A/N: Helloo! I really would love to hear your views on this chapter. I've decided to deviate a little from my original plan and this, and the next chapter, are the result of my cruelty! There's a little bit of what you've all been waiting for in this chapter but I wasn't going to let Hook break that easily, or Wendy for that matter, so there's a massive twist thrown in there too. (Don't be too mad at me for it!) So yeah, would love to hear your thoughts, because my lovely reviewers CaptainHooksGirl and Tarah Draconiger are the reason this has been written so quickly, your reviews truly inspire me to keep on writing. Enjoy!

Chapter 8

Not too much later Wendy found herself perched uncomfortably on a rotting, splinter-filled stool, glancing tentatively up at the spindly woman before her with a questionable gaze. Her body was large and bloated and she had both a round belly and a generous bosom, but what surprised, and scared, Wendy the most were her matchstick arms and legs. The way in which the old lady moved her limbs only added to Wendy's perception of her: she was not dissimilar to a spider, particularly in the way her limbs seemed to move as one as she crossed and weaved around the poor girl before her, loose threads trailing behind as if she were crafting a web. Wendy supposed the appearance was somehow attributed to her name, although she had never had the misfortune to meet a black widow spider, she was sure the woman before her resembled one rather well.

The old woman was kind though, if a little creepy. She had banished Hook from the room, much to Wendy's relief, and set to work on her subject almost instantly, muttering stories of her past and combining them with questions for Wendy and observations about her character.

"You seem all too nice to be conversing with pirates, don't you missy?"

Wendy didn't answer for a moment, allowing the question to hang within the cobwebs that adorned the ceiling of the Black Widow's hut. She grimaced as she caught sight of a real spider in one of them, busying itself with some poor defenceless fly that had inadvertently doomed itself by flying into its perilous trap.

"I didn't have much of a choice to be honest. Hook kidnapped me."

The widow opened her mouth as if to speak but then shut it just as speedily, deciding not to get herself too involved as to not be targeted as well.

"You must be a rather special little hostage if the Cap'n's come to me in order to get you new clothes."

"What do you mean?"

The old woman let out a laugh which almost knocked Wendy off her stool. It sounded like a mix between a dog howling and a mermaid crying, and the way her mouth gaped open to reveal her rot encased teeth was enough to make Wendy feel queasy.

"I don't come cheap, missy! These clothes are gonna cost that Cap'n a pretty penny, and he knows it!"

She sat in contemplation as the woman continued to sew and prance about her, obeying mutely as she was instructed to stand and fabric was measured up against her body and pinned against her nightdress. Wendy had to admit, for the aura of insanity that drifted around this woman like the smell of death at a funeral, she was actually rather careful with her sewing and didn't manage to accidentally stab her subject once. Part of her was almost a little sad when the woman finally turned to her, garment in hand and thrust it into Wendy's lap.

"Try it."

She did, and it fitted perfectly. The old woman smiled once more and Wendy returned the gesture meekly. Hook was let back in and the debt was settled, although Wendy did notice that the Captain's hook was looking rather polished and menacing today. She wasn't the only one to notice either, as the Black Widow occasionally shifted her glance down towards the weapon. It was more than apparent that its presence unnerved the woman, however, thankfully, the need for it use did not arise.

"The others'll be ready tomorrow. Get one of your slackers to come and pick them up, you know I can't leave the forest."

Hook nodded quietly and then they had left, leaving the old woman behind to mutter to herself as she continued to sew and craft.

It was around this time that Wendy had begun to notice subtle changes in Hook's demeanour. When he was in a good mood he swung his hook with a certain vigour, as if he wished for it to accidentally claw someone. When his mood decreased however, his entire body tensed, every effort he exerted becoming precise and measured: if he chose to strike, if there was indeed a choice to be made, then he would, and no mortal could stop him. Either way, Wendy summarised as she watched him admire the Jolly Roger for a moment before boarding. Either way, he was a rather lethal man to associate with: friend or foe.

He turned back for a moment, ushering Wendy to follow, fire dancing in his eyes. She hesitantly obeyed, her mind still resting on the clouds far above them. He was different with her though. He wasn't caring, but neither was he dismissive of her, constantly making sure she was by his side. Stumbling up the last few steps of the gangplank, her not yet entirely accustomed to her new boots, Wendy sighed. Hook was an enigma, he had been when she was a child, and he still was now. Some things had certainly not changed.

