Common Knowledge: Peter Pan has dark sexual undertones. Hook has dark sexual OVER tones, and Me I do not own either.

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Sitting in Wendy's room while she whispered about the tales of Neverland, whenever she spoke of Hook, it became still much like the forest had when he had entered it. The silence, every young girl knows of, when in the middle of the night, the quiet decends on you like a heavy quilt, suffocating you. Presses down upon you, to the point where your hear beat thunders in your ears, beating at your eyes, and your breath hitches so that you can do nothing more than wait with baited breath until the shadow moves, and passes over.

Even now the true words fail me. They linger in my mouth uncomfortably.

As I looked into the cruelly structured face of James Hook, I can say no more to describe the feeling that ran through me. The memory of that darkness, pressing down.

I felt my true age slam into me. My years made me straighten my back, made me step back from the point of the hook, my hand fluttering to the folds of my robe clutching it closed.

I tried to ignore the way his eyes slid over my body, as I shook my head, "I............I don't understand this."

"You are a child. We are pirates. You are surrounded.............with no escape." His smile widened reminding me of the nursery rhyme about the crocodile who smiled right before he ate you. A smile that didn't reach his eyes, "I fail to see what is so very hard to understand."

His bullies laughed as if Hook had pointed at them and cued them into their overly exaggerated bellows.

I caught a hold of something inside me my age lived on...............the thick strand of sharp sarcasm.

"Ha, ha," I mocked dryly, "How ever SO clever," I sneered, the cocky sound of my voice grating against their cheer. Silence fell, "but I was actually more confused as to your very alive state of appearance since I do believe the last time you were seen, it was falling into the jaws of a clock-ticking crocodile."

My sarcasm had crack like a whip, leaving all agitated and fearful of Hook's response.

"So," he began glancing around at his Bullies, "I can only take a gander that you are one of Pan's new wretched and poor excuse for a recruit? I thought he had learned where young girls lead him."

Another cued laughter from the surrounding pirates.

"Your power is impressive," I mocked, "to make a couple of dogs bark at you mere command." I scoffed.

The change was instant. From smirking, the arrogant smile of an aristocrat, his face twisted into a dark look of rage as he slammed his hook into the bark of the tree behind me, forcing my back to it with a cry.

"I have an even greater talent," He drew out the word like a growl, "for making annoying little girls scream in pain."

"I have yet to scream." I pointed out boldly, still wrapped in my blanket of anger and insolent sarcasm.

"Yet." Hook said darkly.

I cannot describe the searing pain that gripped me as I found the hook digging into my shoulder. My body reacted instantly, my hand surging forward to grasp the shoulder of his black velvet dress coat, tightening on the fabric trying to dull the pain. My mouth opened in a soundless cry. I closed my eyes in pain as behind them hot tears gathered. The hook was yanked form my flesh, my eyes shot open as another wave of hot pain ripped through me. I gripped my shoulder, the blood pooling between my fingers.

Sharp azul eyes bored back into me, as shaking gasps rocked my frame.

He raised a brow, seemingly to say, "More?"

I found my voice. It was raspy and soft but hard, "No. Not yet."

Hook nodded his head as if my answer pleased him, "Soon." He assured me, "I'll see to it."

"As I will see to your death!" I spat, "Again."

"Will you now?" He asked. His voice spurred me like a frightened horse, "You, a small slip of a girl, who knows nothing about the true pain I can bring? A little girl who doesn't know what I have done in the past?"

"I know plenty. The stories informed me of all your past exploits."

"Stories?" His eyes lit up like a match suddenly struck to life. If I had been paying any attention at all I would have seen the erie resemblence to Peter when I said the exact same thing.

"Yes," I continued my temper rising, "And all they have proved to me is that you are nothing more than a coward."

"A coward with a hook." He reminded me, threatening, brandishing the steel demon.

"A coward none the less." I shot back. Perhaps it was the loss of blood I had endured, but suddenly I was reckless and I couldn't stop the words coming out of my mouth.

