Disclaimer: I own Taylor. That's it.
Summary: Based on Romeo and Juliet with a different twist. Hook has a daughter? Where has she been all this time? Why hasn't anyone noticed her? Of course, when Slightly catches sight of her all things change, and they will never be the same again.
A Pair of Star-Cross'd Lovers
Chapter Six
The next morning I awoke later than normal. I was disappointed in myself. Although I had absolutely nothing to do that morning I still enjoyed the feeling of waking up early and living a full day. Of course what surprised me was that none of Father's crew came to wake me. I stood from the bed and went on with my normal routine of washing, dressing and straitening up my cabin.
It wasn't till I was brushing my blonde hair that I remembered my activities from the night before. I watched myself in my small vanity mirror as a smile grew upon my face. My eyes closed and I could almost feel the wind blowing against my face as Slightly flew us higher. The smell of sea water as we skimmed the ocean was on the tip of my nose.
It had been perfect up until the last few rushed minutes. I sighed remembering him leaving. I was just beginning to over-analyze, as I often do, Slightly's rushed departure when the door to my cabin swung open.
"Up and about, Miss! They've arrived!" It was Smee along with another lady. It wasn't until a good ten minutes pasted that I realized who she was. It was the lady from the cage. What in Neverland was she doing here? It wasn't a holiday, and I was almost absolutely positive there wasn't a party scheduled for today. I watched as Smee ran around the room fixing things, cleaning, and preparing things.
"Smee!!" I yelled sounding freakishly like my father. I shivered. I will never do that again. Smee came to an immediate halt. He stared at me. I couldn't tell if he was shocked that I had actually yelled at him or if he was awaiting orders. I shook my head trying to clear my thoughts, "Just exactly who has arrived?"
"Why...Cap'n Long and his son Skylark. Ye father wants ye ready fer supper." Once again Smee was running about acting as if the world would end if he didn't something done as soon as possible. I absentmindedly let the lady from the cage guide me to the chair in front of my brass vanity. She picked up a hair brush and began brushing the knots from my hair.
"Supper?" I wore a puzzled expression on my face, "But that's hours from now."
"It take all day." The lady from the cage spoke her first words to me in a heavy Italian accent. There was a knock at the door before I could answer her. Smee nearly tripped over himself to answer it. Two large pirates stood with a barrel at their feet full of water.
"Where do you want it?" The man on the right asked Smee. Smee pointed to a corner and signaled them to carry there. The other man who hadn't spoken stared at me with widened eyes.
"If his mouth was open any wider drool would be coming out." I mumbled so only the lady could hear. She answered by jerking the hair brush through my hair. "Ouch..." The two men left and Smee started towards the door himself.
"Back in two hours." He said loudly talking to the lady. 'She's Italian; not deaf.' I felt like saying, but held my tongue. The sooner Smee left the better. He instructed the lady to soak me, wash me, and lay me out to dry. Obviously it was meant to be some type of joke since he laughed, but I found it terribly lame.
As soon as Smee was out the door the lady snapped her fingers, "Take off clothes." I blushed. Lady or not I didn't want her to see me naked. "Hurry. No time waste." I began unbuttoning my night shirt.
"Um...may I ask your name?"
"Alda." She leaned over to test the water in the barrel. At least we weren't complete strangers now. I stripped down to nothing and wrapped the nearest towel around my body. Alda signaled for me to step into the barrel. I did as I told. Thus my endless hours of preparing began.
--
True to his word, Smee returned in two hours, but it still wasn't anywhere near time to eat supper. With in seconds of his arrival there was knock at the door. When Smee opened it, the same two men as before walked in. This time they were carrying a giant iron rod with beautiful dresses hanging from it. I had never seen such gorgeous gowns.
"Try 'em on. All of 'em. Wear the one that looks the best." Smee signaled the men to hook the bar to the side of the ship before following them out leaving me alone with Alda again.
Once again, Alda snapped, "Take off clothes."
Another few hours passed as I was forced to try each and every dress twice, some three times. It was pure torture trying to please this woman. Everything had to be perfect. Then she decides she can't truly tell until my hair and make up are done properly. I was beginning to wonder why we were going to much fuss over this one supper. Obviously something big was going to happen since we never spent this much time getting ready for a party.
