A/N: Hello all! Hope you're all well.
Firstly, I would like to thank my two reviewers:
ChaoticLightningStorm – Thanks so much! This is your third review in a row! I'm glad you found this story too! :D
Faith, Trust, and Pixie D – Glad you like it!
Second, I'm SO sorry! I haven't updated in AGES! It's ½ term so I've had loads of time to do so but I never get round to it. So I'll try and make this chapter long.
I've been correcting all past chapters so sorry if some mistakes still remain as I only skimmed through.
Another reason it's so late coming out is because I wrote it all out, left it for a minute and came back to find my dad had erased it all by switching the computer off. Taught me to NEVER leave the computer alone in my house without saving everything. So sorry if its all rubbish but I've had to try and remember everything, as it came off the top of my head when I was writing it.
Disclaimer: I own nothing apart from Autumn. Don't you just hate Disclaimers?
So here it is!
Chapter 9: Welcome Home
Autumn woke to feel the sun shining into her eyes. She quickly spun over and buried deeper under the blankets. She heard muffled voices and a loud "shhhh!!!" which she recognised as Peter.
He pointed to the pile of blankets and the Lost Boys were immediately silent. However, trying to play Indians and Pirates in silence is very hard, indeed. All of a sudden, there was a CRASH!!!
Autumn shot up from the blankets and gazed at the source of noise. Tootles was tangled up in all the pots and pans.
"Sorry!" he whispered and tried to get up. This caused even more noise from the pots and pans.
"Sorry again!"
Autumn felt a smile creep across her tear stained face and before she knew it, her laugh was filling the tree house with a different warmth. The Lost Boys laughed with her as Peter rushed out of his room, but when he saw Autumn, he smiled. He was glad she was happy again.
"Are you feeling better, Autumn?" he asked
"Yes, thank you." She replied, turning to face him.
"Do you want to go to check your burn with the Indians? I said I would bring you when you woke up."
"Okay. That's a good idea."
She followed him out into the bright sunshine which had been rain moments before. As you know, the weather in Neverland depended on Peter's mood. He snatched Tink from the air above them and shook her over Autumn.
Okay, let's see. Happy thoughts. Chocolate? Apparently not working. Umm… my family? Defiantly not going to work.
Peter gazed into Autumn's face and for one moment, he saw it pained. He took her hand in his and her eyes flicked open.
"I can't think of a happy thought, Peter. I don't have one." She whispered as fresh tears rolled down her already stained face. Peter quickly wiped them away with his free hand.
"You must have one. What about me?"
"Look who's the cocky one." Autumn smiled but as she did, she felt her feet very slowly lift off the ground.
"I knew I was irresistible!"
Autumn playfully hit his arm and gripped his hand tighter. Peter wiped away the last of her tears and they set off to the Indian's camp. ________________________________________________________________________
As soon as they landed, Autumn was swamped by the Indian healers and she was pulled to the healing tent as they spoke quickly in Mohican. She was sat down on one of the beds and one of the healers rummaged around for new bandage.
Peter flew in, sat down next to Autumn crossed legged and she grabbed his hand. The healer began to unravel the bandage from Autumn's hand and as soon as she saw it, she turned the other way. No wonder it hurt so bloody much! (A/N: Bad burns are not nice. Trust me.)
The healer spoke to Peter for him to translate to Autumn:
"She says she's going to pop the blisters with a needle."
"WHAT?!"
Her face went horribly pale as she saw the healer come back with a clean needle. She held Peter's hand tightly and hid her face in his shoulder.
"Autumn, I'm losing the feeling in my hand!"
"That's great Peter." She replied, oblivious to the fact she was clutching Peters hand tightly, making it turn red.
"Ohmigod, ohmigod, OWWW!" she muttered.
"Same here! Autumn, my hands gone all purple and the Indian has finished now."
"What? She has? Oh, sorry Peter."
Autumn quickly let go of Peter's hand, now throbbing and she tried getting the feeling back. The healer was now wrapping the burn in a clean bandage and clearing up. Autumn stood up and stepped out, looking around the camp.
Peter talked to the healer and followed Autumn out. He followed her frozen stare to a mother showing her laughter how to sew, while she laughed with her. Peter quickly glanced back Autumn's face and saw it was expressionless. It wasn't sad, but it was far from happy. She looked into Peter's eyes and smiled.
"Shall we go then?"
"Yes, um, the Indian said you have to come back in two days so she can check it again."
"Okay."
Peter looked back into her own eyes and saw a happiness which was weighed down by sadness. He drew her in and held her tight.
"Thank you, Peter." She whispered
"What for?"
"For being there."
He took hold of her hand again and they made their way back.
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When they reached the house, Peter turned to face Autumn.
"I'll give you a warning! When the Lost Boys see you, they'll probably jump on you before I can shut the door! I had to hold them back when they saw you asleep this morning!"
Autumn laughed and Peter pulled the rope, causing the door to open to the inside.
"Welcome home!" he whispered into her ear.
"Welcome home." She replied before being drowned out by a sea of screams and laughing.
"Autumn!"
"How are you today?"
"Back for good?"
"I never knew I was this famous!" laughed Autumn.
"Tell us a story!"
"Okay, but let me get through the door first!"
"YAY!!!"
The Lost boys all huddled around the fire and Autumn sat down like she had two nights ago. The difference this time was that Peter joined them this time. He sat down, leaning against the surprisingly comfy wall of the tree next to Autumn and her took her hand in his. She smiled and gazed into his eyes before turning to the Lost Boys.
"What story shall I tell?"
"CINDERELLA!"
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Peter awoke the next morning and slowly let all his senses return. The first thing he felt was something or someone leaning against him. He slowly opened his eyes to see Autumn's sleeping form leaning on him, and her hand was still held in his. He smiled as he saw her face was truly peaceful for the first time in a while. Peter rested his head gently on hers and slowly went back to sleep. ________________________________________________________________________
It turned out better than I thought which is a relief. Remember to review and I'll catch you guys later! :D