"You certainly are fearless." He noted with some interest.

I was stupid beyond reason for being so but this comment made me feel insufferably flattered, "A mother has to be." I claimed drawing myself up.

"Ahhhh!" He chuckled in such a way that I was afraid as fast as I had been proud only a moment before, "I am to guess it was you who wrote that charming little welcome of our sails."

"Yes, that was I." I admitted.

"And I suppose you are the 'Mother' of Peter Pan and his brats?"

"But of course, I certainly couldn't be yours." I sneered.

"Don't be stupid girl," HE chuckled again, the sound making me wince against the trunk of the tree. Why wasn't he black with fury at my words? Could it be possible that my punishment for such comments was so terrible that it could make him smile like that? "We are pirates. We've no use for Mothers."

I scoffed, "Forgive me, Captain, but I fear you would need a bakers dozen of Mothers to make you a true gentleman, as you try to present." Spinning around I glared at the Bullies, "To the point, you all need Mothers, very desperately."

When I turned around it looked as if Hook were taking not of everyone of my hairs on my head. Nervously, I pulled on a strand. His eyes finally settled down on my eyes, "I think we'll take you up on that very generous offer..........Mother."

"What?!"

"You two," he summoned the brutes behind me, "tie and gag her, we don't want Pan down upon our heads."

I was seized from behind.

"No!" I shouted outraged.

"You object to joining us?" Hook questioned with another arch of his brow.

"Yes! I'd rather die!" I spat, struggling out of the others hold.

"Very well then." He replied stepping closer, backing me up past the tree into a wild bush of orange flowers.

He approached again. I stilled my feet. I would not sway this time. I kept my eyes wide to see him clearly. I would not buckle before such filth.

"You know," he whispered as he towered over me, the trees seemed to contract around us, drawing him ever closer, "you are not the first Mother to say those exact same words."

I felt myself smile. Wendy, of course. "Not will I be the last. Even if you do kill me, if that is what you really intend." My smile continued to grow as I fingered on of the full bloomed flowers of the bush. Underneath such sunset petals lay my sword, waiting to strike. I merely needed more time to get at it.

"It is." The iron claw rose to me throat. I sucked in a breath as I balled my hands to fists at my side. He peered at me as if perplexed, "You do not turn your head or close your eyes. Why, girl?"

My sense of pride returned as I let one of my hands plunge into the bush, "Because unlike some, Jas. Hook, I am no coward."

"No." He murmured the smile becoming even more hideous, as his eyes remained on my face of his hook lowered to my skin. "No coward." He did not strike but with the sound of a heavy whisper like that of silk running over deadened leaves, he pulled my robe back, exposing my corset.

My hands stopped their search for the hidden weapon and frantically pulled the robe tight again, as Hook watched on, his head cocked to one side almost daintly, I shook with embarrassment and a quivering heat raced to fill my face, as I seized the velvet blue cord, tying the robe so that no hook could remove it again.

"Not even a girl................" He continued, a strange sound entering his voice, "but a woman."

The word insulted me to the core. Hand rushing to the bush, withdrawing the beautifully gilded sword, it threatened for me at Hook's throat.

"Take it back!" I demanded.

He laughed, slashing the sword away with his hook. "You would challenge me, merely for the truth I told?" He asked, unsheathing his own sword, beginning to circle me.

"For my honor I would fight all of your barbarians." I informed him coldly, readying my stance, "What great reason do you have to fight me?"

I gripped my word with a sweaty hand as I blocked a blow clumsily, that jarred my arm.

"Sheer amusement." Was his reply.

With a grunt I pushed him away, he stumbled but a few steps, immediately righting himself. By some blind luck each swipe of the deadly sword I managed to avoid. I was on the constant defense, as the flurry of his attacks rained down on me. I felt dizzy, the blood from my shoulder wound had left me tired. I felt out of control.............I felt numb.............

