Disclaimer: I don't own it in any shape, size or form, but I love it with all my soul.

EDITED: Not grammar-wise (yet), but I did alter and add to the chapter (Alice's return to be exact) to suit me a bit more appropriately.

I'm soooo utterly sorry my dear loyal readers for the grave injustice I have caused against you. I realize it has been about three months, maybe four in my darkest hour. No excuse seems sufficient to note. Suffice to say writer's block and personal matters which have taken precedent in my life. I've written this chapter at least a thousands times in my head and a thousand more on paper, and have long suffered to find an adequate end to a tale I feel most passionate about for being my first of sorts. I hope you have all enjoyed it equally.

Last night I chained myself to the desk to write, and just wrote. It has a lot of mistakes, I risked not getting it edited (due to the instance of my internal Alice and Stayne goading me on, though I shall try to get my beta- who has hopefully not quit on me- to help me out to edit a few kinks here and there) I know it's a bit tedious to read, no adventure or excitement, but to me it's the most gruel personal struggle that hopefully gives justice to this work.

Thank you soo much to all who have favorited, alerted, and most of all reviewed throughout this story. Your support has been so crucial in me going on and encouraged me to keep writing. When I first started this fic, it was my first multi-fic and I wasn't sure where it was going, I feel some things could have been better executed, and perhaps with time I'll improve, but never did I think I would get such a response from everyone, or evoke such curiosity. It's been touching and quite honestly encouraging, so thank you.

For all of you who have stuck with me- hopefully everyone, I present you the final installment of 'Deception'. Thank you for reading and enjoy!

Alice Kingsley sat in her room, looking pensively outside her window. She was suffering from an uneasy rest, which had resulted in her leaving her soft warm bed to look out into the world in search for some kind of solace or comfort. She had been crying earlier and so the silence was an improvement. It had been a taxing return. Dressed once more in the pale blue dress she'd began with, covered in dirt, and with only the remaining red of the former Bandersnatch mark to show, she'd gotten up in front of everyone and said: No, she would not marry Hamish. The news came as a shock to all, and she thought then that by unveiling the existing illusions amongst her family and friends at court, all would be better. Confident that she had found the path she was meant to take in life, the one that would give her independence and a future that would make her father proud; she had made a proposal to Lord Asboth, successfully gaining a role as his apprentice. But victory was hollow when the matters of her heart, most significantly her family, weighed heavily on her mind.

S~s~S~s~S

The Jabberwocky Blood was bitter. Well as bitter as any drink that was black in color could be, though she hardly noticed the taste through the salty taste of her own emotions which had swirled and turned into rough tears that ended almost as quickly as they'd begun on her travel back to the surface. By the time she arrived at the entrance of the rabbit hole, she was herself once more. She looked herself over, shoving away some of the dirt from her knees. Over all she looked quite untouched. Then she took note of her scars. Only the three claw marks of the Bandersnatch remained which she hoped would eventually fade. It would have been so easy to chalk up her scars as those of roots instead of some mythical creature, the dirt and grass stains from the garden ground alone instead of which and all place in a mythical land, that her dress which had been stretched this way was simply ripped because of sharp rocks instead of changes in size. It could have been simply another dream. Not real. But only a dream...

As she took a step forward however, the acute sting of the knife wound reminded her it wasn't. She felt for the bandage beneath which was no longer present, and the cut was the side of her smallest finger, yet her sacrifice, and its end stayed clear as crystal in her mind. She took a breath, looked up, and suddenly broke into a run. Fear coursed through her veins as she placed more and more distance between herself and the land that had haunted her dreams as a child, and that now held the man who had become her only nightmare.

It was only when the top of the gazebo came into sight, right behind the bushes that her pace slowed. The day looked enough the same, but Time worked different between both worlds. For her few days there- how long had it been here? The sight of the gazebo and the knowledge of what awaited her behind was enough to drive all thought of Underland from her mind as it was replaced instead by the new trail she would have to face, this time on her own.

She gazed through the bushes at the crowd. There they were, all standing in almost the exact positions she'd left them in though not exactly, making her sag with relief that it had not been as long as she'd thought. She took a moment to compose herself and think of what she would say to those she held most dear, and just what consequences her words would face for those they implicated. For Hamish, the Ascots, her mother, and perhaps most importantly her sister.

As she was trying to find the courage, the voice of Hamish Ascot filled her ears, startling her, and sounding ancient in her memory.

"She left me standing there without an answer," he sneered miserably.

"A touch of nerves no doubt," one of the twins responded. How right she was, but for all the wrong reasons.

It was there that Alice Kingsleigh stepped into the spot light, opening herself to be scrutinized and judged by the gapping faces that took in her return. She stood before Hamish, looking down upon those closest who remained waiting for her to speak.

"Alice…. What in God's name happened to you?" Lowell asked with a sneer, his expression revealing a certain disgust and distain for her appearance as he went so far as to shuffle back an inch, the action causing unknown anger to flare within her.

"Dear girl, are you alright?" Lord Ascot's voice murmured, its gentle tone and concern he held in his eyes almost compensating for his son's disrespect.

"Darling, what happened? You've been gone for almost an hour. We just sent Michael and Robert out to look for you." Only that much? Her mother's voice had been added to the rumble. Alice turned her attention away from the men to address the woman she worried most for in what she had to say.

"I… Fell down a hole and hit my head. And I have something to say." She turned to face her would-be fiancé. "I'm sorry Hamish, but I can't marry you."

The boy looked startled at this. "What?" Hamish chorused along with her mother and his parents.

"Alice, surely you jest," he spoke with his big plastic smile.

"I'm afraid not," Alice quipped in response. "But this proposal is. You're just not right for me."

"Alice now is not the time for one of your games. Stop making a scene. Everyone's watching," he hissed the last words viciously, so that only she could hear.

Her eyes turned to glare. "Let them. I'm sorry Hamish, but I simply cannot accept you, and I know I won't be able to make you happy, nor you I. I won't sacrifice my happiness for those who neither care for it, nor appreciate it." She ended the words by looking over as Lady Ascot, who visibly flinched.

"Outrageous! The girl is obviously confused! She does understand what she's saying!" She glared over at Mrs. Kingsley. "We had deal, Helen."

Her mother, who'd seemed to be in shock at the news, suddenly cleared her throat. "Should we retire to the study? We do have an audience." She brought back the attention to the relatives and onlookers who looked both confused and unnerved by the news, uncertain as to how to react or proceed.

"Good idea," Lord Ascot intervened, placing a firm hand upon his wife's shoulder. "Come now Mary."

S~s~S~s~S

And it was so that Alice, Lord and Lady Asboth, Margaret, and their mother found themselves adjourned inside Lord Ascot's study. Hamish remained outside, waiting with Lowell who had insisted they smoked while they left the women to their 'talk'. Hamish had hastily agreed, not wanting to face quite yet the woman who had wounded his petty ego in her rejection.

