Author's Note: Hey readers! Thanks again for reading, it means so much! I have to say I am SO sorry it took me so long to update, but as I've said I've been busy. I warn you not to expect quick updates, perhaps once a month, but I will do my best to update whenever I can! Thanks to those who have followed and favorited this story, it always puts a smile on my face! Especially thanks to reviewers, those reviews mean a lot! Please keep reviewing and enjoy the next chapter!
A few days after Hook's clumsy introduction to Arabella, James found himself jumping at any opportunity to open the grocery store. Mr. Green allowed Hook to do so by himself, since there were so few customers at that time anyway. Unfortunately, James hadn't seen the girl since, and he labored alone in the store during those hours.
Mr. Green came in around 9 a.m. and inquired how the early morning business went.
"There were no customers today," replied Hook, "What even is the blasted point of having the place open so early?"
"People may need things early. Nowhere else is open around here so they'll come here. I've been doing this for years, a few have thanked me for being open so early," explained Mr. Green.
Hook shrugged, not really complaining. It gave him more work and therefore more money.
"Go home, James," ordered the grocer, "You've done enough this week."
"Thank you, sir," said Hook politely.
James left the store, knowing he had business elsewhere. His plans were to build a small one-story home at the edge of the city. He wanted to be far away from the river since it borught back unpleasant memories from his pirating days. The notorious Captain Hook was worlds away from the man he was today. Hook was going to have a contractor to do the job, but still had negotiations to make.
He walked to the contractor's home address and politely rapped on the door. A tall, brown-haired man answered the door. The man looked Hook over very curiously, as if Hook looked familiar.
"James!" exclaimed a voice from inside the home. Nigel Cornshire, the contractor, appeared from behind the brown-haired man. "Marmaduke, meet James."
The brown-haired man, Marmaduke, smiled and gave a slight bow, but his smile quickly faded.
"Pleasure to meet you," replied James Hook. Staring at the tall man, he realized there was something quite familiar about him, but James couldn't quite place it.
"I'm going to build a small home for James," Nigel told Marmaduke, "I can hire you since you're looking for work."
"What about me?" asked a voice from behind Marmaduke.
To Hook's shock, an identical tall, brown-haired man stepped into his view. Suddenly, James realized why Marmaduke looked so familiar. These two were former lost boys from Neverland, part of Peter's gang. Hook's face turned white.
"You'll be given work as well, Binky," said Nigel, oblivious to any connection between Hook and the two twins.
Binky looked at Hook so curiously, knowing he had met the man before, but not quite placing it. Hook took a step backwards, terrified. The further he was from any memories from Neverland, the further he was from being that evil pirate captain.
"Where are we building it?" asked Marmaduke to Nigel.
"You tell them, James," said Nigel.
All three looked expectantly at Hook. He felt nauseous.
"I-I don't think I'll have it done," said Hook quickly.
"What!?" demanded Nigel.
Hook turned and walked away, unable to deal with the situation. Why did this have to happen to him? He just couldn't face the twins, even if they didn't remember who he was.
"What was that about?" asked Marmaduke.
"I have no idea," said Nigel, "that man is a very curious individual."
Hook, now in the London streets, walked extremely quickly, almost running. He didn't look to where he was going, he had no idea what he was doing. Seeing the twins grown up, scared him. If they were alive and well, then Peter Pan may be alive and well, too. The truth was, he was terrified that his past would come back to haunt him, and he couldn't deal with it.
In his haste, Hook ran right into Arabella, knocking her to the ground. Hook stared at her, completely shocked.
"I'm so sorry!" James exclaimed quickly, thankful he had found words this time.
"Oh, that's quite alright," said Arabella struggling to get up.
Hook offered his unhooked hand to help her up and she gratefully took it.
"I should've been watching where I was going," muttered Hook.
Arabella, recognizing him, gave him a warm smile.
"James, right?" she asked, remembering.
Hook's eyes lit up and he gave a hint of a smile.
"Yes, that's right," he replied.
All the negative feelings he had had from encountering the twins again went away.
"How's business going?" asked Arabella, not knowing what else to say.
"It's going very well, thank-you," said Hook, "Are you alright from your fall?"
"Oh, I'm fine. Just a little bruise, maybe, but really, I'm fine," she said.
Hook noticed a bruise on her shoulder with alarm.
"Is that from just now?" he asked.
"Oh, yeah, but don't worry about it," said Arabella.
"Maybe you should get some ice on that. I have some, at my place, I could make sure it's alright," said Hook quickly.
He suddenly felt very nervous at her answer. Arabella stared at him, knowing it was dangerous to go somewhere with a strange man, but his intentions did seem to be honorable. Perhaps against her better judgment, she accepted the clumsy man's invitation.
James led Arabella through town to the home he shared with Mr. Smee. He walked in, and to his surprise Mr. Smee was standing right there.
"Cap'n!" said Smee eagerly, "Who's this?"
"My name is Arabella," she introduced herself.
"I'm Mr. Smee."
"I, uh, ran into her and just wanted to make sure she wasn't injured too badly," explained Hook very nervously.
