Almost Alice

The world is filled with The minds of people who try to discuss A light will shine through When no one can save you And you feel The eyes of people who try to decide You'll find yourself lost Inside of the chaos Chorus: The truth is never far away You always give yourself a way[I can't even smile] Through open eye,it's slide of him Won't you reveal to me? Reveal to me... The world is filled with The lives of people who try to define The lines that find you Can anyone save you? Go down the hall

Drink from the bottle And never go home No one's to blame We're always the same[We're always the same] The truth is never far away You always give yourself a way[I can't even smile] Through open eyes a slide of him Won't you reveal to me? The truth is never far away You only have yourself to blame[it's taking all your time] Through open eyes A slide of him Won't you reveal to me? Reveal to me The truth is never far away You always give yourself a way[I can't even smile] Through open eyes A slide of him Won't you reveal to me? Reveal to me Reveal to me... In Transit - Pete Wentz

Alice and the hatter rode to the chessboard the night before the battle. They had strapped large pots of pitch and powder to the bander, once the hare proclaimed it safe.

As the hatter poured the pitch at the far edge of the board and the woods beyond, he looked up at Alice. "Do you really think this will work?" he asked.

She was busily tracing a thin black line on the ground, "Yes," she replied without looking up, "In my history lessons, the scots did something very similar and damaged the English lines. If we can take out the bulk of his fighters it will be easier on us."

The soldiers and archers had been instructed as to what must be done. McTwisp, Mally and the hare were creating more of those little metal balls that detonated so nicely. The hare had lovingly dubbed them his better day busies.

They were as prepared as they could possibly get, Alice thought. She could only hope that Espelth was as good as her word. Not that she had any real reason to trust or distrust her. But in Underland some things were not what they seemed and the worry nagged her.

"I think that will do Alice" Tarrant pointed out, breaking her dark reverie. She glanced down to see a small pile of powder at her feet. "We should get back to the others."

She agreed wholeheartedly. They would fight at dawn, whatever was to be would. And for now, she wanted at least this night with him, should the worst happen.

They lounged in that lovely large tub. Alice settled against the hatter, his hands teasing her deliciously. He pinched and pulled her nipples making her moan and writhe against him. And then his hand slid between her bent thighs to tease and stroke. Playing in wetness that water could not lessen.

"Need you" she moaned to him.

They were in the bed before she could utter another demand. His mouth hot and hard against the softness of her own. She raked her nails down his back as he teased her again. "I'm trying to gentle Alice" he whispered against her ear.

"Don't be" she pleaded with him, moving against him so perfectly. He rumbled low in his chest and latched onto her breast, teeth and tongue driving her made as he pistoned his long, talented fingers in and out of her. "Tarrant!" she cried out feeling that hot knot of desire tighten in her lower stomach. She clenched her eyes shut tightly as the powerful wave of orgasm blasted through her. His mouth followed his hands and she whimpered at the wet touch to tender flesh.

She managed to pant for him to turn around. He knew what she wanted and the idea inflamed him. Carefully, he rolled onto his back and dragged her over his face. She moaned as she let her mouth sink onto him, her teasing fingers pumping him in time with greedy sucks and pulls of her mouth.

His hips lifted off the bed to meet her and she ground back on his mouth. Sounds of mutual pleasure echoed in the room. Her hand slid back to cup his sac, squeezing gently and he groaned loudly. His hand tangled in her hair, pushing her head down just a bit and then he was erupting into the sweet cavern of her mouth.

Alice refused to leave him, though she was certain true ladies would not do such a thing as swallow it down. She did however, feeling the salten slide of him at the back of her throat. She felt herself gag just a tad and backed off slightly.

Tarrant speared her with his fingers as his tongue ravaged her. She was so very close and Tarrant needed to push her over the edge. He couldn't bear to have come without her. Carefully as he licked, he teased the tight freckle between her cheeks, feeling her jolt and then moan.

With a wicked smirk, he latched onto her pearl, sucking hard and slid his forefinger into that untried hole past his last knuckle. She grunted and he pumped both orifices as he dragged his teeth over her nubbin. Alice screamed, her climax so hard that she saw stars, her whole body locked up.

Tarrant wriggled his fingers as much as he was able in the grip of her body and prolonged that keening cry as long as he could.

She was a limp lump as he pulled away from her, and rolled her over. She gave a low throat moan as he entered her. His passion returning with the cries she had released. " I love ye Alice" he groaned as he pounded her into the bedding.

She panted for air, incapable of keeping pace with him tonight. All she could do was hold on and Tarrant was content with that. His strong arms, back and hips driving them both to that glittering end where the colors merged and made new ones.

