She wasn't sure where she was. The light was blinding in ways, and it called seductively to her. Voices were deep and thoughtful, caring. It murmured all her worries away, embraced her with a fire and heat she had never felt before. Invigorated her into a renewal she didn't know possible.

And then his voice called out to her. Crashed her into a blackness so deep. Who was it? Why? Why would he bring her back? She had been ready! She had been ready to disappear! Into that heave...Who dared called her back?

The blackness seemed to go on forever and ever and ever. No matter where she turned, it deepened and it lengthen and it crashed over in waves of cold numbness. Was she going to wander here forever?

“You lost Pidge?” The voice was small, almost barely noticeable. Or it was loud...shattering the silence like a hammer on glass. The girl looked down at the creature...her mind warped it...shifted it...”Yeah you're lost again aren't you. You're gonna be late for the tea party you know.” It was a rabbit. A pinstriped rabbit with a fedora...or whatever that hat was that 20's mobsters wore. Her mind struggled with its name. “Damn, you forgot me too didn't you?” The rabbit shook his head, and then as if noticing his own form, made a loud squeal of displeasure. “What the jack is this form! Disgusting!” The girl blinked, and in that fraction, the rabbit had become a man, tall...dark and handsome. Black slacks, a pinstripe vest with a white shirt. The hat....He looked like a man of class of the 20's. “Jack, next time you go into a -bzzzzt-, Don't turn me into a damn rabbit.” The mobster looking man....he watched her intently. “We need to get reacquainted Pidge. Because I'm your-.”

“Who am I?” Was all the girl could say, in the blackness of this dream...with a man she had never met before. “Who are you?”

“Jack ghoulie, you've really neglected this far back.” The man reached over, cupping his face in her hands. “I'm Leroy, Your weapon-. You're Nevada, My partner....” He scowled at the blankness of her face. “I'm gonna lead you out of here pidge. Ever since that fight...” His words started to break up in her mind, fuzzing over with things. A loud buzz covered most of what he said...”So that's the deal. I'm gonna wake you up. I can't be hiding out here with you forever. We have to fight again.”

As he took her hand, a sense of awareness hit her. Instead of blackness...it was like a veil lifted. It was bright at first...and then dimmed down. She knew herself for that brief moment. Yeah her name was Nevada...She was a girl. Young. She had brown hair...green eyes. Eyes? Eye. Her hand came up to touch her face, feeling the bandage of something covering her left eye. When she went to tear it away, Leroy reached over...taking her hand in his.

“Not yet. You can't yet.” Leroy face was one of absolute anger, “Don't touch it. Don't do anything to it till I say.”

“Why?” Nevada cocked her head, “What's it matter?”

“Because I haven't touched it yet. Too busy trying to get you to wake up to heal it.” Leroy hissed.

“Oh...Why do you-”

“Enough with the questions! Jack Ghoul. You've been -dreaming- for too long already!” Leroy let go of her hand, keeping one tuck in his, pulling her towards the winding paths.

“Where is this?” Nevada studied the world, in all its fashion. It was....far more colorful then she thought a world could be. The tree's varied from pink and blue and green...patterns of striped and polka dots and checkered. It was....odd. Like a wonderland. Her mind fuzzed again, it hurt so much. “Why does my head hurt so much?”

“Probably because we're pushing the boundaries now. This is one world I've never been too...You've really -dreamed- up this one.” He snorted.

“Now now now. That is neither here or there is it little reaper?” The voice was playful, almost teasing. The pair looked up to the branches where it originated...and into a pair of violet eyes framed by a dark skin and black hair. Though the oddest of the girl was the purple cat ears and tail and though Nevada thought it not possible...her mind said this was natural. Leroy seemed to have quieted, squeezing Nevada's hand tight. “You're suppose to take her back you know...” The girl pushed her fingers up to her lips tapping them, “You know the king and queen would be contrite should the little girl wander around lost here. She's been lost for so long already...”

