Author's Note: I have changed my female lead to "Julia" instead of "Caitlin"

Please note that she is the same, just the name is different , I felt I had to change the name since I was made aware of another Hook fic starring a Caitlin. It was a personal decision, so there is no confusion.

Anyway on to the next Chapter! Thanks to everyone for the reviews

Chapter 6

Her eyes opened as she felt his hook trail to her chin, tipping her face upwards. She was once again held in his dark gaze, his expression was surprisingly readable, confusion and query in his eyes.

"You are forgiven James." She apprehensively smiled.

His hook dropped and he stepped back from her, lifting her hand in his.

"Julia, I have many questions that need answering….."

His eyes shifted, his expression becoming somber. In truth he was beginning to feel unnerved. The situation was becoming dangerous, no, she was dangerous. A warmth had spread from where their hands were joined, the feeling was consuming him, he wanted nothing more than to feel that warmth against him. To abandon and forget, if only for a moment, who he was and what he had become.

"I'm sure you do and I will answer any that you have."

She was attempting to sound confident in her situation, but in truth she felt at a loss. Leading her to the chair that she had sat in the night before, he seated himself across from her. He was leaning with his face on his left hand, an image of him from her dream flashed through her mind, his body being swallowed whole by the crocodile. She couldn't possibly tell him of the dream, it had deeply disturbed her, she could only imagine what his reaction would be.

"I am part of a story to you, am I not supposed to be real?"

He was looking at her, wearing an odd expression.

Sighing she stood up and slowly began to pace the area in front of his desk. The words spilled from her lips, unable to stop herself she told him everything. From what she knew of Wendy Darling, the Lost Boys, to Peter Pan and his inevitable death to the crocodile.

All the while he sat riveted to her every word, memories of the exact event flashing through his mind as she spoke of them.

"I know you as a character in a story, but obviously you are more than that since you are sitting in front of me. This is so much more than I ever imagined James, you are not just a drawing or an image in my head, you are flesh and blood and I don't know what I'm going to do! "

She was visibly upset, sitting back down in the chair across from him, burying her face in her hands.

"OH! There, There my dear! There is no need to get distressed. You see, the events you spoke of have already occurred."

He rose crossing the distance between them, kneeling in front of her. Wearing a matter of fact expression.

"You already died? How is that possible?"

She whispered in disbelief. But why did she have the dream, she felt as if it was an omen warning her of an oncoming fate.

"In truth I am not sure myself, how I came back, however I do know that the boy and his "Vile" magic had something to do with it. And I also know, that I have felt distinctly different since I was brought back. I can't explain it, don't ask me to, all I know is that this story you speak of is different now and you are a part of it. "

He was still kneeling before her, grasping her hand, as if he desperately wanted her to understand.

"My time is different from yours James, from that of even Wendy. Don't you see? I am different from you, in so many respects, society itself has moved on, there are no longer Pirates in beautiful wooden Mano'War ships sailing the seas for merchant vessels. The Colonies have expanded far wider than I'm sure you could ever comprehend. What am I going to do? I am not meant to reside on board a pirate ship for eternity am I ? "

"Your time, Julia, I still don't understand what you mean, and why are you talking of the colonies?" His frustration and impatience was evident.

"James I am from the year 2004 and I live in what you would know to be the Colonies, the new world… What year is it for you?"

"1780." He gasped.

"Have I really been trapped here that long?"

He was beyond doubt bewildered, looking down at where their hands were joined, in truth he didn't know what to think of the situation. How is it possible that so much time had passed, if what she said was true and he was quite sure she wasn't lying, it made him over 200 years old. She was from the colonies, he knew of them for sure, but her accent was still unrecognizable to him. Looking up in her eyes, she was just as disorientated as he was. How had this creature come to him? There was no way to really know or understand how different she was from him. Sighing he stood up looking down at her.

"For some reason unknown my beauty, fate has dropped you here. I certainly can't even hope to comprehend the difference in the time, but that is the funny thing about this place. Magic is what binds this world together."

He had leaned over her tilting her face with his hand, running his thumb over her cheek attempting to soothe her.

"And yes it is different from the modern world in every respect, but there is nothing that we can do. I truly wish I was capable of setting the wrong that brought you here, but I am not capable of that."

He was lying though, if given the choice he would never return her, he craved an intelligent companion and at the thought of sending her back, he frowned, amazed at how his thoughts had shifted from wallowing in pity to desperately needing her presence.

The door quietly opened and they both turned to see Mr. Smee bringing in the tray of food.

