Peter stopped by a clear, running stream and gently set her down on a large white stone, so that her feet could dangle in the water. He knelt and very gently, brought her feet to the water, watching the blood run off into the cool waters. She winced at the stinging but the water relieved her aches and pains and she relaxed slightly. With the gentlest of touches, Peter's hands washed the cuts with a smooth leaf, his roughened hands creating gentle patterns over her feet and ankles. He jumped to his feet and hurried off to the bushes nearby, Wendy watching him curiously. He returned in minutes with several branches and he knelt in front of her again. Still not speaking, he lifted her feet from the stream and dried them with her dress. He squeezed at the plants in his hands until some sort of foul-smelling ointment was squeezed from the leaves and he gently spread a generous amount over her wounds. They stung only for a minute but then immediately felt better after the ointment had been applied. Peter saw her surprised look and smiled.

"Any better?"

"Much," she said quietly. He nodded and tore a strip of material from her dress and tenderly wrapped it around her feet. He held out his hands and helped her rise to her feet. She winced as she put pressure on her feet but surprisingly, they weren't extremely painful. She took a few steps while Peter watched her and she turned back to him.

"Thank you," she said softly. He merely nodded and approached her, reaching out to brush a curl away from her face.

"Why do you have to be so stubborn," he said very quietly, his hand resting on her cheek.

"I'm no more stubborn than you," she replied.

"That may be but you act like you have to prove something to me."

"I do, Peter. I feel like you expect a great deal from me. Because I'm the first girl who has ever stayed here with you. It's like I'm both a Lost Boy AND the mother. It's all very difficult, you see. I have not had a great deal of experience in these things." He cupped her chin and sighed.

"I know. I'm sorry. I'm hard on you because I don't want to lose you. I know I didn't bring the wrong girl to Neverland. I brought the perfect girl and sometimes I forget that." Wendy's heart hammered loudly as her hand caressed his cheek and she moved closer to him.

"Be patient with me, Peter. I'm still learning. It will just take me awhile to get used to all of this."

"And you will. I'll help you. But you have to be honest with me and tell me when something is too much for you. The boys were foolish and tried to do everything I could. I don't expect that from you." Realizing what he had said and seeing the look on her face, he quickly added, "I expect different things from you. I'm not saying you can't do the same things I can, Wendy, because I know you can. But remember that you are a society girl from London, as you're always telling me. You're not used to many of these things, as I am."

"Be that as it may, I can still learn them. All I ask is that you are patient with me," she replied and he nodded. He slid his hand into hers and squeezed.

"Let's get you back to the hideout. You can clean up while I go find something for us to eat."

"Is that all you want me for? Cleaning and laundry and such?" Peter scoffed and his hands went to her cheeks.

"Stop fishing for compliments, Wendy. You already know that's not why I asked you to stay with me." Wendy's face softened and her gaze bore into his.

"Why did you ask me to stay, Peter?" Peter immediately withdrew his hand and stepped back.

"You know why."

"Perhaps I don't. Perhaps you should tell me."

"Perhaps I don't want to. Come on. Let's go home." Peter leaped into the air and flew a little ways from her, glancing back and seeing her trudging along. Sighing, he swooped lower and she glanced up.

"The dust has worn off."

"Sorry. I forgot." Peter sprinkled a bit over her head and watched her fly up beside him. She watched him for a moment and he felt uncomfortable under her gaze; clearing his throat, he launched into the air and flew ahead of her. Wendy let out a heavy sigh as she followed him back to the hideout.

When she landed, she saw he was already inside and heard him talking to someone. Wendy frowned and crept closer. She heard jingling like a bell and she closed her eyes. Oh. Tink. She heard lots of jingling and wondered what they were talking about.

"I don't know why she does that, Tink. One minute we're fine and the next, we have to talk about…feelings." More jingling.

"I thought so too. I was hoping Neverland would change her a bit. Make her realize we don't need to be grown up to have fun. I won't grow for anyone, Tink. But I don't understand all these feelings I have when she's around. What does it all mean?" Wendy pressed herself against the wall, listening to the boy speak to his fairy about her. About his feelings for her. The feelings he so fervently denied. She heard him grown in frustration.

"No, she's not. She's not like that. She knows who I am and she won't try to change me. She learned the last time that I won't grow up. I know you're just jealous. You've never liked her, Tink. Why should I listen to you?" Wendy wondered what it was the fairy was saying about her. Something horrible, she imagined. Peter scoffed.

"You're wrong. She's not like that. She wouldn't ask me to do that. That's a grown up thing. And she knows I would never do such a thing." Wendy frowned. Do what? What had Tink said? She moved just a little and the floor creaked underneath her. She gasped and both Peter's and Tink's heads snapped up.

"Wendy? Is that you?" She silently cursed herself before she hobbled toward the door.

"Yes, I've only just landed. I'm still getting used to this flying thing." The boy accepted her lie with a smile.

"You'll get the hang of it, don't worry. Tink here is going to keep you company while I go out and fish. I won't be gone long."

"Oh but Peter…" she glanced up at the fairy, who had crossed her arms and had stuck her nose into the air. Wendy swallowed.

"You really don't need to babysit me, I'll be fine on my own." Tink jingled something and Peter shot her a glare before he grabbed his fishing pole.

"You girls can gossip and be girls. Be nice," he added, pointing his finger at the fairy. With a cheerful whistle, Peter slammed the door behind him and Wendy watched him through the window. Wendy and Tink exchanged unpleasant looks before flouncing away to do their own things.

As Wendy worked on a new outfit for Peter, Tink flew over and peered over the girl's shoulder. She cocked her head and jingled, making Wendy pause in her work and hold it up.

"I've been collecting fresh leaves and vines to make him a new outfit. I don't imagine he has ever had new clothes before. What do you think?" Tink jingled and held her thumbs up.

It's very nice! I think he will love it. You do all sorts of nice things for him, like he is your husband. He's never going to be though. You're wasting your time, playing house with a little boy who will never grow up.

But of course Wendy understood none of this. She smiled at Tink's thumbs-up and put it back on the table, continuing her work.

"I'm glad you approve. I think I need to find some acorns or something of the sort. Do you think Peter would be furious if I left for a little bit? He keeps saying there are still dangers out there but really, since the pirates are gone, what could happen?" Tink merely shrugged.

He'll still be angry that you left.

"Do you think you could tell him that I've gone to pick berries for our dinner? If he asks, of course." Tink nodded and Wendy smiled.

"Thank you, Tinkerbell. I'll not be gone long." She hurriedly hid the outfit and found a basket to collect leaves and berries. She tucked one of Peter's daggers into her dress before hurrying out the door. Tink shook her head.

Foolish girl.