Author's Note: Happy Late Memorial Day! I probably could have finished this chapter over the past couple of days but I was having family time, which is highly important. I have not forgotten this story, but doing 9 chapters in almost 9 days was a bit draining on my imagination. I am now well rested and ready to continue. Thank you for all the support and reviews!
Once again Hook had failed at maintaining his serious composure around Wendy, it was as if he couldn't maintain his anger around her. Staring at the table before him he thought about how minutes ago he was enraged at the thought of her escaping but when she was tied to his dinner chair his mind lost its grip on its emotions. He let his head fall into his hand. If she were anyone else she would be dead by now he thought, and yet she has retired to her cabin without even a punishment for her actions. How soft he'd grow in only a couple weeks, but could he blame himself?
One last adventure that is what he had promised, a wolfish grin came over him as he thought that he never put a time limit on the adventure. Some adventures could last forever. With only a few more hours to daybreak Hook knew that they would be in the town's harbor shortly after. He wondered if letting Miss Darling accompany him would be a good idea, rolling his eyes he knew that if he didn't take her that she would somehow blow up his ship. He then had a grand thought. He would make her promise him that while on the adventure she would make no escape attempts, and that she would try to enjoy whatever they were doing. She was a woman of her word from what Hook gathered, and as he did she took promises very seriously.
Resolving his current problems Hook disrobed and fell into his bed, his mind evading sleep by reminding him of what Wendy felt like pressed against his chest. The Captain rolled over trying to stop his arousal, yet his mind continued to plague him. His thoughts then moved onto Wendy's heated cheeks whenever she would assist him with his hook in the mornings. He smiled in knowing that as he now saw Wendy as a woman, she was in turn seeing him as a man. He was taken back to Wendy's first night aboard the ship, the way she gripped at his chest when he had kissed up her neck, how his name sounded coming from her lips. A chill traveled down his spine, surely the amount of wine she had consumed couldn't have hid her disgust for him, if there was any. As new complications arose in his mind concerning Wendy the Captain quickly pushed them away, he would not think about these things right now. Turning back over Hook allowed his dreams to be filled with images of Wendy.
Wendy stared at the ceiling in front of her a small smile playing at her lips, an adventure that is all she had wanted in coming here. Sure she thought it would have been Peter to bring her back for the last time, but is the Captain so bad? She thought about how much of the island she never got to see because Peter got so bored and irritated when she wanted to explore and not play with him. She let herself grow excited at the town they were to go into today, Peter had never even mentioned it. Peter never mentioned a lot of things. Rousing herself from the sheets she dressed in her usual work attire and made way for the Captain's cabin.
Letting herself in Wendy went about opening the drapes and picking up spoils and trinkets. She stopped as she felt the Captain's eyes on her, turning she saw him lounging in the bed with an arm resting behind his head. This action, Wendy noticed put his muscular chest on full display and her wandering eyes couldn't resist the temptation. Blushing when she realized that she had been staring far longer than she intended she met the Captain's eyes waiting for him to speak.
"If you are done with your assessment of me Miss Darling I suggest you make quick work of changing your clothes." He said his voice still hoarse from sleep.
Wendy felt her stomach clench at the sound of his deep voice and asked, "why you gave me these clothes, how will they not be acceptable for visiting the town?"
Hook moved to stand causing Wendy to turn away and close her eyes. "turn around." Hook drawled lazily.
Wendy obeyed his command without hesitation but kept her eyes closed. She felt him come closer, and she also felt her heart racing.
"Miss Darling I do hate to inform you that I'm decent." He said letting his fingers brush her cheek. At his words Wendy's eyes popped opened and she blushed for the second time that morning. Wendy still crimson said nothing as her mind was turning into mush.
"I will ask you again to change your attire, as one of your dresses will be much more effective in hiding your figure when we venture out today." He stated. At Wendy's confused look he continued. "There are many we will see today who do not follow the same code of conduct as I, and even though I will be your escort it will not hurt to discourage wandering eyes."
