AN – I'm going to apologise for the dreadful spelling mistakes and I will
try to fix them as soon as possible. It makes reading things so annoying
when your train of thought is broken by a bloody spelling mistake, so again
I apologise.....*sorry*
On a better note I gave the twins names, I hope people approve, I just felt sorry for them being without names. I can just see it, "Hey you", being cried all the time. LOL! I think it would do my head in if I were them and I am a twin!
I'm getting a few reviews that tell me Nibs is becoming a favourite character of people oh well we'll have to see....
* * * * * * * * * * * * Chapter 15 – What we really want.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Sleep didn't come well to those with clouded minds, where ever they were in Neverland and while they may be miles apart, Peter, Sarah and the lost boys all hardly slept a wink of dreams that night.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
A colder wind blew between the trees of Neverland and although Nibs, Curly, Slightly and the twins all had made home for the night in a dark, wintry, not to forget wet cove that lay near a waterfall, the warmth of what they thought the shelter would bring was completely dismal and a shock compared to the dry wooden shacks that they used to call home.
Slightly sat up with Nibs as they constantly tried to keep a small fire going without it going out.
Slightly watched the fire light illuminate Nibs' face. It was filled with an absence and his eyes blended into his tanned skin as did his skin into his dark hair, in all he looked like a shadow.
Slightly hadn't thought about his temporary exile as of such and in his own mind admitted to himself his naivety of the situation. Nobody had killed Pan, not even the notorious Hook and if he, a fully grown, strong man, with skills of sword fighting and guns and piracy couldn't kill him, what chance in hell did they have? Slightly took a deep sigh but Nibs didn't seem to notice. Slightly took another look at the older boy who stood a little taller than the rest. His chisiled jaw sat on his fore arms which were crossed over his hunched up legs, resting on his knees. Nibs' face was dirty again, much like his own face, although it was probably more noticeable on him as he had paler skin. Slightly took in Nibs' shirt which surprisingly looked much cleaner than the rest of any of the boys clothes.
It was at that point when Nibs gazed at the boy next to him and caught Slightly's odd look, Nibs gave him a raised eye brow.
Slightly indicated with his stare at Nibs' shirt and Nibs acknowledged and went back to looking at the fire.
"You're clean?" Slightly asked, his clean, crisp accent, blunt.
Nibs made some sort of a grunt and returned to resting his chin on his arms and knees.
Slightly wasn't that dumb to notice the comment hadn't sparked something in Nibs eyes or thoughts that he was trying to deter. Slightly stood up and looked around their dark, grotty surroundings, the drumming of the falling water still quiet loud. Curly and the twins were all asleep, waiting to be woken for their own watches against Peter or anyone or thing else. Slightly noticed they all didn't look peaceful but at least they were asleep.
"You want to talk?"
Nibs shook his head above his arms and didn't avert his gaze from the orange flames; sadly disappearing and producing little heat or light.
"You should sleep then because it's not your watch."
"Don't want to." Nibs mumbled.
Slightly watched the lost boy and recognised the quietness and isolated being he was. A few minutes passed and Slightly was still watching his friend with concern.
"Sarah?" He mumbled as if she were in the room and in an instant Nibs looked up to Slightly's voice.
Nibs noticed Sarah wasn't around and that Slightly was just staring at him as if it all made sense. Nibs couldn't hide the fact he'd instantly come out of his shell because of her name and turned back to the flames.
"That wasn't a nice thing to do Slightly." Nibs grumbled, his lips pursed.
Slightly came over to him and sat near.
"I know, I'm sorry." Slightly replied truthfully "...but I had to know."
"It doesn't prove anything."
"Maybe, maybe not. I know Curly wants her...."
"But she loves James so let's leave it for the poor boy ok...."
"Or maybe you...."
"No...not in this life time anyway."
"You don't know?" Slightly stated wisely.
"Why are you asking me this, why do you think I even love her?"
"Because you don't love Nibs, you never have, you lust, we all do, but you don't love and that's why I'm asking." Slightly smirked. "You just proved it to me and yourself."
Slightly smiled at Nibs and Nibs realised what he had said.
The flames of the fire flickered dramatically and both Nibs and Slightly glanced around their surroundings for safety. There seemed to be no sign of anything or anyone and both boys returned their glances to the hypnotizing light.
"Do you remember old times Slightly?"
Slightly didn't say, just stared into the flames, the tiniest smile in the corner of his lips.
"I remember good times. When the darkness wasn't scary......."
"....Or the pirates didn't seem threatening, it all seemed like a joke....."
"...When Peter was good..."
Both boys looked at each other and then looked away back into the flames.
"Summer said to me that Peter had come onto her. I don't trust him and the sooner we get this over with the sooner I can forget my worries." Slightly said, his voice becoming a bit manlier.
