"And you had no idea?" Wendy asked at the end of Nick's tale.
"Nope. Not until Smee brought me the ship."
"I hope this doesn't offend you, but you seem nothing like your father."
"I take that as a compliment," Nick replied, as he walked her down the gangway and towards the forest. "He had a rough childhood, but that was no excuse. As a boy I knew that there was something dark about my father, but didn't know the extent. I've never wanted to be like him. That's why I repainted the ship. I didn't want it associated with the horrible things my father did." Nick paused. "Smee and the crew members I adopted are good men. They believe, like I do, that piracy is not the only way to make a living as sailors. I trade goods myself and will sometimes work for countries to help protect their trade ships. The traveling is my adventure," he said with a smile.
Wendy returned the smile. "Thank you for walking me back. I truly do hope to see you in London."
"I would like that very much," Nick said, again drawing her hand to his lips for a kiss. He was letting go of her hand when Wendy felt herself being propelled backwards. Something had her. Peter, she realized.
"What?!" she exclaimed as Peter set her on her feet and immediately turned, knife raised towards Nick.
But Nick was on the move to. When he saw what was happening, he drew his sword and advanced. He halted when the offending stranger turned. "Leave her alone," Nick growled.
"I was about to say the same thing to you," Peter retorted, menacingly.
"You must be Peter Pan," Nick drawled. "You're awfully old for the boy who never grew up."
"And you're awfully…"
"STOP!" Wendy yelled from behind Peter. "Peter, what on Earth is the matter?"
"This man is Hook's son," he hissed, his eyes never leaving Nick.
Wendy grabbed his arm and tried to turn him. "I know."
"What?" Peter asked, finally breaking his gaze to turn and look at Wendy. "You know?"
"He told me," she said, looking at Nick. "He's not like his father, Peter."
"Lies!" Peter cried. "You don't know him."
Wendy pulled out of Peter's grasp. "Stop telling me what I do and don't know. I can make my own conclusions and my own decisions. I'd like to go home now."
"I can take you, if you like," Nick said smugly, seeing the expression on Peter's face at his words.
She walked the few feet back to Nick, took his hand, and squeezed it. "Thank you for your offer, but I'll be alright. I'm sorry about my friend. I really do hope to see you in London."
"What? No!" Peter cried.
"Peter it's not your decision. Good bye, Nick." And with that, Wendy turned and headed towards Peter's home.
"I don't trust you," Peter spit out. "Stay away from her."
"No." Nick replied. "She wants to see me, and I want to see her. Besides, there's nothing you can do. You're the boy who will never grow up. Wendy wants to grow up. You can give her nothing, while I, on the other hand, want the same things that she does. Give up, Pan. You can't control her."
Peter howled in rage, not wanting to face the truth in the words.
Nick shook his head and sauntered back to his ship.
Peter could hear Nick's words as he crossed the gangway: "Mister Smee, when the crew returns tell them to ready the ship. We hoist anchor at dawn." At this, Peter turned and flew through the forest to catch up with Wendy.