Peter, please wake up. Tink pleaded, sitting on the boy's chest and stroking back his hair. He looked paler than he had this morning and his breath was growing faint. Tink glanced at the mermaids, who were staring at Peter with saddened eyes.

Can't you bloody fish DO something?

"We can't understand you, fairy," Sedna said coldly. Tink glared and turned back to Peter.

Peter, wake up now. You have to wake up. Wendy is in trouble. You have to save her! You have to be the hero, like you always are! Come on, Peter, get up.

"Wendy," he whispered, barely moving his lips. "Wendy."

Come on Peter. She'll die if you don't save her. I know you love her. I know she means everything to you. Wake up now. Wake up and save her.

"Wendy," he whispered again. He tossed his head, a pained expression coming over his face. Tink knew he was having a nightmare again. Sighing, she kissed his cheek and hovered close to his face, waiting for him to wake up. She closed her eyes and started to hum the song he always played on his pipes, the Wendy song. Peter relaxed and was lost in Tink's sweet song, though he did not wake up.

Tink had fallen asleep on Peter's chest and the mermaids continued to watch over him into the night. When the morning sun came, Peter's eyes started to open. Tethys gasped.

"Sedna, he's waking!"

"Peter? Are you alright?" Peter groaned and looked around.

"Where am I?"

"We swam you away from Leros as fast as we could. And you wouldn't wake." He squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head.

"How long have I been out?"

"Almost two days." Peter's eyes shot open and he sat straight up, causing Tink to shriek and go flying.

"Two days?!"

Good morning to you too! Tink angrily flew up and brushed herself up.
"Tink? What are you doing here? How long have you been here?"

I arrived to find you unconscious and helped the mermaids move you. You didn't wake, so we were really worried.

"Tink, why are you here? Where is Wendy?"

…Well…

"Tink! Where IS she? Is she safe?" Tink forced herself to meet his eyes and he saw how sad they looked. He swallowed.

The pirates have her, Peter.

"WHAT?" He jumped to his feet and instantly felt a little dizzy. The wounds on his chest still smarted and he winced. Tethys and Sedna reached out toward him, though they could not reach him from the water.

"Slow down, Peter, you must rest and regain your strength."

"There's no time! How long has she been with them, Tink?"

I tried to release her but I couldn't. So I flew straight to you. Four days ago.

"Four days?" Peter felt sick. He could imagine all the terrible things the pirates could be doing to his Wendy. "Did they hurt her?"
Not that I saw but I didn't stick around for long. She knows I left to get help. To find you.

"Then we better get going." He leaped into the air and Tink flew close to him.

Did you find what you were looking for? Did you get the pearl?

Peter's eyes flew to the mermaids and he looked terrified.

"Sedna…you didn't find it…did you?" Sedna lowered her head, lifting her tail out of the air and wincing from the sores. The healing water had helped a little but as there was very little left, she was still quite injured. Peter hung his head and his shoulders slumped.

"Come on Tink. We have to save her. And then help her escape from Neverland."

Escape? I don't understand.

"We didn't get it. The fairies will try to kill her if she stays here. I'm going to help her escape. I'm taking her home."

But—

"Peter," Sedna called. Peter glanced down and saw her holding something in her hand. Landing on the rock beside her, he gently took the pearl into his hands and gave her a genuine smile.

"I don't know how to thank you. All of you. I'll get your harp for you. And when I save Wendy, we'll come tell stories everyday. I can't possibly repay what you all have done but…thank you so much."

"Be safe, Peter Pan. I'm afraid that you are not out of danger. Do not get overconfident around the pirates." Peter was about to answer but he froze, his eyes widened and his jaw gone slack. Tink and the mermaids looked momentarily stunned for a moment as well. A scream had reverberated all around Neverland, a scream that pierced every heart and made every creature wince. As he heard his name being cried by the only person he had ever loved, Peter was seized by an agonizing pain and he floated down toward the ground, clutching his heart.

"Peter, what is it?"

"It's Wendy," he said through gritted teeth. "She's…she's in pain. And she's crying for me. Oh god, it hurts. It hurts so much." Tink hovered over him, her hands over her mouth.

Peter…can you fly? We need to get back quickly. Peter nodded and struggled to his feet. He was shaky and felt weak but he pushed the pain aside and focused on rescuing his love. With the pearl clutched tightly in his hand, he said farewell to the mermaids and flew faster than he had ever flown in his life.

Wendy screamed again as the air was filled with the pungent smell of burning flesh. The pirates held her legs apart and the hot iron was pressed deeper into her pale skin. Smee withdrew the iron and smirked down at the word branded into her inner thigh. The pirates released her and she remained where she was, unable to move from the pain.

"I guarantee that he heard that. Very good, my dear, you've done well. I'm sure he's flying to your rescue as we speak."

"You…you won't…get to him," she gasped. "He's…smarter than you."

"Smart has nothing to do with it, Miss Darling. He loves you and will do anything to protect you. Including trading his life for yours." She shook her head, squeezing her eyes shut but Smee nodded and leaned in close. She felt his breath on her face and his clammy hands stroke her cheek.

