Hello, I'm back once again! I'm terribly sorry it has been so long, I've been awfully busy, and being a perfectionist doesn't help me. Thank you very much aslansphoniex for your kind words.

Chapter 6 : Pacific Codfish

As they approached the Jolly Roger, Wendy felt Peter tighten his grip on her. It made her feel a flutter inside, the fact he was worried about her. She figured he was also worried about the situation, Hook and Peter were not exactly on the friendliest terms.

As they soared overhead the ship, a view of the Jolly Roger's pirate crew could be seen. They were doing normal pirate stuff, playing games, singing sea shanties, and teasing Mr Smee. At the crow's nest, Wendy spotted Hook, unmistakable with his bright red coat. And with all the extravagance of a captain. He was talking with the new lookout (after having shot the old one), and he seemed very serious, looking through a golden telescope. Wendy shivered.

Wendy was scared of Hook. Terrified to be more exact. It was a fear she had since her first encounter with him. In her stories of course, the more evil and frightening he was, the better the story. Wendy learned really quickly that that didn't translate to real life. He was capable of killing, plotting elaborate schemes, and going after children. Of course, he was also a comical sort of person, but when he got angry, it was for real. Her fear of him grew when he made her walk the plank. Wendy had stood her ground and had tried to act as defiantly as possible, but she knew that Hook was going to kill her without a second glance. She knew he could at any time. And it scared her.

Of course, their many adventures in Neverland since had featured Hook quite a bit. Wendy had begun to understand that it really was a game. Everyone in Neverland had a childish spirit. Even Hook himself had a childish spirit, chasing Peter and the Lost Boys about. It was indeed a game.

But it also got serious sometimes as well.

Knowing that information, however, didn't help calm Wendy's nerves. Peter was always there for her, and he always ensured her safety. Wendy knew she shouldn't be scared.

But she still was.

"Calm down, Wendy," Peter said as he flew her higher when she began to waver in flight. "You're doing great; I won't let him touch you."

Wendy squeezed his hand as they landed on the deck.

It should've caused a commotion, but it didn't. The pirates noticed, rolled their eyes as if to say "Here we go again" and they carried on messing about.

There was one person who did cause quite a commotion.

Captain James Hook dramatically climbed down from the crow's neck, swishing about his pirate ensemble. He shouted things such as "WELL DONT JUST STAND THERE YOU SCURVY BRATS DO ME A FAVOR AND MAKE YOURSELVES USEFUL!!!"

The pirate crew couldn't care less and did not move whatsoever, except for Mr Smee who scurried about trying to find something he could do to be "useful."

Peter and Wendy stood in the middle of the ship, Peter with an arm held protectively over Wendy.

Hook slowly walked towards them, the floorboards creeping underneath him. He smiled quite creepily, twirling his mustache with his hook.

"Pan," Hook snarled as he approached them. "The pleasure's all mine." Wendy noticed his hand was on his sword. She tensed.

"Hello, Captain Codfish," said Peter, pulling out his dagger. "We come in peace."

Hook laughed maniacally, "You have better. Especially after I saved your girl."

Wendy noticed a slight blush creeping up Peter's cheeks. Her heart soared. He was blushing again! Wendy's heart felt so full it might burst!

Hook caught her celebratory mood. "Anything you you'd like to add, Miss Darling?"

Wendy stopped. Then, very boldly, she lifted her chin and asked, "Yes, sir. I was wondering as to why you saved me?"

"Tut tut Miss Darling." Hook said. "Isn't that a bit too strong?"

"Not really," Wendy said. "Not in the slightest. And we've got plenty of things we want to discuss with you. Important things."

Hook grinned wickedly, "Lovely. For I have things to discuss with you as well." Hook beckoned for them to follow him. "Follow me."

Peter hesitated, for Hook was heading towards the cabins, and that was not a territory Peter knew very well. Wendy knew the dungeon somewhat well, due to past adventures, remembering mostly it was not a pleasant place to be in.

Wendy squeezed his arm, and Peter stepped forward.

As Peter and Wendy began to follow him, the pirates glared at the duo. They were not fond of Wendy and Peter; Peter being the reason they weren't pirating about anymore, and instead were chasing him across the blasted island. And Wendy being friends with Peter was bad enough for them.

