9.
"Charlie!" Wendy whispered the young crew member, "Charlie come here!"
Charlie turned his head over his shoulder to see Wendy still in her night gown hiding behind a door. He jogged over and gave her a nervous smile.
"Yes Miss Wendy?"
"I need your help," she said, "And I need it quickly."
"Will I get in trouble for this?" he asked cautious.
"Don't worry I'm not escaping," she waved her hand as if the thought was ridiculous, "But no you won't be in trouble."
He nodded his head, "What do you need Miss?"
"Well…"
Hook started to go to his cabin to fetch Wendy when the cabin boy appeared before him, "She said she'll meet you by the mast," he said quickly, not looking Hook in the eye.
"What makes you think that I would listen to a cabin boy such as yourself?" Hook sneered.
"She asked me to tell you…" Charlie said quietly.
"Did she now?"
"Yes sir…"
Hook was enjoying the boy's fear, he was feeding upon it, relishing in the fact that he could still make a member of his crew shake in their boots.
"Why should I believe you?" he growled and started to tap his hook menacingly.
"She asked…"
Hook rolled his eyes in distaste, "She has five minutes before I go in and fetch her myself. If anything goes awry, it will be your neck to swing first."
Charlie nodded, "Yes sir," and ran quickly back to the cabin.
"Smee!" Hook beckoned, and Smee appeared by his side almost immediately.
"Captain?"
"Do you know what Miss Darling is planning?"
"Planning sir?" Smee said genuinely confused.
Hook stayed silent for a moment before replying quietly, "She wouldn't run. She wouldn't do that."
Hook looked out to the water towards the island, lost in thought. She couldn't leave, he thought. He used the excuse of the plan, but it was a very faint thought compared to how much he just needed her here.
She just amuses me, Hook thought angrily, she's a good distraction, that's all.
"Captain," Smee said breathlessly, "She's coming."
Hook spun around looking for her, but missed her entirely at first. Then he saw her.
"Hello Captain!" she replied gaily.
Wendy Darling, daughter of a well respected London family, an English lady, a girl with impeccable manners, was wearing trousers.
Her hair was pulled back in a pony tail, a white cotton shirt tucked into her pants. Her boots went up to her knees, clinging to her legs delicately. The whole outfit clung too close, making Hook stare at the way her legs were moving.
"Miss Darling," he purred, "What have we here?"
"The dress was hard to fight in," she said carelessly, "As much as I hated to do it, I really wanted to try them on."
Hook turned his glance to her face, trying very hard to keep it there. He had never found trousers so alluring before, and doubted that if any other girl had been wearing them he still would find them that way.
"What would London say?" Hook asked trying to make light of the subject.
"Oh London will never find out!" Wendy cried, "Especially my family. Its on thing to shame myself in front of pirates with no shame," she gave a playful smile, "But I cannot shame them."
Hook cleared his throat, "Well then. Smee fetch the swords."
While Smee left to get the swords a few pirates walked by. They stopped, backing up, and looked at Wendy.
"Well allo Miss Wendy," one of them said grinning wildly, "Nice outfit."
Wendy wiggled her leg, "It's different I suppose."
"I like it much better than them dresses," another chimed in.
Hook glared at his men, "Back to work!" he barked harshly and they gave Wendy one last fleeting look and left.
"I don't feel comfortable in this," she said almost to herself.
"I might make you wear it more often" Hook said grinning, "though not outside with the men."
She gave him a confused look, "Is there something wrong with it?"
Just then Smee came up, "Here you are Captain!"
"Actually Smee," Hook said casually, "I think I might teach our little pirate something new."
Smee gave Hook a weary look, "Aye Captain," he said sadly.
"Miss Darling, would you care to join me on the island?"
Smee gave the Captain a shocked look, "On shore? Not your cabin?"
Hook smiled widely, "Why would you think such a thing Mr Smee?"
Wendy was too busy thinking about going ashore to hear their words. That much closer to Peter, who would take her home. Or even a fairie! Something to take her back to London.
"Don't get too excited Miss Darling," Hook laughed, "We won't be leaving until dark. Can't have Pan suddenly find you. We're going to play our own game."
"Game?" Wendy asked confused, "What game?"
"Didn't you play games as a child?" Hook said patronizingly, "I'll have to teach you the game then."
"What is it?" she asked, slightly nervous now, but her face showed no emotions.
"You'll see Miss Darling," Hook said as if hinting at something more.
"Are you trying to frighten me Captain?" she asked glaring at him and putting her hands on her hips.
"Of course not Miss Darling, I would never frighten a lady," then looking her over, "But then you're not a lady anymore are you?"
He walked away laughing to himself.
That night Wendy stood on deck, watching the water hit the ship with a delicate force. Her foot tapped the deck impatiently, her mind was so far away that she didn't notice Hook come up from behind and put his arms on either side of her, holding onto the siding.
"You're too close," she said bluntly.
"I find myself to be rather far away from you actually," he said casually and leaned in closer to her.
"Stop," she whispered.
"Why?" he asked softly into her ear.
"I'm not your plaything," she snapped turning around to give him her usual glare. He was not even an inch away from her face.
"But you do amuse me so much," he said simply.
She made a move to push him away but he grabbed her hands.
"Let go," she said.
"Are you going to tell me," he said seriously, "You don't feel anything for me?"
"Just contempt," she said pulling away.
He laughed, "You can feel contempt and still wish to be kissed."
"I want no such thing," she said, her nose in the air now, "Do we not have a small boat to leave on?"
He narrowed his eyes at her, "I could take you right now," he hissed grabbing her upper arm, "Do you realize this? I can do whatever I please with you, and yet I give you the freedom to act like the prude you think you are."
She stared at the hand that held her arm in a painful grasp, "I know," she said "You can try to do what you like. But you will never get it willingly."
He let go of her arm, "We'll see."
When they started to float away from the ship, only Hook, Wendy and Smee sat in the boat. Smee paddles while Wendy had her back turned to Hook, who was staring at her back intently.
"What are we doing?" Wendy asked without looking at Hook.
"You are going to explore the island," Hook said still watching her, "You will run around, trying not to let me catch you."
"What?" she asked incredulous and turned to look at him.
"Try to find the treasure on the island. I hid it, and you have till sun up to find it. I'll know where you are Miss Darling, so don't try to find Pan. He won't help you anyway if you're dressed like a pirate."
Wendy looked at her clothes in dismay. She had set her own trap.
"So I have to find your hidden treasure? What if Peter has it?"
"Pan doesn't have nearly as much as he thinks he does. If you find it you win."
"What is it I win?" she asked cautiously.
He thought a moment, "Your own room."
"No freedom? No London?"
"You didn't think I would actually take you home? Miss Darling, this is a lesson. Just because you pass doesn't mean you may stop. Of course if you fail," he smiled evilly, "Then I win."
She took a deep breath, "What happens if you win?"
He gave a low chuckle, "I get what you denied me earlier."
She looked away towards the island. A frozen feeling had taken over her stomach, she wondered how long it was till the sun rose.