Anecdote that has nothing to do with the story (continue to the bold to read the story if you wish). I spent three days at Disneyland because my family is a fanatic like that and we recently got the premium passes (and we're NOT wasting that much money), and of course I came across many Peter Pan things. Every time I saw Hook I smiled and was all, ah, my version is so much hotter! Haha. Anyway I didn't go on the Peter Pan ride till the third day before the park even opened (I'm bragging here. I got in early. Hotel stuff, but still a whole hour early man), because as much as I love the ride (I love all the 'little kid' rides) I would not wait an hour for a twenty second ride that people throw their trash in (the McDonalds cup in the volcano ruined it for me and I didn't go on for years). Anyway my mom and I ran around the park going "Peter! Peter! Peter Pan! Off to Neverland with ye! To Neverland!" in horrid British accents, because we fail like that. I'm not sure if there was a point to this story… well anyway, I almost bought a plastic Hook because I'm very attached to my little story, and am so sad to see it end. I didn't though because I had one once and the dog ate it and I'm not spending twenty dollars on a chew toy. Instead I just wore it around the shop going "arrr!" not that this Hook ever goes around with a limp from walking for three straight days and a plastic chew toy on his hand, but it was fun.

29.

Before

Not long after returning from Neverland, Wendy sat next to the baby's crib one night when a tap came from the window. She jumped, too afraid to open it, and rushed to pick up Jane. She walked quickly back to her room, hearing the faintest "Wendy!" outside.

"James," she shook the former pirate captain, "James wake up."

"What," he didn't ask it, the word came out like stone, sleep covered all over it.

"Um," she paused feeling ridiculous. Just because something tapped at the window did not mean it was a fairie, she did not need to rush to Hook every time something scared her, "Never mind, go back to sleep."

If Hook had been wise, and not under the influence of sleep and the comfort of a world outside of Neverland, he would have flown out of bed immediately.

He chose to go back to sleep.

Wendy clutched Jane to her chest, stroking her black hair. Jane didn't stir, she never made a sound, and Wendy would worry that she was deaf, although she seemed to respond to sound fine, other than repeating it herself.

Opening the baby's window slowly she saw Charlie in the middle of the street, grinning.

"Charlie," she breathed out, relieved. Going downstairs carefully, turning on as little light as possible, she opened the front door, "Charlie Beck, you gave me such a fright!"

"Me? Scare the great Wendy Darling, sailor of Neverland's waters? Murderer of the mermaid ruler, swordswoman who bested pirates, sly one that tricked Pan, the woman who tamed the Fearsome Captain Hook, and former Fairie captive herself!" he laughed, his tan skin gleaming in the street light.

"Come in then, you can't stand around all night," she smiled as he walked in, "Oh Charlie it is good to see you."

"It's good to see you too Wendy," he said kissing her cheek carefully.

"You too Charlie. Would you like anything? I can make an attempt at cooking, I'm actually quite good at it," she teased.

He just watched her, a little half grin and shook his head, "You're something Wendy. Now who's this?" he said looking at the baby in her arms as if he hadn't noticed before.

She held the baby out a little more so he could see and he had a gentle smile, "She's beautiful Wendy."

Jane chose at that moment to open up her eyes and look up at her mother. Charlie tilted his head in surprise.

"She has one of your eyes."

Wendy squared her shoulders protectively, "Yes, she does."

Jane then looked at Charlie, her face reddened and her fists clenched, and an infant's howl emerged.

Wendy actually broke out into a smile, "She's crying!"

Charlie grimaced, "I can hear it."

Wendy bounced Jane gently, and all too quickly Jane stopped, before Wendy could figure out what else to do.

"Oh," she said disappointed, "She stopped."

Charlie continued to give her a strange look.

"Oh anyway Charlie, is there something you need? I mean, is the ship back and you need a place to stay?"

Charlie grinned, "I'm planning on finding myself a girl actually."

"No!" Wendy gasped delighted.

"Yes," Charlie nodded, "And showing my father that I'm worth something."

"Your father?" Wendy asked feigning interest, but slowly falling asleep.

"Yes, he refuses to acknowledge my existence saying he isn't my father, but he is Wendy, and when he sees me he'll realize he made a mistake about turning out my mother. I just wanted to bring you to meet him."

"Me?" Wendy asked confused.

"Ahem," Charlie rubbed the back of his neck, "Before you say it, I'm not a fool. Wendy I do love you, and I want to marry you."

"Charlie," she sighed, "I am married."

