24.
What ends may bring
They spent the next few days...in a state of increasing restlessness. The house seemed to grow smaller with each passing evening, and the Captain's moods began to grow darker. Wendy wondered if it had anything to do with Peter's escape...or if he were merely feeling cramped in the close confines of town.
They had gone out, after Christmas, and as Wendy had predicted...London seemed dreary. She felt an increasing homesickness for Neverland, She couldn't help but think of the colored fountains in Neverland; the jugglers and clowns on every street corner, the thrill of excitement, even when nothing was happening.
She had attempted to share these stories with John and Michael, but John had turned suddenly pompous. He merely patted her shoulder and told her it was no longer necessary for her to entertain them with tales and stories.
After the the first night, John had decided to forget everything...all of the adventures they had experienced as children. He became an absolute grown-up, and a bit of an ass...but he was cordial enough to Wendy, and to the captain, after that, perfectly willing to believe that this was the captain of a merchant vessel.
Offended at John's manner, she refused to be more than just icily polite to him. She found Michael to be just as obstinate in a different way. He was rather meek, with every promise of becoming a pale gentleman. He didn't want to hear about anything too violent, or too difficult. He liked the exotic gifts, but he wanted nothing to do with pirates, or savages...He had his father's nervous disposition, and preferred to stay quietly in the shadows.
Wendy found that conversation with her mother was equally frustrating. Mary Darling was still gracious, and still indulgent, but she was a busy woman. She was too preoccupied with observing proprieties, and standing on ceremony, that she had little time for more than a brief word or two in the parlour after tea.
Wendy's father was equally distracted, and though jovial, he tended to lean towards lectures when it came to the manner of how the books should be kept smartly and precisely. He seemed still to be a little dazed as to how his eldest daughter had managed to ' acquire ' a husband of such magnitude. Wendy only smiled in a faint imitation of her mother.
As for Aunt Millicent, and her young pupil, Elisabeth? Well, Aunt Millicent rather made it a point that Wendy would not be the best company, or the most appropriate role model for the younger girl, which made Wendy sad...even if she and Elisabeth had never been entirely fond of one another. Wendy was much older than Elisabeth, ( It was rather understood between George and Mary Darling that they were to have only the three children...but apparently they had succumbed to a manner of comforting each other during the absence of their older three children, that had initially resulted in Elisabeth's being.) and had always been rather amazed at Elisabeth's lack of humor, or adventure.
Of course, Millicent didn't believe Wendy to be exceptionally good company for herself either, to which Wendy wholeheartedly, but silently, agreed.
At last Wendy summoned her courage and confronted the Captain as to why they were stalling here, when they had seen and done everything short of paying calls of respect to her old school-fellows.
He had fixed her with nearly the same look he had, on the day she had roused him from the spell of the waking days...and her had said vaguely that he had business here to attend yet. True, he often did leave the house, on private excursions...and though Wendy was maddeningly curious, she held her tongue.
With him, that is. But she found that Jane...who was not schooled in precisely the same way as London maids,... was quite friendly...and very worldly. It was not long before she had many of Wendy's questions answered, and given her many answers to other questions which she had never thought to ask.
The most awkward question was one that Wendy had tried to put to the Neverland doctor, but had stammered around and eventually lost her courage, even though he had patiently tried to listen.
The question involved Wendy's curiosity as to how children resulted. It was one of Aunt Millicent's more thought provoking warnings that young girls who allow themselves to be seduced always end up scandalized by becoming in a ' family way '.
Now that Wendy had been ' seduced ', she worried that there might be some rather dire consequences.
Jane was very helpful in answering all of her queries, and providing information as to how a woman might even prevent pregnancy...if she desired. Wendy, of course, thought that was scandalous! So naturally she begged Jane to tell her more. It wasn't that she did not want to have her own children, someday...but she was still young, and she would never age in Neverland if she did not wish too.
Therefore, it seemed to her, that it would be prudent to take the precautions that Jane seemed to be skilled at, until the time that she, and James, decided that it was truly what they wanted. She could not really imagine him as someone who would want to have children...especially as bothersome as the lost boys had always been to him.
She asked Jane if Jane thought the Captain would be angry, should she accidentally conceive, and Jane had raised a brow at her, and said, rather cheekily, that she did not believe the Captain would disapprove of anything that Wendy did.
Wendy had smiled at that, and the conversation ended with Jane reassuring Wendy, as she filled her a bathtub, that she had been hired to attend to Wendy, and to take care of her, and she was exactly what she would always strive to do. Wendy had asked her if she missed being away from her family, and Jane had again raised a brow, and, with a hand on her hip, she said;
" Oh, I think any real woman would find being on a ship full of pirates well worth the heart- ache of homesickness. After all, there are so many different ways of seeking comfort." and she had winked.
Wendy was still grinning at that thought a half an hour later as she lay in the tub. She had a curtain drawn around it to keep out the chill, but though it helped...she could no longer deny that the water was growing decidedly cooler.
Jane called to ask her if she were ready for her robe, and she sighed, reluctant to leave the sleepy, fragrant water, but determined not to fall asleep and drown in a bathtub.
