Alice looked up as they approached, her face brightening when she saw Mad. She set the girl gently to the side before leaping to her feet and throwing herself into Mad's arms. He felt as she trembled and was surprised when he also felt hot tears sink into the material of his shirt where her face was hidden in his chest.

Mad patted her back awkwardly. "I'm okay."

Alice rubbed at her eyes before pulling away from him. She glared at him and swatted his shoulder before saying, "You're a terrible person. You scared me half to death!"

"I almost get killed and I'm the terrible person?" Mad asked. He instantly knew he'd said the wrong thing when Alice teared up again. She wiped at her eyes then looked down when Adira tugged at her sleeve.

"Alice?" Adira asked, her voice clear and sweet. Then she shot a dirty look at Mad. "Why'd you make her cry you big bully?"

Mad shook his head in bewilderment and Killian said sternly, "Adira. Is that any way to speak to our guests?"

Adira scowled. "But,"

"No buts. Apologize." Killian said but Mad shook his head, bemused by all of this.

"It's fine. I'm sorry I worried you Alice. I didn't do it on purpose." Mad smiled, trying to get her to laugh.

She didn't, she just frowned and said, "Well, I know that." Her frown turned to a look of concern as she studied his pale face. "Why don't we sit? How are you feeling?"

Mad sank gratefully into an offered chair and said, "I'm okay. I'm still breathing right?"

Alice rolled her eyes and Mad almost laughed when Adira copied her from where she was sitting on Killian's lap.

Alice handed him a glass of water and said, "You had us all so worried. Cheshire was half out of his mind. I practically had to tie him up to keep him from chasing after you." Alice paused, looking around. Almost to herself, she said, "I'm surprised he's not - Oh!"

Mad's breath whooshed from his lungs as someone crashed into his side, tackling him to the ground. He was surprised when he felt claws rake down his face and neck, leaving burning trails in their wake.

He looked up to find Cheshire leaning over him, his teeth bared and lengthening, eyes slitted and glowing. He growled when Mad tried to get up and he had a flashback to when they'd first met, fighting to establish the pecking order of their little group.

Mad knew he couldn't let Cheshire get away with this behavior, even if it stemmed from the worry Chesh had been struggling under lately. If he did, the more animal part of Cheshire's nature would want to test Mad again and again. It was just an establishment of dominance, like within a pack of wolves. Or, perhaps more appropriately, a pride of lions.

Mad grabbed the collar of Chesh's shirt before sending a fist crashing into his jaw, snapping Chesh's head to the side.

He rolled to his knees before lunging at Cheshire, tackling him around the middle, Mad's shoulder driving into his chest.

Chesh's back plowed into the ground and Mad kept him pinned there with a knee, raising his fist again. "Don't make me hit you twice Cheshire."

Chesh's ears were flattened back against his skull, almost hidden by his tawny striped hair and he growled again.

Mad leaned in, pressing his knee more firmly into Chesh's chest. Chesh closed his eyes and sighed in defeat. "Sorry," he mumbled.

He kept Chesh pinned there for a moment longer before standing up with a groan and offering a hand. Chesh took it and stood up, rubbing his head against Mad's shoulder by way of apology before sinking gracefully to the ground, sitting next to Mad's chair.

Mad rubbed ruefully at his cheek before turning to find that Killian had an arm around Alice's waist, having stopped her from interfering. He let go quickly at Mad's raised eyebrow, a blush creeping up his neck when Mad grinned and Alice hurried over, touching his face gently, looking at the bloodless scratches.

Turning, she glared at Chesh with disapproval. "Why did you do that Cheshire?"

Chesh merely shrugged, touching tentatively at his jaw. There was already a bruise forming where he'd been hit. Chesh said, "I was mad at him." He paused and laughed. "Mad at Mad. It never gets old."

Mad sat back down, his muscles angry with the sudden activity. He winced when Chesh shifted, leaning up against his leg, accidentally bumping a bandaged hand.

"Sorry," Chesh murmured again, feeling Mad's pain.

Mad ruffled his ears, looking at the tattered edge of the ear that had been shot. It looked like it had healed nicely. Turning to Alice, he shrugged. "It's fine." With a wry grin he said, "Don't be mad at him."

He waited for them to sit, watching as Adira crawled back into Alice's lap. Then, looking around, he asked, "Where's Maris?"

Alice hesitated, sharing a look with Cheshire. 

Chesh shook his head and Alice sighed. "He's left."

Mad was shocked into silence for a second, then asked, "What?"

He looked at Killian who crossed his arms and, leaning back in his chair, answered, "I thought it would be better coming from them."

Mad looked back at Alice, who shrugged a little helplessly. "He wanted to look for the Spade King. He's not here, so Maris went to some of the other settlements. He left a day before you two showed up."

Killian's face had gone absolutely still and Adira was staring at him. He barely shook his head and the girl looked away, a frown pulling her mouth down at the sides.

Voice a little rough, Killian said, "Why's he looking for the Spade King?"

