Wendy awoke and for a moment, she forgot everything that had happened. When she brought her hands to her lap and saw her injured wrists did she remember and she glanced down at herself to see if it was all true. Sighing deeply, she opened the tent and peered out. Tiger Lily and several other women were chatting and sewing around the fire, their hands flying as fast as their mouths. One of the women looked up and said something in her language. Tiger Lily looked up at Wendy and moved aside to make room for her.

"Come join us Wendy. We're making clothes for the braves." Wendy sat beside her and one of the women passed her some animal hide and a couple of bones. Wendy stared at them blankly, then turned to Tiger Lily and opened her mouth.

"Use the bone to make small holes in the buckskin. We'll thread the sinew later. I believe you are quite good with a needle?" Wendy looked up quickly and saw the princess's eyes sparkling.

"How did you know about that?"

"Pan speaks of his Wendy-bird quite often," one of the women said. Two of the others, younger than Tiger Lily it seemed, shot Wendy jealous glares but Tiger Lily laughed and nodded.

"Peter does talk about you quite a bit. He praises your accomplishments and your kind heart. He needs someone like that in his life." Wendy looked down at her lap uncomfortably.

"Where is he this morning?"

"He went to speak to the fairies last night and did not return. He often stays with them though, so we are not worried."

"What did he need to speak to them about?"

"About you, Wendy-bird. He wants to know if they have any way to change you back into a girl." Wendy nodded and avoided the womens' eyes. She concentrated on poking the bone through the material and listened to the womens' endless chatter, falling silent and deep in thought.

Peter rubbed his eyes impatiently. He was exhausted and he wasn't getting anywhere with the fairies. Tink patted his cheek gently and whispered in his ear.

Their meeting will be over soon, don't worry.

"They've been talking all night! All I need to know is if they have a way to help her. Why do they need to drag everything out?!"

We're immortal, Peter. Time means nothing to us. And it shouldn't mean anything to you either. You are in Neverland, after all. Peter gave her an irritated look.

"Maybe you've missed what's been going on, Tink, but Wendy is aging! What if she doesn't stop aging?! What happens when she gets older and older and just…" he trailed off, not being able to finish. But Tink jumped into the air and shook her head.

Nothing like that will happen. She hasn't aged anymore than she was yesterday. It was a one time thing and now we just have to find a cure, to turn her back. Just be patient. Peter crossed his arms and fumed while Tink shook her head, smiling. She knew good and well that patience and Peter Pan did not go together. Peter jumped to his feet when he saw glowing balls of light zooming toward him. He bowed his head and the fairies bowed theirs in return.

"Peter Pan, we have been discussing your dilemma and we think we might have a way to help. Mind you, it will be very dangerous—"

"I'll do anything," Peter broke in. One of the fairies bowed her head again.

"We are happy to see that you care deeply for the Wendy-lady. But fail to change her back and you must say goodbye to her."

"What do you mean?" Peter asked, crinkling his brow.

"Never mind that. You will also need the assistance of a mermaid." Peter's eyes widened.

"What for?"

"We assume from what you have told us that Wendy was cut with an ancient dagger known as Cestus. Its blade is impregnated with a poison that ages the victim. One small slice is all it takes."

"Will she continue to age," he asked in a soft voice.

"The poison accelerated her age to how old she really is. She shan't age more than that." Tink frowned.

And what's that supposed to mean? She's a little girl. Almost thirteen, in fact.

"No Tinkerbell. Time works very differently in Neverland than it does in the mortal world. But you must remember, while we are here, frozen in time, it still continues to move outside the island. Wendy has been in Neverland for five years now." Peter's jaw dropped.

"Five years?! I just brought her back three weeks ago! When I beat Hook."

"Nay, Peter. It is what it seems like to you. But it has in fact been five years since Wendy left her home. The poison accelerated her age so she is now seventeen." Peter's throat had gone dry and he had difficulty swallowing.

"Five years…" he said weakly.

"The only cure to Cestus lies off the coast of Neverland, about a three day journey. We know it as Cragen. It is a shell with a precious pearl inside. You must hold the pearl to Wendy's lips and the curse will be broken. Be warned, Peter, there are dangers in the Neversea that you have never encountered. A mermaid must help you reach Cragen. And you are to be challenged with something unlike anything you have ever experienced. You may not survive it." Tink's eyes widened and she flew to Peter's shoulder.

Peter, you don't have to do this!

"Yes I do. If it's the only way to help Wendy, I'll do it."

But Peter…you might die!

There was a hard resolution blazing in his eyes but his expression softened as he felt his heart pounding.

"To die…would be an awfully big adventure."

It's an adventure you don't have to have yet! Please don't do this, Peter. We'll find another way to help her.

"There IS no other way, Tink! Do you have so little faith in me?"

You're the bravest boy I've ever met. But you can be such a fool.

Peter shook his head and turned back to the fairies.