"To Hook," Charlie waved his hands, "The vile man who rules the seas! He can't make you happy Wendy, but I can! He's cold hearted, you may have thought he changed, and maybe he thinks so too, but in the end he'll want to sail again, you can't take the salt water out of his blood. But I'm right here Wendy, I'm here for you!"

Wendy tried her best not to look repulsed, "Listen Charlie, you're young, and one day you'll understand how ridiculous this sounds. Go find a girl who loves you Charlie."

"I'm not young," Charlie growled, "I'm technically older than you."

"Then act like it," Wendy snapped, "You don't come in here asking a married woman to run off with you."

"I love you!" he yelled.

"Well I don't love you!"

His eyes became slits and he backed her into a corner, "You don't get it. He'll use you; abandon you, just like my father did to my mother. You'll be alone with the baby and where will you go from there Wendy, when you realize his love was a sham? Where will you go when you realize you where just something that could comfort him after a battle, something he could use to trick Peter Pan? You were just part of his plot, and now he's done with you."

"You're a liar," she breathed.

"I will prove myself to you Wendy," he growled, "You'll be begging for me once he leaves you."

"That's going to be complicated," said an amused yet angry voice behind Charlie, "Since I won't be leaving her."

Charlie turned around and Hook stood there, arms crossed over his chest, his one eyebrow raised expectantly.

"Captain," Charlie said icily.

"Boy," Hook said in a hard tone and without hesitation his fist flew into Charlie's face.

Charlie slumped to the ground, his nose covered in blood, painful groaning sounds emitting from his mouth.

"Oh God James," Wendy said in an exasperated tone, "I just cleaned the floor."

"I think it's best if you leave," Hook hissed to Charlie, "And never come back."

Charlie left, but not without a warning glance at Wendy.

"He didn't hurt you did he?" Hook said urgently, "Or the baby?"

"No," Wendy shook her head.

Hook took Jane carefully from Wendy, "Nothing what he said was true," he said in a low voice, "You know that right?"

She nodded and leaned against him, "I know."

They put Jane to bed and Hook wrapped his arms around Wendy as they fell into their own bed. He kissed her gently, and she ran her hand through his hair.

"I love you," he said and she felt shivers that went through her spine.

"Show me," she grinned against him.

He laughed, and she felt his chest vibrate under her fingers, "My pleasure."

After

Wendy wondered if had she and Hook been able to have more children would she be home with them while Hook jumped through the island's fierce geography instead of where she was now- which she didn't actually know other then that she was on the Jolly Roger- in the suffocating darkness, tied to a chair, alone. Even when she had been trapped on the ship before Hook had given her a room (granted it was his room, and at the time she was very ungrateful for it. She still felt the occasional twitch of annoyance at the thought), and yet she hadn't even been allowed that comfort now.

A door at the far end suddenly opened, light coming in slits, and the boots entered before the actual man.

"Ah my dear Wendy Darling."

"Charlie," Wendy said through angry eyes, tears staining her face, and she wished now more then ever her hands were free to wipe them away. They weren't for her; they were for her lost daughter, and her fighting husband.

"I haven't decided if you should continue to call me that, or Captain Beck."

"You're no Captain," she shot.

Charlie's face went into the light and Wendy once again compared him to the boy he used to be, and the man he was now. He had aged considerably, from a teenage boy to a man of his early thirties. His cheeks had thinned; his golden hair had become hay colored, unruly and curled at the ends by his jaw. A thin beard lined his lower face, it only made him seem even more tired, worn, and yet his eyes gleamed of victory.

"Wendy," Charlie said in an entertained voice, "I knew we'd see each other again."

"Let me go," she demanded.

He laughed, coming closer, "Do you not like the way I am now Wendy? I aged for you. I'm no longer a foolish boy who thought that just words could win your affection. No, I'm Captain now Wendy, Captain. And Hook? Well he's off on an endless hunt for a little girl who will never be found."

"I hate you!" she spat.

"Hate, love," he shrugged, "Both things are filled with passion Wendy, and I can handle that. You're passionate for me, and that's all I need."

He was looming over her now, both hands on her shoulders, his eyes greedy.

"Get away from me Charlie," she whispered, "Why are you doing this? What happened to you?"

He laughed softly, "I grew up."

He kissed her, and she pulled away from him. This wasn't right; it felt wrong, forced, horrible. She wanted so badly to call out for her husband, but it was all no use. Charlie was Captain now, Captain Beck, and no one on board would save her. Hook was on the island, searching, and she prayed to God- she would pray to anything right now- that what she would go through would at least save her daughter.

