A/N: Has it really been nearly a year since I last updated this? WOW, so sorry I took so long. I will try never to do that again. This chapter is thanks to one of my readers(and watchers) on DeviantArt, who helped remind me that I needed to updated this, then requested(or demanded lol) that I add a certain something into it for making everyone wait so long. And what do you know, I fit it in nicely. Yay! Also, as a little extra for you all (and incentive for you to comment(hahahaha!)) I have added in a mystery character! So please enjoy this new chapter and please feel free to help remind me about updating this!
Chapter 4
Random Title Describing Chapter... Dinner Date
Should I do as Hook asked me and wear the dress, or the new outfit I came up with? From the chest, I pulled out navy blue pants, a long sleeved puffy shirt, and an orange vest with silver embroidery along the middle and side. Although it still had the looks of a pirate, it was not too piratey that I felt like it would give the wrong impression of me wanting to become a pirate. When I lay the clothes on the bed, I found the pants much more appealing than the dress. Plus, I had a weakness for puffy shirts. As I put on the outfit I remembered Hook's hot temper. Would he get mad if I came like this? Mad enough to threaten me at least if not gut me. My stomach twisted into knots at the thought of incurring the captain's wrath. However, he has been kind to me so far, would it be wise to test his limit? I looked in the mirror and smiled. The reflection that smiled back made me think I was back home and I was going to a Halloween party with my friends.
My smile faded. Everyone back home, do they know I am gone yet? I cannot imagine how worried my mom got when I did not come home last night. How long would she have stayed up waiting for me? Hook was not going to get away with this. He cannot just kidnap me and treat me like some new toy for him to dress up and play with. Pirate or not I was going to demand answers tonight. With this new determination, I headed out of the room but found myself standing in front of the door with my hand on the handle. "You can do it Reggie." The door still did not open. "I know there's some bravery in me somewhere, now I go." The door still did not budge. "OK, on three I open the door. One... t-"
"Miss Regina?" Smee's voice called from the other side. He came so unexpectedly that I jumped backwards followed by a high-pitched squeak and tripped over the rug onto the bed. "Is everything alright Miss Regina?" It was surprising that Smee did not burst in to check with all the noise I made.
"Yes! I'm fine, just tripped." I suddenly felt embarrassed for getting so startled when it was only Smee.
"The captain is waiting for you in his cabin Miss, whenever you're ready then." Hook probably got tired of waiting and sent Smee to come get me. I could make him wait longer but that might make him lose his temper and that would be very bad. He is more than capable of using his hook, and I would not be surprised if he kept his gun and sword with him at all times. It would be best to keep him happy then. Of course, if that is my goal then I probably should have done as he asked and wore the dress. "Miss Regina?" Oh well, too late now.
"I'm coming!" I had hoped Smee would leave after I answered, but there he stood by the door waiting for me with his usual smile, which turned to confusion and concern, as he looked me over. Looks like Hook told him about the dress, or he happened to hear about it. Either way Smee wore his emotions on his sleeve so it was obvious he was worried. "Does this not look nice?" Maybe if I act as if I forgot about the dress... actually I have no idea where I am going with this. Though it's not as if he's going to suddenly forget or say it's OK. I don't even have a good excuse for not wearing the dress. What in the world, am I going to say to Hook?
"No you look lovely Miss Regina." Smee answered hurriedly.
"Oh why thank you Smee." I must walk fast if I am to escape without further questions.
"Wait! Miss Regina!" Just a little faster and I can be on the deck before he catches up. "What about the dress the captain wanted you to wear?"
So much for that... Hmmm, playing dumb might work. "What dress?" Smee looked ready to start panicking and couldn't seem to decided whether to stay with me or go back to the room. Was he thinking of grabbing the dress and ask me to put it on? "Oh the dress!" Relief swept over Smee's face. I was starting to feel bad for what I was going to say. "Don't you remember, I told Hook this mor-afternoon that it was much too small." The pirate's smile turned to confusion once more as he processed what I said. Now Regina! Run out that door before it's too late! Victory! I made it out to the deck! Now I just need to get to Hook's cabin and... Whoa.
