Peter returned with two large fish and several flowers he had scooped up for Wendy, when he froze in the doorway and saw the hideout was quiet and dark. He dropped the basket on the table and searched the rooms for Wendy. When she did not answer, he whistled for his fairy. Tink flew to his side and landed on his shoulder.

"Where is she, Tink?"

Who?

"Don't even play that game with me! Where's Wendy?"

Oh. Her. I'm not sure, she left here several hours ago.

"Where? Where did she go?"

How do I know? She said something about finding berries for your dinner. Peter stamped his foot.

"I've told her not to go out after dark, it's too dangerous! How long has she been gone?"

I just said several hours. Do you have fairy dust in your ears? Peter looked vastly annoyed with his fairy.

"Quit being a smart ass, Tink. You have to help me find her."

I'm sure she's fine. She probably just got lost in the woods when it turned dark.

"And you think she'll find her way by herself? Someone else could find her, Tink! Or she could be hurt. Or—"

You need to calm down, right now. I've never seen you get this worked up over anyone. Tootles was lost in the woods for nearly two days before you finally decided you had better go look for him.

"Tootles is different. Just help me find her." Rolling her eyes, she flew off his shoulder and followed him outside. As soon as the door slammed behind them, Tink caught sight of the girl skipping through the forest. She knew Peter would go off on Wendy but she decided to alert the oblivious boy now instead of letting him search for her for several hours. Luckily, Peter had seen her too.

"Wendy!" He stomped over to her and she cowered slightly at the angry look on his face.

"Is something wrong, Peter?"

"How many times have I told you not to go exploring after dark?! You don't know this land well enough, Wendy!"

"Peter, I'm sorry, but I started home as soon as the sun went down. I'm fine, nothing happened to me."

"Why can't you just listen to me," Peter persisted. "Why can't you do as you're told?"

"Stop trying to bully me," she yelled back, drawing herself up. "I said I was sorry. What more do you want?"

"You went out for berries? I told you I was going out for dinner." Wendy hid her basket, which was full of leaves and acorns and vines. Peter sighed and crossed his arms.

"Just get into the hideout. And stay there. Please," he added. Wendy felt like protesting but she saw the pleading look in his eyes and decided to cooperate. Hiding her basket by her side, she marched back inside, Peter and Tink right behind her. Peter watched her go up to her room and he sighed.

I've never seen you get this worked up over anyone. You really do care for her, Peter.

"Yeah, I do. I've never felt like this about anyone. And that scares the living hell out of me."

Dinner was awkward and tense and Tink excused herself within minutes. Wendy's eyes remained downcast as she chewed in silence, all the while Peter staring at her and watching her delicate movements with sharp eyes. When Wendy chanced a glance up at him, her eyes immediately fell back down when she saw him watching her. She quickly finished her meal and thanked Peter before she excused herself and locked herself in her room. Sighing, Peter threw himself on his hammock and brought out his pipes, becoming lost in their sweet tones.

Wendy listened to the music from her bedroom and squeezed her eyes shut. He was playing her song. The 'Wendy song' he had called it. He had played it for her on her first night in Neverland and had declared that it was especially for Mother, the Wendy-lady. She had been delighted and often asked him to play it for her. Now, he played it and she sighed heavily as her feet dangled off the bed. She quickly spread the leaves and vines she had collected around her bed and continued her work on the clothing she was making as a gift.

Wendy was skilled with a needle (she had, of course, sewn on Peter's shadow for him) and finished rather quickly. Peter was still playing the pipes when Wendy appeared on the stairs, something flung over her arm. Peter saw her out of the corner of his eye and he lowered his instrument. Wendy cautiously approached, keeping her head low. Peter watched her draw near, feeling his heart start to race. He scowled down at his chest and Wendy bit her lip.

"You're playing my song," she said quietly. Peter fingered the panpipes and nodded.

"I didn't wake you, did I?"

"No, of course not. I was working on something and I heard the music. I wish you hadn't stopped."

"Do you want to hear something else?"

"Play my song again," she said with a smile. Peter stared at her for a moment before he brought the pipes back to his lips and played the Wendy song. She smiled and lowered herself on one of the beds beside his hammock, listening intently. She swayed to the music and kept her eyes closed while he played. When he finished, he lowered the instrument and smiled.

"You look really happy."

"Well I do love music. And I love it when you play."

"I'll make up new songs for you. I'll use only the pretty notes, just for you." Wendy's smile widened.

"Peter, you do say the loveliest things." Peter smiled smugly and he caught sight of something on Wendy's arm.

"What's that?" Wendy glanced down and cleared her throat.

"I've been working on something for you. It's where I was tonight, actually. Collecting things to finish it." She held up an outfit that had positively been kissed by nature. There were leaves of many colors, green and red and gold with several vines attached. Acorns and tiny nuts adorned the top and several large fancy-looking leaves made up the trouser portion. Peter stared at the outfit and reached out a trembling hand.
"You made this…for me?"

