Author's note: Welcome! Just so you all know, us co-writers (Sophie and Emma) are sincerely hoping that many new characters are going to appear on the show in future episodes. Aren't we all? As Wendy could be one of them, we hope you enjoy our views on what would have happened in her back story. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: None of us own Once Upon a Time. Unfortunately.
Wendy sighed, flipping pages of the latest adventure book she could get her delicate hands on. This was yet another story about the epic battles pirates endured, a topic she was obsessed with.
Setting down the book, she rolled over her fluffy mattress and stared up at the mahogany canopy. She wondered why she felt like she was forgetting something; something important. Of course, she figured many people who were traveling often related.
Feeling the ship roll slightly back and forth, bobbing with every wave, Wendy wondered why her parents would never take an airplane. Ever since she was a small child, they had always brought her towards the water, vacationing only by beaches, lakes or rivers. They claimed they "can never be up too high; there's a thing called air sickness." Wendy adored ships and the sea, she honestly did...there was just something about it that made her uneasy.
Only a few more hours before they reached her new country, Ireland. It could be worse, Wendy thought, we could be moving to Australia and then we'd really feel out of place. Ireland was much closer to England, and it was the best choice she had. Not only was her entire family moving to the island, but her fiancé, Peter, decided to come along.
Wendy blew a stray strand of wavy, dark blond hair from her face.
"Wendy?"
Wendy forgot she was lying in a bunk bed and jerked up. She yelped as she hit her head on the springy box mattress above her. "Ow! I mean-um-hello, Peter."
Peter smiled childishly, "How was your nap?"
"I was reading! Not napping!"
Peter shook his head, "I know, I know! Only joking."
Wendy grinned. Peter locked eyes with her, and sat down next to her on the bed. Wendy shifted slightly. Peter's clear blue eyes searched her face. "I hope you're happy."
"Happy? Of course I'm happy. I'm getting married to the love of my life-" She playfully poked Peter's forearm, "-in 3 months."
Peter gave her a sad smile. "That's not what I meant. I know you love England-"
"Oh come on, Peter. I don't really care where I am, as long as you're there. If both our parents want us to start our new life in Ireland, I can deal with it." Wendy tried her best to look pleased.
Peter smiled and kissed her forehead, then stood back up. "I have to go back on deck. I think your father wants me to help him get his bags-and you know how long that'll take."
Wendy giggled. "Yeah, go on."
Peter turned and left, leaving Wendy alone again with her thoughts. She stood and fixed her hair in the built-in vanity mirror. She smoothed her ivory three-quarter sleeve top with scallops at the bottom hem and forest green scarf. She brushed some fuzz from the blankets off her skinny jeans. She slipped on her black ballet flats and headed out the doorway to the bathroom.
Wendy walked down the hallways with ease as other passengers swayed and stumbled with each rock. For some reason, she'd never gotten seasick on the ship or had the need to get "sea-legs." It was strange-she felt like she belonged out on sea more than on land. She glanced up to find the captain walking rather quickly down the hall toward her. Her heart fluttered, to her surprise. She wasn't going to lie-the captain was handsome. What drew Wendy in most were his eyes. They were clear, innocent, blue, but they glanced around with an unexplained sadness. Wendy's kindness got the best of her; she wanted to help.
"Miss Darling! I wanted to tell you we'll be at port in about two hours, but you weren't in your room," the captain explained, slightly out of breath.
"Sorry, I'm just on my way to the loo."
"Oh, oh. I'm sorry. I just thought you might want to know," the captain did look genuinely embarrassed, and Wendy couldn't help but notice how cute he looked when his cheeks flushed.
"Not a problem. Thank you for letting me know."
The captain nodded his head politely and flashed a shy smile at her. Wendy was afraid the butterflies in her stomach were going to make a break for it, but she spun around and started walking down the hall before she could get too excited.
"Um, Miss Darling?"
Wendy twirled around again, "Yes?"
"The women's lavatory is that way."
Wendy almost stopped breathing. She blushed a deep scarlet. She felt frustrated with herself-she shouldn't be so unsettled by anyone but Peter. "R-right."
The captain watched her sheepishly as she walked past him. He started heading the opposite direction.
Wendy concentrated on the sound of her own footsteps on the ship floor, but her heart wouldn't slow down. Once she got into the bathroom, a big grin spread over her face. She bit her lip guiltily. Why did she feel this way towards the captain? She loved Peter. Then she thought of the adorable grin of the captain. The way the loneliness left them when he looked at her. She leaned against the wall, smiling at the ground.
Suddenly, a stall door flicked open, making Wendy jump.
"Oh, Wendy!" Wendy's mother peeked out from the stall. Wendy relaxed. "I hope you're smiling about Peter."
