10.
Hook helped Wendy out of the boat, but her grip was loose, she was pulling out of his hand before he had even grasped it.
"How do I know what the treasure will look like?"
"You'll know," Hook said, he gave her a small push, "Better start looking."
He folded his arms as she cautiously walked away.
"Captain," Smee said slowly, "I don't remember you leaving any treasure around here."
Hook grinned, "She's it."
Wendy wanted to run; she felt that if she ran she would at least accomplish something. That wasn't an option though, seeking treasure took a keen eye, and all she had was the moonlight that seeped between the trees. The smells bombarded her, so many even in the dark. Scents of midnight flowers, the dew beginning to form, the dirt that clung to her shoes, the leaves that brushed her face, they all had a distinct smell. The silence of the island brought out the smells. Her feet crunched against the soil, she knew if anyone was here, they could hear her. She had no reason to be quiet, she thought, but in the back of her mind lay many reasons why it would be safer to.
She had no clue where to start. The trees and plants seemed to mock her, the darkness enveloped her. She seemed to be looking for hours, she had no clue what the treasure even looked like! She looked under leaves, and climbed a few trees, and once nearly fell into an almost invisible river. A fairie had flown by her and gave her a moment of light, and then sending her back into darkness. She was certain a lost boy or an Indian would appear soon, but she was very much alone.
Or she thought.
"Miss Darling," Hook said, his teeth white against the night, "How goes the search?"
"Fine," she said stiffly, "What do you want?"
"Just to see how you're doing. Would you like a clue to where the treasure is?"
"I don't need one; I think I've almost found it."
"Really?" he said amused, "I doubt it. I am willing to give you a clue, the sun gets closer every moment."
She flinched, "I still have time."
"Am I that repulsive to you?" he sighed.
"No," she shook her head, "But I can't allow myself to be near you."
She walked away from him, still searching the darkness.
"It's closer than you think," he called, "It's the best treasure in my possession."
She continued walking hoping to find something, anything at all. Neverland was full of adventures, how hard was it to find a simple treasure chest?
The roar of running water filled her ears and she began to move faster. It wasn't much, but it was something to go on. She tripped a lot, even with the pants on, and hit her face against the branch, but found the waterfall.
She was right next to the ledge where the water fell, one more step and she would have fallen into the water and down with the rocks.
The water seemed to have thousands of glittering diamonds sparkling up and giving off silver light. It was completely breath taking; the water's light seemed to sing to her. The water flowed so smoothly, almost as if it were too pure to flow any other way. The glowing shine that was emitted bathed the ground around it in a almost heavenly light. If this wasn't the treasure, she didn't know what it could be.
"It's interesting you should come to this spot."
Wendy turned around to see Hook standing a few feet behind her. She gave him a wide smile in triumph.
"I found the treasure."
Hook took a few steps foreword and looked up at the sky, "Did you now?"
She pointed to the water, "This right?"
He shook his head and gave a soft laugh, "No, it's not."
Shepaused for a moment as if confused, and then gave him a furious look, "So that's it then?" she turned towards the sky which was becoming a faint pink, "I lost?"
He took a few more steps closer and examined the water, "I used to come here before Pan started to aggravate me as much as he does. When I first came to Neverland I found this waterfall, I used to think there was nothing more beautiful than this," he looked at her, "I don't think that now."
She stood silent, watching as the sun fell slowly onto Neverland, his voice was calming, and against her better judgment she felt herself relax.
"Where is the treasure?" she asked.
He came up to her now, tenderness like she had never seen before clouded his eyes.
"You are Wendy. You're my treasure."
She caught her breath as he leaned down and very gently kissed her lips, just as the sun washed over them.
He pulled back soon after, she had thought when this moment came he would take advantage of it. But now she stood there, entranced by his very presence, and the kiss he had given to her was so swift and gentle she couldn't remember if it had actually happened or if she imagined it. All she knew was that whatever it was had made her chest feel tight and her face tingle. She stared up into Hook's eyes, she could almost see herself falling into them, a small part in her head cried out for her to run, but she stood there, looking into his face.
"I'm not an inanimate object to be owned," she said in a whisper, still under his spell, though not completely, she was still Wendy after all.