Mary Ascot was in the process of yelling irately over Alice's refusal of her son.

"She hit her head; she said so by her own admission. Surely you can see she's not thinking clearly. What about our contract, or our business negotiations? Everything counts on this union. Helen, you will speak to your daughter and explain. We can postpone the proposal for tomorrow. By then, surely she'll have found some sense."

"I assure you, Mrs. Ascot; I am quite untouched by my fall." Technically she wasn't lying, at least not about that. "It is not a question of my sanity, or business, anything else for that matter. I simply have no desire to marry your son, or his indigestion. Today, tomorrow, in a fortnight, my answer will still be the same." she added demurely. She looked up into the tired and worried expression of her mother, wanting to reassure her. "Please understand, I don't want you to worry. I will find something to do with myself, something useful."

"See what nonsense she spouts?"

"Mary." Lord Ascot began.

"twenty years of planning, all because one simple girl…"

"Mary…"

"Well I won't stand for it! What's done is done! And however much you may protest Miss Kingsley, this wedding will go on!"

"Mary!" Lord Ascot's voice finally broke through. "That's enough. What's said is said, the wedding will not take place."

Mrs. Kingsleigh took that as her cue as she turned to wrap her arm around the shoulders of her dear friend. "Come now Mary. We're old friends if you recall. Let's go make the announcement, our guests are waiting." Helen huffed and dropped her shoulders in surrender, allowing Helen to lead her out.

Margaret had remained silent throughout, giving her sister worried looks as she struggled on what to say. She had indeed become quiet. Alice helped her, coming to sit beside her chair, taking one of her hands in her. "Margaret, I love you, but this my life. I'll decide what to do with it."

Margaret sighed, and nodded, patting her sister's hands in an attempt at support, and Alice wished they were children again, when she would have hugged her instead.

"Miss Kingsleigh, if I recall, you asked to speak with me privately?"

Alice looked up to him. "Yes sir, I did." On their way to the study, while Mrs. Ascot had been mumbling to herself with Helen listening patiently on, Alice had asked for a private word after of a more personal nature. Alice hoped to ask Margaret the same. However, her sister chose in that moment that it was her time to leave.

Margaret rose. "I'll be in the lobby with the others." Lord Ascot escorted her out of the room, turning back to Alice. "Open or closed?" He asked, indicating to the door.

"Closed."

Lord Ascot returned to his desk. "Well then?"

"You and I have business to discuss."

Lord Asboth chuckled knowingly at the spark in her eye. "Indeed. Shall we get started?"

S~s~S~s~S

After she'd spoken in private with Lord Asboth about her proposal to trade with China, happily accepting his offer of apprenticeship, she'd exited the study and headed into the main hall where the Ascots, Kingsleighs and Manchesters sat waiting. She'd debated long and hard over her decision of what she would say to her sister when she returned, whether or not she would reveal Lowell's treachery in hopes that she would see just how unworthy of her loyalty and affection he was. At first she'd thought of what her mother would say in such a situation, most likely something along the lines of: "It's not a woman's place to say such things", or "such knowledge is best kept out of public." And while she agreed with the latter, the thought of what was best for her sister far outweighed what was best for her family.

There was her sister, sitting casually with a cup of tea in her hand next to her mother, while Lowell stood hovering over her chair, looking painfully bored with the mindless chatter of Hamish who was rambling about one thing or another into his ear. It seemed he recovered quickly. Alice was sure if it hadn't been for his position, Lowell would have long since removed himself from the space.

As soon as Alice appeared, all conversation ended and all eyes tilted to look up at her. Lord Ascot had given her shoulder a quick squeeze and then gone to where his wife and Alice's mother stood to tell them about the trade agreement and the upcoming trip to China. Alice could hear Lady Ascot give an outraged cry about the impropriety of such an endeavour for a young single woman, the dangers and the like.

"What do you think Helen?" Lady Asboth asked pointedly.

The blond expected to hear similar complaints from her mother, and was surprised to see her lips formed into the most peculiar form she'd ever seen. She stood, and walked as in a daze as she took her daughter's face into her hands. "I've seen that look before. Sorry Mary, but there's no stopping her." She said, smiling to herself and her daughter, looking on with loving eyes. "I never realized just how much you'd grown." Alice smiled in return then turned to look at her tranquil sister.

"Margaret, may I have a word?" Alice noticed how Lowell was immediately alert, his grip on the chair tightening.

"Alice, I believe anything you have to say would be irrelevant at this point in time."

Alice's eyes hardened. "Not at all. I think she deserved to know."

"Know what?" Margaret asked in her painfully cheerful voice.

"Something we talked about in the bushes. Nothing to concern yourself with my dear... A private matter."

"Oh Lowell, you didn't tell her did you? You promised we'd wait."

"I assure you I didn't."

Margaret sighed. "We didn't want to say anything, seeing as how it was supposed to be your big day, I called the physician a few days ago, and oh Alice I'm pregnant."

Alice stood stunned. "Pregnant?" Helen Kingsleigh exclaimed. "Oh darling that's wonderful."

"Congratulations my dear girl," Lord Ascot continued.

"Yes, indeed. With that face you're bound to make beautiful babies." The comment made Alice roll her eyes.

"Lowell will also be going to Scotland for a while."

"With the savages?" Mary hissed.

Margaret looked slightly uncomfortable at the remark. "Yes, Lowell has some business there."

"For how long will you be gone?" Lord Asboth inquired.

"A few months, a year at the most." Lowell quipped.

Alice fumed. "And leave your pregnant wife all alone?"

Margaret scoffed. "Nonsense, I'll be well taken care of at Manschester Manner, and he'll be back for the birth. I was also hoping to stay a time with you mother, if it would be acceptable."

"Both my daughters, both growing up and parting ways," Helen spoke softly, her voice almost saddened.

Margaret went to sit by her mother, taking her hand. "Oh Mother, just think. Just think, one daughter pregnant, and the other going to China, won't that be something to talk about?" She glanced back up to Alice. "But really Alice, if it wasn't that, then what was it you wanted to talk about?"

"Nothing relevant." She swallowed and turned to address Lowell. "You're very lucky to have my sister for your wife, Lowell. I know you'll be good to her. They say fatherhood changes a man. I wonder if the saying will ring true for you." She reached out to hug her sister. "Congratulations. I'm very happy for you." Inside she couldn't help but think that Lowell's crime against his sister was made all the worse, as despite all, Alice couldn't find it in herself to let her break her sister's happiness, and so she said. "Nothing. It was just a simple misunderstanding." With that the worry in Margaret's eye was erased completely while Alice's only turned tenfold.

