Chapter Twenty-Five – Kiss and Make-Up

Arriving at the forest, the fairies dropped the children off before changing back into their original miniature forms.

"Thanks everyone," Peter said, opening his palm for Tinker Bell to stand and take a bow.

"That was fun!" Mikey cried.

"Omigod, we should totally do that again!" Mandy grinned, pumping her fist in the air. "Girl power!"

"Lord help us all," Violet sighed.

"They're here!"

Leaping out of the trees, the Lost Boys and Tiger Lily joined the others on the ground, tackling Wendy and Peter.

"You're back!" the little ones exclaimed, their smiles lighting up their faces and warming her heart. Laughing, she knelt down and kissed their foreheads, greeting them all.

"Vi!" Ruff grinned, running to her at once. A smile stretched over her dark lips as she let him pick her up and twirl her around. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she claimed his mouth, moaning in delight as he reciprocated the gesture.

Mandy's jaw dropped while Fred's eyes widened in shock. "Violet…with a guy?!" Mandy pouted, crossing her arms over her chest. It just wasn't fair…even Violet got a guy!

"Jon!" Tiger Lily laughed, hopping over to him. "I missed you!"

He blinked, stunned. "You…you did?"

"Of course," she smiled, her dirt brown eyes shining. "Did you miss me?"

"Uh…" Blush came to his pale cheeks as he scratched the back of his neck. "Well, I mean, why wouldn't anyone…I mean, I would…and you…?" He grimaced as he tripped over his words, covering his face dejectedly. "I'm an idiot…!"

"A cute, sweet idiot," she giggled, pecking his cheek. His eyes became wide as saucers before he gave a goofy grin, scuffing his shoe in the dirt.

"Even Junior finds someone!" Mandy mumbled angrily.

"Are you ok?" Ben asked, raising an eyebrow at the girl.

"Fine," she snapped. "Just fine." Stalking off, she went off on her own through the woods, angry, embarrassed, and jealous.

"Hey! Mandy!" she could hear Fred calling after her, his footsteps close behind.

"I just want to be alone, ok?!" she almost shouted, her eyes stinging with tears. It was bad enough that Fred had rejected her. She was one of the most popular girls in school, and he turned her down because of a British bookworm transfer student that didn't even return his affections. Now she saw that Violet, the creepy goth girl at school, and even little nerdy Jon had found someone, she began to feel like she wouldn't find anyone at all. Her stomach twisted as she remembered the honest, kind moments she spent with Peter after he'd rescued her from Shade's possession. He was blunt, selfish, and rude, but he was also caring and looked out for others. He was actually kind of cute…but he was constantly turning away from her. It was always Wendy…she began to wonder if she ought to dress up like the girl and start speaking with the accent, too…

"Mandy, wait up!" Fred demanded, grabbing her shoulder and spinning her around. "What's wrong with you?!" he frowned, giving her a little shake. "I mean, one minute you're perky and the next you want to be alone. Is there something bothering you? You can tell me…"

"You want to know?!" she snapped, her eyes brimming with frustrated tears. "I'll tell you! Everyone's in love with Wendy and I'm not good enough! Every time there's a guy I like, he turns me down-!"

"You like Peter?" Fred asked, looking crushed.

"What? Well…he's cute, and he did save me," she sniffled, wiping her tears away. "But he doesn't like me…and neither do you apparently, so what does it matter?" breaking away from his grip, she began to sob. "The first time was back in fifth grade…the first year I moved here…remember Ollie Burts?"

"He left town when we were in middle school," Fred nodded.

"I used to have brown-blonde hair…when I told him I liked him, he said I was ugly and he only liked blondes," she admitted. "So I dyed my hair and started working on my image…I've never told anybody that…not even Violet, and we used to be best friends. But Violet's been true to herself, and look at her! She's got a potential boyfriend!" Falling to her knees, she wept, covering her face.

Walking over to her, he knelt down, hesitant as he placed a hand on her shoulder. "Is this…just about finding a boyfriend?"

"NO!...maybe? I don't know!" she bawled. "We moved here because my dad was a jerk and divorced my mom. She got over it fast but she got invested in work, and soon she became gorgeous. After Ollie made that comment, I ended up being like my mom. She's so pretty and popular, I had to become like her…because she barely had time for me at home." Roughly wiping away her salty tears, she made a disgusted sound. "Great. I've smeared my make-up, haven't I?" she asked, looking up at Fred. Tears were still falling down her face, her eyeliner was smeared, and her mascara stained her cheeks. She looked ridiculous.

Fred smiled, chuckling. "You're one hot mess." Leaning in, he kissed her.

