Chapter 29. Masters of Manipulation Part 1

A/N. Wow! Have I been sitting on this story or what?! I'm back now I had to break this chapter up, its not done but… I mean…. why not post what I have? Its 28 pages already in word… Lets go!

Then….

Peter sighed. "Look I'm just going to give it to you plain. It wouldn't be fair to you if I took something so special from you, when my heart seems to belong to another. Do you understand me?"He asked with raised brows then stood.

Samantha kept her head downcast and allowed the tears to stream down her cheeks from a combination of disappointment and sheer embarrassment. "I understand. Thank you…see you later." She breathed then brushed past him with haste.

Peter sighed.

Now…

Dr. Smith saw Samantha out the door and locked it behind her, then went back to the kitchen to finish dinner. Once dinner was complete she dished the plates and set them out on the table as she waited for Peter to emerge. After ten seemingly long minutes, she decided to check on him.

Dr. Smith knocked on his door but got no answer. She knocked again then cracked it and peered in and saw Peter fast asleep in his bed.

The next morning Hook woke up with fierce determination to carry out Smee's ridiculously clever plan. His first order of business was to have a civilized conversation with Peter and somehow gain his trust. Knowing this would be darn near impossible, he sent Andrea to Dr. Smith's house with the task of persuading Peter to listen to what Hook has to say.

Andrea arrived with her heart inconveniently lodged in her throat. She parked across the street, inconspicuously watching the house, waiting for Dr. Smith to go to work. Fifteen strenuous minutes later the door opened; the sight momentarily startling as Dr. Smith walked out, went down the steps, and got in her car.

Once Dr. Smith pulled off Andrea released the breath she was holding. She waited about ten more minutes before she got out of her car, for she wanted to be sure Dr. Smith was good and gone.

Andrea rehearsed her lines as she mentally prepared herself again and again. She warred within herself, because she knew what she was aligning herself with, was sheer evil.

However, she couldn't shake Hook's threatening words. He instilled a cold and paralyzing fear that shook her to her core, thus commanding obedience. However, Hook's devilishly handsome smile always got to her. Andrea secretly hoped some form of humanity dwelled deep within the Captain, to perhaps provoke a righteous turn from his wicked ways. But that hope was always stripped away, revealing the monster he truly is. For when she proved herself useful, he would utter those terrifying words; "good…you get to live another day."

Andrea looked down the road and thought about just driving far far away from this place. She smiled and chuckled. "He'd just hunt me down and kill me out of spite. There's no way away from this man." Andrea huffed then got out of the car and made her way up to Dr. Smiths front door.

Andrea rang the door bell and waited. Thankful there was no answer, she took a few deep breaths. "Here we go…act one." She breathed then banged on the door and rang the bell like a mad woman.

Peter woke up from the racket and wondered why Dr. Smith wasn't answering the door. A few seconds later, he growled out of aggravation as he jumped out of the bed, and stormed through the house. "What the heck? Who is this so early?" He rasped then reached for the door handle then froze. There was a thin tall glass window right next to the door, so Peter was able to see Andrea, and she was able to see him. He snatched his hand back as his heart rate skyrocketed. "NO! How'd they find us? Shit." He blurted under his breath then balled up his fists as he prepared for Hook to appear out of thin air, swinging both hook and blade. "I can't believe this; I should have left these people the first time trouble came!" Peter panicked.

Andrea banged on the door. "Open the door Peter; I can see you standing there through the window!" She bellowed with confidence.

Peter huffed but didn't let his guard down. He snatched the door open with aggression and came right out on the porch and stood face to face with her. "What?" He snapped, his green eyes striking.

"Oh my gosh!" Andrea shouted inwardly as she took a few steps back and kept her cool outwardly. Her eyes dropped right down to his stomach. "Wow, you've healed nicely" she blurted then her eyes darted to his face, "everywhere."

Peter's face softened a bit. "I remember…you helped me last night…thank you." He finished awkwardly then sneered and snapped right back to high alert. "Now what are you doing here lady? How did you find this house?"Peter spat through his teeth.

Andrea smiled for she was distracted by his lack of clothing. "Um, you're welcome…um…we've been following you-but relax no one is here to hurt you, if so you'd be fighting already right? I just came to talk-um. Oh will you please put a shirt on?" She blurted. "You can't come to the door like that; you'd give someone a heart attack!"

Peter immediately relaxed as he looked away and smirked. "Ridiculous, you're the one who came banging the door down interrupting my sleep. Now you want me to put a shirt on?" Peter murmured then turned and went into the house; the screen door slamming behind him.