S~s~S~s~S

The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur. Alice excused herself early from supper, wanting to escape the gossip vultures for the evening. Most were still in shock from the announcement of the disengagement. Many had started for home, while a choice few were invited to remain at the Ascot estate, including the Kingsleighs and Manchesters. Almost immediately into supper, when the cozy group of guests and family had become seated, the food served, and conversation underway, Alice had found herself feeling rather uncomfortable, and excused herself, claiming to feel ill and tired from the tumble. And so she'd retired to her room, sitting out on the balcony to gaze at the stars, enjoying the crisp night air.

A little over an hour went by before a new presence entered the room. Margaret came to stand beside her. Alice hadn't even heard her come in. Alice nodded in greeting but remained silent, continuing to gaze at the stars. A few moments passed when the silence was broken.

"You thought I didn't know, didn't you?"

Alice startled, and stared at her sister. "Excuse me?"

"You thought I didn't know exactly what happened in the garden."

Alice froze, opening her mouth to speak, though her sister only continued. "I suspected as much when Lowell left me with mother to discuss something with Lord Brandon, but when I went to look for him, Lord Brandon said he'd just left to look for me, though his tone gave him away. Another of the Lords said he'd gone into the entrance of the maze, so I followed his direction and noticed you going in. That's when Patty came out, looking slightly disheveled and guilty almost as soon as she saw me, which a little smug smile on her face. When I saw you and Lowell talking from where she'd left; you looked so angry, and I knew what had happened."

"Margaret, I'm sorr-" She was stopped mid sentence as her sister signaled silence.

"Don't. This is the way our world works Alice. Not everyone's meant to have a happy ending, but I'm happy. Truly I am."

"But Margaret, you're his wife; shouldn't that merit more? You're about to have his child. And he's going to the country. How can you forgive him?"

Margaret looked up at her, ever calm. "It was just a kiss Alice. Nothing more."

"It's happened before hasn't it?" Alice said suddenly, her tone tempered, as she knew it to be fact. Margaret's only admission was silence. "How can you trust him?"

Margaret took a breath. "It's my duty Alice. He's my husband. I chose him, and I love him. Nothing will change that, and I don't want it to." She looked at her. "You told me to let you let you decide what to do with your life, and live it the way you want to. Well that's fine, but I expect you to allow me to do the same." She stood then, reaching out to touch her cheek. "I need him Alice, and he needs me; he just doesn't realize it yet. Please understand and tell me you'll be there for me."

Alice nodded, and Maragert embraced her for a rare hug which Alice could have sworn held a few tears from both parties.

They finally separated after a while, and Margaret patted her head in goodbye. "Goodnight." With that she left, her words shocking her and leaving her with an uneasy rest that night, to which she looked out the window into the world, which felt so utterly foreign and equally deceiving as the one she was trying her hardest to forget.

S~s~S~s~S

The next day passed by ordinarily enough. It held an air of normality that was both comforting yet tedious in court. The remaining guests had remained for brunch, waiting until that afternoon and evening for their carriages to arrive, leaving only the Asboths, Kingsleys and Manchesters at the chateau along with more temporary and permanent guests. Alice had taken the opportunity of the wait to speak with her relatives, almost all of which still had questions after the dissolving of the engagement- even though she and Hamish had never been engaged to begin with. The other few inquired after the upcoming trip to China, though the inquirers were few and far between, most of which were the more educated scholars and lords present. The ladies of court were much more curious after the engagement, though once Alice had shown herself to be uninteresting in the lack of scandalous details, they'd moved onto Margaret who spent her time speaking to the ladies eagerly over her news- stealing the show as all congratulated her and Lowell who stayed equally close, though he seemed far less amused with his party of men and had eventually excused himself from the party to go off and ramble with his friends.

"Really Margaret, to Scotland, the scandal. How will you bare to let him stay with those… People?" One of the ladies inquired.

"They're so terribly uncultured." Added another.

"I heard the men don't even wear trousers, just skirts, like women! Simply disgraceful I tell you..."

Alice interrupted at that. "I once met a Scotsman who was quite cultured. He was quite respected amongst his peers, a leader of sorts."

The first lady looked at her as though she was simply. "Oh, indeed? And what was he? A soldier? A general perhaps?" She joked.

"Or perhaps a lord of some sort, a duke?" Another jibed in a less than teasing voice.

"Oh no. He was far too noble to be any of those. Oh no, he was much much more grand… He was a Hatter." Alice said quietly, smiling at the looks of scandal on their faces. She then turned to find a more enlightening conversation to join, unable to help the joy that swirled at Margaret's conspirator smirk.

Lady Ascot had remained close to her mother throughout all of brunch, and Alice had spent a good time answering questions and avoiding her. As she waved off the remaining guests, she couldn't help but notice she hadn't seen Hamish himself at all. She went to find Lord Ascot and ask him about his whereabouts.

"I last recall him taking an errand out. I'm sure he'll make an appearance tomorrow."

But he didn't. By the following morning all the guests had left. The next day Alice still hadn't seen Hamish. Lowell and Margaret had gone for a simple ride in the country while her mother and Lady Ascot had gone shopping. They had invited her to come along, much to her protests though Lord Ascot was in and out all day with associates, and so she had little else to do. Thus she went with them to the shops, where they both insisted they simply must prepare if she was to leave with Lord Ascot by the end of the week.

They went first to different stores for books that might be helpful, though none of the places seemed adequately stocked with cultural books and most had to be ordered in advances. She would see to asking Lord Ascot if he had any suggestions. They had begun a search through the cloth shops then, without much success as the air between Alice and Lady Ascot was still tense. They decides then to have an early lunch, which Margaret and Lowell joined them for. Her husband left afterward, saying he had some business with his friends, and entrusted them to take good care of his wife while he was away. Margaret smiled and kissed him off, and Alice wondered how long in her life she had had to do that, and how much more times she would come.

They went back to the shops, the tension instantly alieviated by the presence of the elder Kingsleigh sister. Their mother was taking clothes with utter abandon for her to try, varying from warm to cold. When it came to a certain particularly difficult corset, her mother intervened to assist, loosening the top and tying it so it was not so suffocating; it was then that she let out a sudden gasp, startling the group.

"What it mother?" Margaret asked instantly, coming to her side. "Are you alright?

"Yes. I'm fine. It's just… Alice dear, what happened to your necklace?"

Alice frowned and placed a hand instinctively to her neck, looking into the mirror to support her sudden suspicion as she realized the necklace had placed personally around her neck the morning of her engagement party, the one their father had presented her on their first anniversary, was gone. How had she not realized before? "I… It must have fallen when I fell down the hole. Alice said. I'm sorry mother."

Lady Kingsleigh hushed her. "It's alright darling, it's just a necklace." She smiled, turning to place the red and black dress over her head and shoulders and tightening it on the back, at the same time a man entered, one with flaming red hair and a large top hat. "There, beautiful. Don't you think?"

