Chapter one

Tinkerbell returned to the hollow tree early on morning. She quietly hovered above Peter's bed. He was still asleep and would probably remain so for at least a couple more hours. Tink sat down on the shelf and continued to work on a broken pocket watch that had washed up on the shore. Every now and then she would glance over at Peter.

Time was catching up him. Although he still acted very childish, he was growing up in other ways. He had grown taller and his body was becoming more muscular.

As Tink continued her work, it happened again. Peter started to move about in his bed. His arms flailed about and his body thrashed. Then his eyes popped open and he sat bolt upright, screaming the girl's name.

"WENDY!"

His body was covered in a cold sweat and he was hyperventilating. He looked about and realization brought him back from his dream. He was in his bedroom. Wendy was not there. She had left some time ago, taking the Lost Boys with her. None of them had returned.

Peter sighed heavily. He swung his legs over and sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the floor.

"You miss her, don't you?" Tinkerbell asked.

Peter looked up at her. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Tink flew to him, landing on his knee. "Do you have any idea how many times I've seen you wake up, screaming her name? I am much more intelligent than you think. I know you miss her terribly."

"Fine. I do miss her."

"Then you should go to her."

"I can't."

Tink took flight as Peter stood. He crossed the room and picked up his reed pipes, studying them intently.

"Why not?" Tinkerbell asked.

"It's been so long. She might have forgotten about me. And even if she did remember, she might not want to see me."

"Rubbish!"

"It is not! Wendy is beautiful. She's smart and creative. There must be so many young men that want to be her beau."

Tink flew to Peter and hovered face-to-face with him. "You listen to me, Peter Pan. You are going to see Wendy again, even if I have to get the entire fairy colony to carry you there. Do you understand me?"

"Alright!" Peter said, holding up his hands in surrender. "I will go tonight."

"Good." With that, Tink flew off.

"Where are you going?" Peter asked.

"I'll be back later," Tink replied.

She began to wonder about what results the visit would produce. She needed to be sure that Peter would not have his heart broken for a second time.

Away she flew across Neverland. Through the forest, across Mermaid Lagoon, over the Indian encampment, and then out of Neverland altogether. She flew as fast as her tiny fairy wings could carry her. Finally, she arrived in London. She went to the house she had not visited in almost five years. The home of the Darling Family.

She went to the window of the nursery. She watched as John and Michael helped the Lost Boys get ready for school, but Wendy was not there. Then Tinkerbell remembered that Wendy was older now. Too old to be sharing the nursery with the boys.

She went to another window and found Wendy in a bedroom of her own. Time was catching up with her as well. Her cheeks were rosy, her figure was becoming curvier, and she had grown taller. At the moment, Wendy sat at her desk, writing in a notebook. Tink tapped her tiny fist on the window. Wendy looked up from her writing and smiled at her. She came to the window and opened it.

"Hello, Tinkerbell," Wendy said. "Please come in."

Tink flew in and over to Wendy's desk. "What are you writing?" she asked, glancing at the notebook.

Wendy hurried over and took the notebook away. "That's my diary, Tink. It's private."

"Oh, sorry."

"Is Peter with you?"

"Not this time."

"This time? What do you mean by that?"

"Just leave your window unlocked."

Wendy gasped and clutched her diary to her chest. "Tinkerbell. Is he coming here?"

Tink just smiled wickedly at her. Then she took off out the window. Wendy ran to the window and lingered there until Tinkerbell was out of sight. Tink smiled to herself as she flew back to Neverland. She was certain that tonight's meeting was for the best. The quick glance she stole at Wendy's diary was long enough for her to read three words.

I miss Peter.