"Wendy? Wendy!" Peter's heart was racing as he searched for his beloved. Mr. Goldberg was questioning people around them, looking extremely worried. Peter blinked back tears as he continued to call her name. He wandered away from the shops and down the street a little. Closing his eyes, he called upon the forces that made him who he was.

"All the powers I have had, let me use them now. Let me find her. Wendy. Tell me where you are."

Peter. Peter. Help me, please. His eyes shot open as he heard her soft voice in his head, as if she were standing right next to him. He then heard a high-pitched scream and his eyes flew to the top window of a bawdy looking tavern. His eyes narrowing, he entered the building with a slam of the door and his eyes traveled the room. Everyone stared at the imposing force that had just entered when he spoke, his voice was full of cold fury.

"I'm looking for a young woman by the name of Wendy."

"They took 'er upstairs," one of the barmaids finally said. Anger flashing in his eyes, Peter took the stairs three at a time and burst into the first bedroom on the top of the stairs. The sight that met his eyes made his blood run cold. His Wendy was unconscious on the floor, bruised, naked, and bound while two men violated her and two men jeered. Another was hanging back, looking uncertain about the entire thing. Not even thinking, Peter grabbed at the man who straddled her and slammed him against the wall. His fists flew hard and fast and he didn't care what he was hitting, as long as flesh was meeting flesh. Another jumped onto Peter's back but the Prince of Neverland's fury was not to me reckoned with. With a growl, Peter's hand closed around the man's throat and he squeezed, making the man choke.

"Peter, don't," said a gruff voice behind him. A warm hand closed around his and made him drop his victim. Peter turned to stare into the wide eyes of Mr. Goldberg, who was pulling Peter away from the man and toward Wendy.

"Ere now, we was just having a bit of fun," said one of the men from the floor. Peter's eyes flashed and he held up Wendy's limp hand .The ring caught the sunlight and nearly blinded the men.

"This ring means that she is mine and no one else's. You have violated something that I cherish and if I had my way, you would never see the light of another day." Mr. Goldberg laid his hand on Peter's shoulder and shook his head.

"Sorry it took me a moment, Charles," said a voice from the doorway. Two constables entered the room, their batons raised high and their eyes surveying the room. Mr. Goldberg raised to greet them while Peter searched for a blanket to cover Wendy with. The man who had hung back from the group tapped him on the shoulder and handed him a worn blanket. Nodding in thanks, Peter draped it over her body and lifted her into his arms.

"She should be taken to the hospital, lad," one of the constables said. A vein twitched in Peter's cheek as he nodded.

"As for this scum, rest assured they will be dealt with," the constable said, turning to the men who were bleeding on the floor. "Who's responsible for all the cuts and what not?"

"I am," Peter said solemnly. The constable's brow raised but he nodded his head and muttered 'self defense'. Without another word, Peter exited the room with Mr. Goldberg close behind him.

"Don't worry, lad, they will be dealt with."

"Not as I would have dealt with them," Peter said quietly.

"It's not us to deal out justice, Peter. But you have removed four scum of the street and now they won't be able to harm any more young women."

"A little too late, I think," Peter said in a cold voice. Mr. Goldberg glanced down at the young woman in the boy's arms and sighed.

"Come, let us get her to the hospital. We'll make sure she is taken care of and as long as you are by her side, she needn't fear anything." They exited the tavern in silence, ignoring the stares that met them on the street.

"I can't always be by her side, Mr. Goldberg. It was my fault she was attacked this day. I wasn't there to watch her. What happens to us now? What sort of life is that for us? To have to keep looking over out shoulders every damn day. When I'm not worrying about her in the daylight, I have nightmares about harm coming to her while I am asleep. I don't know how I am supposed to be her hero every moment of every day."

