12.

Wendy sat on the floor in front of one of Hook's bookcases, a simple dress on with the bottom spread out around her. She would pick out a book and feel the cover, reading the title and then put it back gently, continuing to search through the shelves.

"Feeling better?" Hook asked when he stepped in his cabin.

"Much," she said still distracted.

He watched her continue what she was doing for a few seconds and then walked over to her.

"Exactly what are you doing?"

"Looking," she said simply.

"Haven't you looked at my bookcase enough already?"

"It's fascinating to me," she said looking at him now, a small smile playing around her lips.

"You'll have to tell me the types of books you like over dinner tonight."

Her stomach clenched in nervousness, "Tonight," she repeated and nodded, then turned back to the book shelf.

"Is there something in particular you're looking for Miss Darling?"

"No," she said taking out a book, "Just browsing. Is there something you needed Captain?"

He smirked, "I can't come into my own cabin any more?"

She shook her head, "What are you here for?"

He seemed slightly offended and defensive at the same time and gave her a small glare, "I don't need to be outside all day."

She laughed, "Fine then, don't tell me," she stood up, the pain in her side dull now, "I'm going outside."

She started to walk past him when he took a step in front of her and gave a seductive smile.

"Ah," she said understanding, "I know why you're here."

He gave a low laugh, "Just making sure you're coming to dinner."

"Where else would I go?" she asked somewhat annoyed, "Now let me pass."

Hook laughed, "As you wish," he said slowly stepping aside.

She gave him a haughty look and opened the door. Sunshine flooded around her and she could feel the heat soak into her skin. Some of the men were cheering and shouting by the mast and her confusion spiked as she started to walk over.

"Hold on," Hook said touching her shoulder, "You'll get a better view with me anyway."

"What's going on?"

"They're going to race up the rigging," Hook said walking forward, "The men are taking bets."

The crew saw him coming and split up so he could stand in the middle. Wendy had tried to fade into the background with the other men, but Hook looked over his shoulder and motioned her to him. At first she stood still, trying to see if he would give up, but he just rolled his eyes, and one of the crew members pushed her forward. She stumbled, but righted herself and set a quick glare at the man. He smiled and shrugged.

"Miss Darling," Hook said calmly, "If you're done flirting with my crew, would you mind joining me?"

"I was not flirting," she said indignantly, but stood besides him.

Charlie and another pirate grabbed the ropes and gave good natured glares at the crowd. Wendy wanted to laugh at Charlie, he was obviously trying to be a tough pirate like the others, but he was one of the youngest on the ship, late teens, and so see his face, still young, among a see of scowling men, was rather comical to her.

Charlie looked over his shoulder one last time before grabbing onto the ropes and saw Wendy in the middle of the crowd with Hook. She would give the captain a sideways glance every few seconds and then look around the ship before repeating. When she started to look around the Captain would glance down at her and smile, a possessive look covering his eyes. So that's how it is, Charlie thought, and a sudden need to prove himself welled up inside him. Charlie grabbed the rigging and then the gunshot went off he started climbing as if his life depended on it.

Below Wendy was entranced with what was going on.

"This is brilliant!" she said excited, "Look at Charlie!"

Hook watched only Wendy as she smiled with the other men, cheering them on.

"It's something that every pirate takes part of in their career," Hook said.

"Did you?" Wendy asked turning towards him.

Hook gave a sheepish sort of smile and quickly replaced it with a dignified expression, "It's a tradition."

"I want to try," Wendy said suddenly.

Hook gave a short laugh, "Not until you're fully healed. Then we'll talk about it."

"You don't think I can't do it?" she asked smiling.

"It doesn't matter what I think," Hook said as the two pirates started down the ropes, "You're going to do it no matter what."

She tilted her chin, "Exactly."

He tried to hide a grin, "It's almost over."

Charlie slammed his feet onto the deck. Cheers rose from some men, groans and shouts of anger from another.

"I knew he would win," Wendy said confidently.

Hook shifted his weight, no longer interested, "I have to get them back in order," he said exhaling, "I'll find you later. Don't forget about tonight."

She nodded and started to walk away as Hook began to bark orders. She rarely felt the need to watch him yell at his men, she was fully aware of his temper; she did not need to see him pretend it was flaring when he yelled at his crew. He loved a good show, or at least he loved to frighten his men. He loved to frighten anyone really, but his men took it like a crew should. Their Captain should be fearsome, never weak. To them Hook was never weak, and he intended to let the world know that.

As she walked to the bow she heard someone call her name.

"Hello Charlie," Wendy smiled, "You did very well just now."

"Nothing to it," he said grinning widely, "Did you enjoy watching?"

She nodded, "Yes I did. I kept imagining what it would be like to do that."

He grinned, "I could teach you."

"Really," she said getting excited and then stopped, "Yes well, your Captain said that-"

"Ah, so you've decided to listen to our mighty Captain," Charlie grinned, "Welcome aboard the Jolly Roger."

"No," she corrected, "he just happens to be right."

"It's why you stay on the ship then," Charlie said watching her, "He gives you so much freedom here and you've never tried to run."

"Don't tell me he hasn't told the crew to watch and make sure I don't escape," she said in mock shock causing Charlie to blush, "Besides I can't swim."

"Not very many pirates can," Charlie said shrugging, and then jumped slightly when Hook's voice rumbled.

"Boy!" Hook's voice bellowed some fifty feet away, "You think because you won a little game you are excused from your duties? Get back to work!"

"Aye, aye, sir!" Charlie shouted and then winked at Wendy, "Another time then Miss Wendy," and ran off.