Smee's eyes had lit up looking back and forth between the two. Smee was a simple man, and he could only think of one explanation for Hook bringing a woman into the home. Clearly, there was something romantic going on.
Hook led the girl into the small living room and sat her on the couch, and left to get some ice. Smee sat on the armchair and smiled genially at the girl.
"Has he asked you to dinner yet?" asked Smee excitedly.
Arabella's eyes widened.
"No, I'm sorry, you must misunderstand," she said hurriedly.
"Oh, I'm sorry," said Smee, scrunching his eyebrows together in confusion. "I thought maybe you were that girl that James was thinking about all day once at the store."
"Well it couldn't be me," said Arabella awkwardly.
"You see, some girl came in very early in the day, and then James was very quiet the rest of the day. I could tell, he had fallen in love," explained Smee.
Arabella stared at him, alarmed. She had come early a few days ago, James had been extremely awkward. Was he in love with her!? She didn't even know him, yet deep down she felt relieved that Smee was saying these things.
James returned into the room, and her heart fluttered a bit. He brought the icepack to her, sitting next to her on the couch. He handed it to her, and she awkwardly took it and held it onto her shoulder.
"Here," said James, noticing holding it put her into an uncomfortable position.
He took the ice from her, and carefully moved the neckline of her dress so it didn't touch the bruise, and he held the icepack onto it. Neither felt like they could breathe.
"Thank you, sir," said Arabella suddenly.
"Oh, it was my fault," replied James.
They looked into each other's eyes, then quickly away. Arabella blushed. Mr. Smee broadly smiled from his armchair.
"Why don't you dine with us tomorrow?" invited Smee.
Hook glared at Smee, horrified. Arabella smiled, though.
"I would like that, I think," she said nervously.
She glanced down at Hook's other hand, to see the hook. She frowned. Hook saw her look at it and his heart plummeted. There was no way she would ever look past that, and yet again Hook feared his past coming back to haunt him. There was no escape.
"How did you lose your hand?" asked Arabella, suddenly.
Hook looked into her eyes, not wanting to answer the question, but relieved she had asked.
"I don't like to talk about it," he said darkly.
Arabella looked away, embarrassed she had asked.
"I'm so sorry, I was just wondering," she said quickly, eyes widening.
"It's alright, I might tell you one day, I mean not that I'll see you again, well I guess for dinner, but I just don't…" Hook trailed off, horrified at his inability to make sentences.
There was an awkward silence. Smee suddenly decided to break it.
"What do you want for dinner tomorrow, Arabella? James is a great cook!" he said.
James again glared at Smee, but Arabella smiled.
"You cook?" she asked him.
"I recently have been, yes," he replied, but his expression was unreadable.
"I'll have whatever you make, I don't mind," she stated, smiling shyly.
Arabella mentally kicked herself. She felt like such a fool here, she didn't even know them. Yet, she had never felt safer in her life.
"It will be wonderful, no doubt!" announced Smee.
"Smee," said Hook, his temper starting to get to him.
"James, what's your last name?" asked Arabella curiously. Both James and Smee turned and stared at her, causing color to rush to her cheeks.
"It's Hook. My name is James Hook," said the former pirate captain.
Arabella looked him in the eyes, then to the hook. She gasped.
"Not, Captain Hook?" she inquired.
"I used to be a captain, yes," said Hook, puzzled.
Is it possible she had heard of him? He became extremely nervous once more.
"I was his first mate," put in Mr. Smee.
Arabella put two and two together. Captain Hook and Mr. Smee, the notorious pirates from Neverland, had invited her into their home. Her mother had warned her about these two her entire life. Arabella suddenly became very worried. She looked alarmed at Hook holding the icepack to her shoulder and stood up, causing her sleeve to fall off her shoulder.
"I really must go," she said suddenly.
Hook stood up as well, and seeing her sleeve, he pushed it back on her shoulder, covering the bruise. His hand lingered for a moment. Arabella looked into his eyes, terrified at what she was feeling, terrified of the revelation that he was a villain from Neverland. Hook's heart rate quickened and he felt he couldn't breathe. He removed his hand.
"I-I'm sorry," he said.
Arabella nodded, feeling as if tears were coming to her eyes. What was wrong with her? She needed to leave, to get out. Why did she feel so guilty about doing it?
"You'll be coming to dinner tomorrow? The cap'n would love it if you did," said Smee.
"Yes, I guess," said Arabella quickly.
Had she really just agreed to that? She blushed, feeling extremely self-conscious. She headed for the door and left without turning back.
"Smee!" said Hook, angered.
"I think she'll be excited for tomorrow," said Smee, oblivious.
"She knows who we are, who we really are!" exclaimed Hook.
James was absolutely furious. He raised his hook to Smee, ready to lash out. Smee frowned at him, and Hook lowered it. Smee only meant well, even if he had been stupid. It was Smee's way of saying "I love you." James couldn't allow himself to be angered at that. Letting his temper get to him reminded him too much of Captain Hook, the villain. He couldn't go back to being him. Besides, Smee had gotten Arabella to agree to come to dinner. She wouldn't lie to them, would she?