"Have you a map or something to help me find this…Cragen?"

"The mermaids hold the secret of the location. Call for them when the moon is high tonight. Beg for their help. You will have to give them something in return."

"Um, like what?"

"They will decide that. You must inform the Chief of what is going on. He will not be pleased that the girl will continue to stay in his village." Pete's face darkened.

"He can get over it. Wendy isn't hurting anybody or anything by being here!"

"A grown up threatens the very balance of Neverland, Peter. If you cannot find Cragen and turn her back, she must be destroyed." Peter's head snapped up.

"I'm sorry…did you say…destroyed?" The fairies all exchanged looks and bowed their heads.

"We understand your feelings for this girl, Peter. But understand this. She cannot be allowed to live here nor can she be returned to the mortal world, where she can tell our secrets. The laws of Neverland are finite and are punishable by death. If Wendy remains a grown up, she will have to die." Peter gaped at the fairies for moment before he exploded.

"Are you INSANE? You can't possibly think I'd agree to that!"

"You will have no choice. As Prince of Neverland, you shall be the one to carry out the deed." Peter's face went from red to white in seconds. His jaw dropped and he took a step back.

"You can't make me—"

"The position you hold on this island is greater than any mere mortal girl. As Prince, you have the duty to uphold our laws. If you do not obey our laws, you will be banished from Neverland as well. We hope this will provide as your motivation on your journey. We know how much she means to you."

"However," another fairy broke in, "if you fail and come back without the cure, it will be your duty to end her life. Or if you fail and do not come back, we will carry out the deed." Peter's face was drained of color and he felt his throat stick as he searched for words. Tink, too, looked horrified.

"Fine. I'll find the stupid pearl. You keep away from her while I'm gone. If anything happens to her, Neverland will suffer my wrath." Without another word, he turned on his heel and leaped into the air, his fairy right behind him. They flew with haste back to the Village and Peter hesitated before going in.

"Tink…I want you to stay with Wendy."

Peter, you know I'm going with you!

"I can't trust anyone else! Even some of the Indians want her dead. I can't take her with me and I can't worry about her while I'm gone. I'm begging you, Tink, protect her for me. Keep her safe and get her out of danger, if it comes to it. Please." Tink sighed and looked up into his heavy face.

Alright Peter. I'll look after her.

"Thank you, Tink."

I don't like the idea of you going on this journey alone.

"Hopefully I won't be alone. I'll speak to the mermaids tonight and see if I can't get several of them to travel with me. Don't worry so much, Tink. I'll be fine."

Peter pushed the gate open and entered the Village. He saw the women sitting around the fire, gossiping happily. Wendy was among them, though she was silent and still, her eyes fixed intently on her work. Peter walked around the women and snuck up behind her. He swooped in and pecked her on the cheek, causing her to scream and drop the material she was working on.

"Peter, you nearly gave me a heart attack!"

"You're so easy to scare. I'm glad you haven't changed." Wendy smiled but then she looked sad and Peter bit his lip, kicking himself for making her sad again. He sat beside her and leaned in to study her work.

"Wacha working on?"

"We're making clothes for the braves," Tiger Lily said, glancing up at him. Peter watched her for a few moments before jumping to his feet. Wendy looked up at him, surprised, as he held his hand out to her.

"That looks boring. Come on, let's go get some lunch. I'm starving." Wendy gently set her work done and tentatively took Peter's hand. He quickly lead her away from the women and exited the village. Wendy paused and pulled her hand away, making Peter turn to stare at her.

"You mean you…want to spend time with me?"

"Why do you sound surprised by that?" Wendy looked down at herself and glanced shyly at him. Peter's eyes flicked downwards for a moment before he shrugged.

"It's just temporary, Wendy. You're still you! Once I find the cure, we can forget this ever happened!"

"Peter, what if there is no cure?"

"There is, Wendy. The fairies told me about it today." Wendy's eyes widened and Peter ran his fingers through his hair, making his curls stand out even more.

"I'm going to have to leave you for a few days but Tink has agreed to stay and watch over you. I want you to promise me, you won't wander off and get yourself into any danger. Don't try to talk to anyone except for Tink."

"Peter…I don't understand."

"I know, Wendy, and I'm sorry. But I can't explain. We can't trust anyone, save for Tink. I can't take you with me but I hate to leave you here. Please, do this for me." He was gripping her hands in his and she glanced down at their joined hands and nodded.

"Very well, Peter. I'll do as you ask."

"I'll be back in a few days. With the cure." He reached out, wanting to touch her cheek and seemed to force himself to continue. Wendy saw his hesitation and pulled away. She saw his uncertain look and decided to save him the trouble of choosing. Peter saw her pull away and he bit his lip.

"Come on. Let's go get some lunch. My stomach has been growling all morning."

It's starting slowly but it's moving right along now, haha. Please keep those reviews coming!