" Well, well...and what do we have here? A little mermaid...perhaps?" drawled the arrogant voice of the Captain.
" Oh! You are home..." she stated, in a cheerful voice.
" So it would seem...unless I am only a figment of your imagination...?"
" Do not even tease about such a thing!" she chided.
He stepped closer, and she reflexively lowered herself as far as she could go in the water.
" Don't draw the curtain!" she said.
" Oh...and a good evening to you too. " he scoffed. " And why might I ask...should I not?"
" It is a good evening,let us not... spoil it." she warned. She knew she was being foolishly modest. It must have something to do with the air here, she thought.
He reached a hand over and fingered the curtain. she could see his shadow throughout the thin fabric.
' Have I ever...spoiled anything? he inquired. His voice had the seductive richness that suggested liquor. It sent little chills down her pine, to know he was just there.
" Might I ask where you have been? " she changed the subject...and splashed some water around to taunt him.
" You may. And I will even give you an answer." he said. " I have been seeking out some of my old contacts here who might know the whereabouts of Pan."
" Excluding me from your adventures already? " she pouted.
" Only the ones which are not adventurous, and might endanger you more than you endanger yourself."
" I always take great care with my safety." she said.
" Is that so?"
" Yes of course. Now was there any word of Pan?''
" Oh...a few words. Apparently he is already found a new and adventurous life here in London. Apparently he is just suited to live life as a street urchin, stealing penny candy and leading a group of rag tag orphans through the alleys." he snorted. " Still a foolish boy, I see. I let him...I mean, he escapes, and only to eventually have himself caught by the authorities for stealing candy. He really never was foe enough for me!" he exclaimed
Wendy's lips twitched. " No one will ever be foe enough for James Hook!" she said.
" Oh, yes, that reminds me, little Wendy. Your Peter has forgotten you as well...save your tears though... " he added sarcastically " For he has found the window of another girl."
" I have no tears to shed for Peter Pan!" Wendy said, laughing. " I think he was perfectly horrid for shooting you!"
" And what must I think of you, for you too, have shot a pirate?" he mused
" Think what you will...I was only defending my honor. Some one must defend it, you know. Might I have my robe, it is becoming very cold in here..."
" Is it?" and before she could answer he had thrown the curtain back.
She did not make a sound, but she did glower at him. The water was up to her ears, and her hair, which was hastily piled on her head, had escaped in a few places, and tendrils of it were tickling the quickly diminishing soap bubbles.
Those same soap bubbles were a bit remorse in completely covering her, so on occasion along the tubs length, tantalizing peeks of skin were revealed under the foamy water.
Only her face and her two rounded, rosy knees were above surface, and he was tempted to dive in after her. Unfortunately, the tub was much to small to allow another person, without some sort of re-arrangement, so he satisfied himself with taunting her.
" It isn't mermaid at all! " he said sarcastically. " It is...a Wendy, divested of her plumage! What a plump morsel, is this bathing peahen... "
Wendy shivered...not entirely from the draft that was now free to come and go as it pleased.
" Certainly there is a better time and place for teasing!" she exclaimed.
He appeared to consider this. " I can not really think of another situation where I would have you so at my mercy..."
" Captain Hook, I am never at your mercy!" she retorted.
" Oh, I believe you are. You are in your father and mother's house, therefore you cannot scream..." he grinned evilly." and I seriously doubt you have the courage to stand and face me. You are at my mercy, to lie in the water and suffer until I see fit to hand you this...'' he brought his hooked hand from behind his back. Dangling off of the sharp point was her gown.
She tried to seize it, but he easily flicked it out of her reach, and her effort only caused her to splash some of the water out of the tub, baring one breast briefly.
" Please hand it to me...?" she tried, when he only laughed at her effort.
" I do so love to hear you plead..." he taunted. He did. There was something so magnificent in her when she became agitated...the blaze of her eyes and the color that blessed her cheek.
" The water is cold! Do you want me to catch my death?" she demanded, trying again to reach for the robe, which he was waving just out of her grasp.
" Would you like me to warm it for you...?'' he purred.
" No I..." but she trailed off, as she was ensnared by the forget-me-not blue of his eyes...so close to her, as if he were going to kiss her.
Instead, he plunged his hand into the water, ruining a silk shirt in the process. She squeaked, trying to escape and stay covered at the same time.
" I'm afraid you cannot warm it that way..." she gasped, as he closed his hand around her ankle.
He rubbed his thumb over the delicate anklebone, smugly watching her expressions change.
" If there were more room in that teacup you call a bathing vessel, I could probably have the water boiling..." he leered at her. But, as much as he wanted to tease her, he had to admit that the water was to cold for her to remain submersed in. Maybe some other day. And some other bathtub...he thought.
He pulled away, and stepped back, holding the gown out to her. " I earlier accused you of not being brave enough to come retrieve your own robe...are you not going to defend your honor?" he teased.
" I am protecting my modesty!" she replied, to which he laughed.
" Modesty against honor...hmm...? " he fanned her with the cloth, causing her to shiver, " And what about modesty over comfort?"
