18/4/07
Title: The Care and Feeding of Flying Boys
Author: Squeezynz
Chapter: Fifteen – Getting Back on Track
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It was fully dark when Peter landed on the outskirts of the Indian village. Jack landed less gainly than his friend, tumbling head over heels before finding his feet. Peter laughed, Jack joining in as he dusted himself off.
"I guess I'm out of practice Never was as good as you Peter."
"Only because you wouldn't take your feet off the ground," Peter joked. Then his expression turned more serious. "Look, the Indian's will think you're still a pirate. Stay here and let me explain before you follow. Don't want you losing your scalp for want of an explanation."
Jack smoothed a hand over his hair and swallowed. "You will be able to convince them, won'tcha?"
"Don't worry...I'd rather have you as my friend than my enemy any day. Just stay here until I whistle."
"Sure...wait for the whistle. Got it." Jack folded his arms and leant against a tree. "Just don't forget I'm out 'ere, will ya?
My stomach thinks my throats cut."
"Been awhile since you've had a meal?"
"A hundred years at least. Have you ever sampled Smee's cooking?"
Peter shook his head, grinning at his friend. "That bad, huh?"
"Do you think you could persuade Lily to throw a feast for my return. The prodigal son, and all that?"
"I think that might be pushing it Jack. Remember, they'll still be recovering from having the Princess snatched by Hook, plus the loss of several braves in the attempt."
"Damn...I didn't realize Maybe this isn't a good idea. Maybe I should just take off in the jungle for a few days, lay low."
"And what if a scout part finds you? They'll skin you alive without blinking, and ask questions later."
"You just had to mention that, didn'tcha? Alright, I'll wait here...just don't take forever with that damn whistle."
"Hang tight Jack...won't be long." Leaving his friend propping up the tree, Peter jogged towards the village, guided by the light from several small fires outside the lodges. The Indian's would be preparing their evening meal, gathered around their tepee's in family groups. Skirting the perimeter of the village, Peter waved to the braves on guard and continued on towards Chief Talagumpa big tent. He hoped to find Tiger Lily there as well. She had once shown some interest in Jack, before he turned pirate, and Peter hoped that affection still lingered. It was going to be hard enough convincing the Chief that Jack was no longer the enemy, let alone Tiger Lily. He approached the tepee in full view, the light from several fires playing over his face and form as he walked boldly forward, the Chief's bodyguards recognizing him and pulling back the tent flap to allow him entry. The inside was illuminated by the central fire pit and several oil lamps. The Chief and his daughter sat on a pile of soft furs, while the other important men of the village ranged around the fire on either side. Tiger Lily acknowledged him first, her eyes lighting up and then looking beyond him, obviously expecting someone to follow him in. A sharp pang smote his chest at the reminder that Wendy was not yet safe. Bowing to the assembled company, Peter waited for the Chief to allow him to speak. Finishing his mouthful, Talagumpa wiped his hands on a cloth before raising one to indicate for Peter to sit.
"We are pleased to see the Pan returned to us unharmed. But you do not have your Wendy with you?"
"No. She was not where I expected her to be, and I return empty handed. I intend to seek information from the Mermaids and Fairies as to her whereabouts. It would seem that Walbassa it up to his usual tricks and stirring up mischief."
"Ah Walbassa...you did not see my brother then?"
"No, he wouldn't come out of the cave. I can only hope his trickery hasn't harmed Wendy, or he'll answer to me."
"As is your right Pan. Of course, if you asked it of me, I could summon him here to answer for his meddling."
"That could certainly shorten the time spent finding out what's become of my Wendy. But before that, I have someone...something to tell you. Walbassa's influence wasn't only directed at Wendy, there was someone else in the cave with her."
"Who Peter?" Tiger Lily asked, popping a piece of fruit into her mouth.
"Jack." Peter stated baldly. Instantly Lily started to choke, her father thumping her hard on the back to dislodge the fruit that had become stuck. After much coughing and with eyes watering Tiger Lily glared bright eyed at Peter.
"You are telling us that Black Hearted Jack was the one that stole Wendy away and led her into the cave of dreams?"
