A/N: Thanks so much to everyone who has reviewed so far. :) And sorry this chapter has taken so long for me to get up. I was having troubles with my computer and internet, but they are fixed now. Hope you guys like this chapter!

Chapter 4

"Peter! Peter wait!" Wendy called after him, but it was too late. Peter had already flown out the window and she was pretty sure she'd never see him again.

As soon as he was gone Wendy had the sinking feeling that she had made a terrible mistake. Her mind was telling her she had done the right thing, but her heart was telling her that she belonged with Peter. She shook her head and flung herself on the bed. Tears spilled down her cheeks and sobs racked her body as she sunk deep into despair. The loss she felt was almost too much to bear. He was gone. The love of her life was gone and was never coming back and she had been the one that had pushed him away. The look on his face before he had left broke her heart. She had never seen anyone look so hurt and it was all her fault.

She swiped roughly at the tears with the back of her hand, her engagement ring scratching her cheek in the process. The salty tears on her face made the scratch sting terribly and she angrily took off the ring and threw it at the wall, then buried her face in the pillows and began sobbing again.

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Hook peered through the window at the beautiful girl that was sobbing hysterically into her pillow. He had arrived only a few minutes after Pan had, and had tucked himself away in the bushes and shadows of the Darling house and watched the whole scene play out before him.

Hook had gasped as he caught site of the girl in the room. He'd recognized her immediately. It was Wendy, the girl Peter had brought to Neverland years ago. Hook had thought her pretty as a child, but now... as a woman, she was absolutely exquisite. Jealousy had flared through him as he'd watched Peter take her in his arms and kiss her. He felt the same way he had all those years ago when he had witnessed them dancing. Why should Peter have everything and him nothing? But Peter didn't have everything. The girl belonged to someone else, she had a beau. Hook had grinned wickedly as he watched Peter seethe with jealousy as he comprehended the girls words, and he'd barely had time to duck beneath the bushes as Peter dashed out the window.

Now, as he sat at the window considering his options, a plan formed in his head. He stood up impulsively and straitened his clothes and hair, then hoisted himself through the window. The girl was crying so hard that she didn't even notice him enter. He carefully walked over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. Wendy startled and her head flew up to look at him, when she realized who it was she gasped in terror and hurriedly scooted away from him, her eyes darting wildly around the room as if looking for a way to escape.

"Now, now my dear. Don't be frightened! I'm not going to hurt you," he said in a smooth reassuring voice as he painted a gentle smile of his face.

"C-Captain Hook? Wha- what are you doing here?" she demanded, still looking terrified.

"Well now, that's a long story. Do you mind if I sit down to tell you?" he asked, gesturing towards the bed. Wendy nodded uncertainly and Hook sat down next to her. He paused and considered for a moment how to approach this. The girl obviously didn't trust him and he knew she wouldn't be stupid enough to believe that he actually cared for Pan. In the end he decided to tell her the truth, well mostly the truth. He explained to her how his men were becoming bored because Peter was no longer around to fight with them. He told of the capture and questioning of one of the Lost Boys, and how they decided to follow Pan here tonight to see what he was up to.

Wendy stared at him suspiciously after she had heard his tale. "That still doesn't explain why you're here in my room. What do you want from me?"

Hook grinned. "My dear lady," he said smiling warmly at her. "I think it should be quite obvious. You saw the way Peter stormed out of here! From the look on his face, I daresay that you hurt him quite badly," he said in a gentle tone, softening the bluntness of his words. "There is no way that he will be in the mood for a battle any time soon. And as I said before, my men need a battle to keep the morale up." He watched the girl intently for her response, hoping he hadn't gone too far.

Wendy looked away guiltily at his words. She thought again about the look on Peter's face right before he had left. She had hurt him badly, and she wished with all her heart that she could take back what she had done. A tear trickled down her cheek but she quickly wiped it away and she looked up at Hook with a sudden determination in her eyes. "So what are you proposing I do?" she asked him.

Hook smiled. Her response to his words was exactly what he'd hoped for. "Come with me to Neverland. I'll pretend to hold you captive on the Jolly Roger and Peter will have to come rescue you. That way, my men will get their battle, and you'll get Peter."

Wendy considered his words carefully. Could it really be that easy? Could she just leave her life here behind and go to Neverland to be with Peter? She didn't know, but at the moment she didn't really care. The thought of never seeing Peter again was too awful to bear. "Okay," she said abruptly. "I'll go. But on one condition, you have to promise that you won't hurt him in the battle!"

