Oh my God I finally finished this chapter, I'm so relieved. I've been sooo busy it's just a joke and this chapter has been half written for ages! We're very close to end now and I've decided after the story is finished I'm going to do more grammar checking on the fic because it even bugs me but I just don't have the time to sort things out at the mo! A warning in this chapter – Character death and the use of a sexual swear word along with the constant swearing and all that goes with in this story ahead. And as this fic draws to an end I'm going to plug my new story 'Growing'; an Edward Scissorhands fic, and I think It's the only R rated fic in that section for now, I guess that'll be interesting! I hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer I own nothing apart from Sarah and other minor characters and places. Everything else belongs to J. M Barrie.
Chapter twenty four – The death of Peter Pan
"Where the hell have you been?" Slightly spoke, not quite a shout.

Nibs looked at Slightly who stared back in return.

Slightly noted the damp hair on the taller boy along with Sarah who was wearing very wet clothes.

"I just had to bathe, that's all, Sarah..." Nibs looked at Sarah trying to hide the grin that was on his face.

It'd had been a brief visit to Nibs' 'secret waterfall' and Sarah had whished that they could have stayed there all night, but Nibs knew his own boundaries, even if he did let them slide once in a while.

Sarah smiled at Nibs but swallowed her grin as Slightly turned to her with his 'trying to be commanding look'. Sarah let out a weak laugh before swallowing it.

"All I'm going to say is get...dry or whatever and be ready for dinner. We're gonna have a meeting about Peter and stuff." Slightly sighed. "I know things are hectic. We're all grown ups around here, not kids and I don't mean to spoil your fun or whatever, but please, Sarah, Nibs, don't fight against me on this. Not at this time. I need you both here and the tribe needs you too." Slightly sighed again and turned to Nibs. "I'm lost without you and you know that."

Nibs cast his stupid grin off his face and nodded. "Slightly I'm..." Nibs turned to Sarah who had the same straight look on her face. "-We're sorry."

"There's no need to apologise. Forget it. Just be ready soon okay? And also, I guess I would have done the say thing about Winter as you Nibs, I'm just a little stressed at the moment."

"I understand." Nibs replied.

Sarah nodded and put her hand out on Slightly's shoulder. "We didn't want to cause any fuss or trouble."

"I know." Slightly smiled at her, then at Nibs. "Looks like I need to take Summer and go wash my clothes." Slightly winked at the pair and walked off.

Both Nibs and Sarah blushed.

It wasn't long after that chat, that the whole of the tribe were sat in the main area. There was no need for a fire as the inside of the old underground was fairly warm. Small lights littered the inside, bringing a comforting glow to the surroundings.

"Okay." Slightly stared to say. "So things didn't go accordingly at the old camp today, but what Nibs did do was a noble thing, I think we'd have all done the same in the situation. What this means now is that we all have to be on guard, alert, keep our vigilance. A curfew will now take place for everyone." Slightly gave a quick look to Nibs. Nibs stared straight back at Slightly before looking around at the others, who in turn looked at him, wondering if Nibs hadn't brought Winter's body back, that they'd be safer from the up and coming meeting with Pan that was imminent.

Sarah gave a quick look at Nibs and smiled briefly.

"And so we presume Pan will come to find us?" Summer spoke up, her eyes tired just like Slightly's.

"Yes and no. He'll probably wait for us, or us..." Nibs spoke his last few words at Sarah as both of them nodded in agreement.

All the tribe members looked at the pair and knew they were at the top of Pan's death list.

Nibs didn't look scared but Sarah face must have paled because she noticed the sympathetic look from Slightly followed by him rubbing his face in anger and frustration. Sarah took a good look at Slightly and noticed he looked even worse than ever. His face was paler and unshaved, his hair was dirty and his posture wasn't proud like it usually was. She noticed Summer whisper a few words but Slightly kept locked in his gaze. Sarah wondered if he thought he may be down two members of his tribe in the next couple of day. One he couldn't afford to lose and one who could have been blamed for everything.

