(A/N: Thank you soooo much Little Sparrow and Galaxy3 for reviewing! It means a lot to me! Much love goes out to you too!)

She ran and ran, her muscles pleading for her to stop the agony she was bringing them. So she did. She came to a halt in a clearing of the woods, the sun was long gone by now and Clarice had no clue where she was. Her saddened eyes looked around, feeling loneliness surround her. What was she going to do? What was she going to do…

She loved him. Clarice A. Newheart had never loved anyone in her life. She loved him. How could she have fallen in love with a man who fears the word Love; who doesn't know the true meaning of the word love; who won't Love; who can't Love. The affairs coursed through her mind vigorously without ease. How could she have thought he actually held feelings for her? Her hands made their way to her head, her fingers tangling in her auburn locks, taking a hold of the support. A shrill scream escaped her lips; her knee's failing to support her any longer, sending her to the soft dirt. She was falling apart. Another scream she allowed to spill from her lips; pulling her hair, blaming everything wrong in the world on herself and him. Angry fists found their way to the ground, banging on it with no mercy with each scream she gave to the night. She was falling apart before the night's eyes, embarrassing herself, asking for pity from the stars that shinned above and the moon that watched her intently. A staggered sob finished her off. She slumped completely over, selling her tears to the cold ground for nothing in return; just the comfort the coolness of the earth gave.

"I'm sorry…I'm sorry," she kept whispering to herself.

Sorry to whom? To Hook? To herself? Was she sorry for love? No, yes, no,... Failing to show him how wonderful love could be, perhaps? She didn't know, but she thought it was the right thing to say. She knew she was sorry for being a fool. A complete and utter fool. What was she thinking, to fall in love with a pirate; Hook? Oh, how she hated herself right now; how she hated her heart for doing this to her. She hated him. She hated him more than she could hate anything. She loathed him; despised him; detested him. Yet, she loved him. She loved him too.

"I'm sorry…I'm sorry," the words seemed rehearsed by now.

A light shift of her body and she found her blurred vision on the stars that watched down on her.

"I'm sorry…I'm sorry…Please…please love me," she begged to the stars that appeared to be sparkling with tears of sympathy just for her. They shinned as if they were sorry they could not do anything to help her. She was so pitiful and pathetic and she knew it.

"…Clarice?" A voice came calmly from the shadows of the night.

Clarice didn't move nor acknowledge the voice that called out to her. She merely shifted with a heavy sigh, stray tears leaking from the corners of her hollow eyes; trailing down her flushed cheek bones. The voice called out to her again kindly.

"Clarice?"

This time she turned her head ever so slightly, looking at the young man—boy. And that is all she did. She just stared at him with those eyes the held only emptiness. He looked at her with sympathy, nearing her slowly with caution. He knelt down to her, cocking his head, brushing the tangled locks from her face.

"Peter…Peter Pan," she asked in a weary voice, "what are…what are you doing here?" He helped her sit up.

"I heard your cries of pain," his voice was soft and warm, "are you alright, Miss?"

There was a long moment of silence.

"No…no I'm not." Her eyes stared out into the dark.

"What happened? Did he hurt you?" Peter already knew it had to deal with Hook.

"No…Yes. Yes he did. He broke my heart." She said so nonchalantly that it seemed like she were talking about the weather or something that petty .Those hazel eyes remained on the darkness, never looking at Peter.

Peter shook his head sadly, staring at her pretty face. He wanted to comfort her so he did. He gently wrapped his arms around her, bringing her into an affectionate embrace of care and compassion. Clarice took him up on this offer, holding herself close to the boy, trying to suppress a new batch of shameful tears. She choked those hideous tears from shedding as he ran a steady hand over her hair, petting her. After moments and moments of silence she finally pulled away from his tender hold, taking the sleeve of her bodice and wiping her nose like a child. She sniffed loudly, giving an embarrassed chuckle, trying to hide her shame. She felt so pathetic, especially now with Peter here, witnessing her weakness. With shaky hands, she steadied herself, heaving her weight up till she stood. Pan soon joined her, taking her trembling hand.

"Come back to my place. It's nice there. I'll make you something warm to drink."

"Oh,…no. No. I much rather be alone on my ship," she replied, shaking her head.

"Please? I can make you feel better. The lost boys could help too! They'd be so happy to meet you, Miss Newheart." His smile was sheepish and pleading. With a moment of silence and a deep sigh, Clarice finally obliged, needing something, anything to take her mind off of Hook. Oh, how his name made her shudder.