Not on the surface anyhow.

They reached the deck in silence, the pirates who had not accompanied them on their mini-adventure eyeing Wendy with interest as she made her way past them. For a moment she had the certain urge to smile at them, after all, she looked rather fitting her new dress, especially in the way it clung to her in all the right places. Thankfully, it was just as modest as any other garment she had ever owned, with the linen skirt falling down to her calves. It was the dark leather corset, however, that helped to accentuate Wendy's assets, especially in the way the blouse underneath it was cut off at the shoulder, leaving her neckline and cleavage bare. At first she had detested it, believing it had made her look cheap and improper. But her mind had quickly changed when Hook had gazed upon her for the first time, a look somewhere between surprise and affection hiding in the far recesses of his eyes. For some strange reason, the thought of him liking her appearance had sent a wave of happiness through Wendy's body, and her feelings of discontent at her new attire had disappeared almost instantly. The feelings began to return as the other pirates, less honourable in their intentions, began to divert their gaze onto her, however they were coupled with another: the knowledge of her looking appealing. The thought almost made Wendy giggle, but then she remembered where she was and thankfully, decided against it. She was not going to bait the men before her like some kind of gypsy dancer; she had made the mistake of breaching Hook's protection before, and she didn't intend to do it again.

"Set a course for the Black Castle, and hoist the topsail Smee, I would like to be there before sundown."

"Yes, Cap'n."

Hook's words brought Wendy out of her subconscious in an instant, and she watched on with intrigue as Smee relayed the Captain's orders to the rest of the crew. As he turned to Wendy his lips twitched into a smile, extending his hand so she could take it.

"Come with me."

Wendy remained still, her eyebrows furrowed as a lingering thought brought itself to the front of her mind.

"You didn't answer my question."

For a split second Hook froze, shock lacing his features, but just as fast he relaxed, a soft smirk lingering at the corner of his lips as a witty retort sprang to mind.

"Why, Wendy my dear, you ask so many, it's difficult to keep up!"

"Why are we going to the Black Castle?" Wendy reminded him, her tone hesitant but strong. Hook paused for a moment, as if considering whether to answer her or not. His moustache twitched.

"You will see soon enough."

With that he was gone, his coat fluttering in the mid-afternoon breeze as he made his way towards his cabin. Wendy paused for a moment, digesting his words, before hurrying after him.

"What do you mean by that? Surely it is not too difficult to just tell me?"

Hook didn't answer, although it was clear to see that there was a fury building inside him. Wendy cried persistently, "I demand that you answer me!"

He had turned on his heel before she had any chance to regret her outburst, grabbing her bare shoulders to stop her from slamming into him. He growled threateningly, the slits that were his pupils glaring down at her.

"I am the one who gives the orders around here. Perhaps you should learn some respect before I decide that your presence is no longer needed."

Wendy's heart fell through her stomach, fear flooding her senses. What had just happened?

Hook seemed to read her mind. "You forget, Miss Darling, that you are here by my doing. Just because I am offering you a certain courtesy, do not forget who I am or why you are here."

It was with these words that Wendy's hate for Hook returned. How had she ever softened to her personality? The monster before her had not changed at all; he was merely playing cruel tricks with her mind. He was not worthy of her attention, even if he had saved her life… he was the one who had endangered it in the first place.

The next few hours passed solemnly, Wendy refusing to speak to Hook and Hook, in turn, refusing to speak to Wendy. Smee tried unsuccessfully to lighten the mood, finding excuses to withdraw Hook from his cabin in order to give Wendy some time alone. Each time he returned however, the tension seemed to reach unbearable levels. On the Hook's penultimate return, a mere five minutes passed before Wendy could bare the silence no longer. She stood up, striding over to Hook, who was pretending to work diligently at his desk, and cleared her throat.

"What?" He replied, angrily, hastily scratching out a comment he had written on the corner of his parchment.

"If you are mad with me, then why have you not locked me in the brig again?"

He raised his head but didn't turn to face her. Wendy could imagine a smirk forming at the corner of his mouth.

"If you desire to be locked up, then I will happily oblige."

He began to turn, slowly and painfully. Wendy winced, "No!" After a slight pause, he relaxed once more, returning to his writings.

"I… I just would like to know why I am here. You could catch Peter without my help, you have before and you will once I am gone."