Hook nodded. "It's a deal. I won't hurt him, you have my word, and Captain Hook never goes back on his word," he said and stood up, extending his hand out to her. She cautiously put her hand in his, wondering if she was crazy for trusting this man, but she knew she really didn't have a choice. It was either this or never seeing Peter again.

"Wait! I should grab a few things before I go!" she said, hastily grabbing a suitcase and stuffing some dresses and nightgowns into it. She also grabbed her comb, a hand mirror, and her favorite perfume. When she was satisfied that she had gathered all that she would need, she joined Hook at the window.

"Okay, I'm ready," she said and placed her hand through Captain Hook's arm, and without a backward glance, she let him lead her out the window.

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Peter stomped through the forest, swinging his sword as he went and cutting any wayward plants out of his path. He had been walking around all morning taking his anger and frustration out on the foliage of the Neverland forest. After he'd arrived home last night he'd went to his room and banned the Lost Boys from entering. As soon as he was alone, the tears that he'd held in during the long flight home finally spilled onto his cheeks. He wiped angrily at them, feeling weak for crying, but he couldn't stop them. He'd spent the rest of the night lying in his bed tossing and turning and trying not to think of Wendy, which had been impossible to do. So, early this morning he'd gotten up and decided to take a walk, hoping it would help clear his head, but so far all it had resulted in was him cutting up the forest.

He sighed and put his sword away and looked around himself in disgust, then paused and frowned. Was it just his imagination or did the trees and plants of the forest look thicker and greener than usual? He glanced up at the sky, it seemed bluer than usual. He shook his head and walked slowly through the forest now, taking everything in. It was odd that Neverland was looking more beautiful than ever when his mood was so sour. He walked on, his frown deepening further, then stopped suddenly in his tracks. In front of him were blooming the most beautiful flowers he had ever seen. They were huge and exotic-looking, about the size of his head or larger, and they were a deep turquoise blue in color. He reached out a hand and touched their silky smooth petals then bent down and inhaled their sweet fragrance. The flower looked familiar and as he examined it he realized he'd seen it once before, but it had been years ago. He shrugged, must be really rare, he thought to himself and continued walking, making a mental note of the location of the flowers. He walked a few more feet into the forest and then stopped again, to his amazement he saw more of the same flowers growing in this area! He stooped to examine them his frown deepening. He was sure he had been in this part of the forest before and he'd never seen them here.

"Beautiful, aren't they?" asked a voice behind him, and he quickly spun around, pulling out his sword in the process and pointing in towards the person who had spoken.

"Oh," he said when he saw that it was Tiger Lily. The Indian Princess stood with her hands on her hips in front of him, giving him a stern look for having brandished his sword at her. "Sorry," he said as he put his sword away. "I didn't know it was you! You startled me!" He shook his head, he didn't know how the Indians were able to be so quiet while walking through the thick forest, but they always managed to sneak up on him without making a sound.

Tiger Lily rolled her eyes at him and smiled. "What were you doing? I could hear you a mile away stomping around and cutting up the plants!" she said peering at him closely. "You seem angry, or sad... or maybe both. Is there anything wrong?"

Peter shrugged. "I'm fine. It's nothing," he said uncomfortably. Tiger Lily gave him a skeptical look but didn't push the subject any further.

"The flowers are beautiful, aren't they?" she said, changing the subject and repeating her initial question.

"Yes, they are! I haven't seen a flower like this in a long time! There was another group of them blooming back there. Have you seen them before?"

"Yes, I saw a bunch of them over there," she said gesturing to her right.

"Really?" asked Peter in amazement. He wondered why these flowers were suddenly popping up all over the forest. "Have you seen them before today?"

The Indian girl shook her head. "No, I don't think so," she said moving closer to Peter to examine them with him. Peter picked one and peered at it curiously, he ran his finger along the yellow stamen and sniffed at the pollen that came off onto his fingers. He was so intent on examining the flower that he jumped in surprise as Tiger Lily's hands encircled his as she bent down to smell the flower. Peter tried to pull his hands away from her but she just tightened her grip and smiled coyly at him.