Alice said nothing, merely nodding as she tried desperately not to cry.

The next day, Alice spent most of her time alone in the gardens, gazing at the fields of white rose bushes, appreciating the comfort they brought, so like the White Queen's kingdom, that was so bright and beautiful, peaceful. It was a place of pure serenity and joy, and with such beauty that the garden seemed to pale in comparison. Then the Red Queen's roses had held nothing but coldness, so crimson and red like blood, which felt almost suffocating in its wake. It was early, quite so and everyone would be up and about soon enough. Today Lord Ascot was leaving to speak with investors and certain contacts for inquire about the trip. With a twirl she went to go to the library, where she would watch his departure, hardly noticing the lone pair of eyes that watched her leave.

On her way there, she was stopped by a voice in the corridor. "Alice- Ms. Kingsleigh, may I speak to you a moment?"
Alice looked questioningly at the man who'd avoided her for what seemed like ages as she followed Hamish into the library.

"Alice-Ms. Kingsleigh-" She could tell he was uncomfortable.

"Alice is fine Hamish."

He sighed. "Alice, my father entrusted me with these to pass onto you." He outstretched his hand to reveal a paper wrapped package. "They're for your... Trip."

"Thank you." She paused, watching as he placed the books upon the table. "Hamish I wanted to-"...

"I forgive you," he said abruptly.

"Excuse me?"

"I forgive you. "

"I... Thank you?"

He nodded and turned to leave, stopping as he reached the door. "You know you were wrong about one thing."

"Oh? What?" Alice asked curious.

"I don't love you but that doesn't mean I wouldn't have cared." With that he started to leave once more.

"Wait." Alice stopped him. "Where are you going?"

Hamish turned to her. "I have some business in London myself. We all must move on in our lives mustn't we?"

"Yes I suppose we must... Goodbye Hamish," Alice spoke smiling.

An most contempt look returned to his face as he bowed. "Goodbye Miss. Kingsleigh."

Alice stood perched by the large windows in the library. She waved off to the Ascot men who left, and she opened her package then to find three books waiting for her, one on Chinese cultures and its customs, the other on language, and a note explaining that Ascot had hired a tutor who would join them on the boat to help her learn some basic mannerisms and formalities in business for when they went to Shanghai where a translator was secured and would be waiting upon arrival.

Maragert came in then. "Mother, Mrs. Ascot and I were about to have some tea, would you care to join us?"

Alice nodded, leaving the books on the table as she went to join the women in the garden. Margaret talked animatedly about Lowell and his new job, excited about the prospect of possibly joining him herself, once the baby was born, to know the culture for herself. For a moment Alice thought she saw a flicker of the old Maragret, the one anxious for travel and adventure. She then asked Alice about the business details, asking what she was most excited about. It was Alice's turn to be animated.

"Imagine to be the first to trade with China..." However she was interrupted by a scream.

"Snake!" Margaret yelped, alerting the others. Her older sister seemed to run, while Alice could only stare in amazement at the clear dark onyx eyes that looked back at her for a moment before slithering back into the hedges, its shiny emerald scales glistening fleetingly in the grass, making it look dull in comparison.

"Scon." She gasped in realization before fainting dead away.

Alice awoke in her room, tucked from all ends and surrounded by the three women who each held worry in their gaze.

"Are you alright?" Lady Ascot asked, her concern startling her.

"What happened?" Alice murmured weakly.

"You fainted," Margaret said gently. "That snake in the garden startled you. It didn't bite you did it?"

"What time is it?" Alice asked instead.

"After dinner. Would you like something to eat?"

"I don't think that would be wise in her condition." Mary Ascot said, surprising Alice once more. "Perhaps some tea and biscuits instead?"

Her mother spoke, coming to sit next to her on the bed. "You can take care of that. I'd like to speak to Alice alone if you don't mind."

"I'll send a servant to drop it off. Goodnight Miss Kingsleigh, Helen."

"And I'll go see if Lowell has come back yet. Goodnight mother, sister."

"Goodnight." They left.

Helen Kingsleigh took a moment to stare at her daughter, running a gentle hand through her hair. "I was worried about you out there."

"How long have you been here?"

"Until just now. Hamish, the garden, it's been a trying day."

"You knew about Hamish?"

"Henry told me you were worried, so I talked to him." She frowned suddenly. "I wanted to see if you were alright.

Alice nodded stiffly. "I'm fine."

"Just fine?"

Alice took a breath. "Fine enough."

"So China?"

Alice shrugged. "I wanted to do something useful. Father would have agreed," she spoke defensively. "I'll be fine, you'll see. Lord Ascot will make sure of it.

Helen Kingsleigh sighed. "It's not that I'm worried about. Alice," She squeezed her hand gently, causing the blond to face her. "What happened in those woods?"

Alice couldn't place what it was, memories of Underland, the sight of the snake in the garden, the red-haired man in the shop, Margaret being pregnant, Lowell being... Lowell, Hamish's confession, even the trip to China. Whatever the cause of the sudden weigh that filled her heart suddenly came crashing down upon her as she turned to cry into the open arms of her mother who stroked her hair ever so lightly, wishing desperately to understand.

The next day Alice returned to the garden, feeling slightly disheartened when she found nothing. She looked in the rose bushes, in the hedges, even in the trees, much to the odd looks from the servants who passed, while others were less surprised at her antics, though none knew the reason. Nothing. On her way back in, she couldn't help but wonder, was it really Scon she had seen? Or was it an ordinary snake? The later would be so simply, so easy to fall into. But the serpent had looked at her in such a way, with intelligence and recognition. The possibilities made her head spin and her heart ache once more.

"I must be dreaming."

That night Alice heard a familiar hiss, and when she turned on the light to look out the window, saw nothing. When she returned to lay back down again however, there sat upon her cushion the necklace from before she'd fallen into the hole, the sight sending both a thrill and hole to the pit of her stomach.

She confronted her mother at breakfast. "Did anyone go the rabbit hole?"

Her mother as the others guests looked confused. "The rabbit hole?"

"Yes, under the big tree. It's where I lost my necklace."

"What no. Oh darling, you found it." She noted, fingering the chain.

"You didn't send anyone?" Alice continued.

"No. No one's gone to this rabbit hold as far as I know. Is that where you found it?"

Alice shook her head. "No... No it's not."

"If that's all then, might I suggest we all get back to our meals?" Lady Ascot suggested.

That afternoon she should have been studying her books, she knew, but Alice couldn't think past the sudden appearance of the necklace by her bed. The hiss, and the snake, and most importantly the man whom he was tied to.

That night when she heard the hiss she didn't wait to turn on the light, rushing instead to the balcony where she called out. "Scon?" Nothing happened, but then out of the moonlight came the sight of the pair of big bright onyx eyes sliding onto the rail.

Alice took a breath. "I suppose he sent you here, didn't he?"