Wendy nodded in understandment and crossed the room to retrieve his hook. When the Captain was fully equipped Wendy made her move to leave, but was stopped by the Captain pulling her into his bare chest. Wendy's breathing hitched her hands went to the Captain's broad shoulders to steady herself. Her hands once in contact with his skin started to tingle, wanting to explore the broader plane of his chest. Looking into his eyes Wendy could see a hunger, a primal hunger.
Hook bent his head down stopping short of Wendy's lips and whispered, "Miss Darling before we start the adventure I will require something of you."
Wendy could feel his breath on her lips had she been bolder she would have reached up to kiss him, but innocent fear clouded her mind and she asked, "what will you require?"
Hook's mustache twitched at the thought of what he could have answered with, but keeping his intentions pure he responded, "a promise Miss Darling. I will require your promise that while we are on your adventure you will not make any further attempts to escape." He watched her eyes as he spoke.
Wendy's mind became muddled, she had almost forgotten about her failed escape attempt and it had not even been a whole day. She saw sense in his request, if she was concerned about escaping she wouldn't be able to truly appreciate the island one last time. His promise never included what happened after the adventure.
Making her choice she told the Captain, "Captain Hook you have my word as a lady that during our adventure I will forgo any attempts to escape." Wendy let her soft words caress his lips.
Hook recognizing her attempt to return his seduction, lightly brushed his lips against hers and growled, "Wendy, Wendy, Wendy. I'm sure that I asked you to call me James."
In an instant Wendy's lips were covered with his, her hands gripped his shoulders tighter as a realization dawned upon Wendy. She was being kissed! Hook was kissing her as a woman, a naïve and innocent woman yes but a woman all the same. Wendy let her thoughts die out as she shyly tried to follow the Captain's lead.
Hook could have drank in her sweet inexperience. He let his lips mesh with her own and when he felt her finally succumb to his embrace he let his tongue trace the bottom of Wendy's plump lips. Wendy gasped at his actions giving him access to more of her.
When Hook's tongue started to taste Wendy's mouth she was lost. Her hands started to move of their own accord, going lower to feel him beneath her palms. Wendy felt the dark coating of chest hair that ran down his middle, and wondered if it went lower.
Not wanting to push this too far Hook tore himself away from Wendy, holding her at arm's length. He let a smirk show itself when Wendy made a small noise of protest, but his eyes were caught at the small wiggle that left the right corner of her lips. He had saw her hidden kiss move, so it was attainable! Hook knew that if he had kissed her for a second longer her kiss would be affixed right under his mustache, but knowing that is was too soon for such antics he told Wendy, "my beauty I think it best if you go and change, as we are now docked in the harbor."
Wendy backed away from the Captain and smiled leaving the cabin. Returning to her room she walked over to the wardrobe and looked at the dresses before her, not really paying attention. She brought a shaky hand to her lips to feel them slightly swollen from the Captain's actions. She told herself she should be appalled that she had let him kiss her like that, yet she couldn't find the emotions. She had liked kissing him, Wendy was smiling so much it hurt. Her Edwardian rational thoughts were gone, and in their place her girlish ones from years ago took over. She knew that she shouldn't be feeling this way about him and yet here she was. Deciding that this is an adventure in itself Wendy allowed herself to open her mind and her heart to the adventure that was Captain James Hook.
Hook was waiting patiently on the deck for Wendy to finish changing. He should have been in a sour mood at the thought of having to buy a new dingy but when he thought back to moments earlier he couldn't muster the energy to focus. He turned, hearing a door shut and then there she was, a vision in pink. Hook kept his face void of emotion but when Wendy reached his side he drew in a breath. Her hair had been pinned back from her face but still fell down her back in wild curls much like his own, and her dress hid but also accented her feminine shape. Hook then noticed that since they had been at sea she had managed to develop a smattering of freckles on her nose which Hook found to be enchanting. Silently lending her his arm they descended the gangplank, with Hook thinking of what a striking couple they made.
