~past~

As she slept that first night in Neverland a strange dream beset her. She was flying high over London and Peter was beside her, not the Shadow. In her dream she could fly like a swallow, expertly cresting waves of air or darting down as quick as a bullet and he kept by her side the entire time. Below she could make out a familiar square and pointed out her house. She flew down but Peter tugged her back.

"You can't, the window is closed," he said sadly.

Wendy looked back and saw with a horrible lurch that her mother was closing the window. She ripped her hand out of Peter's and flew as quickly as she could, shouting, but her mother did not turn. Reaching the window she knocked on the glass, a nervous smile stretching her mouth until she banged a fist, a panic beginning to rise. Her mother turned out the night lights and without a backwards glance closed the door to the nursery.

"No!"

She woke with a start, disorientated and confused. Peter's room was dark and still and she sat up in his bed, getting her bearings. He had offered his bed, the nicest one in the camp until something more suitable was provided for her. She had refused, of course, but he was very persuasive. Since wishing her good night she had not seen him and she wondered where he would sleep. Still feeling a little guilty she got out of bed, the stone under her feet cold, and pulled the curtain aside. Someone was crying, very quietly but she could hear it. A boy.

"Is anyone there?"

The large room where most of the Lost Boys slept was empty but the crying continued. Frowning she made her way up to the surface, making sure to comb her fingers through her hair and make herself look presentable before she appeared. It was still dark out and the camp was as deserted as the tree-house.

"Ah, you're up," said a cheerful voice and she looked up to see Peter sitting on a branch, like something ready to pounce.

"Good morning, at least I think it is," she smiled, feeling strangely shy as he dropped down lightly before her. "I hope I didn't cause you too much trouble?"

"Oh no trouble, I don't sleep much any more," he offered her a peach which she took gratefully. He watched her as she bit into it. Juice ran over her fingers and down her chin, making her blush but knew better then to lick her fingers. She turned and cleaned her face as she walked to the now dead fire.

"Where is everyone?"

"Oh they've been busy while you slept. How did you sleep by the way?" he asked lightly.

"Fine, fine," she lied and gave an innocent smile which he returned. Though he could never look innocent, she thought, he was far too puckish for that. Finishing the fruit she cast the pip into the ashes and then looked at him quizzically. "I thought I heard someone crying, a boy."

He pulled a face and shrugged. "Well no one was here. It was probably the wind through the branches. Come, I want to show you something, I think you'll like it," he said and took her hand. Any thoughts about crying boys were gone and she followed him, anticipation twisting her stomach pleasantly. Now the adventures would begin, that was why she was here after all. He drew her through the camp, near the back and before she had time to react he moved behind her and placed his hands over her eyes.

"Peter?"

"It's a surprise, trust me," he said, his mouth near her ear and her stomach gave another pleasant squirm, though this had nothing to be with the prospect of adventures. With him at her back he guided her a little way before stopping and then quickly removed his hands from her face.

Wendy blinked in the dim light but then quickly clasped her hands together in delight. He had made her a house. It was constructed from planks of wood and vines and there was a real brass knocker in the shape of wolf on the door. Two small windows framed the door and she could see net curtains covering them. There was even a little path with a pansy filled border. She turned to Peter, grinning from ear to ear.

"Is this really for me?"

"Of course! You don't think I'd let you bunk in with the rest of us do you? You're a lady," he explained smoothly and she beamed. She was no lady, not in a real way like at home but here she was to be treated as such. Her brothers could learn a thing or two...

"Thank you! I don't know what to say," she quickly hugged him, something he must not have expected because he froze and did not respond. Brimming with happiness she pulled away and ran up the path but then made herself stop before bursting through the door. She pushed inside, breath held and her mouth fell open. The room was split into two, an eating area with a table and chairs at one end while in the other a great brass bed was placed. Lace hung over it, so she was shielded and beside it was a screen so she could get undressed. There was even a jug for washing, though someone had put a bunch of flowers in it. Candles flickered everywhere, giving the room a warm, intimate feeling.

Peter moved behind her, smiling at her obvious delight. "I take it you approve?"

"It's wonderful! I've never had a room to myself before..."

"Well now you have."

She stared at him in amazement, "Where did you get all these things? Are they real?" she asked, suddenly unsure.

"Most of it...don't worry about the how and where. Just know that it was time well spent," he said with a lovely smile and she could not help staring.

Her mother had told her that she should be wary of people being overtly generous. Though it would be wonderful to expect all people to behave altruistically for most there was a reason for it. Her father, to be contrary, had said that she should not look a gift horse in the mouth, whatever that meant. Seeing the conflict in her eyes Peter titled his head.