Andrea turned her back to the house wide eyed as she took a few deep breaths to gather her wits.

"I can do this, confidence…confidence." She whispered then heard the screen door open; she put her game face on and turned around.

Peter put his hands out. "Happy now? Ready to answer-"

"I am here because despite the violent evening you both had, the captain would like to sit down and have a civilized word with you."

Peter's face twisted with confusion and Andrea continued. "There is an Italian restaurant five blocks down the road and to the right. Be there in an hour."

Peter defiantly smirked as he created some distance between them. "Are you asking me or are you telling me?" He said with an attitude.

Andrea put her hands in her pockets as she tilted her nose up. "It would be in your best interest to hear him out."

Peter's face went blank. "The man tried to kill me last night, and now he wants to sit and talk? Is this some joke? Why would I? Forwhat?"

Andrea boldly got in Peter's face until they were nose to nose and she used a very persuasive tone. "Because you have questions. Deep down you know you want this. You want to know who he is and why he came after you like that-don't you? You want to know what connections you have. Can he get you any closer to getting your memory back." She said then walked around him and stood behind him and whispered in his ear. "You're not feeling to good…could that be a consequence of being away from home for so long? What if he could get you back to Neverland?" Andrea finished then came back around and stood in front of Peter with her hands in her pockets.

Peter stood there, his face completely blank as he hid the effect her words had on him. His curiosity was burning, and he wanted all those things. But he remained silent because he was tired of people telling him they had answers and coming up short.

Andrea shrugged her shoulders then tried another angle. "He's going to speak with you one way or the other. Would you rather the captain come here and have this conversation with you and that doctor you live with? Or how about we all meet at Samantha's house? I'm sure the grand parents would be thrilled to have us." She firmly pushed then pursed her lips.

Peter beamed at her. "Leave them out of this." Peter rasped through is teeth.

Andrea smiled. "Calm down, I said he just wants to talk. He's not the monster you think he is despite what happened last night. I mean…if he wanted to hurt you he could have just showed up here and ripped that doctor's throat out right in front of you. But instead he sent me to invite you out to lunch, with a side of answers." She pointed.

"Now…if you don't show…" She shrugged. "Well…"

Peter pursed his lips in sheer anger. "Italian restaurant five blocks down the road and to the right, in one hour. I'll be there." Peter snapped, turned, snatched the screen door open. He aggressively pushed the front door open, stepped in, and slammed it in her face. WHAM!

Andrea immediately turned and let out the breath she was holding. Her head began to spin as she jogged down the steps and briskly walked to her car.

Andrea pulled out her cell phone, dialed Hook's number, and drove off.

Hook picked up. "Is it done?"

"Yes captain, he will be there in one hour."

Hook smiled. "Well done woman. Seems you get to live another day."

….

Hook, Smee, and Andrea made their way to the restaurant a bit early and were seated at a table facing the door.

Smee orchestrated the whole thing from compelling a waitress, right down to the seating. He had Hook sit next to him so they both could watch the door, an empty seat across from Hook, and Andrea right beside it.

The waitress came by and introduced herself and asked for their order. Hook watched the entrance and the windows for any sign of Peter. He saw a motorist with a black helmet pull up on his motorcycle wearing a black biker jacket, a white tee, blue and white fatigue cargo pants, and black sneakers. The rider removed the helmet to reveal his face and Hook sneered. "It's Pan he comes." Hook spat as he readied himself.

Smee looked at Hook and Andrea. "Remember we need to win him, so be nice Cap'n and fix your face. We want him to leave with us willingly." He whispered and Hook forced his grimace into a smile and they all nodded.

As soon as Peter stepped through the door both enemies made eye contact.

Hook cracked a friendly smile, the act causing his lower back to tighten. He waived at Peter, beckoning him, while Smee sat there and delivered a cheerfully goofy smile. Andrea didn't even bother to turn around.

Peter narrowed his eyes at them and hesitated. "Sh*t." Peter huffed under his breath as he immediately went to the defensive then looked around the restaurant. "It's crowded, I doubt he would try to attack me in here. But what do I know-why is he smiling? Man he looks like a crazy-"

"Welcome to Joes Pizzaria how many?" The waitress greeted and Peter snapped is head at her. "Um..Uhh." He stammered. "I gotta know…I need to know." Peter thought inwardly then looked at Hook and they began waving at him again.

Peter turned to the waitress. "I'm with them." He mumbled then she gave him a menu.

