~*~ The Ruritanian Isle ~*~
- Chapter Four: Minds of Their Own -
(Quick A/N: I'm not sure if this will happen, but lately all of my ellipses have been turning into singular periods. So, if this happens to occur, just remember that if there are any weird periods in certain places, there are really supposed to be three there. There's a heads up for y'all.)
A shadowy figure crept along the bank. The pirate ship loomed threateningly in the backdrop. Twilight was descending, and the stars were hardly visible in the blue-gray sky. All seemed serene, but the ragged pants of the man continued to plague the silence. His breath came in strained gasps, but he was running nevertheless.
Moments earlier, he had been swimming across the bay to the shore. The crocodile that at one point had tasted his flesh darted through the waves after him. He ended up clambering onto the beach and sprinting up a tree to finally be rid of the beast.
So, now, Hook still ran. He had been thinking in his room for quite some time before hurling himself out the window to investigate. Why would Pan simply stand by and watch her drown? Why didn't he save her? Why didn't he watch her properly? The thoughts poisoned his mind until, at last, he stumbled across a disquieting conclusion.
Pan murdered Kelly McClure. There was no other possible solution to the matter.
Hook scuttled his way up a craggy hill and found himself mere tens of yards away from the Indian encampment. He held deep respect for the people, seeing that they knew what was happening on the island at all times. How they came to know, exactly, no one could ever figure out. Perhaps they might be so kind as to share with him the events that led up to Kelly's death.
Oh, how he would love to bury his hook in Pan with good cause!
As the sun disappeared completely, a silhouette of the pirate captain curled beside a rock to spend the night.
~*~
Peter Pan sat cross-legged on his bed and sighed heavily. Kelly wasn't back yet, and her absence was beginning to unnerve him severely. One of the Lost Boys, Tootles, had managed to stay awake and was keeping his leader company. Tootles was a humble child and usually made an excellent companion because he was so sincere.
"Where do you think she is?" Peter mused absently. "She said she would come right back after taking a walk, and now she's been gone for a really long time."
Tootles looked up at his friend boyishly and blinked his large eyes. "I'm sure she'll come home," he replied softly. There was a lengthy pause between them and the insects could be heard even from inside the Tree. The green-clad youth got to his feet and frowned disdainfully.
"Something's wrong," he determined. "I have to go." Tootles' eyes grew and he jumped up alongside Peter.
"Let me go, too."
Peter glanced down at the little boy and placed a hand on his head. "No," he ordered gently. "There's bound to be danger where I'm headed. You'd best stay here and keep safe." The boy nodded sadly and watched as the other crossed to stand underneath a hole in the ceiling.
"You promise you won't be gone long?" Tootles asked.
"Yeah, sure," Peter replied, disappearing through the roof.
~*~
When Kelly finally got around to opening her eyes, the image of a dark-skinned young man hovered above her. The lines of his face were creased with worry, but his eyes seemed mild. "Do not sit up, little one," he said. Kelly's mouth was abnormally dry and she attempted to speak, but her throat yielded no sound. She paled considerably.
The man straightened up to an imposing height and folded his arms in front of his chest. He was dressed in beige leather that was sewn all over with colored beads. A single feather protruded from his black hair at a foppish angle.
"You were close to death," he continued, placing a hand on Kelly's forehead. "The Kill-Quick berries typically amount to the severity of their name." Kelly hardly heard him, however, for she was more concerned with the pitcher of water sitting on the dirt beside her bed. She reached a feeble hand towards it, and the man realized what she was after.
He lifted the clay pitcher off the floor and held it to her awaiting lips. Kelly quaffed the cool liquid, only stopping when he pulled it away. She felt her vocal cords stretch and come alive once more. "Am I in the Native American camp?" she asked hoarsely. The other's eyebrows lifted in curiosity.
"What do you mean.Native American?" he questioned.
"Er.never mind," Kelly said. "Indian, I mean. Is this the Indian camp?"
The man nodded. "Yes, and I am Cricket," he introduced. "I am not the one who found you, though. I believe that credit belongs to White Raven. He was hunting nearby. Our chief, Stone Feather, was very pleased." Kelly sat up a little and rubbed at her eyes.
"Kelly McClure," she told him. "Nice to meet you. And.thanks for all of this."
Cricket raised his hand politely to cease her from saying any more and replied, "It was the least we could do, seeing that you seem to be a good friend of Peter Pan's." Kelly's eyebrows rose and she wondered how on earth he would've known that. Of course, these people most likely knew everything about Never Land that there was to know. Perhaps she would greatly benefit from this chance meeting.
Kelly took a quick glance towards the entrance of the tent and noticed that the beginnings of sunlight were peering through the flap that served as the door. "It's morning?" she asked softly, bringing a hand up to massage the bridge of her nose. "How long have I been out?"
