Peter Pan

Untamed Heart

Summary: Why did Peter Pan not follow Wendy? There are secrets one must keep even if it is at the cost of your own heart but is that price to high when Hook returns?

Disclaimer: WAH! I don't own Peter Pan.

Author: amyfushigiyugi

Chapter 3 "Masquerade"

Wendy Darling twirled around in front of the mirror in her silk and lace dress, pieces of the costume seeming to float around her as if she were in mid air. Tonight her mother and father were having a party and this was the first time they had asked her to join them. Wendy nearly squealed with excitement because the greatest part of all was that it was Halloween and the party wasn't just any party, it was a masquerade. In her mind it would be a big adventure to try to keep her identity a secret and at the same time try her best to guess the identity of others.

Wendy missed the thrill of adventure and now couldn't wait for the masquerade to start. She had spent all afternoon in the nursery telling the wildest tales she could think of in tribute to Halloween. Dark mermaids and evil pirates lead by none other than Captain Hook. Wendy never left out the mysterious boy that always seemed to be bigger than life. No matter how dire the story became, even when it looked like evil would win, that's when he would show up. Peter Pan's cunning and arrogance led to the thrill of the stories she told.

The lost boys would always yell out Peter's name during the stories. Curly, Tootles, Nibs, Slightly, and the Twin's would often act out parts of the stories. The nursery would be full of swords and pirate hats and other such items. Wendy kept Peter Pan alive and the lost boys loved her dearly for that. Why, they had even made her father look like Captain Hook for the masquerade tonight.

Mr. Darling had been in the nursery with the eight boys he was now raising for almost two hours before they were satisfied with the costume. They had even made one sleeve of his pirate's outfit longer then the other with mother's help and connected a hook to the end of it as if he were missing his hand. Mr. Darling had not allowed them to pierce his ear much to the lost boys' disappointment but when a clip on hoop earring showed up in an old jewelry box they had all cheered.

Even Wendy's eyes had widened a bit at her father for the lost boys had a good memory and the costume was almost identical. If she hadn't known it was her father, Wendy may have even been a little shocked as Captain Hook walked out of the nursery and down the stairs where guests were already starting to arrive.

Wendy's lips curved into a smile as the mirror in front of her seemed to disappear from sight and her memories of another time came into focus. She could still remember the dance she had with Peter even though she had never told that story to the others. It was hers to keep. She closed her eyes feeling herself floating through the forest treetops while Peter's arm came around her to keep her safe as they danced the dance of the fairies.

A thump on the other side of the wall, coming from the nursery, made Wendy open her eyes, sad that she had lost the daydream so quickly. Looking again at the dress her eyes lit up because it reminded her of the dress the fairy had on. The same fairy that her and Peter had watched dancing within the magical tree. Most girls Wendy's age would be dressed as princesses and such. Maybe it was a bit childish to be dressing as a fairy but Wendy didn't care. Maybe if anyone asked she would just tell him or her that she was a fairy princess.

Mrs. Darling opened the door and came in smiling the smile of a mother who thought she had the most beautiful daughter in the world. Coming to stand behind Wendy she fastened something to the back of the dress then leaned down a bit to softly whisper the word, "Perfect" in Wendy's ear.

Wendy turned sideways her eyes again lit up with happiness for there on her back were the most magical looking wings she had ever seen. They almost looked real and Wendy quickly swung around and hugged her mother for the gift. Letting go she looked up at her and said excitedly, "Now for the mask!" Running to the bed she picked it up taking the rubber band that held it and placed it over her face. Pearls and glitter lined her eyes while pure white feathers reached in all directions leaving only her cheeks and lips uncovered. Wendy was ready, come what may.

Wendy walked beside Mrs. Darling as the descended the stairs into the crowded room below. Her face warmed with a blush, as many eyes seemed to turn at once to look at her mother. Wendy's step faltered a little when she thought she felt many eyes also on her.

Shaking off the feeling and blaming it on her imagination she decided there was no way they were looking at her for it was Mrs. Darling who drew notice when coming into a room. Looking up at her mother Wendy could see why people stared at her, for she was beautiful dressed as a queen. "Mother, you are beautiful," Wendy whispered behind the mask for only her mother to hear.