The sun was starting to set so the sky had changed from its normal soft blue to exotic warm colors. The horizon appeared to be in flames but softened to a calm yellow where the sun shone brightest. Oranges spread across the sky with red coming off the ends. Farther from the sun, the blue returned but was quickly changing to purple and navy. For me to ignore this beautiful sight would have been criminal, so of course I took a moment to stare at it. I was so taken in with the beautiful sunset that I hardly noticed Smee standing next to me.
"It is lovely." Smee sighed as he stood watching the sunset with me. "I always thought sunsets were better out at sea."
"I've never seen one go below the ocean before." If Smee hadn't started pulling me along to Hook's cabin, I would have watched it until the sun had vanished beneath the sea. It was then I realized I had forgotten where I was, if only for a moment. Reality had come rushing back and I found myself standing in front of Hook's cabin. With Smee was no where to be found. All I had to do now is open the door and it seemed impossible. It wasn't the door but the idea that once I opened it, Captain Hook would be on the other side waiting to have dinner with me. Should I knock first, or just waltz right in since he is waiting for me. I probably shouldn't keep him waiting too much longer, so I'll just go in.
Just as I opened the door, there was a loud thud and I nearly closed the door out of fear but left it open a crack. "Blast it! That wretched Peter Pan will ruin everything!" Hook was obviously angry. Maybe I should wait for him to cool down a little before going in.
"Oh James, you worry too much." This voice! It doesn't sound like any of Hook's crew, its way too sophisticated. I'm certain I know this voice, but I can't remember from where. Could he be from another Disney movie? "If you stick to the plan everything will work out perfectly." As he spoke, a large devious grin came to mind. If he keeps talking, I might be able to remember whom he is. Wait, Hook does have a plan?
"Yes, but I've had to improvise due to me crew's actions last night." Is he talking about when he kidnapped me?
"Yes, good help is so hard to come by." The image of a small bell suddenly came to mind. Why a bell? During the time that I was listening, the door was opening very slowly. Thankfully, I had noticed before it opened too far to reveal me and pulled it back and held on to the doorknob. I really hope they hadn't noticed. "Well, I can't stay any longer." A moment later I heard a chair move gently across the wood floor followed by footsteps. "Good luck with your dinner."
As much as I wanted to know who Hook was talking to, it probably wouldn't be good if I was caught eavesdropping. Unfortunately, there wasn't any place I could hide. So instead, I moved away from the door and tried to make it look like I was just arriving. The man would be coming out any moment and his identity would be revealed. He could not be one of Hook's crew, he sounded far too sophisticated. So that ruled also out the Indians and obviously the lost boys or fairies. Could he be another pirate? Or possibly a sophisticated sailor that found his way to Neverland? And why hasn't he opened the door? Was he still talking to Hook? All I had to do to answer these questions was to go inside.
I waited another moment just in case the door was to open. It didn't and finally I knocked. After the sound of hurried footsteps, the door opened with Hook looking quite pleased to see I had finally arrived, until he looked me over. He wasn't mad like I expected but disappointed. "Was there something wrong with the dress I gave you?"
Wrong? No nothing is wrong, I just chose not to wear the pretty dress you asked me to because I'm not going to do everything you tell me to unless it is for my own safety and to see how many times I push your buttons without you threatening to gutting me.
"I feel more comfortable in pants." This is also true.
Hook smiled and moved out of the doorway. "What ever makes you comfortable then me dear." He saying "me dear" all the time instead of my name is getting a little annoying.
The cabin was cleaned up bit since last time I was here and in front of the desk was a table with another comfortable looking chair. On the table and desk was the fish Silver had been making along with lots of fruit decorating it and two large empty wine glasses on either side. The small piano was moved to one side ready and waiting for the captain to grace his presence with it once more. But something that I was expecting was missing. The man Hook was talking to was nowhere to be found. I couldn't see any other door, unless there's one hidden somewhere. The only other possible exit would be the porthole and I doubt he left through there. So how could he not be here?
"Come sit over here me dear." Hook pulled out the chair by the table with a smile.
"Uh Hook? Could you not call me, 'me dear' anymore?" It almost sounds like a pet name, which I really do not need! I looked around the room as I came to the chair. Before I sat down, I saw a shape hiding at the far side of the piano. It looked a lot like very large rat, but-
"What would you like me to call you then?" Hook pushed in the chair, which knocked my gaze away from the rat. When I looked back, it was gone. I wonder if he knows he has rats on his ship.
