her in. Is there someplace she could go? A school of some type?"

Hatter felt as if the world had stopped for a moment. Instantly choices ran through his head. He could explain to Robert that there was a type of school for privileged young ladies, a finishing school or sorts, on the other side of the city where the nobility had their estates. Or-dare he think it- he could tell Robert his other option.

Hatter had spent most of the night of Jack's coronation talking with March about what to do, but his friend had no solution for him besides the obvious: tell Alice how he felt. But Hatter knew he couldn't do that since he clearly knew that Alice simply saw him as a good friend. Not to mention that he could see that she was in love with the king. But was a marriage with her and Jack really possible? He doubted that the Suits would allow such a thing. The king was to be married to a noble, not to a scientist's daughter. Would his proposition save her from any heartache that she would face when she found out that a marriage between her and Jack would never happen? Or was he simply thinking of himself?'

Realizing that Robert was waiting for his answer, Hatter prepared to do the most selfish thing that he had ever done in his life.

"There really isn't much a young woman could do without a guardian," he explained, feeling as if his heart was going to burst from his chest. "Seeing as how I have known her for so long, and that I clearly have a stable income and would be able to provide for her, I could take care of her."

The reactions that he had thought Robert would possibly give him didn't include the friendly smile and gentle laugh that he was now showing.

"I don't think a bachelor like you would want to take care of a sixteen year old girl, Mr. Hatter," he said, preparing to stand from the stool he had been resting on. "There are too many things to worry about taking care of Alice."

Picking up the bag of tea he prepared to hand the shilling to Hatter, but paused as the man spoke again.

"I believe that you misunderstood me, Mr. Hamilton. By me saying I would take care of her, I would take her of her as a husband to a wife. I would marry her."

Noticing that Robert had said nothing in response Hatter hurried forward with his reasoning. "She is nearly a year away before being considered an adult, and many more women have been married earlier than that here. She wouldn't want for anything: my family has left me more than enough and I have three shops of my own. I could protect her."

Robert finally broke away from his thoughts, uncertainty showing on his face, and prepared to speak. But Hatter, seeing that the man was uncertain, cut him off. "Do you really think that the king will be able to marry your daughter, Mr. Hamilton?"

His words delivered the final blow again Robert's opposition. As Robert thought about it he realized how foolish his daughter's romance with the king was, seeing as how it would come to nothing. He had liked to believe that she would be married to him, and that he wouldn't have to worry about her when he was gone. But Hatter had woken him up to reality, and reality stung more than he liked.

Grasping the edge of the counter Robert tucked the bag into the pocket of his coat. Trying to speak, but failing for a moment, he finally looked up at the man before him. "I'll speak to you tomorrow night," was all he said before leaving the shop. As soon as he stepped out into the cold streets he didn't know whether his problem about Alice was gone, or if a new one had started.

It was nearly closing time when Robert showed up the next day, surprising both Hatter and March who were just about to leave. But what surprised the pair even more was the man that had accompanied Robert, who they learned to be a lawyer specialized in writing wills.

*

It was a week before her birthday and Alice still couldn't figure out what Jack was going to surprise her with. Normally it wasn't that hard for her to get her friend to tell her anything, but he refused to even mention her gift whenever she brought it up. Reluctantly she had stopped asking him. She gently ran her hand over the finished dress that Jack had given her- the one she had picked out from the seamstress- before allowing the skirt of the dress to settle back into place. She would wear it at her birthday dinner that Jack was throwing for her. Tying her nightgown a bit more snugly around her she exited her bedroom and entered the sitting room. Her father hastily tucked his handkerchief into his pocket as soon as she walked in, and turned to greet her.

"You had better go to bed soon, Papa," she began, picking up Dinah. "You'll be too tired to go walking with me tomorrow. You know it will snow soon and we won't even be able to set foot in the gardens then."

He clasped her free hand, nearly upsetting Dinah from her arms.

"You know I love you, Jellybean. Right? That what I do for you is for the best?"

Surprised by his sudden proclamation Alice hesitated.

"Of course Papa. Why wouldn't I?" He was confusing her and it was making her nervous. The cat shifted in her arms as she unconsciously tightened her grip. Gently patting his hand she moved toward her bedroom door.

"You really should get some sleep. You will, won't you? You shouldn't fall asleep in that arm chair like last week."

For a moment her nervous behavior seemed to pass.

"Goodnight, Papa."

Holding the cat closer to her she went into her room, not knowing it was the last time she would speak to her father.

The next morning she was woken by one of the maids of her chambers who had a horrified look on her face. Instantly Alice threw back the bed covers, upsetting Dinah from where she had been resting on her legs, and grasped the maid.