"You're slowing." Hook commented driving me back ever further.

And suddenly I found everything funny!

"I'm not the old one." I giggled.

With a snarl, he knocked me to the ground. The prick like that of a sewing needle scraped my neck as Hook crouched to his knees in front of me, the sword lightly at my throat.

"You fought bravely, if not foolishly, little girl. Indeed, I was thinking of inviting you to join our band of pirates, if it were not for that last fatal jest............."

"Awww come on there, Cap't, she just be a wee lass............" One of the kinder looking pirates spoke out.

I shrieked as Hook pulled out his gun with unbearable ease and shot him. The man fell dead.

Pausing as if to ponder a puzzling thought the Captain once again turned to me, "Perhaps I should take Quintley's proposal to heart. Give you a choice. Choose to roam the seas with us or die?"

"I like that idea!" Rock exclaimed from off to the side.

"Shut up, you imbecile." Hook muttered.

I really felt too tired to argue or fight anymore, I just wanted to be done with it all. I opened my mouth to answer, and Hook's brows rose expectingly.

The breeze was back suddenly, cooling the sweat that trailed down my back. As the wind seemed to comfort me, it made the pirates ill at ease. They shifted from foot to foot, looking wildly up at the canopy of trees.

'Wish.' The mysterious guiding voice from before whispered again at my ear.

I faintly heard the flutter of wings or perhaps it was the rattle of branches tossed about by the growing wind.

'Wish and Make!'

"Time grows short." Hook snapped seeing he didn't have my attention, "What is your choice to be?"

I looked up at him, and a smile at the right side of my mouth smirked, "May you grow a heart," I growled, "the day I answer you with a yes."

He chuckled, "Clever little girl." He brushed a finger softly to my cheek, his lips quirking in irony, "Goodbye."

I smiled cunningly, and blurted out suddenly, "Your fairy is dead.........and you were the one who killed her!"

Shock. Utter shock. He hesitated, the words had stabbed him deeply, I did not hesitate. I kicked him squarely in the chest, sending him rolling back. Snatching up the sword from beside me, I stood up and wished, "No pain."

'About bloody time!' The flutter came next to my ear with the slight jangle of bells.

And suddenly...........I felt no pain.

I approached Hook who had gotten to his feet, a murderous expression on his face. His sword had fallen, and gingerly I picked it up, tossing it to him.

"Ready for another go, Hook?"

'Wish again. Make! Make more!' The barely controlled excitement of the hushed bells rang in my ear.

"Make me like Pan." I wished, the bells grew louder.

Hook said nothing but attacked violently. Block, my hand did not shake this time. Parry, thrust, spin, block again. I smiled, a fight was merely a dance! Was this how Peter saw all of his battles?

A slash of my blade and I cut off a golden tassle from Hook's coat. He was astonished and ducked as I swung the sword to his head, jumping into the air as he aimed a blow at me legs.

"How?!" Came the angry scream from below me.

I laughed, hands on my hips much like Peter. "Because I can wish. Because I haven't forgotten how to fly............." I swooped down dealing blows, backing him up, "And because my fairy lives! That's why!"

As I fought Hook, a shot of golden light flittered among the pirates, knocking each out in rapid succession, screaming one word, 'FUN!!"

My words, thoughts and actions exactly. Every move was an exhilarating rush.

"Go back to your world, girl!" Hook shouted warning off my increasing blows, "You have no right to be here, you have GROWN!"

"Then you have no business here as well, you cod-fish!" I shot back, laughing harshly.

Our swords crossed over our heads.

"Who are you that you know such things?" He asked.

"I am the Mother of the Neverland, Guardian of the Lost Boys and Peter Pan!"

With a shove he distangled our swords, sending me to the uneven ground.

"You," he sneered, "are nothing more than Pan's latest game. He shall tire of you soon enough."

I kicked his feet out from under him, rolling to my own feet, "You lying dog!" I shouted. How dare he talk about Peter that way?!