"Well...yes, he did steal her away...but not to take to the Cave, that was Ferru's doing. The wolves found them and took them to Walbassa. I suppose they thought he'd know what to do with them." Peter frowned, as he considered what he'd just said. Tiger Lily was on her feet, her eyes flashing and tear free.
"Why did the wolves not just return them to us?" Chief Talagumpa asked, echoing Peter unsettled thoughts. Tiger Lily didn't wait for an answer but drew her knife, slashing the air with it.
"You have him here...nearby somewhere don't you?" She bared her teeth at Peter, "I want to cut out his heart and wear his scalp at my belt!"
"Yes...that's why I didn't bring him here right away, I had a feeling you might want to do that," Peter replied ruefully, glad he'd left Jack where he had. "It's no good blaming Jack for what he's done as a pirate...he doesn't remember any of that."
One of the Chiefs' advisers, Running Dear, who'd remained silent up to this point, spoke up. "You say he remembers nothing? How can this be? Is he a pirate, or isn't he?"
"That's the problem...I appears that Walbassa has wiped everything prior to when Jack changed. He thought I was meeting him outside the cave to go hunting."
"I don't believe him, it's a trick to gain your trust, then when your back is turned he'll knife you!"
"I thought that at first Princess, believe me. But...and I can't say why, but I know he's telling the truth. See him, talk to him, you'll understand what I mean..."
"He's here!" Tiger Lily cried out, her knife flashing in the fire light. "You brought him here, to our homes, among our people. After all he's done, even to you and yours you still want us to believe you trust him? Did Walbassa trick you too?"
Running Deer and the other Indian's were sagely nodding their heads in agreement with the Princess. Only Talagumpa remained unconvinced, seeing in Peter's face the truth. He raised his hand for silence and rose to his feet. "If Peter Pan says that this former pirate is once more his friend, we are willing to abide by his word." The Chief folded his arms across his chest, negating any discussion from his fellow elders, or his enraged daughter. "Bring him here, so we may judge for ourselves. We grant him safe passage and entry to our presence."
Peter bowed. "Thank you Chief...I'll bring him right away."
Outside Peter found himself mobbed by the Lost Boy's he'd left behind after the rescue at Skull Rock. Crate, Top hat and Rat all wanted to speak first, their voices shouting each other down as Peter tried to extricate himself and explain what was happening at the same time.
"Shut up, all of you...stay here."
"Wot! You're not off again already, you just got 'ere!" Crate exclaimed, grabbing hold of Peter's arm to detain him. The others did the same so that Peter couldn't move until they all let go.
"Yes...what's up Peter?" Rat piped up, "did you find the Wendy lady? Are Squid and the others coming soon?"
Peter shook them off like so many mosquitoes, "No I'm not going anywhere just yet. No I didn't find Wendy and yes, the others will be back soon...but you must let me go, there's something – someone important I have to fetch."
"We'll come with you – won't we boys?" Crate replied emphatically, the other's looking just as determined not to let Peter out of their sight now they had him. Seeing their determination, Peter shrugged and sighed.
"All right, but you have to promise to leave your weapons here."
"He's gone bonkers," Top Hat grinned at the others, making circular motions with one finger beside his head. "Quite loopy!"
"I mean it...leave the weapons or you don't come." Peter ordered, looking sternly at his men.
"Whatsit mean Peter?" Crate asked, squinting at his leader suspiciously, "you don't have ol' Hook bound and bundled do ya?"
"No...but I do have someone you need to meet...again. But he's not the same as he was, he's changed...and you can't hold what he was before, against him..." Peter scratched his head, mouthing the sentence silently back to himself to see if it made sense. "Understand?"
The three Lost Boy's exchanged glances then looked at Peter, shrugging their shoulders almost in unison. "Nope!"
Rolling his eyes, Peter turned away and started to stomp through the village, the Lost Boys tagging along, Rat bouncing up and down and trying to guess who Peter was taking them to see.
"It can't be Gussie, 'cos you took him back to the world ages ago...it's not Gussie is it?"