"Peter…life isn't fair to any of us. And you and Wendy…you have been dealt some terrible blows. No one knows why things happen to us but you must believe your future holds something wonderful tenfold! Never mind the sorrow and the pain. Keep your eyes on something brighter ahead of you. Wendy knows how much you love her and how you'll do anything for her. I don't doubt if I hadn't been there to stop you, you would have taken the lives of four men for her." Peter said nothing, his arms tightening around Wendy. Mr. Goldberg only nodded. "As you have told her, lad, don't dwell on the past. Don't dwell on the how or why. Dwell on the when. When you marry her and take her away from this place and fill her life with new and wonderful memories. That's when life will start to look brighter, my boy." Peter was silent, taking in Mr. Goldberg's words. He didn't notice when Mr. Goldberg had stopped and led Peter up the steps to the hospital. Peter found he couldn't say much so Mr. Goldberg did the explaining. One of the kindly looking nurses had Peter lay Wendy down on the bed and ushered them out of the room so she could care for her patient. Peter wanted to stay by her side but Mr. Goldberg led Peter to a chair in a waiting area. The exam did not take long and the doctor closed the door behind him as he walked out, looking around for Wendy's family. At the sight of him, Peter jumped up, Mr. Goldberg right behind him.

"You are Miss Darling's family?"

"I am Wendy's betrothed," Peter said quickly. The doctor looked surprised for a moment.

"Nurse Mary says Miss Darling was attacked and you found her being, er, violated." Peter's eyes clouded and he didn't say anything. The doctor nodded and continued.

"The lass is a strong one. We think she's going to be fine. There were a few bumps and bruises on her face and body but that was all."

"They knocked her out-"

"They did hit her but as I said, no lasting damage. Now as for the other part…" he trailed off, looking uncomfortable. Mr. Goldberg cleared his throat.

"I'll wait for you outside, lad." But as he turned to go, Peter grabbed his hand and shook his head silently. Mr. Goldberg looked into the boy's tear-filled eyes and patted his shoulder gingerly. The doctor took a deep breath and continued.

"Were you aware your betrothed was with child?" Peter's heart did a somersault. But then his words pierced him and his breathing hitched slightly.

"Was?" The doctor looked uncomfortable.

"The trauma of the rape…might have done permanent damage to the baby. I don't exactly know how far along she is but there seems to be a lot of bleeding and we can't tell if the baby lives or not. She has lost a lot of blood already…if she continues to bleed, we must assume she has lost the baby." Peter felt as if his knees would give out and he put out a steadying hand against the wall. It wasn't his, he already knew. He didn't know which would be worse. Wendy losing another child or another man's child being born. He didn't know how she would react. There was no way to know whose child it was and more than likely it would devastate her to know she would give birth to another man's baby. But Peter decided he could come to love it as his own, raise it with the love and care he would have done for his own. His mind and heart raced.

"Can I- can I see her?"

"She needs to rest as much as possible but you may sit with her awhile."

"Does she know?" "

"She was awake for the exam," he nodded. Peter closed his eyes in anguish, wishing he could have been with her when they received the news. Mr. Goldberg patted his shoulder again and Peter followed the doctor into Wendy's room. She was propped up slightly in her bed, her golden hair spread out onto the pillow and her eyes were closed. She looked peaceful in her sleep and Peter tried to ignore the paleness of her face or the bruise that was starting to form under her eye. He felt a surging rush of hatred to all men who had mistreated her and remembered when he had first laid eyes on her, how pure and pristine she had been back then. Once again he felt guilt wash over him, knowing had she never been brought to Neverland in the first place, none of this would have ever happened to her. She was changed completely because of him. He blinked back tears as he sat beside her and picked up her limp hand. Stroking her fingers with his, he leaned in close and stared at her blank face.

"I am so sorry, Wendy. So sorry for every wrong that has been done by you. I love you so much but I wish we had never met. I have brought you endless pain and suffering. Forgive me, dearest. Forgive me for everything." She heard nothing and slept on. Succumbing to his tears, Peter laid his head on her breast and wept quietly. Her fingers moved slightly underneath his but she remained still and silent. There was a quiet knock at the door and Mr. Goldberg's worried face peered in.

"Peter, lad, you might want to come out here for a moment." Peter wiped away the tears and closed the door behind him. There was a young man standing beside the doctor, looking quite anxious. Peter supposed he would be called handsome. He had long dark hair and dark eyes. He was a bit taller than Peter and his arms were much more muscular than Peter's would ever be. Peter decided immediately he didn't like the man.

"Are you Peter?" Silently, Peter nodded. "Where is Wendy? Is she alright?" Peter's fists balled up but he forced himself to remain calm.

