After the captain had left her that day,( or shall we say, that evening?), Wendy had the men bring in in a bath, and for an hour she lay in the water, never noticing that it was cooling down.
She cried, just a little, for no good reason. She wasn't certain of why she did, it just seemed that she should. After all, she was no longer a young girl, innocent and carefree. However, her tears were more of relief than of bitterness, and she felt refreshed after she washed them off of her face.
In her mind a nagging voice kept trying to shame her, but it was such a sad thing to listen too, that she ignored it, and concentrated more on the future. After all, the deed was done. More than once, she thought, and she grinned to herself in a most unladylike manner.
Now she had to think. . .should she really insist that the Captain marry her? What would she do then? What would be the life of a seaman's bride? And what if this had been a whole trick on his behalf, simply to lure her into submitting?
What should she do if she found out he was truly a cruel and wicked man?
She almost allowed herself to become anxious. . .before sensible Wendy. . .who had been against the whole thing at first, listed in quite a frank manner the many chances he had to be cruel, and had not taken. After all, he could have simply had her by force then dumped her over the ship's rail on the the first day.
Why bother to spend so much time and effort to seduce her. . .?
As she argued these things with herself, she raised her hand to brush away a lock of her hair, and the ring flashed on her finger.
She admired it again, wondering from which treasure chest he had dug it last night while she slept.
" Oh please don't let it have been stolen! " she sighed.
She slipped it off and peered inside to see if there was a marking. Just as she suspected, there was a line of tiny engraving. She turned it toward the light, frowning and trying to make out the fine script.
When she did, her fingers shook, and she almost let it slip from her grasp. The script said:
"I promise "
And then her initials, W.D.
Wendy Darling.
He hadn't rifled it from some forgotten jewelry heap in the ship's bowels! He had bought it in town. She was so excited she almost jumped from the bathtub to go and find him.
Then sensible Wendy spoke, again, counseling her against behaving in too eager a fashion. Best still to be the lady, Wendy. And the pirate. . .she thought. After all she was still part of the crew, and she felt just wonderful enough, even if a little tired, to enjoy it.
Although she had to admit, she was glad it she had nothing to do that evening, except dress, and perhaps eat a little supper. Her legs felt weak and trembly still, and she was sure that everyone would be able to look at her face and know exactly what had transpired.
By tomorrow, the blush would perhaps be quieted, and her smile more of a normal size.
On his first walk around the ship. . .he noticed nothing. He was too entangled in his own head. When he returned to his cabin, he still hadn't regained control of his heart, or his mind.
He walked around the ship again.
This time he noticed that the men were talking, and lazing about. Some sniggered at each other, over some joke or tale. He still couldn't decide what he needed to do, so he took yet another stroll.
This time he began to suspect that the men were laughing at him.
It was fortunate for them that he was not armed.
He groaned, mentally cursing himself. Since when had he ever become so distracted that he stepped foot out of his study un-armed? He glowered at the offensive pirates, hoping they would take a subtle hint as to his mood.
What was his mood? He wasn't certain. . .he felt. . .elated. A little more than he had ever felt after bedding a woman, and for him that was quite a history.
It wasn't what he did feel that worried him. It was what he did not feel; namely the desire to be rid of her after he had gotten what he wanted. He was still maddeningly, and jealously in love this morning, and after three and a half trips around the Jolly Roger, he found that he wanted to see her again.
He wanted to see her so much, that he turned on his heel and strode swiftly back to the ship, leaving a few of his men, scratching their heads at his odd behavior.
Wendy's exit from the ships dimly lit indoors was perfectly timed for a collision with Hook, who was entering at a pace a little faster than swift.
" Watch your step!" he growled, as the younger pirate bowled into him.
" I'm sorry!" she said, in a voice laced with amusement.
" Wendy!" he said, startled. " I-..."
" Have forgotten me so soon? How like a pirate." she said, a cool and teasing way.
