Yes, I decided to continue despite my former impatience with this story.

The time frame is maybe a few years or so after my last chapter . . . or something.

New Description: After Melody visited her sister, Peter is feeling a bit of a curious urge to visit one of his former friends. But old friends believe he's forgotten about them, and will do anything to meet him. Even, so to say, hold his beloved hostage? No, of course not . . . right?

Continued Story
Newly Thought of Plot
Chapter Title:
"Blooming Into Neverland"

*Melody,* Tinkerbelle warned, scowling.

The girl grinned, forcing her giggles down before waving a hand off at her friends impatience. The fairy simply rolled her eyes, uncrossing her arms and floating over onto her shoulder.

"Don't be so worried, Tinkerbelle," She insisted. "I know what I'm doing."

Tinkerbelle didn't seem as reassured. *I really wish you'd let me go get Peter.*

"No!" Melody shouted, immediately before ducking down. After ten solid minutes of complete silence, in which the two females of Neverland hid securely behind bushes, Melody cautiously continued her sentence in whispers. "Its supposed to be a surprise."

*But-.*

"Enough!" Melody interrupted, shushing her. "Someone's coming."

They waited until said person was long gone before darting forward towards the water's edge. Melody glanced up at the sky. Tinkerbelle and her had gotten up before the sun, when Peter seemed to wake up every day. Even the pirate's weren't up at times like this. Nobody was.

At least, they weren't supposed to be.

There was only race that would be up at all hours. Not even mermaids wanted to be up at times like this, Melody noticed, as they passed the empty lagoon. They continued onto their destination, Tinkerbelle leading. Finally, they reached the far side of the island. Peter had only been here once, apparently, and he often avoided it out of respect for the creatures who enjoyed their privacy.

Tinkerbelle gave Melody a last hopeful look but she wasn't paying attention. She was enjoying the sights around her, waiting to ask the help of the people she'd never seen and hadn't heard of till recently. Seeing she had no hope of changing her mind, Tinkerbelle sighed and cupped her hands around her mouth. She began shouting, and Melody (now having been old enough and around her enough to understand her) looked wildly around. Slowly, small lights began appearing and her eyes widened.

Fairies.

One flew right up to Melody's face, her hands on her hips. She had dark hair, and violet clothing. Her eyes narrowed.

*Whose this, Tinkerbelle?*

*Melody,* she replied. *She's Peter's.*

At first, she'd thought Tinkerbelle just hadn't finished her sentence. It took Melody a moment to realize she was property, not a person. The insinuation didn't bother her though, as she'd rather be Peter's then anyone else's.

*Ah* the crowd said, nodding its understanding.

Another fairy crossed their arms. *Why did you bring her here?*

*She wants help with something.*

Any eyes on Tinkerbelle immediately went to Melody.

*Oh she does, does she?*

Peter Pan yawned, mouth wide. His lips smacked together a few times, regaining his senses.

At once, something felt off.

He immediately glanced to the Lost Boys beds (a habit Melody had picked up on as well), to see all of them peacefully asleep. His eyes then then went to Tinkerbelle's leaf, undisturbed. And finally, his eyes went to Melody's bunk-.

Only to find her missing.

He didn't even bother to wake up the Lost Boys, as he had no hope of waking them up for at least another hour, and that would delay his searching. Peter had searched practically half the island within a half hour when he heard muffled shouting from below. It was single, but loud enough for him to hear. Had he not been so close though, he wouldn't have had any hope of hearing it. Birds shot up above the trees, pinpointing the exact spot. Immediately, he was diving into that part of the forest, his heart racing in fear and anger. Though Melody wasn't exactly careful about antagonizing the pirates, if they had anything to do with this, they'd be in a whole lot of trouble!

The sun had yet to rise, but he just felt that it would soon. But with the absence of the sun's light, he could make out shadows in the gray blue glow of pre-sunrise. There were four. Three against one it seemed, but he couldn't attack. There was no way of distinguishing figures, for the one seemed to be moving too quickly, plus, he also couldn't tell who was the good guy or the bad guy. Was it Indians attacking a stay pirate? Pirates attacking a stray Indian? Peter just couldn't tell. Instead, he waited nearby, watching, with no other option.

The one alone gave a final quick, right into one of the larger opponent's big chest. It then scrambled to its feet, darting away farther into the shadows. It made near to no noise, and Peter pursued it. Alarms were going off in his head like crazy. Finally, the thing darted into a clearing, just to the edge of the lake and collapsed onto its knees. Peter hid still, peering over the bushes.