Wendy tried not to laugh as the image of evil Captain Hook took her mother's hand and raised it to his lips for a gallant kiss. Turning, her eyes swept the room with excitement wanting so much to tap into a mystery or adventure even if it was pretend. She marveled at the pirates and gypsies, queens and kings, some even took on darker identities such a phantoms and vampires, all surrounded by candlelight lending to the masquerade of it all.

Peter Pan could feel his heart beating faster and faster as he caught sight of the two story house in the distance. His stardust eyes widened at the unexpected sight of all the dark houses surrounding it leaving Wendy's house to look like a candle. Light could be seen from almost every window and Peter stopped his descent, instead choosing to hover there in the air wondering what had happened to cause such a thing. What if something had happened to Wendy?

Peter flew to the window of the nursery and hovered there, peeking through the curtains as he scanned the room. His lips parted in awe as his eyes found the lost boys and Wendy's brothers, Michael and John. There was an older woman there among the group that he heard John call Aunt Millicent. She was sitting in a chair as the twins held a mock sword fight making her gasp as they pretended to wound each other. Peter's eyes scanned each boy one by one realizing they had grown in his three year absence.

He remembered back to when they had all told him they wanted to go with Wendy. The same night he and Wendy had fought. His brown eyes clouded over with the pain that night had caused him, to know that Wendy wanted to leave him. She had told him he was ungallant and deficient. "Just a boy," Peter whispered sullenly, his eyes overly bright.

Peter backed up a step almost losing his balance when the brothers came to stand near the open window talking to each other. When he heard Wendy's name mentioned, his attention went straight to them, drinking in every word.

"I wonder how Wendy is doing down stairs with all those pirates and monsters?" Michael whispered in John's ear.

Peter's head bumped into the brick wall when he jerked it up at the question. Raising his hand to rub his head his face became serious wondering what Michael meant by that.

John shrugged his shoulders grinning from ear to ear, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Captain Hook will watch out for Wendy tonight. They both promised to tell us everything that happens." His voice was confident that he believed what he was saying.

It was all Peter could do to keep his self from reaching for the boy and snatching him out of the window to make him explain. But instead he took a step backward and dropped off the ledge gliding down swiftly so he could look in the other windows. Careful to keep from being spotted Peter followed the sound of many voices and landed on the limb of a near by tree.

He could easily see through the open double doors as people in masks and costumes walked in and out of them, onto a deck from the crowded room. It looked like all the grownups were playing dress up to Peter and his nose wrinkled while his eyebrows lifted.

His face lost all expression as a younger girl walked out the tiaras doors, looking every bit like a fairy princess, wings and all. Her light brown hair seemed to float around her as the breeze caught the ends lifting the silken locks. Peter leaned forward just a little trying to see behind the mask, not paying attention he had to reach out and steady himself from almost falling from the tree. He looked down at the people he would have fallen on and shook his head trying to concentrate. That had never been Peter's strong point, especially with this kind of distraction.

Peter could hear music coming through the door and the girl turned around laughing when a man dressed as a prince tapped her on the shoulder. Hearing the laughter Peter's breath stopped in his chest and his eyes went to her lips. Lips he would never forget and a laugh he would always cherish. He had found his Wendy. His eyes darkened as a strange feeling washed over him. He watched her lift her hand and place it in the older boy's hand as she smiled. Peter could even see the blush of her cheeks just below the mask.

"You will be replaced," Hook's words drifted through Peter's mind and he felt an anger quickly take hold of him. Another thing Peter was known for was his quickly changing emotions but even for him this emotion seemed to be new and powerful. He could feel it heavy in his chest as his hands clinched into fists at his sides.

Without another rational thought Peter Pan flew straight up in the air so quickly none would have seen anything but a shadow and then wondered if they had even seen that. Peter descended on the other side of the house where he found a window of a darkened room.

Hovering in front of the window Peter didn't even touch the seal as it flew open as if following his command. With a determined look on his young face he flew into the room now on a mission. Staying close to the ceiling he opened the door that led into a hallway looking around for anything he could use as a disguise. Seeing a man stroll by who had taken his mask off and had it hanging by his side, Peter reached out and lifted it from the unsuspecting man who seemed to be leaving the party.