Hook walked up slowly to Wendy, eying the boy, "He's trouble that one," he said nodding at the retreating form, "He likes you too much."

Wendy shook her head, "He's just lonely," she sighed, "The others don't care for him too much since he's one of the youngest."

"And you would know this how?" Hook said amused.

"I live on this ship," Wendy said as if it was obvious.

Hook grinned deviously, "So would you call the ship your home then?"

"Just because I live here doesn't mean its home. Home isn't always where you live."

He watched her silently for a few moments, "Where is home for you then?"

She sighed, "I don't know," she shrugged and then gave a smile, though it didn't reach her eyes, "Don't worry about such things, I'm here aren't I? That's what's important for you, isn't it?"

Her tone had a sharp edge to it by the end and he wondered where he went wrong.

"Yes," he said deciding on the answer, "It is important to me."

She didn't have time to respond when he started walking away quickly.

Wendy looked at herself in the mirror in her small cabin and looked herself over, still displeased. Her hair was pulled back like it had been in London, a tight bun, but her face was too tanned now, freckles lined the bridge of her nose, and the lovely dress Hook had given her for tonight showed too much of her shoulders. It really was a nice dress, she could admit that, but she felt a little too exposed, and kept moving the sleeves up. It was a dark blue silk, too fancy for anything Wendy would ever dream of going to. It seemed to be the color of the water they sailed on, and she wondered what that meant.

A knock on the door, and her neck snapped towards the noise.

"Who is it?" she asked cautiously.

The door opened and Hook carefully let himself in.

"Who is it and Come in are two very different sentences, Captain."

He didn't even hear her. His eyes looked her over, a small smile taking hold of his lips, "Almost perfect," he breathed and then in one movement spun her around and pulled out her bun, "Perfect," he whispered in her ear as they stared into the mirror.

"My hair!" she protested.

"Stop trying to insist on putting your hair up," he said rolling his eyes and then pulling down her sleeves a little more, only for Wendy to pull them back up. He ran his hand through her hair a few times, letting the waves fall around her shoulders, "I like it much better like this."

"Because I live for your opinion," Wendy said a little shakily, trying to be sarcastic, but much too aware of Hook to manage it correctly.

He laughed, "Good to know. Come now Miss Darling, our meal waits."

He took her hand in his, and once again she marveled at how different they two were. Her hand had become rougher since returning to Neverland, but Hook's single hand had a permanent leather feeling she rather liked.

He led her out from his cabin, and led her to the main deck where a table with white cloth and candles surrounding them waited.

"Oh my…" Wendy said looking at the

"I thought you might like to eat with the stars," Hook said pulling her chair out for her.

She could only nod as she looked around her. It was so peaceful, and the night air seemed to hold her comfortably so she wouldn't freeze. It was as if Hook had chosen the perfect night.

"Tell me Miss Darling," Hook said as he poured the wine Wendy still debated drinking, "What was your life like in London?"

Wendy blinked, London. She had tried so hard not to think of it, she knew much of what had happened there was being forgotten and she did not want to dwell on the thought.

"I received my education," she said slowly, "My brothers are too now. My parents wanted nothing more than for me to be married, and I wanted nothing more than…to find out what I wanted," she gave a small laugh, "Rather boring life actually."

"Except for when you came to Neverland."

She gave him a steady look, "Yes. Then I came here."

"How is your side?" he asked.

"Fine," her hand brushed it for a moment, "It was nothing."

"Nothing," Hook scoffed, "We are to repeat this conversation? Peter is no innocent Miss Darling. Neverland does not create innocence."

"Neverland is the face of innocence!" Wendy nearly said in anger.

"Look what it's done to Pan," Hook said roughly, "A boy who cut off my hand! A boy who stabbed you, who keeps others from growing up! Look what it has done to me," he said the anger now reaching his eyes but then very gently added, "And you."

She stayed silent as he walked over to her slowly. He turned her chair carefully so that she faced him, looking him in his clear blue eyes.

"Pan hurt you deliberately. He cut off my hand," he pressed the hook to her cheek but she continued to keep eye contact, "He takes children away from their lives. He is selfish and conceited, yet you stick up for him. He may seem like a child, but do children act as violent and full of such hatred as he has Miss Darling?"

"You are the one full of hatred Captain," she whispered.

"I dislike the boy very much," he agreed, "More so when he hurt you. But I feel great pity for him. He is one to be pitied don't you agree? You must understand, he is not what you would call innocent at all. Not at all."

He continued to keep eye contact with her as he trailed his hook very carefully down her jaw line, down her neck, to her collar bone and let it rest there.

"I… he… no," she said the last word as if desperate to keep her last grasp on the Peter she had thought she knew.

"I will never," Hook said slowly with regret, "Be able to hold your cheek in this hand. Never to feel you," he moved the hook to the base of her neck, "to hold you."

He looked sadly at her and then went back to his seat, "Or eat my food correctly," he said in a lighter tone as the meal was set down on the table.

They ate in silence, Wendy's face troubled. He had finally gotten to her, and he tried to hide his smile.

Finally she put down her fork loudly and pulled out her chair, "Why did you have to ruin a nice dinner?" she turned around on her heel and walked quickly back to the cabin.

Smee appeared next to Hook, his face confused, "What did you do now Captain?"

Hook began to laugh, his eyes full of amusement, "Exactly what I planned."

Sorry it's taken so long! With AP testing, it was quickly followed by a killer cold so it took me awhile to finish this piece. I think it was kinda calm because of how sick I was and couldn't muster the energy for action even in writing, but there will be some coming soon! R&R if you can, thanks!