“I don't think you need to worry cat.” Leroy threw up the finger, “I'll bring her when she's damn well ready to be.”

“What...” Nevada studied the girl more, “Is she?”

“I am not a what little girl, I am a who. But who is based upon you. I am Candace for now. A mentor of sorts....A guide of sorts.” The Candace cat dropped down and touched her her lips to Nevada's. “Continue to the left and you will find the next step, next curve in the path. I'll be around if you need me baby-” She jumped back as Leroy swiped, giving them a coy smile and wink. “See you soon Darling.” And disappeared, leaving only a remaining soft laughter.

“I hate that dame. So jack damn bossy. She's been nagging me ever since she found you and brought you to the infirmary. ******** bossy lady.”

“I thought she was nice.” Nevada shrugged, “Really pretty too. Have I met her before?” A sense of something nagging at her. Waking up? Seeing her face. But there wasn't cat ears. Her hand went up to her head again, rubbing the temple. “Why does this hurt so much again?”

“Because memories are coming back to you right now. The more you remember, the closer you are to leaving this place.” Leroy's words fuzzed out again, deafening her ears.

“Oh...Then I guess we keep going?” Nevada took Leroy's hand, lacing her fingers through it. For a moment, she wondered if what he was to her was romantic...but something told her not. As if reading her mind, Leroy snorted, stopped them before pulling her in a hug. “Um...Leroy?”

“I can see your thoughts clear as day Pidge. We're not just partners. We're soul mates.” He hesitated before bending down and placing his lips on hers. “But here is the only place we exist together like this so....We're not lovers or anything like that. Which is a damn shame because I'd do a lot just to be your lover...” He shrugged, pulling back.

Nevada looked thoughtful for a moment, then sighed. “My mind and my body says that would be good...but I feel like my heart is torn.”

“Ghoul, there is a lot more then just this keeping us apart than your heart. We are a whole different species. Even if I existed in the world I am suppose to, our relationship wouldn't even be” He snorted, pulling her now along the path. “Plus...You've got others you think about all the-Speak of the ******** pumpkin king Jack now...”

Nevada blinked, wondering about his colorful choice of words when sound caught her attention. The winding path they had walked shortened, then dropped into green bright grass. A crooked building stood in front of her, shadowing over a large table.

“This isn't the right one. Tea party...” Leroy mumbled, “Those guys are distracting you again.”

Before she could ask who those guys were, A broad and large black man dressed up in a colorful outfit appeared, He had a broad smile, deepened only by the shadow cast by his large hat with a card tucked in it. She looked up and up and up to see that it was a moon symbol when something else appeared by the large man. It was a much shorter...much more angrier looking rabbit. His face was set in a scowl as he tugged on large floppy blonde ears. Like bunny ears. He even had a small bunny tail.

“Oh Nevada! Been waiting a long time for you girl!” The larger mans dimples winked at her, the big arms reaching down to scoop her up and set her in one of the plush seats around the table. As it was empty, Nevada moved to get up. “No no no Gorgeous, you just stay right there! We got words to say between us after all!” He winked, moving over to the hare and nudging him. “Stop pouting over your ears Otto and get the girl something to drink.”

“Otto?” Nevada eyes widened as she looked at the hare. Beneath the ears, was a red scowling face. One she knew well...one that made her heart bump a little. Why did it do that?

“That's because the a*****e was the first for you to like. You opened up to him, treated him nice-”

“Here's your damn tea. And some freaking Chocolates. Because we just cater to who the ever ******** comes here...” Out of nowhere, the Otto hare slammed a cup in front of her, glaring at Leroy, neatly placed by the tea was a large box of chocolates as well. “Now drink it and get out of here. Wait...” He grabbed some chocolates. “Or you can stay here with us, not like it matters to me...” Otto plopped down in a seat next to her, staring at the table that was magically littered with all sorts of cups and treats. He idly pulled on his ears, popping a chocolate in his mouth...out of the corner of ear eye, she could tell he was still looking at her.

