This chapter is a short one, and purely

because I wish for this story to be

20 chapters long. I was so blown away

by all the grand reviews that I simply

couldn't wait to write more!

Thank you again for your endless

support, I hope you're enjoying

the story so far!

R.H.J. )-

The return home

Peter hadn't been pleased when Wendy appeared on deck once more that afternoon, with her eyes glassy as she drew nearer to him. He took one look at her, and with a disgruntled look upward, he sailed towards the heavens.

If you were to look up at the moment Peter's body hit the sun's light, you would imagine him a most resplendent and awe inspiring phoenix, rising from the ash into the light. This is undoubtedly how he would like to be seen, which is why he does such with such dramatic flourish. One must admire his showmanship.

He looked down at his mates, and lost love, and felt not the sadness of realization of loss, but instead joy at the taste of sweet victory over evil.

"Hurry up you lot," he ordered childishly, though not with malice. He may have been displeased with Wendy, but he couldn't help but revel in his victory.

When the Lost Boys, Wendy, Michael and John were all in the air, and sailing away from the ship (with the youngest of the group jeering at the pirates and pulling faces) Peter let out a victorious crow. It was a sound Wendy would cherish for a long while to come.

They had been flying upward only a second before Peter was looking back to the deck of the Jolly Roger, viewing as a familiar figure stepped up to the helm, looking utterly miserable. Peter could not contain his joy.

"Why there is old Captain Hook now!" Peter cried merrily, casually watching from the sky, looking down at the pirate. "Hullo Captain! Shall I fetch the crocodile for you now?"

Hook did not look up at Peter, or at the retreating form of Wendy. It would prove to be too much. Instead he busied himself with orders, his anger growing with each moment.

"I daresay the old codger looks rather unhappy," Peter remarked with glee. "He does so hate to lose to me, but always does!"

Peter laughed happily, zipping around his followers with ease, as if the afternoon's dangerous exploits had done nothing to his spirit. He was a wonder.

Wendy didn't allow a look backward as Peter remarked upon the Captain. The lump in her throat was growing larger and larger with each passing minute. To look back now, into the face of James Hook would be her undoing.

When they were back at the home under the trees, Wendy gathered her brother's to her sides, and bid her farewells to the Lost Boys. There was much embracing and promises of good behavior. Peter stood off to the side, watching the exchange with hooded eyes.

When the boys were caught up in their newest game of intrigue, as young children are so easy to distract, Wendy drew over to the silent Peter, looking slightly down upon the small boy. Oh, he was such a young boy.

"Thank you for everything Peter," Wendy said in a chocked voice, and could feel fresh tears stinging the back of her eyes, which of course, horrified Peter.

"Don't cry!" he insisted, stepping back from her, raising a hand as if to fend off the onslaught of her emotions. "There's nothing to be sad about! Enough of this nonsense."

And Wendy, being the kind girl and sometimes mother that she was, she did as he asked, for she loved him more than anyone ever would or could. Peter would always have a special place in his heart for Wendy, as she would for him.

It was Peter whom taught her to fly, to brave pirates and sword fight properly. It was Peter who drew out her imagination and savored it and allowed her one last taste of immortality. And so while Wendy did resent Peter for his taking her away from Hook, Wendy could not bring herself to hate the boy who had in many ways brought her back to life.

"There now," Peter said more comfortable when Wendy's tears had dried, and a warm smile had taken over her features. "Happy again, I'm glad to see."

"Yes, of course."

Peter's features suddenly darkened as he realized what was to come next. He sulked with emphasis, dropping to the ground with his arms crossed.

"It's not fair. I want you to stay!"

"But we've made a promise Peter." Wendy was such a good soul.

"I know," he admitted after a long while, his lower lip sticking dramatically out in an exaggerated pout. He busied himself tracing with dirty finger along the sand below him. Wendy watched this in silent fascination and regret.

"And if Hook had gone back on his promise, you never would have lived."

"So it is," Peter said, standing tall once more. His features which had seemed so harsh and almost mature had seemed to fade, and all the boyish immaturity was back upon his face. He gave Wendy one last smile, before holding out his hand.

"Good-bye Wendy."

Wendy took Peter's small hand, shaking it quickly as she took one last look at the boy wonder, seeing his smile even more impish, the eyes even merrier, and the stance of pride and childish belief in immortality.

"Good-bye Peter."

Wendy was not alone on her trip home to London. Her dear brother's Michael and John sailed merrily at her sides. They were all rather grown up you see, and instead of being utterly depressed about going home, they were relieved. No more sleeping outdoors with no blankets, no more worries of pirates. They'd lost their imagination rather quickly.

So is the curse of growing up.

"You know," John said with an uncharacteristic laugh. "This is just like our last intrigue! Shall we slip into our beds and surprise mother and father like last time?"

