Half In Half Out

Felix found himself once again attempting to comfort Wendy. She was curled up on her bed sobbing. She'd looked so small and frail that as Tink went to leave, Felix sighed and found himself offering to stay.

Tink had looked surprised but glanced at Wendy and then gave Felix a nod with strange expression on her face and left without comment.

Now he felt stuck. He'd been sat on the bed next her for hours, his head resting against the headboard, his legs stretched out, ankles crossed. His hands were twisting together anxiously as he sat there unsure what he was suppose to do in this situation.

He cursed Freddy and his stupid fondness for Sally. He could feel Freddy's need to comfort her fighting against his need to escape the stuffy room. It was frustrating as he sat there in silence, struggling against the conflicting emotions that weren't even all his own.

He was just beginning to doze off when his stomach rumbled. Wendy made no indication she'd heard it but he felt embarrassment anyway. Getting to his feet, he decided to get some food for them to eat. He took longer than necessary, half hoping she would be more herself when he returned.

When he came back, Wendy was sat up scrolling through her phone. Her face was still red and puffy but she didn't look as vulnerable as before. Felix sighed in relief.

Felix handed her a paper bag, inside was a Granny's special hamburger with french fries. Wendy accepted it with a quiet thank you. She pulled the fries out of the bag and began to slowly nibble on them. Felix sat gingerly on the dressing table and tucked into his meal with much more enthusiasm.

'Heard anything from Pan?' Felix asked while chewing. Wendy shook her head.

'I don't know what is going on with him lately.' Wendy said. 'Nothing he is doing makes any sense.'

'It'll make sense in his mind.' Felix forever loyal stated. Wendy gave him a knowing smile.

'He is usually five steps ahead of everyone else.' She mused, 'But this feels different. He's erratic, making a decision and then immediately going back on it.'

Felix murmured an agreement and then focused on his burger, unwilling to comment on Pan's latest actions.

'Thank you.' Wendy said quietly. Felix looked at her in alarm. 'For staying.'

Felix shrugged and stared at the floor. 'It's fine.'

'You're always looking after me.' Wendy smiled softly but Felix would no longer look at her.

They sat in silence while they ate.

'What do you mean he's gone!' The loud scream from outside made the two teens jump.

'Was that Tink?' Wendy asked as they both rushed over to the window. Below them was a crowd of adults, Tink was facing Regina, Emma, Snow and David. Rumple and Belle were stood off to the side and Hook was hovering by Tink's side, almost in a protective stance.

Wendy and Felix wasted no time in grabbing their things and running out the door, heading straight for the entrance to Granny's.

'Get over yourself!' Wendy heard Tink screaming again as she pushed past the nosey people inside Granny's diner and forced her way outside.

'You're actually surprised that Peter would turn on you so quickly? After everything you put him through!' Tink was dangerously close to the queen. 'He is hurting and it's all your fault. If anything happens to Henry, it's on you.'

'If he hurts Henry, I am going to kill him.' Regina shouted back.

Tink let out a strangled noise. 'I'd like to see you try.'

Felix went straight to Tink's side, prepared to intervene if Regina attacked. Hook also moved to stand closer to Tink than he was before.

Emma chipped in with a retort and instantly all the adults burst in a loud round of arguing and it took a few minutes for Wendy to piece together what exactly had happened. She came to stand next to Hook.

'He took Henry?' She asked quietly while appearing to be focused on the other adults.

'Aye.' Hook said giving her a slight nod of the head.

'Why?' Wendy frowned as she asked the question, her brain already mulling over the possible answers.

'The crocodile says they've gone to Neverland.' Hook told her. 'We're doing a supply run and then we are going to take my ship.'

'You're going to Neverland?' Wendy said a little louder than she intended. 'We'll come with you.'

'Not a chance.' Regina scoffed turning her attention to Wendy and inducing another round of arguing.

'The lost boys that are here in Storybrooke are not Neverland's only lost boys. The ones left behind are dangerous and won't take kindly to adults roaming around. You need us.' Wendy said, choosing her words carefully.

'You are Pan's girlfriend, as soon as you get there you will switch sides.' Regina shouted as Emma didn't immediately shut down the idea.

Wendy looked to Hook for help who merely sighed and stepped in.

'No one can navigate the island like these kids. Neverland is dangerous, it would be beneficial to bring at least Wendy and Felix along.' Hook said calmly. Regina looked like she could claw out his throat for voicing his opinion.

'But you follow Pan.' David pointed out. Wendy opened her mouth but Felix cut in first.

'We do.' He folded his arms and scowled at David. Wendy could have hit him.

'Felix!' Wendy hissed. 'You're not helping.'