" I didn't forget you! " he said. " I see the suit fits you well." he changed the subject smoothly, admiring her form in the black ensemble. She raised a hand gracefully, allowing the full ruffled sleeve to billow in a seductive was.
" It is a delightful suit of clothing. I'll have to thank you for it...someday. " she said.
" I am an impatient man..." he responded, forgetting his earlier turmoil.
" So I have deduced. I would kiss you. . .but you seemed just now to be in haste. Am I keeping you from something?"
Damn her.
He did not wish to admit that he was hastening to her side. Nor did he have a lie or excuse in the forefront of his mind. He took hold of her chin roughly, forcing her to look up at him. He was glaring at her in a way that would have had most men's knees quaking. She merely looked up at him from beneath her lashes.
It brought back to his memory the images of the night before,. . .her beneath him, her eyes turned up to him trustingly.
He faltered in the remark he was about to make to her...and she took the opportunity to stand on tiptoe and kiss him, with no coercion on his behalf. The gesture was so pure, that it struck a chord of longing in his gut, and he was tempted to throw her over his shoulder and take her to his bed. Maybe keep her prisoner there for a few days, until she learned how not to be
so. . . so. . .tempting.
But, he kept control of himself, (and not without great struggle).
" I was just about to order some repast. Would you care to join me?" he asked, after re-locating his suave demeanor, and taking her hand.
" I would like that very much, Captain." she bowed a little.
" And where were you off to ?" he asked.
" For a stroll around deck, to collect my thoughts." she said.
He choked a little on his own surprise. To collect her thoughts! He would not now admit for any sum of money that he had just been doing exactly that.
" Well, don't let me keep you. I have some businesses to attend to before dining, so I will have someone come fetch you whenever the meal is served. Go amuse yourself in one of those ways that females are inclined to do." he said with aloofness.
If he was expecting Wendy to crumble or even show a tear, he would have been disappointed. She merely bowed her head and brushed a kiss along the ridge of his knuckles.
" As my Captain wishes." she said.
Damn her again.
Wendy did stroll around the ship. She was beginning to know a few of the men, and had nothing to fear from them. They would never dare, not even the roughest, to try to offend the Captains mistress. Especially not one that he was so smitten with. Instead, they doffed their caps, and said "ma'am" to her.
They were not so blind that hey did not notice the ring set on her slender hand.
That ring meant a swift execution to anyone who so much as spit in her presence, they thought, and so, the better part of them avoided her altogether.
So Wendy wandered along the rail, watching the fish as they leaped in the silvery water. As she went she began talking to herself, making up a new story in her mind. It began there at the island, but had the pirates deciding to sail out to seek new adventures and treasures across the sea. She had the ship being sunk by an opposing force of pirates, they all had to fight brilliantly, swords flashing, flags flying. . .
And her handsome Captain was at the forefront of the battle, gashing and slicing his way through the filthy pirates invading their ship. When the last of the vermin had fallen or surrendered, Hook would take their ship and raise the Jolly Roger's flag high over the seas.
She was so involved in her fantasy that she didn't hear the Captain's step behind her. He watched, puzzled a moment as she acted out a silent sword play against the imaginary foe.
" Is collecting your thoughts always such a struggle?" he asked.
She gasped, whirling around to face him.
" Must you walk so silently?" she asked in exasperation.
He waved his hand in nonchalance. " It is the signature of a villain. . ."
" It is a little disconcerting. . ." she laughed.
" As is your sword practice. I hope you are not intending on assaulting anyone."
" Of course not! I was. . .I was making up stories, is all."
" Delightful. If you care to join me for dinner. . .perhaps you could tell me one of your tales."
"Something with pirates?" she asked, taking his offered arm.
" All good stories should have pirates."
" What else should they have?"
" A dashing and irresistibly handsome Captain." he said.
" Oh, I see. And what else?"
" That's all a good story really needs." he said, smiling smugly.