"Only for the night," Cricket answered. "Like I said, we were worried that you were going to die. And you're still not completely free from the poison."
"What do you mean.?"
"Poison doesn't just go away on its own," he explained. "You may start to experience more symptoms of it later on during the day. Luckily, you have no chance of dying since you've lived this long with the toxin inside of you."
Kelly felt her head spin a little, but yawned to clear her mind. She was suddenly aware of the fact that she hadn't bathed in over two days. "I don't suppose there's a lake or something nearby where I could.well, clean up?" Cricket nodded.
"Yes, and I could take you there if you wanted."
"Just point me in the right direction and I'm good to go," Kelly said. It was then that she spotted her pajamas folded and placed on the floor across the wigwam. She rubbed her legs together and felt skin. A sense of dread settled in. "I'm naked, aren't I."
"Oh, well, yes," Cricket told her.
Kelly's face went red. "Why?" she inquired. "I thought I was just poisoned. I didn't need any sort of medical attention that required that I be naked, so why am I naked?" By the end of her sentence, her voice had gotten louder, and she quieted herself and took a deep breath.
"You had a fever," Cricket clarified. "Close to dawn, it broke, and you soaked your clothes. Hawk Mother washed them and folded them for you." Kelly looked away and blinked back her embarrassment. Why did she always have to assume the worst about people.? She grinned and tossed her head from side to side.
"I'm sorry, I just."
"Don't apologize," he interrupted. "I understand. You probably want to get dressed. I'll.leave you to do that." He grabbed the clothes from across the tent and set them on the cot in Kelly's lap. She smiled in thanks and observed as he exited. The small ladybug on the front of the shirt gleamed and she traced an idle finger across its surface. Kelly pulled it over her head and then threw the thin blanket down by her toes.
Once the pinstriped pajama pants were successfully on, she pushed herself up onto her feet and teetered towards the flap. The sudden sun pierced through Kelly's eyes and she squinted.
The Native American campground was absolutely lovely. It was like stepping inside a history museum. Tents of all shapes and sizes were situated in a large circle around what appeared to be an extinguished bonfire. Kelly gasped in delight at the thought of seeing it lit up in the dark. A brave, much older than Cricket, approached her.
"You survived," he commented dryly, placing a hand on Kelly's shoulder. The warm texture of his skin immediately gave him away as the man who had found her in the woods. She swallowed a little and met eyes with him.
Cricket joined her and beamed proudly. "I did just like you told me to, brother," he said, and nudged Kelly. "This is my brother, White Raven." She could immediately see the resemblance between the two men. They both shared the same thick eyebrows and narrow eyes. But while Cricket's expression was soft and naïve, his brother's was bitter and it was obvious that he abandoned childhood long ago.
"Yes, you have done well," he spoke. "Let me see her, and you tend to our guest. He seems to want information about a murder." Cricket's eyes blinked questioningly and he scuttled off towards a tent on the other side of the bonfire. Kelly watched him enter and suddenly cried in astonishment when she was able to make out the person sitting inside.
She moved to follow Cricket, but White Raven held fast and refused to ease his grip. "What do you think you're doing?" she yelled harshly. "Let go, already!"
"Who are you?" he inquired. "Why have you come here? The gods have told me that a-"
"Are you insane? Get your hands off me!" she screamed, pushing away from him at last and running furiously towards the hut where Cricket had disappeared into. There, sitting cross-legged on a fur rug, was Captain James Hook. He didn't notice her at first, seeing that his back was to her.
"Are you certain that your keenest braves have not seen anything suspicious?" he asked miserably. Cricket said no, and then looked over the pirate's shoulder at Kelly. When James followed the Indian's gaze, he grew speechless.
Kelly exploded into a bright smile and she took a few excited steps forward. The captain rose slowly to his feet and appeared terrifyingly pale. "Quit staring at me like I'm dead," Kelly laughed. "I can't believe you're really here."
James opened his mouth and began to say something, but shook his head when he failed to find the correct words. A long pause settled between them, until he at last replied, "But you are dead." Cricket drew back in alarm, while Kelly just chuckled oddly. "You're very dead," James continued. "I saw your body with Pan, and you weren't moving.and, and.and Tinkerbell told me that Pan had drowned you in the lagoon.I just."
He covered his face with slender hands and took a deep breath. For the longest time, he just stood there. Cricket exited the tent, feeling that his presence there was awkward, and left the two to talk amongst themselves. Kelly advanced upon James, but started to feel faint and collapsed. His arms dove forward to catch her and she moaned gently.
"Miss McClure!" he exclaimed. "Miss McClure, are you quite all right?"
She let her eyes trail lazily up to his chest, and then his neck, and then his flashing pupils. Thick saliva was coating the inside of her mouth and making her feel ill. "I am," she mumbled. "It's just this poison.still in my system."
"Poison? Pan poisoned you and left you to die?" he bellowed. "Is that what it was?"