He gulped and forced a tight-lipped smile back at her. Unfortunately this was all the encouragement that Tiger Lily needed. Before he really knew what was happening she had pushed him up against a nearby tree and forced both of her hands into his, causing him to drop the flower onto the ground. She let go of his hands and pressed her body firmly against his. His hands encircled her waist of their own will as she pressed her lips against his in a kiss. For a moment Peter was lost in the feeling of her warm body against him and the feel of her lips brushing his. He sighed in pleasure and pulled her closer, but memories of Wendy surged into his mind. He tried to push the thoughts of her away. Why must she always ruin his happiness? he thought angrily. But it was no use, the memories of Wendy were still too fresh in his mind. He couldn't let go of the pleasant memories of the way she felt pressed against his skin, any easier than he could let go of the hurt she had caused him. With a sigh he gently pushed Tiger Lily away and disentangled himself from her embrace.

He opened up his mouth to explain himself to her, but before he could get a word out he heard someone shouting his name.

"Peter!" called the Lost Boy rushing up to him. "I've been looking everywhere for you!" he exclaimed and stopped for a moment, panting as he tried to catch his breath..

"What is it Pip?" Peter asked, unable to conceal the annoyance in his voice.

"Didn't the others tell you? I was captured by Hook!"

Peter's brow furrowed. Last night when he had arrived home he remembered the Lost Boys trying to tell him something of this nature, but he had been too depressed to care. He sighed and stood up tall trying to be the leader the boys expected him to be. "Well, good work on escaping," he said to Pip and patted him on the shoulder. "I shall get the full news on your capture later, but right now I'm kinda busy, so if you don't mind...," he said, gently nudging the boy back down the path.

"No, wait Peter! You have to hear this now! Captain Hook let me go only on the condition that I immediately tell you what he wanted me to!"

Peter suppressed the urge to roll his eyes. He didn't feel up to dealing with Neverland's problems today. "Fine," he said. "But make it quick!"

"Yes, sir!" said Pip, standing up tall and saluting him. "Captain Hook told me to tell you that he has your Wendy and that if you don't come to claim her by sunset, he will kill her," he said, then added curiously, "who's Wendy?"

But Peter just gaped at him, unable to speak. At the mention of Wendy's name all the feelings of hurt, anger, and longing had rushed over him at once.

"Peter!" exclaimed Tiger Lily and shook his arm. Peter shook his head and peered at the Lost Boy.

"Wendy's here? Hook has her? Are you sure?" he demanded, finally finding his voice.

Pip nodded. "Yes sir, I mean, I didn't see her personally, but that is what Hook wanted me to tell you. He followed you to London last night and kidnapped her from there," he added.

Peter looked shocked, but gained control of himself quickly this time. "Okay," he said. "Come on, we've got to gather all the Lost Boys. We will battle the pirates for Wendy!" he declared determinedly and abruptly began walking back down the path towards his Tree House. Tiger Lily and Pip hurried behind him. Peter looked back and cast an apologetic look at Tiger Lily. There was unfinished business with her, but it would have to wait. Rescuing Wendy was the most important thing right now.

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Hook paced the deck before his men, who were lined up in a row in front of him. This plan had better work, he thought to himself, if it does I'll be rid of Pan once and for all.

"Pan will be coming any minute now, I'm sure," he said loudly to the men. "You all know what to do, so don't disappoint me!" he said looking at each of the men as he passed them. They all nodded to him.

"And you," he said, stopping in front of one of the pirates. "You have the most important job of them all. But just remember not to do it until my signal."

The pirate nodded at him."Aye, aye captain," he said and grinned back evilly at Hook.

Hook nodded at him in satisfaction, he had personally chosen this particular pirate to do the job because of his notorious criminal background.

"Okay everyone to your posts!" he commanded and watched as his men scurried at his command.

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Wendy sat in the room that Hook had given to her and looked out the window at the sea. She sighed. Hook had told her that Peter would be there by sunset, but the sun was getting lower and lower on the horizon and he hadn't shown up yet. She was beginning to worry that she had hurt Peter so badly that he no longer cared to rescue her. She wondered what would happen to her if Peter never came. She supposed she'd have to convince Hook to take her back to London and she'd have to marry Gregory. A tear trickled slowly down Wendy's face at that thought. It was a life that she no longer wanted. All she could think of now was Peter and how much she wanted to be with him. She gazed one more time out the window then got up from the chair and paced the room.

