"Peter! Peter! Peter Pan!" Tink flew around the tree, crying for the boy in green. When there was no answer, she did the only thing left to do. She fell to the ground and sobbed. Tears streamed down her pale cheeks as she hid her face in her hands.

"This is all my fault. All of it. This is the worst thing I have ever done." Her shoulders shook with sobs as she lay down on the ground in front of the dead tree and cried.

She didn't protest or even notice when someone gently lifted her up and carried her somewhere. She took no notice of her surroundings and could have cared less what happened to her now.

"If you're going to kill me, all I ask is that you do it quickly. And soon."

"No one is going to kill you Tink," someone said very gently. She gasped and looked up into the smiling face of a young boy.

"You can understand her, Peter?" she heard another voice ask.

"She's my fairy. Of course I can understand her," Peter answered. Tink's heart raced. Did he just say she was HIS fairy?

"She's even dressed just like you!" Tink felt a finger gently touch her hat and feather and saw Peter scowl.

"Don't touch her, she's not to be manhandled. Who found her?"

"Slightly brought her in. I told him some sort of bug was on the ground though so I was the one who found her."

"She's not a bug, you blockheads, she's a fairy. Nibs, fill that shell up with water. Tink, can you sit up? You need to drink this." Very gently, Peter helped her lean up and held the shell that was filled with cold water. Tink drank gratefully, feeling her throat burn and she sighed and nodded.

"Thank you," she said softly. She took some water in her hands and splashed her tear-stained face.

"Now, what's wrong? The boys said they found you outside the hideout, crying." Tink opened her mouth to explain but as soon as she did, the tears came again. Peter looked alarmed; he had always hated it when he saw someone crying. He had taught the boys to never let anyone see them cry. He reached out a finger and patted her back.

"Tink?"

"It's Terence," she managed to choke out. "That pirate has captured him."

"Pirate? You mean Hook?" Tink nodded and accepted the hanky that one of the boys handed her. She blew her nose loudly and sniffed. Peter frowned.

"What would Hook want with a fairy?"

"Apparently he is after some ultimate treasure and he needs a fairy to lead him to it. He's been killing fairies because they'd never tell him. He's going to kill Terence, Peter. My best friend, my soul mate, and it's all my fault!" Peter's frown deepened.

"How is it your fault?"

"Because I didn't listen to him. I should have stayed by his side and instead, I came to the ship where I found you. He saw me touch you and make you fly. He got jealous and flew away and he was distracted, he had to be, he would never have let himself get caught otherwise and…and…"

"Hang on a sec. He was jealous? Of me? He thinks you like me better?"

"He thinks I love you."

"But…you don't! Right?"

"He knows, Peter." Peter jumped to his feet, looking uncomfortable.

"Knows what?"

"He knows we have…some kind of connection."

"A connection?"

"Is there an echo in this tree? Yes, a connection. You and I, somehow, I can't explain it! Tell me you don't feel it? You don't notice something strange about when we met? How I made you fly so easily? How you understood me right away."

"I can feel your pain…it's so strange, I feel like there's another…part of me. What does this mean, Tink?" He knelt down so he was eye level with her and she slumped against the wall.

"I have no idea. I have never heard of a human and a fairy being so close. Lizzie was a dear friend of mine and I love to visit her on the Mainland but she can't understand me and I don't feel her like I feel you." Peter was biting his lip in worry.

"I can feel how worried you are for your friend…sorry, your boyfriend. Don't worry, Tink, we'll save him."

"But how?"

"It's Hook and no one fights Hook better than me!" He jumped to his feet and turned to the boys, who were all dressed like animals. "Lost Boys, we've got another adventure!" The boys cheered and Tink stood up. Peter's hands went to his hips.

"Boys, I'd like you to meet a special friend of mine, Tinkerbell. Tink, these are the Lost Boys. Sound off!"

"Slightly!"

"Nibs!"

"The twins!"

"Cubby."

"And this is Tootles, but he doesn't talk," the fox said, patting the little skunk's back. Tootles waved shyly and shot Tink a smile. Tink waved to them all.

"Nice to meet you all."

"What's that jingling?" Nibs asked, frowning. Peter glanced at Tink.

"I have no idea why I'm the only one who can understand her but no one else seems to speak fairy. She says it's nice to meet you all. Now Tink, you're sure Hook has your friend?"

"Yes, he has him captured in a lantern. And I don't know how long he has before…" she let out a little wail and trailed off.

"Then let's get moving! Nibs, you lead the boys to the water edge and wait for me there. Do NOT attack, you understand me?"

"Where are you going, Peter?"

"I'm going to talk to the pirate who knows these waters best. We can find a way to outsmart Hook once he has set sail." For some reason, the boys' faces darkened and they glared at Peter.

"You're bringing HIM along?"

"He's a pirate, boys, and a very good one. And when I left him in charge of Neverland, he followed orders and stayed loyal and true. More than I can say for the lot of you." The boys didn't say anything but looked mutinous. Tink's eyes widened at the sudden tension between Peter and his army. Peter cleared his throat.

"Tink, you come with me. The rest of you, listen to Nibs and stay hidden at the water's edge. I'll join you shortly. Come on men, let's go." Wanting to get out of the room that was thick with tension, Tink perched on Peter's shoulder and as soon as they were out of the hideout, she turned to him.

"WHAT was that about?"

"What do you mean?" Peter had jumped into the air and was soaring above Neverland at a speed Tink could never match. She had to give him credit; he was a fast learner.

"Why are the boys upset with you? Who are you bringing?"

"Awhile back I decided I wanted to explore the lands beyond the Never Sea and I left Slightly in command. I wasn't gone long but when I returned, I discovered he had decided he would take my place and try to lead the boys. I was furious that he had done this and even more furious that the rest of the boys had agreed to follow him. So the next time I left, I refused to leave any of the Lost Boys in charge. I became friends with a young pirate with a good heart. I was surprised that he called himself a pirate because he's never acted like any pirate I have ever seen. But he loves treasure so I guess that's why. Anyway, he leads his little group just like I do and I asked him if I could trust him to look after Neverland and watch out for the boys for me. He did a great job and never once tried to take my place. I can always trust him to help out and he's very caring for his young age. He's had many run-ins with Hook as well so he'll be able to help out." Peter fell silent while they flew and Tink zoomed alongside him, trying not to think about what the pirates may be doing to Terence at that very moment.