The world spun as I opened my eyes to a wooden ceiling, darkness surrounding me. Coming to my senses, I became aware of hushed voices outside the bedroom door. I sat up slowly, wincing from a pain in my side. I supposed that would happen after one gets stabbed through the stomach. Cautiously, I lifted my shirt up and touched my stomach. The wound was gone... Strange.

Looking about, I realized I was back at Cheshire's. I was in Chesh's room. The door was closed and the lights were off. I must have been sleeping when they brought me in. I pull myself out of bed, fully knowing I would be scolded for doing so, and walked over to the door slowly. When I pushed it open, I saw Chesh and Rab seated on the couch talking. I had hoped to my presence known with a calmer approach, however the squeaking of the door gave me away.

The two looked up and Cheshire stood. "What're you doing out of bed?" he asked, rushing over to me. "You should be resting."

I leaned into his touch. "What happened?" I asked. "I thought I was going to die..."

Chesh took no time in picking me up, resting my head on his shoulder. "I'll tell you later. Let's just get you back to bed for now," he whispered into my hair.

Though I wanted to know what was going on as soon as possible, I nodded and allowed myself to be carried back to bed. He laid me down and pulled the blankets up, making sure I was comfortable before he kissed my forehead and left. I watched him go. When the door closed, I sighed deeply and tried to sleep.

The room fell silent, but I could still hear soft whispers as the two outside talked back and forth quietly. I knew they were talking about the queen; that was probably why they didn't want me in the room. I wondered if she had been found by her guards yet. If so, there was a bound to be a riot. They could storm the forest. Maybe the centipede had taken over for the queen, and if he had, then I was sure he was already plotting something.

As I lay there, I started feeling worried. So much so I found I was unable to sleep. Was everyone okay? I had seen Rab and Cheshire, but I didn't know about the others. They hadn't been talking with Chesh and Rab, as far as I could see, they hadn't been in the house. I hoped everyone had made it out safely.

Eventually, I fell asleep; however, my sleep was haunted by nervous nightmares. I tossed and turned, seeing blood and hearing screams. I didn't know who was screaming because the other sounds were far too loud to make out specific voices. I saw the queen with her sword and I heard it slice through me. I didn't feel pain though, I could only see it. On the faces of my friends. I cried out and begged to have the torturous stares taken away, screaming for darkness so I wouldn't have to see anything.

Suddenly, I felt a hand shaking me awake. "Alice... Wake up," Cheshire urged. "You're screaming."

Blinking my eyes open, I stared up at him. When I had grounded myself in reality, I settled back. "Sorry..." I murmured. 

Chesh smiled and brushed my hair with his fingers. "It's alright. Nothing to be sorry about," he said. He leaned down and kissed my forehead gently. "I'll leave you alone now. If you need anything, just call me. I'll be in the living room."

When I realized he was leaving, I reached out and grabbed the edge of his shirt in a panic. "Wait... Please..." I said. My throat tightened as the thought of being away from him again hit like a ton of rocks. "Don't go..."

A frowned creased, Cheshire's brow, but he didn't protest and slowly sat back down on the bed next to me. "What's wrong? Are you in pain?" he asked.

I shook my head and forced myself to sit up. I placed my arms around Cheshire's neck and pulled him close to me. Then, as I buried my face in his neck, I whispered, "I thought I'd never see you again..." I said with a shaky exhale. I squeezed him tightly. "I thought I was going to die and never get to see you ever again. I thought I wouldn't get to tell you how much I love you. I-I was so-... so scared!"

Cheshire rubbed my back. "Hey, it's alright. There's no need to cry over it," he said.

I didn't even realize I had been crying. "It's not alright. It's not alright at all!" I said.

Cheshire sealed my lips with a kiss, halting my tears in an instant. When he pulled away, he smiled. "You know, this reminds me of that one time when you decided to take a suicidal walk through the woods on your own," he said with a grin.