'What? We don't need them, we'll find our own way to Neverland, screw the adults.' Felix hissed back in Wendy's face.

The adults were shouting over them again.

'We need to be on that boat.' Wendy said to him. Felix narrowed his eyes and held his stance.

'Then we will take the ship.' He said quietly. Wendy felt the urge to hit him more strongly.

'And how do you propose we do that? They have magic!' Wendy pointed out. 'We'll have to find another way.'

'That's it!' Emma screamed gaining everyone's attention. 'We do not have time for this.' She faced Wendy and the look on her face said everything.

'I'm sorry, we can't take you with us. I can't risk it.' Emma said and then turned to her parents. 'Let's go.'

The adults started to walk away. Tink shot daggers at Hook as he gingerly walked past her.

'Belle I have to go, you have to stay here.' Rumple said to Belle not far from where Wendy was stood. She fished out her phone and tried to look busy so she could listen in.

'Why, no, I want to help.' Belle exclaimed.

'The town is no longer safe.' Rumple said. David stopped walking and turned back.

'What?' David and Belle asked at the same time.

Wendy stopped breathing.

'Well Greg and Tamara weren't working alone. As much as Pan would like to take the credit, he wasn't pulling the strings. Others will follow.'

'No, we can't leave people in danger.' David said. 'And what do we do about them?' He gestured at Wendy, Felix and Tink.

'I can take care of a few kids and a fairy.' Belle said boldly. 'No offence.' She said as she realised Tink was in ear shot. The fairy grumbled something under her breath.

'I have no doubt. Another reason why you need to stay Belle.' Rumple said producing a small scroll that was rolled up and tied together by a thin red ribbon.

'After we've gone, follow these instructions.' He handed Belle the scroll who took it reluctantly. 'It's a cloaking spell, it'll shield the town, making it impossible for anyone to find.'

Wendy wanted to hear more but Rumple guided Belle further away and out of earshot. Huffing, Wendy walked over to Felix and Tink.

'What do you think?' She asked quietly. Tink looked like she was ready to kill someone, Regina in particular.

'There's no way they'll let us on the ship.' Tink said through clenched teeth.

'Can we summon the shadows?' Felix asked quietly.

'If we could, Peter would have done it ages ago.' Wendy said. 'What about flying? Can we get hold of some pixie dust? Tink would know the way.'

'We can't fly there.' Tink interjected. She was still scowling Hook's retreating back. She was chewing the inside of her cheek, mulling something over. Wendy waited to see if the fairy would say what she was really thinking but the she didn't speak.

'Then we take the ship.' Felix said through gritted teeth. Wendy closed her eyes and shook her head in frustration.

'Could we stowaway?' Wendy suggested instead.

Rumpelstiltskin and Belle walked back towards them silencing the group. Rumple gave Wendy a sly look.

'Miss Darling, I'm sorry that you won't be joining us on the Jolly Roger but I have no doubt that you will find another way.'

Wendy frowned at the finality in his tone, as if he'd heard her suggestion. He smiled knowingly and then walked away.

There was no way to get out of Storybrooke. Wendy let out a strangled noise and stormed off down the road. She could hear one set of footsteps and assumed Felix had decided to follow her. With no where to go, Wendy found herself walking straight into the woods.

'There has to be a way I can get to Neverland.' Wendy said, more to herself than to Felix. She punched the nearest tree halfheartedly.

'We will find a way.' Felix said quietly. She couldn't stand to face him so she kept her attention on the bark of the tree. She could feel tears prickling behind her eyes.

'It's not just about Peter. My brothers are in Neverland and Rumpelstiltskin and the Evil Queen are on their way there right now!' She had tried not to think about her brothers since the curse had been broken but now the guilt came crashing down around her.

'It's my fault they're there. I left them there…' Wendy trailed off.

'Wendy,' Felix placed his hand on her shoulder. Without thinking about it, Wendy turned into him and cried into his chest, her hands curled into his jumper. Felix's eyes widened in panic. Grimacing he patted her back with one hand, while the other stayed limp at his side.

'He's so stupid.' Wendy cried out. 'Why would he just leave us?'

'I don't know.' Felix muttered. 'I just, I really don't know.'

Meanwhile in Neverland

Two things happened the moment they landed on the sand.

The first thing was Henry's poor attempt to escape. As soon as he landed he tried to scramble to his feet and make a run for it, which was quickly spoiled by Greg who managed to grab is arm and pull him back.

'Slow down pal.' Greg said. 'You've got nowhere to go.' He grabbed Henry's wrists together and bound them with a zip tie.

The second thing that happened was Tigerlily slapping a bracelet onto Peter's wrist.