I had to sit perfectly still as Alda covered my face in powders and paint trying to make me beautiful. Apparently it took more than I thought it would. Finally, she finished and allowed me to look in the mirror. What I saw shocked me. This wasn't me. I looked like...like a woman. My lips were glossy red, my eyes were lined, and my face almost white from the powder. It took all I had to keep from wiping it off.
"You like?" Alda asked taking my hair down from the bun she had it pulled back in so she could apply the make up. Or fake up as I was beginning to call it.
I forced a smile, "It's nice."
She bought it and went back to my hair. It took her a good two hours to do my hair, and when she was finished it wasn't anything wonderful. It was suddenly curly and put half up and half down. It looked nice, but surely she could have done something more with two hours. Either way, I didn't complain. If it had been me, I would have just brushed it and left it down.
Since my hair and make up were complete, Alda finally decided on a dress. It was olive green and fit my curves rather nicely. I'd say she made a wonderful choice.
"Finito." I spun around to look into a full length mirror on the back of my door, and I almost gasped at what I saw. This person staring back at me wasn't me at all. I mean, I'm not going to lie...I looked beautiful, but I didn't like it. I looked grown up. I looked like a lady going to the opera in London. It was nice to know I could look that way, but come on! This isn't London. This is Neverland. There are no operas. I was a kid in Neverland, not a lady in London. I didn't like it. It felt so wrong. Almost dirty.
I shook my head violently at Alda. The chubby lady began to frown, "You no like?" Again I shook my head. I didn't mean to hurt her feelings.
"Miss Hook...Ye father request ye presences." Smee walked in unannounced ready to drag me the dinner my father had planned behind my back. Furious, I followed the short man out of my room leaving Alda confused.
--
Slightly used his dagger to carve his name deep into the trunk of an oak tree. He was on the very top branch and had been for a long time. He hadn't planned on spending all day alone again, but he couldn't help it. Every time he started to play a game with the other boys he would daze off and end up getting hit in the head by something or someone. Finally he complained of a "head-ache" and retreated, but he hadn't missed Tootles look of concern.
Oh well, let Tootles worry. As long as he didn't point anything out to Pan, Slightly had nothing to worry about. In fact, he found himself carving a second name into the tree. Before he even fully realized it he had written 'Slightly + Taylor' with a heart drawn around it. He sighed. That's unbelievably pathetic. This girl had turned him into a daydreaming, heart sighing, name carver boy with no hope left. He felt miserable and they weren't even completely romantically involved.
Slightly couldn't sit here any longer. Staring at this tree was going to drive him insane. He couldn't even figure out what time a day it was anymore. All he knew was the sun was gone and the Lost Boys might be worried about him soon if he doesn't make an appearance soon.
He needed to talk to Nibs, his best mate. He hadn't seen Nibs in a few days and he was in desperate need of some male bonding that didn't involve sword fighting or listening to Peter Pan's stories (not that they weren't amazing). Slightly took to the air and headed straight for the Indian Camp, hoping the Indian nurse would be out for the night.
--
I was escorted, unwillingly, to my Father's cabin. Smee went in before me to announce my arrival. My suspicions of something being up were all but confirmed as I noticed the look upon Skylark Long's face when I entered the cabin. He was at my side instantly reaching out to kiss my hand.
"Ah. Taylor, darling." My Father's voice dripped with sickly sweetness. "I'm so glad you're feeling better."
I frowned at him as Skylark took my arm and led me to the center of the room refusing to let go of me. I started to correct my Father and tell him I had not been sick for months, but it was way too much of a hassle. Besides it would just anger him and embarrass me in front of everyone. I nodded and smiled instead.
For the first time I looked around the room. The lights were dim, and the usual pirate cabin was decorated like an English ballroom, music included. For the first time I noticed two women sitting on a decadent bench. They weren't the usual flour-caked whore my father tended had upon the ship. They were absolutely beautifully dressed with little make up and a complete look of terror upon their faces.