She sat there, frozen, unable to believe what he was doing. When he pulled back, she felt that her face was on fire. "W-what did you do that for?!" she wailed. "You said you didn't want to go out with me-!"

"I know," he sighed, using his sleeve to clean her face. "And after I said that and you ran off, I felt really bad. I still wanted to be with Wendy…but when I went home that day, I realized I was being stupid."

"Huh?" she asked, blushing as he gently wiped off her dripping mascara.

"Mandy, you've always been there for me…at games, in school…you were the one who tried to make us into a group of best friends." He chuckled, shaking his head. "It kind of worked in the end, I guess. The point is…" Taking her hand in his, he looked her in the eye and said, "If you can forgive me, I'd like a second chance…would you go out with me tomorrow for dinner? I can't afford a lot, but there is that one little place you like down the street from the mall and…" He was rambling now, nervous, when Mandy tackled him, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Yes, yes, YES!" she cried, laughing and crying all at once.

He grinned, embracing her.

"Ahem."

The two of them stopped, seeing how Peter and the others were all gathered nearby, watching with interest. Fred paled but Mandy jumped up with a such a high-pitched squeal that even Nana whined, covering her ears with her paws.

"OMGGGG! Wendy! Vi! Me and Freddy! We're going out!" she all but screamed, tackling the two girls.

"…yay?" Violet said, with a half-smile, half-grimace on her lips.

Wendy awkwardly hugged the girl back, a smile of genuine happiness on her face. "I'm so glad! Congratulations!"

"How long were you all there listening?" Fred asked, his face cheery red.

"Long 'nuff," Peter smirked, offering his hand to help the boy up. "We're heading down to the lagoon, you coming?"

"Make up your minds fast!" Tinker Bell whined, now human-sized once more, holding Gip in her arms. "I think it's time for a change!"

Tiger Lily laughed at her comment, taking the baby from her. "I will change him this time, okay?" she giggled, shaking her head.

"All right, let's move!" Peter ordered, floating up and leading the way.

"There are real mermaids?" Ben asked, skeptical at first, but then he recalled what he had just seen and taken part in and decided to suspend the disbelief for the time being.

"'Course there are!" Lump grinned. "So long as you don't get too close to the older ones, you'll be ok."

"Why's that?" Ben asked.

"'Cause mermaids drown people," Partly explained.

"Didn'tcha know?" Skipper asked, cocking his head to one side.

"Well…I thought they sang songs and saved people and stuff," he began, only to hear Len laughing. "What's so funny?" he demanded, insulted.

"You've watched too many Disney movies," the Japanese boy shook his head, fighting back the chuckles tickling his throat. "They're not all like Ariel."

"But Conch is nice!" the Twins exclaimed in the mermaid's defense.

"Conch pretty!" Mouse grinned.

"Who's Conch?" asked Jon, listening in on their conversation.

"She's one of the younger mermaids, and one of the few that accepts other humans aside from Peter," Ruff said over his shoulder at them.

"I think I remember her," Fred said aloud, stroking his chin in thought. "She seemed nice enough…"

Before them, the trees parted and there laid the lagoon. Leading the way, Peter waved to the merwomen and brought the others to a secluded area within the lagoon. A small pool was hidden away, a small waterfall tumbling in with new water filling the hole. The rocks were covered with soft moss, water lilies floating around the edges. Seaweed drifted off to a corner, slimy and clinging to anything that it could find.

"Oh, wow!" Wendy gasped, her face lighting up. "It's gorgeous, Peter! Will we all fit?"

"We'll squeeze!" Violet laughed.

"But what about bathing suits?" Mandy asked, raising an eyebrow. "And isn't the water cold…?"

Kneeling by the pool, Ben stuck his hand in, his eyes widening. "Wow…it's really warm! It feels good!" Looking back to the others, he grinned. "Let's get changed and jump i-!" He stopped, feeling a hand in the water curl its fingers around his. His brows furrowing, he whipped his head around, read to fight or call for help when a set of bright sea-hued eyes looked back at him.

She was the ocean's daughter, of that there was no doubt – her hair was the color of sea foam, her skin a light and creamy color. Only her head and shoulders remained above the water, her long wet hair splayed around her and covering her small breasts. Deep in the water he could make out a turquoise tail, curling and curving until the end of it stuck out of the water the way a whale's would. Pulling back a portion of her hair from her face was a small, peach colored conch shell comb.

"Hi," she smiled sweetly, showing no fear. "I didn't know you were bring friends, Peter."