"No...you'll have to wait and see..." Peter growled, ignoring Rat and the others. The Indian's at their fires watched the boys curiously but didn't rise from their cooking fires to follow. The braves on guard duty around the village also ignored the boys, more intent on staying alert for any surprise attack by the pirates. Peter reached the last line of Indian tents and stopped, putting his fingers to his lips and letting out a shrill whistle. Almost at once a figure appeared between the trees, the dark outline walking the short distance over the cleared ground to where Peter stood waiting. The three boys ranged on either side of their leader couldn't belief their eyes. Crate had an arrow notched on his bow before Peter snatched the weapon out of his hand.
"I said no weapons!"
"But it's 'im! Blackhearted Jack...the scourge of the seven seas!" Top Hat announced dramatically, the other boys drawing back a pace as Jack stepped forward.
"Hi Crate, Rat...Top Hat. I'm 'ardly a scourge...more of a nuisance really." Jack grinned at his former comrades but received only scowls in reply. "Oh come on boys...it's me...Jack!"
"We know well enough who you are...pirate," Crate spat, the gob of spittle missing Jack's boots by a hairs-breadth.
"Enough," Peter ordered, slashing his hand down. "Jack doesn't remember anything about being a pirate, or the time before...he hasn't changed from before he changed...if you know what I mean."
"He 'as changed...he got big," Rat piped up, no longer afraid, but still cautious. "Doesn't he remember us?"
"Of course I remember you, Rat. I remember all of you...just not about what's been happening for awhile now." Jack swept a look down at himself. "You know, Peter, it might help if I wasn't walking around looking like Hook's henchman."
"True...but for now, that will have to do. I have to get you through the village without someone taking your scalp or filling you full of arrows."
"Fat chance!" Crate snorted, the other two nodding their heads in agreement. "Those Indian's are just itchin' to have someone to roast over a slow fire, and you look like prime rib to me."
Jack's smile was starting to slip, his eyes meeting Peter's. "They could be right Peter...maybe we should..." He made to turn but Peter gripped his arm and started to drag him forward.
"No...the more time we waste the more likely Wendy is in danger...we have to have the Indian's help, and I'd rather they weren't trying to strip off your hide at every turn. You boys walk behind and beside Jack and keep anyone back who looks like they want to count coup on Jack's head...alright?" He waited for his boys to answer but they only shuffled their feet and looked anywhere but at him. "I said right!" Peter reiterated in a growl, his brows drawing down and his eyes pinning each boy until they nodded their heads. "Right...now keep close and don't respond to anything anyone says."
The small group headed into the Indian encampment and almost immediately a hum of voice rose as the people noted who was walking among them. A crowd started to trail behind Peter, Jack and the boys, several braves brandishing tomahawks and spears among the others, all of them not looking particularly friendly or welcoming. Peter kept his head up and marched through the village, ignoring the mutterings and shouts that followed him. Chief Talagumpa and Tiger Lily had left their tent and were walking forward to meet the small party, the elders and guards on the alert as the Peter approached, stopping a few paces from the Indian Chief. By now the whole village had turned out and stood in a large circle around the group at it's center. Jack tried to ignore the itching between his shoulder blades that warned him that many weapons were currently aimed at his back, the light from the fires glinting off blades held in readiness to cut him down if he so much as blinked the wrong way. Peter took a step forward and held up his hand in the time honored gesture of Peace, his arm bent at the elbow, his palm facing out. Chief Talagumpa copied the move and even smiled benignly at Peter, seeing some humor in the situation.
"We come in Peace, Chief," Peter said, keeping his eyes fixed on the older man and avoiding the masses watching around them.
"You are welcome in Peace, Peter Pan," Talagumpa replied, an audible snort heard from his daughter at his side. Talagumpa turned his head slightly to rebuke her and Tiger Lily pressed her lips more tightly together to repress the flood of accusations she wanted to fire at the silent figure standing behind Peter. She had to admit to herself that Jack did look very attractive in his black, pirate garb, his long hair and dark features giving her a warm sensation in the pit of her stomach. Cursing herself roundly, she kept her own face set in a ferocious scowl, refusing to soften her expression in front of a pirate.
Peter lowered his hand, his expression still serious as he prepared to plead on Jack's behalf. "I bring you someone who, until this moment, has been a sworn enemy of myself, the Lost Boys and Indian's alike."
"We recognize Blackhearted Jack. Why do you bring him before us?"
