A/N: Thank you for reviews, huns!

I even got this chapter ready in time; I promised it before the fifth day of this month. (My summer holiday will start on that day, yay~.)

And now, without any other bla bla, I shall present you the newest chapter~! Enjoy! :)


Wind waved Alice's hair, making her to shiver. Luckily, Tarrant seemed not to notice; she knew he would've grown worried. She took her small bag from her bare shoulder, and pulled a black jacket from it. She tapped the rabbit.

''Nivens, could you hold this for a moment'', she asked.

''Of course, tell me when you want me to give it back'', he said politely as always, nodding first.

Alice smiled warmly, and gave her bag to his paws. After that, she put her jacket on. She noticed that it was darker already than few hours ago. They had agreed were going to stay at inn over the night, but she knew it wasn't near them yet. Alice's eyes were starting to grow heavy, as their trip had already continued a half of a day, and night was slowly starting to fall upon the company of six. She stifled a yawn; she was very tired. Carefully, without second thoughts, she let her tired body to lean on Tarrant. His bandaged hands were still around her waist, keeping her from falling. It didn't make her uncomfortable at all, and she was sure that if someone would have been on his place, she would be. His steady breathing calmed her, and when she listened closely, she could hear and feel his heartbeat.

Ta-thump. Ta-thump. Ta-thump.

Alice listened to it, she didn't hear anything else. The other five were speaking, but she didn't listen. The beating sound was also very calming; her eyes were starting to grow heavier and heavier on every minute. Finally, she closed her eyes for a moment, and thought about opening them just in a moment, just resting short time. Just a little bit more. As the time streched and streched, she felt her body and mind to relax even more. Her mind began to wander. But suddenly, there was something that jolted her back to earth from her almost-sleep.

''Alice? Are you awake?'' She heard Tarrant whispering softly to her ear, sending some shivers up her spine.

Alice opened her blue eyes blinking, and this time, she let herself to yawn.

''Somehow'', she answered with a sleepy voice.

She heard him to chuckle heartily to her answer, making her smile a bit too.

''We should be reaching an inn before night falls upon us, we're staying there over night'', the hatter told her, and Alice nodded, listening.

''You can sleep until we reach it, if you are willing. I'll make sure you don't fall off'', he continued, and she was sure from his voice that he had smirked.

''Thank you, Tarrant'', she said quietly, and felt his hands tightening a bit around her.

Alice let her head to fall on his shoulder. She felt his breath on her neck, and listening to his calming heart-beat, she drifted to dreams once more.


Mallymkun narrowed her black eyes, seeing something in horizon. She grinned and exclaimed to others:

''I can see the inn!''

Nivens straightened and looked himself.

''Oh yes, finally. At last we can get some sleep. Thought it is miss Alice who seems to be the one needing it the most'', said the rabbit.

The dormouse snorted.

''Well, she has been through a lot lately'', Tarrant said.

Every word of his sentence was true. Anyone else didn't know about it; Alice didn't want to worry others, but he thought they should. His usually green eyes flashed in orange, as he thought about the Knave of Heart's, and what he had done to Alice, his Alice. But he didn't want to think about it now; she had said herself that she didn't want to cry over it, it wouldn't change anything.

''Such a strong woman she is'', he thought, and pulled her closer to him.


Alice saw just fog, anything else. She continued to walk forward, hoping to find someone who could tell her where in the earth she was. This wasn't definately Underland, she knew that already. Her quiet steps echoed in the silence. What kind of place this was? No one to be seen, no trees or flowers, no animals, absolutely nothing but thick fog! She could even hear her own breathing.

''Come here, my dear girl.''

She turned around. Who could it be? You couldn't tell from the voice if it was a man or a woman.

''Come here, Alice.''

It came from different direction again.

''Who is it?'' She asked, slightly startled.

No answer, only silence this time. Her breathing fastened.

''Come here'', it said again, but this time, behind her.

Alice turned, and her eyes widened. It was him! Ilosovic Stayne, the Knave of Heart's! He smiled wickedly, and reached for her. Before he could touch her, she ran, as fast as she could.

''Not again, this can't happen again'', she thought with fear, and run even faster, if possible.

''There is nowhere to run, Alice'', the man said, appearing in front of her, and she ran again.

''Your beloved Tarrant cannot save you this time'', his dark voice echoed inside her head.

Hands grapped her shoulders, and she didn't saw anyone in front of her.

Suddenly, she felt herself falling into darkness. She screamed.

''Alice! Alice!''

This was not Stayne, and she felt someone shakeing her. But who...?

''Alice, wake up! Alice!''


Her eyes snapped open, and her vision blurred. She shivered, and she saw something white and red in front of her. And something dark green...?

''...Tarrant?'' She asked, and was surprised how weak her own voice was.

The vision before her eyes didn't blur anymore. Alice could see his big eyes shining with worry. His warms hands were still on her shoulders.

''Alice, are you alright?'' He asked.

''I think so'', she answered looking around her.

''Where am I?''

''We reached the inn some minutes ago, and I didn't want to wake you up, you seemed very peaceful. I just carried you to your room and put you under covers, and when I was just about to leave you to sleep, I noticed you were sweating, you were mumbling something, and then you started screaming'', he explained fast.

''Are you sure you're alright?'', Tarrant asked again, putting his hand on her forehead, checking her temperature.

That now very familiar blush was creeping once again on her cheeks.

''I am sure, Tarrant'', she said and smiled slightly.

He pointed her bed.

''May I sit, Alice?''

She nodded.

''You were having a nightmare about something, am I right?''

Alice knew she could trust him, so she nodded slowly.

''What was it about, if I can ask? Maybe it was about feroce snake, who was chasing after you, or maybe about about hats, trying to eat your beautiful blond hair, or-''

''Tarrant.''

''I'm fine, thank you'', he squaked.

She needed tell about her nightmare to someone, and the hatter was probably the only one who could understand her. He had saved her after all.

''Yes, someone was chasing me in that dream. I was in a thick fog, and there wasn't absolutely nothing but fog. Then, I suddenly heard someone calling me. The voice came from diffent directions, and soon he appeared in front of me'', Alice said, her face paling one shade.

Tarrant listened to her closely.

''It was Stayne. He tried to grap me, but I ran, so fast as I could. I knew what would happen if he would catch me again. He appeared in front of me, and I ran, again. He said, that this time there wouldn't be noone to save me, and then I fell into darkness. I screamed, and I heard your voice telling me to wake up.''

Alice hugged her knees, and shaked visibly. She felt Tarrant to place his hands on her shoulders, and she looked up, into his pools of lavender and green.

Neither of them didn't need any words. Alice put her arms aroung his neck, and he pulled her close. They just hugged each other, giving comfort.


A/N: As you probably know, rape totally isn't something to take lightly, and I know that even you, would have traumas of it for the rest of your life. This is why Alice isn't completely recovered, it just doesn't happen in one chapter...

This chappie had also some fluff, just to reward my dear reviewers and fans. Also, since I know how this story will go on, I think this story will be having around fifteen chapters. And I'm trying to get the next chapters always over 2,000 words, because I will have lots and lots more time to write them.

Anyway, see that button over there? See it? And you know you wanna press the magical button? Yes? Great, now go and press the magical button! XD

PS. I promise a futterwacking Tarrant for the first two reviewers! Now, off you go and review! :D