Peter awoke abruptly from a nightmare. He dreamed Hook had Wendy. She was screaming his name, but when he went to find her she vanished like smoke. He leapt out of her bed. The dream made him so upset, he would risk a peek in at her. She would probably be mad, even though he didn't know why.
He peered into his room. The bed looked empty. He flung back the bearskin. "Wendy!" he cried. He ran to the bed, flinging off covers and furs. She was not there.
He ran through the hideout calling her name, waking the lost boys in the process.
Who had taken her? What did they want now? His mind raced. Why would she leave? He stopped in his tracks, as the other boys began calling out Wendy's name.
Leave. She was acting so strangely. Peter pinched his eyes shut. She had left to save them. It was just what his Wendy would do. He wouldn't let her though. He needed her. The boys flung things everywhere. looking under their beds, behind tables.
He turned to the lost boys. "Men, I think your mother ran away. To... to leave Neverland," he said. The boys began to look around confused. Michael began to cry. Peter knelt on the ground in front of him.
"It's all right Michael, I think we've been away from Tinkerbell long enough that she doesn't have any fairy dust left. She's still on the island and I'll find her," said Peter, and accepted the hug that Michael threw at him. "Men, this is what has to happen. Slightly you stay here and look after Michael and Tootles. Curly, Nibs, Twins, John, we'll spread out and search the island."
They ran out of the hideout into the chill night air. Peter flew into the atmosphere. He glanced over the top of the trees. He tried to think like Wendy. Where would she go? He snapped his fingers. She probably went to her house they'd made her. It was the first place she'd landed in Never Land. It made sense she'd go there. He took off through the sky.
...
Tiger Lily and Wendy were almost to the hideout. The air was cooler, and Wendy shivered, anxious for a fire. And most anxious to apologize to Peter.
When the two girls finally arrived, Wendy ran down the stairs. "Peter! Boys, I'm back!"
"Wendy!" cried Michael. He ran into her open arms, and held onto her tightly. She kissed his head and let go, but he wouldn't budge. She smiled and picked him up instead. Tootles wrapped himself around her leg.
Slightly stood in the middle of the room, arms crossed in front of him. He stared at Tiger Lily with narrowed eyes.
"What is she doing here?" he asked.
"It's all right Slightly, Tiger Lily has apologized." Wendy looked behind her at the uncomfortable princess and smiled. "In fact, she helped me back."
Slightly circled Tiger Lily slowly. "Really?" he asked, sizing her up and down.
"Really Slightly, it's true," said Wendy giggling at his attempt at a serious face.
Satisfied with his appraisal, he broke out in a wide grin. "Welcome back, you old princess!" he said, squeezing her in a tight hug. Tiger Lily shot Wendy a look for help, but Wendy laughed. Smothered in small children herself, she wasn't much help.
"Slightly, where's Peter? Where are the other boys?" asked Wendy.
"Out looking for you," said Slightly, releasing Tiger Lily after she patted him on the head.
"Oh dear," said Wendy. Shame washed over her. Poor boys out in the cold looking for her. That was her fault too.
"Don't worry Wendy, once they see the tracks you made, they'll be back," said Slightly. "You act graceful, but you're no hiker!" he chuckled.
"I hope so," she said.
...
Peter had indeed tracked Wendy's whereabouts to the hot springs. He landed next to the house. When he saw that Wendy was not there he cursed aloud. A feather blew to his feet, and he bent down to pick it up. Tiger Lily.
He clenched his fists. What more could she do? He would never let Wendy out of his sight again. He would find her, and deal with Tiger Lily like he should have before.
He looked around now for any sign of trace marks made by the pair. Bending down in the dark to look carefully at the ground, and saw the scuffling made by hasty feet, and followed best he could to the edge of the woods. From there it was easy to trail the broken branches he knew must be made by Wendy.
In spite of the anger he had to smile. Wendy was beautiful and graceful at the best of times, but not necessarily at hiking over underbrush.
