Title: To Have and To Hold
Author: Squeezynz
Chapter: Fifteen - Those Noble Intentions.
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When Wendy and Aramis reappeared on the deck Peter was not there. The men had been busy, the main deck was once more scrubbed clean with only the row of canvas wrapped bodies to destroy the illusion of a ship well run and at peace. Of the pirate dead there was no evidence and Wendy didn't ask assuming, quite rightly, that the remains had been dropped overboard to feed the circling sharks and other carnivores. She had wanted to go and find Peter but Aramis had advised patience, leaving Wendy in the care of the good Doctor who endeavored to entertain her as the ship made its way out of the bay and far out to sea, chasing the setting sun.
Wendy responded to Harry automatically, her responses barely above the monosyllabic, her body tense with anticipation as she waited for Aramis to return or for Peter to appear.
In the end neither happened. Mister Stubbs eventually came up on deck to supervise the burial of the dead and the crew gathered around to commit the bodies to the deep with Captain Aramis deputizing for Peter at the last moment as the men tipped the plank, letting the canvas shrouds slip under the waves. What Wendy didn't see was that as each body touched the water a sparkle of gold was released, the shroud with its weights plunging into the depths but the body no longer within the folds. As the water settled smoothly after each splash the golden sparkles floated briefly on the surface before returning to the ship to be absorbed into the hull, glittering brightly against the paintwork before disappearing into the woodgrain.
If Wendy had seen this spectacle she might have had an inkling of what Harry had meant when he'd told her that the crew was not exactly who they appeared to be.
As it was, she didn't and no one was prepared to enlighten her, so she remained in ignorance of the true nature of the people she took to be as real as she was. In reality the only true humans aboard the Nymph were Wendy, Aramis and Peter, for the Nymph and her crew, brought into being so long ago in the service of Neverland, was created out of the Great Host. Each crew member was, in truth, a fairy in his own right, although he appeared to be modeled on a human male. Each was tied to the ship and its Captain for the duration of that Captain's rule, starting first with Aramis and transferring to Peter when he grew of age.
Each rivet and rope, yard arm and bucket was made from magic so that when anything was lost, broken or in the case of the sailors, slain its original form was returned to the ship as part of the Fairy Host to strengthen those that remained.
Of the three humans aboard the ship, only two knew the truth and both of them had lived with the ship so long they had all but forgotten its magical origins, the people aboard as real to them as themselves.
Now with the committal service over and the sun long gone below the horizon Wendy stood forlornly at the rail and wondered what she was to do next. The crew had gone to their stations to prepare to sail as ordered, the deck washed with the soft light of lanterns lit more for the passengers than the sailors who knew the planks better than their faces. Wandering aimlessly across to the door leading to the cabins, Wendy gave a little cry of alarm when a figure loomed out of the shadows and towered over her.
"Oh Mister Stubbs...you made me jump!"
"Sorry Miss...just came to take you down for a meal and your bed, you look all done in."
"I feel all done in...was there ever such a long day as this one. Where are we sailing for?"
"Skull Rock...eventually."
"Oh...do you know why?"
"Not my business to know...Captain's orders."
Wendy smiled a little grimly. "Which one."
"Captain Aramis of course."
"Of course."
"We're sailing out to deep water and the night air gets chilly, you'd best get inside miss."
"I do feel cold."
"Cook's prepared a meal for you in your cabin and I'm sure we can rustle up something more substantial for you to wear."
Wendy plucked at her dress, the fine fabric not remotely suitable for any of her recent activities, the material snagged and stained and completely ruined. Sighing she stepped through the door which Stubbs held open and walked to the cabin door of the room she'd used before.
Inside the cabin she sank down on the bunk suddenly weary beyond endurance. Stubbs appeared in the doorway with a tray which he set down on the bed beside her.
"Eat...sleep...you'll be that much better in the morning."
"Thank you Mister Stubbs. Is Peter...?"
"He's already eaten and been attended too by the Doctor, so don't worry about his hurts, for the most part they was only trifles."
"Oh...I see. Thank you Mister Stubbs...I'll see you in the morning then."
"Just leave the tray outside your door. Goodnight."
She waited for the cabin door to snick shut before burying her face in her hands and wondering if she'd ever be able to put things right again. Peter was obviously avoiding her and she wondered if she could mend what she had badly damaged with her lack of understanding. Aramis had given her a lot to think about, his shared history with Peter and Neverland and Hook so intertwined it made her head spin. Throw in all the business with the Oracle, the prophecy and the entity called The Keeper and she didn't know where to start to make sense of it all.
Pushing her tousled hair out of her face she sat leaning on one hand, the other against her cheek, staring down at the tray of food and considering if she might try a morsel before giving in to the urge to sleep forever.