"What's wrong? If you don't like it I'll get them to start again."

"No, no! I love it! I just feel that I can never do the same in return," she said honestly and he shrugged.

"Don't concern yourself with such adult things. I don't," he looked at the door, suddenly itching to get out and grabbed her hand again. "Come on, you can spend as long as you like in here but I want to show you what the island has to offer."

She grinned, all but bouncing on her feet and followed him out. He was right, concerning herself with adult quibbles of what was proper had no place here, at least not all of them. When he started to run she let out a wild laugh and ran with him and the ribbon in her hair uncoiled and drifted free before snagging on a branch. A hundred years later it was still there.

There were many camps, Wendy later found out, and that was where the Lost Boys had spent the night, after completing her house. There had also been rumbles of the mermaids getting too close to the shore and the boys were there to drive them off.

"Are mermaids so bad?" she asked with some disbelief. They were sunbathing on a flat rock, over looking the aptly named Mermaids lagoon. Peter was lying flat on his back, gazing at the clouds above but Wendy was on her feet, looking in every direction.

"These ones are. They're man eaters."

"They are not!" she said, appalled as Peter sat up.

"Why do you think they pull sailors into the sea?"

Wendy shivered in disgust, very disappointed and Peter pulled her down to sit next to him. He seemed deeply amused by her revulsion.

"Sorry to be the bearer of bad news," he said solemnly but was anything but.

"No, it's all right. I guess I was silly to think that everything would be like in a storybook...but I'd still like to see one, for all that." Even if they were an abomination she would never forgive herself if she went home without at least seeing one with her own eyes.

"At a safe distance," he said and eyed her as she rotated her shoulders with a wince. The cut had healed but now there was a huge purple bruise that bloomed over her shoulder. On her night gown were brown blood stains and she worried over it.

"Nana will be displeased."

"Nana?"

"Our nurse. She's a dog, we couldn't afford a proper nurse you see" she explained seriously and he laughed. Her eyes twinkled mischievously.

"I see. Well here you can just wish away the stain and the bruise. Close your eyes and believe that it's gone," he said encouragingly and she did as she was told.

"Mind over matter," she whispered and then opened her eyes. The blood was gone and so was the bruise, though she could feel a very faint throb. Close enough.

"Good job! Do you have a cat for a maid too?"

Wendy laughed. "No, Liza's just your regular human I'm afraid. I have two brothers: Michael, the youngest and John, the middle child. And then there's Baelfire," she said, realising with a stab of guilt that she had not really thought of her brothers or Bae since she came to Neverland.

"Baelfire?" he said with a light frown. "What an unusual name."

"Yes I thought so too but he's wonderful! He's like you!" She said excitedly.

"Like me?" he said with unmistakable incredulity.

"Well, not exactly like you but he's from another world!"

"Really?" he said, cocking his head in interest.

"He comes from a land with magic, though he does not share our appreciation for it. He blames it for the destruction of his family," she said but then felt guilty again. She should not be telling a stranger another's personal plights but she felt that Peter would be sympathetic.

"Well they do say magic comes with a price. I'd like to meet him, this Baelfire and show him that magic is not all bad. Your brothers to."

"Do you promise? I know John and Michael would be absolutely over the moon if they could come!" She grinned, imagining them all together.

"I promise and I never break a promise," he said firmly. "But not until you've had the full experience yourself. Sometimes it's nice to get away from family."

She could not argue with that. As a girl approaching womanhood she had to admit that sharing the nursery with her brothers was getting on her nerves a bit. Not for the first time she wished that she had a sister. Wendy stared back at the jungle thoughtfully.

"Peter why are there no Lost Girls?"

"Oh girls are far too smart to get lost," he said smartly but then sighed, shrugging. "Truth is I hardly ever bring girls here."

She straightened, affronted. "Why?"

"Nothing personal," he said quickly. "The real reason..." Peter gazed at her deeply and she stopped breathing. He seemed to be debilitating about what to say until finally he spoke again. "Magic is dying Wendy, not just here but everywhere."

"What? That's terrible," she put a shocked hand over her mouth. He nodded grimly.

"Your world had magic once but it died out."

"I knew it!" she said passionately, hitting her knee which made him smile. He leaned in closer, voice low and she hung on every word.

"There was prophecy about a boy who would restore magic. A boy with the heart of the truest believer. I've been searching for him," his voice became oddly hollow and she wondered why.

