Hello everybody! ^_^

I tried this writing exercise in which you speak directly to a character as if he or she is actually there, that way you may be able to develop a better understanding of how to write them. I attempted it with Hook – and it worked! Perhaps a little too well, because it was actually intimidating for me. But anywho, long story short, here's a new chapter!

Not all the characters will be mentioned in this chapter – primarily it's an exchange between Sallie and Hook. Hook!

Disclaimer: Peter Pan and etc. are sooo not mine (which is not to say I wouldn't like it if they were). Captain Kidd was historical. All of my reviewers' characters belong to said reviewers, as far as I know. I belong to me, Madeline belongs to me, and the story idea and etc. are all mine. Don't sue!

A/N: There's some alcohol in this chapter (someone has a little wine, but that person is well over 21 so it's all legal), but I just want it to be clear that I'm not an advocate of drinking at all, much less underage drinking. So don't drink, my dears! Health permitting, go for an extremely sugary soda instead! ^_^ You would be amazed at the stuff I think up after a few sodas. I've been told that apples also work, but I haven't really tested that method yet.

Shout-outs:

Clips – Alicia was in a lot of pain, what with an open wound and all. But she's had a little time to heal now, and wounds heal ever so beautifully in Neverland – so we'll see what happens. ^_^ Thank you so much for reviewing my story! *Hugs*

Crystalstorm21 – I'm glad you liked it! Here's the next chapter!

AnimegirlH – Aw, thank you hun! *Hugs* Hook and Sallie…speaking to each other…what will happen? Dun dun dun!

Sallie – Sallie and Peter are fighting – all is right with the world once more, LOL! ^_^ I've kept you waiting long enough. Here it is – Sallie and Hook!

"Captain Kidd," Sallie says to herself, looking at a portrait of the pirate with recognition. A long gash runs across the painting, suspiciously similar to the mark a hook might make if wielded by someone skilled and angry.

"An old friend," Hook says shortly, reclining in a chair beneath the windows in his cabin. "You have heard of him?"

Sallie nods. "If you were friends, then why…?" She lets her question trail off, but gives the gash across Kidd's portrait and the Captain and meaningful look.

"We had a falling out," Hook says darkly. It's getting late and the sun is hovering closer and closer to the horizon, throwing slanted orange light through the windows of the Jolly Roger. The hook has recently been polished and shines in the late light; dazzling brightness momentarily clouds judgement and makes it look almost innocent, like something pretty.

He's killed with it, Sallie reminds herself, taking a seat across the table from the Captain. And he'll kill again.

"I understand you have an interest in pirates?" Hook asks with an amused smile. At least, he intends it to appear amused; Sallie finds herself wondering if everything this man does is carefully calculated before hand, and if so, for how long. There was no way he could have known that she would be in the forest today – or was there?

"Naturally," she replies, meeting his gaze without fear.

"Then why join Peter Pan?" Hook keeps his expression sociable, yet something he cannot quite control flashes in his eyes at the name of his nemesis.

"I've already told you. I was trapped in an orphanage and I had to escape somehow." Sallie's face remains blank at the memory of being found in the forest by Captain Hook and a band of pirates, crying at the time, no less. After that display she can show no weakness.

"Surely the opportunity must have arose for a clever child like yourself-"

"I'm not a child!" Sallie interjects sharply. Hook's behavior up until now makes Sallie expect an immediate apology; he's been extremely obliging so far. But that's not what happens.

Hook is silent for a long moment. His eyes turn a darker shade of blue and he appraises Sallie closely. Then he does something surprising - he sits back as if realizing his mistake. "No." A pause. "No, you are not a child."

"I'm fourteen," Sallies says seriously. "Nearly fifteen." This isn't the truth. Sallie was still approaching fourteen when she came to Neverland, but she pulls off the lie convincingly.

"I begin to understand you," Hook says, taking a sip of wine. A full glass sits conspicuously in front of Sallie, and full it shall remain. He has too many advantages already, Sallie thinks. First with finding me crying, and this is his ship. I'm sure he can hold his liquor, and judging from that ancient-looking wine bottle on the table I'm guessing it's pretty strong. Probably a good year, too.

"To live among inferior minds for so long – what torture."