In the end she made a good meal before making good use of the jug and basin on the wash stand. Feeling more refreshed she pulled open several drawers to find a change of clothes out of the small bureau in the corner. Tearing off the dress Hook had given her, Wendy gratefully donned fresh undergarments and a simple light wool, rose coloured, high waisted dress with sleeves down to her elbows. Warm and comfortable she nibbled on a piece of fruit before putting the tray outside the door. She longed to brush out her hair but she felt too tired and decided to leave that herculean task until the morning. Yawning she lay down fully clothed on the bunk and closed her eyes.
Minutes later the door opened a crack and Stubbs peered in. He had noticed how little had been eaten and was concerned. Seeing his charge fast asleep he made to shut the door again but a hand on his arm stopped him.
Peter stood beside him. "Is she well?"
"Not eating much, but she's changed her clothes and tidied herself up."
"Thank you Stubbs...take care of the tray for me."
Taking that as his dismissal, Stubbs carried the tray back to the galley, glancing back in time to see Peter slip into the cabin and close the door.
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He stood with his back pressed against the wood, the flickering candle barely illuminating the small room, the faint light gilding the girl on the bed laying on her side, her back to the room.
He listened to her breathing, willing her to sense his presence, but also hoping that she remained asleep. Pushing himself away from the door he stepped over to the porthole and stared out at the waves rushing past under the moonlit sky.
That side of the ship was in shadow and the moonlight barely penetrated the cabin, Peter welcoming the dark shadows hiding his face and body. He had known the Oracle was gone before anyone set foot on the Nymph, his awakened senses telling him the truth before it became known. It was as if he had a voice speaking to him in his head, a voice that spoke to him of things he couldn't possibly see, like the whereabouts of the Jolly Roger right at that moment, and of Hook, his rival and sworn enemy.
Unlike the force that had created the tornado, this voice also told him of things he didn't want to know, bringing images to his mind of cruel and hateful things that sickened him and made him wish the voice would leave him. Even now it was making pictures in his head of what he could do with the girl sleeping only feet from him, the images so cruel he almost cried out for them to stop, his fists bunching against the sides of his head as the voice became more insistent. It was the voice that had drawn him to the cabin, its promptings urging him on, preying on his need to see her, until to give himself some peace he went as ordered and now stood in the corner staring down at her.
As he stood there a figure started to coalesce in the small space between the bunk and the ships wall, its smoky robes swirling up to the ceiling and along the wall, curling around the end of the bed but never quite touching the girl still sleeping on the covers.
Peter watched the Keeper appear before him but found himself unable to utter a sound, his throat constricted even as he moved his lips to call out.
"Don't bother Pan...you can't call for help, not unless I release you, and I won't do that...not yet."
Rolling his eyes Peter tried to move but found himself frozen to the spot, his body immobile, only his eyes able to follow the Keepers movements as he floated around the small room. He tried to call on the force within him but it too was frozen. The Keeper loomed over the bunk, peering down at the girl below, his ethereal fingers appearing from his robes to stroke over Wendy's hair and face.
"Such a pretty trinket. No wonder you were ensnared, but you foolishly refused my offer of Kingship, so I have decided to offer it to another."
Struggling furiously against the force holding him, Peter managed to form one word from his strangled throat.
"N-n-n-o-o!"
"But yes..." The Keeper swung around and approached Peter, enveloping him in the smoky tendrils of his cloak, Peter recoiling from the touch of the Keeper as icy chills swept over his body. Suddenly, from the walls and floor, golden specks of light started to appear but they were given no chance to form an attack, the Keeper sweeping his arm in an arc that banished the fairy force before it could gather.
"Your fairy magic will have no place in this cabin while I am here."
Twisting away, the Keeper once more approached the bunk, inarticulate noises coming from Peter as the creature once more touched Wendy, enveloping her head with its vaporous touch.
"I think I might enjoy being mortal once more," the Keeper hissed, turning back to Peter and hovering in front of him. "It's been so long I've forgotten what it is to touch, to feel...but I know a way I can do all that...with a little help from you."
Before Peter could do more than glare impotently at the creature, he found his mouth full of its vapors, the Keeper pouring into Peter's mouth and nose, filling his lungs and stomach, seeping into each and every pore of his skin until there was nothing left in the cabin, the Keepers essence now inside Peter himself.
Immediately he found himself released, the tension in his muscles propelling him across the room to fall on the bunk across Wendy.
"Peter?" Wendy's sleepy query brought his head up, his face blank for a moment before a wide, ghastly grin stretched his lips wide and he slowly righted himself, allowing Wendy to sit up.
"Oh Peter, I so wanted to see you...I needed to tell you I'm sorry."
