Peter Pan Chapter 12: Double, double toil and trouble.

I awoke the next day to the soothing pleasure that was summer rain. The spattering droplets drew me from my slumber like delicate whispers. I adored summer rain. Back home, the smells of the trees, grass and asphalt had always calmed my nerves. It didn't matter what I had been through, I could be a bundle of tension ready to snap but when I smelled the wet, tarry smell of the street I chilled instantly. It was quite a quirk I had in fact.

I rolled onto my back and closed my eyes to listen. I had this thing where if I focused long and hard enough, I could feel the rain landing on my bare skin. The cold drops dotting my body, hitting my eyelids. I smiled. What a great way to wake up. Inevitably, my thoughts were flooded with Rossel. The kelpie I had captured the day before. A part of me hoped that he was enjoying this rain as well. This counted as day two with him and I wondered what excitements today might bring. I needed to check on him, the sole driving force that drug me from bed. Otherwise it would've taken a team of kelpies to get me out of bed.

So, rising, I dressed. I had to admit that deep down I was getting tired of wearing the heavy dresses Peter provided for me from Hook's mother's…wherever he got them. I would kill for a pair of jeans, I thought. Seeing that there were none to speak of, I pulled a rather simple dress of pale pink cotton over my head. Pursing my lips at the length, I searched for a pair of scissors. Finding an old set, I removed the dress, cut the fabric at about knee height and re-dressed. Pleased with the new hemline I put the scissors back and went to tie my hair back. I did nothing fancy; my hair always frizzed in the rain and I had no hair product with me. With it in a snug bun, I went outside.

I saw the Lost Boys gathered around Rossel's pen. Unbothered by the soft rain, they had set up shop with their breakfast and waited eagerly for the water horse to poke his head out. I rolled my eyes at their childishness and approached.

"What are you doing?" I asked fully aware.

"We want to see it," Tibbs answered.

"Him. It's a him." I corrected.

"But he won't come out," replied Tootles.

"Maybe he doesn't want us to see him," came another.

Remembering that they had built the stable they were crowding, I said:

"I appreciate the time and effort you all put into building this for him, but I need you to give him some space. At least until he gets better acquainted here."

"What are you talking about 'Mother'? We didn't do this."

"You didn't?" I asked very stupefied. "Are you saying Peter built this?"

There was a long pause. I could not believe it. Peter actually manned up and helped. I wondered why thought. He was so adamant about leaving e to handle everything.

"So…why would he?" I asked more to myself.

"Father felt really bad about leaving you so he spent hours on making a place for your kelpie." They said.

"I was surprised too Mother. Father never liked this kelpie, that's why he went looking for you yesterday."

I tried not to show too much amazement but my face felt warmer and my heart sped slightly in my chest. If the Boys were talking about it, then Peter must have been…worried? Dare I say it?

I found something comforting in that. Sure he kept me safe during the meeting with Queen Mab, but this was independent. I felt the sudden urge to see him. If this was true, then I wanted to set things right with the red-haired imp. He was my way home after all. It would do no good to have him pissed at me.

"Do you guys know where he is?"

They all pointed their small fingers in opposite directions. Sighing I passed them and went closer to the stable. I first had to see if Rossel was ok. I peered inside. Rossel was resting on the ground beneath a moderately sized hole in the roof. Obviously put there to allow rain in. it teemed through the opening and fell onto his great back.

I suppose rain pacifies him being a water horse and all, I thought. His milky eyes were closed as he slept. I smiled because I half-expected him to sleep with them open. When I turned to leave, Rossel's hollow voice made me bristle.

"Are they still lingering outside?"

I jolted and resisted shivers. I still was not used to the eerie, breathy tone.

"Y…yeah."

I heard him let out a heavy breath. "Little ingrates."

I grinned.

"You want me to send them away?" I offered.

"I can do that with no effort from you." He snorted.

I nodded my head in understanding. "I don't doubt you could."

"You must have doubts about my abilities. Why else would you make such an offer?" He replied twisting my intentions around.

I shifted my weight from foot to foot. "I meant nothing by it. Just a simple gesture that's all."

When he did not respond the air became unbearably awkward. Rossel remained quiet and I found it difficult to stay in his presence. He didn't say, but I knew I had overstayed my welcome. So, with quick parting words I left. I was on a mission to find Peter.

In my head, apologies and accusations warred. The rain came harder now. I traversed the woods, thinking of how they resembled rainforests. I called out to Peter several times only to have no answer back.

The fact that I was searching for him probably gave the imp some satisfaction and opted to let me scream or him. If I didn't know better, I'd think he was giving me the silent treatment.

"Peter! I have something to say to you!" I tried again.

Nothing. Just the croaking of forest frogs. By now, I was thoroughly drenched and freezing. I called him again and again. I brought my hands to my arms for warmth.