Peter took the menu and he held it with a death grip as he walked over to Hook's table with his heart in his throat.

Hook didn't get up for he didn't want to seem intimidating. He was actually cool calm and collective, for he loved Smee's outrageously wicked scheme. "Ah, you've accepted my invitation, you have my gratitude. Have a seat Peter, let us be civil." Hook greeted with a sparkle his blue eyes.

Peter stood there with a blank stare then looked at Smee who kept up his cheerful smile, and then Peter's eyes fell on Andrea. She smiled and patted the empty seat next to her. "Come have some pizza, we're not gonna bite." She invited sweetly.

Peter looked back to Hook then rudely tossed the menu on the table and sat next to Andrea, placing his helmet between them.

Hook cleared his throat from the stress, for he wanted nothing more than to snatch Peter up by the throat for his rudeness; and being nice to him instead, was just outrageous. He raised his brow. "Would you like a drink? Something to eat perhaps?"

Peter furrowed his brows in anger. "I want to know-"

"What's on the menu?" Hook asked with his brows raised then smiled devilishly. "Would you like me to read it for you?" Hook immediately insulted for he just couldn't help it, and Smee stomped on his foot causing Hook to purse his lips from the pain.

Peter turned his head away for he was so embarrassed and he became very cross. He remembered he needed answers so he tried his best not to provoke the man. Peter looked back to him as he releasead a stressed out breath then replied with firmness. "I already know what I want. I want fruit punch, and a pepperoni pizza-extra large, and an order of twenty hot wings." Peter spat and Hook smiled then snapped his finger at his compelled waitress.

Hook ordered for everyone, and as he did he discreetly reached in the pocket of his trench coat which hung on the back of his chair, and pulled out a vile. While he spoke he pulled the waitress closer and began to rub her hip and flirt with her.

Smee diverted Peter's attention by striking up a conversation. "So I see you are all healed up. How did your day go so far?" Smee asked.

Peter looked at him. "Who are you?" he asked rudely.

Smee smiled. "Name's Smee. We know each other very well. Say, that memory loss of yours must be quite the pickle eh? Tell ya what, you want answers-we're here to give it to ya, sit tight." Smee answered with a reassuring tone.

Peter was relieved. "Good, starting with why he attacked me." Peter pointed to Hook. Smee saw that Hook was still chatting, so he still needed to divert Peter's attention. He pushed Peter's hand down and Peter looked at him wide eyed. "Aye lad, it's rude to point at people."

Hook pulled on the waitress. "Oh and one more thing miss, bring your ear down here, its…a secret." Hook smiled and the waitress cheerfully leaned in. Hook slipped the vile in her pocket and whispered in her ear. She scribbled on her pad then stood upright. "I will bring the drinks right out." She said then took her leave.

Hook turned to Peter. "My attack on your person…was a premature reaction to an underdeveloped incident that occurred before you disappeared. We've yet to have found closure; however, I was so enraged that I was overtaken by it…an error on my part dear boy. But do not fear, we are not your enemy-"

"The hell you're not, when you attacked me I saw nothing but fierce hate. Those ice cold beady eyes of yours and the look on your face yesterday tell a different story. And now today you want to be my friend? Who are you?" Peter spat.

Hook cleared his throat. "Captain James Hook." He said then extended his hand but Peter looked away. "Who are you to me?" Peter rasped.

Hook sat back in his seat. "I understand your animosity towards me. Who I am takes great explaining. Not the appropriate bomb to drop at this present moment-"

"Here you are." The waitress said as she placed everyone's drinks down. "A fruit punch, just for you handsome." She said as she placed the glass in front of Peter. "And a secret little treat, strawberry daiquiri with the alcohol in. Shhh, don't tell anyone." She winked as she placed the glass in front of Peter and his eyes grew wide.

Hook looked at Peter and smiled. "A peace offering." He nodded then looked at the waitress. "How much longer for the food?" He asked.

"About ten minutes, I will be right back with it." She answered then took her leave.

Peter began to drink the daiquiri and he savored the taste. The conversation went dead for a few minutes for Peter never stopped drinking. He was so thirsty and he was starving. The last meal he had was late last night and it was now almost seven in the evening.

The waitress bought the pizza. Peter sat back and she placed the pie in front of him while he slurped the last sip of his drink. He placed the glass down and immediately began to stuff his face.

Hook, Andrea, and Smee sat there looking at him and they were momentarily beside themselves. They wondered how he could go from being extremely defensive, to completely disregarding them as soon as the food came.

