Peter waited and as we have already stated, he is not a patient boy. But he waited for what seemed like years. He felt panic that something had gone wrong. He should have just gone under and found Cragen himself! And what would happen if they couldn't find it? What would he do then? Go home and tell Wendy he was sorry but she was stuck as a grown up? He remembered the fairies words about him being the one to kill her and he shook his head.

"I would never," he told himself firmly. "I don't care if Neverland's survival depended on her dying. I wouldn't do it. I won't let it happen." He gasped, as it was the first time he had let something like this slip from his lips. He had just admitted, more or less, that he loved Wendy more than his precious homeland. He had been here for as long as he could remember. Hundreds of years, wasn't it? He had only known Wendy for five short years. Was it possible that she could take the place of his home? Neverland had always been his only love. Was it possible that Peter's heart was growing and he was letting someone else in? He thought about his dream and remembered the look in her eyes when she had asked him if he loved her. And Hook had said true love's kiss could heal anything….but it was only a dream! Peter shook himself and shifted from side to side, peering into the water to see if he could distinguish anything. But the water was murky and filthy.

He remained on that spot for the entire day. Several times, he heard roars coming from underneath the dark waves but when he would stick his head under, he could see nothing. Leaning back on the rock, he played with his necklace and tried to focus his thoughts elsewhere so he would not be worrying about the mermaids and Cragen. His thoughts drifted back to Wendy and he slipped in and out of consciousness, drifting through daydreams. He saw a large building with stained glass windows and a grown-up Wendy, looking stunningly beautiful in a huge white gown and a thin veil over her lovely face. Peter hid in the back of the room, behind lots of people and watched Wendy walk towards a man in a black suit. When she took his hand, Peter cried out for her to stop but she heard nothing. His eyes widened when he watched her lean forward and give the man a kiss…HIS kiss…and turned to face the room. With a cry of pain and loss, Peter flew from the room and did not look back.

The next daydream started immediately after the last and Peter shifted in his daze, shaking his head, silently pleading for it to stop before he saw anything else. He was back in the church but instead of being at the back of the room, he was now at the front of it. He turned and saw hundreds of eyes, all on him, until they shifted to the back and Peter's followed them. He gasped as he saw Wendy again—by god, she was beautiful, walking toward him with a smile on her face. Her eyes were on his and they shone brighter than the stars. When she reached him, she took his hand and squeezed it.

"I love you, Peter," she mouthed. Peter found that he could not breathe. He glanced down at himself and saw that he was much taller than he had been, with broad shoulders and strapping muscles underneath the suit. Peter saw himself take Wendy by the waist and claim his kiss. The kiss that was meant for him and only him. The kiss that had saved and changed his life. The room rang out with applause and when Wendy pulled away from him, she had a lovely pink tinge to her cheeks.

Wendy's eyes shot open and she sat straight up, clutching the acorn around her neck. Tink, who was dozing on the blanket next to the girl, opened her eyes and flew up so she was on Wendy's eye-level.

What is it? She held out her hands and looked at the girl questioningly. Wendy sighed and rubbed her face.

"Just a dream."

A nightmare? Tink made a scary face and Wendy shook her head. She was getting to be quite good at charades and was happy that she and Tink could actually communicate now.

"No, it was…well, it was a good dream. It was…my wedding day."

What's that? She held out her hands and shrugged.

"Oh, of course, you don't have weddings in Neverland, do you? Well, when two people love each other and are ready to spend the rest of their lives together, they get married. A wedding is a ceremony in a church where the two of them say special vows and seal those vows with a cherished kiss. The woman is dressed in white and the man is in a nice suit and everyone dresses their best. It is supposed to be happiest day of her life." Tink cocked her head and started when Wendy snorted, shaking her head.

"That's a romantic notion, I suppose. These days more people get married for wealth and for stability. My father wanted me to find a rich man to take care of me. It isn't about love anymore." Tink saw Wendy's head droop and she touched the girl's cheek.

But you were dreaming about your wedding day! Was it happy or sad?