Kelly grunted and began to grow cold. "Of course not," she shivered. "I ate these berries and-" She pitched over in mid-sentence and vomited all over James' buckled boots. Her head lolled and then there were two of everything.
.Darkness.
~*~
The nimble green-clad boy leapt hurriedly from branch to branch. Leaves whipped across his face and the fairies scattered from their resting places. Peter knew he had to find the girl before Hook did and took her back to his ship. He would have a harder time of rescuing her if that happened, since the captain would then be extra careful in his defenses.
Finding a sturdy tree to perch on, he studied the nearby camp and wigwams. Kelly was there, all right, just like he suspected. He could feel her presence. Something seemed amiss, however. He decided to take a closer look, and he leapt from the tree with amazingly graceful ease. His footfalls in the camp alerted Cricket, who saw Peter and instantly greeted him.
"Peter," he called. "Are you here for the girl?"
"Is she here?"
Cricket nodded happily. "Yes, but she may not be here for long. Captain Hook is here, too. I think he knows her."
Peter kicked up dirt by his feet. "I'll see to this," he grunted, taking to the air. "Where are they?"
"The meeting tent."
"Thanks, Cricket."
And with that, the boy flew through the teepees in search of his mother.
~*~
Captain Hook looked up with surprise as Peter Pan entered the tent. Kelly McClure, still half-unconscious in the captain's arms, moaned soundly. "Give her back," Peter declared. "She's my mother now, Hook. I won't let you take my mother."
"Your mother?" Hook scoffed. "She's hardly old enough to be considered a woman, much less a mother. Besides, she was mine first. I'm taking her back to the ship where she belongs."
Peter fumed and advanced on the darkheaded pirate. Hook raised his hand in defense.
"You'd fight me with her in the vicinity?" he asked, glaring hard at his nemesis. "You wouldn't want your precious mother to be injured, would you?"
"You're a sick man," Peter growled. "But you're right. We'll just have to make an agreement, that's all."
At this point, Kelly was almost fully aware of the occurrences happening around her. She gripped Hook's coat and pulled herself into a sitting position. Peter watched her idly and tensed as Hook went to hold the girl close to his chest.
"Keep your hand and claw off of her, you beast," the boy warned. "Don't you touch her."
Kelly nuzzled her pale cheek against Hook in such a way that it forced bile to rise in Peter's throat. What on earth was she doing? Hook was the enemy! Couldn't she see that? Hook traced his spindly fingers down Kelly's neck possessively and then taunted Peter with a tough stare.
"You see?" he said. "She obviously prefers me."
"Nonsense," Peter replied. "She's delirious. She looks sick."
"Which is exactly the reason I should take her back with me. Smee will be able to help her there. Don't you understand? She's been poisoned, and I have almost every right to believe that you did it." Hook stood and helped Kelly to her shaky feet. She trembled violently and clung to him in a moment of weakness.
Peter was close to tears. How dare Hook make such an accusation! How dare he take away his new mother!
"If you cared for her at all, you'd allow me to return to my ship and heal the poor child."
Kelly blinked heavily and glanced around the room with a look of drugged stupor. "James," she said with a slur. "James, where are we.? I can hardly see."
Peter's young heart ached for her misery.
"Don't worry, Miss McClure. We'll be back on the ship in no time at all," Hook promised, throwing Peter another horrible glare. Peter grumbled and stood aside for Hook to pass.
"She better recover," he threatened. "Or I'll slit your throat."
"Peter?" Kelly gasped. "Is that you.?"
Hook led her from the tent before Peter could say another word.
~*~
Kelly could feel James' racing heartbeat underneath her damp skin. He lifted her from the ground and proceeded the carry her like a baby. She could see his face, now, lined with anger and something else. Concern? Was that concern she saw in his eyes? A smile inched its way across her face.
"Where are we going?" she whispered.
"My ship," James answered simply, starting to run. The faster he could get the girl into Smee's care, the better. Kelly winced and wrapped her arms securely around the James' neck. Suddenly, darting out from the side of the trees, jogged Mr. Smee himself. However, the captain couldn't put the brakes on in time, and the two men collided. James landed with a resounded thud on top the squat pirate, and Kelly was squeezed in the middle like a sandwich.
James crawled off of Smee and made sure his cargo hadn't suffered any injuries. "Smee," he roared. "Just what to do you think you're doing running around and smashing into people?"
"I've been look for you, Captain," Smee replied. "You left, and I got worried. So, naturally, I took out a rowboat and decided to scout the island. I guess I found you."
"Indeed," James growled. "You could've killed Miss McClure."
Smee screamed in alarm and backed up on all fours. "She's not dead?" he squealed.
"Of course not, you twit!" James cried. "Just look at her!"
"She doesn't look too well, Captain. Why don't I take you two back to the ship and I can fix her?"
