"Mother! Wyatt and Farrah are doing it again!" Wendy rolled her eyes as she set the soapy dishes down and went to the sitting room, where her daughter was standing over two grey wolves, one quite larger than the other. Adette whirled around to face her mother, her blue eyes wide. Wendy's hands went to her hips.

"Wyatt. Farrah. That's enough." There was a pop and her children appeared on the floor. Wyatt stood and brushed himself off.

"She's just jealous because she can't do it."

"I have other powers that are even more useful, I don't need to turn myself into a mangy animal," Adette said calmly, closing her eyes. Wyatt stuck his tongue out at her and Wendy sighed.

"Children, that's enough. Why must you always have a go at each other?"

"What sort of princess doesn't have any powers," Farrah sneered. Wendy gasped and Adette puffed her chest out.

"Excuse me. Watch this." Adette closed her eyes and seemed to be concentrating. They gasped as they heard a clap of thunder and suddenly, rain was pounding the roof. Wyatt rolled his eyes.

"Controlling the weather. Woohoo."

"Wyatt!" Wendy snapped. The front door opened and Peter walked in, shaking his head and sending droplets of water everywhere. He sputtered through his soaked curls.

"Can someone tell me why it suddenly decided to storm tonight?" Wyatt snorted.

"Way to go, princess. Drown the King of Neverland, why don't you?" Peter stood there, dripping water everywhere, staring at his family. Wendy merely shrugged.

"Your daughter made it rain," she said very coolly. Peter immediately knew something was wrong but now wasn't the time to ask.

"Alright, let me go change and during dinner, you can tell me—"
"You've missed dinner," came Wendy's cold voice. Peter winced. His son and daughters gave him a knowing look.

"Told you," Farrah mouthed. Peter shot her a look before going into their bedroom and selecting a dry outfit.

"Can I help with the dishes, Mother?" Adette approached her mother and reached for a plate.

"Thank you sweetheart but no, you go on and play with your brother and sister." Adette let a heavy sigh, which Wendy did not miss.

"They don't want to play with me. I'm…different."

"You're not different. You have powers, just like they do. And you are still a princess. Do not forget that."

"Then why do I feel like I'm not a part of this family? Sometimes I feel like you are the only one who understands me." Wendy sighed and turned to her daughter. Adette was the spitting image of Wendy, as Peter often said, and obviously the one who felt closest to her mother. Wendy's hand went to her daughter's cheek.

"Childhood is an awkward stage for many children. I know I had a hard time fitting in when I was young. Your uncles didn't make it easy, especially as I was the only girl. But we loved each other, just as you and your brother and sister do. You three will one day be rulers of Neverland. And you'll do it together." Adette hugged her mother and pressed her cheek against Wendy's.

"Sometimes I feel like I belong elsewhere…and not in Neverland." Wendy bit her lip and squeezed her tighter.

"I know, my darling. I often feel that too. But in my heart, I know that I belong in Neverland, with your father."

"But Mother, there's no one for me in Neverland. Nothing is here for me. I feel like my life is…well, in London. Like yours was." Wendy watched her daughter anxiously. She had told all three of her children hers and Peter's story. She was, after all, still a wonderful storyteller. She had told them all about Peter Pan and who he had once been, until he had given his heart to a mortal woman and grown up for her. Adette begged for the story every night and even though Wyatt and Farrah said it was too sappy, they loved their parents' story as well. It was the tale of adventures, of true love, of good triumphing over evil. And all of them loved that sort of story.

"Darling, if you would like me to…I'll speak to your father about sending you to school in London." Adette gasped and flung her arms around Wendy.

"Oh Mummy, that would be ever so delightful! I should like that very much!" Wendy laughed and patted her daughter's cheek before turning back to the dishes. Adette watched her a moment, head cocked to one side and she sighed again.

"I'm sorry if I'm any trouble, Mother." Wendy pulled away and frowned.

"Why on earth would you think you're trouble?"

"I see your disappointed expression. When we argue, especially. I think we are causing you heartache when we argue."

"Oh dearest, I just don't like to see you fight so, that's all. And…I wish we felt like a family again." Adette stared up at her mother and saw how much she was hurting. Who was hurting her so?

"We are a family, Mother. Always." Wendy squeezed Adette's hand and shooed her out of the kitchen so she could finish the dishes. Adette passed her father on the way and bowed her head. Peter knelt and cupped his daughter's chin.

"Addy, I have told you time and time again, you needn't be so formal at home. I'm still your father, I still love you."