"I do hope it fits. And I hope you like it." He took the leafy clothes and admired them; his fingers traveled up and down the leaves, noting her tiny, almost invisible stitching. He stared, open-mouthed and Wendy waited anxiously. He gently set it down and pulled her into a tight embrace.

"Thank you," he said into her hair. She smiled and her arms wrapped around him, pressing herself into him and loving the feel of his arms around her. When she pulled away, his hands rested on her shoulders and he leaned in for a kiss. Wendy responded eagerly, her fingers wrapping themselves in his messy curls. Peter felt his cheeks became pleasantly warm and the feel of having the girl in his arms was doing something to him. He felt Wendy's tongue run along his lips and he gasped, opening his mouth to speak but finding her tongue sliding past his lips and touch against his. He moaned at this new sensation and lowered his hands to her arms, gripping them tightly. Their tongues meeting with ferocity, sparks flew between the two youths and their kisses grew more urgent and more passionate. Peter leaned her back onto the bed she was sitting on and straddled her midsection. Wendy lifted her leg slightly and Peter noticed her gown had ridden up and quite a bit of her flesh was displayed. Peter tore his lips away from hers so he could glance down and see her. He tentatively reached out and ran his fingertips up her thigh. She gasped and threw her head back, her fingers gripping the sheets. She pulled him back down to kiss her and he eagerly obliged. His hands went to rest on her hips and she wrapped a leg around his waist, pulling him closer. He groaned as their midsections came into contact and he felt her press against him even more. Reluctantly, he tore his lips away from hers again and leaned back to study her. Her eyes were closed, her lips swollen from his kisses, and her face had a lovely pink tint to it.

"Wendy?" Her eyes flew open at his concerned tone and she stared into his eyes.

"This…thing we're doing. It's a grown up thing, isn't it?"

"Do you want to stop kissing me, Peter?" He bit his lip.

"I like kissing you. But what does kissing lead to? I'm feeling all these things, wanting all these things from you, and I don't understand any of it." Wendy blushed slightly.

"It is a grown up thing, Peter. Something people who lo—have very strong feelings for, do. We can stop if you like." She leaned up and straightened her dress and Peter climbed off her. He ran his fingers through his hair and sighed. He wanted more from Wendy. He wanted to experience it all with her. But he wouldn't grow up. He'd die before he let that happen. And he wouldn't let her change him anymore than she had. His eyes fell on the necklace she wore, the acorn that was nestled between her breasts. The acorn he himself had given her on the night they had met. A kiss, she had called it (he knew now it was just an acorn but he also knew it meant a great deal to Wendy). He fingered his own kiss, the thimble she had given him, around his neck and sighed again. He picked up the outfit from the bed and nodded down to her.

"Thank you for this. I think I'll try it on." She nodded and watched him hurry from the room. Shaking her head, she picked herself up and returned to her room. She quickly donned one of her sleeping gowns and climbed under the covers. She heard the door creak open slightly and saw a shadow in the doorway. She leaned up to see Peter peering through the door and she smiled.

"Come in and let's see it." He flew into the room and Wendy admired the way the clothes fit him perfectly. He looked very regal but still himself in the new clothes. His hands went to his hips and he grinned.

"It's great, Wendy. Thank you."

"I'm very glad you like it. You're welcome."

"Should I wear them to bed?"

"I suppose you can. I could make you something to sleep in, if you like. Something more comfortable than leaves." He jumped on the bed and took her hands.

"I would like that. I like that you make me clothes. You're still Mother and I'm still Father." She smiled, though a little sadly. Peter did not miss it.

"What is it?"

"I'll never be a real mother…if I stay here," she said very quietly. Peter frowned.

"Why do you have to be a real mother? We can find more lost boys! We never have to grow up, we can do whatever we like. Neverland will become your favorite place, Wendy, I promise." Wendy forced a smile.

"Yes, I know Peter. It's just a silly girl thing." Peter crossed his arms.

"You're full of those. But it's alright. I still like you." He swept down on her for a quick kiss before he leaped off the bed and bounded from the room. Wendy watched him go and sighed.

"I can't leave him…but there is no future for me here. Just a twisted time loop that I shall be stuck in forever."

Outside, Peter leaned against the wall and closed his eyes. His hand went over his heart, as if determined to hold it in and keep it from racing.

"You're not supposed to feel these things. Stop feeling. I never felt like this before she came. Why does one girl have to change my world like this?" Scowling, he leaped into the air and flew from the house, knowing some fresh air would calm his nerves. He never looked back, else he would have seen the line of pirates circling around his hideout, their swords gleaming in the moonlight.

Please review! It's starting out a little slow but I promise it'll get better, just bear with me ;)

XOXO