Disclaimer: I don't own Neverland or anyone in it. Darn.

Captain James Hook loved the sea. There was nothing more pleasant than watching the calm water as he felt it beneath him, rocking his ship gently as a mother would her child. The ocean breeze would slide over him and sooth skin burned by the malicious glare of the sun. The sea was his haven.

But, he thought darkly as he stared out through the port hole in his quarters, it's yet another thing Pan can steal from me whenever he likes.

The familiar darkness crept in, but Hook chased it away. He refused to lose control again. He turned away from the sight of endless crystalline white, more for himself than to let the girl see. He tossed one of his coats at her, not caring where it landed and slipped into one of his own. He felt like slipping underneath his warm sheets and sleeping, like a bear would, until spring returned. As much as he wanted to, he knew he couldn't. Ice that would creep up like vines until it covered everything and he had to make sure his ship was safe when it did.

"Stay here," he growled, making his way towards the door.

"But-"

The expression on his face was enough to deal with her persistent questions. "Stay here," he repeated.

The ice made everything dangerous enough without her beneath everyone's boots. It was warmer in his cabin anyhow. "Cap'n!" he was almost trampled by Smee as he closed his door, "There's been a bit o' trouble!"

Inwardly, Hook sighed. There was always trouble. No matter how many times they'd gone through this, his men still could not do anything without him to oversee. It's a good thing I left my pistol behind, he thought, or I'd have a few less members on my crew.

Hook himself felt like he was encased in ice as he let himself into his cabin a few hours later. The sun had gone down a while ago, making the air even frostier as they worked. Everyone on board missed supper and while he wasn't hungry, he held a tray for the storyteller. She was watching him as he set it down in front of her on the desk and went for some rum to warm his insides. On a second thought, he poured another glass and handed it to her.

She put her book down after marking the page. "Does it always freeze when Peter leaves?"

Hook felt himself stiffen at the hated boy's name, but forced himself to take a breath and relax. He took a sip of the alcohol, relishing the fire which spread through his veins. He nodded. When he felt conciderably warmer, he said, "You won't be able to leave until Neverland thaws out."

She nodded, but said nothing more. Curious.

For once, he was partially grateful for Pan's absence. Although Wendy Darling would never have been his first choice for company, she was someone not of Neverland. Not a child, not a pirate, or a creature of magic. She was someone who wasn't in his presence because she'd been particularly forced to (Not by himself, anyhow.). More curiouser, she didn't fear him. Hook laid his head back in his armchair and closed his eyes. "Tell me a story."

"What do you want to hear?"

"Anything." I just want to hear your voice. Anyone's but my own. Her voice flowed over him like a gently stream, starting slowly but gradually rising in passion until he was floating along with nothing existing but himself and the story. A man taken to prison, charged with armed robbery. No alibi and his pistol found amid the scene of crime. He keeps his secrets, even from his lover, who writes letter after letter. She prays each night for his safe return. The man, vowing to have her in his arms once more. His escape attempt...

"...there was only a few feet more for Cassius to climb. He heard the dogs, baying wildly; growing ever closer. Guards shouted, but he couldn't hear them. He had to reach Elizabeth! A whoosh and a thunk, followed by several more. Cassius's fingers lost their grip as his eyes grew dark. He fell to the ground, arrows protruding from his back like a sick pincushion. Over the hills and far away, Elizabeth felt a part of her wither like a dying rose and knew her love was dead."

There was a silence that lasted a long while. "No happy endings, my beauty?"

"It's something I have been working on recently."

"I suggest some revision."

The storyteller laughed. It was a sweet sound, like the bells of a fairy, and Hook found himself wanting to hear it again. What was wrong with him? It had to be because he hadn't been in the company of a woman for so long. He couldn't possibly find her appealing. Hook moved to his desk and pulled out his journal as if to write. It was a clever ploy to watch her without her noticing.

She had grown much since last in Neverland. Taller certainly, but now she was a woman of sorts. Her hair, glossy and dark, hung to just below her shoulder blades. She had unmistakable, delicious, curves even under the nightgown she must have changed into while he was out. He swallowed hard. How could he find little Wendy Darling so damnably attractive? She had killed him, once.

The Captain growled and slammed the journal closed, startling the storyteller. She stared at him with curious, innocent eyes. Pushing himself away from the desk, he cursed himself repeatedly. She was only a girl! "What's wrong?"

I'm a fool! A thrice damned fool!

His vision flashed red and fear joined the anger and self-hatred coursing through him.

No!

Hook ignored the girl and her concerned expression. He nearly ran for the door. The frigid night air hit his system like a cannonball. The darkness within him attempted to take advantage of the sudden shock and his vision was momentarily bathed in crimson. He stumbled a little in his attempts to escape and keep the girl safe. He wasn't paying attention to where his legs took him.

There was suddenly a wall before him. No, not a wall. A mast. He leaned himself against it, hands gripping his scull and pulling at his hair in a fight for control. No! I won't give in!

"Kill her..." the darkness seduced him, whispering like the wind in his ears.

No!

"Kill her, and the problem will vanish."

Silence!

"...her beautiful, lifeless body-"

Stop! He tugged at his hair, hoping to distract the darkness, the rage.

"...sweet blood flowing over my hands-"

I won't. I won't!

There was sudden silence and a painful throb in his head. Hook's eyes closed as he let himself slide into a sitting position. It aggravated the wound on his chest, but he ignored it and pulled his legs up towards him. He placed his forehead on his knees. His breathing was ragged and his body ached down to his very bones.

He'd almost lost control. It, whatever it was, was getting worse. It triggered whenever he got angry, the darkness would rise up and suddenly all his thoughts were overtaken by the darkness, pulling at him to kill. Usually, it was as a flash of lighting and he would satisfy the urge or not. Now, it was persistent--lasting for longer and longer periods of time. Controlling him, compelling him to kill.

It had begun to strengthen, he realized, after he was swallowed whole by the bloody crocodile. He had shut himself away from Neverland, hiding away from everyone in hopes that he could keep the darkness from affection anyone else. He'd only make an appearance to keep the crew in line and give orders or head important trips to the island.

A hand on his should caused him to move so fast he swore it was fortunate that he didn't have his pistol with him. It was only Smee. "Yer gonna get sick again, Cap'n."

"I'm fine," he answered in a tone that would have no argument.

The old man smiled gently, "All right, Cap'n. Are ye needin' anythin'?"

He shook his head. Smee pat his shoulder affectionately. "Don' stay out too long. Don' wan' Miss Darling ta get worried."

You have no idea.

"Goodnight, Smee."

"G'night, Cap'n."

Hook was left alone. The cold night had taken the moisture in the air and created crystal ice that floated along like the diamond dust. It glistened in the light of the moon. He looked up to the stars, naming the constellations and recalling their stories. It was odd that this world and the other shared the same sky when they were so different...

Hours later, nearly frozen solid, Hook made his way to his cabin. The girl, in the armchair, quickly looked up. He could tell she'd nearly fallen asleep waiting for him."You're back!"

He nodded and went over to her. Without a word, he picked her up, careful not to hurt her with his claw. She protested weakly, nearly asleep already. He carried her to his bed, not having any other place for her. The storyteller was fast asleep just after her head hit the pillow.

Hook removed everything but his breeches and threw on a loose shirt. He grabbed an extra blanket and settled himself on his bed beside the storyteller, over the quilts. He turned his back to her and after a while went to sleep.