Peter swore and immediately tried to take it off but found that he couldn't.

'What the hell Tigerlilly?' He shouted.

'I'm sorry.' She said moving swiftly out of his reach as he swung for her.

'It's just a precaution.' Greg said. 'The home office provided it for us.'

'Humour them.' Tigerlilly stated. 'Please.'

Peter growled at her. 'It's stops my magic.'

'Please, it's only temporary.' Tigerlilly said. Peter let out another growl.

Tamara sighed as she made her way up the beach, oblivious to Peter's reaction to being cuffed.

'We made it. Mission accomplished.' She dropped a large rucksack onto the ground.

'Are you sure about that? Cause my mom's coming to get me. Both of them.' Henry said.

'Take a look around, kid. You see any clock towers? You're a long way from Storybrooke.' Greg said gesturing wildly with his hands.

'It doesn't matter.' Henry spat confidently. 'My family's been to the enchanted forest before, and they can get here again.'

Peter wasn't paying attention, he was too busy fighting with his new accessory. It wasn't until he heard howling coming from the woods that he snapped his attention back to the group.

'Well we're not in the enchanted forest. This is Neverland.' Tamara said.

'Neverland?' Henry exclaimed. 'You're here to destroy Neverland?'

'It's the mother load of magic.' Tamara said, rooting through the rucksack. 'Oh where is the communicator? We need to signal the home office.'

'Here you go T.' Greg said finding it in the front pocket of the bag and handed it to her.

'An office in the jungle?' Henry looked between Tamara and Greg. 'Huh. Who works there?'

'Who we work for is none of your concern, kid.' Greg sneered. 'Just know that they take care of us.'

'You think the home office is based here? On my island?' Peter asked folding his arms.

'Can they tell you how to get back home, after you destroy magic? Henry asked at the same time.

'We don't ask questions' Greg said dismissing them both. 'We just believe in our cause.'

'Greg?' Tamara said slamming her hand against the communicator.

'Yeah?' Greg answered, turning to face her.

Tamara sighed. 'I'm not getting a status light on this thing.' She handed the radio to him.

'Did you check the batteries?' Greg asked clicking open the back off the case. As it clicked open, sand fell out.

'What the hell is this?' Tamara frowned snatching the radio break. 'A toy?'

'It's a good thing you guys don't ask any questions.' Henry said, smiling innocently.

'I'm sure there is a good reason.' Tigerlily interrupted. There was another howl in the distance. 'We should move.'

'Let's go.' Greg commanded, pushing Henry forward.

'Pan? Let's stay with them.' Tigerlily put her hand on his upper arm but was shrugged away.

'I don't follow your orders.' Peter snarled.

'Trust me Pan.' Tigerlily whispered. 'You're going to enjoy what happens next.'

Later that day.

Greg started to make a fire, he got on his knees and started blowing at the flames trying to coax them.

'We making s'mores?' Henry said sarcastically. Peter quirked en eyebrow. He was leaning against a tree, a leaf caught between his index finger and thumb. He released it and watched as the branch it was attached to snapped back.

'No.' Greg replied to Henry's question. He patted his hands together 'Building a signal. Help me gather some dry leaves.'

Greg stood back up and wiped his hands on his trousers. 'We need to let the home office know that we're here.'

'And what if that's not enough?' Tamara asked. 'What if the empty communicator wasn't an accident?'

Peter rolled his eyes. Tigerlilly came to stand next to him.

'Why are we still hanging around these idiots?' He said gesturing to the adults.

As if on cue there was a rustling sound and a group of boys came out of the bushes. There was at least seven of them, dressed in their hunting gear.

'Who are you?' Greg demanded.

'We're the home office.' A tall boy said smirking, stepping forwards. 'Welcome to Neverland.'

Greg looked at Tamara for reassurance. Peter frowned and squinted as he tried to remember who the boy was.

He was taller than most lost boys, possibly rivalling Felix's height. Peter couldn't remember having any other lost boys that tall. His hair was jet black with red streaks through it, He was dressed in black leather and a chain of teeth hung around his neck.

'The "home office" is a bunch of teenagers.' Tamara said in disbelief.

'They're not teenagers. They're the lost boys.' Henry said.

'Look at that.' The lost boy tilted his head and regarded Henry carefully.

'Why do the lost boys want to destroy magic?' Henry asked trying the opportunity to try and get some answers.

'Who said we wanna destroy magic?' The boy said, the smugness in his tone evident.

'That was our mission.' Greg began.

'So you were told.' The young teen said. 'Now the boy. Hand him over.'

'Not until you tell us the plan, for magic, for getting home.' Tamara demanded.

