"So, what we'll do," Jest decided, "is we'll have create a distraction."

"Okay," Elsie interrupted. "What's the distraction?"

"I don't know," Jest sighed, "but we'll figure it out."

"Alright," Raven nodded. "The distraction has to be large enough to attract the attention of all the guards. Otherwise, there's no possible way we'll make it out of the land of the White Queen alive."

"You're right about that," Cath frowned. "Victoria is clearly a bit mad."

"She's definitely changed in these past five years," Jest agreed. "She wasn't exactly happy when she heard that I failed my mission. I should have never come back here in the first place."

"It was good that you did," Catherine said thoughtfully. "Otherwise, we wouldn't have been able to find you."

"I guess that's true," Jest shrugged. "But now you are all in danger. If we don't make it out and one of you dies, I shall hold myself personally responsible."

"Well, don't," Raven said firmly as he perched on the armrest of the couch. "It's getting late and we'll need a fire. Elsie and I will go on a search for firewood while the two of you prepare some dinner."

Jest and Cath nodded in unison as the other two departed from the small cottage. Immediately, the former two entered the tiny kitchen.

"Oh, Jest," Catherine sighed, "it's been so awful without you. I'm so sorry, my love. I should have never gone back for Mary Ann. I should have just gone through the Looking Glass with you and Hatta and Raven when I had the chance."

"Cath-"

"I was stupid to go back for her."

"Cath-"

"I should have realized that it would end in disaster or that-"

"Cath!" Jest sighed, putting a comforting hand to her cheek. "Catherine, you couldn't have known that...that what happened would have happened. Don't blame yourself."

"But it is my fault," Cath argued as tears formed in her eyes. "If I wouldn't have gone back for her, then you-"

Her words were cut off by Jest's finger being pressed to her lips. Her perfect, soft, pink lips. How badly he wanted to kiss her, to tell her that he loved her and didn't want to ever leave her side again. But there was one think that stopped him.

She was married. While technically, being in Chess made her single again, once they returned to Hearts, she would once again belong to the King.

Cath didn't belong to Jest.

Not yet.

"It wasn't your fault," Jest said softly. "And besides, it doesn't matter. We're together now, aren't we?"

"Yes, but we could have been together this whole time. We could have come here to Chess together. We could have gotten married and had a life together."

"And we can still have that. We just have to get back to Hearts and...and we can be friends," Jest shrugged.

"Friends?" Cath frowned. "Friends? You think I came all this way just to be your friend? Jest, I came here because I love you. I love you and I want to be with you. I don't want to be married to the King."

"Cath, like it or not, you belong to him now. It would be wrong for you to end the marriage," Jest sighed despondently. "Believe me, there's nothing I want more than to be with you, to be your husband. But Cath, the King is a good man. You can't simply leave him."