He got to his knees wiping the corner of his mouth, a cut having landed the side of it, then to his feet.

"Do you know how many Mother's he's had? How many he's tossed aside, never to think of again?"

"Silence!" I commanded.

The horrible grin was back on his face as he took deadly swings with his sword and I blocked them.

"Shall I count them all for you?" He asked in a vicious sweetness of tone.

The blade of his sword cut through my gown, slicing it up to my thigh.

"Shall I tell you their names?"

"Shut up!" I screamed as I dived at him.

It was an incredibly stupid action to take and perhaps that's what saved me, he hadn't expected me to do it.

We fell backwards both of us loosing our swords, as w tumbled down an embankment, a tangle of limbs. Reaching the bottom, I was pressed to the leafy ground and Hook was atop me.

I felt suffocated, enclosed, and trapped by his presence. Like the old fear of shadows under beds and in closets. The swallowing darkness, perhaps the only thing I had ever truly been afraid of. The smothering darkness that Hook himself seemed to represent, and it was covering me. I let out a gasp of fear, as my eyes filled. My wishes made fell to tatters too close to this monster, and again I was myself, Catherine Morgan, Kate, sixteen, and I was terrified.

Hooks chest rose and fell above me as mine did, his eyes flicking over my face.

"What's your name, girl?" He husked.

I gulped trying to stall my tears, "Catherine."

"Catherine.........." He sighed, "Do you wish to die?"

I struggled back a sob, "Do I have any choice?" Knowing the answer.

"No." He said softly, smoothing back my hair with his hook.

I could face death. I could face pain. But I could not face my loss of strength! And with his tender hand stroking my cheek and his cruel ice gaze he was unraveling my very composure.

"Don't!" I hissed angrily, "Just get it bloody done with!" Furious tears were sliding down my cheek.

He wiped a tear away gently and murmured, "Thus perish, Catherine, Mother of Peter Pan."

The hook rose swiftly.........

And was blocked by a shot of light. The buzz of angry bells filled the clearing. Whatever my fairy was it was strong. Within the next second Hook had been tossed over my head to land on his back.

I lay there stunned for a moment or two when the bells shouted at me.

'Move your ass, you twit! You think I beat him off ye just for ye to lay there?! Run for the woods. Friends be there to help thee. Now go!'

I scrambled to my feet and took off at a run.

"Damn girl!" Came the cry as I was pulled by my robe and spun around. I saw the shattered mirror iris's narrow in victory as a mind numbing pain ripped through my middle.

Clutching my stomach, I pressed my hands to it, and fell to my knees in shock. My hair fell around my face as I gasped for air, only to have each breath scald my insides and send wave after wave of pain through me.

I raised my head to blink up at the Captain who made the twilight around us darker and far more threatening. A gentle smile tugged at his lips.

Evil.

Pure evil.

A shot rang out. Hook fell back, grasping his arm in shock, starring into the woods behind me.

"You, Captain of the Jolly Roger, are not welcome to these lands." A strong deeply accented male voice rang out, "Leave at once or risk the sight of your own blood split."

Hook did not back down.

Another shot fired at his feet, making him jump back.

"Do I have ta shoot off that disgrace of a wig on yer head, before yeh heed me? Go!"

Tossing his sword aside Hook limped away.

I gurgled a laugh, knowing my pixie had something to do with that.

My knees could no longer sustain me and I fell back. The rush of footsteps approached. A boy about a year or two older than me hovered over me, anxiety and worry written plainly on his features.

"Jesus............." He muttered prying away my hands from my abdomen, "He almost had you, the cat-skinned dwarf."

"Are you friend or foe?" I asked a cough racking my frame.

A smirk swept his mouth, "Well that all depends if I interfered in enough time ta save ya."

"Did you?" I asked faintly, feeling my lids close heavily.

A soft chuckle greeted me, but the tone was serious, "We'll have ta see, won't we?"