Author's Note: Hello all! I just wanted to get this part up for all those interested in my story. I hope it is flowing well.. I'm trying to keep everyone in character and I'm hoping so far that I have accomplished that. Anyway onward and upwards I always say. I will try and update as soon as I possibly can. Must not get distracted! Must keep writing…… . And as I said before any reviews are greatly appreciated. Oh, and a BIG Thank-you again to all those that have reviewed.
Death Can Change One
Chapter 4
"It isn't possible." Julia gasped.
Hook crouched down in front of her, unable and not wanting to break the contact with her eyes.
"This can't be real!" She had pressed herself further against the wall, unable to break his gaze.
"You are Captain Hook!" she whispered
His head slowly dropped nearer to hers, at the mention of his name. A smile formed on his lips revealing a wicked white grin, under the torrent of hair on his face and coupled with the mass of tangled dark brown that spilled over his shoulders and down his back, she couldn't help but find a striking resemblance between this man and the Big Bad Wolf.
He chuckled softly, his voice deep and resonant
"Indeed I am Captain James Hook, at your service my lady." finishing his statement with a flourish, he grasped her hand with his left, guiding her up steadily so she was standing before him. He could now see that she was incredibly tall and shapely, but his eyes were still glued to her face which he noticed was slightly rounded and tinted with a frightened confused expression.
Pulling herself forcefully from his grasp she pressed herself against the wall, she had every reason to fear this man, knowing what he was like, incredibly dangerous and bent on revenge. However his hand had felt warm and surprisingly comforting as he had guided her up. And although his outward appearance was sinister to her, she could detect no ill will within the sparkling blue eyes that were gazing at her in sudden confusion at her noticeable discomfort. His expression changed to another smile as he spoke.
"You have heard of me… Where you are from? Does my reputation truly exceed me so much, that you can't trust that I will not harm you, my dear? This cold hall is certainly no place for a lady, do come in and I will see to your comfort." His accent was British and coupled with his speech and mannerisms she could see an elegant and educated man, behind the pirates exterior.
He was now standing directly in front of her, so close that she could smell the rum on his lips. Her nose also catching his scent, that smelled pleasantly like a mixture of sea air and musk. He was intimidating yet unbelievably handsome, even in his obviously disheveled state. She knew everything about the story of Peter Pan, her thoughts running to her childhood. This man was everything and nothing like what she had pictured Captain Hook to be like.
"You will excuse me Captain, if I am a little weary to go into your cabin. I do know who you are. I am sorry if this offends you, but your reputation does indeed precede you."
His eyes narrowed at her words, who was this woman? She had the attitude of a confident proper lady, even backed against a wall it was visible. His eyes had traveled to her lips which were soft and pink, her lower lip enticingly larger than the top. He could not place her accent, yet she spoke perfect English. His head was still pounding, although he couldn't help but smile. It had been far to long since he had seen a real woman. Yet, how long had it been? His thoughts attempting to filter back in time beyond Neverland, except all he could remember were brief flashes of ladies in silk skirts and corsets, he couldn't remember any of their faces, which prompted a frown to crease his appearance. His head beginning to pound insistently against his skull once more, he realized he had no desire to stand in his hallway all night attempting to coax this woman within.
"Rest assured my Beauty, on my honor as a gentlemen, no harm shall come to you. Now do please come in, you seem very tired and if you don't mind me saying so, a bit overwhelmed. I understand that you are not from this place, but we will try and figure something out."
His eyes had never left hers as he spoke, quickly grasping her hand in his and offering her no chance to argue, he pulled her over the threshold of his cabin. Warily she allowed him to guide her into the light, she gasped at the colors, red and gold filling her vision from his ornate wooden desk to the rather large four poster bed that seemed to be wrapped entirely in silk and velvet. He had guided her into a chair opposite his desk, and she felt the soft warmth of a blanket, gently placed over her lap by Mr. Smee, who she finally had noticed was present.
"Thank you Mr. Smee that will be all" The command in his voice was unmistakable.
