Peter Pan © J. M. Barrie

Movie © Universal Studios

Story © me

Thank you to my reviewers: kasmira36 and camilleofthecrookedeye. This one's for you – sorry for the wait.

On with the story!

I'M WITH YOU

TAKE ME BY THE HAND, TAKE ME SOMEWHERE NEW

Slightly rested in the bed he had found below decks of the pirate ship for a little longer, curling under its woolen blanket. A lingering sadness from his dream had given him chills.

He hated the thought of leaving anyone, even if they were just acquaintances like many of the fairies and Indians of Never Land had been. Goodbyes and endings troubled him because unlike the other boys who had run away as small children, Slightly had been abandoned. His only memory of it was a terrible loneliness that seemed to stretch on forever before the fairies had found him and brought him to Peter. It had haunted his nightmares for his whole life and his greatest fear was still of being left behind, alone.

Maybe having a mother would change that; Slightly hoped so. His heart had been aching ever since the boys had first considered going with Wendy and her brothers. In Slightly's opinion, neither option was good. But the others were determined to go, so he could either accompany five of the boys and leave Peter and his home, or stay in Never Land with everything he had ever known but without his friends. Both choices meant forsaking something very precious.

Nibs had eventually convinced him to come with them. After all, Nibs was his best friend, and the Lost Boys were like brothers. They couldn't imagine being without two of their number; it was bad loosing their leader. All they would have left would be each other. Slightly climbed out of the borrowed bed, running a hand over his messy brown hair as he trundled to the stairs that led to the main deck.

Up above the moon was casting bright silver light over a scene of delightful beauty. The pirate ship was cutting through the thick layer of white clouds as if they were the swells of an almost calm sea, raising a long wake behind them. The other nine children were dashing around the deck, calling and laughing and watching their progress over the side. Someone yelled and Peter flew to the helm, turning the ship at the last minute to avoid a tall clock jutting out over the clouds. Then he called to Wendy, and she joined him for a last word as he guided the ship toward her home, a place he knew well.

Because the Lost Boys couldn't fly and Wendy didn't want the ship to land on top of her house, they anchored down in a park at the end of the Darling's street. John and Michael said a quick goodbye and flew away; Wendy stopped to give Peter a last quick peck on the cheek. She called, "See you there!" to the others as she left for her home.

Then the Lost Boys bid farewell to their leader. As the head of the lot, Peter Pan stood bravely through the ordeal, but each young face looked miserable. The Twins were weeping, but since they were the littlest no one minded or teased them. Then, bracing themselves for the uncertain future, five boys ran down the gang plank.

Slightly, however, remained in his spot. Peter watched from the rail as the others ran toward the Darling house, and breathed a deep sigh before turning to Slightly. The two eyed each other uncertainly.

Slightly had been an authority among the tiny group in the absence of their leader, but whenever things were rough or dull or scary or amazing, Peter was there. He acted as an older brother to each of the Lost Boys and especially to Slightly. He would give comfort or advice or ideas for new games and tricks, or just lay on the grass and watch the stars while the others chased fairy lights. It struck Slightly as unbelievable that this would be the last time he ever saw his leader and friend.

"Have fun with your new family," Peter said finally to break the silence.

Slightly nodded, then asked regretfully, "Won't you be lonely?"

"Nah," Peter responded, allowing his care-free cockiness to take over as he leaned against the ship rail. "I've got Tink, and there will be more Lost Boys. Besides, I'll come visit all of you once in a while. Won't let you see me, of course."

Slightly smiled a bit, comforted. "Take care of yourself then."

"Yeah," Peter sighed, and his grin slipped a bit. "You'll watch over the boys, right? I asked Nibs, but I want … I want to know you'll get on all right without me."

"I'll watch out for them," Slightly assured him.

The leader of the Lost Boys stood looking down at him hesitantly, then Peter's arms closed around Slightly. After a moment of surprise he wrapped his own arms around the taller boy. They clung to each other like two frightened youngsters, drawing comfort and reassurance from their closeness.

"Keep having adventures," Peter said wistfully. "I want to hear Wendy tell stories about them when I visit. I wish I could have them alongside you."

"You could still come with us."

"I couldn't leave Never Land; it needs me. Besides, I can't grow up."

"I'm afraid of that too."

Peter let him go slowly, looking away down the street where the others had disappeared. "You'll have the boys."

"We'll always remember you," Slightly said, knowing that Peter was almost as afraid of being forgotten as he was of growing up. He rubbed his eyes. "If you change your mind, come back."

"Ok." Peter's smile finally returned. "You'd better go."

Slightly couldn't say goodbye, it was just too terrible. So he nodded and waved his hand vaguely, and turned away from Peter Pan to run down the gang plank into the moonlit city street.

---------------------TBC---------------------

Again, the title and chapter titles are from Avril Levine's "I'm With You".

I have one more chapter planned, but the plot might continue after that. If it does it will most likely be a separate story. I wasn't sure about the hug thing, but I asked my nine-year-old brothers and they said it was plausible. That second paragraph (aboutwhy he's afraid)gave me the worst trouble with how to word it.

Please review – it's easy, just tell me one thing that is running through your head as you finish reading my story.