"You're insane," Wendy hissed.

"I've done everything for you."

"Get your hands off me."

He grabbed her hair and pulled her head back, "You make me feel so unwanted Wendy, and you don't want to do that to someone with power. After all you were pretty compliant when Hook had his… urges."

"I-" she began.

"No," he said pulling harder and she gasped out in pain, "I won't be like him. I will not force myself on you, at least not like that. I'm better then him."

"He never really-"

He pulled again and she closed her mouth, "I hate having to resort to this violence, but it seems like the only way you'll respond. You once disliked Hook as well, if I'm not mistaken. Oh don't worry Wendy," he let go of her hair and her neck felt relief, "We'll get along all to well. As for that daughter of yours," he faked a sigh, "Well I doubt she'll live, but if she does… we'll figure it out if that happens."

She cried out in horror and he laughed, slamming the door behind him.

888

Hook looked around his surroundings, straining his ears. His daughter was here, he knew it, his Jane. He would fight till the end of his life until he found her; he would fight no matter what. He would find his child, his only beloved child.

Hook was different now, his gleaming claw back on him where it belonged, where before he had changed it to a horrible wood thing. He absolutely loathed it, but had sworn off his treasured hook when Jane had cut her arm on it when she was two. His hair was shorter and respectable, the black curls marching across his brow. He was older, six years since his child's birth and counting the extra months he had had to age from Wendy's pregnancy he was eight years older from when he had last left Neverland. His eyes however stayed the same. Always the piercing blue, although around Jane they remained placid.

He mouthed her name, "Jane," wishing he could have her back now, so that he could return to Wendy in London. How foolish they had been to buy her old home, thinking they would never look at the obvious. Of course they had, they had sent the boy and he went right to the nursery. Damn Pan. Damn him.

A rustle. He stopped, frozen, and then slowly began to move again. He knew it was there, whatever it was, and he was ready for it.

A yell, many of them, and tight arms around his neck, small children's arms. He was just about to fling his hook when he realized he knew this chokehold.

"Don't move," a small order, an equally small knife in his side.

"Jane Angela Stroud," his voice said in the hardest tone he had, "What, may I ask, do you think you're doing?"

The lost boys around them stopped and realized what was happening.

A pause, "Huh?"

Hook grabbed her tiny arms in his one hand, knocking away her knife with his claw, and swung her over his head and in front of him, on the ground. She gaped at him, her long black girls in tangles around her face, her two different eyes wide, her round childish cheeks pink from the exercise.

"Daddy…?"

He swept her up in his fatherly embrace, thanking God for her return, forgetting the children around him. He could go home now, they could both go home, to Wendy.

She was pulling her ringlets nervously and Hook scowled, "What did I tell you about pulling your hair? It will all fall out, now stop that immediately."

She stopped, and he finally noticed her confusion.

"Janie," he urged quietly, "Remember me?"

She narrowed her eyes in thought, "Um… yes…"

"He's a grown up!" someone yelled, "A pirate, he'll trick you!"

Jane took a guarded step back and it broke Hook's heart.

"Jane," he said slowly, "I'm your father, remember? You have a mother too, Wendy."

"Oh everyone has a mother Wendy!" Jane said excitedly, "And one day she'll come back!"

He sighed frustrated, "Jane Angela, we're going home."

"I'm not going with you, I won't grow up."

Hook pinched his nose and then reached out to grab her, but she pulled out another knife and slashed the back of his hand.

"When we get back, you're in so much trouble," he muttered.

The boys gave out battle cries, and he knew he couldn't kill them or even hurt them in front of his daughter. He simply pulled out his sword and shined his hook and they stopped.

"You don't scare us!" Jane declared and ran forward and Hook rolled his eyes. Putting his sword back quickly grabbed the girl's hands and pulled her up in the air, and then caught her around her stomach and under his arm. She was much to much like Wendy sometimes.

"Good bye boys," he nodded his head, and some copied him in awe.

"Put me down!" she cried, kicking, "Put me down!"

"I didn't put up with your tantrums before, and I won't now," Hook said as he walked away, "You don't want me to tell your mother."

"I'm a fairie child," Jane responded angrily, "They told me so."

"No," Hook said in a deep voice. He set her down and looked her in the eyes, one of them belonged to him. "You're my child. Mine and your mother's, you understand? You have nothing to do with this world."