I pitied them as they gave me an almost pleading look. 'I'm just as much a prisoner as you are.' I wanted to say to them. After a moment of silence Captain Long cleared his throat, "We should have dancing. "
He grabbed the arm of the nearest girl to him yanking her to her feet. "Marvelous idea!" My Father agreed just as there was a knock on the door. He sighed in annoyance. "Come in." Smee wore a huge smile on his face as he entered the room and bowed, "Din'er is served, Cap'n." I heard my Father's jaw clench as anger rose in his eyes, turning them red.
"Smee!" You blithering idiot." I saw one of the girls jump and fight back her tears. "I told you to wait three hours before serving dinner. Can't you count?"
Smee looked down in shame, "No, Cap'n I'll tell the cook to keep it warm"
My Father signed again trying to remain calm, "Then it will just taste terrible and the celebration will be ruined."
I frowned at my Father's words. Skylark tried rubbing my arm up and down as if trying to comfort me. It had the opposite effect. In the back of my mind the puzzle pieces were sliding together but I refused to confirm it. I'd play dumb before being miserable for nothing. "We'll eat now. Dance Later." My Father escorted the teary eyed girl out of the room and we all followed.
--
Slightly landed quietly behind the tent Nibs was being held in just in time to see the Indian Nurse withdraw from the tent for the evening. He slid under the cloth and bumped his head right on Nibs' bed. The Lost Boy on top screeched and pulled out his dagger. The Indian Nurse rushed back into the room bringing a light with her.
Slightly shied away as the Nurse began to scowl Nibs for being out of bed. To Slightly's surprise Nibs responded in their native tongue and the Nurse began shinning the light around the room. When she was looking the other way Nibs caught sight of him. Slightly waved sheepishly to the Nibs causing him to shake his head. He said something to the Nurse and grabbed his stomach in pain and moaned. After helping Nibs to bed the Nurse left, leaving the light.
"Come out." Nibs commanded, "Remind me again why you didn't use the door?"
Slightly crawled out from his hiding spot. "I didn't want to cause a scene."
"Of course." Slightly checked out the tent to make sure th Nurse was gone.
"You know. Peter and the boys came by earlier." Slightly mentally groaned knowing right where this was going. "Peter is convinced the pirates kidnapped you. He's planning an attack."
Slightly rolled his eyes. "I've only been gone a few hours. "
Nibs frowned, "A few hours? Try a few days." Slightly started to argue, but then realized he didn't know how long he had been up in that tree. "What's wrong with you?"
Slightly sighed hovering in the air. "I guess my minds been elsewhere."
Nibs forced a laugh, "No kidding."
Slightly glared at him. "I can't help it. My feelings are all jumbled. I stare off in space for hours. And I sure as hell can't eat…" Nibs remained silent as Slightly ranted on and on about his problems before sighing and interrupting everything.
"What?" Slightly asked.
"Please tell me it's not a girl."
Slightly hung his head, "A forbidden girl."
Nibs groaned as Slightly launched into a story about the party, the fight, the flight, and finally the kisses. Nibs was still in deep thought when Slightly finished. "Say something." Slightly pleaded.
"Hook has a daughter?"
Slightly nodded. "Well obviously Hook wanted to keep her secret for a reason. The reason probably being he's over protective of her."
Slightly nodded again, "She's not even allowed out of her cabin without Hook's permission."
Nibs clicked his tongue. "Uh huh. Which means he'd probably murder anyone who touched her." Nibs let his words sink into Slightly's head.
"I knew that already. "
"Hook's rage would probably unstoppable if he caught you, you know. He'd kill you. Thus causing Peter to feel like he must retaliate, killing one of Hook's men. The war would intensify. Not to mention I would lose my best friend." Slightly looked down in shame.
"This has to stop. Now."
"But…"
"No buts." Nibs all but yelled. "People will die, Slight. And it would be your fault." Tears began forming in the corners of Slightly's eyes. "I'll go tell her tomorrow."
"Tonight," Nibs corrected.
"Tonight" Slightly agreed.
--
There was a long elegant table set up on the upper deck of the Jolly Rodger. Every type of food imaginable was present. It looked and smelled amazing, but the thought of eating anything turned my stomach all different directions. I was seated by Skylark. He even fixed my plate for me. The two captains immediately began chomping down on their food, while the rest of us pretended to enjoy it. Well all except the teary eyed girl who wouldn't even look up. She just sobbed rather loudly, but everyone just ignored her. None of us could help her anyways.