Andrea leaned over the table towards Smee and he leaned in to meet her. "It's as if we're not even here." Andrea whispered and they leaned back.

"I heard that. I'm just starving. My gosh, I'm so hungry!" Peter said with a mouth full of food.

Hook cleared his throat. "What have you been doing to get your memory back? Hook asked.

Peter suddenly lost his appetite and stopped eating then felt a pain in his stomach. He sat back and wiped his mouth and hands with a napkin. "Nothing. Why? You gonna help me or somethin?" Peter asked with an attitude.

Hook smirked to hide his aggravation. "We can go after it together. Come with me aboard my ship, you are not safe out in the open."

"Bull-sh*t, you are the animal that attacked me yesterday-say! Where's your hook?" Peter snapped then looked Hook up and down.

"A discussion best held in private!" Hook rasped. "I assure you I will not attack you again!" Hook spat as he wanted nothing more than to ring Peter's neck, but he held back.

Seeing his captain was about to lose it Smee jumped in. "Peter, as crazy as all this might be, we are here to protect you. You and the Captain had a horrible fallin out. The details of that won't make sense to ya since ya aint got no memory, so there is no sense in explainin. Just know that he has forgiven ya… for now, and ya can both talk about it when ya have ya full memory-"

"The police are looking for you." Andrea interjected. "Regarding the races, and some hotel incident in Clearwater. You know that?" she cleverly added.

Peter looked to her. "I know, well…I thought they stopped."

Hook smirked."Only a fool would think so." He spat and Peter narrowed his eyes at him."They look for you secretly. You are a danger to all those around you. That pretty little Samantha girl; you're gonna cause her and her family to get locked up harboring a killer."

Peter's eyes grew wide. "A killer? I didn't kill nobody." Peter spat.

"Yes you did. You just don't remember." Hook casually added as he played with his nail.

"What?" Peter snapped.

"You are responsible for the deaths of three people. You are not the innocent little prick you think you are." Hook spat.

Peter slammed his hands down on the table and popped up out of his seat and he immediately became light headed. He rethought his actions then slowly sat back down and put his head in his hand. "Oh." He breathed and he began to feel light headed and tingly.

Peter kept his head down. "I don't believe any of you. You are all liars, just like everyone else. Everyone acts like they want to help, but have no answers. I'm not going anywhere with you, you just tried to kill me yesterday-no thanks!" Peter spat then looked up and he could barely keep his eyes open.

Hook's brows rose. "You don't look like you're going anywhere else." He said and Andrea pulled the pizza pie out the way right before Peter's face hit the table.

Smee and Andrea let out a sigh of relief.

Hook looked at Smee. "It's about time." He growled through his teeth. "I swear if I had to put up with his insolence one more minute I would have stood up and-"

"Ok, ok. We got it. Let's just get him outta here please." Andrea interjected and pulled Peter up by the back of his collar. His head flopped back as she sat him back against the seat.

Smee pulled a wad of cash out of his pocket, sifted through it, then put some on the table. "Ok lets go." He said as he stuffed the rest in his pocket and got up.

Andrea grabbed the helmet and moved out of the way. Smee bent down and grabbed Peter's arm and draped it across his neck and pulled him up then looked at Hook.

Hook nodded his head. "I can't Smee I-"

Smee raised his brows. "You won't hurt em, come on Cap'n, she aint strong enough." Smee pushed and Hook growled and came over to help. He took Peter's other arm and draped it over his shoulders and they both dragged Peter to the front door.

The greeters stopped and looked at them with questioning glances. "Is he alright?" The man asked and Andrea quickly answered.

"He's diabetic; we're taking him to the hospital." She said then brushed past them.

Smee smiled as he walked by. "Money's on the table keep the change." He said as they went out the door.

Andrea put on the helmet and took the keys out of Peter's pocket. Hook and Smee put him in the back seat while she got on Peter's bike and rode off.

They stopped by Dr. Smiths house and dropped off Peter's motorcycle with the helmet laying next to it with the keys in it. They took the time to return it so they could use this gesture in some other lie, should they need to.

Andrea got in the back seat with Peter and they drove off to the coast. Hook and Smee had obtained a small 50 passenger cruise ship with a compelled crew to sail and upkeep the ship. These crewmen remained on standby with the ship awaiting further orders. Hook called the captain and told them to ready the ship to set sail to the Bahamas; there, he would find gypsies and obtain fairy dust for their eventual trip back to Neverland.

They reached the dock and dragged Peter aboard and down to his room. Hook and Smee laid him on the bed, removed his jacket then just stood there and looked at him.