"Everybody, meet Conch," Peter introduced them. "Conch, you remember Wendy and these two, right?" He nodded to Wendy and jerked his thumb at Mandy and Fred, much to Fred's annoyance.

"Of course," she giggled.

"These are my brothers, Jon and Mikey," Wendy smiled as she pointed to them. "Oh, and that's Nana. And my dear friend Violet." The goth girl waved.

"And who're you?" the little mermaid asked the star-struck boy who stared at her from behind his glasses.

"I…I'm uh…B-Ben," he stammered.

He felt his cheeks go red when she giggled and said, "Ben…I like it! Welcome to the Lagoon." Releasing his hand, she looked at everyone and said, "Change fast so we can play!"

"Change into what?" Violet asked.

"I always have spares," Tiger Lily grinned, checking in a nearby tree trunk after handing Gip back to Tink. Withdrawing a thick leather pouch, she began to pull Indian garbs, ranging from one to two pieces, some plain, others decorated elaborately. "Sometimes I come with the girls from the village," she explained. "But in cases like this, you girls are welcomed to them. They're washed and ready for use. You boys will have to make due with what you have."

"Fine by us," Peter grinned, tossing off his cap and immediately pulling off his jacket and t-shirt in one motion.

Wendy's eyes widened upon seeing his naked torso. Scars faintly lined his back, one particularly nasty looking mark imprinted over his bare chest. In the deep recesses of her memory, Wendy recalled that in the novel by Sir Barrie, when Hook and Peter fought on Marooner's Rock, Hook had clawed Peter. "My God, if that's the case, he must've nearly been killed!" He was by no means muscular, nor was he scrawny. He was, however, lean and strong. Bending down, he yanked his sneakers off his feet and tossed them with the other clothes.

The Lost Boys followed his lead, laughing and shoving at one another.

"Hey, girls, before we jump in, help me with the little booger," Tink insisted, nodding at the gurgling baby.

"Ok," Wendy smiled, taking the baby from the fairy. Turning to Tiger Lily, she added, "I hope you have spare diapers somewhere because I'm sure he's going to need a clean one."

~NEVER-NEVERLAND~

"Right this way," Hook said, offering his arm to Christine. He couldn't help grimacing as they strolled through the Harbor, knowing full well that this was not a place he'd like for her to see. The Harbor was meant for rowdy, unkempt pirates – not a typical place an educated and beautiful woman like Christine Seaworth would like to be. But she said nothing against the place. Rather, she took it all in, sometimes smiling, sometimes making a face, other times contemplating. "I…I did warn you," the captain reminded her.

"It's amazing, James," she said, feeling comfortable at his side, her heart skipping as she realized what incredible things could come from being on this island. The stuff of stories and magic was real and alive…beneath the reasonable and cool exterior she often showed to all, especially her students, she was an inquisitive and excitable person. As a child, she dared to dream that she might be not a princess, not a pirate, but a pirate princess.Of course, she kept it to herself and was oftentimes embarrassed by her childish wishes, but she couldn't help herself…

Hook glanced at the woman from the corner of his eye. She was a work of art, an angel on earth (at least, that's what he saw). Her hair shone like copper on fire in the torchlight of the Harbor, her eyes reminding him of melted chocolate. Red was definitely her color, setting off her skin tone and making her full, glossed lips look absolutely tempting…

"Why don't we go somewhere a bit more private?" he suggested, steering her towards his cabin.

Smee was already there, dusting off the nameplate at the door. Hearing footsteps, he turned and beamed at their arrival. "Welcome back, Cap'n!" he bowed, swiping his cap from his head, displaying a shiny bald spot. "And you, too, Miss!" He nodded when he saw her, grinning a toothy yellow grin. "The way y'handled the men, Miss, it's right notable, it is! Why, I'd think you were a captain yourself!"

"Captain of a classroom, certainly," she laughed, finding the little Irish man amusing and adorable as he showered her with flattery. "You're too kind, Mr. Smee."

Hook gave his bosun an approving look before ushering her inside. Smee opened the door, waited for them to enter, and asked, "Shall I get ye something ta drink, Cap'n?"

"Bring that bottle of red wine in, Mr. Smee," Hook nodded. "And surprise us with something to eat."

"Aye, Cap'n!" he saluted, shutting the door behind him, giddy with excitement.

Hook was pleased to find that everything was in order. Once they had docked after the incident with Shade at sea, Smee leapt off the Jolly Roger and headed straight for the Harbor while Hook had dallied with his guest, showing her some of the amusements before bringing her back to the Harbor. Finding his private cabin cleaned up and ready for her, he told himself he ought to give that bumbling bosun a doubloon for his fast work. Pulling out a chair, he helped Christine into her seat before heading around and sitting on the other side of his cleared desk.

