Chapter Two: Ten Years

John Darling had never quite gotten used to how rough the landing could be. One moment he was flying above the cursed island of Neverland clasped firmly by the shadow and the next he was rolling among the leaves and dirt. He quickly gathered himself together by dusting himself off and returning his glasses before rising to wait. He knew how this worked. Felix would be along soon enough to pass along whatever Pan wanted him to know. He could even hear the rustling now from behind him.

So it made the hairs on the back of his neck stand completely on end when it was Peter Pan himself who emerged to stand before him. John felt himself shrink back just at the sight of the smirk on his face, not caring that by now he was about a foot taller than his tormentor. He was still completely petrified even now.

"I would have sent Felix, but I figured I needed to get the importance of this message across myself." Peter Pan walked right up to him, smirk dropping into a serious look. "So you had better listen up."

"Of course," John stammered, trying to avoid his intense gaze. "We secured the boy just like we were told to. He's at the apartment right now. All you have to do is come and get him-"

"Wait. You think your task is done?" Pan asked with a laugh. "I'm sorry to be the one to break it to you, but you still have a long way to go before you have your precious sister back." John tensed, and Pan took a grand step back. "You see, the boy is not ready. He won't be until he's about ten years of age. Personally, that's cutting it closer than I would like, but I don't make the rules."

John worked up his nerve, clenching his fists at his side. "Well, then that's your problem. Keep the boy here for ten years and then do whatever you're planning. We did our part, despite almost being sidelined by that town again."

Pan does not take his boldness well, giving him a look that stops John cold. "He won't grow up in Neverland, so that is out of the question. What is going to happen if everyone wants to get what they desire is simple. You two are going to look after the boy until he's ready. What's ten years for your dear sister?" he coos. "She's been waiting ever so patiently."

"So we have to raise the kid for ten years?"

"I prefer the term baby-sit personally. We wouldn't want the two of you getting attached. That would make things rather messy. And there's another part to all this. He needs to be raised around magic. He needs to let belief surround him. We want him to have the Heart of the Truest Believer and there's only one way we can ensure we get it. You two are going to have to move to Storybrooke."

John guffawed. "Storybrooke? You're serious? Nobody in the Home Office can even find the place, let alone manage to live there. Besides, the Mayor will see right through us. The kid was almost hers."

"I have taken care of that," Pan growled. He extends his hand and places two glowing vials in John's palm. "I don't appreciate you under-estimating my power against a simple curse made by Rumpelstiltskin. I can manage a way around it. Now here's the part where you listen." John nodded, slightly curious. "The first vial of pixie dust will open the way to Storybrooke so you can get inside. The second you will keep with you. It will prevent anybody, including the Mayor, from questioning who you are and how you got there. This is all we have left practically, so there will be no second chances."

"Understood," John complied, tucking the vials into his pocket. "We take the boy there for ten years and then we make our trade."

"Now I hope you realize how much I'm trusting you, John," Peter smirks. "Once you head into that town there's nothing I or the Home Office can do. You'll be alone with Michael and the boy for ten years. But the curse on that town will break as planned." He walked right up to John, inches from him. "And then," He whispered, "I will come to collect what is mine." At that he starts for the forest. "The shadow will arrive in a moment to take you home."

John suddenly became very desperate, stepping forward. "Wait! Can't I see her? Ten years-"

"Goodbye, John," Pan said with finality as he disappeared into the trees. John kicked the ground in frustration. Things never seemed to go their way when Pan was involved. Ten whole years. What exactly were they supposed to do with the kid for all that time?

As if on cue, the shadow arrived to tower over him. "I suppose this is good-bye for a while," John muttered as he removed his glasses and extended his arm. "Good riddance." A moment later he was flying away from the accursed place.

-FAWH-

Michael Darling awoke suddenly to the thud of someone landing. He looked up to see John brushing himself off as he rose from the floor. He quickly approached his brother, expectant. "What did he say, John? When do we get to see her?"

"Ten years," his brother grumbled, obviously furious though he refused to show it. "The kid has to grow up, so we need to look after him for ten long years. Pan can go to Hell," he nearly spat. "We've been doing his bidding for how long and now he expects us to just put up with all this for another ten years!"

"But it's for Wendy," Michael cut in, sad and hesitant. "It's always been for our sister. She would do anything for us, John. You know that."

This effectively ended John's rant. "Indeed she would," John sighed, holding his head in his hand. "I'm going to run to the store. We're going to need more supplies than we intended. You should start packing though. We're being relocated," he says matter-of-factly as he grabs his coat and the keys.

Michael is much more puzzled by this development. "Where exactly are we going?"

John held up the two vials. "He bought us a one-way ticket to Storybrooke. We leave tomorrow," he said definitely, slamming the door loud enough to wake Henry and cause him to cry. Michael immediately went to him, and with the knowledge they would be spending a lot of time together removed him from the bassinet. He awkwardly started rocking Henry in his arms, causing the little guy to continue his wailing.

"It's okay, Henry. Everything's going to be alright," he whispered. Henry just cried louder. "Listen, I know you're not happy about the situation. But you're going to just have to get used to my face. You're going to be seeing it around quite a lot." He grew more accustomed to rocking motion and grabbed the bear from the table to dance in front of him. It was then the smell hit him. "Oh boy. I guess that's something I'm going to have to get used to." He quickly rooted through the bag for the diapers.

It took him a while, but Michael finally managed to successfully perform his first diaper change. That seemed to soothe little Henry, who was now gurgling rather than crying. "Now that's better." He picked the boy back up and for the first time really looked at him. "You're a cute on, Henry. The ladies are going to love you. Now, you don't have to worry about that. They're be plenty of time. In the meanwhile, how about we start packing up? We're getting a new house." Henry gurgled at him and Michael couldn't help but break out into his first real smile for a long time. "Then what're we waiting for. Let's get started."

-FTWH-

The next afternoon, Michael guided John to the place where the little boy once had claimed a town had been. The car was loaded with their few personal belongings and more than enough baby supplies until they settled in. John couldn't help but notice his brother constantly turning back to Henry in the car seat whenever he so much as made a noise, talking to him or adjusting him so he was more comfortable. He could already see a major issue forming.

"We can't get attached," he told his younger brother as they pulled to a stop. "He's just a tool to get us our family back. The second we start seeing him as something more…"

"Don't worry, John," Michael answered, slightly annoyed. "I'm just doing what we're supposed to do. We have to keep him alive in order for him to grow up. It's usually how these things work."

"Just watch yourself. He is a means to an end. Nothing more." With that, John swiftly exited the car and strode forward. Spending so much time in Neverland had given him a good sense at feeling magic, and the hairs on the back of his neck were on end here. He pulled out the bottle of pixie dust and dumped it into his palm. With a deep breath, he blew it forward.

It only took a second for a rippling to form in the scenery in front of them. Soon the image of nothing in front of them seemingly melted and gave way to a road forward. Next to it was a sign that read "Welcome to Storybrooke". John climbed back into the car with a smile and drove through- the barrier instantly appearing again once they crossed the town line. "Say what you want about Pan, but he has quite the power. Now, let's see if we can find ourselves a place to stay."