Hellooo! Sorry it took me so long to get this chapter out, but I've been tres busy with school, and my dad's in the hospital, and egh, things are a mess. Anyway, enjoy and thanks for reviewing!
Chapter 4: Seduction in its Purest Form
Wendy turned her head. She had never seen a dead body before, and after seeing this one, she didn't want to ever again. "Oh, the mermaids pushed her body onto the rocks, didn't they?" She cried.
Peter bent down to her. He was sure now, it was her… it was Amanda. Her red velvet dress was torn in several places. He remembered slicing her throat that fateful day and throwing her into the sea. But all that remained was a light scar on her neck. Her hair was wet and matted, covering most of her face. He stared at her, and with a sudden shock, saw that her chest was rising and falling. "She's alive," He whispered.
There was a gasp from Wendy. "Oh, do it quick, Peter." She turned her head.
There was the sound of metal sliding into a case. She turned, and found that Peter had sheathed his sword. "What are you doing?"
"She'll be of more use as a prisoner," He said. "We still haven't located most of the Jolly Roger crew."
"But you haven't seen any of them in three years," Wendy said.
"Do you think it's a coincidence she's just shown back up after all this time?" He asked, with the trace of a grin. He grabbed her arms and flung her over his shoulder. "Come on, we'll walk."
Wendy had a bad feeling about this. She knew Peter was dying for more action after Matthew.
As they reached the hollow, Peter put his fingers to his mouth and blew a shrill whistle. The children came bounding out of the hollow.
"This is our prisoner," Peter said. "I want a cage built around her." He dropped Amanda to the ground with a thud.
Tinkerbell gave an angry squeal.
"I know, Tink." Wendy told her.
Had Wendy known what was to follow in the days they had their prisoner, perhaps she would have done many things differently. Like forbid him to keep her at all. But she was here now, watching the children as they followed Peter's orders, and began to erect a cage around the unconscious girl.
Peter caught her expression. "Wendy, are you okay?"
Wendy gave a small nod, the feeling of dread in the pit of her stomach. "I don't like this, Peter," She whispered.
"It's okay," He told her. "She'll be in the cage under constant watch."
She frowned.
"You're probably exhausted. Come inside, and rest."
Wendy followed him, but she did not wish to rest. She curled up next to Peter in their bed, wanting to be as close as possible to him. While the children were outside busy with the cage, Peter and Wendy expressed their love to each other physically. Though it was not the first time they had since she arrived, this time felt different. More special somehow. She lay awake as Peter slept, her head on his bare chest. The thought of Babes McGee still alive, right outside her window, in a cage kept her from sleeping. She listened intently for any frightened sound from the children.
But none ever came.
A little while later, Peter woke, and the two dressed. They laid back in their bed, just talking. Until they heard the pitter-patter of feet. Ben, with a quiver of arrows on his back, and bow in hand entered the hollow and stood before them. "The prisoner is awake and demands a conference with you."
Peter nodded. "Thanks, Ben. I'll be right there."
Wendy frowned again. "I'm coming with you."
It had been years since Peter had last talken to Amanda. He had last seen any movement from her when she grinned, and grabbed Tinkerbell out of the air. All's she had to do would be to squeeze, and Tink would have died. She had been laughing.
Laughing at the thought of killing someone.
He had been hiding from the crew when he flew up from the sea behind her and sliced her throat. Why she didn't die, he had to know.
Wendy gave his hand a comforting squeeze. "I'm right here, okay?" She whispered.
He gave her a little smile and the two walked out of the hollow into the warm sunlight. They approached the cage, Amanda standing there, grinning at them.
Grinning.
They stared at each other for what seemed like hours.
And then, she spoke. "Peter. You're looking well," She grinned.
Peter let go of Wendy's hand and ran right up to the cage. His face was inches from her, his eyes cold. "Why aren't you dead?" He asked. He was surprised to find his voice that harsh, that interrogating.
Amanda just grinned, and spoke, "Yes, I should be dead, but…" She traced her scar with her finger. "Neverland has been good to me. So here I stand."
"And Hook?" Peter asked, folding his arms.
"Hook is dead, Peter," Amanda whispered.
"And the crew?" He interrogated.
She shrugged. "It's only been me for a very long time, struggling in the sea. The mermaids have been very kind to me."
Peter shook his head. "No. You must know where they are."
She shook her head. "I don't." She glanced behind him at Wendy. "And who is that? The Wendy the children told me about?"
Peter shot them angry looks, and they shuddered. "No one for you to worry about."
"It's okay," Wendy said, stepping forward. "I am Wendy. No need to ask who you are."
Amanda grinned again. "So this is who you've replaced me with?"
Peter made a furious move toward her, and he was pleased to see Amanda shrink back.
"Let's go, Peter," Wendy said. "There will be plenty of time to torture information from her later."
Amanda laughed heartily at this. "Peter, you could never lay a finger on me, and you know it."
Peter withdrew his sword and held it against her throat. "I don't fail twice. Give me another reason, and I swear I will."
"Come on," Wendy said, taking his arm and leading him away.
Later that night, as the children were all in their beds, Peter went out to her cage to check the lock. Amanda reached out and grabbed his arm. He pulled it away in disgust.
"You used to like when we held hands," She said.
He stared at her. "Do actually think for a moment that I've forgotten what you've done?"
"I know," Amanda whispered. "I'm so very sorry, Peter. All's I want is a second chance to make things right."
"You're my prisoner," He snapped. "Nothing else."
"We could be allies, Peter," She said, "We could go back to being young lovers. So care-free. Do you remember?"
He stared at her.
"At least give a prisoner some comfort," She begged.
"Yes," He spat. "You don't forget something like that."
"We did have a great love, didn't we?"
He nodded. "We did. But then you screwed it up. I have a greater love with Wendy now. It's better than anything you and I ever had."
She made a face. "Ouch. What could I do to prove myself to you that I've changed? That the only thing I want is for you to forgive me?"
"Turn back time," He said, and left her standing there alone.