"I do hope you'll excuse my cabin, Christine," he said, her name slipping through his lips so elegantly. "I'm afraid it's much less extravagant than my quarters on the ship."

"I think it's very homey," she commented, the glow of the lanterns and candles surrounding them making her face glow, her eyes shining with glee.

"I hope you're hungry," Hook smiled. "Smee is, surprisingly I admit, an excellent cook. To be perfectly frank, I prefer his cooking over the cook's here."

Christine laughed merrily, taking her glasses off to clean the lenses. "He must be indispensable to you. He seems like such a sweet heart."

Hook tried his best not to snicker at her comment. A pirate being called a sweetheart – the scandal! He noticed how stunning she looked without her glasses and once again was amazed. How on earth did he end up coming back here tonight with such a lovely creature?!

"Tell me," she spoke, earning his full attention. "There's an admission fee to enter the park. Where does the money go to?" She slipped her spectacles back onto her face, pushing them up daintily to the bridge of her nose.

Hook chuckled at this. "An excellent question." Slipping his coat off of his shoulders, he answered, "The park's energy comes mostly from the fairies' magic, but the food is bought from local markets. We aren't paid to be ourselves – we live here and do as we please so long as it doesn't harm our visitors." Placing his arms on the desk, he looked at the woman and added, "All of the money made, aside from a small portion to take care of the food, is given straight to St. Ormond Street's Children's Hospital back in England."

Christine's eyes widened at him, shocked and amazed at the news. "What made you decide that?"

"That was Pan's doing," Hook confessed. "He said that his story was written by a fellow named Barrie and he gave the rights to the Hospital. The rights have long since expired, but Pan insisted that if we had to make a profit to 'keep the look authentic,' we were to send most, if not all, of the money to the little whelps back in that hospital." Leaning back in his chair, he shook his head with a wry smile. "Said it would be something Mr. J.M. Barrie would appreciate. That blasted brat is constantly watching out for all sorts of unfortunates…"

"You admire him," Christine stated, cocking her head in understanding. She smiled when he gawked at her, startled by her words. "You may be enemies but you both look to each other for help. You've come to admire him."

He scowled and growled and looked away, but he knew deep down that she was right. A knock on the door saved him from any more awkwardness. Smee burst in with a bright smile and his hands full of food, the wine tucked under his arm. Setting the table, he gave them a flourished bow (in which he ended up tripping over his own two feet) before taking off and shutting the door once more, placing a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the handle outside.

"Tell me about yourself," Hook said as he poured them both a glass of wine. "You must have a throng of admirers back in town."

"Hardly," she shook her head with an embarrassed smile. "You flatter me too much, James. I'm just a humble teacher in the local high school taking care of my nephew."

"And the boy's parents?" Hook asked, his fork poised over the shrimp, pasta, and salad Smee had prepared for them.

Christine slowed her chewing, becoming silent.

"I apologize," he started.

"No, no…it's ok," she reassured him. "Ben's mom passed away in a car crash a few years ago…I'm assuming you know what a car is?" When he gave her an offended look, she giggled. "Ok, just checking…anyways, Ben's dad, my brother, was in the Navy. I was usually the one who ended up taking care of him. Recently though…" Her eyes dimmed, her voice becoming strained. "…he died on a mission. I had to sort out the paper work and Ben came to live with me officially. I let him stay home for about a week. He used to go to another school in town, but because I work at Kingsdale they managed to pull some strings just to make it easier on the two of us…he's really quiet and unless he's extremely comfortable, he won't talk. It's funny that you mentioned how Peter's always looking out for, what was it? 'Unfortunates'?" She shook her head and gave a sad laugh. "There was a kid beating up Ben on Monday…he stood up for someone and he ended up getting picked on. Peter appeared out of nowhere and gave that bully a taste of his own medicine." Her eyes were downcast as she remembered seeing Peter offer his hand to Ben, a mischievous, friendly grin on his face before vanishing in the hallway amongst the students. "He saved him…for that, I'm grateful."

Hook felt something inside his chest tighten and began to wonder if he was already suffering from indigestion until he realized that it was his heart that bothered him. "Odds bobs,"he thought to himself, as he reached over and touched the young woman's hand. "I'm truly sorry for the loss of your brother," he said softly, sparks flying through his veins as she gripped his hand.