With a sigh I popped a grape in my mouth. "Let's not beat around the bush." Long took a sip of his ale. "We came here to make a deal and celebrate it. Let's get the business over with so the…" He reached out and touched the other girl's cheek. She flinched but remained quiet. "…The partying can begin."
Hook nodded still chewing his food. "We make an alliance. You and your crew help me kill Peter Pan. After it's done we'll storm the seas back to humanity to be the fearsome duo." Hook chuckled, "It will be marvelous."
Long bit into an apple spraying it as he spoke, "And in turn the wedding will take place as soon as possible." Hook held out his hook, "Should we shake on it?" Both pirates burst into a round of laughing. Skylark even chuckled quietly, but not me.
I was shocked as Captain Long's word brought back the puzzle to my mind. "We'll have the wedding on your ship." At Hook's cue of wedding Skylark rested his hand on my knee. I jumped not knowing how to get it off. "Then the boy can start a ship of his own and join us."
My head spun in circles as I saw my future being planned out before my eyes until I couldn't take it any longer. I collapsed, hitting the floor with a thud.
--
When I woke up my mouth felt like cotton. I quickly sat up as the memories flooded back into my head. I had to talk to my Father. I had to stop this. Without even thinking I ran to the door not bothering to straighten out my night gown, or wonder who changed me. I sprinted to my Father's cabin ignoring the shock stares of pirates around me. I banged furiously on the door. My rage had taken control of me.
"Open the door!" I screamed in a voice that couldn't have been mine. Finally the door swung open and my Father grabbed my wrist pulling me in.
"What in the hell do you think you're doing?" He turned to the bed and I noticed the teary eyed girl laying motionless completely exposed.
"Cover yourself." He demanded, "Cover yourself, damnit!" Shaking the girl managed to reach for the blanket and cover up. I tore my eyes away from the crime scene and noticed my Father's eyes had turned red. I immediately regretted storming in here the way I had. I swallowed hard trying to think of a way to get out of here unharmed.
"Are you trying to ruin things?" It was too late. The yelling had begun. "Anyone of my men could have seen you. And dressed like that." He motioned to you my night gown, "Their actions would not have been pure."
He grabbed the nape of my neck making me whine. "Then Skylark would not want to marry you." He squeezed tighter making me squirm involuntarily.
"I…" Words finally came out of my mouth, "I…don't want.."
Hook laughed. Hook laughed loudly and in my ear. "You don't want….Don't be so selfish, Taylor." His Hook rose to my cheek. "You have to do what I say. You're my daughter." He yelled the last part as his hook scrapped down the middle of my cheek to my neck. I screamed in agony. Hook shoved me to the ground.
"Return to your cabin. If you're raped…it will be the least of your problems."
I struggled to my feet and out the door. I tripped and stumbled my way around the ship not even sure which direction to go in. Blood had soaked my night gown and entire left side of my face was numb. I stumbled around so more until I ran into a large figure. The arms wrapped around my shoulders.
"A present." The figure said with a loud hiccup afterwards. I struggled to look up and see Jacob Hitches drunken face staring down at me with hopeful eyes.
"Are you for me?" He laughed. I wiggled and squirmed trying to break free but it was no use. "I'll kiss you." He leaned closer to my face but quickly backed away leaving me confused.
"Blood." He mumbled covering his mouth with his hand. I could barely hear him. "You're bloody gross." He ran to the edge of the ship. I took my chance and dashed away. This time I headed in the right direction.
--
I must have passed out again. This time I woke up on the cabin floor. Something was tapping violently at my window. I ran to open it, trying to keep from passing out again. The cold air hit my face, and I stepped aside, feeling as though I was in a dream. It was too dark too see anything, but I managed to squint enough to see a shadow flying into my room.
"Taylor?" Slightly said my voice so sweetly I wanted to run straight into his arms. But would that scare him away?
"I'm here." I managed to say. He took a step towards me. I don't think he realized how close he was. "We have to talk." Without warning he touched my cheek I yelped jumping away from him. Without a word he lit the nearest candle and held it to my face. I saw his jaw stiffen and I just knew he was going to run away like Jacob. "Hook." I nodded even though it wasn't a question. "Let's go." To my surprise he scooped me into his arms and flew us out the window.