'Rufio!' Peter exclaimed snapping his fingers. He smiled in triumph and then realised he was interrupting. 'Sorry, continue. I'll just be over here.'

Peter moved further back, noticing the way the lost boys moved to keep him in full view. He struggled to recognise any of those boys either. There was only Rufio without a cape, the other boys all had there hoods up, making it harder for Peter to determine who they were.

'You're not getting home.' Rufio said slyly.

'Then you're not getting the boy.' Greg said putting himself between Henry and Rufio.

'Of course we are.' Rufio's grin widened.

Peter felt it before the roar caused everyone else to look up. A shadow swooped down and ripped out Greg's shadow, killing him instantly. Greg's body slumped to the ground. The shadow paused when it saw Peter and then swiftly flew off with Greg's shadow.

'Run.' Tamara shouted. Henry didn't waste any time and ran off into the woods.

'Get the boy.' Rufio commanded. The boys ran off in pursuit. Tamara tried to run away but was struck down with an arrow. Peter folded his arms and waited for the clearing to clear, the lost boys ignoring him as they sprinted past.

Peter frowned as Tigerlilly walked over to Rufio.

'Rufio.' She said. 'I brought Peter as requested.'

'Requested by who exactly?' Peter enquired, taking a careful step towards them.

'It's nice to see you both again.' Rufio said stiffly. 'We have been preparing for your arrival. Come, follow me.'

With that Rufio began walking in the direction he came in. Peter's frown deepened. This was not the reception he was expecting when he arrived home.

Tigerlilly tried to give him a reassuring smile but it made him feel more uneasy.

'The bracelet?' He said gesturing to his wrist. Tigerlilly bit her lip.

'It will come off when we are back at camp.' Rufio answered for her. Peter growled and lunged for him. The boy was quick to dodge as Peter's knife narrowly missed his throat.

'It comes off now.' Peter demanded. Rufio drew out his sword and pointed it at Peter ready to duel.

'Enough.' Tigerlilly shouted coming in between them. 'Peter, it will be taken off once we get to camp. You have my word.'

Rufio sheathed his blade and began to stalk off, not waiting for them to follow.

'Don't make promises you can not keep Princess.' Peter hissed at her and stormed off after the lost boy.

Gold was hunched over a desk in one the cabins below deck. One hand holding a bottle with a red liquid inside, while the other hand was delicately using a swab to swipe around the lip of the beer can Peter had carelessly left out on Snow's counter.

It was the first chance he'd had to consider his theory. Carefully he placed the swab into the vial and shook the bottle gently. The red liquid sloshed about and just as Rumple thought he had his answer, the liquid started to change into a gold type substance.

He slammed the bottle down onto the desk with more force than he intended and stared at it in disbelief.

'So it's true.' He muttered to himself. Steeling himself, Rumple took a deep breath and used his magic to make the bottle and can disappear. Then he changed into his old attire before making his way to the upper deck.

The group did not respond well to his declaration on going alone. Ignoring their objections, Rumple used Emma as an excuse, telling them that he refused to accept that she was capable of saving Henry. As he apparated off the ship Rumple tried to stay calm but his heart thrummed wildly in his chest as he realised just how dangerous the situation had become.

Henry ran as fast as he could down a dirt path. He was rapidly running out of breath and having his hands bound was making it harder for him to run. His ears were pounding with the sound of blood.

Tripping over his own feet, Henry hit the ground hard. Before he could scramble to his feet, someone grabbed him and pulled him to get up.

'Come on.' They said dragging him into the bushes. They stayed down while the lost boys ran past. Once the coast was clear, Pan pulled his hood down and began to cut through Henry's ties.

'Thanks.' Henry said looking confused. 'Where did you get the cloak from?'

'I stole it. We have to be careful, I tried to stop them going after you and now they're after me too.' Pan said looking up to see if the coast was clear.

'Why?' Henry asked frowning as he noticed Peter was also wearing a scarf the lost boys had all been wearing. 'Did you kill someone to get that? Where's Tigerlilly?'

'No time for questions. We must keep moving. Come on.' Pan said grabbing Henry's arm and helping him to his feet. Pan started running, half dragging the poor boy to keep up with him.

Author's Note

If anyone can guess where I'm going with this then they get a cookie! I'm sorry for such a long delay in updating and I wish I could promise more regular updates but all I can do is try to not leave it as long until the next chapter.

Please let me know if you're still reading and what you think? I really hope you like Rufio's appearance! I'm trying to develop Felix a bit more now and I might develop a couple more characters, Tigerlilly probably deserves a bit more love and attention (though I do have plans for her).