For a moment or two, there was no answer, and Wendy wasn't sure whether he had heard her or not. Then, with a sigh, he rose from his chair, turning to face the woman before him.

"Perhaps you are here for reasons other than the capture of dear old Peter Pan."

The tone of his voice was more than clear; he wanted her to be quiet. However, curiosity had once more filled Wendy's thoughts, and try as she might, she just couldn't put it at bay.

Her voice softened to a whisper. "What do you mean?"

Hook strode away from her and towards the window of his cabin, using his hook to tear open the red velvet curtains and reveal the steady waters of the ocean becoming slowly lost in the darkening sky. He remained there, his back once again addressing Wendy.

"Dying is not in my best interests Wendy, and I would like to think that killing is something I reserve for only my lesser foes."

Wendy's eyebrows rose, her breath catching in her throat as she remembered some of the death's she had witnessed upon her last visit.

"Neverland is ruled by Pan's presence. When he is away the water turns to ice and snow covers the ground, and when he returns Spring breaks and the warmth of the sun returns with him. When he is happy, Neverland is bright. When he grows angry, storms descend upon the sky and wreak havoc on the island, and when he is sad…"

"…it snows."

Hook turned, his eyes catching Wendy's gaze. He nodded.

"Precisely. Without Pan, Neverland would not exist, and neither would its inhabitants."

"Not even you?"

He pursed his lips, the silence confirming his unsaid answer.

"Whilst it is possible to kill Pan, as you have previously discovered, killing either him or me only results in memory loss and a return from limbo. The only way to truly kill Pan would be to die also and I do not intend for that to happen."

Questions flooded Wendy's mind. There was no loophole, no catch to Hook's dilemma, how was he remaining so calm when faced with such an unavoidable fate?

"Why use me to capture Peter when you can't kill him?"

"There are greater ways to destroy a man than killing them."

Wendy froze in her thoughts, not noticing that Hook had begun to approach her. She stuttered, the words in her head refusing to form coherent sentences. When she finally did speak, the words came out no louder than a whisper.

"What are you going to do to him?"

His hand grazed her cheek, making Wendy jump in shock at his presence. She didn't move however, standing strong as Hook's face inched closer to hers. A chuckle escaped his lips.

"First he must remember."

His finger lingered on her cheek, stroking her soft skin.

"I am not a strong enough stimulus, but you, my dead, are just perfect."

She hadn't noticed the tears begin to well in her eyes until one escaped and rolled down her cheek. He caught it without a moment's hesitation, using the cuff of his sleeve to wipe the sadness away. He lifted his hook to her chin, the cool metal sending a shiver down Wendy's spine. The action was not intended to be threatening however, despite the fact that his words were, and indeed Wendy felt a slight touch of comfort as he softly caressed her, his hand moving to stroke her brunette locks.

"And when he has remembered?" Wendy exhaled.

Hook inched his face closer to hers, his lips brushing her forehead, then cheek, and finally her own lips. Slowly his pressed his mouth against hers and, after finding no resistance, Hook strengthened the kiss, his hand delicately holding the back of Wendy's head as his hook rested on her shoulder. Wendy, torn somewhere between needing to break the kiss and run as far away from Hook as possible, and wanting to remain in their embrace forever, eventually gave in, her eyes fluttering shut as she allowed curiosity, and the urge that had slowly been possessing her mind over the last day or so, to take over.

After a moment that Wendy could only describe as 'forever, but still not long enough', Hook broke the embrace, his face hovering in front of Wendy's as he surveyed her expression. She opened her eyes slowly, entranced by what had just happened but acutely aware that his intentions may not have matched hers. They held each other's gaze for a while, until the beginnings of a smirk began to form on Hooks' lips. The smirk widened to a grin as a look of confusion and horror filled Wendy's features.

"When he has remembered, I will destroy his hope."

Wendy sighed, "And how do you intend to do that?"

Silence filled the room as Hook broke away from her, walking briskly towards the cabin door. She turned slowly to watch him, trying to piece the clues together but unable to come to a rational answer to her question. At the door, Hook stopped, pausing momentarily before spinning back to face Wendy, evil lacing his eyes. He smiled.

"Enjoy your stay, Wendy, darling."

With that he left the cabin, the door clicking as he turned the key in the lock, trapping Wendy inside, all alone with only her thoughts for company. It didn't take long for the message to sink in.