"There's no need Wendy...I understand." Peter's strangely monotone voice whispered out of the shadows, but Wendy was so intent on getting her feelings across that she didn't notice, at first, his abstracted air.
"There is a need. Aramis spoke to me...told me of his history. I understand so much better now..." She stopped when Peter's hand clamped itself on the back of her neck and jerked her forward towards him. Before she could cry out that he was hurting her, his lips had covered hers and smothered her, grinding against her mouth painfully, drawing blood as her lips cut into her teeth. She started to struggle but his grip was like iron and she couldn't dislodge him. Wrenching her mouth away she stared wide eyed into Peter's and what she saw scared her witless. The flames were back, not small like before, but leaping and blazing, Peter's eyes full red, flickering despite there being no light to provide a reflection, the feeble candle extinguished when Peter had fallen on the bed.
"Please...don't do this...Peter..." Her breathless whisper fell on ears that no longer heard her. As she struggled in earnest Peter pinned her to the bed, his mouth once more on hers, biting and sucking, punishing her as she kicked out and pummelled his back. Abruptly he pulled away, his hands holding her flailing hands beside her head as his body held her to the bunk.
"I like it when you fight...I'd forgotten what it was like to have a living, breathing creature struggle for its life in my grasp."
Wendy stared up at Peter in shock, his tone so unlike his usual voice she began to suspect that it was not her Peter trying to hurt her, but something that had taken over his body.
"Who are you?" She gasped, straining away from him when he leant down to run the flat of his tongue over her neck, her pulse leaping wildly under the skin.
"Who do you think I am?" He asked cryptically, biting her on the neck and making her whimper in pain.
"You're not my Peter...he would never hurt me the way you are."
"Well, well...you're not as stupid as I took you for." The Keeper, staring out of Peter's eyes, winked at the terrified girl, his hands squeezing her wrists so hard it brought tears to her eyes. "In pain are we?"
Biting her lip, Wendy fought the waves of agony from her arms and tilted her head up, spitting directly into Peter's face before letting her head fall back to the pillow. Above her Peter snarled, releasing one of her hands to draw his own back to slap her. As the sound of the blow faded the door of the cabin was flung open and it seemed to Wendy that the entire crew of the Nymph poured into the tiny room, light blinding her as, with a roar, Peter leap off her and backed up to the corner beside the chest of drawers, his teeth bared like an animal. As she tried to see through the press of bodies, Peter appeared to writhe in agony before something poured from his mouth and nose, the smoke forming into the shape of the Keeper briefly before disappearing through one of the walls. Peter immediately crumpled, his eyes rolling up into his head, his body caught by Stubbs before he could hit the wooden floor.
Too shocked to move, Wendy sat shivering on the bunk, staring blankly at the men as they filed out of the cabin, Stubbs carrying Peter in his arms and leaving Harry behind to take care of Wendy. The Doctor knelt beside the bed and took one of her cold hands in his own, chafing it as he peered into her white face, the red imprint of Peter's hand clearly visible on her cheek.
"Wendy? Can you tell me what happened?"
Harry's voice floated to her from a great distance away, her eyes slowly turning to look into his, blinking as if coming awake from a dream. "It wasn't Peter."
"I know...he had the Keeper inside him, controlling him."
"He had flames in his eyes and his voice." She shuddered, Harry gripping both her hands to ground her.
"Did he say anything to you?"
"Not really." She freed one of her hands, her fingers tentatively feeling her bruised mouth, still smeared with blood. "He was going to...going to...rape me."
"It wasn't Peter..he would never hurt you like that, you know that, don't you?"
"I thought I did." Wendy whispered, her eyes filling with tears as reaction set in. At that moment Captain Aramis appeared and took in the situation at a glance. Ushering Harry aside, he sat down on the bed and took Wendy into his arms, holding her head to his shoulder as she slumped against him, her fingers clutching at his coat while she shuddered and cried her fright out within his arms.
"Fetch some brandy Harry...she'll need a restorative."
"Aye sir...I think we all do." Leaving the cabin, Harry hurried to fetch the decanter from the Captain's cabin, returning with a tray holding the glass bottle and several tumblers.
Wendy had stopped crying and sat forlornly on the side of the bed beside Aramis, her face adverted. Harry set the tray down on the chest of drawers and hung up the lantern left there by one of the crew. Its warm light helped to dispell the lingering shadows in the cabin.
"Here lass, drink this...it'll help." Aramis held out a tumbler filled with two fingers of brandy. Wendy hesitated then took the glass, tossing the contents back with a single gulp, the men watching both raising their eyebrows in surprise.
"Feel better?" Aramis asked, taking the empty glass and handing it back to Harry.
"I don't usually advocate the application of spirits, but in this case I think it was entirely warranted, don't you?" Said Wendy, blinking owlishly at them both.
