A/N Ok guys, here we go again. Apart from the fact that one of my best friends will just about explode if i do not update, this chapter is because of all you wonderfully loyal readers who have reviewed so far. I hope you like it!

Disclaimer - Yes, i DO own Peter Pan, mwahahahahaha! bet you werent expecting that!


Chapter 3 - Betrayal

"Oh, Wendy, you look simply gorgeous!" A short, squat lady with her hair up in a tight bun and large fake eyelashes clapped her hands happily, walking over to the bottom of the stairs.

Wendy looked down at her for a moment and said in slight disappointment "Oh, Aunt Millicent, you're here early. How…wonderful"

It wasn't as though Wendy didn't love her aunt, no not at all. Aunt Millicent was, after all, family and she would love her for the way she was until the day she died, but…

Not a day went by when Wendy was not being pushed and shoved by her Aunt to walk, talk, act like a perfect young lady. Wendy had thankfully finished her lessons with her a year ago, just after her 16th birthday, but was still in a never-ending shadow of her aunt. Although her father insisted that Aunt Millicent only ever meant well for Wendy, the only two people who could see how much Wendy despised her Aunt's teaching's was her Mother, and Sarah. Millicent's view was that all these skills that Wendy absolutely had to know were vital when one was finding a suitable husband. In Wendy's opinion, if one were to find an appropriate husband, they should love her for who she was, not what her Aunt believed was right.

Aunt Millicent smiled, having apparently missed the lack of enthusiasm and called through the living room. "George? Mary? Come here, you simply must see Wendy!"

Wendy sighed and fiddled with her hands as her mother and father walked into the hallway. As Mary looked up from adjusting her husbands tie, she smiled widely and forgot all about George who was practicing introductory sentences under his breath. "Oh, Mr Rancher, what a pleasant surprise! I say, rather chilly tonight isn't it? I am truly grateful for my membership into your country club Mr Rancher, so kind of you"

"Dear" Mary said, patting him on the arm to get his attention. He looked around, surprised. "Oh, yes, what is it Mary? Ah…excellent" His eyes lay upon his sparkling daughter and his hand rested on Mary's shoulder and a warm smile flashed across his face.

"Come down and let your father have a better look at you Wendy" Aunt Millicent snapped proudly, making pulling motions with her hands to insist the idea. Wendy hesitated, her hand trembling slightly as it rested on the handrail of the staircase. She wasn't really sure she wanted to; afraid of what her father might say…

"Come dear! We haven't got all night!" Aunt Millicent said impatiently, walking halfway up the stairs and grabbing Wendy's white gloved hand and dragging her down a step. Wendy lost her balance as she was unexpectedly pulled and had to grab the railing with both hands to keep herself from falling. "Aunt Millicent, please!" She said, wriggling out of her Aunt's tight grip indignantly and stabled herself on a step.

Wendy walked down the stairs, away from her annoying Aunt and stood in front of her mother and father, looking forcibly down at her shoes. "Oh, Wendy" Her mother gasped, a small tear falling down her cheek.

She smiled weakly, an expression that quickly declined as she was pushed closer to her father but the strong hand of Aunt Millicent. Her face fell and she looked purposely at the floor.

"I…" Mr Darling said, stunned. "I…well I…oh Wendy I'm so proud of you." He said, stroking her head gently. "You have come such a long way…I can't believe it's really you!"

Her head just continued to hang lower and lower with each piece of praise her father gave her, despite his good wishes. She sighed, still not looking at him directly as he continued to speak to her proudly as if he had never properly taken a good look at her.

"Well…now look at you, beautiful and looking absolutely perfect…

Wendy's lip trembled and her mind raced. She hoped beyond hope that he wouldn't say what she thought he was about to say…she didn't think she could take it. I mean sure she knew it was going to happen sooner or later, but she definitely wasn't ready for it…

Just as long as he didn't mention it…she would be fine…she would be okay as long as he didn't…

"Oh I just knew you could do it Wendy…your all grown up...

No…please no, anything but that…just whatever you do, don't say it; I beg you…please…

"…almost, a lady…"

Wendy's eyes welled with tears but she fought them back. This was not what she wanted. In fact, it was the last thing she wanted. As her parent stood expectantly in front of her, smiles planted broadly on their faces, she felt as if her feet were sinking into the floor. What if she didn't want to grow up? What if she just wanted to stay a child, and have simple fun, without the complications? Was that actually possible? Or would she have to remain a common, boring housewife to a stuck-up, snobby husband for the rest of her life? The thought gave her shivers all over. Did she actually have a choice? Did she have to grow up?