It was a joke. She was supposed to smile and maybe giggle like a giddy little girl. So she did. But on the inside, her feelings for Hook were submerged by guilt. She loved Peter more than anything. It had to just be a fluke. Married women had to think other guys were cute, too. But this felt like something more. Like somehow...she knew him. That didn't make sense, though. She'd only just met him a few days ago. And they didn't exactly have a real conversation until now.
Mrs. Darling studied her daughter's face, "Everything alright, sweetie?"
Wendy snapped out of it. She plastered her happiest look on her face. "Of course, mum."
Mrs. Darling smiled and rubbed some soap on her hands. "Good."
Wendy was thankful when Mrs. Darling switched on the faucet and the sound of the water filled the silence. Mrs. Darling wiped her wet hands on the paper towel, and Wendy breathed in a sigh of relief when she left.
Exiting the restroom, Wendy stopped for a moment and stared at the lowering sun. Every thought suddenly became washed away, and there she was, in awe of its beauty. Giant hues of orange and pink were displayed across the sky as if it were a giant canvas. Wendy could faintly smell the distinct saltiness of the sea. These were the moments when the secrets of the universe came washing upon her. She wondered why she was even on the ship; how she even lived this long. The questions were pouring in her mind. She needed to stop.
Wendy dashed to the top of the deck, standing on the edge by the railing, taking deep breaths in and out. She rubbed her temples. Stop it Wendy, stop it. You're just working yourself up, like you always do. Stop. She shut her eyes tight, wishing for it all to go away.
Another question. Peter. And...the captain. Why did she feel like she had to choose between them? No, there wasn't a choice. She loved Peter. Sure, the captain was sweet, but that didn't mean she liked him. Right? Ugh, she was so confused.
"A penny for your thoughts?" a voice came out of nowhere, startling Wendy and causing her to slip on a nearby patch of water through the spaces of the railing. She panicked, struggling to grasp onto something-anything- when a firm hand grabbed her wrist. Wendy glanced up at the face of the captain, his eyes filled with terror.
"Don't worry, Miss Darling, I've got you!" The captain's voice was filled with assurance but his eyes gave away more than that. He was frightened.
"Please," Wendy whimpered. "Don't let go."
"Never," the captain replied. Wendy swung her other arm up and grabbed the captain's arm. He glanced around, unsure of how to get the girl back on deck. He could try to pull her through the spaces between the wooden bars, but that wasn't looking too promising.
"Miss Darling!" the captain shouted. "What I need you to do is swing your legs on the side of the ship, and grab onto the top railing."
"What?" Wendy cried. "I don't think I can make that reach!"
"Just trust me," the captain said, silently pleading with his eyes. His hand seemed to be slipping.
Wendy's eyes widened, adrenaline pumping through her veins. Wendy, you can do this. She told herself, but she didn't really believe it. She swung to the one side, then over to the other. She felt like a human pendulum. Just one more swing.
She threw her whole weight into the next swing, and somehow she felt her legs on the deck. The captain winced; his arm was bent around the wood pole at a dangerous angle. "Miss, I need you to grab hold of one of the poles! I'm going to let go, and grab your feet!"
Oh God, not again. Wendy thought, but she did as she was told. Just as she felt like her legs were about to slip off the side of the ship, she felt two strong hands at her ankles. The captain pulled her up on deck. She lay flat on her back; breathing like she'd just ran ten miles. The captain hovered over her, breathing just as heavily.
The two stood up, panting, and with a glance at each other, they fell into each other's embrace. The captain's arms wrapped around Wendy and became tangled into her hair as they tried to remain close to each other, gracious to be alive. Wendy had never felt so protected, so safe. She hooked her arms around his neck and buried her face in his shoulder.
"Thank you, Captain. I owe you my life."
"It's nothing, really. You, um, looked like you needed some help. Please, call me Killian," The captain grinned.
Wendy sighed out in relief, then smiled. "Killian. Thank you."
Killian got goosebumps when she said his name. "It was mostly my fault, for scaring you like that."
Wendy shook her head, "No, that's alright, really."
"Wendy?" It was her father's voice. She quickly pulled away from her hero.
"I heard you screaming!" Mr. Darling said, glancing at the captain suspiciously.
"Dad, he saved me. I was on by the railing and I slipped. If Killian-I mean, the captain-hadn't been there...I'd probably be dead." Wendy looked sheepishly up at Killian.
"Oh, well, that was very kind of you, Captain. Thank you," Mr. Darling said as he patted Killian on the back awkwardly.
Killian tried to smile, "It was nothing."
"Nothing? You just saved my daughter's life! How can I repay you?" Mr. Darling searched his pockets for money.
Killian held up his hands. "No, really, that won't be necessary. I'm just glad she's alright."
Wendy smiled, hooking her hair behind her ears.