After several minutes of hiking up the mountain and crossing bridges, Peter had taken her to the lost boys' hangout in the large tree. She had no desire to take in her surroundings as they walked through colorful scenery and decorations. Although, she did notice the growing mummer of hidden children of different ages fill her ears. She sniffed and looked around finally, spotting a few that were hiding behind other trees and objects. Question spread over features, wondering why they all seemed so excited. Pan had come to a stop in enclosed area that looked like a camp area with a roaring fire in the middle with multiple stumps and rocks used for chairs circling the fire. He sat her down on one that was covered with furs and looked rather comfy. Signaling for the other boys to come join them, Clarice sat down with confusion in her blood-shot eyes. Young boys from all ages came popping from dark areas and sliding down thick vines to join the circle. Newheart watched and couldn't help but smile to see all these children beaming with smiles of excitement just to see her. 'Mothers…mothers…do they not have parents?' she asked herself, remembering early events with Pan. Peter silenced their enthusiasm as he stood on a tall stump.

"This is Miss Clarice Newheart, boys!" They all shouted in approval and gathered closer to her, a few examining her by taking her feminine hands and playing with her hair. A small smile spread across her lips.

"She can be your Mother!" Clarice jerked slightly, looking at Pan, wondering what the hell he was talking about.

"Hi Miss Newheart!" Said a small blonde boy; the age of five. "You gonna be our Mother? Reeeaaallly?" He beamed with happiness as he looked at her, crawling onto her lap. She couldn't help but hold him and stare at him. She said nothing; only smiled. The other boys surrounded her, asking her questions; telling her to tell them about herself; asking her to tell them stories. All she could do was smile and think how this was defiantly taking her mind off of that dreadful Captain Hook. Peter smiled triumphantly as he watched Clarice act so kind to the lost boys. They hadn't been so happy since Wendy came along. That was awhile ago. Peter wasn't sure if they even remembered Wendy.

"And that's how I defeated the despicable Captain Blue Beard!"

The boys roared with excitement at the end of Newhearts story. They bounced around with energy, begging for more.

"Please! Can you tell just one more?" A boy of ten asked her who was sitting beside her.

"Yeah! More! Another story!" Begged the twins with curly hair.

"Pwease," asked the littlest boy that sat in her lap, hugging her close. Another smile she allowed. She boosted him up slightly, holding him to her. She had never felt so loved; a new feeling.

Just as she was about to explain why she could not tell another, Peter interrupted her, explaining for her.

"It's time for bed in Neverland, that's why she can't tell you more. But, tomorrow she will, won't ya?" He looked at her from where he was sitting on the ground, looking up into her hazel eyes. She merely smiled and nodded.

"Of course…tomorrow," she lied. She was most likely going to set sail by tomorrow. The sudden feeling of grief flooded her. She had just remembered James. A heavy sigh left her lips and the small boy gave her a saddened look.

"Whatsa' matter, lady?"

She smiled a fake smile.

"Nothing, just wish it wasn't so late and I could tell you more stories," it was partly true; mainly because they were a great distraction. Clarice stood up, holding the young boy. "But, I'll take you to bed and tuck you in," she reassured.

As she tucked him in he asked for her to tell a small story just for him so he could fall asleep. Clarice gave a confused look and thought about it. It wouldn't hurt. For a pirate she actually did have a heart; even though it had recently been stolen and then broken. She felt for these children. She felt sorry for them, how they didn't have parents; mothers to take care of them. No wonder they had been so excited when Pan had brought her here.

"Well, what story could I tell you? Hmm. Aha! I'll tell you about a…princess who fell in love with this prince. She had thought he was in love with her too, but this princess was wrong. Dead wrong. She was willing to give up everything she held dear for this prince, but this prince had broken her heart but not loving her in return. The princess thought her life was over, but then a young, kind man came to her need and helped her through. She soon got over this prince and knew life would go on, yet she still would never be the same. But, the key thing is she was okay in the long run. The End." Clarice shook her head, knowing it was a lame story, but it seemed to work. The young boy was fast asleep.

Slowly, she crept out of his sleeping area and down several stairs made of dirt. When she returned to the campfire she addressed all the boys and bid them a good night's sleep. They all seemed so happy and content when they hurried off to bed. Many of them; most of them came and gave her a huge hug before leaving. With a sigh she slumped down onto her seat and looked at Pan who remained next to her.

"I told you it would help." He smiled.

"It did…it did…Thank you."