" Perhaps I should begin the tale now, then. It starts with ...once there was a handsome pirate Captain."
" I like this story." he said.
" He was marooned on an island, because he was insufferably arrogant. . ."
" Insufferably arrogant! That isn't a crime worthy of marooning! I do hope this is poetic license and not a warning."
" Perhaps." she smiled as they seated themselves at the dinner table.
They ate in almost complete silence, until the dessert. Then Wendy began to tell a story. Not a new one, but a dusty one left over from the old days of the nursery. She had almost forgotten it, but as she began, she found that it came back, in pieces.
It had been one of her brothers' favorites.
Thinking of that gave her a slight twinge of melancholy and homesickness. She must have lost her train of thought, for she looked up to see him frowning across the table at her.
" What is the matter?" he asked. " Did you forget the ending?"
"Oh...no. No I didn't forget the ending. I just remembered that it was a favorite story of my brothers'."
" Brothers. Oh yes. You did have brothers didn't you?"
" Yes...John and Michael. They didn't even say goodbye to me when I left. They thought I was an absurd girl, and that I couldn't return to Neverland."
" Well. . .you are absurd. But, you are also in Neverland, drinking rum on a pirate ship and eating the largest cream filled pastry imaginable. Don't you just wonder what they are doing?" he jested.
Wendy sighed.
" Well yes, I do wonder."
Hooks face darkened, as he watched her.
" What are you thinking?" he demanded, that sharp jealousy ripping through him again.
" Hmmm? Oh, I was thinking it would be nice to visit London again someday."
He slammed his fist down on the table, shaking the glasses.
" I thought you promised to stay with me?" he shouted.
Wendy's eyes widened in surprise, but she didn't flinch.
" I don't have to leave you, to think about London. " she said, taking another sip of her drink.
She had to look away, because Hook was pouting in a very childlike manner, reminding her of Peter.
" Besides, if I did want to go to London. . .there is no reason why I should have to go alone, is there?" she ventured.
" What do you mean?" he asked sulkily.
" Why couldn't you come back with me?" she pushed her plate back and leaned on the table so that she could look up into his face.
" Why should I want to?" he asked. He began to tear at the tablecloth using the tip of the hook.
" Pillaging and plundering? Pastry shops. . .? The adventure?" she said asked. He was at least looking at her now.
" I thought you wanted to sail out across the sea to seek new adventure?" he said, lifting a brow.
Wendy thought for a moment. Did she really want to return to London just yet? After all, it would be rather difficult to explain to her mother and father why she had disappeared
again. . .and why she had returned with a companion.
She had most likely been here in this world for a week, or maybe two. . .she wasn't certain, but surely she could postpone thinking about home for a while longer.
" I thought you said that you had no desire to ever leave this place. . ." she replied.
" I didn't say I wouldn't though."
" Well, you haven't yet said that you will, either." she huffed.
Seeing her aggravation, he grinned.
" Would you prefer a sea voyage. . .to returning to dreary old London?" he asked.
He needn't have asked. Already there were stars in Wendy's eyes. . .as she thought of the stories, and new wonders that might be lying just over the horizon.
" Yes! " she said, her smile wide and sincere.
He was tempted to torment her. . .perhaps anger her. But he resisted the temptation easily enough when another caught his imagination. She was leaned over the table in a way that was making her breasts very obvious, even through the layers of clothing.
Her hand with the ring on it was laying near his, and he took it, pulling her to her feet.
'' Tell me more of this marooned Captain." he said, pulling her onto his lap.
Wendy was puzzled at first, but realized quickly enough that he was teasing. Or at least, diverting her attention so that he could fondle her through the clothes.
She tried to look stern as she pushed his hands down.
" He was saved. He was only three minutes away from starving when a beautiful carved boat, all ivory in color sailed into view. ' Help!' He cried. ' I have only three minutes to live!'