"Who are you? And how do you know Wendy?"

"Well I should like to know the same about you. They call me Thomas. Wendy and I were…involved." Peter's jaw clenched and he longed to hit the man in the face.

"Involved? When was this?"

"Not long ago, if you must know. I was in the tavern when she was taken upstairs and heard you brought her to the hospital."

"If you were there, why in the hell did you allow them to take her?" Thomas had the grace to look ashamed.

"It was just Wendy's way. As many times as I told her I was ready to marry her and get her off the streets, she insisted on maintaining that lifestyle. I couldn't stop it. So when I saw them come inside with her I just assumed it was what she wanted."

"It was never what she wanted you psycho bastard," Peter said quietly, his voice dripping with hatred. "If you truly cared for her you should have done everything you could to get her off of those streets! But it doesn't matter. She belongs to me and I'm taking her far away from here."

"And just who the hell are you to say she belongs to you," Thomas straightened up and towered over Peter. "Where were you all this time, if you loved her so much?"

"As she well knows, I was lost in a shipwreck and lost my memory for a time. We've found each other again and are to be married. So you don't have to worry about her anymore," he added with a sneer. The man's eyes narrowed.

"I should like to hear this from her, if you don't mind."

"She's resting. She can't see anyone."

"Except for you?"

"I'm her betrothed!" Peter said hotly. Mr. Goldberg stepped in between the two of them and raised his hands.

"Lads, lower your voices. I understand there is a lot of tension here but that's enough. This is a hospital so show some respect. Peter, you should ask Wendy if she would like to see this young man." Peter opened his mouth to retort but Mr. Goldberg gave him a pointed look and he understood. The only way the man would leave is if Wendy told him herself to go away. Sighing, Peter went back into Wendy's room and closed the door.

"Wendy? Can you hear me, sweetheart?" Her eyes fluttered open and Peter's heart twisted when he saw she had difficulty opening one of her eyes due to the attack.

"Peter," she said in a strangled whisper. The sound of her voice made Peter forget all about the man outside and he dropped to his knees and held her in his arms.

"Oh god, Wendy, I was so worried about you."

"Peter…there's something I should tell you." She looked so heartbroken that Peter cupped her chin and shook his head.

"I know all about it." She looked completely shocked. "The doctor told me, I know he assumed I'm the father. Don't worry, sweet, we will get through this. If the child lives, I'll welcome it into this world as the only father it will know." With a sob, Wendy buried her face in his shirt and wept. He held onto her for dear life, his hands stroking her hair and whispering soft I love you's against her cheek. Remembering Thomas's glowering face, he pulled her away and sighed.

"Wendy there's a man outside who is insisting on seeing you. He says you two were…er, involved."

"What man?"

"Thomas," Peter said the name with dislike. Wendy's eyes widened and to Peter's immense dislike, she blushed.

"I told him to go away but he wants to hear it from you. You can tell him we're to be married and maybe he'll believe you and leave." Slowly, Wendy nodded and Peter ran to the door and held it open. Thomas entered and his face fell when he saw the state Wendy was in.

"Oh my sweet," he ran to the bed and dropped to his knees, grasping her hands in his. Peter's jaw clenched again but he watched from the door.

"Thomas what are you doing here?"

"I heard about the attack and wanted to make sure you were alright. I haven't seen you for weeks, I'd heard you had gone back to Spain."

"Is that why you didn't search for me?" she said quietly. Thomas's head hung low.

"After you left that morning I didn't know what to do. I didn't know what you wanted. I told you I love you Wendy. That will never change."

"Thomas-"

"But then I saw you in the tavern and wondered why you had been avoiding me. When I came here to find you this man informs me you are to be married. Who is he Wendy? Tell me it's not true. Tell me I'm your only love, as you told me those nights I held you." Peter's heart was breaking at the man's words. He longed to shove him aside, take Wendy in his arms, and fly her off to Neverland where they could live happily and no one would ever bother them again. He watched Wendy's face, saw how her eyes flicked to him before they rested on Thomas. Peter couldn't bear to hear her response and closed the door behind him as he collapsed in the hallway.