She was starving, staring as the tray was placed on his desk, her mouth began to water at the sight of the mountain of fruits piled on the side of what appeared to be roasted pork. Smiling at her he sat down, lifting an apple he bit into the succulent fruit juice running down the side of his chin. Her mouth hanging open at the sight of his lips wrapping around the flesh of the fruit, as he took every ravenous bite. She began to picture those lips wrapping around other things. Stopping he noticed she hadn't begun to eat, not realizing that she was engrossed with watching him devour the otherwise innocent looking apple.

"Julia, are you not hungry?"

Shattering her thoughts, she grabbed an apple biting it. Shaking her head, what was wrong with her? This was Captain Hook that she was having these thoughts for, looking at him again however gave her the answer, the man was incredibly dark and attractive. His movements were graceful, each time he swallowed, she followed his Adam's apple, the smooth pale skin of his throat exposed, leading to his collar bone just above the ruffles of his shirt. Breathless she swallowed another bite of her apple, unable to focus on anything other than the handsome pirate in front of her. This was madness, she had to stop, he was dangerous, she couldn't let herself forget that.

Leaning back after they had eaten their fill, he noticed how sad she appeared, her eyes were staring at his desk. He was never one to care about anyone else's feelings, but it was somehow different with her.

"Julia, what troubles you?"

"It is just, James, I am stuck in Neverland on board a pirate ship, surely you can see why I am upset."

"I know that a Pirate ship is without doubt no place for a lady my dear, but I promise you that your company is most welcome, no harm will come to you. I really can't see abandoning a lovely creature such as yourself to the will of the Island. I know that you may be uncomfortable with the close quarters, but you may take the bed and I can take the couch."

Smiling he rose to stand before her.

"I give you my word that I shall do my best to behave in a gentlemanly accord. Would you do me the honor of accompanying me for a walk above deck?"

Sighing, she looked up at him. She still felt terribly uneasy, but his smile and words had relieved some of her fears. Yet how could she possibly stay sane, sleeping in the same room as Captain Hook? Looking up in his hopeful eyes, she found herself unable to continue battling within in reflection. Instead she chose to do something that had always come much easier to her, abandoning herself to the moment. In life she had always thought that, that was all one had. Rising and taking his offered right arm, she curiously ran her fingers over the soft fabric, which covered the leather harness she could feel underneath.

"A walk in the fresh air would be lovely, James."

Suddenly he pulled his jacket off helping her into the sleeves. The scent and warmth of his skin lingered on the coat, encompassing her. She smiled at him grateful that he had covered her, no man had ever treated her in such a fashion.

Raising his eyebrow suggestively.

"You'll catch your death in that gown, I can understand why you are so nervous wearing it. It certainly reveals a "delightful" amount of skin."

He had emphasized the word delightful so that she could hear the seductive quality in his voice. Her mouth hung open, aware of his gaze sweeping over her form tucked inside his jacket, one moment he speaks of propriety and the next he was blatantly flirting with her. Instead of feeling embarrassment she laughed. And smiling at him coyly, she blushed.

" I am glad someone is appreciating my suffering in this dress."

"Suffering!? You look beautiful, I would be a fool not to notice."

Leading her out above deck, the sun spilled everywhere and it had warmed up, the crew sporadically working at various places on the deck. They all seemed to stop at the same time to stare at the couple that had emerged, Starkey and Cookson sat whittling near the captain's cabin smiling at each other.

"The Cap'n seems right distracted with the lady on board." Cookson peered at Starkey.

"Aye, quite a pretty little strumpet, idn't she."

Starkey whispered, leering at Julia's image on the Captain's arm.

"Shut up idiot, if the Cap'n hears you talk like that he "will" slit yer throat." Cookson frowned.

"And as I been tryin to say, the Cap'n is distracted with the lady about. So, lets just pop in his old cabin and take a peep at that map."

Starkey looked at Cookson oddly

"You insane? We don't know how to decipher that savage speak, the Cap'n will catch us fore we manage it."

"I got it!" Said Cookson

"We'll just make a copy of the map, that way the Cap'n will never know we was looking at it!"

The two men quietly grabbed a bit of charcoal and an old vest, they then proceeded to quietly sneak into the Captain's quarters, they spotted the map beside the Tomahawk resting on a table near his desk. They clumsily and with a great deal of trepidation, copied the map as best they could with the charcoal, carefully placing the map back in place exactly as they had found it.

Once finished Starkey stared at the Tomahawk, that earlier had been held to his throat, and without Cookson noticing, pocketed it.

They snuck out again noticing that their little excursion had gone overlooked, as the Captain had lead Julia to the front Bow. They proceeded to quietly move down below, both men satisfied that the Captain would never find out what they had done.

Julia stared in awe at the beautiful Island that surrounded the ship, lush, tropical and green. Even in the distance of the cove she could smell the perfume of the flowers.