He gave a soft smile, "You're my treasure in a way that nothing else is. I don't claim to own you Wendy; you are more than any piece of gold. You are not a prize, but something very dear, very precious, and no one can steal that away from me."
He was taking a big risk by saying this, he knew that. To say what he felt was not something he was accustomed to, he did not feel safe in uttering any of any of this. He hadn't planned on speaking in this way. But with the waterfall and Wendy… it had just fallen from his lips. She may not feel the same way, but now she knew. She knew, and he waited for her response.
Before she could even answer though, a triumphant laugh sounded from the skies, echoing among them.
"We meet again Hook!"
Peter Pan fell from the sky and landed lightly on his feet.
"Pan," Hook said exhausted, and then realizing who he had just spoken to shoved Wendy behind him, "What do you want?"
"You're on my land," Peter said spinning his knife around in his hand.
"You come aboard my ship, I think I am free to roam the island with my crew," Hook said trying to stall.
"I come aboard your ship to fight," Peter said playfully and then giving a dark smile Wendy had never seen before, "I expect you came here for the same?"
"Alright Pan," Hook said taking out his sword, "Do your worst."
Wendy gasped, horrified about what she would see.
"Run girl," Hook said in a low whisper, "Get back to Smee!"
Hook thrust his sword at Peter whonlocked the blow with ease. Wendy stood, her eyes wide, trying to think of what she could possibly do. She didn't want to see either one of them hurt, and yet she found herself hoping the Peter would go away so nothing would have to happen.
Peter's sword swiped Hooks shoulder which caused him to give off spurts of cuss words.
"Not in front of the children Hook," Peter laughed.
Hook was able to swipe Peter's ankle as he soared up in the air, Peter gave a cry of pain and looked hatefully at him.
"Does the child need help?" Hook asked in a menacing tone.
Peter began to dive bomb Hook, and gave off a sound of a crowing rooster she had once found so inspiring. Peter was the same Peter, but Wendy was no longer the same. She didn't even recognize herself when she picked up a rock the size of her fist and threw it at Peter, hoping to knock him out of the way so Hook could run. It hit Peter right on the side of the head and he fell to the ground.
"Oh no!" she gasped and began to run to him.
Hook however held up his hand, "He's fine," he said looking at the boy who lay on his back moaning in pain.
"I could kill you now boy," Hook said in a low breath.
Peter stood up shakily, a small amount of blood coming from his head, "A scratch," he said as tears brimmed.
Peter was quick. In just a second he was able to pull out a knife and run it into Wendy's stomach. When she cried out in pain Peter gave a puzzled look, "Do I know you?"
Hook ran to her side and with a quick swiping cut Peter across the chest, "Get out!" he barked, "Leave!"
Peter, battered and bloody, stumbled back a few steps and put his hand to his chest. It wasn't deep, but to a boy like Peter it felt fatal.
"I'll get you Hook," he whispered, "You and your new friend."
He flew away with effort, not turning to look at who his mother had become.
"Wendy," worry covered Hook's words thickly, "I'm going to pick you up, please don't fall asleep. It's going to hurt, but do not fall asleep."
"It already hurts," she tried to whisper, the pain was searing. Peter couldn't have done this, she thought, he didn't mean to. He didn't know who she was.
Hook picked her up gently, but she still gave a cry of pain.
"I know," he whispered as he began to run, "You'll be better soon. Don't worry. You'll be alright."
She looked up at his face, so strong, and yet fear had taken up every inch. He was going to help her, she thought, he could make this pain go away.
"Sorry," she mumbled, but she doubted he heard her.
"He didn't get her too bad the puncture isn't deep," Hook said in a tight voice and she realized he must be talking to Smee, "We have to hurry though, we must to get back to the ship."
Wendy's eyes began to close, she could just sleep through the pain… it will all be better when she wakes up.
"You're going to be fine Wendy," Hook whispered, "I won't let you hurt any more. I'm going to make it better."
His face was the last thing she remembered before she closed her eyes.
More coming soon! Hope you all like it, I did some pretty big edits to this chapter and I think it came out alright. I was excited to have Peter make his first official appearance, even if it was a bad one. Thanks so much for reading!