Hi! SO I'm doing another Peter Pan fanfic BUT this time I'm focusing on everyone's favorite pirate ;) This is the story of how he became the man we know and fear, his life before and after Peter Pan and the love that no-one remembers but he can't forget.

Please review and tell me what you think, good or bad I want to hear it :D Enjoy!

The Life and Lies of Captain James Hook

Chapter one

*CLASH*

James brought his sword down heavily onto the table that his opponent had only just evacuated and snarled as he split the wood. Sensing the other man behind him he turned around slowly and the cheering increased.

The room spun in sickly circles and alcohol made the crowds throaty cheer sound like a roar to James. He didn't want to do this...wanted to lie down...rest...where was Annie? But the other man – Jacob – was sneering at him like he'd already won.

"Come on then!" Jacob yelled above the noise of the crowd, he leaned in closer "Or are you scared?"

James shook his head but everything seemed like it was moving underwater, even the rushing in his ears made him think that -

"Coward!" Jacob bawled, cutting into his alcohol-fueled contemplation.

James tensed and slowly looked up to meet the mocking gaze of his accuser, the crowd gasped at the dangerous look on his face.

"How dare you call me a coward." He said, he didn't need to shout for his voice carried naturally and every person in the room heard that single, threatening sentence and flinched.
"HOW DARE YOU CALL ME A COWARD." He shouted suddenly and the spell broke as he lunged forward, Jacob only just managed to fend off the powerful blow and did not have time to recover when James struck again, cutting him on the upper arm.

Jacob howled with pain and began to back away, only parrying the blows that James dealt, his look was one of horror – he thought he'd had him.

James however looked far from horrified, every bit of him oozed power and strength. His white cotton shirt hung loose over his tight, black trousers and gaped open to expose his chest. His whole body glistened with sweat and his lips were set in an elated smile. He had not fought in far too long.

His last, well-placed blow sent Jacob crashing to the floor where people cleared a space around him as James placed the point of his sword at the other mans neck.

The tavern door opened and Liza-May walked in, she stopped when she took in the scene in front of her and ran upstairs to find the only person who could put a stop to it.

"Annie?" She called, knocking insistently on the door. "Annie! It's me, Liza!"

"Coming." She heard Annie reply in her gentle voice and stood back to catch her breath. The door swung open to reveal her friend.

"What's wrong?" Annie asked, her blue-gray eyes widening at the sight of her disheveled friend. Liza sighed, "It's James." She began and Annie flushed,

"Something's happened to him? Oh tell me Liza, what is it? What's happened? I can't bear it!" She gasped, Liza placed steadying hands on her slight shoulders.

"No. He's fighting with that no-good Jacob Hiltern downstairs. I swear to God Annie if you don't stop it he'll kill him." She said in a rush. Annie swayed where she stood and for a minute Liza thought she was going to faint but then she pushed past her and ran down the stairs.

James breathed in sharply as Jacob grabbed the hilt of his sword and began to push it away, he was so close...

"James!" The sound of Annie's soft voice broke into the chaos and suddenly everyone was still and all was silent save for Jacob's heavy breathing.

"Come away James." She said gently, reaching out to him.

James looked at her, his grip on his sword loosening...Annie wanted him to stop. He looked down at Jacob cowering on the floor and let his lip curl in contempt as he lifted the tip of his sword from his throat. The man scrambled upright and stormed outside, knocking a chair over on his way out.

It was over, everyone resumed drinking and tried not to stare as James walked unevenly over to where Annie stood.

She caught him just before he fell but could not carry him so laid him as gently as she could on the floor.

"Thomas, Jack." She greeted two men nearby, "Could you carry him to our room? I cannot lift him." She asked sincerely and before she'd finished talking they were doing what she'd asked, she smiled in thanks as they disappeared up the stairs.

Liza walked up to her and gripped her arm.

"Are you okay?" She asked, Annie nodded.
"I'm fine."

"Well you shouldn't be!" Liza snapped, her temper getting the better of her like it always did. She placed her hands on her hips and spoke over Annie's protests.

"No Annie, listen. He's no good for you, you're better than him! You've given up everything for him – moved away from your family, your friends, all those nice boys that would have done anything for your hand in marriage! You left all that behind for what? Some drunkard who uses his sword instead of his brain? Snap out of it Ann! What's he given up for you? You just tell me one sacrifice he's made, give me one good reason you should stay with him." She challenged, Annie sighed.

"I do not need to explain myself to you Liza but I see you'll not let this go until I do. I love him and that's all there is to it. Love's not about keeping a tally of what sacrifices or what problems you have, it just is. It can't be explained or reasoned with. That is all you need to know, I won't say any more on the matter."

Liza blinked, Annie had never spoken to her so firmly before, it wasn't in her nature. Liza wasn't cruel, just plain speaking, but she hadn't realised how serious Annie was.

"Alright Annie, I'm sorry. You know my temper runs away with me. I just don't want to see you waste your life with someone who doesn't appreciate you."

"But he does." Annie said with a smile, taking Liza's hand. "Underneath it all he is a good, kind man, he just doesn't want anyone to know it."

Liza smiled back, squeezing her friends hand.

"Goodnight Ann." She said and her friend gave her a small wave before turning and walking slowly upstairs.