Alice sat in the living room of the Shack most of New Year's Eve, settled with a book in her lap and a cup of tea in Stan's chair. She'd been alone most of the evening, but it hadn't bothered her. Ford was deep in the forests, she wasn't sure what he was doing but he had told her not to wait for him, so Alice busied herself reading and correcting her notes on the Luminiferous Cranes.

The only thing that distracted her was Stan.

"You know," Alice mused from his chair, pulling her feet onto the seat and shutting her book over her thumb. "If you want me to move you could ask nicely."

"I don't need to ask nicely, lady," He snorted at her with a slight scowl. "This is my place, remember? That's my chair."

Alice chuckled, arching into the chair and letting her body settle comfortably.

It had been a strange pattern between Alice and Stan, where he teased her mercilessly and Alice shot back. Ford had told her that Stan's goal was getting a rise out of her, and Alice had met it with a very similar outlook.

"Well," Alice mused, her socked foot tapping against the arm of the chair. "Guests get priority, right?"

"Guests are supposed to be polite, not squatters," He retorted, his scowl deepening as he stomped over to the chair and towered over her. "And they certainly don't take up the best seat in the house."

"I'm perfectly polite," Alice gasped, hand over her heart in mock hurt, "I'm five-star and so much more."

"Yeah, yeah, I'm sure you're a regular princess," He snarked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "But that doesn't entitle you to take over my chair."

"Maybe not a princess," Alice mused, slipping her hand from the book and setting it comfortably on the dinosaur skill next to the chair. "Maybe an heiress would be better."

"Heiress, huh?" Stan echoed, his annoyance giving way to interest. "You sayin' you've got some money tucked away somewhere."

"A very nice divorce settlement," Alice responded, adjusting the pages in her journal and settling it atop her book. "But it's for emergencies."

Conceding over the battle of the chair, Alice pushed off the recliner, stretching her arms behind her back. Stan's interest perked as she spoke and he rocked forward on his toes, feigning nonchalance.

"For emergencies, huh?" He repeated, a sly smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "That sounds pretty useful, I bet. Nice and... Profitable."

Rolling her eyes, Alice settled her hands on her hips, glancing at Stan with a light chuckle. She collected her books and tea cup, hoisting the books under her arm and sipping the last dregs of tea from the cup.

"While I have your attention," Alice started, leaning on one leg. "I wanted to ask you something."

Stan raised a brow at her, and she could see the curiosity mixing with suspicion in his eyes. He leaned back, resting against the wall and folding his arms across his chest.

"Yeah? What is it?" He asked, his tone tinged with wariness. "You ain't askin' me for money are ya?"

"Do you really think I need your money?" Alice asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Alright, alright," He conceded, a smirk playing across his lips. "You got me there. So, what is it you want, princess?"

Alice tried not to roll her eyes at the nickname, she'd been graced with so many that she stopped keeping track. 

"Ford asked me to join you two on the boat," Alice continued, waving her free hand as she spoke. "I told him if you said yes, I'd come. And he hasn't mentioned it sense, so I'm taking the initiative and asking myself."

Stan's expression turned thoughtful as he considered the question, and Alice felt a wave of anxiety flow over her as he pushed off the wall. In a few strides, he was standing in front of her, his arms crossed over his chest.

"So you wanna join us on the boat?" He repeated, his tone reflecting consideration. "Ford's taken quite a fancy to you, hasn't he?"

"I- I suppose so," Alice started, her voice catching slightly. She straightened, reflexively turning to chin to meet his gaze. "We've been seeing each other since summer, It's bound to happen."

"Seein' each other, huh?" He repeated, his tone laced with mischief. As if studying her, Stan began to circle her. For a moment, Alice felt like she was being hunted. "That's a nice way of puttin' it. But I gotta ask... How serious is it?"

"Serious, for me at least," Alice answered honestly, holding her ground as he circled her. "I care about Ford. And while the idea of sailing across the ocean doesn't exactly appeal to me, I'd do it because he asked."

Stan's smile widened at her answer, his steps halted as he stood in front of her. His eyes roamed over her, assessing her like a hunter would game.

"So, you're willin' to do it 'cause Ford asked you to, huh?" He mused. "You must care 'bout him a lot."

"I do," Alice breathed, steeling her nerve and meeting Stan's gaze. "And I know you're doing the tough twin brother act, but I'm here because Ford asked me to stay."

She bit the inside of her lip.

"And I would choose to stay, over and over again."

Stan's smile faltered for a moment, a flicker of something Alice couldn't identify crossing his face. For a moment, they stood there, sizing the other up until Stan's smug grin returned as he tilted his head.

"So, you and Ford... You're serious about it, huh?" He regarded her. "You ain't just playin' him are ya? 'Cause Ford... He's pretty darn fond of you."

"I'd never," Alice confirmed, her heart fluttering in her chest at the suggestion. "I'm not that kind of person."

Stan's gaze softened at her response, some of his usual snark falling away. He studied her carefully, his expression more serious than she'd ever seen him.

"Y'know, Ford... He's been through a lot," He began, his voice low. "More than you could imagine. I ain't gonna get into that, but let's just say... He doesn't let many people into his life. And him askin' you to sail with us... Well, that's pretty significant."

"He's told me," Alice replied, sliding her free hand into her pocket. "He's been honest and open with me, and I'm grateful. I want to make him as happy as he's made me. And if that means sailing? Then I'm willing to."

"Look, I don't say this to threaten ya or nothin'," Stan nodded at her, his voice low and solemn. "But if you hurt Ford... If you break his heart... I will make you wish you never set foot in this god-forsaken town."

Alice met his steely gaze with her own, her lips pressed tight together.

"Nothing you say could scare me," She responded, her voice stronger than she expected. "I wouldn't hurt Ford and I'd never regret crashing into this town."

They regarded each other for a moment, neither backing down as the silence fell between them. It felt like a showdown between two opposing forces, with the same goal in mind. Stan snorted, his smile suddenly returning with a hint of respect. He took a step back, settling in his chair and crossing his arms.

"You've got fire, princess, I'll give ya that," He admitted, his tone begrudgingly impressed. "Ya ain't as flimsy as I thought you were."

"I'll take that as a compliment," Alice nodded as he shifted in the recliner. Leaning against the doorframe, and bracing her empty cup on her hip. "And I hope you'll let me come..."

Stan let the silence stretch between them for a long moment, studying her from his chair. After what felt like an eternity, he let out a deep sigh.

"Alright, fine, you can come along," He conceded, pointing a finger at her. "But so we're clear, I'm keepin' my eye on you. One wrong move with Ford and you're gone, ya hear me?"

Alice snorted, shaking her head, "I'll leave that to Ford. It would be his choice, not yours."

Stan chuckled, his smirk widening into a grin.

"Feisty," He mused, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Alright, princess, you win. But mark my words, I'll be watchin' you, close."

"I'll count on it," Alice smirked back, tapping her knuckles against the doorframe. "Now if you'll excuse me. I'm going see if Ford's back yet."

"Just make sure you two keep things PG-13, got it?" Stan suddenly teased, his voice taunting.

"Oh, dastardly," Alice snorted, a smile crossing her face. She turned into the kitchen, and she heard, under his breath, Stan mutter.

"I swear, she's either gonna be perfect for Ford or drive 'em nuts."