Seeing a flush of colour enter her face, Aramis nodded in agreement, taking a glass for himself that Harry held out for him.
Wendy looked up at Harry and frowned at the Doctor. "Shouldn't you be seeing how Peter is?"
"He'd want me to make sure you're okay first..." Harry argued, exchanging a worried glance with Aramis when Wendy waved away his protest.
"I'm fine Harry...go see how Peter is...the good Captain will keep me company." Before Aramis could react Wendy had purloined his glass and downed it in one gulp as well, Aramis hurriedly shooing Harry out of the cabin, the brandy bottle along with him.
"I think you've had enough...maybe you should lay down young lady. I suspect you are not used to strong liquor..."
"Never had a drop before in my life." Wendy announced, her face lighting up with a sunny smile, her eyes sparkling as she stared at Aramis.
"As I said...well, no harm done to have a drop or two."
Just as suddenly Wendy's sunny mood dissipated and she stared worriedly at the cabin door. "Peter will be alright, won't he?"
"He'll be fine, he's strong and now he'll be on his guard if the Keeper tries that trick again."
"Why does the Keeper hate us so? He must be so angry.." She held up her hand against the red mark still painting her cheek. "He hit me..."
"We'll talk all about it in the morning, but for now you need to rest..." Aramis soothed, putting his hand on Wendy's shoulders and gently pressing her back down to the pillows.
"What if he comes back?" Her eyes, wide with fear, stared up at Aramis as he smoothed the hair from her face.
"I'll have someone on watch all night, right outside the door here...the door will be left open and no-one will be allowed to enter or leave without us knowing about it."
Still troubled, Wendy nodded unhappily, watching Aramis through half closed eyes as he checked the room thoroughly before returning to stand beside her. "There's nothing here now, so try and sleep lass."
"I don't think I can..." Wendy whispered, her voice already slurred as the brandy worked its magic, her eyes drifting shut with the pull of the alcohol and exhaustion from too many shocks in one day.
Aramis remained in the doorway until he was sure she was asleep. Then he instructed two of the crew to stand guard on her room until they were relieved, the lantern left burning to keep the shadows at bay.
Satisfied that he had done all he could, Aramis hurried along to the Captain's cabin and flung open the door.
"How bad is he?" He demanded of Stubbs and Harry standing on either side of the bed.
"He appears to have fainted. Apart from the bruises and injuries inflicted by Hook, which are healing quickly I might add, he's unmarked and unharmed." The Doctor reported, scraping his fingers through his hair in relief.
"I don't imagine he submitted to the Keeper without a struggle." Grunted Stubbs, his hands on his hips, fingers drumming as he stared down at Peter laid out on the bed.
"Well we won't know what happened until he comes around. I'll stay with him." Said Harry, settling himself in the chair at the end of the bed.
"Both of you keep watch over him, and wake me if anything happens or he wakes up."
"Aye aye Captain."
"Yes sir."
With a last glance at the still figure on the bed, Captain Aramis nodded to his two crewmen and left the room, intent on a complete check of the ship before even thinking about finding a bunk for the night.
Inside the Captain's cabin the two watchdogs settled themselves as comfortably as possible, sure that it was going to be a very long night.
Outside, the moon rose sedately into the sky, her light carving a bright pathway that seemed to have been especially created for the Nymph as she sailed the golden waves, her destination Skull Rock, still several hours away. Aboard, her fairy crew remained awake and alert, only the human element of the ships company taking their uneasy rest, Peter's oblivion made restless by insubstantial foe which he battled futilely, his weapons ineffective against his ghostly enemy. Wendy's sleep was also disturbed by dreams of fear and flight, her efforts to remain ahead of her enemies frustrated by limbs that moved as if through treacle, even as unseen claws reached out to drag her back. Aramis was the only one to sleep dreamless, his thoughts untroubled by the future or the past.
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Peter regained his senses just before dawn, letting out a shout and bolting upright, his eyes wide but unseeing. His two watchdogs fell out of their chairs in shock before staggering to the bed to hold Peter down, his thrashing arms and clenched fists connecting and inflicting a bloody nose to the Doctor and a loose tooth for his first mate.
"Peter calm down...you're safe, it's me...Harry!"
"Blimey Charley quit fighting Peter!"
Awareness suddenly flared in Peter's eyes and he stopped fighting his friends, slumping back onto the bed like a pricked balloon, his head lolling against the pillow while Stubbs hovered warily and Harry wiped the blood streaming from his nose. Through heavy lidded eyes Peter stared at the two men beside him.
"What happened?" He asked faintly, his sudden burst of activity having drained him and left him as weak as a new born.
"What do you remember?" Harry asked, flopping back into his chair, tilting his head back to stem the blood still flowing sluggishly from his nose.