"I'm sorry Thomas. Truly I am. Peter courted me years ago and we were to be married a year ago. Then we had a fight, as all couples do and he left the house in a hurry. He was lost to me in a shipwreck and lost his memory. I searched for him but gave up as I thought he had left me forever. When we found each other we discovered how very much in love we still are. He is the only man who holds my heart. You were good to me, Thomas, and I thank you for that. But Peter is the love of my life. Always has been and always will be." Thomas rested his head on the blanket for a moment before looking back at her.

"If he ever treats you wrong, I'll be there to catch you in my arms." He leaned over and gave her a soft kiss on the forehead before he opened the door and nearly tripped over Peter, who was leaning against the door in the floor. Peter jumped to his feet and Thomas glared at him.

"You better treat her right, sir. Protect her with your life."

"That's what I intend to do," Peter answered. Thomas nodded and lumbered off and with a heavy sigh, Peter entered Wendy's room again. She tried to smile when she saw him but saw the hurt and tears in his eyes and she held out her hand for him to take. Slowly his hand slipped in hers and she pulled him down to her.

"You know what I told him don't you?" Not looking at her, he shook his head. Both of her hands went to his face and she forced him to look at her.

"I told him I have been in love with you for years. You, Peter Pan, are the love of my life, nobody else." Swallowing his tears, he leaned forward to claim her mouth with his and she moaned at the intensity of the kiss. He held onto her for what seemed like a sweet eternity and his tongue swiped long her bottom lip, demanding entry. When she gave in, their tongues danced against one another and Peter's hands ran down her body, wanting nothing more than to absorb her into him. He broke apart and pushed a curl away from her face.

"They want to keep you here overnight to make sure you are going to be fine. I told them I am staying with you."

"You don't have to-" but she was cut off by another intense kiss.

"I'm not letting you out of my sight, Wendy. And after the wedding, I'm taking you away from here and we shall start a brand new life in a brand new place. No one who knows us, nothing to draw us back to the past. Just a bright future ahead of us."

"I should like that very much, Peter," she said sleepily, squeezing his hand and already closing her eyes. He kissed her forehead tenderly and ran a single finger down her face.

"I love you, Wendy."

When she fell asleep, Peter went out in the hall to tell Mr. Goldberg that he was staying with Wendy. Mr. Goldberg told him he would be back with some clothes for them and with a clap on the boy's back he took his leave. Peter went back into Wendy's room and rested in the chair beside her bed, holding her hands in his and occasionally kissing her soft skin. The doctors and nurses came in to check on her and Peter said nothing to them. Once or twice the doctors would lift her blankets aside and peer between her legs to see if she was still bleeding. Peter feared for the child but if he had to be honest with himself, he didn't think it ought to be born if the father had been one of Wendy's many 'customers'. If it was Thomas's, conceived in love…Peter didn't think he could handle that thought either. It wouldn't be the baby's fault but he didn't know what he would do or how he would behave when the baby came. So it didn't completely tear his heart in two when the doctor peered between her legs, called for more clean blankets, and gave Peter a look of deepest sympathy.

"I'm so sorry, lad. She lost the child." Not saying a word, Peter nodded solemnly, true regret and sorrow reflecting in his eyes. He helped the doctor lift Wendy and change her into a clean gown and continued to sit with her until there was a knock at the door and Mr. Goldberg poked his head in.

"How is she doing?"

"She's been resting the whole time. The doctors said it's safe for me to take her home in the morning." Mr. Goldberg didn't ask about the child and Peter was grateful. He handed Peter a black bag, which he took in earnest.

"A change of clothes for the both of you as well as some dinner for tonight. Eleanor was…well, she is stunned to hear what happened and says you are both in her thoughts. I'm sure she will help Wendy as much as she can when you both return home tomorrow."

"The child is no more," Peter said in the quietest of voices. Mr. Goldberg nodded solemnly and patted his shoulder. In all honesty, Mr. Goldberg could see the relief in Peter's eyes. He knew from what Peter had told them that Wendy had had a very tough life recently and both men felt that a baby would be a constant reminder of her painful past.

"Does she know?"

"Not yet. She hasn't woken. And I'm not sure I should be the one to tell her."