He had followed the signs to the hot springs. There by the rocks lay the little pouch Tiger Lily had given to Wendy.
He smelled it, and recognized the scent as Tiger Lily's. He was positive she used it for bathing. Had they stopped and bathed? Why on earth would they do that? He picked up the lingering fragrance now, the Never flowers pungent, creating a scented trail for him to follow. It was leading him back to the hideout.
"For God's sake!" he cried aloud. Peter flew up into the air, and sped home.
...
John, Curly and Nibs returned at the same time just behind the twins. They trusted Peter to find Wendy, and they were too exhausted to continue. They thumped down the stairs, ready to crawl back in bed.
"Any news from Pet..." John stopped in his tracks. "Wendy!" He ran to his sister and embraced her. Then held her arms so he could give her a talking to. "What was this preposterous scheme of yours? Leaving without saying goodbye? Leaving without us? Honestly Wendy, you're such an addlepated girl some…" He trailed off. His gaze set on Tiger Lily in the corner. She stared shyly at him.
"What is she doing here?" he asked, ice in his tone.
"It's alright John, she's made her peace with me. She apologized for kidnapping me and I've forgiven her," said Wendy.
"What?" he asked. His eyes widened and he ran them over the princess's face.
"She helped me find my way home, and knocked Hook out when he tried to corner me."
He gawked at her confused. "You have some explaining to do Wendy," he said. He turned to Tiger Lily though with grateful eyes. "Thank you Tiger Lily."
She smiled at him, and bowed her head.
Just then, Peter burst through into the Hideout. "Where is she, where are they!" he cried. He stopped when he saw the two girls standing together. He noticed two things. One that Wendy was safe. Two, she had never looked more beautiful. She smiled a radiant smile just for him. Gone was the dirt and grime from her face and arms, gone was the filthy blue night dress. In it's place was a soft leather one that hung low enough to frame the assets she had come into and compliment her hair to look like honey.
He ran to her and held her close, smashing his lips against hers. He was determined never let her go again.
She wrapped her arms around his strong neck, her nails raking under his hairline.
He had never kissed her in front of the lost boys, and their reaction was less than accommodating. A chorus of "EW!" and gagging noises arose. Only when John cleared his throat did Peter come to and detach himself from Wendy's mouth.
"Peter," said John. "Tiger Lily brought Wendy home, and saved her from Hook."
Peter looked at Tiger Lily in astonishment, arm still around Wendy. "You did? Why?"
Tiger Lily took a deep breath. "I've come to apologize, Peter. I'm sorry I hurt you." She told her story again. She glanced quickly at John, leaving out his words to her. When she got to the part about her father requesting a meeting with them, Peter breathed out in relief. There would be no more talk of Wendy leaving.
"Thank you Tiger Lily. You don't know how grateful I am." He wrapped the Indian Princess in a tight hug.
Tiger Lily sighed. It was good to know their friendship wasn't over.
They agreed to meet at the village the next morning to convene with the Chief. Morning was fast approaching though, and Wendy suggested they all rest. The boys began climbing into bed as Wendy and Peter tucked them in, and Tiger Lily climbed the stairs to walk home.
"Tiger Lily, why don't you stay here tonight?" asked Wendy. "It's too late for you to walk home."
"That is kind Wendy-Bird, but I prefer my own bed. And I would like to walk a little while." She began her ascent again.
"I'll walk her out," said John. He bounded behind up her and out the door.
"Tiger Lily," said John once they were outside, and the hideout door closed. "I want to thank you again, for saving Wendy. And I'm sorry I said those things to you last night, I was angry." She stared at him as began to ramble. "And I want you to know that it took a tremendous amount of courage, and I'm excited to meet with your father tomorrow, I'd love to get to the bottom of what's been happening, the scientific ramifications are…" Tiger Lily leaned forward, and kissed him gently on the mouth.
"You talk too much," she said. She turned and walked off, leaving John speechless, his fingers to his lips.