"She's strong." Nibs replied, knowing where his worries lied.
"I know but not against Peter." Slightly gave Nibs a worried glance.
"I don't think Peter would touch her sexually. For what I have patched together, it seems he is frightened of something that is to do with it all. The escapade with Wendy remember?"
"He didn't kill her on purpose though."
"But, Nav? What about Michael, and Tootles? None of them fell pregnant did they."
"So why the grudge with Sarah?"
"Thank you! So Curly and I aren't the only ones to notice Sarah is half the time battered by that Fucking idiot!?" Nibs said through gritted teeth but still quiet soft.
Slightly gave Nibs a hurtful glance but dismissed it when he saw that Nibs was just fuming with himself, starring at the flames again.
"You don't suppose the same happened with Sarah like Wendy do you?"
"I do, don't know why he's keeping her alive though?"
Slightly noticed the whole of their talk had started to get their emotions running high and when Slightly looked over to Nibs, Nibs quickly turned his face more so into the dark to hide his eyes.
Slightly turned back to the fire but cocked his head to the noise that Nibs made.
A small sniff came from his direction.
"I hate this place, I hate Neverland and I hate Peter." Nibs stated softly. "I don't want her to die....I don't want to die, I don't want to be alone."
Slightly nodded silently in his direction, even though Nibs stubbornly kept his back to the other lost boy.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
A soft pillow was the only sense of comfort in the room that now belonged to James in Sarah's eyes. The man who lay naked beside her, clad only with the crisp sheet on his hips slept soundly in the darkness. Sarah on the other hand lay awake, James' strong arm covering her waist as he lay close to her. The sleeping arrangement was slightly different as usually Sarah had taken to try and smother James with her body as a young lover does and James had willing let her cuddle in all she wanted. Now she lay still and had been a fair distance away from him until he instinctively reached to her side to see if she was there. Sarah hadn't enjoyed the loneliness of the bed, as James had only decided to make an appearance not so long ago, but it did give her time to think and she was thankful that he had returned; the room was fairly cold.
Gloria and Betty had stayed the night, camping out in another room, sound asleep. Sarah was thankful for this as she had felt a little timid in the new house, especially with the previous dealings with Peter.
Sarah's eyes had adjusted to the darkness, the heavy curtains now drawn over the window, where she guessed the moon would be shining into if it could. Sarah turned her face to the handsome one sleeping into her shoulder. He looked tired asleep and he had looked tired when he arrived at the house, only stringing two sentences together before he fell asleep in their room. Not forgetting mind, to thank Gloria and Betty for their hard work and in so spending a night cap with them while Sarah waited up stairs for him. Sarah's thoughts melted as she looked at James's fetching face. Sadly the urge to pee came to mind and Sarah moved ever so carefully from his hold and the sheets. Careful not to actually trip over anything in the darkness, she moved very, very slowly towards the door, trying desperately to get used to the new surroundings to make them feel like her own.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Peter lay on his bed, arm over his eyes, hoping he wouldn't be disturbed, at the moment he wanted to be alone. Secretly, he would have wanted a shoulder to cry on, but that wasn't the true Pan, the true Pan was strong, he didn't need others to rely on. To come home and find that his whole tribe were missing was a shock to him, he always expected someone to be there, waiting for him, waiting on his endless whims. It now seemed weird and it seemed just disloyal. It now seemed like the real Neverland was officially turning its back on Peter Pan. First he had lost his true love and yes it was because of his actions but he never blamed himself for it, always accusing others constantly because of the blindness of his mind. It had taken him so long to just take into account that being able to love was to grow up and something very deep inside him urged him to grow up and face new things, but Peter was never good at things he did not know and didn't want to be made the fool for not knowing these things and so he dismissed them. Pan was leader, he had the power to dismiss anything if he so desired. At the time of Wendy's second arrival, when she became the first official lost girl, he knew he'd have to open up to his strange feelings and the vulnerability of learning to love because his heart only had one word settled into it that told him so: Wendy.
Peter never realised he was crying, because it was so silent, but he was because he was confused. He was mixing his memories with his emotions and that resulted in misunderstanding and weakness. Like Tinkerbell, Peter only liked to harbour one thought at a time and so now his anger had melted into sorrow for something there was no cure for. Peter sat up from his bed and took a deep breath, sighing. He made his way down to the camp and took another glance around expecting his tribe to be laughing or preparing a feast. It was deserted and held traces of being left quickly. Peter's mind went to blame Slightly instantly only because he was second in command. His mind tried to think where the rest of his tribe would be but he lost interest in the thought and his anger grew again about not getting Sarah, that he took it out on one of the vine bound tables. After a minute of destruction Peter pulled up one of the chairs that occupied the table and sat down gingerly in case he had thrown the chair a little too hard. Thankfully the chair held his weight and he relaxed into it rubbing his attractive face with a grubby hand which ran into his sun kissed locks. His hand went back to his face to rest by his temple, giving it a small rub.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
A warm sun filled the sky of Neverland and smiled down on the beaches, kissing sand golden and the sea, crystal clear.
