Chapter III. - One Big Headache
Alice awoke from a deep sleep, her eyelashes fluttering open. Daylight streamed across her bedroom. Slowly she sat up, her head feeling a bit painful and groggy. Did something happen during the night? She couldn't remember anything…so why did she have this annoyed feeling? Not bothering to try and think too much of it, she slipped out from under the covers and suddenly realized that she was still wearing her regular clothes. How odd, she thought, trying to smooth out the creases in her skirts but to no avail. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to deal with it; she rose from the bed and crossed her room to the door. Opening it, she stumbled out into the hallway, the pain in her head growing worse.
"Whoa there!" Elliot said as he caught hold of her shoulders just as she was about to fall flat on her face. "Alice, are you okay?" She tried to mumble something but nothing coherent came out. "Let's get you something – I know Blood has that medicine somewhere in his room. Let's go ask him," he said with a broad smile. Before she could even think of protesting, they were at Blood's door, Elliot banging his fist (what he called "knocking") against it. "Yes, Elliot, you don't have to knock the door down," Blood said as he opened the door. His face drained of color when he saw Alice's limp body in his subordinate's arms. "Bring her in, quick," he said, closing the door behind them, Elliot laid Alice on Blood's couch.
A while later, Alice awoke to find herself lying on the Mafioso's couch, an ice pack on her head and a very bitter taste in her mouth. "Seems like you're still with us, young lady," said a coy voice beside her. "Blood!" Alice nearly jumped out of her skin when she saw the coldhearted mafia boss sitting in a chair next to where she lay. Blood made a move to stop her from sitting all the way up, putting his hands on her shoulders and easing her back down. "Don't get up just yet, the medicine still needs time to take effect," he said. "Medicine…?" Alice looked puzzled, then thought of the bitter taste in her mouth, "When I was out, how did you-," she began, Blood reaching out to stop her mid sentence by placing his index finger over her lips.
"Shh, don't overtax yourself. I only did what was necessary. It is understandable that this should happen sooner or later." She interrupted him, "What was necessary?" Alice demanded, fearful that the Hatter had used the same method as the White Rabbit had done when she'd first come to this world. Blood's finger still traced her mouth, hovering just above the skin. So tantalizingly close, she thought. Embarrassed, she quickly pushed all implications out of her mind. She knew Blood was just playing with her, like a cat with a mouse. Turning her head away from him, she decided to admit defeat and just try to rest as Blood had cautioned.
She heard him get up from his chair and walk over to his desk. The sound of his fountain pen scratching on paper could be heard, and soon Alice drifted off. As her breathing became more pronounced, Blood looked up from his work to gaze at her. Her cheeks were still flushed but her fever was gone and she was sleeping peacefully; she was the perfect picture of innocence. Blood got up from his chair and crossed the room over to her, sitting down once again in the chair beside her. He folded his arms over his chest and lackadaisically crossed one leg over the other; he simply could not figure her out. Of all the women he had kept by his side, Alice was by far the strangest. And the hardest to crack, he pondered.
Alice, a familiar voice resounded in her head. "Nightmare," she said smilingly as the dream demon appeared before her. "And here I thought you had forgotten me," he said, "Blood's been keeping you all to himself it seems." Alice looked away from him, a heat spreading across her cheeks, "I don't know what you're talking about." It's not as if he cares for me. I might as well be a game to him. The moment she said that, Nightmare vomited blood all over himself, "Blurgh…!" Surprised by the sudden violent fit, Alice jumped back away from the retching demon. "Honestly! As if it weren't already that ridiculously obvious that he's interested in you – well, other than killing you. Seriously, Alice, I thought you were sharper than that," said Nightmare, still coughing and wheezing. Obvious? She thought. Yes, obvious! Shouted Nightmare in her mind. Alice shrugged and retorted, "Don't you remember that I've sworn to myself never to fall in love again?"
"Well…" Nightmare began. "And also, don't you remember that this is all just a figment of my imagination? A raison d'être for my pathetic failure of a relationship with a man who chose my sister over myself." -"But," Nightmare interjected, "Alice, I do suppose you haven't forgotten why you were brought to this world, have you? Or why you haven't been killed by Blood…thus far." Alice was all if a huff; Nightmare sighed, "You, yes Alice, you are wished for in this world. Everyone here is bound to fall in love with you, just all in due time, and in their own way." "What way would that be, Nightmare? Pointing guns and axes in my face? Sexually harassing me until I pass out?!" She was a bit more than flustered now. Even in her dreams, she couldn't get away from this nonsense. Vexed, she started to shift out of her subconscious and back into reality. It was time to wake up, dammit.
"Oh, Alice, you're awake finally," said Elliot excitedly, "Didn't I tell you she was a toughie, huh? Didn't I, Blood?" Elliot's kind face peered down at her from above, "Glad to have you back, Alice. You were out for a grand total of nine time periods." Alice slowly rose to a sitting position on the couch, her body aching from being cramped. Lowering her feet to the floor, she tried to smile at the March Hare, "Thank you for looking after me this whole time." Elliot laughed, putting his arm around her shoulders and pulling her closer to him, "Actually, it was Blood that had been watching over you most of the time," he said quietly. "Although – don't let him know I told you – but I think he was quite…worried about you. I've never seen the boss act this way about anyone before." He gave her a wink then released her and stood up.
"Right, I'll go check on the Twins 'n see if they're slacking off again," Elliot left the room, leaving Alice to be alone with Blood. Not sure of what she should do, she stood up to face him sitting at his desk. He looked to be fully engrossed in his work, not even looking up at her as she moved over to his side. She felt like she had butterflies in her stomach as she approached him, trying to step quietly so as not to disturb his concentration. He actually looks rather handsome when he's pensive, she thought, a blush rising to her cheeks. Gathering her nerves, she leaned over hugged him, lightly planting a peck on his cheek. "Whaa," cried Blood in alarm, nearly jumping out of his chair. "Alice – what are you doing?" He took hold of her arms and brought them down to her sides, looking at her – completely shocked.
"Blood," Alice began, a look of full chagrin creeping over her features, "why, are you blushing?"
Thanks everyone, for your continued support on this work! I hope this chapter meets your expectations and I look forward to hearing what you think. - Yours Anonymous