"It was the happiest day of my life," Wendy sighed and she definitely looked sad. Tink knew immediately who she had seen by her side. But then her wings fluttered quickly and she gasped.

Wendy…did you understand me?! Wendy's head shot up and her eyes widned.

"Tink! I can…I can understand you! I mean, not entirely, I still hear lots of jingling but I can make out certain words!" Tink laughed and kissed Wendy's nose.

This is so wonderful! Wait until Peter finds out! He'll be so happy!

"That is, if he returns," Wendy said, her voice dropping again.

Wendy you can't think like that. He'll be back. With the cure. You must have faith. You can't lose your happy thoughts. Wendy smiled and held out her hands, which Tink dropped into. She held the fairy close to her face, nuzzling her gently with her cheek.

"Thank you, Tinkerbell. Peter is so lucky to have you as a best friend."

I'm your friend too, Wendy. Tink nuzzled against the girl's cheek and smiled. But when she looked up at Wendy, she saw the girl's face had gone completely white and her eyes round as dinner plates.

Wendy, what is it? Wendy turned her head toward the entrance to the cave and Tink leaped into the air. Voices drifted into the cave and Tink knew the pirates had found them.

Wendy, hide!

"Where? There's nowhere for me to go."

Then run! Tink searched the cave desperately, knowing Wendy was right. She looked back at the girl and saw she looked defeated.

"It's over, Tinkerbell. They have me. Find Peter and let him know."

"AH HA!" Tink zoomed into the air and watched as pirates flooded the cave, flinging Peter's belongings aside and grabbed Wendy. Wendy struggled and fought off the first two but ropes quickly bound her and her hands were tied tightly behind her back. She gasped as Tiger Lily was dragged forward, bound as tightly as she was.

"Tiger Lily…why—"

"I am sorry, Wendy-bird," the princess responded sadly, tears streaming down her cheeks. The pirates chuckled and held both girls close in their beefy arms.

"Let's get them back to the Cap'n."

Smee's eyes lit up when his crew returned with their victims. Not only would he be able to destroy Pan, but he would also bargain for the princess's life. He knew the Chief cared deeply for his daughter. He barked orders at the crew and the pirates dragged the girls into separate cells. Tiger Lily remained bound with rope but Wendy was chained to the wall, heavy manacles once again cutting into her ankles and wrists. Starkey lifted a heavy chain and Wendy's eyes widened.

"The Cap'n had it special made for your little flying brat. You can wear it until he joins us." He clasped the chain around her neck and it fit like a collar, giving her very little room to move her head. Chuckling, the pirates left the room and Wendy tried to move around but found the chains too constricting. Tears streamed down her pale cheeks as her body soon shook with sobs. A light appeared out of the corner of her eye and she glanced down to see Tink touching the chains.

"Tinkerbell, what are you doing here? If they see you, they'll kill you!"

I promised Peter I would protect you. I can at least try to save you. She studied the chains and flew around the bound girl. She saw the marks the collar was leaving on her neck and she sighed.

Peter will be furious when he finds you.

"Tell him I'm alright. Please, Tink, you can't let him come here!"

What am I supposed to do? Lie to him? Tell him everything is fine? Sorry Wendy, I won't do that. I'll go find him and tell him that you've been captured. Why don't you have a little faith in your love? Wendy gasped at the fairy's words and Tink looked up at her knowingly.

Yes, I know you love him. And he loves you. He may not understand it completely but he feels it. That's why Smee is doing all of this. He knows that Peter loves you. He wants Peter to trade his life for yours.

"You can't let him do that! Tinkerbell, Neverlands NEEDS Peter Pan! It doesn't need me!"

But Peter needs you! We'll find a way to save you, Wendy. Don't lose those happy thoughts. I'll be back as soon as I find him. Tink kissed Wendy's cheek quickly before she took off out the window. Wendy sighed and attempted to lean her head back but could not move. So she kept her head straight, her eyes on the cell door, and allowed her tears to come.

Wendy had no way of tracking time so she had no idea how long she was in the cell before the door opened. She opened her eyes and swallowed when Smee knelt in front of her.

"Comfortable, my dear?"