Alice looked at him, brow puckering in confusion. Mad just raised an eyebrow at Killian. He'd already told Mad he knew why Maris was looking for him, so why did he feel the need to ask Alice?

Still frowning, Alice said, "So he can get rid of the Heart Queen. So the Clubs and the Spades don't have to suffer under her rule anymore." She tilted her head. "Don't you want that?"

Killian looked down and Mad jumped in. "Of course. But Alice, there's a strong possibility that the Spade King is dead. Their royal family was wiped out, just like the Clubs and the Diamonds. There might not be anyone left to challenge Mavros."

"Aside from you?" Alice said with an exasperated smile. Then she looked at Killian thoughtfully. "I don't think that's it. I think he's just afraid."

Killian bristled and Alice continued, a small triumphant smile playing around her mouth. "Afraid to put his people in danger that is."

Killian looked up at her with wide eyes and Alice smiled fully at him. "I know you're not afraid for yourself Killian. I'd bet that if it was just you at risk, you'd storm Heart Castle all by yourself, right this second."

Mad and Killian looked at each other, then at Alice, who looked down at Adira, who looked away.

"You little sneak," Killian admonished but the severe set of his face melted when Adira left Alice to pull herself up into his lap. She wrapped skinny arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.

"I'm sorry Killi," she said sweetly. "But she's a Real Worlder! Just like the prophecy!"

Both Mad and Killian grimaced. Alice looked over at Adira and asked, "And what prophecy is that exactly?"

Killian shook his head, opening his mouth, but before he could say anything, Adira sat up, straight as an arrow and recited,

                    "The game will soon begin.

                    The Cards are in the ready hands.

                   Of one who comes from far, 

                  From distant, strange and Real World lands.

                   She will select her Cards.

                   And if she plays her hand just right.

                 A Spade will trump a Queen

                 And win the long-awaited fight."

Mad felt a shiver skitter down his spine and Cheshire hissed softly. Killian bent his head, hiding his face in Adira's hair and Alice's hand was at her throat, staring at Adira with wide eyes. Killian sighed and said, "Who taught you that?"

Adira looked at where Killian's hands covered her own, then she leaned back to look up at him and said, "Viisi might have mentioned it in class."

Killian sighed again. "Viisi. That old man is going to drive me crazy." He shook his head. "Once a teacher, always a teacher I suppose."

Adira smiled. "He said the words were carved into the floor of the main hall at Spade Castle."

Killian laughed. "That's only a story Adira. The Spade crest is actually what's there. I used to trace the metal inlay when I was small, listening to my father meet with diplomats and other royals. The black was always gleaming against the white marble." 

His voice was almost unbearably wistful when he spoke of his family's home. Mad looked away, not wanting to witness Killian's obvious pain, but it was suddenly harder to just see the kid as a means to an end now.

Adira rested her head against Killian's chest, her little fingers tracing the rank mark on his neck. "I wanna see it," she said quietly and Killian's mouth tightened.

All he did was hug her closer and say, "I know sweetie. Maybe someday."

They all sat there quietly for a moment, each person lost in their own thoughts. The back of Mad's neck prickled then and he turned, feeling like someone was watching him.

He didn't see anything but the feeling didn't go away. He jumped when Chesh sprang to his feet and went into the tent they were sitting by. When he came back out, he had Mad's hat and his guns.

He handed them to Mad who set his hat on his head before checking the pistols. They seemed to be in perfect condition and he smiled. Chesh sat back down, purring in a self-satisfied kind of way and Mad rolled his eyes, but ruffled Chesh's ears again in a show of thanks before shoving the guns into their holsters at his sides.

Killian stirred then and set Adira down. "Why don't you go find something for supper?"

Adira nodded before skipping off, Killian's watchful gaze following her progress through the camp. When Alice touched his shoulder, he turned, eyes startled.

Softly, Alice asked, "How long can you run and hide for?"

Killian's breath caught and anguish flashed in his eyes so briefly Mad wondered if he'd actually seen that. Gruffly he replied, "For as long as we can manage I suppose."

Alice tucked a loose strand of blonde hair behind her ear and Mad got that strange watched feeling again. 

"Is that all you want?" she asked, her fingers twisting themselves together in her lap.

Killian rubbed at his temple like he had a sudden headache and said, "It's not nearly as simple as what I want."

Mad turned around, the sensation of being watched reaching uncomfortable levels. His eyes scanned everything behind him, but he couldn't see anything unusual or out of place.

"Adira deserves better than this," Alice said gently and Killian stood, the motion sharp, hands now shaking with anger.

"Don't you think I know that?" Killian hissed. "But she is not the only one I am responsible for. Others would die and I'm not ready for that weight." He spun on his heel, stalking back through the camp, the set of his shoulders angry.

Alice turned to Mad and said, "Won't you talk to him?"

Mad leaned back gingerly in his chair and said, "What would I say Alice? You're asking him to go to war."

"Maybe a war is what they need," Alice responded stubbornly.