The cove still looked dark that the lost boys hide in as they came up with some kind of strategy to out wit Peter and end things once and for all.
Curly was sitting up with Slightly talking as the twins had arrived carrying some tropical fruit in their satchels. Nibs had grumpily stayed 'asleep' on the ground listening to the conversations but staying out of them, waiting until they spoke of anything worth speaking about. When the twins did arrive Nibs made an appearance to them as he collect a little fruit and stayed in the circle as he presumed they'd all talk about Peter.
"I'm just thankful that he didn't come looking for us and killed us in our sleep!" One of the twins said as Nibs turned an ear to the new conversation.
"But if he didn't come after us, does that mean, he went after the Indians, you know to look for the tribe?" The other twin asked munching at the same time.
Slightly's face paled dramatically at the mention of this. "I don't believe it..."
Everyone looked at Slightly who looked as though the weight of the world was on his shoulders.
"What if Pan has got to them?"
"What through the Indians?" Curly asked, taking a large bite.
"Are they really with the Indians though?" Nibs asked.
"Of course they are." Slightly argued a little frustrated.
"But the Indians have surely found out why they're there, because of Pan trying to kill members of his tribe and so on!? Wouldn't they then dismiss the tribe because they have a peace treaty with Pan? They wouldn't want to get on his bad side and that could mean not welcoming the tribe to the Indian village." Nibs stated.
The twins looked from Nibs who had made the comment to Slightly.
"Oh God, have we put the others in danger!?" One of the twins asked.
The other twin opened his mouth gob smacked and drew and audible breath in facing his brother.
"No, no." The twin said as he seemed to recall something. "You told Summer to tell the Indians AND John and Tiger lily about the situation. John's the most intelligent person we know. He's bound to keep the younger ones safe! Even if it means taking them elsewhere, to somewhere safe"
"Yeah the younger ones, what about the older ones hmmm?" His brother asked him.
"Yeah, I wanna know about the older ones." Nibs agreed with suspicion in his voice.
"I presume you're talking about Winter and Autumn?" Slightly asked.
"Well, they are the official 'I love Peter' fan club founders." Curly replied exasperated. "I wouldn't be surprised if they don't go with the flow of things."
The twins both smirked at the fan club thing.
"They both do my fucking head in!" Nibs growled. "And they reply to Peter's every whim, I agree with Curly."
"I'm sure they would have followed my orders." Slightly stated.
"Yeah from you, but if it's come from Summer's mouth?" Nibs added with a raised eye brow. "I know they like Summer better than Sarah but?"
"They're all friends, besides they don't know what's really going on do they, only Summer knows, right Slightly?" Curly asked.
"I don't think she'd really tell, but?" Slightly bite his lip lightly as if he was thinking.
"Listen let's not think about this for the moment, or better still, them stupid girls, they shouldn't be in the bloody tribe anyway, what use are they?" Nibs started off on one, grabbing another piece of fruit.
Curly masked his grin caused by his best friends ranting which he did often about the girls .
"So what? We presume that Winter and Autumn have gone back to Peter or?" One of the twins asked.
"No, let's just assume they are both, I hope to God, still with the rest of the tribe. The nest thing we have to worry about is Peter, or namely ourselves." Nibs spoke.
"So do we look for him or do we wait till he finds us?" Curly asked.
"What about the tribe, should we find them?" The other twins asked.
Nibs looked around the circle for a moment before speaking. "I know your intentions were well to come and find us but I do believe some of us should be with the tribe, if you can find them." Nibs directed his comment towards Slightly and the twins. "Even if all of the young ones, not that's there's many, but even if they jumped on Peter, he'd come out with the upper hand. Autumn and Winter wouldn't touch him and no offence Slightly but I don't see Summer being the violent murdering type. That then leaves the other lost boys; Pitt, Del, Bink, Hopper, the others, he'd kill them all still because they're not strong enough, they're still young. We're still the best chance for them."
"I had the same thoughts." Slightly agreed. "I'll be truthful with you, I'd like to return, for Summer and the rest, I guess it's a second in command thing, you understand don't you?"
"Yeah." Nibs nodded.
"Twins? What do you want to do?"
"We'll go back with Slightly." One of them said, the other nodded in agreement.
"Curly?" Slightly asked, starting to get his things together.
Curly looked at Slightly then to Nibs.