"L….love you" she finally rasped when he stroked rather deeply and her vision spotted. He was grazing her womb now. Bumping against some part of her that brought her a sharp pleasure pain. Her nails scored his back and sides.

Tarrant slowed, his thrusts deep and languorous now. As he studied her face. "Do ye like it when I ride ye?" he murmured to her. His hot breath tickling her ear, his teeth caught the tender skin just behind.

She nodded, tucking her face against his neck. He rolled them, forcing her atop him. He arched his hips up into her, his hands sliding over the globes of her bottom, pressing her down hard on him, lifting her up. His hands parting her as they bounced together.

Her nails trailed over his chest, raking through the bright orange line of hair that led to where they were connected. He forced his thumb between them. Every motion causing her to press against that wonderful digit. She closed her eyes.

"Nay lass" he crooned, "Open them fer me"

She lifted her lashes and stared down at him as her body began to convulse, "I want to see all o ye when ye come on me cock."

His words, taboo and dirty in her world set her spiraling into a wailing orgasm. He rolled them once more and pounded with abandon until he joined her. His mouth pressed feverishly to her own, her trembling lower lip caught between his teeth as he shouted into her mouth.

They were sweaty, sticky, sore and tired when all was said and done. But Alice had never felt better in her life.

Espelth watched the stars wink out of sight as the chill of morning descended on her. This was it. The day she had waited for. She'd done all she could to be ready. To make sure they were ready. One way of another this half existence was at an end.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Alice stood beside Tarrant, his kilt in place, hat on his head. The long, lethal white sword at his side. A stance so familiar she felt her heart tug. Her hatter did cut a dashing and dangerous looking figure.

He winked at her from beneath the brim of his hat before growing serious once more. His eyes fixed on the woods. She stood beside him, in her armor, her vorpal blade in hand. Once again. Into the fray.

"I'll kill mine, you kill yours and that should be the end of tha" he told her. She nodded hand tightening on her blade.

She glanced over her shoulder to where the white archers were lined behind the red knights. The sound of an army approaching became noticeable and the ground fairly trembled from it. The horde was here.

Chess appeared beside her, "Alice, its waiting for you. At the water's edge. You'll have to climb down. We can't risk it coming closer."

She nodded, taking a deep breath and turned to go.

The hatter stopped her with a firm grasp on her wrist. "Be safe lass" he murmured to her, "I canna lose ye."

She nodded, hoping she was right. He leaned and kissed her soundly before releasing her.

She was hardly surprised when the bandersnatch moved forward and knelt. "Thank you Ban" she whispered and she gained a seat on his powerful back. At least she wouldn't be completely alone.

Tarrant nodded and she gave that smile that he adored more than anything and the bander sprang away, his long claws digging into the stone as he carried her over the board and slippery rocks to the stretch of sand below.

On the water, a black swirling cloud hissed and bubbled at her. She touched the breastplate covered by a bit of Tarran't tartan. "Use that plate only when you need it" Chess had cautioned.

She glance to Ban, "Run to safety." she called to him.

He chuffed and moved off no more than thirty feet. He made it clear he'd not be leaving.

The could swirled around her and she felt cold, peering in the dimness to find the beast within. Something slapped against her hard, sending her sprawling in the sand.

She picked herself up, "Not the best way to start a battle Alice" she reminded herself.

"Show yourself coward!" she shouted.

"Now Alice" came a smooth voice that made her gut seize. A face appeared in the cloud.

"Is that anyway to speak to your mother?"

Tarrant waited until the first half the horde had touched the board. They had moved through trees spattered with pitch. The sticky substance visible many.

"Archers now!" he shouted.

The volley of flaming arrows whistled overhead. Some finding root in the horde fighters, some in the line of pitch Tarrant had left behind. The pitch licked along their clothing and limbs before catching the small sack under their chins.

The explosions were immediate. The bits of the horde falling to the board, no longer moving. Stayne shouted for more to advance but they were met with similar fates. A screech from high above drew his attention and he glanced up to see the Hare atop a jub jub bird hurling small metal orbs into his reserves.

Earth flew a mile high as they exploded as well. The hare high-fived McTwisp who pelted more than a few of his own.

"This is really quite exhilarating!" the white rabbit shouted over the sound.

"Where is the witch?" Stayne shouted.

And she was there, moving through the carnage with her husband. The fire dancing away from them. He roared at her, her betrayal clear. His army was falling to ruin all around him! But he would not lose that crown!

"Damn you and that dead man to the lowest foulest hell!" he snarled, spittle dripping from his lips.