A few silent moments went by and Hook grew impatient. "When will the brat stir it's been two hours since he ingested it."

Smee shrugged his shoulders. "Don't know…maybe it was too strong. When he wakes he'll find his way to us."

Hook huffed as he abruptly turned away. "Very well then, set sail." He said then walked away.

…..

A few hours later, well after the sun had set, Peter began to regain consciousness. He groaned as he opened his eyes but everything was a blur. He blinked a few times as he rubbed his eyes and tried to get them into focus. Failing, he closed his eyes and called out to Dr. Smith. "Doc…dooccc." He called with an annoyed tone then squinted his eyes and lazily swiped both arms in search of an IV. Finding none he furrowed his brows and sat up on his elbows and opened his eyes wide and blinked hard a few times until his eyes became focused.

"Where am I?" He said under his breath as his eyes scanned the neatly decorated room. He got to his feet and felt a gentle sway that was a dead giveaway to the fact that he was on a ship. Peter opened the door and walked around until he found some steps that took him out on deck.

Hook, Smee, and Andrea had just sat down to an elegantly decorated table with a wonderfully delectable spread, when they spotted Peter from afar.

Hook's eyes grew wide. "He's up."

Smee looked to Andrea. "You're up miss."

Andrea let out a shaky breath. "Here we go again." She breathed then got up and quickly made her way over to Peter, and as she got closer she saw the anger and confusion on his face.

She stopped in front of him. "Hi, I see you finally woke up."

"What is this? Where am I- what happened? We were in the restaurant then…where am I?" Peter growled.

Andrea took a step back as she put her hands up. "Well…while we were talking you, out of nowhere, did a face plant right on the table. Your face would have gone straight into the pizza but I pulled it away just in time. It startled us all, and we had to think fast-"

"So you bought me here anyway?" Peter snapped.

Andrea raised her brows as she put her hands on her hips. "Well we could have left you there and let the police get you, or the ambulance, and I doubt you would've liked the outcome of that. The minute they would have taken a blood sample, it would've all been over- do you know what they do to people like you? You become a lab rat, where you'd be poked and prodded to no end. You ought to be thankful we even bought you here. It was to protect you. We are not the enemy here."

Peter opened his mouth then pursed his lips as he looked away then returned his gaze. "You could have bought me back home."

Andrea turned her nose up at him. "Excuse me for saying, but you're dumb for even being there. Tuh, like the police can't find you there, it's just a matter of time-so…what would you have us do. We can put you right back into the fire and let you get caught or…you can come with us to your Neverland."

Peter wiped his face. "Ugh…I don't trust you!" He said then walked past her towards Hook and Smee. Andrea jogged up and walked beside him and winked at Hook and Smee.

She took her seat and Peter sat in the only empty seat available, directly across from Smee.

Hook sat there clad in full pirate attire save for his hat, looking fancy as ever as he looked at Peter with a sly smile. "I see you chose to stay, clever boy."

Peter looked at Hook. "This doesn't mean I trust you…pirate… any of you. You better come through."

Hook smirked then looked to Smee and covertly sneered and Smee widened his eyes at him. Hook looked to Peter and squeezed out a small smile. "Would you like to eat with us…Peter?" Hook strained to be curt.

Peter looked him up and down then looked away as he shook his head from aggravation. "Yes…where are we going?" He sighed.

"To the Bahamas….there be a gypsy camp on the coast. We are going to purchase some fairy dust to sail this vessel to Neverland…where we will ascertain the status of your…memory apprehension. You are welcome to come ashore with us."

Peter nodded. "Why are you helping me? How is this any of your business?"

Hook plopped some meat on his plate and continued serving himself to deflect Peter's piercing eyes. "Because I promised your father that I would take care of you. But that treacherous thing you did just about voided that promise. Some things simply cannot be overlooked." He finished without looking at him.

Peter furrowed his brows and he softened. "My father? Wha..what?…sigh…where is he?"

"Not now." Hook rasped.

Peter was taken aback. "Well…uh...what did I do?" He asked.

Hook kept his gaze down on his plate as he cut his meat. "Something for which there is no redemption. But now that I am cooled, I will watch for you. And when your memory returns, perhaps-"

"We are approaching land Captain Hook Sir!" A crewman bellowed from his position on high.

Hook looked to Peter. "Hurry up and eat, we will have this discussion later." Hook rasped and Peter complied.

