The Confession of a Lifetime

Wendy's P.O.V

After the talk with Hook, Bradford returned me into my room and loosened up the rope around me.

"You are going to have to keep the ropes on, since other crew members might check on you from time to time." His voice was much calmer then before and he stepped back from me, giving me room to stretch my hands.

"Fine with me." I responded shortly as I leaned against the wall. "So what's the plan?"

"Well Hook is going to go look for Tinker Bell." He noted, "We could go explore the ship if you want, maybe get you some decent food first."

"Not really, Stanford is behind Hook 100%. One look at both of us and he will have us killed." I murmured, looking out the window. Never Land hasn't changed that much, with the forests as green as it could be and the flowers blooming at the edge. The ocean was still crystal clear and a reflection of the ship was casted upon it, rippling at every corner.

"Not if we think before we act." He said, a smile creeping up his face. "Everyone does have to sleep eventually, now don't they?" I let out a soft chuckle as I shook my head.

"So you want to sneak around?" I smirked, shuffling me feet.

He shrugged as he said, "Why not? This may be the only time we have to look at the situation we are dealing with. I thought about it for a moment before I answered him.

"I guess so, since you know all the secrets behind this ship. And I am in dire need of some regular food." He nodded seriously as he put his hand on the handle of the door.

"I'll come back for you later tonight when everyone is asleep. You should get some rest now." He looked at me once and then locked the door behind him, leaving me staring at just empty wall space. I went back into the corner near the window and snuggled into the wall. Thoughts of Hook and Tinker Bell haunted my mind as I tried to fall asleep.

"Tinker Bell will be fine…" I mumbled sleepily, trying to comfort the lingering doubts, "She has to be fine…"

Bradford's P.O.V

"What took you so long?" Stanford asked as I entered the Captain's quarter, eyeing me suspiciously.

"She was trying to fight me. It's fine though, she's all locked up." I returned, trying my best to hide me nervousness. I quickly sat in the nearest chair and propped my legs up on the control deck, closing my eyes as I thought of Wendy sitting in her room looking out her window. I had no idea whether she really did trust me, or if she was just playing me.

"Really? Is that so…" He said, interrupting my thoughts. "I've never seen you take 15 minutes to lockup a girl."

"She was struggling." I growled, "I just told her to be quiet and she listened."

"So now it takes 15 minutes to tell a girl to shut up."

"Stanford, just take it easy. Everything's fine." He was seriously starting to get on my nerves now.

"How can I "take it easy" when you are spending too much time with the girl! What did you beat her up or something to shut her mouth? " He was staring at me, his eyes lighting up as he noticed my reaction.

"How could you even think of beating up someone like her? I mean she doesn't even deserve to be here and you really think I would try to add to her burdens!" My face was fuming with anger, but I clamped my mouth shut, knowing I have said way too much.

"I KNEW it! Your heads over heels for her…" He smacked his head as started laughing like crazy.

"What are you talking about? I …" My voice faded. Stanford knows me too well; I mean he is my father.

"Sure you don't, so when did it happen?" His voice was light and playful as he poured himself a jug of rum.

"W-What do you mean…" A soft blush was creeping up my neck as I hid my face, embarrassed by my secret that was just revealed.

"You've never talked about a woman like that," He said, giving me a look. "When did it happen?"

"I really don't know when it happened. I feel like she shouldn't be put through all this trouble just because Hook got his hand cut off. I feel like she doesn't deserve to live through the life that we do on a daily basis of being fed scraps and murdering innocent people. I mean just looking at her makes me feel like crap because I have to live with the fact that I played a part in scarring her life forever." Stanford's eyes fell as he put down his rum and sat up in his chair.

"You know, you talk about Wendy the same way I talked about your Mother." My heart fell as I remembered the family I used to have, the family that will never be the same.

"When did you know you were only going to marry Mother?"

"The day I saw her for the first time." His answer was blunt yet soft as he polished his glass. He got up from the chair and made his way to the door way. "It was the same day I knew that I would never be the same man." And with that, he left me alone to watch the waves hit the ship in a timely fashion, luring me into a sound sleep.

"I'll never marry another women but her. Not in this lifetime, at least."

A/N~And the love triangle thickens...:P As usual, I hoped you enjoyed this chapter, thanks a ton for reading, and please do review :D Until next time.