Staying out of sight until the coast was clear; Peter saw the chance and darted forward to an open closet. Reaching in he took a black cape that had a hood attached to it and smiled a cunning smile. He slipped it on just as another couple strolled past. Now he could blend in with the others.

Knowing exactly where he wanted to go, Peter headed for the balcony with only two people on his mind and that was his Wendy and whomever this guy was that was dancing with her. Peter had no idea that his eyes had changed to the greenest of emeralds. Sliding the band around his head the simple golden mask rested in place. Peter walked right into the heart of the very world he had always stayed away from.

Wendy listened to the music coming from the open doors as seventeen-year-old Andrew danced gallantly with her. She had met Andrew several times in the past couple of years and he always seemed to fluster her. She could have sworn he played some game to see how much he could make her blush, always telling her too hurry and grow up so he could become her husband. Andrew would say those things with a joking smile but the way he would look at her while saying them reminded her of something that she was never sure of.

As the song ended Wendy nodded, thanking him for the dance and making a quick escape she walked back inside the room where others where dancing or stood in groups. Hoping Andrew would give her a few minutes to herself she went to get a small cup from the punch table happy for a moment just to watch the others on the makeshift dance floor.

She had been around most of these people off and on during the last couple years but never at a party much less a masked one. As some of the other younger girls and boys came by the table for drinks they would say hi to her and use her name. Wendy frowned thoughtfully wondering what she was doing wrong. For some reason they always knew who she was at first glance.

As Peter entered the room his eyes could see nothing but his Wendy. He watched as she sat her drink down, her full lips lifted in a smile. It was the lips that gave her away. As if drawn to her Peter had taken several steps strait toward her before catching himself and backing back into the shadows. Would she even remember him? Had he been replaced? Peter's eyes scanned the room landing on the young man he had seen with Wendy and noticed him slowly making his way back to her now. Peter's hand slipped under his cape to trace the hilt of his sword absently.

Wendy also noticed young Andrew making his way toward her. She could feel his eyes on her even from that distance. She slightly shook her head wondering why he brushed so many off as he made his way to her. Turning, she kept her eyes on the dancers pretending not to see him coming. Andrew was a little older than her and a lot more grown up than he should have been. It's not that he was a bad person, not at all. Other girls would have loved to dance with him. The problem was he didn't seem to notice that.

Andrew was very charming and dashing to look at and being the owner of the banks son made him a great catch, for other girls. Wendy would rather just be a friend to him. She had promised herself that after Peter Pan she would never again give her heart away, not to anyone, may it be boy or man. Her smile was lost knowing she couldn't turn Andrew down when he gallantly asked her to dance. She again nodded as she pretended it didn't matter by letting him lead her onto the dance floor. After all she was still kind enough to know it wasn't his fault.

Wendy had fallen for a boy and had made him into a hero even if it was within her own mind. Wendy bit her bottom lip almost angry with herself for again letting her thoughts stray to Peter Pan. She had known even as he said goodbye that he would not come back. She often wondered if he had forgotten her before reaching Neverland or if not, then she wondered how many days it took. Peter had forgotten her brothers twice in the same day, so it was possible.

As Andrew began to lead her through a dance she raised her eyes to his dark blue ones curiously. Maybe Wendy was seeing him for the first time as she began to pay attention to what was happening now instead of holding on to the past. She finally smiled a real smile, after all, she was a fairy princess and she was dancing with a prince. Her eyes held an almost childish twinkle at the thought. She even imagined they were floating through the treetops of an enchanted forest. She wondered what Andrew would think of such thoughts and let a light giggle brighten the dance.

Andrew tightened his grip on her hand as he attempted to pull Wendy closer. All he could see was her smile and those crystal blue eyes that seemed to shine. He had liked Wendy from the first day he had met her. His many attempts to get her attention must have finally paid off if the look in her eyes were any clue. He smiled almost arrogantly as he tried to pull her closer hoping to steal a kiss from the young fairy he held in his arms. Andrew had waited a long time for her to grow up and right now she looked so very grown up in his eyes.

