I don't own Peter Pan!

Live or Swim

Chapter 10

"PETER!" a girl ran screaming out from the tree house. She ran smack into the fly-boy and quickly hid behind him, "They're at it again!"

"Tank! Get back here! We ain't gonna hurt ya none!"

"Ya! We just wanna see why you won't go dipping with us!"

Peter laughed, not noticing TJ, Jay, and Shiaris growl at the obvious meaning of the boys' words, "Hello lost boys!"

"Hey Peter, we're gonna get Tank to go dipping with us, wanna help?"

"You will do no such thing!" Shiaris growled.

TJ added her own two cents, "Have you boys no common sense of decency and decorum?!"

"Um, Peter, who are they?" asked a well rounded lad.

"This is TJ, Jay, and Shiaris. I found them or rather they found me," Peter shrugged. "Tank, now what's so bad about going dipping?"

"Tink, we're going to need your help on this one, Peter is being a silly ass again," Shiaris rolled her eyes at Peter's obliviousness.

"I am not being a silly ass, Shiaris!" Peter turned and frowned at her.

"You're right; you want a girl to go skinny-dipping with boys. I should be call that being a stupid-ass, not silly one," TJ replied haughtily.

"Girl? What girl?" Peter asked confused.

"Tank is a girl, you imbecile," Jay managed to get out.

"Jay! You talked! With less nonsense!" Shiaris grinned up at her tall friend.

"Yes. I guess Tinkerbell's medicine just didn't kick in till now." Jay frowned, "But that's not important right now. Tank, have you ever told Peter you were a girl? He's not exactly the brightest boy in the bunch, but even he should have noticed something by now…"

"I thought he knew," Tank whispered as she whimpered behind Peter.

"Well, there's your reasoning, boys. Guess you'll have to go dipping without Tank," Peter ushered the lost boys back to their fun and games.

"Peter, I apologize for saying what I did. I did not mean to harm your leadership position in the minds of your supporters," Jay told Peter humbly.

"I graciously except your apology and nominate you my new representative when speaking diplomatically to Ladies and official protector of Tank."

"I will only accept that role if Miss Tank will allow me the honor of doing so," Jay replied.

"I will accept your protection, kind sir Jay," Tank blushed as she took his hand and dragged him into the tree house.

"Pan, are you really that dumb?" TJ rolled her eyes.

"I knew. I just wanted her to tell me herself. She's supposed to let me know what's wrong, but she's too in awe of me to say anything like that. I wanted her to get over it," Peter replied somewhat hotly. TJ growled and stalked after her brother.

"Peter…" Shiaris looked him directly into the eye. "There's something more about her, isn't there? Don't tell me, it's not my place to know; but I can see it in your eyes. You hurt for her," Shiaris whispered.

"Yes."

"Peter, I know this is off topic, but we're going to have to seal the opening, so that the Codfish can't use it," Shiaris didn't move from her spot, still not sure if she should approach Peter.

"You're right," Peter sighed tiredly, and walked to Shiaris, taking her hand and smiling gently. "You understand more than any of the others… you're so like me, and yet so different. Why is that?"

"If I had known my real parents, I might know, Peter. But I have my suspicions," Shiaris replied, focusing on their clasped hands. "I once ran into a strangely dressed lady… her eyes were pure gold. She had fangs that captured the light, but she kept walking after her initial glance at me, as if she feared me or considered me a threat."

"What was she?" Peter frowned.

"A vampire, but don't ask me why I'm certain of that. Maybe since I'm in Neverland I'll find another similar to me and find out what I really am," Shiaris gave him a hopeful smile. "I could even find out why I have such a long memory and why my parents left me."

"You promise not to leave?" Peter stared at her worriedly.

"Peter, I promise you that I'll always be on your side, the side of faith, truth, and pixie dust, even if I'm dragged away."

"No, that's not what I meant!"

"Peter…"

"Promise not to leave me-I mean us!" Peter tightened his grip on her hand.

"I promise never to permanently leave you, Peter," Shiaris whispered. "Besides, I have no reason to leave. And where would I go? Tink and I may be friends, but I'm too large to fit in her fairy-house, and I'm ill-suited for living with pirates and Indians, and the mermaids… something tells me that though I may be similar to them, we are polar opposites. Therefore, the only place for me to be is with you and the Lost Children."

"You mean it?"

"With all my heart, Peter, there is no place I would rather be. If it comes down for me to choose between you and the world… I'd choose you and the Losts."

"Good!" Peter was so happy he crowed.

"Silly-ass," Shiaris chuckled.

"Then what does that make you?" Peter stuck out his tongue.

"Peter, you're the best," Shiaris smiled and hugged her friend.

"Um… t-thanks," Peter squeaked in surprise.

"Why don't you two just kiss and get it over with!" Tinkerbell snorted, causing the two to jump apart.

"Uh, Tink, Peter doesn't know what that is! And I'd rather not, if you don't mind," Shiaris mumbled loud enough for the fairy to hear her, but not Peter.

"Why not? All the other girls wanted to," Tink snorted.

"Ah, but then the other girls were not aware of your crush on him."

"I finally got over him, he can't fall in love with a fairy, we're too little," Tink huffed.

"How about…" Shiaris yelped in surprise as something flew into the back of her head. "Ouch! What the…?"

"Owie, what'd I run in to?"

"Uh, Peter…" Shiaris gaped at the male fairy which was holding it's head.

"Oh, it's just a fairy, Shiaris," Peter shrugged. "Tink, who is he?"

"My name is Bagat, and she is mine, I think…" Bagat pointed at Shiaris who blinked at him in shock.

"Um, no, you must be mistaken, why don't you wait until you recover from your… abrupt stop."

"Alright, but I'm pretty sure I'm your fairy," Bagat rumbled.

"Peter… can you understand him too?" Shiaris asked worriedly.

"Yes, but I think it's because Tink taught me," Peter frowned.

"Bagat, are you sure you're my fairy and not TJ or Jay's?" Shiaris whispered softly.

"Yup! You're the one! The one with liquid silver for hair and amethyst for eyes. It's in the prophesy!"

"What prophesy?" Peter frowned.

"The one that has her in it," Bagat replied.

"Bagat, are you purposely being obtuse?" Shiaris raised an eyebrow.

"I'm not suppose to tell anyone about it but you, mistress mine," Bagat blushed.

"Then tell me," Shiaris frowned and pointed to her ear.

Bagat blinked, and nodded, and began the prophesy, "A child of the earth shall come and with her the flying boy and two others. She leads the path of the light, and shuns the darkness. The darkness will take her from those she came with, and lock her away from those she loved and knew. The time is now, the test is true, only with her fairy shall she stay. A new world. A new life. Escape the darkness or the light shall be lost. Take heed, child of the liquid silver hair and amethyst eyes, bringer and leader to the path of light. The darkness comes…"

"Bagat, that is strange," Shiaris frowned.

"Agreed, but as I shall be with you, we'll be relatively safe," Bagat puffed up his little chest.

"Peter… I can't keep my promise if Bagat's prophesy comes to pass…" Shiaris' eyes watered.

"Ari…" Peter stared at her in shock, "NO! I won't let you leave! I forbid it!"

"Peter, you can't forbid me from something that I have no control over. It said that the darkness will take me."

"The darkness?" Peter frowned, "Hook."

"Peter, I don't think…" Shiaris began.

"We'll keep you safe, Ari," Peter interrupted her and went off to find TJ and Jay.

"Bagat, it will come for me, and it's not Hook… I can feel it…" Shiaris whispered.

"Yes, my Ari, I agree," Bagat frowned. "It will be soon…"