Chapter 38: (Potentially) Unhappy Endings

Hook waited, taut as a wire, edged as a razor, and livid as a dragon.

Someone was going to die.

And watching the crew strain against the ocean, heave ho-ing Shark from the heavy waves, Hook knew exactly who that someone was.

"Raw fish tonight…"

The salty air stung the captain's face, twisting his smile into a grimace. Turning purposefully into the wind, Hook strode to the Jolly Rodger's edge. Placing his hook into the railing, the captain cursed so lightly, only the wind could hear.

Damn that Peter Pan. Flamboyant. Unpredictable. Vengeful.

Hook glared. Just like the wind.

And in a gust of mockery, the flying rat had risen from his watery grave, informing them of his revival and congratulating the crew for their consecutive failed attempt at piratry. Finally, following a whistle, bang, and pop to the forestays (still under repair) the boy had pitched a sharp, golden comb at Hook's face and darted off into the stars. Laughing…naturally, laughing.

Heatedly, Hook fingered the golden comb. Gritting his teeth as the sapphires cut into his fingers, Hook forced his fury to evaporate into the sea. Exactly the color of his eyes, the cerulean ocean breathed under the ship before undulating to shore. Soothed, the captain gazed after the waves swelling and surging gently.

Envious though he was, Hook nevertheless admired the silent tide; in and out. That was all. Unsympathetic to the ways of pixies, pirates, mer, or men…the tide rose and fell, and rose and fell.

A flicker, reflected in the tide, brought a spyglass to Hook's eye. Slowly, the captain surveyed the beach, fishing for shadows in the starlight.

Finally, after three patient sweeps, Hook caught a pair of blue eyes.

"Ah ha…we meet again, little temptress…and…interesting…"

Hook leaned forward, the wind strumming his snarls of black hair. The girl, ducking unabashedly from the forest, had approached the open ocean with an unprecedented boldness. Without scanning the horizon (for say, a pirate ship) the girl walked across the glittering sand.

Smiling, Hook had waited for the tide to grab the girl's toes. But suddenly…

"What have we here?"

In full moonlight, the mighty Peter Pan flew swiftly from the stars until he had reached the girl. But, he did not immediately touch her. Faltering, the boy paused, thought better, and drew back his hand.

Docile as a hermit crab, the boy touched earth, waiting to be noticed. And as the girl turned toward him, the boy transformed back into a lion. But, an imperceptible blaze of emotion burned from the boy's midnight eyes.

"Well, well…"

Hook adjusted the scopes as the boy engaged quietly with the girl, his young shoulders tight and nimble hands stiff at his side.

Tensions relieved as the boy gestured like a conductor along the perimeters of the forest. Hook traced each in kind to find an armada of misfits: the usual hoard of Lost Boys; two more scruffians, one in an outstanding top hat and another clutching a teddy hear; a brave crouched beside a black wolf; that infuriating Indian princess; and…oh yes…the petulant pixie.

"Snappish band of brats and…" Hook trailed off, re-focusing the scope on the girl and boy as Pan's troupe faded into the forest.

The boy seemed to have exhausted his finger. Finishing, Pan pointed in the general direction of Mermaid Lagoon. Then, the boy waited.

Quietly, the girl nodded and turned. Involuntarily, Hook drew back the glass as she stole a secretive glance to sea.

Upon return, Hook nearly dropped the instrument. Flying over the girl, Peter Pan followed the girl along the shore like a shadow. Then, with the tenderness of a butterfly, the boy rest his hand against the small of her back.

The captain's crooked smile painted a hook across his lips.

"Well. Mr. Peter Pan…"

Hook strained to keep sight with the girl as Pan guided her gently over the rocky beach. Wickedly, the pirate's head buzzed with schemes as he watched the girl draw away from the tide.

"There's a soft spot in every tiger's eye…"

Crazily, Hook smiled. Suddenly, as the children disappeared from view, Hook mused, "My, my, Peter Pan's little temptress: I do not even know your name."

"Aye Capn…"

Sharply, Hook turned his head. Grizzly face muted, Shark joined Hook, not bothering to wipe the saltwater from his eyes.

"I heard it…" Shark's voice was distant, but deep and grating as a sea monster.

Hook's eyes sparked like blue opals. Perhaps…yes…Shark's head was not worth rolling on a platter. Not quite yet.

"…Yes…Mr. Shark?"

Waves crashed in Shark's eyes as he drowned in a sea of memory.

"…Wendy."

Author's Note: Someone asked me about the last chapter and where I got my inspiration to make it sad. 1. I planned the back story a long time ago. 2. I was listening to this great Sting song called "Pirate's Bride." YouTube it. Worth it! (so much that I used it as inspiration for this chpt too!)

...oh...and this is NOT the last chapter. just to clear up any confusion.