Peter Pan stood not far away, his body tense and ready to strike. Wendy looked like she was on cloud nine and Peter tried to throw off the disappointment that it wasn't him she was smiling like that at. Looking closely at the person she danced with Peter noticed the black curls that hung down longer then normal from the crown that he wore.

His breath hitched in his throat, as he seemed to envision a younger captain James T. Hook that would have had the same black curls and piercing blue irises. Peter's own eyes hardened as he watched the guy smirk and pull Wendy closer, to dangerously close for Peter's liking. Not realizing he had moved at all, Peter found himself standing very close to them and withdrawing his sword.

Wendy had been so lost in the daydream that when the flash of a sword came into her view landing on Andrew's shoulder she came back to life and took a step back noticing how close they had been dancing. She smiled at him trying to cover up her nervousness.

Andrew sighed inwardly seeing his chance to claim her lips as his slip away. As both Andrew and Wendy turned to see the owner of said sword Wendy's smile vanished as a stranger bowed before them. A phantom dressed in a dark cloak and a golden mask, his eyes were piercing green as they locked on Andrew's.

Peter knew how to play this game. "May I 'CUT' in?" His lips turned up at the corners at the hidden joke of his sword pressing down none to gently on the other boy's shoulder as he emphasized the word 'CUT'. His emerald eyes seemed to glitter with a hint of danger and mischief combined. This was a game he didn't plan on losing.

Andrew glared angrily at the boy who had ruined a perfect moment for him but something told him not to make a scene, to step aside for now. Looking back to Wendy he quickly gave a mock bow, trying to out wit the new rival. "Do not fear, innocent one. I will not let this phantom steal you for long." With a most charming smile his eyes locked with hers. Andrew nodded his head sending a secret glare to his competition and turned to leave the dance floor.

'I don't think so.' Peter Pan inwardly growled as he placed his sword back into his scabbard and turned to face Wendy. That was where all thought of the game left him, his eyes locking instantly with blue diamonds.

Wendy's lips parted just a fraction in wonderment. A fleeting sense of something familiar raced through her mind but she couldn't put her finger on it. Dark eyelashes shadowed his eyes from her, giving only the hint that they were radiating specks of emerald and a thrill ran through Wendy as she searched within the shadows of the hood for answers.

Raising her hand for him to take she softly asked, "Have we met?"

As Peter took a step closer to her he realized he could still tilt his head down as he looked into her face and was secretly glad for Tink's gift and his greatest pretend. Quickly remembering that there was no way for Wendy to know it was really him, gave Peter the courage he needed to reach for her hand.

Pressing his palm to hers Peter slid his fingers through Wendy's loving how they seemed to fit perfectly as new music started to play. Placing his other hand to her side he began to move knowing the steps by heart. As if remembering to breathe Peter inhaled taking in her scent of honey and springtime that he remembered so clearly. Peter had never been able to get close enough to that scent and he shifted closer to her face blocking out all else.

Wendy followed the phantom's steps and as they turned, the light from the candles that lined the wall slipped into his hood casting light for a moment before he turned her again taking that light away. Wendy inhaled quickly at the fleeting image. Stray waves of sandy blonde hair with light blonde highlights mingled in here and there. Flawless tan skin surrounded the most perfect set of lips.

Wendy wondered if she was daydreaming again as her pulse began to race. He was so close to her that her vision was filled with only him and that reminded her of someone else whom had always seemed larger then life. She was in such a daze she didn't even flinch when he released her only long enough to silently slip the mask up and off her face.

Peter's eyes couldn't get enough as he caressed her soft skin with just his sight. Hook had been right. She was even lovelier now then she had been in Neverland. "As lovely as stardust." He repeated Hook's words with a soft whisper. His eyes searched hers for answers to questions he was afraid to ask.

Feeling as if she were in a trance Wendy took an attentive step closer during the next turn only to give a sudden gasp as his hand left her side to slide across the small of her back pressing her even closer. Staring up into his eyes as the light hit within the hood again she was stunned to find them not green as she had thought but the most piercing of blue. Her hand came from his shoulder to slide down and press against his chest in confusion. She could feel the tone muscles ripple under the thin cape as if he did not have a shirt on at all.

