Alright everyone! This is the very last chapter so I hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 10

There was so much blood…

I fell to my knees on the deck, clutching the wound on the upper right side of my chest, close to my shoulder. The pain radiated through my back and stomach, burning its way through my body. I could feel the heat from the blood seeping over my fingers and coloring my white shirt a striking red.

Hook was beside me in a moment, pushing his hand over mine. Looking into his eyes, I saw my own fear reflected in them. He pushed me to lay on the hard wooden deck of the ship, continuing to keep pressure on my wound. The extra added pressure amplified the pain, and I couldn't stop the tears the sprung free and ran over my face.

Someone handed Hook a piece of cloth and I looked up to see that it was Peter. His face ashen as he crouched beside the captain. "What do you need?" He asked in a hurried voice.

If looks could kill, the one Peter received from Hook would have done the job. He took a deep breath and answered.

"Get me clean water, and something to use as a bandage," he growled at the boy.

As soon as Peter ran to fetch the requested items, Hook shouted, "Smee! Get me the medical kit! The box in my quarters with the needle and thread! Now!"

I whimpered at the thought of one of the crew members attempting to stitch me up. I was already in so much pain, I didn't know if I could handle any more… especially a needle in the already throbbing and burning skin. My vison was starting to get fuzzy around the edges, and a shiver rocked through my body.

"Shh, everything is going to be okay. I'm going to take care of you. This isn't the end of your story, not here and not like this, do you hear me?" Hook asked me with such a strong voice that I couldn't help but nodded my head.

Peter was back quickly, with Smee shortly behind. They lay the towel, thread, needle, and bucket of water next to Hook and I. He pulled the blood soaked shirt away from my shoulder as gently as possible, and then wiped the bloody skin with a wet towel. I didn't see why, as the would was still bleeding badly.

Hook picked up the needle and threaded it, before looking to Peter and yelling, "You did this. You help! Keep the blood off of the wound so I can see what I am doing!"

Hook looked into my eyes and I saw the unshed tears swimming just beneath the surface. "I have to do this Ava. It is going to hurt you, and I am so sorry," his voice full of regret and pain. All I could do was nod my head.

Hook took a breath to steady his hands and pushed the needle into my skin for the first stitch. Before he could get to the second, my world faded to black…

My eyes felt heavy as I tried to open them. Squinting, I could see that I was back in the Captain's quarters on the ship. The sun was shining warmly through the window, and I looked around the room quickly. There was no one there with me. No Hook. No Peter.

I slowly tried to move, and immediately regretted it. A sharp, stabbing pain shot through my shoulder. It caused my stomach to roll as well, and in that moment I was glad that I didn't have any food in my stomach.

I was wearing a clean, black shirt that was far too big for me and looked like one of Hook's. My shoulder was bandaged with a white cloth, and my arm was in a sling that was secured around my neck.

Taking my time, I slowly got to my feet. Slightly dizzy, I gave myself a few moments to gain my bearings before heading for the door. I pushed it open slowly and made my way out and onto the main deck.

The first thing I noticed was the absence of the crew on the main deck. Not a single person was to be seen.

The second was that we were no longer positioned on the bay. The ship was docked at a small port on the island, close to where the lost boys stayed.

Panic shook me as I thought about where the crew could be. Surely they wouldn't hunt down Peter and the lost boys. They were just children, frightened by the very idea of the pirate captain and his crew. My stepping in front of that blade and getting hurt was my fault, not Peters. Surely Hook would see that, wouldn't he?

I made my way to the side of the ship. Scanning the shore, I still saw no one. Where could they be? I was just starting to contemplate trying to get to shore when I heard a door close behind be.

I spun around quickly, jerking my shoulder and sending yet another searing pain through my injury. Hook stood on the deck, facing me with a blank expression. We just stood there, neither speaking or moving to the other, for quite some time. Eventually, I started to make my way slowly towards him.

Upon closer inspection, I could see gray circles under his eyes. His face looked as if he had aged five years since the day we were in the meadow. Without thinking, I reached up and rested my palm against his cheek. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, leaning into my hand. When he reopened his eyes, I could see a mix of emotions. Sadness, relief, and something else that I couldn't quite put my finger on.

After a moment, Hook took my hand off of his face and wrapped it in his own. "Why are we docked?" I asked curiously but cautiously.

"I was unsure of when you would wake, and I wanted the transition to be as easy for you as possible," he said with his eyes to the deck. When I just looked at him in confusion, he continued. "While you were asleep, Peter and I spoke. We agreed to a truce. My men and I will stay on the sea, with the occasional trip to the island for provisions, and leave him and the lost boys in peace. He will extend us the same courtesy, and since he was the one to hurt you, he will also help me with one last thing as an act of good faith. He's going to take you home."

I pulled away from Hook in shock and anger. After everything that we had gone through, I was sure that he would see how much I cared about him.

My voice giving away my emotions, I said, "Why would you do that? Did you ever think to ask me what I wanted? Ever since I lost my parents, I felt like I didn't belong. I had no where to go, no family, and I was lost. Here in Neverland, on this ship with you, I finally feel like I'm starting to find my place. I finally feel like I belong and you want to take that from me?

"I know that staying here isn't without its dangers. Yes, I got hurt as a part of the feud between yourself and Peter, but it was my fault! I stepped in the way out of my own free will! I did it because to me, it was worth the risk. I have seen far too much loss in my life already, and I couldn't stand to loose someone else that I love".

Hook looked shocked by my confession, and quite frankly, I was as well. I never thought I would come to love a pirate captain. Especially not the one from my childhood bedtime stories. But life is crazy, and you never know where it is going to take you.

Hook took my hand in his again, and our eyes locked. "Are you sure that this is what you want? This life isn't easy, and I don't want you to give up your old life just because of me," he said in a quiet voice.

My voice was strong and sure as I told him, "I'm not giving up anything, Hook. I am gaining friends, love, and a place where I belong".

And that was what Neverland was for. It gave people hope. It helped people to find their way in life. It was full of adventure and promise, and I couldn't wait to uncover them all.

Thank you for reading Hook Untold! It was fun to get back to writing for my own enjoyment. If you liked the story, drop a comment and let me know! My greatest motivation as a writer is seeing the comments and thoughts of my readers! Thank you again to those who read, and check my page and stay tuned for my next story!