The pirates choose this moment to stomp about loudly on deck, illustrating the Captain's point perfectly. Hook passes his hand over his eyes as if this truly is too much. "You see? You have been living with children, but I have been living with dogs," he ends contemptuously, shooting a murderous glare towards the cabin door.

"You have my sympathy," Sallie says with a sincerity that surprises her.

"And you have mine. As a kindred spirit, I have a proposition to offer."

Sallie sits up a bit straighter. She had known Hook was getting to something all along, otherwise there would have been no reason to keep her alive and take her back to the Jolly Roger. "What is it?"

"The position of lieutenant aboard my ship," Captain Hook says seriously. Sallie sits still, completely stunned. "As well as a double share in all our plunder," Hook continues. "Once we put out to sea we can make ourselves rich beyond your wildest imaginings. Gold, jewels, silk and more. I was feared before I came to Neverland when I had nothing to work with but a crew of imbeciles. Now with a woman of intelligence as my right hand," here he stops, allowing the significance of that statement to sink in and brandishing his hook, "we shall be the greatest pirates in all history. The world is our oyster, Sallie."

This is a very tempting proposition. Sallie deliberates before speaking. "I'll go with you," she says at length.

"Excellent," Hook says, satisfied. "There remains only one thing to be done before we depart to enter our career of fame and glory. I must kill Peter Pan. For this I need your help, friend."

Whoa, this changes everything! Sallie thinks, biting her thumbnail reflectively. Hook called me his friend. No! Focus, Sallie. The important thing is he wants me to help kill Peter… Well, good riddance to him! She is totally resolved for a good ten seconds and about to offer Hook help, but then another thought, much less pleasant, runs across her mind. Alicia will be upset if Peter dies. She might never forgive me, even though I practically saved her life back there at Marooner's Rock. She can see Alicia's face perfectly the moment she learns that Peter is dead. It will be twisted out of it usual happy expression, much like it looked before her wound was tended. And afterwards when she learns that Sallie has helped – no. Never. I can't help Hook kill him.

"I am certain you are a gifted actress," Hook says. "You must return to Peter and act as if nothing has happened. Tomorrow you must lead him and his band to a certain place – I will show you where – and there I shall have my men make a show of capturing you. It is imperative that you struggle and make the false abduction look real. They will take you back to the Jolly Roger, where you will be released to take up your position as lieutenant and we shall have a laugh at that foolish boy. Naturally he will come to rescue you, and when he does he will see that you have turned on him. He will be so undone that he shan't be able to fly, and then I shall have my revenge for this," the Captain says, lifting his hook in the air. The sun is dipping below the horizon now and its dying rays paint the hook a murderous red.

*

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*

"I don't care, Falling Shadows. I'm going to find her!" Alicia exclaims, grabbing her handsome nurse's arm and pulling herself up to her feet with effort. "Where did that brave tell you he saw her?"

"Sallie entered the forest," Falling Shadows says, helping to steady Alicia. "You are too ill to leave the encampment. Your wound may reopen if you do too much too soon."

"Like I said, I don't care," Alicia says. "I'm going after her. So are you coming or what?"

*

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Sallie heads back to the Indian Encampment, running over the events of the day. First Neverland, then mermaids, then Alicia, and now this. Should I even go to that place in the forest tomorrow? What if I don't, will Hook think I've betrayed him? How can I get out of this? A quiet, somewhat whiny voice that Sallie tries to avoid believing is the same one she uses habitually whispers, I really wanted to be a pirate. Well, tough, the rest of her says. I'll just have to think of something else. Maybe I can get Hook to leave without killing Peter. She sighs. "How am I going to do that?"

"Do what?" Alicia asks, appearing ahead in the deepening night. Falling Shadows has one of her arms over his shoulders and is trying to support as much of her weight as possible.

"Nothing," Sallie answers hurriedly. "Glad to see you're up. Let's head back for the night, I'm beat."

DUN DUN DUN!

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Please review, guys! Reviews are like shiny new pennies! ^_^ But no flames, flames are like old icky money that you try to get rid of immediately!

So what did y'all think of Gracie's attempt at writing Captain Hook? *Gracie points emphatically at the no flames request above*

I don't know if this story is going anywhere else, but I just couldn't leave Sallie hanging like that. Or Hook either, after my little writing exercise. The story seemed to want this chapter added, do you know what I mean?

Love to my reviewers! ^_^ Love and hugs!