"I know, Father but—"

"No buts. We may be the Rulers of Neverland but first and foremost, you're my baby girl. Don't forget that." His thumb ran across her cheek and she giggled a little.

"I love you, Father."

"I love you, my little princess. Is your mother still in there?" Adette looked over her shoulder and nodded. Peter nodded and rose to his feet but his daughter grabbed his hand.

"Father, you should apologize to Mummy for missing dinner again."

"I know, I'm going to—"

"She has been looking so depressed for weeks, Father. I don't know if you have noticed and I don't know what it is but she is so down, she hasn't been herself." Peter frowned; he hadn't noticed and that made him feel worse. It was a terrible thing that his daughter was telling him that his own wife was unhappy.

"I'll see to it, Addy. Run along." She gave him a quick hug around the middle and hurried off to find her siblings. Peter entered the kitchen and found Wendy at the sink, her back to him. He heaved a great sight, feeling his heart race at the sight of her. After all this time, she was still the most beautiful thing he had ever seen…he felt guilt wash over him for not being there for her these last few weeks. Neverland had suffered from a strange storm that lasted for days and the damage was great. Peter had been away everyday for weeks, trying to repair lands and fields. He tried to remember the last time he had actually talked to his wife for more than ten minutes but he couldn't. Now his daughter was telling him how unhappy Wendy was. Peter edged closer and Wendy's head snapped up and she whirled around. Peter held up his hands and looked apologetic. After everything they had been through, Wendy was still extremely skittish and never let her guard down once. Wendy clutched her heart for a moment but lowered her eyes and went back to doing the dishes.

"Wendy, we need to talk," he said quietly, coming up behind her.

"Very well," was all she said as she scrubbed at the plates. Peter watched her for a moment, unable to continue. He wanted to ask her what was the matter; actually, what he wanted to do was grab her into his arms and whisk her off to their private island hold her in his arms, make her cry out his name, and make the sweetest love to her imaginable. But he couldn't. He had to tell her about Tiger Lily. He had to deal with his royal duties first.

"There's been another…incident. In Neverland."

"And what incident might that be," she asked very coolly. Peter winced at how cold her tone was. He reached out and grasped a few of her blonde curls.

She jumped at his touch and recoiled only slightly. Her husband had not touched her in what seemed to be years. In reality, it had been two months since they had shown any sort of loving caress. Wendy missed his touch. She missed him. But she knew he was here to discuss royal duties, and nothing else. It's what made him a great King. He was able to put Neverland first and Wendy didn't fault him for it. From the moment Peter had told her that he could be King of Neverland, she had declared her loyalty to him and had agreed to stay with him. Peter had been killed by their greatest enemy and was reborn as King. And when Wyatt had been born, a group called the Astrumi had come to Neverland to kidnap him and had turned Peter into a terrible beast called a Wendigo. Peter had tried to put his family first and his people admonished him about putting someone before his beloved Neverland. So Wendy was not surprised that Peter was not around his family as much these days, with so much happening around the island. Still, she didn't have to like it. Not that she blamed him for it but it was painful to be so devoted to someone, so in love with someone, who you barely see anymore. And Peter's and Wendy's love was timeless, a legend around the Stars. Not only was he a great King, he was a wonderful father as well. He always made time for his children. Wendy felt slightly neglected but she told herself to get over it because her children needed him more than she did. She was lonely, no doubt about that and craved some companionship. She had been writing to her brothers and having the fairies deliver their letters. She was dying to see them, to visit London again. But every time she had asked Peter about it, he merely grunted that he would see to it and then would disappear for the remainder of the night. Wendy felt like she was losing herself and she didn't like it one bit. Still a beautiful young woman, she no longer felt like she belonged here. She found herself wishing for a time before Neverland and before Peter. But she would quickly smack herself and push those thoughts out of her mind. Peter was the best thing that had ever happened to her, she knew that. Her children were her miracles and her family was perfect. Still, she missed him and missed that feeling of family they had once had. She found herself wondering (and would quickly squash those thoughts as well) what life would have been like if they had not come back to Neverland. After all, Peter had agreed to grow up for her and they had been prepared to move to another place in England before they had been kidnapped and brought to Neverland by force. She might actually see her husband once in awhile. Her family might actually feel like a family.

She closed her eyes as she felt his hands running through her hair and she ached for his caress. She felt herself leaning back slightly and Peter's arms automatically slid around her, holding her to his strong chest. Her heart started beating faster and faster and she felt his heart race beneath her as well. Wendy's hands went to his and brought them down to her heaving breasts. Peter's breathing hitched a little as he cupped her in his hand for a moment, grinning when he heard a little moan come from her throat. He bent down and kissed at her neck. Closing his eyes, his heart screamed at him to enjoy this moment with his beloved but his hands dropped to his side and he stepped away.