“That's no way to treat a lady Otto!” Tuck appeared again, lifting Nevada from her seat and settling her in his lap. Those dimples...she didn't understand why her heart raced now...Why did it beat so much. “She's our precious friend after all. Best friend even!”

“Dammit Tuck Hatter ******** whatever and s**t, You guys are distracting my ghoul again from where she needs to go.” Leroy moved to take Nevada, and the girl secretly wondered if they liked to tug on her like a toy. For some reason it was actually heart warming in a way.

“I don't think she wants to leave anyways.” Tuck shrugged, “She gets WHATEVER she wants here. If she wanted, She could have Me or Otto and she wouldn't have to feel like second-”

“Second place?” Nevada finished, looking up to Tuck. Yes she remembered now. These two...they were her crushes. They were men she cared for so deep it hurt...and they both had other women to turn to then herself. She pushed herself from Tuck's lap, smiling at him. “I can't feel like second place when I wasn't even in the running right? I like thinking we make better best friends anyways!” She bent down, kissing Tuck's cheek. “When I get back...I'll tell you that again. But It won't seem like a lie to comfort each other okay?” To the Otto hare, she reached out and hugged him, and hugged him tightly.

“Hey, your crushing my ears stupid.” Otto grumbled, holding onto her regardless.

“Don't you want to stay with us Nevada?” Tuck seemed just a bit hurt, his face mirroring a pain she had, tipping his hat back. “We're the ones you gave yourself too so easily. We both carry a piece of your heart you know.” he held out his hand, showing her a fragment of a blood red crystal...And when she pulled back from Otto, he tugged on the one in his earring. “It's not like you can just forget the feelings you have for us.”

“That's enough Nevada.” Leroy wrapped his arm around her waist, “Stop with that second place s**t. It's just some fantasy you made up because you think you're a victim. It's bullshit, you can't control peoples feelings....”

Nevada clutched at the reapers arms, looking at Otto and Tuck, “I can't. I can't forget it just like that.” She shook her head, “But...” Nevada struggled to pull herself from the blackness that started to creep on them.

“NEVADA.” Leroy's yell woke her again, her head rolling back to look at him. “Don't you ******** give up because of something this small...”

“Yes...no, I don't have to forget...I just have to let go” She clutched her head, swimming in the nostalgia of Otto and Tuck's memories with her. They weren't all unpleasant. They had both made good friends...they would both make great friends if she just let them go.

“Here.” Otto crouched in front of her, holding the piece of jewel he had. “just cause we ain't in love or whatever, don't mean I don't care about you stupid. You're still my friend.” He frowned, “You can like me and not love me anyways right?” He snorted, “S'not like I have anything more then a piece right?” he ruffled her hair, pulling her up to stand with him.

Nevada couldn't help but smile at him, Otto. Her first love. So grumpy but yet still so cute. No not cute...Handsome. She had a good handsome and caring friend. She reached out and hugged him again, taking back the piece he had given her. It changed from red to a deep purple, shifting in shape from a jagged piece to a smooth round one. She held it back out to him and shrugged. “I'll just tease you as a friend then Handsome.” The words sounded more like herself. She kissed his cheek as he grumbled away, tugging his ears to hide the blush.

Tuck hatter though looked at her, waiting expectantly.

“We haven't solved our problem yet Nevada...” Tuck snorted, holding the piece close to him. “You're not ready to take this yet back. You force it and it'll ruin everything we were. When you come back, me and you will talk, y'hear. We'll talk because I care about you and because you're my best friend.”

Nevada nodded, reaching out to lay her hand on Tucks. “You're a good man Tuck, So when I get back...We'll talk. We'll talk about those feelings anyways.” She let him keep that small piece of red jewel for now, stepping back to lace her hand through Leroy's. “I always have fun with you guys, So I'll come back to visit okay?” She smiled as she waved with her free hand. The scene disappeared and reappeared as a path...filled with roses and maze like bushes. As if her mind was coming aware, she knew who was waiting for her now.