Wendy's mind however was still filled to the brim with adventures she wanted to go through, and so she did not hear John's plan. She felt tears welling in her eyes as Tinker Bell suddenly darted ahead, trying to lose her unwanted followers.

"Wendy?" Michael called, sailing over to her. "Do you not wish to return home?"

"Of course not Michael," Wendy said, angrily brushing away her tears. "I want to stay in the Neverland. I want never to grow up. I want to stay..."

"...with the Captain," John finished gravely in a whisper that only the two of them could hear. "Oh Wendy, what have you done?"

Wendy's tears slipped more openly down her face now, her sniffles growing louder. There is nothing quite as awful as falling in love with a scoundrel, and having your family know it!

"I have fallen in love," Wendy admitted through hiccupping sobs. "With a most feared grown up man. A most horrid man if you were to ask anyone. I've done the worst thing imaginable."

"No," John sighed, "you haven't Wendy. Falling in love is simply a grown up thing to do is all. And he was kind to you, you've told me that. That doesn't make it worst. No matter how much you don't wish to grow up Wendy, you have. And it's not a bad thing. It's real life."

Tinker Bell suddenly cried something that only Peter could understand, if he were there, before she darted downward, and the large clock tower of London came into view. Wendy's stomach sank.

Home. Responsibilities. Growing up. Pain. Love. Wishes. Longing.

"But I don't wish for real life," Wendy whispered to herself as Michael sailed down after Tinker Bell with Michael quick to follow.

Wendy cast one last look over her shoulder, and even though it was quite impossible, Wendy could almost imagine going back to the Neverland, back for spring cleaning with Peter...

"Goodbye," Wendy whispered into oblivion.

And so it was that the three Darling children, although not truly children any longer, drew down from the clouds, into the quiet and starry London night, towards their welcoming home.

"The window," Michael said in disbelief as they drew closer, "its open!"

"It is always open," Wendy reminded him, not remembering that Michael had only been a small child on their last trip home from the Neverland.

They drew up to the large nursery window, stopping short as they viewed their parents in the room, sleeping unsettled. And as they all floated outside the window, looking into the quiet scene before them, they could not all help but poorly mask large sniffles. There they were, just as years before in their youth.

"Like when we were children," John said sorrowfully.

"Oh such memories," Wendy said, for the first time being glad to be home as she viewed her sleeping parents. "Yes, let us slip into our beds as if we haven't been away. Hurry John, Michael. Before they awaken."

And so they did just that. Sailing in silently through the open window, the three Darling children climbed into the beds of their youth, and sighed contently. Oh how good it was to be home again.

And so it was, when Mrs. Darling awoke moments later to the sight of three bumps in three beds, she cried so merrily that it woke Mr. Darling up from his chair, and he went sailing to the ground! But even that event could not keep the relief and happiness from his face and voice.

The two male Darling children threw the blankets off of them, and rushed into the wide open arms of their parents. It was Wendy who held back, surveying the scene a moment longer. Was this what she wanted? Wendy hadn't time to guess, for her mother had already rushed over, beaming.

"Oh what punishments your father has put himself through on your account!" Mrs. Darling said, throwing her arms around the startled young girl. "He believes it was his insistence you marry Jack that sent you off."

"Oh, silly Father." Wendy peered over her mother's shoulder at her father who was giving her a most sorry and wounded look, with such sincerity that only father's possess that Wendy forgave him instantly.

And such a happy reunion it was! With tears and hugs and laughter all around. It ended only when Michael nodded off mid-sentence, that the parents found it their duty to summon their precious children to bed.

Again, it was Wendy who stayed back, waiting for her parents to return to the near empty nursery. It was dark now and seemed cold...different.

She was not to marry James Hook. That was the thing of fairy tales and dreams of a carefree youth. She was older now, wiser to the world of reality. She had a duty which would benefit her family, and now, after she'd had a taste of what could be out there, she knew it was time to throw away childish dreams. It was time for responsibility.

Her parents returned moments later, seeming even older to her...stranger. Wendy felt her stomach tumbling, but she knew what she had to do. She was a grown up now. Grown ups made decisions for the best of all, not the singular.

"Mother, Father," Wendy said solemnly looking to her parents. "I have given this much though, and have decided that...I will marry Jack Belstow."

The Darling's looked to one another in complete surprise before turning back to their daughter who seemed so similar and yet changed.

"Such change!" finally said her father merrily, his head already coming up with the new sums his daughter would be entitled to.

"Wendy..." Mrs. Darling's eyes were filled with concern. "This seems a bit soon-"

"I have learned much Mother," Wendy admitted reluctantly. "This is the life I must lead. It is the life I was meant to lead. I am a grown up now."

Mrs. Darling said nothing more, and did not oppose when Mr. Darling called up the Belstow's, informing them of the grand news. Jack was as Mr. Darling put it; thrilled.

Wendy was pleased at her parent's excitement, but if one were to look into the dark eyes of Wendy Darling at that moment, they would have seen nothing but quiet despair.