Curtains Always Flow (part 12 of 'My Brave Wendy')
by Isabelle
Disclaimers: The rights to the film and book "Peter Pan/Peter Pan and Wendy" do not belong to me; this is just done for entertainment. Chapter Disclaimers:
Rating: PG-15 (for adult themes and mild sexual references)
Feedback: isabelle@komodo-skin.com
Archiving: It's a requirement that I have that you ask me before posting any of my written work. Thank you.
Summary: This is a work of fiction based on the 2003 film "Peter Pan"; it is centered, like the film around Peter & Wendy's relationship, just so you know. Basically the whole "never saw each other again" is out the window and for the purposes of the fiction they did.
Setting: This happens 1 year after Peter last saw Wendy, she's now been sent to a boarding school in Switzerland with her parent's new found fortune, but it's nothing like the place they thought it to be, as WWI is in it's starting stages there's fear all around and she's left without adult supervision along with some of her boarding school girls to find a way home and hoping that a certain first love will find her.
Spoilers: The film, it'll spoil you if you have not seen the film!!
Appreciation: My beta, who rocks my world at this moment, Rogue!! All the lovely reviewers that were patient with me when this chapter took longer than the rest! :)
------------------------
They didn't really protest when the soldiers mounted them on horses and took them away. They came with more food, warm coats and blankets.
The Duke was smitten with Peter--right from the start.
"My dears! You are all alright, thank heavens!" he cried.
Helen who was firmly attached to his hip smiled up at her father as if he were the grandest thing in the world. Wendy realized then that she missed her own mother and father and wanted nothing more than to be in her warm home, wrapped in their embrace.
"It's been dreadful, father!" Helen had cried. "If it weren't for Peter, Wendy and even Joanna we would all be dead, father!"
The Duke had turned to face Peter who still had a dark, suspicious look on him. "Peter is it?" he addressed him.
Peter eyed him carefully then bowed, as he'd always done, the perfect gentleman. "Peter Pan, sir."
The Duke had smiled and given him a small chuckle. "Delightful youth! Come, my boy--I shall personally make sure that your heroism is not overlooked!"
Peter had tried to protest as the Duke insisted that Peter ride in the front with him, demanding Peter tell him some of his tales of adventures (none that he believed, of course) but he was entertained none the less.
----------------------
Peter being away from Wendy gave Christian the right opportunity to accompany Wendy. He had helped her on her horse and taken to stay right with her, despite her protests that she was fine. She had made sure to keep Joanna near her, avoiding to look at him at all costs.
When Joanna was called away by Rosalind who insisted she had seen the most bizarre creature Christian had smiled and galloped closer to her.
"Have I done something to offend you, Miss. Darling?" he inquired, his dark head turning to look at her.
Wendy had stiffed and looked away. "You need not use such formalities with me, Mr. Kelley. I'm just a little girl."
He had chuckled at that, looking proudly at her from his horse. "I beg words with any man or woman who says that. I seem to have grasped quite a different opinion of you, can you not think why?"
"Your opinions are breached by hours of acquaintance, Mr. Kelley--hardly an opinion to be valued." Wendy snipped, looking away once more.
Christian studied her, up on a horse that was too large for her, her eyes darting every few seconds to were Peter was animatedly telling the Duke of his adventures.
"You yearn for this Peter?" he asked softly.
That comment made her jump and she turned bright red, avoiding his gaze.
"Mr. Kelley, I hardly think this is a proper topic of conversation!" she was insulted. Good. He though she looked lovely when she was livid.
"A thousand apologies, dear lady." he told her, but the smile was still shinning on his face.
"You find amusement in my discomfort, Mr. Kelley. Not a gentleman-like quality." she noticed it and smirked when his own smile faded.
"It was not my intention to make you see otherwise... Wendy."
She couldn't help but smile back.
"I'm a fast learner," he told her, noticing her approval.
"I see."
----------------------------------
They reached the mansion a few hours later, the entire party was ready for a long rest. While the Duke explained that it was a winter "cabin" he kept for Sky trips Wendy could only marvel at it.
The supposed Cabin must've been four floors high, with over twenty windows going across in each floor. Many chimneys decorated it's top, and the wood shinned brilliantly in the dawning sun.
"Le Maison de Foret!" Helen had squealed when she saw it. "I've often heard of it but have never had the chance to see it!"
"It's lovely," Anna had cried, her relief that they had reached civilization evident in her face.
"Monsieur Waterford!" an older large woman cried when she saw them arrive.
"Ahh! Mrs. Jacques, children." The Duke had told them. "She's the finest housekeeper in all of Europe!"
And so the woman had assured them in, taken their coats and pushed them to the warm fire were they delighted in it's warmth.
"I shall have the rooms done immediately!" she had cried. "Ti's poor children!"