"Stubbs...and Wendy, I think...and something gagging me...I couldn't breath..." Peter gasped, his chest heaving.
"You need to relax." Harry cautioned, Peter nodding his head, understanding the need to squash the feeling of panic making his heart pound.
"Do you remember anything else?" Stubbs asked, an edge to his voice making Peter give him a hard look.
"Nothing...what happened?"
He saw Stubbs and Harry exchange a look before turning to face him.
"We heard what sounded like a struggle coming from Wendy's cabin..." Harry started to explain, only to have Peter bolt upright again his face strained.
"Is she alright? Who was it? Did Hook get aboard?"
Again Stubbs and Harry exchanged a look.
"It wasn't Hook, Peter...it was you." Harry told him frankly.
"Me?"
"Well that's not entirely true," Stubbs interrupted. "It was your body, but the Keeper had taken you over...you weren't yourself."
"Oh God... what did I do? Is Wendy alright?"
"She sleeping...Aramis gave her some brandy and it settled her back down." Harry told him, avoiding Peter's eye and staring down at his blood stained shirt.
"What did I do?" Peter ground out, glaring at Stubbs and willing him to confess the truth. Stubbs squirmed.
"Aw Peter...it wasn't your fault...it wasn't you, not really."
"Tell me!"
Stubbs heaved a heavy sigh before speaking. "You were attacking her, on the bed...you had just slapped her when we burst in." Stubbs told him, his voice subdued as if to take some of the sting out of the awful facts.
For a moment Peter stared at his first mate in disbelief, then his eyes flickered and he slumped back on the pillows, covered his face with his hands and groaned. "Oh God...what have I done..?"
Correctly interpreting his question as rhetorical, both Stubbs and Harry kept mum and waited for Peter to speak again.
Peter dropped his hands after several minutes, silently rolling onto his side, lifting his legs over the side of the bed and attempted to stand. Both Harry and Stubbs moved together, Harry supporting Peter when he swayed momentarily, the bout of faintness passing quickly.
"I'm fine Harry...I'm fine now." Peter waved them both back and staggered the few steps to the door, turning at the last moment to rest his back against the studded wood so he could face the room.
"Where are we...did we reach Skull Rock?"
"Just before star set." Stubbs affirmed, folding his arms across his chest to give his hands something to do. Harry subsided back into his chair and watched Peter warily for any more signs of faintness.
"Then we're safe for the moment...Hook is too far away to do much, it would take him at least six hours just to sail to this point."
Harry narrowed his eyes and squinted at Peter. "And how do you know that?"
Grinning faintly, Peter pressed his hands against the door behind him and levered himself upright. "Things have changed somewhat since I last saw you...I can sense a whole lot of stuff. Hook won't be able to spring any surprises this time."
"What about the Keeper...he sprung quite a surprise on you tonight!"
For a moment Peter held his hand to his head, his eyes squeezed shut as if listening for something. "He's gone...at least from my head." Seeing the expressions on Stubbs and Harry's faces he filled them in on the voice he'd heard and the images he's experienced. Both men agreed it was probably the Keeper. "What will you do next time you hear the voice?" Harry asked with concern.
"I don't think he'll try that trick again." Peter said grimly, drawing in a deep breath to steady himself. "I'll be ready for him next time."
"What if he tries something else?" Stubbs voiced the question they were all thinking. Peter shrugged.
"I'll worry about that when it happens. We'll be safe here until Hook makes his move, so tell the crew to stand down from their posts and enjoy the break. We don't know how long it will be for and they've worked hard."
"As you wish...what are you going to do?"
"I need to speak to Aramis. There are plans to be made..."
"And Wendy?" Harry asked, rising to his feet.
"Take good care of her...it would be best if she doesn't see me too soon, I'm thinking...if at all." He looked desolate. "If what you say I did is true...I tried to rape her. She's hardly likely to want to have anything more to do with me."
"You can't abandon her Peter!" Harry exclaimed shocked at the bleak expression hardening his friends face.
"I've made a rotten mess of everything...if she asks for me, tell her I'm busy making plans...and if she asks to go home..." Peter paused, swallowing convulsively.
"What? What do I tell her?" Harry pressed for an answer.
"Tell her I'm sorry."
Turning away Peter pulled open the cabin door and lurched outside leaving his two friends gaping at each other in disbelief.
"He can't mean to let her go?" Harry whispered, turning to stare at the first mate. Stubbs only shrugged.
"We'll have to wait and see." He heaved another heavy sigh. "Best see about rousing cook to get breakfast on the range. We'll none of us have any peace until those two sort out this mess."
"Can they? They're only mortal after all!" Harry asked drily as Stubbs brushed past him heading for the door.