"I had that in mind, as well," James said, scooping Kelly into his arms once more. "Let's go before the sun goes down again. I never know when it's supposed to do that around here."
Smee led the captain and the girl to the ocean coast, where a rowboat waited for them. Within minutes, they were pulled on deck and James received a gruff welcome from his men. Bill Jukes, a long scab forming on his cheek, nodded curtly towards the man who had given him the terrible wound. James took Kelly to his bedchamber and allowed Smee to inspect her. "Well, Captain," the bo'sun announced. "I do believe she's been poisoned."
James smacked his forehead. "I know that, I know that. What was she poisoned with?"
"I'm not sure."
"Berries," Kelly interrupted. Smee and James flushed scarlet, for they had forgotten she was still cognizant. "Cricket said something about Kill- Quick berries and how I was lucky to have lived."
"Kill-Quick," Smee exclaimed. "Of course! All she'll need is a bit of salty food, plenty of fresh water, and sleep. Since she hasn't died already, she should be fine." James sighed and relaxed somewhat.
"I'm hungry," Kelly awkwardly complained. "I threw up the berries."
"Oh, yes," Smee said. "I'll run and fetch you something, dear." With that, he gently patted her coffee-colored hair and left the room. James flopped down at the foot of the bed and groaned loud and long. It had been a long couple of days, and he didn't exactly get the best night's sleep the previous evening.
Kelly couldn't help but chuckle at his display. "You'll sleep well tonight," she observed.
"I probably won't sleep at all. I hardly do anymore."
"Well, no wonder you're so grouchy most of the time," she laughed. "You really should think about what this lack of sleep is doing to your long- term health."
James snorted and smirked over at her. "Who made you the doctor?" he inquired, an eyebrow raised in amusement. Kelly sat up a little and put her hands on her knees.
"No one. My mother just happens to be a nurse and I read her medical books for entertainment."
"Ouch," James cringed. "You're too young to do that. You'll become a hypochondriac."
"My father's one already," she replied.
"Oh."
Smee entering the bedchamber with a bowl of stew luckily broke the awkward silence that followed. "Sorry that took for long," he apologized. Kelly accepted the meal graciously and began to ladle it hungrily into her awaiting mouth. James snickered at her appetite. When she was finished, Kelly handed the bowl back to Smee and thanked him.
"And now I think Miss McClure should get some rest," James said. Smee agreed and once again left the room to let Kelly sleep. She shuffled in under the covers, closing her weary eyes. Much to her content, dreaming came easy.
~*~
During the middle of the night, Kelly woke to feel the air on her naked breasts and her pants pulled halfway down. In the immediate vicinity, she could hear intense breathing. "What the hell?" she mused aloud, covering herself with her bare arms. A yelp came from the perpetrator. Kelly, now in shock and rather angry, recognized the tenor as James. "James, what the fuck do you think you're doing?"
"I was going to change you into your dress," he said innocently. She sat up and the candlelight played across James' wide-eyed face.
"You're weird," Kelly droned, shaking her head. "Why couldn't I just put it on the morning or something? I mean, god damn! You nearly gave me a heart attack. Are you happy?"
"Well, no."
"Fine. If I put the dress on, can I go back to sleep? I'm sick, remember? I need sleep," Kelly ranted. "Ugh, I'm so pissed. I'm sorry. I'm not a real morning person. Can I just go back to bed?"
James, sitting on the mattress, placed a sensuous finger on her lips. "Not quite yet," he whispered close to her ear. Kelly shivered and took a sharp breath. In the same moment, James covered her mouth with his. The relief of kissing her was almost too intense. It had been many, many years since his last physical interaction with a female.
At first, Kelly was tempted to kick him away, but then she felt his talented only hand drifting luxuriously over her sensitive skin. There was no way she could've found the voice to reject him. As their lips parted, James moaned softly with sweet reluctance.
"What on earth was that?" Kelly asked hesitantly, not bothering to cover her nakedness any longer.
"I'm not sure."
"I think I liked it."
"I think I did, too," James said hurriedly, throwing himself on top of her. He wasn't about to let this girl get away again.
~*~
Coming in Chapter Five - The morning after (oo-la-la), Peter faces a tough decision, Smee realizes something rather important, and Hook has some explaining to do.
A/N: No, this story hasn't died yet! I've been inspired once more by the news that Return to Never Land comes out this Tuesday (Aug. 20) on DVD. Ironically enough, that's also the day I get back to school. Yikes! In any case, I thank everyone who has demanded that I write more chapters. Y'all will get your wish. I can't wait to write the 'morning after' scene. I didn't really intend for Miss McClure and Hook to get jiggy with it, but what can I say? These people write themselves, I swear! I kinda wonder how they 'did it' with Hook having that.well, hook. Hmm.I have a dirty mind. I'm gonna go wash my brain out with soap for thinking such a thing. Mind dropping me a review in the meantime? I crave your sweet, sweet lovin'!
