Disclaimer: All J.M. Barrie's characters still belong to him

A/N:This upate was delayed due to technical difficulties. I had major problems uploading it. My apologies to all

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I can't begin to explain how peaceful I've felt here up to now."

"Forgive me Wendy, I didn't come here with the intention of upsetting you." He said gently.

"No, no," she said as she shook her head and wiped at her tears with her hands.

"It's certainly not your fault."

James leaned forward and offered her his handkerchief. She accepted it and smiled at him.

"And in the midst of all this the man is charming."

"You haven't nearly forgotten all your good manners. Your mother would be proud." She sniffed.

"My mother," he chuckled

"Well, neither of my parents would be impressed with me. I haven't been their darling boy in quite some time. And as to my previous life, I had a problem living up to their expectations."

"But you did for a while?"

"I suppose."

"Longer than I did."

"Well, yes. It's fair to say I was a good deal older than you when I left. Forgive me for my breech of etiquette once again, knowing that it's not polite to ask a lady her age, but,"

"I'm not a lady."

He was slightly confused by her cold response.

"I'm sorry?"

"I'm seventeen."

She folded her arms across her chest. James wasn't exactly sure how to proceed.

"At seventeen I was being shipped off to my father's alma mater. My course of study was already chosen for me."

"And I suppose you attended lectures?"

"Yes."

"And spent hours in the library?"

"It was necessary."

He really wasn't sure where she was going with this line of questioning, but he was sure he'd know soon enough by her angry expression.

"And wrote compositions. Debated theory. Politics?"

"Something like that, but "

"Hmpf."

"Well, apparently, I didn't appreciate the opportunity in the manner I should have."

Did I get it right? He hoped.

"That is obvious. It's a place that exists solely to educate and to enlighten. A place where an opinion is valued and is allowed to be defended. You are respected for defending your opinion there. Libraries filled with texts that are waiting to be read. Knowledge just waiting to be shared every day. I'd never disrespect that. Ever."

"Are female students common at the universities now?"

"Common, no. They are accepted though. It's something my parents have…forbidden."

"And so you are here?"

"I guess so. Either that or choose from the many doddering idiots that my father has selected for me. Marry one of them and live happily ever after."

"But you can't attend university here Wendy."

"Really? You men you haven't founded Neverland University in my absence?"

"Sarcasm Wendy? I didn't think you had it in you." He chuckled.

Her expression softened.

"But I have peace here at least. I didn't know how much I could appreciate that." She sighed.

"Even if I can't have that which I wanted, I can be happy just knowing it is what I wanted. No one is telling me I can't do it, or worse, that I shouldn't want it in the first place. Does that make sense to you?" He nodded.

"It does."

"I can be happy for now just being here. Being the person who refused the plans made for her is fine for now. I guess that kind of happiness doesn't last forever though, does it?"

"No. Not unless this is all you want."

"For now it's fine."

"For now."

"You seem happy, or at least happier."

A smile spread across James' face.

"I wasn't a happy pirate?"

"Were you?"

The truth? This woman demands the truth at an alarming rate.

"Not always. Not even when it was all I wanted. But when I saw what I really wanted I allowed myself to change. I was happy the way you are now, just knowing what I wanted."

"What it is it you decided you really want?"

James was not ready to share this truth. He knew this was too close. He couldn't tell her how he had glimpsed what he wanted in a child's eyes. He certainly couldn't tell her he now saw the other end of that equation in those same eyes…but now those eyes belonged to a woman. She would surely have a bad reaction to that information. James did not want to do anything wrong. He couldn't lie to her, but now was not the time for the truth either.

"Maybe I'll tell you that story another time. I think maybe it's time to get back to ship and crew." He stood to leave.

Wendy also stood up quickly, her words coming almost before she could think them.

"But you'll come back?"

"I'd certainly like to."

His voice is silky…

"Then I'm inviting you back."

He was smiling at her. His eyes were holding hers.

Those eyes are so incredibly blue…

Wendy managed to pull her thoughts back to the conversation as she felt heat burning in her cheeks.

"Tomorrow?" she asked

"Tomorrow would be fine. I have business to attend to in the morning. How about the afternoon?"

"I'll be waiting."

"Then till tomorrow."

They both stood in the doorway for a moment. Then James gave a slight bow and began to walk away from the house. Wendy closed the door behind him.

The Captain had a smile on his face as he walked across what he thought of as Wendy's yard. He had barely begun down the hill when he heard his name called out in another familiar voice.

"Pan," he answered without turning

"I have no quarrel with you today."

"No quarrel with me today?" replied the mocking voice "What kind of complete rubbish is that?"

James turned to face Peter. He saw the drawn sword.

"It's been a while Peter. I'm not looking for a fight today, or any other day, believe me."

"What were you doing in there?"

Peter pointed his sword towards the house. His tone was now deadly serious. James kept his tone calm.