The serpent said nothing- not that he could. "What? What do you want me to do? Go back to him?"

The silence was unnerving. "Look I promised myself I wouldn't put myself through that again. Not if I could help it, and I can this time, so don't look at me like that and think it'll change anything." She scoffed. "Look at me, talking to a snake. A snake who belongs to an insane man." She gasped as Scon lunged and held back as she herself retreated, giving a sort of smirk which reminded her far too much of a certain Knave as he too retreated back into the darkness.

"I'm not going back."

S~s~S~s~S

The next few days and nights passed in silence, without event, and suddenly before she knew it, it was the day before she would be departing for Shang High, and her life as an apprentice would begin. Wouldn't father be proud? It was that last day in the garden that she saw it, that big bright blue butterfly flittering through the roses. "Absolem?" The creature continued to fly, seeming to stop a little ways off atop one of the statues. "Nostalgic are we?" She asked lightly, as it had landed on the statue of a posh looking man with a long pipe in his mouth. "How I wish you could speak... Oh Absolem what should I do?" She could almost imagine his voice. Stupid girl, you know what you should do. Go after him? She knew the truth about him, accepted it, but could she accept him? A life of chaos and doubt, without love? Or was it actually love and not fear that made her doubt so, and could she live without it then?

The butterfly glared as if to say: What's stopping you?

"I am."

S~s~S~s~S

Lord Asboth,

Due to recent events, I find the need to suddenly go in another direction. I must respectfully pull myself from my apprenticeship and going with you to China. I realize this opportunity and position are quite generous on your part, and I hope you'll understand that it is a matter of the heart. I ask that you leave my shares of the deals to my mother. And even though I failed to be your daughter by marriage, I hope I might still have your support as a would-be-father in law.

With Love,

Alice Kingsleigh

She left the note with a maid instructed to leave on Lord Asboth's study with an urgency the next morning, then one for her mother and finally Margaret, each letter giving her goodbyes which she would not there to send.

At dawn, before anyone was up, she returned to the Rabbit Hole, dressed in the simple red dress from the shop with a shawl, where she saw Scon waiting. The snake looked at her innocently from its coil, wondering as she hesitated. What would it mean to fall? To give up her family, her friends, a chance at independence in her world, to bind herself to a new one she might no longer be able to escape from, a mad, crazy world without structure or .

And for once, she needed uncertainty. And so, she jumped in.

Landing with a poof upon the ground, she was once against confronted by the many doors. Scon she noted was already there, quite undisturbed by his drop. "How did you..." She shook her head, adding it up to more unknown answer. "Well then, let's go." She started towards the lone door she recalled to be the only one last one. There was the potion, waiting for her, along with the key. A sharp hiss however, brought her back to see Scon traveling towards an opposite door, looking back as though to lead.

Scon, we're going the wrong way." The snake merely continued and with huff Alice followed along to what she remembered to be locked doors.

"Scon its not-" She watched in wonderment as the door opened on its own, and Scon slithered inside. Alice walked in after him, trying not to show her shock. The door closed suddenly behind her, and she turned with a gulp to look at yet another table and potion and another unmarked door, with a simple rusted lock that seemed wasted with age rather than use.

Scon had disappeared, leaving Alice alone. Taking the potion and key in hand, she stepped to the door and took a breath. There was no turning back, only forward. She drank the potion, feeling the familiar sensation of shrinking. She turned the lock, and was greeted by a sight so utterly unfamiliar it was chilling.

Underland had changed again. It was green, very green. The sky was clear, and over the hillside she could see mountains and all great manner of flying and walking creatures in the distance. However she was not in the part of Underland she had been before, neither in Red Queen's or White Queen's kingdom it seemed. Not from what she could tell. She was in a darker place, not barren necessarily but certainly more plain and ordinary with less foliage and no grandeur of any kind. It was just outside a town, near a wooden area, and she could hear faint murmurs of voices not too far away, alongside a pub, and a few houses. It was then that she heard Scon hiss her back to attention, appearing beside her. She took her cue to ride atop him, and he took them out before anyone could see.

All she could wonder as her companion lead her wherever it was he wished to, all Alice could wonder was: How long had it been?

They arrived just outside a cottage of sorts, in a remote area, past many trees and burrows. It was not exactly in ruins, though it looked as though no one had lived there in ages. There were no sounds coming either in or out, and no one in sight. Some cracks were through the walls and the wood seemed chipped in places, with cobwebs at the side of the open windows. And despite its appearance, and that of the surrounding area, Alice couldn't help but feel a sudden sense of home and belonging. She dropped from the snake's back to get a closer look as she headed to a crack in the door which would serve as an entrance. "Scon, where is... He?" The reptile had disappeared once more.

She entered the home, trying not to focus on how large everything looked once more. There was a single table with two chairs, and a study with strewn papers across the floor, most of were scrunched or ripped, then there were slightly newer ones, that sat atop, and Alice couldn't help her curiosity as she began to climb up the leg of the desk to gaze at the scribbles and writings, glancing at the titles of the books piled up on the side. No sooner had she begun to make sense at what appeared to be notes from admirers of sorts, and personal ramblings, more hidden underneath, when she heard the a thump, and laughter from behind the door. She scrambled to place the papers back in check when the handle turned.

Alice hid behind the curtain, holding back a gasp as Stayne appeared, looking bronzed and perfect, with his hair tamed back from his face, black eye patch in place, and wearing his familiar attire of leather gloves, jacket and boots. He also ported a white poet shirt which suited his muscled form, most alarming however was the sight of the girl who was being pulled in his arms. A blond, with large... Heels, and looking not at all tipsy though absolutely giddy.

"Oh Stayne, I still can't believe how large you are."

"Wait till you see the rest of me," Stayne purred, the words and her fawning making Alice feel sick with the most acute feeling of her heart clenching and her lungs starving for oxygen to breath. She felt like gagging.

The sudden twitch in Stayne's cheek gave suspicion that perhaps she had. "Marie, wait for me?"

The blond rolled her eyes nodded, sending him a kiss as she trotted into what was most likely a bedroom that she hadn't seen.

Once she was gone, Stayne began to pace in silence, not seeming to more any farther or closer than his position. Alice took the chance to start towards the windowsill, feeling suddenly intrusive and thrust into a situation she had no desire to witness when the Knave's voice suddenly rumbled in her ear. "Leaving so soon are we? We really must stop meeting like this, little one."

Alice gasped and turned to stare up at the Ilosovic. "I... I was just..."

"What are you doing here?" He hissed, the glare in his eye and rumble in his tone sending fear to core as she was suddenly cornered.

"I... Would you happen to have any upelkuchen?"

Surprisingly enough he did, backing away from her to the pantry where she saw him taking something very akin to a cupcake which he placed before her.

Alice smiled. "Carry that often now do you?"