Peter Pan struggled to stay in control as he watched the different emotions touch Wendy's face. He could see her confusion building and when he felt her hand land on his chest as if to push him away Peter had almost panicked. Without thought to what he was doing he pressed her closer not wanting to ever let her go again. His breath quickened as she stilled against him.

Wendy tore her eyes away from his feeling too much all at once. With a slightly confused frown her eyes went to the hand that was holding hers and following the warm hand she noticed his tan arm was bare past his elbow. Was she wishing so hard that it was Peter that she had somehow brought him to life? He was still turning her in a dance she remembered, causing her to bring her eyes back to his. Somewhere in the back of her mind Wendy desperately wished she did have that power.

Would she always compare everyone she met with Peter? 'I want always to be a boy and to never grow up.' She remembered the words he had said and knew he had meant them because the words had held so much passion even as they disagreed.

Disappointed in herself that she had again let her imagination run away with her, Wendy began to feel the sting of tears behind her eyes. Why was everything suddenly so strange? Something was wrong. Wendy did the only thing she could thing of. Without warning him of her intent Wendy reached up and tugged on the black hood suddenly angry at the illusion and catching him off guard.

Peter stopped realizing what he had done. His arm tightened around her as he realized they were no longer standing on the floor but several feet in the air and the room was suddenly so quiet. She was angry with him for coming back; he could feel it and see it in her eyes.

Wendy felt hot tears escape to make trails down her cheek as she uncovered hair the same as Peter's but the mask was still in the way and she wanted it gone. How could this be Peter Pan? Just as she reached for the golden mask, lifting it from his face, Wendy couldn't feel her feet on the floor and that's when it all happened.

With a gasp she looked down seeing they had been dancing in the air the whole time. Grabbing a hold of his shoulder again Wendy noticed she was clutching his mask in her hand but before she could raise her eyes to his face she heard someone yelling her name.

As sound slammed back into her quiet world, she jerked her face around to find the one whom had yelled her name. Just as her eyes landed on the form of Captain Hook as he raced toward her, Wendy felt the hand that had been holding hers jerk free and watched in horror as that hand through the cloak open and reach for the sword underneath.

Just as she raised her eyes to Peter's face she tried to scream for him to stop. The room spun a little quicker seeing the anger in Peter's eyes as he drew his sword against her own father unknowingly. As he lunged at the image of Captain Hook Wendy did something she had never done before. She fainted.

Peter pulled back from his descent just as Wendy's mother stepped in front of Captain Hook as if to stop him. At the same time Wendy went limp and Peter had to wrap both arms around her to hold her and keep her from falling. Peter hovered higher, his eyes darting around the room now filled with stunned faces, some angry, some scared for Wendy.

Peter's eyes went back to Mrs. Darling as she called out his name. He remembered the time he had come back trying to close the window but Wendy's mother had fought him. She hadn't even known it was he closing the window but she had fought it anyway wanting to keep it open for Wendy. Peter's face became determined as he decided this time he would not let her win. Not when she was standing in front of Hook as if protecting him.

Though she had never before seen him Mrs. Darling knew without a doubt that this was the one they called Peter Pan. "Peter, please!" The room became quite again as Wendy's mother pleaded. "What are you doing? Please don't." The fear in her voice was from seeing Wendy dangling there, unconscious in the arms of a young man holding a sword. Mrs. Darling held her hand out as if reaching for Wendy and praying Peter would safely lower her.

Seeing Captain Hook's hand rise to rest on Wendy's mother's shoulder Peter tightened his hold.

"Give her back!" Andrew yelled in frustration at what he was seeing. The young man was holding Wendy as if even the hounds of hell could not take her from him.

Peter raised his chin defiantly; his eyes glittering as he again caught the image of a young Captain Hook.

"NEVER!" He screamed the word at all of them blocking out their anguished cries with one of his own.

Suddenly fearing that they would somehow take Wendy from him Peter pushed off with his feet not needing solid ground and as the black cape slowly fluttered down landing in the middle of the floor. Peter Pan flew a wide circle around the room so fast that he created a breeze then vanished out the double doors and into the darkness.

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