The Impossible Queen

Chapter 2: Welcome to Wonderland

The Doctor stepped out of the TARDIS and took a big gulp of air. "Ahh, Wonderland. Been a while since I was here last. Alice was just a child, then. So innocent. We should visit her sometime when we have the chance.

Clara's excitement was clearly written across her face, but she was troubled. "Doctor, um… shouldn't we be worried about The Queen of Hearts? You know, off with our heads and all that?"

Jack chuckled, "If she wants my head, all she has to do is ask nicely."

Emma scoffed. "You and Hook are going to get along famously."

Hook piped up, "As I recall, Sheriff, you didn't have any objections last night, did you?"

Regina gasped. "If you three are done flirting, could we please focus on the task at hand?"

Clara smiled wickedly, "Boys will be boys. But there's no reason why we can't have fun on the way to see the grinning pussycat, is there?"

"She's right, Regina," said the Doctor. "It might be a while until we find him and you might as well enjoy the conversation."

As they trudged through the forest, Clara nudged Emma and whispered, "So, you and the pirate have a thing, but what's the deal with you and the mayor?"

Emma scoffed, "We have a history, but… she's with Robin, I'm with Hook, and it's complicated."

"But you still like her, don't you?" Clara asked.

Emma sighed. "Yeah, I more than like her. I love her. But I never got a chance to say it, and now here we are."

Clara nodded. "You should tell her. If you don't, you'll regret it."

Regina glared at them. "What are you two talking about over there?"

Jack grinned, "Probably about us strapping gentlemen here, huh, Hook?" He slapped Killian on the back.

"Don't worry, Clara, there's enough of me to go around," Hook winked.

"I'm counting on it," said Jack.

Regina fumed. "Why are you even here, Captain Jack?"

"The Doctor is a good friend of mine," Jack replied. "And he needed my help."

The Doctor smiled. "Give him a chance, Regina, he's a good man, he just likes a little company on his travels. Personally, I find conversation stimulating enough, but he's human, and you can't really blame him for acting like it. Maybe you should try it sometime."

"Hmph. I've got all the company I need back home in Storybrooke."

"Do you?" Clara asked.

"What do you mean? Emma, what did you say to her?" Regina demanded.

Emma stopped in her tracks and turned around to face Regina. They stood inches apart. "Maybe you can forget what we had, Regina, but I can't. I miss your kiss, I miss your touch, I miss that knowing half-smile. I think about you all the time. Hook's great, but… No offense, Killian… I'm not in love with him. Not like I was with you." Emma took Regina into her arms and kissed her with all the passion of longing that had been building up since their time apart.

Hook sighed and got out his flask of rum. "Looks like it's me, you, and Clara, then, chap," he said to Jack.

Jack grinned. "We can work with that, Hook."

The trees rustled. There above them sat a purple cat with a large grin. "Don't mind me, you girls keep at it," he said, with smarm galore.

Regina stopped and pushed Emma away. "You're coming with me, cat." She declared.

The cat blinked carelessly. "Oh, am I? I suppose you're going to make me, are you? You and the rest of these souls?"

The Doctor signalled at Regina to stop. "We need you to come with us, cat. A world is in danger. I'm afraid I'm going to have to insist."

The cat licked its paw. "Well, I would let the rest of you try to make me, but I know better than to cross the Doctor. I remember the last time you were here. You made quite a mess, didn't you, Doctor?"

The Doctor shrugged, "It comes with the territory. Now, come with us back to the TARDIS, and we'll get this whole thing sorted."

The cat obeyed.

"That was way too easy," Regina mumbled under her breath.