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Straight on Til Morning	By : LuluPopalot Category: M through R > Peter Pan > Het Views: 5321 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Peter Pan, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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Laura woke with a groan. Her head throbbed and her mouth felt like she had just spit out a bunch of sand. Throwing her am over her eyes, she struggled through her foggy brain to the memories of the previous night. With another groan she rolled over to bury her face in her pillow. She wondered which was more embarrassing, singing in front of the crew, or putting the moves on their captain.
She wished she could sleep all day, but the sounds from beyond the cabin door made it apparent that the crew was up and about. She slowly sat up and grimaced against the bright sun coming through the window. On the bedside table sat two large jugs and a note. She leaned over to get a better look and smiled.
Miss Laura,
I fear that you may be feeling slightly under the weather after your revelry last night. I personally find that the best cure for such debauchery is the same substance that originally inflicted the pain, although I understand that plain water is also a common remedy. I offer you both, along with my sincere hope that you will join the rest of the crew as soon as you are able.
Sincerely,
James M. Hook, Capt.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, she picked up one of the jugs, and sniffed it tentatively. Thankfully, she was not met with the pungent aroma of rum, and she drank the tepid water greedily. She poured a little in her hand, and rubbed her face. Feeling at least a little more herself, she wrapped a blanket around her and gathered her clothes.
The deck was a flurry of activity. Men were carrying barrels and crates down the gangplank. Shouts and curses pierced the sounds of the hustle and bustle. But Laura noticed none of it. Entranced, she walked to the side of the boat.
There was Never Neverland.
All over the island, leaves shown the brightest green she had ever seen. The sandy beach was white as snow, and the water the lapped the side of the boat was a clear turquoise blue. It was just like she imagined.
‘Enjoying the view?’
Laura turned and met the eyes of Captain Hook, and for a moment was captivated by how his eyes matched the sea. She flashed him a bright smile and turned back to the island.
‘It’s so beautiful,’ she said, still in awe.
‘It is,’ he said, moving to stand beside her. ‘Even after all these years, I still find it stunning.’
‘I want to see it all,’ she said, still unable to tear her eyes away. ‘I want to see everything here.’
‘And I’ll be happy to show you as much as possible,’ he said turning to her. ‘But this island can be as deadly as it is beautiful. I must insist that you not wander off unaccompanied. Do you understand?’
Laura nodded absently. Hook gave a frustrated sigh, and used his hook to turn her face to him. If the cold metal hadn’t jolted her back to the present, the stern look in his eyes would have.
‘Miss Laura, I understand how this must all seem like a grand adventure to you. But you must have a chaperone at all times. Is that understood?’
‘Yes,’ she said nodding, feeling fear curl in her stomach for the first time in days.
‘Good,’ he said, releasing her face. ‘Mr. Smee!’ he bellowed.
‘Do you have to yell his name every time?’ she asked.
Hook just smirked as his breathless boatswain appeared.
‘Yes, cap’n?’
‘I want Miss Laura to accompany you to Miss Miranda’s dress shop to deliver the fabrics she requested,’ Hook said.
‘Yes, cap’n.’
‘And while you’re there, please make sure the Miss Laura acquires some proper attire. Afterwards, please escort Miss Laura to my home. We shall be dining there tonight,’ he said in his commanding tone without glancing once at Laura.
‘We will?’ she said, rankling just a bit at being ordered around.
Hook looked at her like he had forgotten she was there. ‘Yes, we will.’ And with a quick smirk, he was gone.
Laura shook her head. ‘Is he bi-polar or what?’ she grumbled.
‘Sorry miss,’ Smee said, ‘but if we’re to get to Miranda’s and back by dinner time, we’ll need to headin’ straight off.’
‘Sounds good to me,’ she said and followed him through the crowded deck.
Smee had some of the other men load a large trunk and some barrels onto a cart. Laura was too caught up in her surroundings to make much small talk. She thought of the renaissance festivals she had been to back home as they made their way through bustling town. She could smell leather and fresh bread, and some of the less pleasant smells that come from farm animals. They passed the tavern, and she and Smee both blushed at the randy calls that came from the women hanging out of the windows.

Finally, Smee pulled the horses to a halt in front of a small cottage.
‘Here we are,’ he said, hopping down. Laura jumped down, and went around to help him with the trunk, waving off Smee’s protests. The trunk was heavier than she had thought it would be, and she was slightly out of breath when they finally sat it down in the shop.
‘Miss Miranda,’ Smee called as Laura stretched her back. ‘We got the materials ye wanted.’
‘Well, I was wonderin’ if you’d ever make it back, Mr. Smee,’ a woman said as she entered the room. Her unnaturally red hair was piled on top of her head with tendrils framing her heavily made-up face. She would have had a round figure if it weren’t for the corset creating her waistline, and Laura was sure she had never been in the presence of a larger bosom. She stopped when she saw Laura, and placed her hands on her hips.
‘And who’s this, then?’ she asked, looking over Laura with a critical eye.
‘This is Miss Laura, ehmmm…’ Smee looked at Laura apologetically, realizing he had never asked her surname.
‘Astbury,’ Laura finished for him, stepping forward and offering her hand to the older woman. Miranda took it hesitantly.
‘What? Did you fish her out of the ocean, Smee?’ Miranda said, looking at Laura’s clothes with obvious distaste.
‘Actually, he did,’ Laura answered.
Miranda’s attitude changed immediately. ‘Oh, you poor dear!’ she said, pulling Laura into a suffocating embrace. ‘And ye’ve been on that ship with these scallywags? No wonder ye look a fright!’