"Regina, or Reggie."
"Then you should call me James." He said with a triumphant grin.
Was this his plan all along? Say me dear enough times so were on a first name basis? Does he have this whole dinner planned? I wouldn't be surprised if he did. James... Hook sat down opposite of me and started to pile food neatly onto his plate. Well, I might as well dig in as well, and so I took a piece of the fish and started eating. The mahi mahi was very good was quickly consumed along with some of the fruit and much of the tea that he assured did not have any alcohol. We did not speak during that time which was fine with me since I was enjoying the dinner. My plate was filled twice with the fish and fruit. I had not realized just how hungry I was.
"You have a very talented cook." I told him as I relaxed a little in the chair. For a pirate, Silver was very good at his job.
"Well, now that dinner is finished." The pirate captain picked up his plate and came around to pick up mine. "Why don't we continue our conversation from earlier."
That was the last thing I had expected to happen. It was like he really did want me to know everything. He had said before that he wanted me to trust him, and that's why he let me see the pictures. That's right! I never got to ask him why he picked me out of all those other girls. Hook had placed the empty plates aside and was coming back to sit down. The fact that he was so calm and smiling made me a little nervous. "Why me?" Hook sat back down in his chair but did not answer so I continued. "Out of all the girls you could have chosen, why me? I'm sure some of them would have been more..." There were so many words to choose from like excited, thrilled, head-over-heels in love even! But I chose one that was a little more subtle. "Happy to come with you. Yet you choose me, why?"
"Yes, I seem to have many fans in love with me. But..." Hook leaned forward half way over the desk like he was going to tell me a secret. I waited for him to speak but he gestured for me to come forward. So I leaned forward but only a little. "Through careful consideration, I found you were the best choice for me."
"That isn't really what I wanted to hear."
Hook slowly fell back into his chair raising his left ha- his hook to his moustache. "What is it you do want?"
That was actually a very good question.
It felt like no matter what answer or explanation he gave me it would not be good enough to satisfy. Even if I was told a logical reason for everything that happened and how this all worked I'd still have trouble believing it all. A part of me still wanted to believe this was a dream and I would wake up at home safe in bed. Yet, under the doubt and suspicion, I wanted to enjoy every moment. Somewhere inside my inner fan girl was having the time of her life and ignoring the questions that should be asked because Captain James Hook (Disney version!) wanted me. At that same time, I was secretly hoping, against all logic, that he really wanted me, and not for just some plan. That was want I wanted to know. Not that I was going to admit that to him.
A part of me wanted to answer with an "I don't know" or just avoid the question, but that would only detract from my question. So really, what I needed to do was rephrase it in a way that gave me an answer I would be happy with without revealing how I felt deep down. Wow, suddenly this feels a lot more complicated.
As I went over the question in my head, Hook made his way to the small piano and began playing. I was suddenly distracted by the melody being played and spun around as if getting a better look at the pirate and piano would help. Though trying to spin around in a chair that could not spin freely proved to be quite painful. While I held my knee that slammed into the side of the chair, I silently listened to him play. I couldn't believe what he was playing, one of my favorite songs by Josh Groban, So She Dances.
"Y-you... that is! How can you know that?"
The pirate captain didn't answer but turned his head towards me with a pleased smile before turning back to the piano. It wasn't long before the lyrics were playing in my head and I stared humming along. A moment later, the pain in my knee was gone and I was slowly walking across the floor swaying back and forth. A few more steps and I would have been standing next to Hook, but I stopped there swaying back and forth with a growing smile. The music was a wonderful distraction from all that had happened. My eyes closed when the lyrics reached, 'When I close my eyes I can see' and I found myself humming louder and almost forgetting where I was. When it got to 'So she dances', again I started dancing a little. Attempted to dance would be more accurate since I never learned how and was making things up as I went. I moved about the spot where I stood careful not to tread too far so I wouldn't bump into anything. The song was nearing its end and I slowed down to a stop until the last note fell.
That was fun, now what was I doing? Wait, he just-! "You did that to distract me!"
Hook still sat at the piano but moved back with his hand up on his chest looking very offended. "Me? I only thought a little music would help you relax a little." He explained, smiling when he finished.