Sarah sighed miserably as her guilty thoughts raced into her mind. She stood up and weakly smiled attempting to look relaxed and tired. Although acting wasn't her thing, she escaped without too many concerns, apart from one.

Nibs took her hand to stop her moving before she stepped away. He didn't need to say anything as his eyes spoke volumes.

Sarah shook her head and pulled from his hand and left.

Sarah lay in her alcove, her eyes closed and her arms wrapped around her chest. She was beginning to get a headache. A small tea light sat near her casting a calming shadow. She was thankful it was warm in the old underground but right now she felt like she wanted to wrap herself up in a blanket. Would Pan find them all in the Underground? Could tonight be the last night she'd see? She closed her eyes and shivered feeling vulnerable and scarred. Her mind cast back to James' house in Ravens town, a place where Peter did not venture. A very small smile crept onto her lips as an image in her mind sprung to life. "Hey James just brought the lost tribe to hide out in your house, you don't mind do you?" The thought was stupid, but it lifted some darkness for a few seconds.

"Sarah?"

Sarah turned to Nibs and weakly smiled again.

"You're not crying are you?"

"Don't say that, it'll make me cry."

Nibs sat down with her and looked at her for a second.

Sarah blinked slowly.

"Come here." Nibs spoke softly, guiding her to his arms.

"You needn't worry you know."

"Come off it Nibs. There's a homicidal manic out there with us two at the top of his list to kill. And even if he did murder us, he'd still go after the others."

"Then what? Do we lead him to us? There are only so many places to hide and he will find us."

"Us, or 'us'?"

"Well it has to be me and you doesn't it. I don't want it to be you though."

"Don't be selfish, I couldn't cope without you. I've had too many losses Nibs. I need you...and I ....I think I'm falling in love with you."

"Then he's a promise. When we rid ourselves of him, you'll marry me."

Sarah stopped thinking and looked at Nibs. It wasn't something Nibs would joke about because he wasn't that sort of person. In fact, he never seemed like a romantic type to start with so this was pretty special. A side thought pondered in her head of if, just, if, James had proposed to her. Her fine things would be back with her that she missed. The exquisite food would be satisfying her stomach without a worry of where or when the next meal was going to come. She'd not have to worry about the bugs and wild animal, curiously being too close for comfort. But in the end she wouldn't have the degree of love to give in return for the fine life.

"Sarah?" Nibs asked slightly disheartened by Sarah's lack of speed to answer. "Will you think about it?" He asked timidly.

Sarah frowned and smiled at the same time.

"You're a fool you know?"

"You're a fool when you in love." Nibs stated, seeing the grin playing on her lips at his words. He broke out into a grin to before laughing at himself. "Cheesy, I know but it has to be said."

A few seconds of laughter followed between the two before Sarah spoke.

"Then I'm a fool to marry you Nibs." Sarah smiled.

Nibs' face was straight and he moved closer to her, the light casting a glow on his handsome face. "So you will?" He asked hopefully.

"Yes." Sarah. "But if we don't get to pledge ourselves to one another. "Let me tell you now, I haven't felt like this for anyone before. You're special Nibs and I really don't know why the spirits have really let you into my life 'cus I don't deserve you."

"Don't you dare say things like that Sarah." Nibs replied quite harshly, it stunned Sarah. "We deserve each other and I'll be damned if Peter gets either of us because I want to spend the rest of my life with you." Nibs kissed Sarah and the couple deepened the kiss.

By this time Nibs was laying face to face with Sarah. He stroked her cheek.

"Oh god Nibs." Sarah blurted out before she hugged him tightly burying her face into him. A few stray tears soaked into his shirt as she sobbed.

Nibs would have liked to think it was because of his overwhelming romaticness, but in reality he knew Sarah was very much scared of what fate may lay in store for both of them.

After a minute or so Sarah emerged from Nibs' embrace to look at him.

It pained Nibs to see her red eyes.

