Tarrant knew there was something about standing on the balcony with Alice that made this a Memorable Moment. As he shifted his weight slightly, he caught notice of her hands on the banister. Warmth flooded his mind--and his face--as he remembered how wonderful it was to feel her skin on his own, calling him from the Madness.

“You touched me,” he said softly. At her confused look, he elaborated. “At the castle.”

He watched a slight blush formed on her cheeks. It almost seemed as if she was embarrassed by her actions. Then, she looked at him in the eyes. “It seemed like the right thing to do,” she finally said.

A smile grew on his face. What a perfectly Alice-way of seeing things, he thought delightfully. She, however, didn’t seem to share in his pleasure. He watched as she looked away slightly, unusually quiet.

Maybe, he thought, she didn’t want to be reminded of her actions. Perhaps, he worried, she was frightened by what she saw in his make-shift workshop. His eyebrows furrowed as a frown uprooted his smile.

“What is it?” she asked, worried.

A consideration of words beginning with the letter A was in order, Tarrant thought suddenly as he fidgeted with his hat.

Avoidance.

Abstain.

Avert.

Alice.

Alice’s hand?

No, but yes--She gently set her hand on top of his own, stilling its movement. He looked at her, eyes wide in surprise.

“Hatter?” she asked softly.

He hesitated slightly before his words came tumbling out of his mouth. “I didn’t scare you, did I? I mean if I did frighten you and I really am part of your dream I would be, that is, I mean, I would be more of a nightmare than a dream which would be absolutely--”

A squeeze on his hand stopped his rant.

“I wasn’t scared of you, Hatter. I was scared for you,” she answered softly. “I’m just glad it worked.”

He allowed himself to relax slightly, his grin returning. “Me too.”

Alice looked at him for a second before releasing his hand. “I suppose I should go to bed…so I’m ready for tomorrow,” she said, sounding unsure.

“Have you made you decision yet?” he asked eagerly, putting his hat on his head. “About being the Queen’s Champion?”

She shook her head slightly. “Afraid not,” she said, turning towards the castle. She drew in a long breath. “Hatter, what happens if I don’t want to become Champion?”

“Then the Resistance t’was fer naught and Marmoreal will fall,” he answered, his Outlandish accent sneaking in the conversation.

“I was afraid you were going to say that,” she said as she started making her way back inside.

As he watched her walk away, Tarrant knew he needed to do something--anything!--to make her feel better. He stepped in front of her, blocking her way into the Main Hall.

“Alice,” he said, cupping her face, mirroring her earlier actions, “I know you can do it. You are the Alice and will be the Champion of Underland.”

A wistful smile passed over her face; Hatter wished that he could hear her Thoughts. “You always have believed in me even when no one else did…including myself,” she whispered.

He let his hands fall back to his sides, unsure if he helped her or not. At least her frown had gone.

Tarrant watched her as she stood there, seeming to debate with herself--a past time that he was quite familiar with--,in silence. Finally, with a Determination that only a Champion could have, she walked a step closer to him and stood on her tiptoes. A gentle kiss caressed his cheek.

“Thank you, Hatter,” she whispered, leaning towards his ear.

He smiled as she stepped away from him. “You are certainly most welcome, Alice.”

Yes, he thought, this was certainly a Memorable Moment.

Part two