The months had flown by and Peter Pan was barely a shadow of his former self. Neverland missed its prince; the weather was dark and gloomy, the landscape had slipped into despair. The mermaids wept and the fairies searched everywhere. The Jolly Roger continued to makes its voyages outside and all around Neverland and no one, save for Mr. Smee, saw the captain's prisoner.

Mr. Smee was a kindly old man who cared for Peter as much as he could. He pleaded with the captain to let him go, that he was just a boy, but Hook would not be moved. Peter slipped slowly into madness and forgot who he was. Hook visited him daily and had him at night and would leave the boy alone for days at a time so he'd have time to dwell on his thoughts. Often in his dreams Peter was visited by a beautiful young woman with curls the color of honey and eyes that put the sky to shame. But she vanished as quickly as she appeared and Peter couldn't remember her name or even what she had looked like. He slowly forgot everything he had known and only remembered life aboard the Jolly Roger. Hook couldn't have planned it any better; he had gotten rid of Peter Pan after all. The timid lad in his cabin was nothing like his arch nemesis; Hook didn't see a single trace of the old Pan in this lump of flesh. He was surprised at how quickly the boy had given up, to be honest. He expected more of a fight but after Peter's third suicide attempt, it became clear that he had just lost the will to live.

And so this is how Mr. Smee found Peter on his fourteenth month aboard the ship; Peter was confined to the bed, still extremely weak and pale. Mr. Smee brought in a tray of food and water and set it down beside Peter's bed. Peter's eyes fluttered open and he whispered Mr. Smee's name.

"Now don't talk too much, lad," Smee patted Peter's knee. "You swallowed a lot of water, you know. You're lucky you didn't get swallowed up by a crocodile."

"If only," Peter merely whispered. Smee gave him a sympathetic look before he helped him lean up and drink some water. While Peter ate some bread, Smee checked over his injuries. Peter had jumped through the cabin window and had landed in the sea. His chains had dragged him down to the depths and after nearly ten minutes in the water, someone spotted him and pulled him back to the surface. There were shards of glass stuck in his flesh and he had very nearly drowned. Hook had someone stay with him all day and all night until finally they decided he would survive. Peter wished they had just let him drown. For one brief moment, he thought he might fly away but he decided that was utterly foolish.

"Mr. Smee," he said in a cracked voice, "I had a dream that I was flying." Smee stopped checking his wrists and shook his head quickly before resuming.

"Flying, lad?"

"Yes. I think I…once flew." Smee only nodded and Peter fell silent, not wanting Smee to think him strange.

"Eat up, boy, you need your strength. Your little swim nearly cost you your life."

"Which was the point," Peter said softly but Smee chose to ignore this. Peter sighed heavily and stared out the window, which was now just a gaping hole in the wall.

"Why is Neverland such a dismal place?"

"It's been that way for a long time lad," Smee answered without looking at him.

"Yes but why?"

"Don't rightly know. But I tell you this…only when the Prince of Neverland returns will it become the beautiful place it once was."

"The Prince of Neverland?"

"Aye. You never saw a boy like this. Strong. Courageous. Handsome. Very cocky. Oh he carried the hopes and dreams of everyone in Neverland and he was worshiped like a god for it. But not everyone loved him so. He was driven away and hasn't been heard of in some time." Peter closed his eyes, listening to Smee's story and for some reason, it made him immensely sad.

"I hope he returns soon."

"I do too, Peter. I do too." Smee patted his shoulder and took his leave. Peter stared out the window and pondered Smee's story. Where was the Prince? And why would he leave if people loved him so much? Who in Neverland had the power to drive someone that wonderful away? It made his head ache to think so much so he sighed and settled back into his bed, slipping off to a peaceful sleep of a beautiful Neverland unlike anything he had ever known.

"Wake up boy," hissed a voice in his ear. Peter's eyes opened slowly and saw Captain Hook standing above him. Hook swiftly ran his hook down Peter's shoulder, as was his usual greeting and Peter grimaced but did not cry out.

"I see you are feeling better. And what led you to this particular attempt, Peter, hm?"

"I just…I just don't understand why you hate me so. What I've done to earn your displeasure and discord. Why do you keep me chained up all the time? There's no place for me to really go…I don't remember anything beyond the Jolly Roger, Captain. So why don't you tell me something about my past?"

