Authors note: Wow, my breaks just keep getting longer and longer. I am so sorry, life happens and all, not an excuse, but I am sure you readers and writers know of it. I will try and be a little more consistent, but hopefully you have some understanding on your side. Anyway last I left off Sofia was rescued but still attached to her new life while Peter fell in the NeverSea, and now we continue.

Chapter four: Sofia and Jake

Sofia stared off at the great ocean seeing it pass on for miles and miles, never ending like the tortured dream she lived. One day being a mere nobody to a princess…now suddenly she was here of all places and a pirate princess; it all seemed like she was under a spell. Hearing footsteps she turned and saw the very boy who had rescued her. She had remained quiet for almost a week, not eating, well just nibbles here and there. She had refused, simply refused to have any contact with him, and for the most part he had respected her wishes. Now there he stood, looking almost like a puppy dog, but a cute one. Letting out a hot breath she turns and places her hands on her hips, her stare immediately setting him on guard.

"What do you want Jake?"

"I came to see if you wanted something to drink," Jake said, his body language refusing to back down as he threw out his arm, "you can die without water-."

"If you haven't noticed Jake we're surrounded by water," Sofia stared hard at him and saw him flinch.

"That isn't the recommended water to drink Sofia, it is salty and gross. Surely Hook told you that being a pirate means self-preservation of the body to remain fit for all cause of emergency. If you should faint in battle…do you think your opponent would leave you be?"

"Well…no, I suppose not. You have a point there Jake. Um…now that we're speaking…why did you come back for me?" Sofia placed her hands before her and couldn't meet his eyes, how could she, she had yet to thank him and they had fought.

"Isn't it obvious Sofia?" Jake asked as he moved closer to her. He could hear his heart beat heaving against his chest and his hands were clammy.

"Jake…I'm not worth it…after all I have done-." Sofia was caught off guard as she felt his hands on hers, they felt so cold and yet hers were warming up.

"Sofia…don't say that. Since we first met I can't stop thinking about you, knowing that you live with such a huge responsibility on your shoulder, to live a life of royalty…for which I may never imagine. It makes my head spin, and, truth is…I…"

"Yes?" Sofia leaned in, her eyelids drooping down as she felt her chest heave out, her eyes not obscured by her hair for it was still tied back.

"Well, Sofia, truth is I…I…" Jake never finished, perhaps he didn't need to as their lips touched. Pressing into her body he snuck his arms around her back as her hands sought his hair. It took a moment for them to break for air and only then did he find himself saying it. "I love you Sofia."

"I love you too Jake. I have never felt this strongly about any other boy before. You make me feel so alive and you would risk your life for me. I want to pinch myself and wake from this dream, but, in all reality you feel so…you."

The two laughed as they pressed their faces together. Locking looks the two refuse to part even when Cubby walks over to them.

"Uh, hope I'm not interrupting or anything," he said.

"What is it Cubby?" Jake asked not breaking from Sofia.

"Skully is back," he informed them. Sure enough as he said this Skully was flying back at a rather hurried pace.

Jake, Sofia, and Cubby rushed over and caught their feathered friend as he was nearly out of breath. His chest was going faster then they had seen it before and his eyes seemed dry, like they had been crying. Izzy was the last to come, having seen the kiss shared and her jealous and rage was burning her up inside, still concern flooded her eyes upon seeing her friend in such a situation.

"P-Peter Pan is…" Skully struggled to get it out but it still was too hard to bear. He could not believe what he had witnessed, nor could he stop playing it through his head.

"What happened to Peter?" Jake demanded.

"He drowned! Peter is dead!" Skully burst into tears, though no tears fell for he was out of them.

Jake back pedaled at the news and Cubby trembled. Izzy was the one to fall to her knees. Sofia was shaken by this news, however due to not knowing him as well as the others she could not find the sadness nor terror over the loss.

"No, that can't be true, Peter is immortal…" Jake found himself saying, though his ears seemed to be playing tricks, like an echo in a cave.

"Hook is a vile crook…he made a deal with Pan in order for Amber's life to be spared. However, Hook is likely not going to stick to his word." Skully bowed his head and shared the suffering of his friends.

"No…not Amber…I won't let him." Sofia was firm in her stance, but, it was clear to her as she looked around; her friends weren't ready to take on Hook just yet.

"I need some time alone," Jake got up finally and looked around at everyone. His eyes were distant as he headed over to Izzy. "This is an emergency Izzy…I'd like to borrow some pixie dust."

Izzy could barely meet his eye, but, she was not about to argue with him. "Alright Jake, just don't be away too long. Peter meant as much to you as he did to us."

"We will see justice done for what tragedy has befallen us, together Izzy, but right now this has to be done." Once sprinkled with the dust he set off, full speed and arms spread out he looked out at Neverland fast approaching and remembered Peter's first words to him…so long ago…

Jake was walking along a set trail when he spotted a green capped boy looking out across a great vast ocean. Curious he approached him and heard the snap of a twig. Looking down for just a second he then looks back at the boy to find him not there. "Where did he go?"