"Don't talk about things you don't understand," Mad snapped, voice hardening.

Alice glared at his tone, then sighed, her shoulders slumping. "I'm sorry Mad. You're right. It's just... these people deserve more of a life than what they have here. They deserve happiness and freedom."

"All people do," Mad agreed. "But what if they fail?"

Alice looked up. "What?"

"If they fail, if Mavros wins, then she will give Tamsus and Rakta free rein to hunt down every last Spade until they're wiped out." Mad scratched at the back of his neck, skin still prickling.

"What's the guarantee that she won't just do that anyway?" Alice asked, pulling Mad up short.

Eventually, he shook his head and said, "But why invite the trouble? She's leaving them alone for now. If Killian does anything, and I mean anything, that changes. And then, it's his fault." Mad frowned. "Not that I think he wouldn't be able to own up to it, but eventually, it would tear him apart. I've seen it before."

Mad stood up suddenly and said, "Someone is watching us."

"What?" Cheshire and Alice asked at the same time, Alice looking up at him and Chesh looking around.

"Who?" Alice finally asked.

"I don't know. But I can feel them. Chesh, come with me." Mad shook his head when Alice stood as well. "No. You stay here."

Alice walked past him, out of the camp. "Make me."

Mad sighed, muttering under his breath about stubborn girls. At least Alice had some appropriate clothes now.

Gone were the blue dress and heels.

Now Alice wore the black trousers and fitted tunic most common women in Wonderland wore. She also had on a pair of black boots that came up to just under her knees, made of some sort of soft leather. Her blonde hair was tied up in a loose braid that just reached the middle of her back.

They walked out into the hills surrounding the camp, searching for possible hiding places. They looked for about half an hour, Mad unwilling to stray far into unfamiliar territory.

"Are you sure someone was watching us? Did you see something?" Alice finally asked, her face worried as she looked at Mad, like she thought he might be losing it.

She wasn't the first person to look at him like that, but it was a little more irritating coming from her.

Mad shook his head, still looking around. "It was just a feeling."

"Maybe you're still just tired," Alice suggested. "You are still healing and you had a terrible fever when they found you."

Mad's fingers tapped at his right gun, which was a familiar weight hanging from his shoulder again. With a sigh, he nodded. Maybe Alice was right and he was just feeling spooky after everything that had happened lately.

It worried him immensely that he had no clue about where Tamsus might be at this point.

It all just felt too quiet.

They started back to the camp, Mad still trying to shake off the feeling that someone was watching them.

They went back to their tent, which, Mad found, had been partitioned into separate rooms for privacy. It was starting to get dark and Alice took his elbow.

"Dinner should be this way," she said, tugging him along. Laughing she said, "The cooks really are amazing. They take seemingly nothing and turn it into these wonderful dishes. I feel like it should be for royalty."

"Maybe if you're lucky, they will be cooking for royalty one day," Mad said, giving her a side-long glance. Alice looked up at him, startled.

Mad grinned and said, "Come on. Don't tell me you haven't seen how the kid looks at you."

Alice blushed, her steps quickening slightly. "I'm sure I don't know what you mean Mr. Hatter."

Mad shook his head. "Why don't we just drop the formalities Alice? It gets a little tiresome eventually."

"Fine," Alice scowled, still blushing. "I have no idea what you're talking about Madison."

Mad chuckled at that. "Oh sure you do. You know exactly what I'm talking about Alice. There's no need to be shy with me."

Alice just shook her head. They walked on in silence for a while until Alice muttered, "I don't think it matters how he looks at me. He's a King and I'm... I'm just Alice. I'm sure it's not what is done here in Wonderland."

Mad patted her hand where it was still in the crook of his elbow. "From my understanding, he's a King. He can do what he wants to. It's really just up to you."

Alice blushed even more. Softly she said, "We were both so worried about you. Killian felt awful. He blamed himself for your condition after the desert and if I had just run when you had told me to, you wouldn't have gotten scratched by that thing."

Mad shrugged. The throbbing in his back had faded to a dull ache as the day went on. "It's not that bad."

"Two days ago it was. It was horrible Mad. I'm sure you'll have a scar there." Alice sounded so upset it warmed his heart.

"Not the worst thing to happen. I'm not dead, so it seems I'm winning the game for now." Mad looked up at the sky, then looked around.

"Still being watched?" Chesh asked, startling Mad when he stepped out from the shadow between two tents, followed by Dinah. "Maybe it's Tamsus."

"You shouldn't joke like that Cheshire," Alice reprimanded, the blush draining from her face to leave pale cheeks at the mention of the Ace of Hearts.

"Who said I'm joking?" Chesh said grimly before tossing something to Mad, who caught it.

Mad's heart stopped at what he was looking at.

"It's his blood." Chesh said with a soft growl. "I recognize the smell."

There in the palm of Mad's hand was what had been the lead of a bullet. The soft metal had been flattened and manipulated into the shape of a small heart, then stained red with blood.