"I'm not part of the tribe anymore. I'm also a bigger threat if I'm with any of you..."
Nibs' brow frowned and he gave a disclosed unsure look in Curlys direction at his sudden questionable loyalty to the rest of the tribe.
"You're still a lost boy Curly." Nibs stated giving a look to Slightly.
Slightly saw the look and nodded in Curlys direction.
"So what are you gonna do?" One of the twins asked.
"You all know I....have a thing for Sarah, I'm going into Ravens town, I want to find her.
"Curly for God sake she's with Hook!" Nibs stated a little louder than he expected.
"It doesn't stop ME from loving her." Curly bit back in his friend's direction.
Nibs looked away for a moment taken back.
"Fine." Nibs stated. "And you'll probably be killed if you do this, you do know that don't you? It's folly, it's your own disission."
Curly looked a bit sadden by Nibs aggression but didn't let it last for long.
"If Jake is with Slightly, I'll go with Curly, we can keep an eye out for each other. I assume our 'mission' is to try and get Sarah back?" Jack, the other twin replied light heartedly.
Curly smiled in the direction of Jack.
Nibs pursed his lips in thought. If somehow Jack and Curly, could, safely, get Sarah to return to them, them maybe? The thought was dismissed as Nibs felt it was useless. Sarah had obviously made up her mind about a new life or she would have stayed and he honestly believed she would. A jealous streak ran though his veins; it should have been him, in his eyes, to go get Sarah and sweep her off her feet. There was problem though and it was called quiet frankly; James.
"Well?" Slightly asked, wanting an almost approval or second opinion of the suggestion by Jack.
Nibs blinked up to Slightly's voice and shrugged his shoulders.
"If they want to?" He said not directly looking at them, going off to fetch his belongings.
"It' settled then." Slightly started to say giving a quick glance in Nibs' direction, knowing why he had suddenly become quiet.
"And what of you Nibs?" Jake asked, fixing the trade mark, wolf skin cap he, like his brother wore.
"Me?" Nibs asked with his back to them. He turned around and sheathed his dagger. "I'm going to the camp, to see Peter." He said so innocently, it was disturbing.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Morning looked far prettier in the house than the darkness of the night had and with the sun shining to the front of the house Sarah decided she would tempt James to come and sit with her in the not so prim garden. Something that Sarah found she was thinking about was the prospect of a beautiful garden that could greet her every morning as she opened the curtains of the house. After seeing Banbury's garden at the party she had decided to ask James if they could have a garden similar. At least it would give her something to do while James seemed to be off here and there. In her deepest thoughts Sarah had to question herself about a garden. Plants? Trees? Flowers? It all connected to the jungle and that was where her old family were.
Sarah tried the front door only to find it was locked. It had completely slipped her mind that the door would be locked having lived without locked doors for a number of years but the sudden urgency to be outside in the sunshine made the matter more hurtful than it was. Not for the first time had she been with James did she feel like a prisoner.
It was then the smell of cooking that flowed though the air to the door that made Sarah turn around and walked nearer the kitchen where she found Betty cooking up something.
"Oh, hello love. Sleep well?" She asked.
"Hmm, yeah, thanks?" Sarah replied.
"Was that you at the door there Sarah?"
"Yeah I just wanted to go outside and get some fresh air. Totally slipped my mind I don't have a key." Sarah laughed to herself.
"I've got one, here you go." Betty handed to the key to Sarah and Sarah's face dropped her smile of stupidity.
"I'll need it back mind." Betty said lightly.
"How do you have a key?" Sarah asked softly.
Betty, busy with the mixing of ingredients didn't look up to Sarah's face and so didn't catch the hurtful look in Sarah's eyes.
"I've had it for a while."
Sarah left the kitchen and slowly walked to the front door.
James came down the stairs at that point and smiled to her lightly. He was all groomed and in a beautiful shirt and trousers, clean shaven and ready to face the day although Sarah noted he didn't look right parading in a house instead of a ship.
James gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"You shaved." Sarah said aloud, noticing how soft his skin was on his face, his goatee a little more trimmed. It may have been an odd thing to hear but James couldn't shave by himself without cutting his skin, that's why Smee usually did it. Recently Sarah had taken on the small job on while she had her room, delighting in the fact she could have some physical contact with him that was more that just sex.
"Gloria did it." He replied making his way to the kitchen. "You weren't around."
Sarah felt jealousy and anger. James' tone didn't sound pleased and if there was one thing Sarah didn't want to do, it was make James upset or angry. Not that James ever laid a finger on her, but his voice had been raised once or twice and his tone had been un-amused, especially with her naïve comments and girly sophistication, which wasn't on his level. Gloria on the other hand had always held a disliking to Sarah and Sarah was starting to feel the same way about the 'taken' bar maid.