"Nothing to concern you Peter."

"It is of no concern to me that you were in Wendy's house?" He started to shout.

"Wendy! Wendy! Come out here!" he started towards the house. Although Wendy could undoubtedly hear him, she was not responding in any way.

"Wendy!" Peter banged on her door.

"I think you should stay inside Wendy." James called out.

"What?" Peter turned around towards James, looking outraged.

"You're telling her what she should do?" Peter's sword was raised in James' direction.

Inside Wendy debated with herself what she should do. She was frightened now. But she couldn't let them fight like this; they could both get hurt or worse. They were both murderers, and though that was what should have kept her inside, it was what drew her out.

"Stop it! Stop it right now!"

Wendy was alarmed at how close Peter was to James with his sword aimed directly at the man's throat. Wendy couldn't see any visible weapon on James and he was beginning to back slowly away.

"Peter, do not take another step!" she said as severely as she could manage.

"Why shouldn't I?" was his defiant response.

"Because you have no reason to Peter." She wasn't sure if trying to appeal to his sense of fair play was the wisest choice. Peter Pan only seemed to adhere to that code when he felt like it.

"He's a scoundrel, a no good dog, and I say it is my right to serve justice to him." He did not move from his lethal stance.

"He's done nothing wrong here. Besides, don't you think you've doled out enough justice to him already?"

"Did he stop his vile behavior when I used this sword previously?"

"Did you stop yours?" she shot back at him.

Now Peter turned to look at Wendy. He shook his head dejectedly.

"Aw Wendy, what's your problem? Weren't you happy and grateful when I saved you from him before?"

Wendy spoke very softly to him.

"I don't need saving now Peter."

For the second time since she arrived, she had been the cause of that terrible look of pain on Peter's face. It made her feel like such a traitor to him. While she pondered her guilty feelings, Peter turned around and addressed the pirate once more.

"You did this, didn't you? What kind of dirty trick is this Hook?" he said in a venomous tone.

Wendy stepped closer to Peter. She wanted to be able to explain herself without yelling.

"Peter, you know what happens when we go back. It has nothing to do with anyone here. You always knew what happens to children there."

"Then why did you have to go? You should've stayed. You were happy here."

I know, and then I went and played a dirty trick on you, didn't I?

"Peter, the things I did then, like playing Mother to you and the boy made me miss my own mother terribly. I think I enjoyed the game because I thought of it as such, a game. It wasn't yet real and I could go back to her." She had moved close enough to touch Peter. She reached out to take his free hand. He pulled it away from her.

"You weren't just playing! You were their real mother!"

"Peter, I know when I left and all the boys came too it must have been terribly lonely,"

"Shut up! You sound like a grown up! Blah! Blah! Blah! I'm not listening!"

Peter flew up in the air whilst covering his ears, having quickly slipping his sword back

in his belt.

"I can't believe you Wendy. I can't believe what you would do to a friend." He flew

away around the trees until Wendy and James could no longer see him.

Wendy turned to James and spoke in a subdued voice.

"I don't want you to hurt each other."

"I wouldn't have struck him except in self defense."

"Are you carrying a weapon?"

"I am. I must."

"Then I thank you."

"What exactly are you thanking me for?"

"You never drew your weapon. You didn't taunt him."

"I guess you are welcome then. I think it is time for me to be on my way again." He began to walk down the hill.

"Good bye again, James." She called after him.

"Good bye again to you also, Wendy." He hadn't turned around, but he waved good- bye. Wendy couldn't see the smile return to his face. She knew he couldn't see hers as she returned to her house and closed the door behind her.

James was smiling as he walked back to the beach. He was remembering the blush he had seen on Wendy's face.

I made her blush!

He couldn't even remember the last time he had seen a woman blush. It could only have been so, so, very long ago. It made him think how young she was, and how old he must be.

She is the only woman in my memory to ever have held my attention with more than her looks...but she really is so beautiful…and I believe Pan is aware of that beauty too.

Apparently the boy who refused to grow up had managed to fall in love with someone. He must have thought about her more and more over the years. He must have hoped she still held the same feelings as before. He had gone to bring her back only to find she had changed. It was obvious to James that Wendy cared deeply for Peter-but was not in love with the boy. Where did that leave her feelings for him?

Later that night, on his ship, James sat on the edge of his bed to undress. He slid the lethally sharp dagger from its concealed sheath in his boot. He had not become a fool, but if forced to attack he would prefer to use something that he didn't consider a part of his own body. He laid the gleaming blade on his bedside table. In a short while his hook, and its elaborate harness, lay beside it. As he closed his eyes to sleep, he saw the moonlight glint off the blade. He was glad Wendy had thanked him, she mustn't have thought of the hook as a weapon anymore either. That thought, and the memory of her blush, was what lingered in his mind as he drifted off to sleep.