"It is just beautiful." She said cheerfully, for in the distance she could see a large waterfall spilling down on a mountain top. She noticed that his eyes were brought down in a scowl as he regarded the island.

"I am sorry James, I'm sure you can't look at the island the way that I do. You are probably quite sick of it, I imagine."

At her statement he thought back to his first arrival in Neverland, when he still had two hands, he recalled thinking it was beautiful then. But the situation had soon twisted from beautiful island to a tropical Hell.

"Don't get me wrong my dear, it is very lovely, one could almost call it a perfect paradise. But as I have found out, looks can be entirely deceiving."

They were leaning against the bow, their arms still linked. His gaze had drifted to her face and she noticed a deep sorrow was etched into his brow. The regret spilled from his eyes as if the emotion itself was a part of him.

"Why don't you leave? Can you leave?"

Her eyes tinted in evident concern, he was amazingly readable, she wasn't sure if he was himself aware of how much the misery could be seen carved into his expression.

"I've tried to leave many times, Julia, it is my destiny to be trapped here. I can't say that I don't deserve this fate, the things that I have done make me the Villain of this tale after all."

Thinking over his statement, her eyes widened. Why hadn't she thought of it before? She could smack herself it was so simple. She turned to him smiling into his face.

"I know how we can escape, I don't know why I didn't think of it before. We could fly! That's how we can leave."

Taking her hand in his left, he laughed. Leaning against the railing, at least his mood had brightened.

"And how, my beauty, do you propose we do that?"

"I have read the story, you know."

She had backed away from him walking to the very front of the bow.

"It is really simple all we have to do is……. I mean it's really easy, we just….. Oh my God! I can't remember… But how could I forget something so simple, I remember everything else about the story."

James moved towards where she stood, confused himself that they would both be missing such an important memory. And even more shocked that she would suggest a means for them to both escape Neverland together.

"I flew once, but I don't remember how. Perhaps we both can't remember since we are adults and this is a story for children."

She turned around no longer facing him staring at the Figurehead on the front of the ship. She smiled for instead of being faced with a beautiful Maiden she saw a giant skeleton with the hair and clothing of a woman.

"James I haven't told you yet just how beautiful your ship is and I just hate pointing this out to you, but it appears that you have left the lady on the front of your boat too long. She is nothing but bones."

She heard him chuckle coming up behind her. Bound as she felt his hooked arm wrap about her waist, pulling her into his arms. His body was incredibly firm and powerful as she could feel his muscles underneath his vest and shirt. His dangerous hook coming to rest on her hip. Implausibly she found herself relaxing into his warm embrace. Every thought she had just melted away, when she felt his arms around her. And still chuckling he whispered softly in her ear.

"It is a true pity isn't it, I have not had the heart to cut her down. Although she is rather intimidating isn't she?

"Yes, intimidating." She managed to stammer.

"Julia, if we could fly where would we go?"

"I am not sure, but it is a way to escape." She answered.

"With me? You would take me with you? I am a dangerous man Julia, a villain, you don't even know me, yet you propose flying away with me as a means of escape?"

She gasped as his grip tightened on her.

"Villain or no, I would feel terrible leaving anyone to spend an eternity at the whims of a child. It was only a suggestion."

She felt herself tremble slightly, his temper had sounded as if it was about to rupture. At her statement however, she felt his grip relax.

They stood like statues on the front Bow watching the sky darken. She was losing herself in the moment, when she was quickly spun around to face him. He lifted her left hand with his hook observing no ring upon her finger. He had to know why she was not married.

"Julia why is there no diamond gracing your beautiful hand?"

He had lifted his left hand gently caressing her ring finger.

She felt herself turning crimson.

"I just haven't found the right guy yet, I suppose. They just don't seem to understand me. Besides, you don't want to know about my love life."

She was truly blushing now, seeing the intense interest in his eyes, was causing her heart to pound erratically in her chest.

In truth he was deeply interested, it was more than that even. Seeing her wrapped in the dress and jacket, the wind blew the tendrils of her hair about her face making her even more captivating. He wanted nothing more than to simply court her and make her his. He froze, why not? She had allowed him to hold her and all the signals that she was sending indicated that she found him at least attractive. What would it hurt to let his intentions be known?

"Julia, of course I am interested in your love life. In fact, if I may be so bold? I wish to court you. I know that the situation isn't exactly advantageous for all of the traditional things, but I can make do with the situation."

"Court Me!" She gasped looking into his eyes. She didn't know what to think or say to that.

"Yes, permit me?"

It took every ounce of his patience to grind out the words, but he wanted this done right, he would not allow himself to screw up once again.

