Disclaimer: No copyright infringement intended. All I'm doing is mixing Stephenie Meyer and Lewis Carroll's characters in Tim Burton's world while adding a dark splash of my own imagination.

Chapter Nine: Conflicted

When Alice returned to the March Hare's house, she was troubled about what Isabelle asked her to do. During supper, Alice went through the notions that all was well on the outside, but, inside, she was going mad. She needed some time to clear her head, yet she knew that she couldn't do it while there were others around her, so she decided to head into the woods for some privacy.

"I need some air," Alice announced as she pushed her chair away and rose. "I'm going for a walk."

"I'll go with you," Edward offered, standing quickly from his seat.

Alice shook her head. "Thank you for offering, but I'd rather do this on my own. I need some time to think."

Edward panicked at her words. "You're not leaving, are you? I just got you back, Alice!"

"No, no, no," Alice chanted, trying to appease him. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Promise me that you're not leaving," Edward pleaded. "Promise me that you'll come back."

Nodding, Alice said, "I promise I'm not leaving, but I really do need to be alone."

"Alright," Edward sighed. "I'll be waiting for you, so don't be long, please."

Alice smiled ruefully as she realized how hard it would be to leave Wonderland if she couldn't carry out Isabelle's request. She stepped closer to Edward and caressed his cheek. "I'll be back so quick that you won't have time to miss me."

Edward leaned into Alice's touch, kissing her palm before she stepped back and turned to leave.

"If you don't come back, Time will stop again, and even though life will stay still, I will spend however long missing you even more," Edward whispered, but Alice was still able to hear him.

She walked even faster then, not knowing where to go. Everything that she'd learned in the past few days swirled in her mind, consuming her thoughts. Meeting both Victoria and Isabelle had been very enlightening, although what she'd discovered from both wasn't very favorable. And now that Isabelle had asked her to murder Victoria, Alice was beginning to question if returning to Wonderland had been a good idea at all. She'd gotten to see Edward and her friends, of course, but at what price?

Alice sighed, covering her face with her hands. When she removed them, Alice realized that she had reached the white rose trees she'd once painted red with the help of the Queen of Heart's knights. At that, another sigh escaped her lips while she reminisced about simpler days.

Suddenly, as was per usual where Cheshire Cat was concerned, he appeared out of nowhere, surprising Alice. "What are you thinking about, Alice? Are you considering Isabelle's proposal?"

Alice gasped. "How do you know about that?"

"Oh, Alice, I hope you know that all the walls in Wonderland have ears and eyes," Cheshire Cat said derisively. "Well, as long as I'm there, of course."

Alice shook her head. "You were listening to our conversation, then?"

Cheshire Cat yawned. "Yes, but it wasn't very interesting since this has been a long time coming. She's only planned to take action now because she has no protection from the Jabberwocky."

"What do you think I should do, Cheshire?"

"Follow your instincts," Cheshire Cat said. "Do what your heart tells you to do."

Alice exhaled deeply and closed her eyes for a moment before continuing. "And what if what it tells me is frightening?"

"Then find the courage to carry out its darkest desires," Cheshire Cat whispered. "Enjoy and revel in it, my dear."

That tempted Alice, so she decided that she was going to go forth with the proposal. "I'll do it," she said, "but I'm going to need your help."

"Whatever you need, I'll do," Cheshire Cat promised.

"I hope you keep your word, because what I plan to do won't be easy."

Cheshire Cat grinned devilishly. "Then that will make it all the more interesting, my dear."

"Very well, then. I need you to go find the Knave of Hearts, and tell him to meet me here tomorrow at four o'clock. Tell him that I have a proposition for him."

"And what will that be, dear Alice?"

"You'll know everything at its due time, Cheshire, for now, that will be all. I need to head back to the March Hare's house, but I'll see you tomorrow."

"Do you want me to be here when the Knave comes?"

Alice scoffed, looking at Cheshire Cat with contempt. "Would what I say matter, Cheshire? You could be here and I wouldn't even notice."

"You've made a very good point, so I guess I will see you tomorrow—or not," Cheshire Cat chuckled before he disappeared.