Wendy's eyes were wide as she took in the sites before her, she had never witnessed something so exotic. As she let James lead her through the streets of the town she was enthralled at all it had to offer. After arriving the Captain lead them to a boat maker and purchased a replacement for the boat destroyed in Wendy's failed escape, and while they were there Wendy couldn't stop blushing from embarrassment.
"Where are we going next?" She asked filled with excitement, still gripping James' arm.
Hook dipped his hat as to hide his small smile from eyes scouring the streets, as he did have a reputation to maintain.
"Just look Wendy and if something catches your eye we will stop, but while you are looking I have to meet some men." He said close to her ear.
"Oh well I'll come with you." Wendy added not wanting to be left out.
"Oh I'm sure you would go with me, but where I'm going is no place for a lady. I intend to acquire a new quartermaster." He said nodding to what Wendy would consider a house of ill repute.
"I will leave Smee here, and before you ask it's not to make sure you don't run away, it's to make sure no one tries to harm you. These people know Smee and if you are beside him no one will touch you." James continued his hook lightly rubbing her lower back.
Wendy amazed at how he read her mind nodded and took a seat with Mr. Smee on the edge of a nearby fountain. She watched in rapture at the power and respect James commanded when he entered the tavern like establishment, and then busied herself with looking at all the people.
She did notice when they entered the town a few women giving her angry glares or raising their noses at her. She surmised that they had all had their sights set on the Captain or had been previously involved with him in some way. Wendy ignored the tinge of jealousy pricking her heart and turned her head when her and Mr. Smee's attention was caught by childish laughter.
Wendy smiled brightly as she watched a young baby clumsily walk towards her, when his hands reached up Wendy stood and gathered the child in her arms. She thought he could be no more than 18 months.
Turning to Smee who was now smiling she asked, "Mr. Smee do you see anyone who could be his mother, he seems to have outran her."
"I'm looking Miss Wendy but I haven't heard any cries of panic just yet. Why look he seems to like ya." Smee told Wendy.
Wendy looked down at the child gracing her hip, it seems that after seven years her longing to be a mother has endured. She was then faced with the question of how a baby was born in Neverland.
"Mr. Smee how can this child be here!? I thought when you came here you never aged. Will he be a child forever?" She cried.
Smee allowing himself a chuckle at Wendy's maternal feelings, answered "well Miss Wendy some people in the town do age normally, and have regular families. It's just all about what they wish for, what they long for. The island is magic after all and if a woman wants a child bad enough the island grants her the wish, and then the child grows as normal until they develop their own wishes and wants."
As Wendy's panic faded she saw a woman run out of an alleyway her eyes searching and filled with fear. Wendy started to walk forwards with the child in her arms, and saw the obvious mother's shoulders fall with relief.
"It seems as if he was almost successful in his escape." Wendy said reluctantly handing the child back to its mother.
"Oh you have no idea how fast he can be even on such little legs, thank you so much for holding him. I just couldn't imagine what I'd have done had something happened." The mother said rapidly.
Giving the baby boy one last wave Wendy turned to see Hook leaning against a nearby wall, a strange look covering his features.
Hook watched silently as he saw the scene play out before him, Wendy had not lost her mothering touch. Hook felt his stomach heat at the thought of her with a child, his child. His own thoughts caused his blood to run cold. He could never be a father, he had never wanted to be one before, but that was before you had Wendy. Hook leaned against the wall behind her and could see her hesitation in giving back the child. Wendy with a child, Wendy with his child. The idea had promise, Hook let his mind ponder on this for a few seconds until Wendy turned around to find him staring at her.
Hook removed himself from the wall and went to Wendy saying, "it seems that you have not lost your touch, the child seemed very content."
Wendy smiled and bit her lip not wanting to show how much she had enjoyed holding the boy. "His mother said he was quite fast." She explained.
"Probably on the hunt for adventure." Hook said jokingly.
Wendy let a small laugh leave her lips and then replaced her arm on the Captain's as she guided him to a small wood working shop, trying to keep her eyes off the cradles.
