When he returned the following day, he told James more about the island and his powers that the fairies had bestowed. James told him about his life in England and the girl he had once hoped to marry. They talked well into the night and James invited him back the following day. Peter went to see the captain every day after that and noticed Evan tried to be present whenever he was around. One day when the Captain rushed off to check on the rest of the boys, Evan approached him with a mop in hand.

"You came without your fairy today." It wasn't a question but Peter nodded.

"She had some business to attend to with the other fairies. You don't seem so surprised by magic." Evan shrugged.

"I was rescued by a mermaid. Not much could surprise me."

"Even before that though? You just…believed a mermaid rescued you?"

"Well no. I searched for a logical explanation. Me mum used to beat me and yell at me to stop daydreaming." Peter frowned.

"Grown ups actually do that?"

"Mine did."

Peter stayed away from the ship for a few days, on account some new Lost Boys had arrived on the shores and Peter took it upon himself to show them around and invite them to their new home. When he finally returned, he found Evan mopping the decks and he looked surprised as Peter landed on the deck in front of him.

"You came back."

"I did. Is James around?"

"He's on land right now. Something about searching for a water source."

"I'll wait if that's alright." Evan nodded and went back to his work. Peter cocked his head and bit his lip.

"Who are you again? And how are you related to James?"

"Name's Evan. I aint got any family or friends."

"Lies. You have one friend. Me." Evan looked surprised and held out his hand for Peter to shake. Peter stared at it warily and Evan chuckled.

"It's how we say hello."

"Don't we just open our mouths for that?"

"Well…blimey, you're right. Seems like a silly gesture don't it?" Peter laughed and shook Evan's hand.

"Well, Evan. I'm Peter Pan. Nice to meet you."

"Likewise. Peter Pan, Prince of Neverland, eh?"

"That's right. And you're Evan the Cabin Boy, are you?"

"One day I'll be Captain," Evan said as he looked around quickly. "But don't go repeating that. I like and respect my Captain and don't want him thinking I'm trying to get rid of him. He gave me a home, he did. When me mum became too much, I ran away and James took me under his wing."

"Give me a mop and I'll help you with your work. When you finish, I'll take you to see Reyna at the lagoon." Evan's eyes lit up and he pushed the mop into Peter's hands, running off to get another one.

Peter and Evan became inseperable. James kept a close eye on them whenever the three of them would go to land together and Peter would eagerly show them around his island. Years after they had met (though none of them knew it since time did not exist in Neverland), Peter revealed his powers to his friends. James and Evan watched in awe as Peter conjured a massive thunderstorm over the island. James whistled.

"Remind me to never get on your bad side, lad." Peter laughed and he blew the storm aside. James exhaled.

"Thank ye for that. We will be leaving in the morning and it would be a shame if our sails were ruined by the wind."

"No harm done, right Peter," Evan said as he clapped Peter's shoulder. "James why are we leaving again so soon?"

"I told you, lad, we need to make some deliveries around Ireland. Don't you worry, we'll be back soon enough."

"I wish I could stay here forever," Evan said miserably. "I wish I was one of your Lost Boys, Peter."

"Don't see why you can't be." Evan's jaw dropped and he turned to James excitedly.

"Did you hear that sir?"

"I did," James said, eyeing Peter. "And I think Peter has enough boys to deal with right now. You'll stick with me for a bit longer and I promise you, our next visit to the island will be a longer one." Evan's head drooped and James cleared his throat.

"We still need to make ready for our departure. Say farewell, Evan, and let's get back to the ship."

"Farewell, Peter," Evan muttered before he hurried back toward the ship. When he was gone, Peter turned to James, frowning.

"You don't want him here without you? How come?"

"Peter, I told you once he is powerhungry. I do not think it wise for him to stay on the island without my supervision. Especially since you are coming into your powers so well. He could prove to be quite a distraction."

"Isn't that why Tink introduced me to you? So you could be a distraction?"

"Not a distraction, no. She hoped I would bring some control to your life. And I have, Peter. You have learned to control your powers and you are connecting with your island much better than you ever did. Can't you see it?" He did, actually. He had noticed not only his control of his powers but the fact that he and Neverland actually seemed to be one entity now. He knew when someone was hurt, or when some sort of storm was coming. He could control the weather on the island and his flying had improved dramatically.

