Chapter VII

"Rose…" Hook began, glancing at her stiff body. He gripped her shoulder with his hand and began to shake her. "Rose… Evelyn! Wake up!"

"N… no… d… don't want to… y… you'll hur… hurt me". She replied, rather drowsily.

"Evelyn". Hissed James, as he gently touched the side of her cheek, then tilting it to the side as he eyed a bruise just above her chin. "I didn't mean to hurt you".

Evelyn didn't reply, her breath was becoming shallow.

James lowered his head, knowing she had lost his trust in him. He wasn't quite sure what to do now, for he had never been in this sort of situation before. His mind wandered briefly to Pan, when the boy would strike. And then he thought about Evelyn. He felt her dream. He wanted to make it a reality. Without Pan striking him in the back. It was still early in the morning, and James knew Evelyn had to be awake by dawn in order to make their plan a total success. He could only hope she would wake. As he climbed up the stairs and locked the door, James removed his own hook, placing it beside Evelyn's sword. His weapon holster soon followed. He really wasn't sure how to do this, how to wake her up. Ever so gently he lay himself on top of the sheets, beside her, and gently draped his strong arms around her body, knowing somehow amongst all that cruelty and anger, he loved. And she was the one he loved. Upon his eyes closing, he felt a slight breath pass his ear. That sounded vaguely like words. Words that belonged to Evelyn.

"I… I… love you… James Hook".

He was wide awake now. She said it. She said the words he never thought anyone would ever tell him.

There was no need for James to reply, for Evelyn had emersed herself completely in his arms, the touch that she gave him in her dream, the dream that was now in his mind. With his hand, he softly stroked her soft hair, the sweet smell of her shampoo filling his nostrils. It was just them, their embrace, and their shared love. And nothing could break it apart, not even the peering honey eyes from a boy that was now hurrying back to the Tree House.

"I should of known!" Cried Peter, as Wendy attempted to calm him down. "Why didn't I see it? Evelyn and Hook!" Peter had endured intense pain to break through the barrier that surrounded the Jolly Roger in order to spy on Hook. He returned now, as Wendy treated to his minor burns.

"Maybe he forced her there, Peter. He's known to do that. Or Evelyn has some sort of explanation, she has spent the last two years living undercover you know". Wendy attempted to say in a kind tone.

"Undercover?" Peter repeated, his eyes narrowing with mild suspicion. "I don't understand".

"Evelyn could be doing this in order to get close to Hook, in ways you wouldn't believe. She could be risking her life in order to gather valuable information so we will be kept safe. In fact, she has most likely told Hook that she will lure you to Skull Rock so we can kill him and his men. Not in that way, of course". Wendy noticed Peter's still confused expression. "Basically, she's making it easier by telling Hook you will be at Skull Rock instead of you luring him there".

"Oh…" Peter shrugged, still slightly confused but he got the general idea. "But Wendy… they were…"

"Peter", Wendy said calmly. "Were they clothed?"

"Yes".

Wendy rolled her eyes. "There is nothing wrong with embracing. Even if it is with Hook".

Peter shook his head. "Something inside tells me I don't believe it".

"You must, Peter! Evelyn would never turn against us". Wendy placed her arm on Peter's.

"I'll believe it when she comes back". He said, then exited to his bed.

She could feel his tender lips pressing delicately upon her neck, the beads of sweat from their combined body heat appearing on her forehead as her dark locks pressed to her exposed skin. She let her fingers trail down his strong back, her own body arching in conjunction with his as if in some sort of dance. Their lips shared a kiss of pure passion and it lasted for longer than a minute. Candle light caressed their bodies, light illuminating their love. Evelyn still wore his medallion, and she knew inside he didn't mind. For as their passion increased to the point of near end, her mind could only murmur one name. James. She could feel his sweat dripping onto her skin, causing tendrils of excitement to flow through her body. Their combined movement soon ceased, their arms entwined around each other's bodies, Evelyn whispering endless confessions of how she loved James. Their gaze met and for once he smiled. Not after a death, or a fight, but for the fact that he did love. He pressed his lips against her earlobe, ending in a whisper of words. "As do I", and dawn broke, then a knock came upon the door. Evelyn had fallen asleep as James rose from the bed, and managed to pull on his pants before his very door was flown open.

"What do you want?" He snarled, as Jack Sparrow paraded down the stairs.

"I was wondering if I could have a word…"

"About what?"

"Pan".

"Sit down". Hook retrieved his hook and screwed it onto the brace at the end of his wrist. He sat behind his desk, and gave a piercing glare in the direction of his brother.

Evelyn had not stirred.

"I figured that the noises stopped so that's why I came down now…" Jack noticed the raise of Hook's brow and ended that particular topic there. "Pan was here last night".

"Where?" Demanded Hook, his voice ending in a dark snarl.

"I saw him. Glancing into your cabin window. I think it was before you… did your thing…"

"Blast him. The boy must have been burned trying to get through that barrier". Hook slammed his fist onto the desk, causing Jack's eyes to widen. "Our plan is ruined.".

"Not entirely". Smiled Jack. "However, our dear Quartermaster needs to be awake to hear it".

They didn't need to wake Evelyn for she was seated up, the sheet tucked under her arms. "Enjoy the show, Jack?" She asked in an almost mocking tone.

"That's enough". Ended Hook. "Now. Tell us what's on your mind, Sparrow".