I stared at him. Then I hit his arm. "That wasn't alright either," I snapped.

But I couldn't help a small laugh, pleasing Cheshire. He pulled me into a hug and rested his chin on my head. "I don't know what I would've done if you had died," he said.

I made a small hm and snuggled closer. Part of me wanted to say that he would've run back to the queen, but that would have been cruel. There had been enough cruelty in this world. 

Cheshire made patterns on my back. "I thought I lost you, you know. I found you in the woods, pinned to that tree, and..." His patterns slowed, "I thought my heart would stop."

I felt moisture in my hair and I looked up. Cheshire's eyes were red and he looked away to hide his face. "Sorry... I know you've seen me cry before, it's just embarrassing," he admitted.

I laughed lightly and reached up, pulling his to face mine again. I wiped his tears with my thumbs and kissed him slowly. He let his hands fall loosely around my waist as he kissed me back, all his love infused in that one kiss. The moment shared that night is one I wouldn't soon forget. Nothing in the world could come between us in that one moment, not past betrayals, not even death. I remembered all the fear I'd felt when I knew I was going to die. But through it all the thought of Cheshire, just the thought, was enough to keep me calm. With Cheshire by my side, I wasn't afraid of anything.

*******

"You really should be in bed," Cheshire told me, walking over to help me to the couch. 

I rolled my eyes and pushed him off. "Calm yourself," I said. "I'm fine. I could make it through the woods with my eyes closed."

"I'd like to see you try," Rab said with a chuckle.

"I wouldn't," Cheshire said. He frowned unhappily as he watched me sit down next to the rabbit. "Why do you always sit there...?" he grumbled.

"Because you won't pay attention otherwise. Now sit over there and be quiet," I instructed, pointing to a seat on the other side of the coffee table. 

He pouted but did as he was told and sat down. Rab chuckled. "You have him house trained, Alice. That's very impressive."

I smiled, pleased. "He's a good boy," I said.

"I'm a cat not a dog!" Cheshire retorted. 

Everyone in the room laughed and I sent Chesh a reassuring glance. He knew I was joking, but he scowled anyways. He'd get me back after the meeting was over, I was sure.

As we ll sat there conversing about domestic matters to ease waters, there was a sudden knock on the door. Cheshire went to get it, but the door opened before he got there and Jabberwocky walked in. He tipped an imaginary hat to the room and bowed his head. "Good afternoon, friends."

Cheshire, after getting past his initial surprise, glared at him. "What do you want?" he asked.

I stood up, more aware of Jabberwocky's help than his brother. "Don't be rude," I said. I walked over to Jabberwocky with a smile. "What brings you here today? I don't think I've ever seen you normally." While everyone raised their guard, I spoke calmly with him.

He chuckled. "You are correct. We have yet to have a civilized conversation." He took a glance around the room. "However, as delighted as I would be to sit and have tea with you, I am here strictly on business," he said with a cool smile.

I looked around the room "Who do you need to speak to?" I asked.

"The Hatter. If he wouldn't mind stepping out for a bit," He held a hand towards the door, "I would be very grateful."

Hatter stood up and the rest of us watched as he bid us farewell and left the house. I wondered what business he had with Jabberwocky. Strange, the others seemed to hold an immense grudge against him. Perhaps that was why he had avoided speaking with me out in the open that time before.

Suddenly, two arms draped around my neck. "Don't be so nice to him," Cheshire grumbled. "It makes me jealous."

I rolled my eyes and turned to face him. "You're so touchy. I'll have you know, he's the reason I forgave you," I said. "If he hadn't told me what he did, I might've hated you forever."

He stared at me. I said too much. Quickly, I kissed his cheek and walked into the kitchen while he stood there blankly. Finally, he snapped out of it and turned quickly. "Wait! When did you even meet him?" he asked.

I waved him off as I set up a tray of muffins and tea. "Don't worry about it. I'll tell you later."

*******

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