Sorry it's been so long.

disclaimer - I do not own Peter Pan.

Chapter 14 - Stranger Danger

Rose's POV -

After a while I stopped running. The tears had long stopped but I kept going, I don't why really, I just did. Peters calls were still rather muffled behind me. So, I sat on the floor with my back to a tree and pulled my knees up to my chest. The sky was tinged with orange as the sun began to set. Well at least this dreaded day would be over soon. The birds song now a whisper as the hoots of hidden owls became louder.
*Snap*
I twisted my head to see Peter approaching slowly, it almost seemed cautious. Maybe he thought I was going to run off again. Well he was wrong, I may of cried but I wasn't planning on doing it again. While I was running I promised myself more self control.

"Hey Peter", I said in a hoarse voice.
"You ok?", he asked sympathetically.
"Yeah", I laughed slightly, "just having a girly moment. I'm all good though, and I promise no more outbreaks. I don't even know what came over me", I shrugged.
"Don't worry about it, you've been through a lot. I expected you to break sooner or even faint, like most girls", he said dropping down next to me.
"I suppose I should take that as a compliment? Although you did just say girls aren't able to withstand too much bad news. We're not all stereotypical princesses you know", I said staring off into the distance.
"Hmmm...that's...nice", he said awkwardly. What did he mean that's nice? Oh.
"Sorry I forgot I say rather long words sometimes", I laughed, "what I meant to say was, girls aren't fainting princesses that need a charming hero all the time anything bad happens", I said as simply as possible. I didn't mind though.
"Oh, well that makes more sense. Why didn't you say that in the first place?", he asked, I turned to look him in the eye. He was hovering slightly above ground staring back. He still looked slightly confused.
"In the adult, I mean grown up world, you need to use big words so people think your smart", I tried to say it without a baby ting to my voice, it was hard but I done it.
"Erh, I hate grown ups", he said with disgust. It made me smile how childish he was at heart.
"I know, in fact I sure everyone who's ever seen the film, read the book or anything else to do with you, knows that you hate grown ups", I said shaking my head. This boy was so oblivious.

*Snap, crash, snap*
"Bloody branches, stinking roots, wretched shrubs...", someone muttered in the forest in-front of us. Whoever they were it wasn't good because Peter tensed and jumped up pulling me with me.
"What is it?", I whispered. He held his finger to his lip to tell me to be quiet. I nodded to show I understood. Please tell me it wasn't the pirates. Peter pulled out his sword, the sound of the metal being pulled out seemed to echo throughout the whole forest. I cringed at the sound.
"Who's there?", the voice called, halting to a stop. Shit, he heard us. After no response he carried on walking. Well more like tripping his was through the forest.

*Crash*
And he landed right by out feet. Sprawled across the woodland floor. He cursed as he pulled himself up. When he was half way up Peter put his sword to his neck.
"What a pleasant surprise junior", Peter said cockily.
"Pan", he stated slowly rising. The sword staying by his neck he entire time.
"Now what would you been doing in the woods this late at night?", Peter asked curiously those his face remained blank.
"I got kicked off the Jolly Rodger", he said like it was no biggy.

"What, isn't hook your dad?", I asked speaking for the first time. No way was I standing here like a bimbo will Peter acted all high and mighty.
"Adoptive father", he added, a little too pleased that was talking.
"Still...that's just wrong...he has responsibilities as your father, adoptive or not to take care of you. Some one needs to have a serious word with him", I said rather angrily. Both boys looked shocked.
"What? What did I say?", I asked confused.
"There the enemy Rose. Your not supposed to feel sorry for them or have a word with them. Your supposed to fight them, kill them, then go home and celebrate and victory...", Peter said but was interrupted by junior who said.
"...or a loss".
"I don't care, it wrong and he is a parent and should act like such", I said crossing my arms over my chest.
"You truly are a mother at heart", Peter said sighing, "now what to do with you?", he asked himself as he tapped his chin with his free hand.
"What do you mean do with him?", I asked dropping my hands back to sides now curious with Peters Remark.
"Well, he can't come with us can he?", he said sarcastically but I gave him my best 'what made u think that' look.
"Oh come on, you can't be serious", he whined.
"I'm not going to let him die. In the morning he can be on his way once he gets his act together but I couldn't live with myself if I let him die", I said. I watched him intently as he sighed and reluctantly nodded, removing the sword from his neck.
"Wonderful, lets go", I turned to walk but remember I had no idea where I was going, "um, Peter why don't you lead", I said motioning forward.
"Sure", Peter said merrily but his gaze turned bitter as he looked towards junior. Was his name actually junior though. I'd have to ask.
"But you", Peter said in a bitter tone matching his glare, "will stay close. In front so I could keep an eye on you", and with that we walked through the forest at a rather briskly walked, to god knows where.