"Evelyn and I go to Pan's hideout. I could be Evelyn's captive, with Pan knowing you're my brother and you might rescue me and the like…"

"Yeah. Might". Hook rolled his eyes. "Continue".

"And thus forth Evelyn would take me to Skull Rock, you coming to get me, and the fight begins".

Evelyn folded her arms, her shoulders still shining with sweat. "I'll have to tell you where the traps are. But we could be in trouble if Pan changed them, as he saw us last night".

"Check it out before hand, Rose. Remember what I told you last time…" Hook's iced eyes glanced at the chain hanging around Rose's neck.

She nodded. "I shall get dressed and we will leave in an hour. Jack, I suggest… no. Forget it. You look scruffed up already".  

"Thanks…" Jack and Hook shared a dark glance at each other, Hook basically saying 'You touch her, you will loose your hand'. When that moment of hate ended, Jack rose and exited Hook's cabin. James rose from his seat and picked up his fallen cloak, draping his arms through the holes and buttoning it up. He turned back to face Rose, who was in the process of doing up her boots.

"It takes me longer to dress than you". James shook his head in silent laughter while Rose ran her fingers through her hair.

"It doesn't take very long for you to take these clothes off, now does it?" Smirked Rose, as she brushed her lips across James's. "Be careful".

"I always am".

Rose left the cabin to return to her own, where she gathered her weapons, and a piece of rope. "Oy, Sparrow, give me your hands".

As Jack appeared before her, he grinned. "And you want me to put them where exactly?"

"Shut up". Rose simply said, as she tied the rope around his wrists. "Follow me".

They then left the ship, as James Hook ventured on deck to tell his crew-mates about the plan.

It didn't take the two long before they were ambushed by the Lost Boys and Peter Pan. Evelyn had begged, pleaded, and sworn she hadn't sided with Hook, but Peter didn't believe her the slightest. He had organised for the traps to be relocated, and Evelyn never got the chance to see where they were.

"Hook's brother?" Said Peter mockingly, as he looked up at Jack Sparrow with a grin. "I thought over three different methods in order for the two of you to suffer for what you have done to others".

Evelyn remained silent, her head still held high, but her hands bound tightly in front of her. A gag was draped around her neck for future references. She shifted her gaze to Jack, not wanting to imagine what sort of things these boys were capable of. But something in her heart told her they were pretty nasty.

"What ways were you planning to kill us, oh Master Pan?" Jack as usual, had no fear in his voice. They were only children that held them captive after all.

"Well… there was the method of simply slitting your throats. Then I thought, no. That's too easy". Peter ignored Wendy's hated glare in his direction. "Then I considered the idea of leaving the two of you tied to a stake and to burn in the sun. No, I thought later. Too much like Hook. I'm not like Hook, you see. So then, I thought of this brilliant plan".

"Oh do tell I'm dripping with anticipation". Evelyn hissed with violent and obvious sarcasm. "You know, I couldn't of thought of better ideas myself".

Peter simply nodded his head in Slightly's direction who moved behind Evelyn. Wendy covered her eyes as her cousin was whipped once across the back, the blow causing her to fall to her knees.

"That", said Peter. "Was for Hook whipping me".

Evelyn had no desire to say a response to Pan. Her back stung with fiery pain, and no sooner as her head lowered to catch her breath, she was pulled upward by her hair.

"Do you want to know how we are going to kill you?" Peter taunted. This wasn't his character. Or perhaps it was simply a darker side no one had ever seen.

Neither Jack nor Evelyn was game to reply in fear of feeling the sharp end of Hook's stolen whip.

"Our plan for capturing Hook at Skull Rock will still continue. But, you and Mr Sparrow will be bait".

"Let me guess. Bait for mermaids who are going to give both me and Ev undying pleasure?" Jack shut up when Evelyn glared at him.

"The stupidity runs in the family". Muttered Wendy under her breath.

"No. Tink had already left a ransom note upon Hook's desk last night. She may be captured now but we will see her again. We ransom for Hook to give us the one thing that cannot be given in order for the return of his brother… and whore". Peter glared at Evelyn.

"No… it could kill him…!" Evelyn suddenly blurted out, as the Lost Boys shared the same stunned expression after her statement.

"That is why we want it. His Medallion".

Evelyn felt her heart beating fast against her chest, then she suddenly brought her hands to her neck. The Medallion was gone. "No…" She whispered. "Where on earth could it be…?"

Jack let an unsuspecting wink exit his left eye, and at that instant, Evelyn returned to her normal state.

"Take us to Skull Rock". Evelyn simply demanded. "So we will see who comes out to be victorious".

"And… what good is a ships crew without their Quartermaster?" Snarled Peter.

"I will protect Hook's life with my own!" Evelyn shouted, only feeling the sharp sting from the whip across her back. Five times before Peter finally snatched it from Slightly, Evelyn falling to her stomach in silent agony.

"Peter, you can't do this! She's been brainwashed!" Wendy said, attempting to run to her cousin's side. But, as Evelyn's tear stained eyes met hers, the look Wendy was given was unforgettable.

"I… LOVE… him". Evelyn declared. "Me dying to ensure his safety would only make him stronger". Evelyn was hoisted to her feet by Peter and along side Jack, they were marched at sword-point to Skull Rock, leaving Wendy in tears in the Tree House.