Julia watched with great reluctance as Smee bowed his head to her, leaving her entirely alone with the Captain.
She then noticed that he had walked to one side of the room returning with two silver goblets, he placed one dutifully in front of her, filling it half way with an amber liquid that she knew to be Rum. He then proceeded filling his goblet to the brim, sitting down to study her under hooded eyes.
"I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage my beauty, it appears you know me as well as my name already, but I do not know yours." He had turned his head to the side raising his brow questioning her.
"My name is Julia, Julia Snow…..It is a pleasure to meet you." She reluctantly smiled.
"Julia" He tested her name on his lips.
"That is a lovely name, for an equally lovely lady. Believe me, my dear, if I say it is my pleasure in meeting you. I don't often get such pleasant interruptions, in fact ,come to think of it, I have never once gotten such a pleasant interruption in this cursed place."
"By this cursed place you mean Neverland, right?" She was unable to hide the excitement in her voice.
"Yes, Neverland." The disdain ever present.
Neverland, she was really in Neverland. That meant all of those stupid childhood dreams like fairies and mermaids were real. She almost couldn't contain herself, even sitting across from the villain of the story wasn't bothering her in the least. In fact she was finding him to be surprisingly charming, but then she knew that already, she knew many things about James Hook. How could she not? He was as familiar to her as cherished childhood memory, his every conquest and every failure had been read to her as a child. Now staring at the vicious hook on his right arm with utter fascination, knowing without needing to be told exactly how he had come by such an injury.
James had noticed that after he had mentioned Neverland, that her eyes had glazed over in inner thought. Almost as suddenly she had taken to staring at him, her eyes passing over him and falling onto his hook. Suddenly uncomfortable from her obvious appraisal of him. He knew he looked terrible, and he couldn't stop himself before he apologized for his appearance.
"I am sorry if I look like a mess Julia, but I wasn't expecting a guest this evening."
Julia was snapped from her reverie and immediately found herself stammering.
"Oh, no you don't look like a mess! I wasn't thinking that! I was just …… I mean um your arm. Is it still painful?"
Leaning back in surprise he lifted the hooked arm and gazed at the dull black, suddenly realizing that she would of course be curious as to how he came by such an injury.
"Oh, that, my arm. Yes it was, and still is I'm afraid…quite painful, would you like to know how it happened?"
He held a pompous and confident air about himself, she smiled. He was most definitely Captain Hook. Surprised with herself, she was finding the real Captain Hook to be alluring, that was not something she commonly equated to his character. The power that he exuded dripped from his every pore furthermore it was almost magnetic. Reclining back in his chair he had been regarding the cruel hook on his arm, a twisted smile upturning the corners of his lips. Without giving time for her answer, he stood and strode to a rather large pot behind his desk, lifting his sleeve he dipped his right arm in the pot of steaming liquid, groaning audibly as he withdrew it, the hook now gleaming silver in the light.
Julia sat hesitant to answer, for as he strode back to look at her, she noticed that by simply cleaning his hook, he almost seemed to change before her eyes into a much more intimidating version of himself. His eyes were glinting in the light and she could have sworn she had seen an unquenchable fire within them.
"Uhh, well Captain It's just that I already know how you got that Hook." She sat unable to move.
At her statement he stood over her. So close that some of his hair had fallen near her face.
"How do you know that?" His voice whispering softly into her ear. Feeling his breath had sent her flesh into goose bumps. But without hesitation she answered him.
"It's just that you, as well as the story that surrounds you is famous in my time. But here is the interesting thing, it is that none of it is supposed to be real. You, no this very place isn't supposed to exist. I'm sorry Captain but you in my world, are just a story. You are the tragic Villain meant to lose in the end to Peter Pan. And I say I know, because I do. Peter Pan cut off your hand and threw it to a rather large crocodile."
At her statement he sat down a mixture of confusion, curiosity, and anger filling him. How did this woman know so much about him. And what did she mean by her time?