Hook watched as Wendy went from shop to shop her face alit with joy, just like when she was a girl. He had bought her everything she had desired even against her protests. The only way Hook finally got her to relent was to tell her how much it will benefit the store owners, and then she gave in. He shook his head, she was always one to help people. Hook now stood outside a bakery which he may or may not have directed Wendy to as their last stop. He had told her to go in alone for he had a previous altercation with the baker, but didn't want Wendy to miss out because of him. Smee was in there with her and Hook was content in watching from the window. His rare peaceful reverie was broken by a sultry voice and a hand caressing his arm.
"And here I thought you forgot about me." She cooed.
Hook turned silently willing Wendy to stay inside for a while longer. "Evangeline, what an unfortunate surprise, and you are correct in thinking I forgot about you." He growled. Hook watched as her red lips adopted a severe frown which left as quick as it came.
"Surely Hook you are jesting; don't you remember all the fun we had." She said now caressing his chest.
Hook's arms remained at his side as he replied, "I remember some very intoxicated entertaining moments but fun no."
Evangeline started to turn red from the roots of her long blonde hair to the bottom of her booted feet. "I see you have replaced me." She said trying to sound hurt.
"Yours was never a position to replace, as it never existed." Hook hissed growing tired of the woman's games. He stole a glance inside the shop window to see Wendy almost finished, something Evangeline's brown eyes did not miss.
The girl looked familiar somehow, and then she remembered Hook drunkenly saying something about a Wendy once. "Ah Wendy, I presume." She said. From the look that crossed Hook's face at hearing her say the name she knew her guess was correct.
"Why how… quaint, innocent almost. You know she could never be with you like I can." She said now back in her tone of seduction, her hands still roving his chest.
Hook went to remove her hands and finally silence her but was stopped by a sweet voice saying, "Captain?"
When Wendy had walked out of the bakery she did not expect to see James with another woman, and a terribly beautiful one at that. Wendy unsure of what to call him with others present went with the safe title of captain. She saw his back go stiff which put worry in her mind but pushing through she went to stand beside him, making sure the other woman saw her arm going through his.
The other woman spoke, "why you must be Wendy."
"Yes I am and who are you?" Wendy inquired. Being a head taller than the woman she made sure her back was straight, she sensed tension between the Captain and the stranger.
"Oh me? I'm Evangeline a friend of Hook's." She said putting a spin on the word "friends", as if to imply a double entendre.
"You certainly are no friend of mine." Hook spat. "Come Wendy." He said desperately trying to pull her along.
If a snake could laugh it would sound just like Evangeline. Tossing her head back she laughed and then purred, "oh I guess you're right, friends is too tame of a word."
At her words Wendy felt sick to her stomach, she became very confused about her feelings. When did the Captain stop seeing Evangeline? Why did she care? She recognized painful jealousy ripping through her, how could she ever hope to compete with such a woman? She was everything Wendy wasn't. Where Wendy was tall and slim, Evangeline was shorter but was graced with womanly curves. With her eyes starting to grow wet and not wanting to cry in front of the Captain, Wendy quickly slipped away and walked ahead to join Mr. Smee and the rest of the crew going back to the ship.
Hook was livid he turned around to face a smug Evangeline. Stalking towards her he saw a glimmer of fear pass her eyes but it was gone soon enough.
"You will pay for that, mark my words. We were never anything and we will never be anything so get that through your thick skull." Hook said his words like venom.
Evangeline managed a smile and said, "really, because I do believe that you are not the only one on this island who has their sights set on Wendy. Would be a shame if she were to be whisked away."
"Go near that boy and I will make sure you are shipped off by morning's light, I'm sure aging wouldn't be kind to a vain witch like yourself." Hook replied ending their argument. Leaving a vengeful Evangeline he started back for the ship hoping Wendy would listen to him grovel. Captain James Hook begging for mercy, how weak you are, she is but a woman. Hook agreed to himself that he was weak, but he was weak only for Wendy.