He shrugged. "Never know what kind of unwelcome company will drop in."

Alice tried to hide her hurt at the words, managing to just hide it with a question of, "I guess it's lucky we know each other then, in case I should have any accidents." She was failing deeply. When she received no further reaction she popped the cake into her mouth, almost immediately herself once more, with her dress more or less clinging to her bod, though somehow still in one piece. "Thank you." She attempted a smile, failing as nerves overrode her confidence. "Who was that?"

"A friend," he spoke dully.

"What kind of friend?" Only then did he speak bluntly.

"Why are you here Alice?"

"I came to talk to you."

"We have nothing to say to each other as far as I know."

"Stayne, I've come here to..." He stopped suddenly her with a hand.

"Actually I'm not interested in why. Leave."

Alice forced herself to breath. "I've come to chase after you Stayne."

"I'm not interested."

"Stayne, who is this?" A voice came from the end, where Marie stood, looking confused and slightly upset.

"Underland's champion has decided to grace us with her presence," Stayne spoke with a haughty tone. "Isn't it wonderful?"

"Stayne please. Just listen to me."

"Is she staying?" Marie asked, taking a spot in the alcove.

"Oh no, little Alice here is not a guest. In fact, she was just leaving."

"No I'm not, not until you hear what I have to say."

That seemed to send him over the edge, as he suddenly grabbed her arm. The leather dug into her arm as he dragged her out of the house into the yard where he turn glared at her. "What? What do you possibly have say that would interest me?"

"Stayne I'm sorry if I offended you. It was not my intent-"

"Not your intent? Was it not your intent when you left standing there, alone, months ago to face my own sort of exile in kingdoms in which I no longer belonged? And now you come back, and expect me to suddenly listen to the reason you came back, which you have yet give. "

"Months? No, that can't be. I don't understand."

Stayne laughed, hollowly as he shook his head. "You really don't know, do you?" He began to circle her, looking ever bit a cat in prey. "Poor naive little Alice. Tell me doll, how much time had passed when you returned to your world?"

"An hour."

"And how long did you stay there?"

"A week," Alice answered feebly.

"Tell me Alice, if you spent almost a week here, but it was mere hour over there, how long do you think an entire week translates here?"

Alice didn't need to do the math to understand just how very long it had been since she'd been gone, at least for him. Time worked differently in Underland; it was completely and utterly unpredictable. It could have been two months; it could have been a year, but either way, it was much too long for the Knave who had spent many a night haunted by dreams of the blond girl who had invaded his world and brought his life to a shattering halt.

"I see your arm's healed," Alice muttered pathetically.

Stayne sighed in suddenly frustration as he kicked the ground beneath him, turning back towards the open door before suddenly turning to meet her eye. "Go back to your Hatter, he's the one you miss the most, isn't he?" He snapped snidely.

Alice shook her head, running up to catch up to him. "Ilosovic..."

"Go Alice. I don't need you. I don't want you anymore. And despite what you may think, I can and will live without you."

And with that, Alice watched in shock as he slammed the door in her face, leaving her out in the cold one might say, as she felt utterly rejected.

The slither at her feet alerted her to Scon who sat on the ground, looking up at her with clear listless eyes that seemed to mirror a touch of sadness in their depths. "You should have stayed away. Why didn't you just stay away?" With that she broke into a run, whilst the first drops of rain fell, helping to hide away her tears which fell just as hard. She tumbled under a large tree for cover, determined to wait out the storm until she could find more viable options on her next move. She fell asleep waiting, her dreams coming in swirls of leather and gloves, and the face of the man she had wished for so long to forget, who didn't need her, who didn't want her, and was determined to live without. And it was all her fault.

S~s~S~s~S

"Alice." A voice startled her awake. Her eyes snapped open, the vision greeting her making her

gasp. "Chess." She sat up, looking at the cat's head which lay hovering over head, blocking her view of the clear sunny sky that greeted her. "What are you doing here?"

"I might ask you the same," he spoke in calm, mannered tones. "Hadn't you go back to your world?"

Alice turned to look away at that. "Yes."

"Why did you come back?"

"I came to fix something."

"And did you?"

"No. No he... It didn't want to be fixed. So much for taking a risk..."

Chess looked at her with all seriousness which seemed unusual with his bright eyes and features.

"Fortune favors the brave."

Alice frowned. "What was that?"

"Fortune favors the brave. It's something you once told my old mistress, the Dutchess. Seemed useless at the time, though it held a certain truth. You had a lot more muchness back then."

Alice scowled at the remark. "I still have muchness."

"Perhaps, but then what'st stopping you now? If not yourself, then what?"

"I don't want to be Underland's champion. And I don't want to be a courtier. I just to be happy. But it´s more than that. What I want, and what I need, are all in someone, whom because of the past who won´t trust me, nor me him." She looked down, thinking of Stayne and Marie doing who knows what, and knowing he despised made her blood boil and her eyes burn. "He's moved on, and forgotten me. Maybe I should too."

"Stupid girl," another familiar yet shocking voice stunned her as she found herself looking up to find the Cheshire Cat gone, and nothing else in its place. Though she could have sworn she heard...

"Absolom? Are you here?"

"Neither here nor there my dear, but that's nothing to cry yourself over. You can't escape the past, but you can start anew," the caterpillar's voice began to ebb out. "Until we meet again, Alice."

"Goodbye Absolem..."

S~s~S~s~S

Alice stayed in the forest just outside the dark side of Underland for days on end it seemed. A lonely crab three (with green crabs as leaves) had taken pity on her situation and offered to house her under its branches from the rain and wind.

That afternoon she had returned, trying to talk once again to Stayne, despite the warning from his horse.
"He won't see you," it had snorted rather condescendingly. Alice had gone up to know nonetheless, determined to speak with the way ward Knave.
He'd opened at the first knock.

"Stayne I-"

"Go away Alice."

"Stayne please."

He just shut the door in her face.

She tried again the next day, and the next, but still nothing. He hadn't even opened the door.

Every morning she would walk around the woods, talking to the animals, plants, and insects, dancing with them, singing with them, and feasting with them. But during her meals were the one time of the morning where she couldn't help but reflect at where she was and wonder over whether or not it was worth it.

She couldn't give up though. She couldn't...

Eventually news of her return was more widely spread. The twins visited her once, inviting her for a quick play they were performing. The White Rabbit, the Dodo Birds, even Mally. And then one day the Hatter, who was a truly welcomed face. The only one who's soothing hug and ability to simply walk with her in the woods, in both silence or chatter without being bored was the most comforting thing anyone else could have done. Despite being the maddest of the bunch, he was nonetheless the sanest and only one who seemed capable of understanding her.

"I heard the White Queen has invited you tea," they asked on their second stroll.

"Yes," Alice replied.

"But you refused."

"It's a tad too far."

"She would have sent an escort."