"Looking for me?" The boy asked. Floating behind him he played into an instrument and his ears were slightly pointy.

"Whoa…how did you do that?" Jake asked. The notes played were a light melody, but as they entered his ears they played a song he had heard upon arriving at the island.

"Oh this, this is nothing, watch this!" The boy took to the sky and as he looked down he made for a quick dive to send Jake running and then he did a flip for which he let out a most wondrous sound, almost like a rooster.

"Who are you?" Jake asked in wonder.

"I am Peter Pan. You must be new to Neverland…otherwise I'd remember you." Peter landed and walked over to him.

"I arrived a little while ago, name is Jake." He held out his hand and the boy known as Peter held his right back out. Then he did something odd, he spat into his hand and smiled.

"Spit into your hand Jake and we will be friends. It is customary to shake hands with spit to ensure a lifelong friendship. I'm the best kind of friend to have around here, for I can offer a long and most adventurous time if you stick by me."

Jake was hesitant, but only for a second as he spat into his hand and together formed a friendship with Peter he never looked back on.

Jake was now standing before the very tree that Peter had carved out his sword for him. It was a little before Peter left Neverland leaving him in charge of his group. Before he ever met Peter he never dreamt of being a pirate, the good kind that sailed the sea and helped those in need. The tree still stood, proud and glowing bearing the memories of the very one who found the place. Hearing footsteps he turned on his heel and found Sofia standing there. "Hey this is a private place-."

"I'm sorry…I just couldn't let you be alone. You just lost a very important figure in your life, being alone seems so…lonely…don't you think?" Sofia held herself and looked at him with her big blue eyes.

"Its better this way…" He wept as he wiped at his face angrily, his body wracked with shaking grief. It was hard to stop once he began, and since coming to Neverland he had only cried a handful of times.

Sofia approached him slowly, her eyes focused only on him as she took even breaths. "Jake…in order to move on we need to keep those we love closest. You don't need to go through this alone, even if it is the best way you believe it is to honor Peter's memory."

"Peter meant the world to me…I was the first he found…" Jake sniffed and noticed she was now standing right before him. Her voice was soft and looking down he found his hand in hers.

"Peter lives on in you Jake…and that is something Hook or anyone else can never touch. You carry his sword; so, see that it is used right." Sofia smiled and squeezed his hands.

"When did you get this wise?" Jake laughed lightly.

"I have some very great parents," she giggled in response. Drawing in close to him she gave him a peck on the lips before pulling him into a warm embrace. The two just stood there for a bit, no one else to break up the silence, and she was grateful for that. When she knew Jake was done she pulled back and moved a stray hand through his hair.

"Sofia…what do I do now? How do I see my sword used right…when Hook has taken away my best friend in the whole wide world?" It aggravated him to feel so weak, so helpless against a monster like Hook.

"How do you usually defeat Hook?" Sofia inquired.

"Well, um, actually by being a team," Jake answered with a chuckle.

"Then we assemble everyone together and take this fight to Hook. He will answer for what he has done, but you have to promise me something Jake." Sofia made this quite clear as she held his face in his hand.

"Uh, sure, anything," Jake answered, looking into her eyes without a trace of lie.

"You must not kill Hook-."

"What…how can you ask such a thing? Hook stole Peter from me, Hook has no one, it has to be done-." Jake pulled away.

Sofia wouldn't let go, even if Jake was stronger than her, she was set on her task of helping Jake see the bigger picture. "Jake Hook maybe all those things, and more, but you have to understand that without the pirate title…he is still human. To take another life…is that really what Peter would've wanted?"

"I, he, urgh…I don't know…maybe…" Jake stomped and folded his arms.

Sofia walked slowly towards him, unsure if he would turn on her. Placing her hands on his shoulders she sighed. "I can't pretend to know what you are going through; I mean I was an innocent Princess kept away from all this turmoil some weeks ago. What I can tell you is Hook needs to be taught a lesson…and your strength and friendship is just what is needed…right now."

Jake looked anywhere but at Sofia, but, she had sound advice in the matter. A part of him wanted to kill Hook, but, the memories he had forged with Peter were stronger and that meant justice would prevail…but in the Jake and the Neverland Pirates fashion. Kneeling down he took a twig and began to draw a map.

"What are you doing?" Sofia knelt down next to him and noticed he was drawing what appeared to be a ship.

"If we're doing this, we better do this right. I imagine Hook is heading this way, likely with your sister as a hostage. He will be coming for you…so this is what we do." Jake's voice was barely above a whisper as he began to formulate a plan. The time for sitting around and mourning Peter were over, now was the time to take action before they were left on defense.

Authors note: And with that the finale of the story draws closer yet. Chapter five will likely be the last chapter of the second part of this series. Could there be a third installment in the works? Who knows, so keep on your toes as we tread into this water…calmly yet cautious like. To all those who have waited, reviewed, anxiously sat poised over a mouse…apologies and hopefully you stay to the very end.