“It's not fun if you already know who it is!” The voice was clearly female, and not at all like Candace's. Leroy even seemed to relax at it, and a warm almost joyous feeling spread. Finally. “Well don't look so happy to see me!” The voice stepped out to reveal a small form of a girl. Shoulder length wavy brown hair contrasted against the white uniform. On the girl's arm was the emblem of a heart.

“Hi! I'm Stormy, The jack of hearts! I came to take you to the tea party since you know...You've been taking FOREVER to get here. Oh but I think you knew that anyways!” The girl smiled, holding her hand out for Nevada.

“Actually WE came to get you.” Candace took Nevada's other hand, Leroy falling back now. The cat girl's tail twitched as Stormy brightened even more.

“Good evening Miss Cheshire. Did you come to join in the actives?” Stormy waved her hand, “I've always wanted to have a tea party! We're so lucky the queen is throwing one!”

Nevada chose that time to speak, looking at the Jack of Hearts. “Stormy....Who is the queen of hearts? And why is she throwing a tea party?”

Candace chuckled, looking over as well at the Jack. “Don't tell her! It's a surprise~”

“Oh but a hint won't hurt Miss Cheshire. Okay Nevada, I'll tell you cause you're my best friend and all....and I'll share only a bit of this secret with you....” Stormy leaned over, “You'll know her as soon as you see her. It'll be like looking in a mirror!” The Stormy knight giggled, tugging them faster to the castle. “Hurry or we are going to be late!”

Nevada hurried her steps, keeping up with the two women pulling her into the foyer of the castle. A sense of foreboding was brief until she was blinded by the sheer elegance of it. Hearts decored the hallways, as well as prim red roses in gold and white vases. High arch ceilings carried master works of glass and metal, Chandeliers lit the rooms with a bright white light.

What happened felt like a blur as she was ushered into a side room, Stormy and Candace stripping her of the plain dress she had never known she had even been wearing into a more elegant lavender ball gown. Her long brown hair was anointed into a complicated series of of twist and curls. Cascading down the middle of her shoulders.

“See, Gosh your so pretty Friend! Like a princess, Almost like sleeping beauty!” Stormy stared dreamily. “Ah, That's what I'll call you here instead of Nevada! Sleeping beauty because you are sleeping!”

“Sleeping?” Nevada looked over at the Knight, her eyes narrowing. “I'm sleeping-”

“NO MORE TIME!” Candace grinned, pushing the girl out. “It's time for you to meet the queen and prince of hearts!”

“Wait....” She wanted to know more! Stormy gave her a small wink and waved her hands, leading them into the ballroom. It seemed everyone was there...everyone from her memories anyways.

“The prince is going to want to dance with you pidge...” Leroy wrapped his arm around her waist protectively. “I hate this guy the most out of them all.”

“Wait...Why do you hate-” She was beginning to think Leroy hated most of the guys when she was swept away by someone...someone she knew. Another person...her mind whispered the danger, and around the man's neck was a large crested piece of blood red jewel...bigger then the piece even Tuck held. “Prince....Ro-”

“No.” The man turned her, smiling shyly at her at first, “No I am the Prince of Hearts.”

“Why do you have a huge piece of mine?” Nevada was starting to get sick of all the turning, wondering if this was the side effects of whatever Stormy and Leroy had been hinting at. Or was this because her mind still fuzzed, her stomach was a mix of fear and longing. How odd.

“Because for awhile...I held it.” The prince slowed, “Because even in here, I wanted everything to go back to normal. To step back in time. Don't you remember....before you ******** up, we were normal.” He glided her along, “We were just two people who liked each other, cared for each other. Each others companion to come back to. We were friends.” The prince dipped her, holding her in suspension. “Don't you want to return to that?”

Did she? Did she want to return to normalcy and take steps back into the past? That's what this prince wanted. This version wanted her to forget about everything and just go back. Her mind darkened, the black edges of being lost crept in. Before Otto, before Tuck, Before Stormy and Candace and Everyone.