--
This flight wasn't nearly as romantic as the other. It must have been horrible for Slightly as I coughed and spat blood over his shoulder. He held unto me tighter with every shudder my body gave. We finally landed on the other side of the island. I had never been on the main land so I had no idea what this place was.
My first thought was the lost boys' hideout and I'm ashamed to say I was trying to remember it for my Father's sake, but I quickly ditched those thoughts. I would never talk to him again. Let alone tell him Slightly's secrets. I held on to the boy beside me as we dodged in and out of shadows behind these giant white cloth tents.
I quickly realized this place was much too big to be a lost boy hide out. This must belong to the Indians my Father was always trying to get on his side instead of Peter's. Savages, was the term he used every time they denied his offer.
We finally stopped at a rather small tent, and Slightly held the bottom of the tent up for me. I stumbled into the darkness as I heard a string of unpleasant words and someone struggling to find a candle. Finally light shined over my shoulder as Slightly got to the candle first. The light revealed a boy fighting to cover up the naked girl in his arms.
"Damnit, Slightly. A little privacy every once in a while?"
Slightly ignored him gliding across the tent to peek out a slit in the white cloth. Satisfied he turned back to me, "You can stay here. You'll be safe until I can talk to Peter. I'm sure he'll be on our side." Our side. We had a side. If I could smile without passing out I would. I was also sure Peter would never side with a pirate. I knew that much about him.
"What the hell, Slight?" The boy on the bed jumped up pulling his pants up with him. I blushed, looking the other way.
"This was not the plan. You were supposed to end this." He motioned towards me. I looked at Slightly with wide eyes, but didn't say anything. "Take her back."
"Nibs," Slightly's voice was different; stricter. "Look at her. I'm not taking her back to there to be killed." Slightly shined the candle to my face and down my neck. I winced as the sight of my bloody face caused Nibs to gasp.
"She can barely stand." Slightly continued, "Besides if we take her back now there's no telling what Hook might do to her."
A beautiful voice spoke up, but I couldn't understand it. The Indian girl from earlier was now fully dressed and looked absolutely stunning even in candle light. A part of me couldn't help but feel self conscious; especially with a giant gash on my cheek and my hair all matted with dried blood. I was sure I looked hideous. She said something else and touched my cheek. I winced and wished people would stop doing that. It hurt like hell.
Nibs sighed, "I suppose she can't return. Just know this will not go unnoticed by Hook."
Slightly gave a forced chuckle, "Since when have the Lost Boys been scared of a little old pirate fight?" Nibs looked away uncomfortably. For the first time I realized his chest was scared and bandaged.
"Nibs…I…"
Nibs cut him off, "You're right! Peter will have a field day." He tried to smile about it, but couldn't seem to manage it. "Tiger Lily will take care of her gash. No one will know she's here until you're read." Slightly hugged Nibs tightly. I smiled at the tender scene before turning light head again.
--
Slightly flew through the air towards the Lost Boys' hide out. He hated to leave Taylor. Especially after she just passed out, but after talking it over with Nibs (And Nibs assuring him she'd be ok) they decided Peter needed to be informed of the situation as soon as possible.
Slightly flew into the large over sized oak tree. He landed unnoticed by the four other Lost boys, who were all crowed around a small table watching Peter draw on a sheet of paper.
"We'll attack from the front. Only chicken take cheap shots and go in from the rear." The other boys nodded in agreement.
"Hey guys." Slightly said casually causing the boys to jump and draw their swords. Peter just looked annoyed.
"Slightly!" The twins cheered
"We thought you were…"
"Kidnapped by Pirates." One twin started and the other finished.
Tootles grinned proudly, "We were coming to rescue you."
Peter crumbled up the paper and threw it at Slightly's head. "Now the games over. Hook might as well have won." All of the boys booed and hissed at the mention of Hook's name.
"Peter…" Slightly began slowly not know how this was going to turn out, "Can I talk to you for a second?"
Peter frowned, "Why? I don't want to hear about the fun adventures you had without us." Slightly swallowed feeling like a traitor.
"It's important."