"He had been changed. He is no longer the pirate he was these past times, but is once more Jack, or Jack Flash as he was known among the Lost Boys. He is a victim of the Cave of Dreams..." A murmur went up from the crown surrounding them at the mention of the Cave, everyone well aware of Walbassa and his trickery. Now the Chief was the focus of their attention, awaiting his reaction to his brother's latest mischief. Peter continued. "Jack remembers nothing of his time spent with Hook aboard the Jolly Roger, and nothing of the time before that. He is, as he ever was...my friend."
The murmur became a roar as the Indian's commented among themselves about the extraordinary turn of events. Talagumpa held up his hand for silence and the uproar faded away.
"People of the Piccaninies...one stands before you that was once a pirate, Hook's right hand man, an enemy of our people and an enemy of Neverland. In a twist of fate he had been given a chance to live his life back over again, to once more be a friend of Neverland, a protector of it's people and a good man. We only have the word of Peter Pan that this is so. In the past that has always been enough. I believe it is enough now, as well. Black hearted Jack is no more and is no longer considered an enemy of our people or an enemy to his true self. As Chief of you all, so do I rule."
For a second the crowd remained silent, Talagumpa letting his gaze fall on his people as they decided the fate of the young man standing before them. At last a lone voice called his name, then another joined in, then another until the air was filled with the shouts of his people chanting his name, their arms in the air as they acknowledged his decision as their own. Peter, Jack and the Lost boys stood looking around at the Indian's, still tense and unsure that they weren't about to be taken as prisoners. Eventually the tumult died down and Talagumpa faced Peter's deputation with a broad grin on his face.
"We accept that you come in Peace...and welcome you back, Jack Flash, as one of the Lost Boys and friend of Neverland. May what evil turned you the first time, have no power over you any more."
Peter let out the breath he'd been holding, his shoulders relaxing as he accepted the Chief's outstretched hand and pumped it up and down appreciatively. He turned and waved Jack forward, the Chief shaking his hand as well before sweeping the surprised young man into a bear hug that made his ribs creak. Over the Chief's brawny shoulder Jack saw Tiger Lily stalking away, her back rigid and her plaits swinging angrily. Despite the Chief's, and the people's acceptance, Jack knew that Lily would not acquiesce so easily. For now, he had passed the first hurdle, Peter thumping him on the back and grinning at his friend, glad that at least he didn't have to worry about an arrow or hatchet burying itself in Jacks' back anytime soon. The crowd was dispersing back to their tepees and Peter fell into step beside the Chief, Jack on the man's other side as they walked back to the large tepee. Crate, Rat and Top hat straggled behind, all of them relieved that they didn't have to fight for their lives on Jack's behalf. They wanted to believe the Jack was once more the friend they'd known, but for now they'd reserve judgment and let Peter lead the way until Jack proved himself. Talagumpa had already left instructions and his wife was waiting to take Jack away before allowing him to enter the Chief's tent. Jack gave in to their pinching and poking, shrugging his shoulders in resignation as they led him away. Peter followed Talagumpa into the tepee, the Lost Boys close behind. Inside the fire had died down and side flaps had been open to let out the smoke and heat, leaving only the lamps to light the interior. Peter and the boys ranged themselves on either side of the Chief, who quickly seated himself cross legged on his raised bench, one of the braves handing the man a long pipe, heavily decorated and giving out a pale wisp of scented smoke from the bowl.
"We smoke the pipe of Peace, Peter Pan, and wait for your friend to return. The women won't be long about it. In the meantime, tell me what you plan to do now."