"Oh yes, my dear. It will kill him to see how we have treated his poor Wendy. I must admit, I look forward to see the suffering all over his face when we finally kill you. Not to worry, though, he'll be right after you. When all the happy thoughts are completely gone from his mind. He'll be begging for death in the end. And I'll be happy to oblige." Wendy couldn't even lift her arms to wipe away her tears; they streamed across the wooden planks, mixing with her blood. She wanted to drown in them. Smee nodded in satisfaction and beckoned for the men to follow him.

He closed the door behind him and turned to one of the pirates who guarded the door.

"Make sure no one enters this room. And double the guard around the ship. The boy is clever. I know he will try a feeble rescue attempt. Might even get those savages to help too. Keep on your guard."

"Yes sir."

"Get her some water to heal her wounds. I don't want her to die before he has a chance to get here." The pirate nodded as his captain stalked off.

When Smee returned, he peered into the cabin and saw Wendy sprawled out in the position they had left her in. She was pale and clearly had lost a lot of blood.

"Damn it," he muttered as he rushed to her side and felt her pulse.

"Jack!" The pirate guard peered in and Smee's eyes narrowed. "What did I say about getting her water to heal her wounds?"

"I gave her a cup of water, sir." He nudged a silver goblet beside Wendy's limp body, to emphasize his point. Smee gave him an irritated look, took his gun out, and shot the pirate in the chest. Jack fell to the floor, dead.

"Idjit," Smee muttered. He knelt close and listened to her breathing. It was extremely faint and he could tell she was nearly gone.

"Someone bring me a goblet of healing water! NOW!" The pirates heard their captain's bellow and took off in opposite directions. One returned, sloshing the water all over himself but Smee grabbed it and poured it over Wendy's face.

She felt the cold water and her eyes shot open. Somehow, she felt better, save for the burning pain on her thigh. Her eyes scanned the room and saw Smee kneeling over her. She recoiled and Smee threw the goblet over his shoulder.

"Good, you're awake."

"Why," was all she could say.

"Death can't be an escape for you, dear Wendy. I want Pan to see your last moments. I want him to hear your pleading cries, I might even allow you to die in his arms. You would like that, wouldn't you? That's an act of mercy from me."

"Mercy? You are a monster. You're worse than Hook ever was!" Smee's eyes flashed and his hand flew to her throat, choking the life out of her.

"He was my Captain. And my friend. And I will avenge him and finish what he started. I will be the one to defeat Peter Pan." He released her and re-chained her hands, so that her arms were stretched over her head. Her naked body was shivering uncontrollably, so Smee grabbed a blanket and flung it over her, providing a tiny bit of warmth. Casting the poor girl one last glance, Smee left the room. He scanned the heavens with narrowed eyes.

"Come on Pan. Fly to the rescue. Then I'll shoot you right through your grief-stricken heart."

Peter wanted to fly straight to the Jolly Roger but Tink convinced him to get the Indians help again. Reluctantly, Peter landed in front of the Indian Village and his eyes widened when he saw braves running all over the place. The Chief was bellowing orders.

"Chief, what's going on?"

"Peter Pan! You have returned. Your quest was successful?"

"It was! What has happened?"

"Princess Tiger Lily is missing."

"WHAT?!"

"We suspect the pirates have her. She has been missing for days." Peter glanced up at Tink, who nodded.

Tiger Lily showed the pirates where the caves were.

"WHAT?!" Peter's arms fell to his sides. "How did SHE know where they were?"

Don't be mad at Wendy, Peter, Tiger Lily was only trying to help.

"Wendy told her? After I specifically said not to tell ANYONE?"

Peter, Wendy was starving! She couldn't live on grass! Tiger Lily brought her food. She saved her.

"And betrayed her," Peter growled. The Chief watched Peter and Tink and his brow raised.

"Who betrayed whom?"

"No one," Peter said, flicking Tink a warning glance.

"You know something about Princess Tiger Lily?"

"Wendy was kidnapped by the pirates. Tiger Lily was most likely taken as well." The Chief sighed.

"Then we must fight to get them back. You will help us?"

"Of course Chief," Peter said quickly, not mentioning that he would fight for Wendy and not the traitorous princess.

"Thank you, Peter. Come, we leave for the pirates' side of the island. You may fly ahead and see if you can find the girls. You must not let yourself be seen though." Peter nodded and took off into the air. The braves gathered behind their chief and marched off to rescue their princess.

Peter flew faster than the Indians could walk but he didn't look back as he zoomed toward the pirate ship.

Be careful Peter. They have traps set up for you everywhere. And Wendy is chained in one of the cabins. The furthest from the left, I believe.

"If they hurt her, I swear to Neverland—"

Don't think about it. Let's just find her. Then we can wait for the Indians to help. Don't be reckless.

"I'm never reckless," he replied, his eyes straight ahead. Tink couldn't help but laugh.

Peter, reckless is your middle name!