"You're an adult," she said, "I can't believe you."

"Jane!" Peter Pan flew down happily, "Can I be of service?"

"Peter!" she cried happily, and Hook bowed his head in defeat.

"What have we here?" Peter said putting on a show, "A kidnapper?"

Hook rounded on him, "I am not the kidnapper," he hissed.

Peter stopped, "Captain…" he said slowly trying to remember, "Captain…? Oh! Captain Hook!"

"No!" Jane said in disbelief.

Hook groaned, and stood up, "We're done here. Jane, we're going home now."

"I don't know you! Peter help!"

Peter surged forward and Hook knocked him away effortlessly with his metal hand. Jane ran back into the greenery and by the time Hook was able to look for her, he only saw a glimpse of her hair disappear.

"Damn!" he growled, and ran back, Pan chasing behind him.

Hook saw her, and overtaking her pulled her up in the air again.

"No! No! Put me down!"

Fairies circled them, creating a glow, their amused faces laughing at them and cutting Peter off from them.

The queen fairie appeared grinning.

"Welcome back Hook."

He said nothing, keeping the squirming child in his arms.

"You have something that belongs to us."

"She's my child," Hook said protectively.

"She's a fairie child."

"She's done nothing to you. I'm brining her home."

"This is her home."

Hook's face was livid, Jane's was frightened.

"No," Hook shook his head, "Her home is with me and her mother."

"Both of you are here, so it fits."

Hook froze. Both of them? No. He had left Wendy in London, she had been angry, hysterical, but he had to leave her, she couldn't come. She didn't know how to get here!

"Both of you," the fairie queen repeated laughing, "Of course she's on the Jolly Roger now, tied up actually."

Charlie Beck, Hook growled in his head.

"No," he chocked out loud.

"Oh yes," a hideous laughter evolved from the fairie and Jane whimpered, "Your little wife is at this moment in a dark room tied down, the new captain taking very good care of her."

Hook's head swam, no, no, no! She never listened, and now she was in trouble. Wendy was in danger, and he immediately looked for a way out.

"You can go get her," the fairie laughed, "Or you can save your daughter. Your choice."

"I'll take both thanks," Hook hissed.

The fairie laughed and then suddenly screamed, in pain, agony so horrible that Hook was surprised enough to let loose his hold on Jane who struggled away and ran. Before he could grab her, the fairies rushed forward, screaming along with their queen. The queen fell to the floor, dead, and Wendy stood, angry, breathing heavily, wet, and bruised, but well. In her hand was a metal- he gasped- hook. An old version of his metal hook.

"Wendy," he said harshly.

"Don't 'Wendy' me," she snapped, "Where's Jane?"

Hook looked around, "She ran off."

"Damn," she muttered, and then he saw her pirate garb and he raised his eye brows, "What?" she glared.

"Nothing dear."

She pushed past him, dropping the old hook to the ground next to the dead body, the fairie turning to golden dust.

"Hmph," she walked past him and he smiled, watching her stride, "Eyes forward Captain," she said without looking behind her and his grin widened.

"Aye Aye," he said catching up with her.

"How is she?" her voice said concerned now, "She didn't see did she? Is she scared?"

"I would rather she was," Hook said, "She didn't even realize who I was."

Wendy nodded, "Maybe if I had been with you and not left behind…"

"How did you get here?"

"Uh," she batted the question away with her hand, "Doesn't matter. She isn't hurt is she?"

"No she isn't, and I think it does matter. What did the fairies mean about you being tied up? What happened, you look soaked to the bone."

"Oh I swam here."

"You can't swim!"

"Of course I can," she said defensively, "I learned years ago."

"Not strong enough to leave the ship."

"Oh no!" she gasped suddenly, "We have to find Jane now."

"I know but-"

"You don't understand," she rounded on him, her eyes fearful, "Charlie's on the island."

Ok I guess third time's a charm… yeah I just couldn't get this chapter right! It was horrible, like really bad. It had a lot more detail on Wendy's and Hook's lives in London, but really it didn't help the story at all, it was so stagnant and I was pulling out my hair going "I only have one more chapter after this!!!" So here's this one, and I hope it's acceptable. I don't know if anyone got this, but Charlie is Charles' kid out of marriage, so poor boy is thrown out of his life. Originally there was no connection between the two, I just thought it would be cool to repeat the name and make Wendy uneasy about this pirate kid running around with the name of her fiancé, kind of like she just couldn't escape it. Neither of the Charles are bad people, they just make bad mistakes.