One of the women in the tent was handing out bowls to the boys, each one filled with tender strips of meat and a thick gravy filled with vegetables. Peter ate a mouthful before putting his bowl down to accept the pipe from the Chief. The pipe was longer than his arm but he held the bowl in one hand and steadied the stem with his other before putting it to his mouth and inhaling. He had to draw hard to bring the sweet smoke into his mouth. It tasted of apples and Neverberries, not unpleasant at all. He let some of the smoke leak out of the side of his mouth before removing the end of the pipe and blowing out the rest. Talagumpa beamed at him, his eyes twinkling. Peter could feel a tingling in his tongue and was glad he hadn't drawn the smoke into his lungs, having past experience with the potency of the tobacco used. It might taste sweet and innocuous, but the pipe had the ability to make the user very mellow indeed, and Peter wanted to keep his wits about him when he made plans for Wendy's rescue. Handing the pipe back to the Chief, Peter finished the rest of his meal and drank deeply from the beaker handed to him, the water inside chilled and delicious. A commotion outside announced the arrival of Jack, no longer dressed in his pirate black, but attired like the Lost boys, in skins, leggings and moccasins. Jack grinned self consciously at his audience, holding his arms out from his sides and turning around while the Lost Boy's whooped and Peter whistled appreciatively.
"Sit and eat with us Jack," Peter waved him over and the boys shuffled along to make room. Once Jack was settled, Peter turned to Talagumpa.
"You asked me what my plans are Chief. At this point I'm forced to assume the worst. Either Wendy is wandering alone and unprotected somewhere on Neverland, or she is in the hands of Hook, aboard the Jolly Roger."
"My offer to bring Walbassa here to answer for his mischief still stands, but I am not convinced that it would prove helpful." Talagumpa puffed on the pipe, the smoke weaving patterns in the air above the man's head. "My brother is a wily wolf and does many things that are inexplicable to others, even to me. His return of Jack Flash to his former self could be his way of apologizing for something else that he has been forced to do."
"Forced!," Peter laughed, "he has the same abilities as you. I can't see anyone forcing him to do anything he didn't want to. It's the reason we all avoid the cave. Even Hook came up against him once and had to retreat in defeat."
"What you say is true, but his abilities are limited to the Cave and no further. Certainly a person can leave the cave altered beyond recognition, as happened to those pirates, but Walbassa can't leave the cave himself. Which brings up the point of why did the wolves take your Wendy to them in the first place?"
"I didn't ask. I supposed they thought he would know what to do about them. But now you mention it, whey didn't they just guide Wendy back to you. They could have held Jack until she was safe then let him go. I can't believe Lupa or any of her kin would do anything to harm Wendy."
"Maybe not Lupa, but she is only mate to Ferru, not the leader of the pack. Ferru is the one we should ask, the one we who's motives bear some scrutiny. But that is for the future, in the meantime your immediate problem is the whereabouts of your Wendy."
"Tink had to leave me at the Cave, her kind are forbidden to enter and she flew back, I thought, to here."
"She did not return to us," Crate muttered around a beaker of juice.
"She might have gone to find the others," Rat piped up around a mouth stuffed full of apple.
"She might have Rat, good thinking," Peter replied, smiling at the younger boy. Talagumpa puffed contentedly while Jack filled his belly and slaked his thirst, the other Lost Boys starting to lay down as the food pulled on their eyelids. Eventually the sound of snoring could be heard over the crackle of the dying embers, the Chief finishing his pipe and putting it aside. Jack patted his stomach and smiled smugly.
"If Dipping Swallow wasn't already married to you Chief, I'd ask her to be my wife, just on the basis of her cooking skills alone!"
In the shadows came a chorus of muffled giggles as the Indian woman responded to Jack's cheeky proposal, Dipping Swallow giving Jack a cuff across the back of the head as she passed to leave the tepee to the menfolk. Jack only grinned wider and waggled his eyebrows at her. The women were followed by the last of the Elders, leaving only one brave standing in readiness in case his Chief needed a runner at any time.
"So Peter...do we go and interrogate Ferru, summon Walbassa, search for Tinkerbell, what do we do next?"
"I will be going down to Mermaid Lagoon to find out where Hook is hiding. If Tink turns up, or Squid and the others return, keep them here until morning. If I'm not back by then, meet me at Cannibal Cove and we'll make our plans from there." Peter rose to his feet, his hand on his sword hilt. Jack clambered up as well, the Lost Boy's a second behind him.
"Let me come with you Peter!"
"Don't leave us behind again Peter!"
Only Talagumpa made no attempt to detain him. "You will not take on Hook alone, will you?" The old Indian asked, his dark eyes holding Peter's. "If he has your Wendy, he will not hesitate to use her against you. You must be on your guard. Neverland seems to be hatching plots behind every rock these days."