" You try my patience sometimes!" she huffed. And surprising him just when he was about to relent and hand her the robe, she stood in the tub.
His throat went painfully dry as she stood, with the rivulets of water, and remainder of suds, falling languidly down her pale skin. she was slightly browner around the face and hands, where she had been in the sun, and she had become pleasantly plump and sleek in his keeping.
She looked every part of the well kept mistress, yet also there was the air of adventure and wildness about her. Even as she stepped over the side of the tub, gracefully, and carefully strode across the slippery floor, she held her head up..not even allowing him the pleasure of seeing her blush.
He might have allowed his eyes to go a-roaming, but she had kept hers steady and haughtily on his face. She walked right up against him, and allowed her wet body to just touch his..enough to dampen his entire front. When he could focus his eyes enough to meet her gaze, she merely pursed her lips primly at him, and extracted her robe from his hook.
" Whatever is the matter, Captain? Haven't you ever seen a woman without any clothes?" With a toss of her hair, she stepped around him, throwing the robe around her as she went.
Damn her! And when he had thought he was in perfect control! He turned to watch her as she strode to the bed.
She gave a little jump when she felt him tap her arm, but upon turning, she saw he had a towel with him.
" You are trailing water across your mother's floor." he chided, and he slipped the robe back off of her shoulders, replacing it with the towel...she continued to watch him, not without suspicion, as he toweled her dry, and re-wrapped her in the robe. Then he picked her up and stood her on the bed. Even at that height she did not have to bend over to kiss him.
" Tomorrow, we return to Neverland..." he said, looking into her eyes her to read her reaction. If he was expecting any sadness or regret, he was disappointed. Her look was one of relief and excitement.
" Are we still going to sail? To see what is across the sea?" she asked eagerly.
" If you wish it." he murmured.
" And fight pirates, and discover new continents?" she asked.
" That I do not know...but perhaps if you imagine it...?"
" And you are certain that Peter Pan can no longer return?" she was gazing at his mouth where her stolen kiss now resided. She wondered briefly if she could steal it back. It would be difficult, he guarded it very well.
" In a month, he will no longer recall Neverland." Hook said. " Besides, did I not tell you, he has found the window of another girl? Perhaps he has found one worth growing up for."
" Well, she is perfectly welcome to have him. They no doubt deserve each other. "
" You might not think so." he kissed her neck, purposely hiding her kiss from her. He could see how much she longed to take it back, just to tease him. Perhaps he might let her, one day. After all, it would be so damn fun to steal it back again!
" It is nothing to me." Wendy muttered, not particularly interested in Peter at the moment.
" But it is someone of your acquaintance." Hook said.
" Is it?' she was busy trying to unbutton his shirt buttons.
" Indeed. Would you like to know the name? I believe I have heard you mention it, a time or two..." he nuzzled her still-damp neck.
" Hmm? What is the name...?" she asked.
" Elisabeth Darling. " he stated.
Wendy pulled back suddenly, tripping on her own hem, and falling to the bed before he could catch her.
" Elisabeth!" Wendy exclaimed! " But she wouldn't!"
" Apparently, one sister is very like the other...and that means your dear old aunt has no luck at all when it comes to instructing young ladies." Hook grinned as if this were the greatest joke in all of the world.
" Elisabeth! " Wendy marvelled...still surprised, but recovered enough to be amused as well." Yes...poor aunt Millicent. Well, poor Mother and Father, actually. Are you certain?"
" Oh, yes. As I returned from my excursions this evening, there he was perched high at the nursery window, while she regaled him with a tale."
So...Peter had found another Darling. And this time, there was no Pirate Captain to lure her away...
In a new way, the old cycle had restored itself. It was almost to perfection, except for one thing...
Wendy turned to her Captain. " Then it is back to Neverland for you and I?" she grinned.
" It is my greatest wish. To live out the life that I love, with the woman I love. " he kissed her hand. Once they were returned, it would not matter where Pan was. Or where other's like him were. They had been the triumphant ones, therefor it was they who must return, to keep Neverland alive.
" And after a time, we will both become legends. Dreamed of by children, and forgotten by adults." he said.
" Do you really think so?"
" I know it will be so. I do not know how I know, only that I feel that it has happened to me this way before. And will continue to happen this way forever, only this time, I have a companion to accompany me."
Wendy smiled at him.
" You have me forever. she kissed him. "I promise."
" And the first thing we are going to do when we return..." he lifted her hand so that he could look at her ring, fingering it thoughtfully. It was still only an engagement ring... and she held her breath for his next words.
" ...Is kill that blasted crocodile!" he grinned up at her look of shocked disbelief.
" I..I ..." she faltered. For once she was completely lost for words.
Seeing this, he grinned even broader in triumph.
" And then I am going to marry you. Whether you like it or not! " he challenged her with a look that said victory was his.
" Well, after all, " she murmured, " I am completely at your mercy..." she finished her sentence...and her last words of the night, with a kiss, and while he was preoccupied with her acquiescence to his proposal, she stole her kiss back and secured it firmly in the right hand corner of her mouth.
" I will have that kiss back!" he growled in his best pirate voice. '' I promise!"