"I'm sorry." Sarah whispered.

"For what? For crying? Don't be silly."

"I'm not a fighter Nibs, he'll get me eventually."

"Sarah please! Don't say things like that. You are a fighter, how come you've got this far, huh?"

Sarah looked blankly at Nibs, having no answer to her stated comment.

So don't talk shit, not about this. I love you because you are a fighter, not a normal one mind." Nibs said with a smirk that made Sarah feebly smile. "And I love you because you beautiful, crazy, stupid, sexy, intelligent, caring and amazing, you're the most amazing thing I've ever known."

Sarah blushed while he was speaking.

"And if Peter wants to get to you, he'll have to get through me first, I think he may know that now. Nibs' last few words were spoken to himself.

Nibs lay his head down and took a deep breath. Sarah leaned in and kissed his neck. Nibs closed his eyes.

"If you're my wife and I'm your husband, I guess I'll have to start thinking about my duties."

"Which are?" Sarah asked playfully between kisses.

Nibs looked up and turned his ear to the doorway.

"What?" Sarah asked trying to prop herself up.

"Nothing." Nibs said dismissively.

"So you were saying?" Sarah asked teasingly, running a hand over his cheek and down his neck.

"Well now. I'd be caring for you, bringing us food, having a house, keeping you satisfied." He said with a grin to finish.

"Nibs? Make me forget everything. Make it just you and I?"

"What now, with everyone around?" He asked softly but playfully.

"I don't care, not any more." Sarah spoke running her hands over his backside, up his body and back down before settling on the button of his trousers.

"I care, not here."

Sarah didn't say anything but she sighed and frowned miserably, flopping her delicate hands away, that had made their way to the hair that trailed from his belly button down.

"I wasn't going to give it up that fast you know." Nibs said getting up smirking.

"What?"

"Come on, we're going."

"Where? The curfew? It applies to everyone."

"I know but I won't get any sleep if this keeps carrying on." Nibs protested, indicating to his crotch. "And I don't want to sort myself out either. You caused the problem, you should sort it out."

It was this type of open joke that Sarah had grown fond of. In every day life Nibs wasn't the joker of the tribe and so she felt special that Nibs felt so secure to crack a joke around her. It was just like her random stupidness, a thing she knew James had tired off.

Sarah smiled at him and stood up, pulling the ragged material that acted as a door to the side.

They took a moment to climb out the little alcove and stood in the corridor.

Nibs looked both ways in the dim light before pressing Sarah into a wall for a quick second, pushing himself against her.

Sarah opened her mouth to gasp but not a sound came out. Feeling so close to Nibs solid body gave Sarah that oncoming feeling of lightness in her stomach and a growing heat even lower. It was easy to lose ones inhibitions when one was indulging with Nibs.

Nibs pressed his lips into Sarah's, craving for the sweet taste to flow over his mouth. Her tongue joined his, her world caught up in his and no one elses.His hands had slipped round her back and were kneading her buttocks in a firm but gentle way.

Sarah's hands cupped his neck and she exposed her neck. Nibs took the offer in a primal way, holding his voice in her throat as best he could. "I thought you said not here?" Sarah mused in a soft purr like way.

It was true that her own room was a fair distance away from the main chamber. It wasn't exactly late so everyone was most likely still there. Sarah was thankful for the few dark tunnels and winding pathways that occupied the old underground and the near by exit.

"Shall we escape?" Sarah moaned.

"I think we'll have too." Nibs replied looking into her eyes, smirking and grabbing her hand as the pair made a hushed run to the new exit.

Nibs stopped two metres short of the exit and frowned, peering at the unlatched door. A small gap stopped it from being completely closed.

Sarah turned to Nibs as she registered what he's seen.

"You said you heard something before, didn't you?"

Nibs nodded keeping his eyes on the door.

"Tell Slightly the door was open, ask if anyone's gone out."

Sarah nodded and started to walk back down the dim corridor.