"I neither know nor care about your past, boy. As I told you I found you floating in the ocean and for some reason beyond my understanding I rescued you and tended to you until you healed. And all I ask in return is that you appease my loneliness at night and don't complain too much. Is that such an extraordinary request?"

"It is Captain when you hold me in your bed at night and then when the sun comes up you throw me to the floor and treat me like dirt under your shoe. What sort of life is that to live? Why haven't you taken me to port where I could find some honest work instead of live off your…charity?" Hook turned away and stroked his mustache.

"If you no longer wish to stay here, boy, I will gladly take you ashore and find someone to take you off my hands. You're useless around here."

"That's not what you say at night, sir," Peter said in a soft voice, a slight smirk on his face. Hook's eyes flashed and he swooped down on Peter at once, his hook flying to the boy's throat.

"Your sharp tongue will get you killed one day, Peter. Understand that."

"And I don't doubt the hand that sheds my blood will be yours, Captain Hook," Peter said bravely.

"Undoubtedly," Hook spat but he removed his hook and surveyed the boy. "Very well, Peter, next time we make port you will come ashore with me and I will try to find some work for you."

"Thank you, sir." Hook leaned down and captured the boy's mouth in a fierce kiss. Peter didn't shrink back but the feeling of it still made him sick. The very first time Hook had done it, Peter had thought it was wrong and it made him feel dirty and used. Add to that, he couldn't remember ever being kissed by a woman either. He supposed he must have had some sort of accident on the sea that made him lose his memory. Hook didn't even know the boy's last name so Mr. Smee gave him the name Peter Waters. Peter hoped his memory would return to him but alas he could only remember flashes of his past. The strange woman, for example, was a constant image in his mind. He also remembered a warm rushing feeling as if flying through the clouds. He didn't know how that could be but couldn't think of anything else it could be either. Peter had been confined to the captain's quarters and wasn't allowed to speak to any of the crew, save for Mr. Smee. When Peter had asked Smee why this was, Smee had only replied "captain's orders". When Peter had asked Hook why this was, he was delivered a heavy blow over the head with the steel hook that was placed where a hand should have been. One of Peter's first questions was what had happened to Hook's hand and for some strange reason, the hook had been lodged in Peter's back until he cried out in pain. Now Peter was careful about what he asked the captain. When Hook came in for the first time and forced himself upon Peter, the boy was horrified but the pirate quickly overpowered him. Now Peter submitted to it, allowing his body to be used in a way that still disgusted him but he knew better to argue anymore. Hook knew how to punish him well and Peter decided a little bit of pain was better than a whole lot of it. When Hook finished with him and forced him to remain in his arms for hours afterward, Peter's thoughts drifted away. He wondered what it was like to be touched by someone who truly loved him…and whom he loved in return. He also wondered if that would ever be possible or even if he had someone back home, wherever home was. He hoped he might make a new life for himself on shore—although he didn't really want to settle down. Peter had grown restless aboard the ship and he supposed he might have had some sort of job where he worked outdoors or where he was always busy. Although now that he thought of it, he didn't know if he had ever actually done work either. Oh this loss of memory was maddening. Peter hit his head, hoping it might make something come back to him but he continued to wander about the cabin aimlessly. He stopped in front of the mirror and stared at his reflection. He saw a skinny boy of nineteen, with long tousled blonde hair and blue eyes that looked as if they once sparkled. The pirate shirt he was wearing was too big on him and he had to roll up the sleeves several times. Around his waist he wore a sheath with a small dagger in it, which he had found in Hook's cabin some time ago. He had tied his hair back with a red bandana and around his neck he wore a thin chain with a small thimble dangling from it. He wanted to ask Hook if he knew anything about it but something told him to keep this to himself. It was yet another mystery from his past but for some reason it made him feel safe and secure and loved. He kept it hidden underneath his shirt and brought it out at night to stare at it and wonder about the person who gave it to him. He continued to stare at himself and he sighed.

"Who are you?" he said to his reflection.

"Peter Pan?" A voice came from the window. Peter spun around and his eyes widened when he saw a beautiful blonde mermaid clinging to the windowsill. The mermaid's lovely eyes widened and tears began to form.