Once done the four of them went into Hook's room. Hook opened a chest and pulled out some typical pirate clothes; black pants, brown pirate boots, white shirt, and some black cloaks with pirate style embellished hems. Smee, Andrea, and Peter dressed themselves right there and Hook passed out some weapons for everyone along with belts for them to hang from.

"The gypsy land is a dangerous one; we must be ready for anything. Everyone is to stay together."

Hook looked at Peter who stood there in a white t-shirt, black pirate pants and brown tall pirate boots. "This is the beginning of my revenge…I am going to make you into what you hate bit by bit." He thought inwardly.

They left the room and went overboard and into a small boat. A crewmember lowered them down into the sea and they sailed to the shore. Smee tied the boat and they all proceeded towards the gypsy camp.

They walked through the crowded camp and past many tents. Andrea was walking beside Hook and Smee and Peter was behind them. Peter began to have second thoughts about going with Hook and he began to look for an escape.

It was very crowded; people were dancing by the fires while others were selling merchandise and reading palms in tents. Peter was walking next to Smee who wasn't paying attention so Peter began to fall behind bit by bit. Some belly dancers crossed their path and separated them from Hook and Andrea. Peter stole away with one of them while Smee was busy looking at the women.

Peter ran behind a tent as the dancing women kept moving past him. Hook never turned around neither did Andrea. Smee was busy walking around looking at the various women here and there, and enjoying the music.

Hook stopped and inquired with a few people and they directed him to the right tent. He found the tent and parted the curtain. "Wait here." He said without looking and went right in. Andrea huffed and fanned herself from the heat then turned around to Smee then looked past him. "Where's Peter?" She asked then Smee looked to his side and began to look around. "I don't know, oh man the Cap'ns gonna have me head!"

Peter slipped into a tent and a pretty gypsy woman turned to him. "Can I help you boy?"She asked with a smile.

"Um.." Peter trailed off.

"This tent is private you know." She said as she flipped her hair.

Peter looked around. "Umm I'm sorry. I need help, I need to get back to Florida, do you have a phone?"

The lady furrowed her brows. "What do you mean get back to Florida? Who are you with? Are you lost?"

"No, uh yea, I was bought here against my will by this pirate and I sneaked away. I don't know where I am, I need to find a way back to Tampa Florida, can you help me? Please?"Peter blurted.

The woman came closer. "Uh that's in the US-"

"I don't know what that is."

The woman furrowed her brows. "The United States hun. You're far away from home. The best I can do is call the authorities, you need to cross the ocean to get back home." She said then pulled out her cell phone and began dialing.

Peter stood there fidgeting and looking around. "Ok Ok. I need to get out of here though, he's still out there, he may be looking for me-"

"AND I FOUND YOU!" Hook bellowed as he pulled the curtain back and stepped in followed by Smee and Andrea.

Peter whipped around, his mouth agape.

The woman stood there with the phone. "Did you kidnap this boy?" She yelled then heard the police on the line.

"Hello I'd like to report a kidnapping-"

Hook immediately teleported to her and grabbed her by the throat and lifted her in the air. "You'll not be reporting anything." Hook growled and she dropped the cell phone and grabbed his hand as she kicked out.

Andrea covered her mouth in horror. "Oh my gosh." She breathed.

Hook stomped on the cell phone and crushed it.

Peter screamed and ran over to Hook and grabbed his arm. "Let her go! What are you doing?!"

Hook looked at Peter. "Smee!" He snapped and Smee ran over and hooked his arms under Peter's and dragged back. "Get off of me!" Peter struggled and Hook lowered the woman. "You must learn a painful lesson tonight…the cost of disobedience." He said simply then released her neck and grabbed her and sank his teeth into her neck and began to drink greedily from her. The woman screamed but was immediately muted from the blood loss.

Smee looked on in horror. "Captain!" He called. Peter screamed as he struggled to get free from Smee. Peter stomped on his foot really hard and Smee loosened his grip and Peter wildly swung his arm behind him and knocked Smee on his behind then ran towards Hook and before he reached him Hook dropped the woman, turned and caught Peter by the throat and barred his bloody fangs at him. "Her blood is on your hands, if you didn't run off, she'd still be breathing!"

Peter choked and pulled Hook's hand down some so he could speak. "You gonna bite me too you monster?!"

"No. You will be schooled in piracy! Here's your first lesson boy! Hook screamed and uppercut Peter in the stomach and dropped him.

Peter choked, fell down and balled up into the fetal position and Hook was about to kick him.