I was about to retort but stopped. He was right, I did feel more relaxed. So much that I was having fun moments before, briefly forgetting everything troubling my thoughts. It was nice, but dangerous... Right? Shouldn't I be on my guard? A part of me was starting to wonder why I was so scared. What happened that I need to be so distrustful of him. For some reason I couldn't remember, not right now. No! I have to remember, it was important! I can't let myself forget. Don't forget about home, about work, about how he kidnapped me.
A wave of relief hit as I recalled how I came here. Neverland makes you forget. Spend enough time here and have enough fun and you forget. That must be Hook's plan. To make me forget about my home and want to stay here. From now on I need to make sure I don't get too wrapped up in having fun or too relaxed. Somehow I need to make sure I remind myself of home. That actually shouldn't be too hard since everything here is a cartoon. Now that I think of it, memories of home only started fading when I closed my eyes while I was dancing. Uhg, this might mean sleep is not an option. Can't risk having a good dream then waking up with no memory of home. At least until I look in a mirror.
"May I have this dance?" Hook had left the piano and was standing in front of me his right hand extended. When had he got up, and how long has he been standing there?
"I can't dance... at all." My excuse felt weak since I was "dancing" before. Course that was different. Dancing with someone is entirely different than pretending to dance by yourself. Plus, I can't allow myself to have fun right now. "I can barely do the YMCA right." Maybe not the best example of my terrible dancing skills but it was true. "Or waltz." I added, seeing that he was starting to grin. "Anything really." Looking around the room, I realized for the first time that everything was moved towards the walls, making enough room to dance in. He had even planned this!
"Then allow me to teach you me-" Hook cleared his throat, probably because he was about to say "me dear" again, and corrected himself with a smile. "Regina."
Before I could refuse or make another excuse, Hook took my left hand and pulled me to him. Since I wasn't prepared for this sudden force I lost my balance falling forward so I hit his chest. With another quick movement his hook carefully held my back, fear of ramming into the point kept me from pulling away. I felt the blood rush to my cheeks again for the, I forget how many times now I blushed today but I certainly must have set a new record by now.
"Now follow me lead, One two three, and one two three." The steps were slow, Hook showing me where to move as he counted. I watched our feet making sure not to trip over his or my own. So far I was doing alright, I would take a step right after him and a few times I had nearly stepped on his feet. I began counting quietly to myself when a song popped into my head and I started humming Shall We Dance. "And one two three." Hook continued as I hummed. The song helped me keep in time with his counting but I was starting to get distracted again. Immediately I stopped humming and dancing. "Why did you stop? You were doing well." I could feel the hook still on my back refusing to budge. I was still stuck. Being so close to Hook, my mind wasn't thinking straight and I couldn't think up a good excuse.
"Thank you." My head was whirling, face flushing and eyes fixed on our feet. Think Regina, think! I can't believe I was dancing with Hook. Gah! Wrong thought!
A cold metal object found it's way under my chin and lifted it up so I was gazing at the pirate captain. The hook was no longer pinning me to him! Yet I found myself unable to move away and lost in his eyes. "You should be looking up at me, not at me feet." His hook slowly left and made it's way back to my back. "Shall we dance?"
Without thinking, I spoke. "One two three and?" Hook smiled and I found myself starting to. Suddenly we started dancing again still counting, only together this time. We danced around the room Hook leading me away from all the objects decorating the walls. The song Shall We Dance played through my head once more and much to my surprise we stopped when I was nearly finished. His eyes never left mine and I could feel my knees grow weak. There is no hope for me now. None. None at all. I am going to be lost here forever if he keeps doing this.
"Why are you being so..." I bit back the last word. A bit of caution still hung somewhere in my mind. Carefully I thought over a good word to describe his actions without sounding completely enthralled with him. "Kind?"
Hook smiled, looking a little too pleased. "I though I made that clear already." My eyes widened a little as I thought back. He couldn't really mean my 'companionship'. "I want you to fall in love with me."
My mouth fell open but I just as quickly closed it, my eyes wider than ever before. He was serious! All this time I thought he was just teasing me or wanted just another trophy girl but was completely serious!
His right hand let go of mine resting at the back of my head.
