Disclaimer: Based on a continuation of Peter Pan 2003. I don't own Captain Hook, Peter Pan, or Neverland. They respectfully belong to Author J.M. Barrie. This is a self indulgent fic. That I am posting for fun.
Author's Note: Right now this fic. is PG-13, but will change to an R later. And it will have some more chapters. I wanted to say right here that this fic is inspired by the lovely and talented Mr. Jason Isaacs as Captain James Hook and thank him for his stellar performance. Reviews of any kind are greatly appreciated.
Death Can Change One
An unusual calm had settled over Neverland , as the Jolly Roger slowly sank into the waters. The Beautiful but terrible sails and flag swayed in the breeze. Foreboding of the Pirates that had once occupied the vessel. No longer could be heard the trudging of their work aboard the ship, they had lost in the end to Peter Pan and the Lost Boys. Captain James Hook, once the dark and dashing pirate, now resigned to his fate his body slowly digesting within the rather large crocodile's stomach.
Peter Pan flew up as he landed the ship Tinkerbell at his side. He had returned Wendy and the Lost Boys to the real world, as they had all wished to grow up and have a mother. He turned and stared at the ship. Anger flashed through his eyes as he watched the now peaceful ship on the water. Something had changed within him however small it was. It beat madly against his old self, Anger there it was fresh and boiling under his skin as he looked at the Mast with the skull and crossed swords blowing gently in the breeze. Anger at Captain Hook, he was now alone in his Neverland his perfect place of fun. Alone because Captain Hook had preyed upon Wendy, and had tried to make her a Pirate, it had been that moment that set into motion her longing to return to her parents and the real world. Peter loathed the Captain now more in death than in life. Looking again at the unusual peace that had taken over the surroundings, he decided in an instant what he should do. He needed an enemy. How could he have any more adventures without one. Smiling Darkly to Tinkerbell,
"I think it's time I taught the old Codfish a few more lessons, don't you agree Tink?"
At this Tinkerbell looked curiously at Peter, She was such a small thing that at the thought of bringing Captain Hook back she looked at Peter in confusion. Why, if he had defeated him would Peter want to bring him back. But Tink didn't question him for she could see the stirring of something that bothered her in Peters' eyes. But she dared not voice it, for that would make it real. Instead she did as was requested and swirled rapidly around the ship. A sparkling Mist spiraled up engulfing the vessel. When the mist parted, the ship was now inhabited by the Old crew sleeping in lumps on the decks. And Captain James Hook shot up from his Bed gasping for Air.
The stillness in the air persisted but then there it was, that sharp burst of blackness and despair which told Peter of the Captains' Presence. He could have his revenge now. Making the Captain trapped once again in his cove almost gave him more satisfaction then when he saw him drop into the Jaws of the Croc. Satisfied he flew off with Tink at his side. But as Tink followed ,she looked at what she had just done for Peter, regret in her eyes. She new Peter had changed because of losing Wendy, and she hoped that things would turn to normal again. Now Hook was back to fulfill his role of Villain to Peter's Hero. But what she didn't realize was that being stripped of ones life and being given it back can change one, even evil pirate captains.
James Hook could not believe his eyes, he was alive but how was it possible. Everything looked the same, his cabin still lit by the soft glow of candle light and the reflection of the rich burgundy hues in his blankets and rugs. He slowly rose from his bed to stare at his reflection ,haunted blue eyes stared back at himself. And then the flood of memories hit him like a wave. Staggering he grasped his side table, and held his head in his left hand. He could see it all so clearly, the battle with Pan, Wendy Darling and the Lost Boys, flying, Flying? He had flown? But how? It was like trying to grasp something solid, only to find it was like sand flowing from his fingers. And then he felt it the snapping of the crocodiles Jaws and a chanting that only seemed to grow louder in his mind "Old, Alone …Done For!" Repeating again and again until he had sunk fully to the rug on the floor. His body curled up in a ball, and he openly wept. He felt more despair in being alive again than at that moment before he had fallen into the beasts Jaws.
Why was he alive? For what? To fail again...
" I have botched things so completely." He whispered.
In that moment, he realized why he had been brought back. For the boy to toy with him, for him to resume his role of being the butt of Peter Pan's Joke that was his existence in his cove. He felt so different, sitting up and staring at the gleaming iron claw where his right hand should have been, it was as if death had opened up a part of himself that he didn't even know he still had. He was not longing to kill the boy, in fact it was worse than that. He did not care, he didn't care that he no longer had a right hand, he didn't care that he had failed in exacting his revenge against the boy. And worst of all was that love had defeated him, and he could see it so clearly.
"I have not lived , I have always been dead. Love does not exist for me."
He wanted what Wendy had given the boy, not revenge. All this time and he found what he had wanted, but it was never meant for him.
"I am a Villain and a Cad, perhaps I have gotten what I deserve."
No, the only thing that he cared about now was that he was again alone trapped in a cove surrounded by his illiterate and stupid men. Spinning on a Karmic wheel unable to free himself from what he had become. What would his life have been like had he not chosen to become a pirate? Could he have lived a normal life, had a wife, a family? Once again the Lion was trapped in his cage and he could do nothing. Rising from the floor, grasping the nearest object that was breakable, he hurled it against the wall. And then another and another until the only sound that echoed through the cove was shattering glass and the suffocated rage at one who falls ever downward in a spiral.