Nibs moved to the exit and apprehensively looked outside. There was no movement. He stayed there a couple of seconds before backing into the entrance. A voice came from behind a bush and a small figure came into view.

Nibs walked out squinting at the figure.

"Nibs it's me, Spring."

Nibs frowned as she approached. "Lovely night isn't it." She smiled.

"What were you doing by yourself."

"I wasn't by myself I was with..." Spring stopped talking a frowned. "Where's Meg?"

Nibs frowned again and took a long look around. "She was with you?"

"Yeah, I just came out to go to the toilet, she was waiting there."

"How long ago did you leave the underground?"

"Just a couple of minutes ago." Spring replied, registering Nibs angry tone as his eyes darted around the area.

Sarah stopped in her tracks and turned behind. It really wasn't a trek to where Slightly would be, but her footsteps seemed to be getting smaller. Again she turned back round and started walking again only to be caught from behind. A dirty hand closed against her mouth as a muffled scream came from her lips.

"Long time no see Sarah." Peter whispered gruffly.

Sarah's chest had started to rise very fast. She urged her feet to move but her fear stopped her.

"Tell Slightly That I'm going to look for Meg." Nibs spoke walking from the exit.

Spring watched him go an absent smile on her lips as she waited till he was out of sight. She turned and walked into the dark corridor and frowned as a shuffle of moved casued her to squeak in fear.

"Hello?" Spring asked, her voice carrying down the pathway.

"Not a word Sarah." Peter said deadly in the most hushed tone he could muster from his anger.

Sarah nodded her head as her eyes filled up.

Spring walked down the corridor carefully calling out. She rounded the corner and gasped as she saw Peter and Sarah.

The shocked played on her small face and no words came out as the young man whom she had once thought to be the saviour of Neverland, the handsome, carefree Pan, and step out of the dark to reveal himself as a shadow of his former self. The anger in his eyes was magnified to a horrific level and his sheer gaze froze you.

Spring looked at Sarah who was breathing heavily and trembling in his hold.

She wanted to scream for some one but she also wanted to run.

Peter made a move towards her and Spring felt a warm trickle down her leg. She looked down as tears started to escape her eyes. At a glance you would have thought them to be tears of embarrassment but the reason was far clearer, quite simply fear.

Peter looked on at Spring quickly trying to think of a way to get round this hitch. His initial plan that had come to mind minutes ago thanks to the two young lost girls was in his eye a blessing. For days now he'd been watching, hiding in the jungle, waiting like an animal for some weak link to appear. His link now had been simply to wait for the door to open so to speak. He'd seen Meg guarding the door and simply knocked her out cold, slamming her head into some rocks. He didn't know if she was alive but he didn't have time to wreak revenge on someone who he couldn't even recall the name of.

Sarah was wide eyed at Spring and like wise.

Peter made a move to go over to Spring to stopped it. He could let go of Sarah or let Spring run or shout for help. He knew he was on thin ice as the lost tribe; Slightly and such wouldn't be too far away.

Sarah took a deep breath through her nose the filth on Peters hand over her mouth made her wretch slightly.

Peter put his lips towards Sarah ear. He pressed his cheek to hers. "You're going to stay put Sarah while I take care of your little wannabe here. You dare move and I'll make you wish James had used his Hook to fuck you. Do you hear?"

Sarah nodded, desperately hoping for a sign of someone.

Peter had slowly let her go and watched her as she made no move or sound. He turned his attention to Spring who stood frozen like a statue. When Peter darted to her, hand over her mouth in an instant, Sarah could have sworn she heard the younger girl whimper.

There was a muffled scream from Spring and it was all that was needed for Sarah to try and make a move.

Peter quickly turned to her and Spring let out a scream this time.

Sarah darted into the alcove that belonged to her and almost dived into it as Peter grabbed her ankle. Sarah reached to her bag and used it to knock against Peter's head. She did it with such a force that she was surprised she didn't drop the bag. Peter stumbled for a second and in that moment Sarah opened the bag and pointed the gun at Peter with trembling hands.