More maids ushered in, bringing in plates filled with soups, breads and warm cider. They ate like they had never eaten before, gulping down their cider, and slurping their soups, completely forgetting their manners.
The Duke had simply smiled he had motioned for one of his men to send telegrams to each other the girl's parents.
"I can't wait to see Mama," Anna had told them. "I shall say there will be a party in my honor when I get back to Moscow!"
Wendy had ignored her, concentrating on her soup and avoiding both Peter and Christian's gaze. By the time they had finished their food their rooms were ready.
Helen had her own room, which had always been set aside in case she ever came; Anna and Rosalind shared a huge room with two full beds as did Wendy and Joanna.
Peter and Christian were to share a room... at the beginning.
Everyone but Anna jumped in and demanded that they had their own separate rooms. The Duke and Mrs. Jacques had simply raised their brows and complied.
-----------------------------------------
They had slept for hours in their warm beds, being fed rich soups and crepes in their own rooms while still tucked in their beds.
"Such lovely children, Monsieur!" Mrs. Jacques told him when they were finally well enough to leave their room, each looking rosier than before and in much better health.
"Yes, it's a miracle they're all so well" The Duke commented. "Peter, my boy--come here, sit with me."
Peter had purposively avoided any contact with Wendy, not looking at her, not even going her away and was most grateful when the Duke insisted that he sit with him and tell him more tales of adventure.
Wendy for her part looked crestfallen. She had dressed quickly and early in the hopes of catching Peter when he left his room in order to speak to him... but Christian had come by and asked if he could escort her to dinner.
Christian Kelley looked much more different than the hunter in the snow. He was dressed in a fine winter suit, dark black that matched his eyes.
She had waited enough for Peter, she had decided and glared at the door, turning from it and accepting Christian's offer.
"You make a delightful young couple," was the first comment they had received from The Duke as they entered the dinning hall.
Anna had smiled at her. "They do, don't they?"
Wendy's jaw tightened as she glared daggers at Anna.
Joanna stepped in just in the nick of time. "Have your heard back from our parents, milord?"
That changed the topic of conversation completely as Christian helped Wendy get settled and the Duke went on about how terrible the communication lines were at this time of the year.
"We might have t stay here all winter! The storm what will be coming will make it impossible to travel," he helped Helen to her chair. "I am inviting a large party to stay with us, now that you're all safe I believe a ball in order."
"A ball!" Rosalind cried delightedly.
"Yes, yes, a nice ball in your honor!"
And so the worst of it all started. A ball brings in dancing, jealousy and love. The beginning of all troubles.
------------------------------------------
People started arriving, enough people to fill the house with guests. The Lord Duke stated that they were his kind neighbors who fancied a week-long party and eagerly came over.
Wendy heard the girl squeal in delight when the fine young men started to arrive.
For her sake she had too many men around her as it was. Enough to drive her crazy. Peter was ignoring her and avoiding her at all costs and Christian was making sure to take every possible moment to tell her how magnificent she was.
It was all a bit overwhelming.
She decided that being a lady was not all it was cut out to be.
In the mists of all of her emotions and frustration with relationships Wendy failed to notice that even though Christian was very much paying attention to her he was also doing everything possible to avoid any confrontation with any of the new members of the household.
He had dealt with too many people and too many people knew what he was exactly.
There was serious conflict within him on a daily and momentary basis. The more he talked to Wendy, enjoyed her proper quips and come-backs the more he fell in enchanted with her. The more he wanted her.
As the girls discussed the ball, dresses and men Wendy simply stared at them from far away... her eyes always wondering in search of Peter and his obvious anger and jealousy.
His nerves were on end, he tried to hardly leave the comforts of his room but when he knew Wendy would be about he would also venture around le maison. Since Wendy was also careful to avoid the adults tat were pouring into the home like flies it gave Christian every opportunity to find her alone in her solace and converse with her on things that didn't matter and in many social circles would've been found improper.
--------------------------------------------------
It was when the roasted turkeys began to arrive that Wendy's curiosity on the house's kitchens took over her and she wandered to the first floor in search of something other than drapes and fine tables.
She knew she shouldn't be there, if Mrs. Jacques (dear lady) would've found her she would've explicitly informed her that the kitchens were no place for a lady.
After watching with keep curiosity all the dealings in the kitchen she decided to go back upstairs and join the girls as they once more went over the dresses they were wearing.
But she ran into a strong chest.
"Peter!"
Her heart leap to her throat, her eyes wide and her breath coming in short spurts.
"I'm sorry," he said and turned to walk away.
"No, wait, Peter!"
He stopped, his shoulders squared.
She cleared her throat, looking around. They were very much alone in an empty hall which was darkened by the lack of windows.
"... w-what were you going here?" she asked, tentatively.
"I was hungry," he informed her.
"Oh." was her reply.
She twisted her hands in front of her, looking down in defeat. She heard him start to walk once more.