"You've had no luck?"

"No but I'm...optimistic," he answered cagily. "So that's why I only have Lost Boys and no girls."

"But that doesn't explain why I'm here," she said, getting carefully to her feet.

"Because you wanted to be. You got me in a weak moment but I admit it's nice not to be burdened with the search for that boy, at least for awhile."

Wendy smiled down at him, pleased and not a little smug that she was the only one. She looked out to sea and squinted, shielding her eyes with a hand. The light was growing brighter and on the horizon she could make out a shape.

"Is that a ship?"

"Looks like it. Hook has returned," he said with a bored sigh.

"He's a pirate?"

"The captain of the Jolly Roger," Peter said and laid down, utterly unconcerned. Not wanting to be the only who was worried she sat and paddled her feet in the water, resting on her back. The lapping of the water against the rock was soothing, as was the sound of his breathing and soon her eyelids grew heavy. The waves tugged on the hem of her gown rhythmically and it was only when she felt something cold tickling her feet did she realise that she was sliding very slowly into the water. Suddenly hands wrapped themselves around her ankles and yanked her down.

"Peter!"

He moved so quickly that she didn't even see him sit up, let alone draw his knife. One moment he was beside her and the next he was roughly pulling a mermaid out of the water by her hair. The tip of his sharp weapon was at the mermaid's throat, who was baring her teeth at him.

"Let her go or I'll cut your throat," he warned darkly and the mermaid hissed but let go. Wendy scrabbled up the rock and got shakily to her feet. Peter was still holding the mermaid by the hair, dagger pressed against her skin.

"Peter..."

"Don't worry Wendy. You must be new here," he addressed the mermaid who did not look like the devil creature that wanted to eat her but a scared young girl. "So I won't punish you but just so we're clear if you touch anyone on this island again I will gut you," he said with the utmost politeness and released her.

The mermaid gave them one sharp look of terror and then disappeared with a splash. Peter stood with a contended sigh and sheathed his dagger. Wendy stood awkwardly, not knowing what to say or think. Seeing her conflict he came to her, smiling softly.

"Sorry about that. I'm very clear about my rules and she obviously missed the decree. Now she won't come within a hundred feet of Neverland," he said and jumped down onto the sand, offering a hand to help her off the rock. Wendy stared down at him.

"But you wouldn't have really hurt her, would you?"

"Would you hurt something that wanted to kill one of your brothers, given the chance?"

Wendy remained silent, knowing that she would have done much more than just point a knife at someone if they threatened her family. She took his hand and jumped down onto the beach.

"But it's still all make believe, isn't it? It's still a game?"

"Everything's a game Wendy!" he said with a beaming smile and she felt a little better. If she was to go near the water she would have to learn how to swim and told Peter, who agreed. As they made their way back into the jungle he stopped and offered something to her.

"What is it?"

"It came away in my hand. Here, have it, it's the least she could do."

It was a beautiful pearl encrusted comb, made with some kind of ivory but somehow she doubted it was that. She took it and felt something inflate inside her, something that she had not felt before. A boy had never given her a gift, only her brothers had ever done that. She took it as a sign because what else could it be? If a man gives a woman a gift and neither are attached then that is taken as a sign of interest and maybe even something more. Wendy, with her romantic heart, placed the comb carefully into her hair and curtsied in thanks.

"Oh, you're welcome," Peter said in return and bowed. Staring at the ground Wendy did not see the look of confusion on his face but noticed his frequent glances at her on the way back and stored them away to inspect later.

Her secret sense of superiority in her lone gender was dashed when she was told that she was not the only girl on the island.

"Tinkerbell," Peter said as he lead her into a different part of the jungle. "She's a fairy."

Wendy stopped dead in her tracks. "A fairy? A real fairy?"

"Yes, well as close to it. She's come down in the world you see," he said with mock pity but Wendy was positively quivering with excitement. "That's who I'm taking you to," he explained and she almost burst. Dancing on the spot she laughed rapturously and he grinned.

"Not to bring you down but you might want to put your expectations a touch lower," he said, placing a hand by his knee. Wendy waved a dismissive hand, far too happy to think that Tinkerbell could be anything less than wonderful. As a young girl she had been obsessed with all things fey and so nothing he could say would disarm her.

"She can't be worse than mermaids, surely!"

"Well..."

He stopped beneath a vastly tall tree and and pulled a cord which lead up to a small tree house far above. There was no answer and Peter shrugged, grabbing a rung of the ladder.

"She might be asleep,"

"Should we wake her?"