"I'll be on my guard. Look for me at dawn. Jack, take care of the boys, you're in charge until I return."
"Thanks, I think. I'll still have a deal of explaining to do to the others when they arrive."
"I'm sure that smart mouth of yours will think of something." Taking his leave of the Chief, Peter left the tepee, the village outside illuminated with the flicker of many fires, the night sky covered in twinkling stars as bright as diamonds. With a nimble leap Peter flew into the air and shot off towards the west, his destination, the Mermaid's Lagoon.
Inside Talagumpa's tepee, Jack was waking the Lost Boys who grumbled and groused at being woken up and moved from their comfortable beds among the furs. He bundled them outside and hustled them towards another, smaller tepee pointed out to him as for their use by the Chief's wife. With the boys settled, Jack watched over them to make sure they fell asleep before silently leaving the tent. He was too awake and wanted to walk off his meal, the night too lovely to waste in mere sleeping. He felt conspicuous walking through the Indian village but nobody really took particular notice of him, the braves on guard duty simply nodding when he passed. Despite looking aimless, Jack was anything but. He was looking for Tiger Lily and had a fair idea where he'd find her. A short trek down a shadowed path brought him to the fighting grounds where the braves practiced and kept up their hunting and battle skills. Only half a dozen torches were lit around the perimeter and at first he didn't see her. Then he heard a dull thunk as a knife thudded into a wooden target, the blade half buried with the force of the throw. Jack winced, imagining it hitting him squarely in the chest, or more likely in the back, the faint whistle as it passed through the air his only warning. Hoping to look as unarmed as possible, he shucked off the goatskin waistcoat tied across his chest, together with its undershirt, leaving him bare-chested and wearing only his leggings and moccasins. Tiger Lily had her back to him, her hand wrapped around the hilt of the knife she was attempting to pull out of the log target, the blade sticking hard into the heart wood. As she tugged, she swore under her breath, Jack hearing his name more than once as she muttered, trying to free the knife.
"Keep this up and it will be too blunt to use,"
As expected, Tiger Lily whirled at the sound of his voice, her plaits flying.
"What do you want...pirate!" she spat, turning her back again and wrenching more forcefully at the stuck knife.
"Just to talk,"
"There is nothing for us to talk about...pirate. Once I have this blade free I'll split your gizzard and leave you for the crows to consume."
Jack swallowed but remained where he was, only the tenseness of his shoulders betraying his unease. "That would be a pity. I'd much prefer a sharp blade than one so dull it sticks in a tree."
"It will be sharp enough," Tiger Lily panted, biting her lip and giving a small cry when her hand slipped, catching on the hilt and bruising her fingers. "A blunt knife is exactly what you deserve...a slow, painful death for a pirate."
"Woah, I must have really done something horrible to you. What did I do?"
Sucking her injured finger, Tiger Lily gave up on the knife for the moment and turned to face her tormentor. "You know what you did. I don't believe that you've lost your memory, not for a second. It's just a ruse to fool Peter and the others, so you can lead Hook to them."
Jack held out his hands. "I have no idea what I might have done...I really don't remember. The last thing I do remember was talking to you about meeting at the fork in the river to take the canoe down to the rapids. You liked me well enough then."
Lily gaped at him. "That was...no, I don't believe you, you're just trying to trick me the way you tricked my father."
"You must have a very poor opinion of your father and Peter to think I could fool either of them. Indeed all your village must be fools as well, and what about the Lost Boys, are they fools too?"
"YES!" the Princess shouted, her temper reaching boiling point. "They are all stupid, stupid, stupid...and you are the most stupid of them all!" Incensed, she flew at Jack, her fingers crooked to gouge out his eyes and rip out his hair. Fortunately, Jack was quicker and managed to dodge out of her way, Tiger Lily whirling for another charge only to find Jack there, his hands encasing her wrists to keep them from his face. With her hands tied she used her feet, raking his shins and raising her knee to dig into his groin. Realizing the danger, Jack pushed her away, Lily falling to the ground, the wind knocked out of her for a second or two.
"Calm down, or I'll be forced to hurt you!" Jack shouted, watching the Princess warily as she scrambled to her feet, wheezing as she sucked in air. "I only wanted to talk to you, not scrap like dogs."