"Captain!" Smee cried and Hook did a 360 on his heel enraged. He stormed over to Peter and yanked him up by his collar. "Stand up!" He yelled and held him by the collar. "Defying your captain is mutiny, and the punishment is severe! However..." Hook looked to Smee. "Mercy seems to beg my pardon tonight." He finished then returned his fierce gaze to Peter and spoke with a deadly calm. "You are going to walk out of here like normal and if you run off again I swear I will beat you senseless."

Peter barred his teeth for he was not afraid and he grabbed Hooks wrists then Hook tried to clean up the situation. "I swore to protect you and I will do so with or without your compliance! But I swear you will learn to acknowledge me as your captain!"

Peter grunted and sneered at him. "I don't want to!"

"Your want is not a requisite!" Hook growled as he shook him then let him go.

Hook pulled out a handkerchief and cleaned his face off then snatched up a bottle of water that was sitting there and splashed it on his face then drank some of it to clean the blood out of his mouth.

Peter looked sorrowfully at the woman then was pushed out of the tent.

They went out into the crowd and ran into a large group of dancers. Hook lead the way followed by Andrea, then Peter with Smee pushing him forward from time to time.

They headed back to the tent so Hook could get back to making his purchase. Hook went inside and Smee and Andrea stood outside with Peter.

Peter kept his head down as his mind kept replaying the events that lead up to the woman's death. He looked up and looked around and planned on running off again, but this time not involving anyone. His plan was to run until he was off the beach and into the city where he could get some real help. "I just need to run and not stop." Peter said then a group of dancers came by dancing wildly and intersected the three of them. The loud music and the fabrics twirling in the air along with sparklers and glow sticks overwhelmed Andrea and Smee; not to mention they were bumped around, grabbed and spun as the people danced with them….and Peter ran off again.

Peter kept running past many tents and bumped into people here and there as he made his escape. A veiled woman dressed as an exotic belly dancer stood outside her tent and saw him running and she stepped out and grabbed his arm. "Stop your runnin boy!"

Peter's eyes grew wide and he tried to snatch away but she had an iron grip. He looked down at his arm and furrowed his brows in astonishment then looked back up at her. "No! Get off me! You'll just get hurt let me run!"

"Oh, Captain Hook can't hurt me boy." She replied with arrogance. "I'll protect you from him. Come inside." She finished with assurance.

Peter's brows turned up. "I can't-"

"Yes you can."

"…I can't watch him kill again." He whimpered.

The woman smiled and pulled him in. "Hush your mouth boy and sit down, you are clearly in shock." She insisted as she led him in and pushed him down on the couch.

Peter sat there panting as he tried to catch his breath and calm himself down so he could think.

"Would you like some milk and cookies?" She said as she came with a plate of cookies and an ice cold glass of milk.

Peter looked up at her but he didn't respond, he was still trying to get his thoughts together. The green eyed woman smiled, set the plate down beside him then removed her veil.

Peter replayed her words in his mind then turned to her. "How did you know who was after me? I never told you."

A sly smile slowly graced her cocoa face. "You must be hungry, eat your cookies, while I call the police."

"That's what the last lady was doing, and then…he popped up out of nowhere and….she died. Just let me go while we have the chance."

She just looked at him then stood and pulled out her cell phone. She made a pretend call to the police. Peter listened as she spoke then he decided to have a cookie.

He bit into it and as he chewed it he immediately felt relaxed; he washed it down with a swig of milk then sank into the couch and relaxed his head back.

The woman put the phone down and turned to him with a warm smile. "They are on the way." She assured then sat down next to him and looked into his hand and saw he only ate half of the large cookie. "You need to eat all of it; you know it's not nice to waste food." She said then lifted his wrist and guided his hand to his mouth and he took a small bite then he lowered his arm. "I know I'm sorry." He breathed as his eyes became heavy.

She stroked the side of his face. "My poor poor Peter…It must be pure agony not to know. Such a shame you don't recognize your greatest enemy who is before you." The woman breathed.

Peter tried to move but his body was completely relaxed. "Hook? He tried to kill me the other day and now says he swore to my father to protect me. I don't believe him, but he said he could help me get my memory and take me home…so I had to try him."

The woman's brows rose for she had no clue what Hook was doing with Peter, then she took the cookie from his hand, broke it and went to put it in his mouth then….

Hook appeared and saw Peter sitting there holding a glass of milk with Arizael practically smothering him as she put the rest of the cookie into his mouth and covered it. "Peter! Don't eat that!" Hook boomed wide eyed and Peter stopped chewing and Arizael gripped his jaw. "Swallow it!" She demanded and Peter spit it out.