"Thanks," she said, raising her glance to meet his eyes. Blush seemed to pass over her cheeks as she added, "Thank you, James, for dinner, and for the ride here. Your ship's beautiful-"

"Not as beautiful as you, I'm afraid," he interrupted, stunned that he'd even said such a thing. He hadn't conversed with a woman like this in so long that he was beginning to worry if he was overstepping his bounds with his honesty.

Hearing his compliment, she looked away again and shook her head. "That's sweet, James, but you don't have to shower me with compliments like that."

He frowned at this, sensing at once that something wasn't right. Getting up and going around, he knelt down at her side and asked gently, "Christine…?" She slowly turned her face to him. "Is something the matter?"

Biting the inside of her cheek, she argued with herself, finally surrendering. "…I try not to get too romantically involved with anyone. I had a bad experience a few years ago, and…" She stopped, choking on her words. When he took her hand and she looked back into his eyes, she found it difficult to believe that such a tender man would be the villain from the childhood stories she had come to love.

"I didn't mean to dredge up such memories," he began only to have her fingers placed on his lips. Stunned, he felt his temperature flare up.

"…James…I'm…I mean…" she groaned, biting her bottom lip in frustration. "…I don't know how or why I want to share such a horrible thing with you…I'm afraid to…but I've never felt like this with anyone."

"What is it?" he asked, his brows knitting together.

Inhaling deeply, she squeezed her eyes shut and whispered, "…I'm afraid of seeing other people…because I was…sexually assaulted a few years back."

Hook's eyes became huge, the words sinking in. This woman – calm, confident, in charge of herself and of people around her – was deeply hurt and insecure, frightened that she would be mistreated again. "Christine…what happened…?"

"Three years ago, I was still studying to be a teacher," she confessed, her eyes stinging with tears. "…I had a boyfriend. When he told me that he wanted more in our relationship…I refused. He got so angry with me that he wouldn't talk to me for weeks. Then, one day, I came home from a class, and he was there. I don't know how he got in, but he had me trapped." Tears were flowing from her eyes as she whispered, "I screamed for help, and someone who was passing through with their dog called the police, but by the time they arrived, he was running away from the house." Covering her face, she wept, her frame shaking. "I'm not what everybody thinks I am…I'm not as strong as I look…and I'm afraid if I let someone else in like that…I'll be used again." As she cried, she could feel his arms wrap around her, helping her to her feet. Opening her eyes, she looked up through her tears and saw the pirate's face gazing down at her.

"I'd gladly run that blaggard through with my hook if I had the chance," he said, something dark shining in his eyes. The glint disappeared, however, and he gently wiped away her tears as he used his hook to move her hair over her shoulder. "I'm sorry I couldn't have been there to stop that…but I swear to you, Christine, I shan't let anyone else harm you…or your nephew," he added. "Or my name is not Captain James Hook."

A weak laugh escaped her as she felt her heart pound wildly inside of her. This man was unlike any other she'd ever met…he was a gentleman of all, however ruthless he was, but he had given her his word, and she thought, perhaps she could try to trust him…Tilting her head, she placed her lips on his cheek.

He felt sparks shoot through him again as he stared into her eyes. Her hands were placed on his chest, and he prayed that she couldn't feel his heartbeat. She was so close, so warm…

The two closed their eyes, their lips touching. He could feel her hands work their way around his neck as his own hands (er, hand and hook) began to slide down her sides to her back. She gasped, freezing in place.

Opening his eyes, Hook looked down and saw the startled look on her face. "Did I harm you-?" he asked, worried that he'd accidentally cut her with his hook.

"No, it's not you," she shook her head, her face red with embarrassment. "When I was being…um, you know," she stammered, stumbling over her words. "He gripped me so hard there that his nails bit through my skin. It doesn't hurt now, I mean, it's been three years…I just get bad memories…"

"Then I shall avoid touching you," he said, pulling away. "I beg your pardon. I didn't intend for this to-"

"I didn't either, James," she shook her head, a small smile growing on her face. "But…I did like it."

His eyes brightened at this, and he took a step closer to her again. "Christine…I understand if…if you refuse. But I'm a patient man." He'd waited years to kill Pan and now he was working with him; surely he could handle waiting for this woman's affections. "Should you decide in the future that you may be ready to have someone call on you to court…may I…?" He gasped when she placed another kiss on his lips, smiling like an angel.

"James…if you're willing to take it slow with me…baby steps…I'd like to see you a lot more…I believe you put it as 'courting'?" she grinned.

He returned the grin, becoming so bold that he dared to place a kiss on her forehead. "Aye, I'll be willing to take you up on that offer." Taking her hand and placing a kiss on it, he winked with a playful smirk. "Now…shall we finish dinner?"