17.
Hook wasn't surprised in the least that he had turned out to be the jealous type. In fact he expected it, and the moment he took Wendy out of her bed on her birthday he knew he would let no one else have her. He knew his crew wouldn't dare touch her, but just to see them smile at her in that wanting way, or watch her as she walked, he felt the urge to jam his hook into their throats. Of course he couldn't, and their lust worked to his advantage, yet he had caught nearly every pirate on board gazing at what belonged to him! Even Smee, the old man that he was, would have a foolish grin hanging from his face when Wendy came into their sights. Today she had worn her pirate attire, and not to say it didn't please him, it pleased him very much actually, he just would rather his crew not enjoy it as much as he did. He convinced himself that it was the fact that so few women were aboard, that the men just needed their fill, but never had he seen such a devoted ship. It bothered him.
He was a possessive man, and although Wendy constantly reminded him she was not something to be owned, he couldn't help to think he had earned her, that she was his. Neverland would let him have her; the island enjoyed the conflicting emotions within Hook when he thought of Wendy. How he shouldn't need her like he did, how the thought of staying with her made him shift in his chair, but the thought of leaving her made him hold her closer. He did not want to give himself away, but he knew Wendy had him now; he belonged to her just as much as she did to him.
Again, it bothered him.
If he had to admit it, which he wouldn't, it more than bothered him. It infuriated him.
Wendy actually felt many of the same feelings for Hook, she of course wanted to stay with him, but then again, how could she? He had taken her from home into this ageless land, where she knew things would change one day. He was known to all as the cruel pirate captain, the hunter of lost boys, a man with no heart. She felt the heart beating now against her bare back, the pace was slower now, a steady thrum that she could almost hear. She was leaving in a few hours, early morning, and for now they just lay silently, thinking only of each other.
"You're beautiful," he whispered suddenly into her ear.
"You," she said turning around to look him in the eye, "need to stop making this sound like a final farewell. I'll be back soon."
"I know," he said smiling and kissed her forehead, "I would rather you stay with me though. I was foolish to make such a promise."
"But you still want Peter," she said with a forced laugh.
"Don't talk of the boy," he said covering her mouth with his hand, "He is not allowed in our bed."
"Our bed is it?" she said moving his hand.
He didn't say anything for a few moments, making her feel as if she had made a mistake. Finally he nodded.
"Our bed."
When Wendy looked into the still dark sky, her eyes straining against sleep, she felt as if this marked something new. But what could be so new in Neverland? Very little changed here, only her presence and the swapping of lost boys ever made a difference, and a very small one.
"Remember what we spoke of," Hook's voice said invading her thoughts.
"I know what to do," she snapped, feeling guilty for her tone afterwards.
Hook felt tense as well. He felt as if her trip will give him a chance to clear his thoughts and get his priorities in order. It was all so complicated to him, how one person could be so important to him, but he knew that no one could be close to a person like himself. It would mean he had something to loose, and Hook had nothing to loose but his life, and even that had been lost before.
"Don't look so nervous," Hook said giving her an evil smile.
"I'm just about to kidnap one of my childhood memories," she said giving an angry shrug, "What do I have to be nervous about?"
He rolled his eyes, "Childhood ends everyday Miss Darling, surely you of all people would know that by now."
She glared at him and started to walk away towards the small boat that waited on the side, but he grabbed her arm and pulled her back.
"I promised that he would not be killed," Hook said and then swiftly kissed her cheek.
Wendy's eyes widened slightly, even if it was just on the cheek the crew had never seen them so publically affection. A kiss on the hand maybe, a battle in flirting, but such a small gesture seemed much more intimate than before.
Charlie, who had been up in the rigging, shook his head sadly, and climbed down the ropes quickly.
"Miss Wendy!" he called as she walked towards the boat again.
"Charlie," she said giving a small smile, "How are you?"
"Wendy," Charlie said suddenly, "I love you."
There was painful silence, and then suddenly Hook was behind Wendy, his cold gaze laying itself on Charlie.
"I just wanted to tell you," he mumbled and then turned to leave.
"Wait Charlie," Wendy said and took a few steps foreword. Hook froze, had he missed something between the boy and Miss Darling?
She kissed his cheek and said smiling, "Go home. Find a girl your own age."
He felt stung, but nodded.
"You're a good boy Charlie," she added, "Any other girl would be luckHe felt stung, but nodded.
"You're a good boy Charlie," she added, "Any other girl would be lucky to have you."
"But not this one," Hook said in a growl and taking Wendy's shoulders steered her away.
"James!" she snapped in a low voice.
"Hm?"
"He's just a boy."
"He's closer to your age than I am," Hook grumbled, "I knew he was asking for trouble."
"Captain Hook I do believe you're jealous," she said laughing.
Hook ignored her, but threw a death glare towards Charlie who stood alone on the deck, "I could have him killed."
"Don't you dare!" she cried, "He's done nothing, if you kill him I swear I'll stay with Peter!"
"You choose to stay with Pan and I will kill him," Hook said smiling dangerously.
She shrugged his hand off and climbed into the boat with Smee and a few other pirates.
"Be that way," she huffed, and sat down in the boat, arms crossed.
Hook rolled his eyes and said to the small boat, "Don't get caught. Keep her safe."
With that he kissed the top of her head and watched as the boat was lowered into the water. The moment it settled Wendy's eyes snapped onto his, and he heard her goodbye from them. He continued to watch the small boat cross the water. He only turned back when he saw a small figure step into the trees and away from him.
Wendy walked through the forest, she had fallen into the water after tripping off the small boat, and was now dripping wet. Her boots squashed, and her pirate shirt sagged, but otherwise she was fine. Her dignity was bruised from the men and their suppressed laughter, but otherwise fine.
The first hour was torture, all of them where until she gave up on finding Peter's hideout and laying down on the ground, telling herself it would just be for a minute, fell asleep.
When she woke up however, it was to shouting and high pitched voices. Children surrounded her, and when she woke up there were more yells.
"Quiet!" a familiar voice snapped, and Wendy stood up quickly then.
"Peter!" she said breathlessly.
His small form looked at her cryptically, "You hit me with a rock."
"Peter its me," she said softly, "Wendy Darling, the story teller. I was once your mother."
Peter's eyes opened in shock, "You cant be! Wendy would never hurt me!"
"I had meant to hit Hook," she clarified, and began once again to weave her web of stories, "But I missed. He kidnapped me Peter! You know I would never hurt you."
Peter looked horrified, "But you're too old to be kidnapped."
She looked sad, "I grew up Peter. We all grow up."
"Not I!" he pronounced proudly, and the others cheered.
"Not you," she agreed rather solemnly.
"Come with us Wendy," Peter said taking her hand, "Fly with me. Tell stories about princes and genies and lost boys like you used to!"
"I can't fly Peter," Wendy said taking her hand away, "I don't have the magic any longer."
"Can't fly? Then how did you escape."
"I swam," she felt the heat of the lie then.
"Oh," he said blankly, "Then the other boys can walk you. Tink!"
The fairie's light appeared in front of Wendy.
"Lets go!"
The small boys, and Wendy, along with a fairie, made their way to their hideout.