- Chapter Four: Minds of Their Own -
(Quick A/N: I'm not sure if this will happen, but lately all of my ellipses have been turning into singular periods. So, if this happens to occur, just remember that if there are any weird periods in certain places, there are really supposed to be three there. There's a heads up for y'all.)
A shadowy figure crept along the bank. The pirate ship loomed threateningly in the backdrop. Twilight was descending, and the stars were hardly visible in the blue-gray sky. All seemed serene, but the ragged pants of the man continued to plague the silence. His breath came in strained gasps, but he was running nevertheless.
Moments earlier, he had been swimming across the bay to the shore. The crocodile that at one point had tasted his flesh darted through the waves after him. He ended up clambering onto the beach and sprinting up a tree to finally be rid of the beast.
So, now, Hook still ran. He had been thinking in his room for quite some time before hurling himself out the window to investigate. Why would Pan simply stand by and watch her drown? Why didn't he save her? Why didn't he watch her properly? The thoughts poisoned his mind until, at last, he stumbled across a disquieting conclusion.
Pan murdered Kelly McClure. There was no other possible solution to the matter.
Hook scuttled his way up a craggy hill and found himself mere tens of yards away from the Indian encampment. He held deep respect for the people, seeing that they knew what was happening on the island at all times. How they came to know, exactly, no one could ever figure out. Perhaps they might be so kind as to share with him the events that led up to Kelly's death.
Oh, how he would love to bury his hook in Pan with good cause!
As the sun disappeared completely, a silhouette of the pirate captain curled beside a rock to spend the night.
~*~
Peter Pan sat cross-legged on his bed and sighed heavily. Kelly wasn't back yet, and her absence was beginning to unnerve him severely. One of the Lost Boys, Tootles, had managed to stay awake and was keeping his leader company. Tootles was a humble child and usually made an excellent companion because he was so sincere.
"Where do you think she is?" Peter mused absently. "She said she would come right back after taking a walk, and now she's been gone for a really long time."
Tootles looked up at his friend boyishly and blinked his large eyes. "I'm sure she'll come home," he replied softly. There was a lengthy pause between them and the insects could be heard even from inside the Tree. The green-clad youth got to his feet and frowned disdainfully.
"Something's wrong," he determined. "I have to go." Tootles' eyes grew and he jumped up alongside Peter.
"Let me go, too."
Peter glanced down at the little boy and placed a hand on his head. "No," he ordered gently. "There's bound to be danger where I'm headed. You'd best stay here and keep safe." The boy nodded sadly and watched as the other crossed to stand underneath a hole in the ceiling.
"You promise you won't be gone long?" Tootles asked.
"Yeah, sure," Peter replied, disappearing through the roof.
~*~
When Kelly finally got around to opening her eyes, the image of a dark-skinned young man hovered above her. The lines of his face were creased with worry, but his eyes seemed mild. "Do not sit up, little one," he said. Kelly's mouth was abnormally dry and she attempted to speak, but her throat yielded no sound. She paled considerably.
The man straightened up to an imposing height and folded his arms in front of his chest. He was dressed in beige leather that was sewn all over with colored beads. A single feather protruded from his black hair at a foppish angle.
"You were close to death," he continued, placing a hand on Kelly's forehead. "The Kill-Quick berries typically amount to the severity of their name." Kelly hardly heard him, however, for she was more concerned with the pitcher of water sitting on the dirt beside her bed. She reached a feeble hand towards it, and the man realized what she was after.
He lifted the clay pitcher off the floor and held it to her awaiting lips. Kelly quaffed the cool liquid, only stopping when he pulled it away. She felt her vocal cords stretch and come alive once more. "Am I in the Native American camp?" she asked hoarsely. The other's eyebrows lifted in curiosity.
"What do you mean.Native American?" he questioned.
"Er.never mind," Kelly said. "Indian, I mean. Is this the Indian camp?"
The man nodded. "Yes, and I am Cricket," he introduced. "I am not the one who found you, though. I believe that credit belongs to White Raven. He was hunting nearby. Our chief, Stone Feather, was very pleased." Kelly sat up a little and rubbed at her eyes.
"Kelly McClure," she told him. "Nice to meet you. And.thanks for all of this."
Cricket raised his hand politely to cease her from saying any more and replied, "It was the least we could do, seeing that you seem to be a good friend of Peter Pan's." Kelly's eyebrows rose and she wondered how on earth he would've known that. Of course, these people most likely knew everything about Never Land that there was to know. Perhaps she would greatly benefit from this chance meeting.
Kelly took a quick glance towards the entrance of the tent and noticed that the beginnings of sunlight were peering through the flap that served as the door. "It's morning?" she asked softly, bringing a hand up to massage the bridge of her nose. "How long have I been out?"
"Only for the night," Cricket answered. "Like I said, we were worried that you were going to die. And you're still not completely free from the poison."