Sarah sighed and decided it was probably wise to get dressed rather than go out side. As promised James was talking her shopping.
On a better note I gave the twins names, I hope people approve, I just felt sorry for them being without names. I can just see it, "Hey you", being cried all the time. LOL! I think it would do my head in if I were them and I am a twin!
I'm getting a few reviews that tell me Nibs is becoming a favourite character of people oh well we'll have to see....
* * * * * * * * * * * * Chapter 15 – What we really want.
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Sleep didn't come well to those with clouded minds, where ever they were in Neverland and while they may be miles apart, Peter, Sarah and the lost boys all hardly slept a wink of dreams that night.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
A colder wind blew between the trees of Neverland and although Nibs, Curly, Slightly and the twins all had made home for the night in a dark, wintry, not to forget wet cove that lay near a waterfall, the warmth of what they thought the shelter would bring was completely dismal and a shock compared to the dry wooden shacks that they used to call home.
Slightly sat up with Nibs as they constantly tried to keep a small fire going without it going out.
Slightly watched the fire light illuminate Nibs' face. It was filled with an absence and his eyes blended into his tanned skin as did his skin into his dark hair, in all he looked like a shadow.
Slightly hadn't thought about his temporary exile as of such and in his own mind admitted to himself his naivety of the situation. Nobody had killed Pan, not even the notorious Hook and if he, a fully grown, strong man, with skills of sword fighting and guns and piracy couldn't kill him, what chance in hell did they have? Slightly took a deep sigh but Nibs didn't seem to notice. Slightly took another look at the older boy who stood a little taller than the rest. His chisiled jaw sat on his fore arms which were crossed over his hunched up legs, resting on his knees. Nibs' face was dirty again, much like his own face, although it was probably more noticeable on him as he had paler skin. Slightly took in Nibs' shirt which surprisingly looked much cleaner than the rest of any of the boys clothes.
It was at that point when Nibs gazed at the boy next to him and caught Slightly's odd look, Nibs gave him a raised eye brow.
Slightly indicated with his stare at Nibs' shirt and Nibs acknowledged and went back to looking at the fire.
"You're clean?" Slightly asked, his clean, crisp accent, blunt.
Nibs made some sort of a grunt and returned to resting his chin on his arms and knees.
Slightly wasn't that dumb to notice the comment hadn't sparked something in Nibs eyes or thoughts that he was trying to deter. Slightly stood up and looked around their dark, grotty surroundings, the drumming of the falling water still quiet loud. Curly and the twins were all asleep, waiting to be woken for their own watches against Peter or anyone or thing else. Slightly noticed they all didn't look peaceful but at least they were asleep.
"You want to talk?"
Nibs shook his head above his arms and didn't avert his gaze from the orange flames; sadly disappearing and producing little heat or light.
"You should sleep then because it's not your watch."
"Don't want to." Nibs mumbled.
Slightly watched the lost boy and recognised the quietness and isolated being he was. A few minutes passed and Slightly was still watching his friend with concern.
"Sarah?" He mumbled as if she were in the room and in an instant Nibs looked up to Slightly's voice.
Nibs noticed Sarah wasn't around and that Slightly was just staring at him as if it all made sense. Nibs couldn't hide the fact he'd instantly come out of his shell because of her name and turned back to the flames.
"That wasn't a nice thing to do Slightly." Nibs grumbled, his lips pursed.
Slightly came over to him and sat near.
"I know, I'm sorry." Slightly replied truthfully "...but I had to know."
"It doesn't prove anything."
"Maybe, maybe not. I know Curly wants her...."
"But she loves James so let's leave it for the poor boy ok...."
"Or maybe you...."
"No...not in this life time anyway."
"You don't know?" Slightly stated wisely.
"Why are you asking me this, why do you think I even love her?"
"Because you don't love Nibs, you never have, you lust, we all do, but you don't love and that's why I'm asking." Slightly smirked. "You just proved it to me and yourself."
Slightly smiled at Nibs and Nibs realised what he had said.
The flames of the fire flickered dramatically and both Nibs and Slightly glanced around their surroundings for safety. There seemed to be no sign of anything or anyone and both boys returned their glances to the hypnotizing light.
"Do you remember old times Slightly?"
Slightly didn't say, just stared into the flames, the tiniest smile in the corner of his lips.
"I remember good times. When the darkness wasn't scary......."
"....Or the pirates didn't seem threatening, it all seemed like a joke....."
"...When Peter was good..."
Both boys looked at each other and then looked away back into the flames.
"Summer said to me that Peter had come onto her. I don't trust him and the sooner we get this over with the sooner I can forget my worries." Slightly said, his voice becoming a bit manlier.
"She's strong." Nibs replied, knowing where his worries lied.