As the days and weeks past aboard the Jolly Roger everything appeared to be turning back to normal. Sounds of working and gambling could be heard about the ship. Yes, normal for Pirates anyway. But as the days past the men all couldn't help but notice how their Captain had changed. In fact they hardly saw him. Mr. Smee often checked up on him however, and each time he emerged he wore the same expression of concern. The change in their Captain was never discussed in the open, they still greatly feared him, and his retaliation to anything that displeased him was usually brutal and swift. But the few times they had seen him they had noticed that there was no spark within the eyes that had once burned with an unquenchable fire. He worked amongst them, often drunk and incoherent, he pushed himself to the brink in the drudgery of keeping up the ship. He would then return to his cabin without a word said. Noticing his disinterest in the island the men had taken to exploring on their own, enjoying a freedom that they had never had before. As long as they returned at the end of the day with the necessary supplies, the Captain didn't seem to care.
It passed this way for weeks or months, James did not seem to notice. He knew that he was behaving pathetically, but it just didn't matter he could not motivate himself to care about the Island or the boy, and he was only growing worse. And you would suppose, why not sail away from Neverland, lick his wounds, and return to the open seas? But he had tried that many times. Every which way he sailed the ship, they would end up stuck in the same spot, Pirate's Cove. No, it appeared his destiny was to be bound to this Hell hole of an Island for eternity. He took another long swig of rum, His hair was a dreaded mess tumbling down his shoulders, and he hadn't shaved in weeks. His harness lay abandoned in the corner where he had thrown it , the metal hook black and rusted.
"Oh, blessed Rum. Thank Lucifer I have you" He goofily smiled, bringing the open bottle to his lips and tipping back enough to knock out a horse. And then dropping it surreptitiously , as his head hit his desk passed out. Mr. Smee chose that moment to walk in, hovering over the captain, he sighed. He really didn't know what to think of him lately. His thoughts had been muddled for many a day now, and he felt as if something important had transpired and he just couldn't seem to remember it. He had come in to inform the Captain of how Pan had yet again drilled another hole in the longboat. But staring at his passed out and broken form he thought better of it. Every time Smee had mentioned the boy the Captains eyes glazed over and he spat out with a fury that he normally reserved for hunting the boy, that he didn't care to hear a word of his exploits. Something had to be done, he longed to see the old Captain Hook. Things just weren't the same on board without him. His men may have feared him but they respected him greatly for his leadership. His brilliant mind may have gotten them stuck in Neverland, but he also had made them all quite rich in his skills as treasure hunter and ruthless Captain of the seas. No, Mr. Smee just didn't know how to please the Captain, to make him more like his old self. He deposited fresh linens on his bed and left the Captain to his Rum. Not noticing the bright eyes and dark mischievous face that was peeking through the open window, in the far corner.
Peter Pan softly crept through the open window Tinker bell closely behind. Who could blame him? He was bored stiff lately and sure it was fun playing tricks on the Captain's stupid men, but they proved no challenge, he much preferred frustrating the Old Codfish. He scanned the room and blinked in surprise to see Captain Hook passed out at his desk. Completely vulnerable and without his Hook. An evil smile lit up his otherwise innocent looking features. He noticed his head was lying over the arm that ended in a cruel, painful looking stump. His other elegant arm lay outstretched and his intact hand caught Peter's attention. And it was then that he noticed that the Captain didn't look quite his normal self, his skin seemed paler and he could see the blue veins circulating the blood through his tired appearance. Something sinister took over Peter as he stared at the Captain. The feeling that he had been trying to hide crept over him again. There he was the adult he despised, the one that had caused his Wendy to leave him. Reaching for his rusty dagger, he drew it forth and approached the Captain. All the while Tinkerbell had been watching Peter, and she looked on with concern. Peter had drawn his knife over the Captain's sleeping form and to Tink's horror she saw him lift his arm to sever the Captain's other hand. With lightning speed she grabbed Peter's arm, and he was lurched back with all her strength. Peter looked angrily in Tink's little face.
"Tink, how could you?" Peter spat at the fairy with a surprising amount of Venom.
"He deserves it Tink, I can't believe you could side with a Villain." He was hovering in the cabin unable to hide the pure anger that he was feeling. Tinkerbell flew about him attempting to explain herself. But he just didn't understand, since the Captain had been brought back he had done nothing to Peter. And she couldn't allow him to harm the Captain in a way that screamed of such bad form. An injustice such as that could never be forgiven in her eyes. And she wondered if he had succeeded, would Neverland itself have changed? It frightened her to the core. Peter was silent looking at her with all the hurt and betrayal that his eyes could muster. And then he said it
" Fine Tink if you like the Captain so much, I banish you. I don't want to even look at you." He then quickly flew out, leaving Tink beside the Captain's still passed out form. Tink sighed deeply in sadness as she flew over to one of the Captain's shelves and wept. She heard him stir and lift his head, and then she saw his face and eyes, and her little heart broke. He looked so haunted and sad, she had never seen the Captain look so pitiful. He had lifted himself up staggering slightly, and was completely oblivious to what had just transpired. He was talking to himself and then she heard it "I wish I wasn't alone." He had wished, it was such a childish thing, to wish for something. But to a fairy a wish was a wish. She had lifted her head to hear if he would say more, yet instead she heard a shuddering breath and the sound of crying. Could this possibly be the same Pirate that she had grown to fear? As she looked at him she realized that she wanted to grant his plea. But her emotions were so confusing, she felt an allegiance to Peter but she also wanted to help the lonesome Pirate. Blinking, she flew unnoticed from his window and straight out of Neverland to the real world. Not knowing exactly what she was looking for and yet she had an odd feeling that she would find it.