"What do you mean.?"
"Poison doesn't just go away on its own," he explained. "You may start to experience more symptoms of it later on during the day. Luckily, you have no chance of dying since you've lived this long with the toxin inside of you."
Kelly felt her head spin a little, but yawned to clear her mind. She was suddenly aware of the fact that she hadn't bathed in over two days. "I don't suppose there's a lake or something nearby where I could.well, clean up?" Cricket nodded.
"Yes, and I could take you there if you wanted."
"Just point me in the right direction and I'm good to go," Kelly said. It was then that she spotted her pajamas folded and placed on the floor across the wigwam. She rubbed her legs together and felt skin. A sense of dread settled in. "I'm naked, aren't I."
"Oh, well, yes," Cricket told her.
Kelly's face went red. "Why?" she inquired. "I thought I was just poisoned. I didn't need any sort of medical attention that required that I be naked, so why am I naked?" By the end of her sentence, her voice had gotten louder, and she quieted herself and took a deep breath.
"You had a fever," Cricket clarified. "Close to dawn, it broke, and you soaked your clothes. Hawk Mother washed them and folded them for you." Kelly looked away and blinked back her embarrassment. Why did she always have to assume the worst about people.? She grinned and tossed her head from side to side.
"I'm sorry, I just."
"Don't apologize," he interrupted. "I understand. You probably want to get dressed. I'll.leave you to do that." He grabbed the clothes from across the tent and set them on the cot in Kelly's lap. She smiled in thanks and observed as he exited. The small ladybug on the front of the shirt gleamed and she traced an idle finger across its surface. Kelly pulled it over her head and then threw the thin blanket down by her toes.
Once the pinstriped pajama pants were successfully on, she pushed herself up onto her feet and teetered towards the flap. The sudden sun pierced through Kelly's eyes and she squinted.
The Native American campground was absolutely lovely. It was like stepping inside a history museum. Tents of all shapes and sizes were situated in a large circle around what appeared to be an extinguished bonfire. Kelly gasped in delight at the thought of seeing it lit up in the dark. A brave, much older than Cricket, approached her.
"You survived," he commented dryly, placing a hand on Kelly's shoulder. The warm texture of his skin immediately gave him away as the man who had found her in the woods. She swallowed a little and met eyes with him.
Cricket joined her and beamed proudly. "I did just like you told me to, brother," he said, and nudged Kelly. "This is my brother, White Raven." She could immediately see the resemblance between the two men. They both shared the same thick eyebrows and narrow eyes. But while Cricket's expression was soft and naïve, his brother's was bitter and it was obvious that he abandoned childhood long ago.
"Yes, you have done well," he spoke. "Let me see her, and you tend to our guest. He seems to want information about a murder." Cricket's eyes blinked questioningly and he scuttled off towards a tent on the other side of the bonfire. Kelly watched him enter and suddenly cried in astonishment when she was able to make out the person sitting inside.
She moved to follow Cricket, but White Raven held fast and refused to ease his grip. "What do you think you're doing?" she yelled harshly. "Let go, already!"
"Who are you?" he inquired. "Why have you come here? The gods have told me that a-"
"Are you insane? Get your hands off me!" she screamed, pushing away from him at last and running furiously towards the hut where Cricket had disappeared into. There, sitting cross-legged on a fur rug, was Captain James Hook. He didn't notice her at first, seeing that his back was to her.
"Are you certain that your keenest braves have not seen anything suspicious?" he asked miserably. Cricket said no, and then looked over the pirate's shoulder at Kelly. When James followed the Indian's gaze, he grew speechless.
Kelly exploded into a bright smile and she took a few excited steps forward. The captain rose slowly to his feet and appeared terrifyingly pale. "Quit staring at me like I'm dead," Kelly laughed. "I can't believe you're really here."
James opened his mouth and began to say something, but shook his head when he failed to find the correct words. A long pause settled between them, until he at last replied, "But you are dead." Cricket drew back in alarm, while Kelly just chuckled oddly. "You're very dead," James continued. "I saw your body with Pan, and you weren't moving.and, and.and Tinkerbell told me that Pan had drowned you in the lagoon.I just."
He covered his face with slender hands and took a deep breath. For the longest time, he just stood there. Cricket exited the tent, feeling that his presence there was awkward, and left the two to talk amongst themselves. Kelly advanced upon James, but started to feel faint and collapsed. His arms dove forward to catch her and she moaned gently.
"Miss McClure!" he exclaimed. "Miss McClure, are you quite all right?"
She let her eyes trail lazily up to his chest, and then his neck, and then his flashing pupils. Thick saliva was coating the inside of her mouth and making her feel ill. "I am," she mumbled. "It's just this poison.still in my system."
"Poison? Pan poisoned you and left you to die?" he bellowed. "Is that what it was?"