"I know but not against Peter." Slightly gave Nibs a worried glance.
"I don't think Peter would touch her sexually. For what I have patched together, it seems he is frightened of something that is to do with it all. The escapade with Wendy remember?"
"He didn't kill her on purpose though."
"But, Nav? What about Michael, and Tootles? None of them fell pregnant did they."
"So why the grudge with Sarah?"
"Thank you! So Curly and I aren't the only ones to notice Sarah is half the time battered by that Fucking idiot!?" Nibs said through gritted teeth but still quiet soft.
Slightly gave Nibs a hurtful glance but dismissed it when he saw that Nibs was just fuming with himself, starring at the flames again.
"You don't suppose the same happened with Sarah like Wendy do you?"
"I do, don't know why he's keeping her alive though?"
Slightly noticed the whole of their talk had started to get their emotions running high and when Slightly looked over to Nibs, Nibs quickly turned his face more so into the dark to hide his eyes.
Slightly turned back to the fire but cocked his head to the noise that Nibs made.
A small sniff came from his direction.
"I hate this place, I hate Neverland and I hate Peter." Nibs stated softly. "I don't want her to die....I don't want to die, I don't want to be alone."
Slightly nodded silently in his direction, even though Nibs stubbornly kept his back to the other lost boy.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
A soft pillow was the only sense of comfort in the room that now belonged to James in Sarah's eyes. The man who lay naked beside her, clad only with the crisp sheet on his hips slept soundly in the darkness. Sarah on the other hand lay awake, James' strong arm covering her waist as he lay close to her. The sleeping arrangement was slightly different as usually Sarah had taken to try and smother James with her body as a young lover does and James had willing let her cuddle in all she wanted. Now she lay still and had been a fair distance away from him until he instinctively reached to her side to see if she was there. Sarah hadn't enjoyed the loneliness of the bed, as James had only decided to make an appearance not so long ago, but it did give her time to think and she was thankful that he had returned; the room was fairly cold.
Gloria and Betty had stayed the night, camping out in another room, sound asleep. Sarah was thankful for this as she had felt a little timid in the new house, especially with the previous dealings with Peter.
Sarah's eyes had adjusted to the darkness, the heavy curtains now drawn over the window, where she guessed the moon would be shining into if it could. Sarah turned her face to the handsome one sleeping into her shoulder. He looked tired asleep and he had looked tired when he arrived at the house, only stringing two sentences together before he fell asleep in their room. Not forgetting mind, to thank Gloria and Betty for their hard work and in so spending a night cap with them while Sarah waited up stairs for him. Sarah's thoughts melted as she looked at James's fetching face. Sadly the urge to pee came to mind and Sarah moved ever so carefully from his hold and the sheets. Careful not to actually trip over anything in the darkness, she moved very, very slowly towards the door, trying desperately to get used to the new surroundings to make them feel like her own.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Peter lay on his bed, arm over his eyes, hoping he wouldn't be disturbed, at the moment he wanted to be alone. Secretly, he would have wanted a shoulder to cry on, but that wasn't the true Pan, the true Pan was strong, he didn't need others to rely on. To come home and find that his whole tribe were missing was a shock to him, he always expected someone to be there, waiting for him, waiting on his endless whims. It now seemed weird and it seemed just disloyal. It now seemed like the real Neverland was officially turning its back on Peter Pan. First he had lost his true love and yes it was because of his actions but he never blamed himself for it, always accusing others constantly because of the blindness of his mind. It had taken him so long to just take into account that being able to love was to grow up and something very deep inside him urged him to grow up and face new things, but Peter was never good at things he did not know and didn't want to be made the fool for not knowing these things and so he dismissed them. Pan was leader, he had the power to dismiss anything if he so desired. At the time of Wendy's second arrival, when she became the first official lost girl, he knew he'd have to open up to his strange feelings and the vulnerability of learning to love because his heart only had one word settled into it that told him so: Wendy.
Peter never realised he was crying, because it was so silent, but he was because he was confused. He was mixing his memories with his emotions and that resulted in misunderstanding and weakness. Like Tinkerbell, Peter only liked to harbour one thought at a time and so now his anger had melted into sorrow for something there was no cure for. Peter sat up from his bed and took a deep breath, sighing. He made his way down to the camp and took another glance around expecting his tribe to be laughing or preparing a feast. It was deserted and held traces of being left quickly. Peter's mind went to blame Slightly instantly only because he was second in command. His mind tried to think where the rest of his tribe would be but he lost interest in the thought and his anger grew again about not getting Sarah, that he took it out on one of the vine bound tables. After a minute of destruction Peter pulled up one of the chairs that occupied the table and sat down gingerly in case he had thrown the chair a little too hard. Thankfully the chair held his weight and he relaxed into it rubbing his attractive face with a grubby hand which ran into his sun kissed locks. His hand went back to his face to rest by his temple, giving it a small rub.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
A warm sun filled the sky of Neverland and smiled down on the beaches, kissing sand golden and the sea, crystal clear.