She went over to the mirror and looked at her reflection in it. She was wearing a dress that Hook had given to her. It was bright red with black lace trimming and black buttons up the front. The bodice was very tight and the neckline dipped low onto her chest, showing off her bosom. She shook her head at her appearance. She looked like a pirate's whore in this dress, but she had to admit that it did flatter her figure. Hook had insisted she wear it tonight. He said no man would be able to resist a woman in that dress. She wondered briefly where he'd gotten the dress, but she supposed it didn't matter. The pirate captain had been extremely nice to her and it was beginning to make Wendy nervous. She didn't trust him and she knew that men like Hook were never nice to you unless they wanted something from you. She shuddered as she thought of what that something might be, but she didn't have long to think about it because just then she heard a commotion on deck. She raced to the door and opened it and peered out. Hook was already making his way down to her.

"Wendy, he's come! Get up here!" he demanded. Wendy's face lit with a smile of relief as she raced up on deck.

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The Lost Boys were already scrambling up on the deck with their various weapons in hand and beginning to combat the pirates. Peter soared in the air, circling the ship with his sword out, trying to spy either Hook or Wendy. Tiger Lily and a few of the other Indians had also come to their aid and were on deck fighting with their tomahawks. Peter circled around again and swept his gaze over the ship, all of a sudden a girl in a red dress ran up on deck and joined Hook. Wendy. Peter narrowed his eyes as he watched Hook take her arm and lead her over to the foredeck, where he had a good view of the ongoing battle. He kept a tight grip on her arm with his good hand and two other pirates also stood guard beside her.

They're using her to bait me, Peter thought to himself as he swooped down and landed as close as he could to where Hook stood with Wendy. Immediately he was attacked by several pirates. He began to fight his way through them with his sword and soon a few of the Lost Boys and Tiger Lily came to his aid. His sword flashed in the dimming sunlight as he sliced at his foes, many of them were now laying on the decks injured. He glanced at Tiger Lily and the Lost Boys that had been helping him and nodded, signaling for them to continue fighting as he ran up to the foredeck where Wendy stood.

"Hand her over Hook," he said with contempt in his voice as he pointed his sword at the pirate captain. He glanced at Wendy and started a little. Now that he was up close he could see that she was wearing quite a revealing dress. He raised his eyebrows at her and then gave Hook a suspicious glare and stepped closer. Hook quickly pulled out his sword and he and Peter began their battle. Their swords clanked loudly together as they fought, each of them doing fancy moves to show off their fighting skills to their men. The rest of the fighting had ceased now and all eyes were on Peter and Hook. Peter did a somersault in the air and his blade clanked against Hook's again when all of a sudden, with a signal from Hook, a pirate standing behind Peter ran up to him and stabbed him hard in the back.

White hot pain shot through Peter as the sword sliced deeply into his back. The world seemed frozen in time and he collapsed to the ground, as he felt the blood pour out of him. Within moments the world around him faded to black.

"No!" cried Wendy and Tiger Lily and the same time. Both women rushed over to Peter's side as he collapsed onto the ground and lost consciousness. Wendy took Peter's head in her lap and cradled it as tears streamed down her face.

"Why?" she screamed at Hook. "You promised you wouldn't hurt him!"

Hook stood up straight and painted a grieved expression on his face. This was his moment and he'd better make it look good. He took out his gun and immediately shot the pirate that had stabbed Peter. The pirate fell to the ground as blood drenched the decks. Wendy winced and looked away.

"I, my lady, did keep my word. I didn't hurt him he did," he said pointing to the dying pirate. "And I've just punished him for his crime," he said and bent down next to her. "I'm so sorry," he whispered to her as he laid a hand on Peter's arm. He looked into Wendy's eyes and smiled sorrowfully. "He was a good opponent to the very end," he said to her and the others.

Wendy looked at him in disbelief and her eyes flashed with anger. "Get away from him! Don't touch him! He's not... he's not...," she began to sob and couldn't finish her sentence.

Tiger Lily immediately took charge. "He's not dead yet. But we must take him the Medicine man immediately," she commanded the other Indians. They nodded to her and picked Peter up. Wendy ripped off a bit of her gown and held it onto Peter's wound as she followed them. A few of the pirates immediately tried to seize them, but Hook held up his hand.

"No, let them go," he commanded, watching Wendy go. It hadn't gone exactly as planned. The pirate should have killed Peter, but there was still a chance that he might live. He swallowed the anger that was building in him. All is not lost, he reminded himself. I'll just have to find another way. His eyes remained fixed on Wendy as she left the ship.