"Oh it IS you! What have they done to you? Oh Peter, I can't believe you're alive!"

"I'm sorry…you know me?"

"You mean you don't recognize me? It's Reyna, your old friend! Oh Peter, you must remember!"

"Reyna…but I don't know any mermaids." The mermaid tossed her hair and looked as if she was slipping from the sill. Peter moved closer to help but stopped in his tracks.

"How did you get up here? What are you doing here anyway?"

"I heard a rumor you were aboard the Jolly Roger and had to see for myself. You've been missing for months, Peter! Everyone thought you were dead."

"I have a family?" His heart began to race.

"Neverland is your family! You're our Prince after all!"

"I'm…WHAT?"

"OY! What you doing down there?" Reyna gasped and let go of the sill and Peter ran to the window. He looked down into the water and saw a green tail slip under the waves.

"Remember, Peter! Remember who you are!" He heard her voice echoing on the water and he frowned, surveying the waters. Reyna's words echoed in his mind.

"You're our Prince." Smee had said the Prince of Neverland hadn't been heard of for some time. Could it really be?

There was a rap at the door and Peter whirled around, his heart racing. Hook entered and announced they would be making port in England within the hour. Peter knew he had to go ashore with him now but he longed to talk to Reyna some more and learn more. Could the mermaids really know who he was? He decided he had to find out. Promising himself he would escape after nightfall and return to Neverland, he prepared himself to finally leave the ship he had known as home for as long as he could remember. Truth be told he wasn't sorry to say goodbye. He wasn't a pirate, he knew that for sure and he hated to be confined to a room. His muscles ached from being useless for so long and he longed to smell the fresh air. He was relieved when Hook came to get him and led him up onto the deck. He squinted in the sunlight, being used to the darkness of the cabin. The crew stared as he walked past; some pointed and some laughed, though he didn't know what could be funny. He was wearing the same thing they wore, for the most part. He stopped in front of Smee, who patted the boy's shoulder gingerly and gave him a sad smile.

"Take care of yourself, lad. I hope to see you again."

"Perhaps when the Prince of Neverland returns, we will meet again?" Smee was startled, Peter's eyes seemed to sparkle for a moment, but he recovered quickly and nodded.

"Perhaps." Peter shook his hand and followed Hook off the ship.

He took in all the sights and sounds of the town as much as he could; he couldn't look everywhere at once and was fascinated with it all. He followed Hook into several buildings and waited quietly and patiently for the captain to finish his business. When they entered the fourth building, Hook and the man he spoke to kept shooting Peter glances. He straightened up, hoping Hook was speaking well of him and would help him get a good job. But the man did not say anything to Peter and so he followed Hook in and out of more buildings.

When they stopped in front of a magnificent-looking house, Hook turned to Peter and began to fuss with his clothes, as if he were a fussy mother waving her child off to school.

"The man I am going to introduce you to is Mr. Goldberg. Very wealthy and cares a great deal about his wealth and position. He needs help handing his horses and the like. Don't speak until you are spoken to and try to look genteel." Trying to remember all of this, Peter followed Hook to the door and was silent as the two men shook hands and talked. Mr. Goldberg greeted Peter and shook his hand and continued to talk to Hook. Peter looked around and admired Mr. Goldberg's expansive mansion. His head snapped back to the men when he heard his name being spoken.

"And how are you with animals, Peter?"

"Very good, sir. I have a very kind hand."

"Aye, you look like you do. Very well, Hook, I'll take the boy on. Peter, can you start today?"

"Of course sir," Peter said excitedly, shaking the man's hand. Hook swept his plumed hat from his head and said goodbye. Peter wasn't sad to see him go but he had been the only real company he had for quite some time so it was a little disheartening to say goodbye. Mr. Goldberg led Peter out to the stables and introduced him to the horses. Peter greeted each of them with a gentle pat and they whinnied into his hand.

"Where are all your belongings, lad?" Peter looked down at himself and hesitantly replied, "this is all I have sir."

"Well that's not a problem, we'll go into town later and pick up some clothes for you. Mind you, you'll be working for them. I don't believe in charity, me."