"How did you get here, Julia?" anger apparent in his voice
"I'm sorry, but I just don't know, I swear it. I was asleep on my balcony at home and the next thing I realize, I am surrounded by your crew." She was shaking now, noticing his mood had changed at her statement. The anger in his eyes was apparent and it made him appear all the more frightening.
Slamming his hook on the desk he abruptly sat down again. He was looking at her, gazing into her eyes and she was frozen. He had to know if the infernal boy had anything to do with her appearance. He had always had a special knack for detecting a lie, but she simply sat before him trembling slightly. She had not averted her gaze from his and his temper began to cool. Realizing suddenly, that of course Pan would have nothing to do with her presence, the boy would never bring an adult to Neverland, he despised all adults, he knew that. And what would the brat have to gain from dropping a woman on his ship? Nothing, in fact he was the one that stood to gain. Shock filled him, had he not been thinking lately that he had made a mockery of his life being trapped in revenge for Pan? And since he had miraculously been brought back into the land of the living, his wish to no longer be alone, is satisfied? Truly this was the most pleasant thing to happen to him in a long while. Gazing at her again, he now noticed that her eyes had fallen on the goblet which he had filled with the rum, lifting it she swirled the amber liquid around bringing the cup to her nose, so she could smell it .Her eyes looked up meeting his, smiling, and with a tilt of her head she drained the entire glass.
Coughing slightly, but the smile hadn't left her features when she whispered …
"Good Rum Captain."
He was in shock! She was obviously a proper lady, but he had never witnessed a lady such as her, that could tip back that much Rum. She had even lifted her pinky finger in the process. Candidly laughing at such a beautiful contradiction, he winked at her and taking his full goblet he drained the contents of his cup in a similar fashion.
Julia had noticed how quickly his mood seemed to change after he had looked at her or rather looked through her. She felt peculiar, it was as if he was capable of detecting the simplest falsehood just by gazing at her. Was she really that readable? Suddenly the room had begun to pleasantly spin and she couldn't hide the goofy smile that crossed her lips, that Rum had been extremely powerful stuff. She began to relax back into the warmth of his chair, it was then that she realized just how tired she was, her eyes growing heavy despite her attempts to keep herself alert in his presence. A warmth had spread from the soft velvety blanket on her lap and she was soon gently snoring.
James immediately noticed her head fall to the side as she slept. Growling in agitation, he leaned back watching her peacefully sleep. He had so many questions for this mysterious woman that were left unanswered. Yet now that she was sleeping he could rake his gaze over her, it had truly been a long time, what's more Julia was utterly beautiful. Almost involuntarily he began to picture her long beautiful limbs wrapped about him, her body deliciously naked, enfolded with him in the softness of his bed. He had expected the feeling that followed to be one of uncontrollable desire, but instead at the image he felt something else, peaceful almost, dare he say it, relaxed. There was no doubt in his mind that he had to have this woman. But he wasn't exactly sure of how to go about getting her. Now, even more so than usual, the two sides within him were at war with each other. His motto was simple really, and yet such is the beauty of piracy.
"To want something, to take it, and then, and only then, have you truly got it."
No, for once in his wretched existence he had been given something, something so simple yet something that he never thought within the confines of Neverland would come to him, a companion an actual intelligent and beautiful one. His decision was surprisingly easy , he would be the gentlemen, that was exactly what the situation dictated. She certainly wasn't going anywhere. A wicked smile crossed his lips. He could take his time. No, he wanted much more than just this woman's body, he wanted all of her. Her happiness, anger, desire. He wanted to lay claim to her entirely, and in truth, was that such an evil thing? Lifting her gently into his arms, carefully making sure that he did not pierce her with his hook, he carried her to his bed tenderly laying her within his sheets. Taking advantage he leaned over her, gently pressing his nose into the soft brown waves of her hair inhaling greedily at the scent. To his surprise she smelled like fruit, it lingered on her skin. Sighing in pleasure and exhaustion he stumbled to his couch, sleep for once coming quickly to him as he wrapped himself in the blanket still tinted from her delectable scent.