No

A small voice tinkled in her head and she blinked sadly, not believing a word. She would have to grow up, and nothing she could do would stop it.

But there's a way, and you know it. You don't have to grow up, there is always a choice open for you…

She tried to block out the slowly growing voice inside her brain and as it died away she looked blankly back up at her parents, now looking a bit disappointed that she hadn't reacted more excitedly to their praise. She made a feeble attempt to try and correct her face into a weak smile, but although her father looked satisfied, Wendy's eye caught a small nose protruding from the lounge room entrance and Sarah's kind and chubby face frowned at her in a "I-know-what-you're-thinking" style, making Wendy look away quickly.

As they made their way to the front door and Lucy draped a cloak over her shoulders, Wendy's hair flew back behind her face hit the cold, frost bitten air outside. She covered the cloak more tightly around herself, realising that winter was truly beginning, and hurried towards the carriage opposite her, parked neatly on the side of the street.

It was only when she had settled herself next to a fidgeting Aunt Millicent, and her mother and father hand climbed the stairs and sat neatly opposite her, did she noticed something rather odd and unexpected. She looked out the window to make sure she was absolutely correct, and then as she shifted in her seat because the carriage had begun to move, she looked at her father tentatively.

"Father…isn't John and Michael coming? Surely as it is our first gathering in this area of London, other people would like to meet everyone in the family?"

Her mother and father looked at each other for a split second, as if deciding if they should reveal the truth, or how much to tell her. She continued to stare at them as they looked more and more uncomfortable. Mary nudged her husband with her hand and he cleared his throat, as he always did when he knew he was in trouble.

"Ah…well…you see, Wendy, dear…"

Wendy's eyes narrowed. He never called her dear

"Yes father?" She said, rather harshly, her tone becoming icier the longer he looked away from her.

"Well, I thought…your mother and I thought…well we all thought that…"

He was stuttering so badly that anyone would have thought they had gone back in time to the days when My Darling was only an office clerk and was trying to achieve small talk with his superiors at the bank.

Just then a hand appeared on Wendy's knee, grasping in tightly as if it was a small cushion. She looked to her right and Aunt Millicent's lined face was staring reproachfully at her brother with an air of "If you won't I will" accent around her eyes.

"Wendy, you are now 17 years old, and a lot of responsibilities come with this age…"

Wendy did not like where this conversation was going at all, and would have put her fingers in her ears and screamed loudly to block out the sound…but somehow she didn't think that would be and option. So, very gravely, she had to just sit there, with nothing to distract her from her aunt's shrill tones, as she learnt of her horrible fate at this party.

"And we have been wondering for a long time, if now would be the right time to make your debut-

Wendy cut her off, her voice shaky and scared. "Debut? But Aunt, I'm not ready! And I am so young-

Aunt Millicent proceeded only by blocking out Wendy as she had done to her. "You are not young at all! 17 years old is the perfect time, almost every young girl is considered a woman at 17. And don't interrupt, it is highly disrespectful"

Wendy slumped back in her chair, a scowl now on her face. No way could she have ever been ready for this. "But I don't understand why John and Michael couldn't have come! They would have love to have seen-

This time it was her mother who spoke. She laughed softly and stared at her daughter as if she understood everything that was pictured in her delicate mind. "Oh Wendy, please, do think. Do you really think we would have your brothers tailing after you on such a prestigious event? You are going to be in the spotlight tonight, not them! You have to learn to do without your brothers sooner or later Wendy, anyone would think you didn't want to grow up!"

Wendy's eyes looked out of the window and she ignored her. And with obvious reason, but her father now ploughed on, apparently having regained his confidence.

"And anyway Wendy, people will talk if you go and let your brothers trail after you like that, its really not ladylike"

Aunt Millicent gave a curt nod and Wendy acted as if she couldn't hear them. Just as long as she forgot they were there, everything would be fine…

"But tonight is very special…as you all know…" George said, as himself, Mary and Millicent.

Wendy took a big breath out and tried to concentrate on the trees sliding past her window, although she had to admit it was getting more and more difficult.

"For tonight is the night, the night…where you will be meeting suitors for the first time…

Wendy began to panic. Suitors? She was only 17! Trying to get the image of herself fawning after some disgusting man out of her head, her fingers starting to fumble, she gripped the door handle.

"And one in particular, polite, handsome, and stinking rich, why, we could be looking at a future husband!"

Wendy's hand slipped and her head turned so fast towards her father that she thought she might have cricked her neck. Her eyes widened as large as they could go and her mouth flew open.

"WHAT?"


Okay there you go my friends, hope you liked it!

Abs