"With a little faith, trust and a smidgeon of pixie dust," Stubbs replied, grinning roguishly at the Doctor before passing out of the cabin.
"Idiot." Harry remarked to the empty cabin, sniffing as he gingerly touched his swollen nose and wished he had a chunk of ice to lay on it.
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The sun was well over the yard arm when Wendy opened her eyes, her first scattered thoughts focusing quickly on her throbbing cheek, her fingers gently probing the tender flesh, wincing when her explorations hit a particularly sore area beneath her eye. Her head also ached and she wished for nothing more than to sink back into oblivion until all her aches and pains were no more than a memory, but reality was never so convenient and she sat up slowly, swinging her legs over the side of the bed, careful not to jar herself more than necessary.
She was still sitting there when a knock sounded at the half open door and she called a cautious "come in" to whoever begged entrance. Stubbs poked his shaggy head around the jamb and grinned to see her awake.
"Oh good...you're up." He winced in sympathy when Wendy lowered her hand to reveal the colourful bruise marking her face. "Oooh that's gotta hurt...do ya think you can bite down a morsel of breakfast?"
Wendy gave the first mate a lopsided smile, her lips still tender from the punishing attack the night before. " A little tea would be welcome Mister Stubbs...and maybe some fresh water to bathe my face."
"Coming right up...don't move a muscle I'll be back in a tick." Shutting the door behind him, Stubbs hurried away to carry out her requests, muttering something about wishing there was some ice aboard to put on the girls poor sore face. The two crewmen standing guard had been dismissed by Stubbs just before he knocked and he wasted no time returning to the cabin with the items Wendy had asked for. He carried a tray on which sat a large jug of water for washing, a fresh square of linen for a towel and a dainty porcelain cup that steamed with fragrant china tea. Wendy sat on the side of the bed while the first mate bustled about the cabin like an over-sized house maid, his bulk not limiting his ability to balance a delicate tea cup as he ably demonstrated, handing the cup and saucer to her without spilling a drop before whisking himself once more out the door.
"I'll be back with the good Doctor with something for your poor face."
Before Wendy could voice a question or gratitude he was gone and she cradled the cup of tea thankfully, inhaling its welcome familiarity in a world gone slightly mad.
Harry appeared in due course and gently examined her cheek and mouth, tutting over the damage and shaking his had. "I have some arnica to help bring out the bruise and some salve to help heal your lips..." He paused, wondering how to phrase his next question. "Did you suffer any other injuries?"
Wendy lifted her head from her cup and looked perplexed. "Other injuries?"
"I mean..." Harry swallowed, "it was pretty clear last night what Peter...er...the Keeper was trying to do..."
Wendy blushed crimson and quickly shook her head in the negative.
"Oh..well that's a relief for all concerned." Harry huffed, exchanging a thankful grimace with Stubbs who hovered in the doorway. "In that case, I'll fetch the necessary ointments and leave you to rest. Nothing strenuous today please." He wagged his finger at her before getting to his feet and leaving the cabin.
"I hope he doesn't intend for me to stay immured in this cabin for the whole day?" Wendy asked the first mate, handing back the now empty tea cup.
"I don't expect so...just don't hurry anything. Another cuppa?"
Wendy nodded. "Yes please...if it's not too much trouble."
"None whatsoever." Stubbs grinned and took himself off to the galley. Harry returned shortly with two jars of unguent, smoothing them carefully over her cheek and lips, Wendy only wincing a little at his ministration before the Doctor wiped his fingers clean on a cloth.
Stubbs returned with the tea and Harry took his leave, admonishing her to take it easy for the rest of the morning. The tea had helped her headache and she felt the urge to breath fresh air to clear the last of the woolliness from her head. Under Stubbs watchful eye she managed to walk the length of the passageway without aid and stepped out into full sunshine, her face instantly tilting to feel the sun and soak up the warmth. The crew appeared to be taking their ease, lolling on heaps of sail cloth as they sewed new sheets or repaired the old, some sitting on coils of rope, fishing nets spread across their legs as they checked over the knots and repaired any holes. Most ignored her presence as she wandered over to the ships rail and rested her arms on the sun warm wood, the waft of a sea breeze lifting her hair as she breathed deeply of the salty air. The slap of the water against the side was soothing and she turned to survey the ship, her eyes searching for Peter among the men on board, her heart sinking when it was evident Peter was no where to be seen. Stubbs had been talking to one of the men and he noticed her looking around, suspecting quite rightly who she was looking for.
Wendy, disappointed in her search, walked over to the first mate and peered up into his face. "Where is he?"
"He's busy miss...planning our next move, I believe, with Captain Aramis."
"And he can't spare me a moment?"
"I'm not privy to everything that goes on..." Wendy snorted at that blatantly obvious falsehood and Stubbs paused before continuing. "At least not this time.." he qualified, giving Wendy an aggrieved look.