This still had to be apart of some plan! He couldn't just... there's got to be a catch. There has to be! I hadn't realized it but the distance between us was lessening. I was already pressed up against him, with his hook not allowing me to back away. But now our faces were far too close. I could feel his warm breath on my face and my knees began to shake. If I didn't do something soon we wouldn't even be a hair's length away from ki-! He's going to kiss me! Now would be the perfect time for Smee to come blundering in and annoying Hook, just like earlier today. Any time now Smee! Oh come on! The one time I actually want to see him and his voice calling for his captain he doesn't come? That's not far! A moment more and-
Before Hook was able to close the distance between us my knees gave way and I fell to the floor.
I don't believe it. Finally something about being a girl has come in handy today! I swooned! For the first time in my life I got weak in the knees and literally fell for Hook. Sure I totally gave away how much I like him now but I don't care! If he managed to kiss me who knows what would have happened. If just dancing made me forget, what would a kiss do? I don't know but I was really close to finding out. When I thought about getting up my legs still felt weak. Standing right now didn't appear to be an option.
"Are you alright?" Hook had bent down so he was level with me. It looked like he wasn't going trying to kiss me again. Though despite the concern in his voice and expression, I could see a bright smile in his eyes. He may not have gotten his kiss, but I still swooned.
"Y-yeah. I think I'm just really tired." Now that I thought about it, I was feeling pretty tired. The entire day I had been busy, surprised, scared, overwhelmed, and confused. It had been a very long day and the almost kiss was my breaking point. There was no way I could take any more of this tonight. Forget or not, I need to sleep. I'll just make sure to write a note to myself before going to bed and look in the mirror. Hopefully that would be enough to keep me from completely forgetting.
"Here, let me help you up." Hook offered his hand but I refused.
"Thanks but I can do it myself." Usually I would have accepted any help. But after all the kindness he's already shown me, well, he made his intentions very clear. Getting up wasn't very hard, that is until I tried to stand, but I managed to get on my feet once more. For a moment I felt fine and ready to walk back but suddenly I fell back down, Hook catching me before hitting the floor.
"Seems you need me help."
I sighed and nodded. "Looks like it."
This time when Hook offered his hand again, I took it. He raised me to my feet without any trouble, which really isn't too surprising since he's capable of prying open the croc's mouth when he's inside it. I put my right arm around his shoulder to help balance myself so we could walk back to my cabin. Getting out the door was easy enough, Hook had wrapped his left arm around me so I wouldn't fall. Outside it was completely dark, with only the stars and moon to light Neverland. There were no lamps lit and the crew seemed to have abandoned the deck. It was a little eerie how empty the ship felt with only the captain and I. A yawn found it's way out and my eyes began feeling heavy. There was a good chance I'll fall asleep once I hit the bed.
"Do you think you can walk all the way?" He asked, we had only taken a few steps from his cabin and I was already drifting behind.
"Sure I can." I answered sounding more sleepily than I wanted.
"Just how you could stand by yourself?" The smile he was wearing now made me worry. He wasn't planning on taking me back to his cabin and sleep there instead was he? I nodded, opened my mouth to tell him I could make it but yawned instead. "Let me take you to your room."
It was hard not to groan out of frustration. Everything that has been happening has somehow turned in his favor. I was beginning to believe everything that happened, from the moment I woke to right now, was all planned out before I even got here. He may not be the bravest or most frightening of Disney villains, but he is certainly very clever.
The pirate captain didn't wait for me to respond but pulled me closer, bent down, and lifted me up so he was carrying me in his arms. Instinctively I wrapped both my arms around his neck. My head told me to let go, not to get too close to him, but for the first time all day, I felt safe. Maybe it was because I was too tired but I was not afraid he was scheming something right then. Still, I made sure not to look at him any more than I needed to but stared at the stars and ocean until Hook opened the door and into the ship. When we got to the door to my cabin, I expected Hook would finally set me down but instead he opened the door and carried me inside.
"Ok, pretty sure I'll be able to care of myself now." I told him attempting to wriggle out of his hold, but he refused to let go until he set me on the bed.
He then took a few steps back and bowed low. "I hope you had a splendid evening, good night Regina." Without another word, he turned and headed out the door.
"Uh, wait a sec please!" Do not get me wrong, I wanted him out but. "Thank you Ho- I mean, James." That was a little weird, calling him by his first name. "For dinner and helping me here... Good night." Hook smiled, bowed again, this time not quite as low, and closed the door, never taking his eyes off me until the last moment. Now that he was gone, I fell back on to the bed with a thump and a let out a long breathe. "Wow this has been some day!" Looking around the room, I remembered it was unlikely there would be a clock anywhere aboard the ship. "Guess I won't know how long I've been up... Now what?"