The cove still looked dark that the lost boys hide in as they came up with some kind of strategy to out wit Peter and end things once and for all.
Curly was sitting up with Slightly talking as the twins had arrived carrying some tropical fruit in their satchels. Nibs had grumpily stayed 'asleep' on the ground listening to the conversations but staying out of them, waiting until they spoke of anything worth speaking about. When the twins did arrive Nibs made an appearance to them as he collect a little fruit and stayed in the circle as he presumed they'd all talk about Peter.
"I'm just thankful that he didn't come looking for us and killed us in our sleep!" One of the twins said as Nibs turned an ear to the new conversation.
"But if he didn't come after us, does that mean, he went after the Indians, you know to look for the tribe?" The other twin asked munching at the same time.
Slightly's face paled dramatically at the mention of this. "I don't believe it..."
Everyone looked at Slightly who looked as though the weight of the world was on his shoulders.
"What if Pan has got to them?"
"What through the Indians?" Curly asked, taking a large bite.
"Are they really with the Indians though?" Nibs asked.
"Of course they are." Slightly argued a little frustrated.
"But the Indians have surely found out why they're there, because of Pan trying to kill members of his tribe and so on!? Wouldn't they then dismiss the tribe because they have a peace treaty with Pan? They wouldn't want to get on his bad side and that could mean not welcoming the tribe to the Indian village." Nibs stated.
The twins looked from Nibs who had made the comment to Slightly.
"Oh God, have we put the others in danger!?" One of the twins asked.
The other twin opened his mouth gob smacked and drew and audible breath in facing his brother.
"No, no." The twin said as he seemed to recall something. "You told Summer to tell the Indians AND John and Tiger lily about the situation. John's the most intelligent person we know. He's bound to keep the younger ones safe! Even if it means taking them elsewhere, to somewhere safe"
"Yeah the younger ones, what about the older ones hmmm?" His brother asked him.
"Yeah, I wanna know about the older ones." Nibs agreed with suspicion in his voice.
"I presume you're talking about Winter and Autumn?" Slightly asked.
"Well, they are the official 'I love Peter' fan club founders." Curly replied exasperated. "I wouldn't be surprised if they don't go with the flow of things."
The twins both smirked at the fan club thing.
"They both do my fucking head in!" Nibs growled. "And they reply to Peter's every whim, I agree with Curly."
"I'm sure they would have followed my orders." Slightly stated.
"Yeah from you, but if it's come from Summer's mouth?" Nibs added with a raised eye brow. "I know they like Summer better than Sarah but?"
"They're all friends, besides they don't know what's really going on do they, only Summer knows, right Slightly?" Curly asked.
"I don't think she'd really tell, but?" Slightly bite his lip lightly as if he was thinking.
"Listen let's not think about this for the moment, or better still, them stupid girls, they shouldn't be in the bloody tribe anyway, what use are they?" Nibs started off on one, grabbing another piece of fruit.
Curly masked his grin caused by his best friends ranting which he did often about the girls .
"So what? We presume that Winter and Autumn have gone back to Peter or?" One of the twins asked.
"No, let's just assume they are both, I hope to God, still with the rest of the tribe. The nest thing we have to worry about is Peter, or namely ourselves." Nibs spoke.
"So do we look for him or do we wait till he finds us?" Curly asked.
"What about the tribe, should we find them?" The other twins asked.
Nibs looked around the circle for a moment before speaking. "I know your intentions were well to come and find us but I do believe some of us should be with the tribe, if you can find them." Nibs directed his comment towards Slightly and the twins. "Even if all of the young ones, not that's there's many, but even if they jumped on Peter, he'd come out with the upper hand. Autumn and Winter wouldn't touch him and no offence Slightly but I don't see Summer being the violent murdering type. That then leaves the other lost boys; Pitt, Del, Bink, Hopper, the others, he'd kill them all still because they're not strong enough, they're still young. We're still the best chance for them."
"I had the same thoughts." Slightly agreed. "I'll be truthful with you, I'd like to return, for Summer and the rest, I guess it's a second in command thing, you understand don't you?"
"Yeah." Nibs nodded.
"Twins? What do you want to do?"
"We'll go back with Slightly." One of them said, the other nodded in agreement.
"Curly?" Slightly asked, starting to get his things together.
Curly looked at Slightly then to Nibs.
"I'm not part of the tribe anymore. I'm also a bigger threat if I'm with any of you..."