"Yes, she's terribly lazy and spends most of her days wallowing in self pity. Visiting her may do her a world of good," he said and began to climb. Wendy looked up, envying the easy way he ascended and wished that she had such stamina. There was not much call for rope climbing at Roedean Girl's School.

"But I do excel at sewing. Maybe I could stitch myself a pair of wings and fly," she gritted to herself, reaching for the next rung. Peter was waiting for her, hanging lazily by one hand. Though it would be gallant for him to lend a hand she would never accept. Like all girls who have only brothers she was determined to make it on her own. So with much wheezing and pain she finally made it to Peter, who was trying not to laugh.

"Not a word," she warned, knowing that her face must be very flushed.

"I said nothing. Come on, lets wake your first fairy," he rapped his knuckles on the bottom on the trap door but didn't wait for an invite. He climbed in and Wendy followed.

The tree house was small and sparse but for some reason there seemed to be a collection of pans and kettles in different stages of repair. Through a small, lopsided window was a view that took Wendy's breath away but she only had eyes for the slight figure lying sprawled in a hammock.

Tinkerbell was not a girl, she was woman and at that moment was she snoring very softly. She had an arm flung over her eyes so most of her face was hidden but Wendy could see she was beautiful. She narrowed her eyes and bent down slightly, looking for wings.

"If you want a kettle take one," said a sleepy voice and Wendy straightened. Tinkerbell was awake and looking at them grumpily, though she did look shocked to see Wendy.

"Tink mends the pots and pans," Peter explained quietly as Tink swung down from her bed and went to the window. Her back was wingless. Wendy stared at Peter incredulously.

"Are you sure you have the right tree?" she asked very quietly.

"I'm the only fairy on the island and no I don't have wings. Anything else you'd like to know?" Tink asked, turning to her. Her face was sharp and Wendy felt ashamed.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean any offence," she stumbled. Peter waved a hand.

"You can't blame her for being disappointed Tink, though I did warn her. She's a disgraced fairy, she was banished and ended up here," he said with a little to much relish. Tink glared at him and he laughed.

"Don't be rude Peter," Wendy said through her teeth and he threw his hands up. For all his politeness he could be equally tactless. He was a boy after all.

"Tell you what, so as not to cause any more offence I'll leave you two to get to know each other. I'll be back soon," he said to Wendy and then disappeared down the trap door before she could say anything.

Wendy smiled at Tinkerbell awkwardly while the fairy went about her business as if she was not there. Wendy stood against a wall and while Tink did not look at Wendy her face became increasingly angry until she suddenly turned to her.

"Why are you here?"

"Forgive me, I didn't mean to intrude! Peter knew how much I wanted to see a fairy and well..." she trailed off lamely.

"I'm not something to be ogled at," Tink said but her anger seemed to fade slightly.

"I know! I really am sorry. I was terribly excited to meet you, I still am" Wendy said happily and Tink hesitated.

"Yeah?"

"Of course! In my world there are no fairies, not any more. So it's a great pleasure to meet you Tinkerbell."

Maybe she had forgotten what being appreciated felt like or maybe she had never been revered even with her wings but Wendy's simple and honest delight touched the gloomy fairy more then she could say. She came forward and waved the kettle gently at her.

"Would you like some tea Wendy?"

Over steaming mugs of sweet, green tea Wendy told Tink of her life in London and how she came to be in Neverland. For her part Tink mentioned a little of her past but it was obviously something that still caused her great pain. Wendy felt angry at herself for being disappointed with such a pitiful creature. However every time Wendy mentioned Peter something dark came into the fairy's eyes, offset by Wendy's words of fondness. Finally she could not ignore the look of worry.

"What is it?"

"Be careful where he's concerned Wendy. He's not all he appears to be," she said weakly and Wendy nodded.

"I know, I never imagined that I'd meet someone like him," she lost focus, a soft smile playing over her lips. Tink stared at her sadly.

"Just please be careful," she repeated.

"Be careful of what?"

"Your heart."

Wendy blinked at her and in that moment she did not see a fairy in front of her but an adult. This place was not to be filled with worries or warnings, she would not hear of it and offered Tink a sharp, bright smile.

"You're very dramatic, aren't you?"

"All fairies are. And well, it's not every day I get to talk to another woman. Boys are such silly beasts," Tink said with a grimace and Wendy laughed. At least she could agree with that.

a.n:

I feel that I have to give Wendy some "good" times before it all goes to pot. I could go on and on but I need to get on with the next chapter. Thanks again for reading and reviewing, it's greatly appreciated!