Before Leroy.

“Sorry Roland, your turn is up...” Leroy lifted her, cradling her against his form. “I won't let you have her again.”

The prince at first seemed pissed, but his face fell into confusion and finally set into stoicism.

“It's fine for now, besides I don't have it all anyways.” Roland reached up, unclasping the necklace with her jewel in it. For as extravagant and as big as it was, Nevada was surprised when he opened it up and another piece like Tuck and Otto's was produced. “I wasn't able to get anymore than this anyways.” He laid it into Nevada's palm, then turned her hand over to kiss the knuckles. “But we'll see in the future right?”

Nevada stared blankly, before nodding. She leaned over again and kissed Roland's cheek, patting it as the awareness seeped in again.

“It's time to face the queen!” Stormy appeared, pushing her up. Up what? Up stairs, endless stairs. “And then after that, you'll be awake again! Don't forget about us here okay!” The Jack of hearts hugged her one last time.

And then she was left with stairs and Leroy, who managed to never leave her side and the small fragment she had reclaimed. For what reason, she didn't know.
The stairs were endless it seemed, and the more she walked, the heavier she got. The more she pushed, the more it stifled her. And when she couldn't walk anymore, it was then that a room appeared. A door marked with a large heart...no, a door marked with two hearts. A white one and a Red one.

“We made it.” Leroy huffed, “Last door until we get you home.”

Nevada hesitated before pushing it open, stepping in. The room was...plain. Two bunk beds and...it seemed like it didn't fit at all with the world she had come up with. In the middle was...her? No. No not her.

“Alaska.” Nevada covered her mouth, afraid that the girl had heard her. But she had and green eyes that matched hers sidled up, looking at her critically. The bunk beds disappeared and the room became the image of what she thought it should be. Alaska was decked in a red gown with laced gold. Her shorter dyed hair boasted brown and red, with a large heart crown on the top.

“I've been waiting for you white queen.” Alaska spoke, opening her arms. “We have much to rid you of.”

Nevada raced to the arms, her gown changing to white, her head heavy with the white heart crown. They rolled together in a flurry of white and red and laughter until Alaska placed Nevada's head in her lap. Leroy politely moved himself to sit down away from them. Watching. Waiting.

“You've been punishing yourself White Queen.” Alaska ran her hands through Nevada's hair, “Don't you think its time to stop?”

Nevada was quiet...”Do you think I deserve a second chance?”

“I think you deserve a new beginning...”

“What about you?”

“You never need to apologize to me.”

“Will you forgive me...if I stop being like you? Will you forgive me if I give you up too?”

“That me that is you...is nothing more than a wall Nevada.” The red queen hugged her twin, “Time to let it fall. Time to stop hiding behind me. Time to stop expecting to be Alaska.”

Nevada closed her eyes.

“It'll be hard at first, but you will cope.” The red queen kissed her forehead, lacing her hand through the White queen's. “I'm there now, don't rely on yourself anymore. Remember your friends now. You are not alone anymore Nevada.” The red queen looked to Leroy now, “You will never be alone with him either. He won't allow it.”

“Will you take me home?” Nevada held her free hand out to Leroy, clutching still to the red Queen's. “Both of you?”

“Sure, We've spent too much goddam time here anyways.” Leroy took it...leaning down one last time to kiss the white queen. “I'll like it better when we don't have all these voices in our head.”

“Yeah...It'll be better to see them in person.”

“We will lead you out White queen.” Alaska's voice melted with others. Her body felt heavy again. She felt light but heavy. She heard the steady beep of something. She didn't know what though. The beep sped a little...

/Open./

/Open your eye Nevada..../

/OPEN.../

And she did...into the bright white of the infirmary room.

“We made it home Leroy...” Her voice rasped out as she drifted again...asleep, but this time just resting. Not a coma but...

/Yeah we made it back.../