"I can't find time to get away at the moment."

They stopped at that.

Tarrant sighed and turned so they were facing one another, her hands clasped in his. "Alice, look at you, sleeping in the woods every night, with no one to watch you or bring you food-"

"I'm managing."

Tarrant looked suddenly sad. "Oh Alice... Is he worth the risk of losing everything?"

The way he said it seemed almost like a threat and she threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly. "Oh Tarrant, please, please promise you'll never abandon me."

The Hatter's eyes widened. "Oh no no Alice. I shan't-"

"Promise me."

"I Tarrant Hightopp promise I shan't..."

"I see I've interrupted something once again."

The pair looked upwards to see the sight of Stayne on Erebus, standing at a still. Alice had remembered hearing Stayne rode every now and then in the woods; it was one of the reasons she'd stayed so close, hoping to catch a glimpse of him and a chance to talk. This was the first time she'd seen him. He looked so graceful and elegant on the stead. A flicker of some emotion flashed in his eye before a scowl covered it, too quickly for her to decipher.

"Stayne." Alice started.

"Don't worry. I just need to pass through and I'll be on my way." He trotted forward.

Alice called to him just as he was pulling past. "Stayne wait."

He turned, his horse protesting at the pull. "Yes?"

"Please, don't run away again."

"I'm not the one who ran away, Alice." The word held such malice coming from him. "And now I see why." He turned to look at Tarrant accusingly who glared back and started forward.

"Now see here you-"

The girl quickly went between them. "Ilosovic please, it's not what it looks like," Alice started.

At that he dismounted, his long slender and muscle toned legs gliding down onto the ground before her. "Oh and what about yesterday?"

The blonde's eyes widened. "Yesterday?" Yesterday she had seen Tarrant for the first time, embracing him immediately upon impact and crying from both relief at the sight of his kind and attentive presence as he'd listened to her story from going back home to here. He had been absolutely silent, giving her an encouraging nudge when necessary and a soothing hand on the back when necessary. She had remained for him like that for almost an hour afterward, simply enjoying his warmth and friendship.

But she had been certain they were alone. "You saw that?" Alice asked, frowning when he continued to remain silent, and noticing his glare was trained on the Hatter.

"Tarrant, excuse us?" The red-haired man was reluctant but eventually exited the scene out of sight, leaving the two virtually alone. Alice looked back up to the tall man.

"I'm tired of your games Alice."

"I'm not playing games."

"Then perhaps I'm just tired of you."

Alice shook her head.

"No. You're not. You can't be. We belong toget-"

She was suddenly slammed against a nearby tree, with Stayne panting and looking at her with such heat she thought he'd make her ignite with his glare alone. His grip was tight upon her collarbone and the tree, and she wondered whether or not he was thinking of kissing her or killing her.

"Do you have any idea what madness you've driven me to? For months you haunted me Alice Kingsleigh, you haunted me in my waking hours and nightmares. I worked so hard to forget you, and now I despise you with ever ounce of my being."

Alice glared back. "I've apologized to you every day I've been back. I've begged for your forgiveness. Why can't we just start over? Why won't you let it be like before?"

"We can't."

"Why not? Do you not want me anymore? No? Nothing? Then what more do you want from me?"

"You should never have left!" He glowered, slamming her back once more, and ignoring her wince of pain at the contact. "You should have stayed!"

"I came back." She said. "I came back Stayne."

"After months. Months! I don't care if it was a week for you! You could have come straight away, and I would have forgiven you. But no, you had the decency of letting me forget, and then get the gull to come back. Why? What have I done to deserve such cruelty?"

She stared deep into his eyes. "I love you Ilosovic Stayne."

Such an acute pain shot through her as he gripped her roughly by the shoulders and shook her, staring deep into her eyes as he snarled. "Stay away from me." He stepped away, letting her fall back onto the ground, leaving her to watch as he rode away, just as she had run away from him oh so many times before.

"Tarrant," she called, listening as the bushes shoveled round to let him pass and stand behind her. "What happened after I left."

"For us, and all of Underland, it was a time of peace and justice."

"And for him."

A pause of silence.

"Hell."

She didn't even bother to cry.

S~s~S~s~S

Days passed by where Alice didn't dare to look for Stayne again. By the time she did it seemed too late. According to the villagers he was no longer at home, and the animals claimed he was no longer in the woods. He had disappeared.

Yet Alice continued to wait for him.

One of the nights when neither the animals or humans were about, Alice was strolling to the local pub,shawl wrapped tightly around her shoulders and the hood tucked over her head. She dared not meet the eyes of anyone, though many of the drinkers and gamblers glanced at the new presence with curiosity. Alice couldn't help but stick out. Was there no other color than black in this land?

She took a seat at the bar, smiling up to the bar tender to gave her a crooked grin though he looked at her with a wary look on his face. "What'll you have blue eyes?"

Alice startled. "Oh I'm afraid I haven't any-"

"A white wine for the lady," a voice muttered from the side, placing a gold coin on the counter.

The bar tender looked up to the strange boy who had run up to them. "Oh ye? From whom?"

The boy looked at Alice then, giving her a once-over that was slightly unnerving. "Didn't want me to say." He shrugged then smiled. "Perhaps we could get acquainted instead," he purred, going as far as to pull her to him by the arm. She was really growing tired of that.

"No thank you," Alice said, pushing him off, leaving the drink on the table as she stood to leave.
"Here now." The boy drawled. "No need to be rude..." He was slurring the words, saying she letting her know she should most definitely leave.

She managed to walk a few feet from the bar before her sleeve was caught by the boy. "Hello beautiful."

"I don't seem to recall this being part of our arrangement," a cold voice that chilled everyone in hearing range resonated in the spot. The boy immediately paled, blubbering as Stayne's hard hand came down on his shoulder, is such a bone-crushing grip that Alice was sure she heard a crack before he was thrown down onto the ground a few feet away. She nearly toppled over the counter, and would have had it not been for the hand that steadied her. There was Stayne, glaring off at what might have been a would-be-suitor had it not been for the furious glare of the Knave who's expression was akin to murderous. He had been sitting alone- though there were quite a few women who watched him from the corner, trying to peak his interest- in one of the tables in the back, covered by shadows, but had charged in as soon as the boy had reached out for Alice. The blond tried to meet his gaze, which he seemed to be adamantly avoiding. "Ilosovic?" He stared up at her then, their eyes meeting briefly, and Alice froze, trying to speak, but words failed her. She was unaware of the shock in her eyes that shone like fear, such that it blinded the Knave and caused him to hastily remove his person and stalk out the door to retreat to his lair.

"You know Stayne?" The bar keep asked curiously, bringing her attention back as she sat down, her mind spinning over what had just happened.

"I... We're old friends."

The bar keep snorted. "Not the kind of friend I've seen him with. He wouldn't treat them like that I assure you, and I've known that boy a while."