"I think you're the only one to tell her, lad." Peter nodded in understanding and Mr. Goldberg bid him farewell. Sighing Peter sat beside her again and rested his head on her blankets. Before he knew it he had fallen asleep.

When Wendy woke up she felt a terrible pain in her lower region. Blinking her eyes, she glanced around the room, forgetting for a moment where she was and what had happened. Peter was slung over the chair beside the bed, dozing peacefully. She tried to get out of bed but she found that she was in pain all over her body. And then memories of the previous day came flooding back. She had been taken into the tavern and four men had beaten and raped her. She felt sick to her stomach and leaned over the bed and retched. The sound of it made Peter jump up in alarm and he ran to her side when he saw her doubled over. She hid her face in the blankets, shaking. She felt dirty and used and didn't want him to even touch her. He reached out for her but she shrugged away, turning her head away from him.

"Wendy," he said quietly and tried again. She shook her head but when she felt his soft hands reaching for her, she gave in and collapsed into his arms. Her shoulders shook as she wept into his clothing and he held her close, his hand running up and down her back.

"We're going to get through this, Wendy, I promise. No more tears, my love, I'm here."

"Peter," she blinked her streaming eyes, "please just let me go. I'm nothing but a filthy whore." Peter's eyes flashed in anger and he grabbed her and pulled her away from him.

"I told you I don't ever want to hear those words from you again. Just because something terrible happens to someone doesn't mean they are a bad person. Bad things happen to good people and you, Wendy, are the most wonderful of all so for some reason you are suffering horribly for it. You are no whore, Wendy. Nor are you filthy. But I don't know how I can convince you otherwise and make you stop saying such terrible things about yourself."

"I'm sorry," she sniffed, wiping at her nose. "I'm sorry to upset you. I just don't think I deserve you. And I probably never will. And I'll have to live everyday knowing this child isn't yours-"

"Wendy…the child…" he sighed heavily and cast his eyes downward. "The babe was lost in the night." Wendy opened her mouth slightly then shut it. Fresh tears filled her eyes and she fought to keep them from spilling over.

"I suppose…I suppose that's a good thing then…" Peter stroked her cheek.

"Cry about it, sweetheart. I know it still hurts you. And I'm so sorry for your loss. But I think it's the heavens way of preparing us for a bright new future. Something we can call our own." Tears streaming down her face, she nodded and he pulled her into his arms again.

"How are you feeling this morning?"

"I feel as if I've been stamped by a herd of cattle," she muttered into his shirt. He closed his eyes, feeling his temperature start to rise and tried to steady his hands.

"The doctor says I can take you home today but if you don't feel up to it-"

"Oh please take me home, Peter. I can't stand hospitals. I'll feel much better at home."

"Alright then. Let me find a doctor and we can get you dressed. Mr. Goldberg brought a dress for you to change into. I'll find a carriage to take us home, I don't want you trying to ride just yet." He kissed her on the top of the head then rushed out of the room to find someone. Wendy stared at the ring he had given to her and sighed heavily. Wincing, she put her feet to the floor and hobbled over to the mirror. Glancing at her reflection made her want to cry all over again. She looked a horrible mess, her hair all over the place and a shiny bruise forming around her left eye. Her eyes trailed down her body, noticing bruises and bite marks where the men had tormented her. She lifted her dress a little ways and gasped to find large bruises on her thighs and pelvis. Her breasts were swollen and a sickly mottled purple. The time she felt the most beautiful was when she and Peter were joined together in heavenly bliss and now she would not be able to have even that joy for quite awhile. This time she didn't try to stop the tears as she bent over toward the mirror and cried her heart out. When she heard voices, she straightened up and furiously wiped at the tears. Peter was startled to see her out of bed and he rushed to her side. The doctor rushed over and started checking her over, making sure everything was alright. When he announced her able to go home, Peter disappeared for a moment to arrange for a carriage and Wendy slowly dressed herself, refusing help from the nurses.

The Goldbergs didn't speak when Peter carried a sleeping Wendy up to her room. He pulled the covers over her and softly stroked her cheek, not wanting to wake her. Mrs. Goldberg and Tori crept in holding vases of beautiful fresh flowers. Peter smiled gratefully, knowing they would cheer her a little. With one final kiss, Peter followed the ladies out and shut the door behind him. He sighed and leaned against the door, staring at the ceiling and jumped when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Mrs. Goldberg smiled.