"Of course sir." Mr. Goldberg directed Peter to give the horses a thorough brush and come wash when he was finished. He left Peter alone in the stables and Peter quickly discovered he was indeed very good with the animals. He spoke to the horses, called them by their names, and told them fantastic stories as he brushed them. The horses only neighed in reply but Peter knew they were listening to him.

Before long, he had finished and cautiously made his way back to the house. He didn't know if he should knock or just go right in so he gave the door a tentative knock. A bossy looking woman opened the door and raised her brow at him.

"Yes?"

"Er, I'm Peter, the new stable boy. Mr. Goldberg told me to come to the house and wash when I was done. Er, I'm done."

"Follow me," she briskly turned and walked up the stairs and he tried to keep his dirty hands away from the sparkling wallpaper as he followed her up. She took him to a tiny bathroom and handed him a bar of soap before she left.
"These folks sure aren't big talkers," he muttered as he scrubbed at his hands. When he finished, he made his way back downstairs and hovered in the sitting room. Not knowing where to go, he searched for the housekeeper but an elegantly dressed woman entered the room and stopped at the sight of him. Peter shuffled his feet nervously.

"I'm Peter, ma'am. I'm the new stable boy but I don't know where Mr. Goldberg has gone to and he told me to come back to the house when I was done."

"Welcome Peter," she said graciously. "I'm Mrs. Goldberg, the lady of the house. Charles didn't tell me he hired a new stable boy. But no matter, come, you're just in time for dinner." She led him to a grand table where Mr. Goldberg was already seated along with a little girl, who looked no older than seven.

"I found your new stable boy, Charles. The poor lad was just waiting in the parlor."

"Sit, Peter, and join us. You've already met my wife, Eleanor.. And this is my daughter, Victoria." Peter bowed his head to both women and seated himself beside Victoria. The little girl turned to him and gave him a sweet smile.

"This is Peter Waters, our new stable hand. Perhaps he will have some patience to teach Victoria how to ride." Victoria's eyes widened and she gave Peter an excited smile.

"Oh Mr. Waters, I would be ever so grateful if you were to teach me to ride! I do so love the horses but Daddy says I can't get on one until I learn properly."

"I'm not sure if I know how to ride myself, Miss Goldberg, but I should be happy to try to help."

"Where do you come from, Peter?" Mrs. Goldberg asked, passing him a basket of bread.

"I've been living aboard the Jolly Roger with Captain James Hook, ma'am. He rescued me from the sea and to be frank, I don't remember much before that."

"How dreadful!"

"It's all fine, ma'am. I would like to know a thing or two about my past but what's done is done and no point in dwelling on it. Captain Hook helped me get this job so I'm grateful to the man for all he's done." Mrs. Goldberg's mouth had thinned at the mention of Hook's name and Peter wondered about his reputation. Well, he was a pirate after all.

"So you don't remember anything, Peter?" Peter looked at Mr. Goldberg and shook his head sadly.

"The Captain says he found me floating in the ocean and that I must have been in some sort of crash. He took me in and now here I am. That's it, unfortunately."

"Well, no matter. You have a new home here and I'm sure your memory will eventually come back. No doubt you have loved ones out there looking for you."

"I hope so, ma'am," Peter fiddled with the chain around his neck as he spoke and Victoria noticed.

"What's around your neck, Peter? Is it a necklace? Is it a necklace your lady wife gave you before you set sail? Is it pretty?"

"Hush Victoria. Mind your manners." Mr. Goldberg chuckled.

"I apologize, Peter. Victoria has a wild imagination and loves anything to do with romance. I'm sure I'll be granting a lad her hand any day now."

"Love is just a wonderful thing, Daddy," Victoria gushed. Peter felt his insides squirm at the word. He didn't know why; he wondered if he had said the word to anyone before. The uncertainty of it all made him squirm and he fell silent again. After dinner, Mrs. Goldberg showed Peter where he would be sleeping (Peter offered to sleep in the stable but Mrs. Goldberg stamped on that suggestion, saying there was no way she would let him sleep outside) Peter thanked the Goldbergs heartily and bid them goodnight, before he settled into bed and stared up at the ceiling. His fingers played with the tiny thimble and his eyes slowly closed as he drifted off to a peaceful sleep.

There's a nice long one for everyone :-) Please R&R and let me know if you enjoyed! :-)