A/N: I took the advice of my dear friend, Folk, and tweaked this chapter and am reposting it as chapter 1. If you've been following this story at all, this is what used to be chapter 3. I've got a next chapter all written (would have been 4) but now I have to rework it, too. But maybe it won't take too long to get that done. Sorry if you've already read this. There isn't much new from the old chapter 3, just the opening.

Jingle Bell

Chapter 1

I should have run when I had the chance. But how could I have known in advance the consequences for my actions? It all began one bright and lovely spring-like day. But bright and lovely were soon to turn to dark and lonely.

If any one person could be blamed for what happened, it would have to be Peter himself.

For Tink's part in this my downfall, I forgive her. She is my sister, after all, and she always was one to act first and think second. Tink it was who made the accusation that saw me banished from fairydom. And in her defense, she acted upon what she believed to be the truth. But "what was" and "what appeared to be" were two different things...

We paced together, Captain Hook and I. He on the floor and I on his shoulder. Had I been more attentive I might have seen that he watched me with a certain gleam in his eyes that, only when it was too late would I recall and understand.

"What to do. Oh what to do." He shook his head and let out a loud, dramatic sigh. "Tell me, little one. What has that obnoxious Pan done to merit your wrath?"

"What has he done?" I exploded in a cloud of fairy dust and stamped my feet angrily. "What has he done? If he hadn't been so–if he had only–if he–I wouldn't–" I wouldn't be here. My anger drained so suddenly it made me weak. I toppled to the side, falling off of Hook's shoulder. His hand flashed out, catching me before I hit the floor.

"There, there, my dear Jinny. Don't get yourself so worked up." With the gentleness of a father with a newborn, he carried me to the table and set me safely down. "You could seriously hurt yourself and we don't want that, now do we?"

"N-no. Of course not." For about two seconds my being was devoid of any emotion. Then fear began to overtake me. Not for my well being, at least not my physical well being. But my mental and emotional well being. How could it be that I suddenly found myself pleased with Peter? If not for his stubborn pride, I would not be here...with this fascinating pirate captain. No, no. This was just not right. I reminded myself he was an evil man. I should not want to be here.

"Is something wrong?" Hook's voice slid into my thoughts, pulling me from them. I looked up and found his face twisted into an expression of acute concern.

"Wrong?" I asked, for there was nothing better that came to my mind as a response.

"You look quite agitated, my dear. Is there anything I can do to help you?"

With a heavy sigh, I nodded. "Yes, you can let me go. I can't stay here."

Sympathy washed over his features. "Oh, I am so sorry, my dear. But you see, I can't do that." A small smile lifted the corners of his mouth. "I really despise using people. Or even...fairies." He drooped his shoulders to give emphasis to his words. "You must believe me. But if I simply let you go, there is no telling when Pan will come back this way." He rested his face on his hands, just inches from me. "As long as you are here, I am sure he will return in an attempt to rescue you."

"Oh but if I leave, you can follow me to where he stays." It seemed logical and innocent at the time it came out of my mouth. Honest. Oh, I know. You're probably shaking your head thinking, what a traitorous creature I had turned into. I didn't mean to be a traitor. Truly. My mind was so confused. The silky voice and mesmerizing eyes of Captain Hook just turned my rational capacity to mush. But in my defense, as soon as the words reached my ears, I realized what a mistake I had made. "Oh yes, I do see your point, though." I bumbled on, trying to fix the mess. "If I were to go free, you would have to leave the comfort and safety of your ship. It would be much easier for you if Peter came here. Yes sir, makes so much more sense." I grinned, hoping I looked convincing, and marched over to a metal birdcage which had been my prison only minutes before. "If you don't mind getting me something to use as a blanket, I'll just make myself comfortable right in here."

"Now, now, little one." Hook placed his hand in front of the cage door. "Not so fast. You had a brilliant idea. So brilliant I wish I'd thought of it myself."

Dread, this time not for myself, finally whipped my brain mush back into shape again. The man was manipulating me! The soft voice, the kindness, the sympathy...he didn't care about me or my feelings. Anger consumed me. I'd just show him, I would. I'd have him traipsing all over Neverland before I'd lead him to Peter...and possibly to Tinkerbell. As much as I wished at times that Peter would just GROW UP, I didn't wish any harm to come to him. But mostly I was angry at the way that man had tried to play me. And he'd almost succeeded.

I was about to throw one of my fairy fits, when common sense took over. No fits of rage would be beneficial to me or my predicament. For once in my life I would have to contain my emotions and pretend to stay calm.

"You think I had a good idea?" I ventured to speak, afraid my voice would come out small and shaky. Well, smaller than usual anyway.

"My dear Jinny, did I not say it was brilliant?"

"Yes, Captain. You did." I plopped down and sat cross-legged in front of him. "So what do you suppose we should do?"

An evil smile snaked across his lips and he sat back, rubbing his hands together. "I thought you'd never ask."

And so, that was how I found myself setting out at night, a band of pirates following me to find Peter's hideout. I suppose the brutish captain believed he had pulled the wool over my eyes. But I was deep in thought, trying to figure out how I would get them off my trail once we'd gotten deep enough into the forest that I could lose them. Hook did not seem the type to give up easily, and once he'd realized my intent, he would probably lose the suave civility. What would he do to me if he caught me?

I pushed those thoughts from my mind and worked hard to find a way out. And so caught up in that line of thinking was I, that I ended up leading them right to Peter's hideaway. I saw the trees and panicked. But as they looked like all the others, I hoped no one, Hook in particular, would see anything amiss. I know it was a risky thing to do, but I stopped right on top of one of the lost boys' bushes.

"I need a little rest. Why Peter has to live so far into the woods, I'll never know!" I panted, and made quite a show of slumping down on a branch.

"She's stalling."

"I say we shake her out of the bush."

"Maybe give her a good fairy whipping to teach her not to stop."

Several of the men grumbled and looked at me with blood-lust in their eyes. Without a word, Hook turned and quieted them. Only when all was silent again except for the sounds of the forest, did he speak.

"Jinny is one of us, now. And she will be treated with respect and kindness." He paused just for a second. "Is that clear? No one is to mess with our own fairy pirate." And then he turned that hypnotizing smile on me. "Take your time, little one. No one is in all that great of a hurry."

"Thank you, Captain."

And, alas, it was at just that moment I heard the one sound I wished most NOT to hear. Like the tinkling of a little bell...wild, fun...a sound that only another fairy could make or hear, and which meant Tink was near. With an exaggerated yawn I stood and stretched.

"So I guess we better be on our way now," I said as loudly as I could manage. I looked about me as best I could without drawing suspicion. And then I saw her. She stood behind two leaves watching us. Her eyes were wide, a little with fear, but mostly with surprise. I flew into the air and did a little pirouette–a message Tink would certainly understand. It had been our secret code as very young fairies, that danger was near. But when I looked again to where she stood, only anger remained in her expression. Before I could say or do anything more, she backed away and flew off.

"Very well, let us keep moving." Hook's voice made me jump.

"It's not all that much farther," I said, and rushed forward. At any moment Peter of even one of the boys could come out to see what all the noise was about. I had to get Hook away from there as quickly as possible.

Morning had dawned and I still had no idea what to do with the band of pirates following me. Hook no longer gazed at me with a benevolent expression, either. I made the mistake of stopping to look about, as if I were lost. And that's when the good (or maybe I should say, bad) captain chose to show his true character.