The figure stood, and something seemed oddly familiar about it. It still seemed to be worn out, but was pushing itself. Peter felt a wave of protectiveness, an urge to make it rest. Wanting to get closer, he moved forward. But in his curiosity, he was not careful. Peter's hand smacked against a tree and he gave a shout, springing a few feet into the air and hitting his head on a tree. Immediately he darted back, only to bend a tree branch that propelled him forward. Obviously, his racket had cause the watcher to notice and it turned just as the sun peeked above the surface.

Peter was awestruck.

The skirt was made of finely woven leaves, ending just at the mid thigh. The shirt was very much like a corset with sleeves. Her hair was down, like usual, but white flowers had been woven into some intricately intertwined braids.

She laughed at his expression, like a Goddess laughing at a mortal man who had just seen them in all their glory. Except, it was still kind and not so much as teasing.

"I think he likes it," she commented, to the fairy on her shoulder, who looked down at Peter, approving his expression as fitting.

Peter remained silent, his mouth completely agape.

Laughing still (but with a growing blush), she bent down and offered her hand to him. "Are you going to get up, or are you going to sit there and stare at me all day?"

Immediately, Peter snapped out of it, jumping to his feet and startling her. His hands were firmly on his hips, and it took most a his will power to ignore just how beautiful she looked at the moment. "Where have you two been? I've been looking for you everywhere! I thought . . ."

She felt guilty at once, giving an apologetic look. Once again he swallowed his forgiveness to be irritated with her, so she wouldn't do it again. But it took a lot.

And she could see that, but let it happen. Peter needed to be stubborn, or he wasn't Peter.

"I'm sorry," she said, "I just wanted it to be a surprise."

Peter sighed, shaking his head and allowing a small smile. "Melody, you and Tink, and the Lost Boys are the only things I can't live without. Where would I be if I lost any of you?"

*Probably the same as you always are: trouble* Tinkerbelle retorted, teasing and attempting to lighten the mood. *Now, the fairies worked hard on this outfit. I won't have your paranoia ruin it for her!*

Both laughed.

Peter placed his arm tight around Melody's waist, winking at Tink. "She can't not look beautiful Tink, but you and the Fairies sure did a great job on the outfit."

"More Neverland, right?" Melody replied, cheerfully. "That's how I described it."

"I like it," Peter approved. "But, I like you in anything."

Melody rolled her eyes and kept walking. "Mhm. Sure ya do."

"What? I do!"

"Mhm. I'm just more distracting now, is that it?"

". . ." His mouth opened to speak, one finger up, and then he firmly clamped it shut, in thought.

Melody smirked, tapping his nose with her finger. "That's what I thought."

"Hey! I was thinking!" Peter shouted, in his defense and hovering in the air, just next to her.

The half-mermaid laughed at his disheveled appearance as they headed home. Peter never once took his eyes off of her, appraising this new, more revealing outfit. Melody of course ignored his denials at this, but she wasn't exactly complaining. He was her whole purpose for being here and dressing as such, after all. Not to mention the Lost Boys, and the friends she'd made here.

And the enemies.

Speaking of which, just as they reached their trunk, a cannon shot off in the distance. Immediately, Peter hid, pulling Melody with him. Tink, as always, was right under his hat hiding in fear. That shot was far too close. Neither made a sound, sitting quietly.

That was when Melody, having fully adopted her motherly instincts, heard the boys start to stir just a few feet below. Peter was far too focused on the undertone of distant infiltrator noises to really pay attention to her reaction. In fact, on her way back from the fairy area of the island, a few scouting pirates had attempted to ambush her. But in the dark, she took them down easily. They must have followed her, she realized to her horror. Without a second thought she darted into their home, barely slipping past the view of their hunters. They seemed to notice something and became slightly more alarmed at feeling like they missed something. Peter was on edge, shocked at her bold mood before Tink simply ordered him to trust her.

Melody darted into the room, motioning all of them to be quiet.

"Why?" Cubby whispered.

Melody pointed upwards, "Pirates are near the tree. We can't let them hear us."

"But, Mother," Slightly whimpered. "Where's Peter?"

"Peter is fine," She reassured them, though secretly frightened herself. More quietly, she added, "He's always fine."

Kneeling as they huddled around her for comfort, she motioned for them to move onto the bed so as to be more relaxed. She remained in the center, Tootles on her lap, the twins leaning against her legs, Cubby underneath on arm, and Slightly and Nibs under the other. They shook with fear and apprehension, even as they felt the calming atmosphere their adopted mother brought.

"Ssh," she ordered, as some of them began to whimper too loudly. "Its going to be okay, I promise."