"You will truly make a wonderful husband when it comes time, Peter. Your love for that young woman shines through. With your love and care, she will be better in no time." He nodded, feeling tears well up in his eyes. Mrs. Goldberg noticed and pulled him into her arms. Though he was quite a bit taller than she, he relished the feeling of a mother-like presence so close to him. Peter had always felt that he didn't need anyone else. He stayed away from adults and trusted no one. Now that he had been taken in by the Goldbergs, he felt as if he had been missing out his entire life. She ran her fingers through his curls and smiled.

"No more tears, Peter. It's time to start planning your wedding to that wonderful creature in there." He followed her downstairs where he saw papers spread out on the floor and around Tori. Tori stood up and shyly, she wrapped her arms around his waist. Hesitant at first, his arms went around her as well and he felt like crying all over again. He pulled her away from him and cupped her chin playfully. She smiled up at him then pulled him down onto the floor with her.

"Come look at the list of places Mama has put together for your ceremony. And she has the most marvelous ideas for Wendy's dress!" Peter smiled as he looked at the womens' plans, not sure of how Wendy would feel about her wedding being planned for her. He bit his lip then looked up at Mr. Goldberg, who sat in his chair and was reading a paper.

"Mr. Goldberg, have we any way of contacting someone in London?"

"You're in London, my boy! Do you know the address of the people you're wanting to contact?" His mind reeling that he had been in London the whole time, he shook his head.

"Wendy will remember the address. She wants to go visit her family and tell them in person. She hasn't seen them in over a year."

"As soon as she is strong enough, I'll escort you both to her parents' house. They may feel a bit better hearing some things from a fellow adult…you both are quite young but that's neither here or there." Peter nodded and brought his attention back to the papers in Tori's hands. He wondered if they had told the girl what had happened. He hoped not. Wendy would already be humiliated that Mr. and Mrs. Goldberg knew but she would be mortified if a child knew. He doubted that they had told her but he didn't know for sure.

"Tori, could you do me a favor? In my room there's a little bag of coins underneath my pillow. Could you bring them to me, please love?"

"Of course Peter," she jumped up and ran upstairs.

"Mr. Goldberg sir…have you told…er, does Victoria know-"

"No lad, we didn't tell her what happened. We told her Wendy fell off her horse and was in the hospital for her injuries. She doesn't need to know the truth." Peter gave him a grateful nod and Mr. Goldberg went back to his paper. Mrs. Goldberg entered the room carrying a tray of tea.

"Would anyone like-" but she stopped immediately, her eyes widening. Peter heard it too. Wendy's screams traveled down the stairs and pierced his heart. Without a word, he jumped up and flew up the stairs, nearly flattening a startled Victoria against the wall. Pushing the door open, he saw Wendy thrashing around in bed and screaming at her unknown attacker, the blankets twisted around her, her eyes squeezed shut in anguish. Without thinking he ran to her side, trying to calm her.

"Wendy! Wendy, sweetheart, wake up. I'm right here. Wendy!" She screamed even louder, reaching out to hit him and sadly, he captured her wrists and brought them down to her sides. But that just increased her panic and she was rolling so hard, he feared she would fly off the bed.

"Sweetheart, open your eyes and look at me. It's Peter, I'm right here. Please Wendy, wake up." He was crying now, feeling utterly helpless as he watched her suffer in her nightmares, aware of the fact that nothing he could say would bring her back to the present with him. He lay his head on her chest and his shoulders shook as his tears soaked her night dress.

"Wendy…how can I help you? Please tell me what to do." He heard Mrs. Goldberg ushering Victoria back downstairs and she closed the door to give Peter and Wendy some privacy.

"Peter," she whimpered in her sleep and he started.

"I'm right here. I'm right beside you. Wake up and see me."