But Peter did not want to admit that James had helped. He crossed his arms and scoffed.

"I was always a part of the island. I don't know what you're talking about." James sighed and shook his head.

"Very well, Peter. But I still don't think Evan should stay. I need him aboard the ship. We will be back very soon." Peter nodded and watched James row toward the ship. Evan leaned over the side and raised his hand to Peter. Peter repeated the action and watched the men disappear from deck.

"I don't like him," Nibs said flatly, crossing his arms. Peter looked up at him, surprised, as he cleaned his blade.

"You barely spent 10 minutes with him."

"That was enough, believe me. He's manipulative, cold, and a downright cad. The other boys agree, Peter. We don't want him to come back here."

"Well that's too bad because he is going to become a Lost Boy." Nibs's jaw dropped and he exchanged a horrified look with Slightly.

"Peter, please think about this-"

"What's the problem," Peter snapped. "What's wrong with him?"

"Everything! You are usually such a good judge of character, I can't believe that you don't see it! There is something…evil about him!"

"What rubbish. He ran away from his home too. He loves it here. He's fun and carefree and is tired of rules. Tired of living under James's rules. What's so wrong with that?"

"James doesn't want this happening either, Peter! Why won't you listen to him?"

"Slightly, you were the one who lead him to the hideout!"

"He said he was looking for you! How was I supposed to know?"

"Know what," Peter said impatiently. "He's a good lad. Are you jealous, Nibs? Think I'll favor him and make him second-in-command?" Nibs's eyes narrowed in anger.

"I could give a flying fuck who you make second-in-command! I just don't like him and I don't trust him. So don't come running to me when he betrays you."

"Don't worry, I won't." Nibs slammed the door behind him and fumed outside. Peter went back to cleaning his blade and Slightly backed out of the room. Tink jingled in his ear and he bit his lip.

"I know, Tink. We need to do something about this. He can't make Evan a Lost Boy. You see it too, don't you?" Another jingle and Slightly held out his hand for the fairy to land in.

"You have to talk to him, Tink. You're the only one he will listen to. He won't listen to any of us, or to James, or Reyna. He won't believe us but we know the boy is bad news. Talk to him." Tink took a deep breath before she flew into the main room and landed on Peter's shoulder.

"Hey Tink, where you been?"

"With the Fairy Queen. Peter…I know you like Evan a lot-"

"Not you too, Tink."

"Just hear me out. The Fairy Queen is convinced someone is plotting to overthrow you and she doesn't think it's James."

"Why? James is a grown up…and he's become a pirate. After everything he said about them, he became one. Why should I trust him anymore?"

"Because he still cares about you. After so many years of helping you with your powers and becoming a better prince, you think he wants to take the crown from you?" Peter shrugged.

"Wouldn't surprise me."

"Oh Peter, wake up," she snapped. "Everyone else can see it, why can't you? Evan is not who he says he is! And he is going to cause you a lot of trouble if you let him."

"I'm not stupid, Tink. Why do you think I still haven't told him about my last power? I'm still being careful, even if I call him my best friend." Tink looked a little relieved but she fluttered her wings and hovered before his face.

"Then why would you make him a Lost Boy? You're really going to let him get that close to the island?"

"For the sake of Neverland, ok!" Peter exploded, throwing his hands in the air. "I won't let him become one. Are you happy? Are all of you happy," he screamed to the house, where the boys were cowering in their rooms. Tink set a hand on his cheek.

"We only want to keep you safe, Peter. And our home. Listen to James. Don't listen to Evan."

"Fine. Now I have to find him and tell him." He shoved his blade in its sheath at his leg and jumped into the air. He didn't have to go far. Evan was pacing nervously at the end of the path and Peter could clearly see Nibs shooting daggers at the boy.

"Evan," he announced himself and Evan spun around.

"Peter! I was getting worried. What did everyone say?" Peter opened his mouth several times before closing it again. Evan's brow furrowed.

"You're kidding me."

"Evan-"

"No. You're the Prince, Peter! To hell with everyone else! You are the one who makes the decisions around here!"

"It's not that simple. I'm not the only one who lives here. No one really trusts you and I'd like to know why."

"Well I wish I knew! What did the boys say about me?"

"Nothing," Peter lied. "It was the Fairy Queen who doesn't exactly trust you." Evan's face darkened as he stormed off. Peter watched, chewing on his lip.