"You're the dog...you pirate!" She spat back, her eyes bright with unshed tears, of rage or hurt Jack couldn't tell.
"What did I do? Tell me, at least let me know what I did to make you so mad at me," Jack held out his hand pleadingly, circling Tiger Lily and keeping her at arms length. "Everyone tells me I was a pirate, but I don't remember. I just don't know what I did."
Abruptly the Princess stopped her stalking, her hands dropping to her side as she straitened up from the fighting crouch she'd been in. "You really don't know, do you?" Sensing her acceptance, Jack lowered his guard and held out his hand.
"Truly...I don't know." He smiled at her, his expression hopeful. In a blink he found himself on his back, the weight of the Indian girl on his chest, her fingers pinning his wrists to the ground while holding his legs down with her feet in a wrestling hold. Panting, Tiger Lily grinned down at him, her face in shadow as she leant over him. He tried to rise but couldn't lift his shoulders off the ground, an experiment with bucking her off proved just as fruitless. Relaxing back against the grass he shook his hair out of his eyes and stared back up at his opponent. "I should have remembered, you always were the sneaky one when it came to hand-to-hand combat."
"Yes you should have remembered, pirate. Now you're my prisoner, not the other way round." Lily bared her teeth in a mirthless grimace, her plaits swinging above Jack's face and tickling his cheek. Something she said made Jack forget about struggling and look up at her.
"Did I take you prisoner Princess...is that what this is about?"
"Not you this time...Hook. Had me chained like an animal, left to drown within Skull Rock."
"I'm...sorry..." Jack said, a drop of moisture landing on his chin and sliding down his neck. For a second he thought it had started to rain, but then realized it must have been a tear. Keeping his body calm and relaxed, he didn't resist or make any attempt to escape. "But you escaped."
"Only because of the bravery of Peter Pan and a small party of braves. If they hadn't come after me..." Tiger Lily sniffed, another droplet joining the first. "And then you had to go and steal off with our Wendy and do goodness knows what with her...now you expect me to believe you've changed somehow... that you' re not one of them any more."
Without realizing it, the Princess had released her grip on Jack's wrists to wipe her eyes and nose, her captive keeping his hands where she'd left them and making no move to get up. Realizing at last that Jack was a silent witness to her distress, Tiger Lily levered herself off him and rose to her feet. Jack lay still for a moment before slowly rolling on to his knees and getting to his feet. By then she had walked slowly to the target and a simple twist freed her knife from it's woody scabbard.
Turning around, she found that Jack was still standing where she'd left him. Sniffing, she stuck her knife back into her belt and made to leave, stalking past Jack with her head held high. A warm hand closing around her arm halted her in mid stride.
"I can't say anything other than sorry. I wish you would believe that I'm no longer a pirate, that I'm as I ever was. That I don't mean you any harm...and wish..." Jack paused, his fingers flexing against her skin. Tiger Lily turned her head to look at him, her face clearly visible in the torch lights still flickering around the clearing.
"What do you wish...Jack?" Her dark gaze held his, not pulling her arm out of his grip.
"I wish...we could be friends again. Like we used to be. The way it was before..." He shrugged and let his hand drop from her arm.
"Were we ever friends Jack?" Lily asked, her mouth crooked in a slight smile. "We were many things – enemies, opponents, adversaries – even back then. I don't remember being friends...ever."
"Could we be?" His expression looked so hopeful and pleading and so unlike the Jack she'd come to expect, that Tiger Lily couldn't help herself and burst out laughing. Jack looked fleetingly offended before letting out a chuff of laughter as well. Looking rueful he held his hands up in surrender.
"If not friends Princess...then what?"
"I'll think of something Jack Flash." Without waiting for a reaction or an answer, Tiger Lily walked away from Jack and out of the glade, Jack watching her sashay away with a purely male appreciation.
"Well at least she didn't use that knife on me," he said out loud, running his hand over his still intact scalp, "there's hope for me yet." Then, grinning foolishly to himself, Jack followed the Indian Princess back to the village, keeping his distance in a healthy respect for the girls' throwing skill with a bowie knife.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
...tbc