He goaded his mount across the board, unsheathing the black blade. He swung down and faced the hatter.

Tarrant noticed right away that the knave seemed far more mad than he could ever be.

"Ready to die Hatter?" he barked.

"Ye know" Tarrant replied darkly, "If ye are goin to be a villian ye really need to work on that intimidation factor. Ye couldna scare me granny."

Stayne laughed, "Oh I will slay you Hightopp and then I shall have Alice if the beast doesn't kill her. Maybe I would even then" he laughed again, "You do recall how she responded to my kiss don't you?"

Tarrant knew that the knave was goading him to anger, hoping he would make a mistake. "I'm mad" Tarrant told him, "No stupid. And I will ha yer head."

"I doubt that. You die here today."

"I doubt tha" Tarrant replied, shifting his weight, "I nearly ran ye through las time we fought."

Stayne frowned, "Only because you fought dirty."

Tarrant advanced on him, those glowing orange eyes carrying dark promises of pain and retribution. "Theres no such thing as fair or dirty fightin ye spineless lil fraction of a mon. Only winners and losers. I know which one I am. Question is… do ye?"

Stayne lunged, sword raised but Tarrant blocked the attack easily, sending the knave backwards with a powerful blow. He slashed at the taller man, but Stayne leapt backwards avoiding the killing blow. Steel clashed on steel, sparks flew in the air, the clang and whine of metal on metal drowning out everything as else as two men battled for Underland.

Alice knelt in the sand. Panting and bleeding, she fought for air. She was so very cold now. She clutched her arm, which had been laid open. The beast shifted from one form to another lashing out at her. Everytime she tried to land a blow, her mother's face danced before her.

She looked up at the dim light, she was losing.

The beast launched itself at her as she made to gain her feet. She was too slow, a wounded leg hampering her. She braced the impact but heard a snarl and saw a flash of white as the bander tore at the beast. Only to be lifted easily and hurled away.

Alice head the sickening crack and high pitched whine that followed. She glanced over her shoulder to see Ban draped brokenly over the rocks in the water. Already the crashing surf was tinged red.

"You bastard!" she shouted.

"Such talk to your mother." It taunted.

Alice tore the tartan away, "You are not my mother.

She labored for breath, the long barbed tail already having beaten her badly. The dim light hit the breastplate and amplified it. The light arched up and outward until the entire area was saturated in a brilliant golden glow.

The beast hissed and recoiled, the illusory mist fading. Leaving the beast to face Alice.

It was a horrid looking thing she decided. Not as tall as the Jabberwocky, but bulkier. It had that barbed tail she knew so well and long neck. A great, gaping maw atop it and it flashed five rows of razor sharp teeth at her. It stretched it's neck out to snap at her and Alice swung at it.

The vorpal blade laid the large cheek open and it reeled backwards, clutching it's wound. It's long tail sailed past and Alice avoided it but it curled and caught her.

She flew through the air to sprawl on her stomach in the sand, she cried out as she rolled to her feet, seeing that sharp branch of driftwood had punctured her mail and into her side. Blood ran freely. "Not good" she muttered to herself. She didn't have much time left, she knew it.

The creature roared at her, great jowls shaking. She weakly shoved her sword upward and she dashed beneath it. Felt the soft give of the belly and then a scream as it reared back away from her. It flopped on the sand for long minutes shrieking in pain and outrage. Alice lunged forward again and slashed at the large throat. Blood and gore spewed everywhere, coating the sand in sticky black blood.

Alice stood on shaky legs, vision spotting until it convulsed and went still.

She lowered her head, clutching her side with her free hand. The vorpal sword slipped form icy fingers. She lurched towards the bandersnatch. She stumbled over her own lead feet to land across his large paw. She slowly rolled on to her back, tears coursing down her face. "S…sorry.. B..ann" she wheezed. She glanced down at herself. Dented, dinged, scratched, bloody, dying. She had failed Tarrant, but at least not Underland.

The world narrowed to a spot of black and she closed her eyes.

"Alice!" called a voice and she fought to open her eyes. Heavy. Why so heavy?

Espelth knelt beside her, stroking her hair, "On my poor Alice" she said, "Look at you."

Alice tried to speak but words wouldn't come. The pain was dulling now, that was a good thing wasn't it?

"Tarrant is winning and you killed it Alice. You killed the beast."

She managed a wan smile, "Te…ll him….so…sorry…L…oo..veee..hi…"

Espelth shook her head. Beside her the Hightopp moved, extending a glass orb to the witch. Espelth took it carefully.