On and on I went. The woods had grown thicker and made my search tedious. I looked at the darkening sky and was about to give up when a shuffling and thud landed before me. I evenly brought my head to level and glared at the imp.

"You rang?" He said curtly.

His arms were folded loosely in front of him.

"Yes. Several times," I said. " I think I owe you something."

At that the double emeralds retained a cursory glitter. "Oh? And pray tell what might that be?"

I rubbed rain water from my face.

"I didn't know you had built the pen and stable for Rossel. If I had, I would've been more gracious."

I hoped he saw the apology. He did, but now with the ball in his court, he wanted to really put me on the spot. Peter gave a quick birdlike tilt of his head. An act that was disturbing to watch.

"Is that your idea of an apology? Because I do not accept. You struck me and quite hard I might add. I want a real 'I'm sorry' from you or I'll leave."

Peter widened his eyes for emphasis. I hated it when he did that; it made him seem truly inhuman. He wanted me to actually say the words. I grimaced. Thought, he was right in part. I did hit him and I probably shouldn't have. So, I grit my teeth and kept my gaze.

"Fine. I'm sorry I hit you on account that you went out of your way. But I'm not sorry that I did it because of your rude and cruel comments to Rossel." I stated lifting my chin.

Peter tucked in his lips, forming a line. It was a half apology, I admit. But he needed to know that his behavior would not be tolerated. Clearly he was unaccustomed to being given limits for he pensively stared at the sodden ground.

"He is a beast you realize. One that cannot be trusted."

I stood there silent. The rain becoming periphery.

"He thinks nothing of killing and murdering living creatures."

"I am aware of what he is," I said.

"Do you? For I think you do not. This thing is not a drawing in one of your faerie books. He is as real as you or I. As bloodthirsty as a wolf and as cunning as a fox. Kelpie are known for their elusiveness and malice. Simply surviving is a feat. You mastering him will only put you into more danger."

"I know. Rossel will kill me if he is set free." I replied with a shaky hand. Damn I was cold!

"No. Not from the kelpie. The kelpie is unable to harm its master. I'm talking about others. Powerful beings who will seek your power and your kelpie. Having him in your possession escalates your worth. Can you imagine? An adult with the belief in faeries as well as a kelpie is a rare prize. No doubt Finvarra, Mab, and others have heard already. They will come for you in time."

I shivered. Peter had become so serious, those eyes were hard and unwavering. He came closer and continued.

"Queen Mab will move, I know it. Finvarra will more than likely bide his time. The one who concerns me the most however is Hook. He's been unusually quiet of late. That is not like him at all."

Capitan Hook. Peter's arch nemesis and rival. I tried my best not to shake but did. I was so cold from the rain that I shook as if in fear. Peter saw me and took my being freezing for actual trepidation. Before I could say anything, he came to me and took my arms. He started rubbing them in swift motions up and down, using friction to warm me up. I noticed that his hands were dry and soothing and the girly part of my mind flashed back to when he kissed me. He had been this close then too. I blushed and looked away.

"What's wrong? Your face is red are you ill?"

Peter leaned around to catch my eye.

"No. Just hot, you're like a living furnace with those hands." I joked.

Taking that as a point, Peter stopped rubbing my arms. I wasn't blind to the fact that he stayed where he was. I felt the heat from his body, I felt the way his form towered over mine. It all made me feel so anxious. The downpour had slowed a bit and I gradually turned to look at him. The rain had soaked his clothes, making them stick to his skin. I saw the strong shoulders, the toned chest. The rain had also caused his fiery red locks to fall alluringly over his eyes. All of this seemed unfair to me. No matter what happened to them, fae always appeared beautiful. I, on the other hand, knew I looked like a wet dishrag and felt embarrassed. That is another thing the fae do to you, they steal your morale. Peter was no exception.

The sharp bones of his face were outlined in streaks of auburn. Those large emeralds of his were lined in dark lashes and the creamy luster of his skin glowed. I followed a raindrop as it made its way down over his cheek to his jaw and neck. When it disappeared beneath the collar of his shirt, I felt the heat rise to my face as I knew that he knew I was studying him.

Peter did not show anything of the sort but merely parted his lips as if to speak. He tightened his hold on me gently. I stared up at him and I saw myself in his eyes. As I knew he saw himself in mine.

Peter watched me for so long that I nearly forgot we were standing outside getting wet. I didn't mind though. I felt…safe. It was as if all that transpired before meant nothing. Was he putting another spell on me? I brought my hands to grip his wrists. My touch must have dislodged his trance for he abruptly cleared his throat and let me go.

Taking a few steps back, he swung his arms back and forth, clapping them together.

"We should be heading back. I'm positively saturated. The last thing I want is to be ill."

The heat of his hands quickly dissipated, the spell was broken, and I gave a large eye roll. "You can't get sick."

"No. but the possibility of it frightens me."

"Of course it would," I said. "C'mon. let's go."