Chapter Two –

Wendy reached over and turned up the light. Standing back, she waited for the illuminating flames to reveal the figure that stood before her. Although he was still a boy, Peter Pan seemed to have changed from when she last saw him. It wasn't something physical, there was just something different about him, Wendy couldn't quite put her finger on it. His young partly clothed body was still tanned and covered in dirt as it had always been. His golden, blonde hair was still ruffled from his flight across town, and his piercing blue eyes still held the mischievous glint that had originally drawn her to him.

"Hello Wendy," said Peter softly. He wanted to be angry, he wanted to yell and scream and shout, but he couldn't do it. As soon as he saw her Peter's heart did a back flip, and no matter how hard he tried, Peter could not bring himself to cause her any pain. The way the soft light played upon her milky white skin and danced across her honey coloured hair made Peter knees buckle beneath him.

Peter's eyes locked on Wendy's and he was enchanted with the way they seemed to sparkle in the dim light. Wendy stared back into Peter's own piecing eyes felt as if she could have drowned in their depth.

Completely lost in the moment, the two of them seemed to have forgotten that there were seven other boys present. Wendy's brothers were delighted that Peter had come back. However, they did not appreciate being totally ignored.

"Eh hum! So sorry to interrupt folks," said John completely breaking the mood. "But Peter, what are you doing here?"

"Yeah, why have you come back Peter?" asked Nibbs. "You said that you would never come back and grow up."

"Does a father need a reason to visit his children?" Peter queried, drawing his gaze away from Wendy. He had decided not to tell the boys about what as happening to Neverland, at least not yet. First he must convince them to come back with him. Then and only then could Neverland be replenished and become the magnificent place it had once been.

"But, we already have a father," said one of the twins.

"And a mother," added Curley. Peter looked around at the boys who were now all nodding in agreement. 'What's going on here?' Peter though. Not so long ago every one of these boys would have gladly given their life for him. But now, he was questioned as to why he was here. No one ever questioned Peter Pan's authority. Looking down at the sea of young faces, Peter could see he no longer held their loyalty.

Seeing the rejection clearly written on Peter's face, Wendy decided it was time for her to speak up. "Come on boys, time for bed," she said. Though her request was met with much resistance, Wendy's word was final. When Mr. and Mrs. Darling are out whatever Wendy says goes. Reluctantly, the boys trudged out the bedroom door, but they had no intention to go to bed. As soon as Wendy closed the door, they all dashed back to find out what was going on. They all knew there was something going on between Peter Pan and Wendy Darling; the question now posed was what was to come of it? Ears pressed against the door, they listened eagerly to find out.

"Why have you come back Peter?" Wendy asked moving closer towards him.

"I told you," he said, "I wanted to see the boys." Wendy could tell he was lying but she decided to go along with his ruse, just to see how far he could go before he would have to tell her the truth.

"Oh Peter I'm sorry," she said pretending to look disappointed, "I'll bring them back in here." Wendy reached for the doorhandle but Peter seized her hand before she could reach it.

Wendy questionably raised an eyebrow at him. "But I thought you said you wanted to see the boys," she said sounding confused.

"Oh, right... ummm... I do, just not right now. Like you said, it's time for them to go to bed. They look tired anyway." Peter said quickly. "But if they go to bed now they won't be awake until the morning. I can only presume you won't be waiting around for them for that long. Besides, mother and father will be home by then and will be most displeased with you're being here."

Wendy's Aunt Millicent had insisted upon Mr. and Mrs. Darling attending more parties as 'damage control'. Not so long ago, for some reason unknown to him, Mr. Darling had blatantly told the board members at the bank that he... believed in fairies. As you can probably imagine, this did not go down to well with the Mr. Darling's superior at the bank, Sir Edward Quilligar, especially after the their dog slash nursemaid had come crashing into him while he been trying, though not succeeding, to make polite conversation with Sir Edward.

"Wendy come back with me," Peter blurted out taking her completely off guard.

"Wha-what?" she stammered pulling her hand away from his and stepping back. This was the last thing she expected... well maybe not the last thing, but it wasn't high up on her things-Peter-Pan-will-probably-ask- me list.

"Wendy... you must come back with me," Peter said, quickly stepping forward to reclaim her hand.

"Why? Why should I go back Peter?"

"Because... because..." he faulted. Peter knew he should tell Wendy how much he craved for her. He needed her like he needed oxygen... "Because the pirates are back," he lied. "I can't beat them by myself," he continued, "they are too many. Wendy, I need your help."

'So that's why he's back,' Wendy thought glumly. 'It wasn't for her; it was for his own profit and gain. Well Peter Pan, I'm afraid I won't be conned into leaving everything I know and love behind so easily this time.'

"I'm sorry Peter, but if it's an army you've come in search of I'm afraid your efforts will have been in vain, my brothers and I will not be joining you in Neverland this time, it is not our battle to fight. Our lives are in the real world now."

"But Wendy," said Peter looking at her intensely, "I didn't ask if the boys could come... I only want you."