Kelly grunted and began to grow cold. "Of course not," she shivered. "I ate these berries and-" She pitched over in mid-sentence and vomited all over James' buckled boots. Her head lolled and then there were two of everything.
.Darkness.
~*~
The nimble green-clad boy leapt hurriedly from branch to branch. Leaves whipped across his face and the fairies scattered from their resting places. Peter knew he had to find the girl before Hook did and took her back to his ship. He would have a harder time of rescuing her if that happened, since the captain would then be extra careful in his defenses.
Finding a sturdy tree to perch on, he studied the nearby camp and wigwams. Kelly was there, all right, just like he suspected. He could feel her presence. Something seemed amiss, however. He decided to take a closer look, and he leapt from the tree with amazingly graceful ease. His footfalls in the camp alerted Cricket, who saw Peter and instantly greeted him.
"Peter," he called. "Are you here for the girl?"
"Is she here?"
Cricket nodded happily. "Yes, but she may not be here for long. Captain Hook is here, too. I think he knows her."
Peter kicked up dirt by his feet. "I'll see to this," he grunted, taking to the air. "Where are they?"
"The meeting tent."
"Thanks, Cricket."
And with that, the boy flew through the teepees in search of his mother.
~*~
Captain Hook looked up with surprise as Peter Pan entered the tent. Kelly McClure, still half-unconscious in the captain's arms, moaned soundly. "Give her back," Peter declared. "She's my mother now, Hook. I won't let you take my mother."
"Your mother?" Hook scoffed. "She's hardly old enough to be considered a woman, much less a mother. Besides, she was mine first. I'm taking her back to the ship where she belongs."
Peter fumed and advanced on the darkheaded pirate. Hook raised his hand in defense.
"You'd fight me with her in the vicinity?" he asked, glaring hard at his nemesis. "You wouldn't want your precious mother to be injured, would you?"
"You're a sick man," Peter growled. "But you're right. We'll just have to make an agreement, that's all."
At this point, Kelly was almost fully aware of the occurrences happening around her. She gripped Hook's coat and pulled herself into a sitting position. Peter watched her idly and tensed as Hook went to hold the girl close to his chest.
"Keep your hand and claw off of her, you beast," the boy warned. "Don't you touch her."
Kelly nuzzled her pale cheek against Hook in such a way that it forced bile to rise in Peter's throat. What on earth was she doing? Hook was the enemy! Couldn't she see that? Hook traced his spindly fingers down Kelly's neck possessively and then taunted Peter with a tough stare.
"You see?" he said. "She obviously prefers me."
"Nonsense," Peter replied. "She's delirious. She looks sick."
"Which is exactly the reason I should take her back with me. Smee will be able to help her there. Don't you understand? She's been poisoned, and I have almost every right to believe that you did it." Hook stood and helped Kelly to her shaky feet. She trembled violently and clung to him in a moment of weakness.
Peter was close to tears. How dare Hook make such an accusation! How dare he take away his new mother!
"If you cared for her at all, you'd allow me to return to my ship and heal the poor child."
Kelly blinked heavily and glanced around the room with a look of drugged stupor. "James," she said with a slur. "James, where are we.? I can hardly see."
Peter's young heart ached for her misery.
"Don't worry, Miss McClure. We'll be back on the ship in no time at all," Hook promised, throwing Peter another horrible glare. Peter grumbled and stood aside for Hook to pass.
"She better recover," he threatened. "Or I'll slit your throat."
"Peter?" Kelly gasped. "Is that you.?"
Hook led her from the tent before Peter could say another word.
~*~
Kelly could feel James' racing heartbeat underneath her damp skin. He lifted her from the ground and proceeded the carry her like a baby. She could see his face, now, lined with anger and something else. Concern? Was that concern she saw in his eyes? A smile inched its way across her face.
"Where are we going?" she whispered.
"My ship," James answered simply, starting to run. The faster he could get the girl into Smee's care, the better. Kelly winced and wrapped her arms securely around the James' neck. Suddenly, darting out from the side of the trees, jogged Mr. Smee himself. However, the captain couldn't put the brakes on in time, and the two men collided. James landed with a resounded thud on top the squat pirate, and Kelly was squeezed in the middle like a sandwich.
James crawled off of Smee and made sure his cargo hadn't suffered any injuries. "Smee," he roared. "Just what to do you think you're doing running around and smashing into people?"
"I've been look for you, Captain," Smee replied. "You left, and I got worried. So, naturally, I took out a rowboat and decided to scout the island. I guess I found you."
"Indeed," James growled. "You could've killed Miss McClure."
Smee screamed in alarm and backed up on all fours. "She's not dead?" he squealed.
"Of course not, you twit!" James cried. "Just look at her!"
"She doesn't look too well, Captain. Why don't I take you two back to the ship and I can fix her?"