"Boy?" She couldn't picture the Knave as a boy, even in her memories, he always appeared so mature and aged with unadulterated experience of things she could only imagine but would never be truly privy to.

"Yes, worked for me once, when he was a tyke. Never thought till a few months ago that he'd be back, quite unexpected really. You wouldn't know anything about that would you?"

"No..." Alice said shyly. "But I think I know how to fix it..."

"Well then you better hurry Lass, before it's too late."

Alice turned back to see through the curtains the view of Ilosovic riding on Erebus into the distance.

S~s~S~s~S

Stayne was startled in his reading from the blond mischief that came tumbling into his hovel, slamming open the door as she dragged herself through.

"I came to look for you." Alice snapped.

"I wasn't here," he shrugged.

"For days I looked for you."

"For months I looked for you." Stayne stiffened almost immediately at the confession.

Alice's breath hitched at that. "What?"

Instead he said,"I thought I told you to leave," Stayne bit out coldly, turning the page.

"Not yet. Where were you? Where you with Marie?"

"She left," Stayne bit, not sparing her a glance. "soon after you did that night."

Alice stopped at that. "She left?"

"I kicked her out."

She stopped at that. "You did?"

He shrugged. "The mood was ruined. It's not your business of what company or friends I keep."

"Oh yes, I've heard of your friends. Have many don't you? All chained to the bed?" She backed away as Stayne suddenly abandoned his book, look dangerous as he stalked towards her, making her breath catch as he cornered her to the wall.

"Not exactly." His voice came out in calm, heavy tones. "The fall of the Red Kingdom and the banishment of the Red Queen meant all remaining lands of the King and Queen of old were passed down to Mirana. While many were spared the humiliation of leaving their homes, not all of the Red Queen's residents were found to be disloyal or unwilling enough in the acts against the White Queen's citizens. Many were exiled themselves, sent to fend off and beg, others trying to reconnect with estranged relatives, and most all were made to pay taxes so high that the lowest of the low met a jailor's hand. A few of them deserved it perhaps, but many more were innocent and confused. They deserve some sort of mercy, and I'm willing to give it to them whether it's a night's stay or otherwise. If they decide to do more, it's my business and mine alone."

"Oh." Alice felt as though a ton of bricks had been thrown towards her stomach. "I didn't know."

"It's no longer any of your concern, Alice."

"I'm sorry I didn't come back... I was scared," she admitted silently, only to be met with silence. "Do you miss it? Court I mean?" She asked, ignoring the crudeness in his tone.

"Much of it. Yes." Stayne shook his head. "And a part of me knows that for the time I'm finally free."

Alice frowned at that. "Free?"

"Despite it's cheerful appearance, Underland has always been tainted, or at least a part of it has, the part away from court. This is just a beach in comparison to where I was born. My mother died at my birth, and my father tried to trade me for a time, trying to get rid of one more mouth to feed. There were five of us you see, most of them dead or gone who knows where. I used to run away from whomever got me. I usually got away with it. I would go back home and the cycle would continue. One day however, I wasn't so lucky."

"You got caught."

"Yes, and they made sure I wouldn't run away ever again. You see, it's not so easy to run when a half of you is blind. And it worked, no one would buy me after that. Afterward I went into the streets, learned how to steal and fight so I would never have to beg for anything. I was arrested once, and taken to court, where the king pardoned me, and so I became the Knave of Hearts, and the rest as they say is history."

"Ilosovic..."

"Don't start. I don't need your pity. I don't need anything from you, champion." He glanced up. "Now would you be so kind as to let yourself out so I can read in peace? Alone?" He had turned back to his chair, only to be stopped mid-way.

Alice fumed at that, marching up to him with fire in her eyes and her voice laced with emotion. "No. I came here to talk to you, and you're going to listen and then, I'll leave. But I will not be thrown out until I've said my part, not again."

The Knave raised a disbelieving brow. "Oh? And why should I listen?"

"Because this will be the last time I try to talk to you. The last time I'll try to see you. I'll say my bit and I'll throw myself out for good. Isn't that what you want?" She huffed as he continued only the stare. "I know you don't want me here, and I know you don't need me to be here, and that you could live quite well without me, as could I, but for some reason I do want you. I need you."

Silence.

"And I think you need me too, you just don't know it yet." She was fumbling and she knew "I thought I could live in my world, and I could have. I had a job, a family, I could have met and married someone, had children, done everything a woman is supposed to and more. But it wasn't enough. Nothing is ever enough anymore."

Silence.

"I don't have a perfect plan or reason for being here. This is far from ideal or perfect- I realize that- and I don't need love, but I need you. I don't care that you've killed and all else. I don't expect or want you to change. I just want you. That's it. All that's left to ask is... Do you want me too?"

Silence. That was her answer. Unwavering silence which she now took as her dismissal. "Goodbye Ilosovic." She turned, heading towards to the door, trying to keep her dignity in tact.

Stayne spoke then." Want and need simply aren't enough."

Alice turned. "What more can I give you? What more do you want if not myself?"

He stepped towards her, each heavy step of his boot upon the floor sending a jolt to her heart and by the time he'd reached her she was nearly quivering with anticipation.

"I don't love."

"I know." He might still.

"And this is not certain. This thing between us... I could change my mind at any time."

"As could I." Neither would.

"You're friends don't like me."

"Nor you them." Though she knew they would make the effort and learn to tolerate one another, for her.

"The Hatter..." She dared to reach out to touch his cheek and stare into his eye.

"I don't want him, but I won't give him up. He's my friend, possibly my best friend, but nothing more."

They seemed to stop at that.

"I'm small," she added, boldly reaching out to rest her hands atop the chest of his shirt, where she could feel the hard muscles underneath and most importantly his heart, which seemed to set pace with hers.

He smirked at that, with the smallest of smiles lighting his face. "I happen to be quite fond of smallness."

"How fortunate for you that I like largeness," She whispered in hushed tones, leaning closer.

"Do you know what you're getting into?" He choked, tipping her chin upwards.

"Not exactly." Neither did he.

"Are you going to run away again?" He murmured, his arms coming to hug her tightly to his form, his eyes lighting with a rare vulnerability.

"Will you?" Alice met his headed gaze with her passion-filled one as she lay down all her cards. "Never again," she added with a kiss. "Never again."

They met in a brutal kiss and by then no words seemed necessary.

The End

Feedback is always welcome and loved. All of you, from the oldest the newest, those I've heard from and have yet to, for all times sake I hope you will comment and review. ^^ Tell me what you think!

As a side note, I've started a new fic called: 'Enemie's Tryst' I hope you might check out if you have the chance. It's a bit OCC and Dark, but I have lots of plans and hope you might be willing to take the no longer delaying author into your trust once more to join me on a Stalice extravaganza!