"He doesn't want to see me does he?"
Unable to look her in the eye, the first mate nodded, shuffling his feet.
"He blames me for what happened last night." Wendy stated flatly, staring down at the deck.
"No...he blames himself." Stubbs hurriedly corrected her, cursing Peter for making him the fall guy and wishing he was somewhere else.
"But he was under the control of the Keeper? How can he be at fault?"
"No more than you are, as anyone of sense would tell you." Stubbs retorted, scrubbing a ham sized fist through his hair in frustration.
Wendy sighed deeply and laid a hand on his arm. "If you see Peter, tell him I am not...afraid of him and I do want to see him again. Would you tell him that?"
"Of course lass...although I'm thinking a good knock on the noggin might be a sight more beneficial...for both of you!"
Wendy laughed at the first mate, his scowl turning into a rueful grin.
"Oh Mister Stubbs, I am so glad Peter has you for a friend."
"And yourself miss...?" Stubbs added with a wink.
"And my friend too, of course. I won't press the limits of that friendship Mister Stubbs as 'tis clear Peter gave you his orders before I awoke, but I give you fair warning; if Peter won't see me, then I will have to find him myself."
Stubbs grin widened, his teeth positively blinding in the sunlight.
"I'll make sure he's not that difficult to find...when you're ready to go looking, that is."
"Thank you Mister Stubbs, I knew I could rely on you."
They exchanged a conspiratorial glance before Wendy turned back to contemplate the view and Stubbs wandered off to check on the men.
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It was soon after midday that Wendy nodded to Mister Stubbs who replied with a wink and a tilt of his head, Wendy following the motion to see Captain Aramis following a crewman into the rigging, the Captain surprisingly agile for a man of his years. Wendy understood at once and hurried towards the quarter deck and the Captains quarters.
Suddenly breathless with anticipation she paused outside the cabin and lifted her hand to knock. Receiving a summons to enter, she did just that, finding the main room empty. Closing the door behind her she stepped forward and looked around the corner into the chart room which led off the sleeping quarters, where she finally spied Peter leaning hunched over a raised table covered with rolled and unrolled maps.
Without turning Peter spoke and waved his hand in the direction of a small table off to the side beside a chair.
"Set it down there man and leave me."
Wendy bit her lip and advanced further into the room, her bare feet silent against the floorboards. She saw Peter's shoulders suddenly stiffen and then he straightened and turned to face her. Immediately his eyes were drawn to her bruised cheek and she self consciously lifted her fingers to touch it, wincing. Peter also winced, his hands clenching at his side as he dragged his gaze away from her face and turned his back on her.
"I was expecting lunch."
"I'll gladly fetch it for you, but first I need to speak to you."
"There's nothing to say...I tried to rape you. I'm surprised you're prepared to look at me, let alone talk."
Taking a step towards him, Wendy twisted her hands together then pulled them apart. "You didn't do anything of the kind and of course I want to see you, talk to you...I...I love you."
Peter's hands had been resting on the edges of the chart table but with her last words they clenched, white knuckled, around the wooden beading.
"I could have killed you...I know I wanted to...he wanted to...after he'd...I'd had my way with you."
"But you didn't...you stopped.."
"Only because we were interrupted and the Keeper fled." Peter retorted bitterly, his voice riddled with guilt.
Faced with his rigid back, Wendy took another step forward.
"But you didn't, and I'm fine...really. Harry gave me some ointment and in a day or two I'll be back to normal."
Peter snorted and shook his head. "Will you forget what happened as easily as your body forgets its injuries, I think not."
"It wasn't you Peter, it was the Keeper...I don't hold you responsible."
"And what of my other crimes? Of deceiving you, tricking you into being here, bringing you against your will...taking what was destined for your husband!" The last word was spat out as if he'd swallowed something poisonous, his shoulders so tense he was starting to shake.
"I was wrong to accuse you...I realise now that it wasn't like that, not really." Wendy told him, her soft voice bridging the gap between them.
"You are generous indeed...would that I could be so with myself." Peter replied hoarsely, his head still turned away.
Wendy took the last step that would bring her close enough to touch him, her hand reaching out to lay flat against his tense back, his skin warm through his shirt. With the touch of her hand Peter jerked, holding himself rigid before suddenly slumping, his back still turned to her but his head now bowed.
"Please look at me...I know the bruise is ghastly and I haven't brushed my hair..." Before she could catalogue any more of her shortcomings Peter swung around and enfolded her in his arms, her face pressed to his chest where his heart thundered beneath her cheek, his face nuzzling her hair as he buried his nose behind her ear.
"I'm so sorry." His muffled apology was lost on Wendy, her own arms wrapping around him, her hands flattened against his back, pressing him closer.