"Not in the slightest," Wendy snapped.

"Good. I want you in a dreadful state when your Peter comes for you."

"Do what you will then. Just leave him alone." Smee threw his head back and laughed, tugging on her chains as he did so.

"You really are naïve, girl. Don't you realize he is the whole reason you are here? Captain Hook discovered the wretched boy does feel and that he feels about you. You're his weakness. You'll be his downfall. When he hears that we have you, he'll come flying to your rescue. To his death." Wendy couldn't stop the tears from welling in her eyes and they gave Smee immense satisfaction.

"I'll make sure to let you have a proper goodbye though. Something Pan denied me. But I'm more merciful than flying brats. I won't make his death swift, oh no, I want him to suffer. But I won't make you watch. I'll grant you that mercy." Smee stood and his folded his arms.

"Now then, there's something I need from you."

"And what is that?" Smee whistled and a pirate entered the cell, holding a bowl on his shoulders. Wendy watched him warily.

"I need you to scream for Pan."

"You know as well as I that he is not nearby."

"Oh, too true, but your screams will bring him back." Wendy's eyes narrowed.

"Never." Smee looked at the pirate, who dumped the bowl over Wendy and she was drenched in freezing cold water. She let out a little cry and immediately began to shiver. Smee glanced at the window and grinned.

"Pan is away, the weather gets colder. When he returns, it's Spring again. You'd better hope he returns soon before you freeze to death." Chuckling, the two pirates left the cell, leaving Wendy to shiver violently in her chains.

Peter had dozed off when he heard screams. His eyes shot open and he jumped to his feet, peering into the water for any sign of the mermaids. He saw Oceane leaping to the surface, her tail bleeding rather badly. Peter was about to call out to her when Tethys emerged, her face badly swollen and bleeding.

"Girls, what's happened? Where is Sedna?"

"The Witch got her," Oceane said miserably, swimming over to the rock where Peter stood. His eyes widened.

"What?"

"We got into the cave but we didn't see her anywhere. We traveled into her lair and one of the lost souls grabbed Tethys's arm, causing her to scream. It alerted the witch and we swam for it but then she called the iku-turso and we didn't stand a chance. Sedna was trapped in the cave." Peter quickly poured a few drops of water over Oceane's tail and Tethys's face. The shell was nearly empty but he tucked it away without a word. The mermaids bowed their heads.

"Thank you, Peter."

"Don't thank me, it's thanks to me that you're here and in danger. I've got to rescue Sedna! One of you kiss me.

"Peter—"

"PLEASE! I have to save her!"

"You'll be killed—"

"I don't care! Kiss me! Now!"

"We don't have that power," Oceane said impatiently. "It is Sedna's power only. We have no way to help you breathe under water."

"There's got to be some way," Peter said angrily, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Here," Tethys handed him one of the ink pods and Peter stared at it in confusion.

"What am I—"

"Drink the ink."

"Um, what for?"

"Peter, it's Everblossom Ink! It's magical! Just do it." Peter gulped, let out a deep breath, and squeezed the pod into his mouth. A disgusted expression crossed over his face but he threw the pod aside and jumped into the water.

"Wait! Peter! Come back!"

Peter felt the familiar sensation of breathing under water and said a silent prayer that it would last longer than the kiss had. He kicked his legs and dove toward the bottom of the neversea.

When he approached the cave, he was thankful that the iku-turso were nowhere in sight. He swam right into the cave and stayed away from the walls, ignoring the writhing shadows. He swam as quickly as he could, ignoring the sounds and cries he heard, his eyes straight ahead. He thought he heard the mermaids calling his name but he ignored them, continuing toward the back of the cave.

The Sea Witch's lair looked as if it had once been a shark…or at least the mouth of a monstrous shark. Peter swam in with no hesitation and froze at the sight he encountered.

Alright lovely readers, I leave for vacation tomorrow and won't have my computer. Hope you guys are still enjoying and I look forward to many reviews when I get back ;) if I have the chance, I'll post one more before I leave!
 *Faith* Trust* and Pixie Dust to you all

:)