She was speechless, Captain Hook had just asked for permission to court her. What if she said no, would he kill her? And yet he was being so gentlemanly, he was looking at her expectantly still holding her hand with his left.

"James, I don't know what to say……… I mean you don't even know me, you're a pirate…I mean, that isn't a bad thing, it's just I would like to get to know you first."

He closed the distance between them, lifting her chin and looking into her nervous warm eyes. Seeing his opportunity, he began to stroke her cheek, seducing her into surrender.

"That is the idea, Julia. By allowing me to court you, we can get to know each other."

She felt overwhelmed again, closing her eyes. She was stuck, his warm hand on her face felt incredibly right. But the knowledge of who he was clawed at her subconscious, telling her to be wary.

His hand had wrapped about the back of her neck, and she found herself relaxing into his grip, his fingers gently massaging the knots that he found. He closed the distance even further bringing his lips to her cheek and kissing her softly. The feeling shot down her spine. But just as suddenly there was a rush of ice cold water over them as they were drenched from above.

They both sprang apart sopping wet and freezing at the sound of what appeared to be a rooster crowing from above.

Hook was furious, his sword flew from the sheath as he whirled around searching for whom had soaked them, knowing full well who it was. His gaze rested on the yardarm for there stood his dreaded nemesis, Peter Pan, laughing in hysterics, at the drenched couple.

Peter couldn't believe what he had stumbled upon, Captain Hook had kissed a woman. His reaction had come so quickly that he didn't have time to think of who the Captain was kissing. All Peter knew, was that kissing lead to happy thoughts and Captain Hook, in his opinion, should never have a happy thought.

Julia stood backed against the railing, ice cold salt water dripping off her coat and dress. The clothing clung to her skin and she visibly shook from the freezing breeze. She watched transfixed as James turned from gentlemanly suitor to nefarious pirate in a matter of seconds. His beautiful blue eyes flashing red in anger, his hair hung over his face wet and clinging to his skin.

He halted at the site of the boy laughing, feeling the ice cold of the salt water creep into his bones. Holding the bridge of his nose in frustration, he looked back at Julia who was equally soaked and freezing.

"Boy, I swear when I catch you, I'm going to skin you alive and wear you as a coat! Why don't you come down here and fight me instead of resorting to your adolescent tomfoolery!"

"I just thought that you and your lady friend could use some "cooling off."

"Well at least I have a lady friend, do tell me boy where is your Wendy? Oh yes, after you killed me last time, did she still leave?"

Hook observed Peter's face burning with anger and embarrassment.

Peter could not reply to the Captain's words, it was true. Wendy had left, leaving him with a larger void then he could ever admit. He had felt so different since she had kissed him. He was angry at many things including the Captain, he had even driven away Tinkerbell in the process. Peter stopped for a moment to finally stare at the Captain's companion who was now shivering, he looked into her eyes when the feeling, that he had felt earlier, shot through him again. She was warm, pure and youthful. It radiated off of her and Peter was in shock, she was an adult, he hadn't expected the feeling to come from an adult. But she had been in the Captain's arms, and when he had kissed her she had not recoiled. This didn't make sense, Captain Hook was not supposed to be loved, that went against everything that Peter had come to believe.

Flying over Julia he yelled down at her.

"Let me give you a little advice about Captain Hook, I don't know who you are or where you are from, but Captain Hook is evil, he will hurt you and he will kill you and take whatever he wants!"

All the while, Julia observed James darting in vain beneath the flying brat, attempting to hit him with his sword. She stood trembling in anger. Who was this little brat to tell her about who is evil, he was the one that had dumped the freezing water down her back. It was then that James finally wizened up pulling out his gun. His hair and clothes were a mess, and the look in his eyes was vacant and crazed. Shooting wildly above him at the flying menace, his men soon following, until the sound of gunfire echoed throughout the cove. However, Peter flew with ease back into the forest, leaving Captain Hook sulking and pulling his hair in anger.

Collapsing , he slammed his Hook into the Poop deck.

"That STUPID BOY!!! That stupid, stupid flying brat!! Why, why must this always happen to me!?"

Julia nervously approached the heap that was the Captain on the deck. In truth she felt terrible for him. She leaned down over him, pushing some of his hair off his face. Sighing she answered him.

"James, you know very well why. You are Captain Hook and he is Peter Pan, it is how it is written."

He rolled over looking at the woman above him, her hand came to rest on his face gently stroking the five o'clock shadow on his cheek. She was smiling down at him although trembling from the cold. She was lovely, even with the salt crystals on her skin and in her hair. He felt warmth looking up at her and he could not recall ever feeling it before.

"I suppose so my dear, but you forgot one thing, you are not supposed to be a part of the story and that is a comforting thought…… Now I don't know about you, but I think a hot bath is in order."