"If you don't kiss me in the next few seconds I'll think you don't love me at all..." As she hoped she never got to finish her sentence, Peter pulling back only far enough to allow him to find her lips and cover them with his own, her body melting against his as she surrendered willingly to his tender assault. They stayed locked together for several pleasurable minutes, their kiss speaking for their hearts, obviating words in preference of actions.
Peter broke the kiss first, Wendy gasping as his hands smoothed the tousled hair from her face, his eyes roaming over her features before he lowered his head again, tenderly kissing her lips before passing on to her eyes, cheeks and jaw, thrilling her with his lovemaking, their hearts beating in unison as they stood pressed together from breast to thigh, Wendy's fingers combing the back of Peter's neck and kneading the long muscles in his back. Peter cradled her face in his hands and held her away so that he could look at her, his eyes still carrying a hint of guilt as he brushed his thumb over the discolored mark below her eye. Sensing his mood Wendy brought her hand forward to cup his cheek, Peter turning his head to plant a kiss on her palm.
"Does it hurt as badly as it looks?" He whispered in loving concern, sweeping his thumb over the hurt again.
"Only if I think about it." Wendy replied, her eyes dancing as Peter gave her a sharp look.
"Then I'll have to make sure you remain distracted enough not to think about it."
Wendy smiled. "I was so hoping you'd say that." Reaching up she pressed her lips to his in an open invitation that Peter accepted willingly.
Without breaking the kiss Peter wrapped his arms about Wendy's waist and lifted her off her feet, her own arms about his neck as he carried them both over to the bed, laying them down on the rumpled covers, legs tangling as hands roamed over beloved features, renewing their acquaintance with the texture of each others skin and hair. Soft sighs greeted further exploration, warm fingers finding soft contours and hardened peaks, heated flesh meeting the cooler air of the cabin as clothes found themselves thrown to the floor so that skin could meet skin to meld and slide over each other in a passionate dance. Their joining was a culmination of tender touches and blazing trails left by eager lips and dancing fingers, Wendy crying out with joy when he entered her, her limbs wrapping around him to hold him close as he filled her heart and body and mind to the exclusion of all else. Her blood quickened as Peter claimed her for his own, her name on his lips as he strained above her, their mutual climax casting them both up to the stars before sending them tumbling back to earth, trembling in the aftermath as they exchanged butterfly kisses and gazed lovingly into each other's eyes, the world well lost for love.
"Oh Wendy...am I truly forgiven for treating you so badly?"
"There was nothing to forgive...and I don't think you'd know how to treat me badly if you tried. I just didn't understand, my love."
"There is nothing to understand except that I love you.." He pressed urgent kisses to her brow and temples, "want you.." her fingers combing over his head as she purred.
"And I you..." She whispered against his cheek.
Peter slowed his loving assault and stared down at her, his feelings clearly visible in his eyes, no hint of the red flame anywhere in their blue-green depths. "Will you be my Queen, Wendy?"
"If you will be my King."
"For you I'll be whatever the fates decree...for you I'd be anything you wanted me to be."
Wendy felt a lump in her throat and swallowed hurriedly, blinking away the sudden rush of tears to her eyes.
"I just want you to be who you've always been...Peter Pan, the boy who I loved from the very first."
"Very first?"
"From the moment I opened my eyes and saw you hovering over my bed like an angel...like a dream."
"That wasn't the first time I'd watched you sleep." He admited with a sheepish grin.
"Did you love me then?" Wendy asked, smiling up at him while she played with the hair curling over his ears.
"No." He grinned when Wendy tugged his hair sharply.
"You didn't? Then when?"
"I think it was when you were lying on the forest floor after Tootles shot you down. You looked so beautiful with your hair spread out like it is now. I think I knew then that I never wanted to let you leave me."
Wendy smiled up contentedly and smoothed the skin of his jaw.
"And I won't leave you Peter...not willingly."
"What if I was to send you away?" He teased, nibbling on her neck.
"I would tie myself to the mast and beg you to keep me by your side."
"You wouldn't have to beg very hard...I never could resist your beautiful eyes," He kissed her eyelids. "Your beautiful nose," he kissed the tip. "Or your sinfully wicked mouth, just made for thimbles."
Wendy giggled as Peter pressed a smattering of kisses over her lips from corner to corner.
She sighed deeply and drew her finger along his jaw to his lips.
Peter stopped his teasing and gave her a look of concern. "Are you tired?"
She looked up at him and smiled. "Not a bit."
A slow, beautiful grin spread over Peter's face seconds before he swooped down to cover her mouth with his own, time once more suspended as they gave in to the pull of passion and renewed their vows of love with tender touches and tangled limbs.
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tbc...