"You are badly wounded Alice. You will die of you remain in your body now. It must be repaired. Breathe Alice, breathe your life into this vessel and I shall hold it safe for you." she urged.

Brown eyes shifted to the Hightopp. Espelth cradled her cheek drawing her attention again, "Not like him Alice. You won't be like him. But Tarrant isn't finished. The white sword must meet the requirement before it can sever it. Trust me one last time Alice. Please! Breathe!"

Alice felt the glass at her lips and a terribly painful rattle began in her chest. She breathed into the vessel and all was darkness.

Tarrant locked swords with Stayne, both men showing signs of tiring now. Leaning forward, he head butted the knave and the man sprawled backwards on the ground amid the ruins of his fighters. Stayne tried to slither away but Tarrant held him still with a boot to the ribs.

When the man uncurled from his painful position, the hatter spun the sword in his hands, just as he had before. This time however, there was no Alice to stop him. He drove the sword down hard, hearing the screech of offended armor and then the crunch of it giving. He felt the squishy softness of the man within and then the bite of hard stone as the blade exited the other side.

Stayne twisted and screamed, scrabbling at the sword impaling him.

"Tha answers the question" Tarrant growled to him. Then he twisted the blade and the knave's scream went silent, blood bubbling up from his mouth. Tarrant left him there like that, to bleed out in agony from the white blade. He shook himself to clear the red haze and then someone shouted.

He looked up to see a silver crown spinning over his head and felt ill. That meant only one potential ruler remained didn't it? He bolted across the board, screaming her name.

"Alice!"

They rushed over the edge of the chessboard. Tarrant nearly breaking his neck on the sharp slippery rocks in his haste to get to her. His eyes widened on the terrible tableau. Alice and Ban, broken and bleeding and terribly still. He shook his head, "Oh no. No no no!" he cried out as he flew across the sand.

"Tarrant don't!" Espelth shouted, trying to catch him in her arms. He shoved her away and skidded to a halt a foot away from them. He touched a bloodied white paw and shook his head again, then he sank beside Alice, smoothing her matted golden hair.

He noted the dark smear at the corner of her mouth and wiped at it with his thumb, shaking to see it was blood.

"Alice?" he whispered, gently drawing her closer to him, "Alice? The knave is dead, you killed the beast. We've won love, we've won."

She was limp in his arms. He pressed his mouth to hers, to her eyes, to her hair, "Alice. Please, oh please Alice."

Espelth made to cross to him but the Hightopp put his arm out to stop her. She glanced up in surprise, "Argus?" but he made no move to leave.

Tarrant had suffered a few wounds too, nothing like Alice and the bandersnatch though. It hurt him physically to see them like this. To see her. He curled around her, shaking in his silent grief.

"Hatter!" Mally squeaked, "Ban is still alive!"

He nodded stiffly against Alice's hair, "Take him to the castle. He's a hero" he commanded quietly, voice tense with grief. He rose cuddling Alice to his chest as they administered the Pishsolver to the bander.

"Majesty!" McTwisp cried out, "Tarrant! We have wounded, they need to be stitched, quickly!"

Tarrant shook his head ,but Mally stopped him. "She wouldn't want others to die Tarrant." she said bluntly, looking at Alice.

The Hightopp raised his arms to take her.

"Tarrant" Espelth said sadly.

"What do ye want?" his voice was low and devoid of emotion. His eyes another story altogether.

"The others need you now Tarrant, please let us take her back and wash her." Espelth begged.

Slowly, his heart aching, Tarrant handed her to his long dead relative. "Please" he whispered. The Hightopp carefully accepted her, gentle in his motions.

Her head lolled terribly, her arms limp and Tarrant swallowed hard. With a great deal of inner conflict he turned from her and began to make his way to the waiting wounded.

Tarrant paused to look back at the Hightopp, his adrenaline from the battle raging against his sorrow. He shivered. There was something in those cold green eyes that urged him to action. He couldn't explain it, but he nodded and hurried on.

The hightopp made his way to a horse, swinging swiftly onto it's back and then he was dashing back to the castle. Espelth went to the chessboard and took up the discarded silver crown. Looking over her shoulder she saw Chess watching her. "Here" she said handing it to him, "Crown your king."

Chess took the crown in sad paws and went to find Tarrant. But Tarrant was furiously moving among the wounded. His great skill as a hatter lending itself to patching up those whose wounds had already been cleaned by the rabbit and the hare.

"Tarrant" Chess said, "Your crown."

He didn't even look up as his hands flew over a patient, "I doona want the bloody thing."

So Chess merely slipped the crown over his foreleg like a great bracelet and lent himself to the task of purifying wounds.