"Wendy, this can't wait. Something has happened to Tiger Lily." Wendy whirled around and her eyes were wide. Tiger Lily was one of her dearest friends on the island; and one of the strongest woman she had ever known.

"Is she alright?"

"She…well, she's alive."

"Peter! What has happened to her?" Peter quietly told her about the princess hearing about John's betrothal and going to London to see him. Wendy's eyes widened even more when he told her about her rapid aging.

"I don't understand…how did this happen?"

"I don't know, Wendy. I don't understand it. I never aged like that when I left the island. But I'm the only one who has left. No one has ever gone to the mortal world so we couldn't know what would happen to someone who did. We have no idea if it is reversible or if anything can be done."

"Surely the fairies can do something to help her. Tiger Lily is so young!"

"But that's just it, Wendy. We're all hundreds of years old! Tiger Lily appears a young woman here in Neverland but as soon as she sets foot in the mortal world, her age catches up with her. I've never heard of that happening before! What if it happens when you try to go back to London?" Wendy froze, her eyes wide.

"Is that why you haven't taken me back for a visit?" Peter's eyes were sad as he took her hands into his. He was relieved when she didn't pull away.

"Wendy, I am so sorry. I have been so busy that I haven't even noticed. I've been such a fool. I haven't noticed how…unhappy you are."

"I'm not…unhappy," she said uncertainly and his brow raised.

"You can't lie to me, Wendy. You never could. You're unhappy. I see it in your eyes." He wanted to ask but he was afraid of the answer. Nevertheless, he pushed a curl out of her eyes and his hand lingered on her cheek. "Is it me? Do I make you unhappy?"

"You could never make me unhappy, Peter. Even if my brain tries to tell me I don't belong here, my heart knows better. It's what has kept me here with you all these years. I just wish we were more like a family and with everything that has been going on, it hasn't felt that way in quite a long time." Peter's heart hurt to hear her say she didn't think she belonged here, with him. He moved closer to her and his hand remained on her cheek.

"I'm sorry I haven't been around lately. Things are just—"

"I know, Peter. I understand but I don't have to like it."

"As soon as we clear this thing up with Lily, I promise, you and I will have a little vacation. Get away from it all, go somewhere where no one can find us, where no one can hear us," he gave her a sly smile and his brow waggled, which made her giggle and hit his shoulder. But her smile faded as she remembered her friend.

"Will you speak to the fairies tonight then?" Peter nodded and took a step back.

"I'll leave straightaway for the fairy glade. Hopefully the Queen will know some sort of remedy or antidote. And please, darling, don't tell Lily about John anymore. She doesn't need to know."

"She asked me! She asks me how he is and I won't lie to her. His betrothal shocked me too. I didn't expect Lily to steal fairy dust—"

"Well she did. And she saw them together. They can never be together so why do you girls go on about it?" Wendy's face darkened slightly.

"She loves him, Peter. She always has. You of all people should understand that kind of love." Peter groaned.

"Wendy, you and I are different. I wasn't a normal boy and yet I grew up for you. We are different. Our love is different."

"Why? Because you were the proud prince of Neverland, you had to have your way, you had to have what you had claimed. Is that it?" Peter recoiled at Wendy's tone of voice, taking several steps away from her.

"Absolutely not! I fought for my love, I would die for you. I don't think John feels the same way about Lily, that's all—"

"You have no idea how he feels! And because of you, I don't either," she was red in the face and she sort of reminded him of his best friend Tinkerbell when she was angry. "Six years, Peter. It has been six years since I have seen my family! Why should you care though? You had no family! You lived here for a hundred years with no family! And I left mine behind to be with you!" As soon as she said it, she wished she could take it back. Peter stared at her and for a moment, Wendy thought he would hit her. There was a fire blazing in his eyes. When he spoke, though, his voice was quiet and sounded to be on the verge of tears.

"You're right. I had no family. I wanted no family, until I met you. The moment I saw you, I fell in love with you. I knew I wanted no one else to be by my side. I never loved anyone, until I met you. Now I have a family and I will protect them with my life. I've been changed completely by your love and I'm grateful for all of it. Whether you believe that or not." And with that, Peter backed away from her and Wendy heard the front door slam shut. Clutching the sink, she succumbed to her tears and hid her red face in her hands.

That's it for now, please read and review and enjoy! :-)