"Peter…please-" she continued. He watched her as she continued to moan his name then almost jumped as she let out another scream. He listened to her screaming at someone to leave him alone, let him go. Peter was sure she was witnessing his own death. As she let out another anguished cry, he held her hand up to his face and kissed it softly. He closed his eyes and remembered the lullaby Tink had often sang to him, sometimes he would sing it to the Lost Boys, to the mermaids, to himself.

"So come with me to a place where dreams are born and time is never planned, just think of lovely things and your heart will fly on wings forever in never neverland."

She started to calm down and he smiled and continued to sing. His voice was soft and pleasant and took Wendy to a completely different place. It took her to a nursery and she stood by and watched a figure pass by, carrying a child in her arms. She gasped when she realized it was her, aged by a few years. Another child bounced around her ankles, a lovely little boy with blonde curls and bright blue eyes. A man entered the room and swooped up the little boy in his arms and tossed him over his shoulder playfully. Wendy gasped again as she studied the handsome man, a grown up Peter. Smiling, he pecked Wendy on the lips before he pulled his son up onto his shoulder and stared down at the sleeping babe in Wendy's arms. Wendy tried to edge closer but she found the scene too tender to interrupt. Peter stroked the baby's head and sang softly, his lullaby making Wendy's eyes feel heavy.

She relaxed and a smile formed on her face.

Peter rested her hand on her chest and sighed. He thanked the stars for whatever dream she was having now, for that smile was rare these days. Very gently, he rose from the bed and made his way to the window, his eyes finding his beloved star. What he wouldn't give to turn the clock and find his way back to Neverland. He even found himself wishing for a time before Wendy. He almost slapped himself for thinking such thoughts, for how could he live without his Wendy? But she would be at home, safe with her family and he would still be a boy, flying around Neverland with Tink and finding new ways to torment Hook and the pirates. He was getting more and more uncertain about what sort of man he would make and more importantly, what sort of husband he would make. Sighing, he turned away from the window and with one last look at Wendy, he closed the bedroom door behind him and walked to his bedroom. He didn't want to go back downstairs and hear the women chatter about his wedding. Right now, he wondered if there would even be a wedding. What if Wendy was right? What if they were too damaged to pick up the pieces? Both of them had been through one thing after another and frankly, he was tired of it. He glanced up at the star again and sighed heavily.

"How can I get back there?" he spoke aloud to the darkness.

You could take your own life and be transported back to Neverland. Kill both of you and you can both be reborn in Neverland.

"I could never harm her even if she begged me to," he said to no one in particular.

Then let her find her own way there. She's not going to last much longer as it is. Go back to Neverland and prepare her way. When she dies and finds her way back there, you'll have everything ready.

"I couldn't possibly…" he looked uncertain. The voice inside his head continued.

You were never meant to be a man. Being reborn means starting over. Finding her again and turning back the clock. You can go back to the way things were before. Rebirth solves everything.

Peter went to his dresser and pulled out a golden-handled dagger. Unsheathing it, he stared at the blade and tears welled up in his eyes. He didn't want to do this. WHY was he doing this? But he couldn't stop himself…he felt like someone had taken over his body and he screamed at them to stop as the blade sliced across his wrist, leaving blood in its wake. His eyes widened as rubies dripped from the blade and he moved on to the other wrist. He found his hand shaking too hard and he bit his lip as this cut was not as clean as the last. Dropping the blade to the floor, he held his wrists up to his face, watching the blood stream down his arms. He should have cut one off completely. He smiled weakly at the sick thought of being just like Hook. Already weakened, he dropped to his knees and seemed to come to his senses. He gasped as he realized what he had done and searched the room to find something to stop the flow. Finding his breathing getting heavier and heavier, he fell over and started to shake violently. With a pang in his heart he realized he hadn't said goodbye to Wendy. Oh, she would kill him for this. If she reached him in time. He wrapped the blankets around his wrists and watched them turn red as wine. He tried to make it to the door but the loss of blood had weakened him more than he thought. Death was swiftly approaching and he winced and turned his head.

"Wendy," he whispered. He closed his eyes and willed her to wake up and save him. Save him for the dumbest mistake he could have made. But Wendy slept peacefully in her room, completely unaware that the love of her life was in the next room, his life dwindling slowly.

there were some nice long ones for my faithful readers :-) please R&R, I'll update more soon if I see some reviews :-) hehe