Peter let out a long sigh, "Fine." He turned to the lost boys, "One boy gets to plan the next attack. Fight among yourselves. The one that doesn't die will win."
He gave a loud crow before flying out of the tree house. Tinker bell was close on his tail. Slightly followed leaving the lost boys to wrestle each other to the ground. Peter was floating very still over a rather large boulder looking almost like he was mediating. Tink was on his shoulder.
"Tootles says you're depressed." Peter's eyes were closed, and Slightly was staring up at him. He felt younger than he had in days.
"Sorta. I'm more stressed."
"That'll make you age." Peter warned.
Slightly eyes widened, "I thought you had to will yourself to age."
Peter nodded, "By allowing yourself to deal with grown up situations."
Slightly frowned definitely not liking the idea of getting older. He looked down and started toeing the ground. "I kidnapped Hook's daughter."
The random statement threw Peter for a loop causing him to hit the rock with a thud. Tinker Bell fell from his shoulder and turned red with anger.
"You were on an adventure!" He glared accusingly
"No." Slightly practically yelled, "She's my friend. Hook hurt her."
Peter still looked upset, but his face softened a little. "Where is she?"
"With Nibs."
"He was in on this too?" Slightly shook his head 'no'. "I acted alone. She needed help."
"Hmm…" Without a word Peter went back into the hang out. A little confused Slightly took a long time to follow after him. Peter was already making a grand speech.
"I say we use her as leverage. Surely Hook would trade even his ship for his only daughter." The boys cheered. Slightly stood quietly behind Peter. He didn't like the idea of Taylor being used as leverage. Especially if it meant she'd go back to Hook in the end. But Slightly didn't have the rank to disagree with Peter. Nibs did, however.
"I say," Peter yelled over the cheers, "We go warn Hook now."
"Wait!" Slightly yelled on instinct. "I only…just kidnapped her…" He began when all eyes were on him, "Maybe we should let Hook discover she's gone first. Intimidate him a bit."
Peter thought about it a second before grinning, "Good thinking, Slight. Tomorrow I'll visit the girl and steal Hook's secrets from her."
--
The next morning I woke up in a different tent. Nibs said I'd be caught by someone if I stayed with him. He said no one came in Princess Tiger Lily's private tent without her permission so I was sure to be safe here. Currently Tiger Lily was working hard on bandaging my cheek.
While I was unconscious last night they stitched it up. It felt horrible. I refused to look at it no matter how many times Tiger Lily insisted. She was getting annoyed with me. I hated to be stubborn after all she did for me. She washed and braided my hair into two long braids. She even put Indian war paint on my face, but I refused to look at it.
There was no way she could have covered up the huge stitches that stuck out of my left cheek. When the bandages were on Tiger Lily left the tent. It maybe hours before her return. It didn't make a difference to me. I couldn't understand her. We weren't very good company to each other Slightly hadn't returned since he left while I was passed out. Perhaps he decided I was too much of a hassle and intended to leave me here. Nibs hadn't returned either.
The words Nibs said earlier kept ringing in my ears. "You were supposed to end this." End what? Our friendship? Our…relationship. I wasn't even sure if we had a relationship. He did kiss me twice. And I was sure he felt something. I felt something. Of course, it was my first kiss. It was possible I made it feel that way so it'd be special and Slightly had felt nothing towards me but friendship. Well, did he kiss all his friends that way? I huffed and made a mental note to ask him that later.
Suddenly I heard a loud boom and a blood curling scream. Curiosity got the best of me and I started to look out the tent. Before I had the chance I was being pushed back inside "Nibs. What happened?" He held me back with one hand while peeking out the tent. He wasn't going to answer me. I tried peering around him, but I could see nothing.
Nibs started pushing us backwards to allow Tiger Lily to enter. Her eyes locked on mine in an instant. "Hook" was all she said. It was the first communication we had and both understood.
A/n: Wow! A random update, I know. But I just had the urge to start writing this story again. It's totally going in a different direction then I had planned, but I like it. I think the feel of this chapter is a little bit different than the rest of the story which kind of bothers me, but I just might go back and rewrite the first five chapters. Don't worry. The events won't change…just the tone.
Anyways…REVIEW! Please. I love feedback. Good or bad.