"One more move." Sarah muttered.

Peter's eyes widened and a look of terror briefly flashed across his features. Sarah as surprised that he didn't make a run for it. Sarah steadied her hand and pulled the trigger. It felt a little bit like slow motion and she waited for the force of the bullet from the gun to throw her back slightly. She waited for the extremely loud noise and the blood to be over her wall.

Peter smirked out loud. Sarah flicked the trigger again and found it made only a light clicking sound. There weren't any bullets in the God damn thing! Both Peter and Sarah had realised this at the same moment and Sarah looked up into the eyes of Peter which were burning with confidence, revenge and laughter.

"Is this a little present little Jamesy – wamsey got for you? Did he send his regards?" Peter asked chucking the gun from Sarah limp hands and pushing her against a wall.

"Dear Sarah." He started nicely. "You deserve to die you fucking little cunt." Peter spat putting both his hands around her neck.

Sarah chocked and her eyes flew wider at the restricting panic that ran over her. She looked around the room and tried to see past Peter's head, hoping someone was coming. Peter's body was pressed against hers and she could feel how warm he was. It made her sick to feel his erection pressed against her. She didn't think it was for her but for the fact he was obviously getting a kick out of harming her. Sarah bravely put her hands down from his chest where they'd been trying to stop him, down to his hips. The idea was to try and touch him, put his mind onto something else. The fact that he was hard obviously meant that he was very sensitive down there. It made her sick again to think he was getting some kind of pleasure out of this. Sarah reached even before she trailed her hands any further and briefly touched the hilt of his knife. Without a second thought she pulled it out and pressed it into him.

Peter loosened his grip on Sarah's neck and blinked before looking down on himself. He quickly looked up to her wide eyes and almost growled urging himself to attack her again. He tried but felt the burning becoming too overwhelming to even stand or breathe.

Sarah watched in anxiety as Peter pulled away ever so slightly. Sarah looked to the hilt of the knife surround by a thick deep red. It was to the side of his abdomen. Her tears had started to flow and she really couldn't put it down to one emotion. Then as her anger and hate flowed through her veins at the past of this young man, Sarah grabbed the hilt and slid it out of his body before driving it back through the area of his stomach before flinging her hands away from the knife.

Peter made a moan and fell to him knees.

Sarah jumped as Slihgtly came into view and gasped, pulling his own knife out.

"Sarah are you? Fucking hell!!!" Slihgtly said out loud as he noticed Peter crouching on his knees.

Sarah looked back up to Slightly after starring at Peter who had his eyes closed and was bleeding quite heavily. She noticed Jake come into view, poised and with a look of revenge on his face.

All this time, Peter only heard mumbles and tones as the sound of words diminished to his ears. He's registered he'd been stabbed by Sarah. He wanted to cry out but his strength was going to keeping his eyes open. His body was numb and weak. In a effort to rest peacefully, he stood up as quickly as he could without falling over and grabbed the hilt of his dagger. His slid it out fast crying out very loud as he did so. As he collapsed to the floor he sliced the air with the dagger at Sarah cutting her thigh with the blade. Sarah gasped in shock and pain only having believed herself that this was the end of Peter.

Slihgtly flew to Peter but the young man was barely alive.

Peter looked into the blurry face of the dark haired boy.

Slihgtly looked down on Peter and noticed the former leader open his mouth slightly to speak. Slightly frowned and looked closer at Peter's lips but they had stopped moving.

Slightly stood back from Peter and walked around him to Sarah. Sarah was watching the whole scene pressing her hand to the cut that wasn't as deep as she thought.

"Are you okay?" Slightly asked.

Jake had walked into the room and nudged Peter with his foot a little harder than necessary.

"He's dead." Jake spoke in a neutral voice, his eyes welding up with tears at the sight of his brother's murderer.

All three looked at each other and found there attentions caught off guard by a very close thunder.

"He's dead." Slightly said softly with relief.