Disclaimer: I do not own Peter Pan!


Chapter Eight

Percy's POV

The rest of the day was rough. Ashton stayed out of sight, even during dinner, I had put the food on the table while everyone was outside, turned away, and when I looked back at the table, his plate was gone. I was so hurt by what he said. I couldn't believe he would tell me to leave.

I had fetched his pan flute out of the forest and put it in my room for safekeeping. I had given him the flute a year after I came to Neverland as a thank-you gift for him being so kind to me...

When it was about ten o'clock, I flew out of the hideout, feeling a bit dizzy and weak, and found the Lost Boys sitting around a bonfire telling scary stories. I smiled and said, "Boys, it's time for bed. Call Ashton, he'll tuck you in tonight; I don't feel well."

"Goodnight, Percy!" they called in unison.

"Feel better," Tootles said quietly.

"Goodnight, boys," I went back into the hideout and to my room.

I took off my belt and placed my dagger on the table. I took off my jewelry and slipped on a soft, dark red, V-neck nightgown with lace starting at the shoulders and ending at the middle of my back. It had been a gift from Wendy when she found out that I normally slept in my 'street clothes', as she called them.

I sat on the hammock, letting out a sigh before laying down and pulling the blanket over me. I turned on to my side and saw my teddy bear on the floor. Hesitantly, I picked it up and hugged it close to my chest, falling in to a restless sleep.

My dream started when I was little, on that plane. I hadn't dreamed about the crash since I left Neverland...

Just as the plane began to fall, the dream changed to a view of a dim room. The Lost Boys were surrounding a bed. There was one boy missing from the image: Ashton.

I tried to get closer but it felt like my feet were nailed to the floor.

Slightly pulled a sheet over a figure in the bed. "Dead," he said solemnly and the boys started crying.

"Boys!" I called, "What's wrong? Who's dead?!"

They never replied; it was as if they couldn't even hear me. I had a sinking feeling that the person in the bed was Ashton...

I screamed as I shot up from bed. I woke up in a cold sweat and tears ran down my face. I had expected Ashton to run into my room like he usually did when I yelled, but he never did.

I felt shaky and weak as I sat up. I tried to stand but fell onto my knees. The room was spinning and my cheeks burned. I tried to call for Ashton but the only thing that came out was a whimper. I gripped the hammock and pulled myself up, slowly making my way to the doorway.

I opened the door and glanced around. I went to Ashton's room and opened the door. He rolled over in his bed, which he preferred over a hammock, and scowled when he saw me. "What do you want?" he snapped.

I tried to speak but nothing came out expect for a groan. He finally noticed the pain expression on my face and asked, "Hey, what's wrong?"

I collapsed on the floor, black dots invading my vision.

Ashton quickly got up and rushed to me. He knelt beside me and helped me sit up. I leaned against his chest, breathing heavily. He looked at me with pure concern.

I let out a quiet groan and closed my eyes. "Hey, Percy, stay with me," he told me, "Don't do this, Percia, stay awake, come on." He slapped me gently and I fought to open my eyes but with every second that passed his voice became more and more distant. I couldn't fight it any longer and the darkness consumed me.

Ashton's POV

Percy's body went limp in my arms and I shook her. "Percy!" I said loudly, "Percia! Come on! Wake up!"

The Lost Boys ran in, woken up by my yelling, and came to an abrupt stop when they saw Percy. "What's wrong with her?" Chubby asked.

"I don't know, I think she's sick," I replied worriedly.

"What do we do?" the Twins asked, alternating between each word.

"I... I don't know!" I snapped, "I'm not a mother! I don't know how to take care of a sick person!"

Percy groaned and I looked at her. Her eyes fluttered for a moment before going still once again.

"Percy always puts her hand on our forehead when we're sick," Nibs told me.

I placed my hand gently on Percy's forehead and frowned. "She's burning up," I muttered as I picked her up bridal style and walked over to the bed. I set her down and sat beside her, stroking her face.

"Slightly, go get a bowl of water and a washcloth," I ordered and Slightly left right away.

When Slightly returned, I placed the bowl on the nightstand and placed the washcloth in the bowl. I squeezed the water out of the cloth and put it on Percy's forehead, pushing back her bangs. I sighed and closed my eyes.

Instantly, the boys began yelling and asking if she was going to be ok.

"Boys!" I yelled and they quieted down, "Percy will be better in a few days. In the meantime, we'll have to care for her."

Everyone groaned in protest. "Hey!" I snapped angrily, "Percy has taken care of us for five years! The least we can do is care for her while she's ill."

They stopped complaining and muttered agreements. "Now go back to bed," I told them and they all left. All except for Tootles. "What's wrong Tootles?" I asked him.

He walked over to the bed and sat next to Percy, across from me. "I wanna be here for her," he said quietly.

My expression softened and I said gently, "Tootles, I think Percy is really sick, she wouldn't want you to get sick too. You should go to bed."

He crossed his arms and pouted. I sighed. "Ok, if you really want to help her, get me a cup of water," I told him and he nodded.

Tootles trotted out of the room, returning a few minutes later holding a cup of water. He handed it to me and went back to his spot on the bed.

I raised Percy's head carefully and put the cup to her lips. I let a little bit of water trickle out of the cup and pass over her lips, but the water only dripped down her chin.

I knew she wouldn't be able to drink anything but I needed her to drink something.

I was still angry with her, but she was my best friend, I needed to help her. I was scared of losing her. Yes, I told her to leave but I knew she wouldn't, not if it meant leaving the Lost Boys without a mother.

Then a thought crossed my mind that made my stomach drop: When exactly had Percy arrived back at Neverland? If she was so much as five seconds late...

"Oh no," I said quietly, rubbing my temples, "Oh please no..."


Duh, duh, duuh!

I don't know why I did that.
Ok, what do you think? Was Percy late getting to Neverland or is it something else...? *evil smirk*
Before I start working on the next chapter I want to know what you guys want to see happen! Inform me. Lemme know!

Moving on...

Short week next week! Yes! Only have school on Monday and Tuesday and the rest of the week is full of nothing... Expect for Thanksgiving dinner at my Aunt's.

I am determined that, by the time Thanksgiving break is over, I will have finished 'The Lost Hero' by Rick Riordan and be able to move on to the next book in the 'Heroes of Olympus' series. If any of you read that series, you rock, if you've never even heard of it... then take my word for it, it's amazing.

Ok I'm done.

Have a blessed day, I will try to update soon.
~Nydroj