"What happened Jane? What is it?" she asked as possibilities of what had caused Jane to look so terrified flew threw her head. The young woman shook her head, grasping the hands of her mistress tightly.

"I tried to wake Mr. Hamilton, but he won't respond. He is so cold, m'lady! I don't know what to do." Alice felt her face pale and had the maid not been holding onto her, she might have collapsed. No; the girl must be wrong. Her father was probably just deep in sleep.

"Go get the physician now, Jane," she said, surprisingly sounding calm although her body clearly showed that she was not. She watched as the girl ran from the room, throwing the door open from the apartments so quickly that the wooden door banged against the walls. Alice peered from her doorway to the sitting room, seeing that her father was still in his chair from the night before. Allowing herself to breathe for a moment she reluctantly moved forward.

Robert was probably just sleeping in his chair again, like he had been last week. He would wake up, laugh at Jane's foolishness, and then he and Alice would go for their walk. But the sight of his pale face, and the lack of movement of his chest squashed her hopeful thoughts. Falling to her knees beside her father she grasped his cold hands, only realizing that she had begun to cry when she felt tears run down her face.

The next day found her dressed full in black, being led from the small chapel of the palace to the courtyard. A small group of mourners were with her, including Jack, when they set out to the cemetery. She had almost forgotten to bring her heavy shawl with her before they had left but Jane had quickly thrown it over her shoulders. But it wouldn't have mattered even if Jane had forgotten: Alice was too numb to feel how cold it was. She felt as if she was walking through a haze of smoke since seeing her father in his chair. She had looked straight ahead of herself throughout his funeral mass and had to physically be led to the carriage that would follow the hearse to the cemetery by Jack. Some of the other mourners were following on horseback and she would have been with them, had Jack not realized how likely it was that she would fall off due to not paying attention. Instead she had been put into Jack's carriage to ride with him to the burial.

She barely spoke since finding her father except for a few 'thank yous' when people, some who she had never seen before, expressed their sorrow at Robert's death. Her eyes felt as if they would never dry and she was almost convinced that she would never be rid of tears for the rest of her life. Jack held her arm carefully as they arrived at the cemetery and kept her arm through his as Robert was placed into the earth. She was almost back in the carriage when someone touched her arm.

Turning around she almost smiled at the sight of Hatter. He must have been among those standing at the burial but having not been paying attention, she hadn't noticed him. "I"m so sorry Alice," he began, watching as Jack stepped a few feet away to speak to someone. He looked unsettled, having never been good at times like these. "I know everyone is telling you the same thing but I sincerely am sorry. I would like to speak to you later. Come by the shop later, please? I know this is asking a lot at you at a time like this, but it is important."

Jack extended his hand to assist her into the carriage. "I'll try to," she said, taking her friend's hand and stepping in. She hesitated before sitting. "Thank you Hatter. Really." Jack stepped inside beside her before a footman closed the door. Watching as the two left, Hatter tried to think of exactly how to explain to Alice that she was going to become his wife.

Sitting in the carriage Alice allowed herself to rest her head against the cushioned side of the carriage. Jack gently squeezed her gloved hand, staying silent for a moment as he watched her. "When was the last time you slept?"he asked, causing her to lift her head from the wall. She thought for a moment before answering. "Two nights ago, I suppose," she said, surprising herself. Jack watched her for a moment before turning back to the window.

"Make sure you sleep before your father's will is read tonight. Please, Alice."

*

Again, Alice found herself woken by Jane, hours after the funeral. "You will be late for the reading, m'lady," she said as she helped Alice sit up. Alice smoothed the wrinkles of her gown, having napped in it after coming back from the funeral, before realizing that she had missed her talk with Hatter. Well, she would just have to stop by after the reading. She couldn't delay that by going to see him.

Jane quickly brushed her hair before sending her off to Jack's receiving chambers. Jack- along with being her best friend -had been included in the will, and had allowed the will to be written in his private rooms. The two friends sat together as her father's lawyer unpacked the paper from his leather case. Without a greeting or any type of condolence the man began to read off what her father had left behind.

Jack, being a friend of Alice's and the king, received his best gold pocket watch in thanks for his previous position in Wonderland's service. The rest, unsurprisingly, went to Alice. Alice was about to stand up to show Jack the pocket watch mentioned, but the lawyer continued to speak.

"As for Alice's position after my death, I leave her under the protection of David Hatter, as his wife."

Alice almost didn't realize what he had said, since it sounded as if the ocean was roaring in her ears. She heard Jack ask the man to repeat what he had said but she knew that it would make no difference. What was written on the page wouldn't be changed even if Jack asked the man to say it again. Ignoring Jack calling after her Alice ran from the room, intent on speaking to her old friend to demand an answer.

This would be fixed. It had to be.