"Thank you for your courtesy, Captain," Mr. Darling said the following morning. He gave three large suitcases to a sailor taking luggage to shore. The sailor nearly crippled under the weight, but somehow struggled to the shore with the bags.
Mrs. Darling touched her husband's shoulder, "Mr. Jones, we're going to dinner at Les Frères Jacques tomorrow evening. We would be delighted if you came along. You've been especially kind, Captain, and we would love to make it up to you."
Peter's eyes widened almost as wide as the captain's at the invitation. Peter wrapped his hand in Wendy's like he always did when he was nervous, and she noticed his palm was sweating slightly. She was a little confused by his reaction. Peter hadn't shown any dislike toward the captain or anxiousness around him before.
The captain's eyes flicked to Wendy, who caught his eye for less than a second, but it felt like days before he looked away. "It's very kind of you to offer, ma'am. Respectively, I must decline; I have plans for tomorrow evening."
Mr. Darling gripped the captain's shoulder. "Well, we must move our reservation to Saturday, then! We must have you come along with us. We are new here, and having someone from Dublin showing us around would be quite a help."
The captain looked a little frightened, "Well...if you insist..." he glanced at Wendy again, and a small smile crept on his lips, "I'd be delighted to come."
Peter squeezed Wendy's hand. Wendy winced since he squeezed pretty hard. Wendy tried to free herself without making a scene, but came to no avail.
"It's a date, then!" Mrs. Darling exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear.
Peter's dark blue eyes looked stormy as he pushed past a tourist lugging their baggage onto shore. "Peter?" Wendy called after him.
She glared at her mother. The captain's face got pink again and he stared down at his shoes. Wendy's gaze softened when she saw him. It wasn't his fault. Peter had to just be in a bad mood. He'd never gotten jealous before. Of course, he'd never really had a reason to. And he didn't now. She didn't like the captain. Not in that way, anyway.
Then the captain gave her that sweet grin, and all thoughts of not liking him were swept away. She smiled back at him without realizing it, then she quickly spun and headed across the bridge to find Peter. She twirled on the busy dock, peeking around corners and past bobbing heads. The captain tried not to notice how her long hair floated around her pretty face from the wind, but he was drawn to her. He felt as if he somehow...knew her.
Wendy caught Peter leaning against a big cargo cart. He ran his fingers through his hair, glancing back at the ship and then sinking low on the side of the cart. His eyes glistened, and Wendy almost thought he was crying. Why would he be so upset? There had to be a better reason than just the captain coming to dinner with them. Wendy knew him, and he wasn't usually so emotional. He jumped when she touched his shoulder.
"Wendy!" Peter nearly shouted, then recoiled slightly from her touch. Now that she got a good look at his eyes, she saw definite guilt in them-and tears.
Wendy drew her hand back, watching him carefully. "Peter? Are you alright?"
Peter paused, staring into her pretty brown eyes. He looked as if he was deciding whether or not to tell her something. He opened his mouth, then closed it again.
Wendy crouched to the ground. "You can tell me anything, you know that, right?"
Peter suddenly pulled Wendy into a hug. Wendy wrapped her arms around him. She was a little concerned with his behavior-he was acting more like she was his mother than his fiancé. Peter let his tears fall down his face when she was looking the other way, and was careful to make sure they didn't fall on her shirt.
Wendy pulled away. "Peter, really, what's wrong?"
Peter still looked uncomfortable. "I...I love you."
Wendy laughed, "That's not a problem, right?"
Peter still looked serious. "No. No, that's not the problem."
"What is it, then?"
Peter stared at Wendy, and her smile quickly faded. Wendy sat down next to him and leaned against the crate. "I...I...the captain...he...he's..."
"For God's sake, Peter! Spit it out!"
"I don't like him."
Wendy stared at him for a second, then they both started laughing. "Honestly? That makes you this upset?"
Peter's speech was choppy from laughing in between, "Yes! It was supposed to be a date. I was going to take you on that fancy bridge and-"
"Who says you can't? It's my parents who want the captain to come, anyway. He can stay with them. Don't worry about it," Wendy reassured him.
Peter smiled, then kissed Wendy's forehead. Wendy smiled at him, even though part of her wondered why he never wanted to kiss her on the lips.
The captain was trying hard not to watch them. He really was. All he saw was Peter kiss Wendy's forehead, and his insides burned with jealousy. Why did he feel like this? He barely knew the girl. She was beautiful...he couldn't deny that. But still, he didn't know her no matter the amount of deja vu that occurred when he saw her. He snapped out of it and helped one of the other passengers carry their trunk across the bridge from the ship to the shore.
He nearly stumbled when his thoughts trailed off to Wendy once again, but the man whose bags he was carrying caught him. "Thanks," The captain muttered, and then he slunk off to his quarters once he'd set the trunks safely on the other side of the bridge.