"I hope you find what you're looking for." I stormed away from the shell of a man. That couldn't possibly be my brother, Tink must have made a mistake and took this codfish by accident. This "Peter" hadn't even mentioned Jack or Maggie, and I would be certain that any parent would be inconsolable if they had lost a child.
I had to admit to myself that he was a spitting image his father, all except the eyes, which were so much like his mother.
I flew over a squabble that Peter was in the middle of, obviously not heeding my advice. I was about to intervene when Tink showed herself and took on all the men. I saw her disguise Peter and then instruct him to blend in. Deciding that it was a safe enough time to go, I flew in to Jimmy's cabin. He was at his desk, sharpening a small blade when he heard my feet meeting the ground. He raised his dark brow and briefly looked at me, but continued to sharpening.
"What do I owe this pleasure, my dear? It's rare enough for one visit, but two in a row? Unheard of."
"To be quite honest, I don't even know myself." I moved to sit down in the seat across from him, and sunk into the velvet cushion with a heavy sigh.
Jimmy knit his brows together and stopped his task. Standing up slowly, he walked over to me and used his good hand to cup my chin and raised my head. I kept my eyes down until he tapped my chin with his finger, then was forced to lay my eyes on his.
"Something is weighing heavily on your heart, my darling, and it doesn't have anything to do with the brats in the cellar." I glared at him for his reference.
"Have you seen him? Is Peter here?" He tightened his grip on my chin by fraction and looked around as if Peter was to pop out of a dark corner in an instant.
Not wanting to reveal Peter, if it really was him, I said the only thing that came to mind.
"I saw Rufio last night," I revealed with a sigh.
Jimmy noticeably relaxed and released my chin, much to my happiness. He sat in the chair next to me and looked upon me with a casual eye, "And that is a problem? I thought you were infatuated with the fop."
I rolled my eyes at his statement, "How long has it been since Peter left Neverland?"
"I don't really know, twenty five, maybe thirty years? But what does that have to do with-"
I cut him off, "That is how long it has been since…" I couldn't finish my thoughts, but I didn't have to.
"Since you last saw him, Grace?" He finished my sentence, "Oh, my darling girl," he looked at me with those infernal blue eyes, so full of disappointment.
"Don't look at me like that, Jimmy!" I crossed my arms like a child. "Did you not just call him a fop? I thought you would be proud of me," I muttered under my breath.
Ignoring my statement, he asked, "How did it go? How upset was the boy?"
"Not mad at all, in fact. He thought he was dreaming me." I relaxed in my chair while Jimmy tensed slightly.
"Grace, my darling, He is going to realize that you've been gone for almost thirty years and have not aged a day. He'll know you have been here this whole time."
"I know," I buried my face in my hands, "I know. It is only a matter of time before he figures out that I didn't leave with Peter."
"He is going to be heartbroken, feel rejected. I know that feeling all too well," Jimmy responded bitterly, his eyes going hazy in memory.
"What will I do?" I looked at Jimmy in desperation, distracting him from his wandering mind.
"You must tell him the truth. He will be hurt and most likely angry for a while," I looked to the floor, dejected, but Jimmy lifted my face once again and smiled, "But if he cares for you as deeply as he seems, he will forgive you just as quickly as he got upset."
I smiled and nodded, and Jimmy let go of my face once more. It was then that I began to hear the chanting from the men outside. I looked at Jimmy's arm and noticed his hook was missing. I sighed and stood from my seat and made my way slowly to the window.
"Smee will be here shortly, I had better go."
Jimmy heard the men as well and went to his closet and donned on one of his red coats and hats. Once finished, he walked over to me. He looked as if he was about to say something but gave up and we stood in silence. The chanting grew louder and Jimmy turned to where the noise was.
"Thank you, Jimmy," he turned and stared, "For being the man you once were. Even if it was only for a moment. Thank you for listening."
He smiled sadly and took a step closer, " My quarrel was never with you, Grace. I never stopped caring for you or the other boys."
"No, just my brother," I smirked.
Jimmy let out a small chuckle, and was about to say something again when we both heard Smee on the other side of the door.
"Well, duty calls."
"Captain," we heard Smee knock on the door, "Are you ready, sir?" He didn't bother waiting for an answer, and I didn't bother waiting for Jimmy to say anything else to me. I took off out the window where I entered and tried to find Tink, much to no avail. The other men were so focused on their captain's door, they never noticed me flying right above them. I landed on the fore topmast so no one would catch me just in case my luck ran out.
"Good morning, Neverland!"