‘That’s why the cap’n had me bring her to you, Miss Miranda,’ Smee said. ‘He wants her to get some clothes that’s more fittin’ a lady.’
‘Of course, of course,’ Miranda said, holding Laura at arm’s length. ‘I got some splendid dresses all made up that’ll look lovely on her. You come back in a few hours, and ye won’t even recognize her!’
Smee shuffled his feet. ‘Well the cap’n says…’
‘You forget what that ole pirate says!’ Miranda said, shooing Smee out the door. ‘If you want this girl to look proper, you come back in a few hours!’ and with that, she slammed the door in his face.
Laura felt a bit nervous as Miranda clasped her hands together and started circling her.
‘Oh yes, yes,’ she mumbled, holding Laura’s arms out to the side. ‘Let me get yer measurements, and then we’ll get you into the bath. Cecilia!’
Moments later, a younger girl appeared, wearing much simpler clothes.
‘Yes, mum?’
‘Go and prepare a bath for our guest. Then I’ll need you to gather some under garments for her,’ Miranda said, gathering her measuring tape.
After a cursory look at the bedraggled, confused looking girl in the middle of the room, Cecilia was off.
‘I don’t want you to go to too much trouble,’ Laura ventured as Miranda wrapped the tape around her chest.
‘No trouble a’tall,’ Miranda replied, moving the tape to the waistline. ‘It’s not often that we get new faces in the store. Now, will ye be wantin’ fancy type dresses, or every day dresses?’
‘Oh, well,’ Laura said, a bit overwhelmed. ‘I’m not really sure. I’m not much of a dress person.’
‘Well we can’t have ye runnin’ around town looking like a lad, can we?’ Miranda laughed. ‘We’ll get ye a few of each, then ye can come back for more when ye need to.’
‘Ok, thanks,’ Laura said.
‘Now, let’s take a look at the new material ye brought me, and maybe we’ll see something that ye’d like a dress out of, eh?’ the dressmaker said, opening the trunk.
Laura watched as the woman inspected velvets and silks, admiring them and laying them gently aside. She gasped when she saw one particular fabric.
Miranda noticed. ‘Like this one do ye? It’s quite nice. How about I make ye a nice gown out of it?’
‘I couldn’t possibly ask,’ Laura said, even as she trailed her fingers along the smooth fabric.
“Ye’r not askin’, I’m tellin’,’ Miranda said, laying the piece of fabric away from the others.
After going through the fabric, Miranda took Laura to a different room where finished dresses lined the walls. Together, they picked out the gowns Miranda thought would suit the younger woman. As they were finishing, Cecilia announced that Laura’s bath was ready.
Laura followed Cecilia into a smaller room, where a large brass tub sat. Steam rose from the water, filling the room with the scent of the rose petals that floated on top. Longing to be clean for the first time in days, Laura started to undress when she noticed Cecilia had not left.
‘Um, thanks,’ Laura said uncertainly. ‘I can take it from here.’
‘Oh no, mum,’ Cecilia said, moving to add more oils to the water. ‘Tis my job to help ye.’
‘Really, I can manage,’ Laura said, trying to not hurt the other woman’s feelings.
‘Do ye think me a bad lady’s maid?’ Cecilia said, looking stricken. ‘I promise I been trained proper by the missus. A bit outta practice, but we get so few visitors…’ Cecilia trailed off and Laura felt guilty when she saw the tears in the girl’s eyes.
‘No, I’m sure you’re a great maid,’ Laura started, placing her hand on her shoulder. ‘It’s just that, well…’ She trailed off. Looking into the swimming brown eyes, she gave a resigned sigh. ‘Fine.’
‘Thank ye, miss,’ Cecilia said, and quickly set about helping Laura undress and into the tub. Any qualms about modesty went out the window as Laura sank into the hot, sweet smelling water. She bit her lip so as not to moan when Cecilia poured a pitcher gently over her head and started washing her hair.
This was something she could definitely get used to.
As she relaxed, Laura’s mind wondered over the many ways her life would be different here. No phones, no computers, no running water, no….wait a sec…
Laura sat up, her brow furrowed. ‘Cecilia, can I ask a question? It might be a bit odd, but I’m not from around here so…’
‘Of course, miss,’ Cecilia answered, rinsing the sudsy hair.
‘What do you do during your, you know,’ she paused, searching for the right phrase, ‘monthly cycle?’
Cecilia’s hands stilled. ‘I don’t have one, miss,’ she said quietly.
‘Oh, god, I’m sorry Cecilia,’ Laura said, turning and sloshing a bit of water out of the tub. ‘I didn’t mean to…’
‘None of us do, miss,’ Cecilia interrupted.
‘What do you mean?’
‘The other ladies, when we all got to the island, it stopped,’ Cecilia said sadly.
‘So I won’t have a period?’ Laura said. Sweet, she thought as the visions of weird belts and nasty folded cloth left her mind.
‘Yes, but that’s not all we won’t have,’ Cecilia said.
‘What else?’
‘Children,’ Cecilia said wistfully. ‘We’ll never have children.’

**I know, short chapter. But I just kicked my Muse past a point where I've been hung up, so I can assure you that we're getting to the good stuff.
For anyone that didn't care for the song in the previous chapter, have no fear. This is not a songfic. But that particular song was what set off this plot bunny, and I am heavily influenced by music. Most of the chapter titles are song titles or lyrics, if you haven't noticed. So I was just giving props were props were due.
However, I will not apologize to anyone that was, shall we say, left unfulfilled. Because I am, indeed, evil.
Thanks for reading.
-L
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Straight on Til Morning