Chapter One

Wendy Moira Angela Darling stood at her window, watching the horse-drawn carriages move through the streets of London, as the fall rain poured down from the black and gray sky. It was a miserable day, and the dark weather perfectly matched the girl's mood.

Wendy sighed as she moved away from her beloved window and continued to pack her belongings into a large trunk that rested on her bed. She had prolonged the moment as long as she possibly could, and now was the time to leave with her head held high.

The time had finally come; the time in Wendy's life where she was finally considered a woman. And with the title of woman came the hideous prospect of leaving her home, to live with a private tutor and attend more social gatherings to gain status and suitors.

Wendy had ultimately fought to stay, but when her father had looked into her eyes and pleaded with her to go, the young woman found that she could not refuse him. So now she was leaving her childhood dreams behind and entering into the unknown waters of adulthood.

Peter would be furious, She thought with a wistful smile. He'd most likely make me walk the plank for my betrayal. Or worse, maroon me on an island surrounded by flesh-eating trolls.

Before she knew it, Wendy had created a story from her random thoughts, and was laughing aloud at the result.

"Wendy," someone called shyly from the doorway, making the girl immediately stop laughing. But upon seeing who it was, her humor returned.

"Nibbs, you won't believe the story I've invented! It's perfectly ghastly!"

The 13 year old grinned at his adopted sister and fully entered the room. "What story, Wendy?"

The familiar spark entered Wendy's eyes as she began to tell him, "I'll tell you all tonight." And then she stopped, realizing her mistake. Looking at Nibbs who was almost taller than her, she felt the tears prickle in her eyes.

"Actually . . . I-I-I suppose the story will have to . . . wait."

Nibbs brought his sister into a hug, "Nah. You can tell me the story in your first letter. That way you'll get to write it out, and we'll get to hear it as you would want us to, without it being rushed or forced."

Wendy hugged him back and held onto him tightly for far longer than was deemed appropriate. But Wendy had never been one for propriety. Besides she needed to remember Nibbs as he was, before she left him.

Out of all her brothers, Wendy was going to miss Nibbs the most.

Since their return from Neverland the two had grown extremely close and were the best of friends. And because of this, Nibbs was taking her departure the hardest.

"I'll write as often as I can," Wendy promised as she pulled away from her brother's comforting arms, "Every day, if my tutor allows it."

Nibbs rolled his eyes, "Let's face it, you'll write even if your tutor disagrees."

Wendy giggled but didn't bother to reply, because they both knew it was true.

Without another word, the young woman closed her trunk and donned the shawl she had laid out on the bed. It was time to leave.

Looking out of the window one last time Wendy turned her gaze back to Nibbs and asked the question that had been eating at her since she had begun her preparations.

"Nibbs . . . if Peter comes back while I'm gone . . . Will you tell him what has happened?"

Nibbs nodded, "Sure Wendy. If that's what you want."

Wendy, satisfied, grabbed her suitcase, and her brother grabbed her trunk and together they left the old Nursery.

The two siblings walked down the stairs to the parlor where the rest of the Darling family were waiting for her. Wendy kissed her mother first before she turned to her brothers.

All the children who had once been called Lost Boys were now presentable young men, with the future clawing at their heels. But despite the fact that all of them were growing up and changing, the boys still considered Wendy their makeshift mother, and always had loved her.

A large group hug ensued with Wendy in the middle and the boys surrounding her, all leaning into to snuggle with their sister one last time before she left. Wendy cried freely as she kissed each of her brother's goodbye.

"You must be good for mother and father," she said to them as a whole. "And make sure that you all do well in your studies, so that when I come back for the Holidays, we can have some real fun."

"Yes, Wendy," the boys chorused in unison, before they all exchanged glances, mischievous smiles appearing on each of their faces. Wendy grinned as she realized that her brothers were up to something, and waited patiently for them to reveal their plan.

After a moment all of the boys got on their knees and looked up at Wendy with loving eyes.

"We love you, Mother Wendy!"

Wendy lifted her hand up to her heart and smiled through the tears that were pouring down her face. "And I love you, my dearest Lost Boys."

The boys all smiled at the title and stood up once more at the prodding of Aunt Millicent, who was trying to discreetly dab at her eyes.

Then Wendy purposely turned to face her father, and she immediately saw that he was crying too.

Slowly the girl wrapped her arms around him and buried her face into his chest, "I love you father."

George Darling had never been good at expressing his emotions, but Wendy knew that he loved her too. Even if he had a hard time saying it.

"I-I-I-I. . . That is to say . . . Have a safe jour-journey, dear."

Wendy stood on tiptoes and laid a tender kiss on her father's cheek, making sure she didn't bump his glasses with her nose in the process, "Farewell father."

Then with the help of her brother John, she muscled her baggage out to the carriage that had been waiting, and got in.

As the carriage pulled away from house, Wendy closed her eyes and lost herself in her stories, taking comfort in the familiar tales, as she left everything she held dear.

And not to long after closing her eyes, the young woman fell asleep, unaware of anything but her own dreams.

George Darling was worried about his daughter. Not only was she strong-willed and independent, but she had proved to be a disgrace to her family time and time again, making it nearly impossible for her brothers to progress in society and gain status fitting of their heritage.

So it had been decided that Wendy would leave London in the false pretenses that she was going to live with a private tutor, when in fact she would be in the company of one, Captain James Gray.

The Captain was a man of wealth and dignity who had inquired for Wendy's hand in marriage several months prior. And with the girl's uncanny knack of scaring men away, the Darlings had jumped at the opportunity, happily promising their daughter's hand to him once she reached his estate in the country.

Though George had felt horrible about lying to Wendy, he knew he had to do what was in her best interests. And marrying a rich sea captain was more than anyone would have thought possible for the outspoken storyteller. So with a heavy heart, Mr. Darling wished his daughter a safe journey, knowing full well that the next time he saw her she would be a married woman.

As the carriage faded out of sight, Mr. Darling cried, knowing that he had betrayed his lovely daughter . . . His Wendy.

Author's Note:

This is a fic I've wanted to write for a long time, so I decided to buck up and finally write the darn thing! ^^ This is a Wendy/Hook story, so if this pairing disturbs you please stop reading!

Also, I might change the rating to M in later chapters. . . Still debating.

Thanks for reading guys! Please leave me some feedback and tell me what you think!

~Lyn Harkeran