Hook immediately tried to snatch her by the throat but she smacked his hand down as she leapt upright followed by a mean right hook CRACK!

Hook stumbled backwards and Arizael kicked his feet out from under him and he fell flat on his back. Arizael kicked at his ribs but Hook caught her foot and twisted her ankle causing her to fall.

Peter sat there wide eyed as Hook and Arizael went at it. Smee and Andrea ran over to him and Smee yanked him up by the arm. "Get up we gotta get out of here!"

Peter clung to Smee for he could barely stand. "I cant…I cant…she drugged me." Peter breathed.

Andrea quickly grabbed one of Peter's arms and flung it over her neck, Smee did the same and they dragged Peter away but Arizael saw them. She effortlessly picked Hook up and brutally slammed him down on the ground then wildly swung her arm at them and shot bolts at them zzzZZZZZIIIITTT! AHHHHH! They screamed as the bolts slammed into their bodies and stunned them. Arizael flung her arm behind her and their bodies flew across the tent an crashed into the ground and the wind was knocked out of all three of them.

Hook leapt to his feet and snatched out his cutlass and ran at Arizael and slashed her across her back. She yelled and turned right around and snatched him up by the throat and punched him in the face. The force almost knocked him out. Hook swung at her with his cutlass and she ducked right under it and tried to uppercut him but he blocked it with his Hook but her other fist immediately crashed into his ribs on the other side. WHAM! Hooks knees buckled from the blow and he staggered off; his face laden with pain.

Arizael smiled at him. "How dare you attempt to cross me Hook?" She yelled then placed her hands on her hips and shook her head. "My my, all that time you spent in Pan's body and you mean to tell me you havent learned how to fight? I guess his skill doesn't transfer….you'll never beat me Hook, not with sword nor fist. Now I will punish you!" She exclaimed as she reached for Hook but he teleported to his crew who were still entangled on the floor. Hold on to him!" Hook commanded as he grabbed Smee and Andrea's arm and they all disappeared.

They reappeared in a very large practically empty tent and everyone staggered off. Hook turned to Peter and grabbed him by the front of his shirt and pulled him over. Peter sneered. "What are you gonna do? Beat me now? Go ahead." He said as he shook his head.

Hook knew he needed to make amends and quick. "Not at all. Drink some water and look alive we have a fight on our hands, I can't take the witch alone and we won't be able to outrun her."

Peter took the bottle of water and drank it and the more he drank the better he felt.

Andrea walked up to Hook. "Witch?"

Arizael appeared in front of them. "Yes, witch." She arrogantly confirmed.

Smee and Andrea cowered behind Hook and Peter. Hook placed his hands on Peter's shoulders and whispered in his ear. "She is after you-"

"I'm here to save you." She said with sarcasm.

"Lies-Kill her or she will kill you then us. Hate me, but don't hate them." He whispered in Peter's ear and Peter looked at him. "I'm not like you, I'm not a killer."

"You need to be, you need to fight her with the intent to kill or she will kill you then us." Hook rasped then looked at Arizael.

Peter looked to Arizael as well and he gripped his belt, unsure of what to do.

Arizael smiled. "You look puzzled….and I am tired of playing this game. I'm not here to save you, I'm here to hurt you." She said then opened her hand and an orb appeared in it. "See this? It's your memory Peter. I'm the one that took it, and I'm the one that has it. Come get it!" She challenged.

Hook grabbed Peter's arm. "Kill-Her!" He rasped through his teeth and Peter sneered hard and zipped up to her with such speed she didn't even see him coming, he grabbed her by the wrist and she dropped the orb and it shattered. Peter released her and looked at it in shock.

Arizael smiled. "It's a decoy." She blurted then punched Peter hard in the chest WHAM!

Peter grunted as he clutched his chest in shock and staggered backwards.

"KILL HER!" Hook yelled.

"Ugh." Peter grunted for he was mad and in pain. He snatched his sword off his belt and stormed over to Arizael. She swung at him, he leaned to the side as he twirled his sword, swung his arm up and hit her upside the head with the hilt, threw his sword into his other hand, twisted his body and uppercut her in the gut with his sword, the force lifted her into the air as he lifted his arm up. "AHHH!" She cried as her blood flew and Peter pushed forward and yanked his sword out of her gut, and her body fell on the ground.

Hook and Smee stood there wide eyed, for Hook couldn't believe it. "Ah…I will turn you into what you hate, I will make a killer out of you."

End Chapter.

More later!