The boat anchored with a gilt anchor and let down a gangplank. Down the plank walked a beautiful young woman."
"Beautiful?'' he murmured teasingly into her ear.
" Yes! Beautiful. And if he doesn't think so, she can always leave him marooned for the rest of his short life!" Wendy said.
" By all means, my beauty, go on. . ."
" The woman rushed to the pirates side, and saved him from certain death, giving him a small cake to eat from her hand, and a drink from her flask."
" He would be indebted to her. . ." Hook mumbled against Wendy's neck.
Ignoring him, Wendy continued.
" 'Who are you?' demanded the pirate, and the woman said " I am your guardian, sent from a far away land. I have saved your life, and now you are in my debt and must repay me with a favor...'
' Yes, of course!' cried the pirate captain...' What is it you desire.' ''
" Yes...tell the pirate what it is you desire," Hook breathed against her skin. Wendy was finding it increasingly difficult to think.
" The woman said ' you must take me on an adventure, across the sea, to a new land. It might be dangerous, but you will be brave. There might be battles, but you will be triumphant...you...you..." she trailed off, unable to continue, now that he had covered her mouth with his.
" And of course, he wins the heart and hand of fair damsel, no doubt?" he asked, when he pulled away to catch his breath.
" Or dies valiantly while defending her. . ." Wendy said.
" Perhaps she will die defending him."
" She would be willing."
He kissed her again.
" What is that?" she exclaimed suddenly.
He looked bewildered a moment, trying to locate the source of her new interest. She was frowning out of the window.
" What?" he asked.
" I thought. . .no. That is silly. " she said, almost to herself.
" What is?" he asked, trying to catch her attention again.
" I was sure I saw. . .Tinkerbell. At that window."
" Oh. . .you did, did you?'' he sat her gently on her feet and rose to stride toward the window.
"Do you know what that means? That means that Pan is here!'' he snarled.
" But he promised me he wouldn't. . ." she stopped, remembering that he had not promised not to renew the animosity between Hook and himself.
" He doesn't keep promises. He doesn't honor any memories. He is just a boy!" he spat...not at Wendy, but at the room.
" What does it mean? That he will try to attack the ship? Surely you can best him! " she said, recalling the last fight, where only she had been the intervention that had saved Peter's life.
" That was play acting to what this will be, I am afraid. Pan has been in a dark mood these last years. He is nursing a wounded pride, and that is the most deadly weapon of all."
" Wounded pride? Because I came back to you?" she asked, watching as he paced the room.
" No, a wounded pride because he lost, and only a girl could save him." Hook sighed. " If that fairy returns she'll tell him that you are not dead. What will he do then, hmmm?"
" I-I don't know. " Wendy truly didn't.
" The rules here are simple, Wendy. If you live as a pirate. . .you die as a pirate." he whispered.
Wendy saw in her mind's eye, the coldness and blood thirst she had seen in Peter's face when she had returned. He had a determination to play the game his way. . .and Wendy was tired of playing. She was enjoying being a grownup, and no pretend of Peter's was going to steal that joy from her.
She had to do it.
She walked to the window, and opened it. She saw the quick light that could only be a fairy as it hid itself from her gaze. Taking a deep and bracing breath, Wendy said the first thing that came to her mind.
" I do NOT believe in fairies!" Her voice rang loudly across the quiet land, and the soft lagoon.
The fairy glow flickered sadly a moment, then extinguished.
Wendy turned to face a stunned James Hook. She would like to feel a little remorseful about her deed, but she found it very difficult.
Tinkerbell, had never been a friend to her. ( She had even had Wendy shot!)
Raising her chin, Wendy looked straight into Hook's eyes.
" She will not be relaying any messaged to anyone, I am afraid." She pulled the window shut behind her. " Let us go be sure she is gone. . ."
The captain watched her as she strode past him. Had she really just done that? He grinned.
Well, well, well...
Wendy was a pirate after all!