"I had that in mind, as well," James said, scooping Kelly into his arms once more. "Let's go before the sun goes down again. I never know when it's supposed to do that around here."
Smee led the captain and the girl to the ocean coast, where a rowboat waited for them. Within minutes, they were pulled on deck and James received a gruff welcome from his men. Bill Jukes, a long scab forming on his cheek, nodded curtly towards the man who had given him the terrible wound. James took Kelly to his bedchamber and allowed Smee to inspect her. "Well, Captain," the bo'sun announced. "I do believe she's been poisoned."
James smacked his forehead. "I know that, I know that. What was she poisoned with?"
"I'm not sure."
"Berries," Kelly interrupted. Smee and James flushed scarlet, for they had forgotten she was still cognizant. "Cricket said something about Kill- Quick berries and how I was lucky to have lived."
"Kill-Quick," Smee exclaimed. "Of course! All she'll need is a bit of salty food, plenty of fresh water, and sleep. Since she hasn't died already, she should be fine." James sighed and relaxed somewhat.
"I'm hungry," Kelly awkwardly complained. "I threw up the berries."
"Oh, yes," Smee said. "I'll run and fetch you something, dear." With that, he gently patted her coffee-colored hair and left the room. James flopped down at the foot of the bed and groaned loud and long. It had been a long couple of days, and he didn't exactly get the best night's sleep the previous evening.
Kelly couldn't help but chuckle at his display. "You'll sleep well tonight," she observed.
"I probably won't sleep at all. I hardly do anymore."
"Well, no wonder you're so grouchy most of the time," she laughed. "You really should think about what this lack of sleep is doing to your long- term health."
James snorted and smirked over at her. "Who made you the doctor?" he inquired, an eyebrow raised in amusement. Kelly sat up a little and put her hands on her knees.
"No one. My mother just happens to be a nurse and I read her medical books for entertainment."
"Ouch," James cringed. "You're too young to do that. You'll become a hypochondriac."
"My father's one already," she replied.
"Oh."
Smee entering the bedchamber with a bowl of stew luckily broke the awkward silence that followed. "Sorry that took for long," he apologized. Kelly accepted the meal graciously and began to ladle it hungrily into her awaiting mouth. James snickered at her appetite. When she was finished, Kelly handed the bowl back to Smee and thanked him.
"And now I think Miss McClure should get some rest," James said. Smee agreed and once again left the room to let Kelly sleep. She shuffled in under the covers, closing her weary eyes. Much to her content, dreaming came easy.
~*~
During the middle of the night, Kelly woke to feel the air on her naked breasts and her pants pulled halfway down. In the immediate vicinity, she could hear intense breathing. "What the hell?" she mused aloud, covering herself with her bare arms. A yelp came from the perpetrator. Kelly, now in shock and rather angry, recognized the tenor as James. "James, what the fuck do you think you're doing?"
"I was going to change you into your dress," he said innocently. She sat up and the candlelight played across James' wide-eyed face.
"You're weird," Kelly droned, shaking her head. "Why couldn't I just put it on the morning or something? I mean, god damn! You nearly gave me a heart attack. Are you happy?"
"Well, no."
"Fine. If I put the dress on, can I go back to sleep? I'm sick, remember? I need sleep," Kelly ranted. "Ugh, I'm so pissed. I'm sorry. I'm not a real morning person. Can I just go back to bed?"
James, sitting on the mattress, placed a sensuous finger on her lips. "Not quite yet," he whispered close to her ear. Kelly shivered and took a sharp breath. In the same moment, James covered her mouth with his. The relief of kissing her was almost too intense. It had been many, many years since his last physical interaction with a female.
At first, Kelly was tempted to kick him away, but then she felt his talented only hand drifting luxuriously over her sensitive skin. There was no way she could've found the voice to reject him. As their lips parted, James moaned softly with sweet reluctance.
"What on earth was that?" Kelly asked hesitantly, not bothering to cover her nakedness any longer.
"I'm not sure."
"I think I liked it."
"I think I did, too," James said hurriedly, throwing himself on top of her. He wasn't about to let this girl get away again.
~*~
Coming in Chapter Five - The morning after (oo-la-la), Peter faces a tough decision, Smee realizes something rather important, and Hook has some explaining to do.
A/N: No, this story hasn't died yet! I've been inspired once more by the news that Return to Never Land comes out this Tuesday (Aug. 20) on DVD. Ironically enough, that's also the day I get back to school. Yikes! In any case, I thank everyone who has demanded that I write more chapters. Y'all will get your wish. I can't wait to write the 'morning after' scene. I didn't really intend for Miss McClure and Hook to get jiggy with it, but what can I say? These people write themselves, I swear! I kinda wonder how they 'did it' with Hook having that.well, hook. Hmm.I have a dirty mind. I'm gonna go wash my brain out with soap for thinking such a thing. Mind dropping me a review in the meantime? I crave your sweet, sweet lovin'!