Disclaimer:These are all Barrie's characters, not mine.

"Come on, you need to get cleaned up." He took her hand.

They walked towards the house. When they reached the door, James slipped his hand from hers. Wendy was suddenly aware of its loss as she felt the stark coolness its absence left. James picked up the stool he had brought outside as they entered the doorway. Inside, he placed the stool down near the table that held the water pitcher and basin.

"Sit." He commanded.

Wendy watched silently as James poured water into the basin. He picked up the neatly folded flannel cloth that had been sitting on the table and submersed it into the water. Lifting the soaking wet cloth, he squeezed out the excess.

"Now," he said, turning his attention back to Wendy, "Lift your chin a little."

Wendy took notice that it was James' hook that gently directed her chin up.

He looked directly into her eyes as he began to gently sweep the cloth down her cheek. After a few passes, he dunked the cloth back into the basin. He rinsed it out thoroughly before returning it to her face again. He washed the other cheek with the same gentle caresses. The cloth returned again to wipe her forehead and chin in the same soothing manner. She felt drowsy and relaxed.

"Let me get your eyes."

"Okay." She said vaguely

"I need you to close them."

"Oh, right." She closed her eyes for him.

Ever so gently, the cloth moved across her eyelids. Even after she could hear the sound of the cloth being rinsed again, Wendy kept her eyes shut. She heard water being poured.

"Your lips." He said as Wendy felt the cloth touch her again. The cloth moved very slowly across her lips. Wendy felt a newly familiar sensation building.

Don't make a noise…don't make a noise…

But then the cloth was gone. Wendy opened her eyes. James was walking away with the basin. He walked to the doorway and tossed the dirty water onto the grass. He turned and smiled as he saw her watching him. He returned the basin to the table and poured fresh water into it.

"Your hands."

Wendy offered them both to him, palms up. James frowned. They were both witness to their red, slightly swollen condition. Dirt, mixed with smeared blood, was embedded in the abrasions.

" I meant my promise Wendy. If he ever hurts you again I will not restrain myself."

" I know." She nodded.

"This might sting."

"Okay."

James soaked the cloth, but did not squeeze it out immediately. Without allowing the cloth to touch her palms, he squeezed the excess water directly on her wounds. He did this several times, until upon his inspection he could see no more loose debris. When he finally touched the cloth to her palms, he did so with the gentlest of pressure.

"Is that all right? " he asked tenderly.

"Yes, it's fine James."

After it appeared all the dirt was removed, James put the cloth on the table and turned to inspect his work.

"They look clean. You shouldn't have a problem with them if you keep them as such."

"Thank you James."

"You are always welcome."

James looked at her; he took her whole form in.

"Your hair seems to be full of a considerable amount of-ah…dirt also."

Wendy reached up to touch her head. James was right. There was a good deal of dirt and grit in her hair. The back of her head was also slightly sore. She saw the intensity with which James was watching her and made no mention of it.

"I'll wash it later." was all she said.

James offered his hand to her. Wendy accepted it and stood. He was still regarding her with the same intense gaze. His blue eyes seemed more brilliant than any she had ever seen before. She supposed several of her imposed dinner guests had been quite handsome, but she had never had any interest in memorizing any of their features. She had been told by the few who felt bold enough that she was beautiful. She hadn't cared when they said it She never became the giddy creatures her friends had over a handsome face. She hadn't swooned when they said it. She hadn't asked for, cared for, or valued, their opinions.

She always thought, back in her old London bedroom, that if she could find a man who would allow her to share her intellect with she might find happiness. She had given up on finding him however…and she had never considered what it might feel like if he was ever actually found.

She was close enough to reach out and touch his face. She ran her fingertips down his cheek and across his chin. She moved her fingers up and traced his lips. She was enjoying the way their softness felt against her fingertips.

"Wendy?"

"Hmmm…" her fingertips were still lightly moving on his lips.

"What are you doing?"

"Hmm…what? Oh!" she pulled her fingers away quickly.

"I didn't tell you to stop. I just asked what you were doing." His smile was playful and teasing.

"I needed to touch them…they're very…soft."

The noise James made was somewhere between a groan and a sigh.

"What am I supposed to do with you?"

He wrapped both his arms around her waist and drew her close.

"I still haven't decided if you are my punishment or my reward."

He noted that she now tilted her head in expectation.

Either way, I can't seem to resist.

And he gave her lips the kiss they seemed to be waiting for. It was a much less polite kiss than the previous two. He was pulling her tightly to his body, his flattened hook keeping a constant pressure on the small of her back. His right hand had moved from her back, to her face, then down her side. It brushed over her breast, slid back down and around her waist. He caressed her bottom.

And James was groaning. Wendy was aware that somewhere beyond herself she could hear him making these noises. She could hear her own name being spoken. Her name was being uttered in a manner she had never heard before. There was need, urgency and desire all expressed in the word that was previously only her name.

"Wendy…Wendy…"

Need. Desire. Urgency.

Wendy's own hands were also exploring. She was surprised to discover that everywhere she roamed, her hands felt firm hard muscle beneath warm skin. To prove this fact to herself, she let her hand drift to his backside.

So even that is firm…

"Miss Darling." He moved himself slightly away from her.

"Oh…but why did you stop?"

"Because I still can…for now. I believe in another moment that would no longer be an option for me. I don't want to do anything you haven't made a decision to do. I don't want to leave you in a…compromised position."

She looks confused…Good Lord, please tell me she does know what I'm talking about.

A/N:Okay,hoped you liked it. The next chapter starts out a little corny...I couldn't seem to avoid it. Happy Reading!