They followed Hook down a flight of stairs that led them to the bottom part of the ship where the cabins were located. The door at the very end of the hallway was by far the most extravagant one. Huge gold letters with jewels spelled Captain James Hook. Hook made a big deal of getting out a golden key to open to door, incidentally brushing his fingers against the golden lettering.

He then opened the door to reveal his quarters.

Wendy had been in them once or twice before, always finding there was a plenitude of things to pay attention to and spot.

Inside was a piano, piles of loot, and bottles of drinks, the captain's stash. Leaning against the piano, Smee looked quite drunk as he sucked on a bottle of rum.

Hook smirked at Peter. "What sort of decor do you have at your quarters? Certainly being the leader of a band of ragamuffins, must mean you've got a special place to show your astonishing leadership."

"Well that Captain Codfish, I do have." Peter said, "I've got my own quarters, far bigger than what you've got, a hammock, a bear rug, and a throne. Have you got one?"

Hook seemed a bit speechless. Peter smirked, and Wendy giggled behind her hand.

Hook snapped out of his tumor, and growled as he opened

"Have a seat," Hook gestured to a velvet couch. Peter and Wendy sat, Peter, remaining seated stiffly, his arm around Wendy. He was on guard.

Hook sat at the piano and began to play a haunting tune. This went on for a few minutes until Peter very rudely interrupted. "Ya done now?"

Hook frowned, wiping his forehead with his lace handkerchief. "Pan," he growled. "I must warn you not to interrupt me, or I will lose my patience and I will warn you, you may end up being fed to the crocodile."

"Oh no, Captain Codfish," Peter laughed. "That won't be me. It'll be you and soon you'll be begging for mercy from me."

"Pan." Hook growled. "I'm warning you." He would look terrifying to anyone. Anyone but Peter Pan.

"Stop stalling and just talk!" Peter barked. Wendy put her hand on his arm, giving him a calm-down look. Peter slumped backward.

Hook leaned against the piano. "Well, Pan." He scowled at Peter, but his expression immediately changed to friendly and outgoing when he said "Miss Darling," he said, nodding. "I believe we have things to discuss."

Wendy was confused; he was being so calm. She shivered. Something seemed strange. Peter rubbed her arms and she felt her cheeks heat up.

"Ya bet," Peter answered.

Hook walked up and paced around the room as the drunk Smee struggled to get his finger out of the bottle.

"What were you doing at the Pirate Ransom?" Hook asked.

The question caught them both off-guard. Wendy coughed. "Nothing," she replied.

Hook frowned. "It's not nothing if you were on the ship. And lying isn't very becoming now is it Miss Darling?"

Peter growled. "Leave her alone, Hook!"

Hook smiled. "Very well, Pan," he said. "I'll leave Miss Darling alone. But do be polite and indulge me in what has occurred on the ship."

Peter scratched his head. "It's nothing you codfish. It's just haunted."

Hook smiled. "Yes it is," he said. "Go on."

"Wendy and I were investigating," Peter replied truthfully.

"Investigating," Hook said, playing with his cigarette. "Interesting."

"Then a ghost attacked us."

Hook looked at them. "Listen dear children. And listen well," he said. "I'm going to be very practical here. If you know something, tell me."

"Why?" Peter snorted. "Why would we tell a codfish anything?"

"Because the safety of your girl and the rest of the island depends on it," Hook said. "And we are pirates. We can handle a pirate ship."

Wendy cut in. "Then tell us, Captain. Why are you so interested in this ship? And why did you save me?"

Hook laughed, his maniacal laughter filling the room. "Trust me, darling." His blue eyes pierced into Wendy's. "Pirates have strange interests, and they turn out to be rather impactful ones."

Wendy swallowed hard.

"And as for saving you I could simply not allow such a pretty little girl to be hurled away," Hook tapped his fingers on the piano. "Especially when she means so much to dear Pan."

Peter looked ready to cut Hook to pieces, or as Micheal would have said," Cleave him to the brisket!"

Before Peter could do so, the ship jerked, causing the piano (and Smee) to crash into the wall. They all jumped, and in a flash Captain Hook had thrown the door open. Gentleman Johnny ran to Hook and yelled "An earthquake Captain!"

Hook shoved Gentlemen Johnny into the wall, yelling "Fool! We're not on land!" and then he stormed onto the deck. Then he yelled "SMEE!"