The ten minutes it took until everything was silent. Melody heard rustling in the tunnels and her immediate instinct was to protect the younger (and currently terrified) children. She pulled an arrow out of her quiver, aiming her bow carefully at the door. The kids behind her were practically shaking by now.

Then Peter rolled in, Tinkerbelle close behind, and everyone visibly relaxed.

"Melody!" He shouted, obviously relieved.

She gave a smirk for a smile, not regretful in the least for her decision. "I came back to keep them calm."

Peter smiled in turn, pulling her close and kissing her forehead. "Just be careful, okay?"

Melody shoved him playfully, "Of course."

Jane smiled, watching her daughter curtsy before the royal prince. Beautiful and fortunate: That explained everything about her only child. Do to the bravery she'd shown in saving their daughter, the ruler's of this land they'd visited had invited them to their home. It was obvious Jane's daughter and the prince had a bit of a liking to one another.

"Enjoying the view?" The Queen mused, coming up from behind and startling Jane. "My apologies, I didn't mean to sneak up on you."

Jane smiled. "Oh, no, its not problem Your Majesty."

"Please, we're friends here." The Queen replied. "Call me by my first name."

"My own apologies, madame," Jane said, meekly. "I do not know your first name."

She laughed, shaking her head at her foolishness. "Ah then, we shall start over. What is your name, madame?"

"My name is Jane Darling, madame. And your own?"

"How very fortunate then." The lady of the county smiled, nodding her head. "For I share the same name as yourself."

"Truly?"

"Of course."

"And your son's name, what is his?"

"Mason, Miss Darling. His younger sister's name is Alison."

"Beautiful names, Miss . . .?"

"Melody. My family adopted the last name shortly after the disappearance of my older sister."

Jane Darling gasped. "Oh dear, I'm so sorry."

The Queen waved it off. "It troubles me no longer." Jane Darling could have sworn she saw a bit of a far off smirk on the Queen's face as she looked towards the children, Alison having captured both teenager's attention. "Wherever she is, I know she is at peace."

Jane Darling nodded, also watching her child. "Yes . . . A good wish to hope for."

"Enough about myself, what of your own husband? Where is he?"

Jane looked at the floor with a smile. "May he rest in Heaven, my lady."

The Queen touched her shoulder with sympathy, her voice soft with compassion. "How did it happen?"

She smiled up at the royal. "Saving my daughter. He saved her in a car accident, protecting her without regard to himself."

"A brave man."

"Yes."

Meanwhile, Loretta pushed her black hair behind her ear. Of course, the only thing she'd done to save Alison was take a wooden plank and smack a man over the head with it. Nothing special, as the child was screaming her head off, but it turned out that child had been a princess. She'd run off from her nanny, just in time to have a notorious thief realize who she was, and attempt to grab her and hold her for ransom. Loretta was considered a hero, for the time being.

"So how is it, then?" The Prince, Mason, as she'd been asked to call him, questioned. "Being so famous in a strange country. Does it live up to any expectations?"

Loretta smiled, pushing her bangs away once again. They had a habit of falling in front of her face any time she moved, covering her rather pretty blue eyes. Nothing special, but she considered herself enough. The happy in-between of not having to worry about keeping your good looks up and not plain enough to have to worry about being prettier.

"I never imagined it at all, so I wouldn't know what to expect." She mused back, somewhat shy. "But if I had, I doubt I could have come up with this."

"Not much of an imagination, then?"

"I'm afraid not," She admitted, her hands folding behind her back.

"No worries." Mason smiled at her, motioning for her to come closer. He leaned in, cupping one hand like it was some big secret, and she leaned in as well, humoring him with a smirk. "I happen to be an expert on imagination."

Loretta rolled her eyes, teasingly pulling away. "Really?"

He nodded, "Of course!"

Alison nodded her agreement as well, having overheard everything, as small children seem to be able to do. "Big brothers the bestest at imagining things!"

Amused, Loretta knelt. "Well then you two will just have to show me later then, right?"

"Course!" Alison shouted, happily.

From outside the window, a figure smugly caressed its own chin in thought. A plan was forming.

"It seems," he said, to those with him. "That I have a plan."

"Really now?"

"And what would that be, sir?"

The figure turned, pointing to the sky. "Return home, first of all. Our distraction of Pan not noticing our absence should have worn its use by now and he's bound to notice eventually."

"Then what, Cap'n?"

Hook smirked evilly at all of them before examining his hook. "Why, capture the princess of course."

Mmm. . . but . . . which one?

ALSO, don't expect updates often. Sorry, I'm super busy, and I'm mainly trying to get my current story chapters out!