I could do a few things now. I could get some sleep so I am ready for tomorrow, attempt to stay up all night and mull over everything that has happened, or try to find a way to escape.
So far, sleep was winning out. I doubt that I would be able to stay awake with how tired I am. Attempting to leave seems kinda silly since I have no clue how to get home or where to begin even if I got off the ship. It's not like I could navigate my way through Neverland and find Peter Pan so I can borrow Tinkerbell in hopes that I MIGHT be able to fly. So really, the most logical thing for me to do is sleep and figure things out tomorrow. First, I should write a note to myself in case sleeping in Neverland takes its toll and I forget about home. How convenient that Hook left me everything I need to write the note. I sat down at the desk and began writing. What meant to be a short note turned into a diary page describing everything that happened leading up to this moment. Looking it all over I decided that writing a diary while I am here might not be such a bad idea. It might help me get some answers, if I pay close enough attention and remember it correctly.
Even though I was tired, the blank page next to my entry beckoned me to draw on it. "Why not?" So I began sketching my characters, eyes, and a hook. Once I finished I noticed the hook was in fact Hook's. "Ugh!" My head fell to the desk with a quiet thud followed by a low groan. "He's winning. Already I can't get him out of my head." Thoughts of dinner remerged, within moments I was reliving it all in my head, yet the almost kiss kept interrupting. Thud, thud, thud. My head hit the desk in a futile attempt to push the memory aside. Of course, it did not work and now my forehead had a red spot on it. "If he keeps this up I may fall for him... completely!"
A part of me was scared, another part was angry, but back in the dark corners of my mind where I pushed away and hid it was excitement. The cartoon character I believed, knew, was only a being of fiction; was trying to win me over. Maybe if circumstances were different I would have let my inner fan girl out screaming and squealing over this fact. Surely if I had known, it was him that night I would have reacted different. It probably would not take too much convincing if he still looked like a cartoon for me to believe that was him and not some mad man. If I had known, I think I would have been thrilled to see him, to come here, to be with him. I may not have asked him so many questions like, why me?
I sighed, now wishing that this had happened differently, so I could be excited and enjoy every moment I had here in Neverland with my favorite Disney character, Captain James Hook. However, this is not the case, and I have spent enough time dwelling on it tonight. Though I still have no idea what time it is. For all I know it could still be early like nine or really late and past midnight. No matter the time, I was tired and needed sleep. I will seek answers tomorrow.
"I wonder if Hook left me any PJs in that chest."
With a new goal and my mind starting to calm down, I searched the chest full of clothes for something that looked like Pajamas. Still inside the chest were two dresses, the one Hook had asked me to wear and a much prettier one, which I decided I would look over another time. There were also a few more pants, shirts, a long leather looking jacket, and what I was looking for. Buried at the bottom was a nightgown. It reminded me a little of the one Wendy wore, except it's sleeves were longer and the color was lavender. Right underneath it were matching slippers. I pulled the slippers and nightgown out, a little surprised at first but then smiled.
"Yay, it's not pink!" I joked and began changing into it.
Not surprisingly, at least not anymore, it fit perfectly, and the fabric felt so nice and soft to the touch. A long yawn helped remind me how tired I was and I headed to bed. The blankets were even nicer than the nightgown, making me wonder for a moment where he got them from or more likely, whom he stole them from. I would have dwelled on this longer if my eyes did not grow so heavy when my head hit the pillow, sleep threatening to overtake me at any moment. As I lay in bed, I began missing my own bed. The familiar smells and noises, the cat who would jump on me meowing for attention late into the night, most of all saying goodnight to my parents. Tears swelled up in my eyes as I thought of them. This will be the second night that they will not know where I am or if I am okay.
"I love you, mom, dad." I whispered into the darkness, wishing that somehow they could hear me, knowing that I am doing alright. It was hard to keep my eyes open any more, and soon they closed. Moments later, I fell asleep.
All through the night, I dreamed of home.
A/N: So who is Captain Hook's Mysterious guest? Hopefully I left enough clues for someone to figure out who. He IS a Disney character. Have fun guessing and send me a note with your answer!