Chapter 12

"Dancing With the Stars"

As they left the Indian Encampment and watched the Lost Boys return to Hangman's tree, Peter and Alice went a different route because Peter wanted to show Alice the time of her life: a life that she was always following on a curious path. At the same time, Peter realized that the more he spent time with Alice, the more feelings that he was starting to build towards her.

"It's a beautiful night, isn't Peter?" sighed Alice as they looked up at the night sky overlooking Neverland. "I've never seen anything like it."

"It never rains here in Neverland," replied Peter. "Rain always just ruins things for people, makes them feel down to an extent."

Peter then began to look at Alice almost like a doctor, eyeballing how beautiful she looked to him. Although he didn't want to think of it, he was starting to put Wendy out of his mind and have Alice take full control.

"What are you doing?" wondered Alice. "Do you have manners at all?"

Peter then snapped out of what he was doing and chuckled to himself before rubbing the back of his neck, smiling out of embarrassment.

"Sorry about that," he chuckled to himself. "It's just that I have never seen anyone quite like you before, Alice. I mean you and Wendy…"

"What about us?" asked Alice, putting her hand on his. "We believe in you and your world. Is there nothing more to ask?"

Peter was sheepish about what he was going to say and wanted to tell Alice that he loved her, but didn't find the words to say how he felt. He knew that he found the girl of his dreams, now it was a matter of keeping her here forever.

"It's just that…" stuttered Peter. "I know that we've been together for a short time, but there is something that I have been meaning to ask you."

"What is?" asked Alice, as she saw Peter lift up into the night sky. "Would you want me to dance with you? There is some very nice music coming from the treehouse."

It wasn't what Peter had mind, but Alice curtsied and flew up to Peter as the sounds of soft music coming from the treehouse were heard. Peter could see that he needed to confess his feelings to Alice and this was no perfect time as now.

"The lost boys are great with music," sighed Alice. "Who knew that they could perform so well?"

"They had a great teacher," chuckled Peter as he twirled Alice around. "Let's just say I asked them to give you a surprise."

...

When the music was over, they came down and walked back to the treehouse where the Lost Boys had placed their instruments down as Alice admired how talented they all were.

"That was very beautiful music, boys," said Alice, smiling warmly. "Whoever taught you how to play that kind of music?"

"The last mother that was here," said Cubby. "Wendy."

Peter began to feel a little sad upon hearing that name again. He was starting to miss Wendy again and he knew that in his mind that Alice had to stay with him forever. He wanted her to never return to where she came from.

"She must have taught you well, didn't she, Peter?" remarked Alice, looking over towards him. Peter knew at that moment that he had to tell Alice what was on his mind, before it was too late.

"Acutally," he said. "Alice, there is something that I need to tell you and it's very important."

"Well, don't keep me waiting, Peter," replied Alice as she and the lost boys turned their attention. "Say what you need to say to me."

Peter then took in a heavy sigh and looked down for a moment before turning to back to Alice and the Lost Boys.

"Alice," he sighed. "I've always wanted to tell you this. But, I want you to stay with me, forever."

Alice was shocked by this and knew that this would not be possible. She had a life to get back to and although she never wanted to grow up, London had to be the place for her.

"Peter," said Alice nervously, turning away slightly. "I can't. I can't stay with you forever. This is not my home, London is."

This made Peter feel hurt and angry to an extent and he got so cross, he kicked down a table, causing the Lost Boys to jump in surprise.

"After all we have done for each other," he cried. "This is how you repay me? Go on, go back and grow up. But I warn you, once you're grown up, you can never come back…NEVER!"

Peter then stormed off to his room and left Alice heartbroken. She had to get back to her life and there was nothing she could do about it.

Meanwhile, the armies of Davy Jones, Captain Hook and the Queen of Hearts were descending on the tree…