Peter and the Starcatchers

Chapter 6: Learning to Fly

When he woke the sun poured on Peter's face. He yawned and stretched while he pushed his covers off. He whistled and a smiling Tinkerbell swirled around his head.

"Hullo Tink!" he called brightly, following the little fairy as she darted about the room. "Come on! We have to prepare for Wendy and her brothers!" He leapt from the small tree house and flew into the air. Tinkerbell followed him in circles around his head. She asked him questions with her tinkling bell sounds.

"Ya think she cooks?" Peter stooped down by the lagoon and caught a fish with his hand. He looked around for a small bucket filled with water. When he didn't find one he scowled.

"I thought I told Curly last night to.."

Just then Curly scurried in with a small bucket. He dipped it into the water and pulled it out. He set it beside Peter, smiled, then ran off.

Peter sighed and dropped the fish into the bucket, splashing water over the side. He caught six more fish then left. He then flew to the tree house and set the bucket by the stove. He looked around tapping his chin with his forefinger.

"Where will she sleep?" he thought aloud.

Tinkerbell stopped in midair and tinkled her bell sounds furiously.

"Of course she's staying Tink."

More furious twinkling. The outraged fairy stomped her feet and slipped, falling on her rear. She pouted and stared at Peter.

Peter smiled. "She will sleep in my bed!"

Tinkerbell scoffed and flew outside. Peter flew after her and was delighted to see it was dark out.

"Come on Tink!"

He turned and flew out into London. Tinkerbell trailed after him reluctantly. Peter smiled as he flew and darted about in circles. He side-glanced at Tink and saw her grumpiness.

"Aw come on Tink!" He ruffled her hair with a single finger. "She's great and you'll love her!"

He curved to the left and landed on the ledge. It was dark but he made out three figures. Two were sleeping in their bed. One, the girl, was sitting up…waiting. Peter lightly stepped down from the ledge and onto the floor. Wendy stirred.

Peter hovered over to her bed and landed beside it. Wendy smiled down at him and moved over slightly, making room for him. He sat down.

"You came," she whispered hugging him. "I knew you would, but Michael and John had their doubts." She then kissed his cheek. Thought she couldn't tell, he blushed.

"Where's my shadow?" he asked curiously looking around.

Wendy got up and walked to her dresser. She smiled as she pulled it out and held it up for him to see. At the sight of Peter the shadow escaped her grasp and lunged for the wall. Peter jumped into the air and grabbed it by the ankle. He landed on the floor and sat. He tried several times to try and get the shadow to stick and finally asked for soap.

"Soap?" Wendy asked giggling. She shook her head. "No soap won't do, I'll have to sew it on for you."

Peter grimaced as Wendy came back with a needle.

"This may hurt a little," she warned.

When it was over Peter smiled, glee on his face. "Oh the cleverness of me!" he shouted and ran to a wall to test it out.

Wendy frowned and climbed back in bed.

"Wendy?"

"Goodnight."

Peter sighed and sat on the edge of her bed. He pulled her covers off and pulled her up by the hand and smirked. He slowly began rising off the floor. Wendy gasped and held on tighter. Peter laughed and let her go. Suddenly she began to fall. An inch from the ground, he caught her in his arms. He frowned as he set her down.

"That won't do. What's the matter with you? All it takes it faith and trust." He snapped is fingers. "Oh! And something I forgot." He snatched at Tinkerbell. "Dust!"

"Dust?" they chimed together. John and Michael had awakened and were now sitting up in bed.

"Uh-huh." He shook Tink, emptying dust onto his hand.

Michael and John sprang from their beds and raced to stand next to Peter. He let the pixie dust flow through his fingers and onto the boys' heads. They rose a few feet and started to scream. Peter covered their mouths.

Wendy stood by Peter and looked at him with her pretty blue eyes. He stared at her a moment willing her, with his mind, to kiss him. When she only stared back he blew the dust into her face. She blinked repeatedly so the dust wouldn't enter her eyes.

She rose a few feet and grabbed for Peter's hand. When she steadied herself she let go and began to swim through the air. Peter smiled and beckoned them out the window.

"Off to Neverland!" he shouted.

"Oh," Wendy said slowly falling. "What about mother?"

"And father." John landed also.

"And Nana," Michael said landing next to his siblings.

"There are mermaids," Peter began.

"Mermaids!" she gasped and rose once again.

"And Indians!"

"Indians!" Michael clapped his hands and began to lift off the floor.

"Pirates!"

"Pirates!" John let the grin shine across his face. "Woo hoo!" he laid flat and flew out the window.

Michael followed, flipping about.

Wendy landed on her windowsill and faced the starry night. She turned to glance at the nursery. Peter was getting impatient. He put his lips close to her ear.

"Forget them Wendy. Forget them all. Come with me to Neverland! Where you'll never, never, have to worry about grown-up things again."

"Never, is an awfully long time."

Peter sighed taking the hint she that she was not coming. She turned and pushed off the ledge. And they flew hand-and-hand to an adventure that would never die.

THE END