".... Peter," her voice sounded so lost and alone it made him turn back to look at her, worry in his eyes.
After a while he asked. "What's wrong, Wendy?"
She lifted her eyes to look back at him. "... you hate me terribly, don't you?"
"I... I don't hate you, Wendy." he told her, his voice quiet, his eyes unwavering. "I hate him."
Hate. Another adult emotion. One that could drive a man to do things a man shouldn't be proud of doing. A proper man, at least. But Peter would never be proper, or refined. A gentleman, yes... but never proper. It was part of what she loved of him. She loved his sudden shift of emotions, his vibrancy, his tendency to say things that were not suitable or cultured. He was made out of flesh or bones not of etiquette and genteelness.
"Hate, Peter? Please don't hate... hate twists us into creatures of the night, blinded by our hatred we loose ourselves in it." she told him, stepping closer to him, her eyes pleading with him. "He's done nothing to you... or taken anything from you. I promise."
"Yet." he reminded her, his eyes still hard.
"No. Not yet, not ever, Peter... I... I love you." her voice was calm and shinny in the dark hall.
She had never told him that she loved him. She had never dared. Unlike him she had a set of principles, propriety and morals that always sing-songed in the back of her head reminding her that it was improper for a lady to behave in such a manner.
"I don't care what my dreams say, I will not lead my life by their lead. I know what my heart feels and it knows only this. One hundred nights with Christian Kelley could never compare to a minute with you."
Before she knew it his lips had aggressively captures hers, making her yelp then sink into his embrace.
Peter, for his part, didn't really comprehend what he was doing, all he knew is that he felt elated, vibrant and alive. Her words had been sweet honey to his soul and he gushed, sinking into the feel of Wendy in his arms.
---------------------------------------------
If there had been a time to intervene it had to be now. Something had to be done... if he didn't do anything and simply stood about waiting for his chance to come through he would never have her... and he was sure that if he were to survive out of this he needed her with him.
She had become the lifeline he had never had into doing good in this world.
She was his soul and one couldn't live without one's soul.
He watched as the young man wrapped his arms more furiously around her and she sank into his embrace, whispering words of love and endearment... and he knew. Christian Kelley must end the job he started.
---------------------------------------------
"Wendy..." he said, pulling back, panting.
Her own eyes were glazed and watery. "Oh... Peter..."
"I'm sorry, Wendy. I did something to upset.... well it will since you don't know what it is yet..." he was afraid, she could see it in his eyes, they were not as blue as before.
"What... what did you do?" her voice was weary though she held her arms firmly around his shoulders.
"I... well, I was upset and the girls were talking about the ball and the dance and such... well, they were saying how lovely would be if they were invited personally to the ball by a young man... Helen mentioned she had a young man and well... I knew it would upset you!"
Wendy laughed. "Why would that upset me? Helen is welcomed to go with whom she chooses."
Peter bit his lip, his eyes lightly closing. "How about Anna... may Anna go with whom she chooses?"
Wendy let go of his shoulders. "You asked Anna, didn't you?"
"I was upset at you, I no longer am--I swear it!"
Wendy looked away from him, her bottom lip pouting slightly. "... you're taking Anna to the ball."
"I just asked her a few moments ago, I shall go and tell her I'm taking you!" he moved to leave.
"No!"
He stopped and looked at Wendy.
"It's obvious to me now, Peter Pan. It's very obvious."
His brows furrowed.
"Wendy I don't--"
"Oh be quiet! I should've known! This--this was all too easy!" her cheeks had turned bright pink and her eyes were so narrowed Peter flinched. "You fancy her! You fancy her, and I know you fancy her because you could've easily asked Joanna or Rosalind, but NO! You asked Anna."
"I did asked them first and they said they wouldn't dare!" he shouted back.
"So I'm you're last resort?" her cheeks flushed.
"No! You are--"
"Perhaps you were right after all Peter. Perhaps it's best we part our own ways... we can no longer live in childhood dreams of stolen kisses in empty halls... perhaps it's best if I did consider to be Mrs. Christian Kelley!"
Rage spurted in his face and he quickly grabbed her upper arms, shaking her.
"Let go of me!" she struggled against his grip.
"Take it back!" he yelled.
Using her old trick she harshly brought down her heeled foot on top of his making him shout in pain.
"No! I'll never take it back, Peter Pan!" she shouted once she was out of his grasps, she ran down the hall as he clutched his foot. "My only real regret was falling in love with a boy such as you!"
-----------------------------------
TBC....
A/N: Don't you just love the angst? I love it! Ok, I know you've probably been wondering what's taken me so long, but I'm sorry, I really am--school has just got the best out of me. I wont be able to update until probably early next week since I'm going home for the weekend! I hope you enjoyed this part and the cliffhanger was not ... too bad. ;)