Nibs' brow frowned and he gave a disclosed unsure look in Curlys direction at his sudden questionable loyalty to the rest of the tribe.
"You're still a lost boy Curly." Nibs stated giving a look to Slightly.
Slightly saw the look and nodded in Curlys direction.
"So what are you gonna do?" One of the twins asked.
"You all know I....have a thing for Sarah, I'm going into Ravens town, I want to find her.
"Curly for God sake she's with Hook!" Nibs stated a little louder than he expected.
"It doesn't stop ME from loving her." Curly bit back in his friend's direction.
Nibs looked away for a moment taken back.
"Fine." Nibs stated. "And you'll probably be killed if you do this, you do know that don't you? It's folly, it's your own disission."
Curly looked a bit sadden by Nibs aggression but didn't let it last for long.
"If Jake is with Slightly, I'll go with Curly, we can keep an eye out for each other. I assume our 'mission' is to try and get Sarah back?" Jack, the other twin replied light heartedly.
Curly smiled in the direction of Jack.
Nibs pursed his lips in thought. If somehow Jack and Curly, could, safely, get Sarah to return to them, them maybe? The thought was dismissed as Nibs felt it was useless. Sarah had obviously made up her mind about a new life or she would have stayed and he honestly believed she would. A jealous streak ran though his veins; it should have been him, in his eyes, to go get Sarah and sweep her off her feet. There was problem though and it was called quiet frankly; James.
"Well?" Slightly asked, wanting an almost approval or second opinion of the suggestion by Jack.
Nibs blinked up to Slightly's voice and shrugged his shoulders.
"If they want to?" He said not directly looking at them, going off to fetch his belongings.
"It' settled then." Slightly started to say giving a quick glance in Nibs' direction, knowing why he had suddenly become quiet.
"And what of you Nibs?" Jake asked, fixing the trade mark, wolf skin cap he, like his brother wore.
"Me?" Nibs asked with his back to them. He turned around and sheathed his dagger. "I'm going to the camp, to see Peter." He said so innocently, it was disturbing.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Morning looked far prettier in the house than the darkness of the night had and with the sun shining to the front of the house Sarah decided she would tempt James to come and sit with her in the not so prim garden. Something that Sarah found she was thinking about was the prospect of a beautiful garden that could greet her every morning as she opened the curtains of the house. After seeing Banbury's garden at the party she had decided to ask James if they could have a garden similar. At least it would give her something to do while James seemed to be off here and there. In her deepest thoughts Sarah had to question herself about a garden. Plants? Trees? Flowers? It all connected to the jungle and that was where her old family were.
Sarah tried the front door only to find it was locked. It had completely slipped her mind that the door would be locked having lived without locked doors for a number of years but the sudden urgency to be outside in the sunshine made the matter more hurtful than it was. Not for the first time had she been with James did she feel like a prisoner.
It was then the smell of cooking that flowed though the air to the door that made Sarah turn around and walked nearer the kitchen where she found Betty cooking up something.
"Oh, hello love. Sleep well?" She asked.
"Hmm, yeah, thanks?" Sarah replied.
"Was that you at the door there Sarah?"
"Yeah I just wanted to go outside and get some fresh air. Totally slipped my mind I don't have a key." Sarah laughed to herself.
"I've got one, here you go." Betty handed to the key to Sarah and Sarah's face dropped her smile of stupidity.
"I'll need it back mind." Betty said lightly.
"How do you have a key?" Sarah asked softly.
Betty, busy with the mixing of ingredients didn't look up to Sarah's face and so didn't catch the hurtful look in Sarah's eyes.
"I've had it for a while."
Sarah left the kitchen and slowly walked to the front door.
James came down the stairs at that point and smiled to her lightly. He was all groomed and in a beautiful shirt and trousers, clean shaven and ready to face the day although Sarah noted he didn't look right parading in a house instead of a ship.
James gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"You shaved." Sarah said aloud, noticing how soft his skin was on his face, his goatee a little more trimmed. It may have been an odd thing to hear but James couldn't shave by himself without cutting his skin, that's why Smee usually did it. Recently Sarah had taken on the small job on while she had her room, delighting in the fact she could have some physical contact with him that was more that just sex.
"Gloria did it." He replied making his way to the kitchen. "You weren't around."
Sarah felt jealousy and anger. James' tone didn't sound pleased and if there was one thing Sarah didn't want to do, it was make James upset or angry. Not that James ever laid a finger on her, but his voice had been raised once or twice and his tone had been un-amused, especially with her naïve comments and girly sophistication, which wasn't on his level. Gloria on the other hand had always held a disliking to Sarah and Sarah was starting to feel the same way about the 'taken' bar maid.
Sarah sighed and decided it was probably wise to get dressed rather than go out side. As promised James was talking her shopping.