Hatter's Revenge (rewriting - read at own risk)

Ch. 17: A Substantial Degree of Paranoia

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.