Poor Smee hiccupped. "Ye-e-s? Cap'n." He was barely still recovering from the turbulence he and the piano had endured. He managed to get up, but Wendy gasped when his face planted onto the piano.

Hook cursed under his breath. Then he began barking orders to his crew. "Hurry up ya swabs!"

Peter took Wendy's hand. "C'mon. We're leaving." And with a jump, they were off onto the sky.

"Peter…" Wendy couldn't shake the unnerving feeling that Hook had a big connection to this whole mystery.

Peter didn't listen. "Later Wendy." He bobbed and weaved them through the cannons firing the air.

"YA BETTER COME BACK PAN!" Captain Hook yelled after them, like a madman which in truth was what he was. "WE HAVE UNFINISHED BUSINESS."

"Ha ha!" Peter laughed at all his attempted restraint having disappeared in less than a second, "TOO BAD HOOK YA CODFISH!!!

"WE'RE ALREADY GONE AND WE'RE NOT COMING BACK!" Then he whispered-shouted to Wendy over the wind. "Ya know it's strange. He didn't attack or anything, he just talked. It's like he's a Pacific codfish now."

Wendy laughed at the reference. Pacific was a new word in Peter's vocabulary. Wendy remembered the memory quite fondly.

"Oh, boys!" Wendy rushed about trying to keep the Lost Boys in order after a rather important battle with the Indians (apparently). Now they were causing a whole hullabaloo upon returning.

Wendy had been having a rather peaceful afternoon, patching up a few of their damaged clothes while sitting near the fireplace. Tinkerbell had been in her special room, not paying her any mind. They had learned to peacefully co-exist with each other. Wendy still had hope that one day they could be friends.

Now Wendy had to rise to the task at hand. Getting everyone to bed. The quickest way possible with the least injuries and anyone being upset.

But Wendy Darling had trained herself well and knew exactly how it was to be done.

She managed to get all the boys in bed until Nibs needed some water being thirsty, and then all the other boys were thirsty as well, so Peter, who had been sitting peacefully on his thrown playing his panpipes, suggested they go on an adventure to get some water.

And that was very frustrating for Wendy because soon enough all the boys had gone to the river to fetch some water.

"Peter," Wendy said, barely being able to hold her temper in. "Couldn't you for once try and help me get the boys to sleep? Why they were being pacific for once, and then you came in and caused a whole new problem altogether!"

"Nibs was thirsty," Peter shrugged. "Also what does pacific mean?"

Wendy sighed. "I know Peter, but you could've gotten them water instead of sending them all out. And pacific means to be peaceful or calm. Absolute no going crazy, as you tend to be the master of doing."

"Sorry then Wendy," Peter said. "I'll try and help you more with the boys. I'll try and be more pacific as well."

Wendy lifted her chin. "You most certainly should."

Peter smiled from his thrown. "I most certainly will."

Wendy snapped back into reality as the chaos at hand ensued.

The ground itself seemed to be shaking (from their vantage point), as the waves sloshed into the Jolly Roger and the Pirate Ransom. Very strangely, the Jolly Roger was quite shaken up, while the Pirate Ransom stood still as if the water was calm. It was raining dreadfully, thunder once or twice knocking. The island's trees began to fall downward, and then sudden panic surged within Wendy.

"Peter!" Wendy felt tears drop as she realized a horrible possibility. "The boys!"

Peter flew faster.

Although the Lost Boys lived underground, Hangman's Tree was the entrance to their hideout, with many different entrances to be able to enter. Wendy said a quick prayer in her head for her boys, frightened. She was very glad that Micheal and John were safe at home, but the Lost Boys! They were tougher than most children, Wendy knew that. But they were still children.

Peter swooped downward onto the island. "Ya know something, Wendy?" Peter jerked Wendy up before a piece of debris hit her. "Have you got the same feeling that Hook's got something to do with the Pirate Ransom?"

Wendy nodded. "I noticed. We've got to find out what it is."

She wasn't paying much attention to her surroundings, but when she suddenly caught sight of Hangman's Tree, she immediately stopped.

A humongous boulder had crashed into the tree.

My attempt to make a clever joke. Pacific? Codfishes are fish. There are codfish in the Pacific Ocean. Get it?