Disclaimer: All characters, even those based on real people, are entirely fictional. The original characters / settings of Peter Pan are the creation of J. M. Barrie.

Chapter 1

Mr Barrie walked along the pavement with the usual spring in his step. Dressed in his evening best, he charged up the stone steps of Number 14 and rang the bell. As the door opened he could hear the laughter and felt the warmth of it, the Darling household.

Barrie was greeted by the beaming but shy face of Liza, the almost questionably young looking housemaid. "Good evening Mr Barrie, sir."

"Ah, Liza. You are looking as delightful as ever" Liza dropped a curtsy to hide her blushing cheeks, and took Mr Barrie's hat and coat.

From out of the Drawing Room came Mrs Darling, the loveliest lady in Bloomsbury. "James! I am so glad you came. Are you well" she asked, kissing Mr Barrie on the cheek.

"Oh yes... quite well, thank you Mary." was his reply.

Mrs Darling gestured to him to follow her into the Drawing Room. He entered into what appeared to be either a jolly party or an out of control rabble; everywhere children were running about, dancing, laughing and shouting. In amongst all this, Mr Darling was attempting to regain some parental control. On hearing the door close he turned and, seeing Mr Barrie, smiled and grasped the other gentleman's hand in a firm and friendly shake. "James! How are you? Please... sit down. Children! Children! Uncle James has arrived!"

A sudden throng of children were surrounding Mr Barrie. Nine children, to be precise, and all clamouring for James' attention. "Uncle James!"

"Inky Man!"

"Have you brought me a present?"

"Have you written any new stories?" All were bombarding him with questions as they always did, and Mr Darling was trying to quiet them as he always did. But as they settled, Barrie noticed a tenth child leaning against the piano and looking uninterestedly towards the other children. There was a touch of melancholy about the boy's face, and there was a nervousness in the way he stood, as if ready to bolt at the slightest sign of danger.

"Well, hello... and who are you?" James kept his voice casual and friendly, but the boy only replied with a steely glare.

"James..." announced Mrs Darling as she walked over to the strange youth, "This is Peter." The boy appeared agitated when she put her hands on his shoulders, but he said nothing and didn't shrug her off.

"I'm very pleased to meet you Peter. My name is James Barrie. I hope we'll be friends." Peter looked up at him with a curious expression on his face, but still said nothing.

Wendy Darling, unable to control her own excitement, rushed forward and stood in front of Mr Barrie "Peter is to stay with us!" she almost giggled "He is our new brother!" At her words, Peter's face flashed with anger and he barged past Mrs Darling and Wendy, slamming the Drawing Room door and stamping up the staircase.