Chapter XVIII

A/N: Another chapter. This should do the lot of you for a while. I have a big plot development to plan, which could take a few days. Enjoy this new chapter.

Neverland was different when the crew arrived some days later. Adults now paraded through the streets since Peter Pan's rumoured departure, many taking on the form of Pirates. But as James Hook returned on shore in all his velvety glory, his welcoming committee was far from expected. Whores fell at his feet and he merely kicked them side. His eyes calmly swift over those before him, giving himself a pursed-lip smile. If Germany were to ever attack Neverland, he had more than enough to fight.

"Welcome back, Cap'n!" Came a familiar voice, and James gasped.

"Smee?"

"Of course! Like what we've done with the place?" Smee grinned darkly.

"Beautiful". James nodded approvingly. "Now… let us celebrate our freedom!"

"Drinks all around!" Shouted Jack Sparrow from the deck, already drunken with his ship's supply of rum.

"Show me the best bar, Smee". James smirked, the little man leading the way as the sea of adults parted to let the pair through.

"Cap'n, is Rose still among us?" Smee whispered, as if not wanting to ruin the Captain's reputation.

"Of course, she is still resting on board the Pearl, the last few days have been somewhat strenuous for her".

Smee swallowed as he opened the door for his friend, the bar tender instantly snapping upright.

"What can I get you, Cap'n Hook?" He asked.

"A wine. Red, if you may. Smee, I need to ask you something in private…" Hook glanced at the others around him and they departed to the other end of the room quickly. "…amongst all these men and whores, would there be a priest?"

"A priest?" Whispered Smee, their conversation cut as their drinks were placed in front of him. "Whatever for, Cap'n?" Smee continued when the coast was clear.

"I… want to… marry… her". James felt awkward speaking in this tone after all that had happened. He was a respected man once more, and to speak of love from him in the past was a sin.

"Rose, Cap'n?"

"Not so loud!" James snarled into his glass. "Yes, as soon as possible".

"I'll see what I can do, might be lucky. Discreet, Cap'n?"

"Of course".

The pair smashed their glasses together to toast to freedom.

Evelyn had been asleep for the entire journey almost. She woke to find her bedside empty, and to hear odd noises coming from outside. She sat up and peered out the porthole, gasping. This was Neverland? What had happened? Little did Evelyn know, for each day that past in the normal world, a year past in Neverland. And Peter Pan had been gone a very long time, and Neverland was since run over by men and women who thought little of their lives and themselves. Evelyn rose from her bed, and changed into some loose fitting clothing she found nearby. Letting her hair loose, she left the Black Pearl, closely followed by Jack.

"Just like home", Jack smiled, Evelyn jumping at his voice.

"Don't do that!" She snapped, as some of the men eyed her suspiciously.

"How're you feeling?" Jack asked, munching on an apple that he took earlier.

"Fine. Where is James?"

"Don't know". Jack shrugged. "Probably in a bar".

"Typical". Evelyn snorted, and out of the corner of her eye she noticed the tip of an all too recognisable red feather. "In here…" She opened the door, and could have strangled James.

Two whores were seducing him.

Evelyn drew her pistol and fired into the roof, Jack even leaping into the air at her sudden movement. The whores retreated as if rats running from bright light.

James eyed her with a mixture of calmness and aggravation. He wasn't doing anything to intimidate the whores, they pounced on him first.

"Busy, dear?" Evelyn sneered through grit teeth.

"Jas, I suggest you get out quick, pregnant women and anger do not mix…" Jack started.

"Shut up!" Evelyn snapped, Jack's mouth closing shut. "A word, Captain?"

James rose and walked toward Evelyn, taking her arm and the pair entered a side room. Darkness bathed them. "It's not what you think…" He started in self defence.

"That's what you all say. Here I am, pregnant and waiting to be married, and because you are lacking self-pleasure from me…"

"Evelyn!" James growled, the darkness not helping. He was unsure if he were looking at her eyes or her chest. "I will never cheat on you".

"Who were they?" She asked, stepping a little closer.

"I do not know, they attacked me first".

"You're going to have to tell everyone about us, James. Otherwise they will just keep coming and do more than pounce on you". Evelyn suddenly grunted and felt weak at the knees. "Urgh… look. Even our baby is upset".

"You are just getting yourself worked up about nothing. Come, Smee has given us a rather nice home to live in…"

Evelyn groaned again. "Something is happening and I do not like it".

Frustrated by the darkness, James opened the door and led Evelyn outside and into the light. But Smee stood there with a grin upon his face, gesturing to a man upon a podium, clasping a bible. "Smee, not now". James said softly.

"Dearly beloved…" Started the priest.

Evelyn howled and nearly fell, James and another woman nearby grasped her to keep her upright.

"…we are gathered here today…"

"Just skip to the I do's…" Jack suggested from the crowd. "I think Ev's had something that is disagreeing with her".

"All right". Sniffled the priest as he glanced at James. "Captain James Hook, do you?"

Evelyn howled once more.

"No… I mean.. yes of course I do". James suddenly blurted out, Evelyn looking at him hoping the priest didn't take the first answer.

"Evelyn Townsend, do you?"

"YES…!" Evelyn screamed at another violent pain. "Agh, God damn it, I think I'm in labour!"

"I pronounce you husband and wife. You may now find a doctor…" The priest hurried away, already feeling ill.

Evelyn screamed as if she were demonic, her top half flung forward and then back into the pillows as she pushed with her might. She panted and breathed, a nurse patting her forehead softly with a wet towel. But it was not enough to nub the pain.

"Give me morphine!" Evelyn shouted through another scream. "Now!"

"I'm sorry we don't have any… wait… the head is showing, not too long now". The doctor muttered as he positioned himself with a towel to grab the child.

James paced outside the cabin, growing more and more angrier with himself as Evelyn's screams ripped through his body. Jack put a hand on his shoulder, but James shrugged it away. Even some local passer-by's had come up to show their support.

"If she dies…" James started, unable to finish his own sentence.

"She won't, mate. She's strong". Jack concluded, giving his half brother a smirk. "Uncle Jack, ey?"

James turned to comment, when Evelyn released a final scream. Silence followed for a few intense seconds, and James stormed into the cabin.

"You have a daughter… but she's not breathing". The doctor announced, lifting the newborn up to greet her father.

Evelyn was unconscious.

James took the baby and squeezed his eyes shut, unsure if this were a dream or reality. He touched the child's forehead. The skin was cold. He tilted the child's head to the side ever so slightly in his arms and cleared the airway. Then, he gently rubbed his daughter's cold chest. Everyone's breath was held. Jack stood at the doorway, silently praying to whatever god was real. And soon enough, there was a newborn baby's cry filling everyone's ears and hearts.

As James looked at the new life in his arms, he felt an emotion he had never experienced. His daughter stopped crying and gripped his thumb. Upon that action, James himself, realised he too – was silently crying.