"Put this on", Peter said turning to Junior holding out a ragged cloth him. Where was he supposed to put that on? Junior, grabbed the cloth and tied it around his eyes.
"Ready", Junior said feeling the air with his hands. I couldn't help but laugh.
"What", he snapped.
"Wo, sorry, didn't mean to get your knickers in a twist", I said putting my hands up in surrender although he couldn't see me.
"It's fine", he huffed, "can you help? It's kinda awkward to walk", he said waving his hands in the air again trying find someone.
"I can't help you when your to trying to slap me", I said trying to grab his arms, which to my dismay was still flying about.
"Sorry", he said dropping his hands to his side.
I grabbed his wrist and walked towards Peter who stood with his back towards, it looked like his arms were crossed over his chest.

"To the...", I didn't know if I should say hideout around junior so I would improvise just incase, "...thingy place...that...um...the other people are at", I continued rather sheepishly resisting the urge to scratch the back of my neck.
"What?", Peter turned to look at me. I mouthed to him, 'the hideout' to which he smiled.
"You can say it, everyone knows we have a hideout, Rose", Peter said with a smug look on his face but it dropped as soon as he saw me holding Junior wrist.
"I can help him", he said with something I didn't recognise in his voice. To this Junior smiled victoriously. Hmmm interesting.
"Go right ahead", I said dropping his wrist and walking towards the lonely tree.

By the time I reached it the door flew open revealing Chip and Tootles.
"ROSE", they shouted throwing themselves me. I fell backwards to the floor and upon impact they bombarded me with apologises and questions that I could make out. But still they were happy to see me, in fact it was rather cute they were worried. Sitting up the best I could, I hugged them both.
"Hey guys, wow you really did miss me hey", I strained laughed as they squeezed me in another hug tight.
"Na, we were worried", Chip said standing and straightening himself out.
"Ok, we'll let's get inside shall we", I said pulling myself up along with Tootles who was clinging to me so I decided to carry him.
"Okie Dokie. Also where Peter?", he said looking around me.
"I dunno, he was right behind me", I said turning and looking around the darkness for them.

"Don't worry Rose, he's always out late. Let's get in", Chip said running inside the hollow tree, this was followed by squeals of joy from that treacherous slide. Holding onto Tootles tight I followed his lead, hearing the door slammed behind me.
By the time I reached the bottom of the slide, I immediately saw Chip with a lantern.
"Have fun?", he asked with a sly grin.
"Yeah, it's funnier when you know what to expect", I said pulling myself up. Tootles seemed to be drifting off in my arms, bless him.
Chip gestured forward and I followed rubbing the now sleeping Tootles back as we reached the hideout.

"Who's taking first watch?", Peter announced as I walked in.
"First watch for what?", I whispered not wanting to wake Tootles.
"To watch Edward", he stated, "is Tootles asleep?", he whispered walking over cautiously as if the sound of his footsteps would walked him.
"Yeah, where's his bed?", I asked. He walked towards the hall and I took it as a follow me kind thing. At the end of the all there was a gigantic room that was a state. Hammocks of all different shapes, size and colours hugs from the walls and the floor was covered in dirty clothes and toys.
"This one", Peter said pointing at a small blue hammock close to the floor in the corner.
I walked over and kneeing down I gently pulled Tootles from me and place him as sturdily as I could on the rocking hammock, tucked him in and finally kissing him on the forehead before I stood.

"So it's all arranged, yes", Peter said towards all the lost boys.
"Yes", the lost boys said in unison, turning the attention to me as I walked into the room.
"Tootles is in bed", I said walking over the the group, "and I do believe I own you guys a story", this earned me cheers as they all grouped hugged me. Those who could get to me hugged the person in front.
"First things first, have a wash", I said. They groaned as they slumped off into another unknown room to wash. When they returned there faces where practically sparkling.

"Ok then what story do you want?", I asked as they all bundled into there room to get comfortable for the story.
"You pick, we don't know any really", slightly said hoisting himself into his hammock.
"Hmmm...how about...", what would boys like? I thought to myself, "how about...Tarzan?", I asked.
"What that about mother?", Guppy asked.
"It's about a man who lives with monkeys in the Jungle", I said.
"Ok let's hear that one", chip said enthusiastically.
"Ok", I began, "Once upon a time, on a terribly stormy night near a deserted island, a ship got wrecked...".

I know it's been a long time sing I posted so I decided to make it up to you.

So far People have said Edward and Chip are the best.

What do you think. Who your favourite Character? And what character do you want to see more of?

hugs and kisses

Cammie