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In the swirl of passion	By : Lywhn Category: M through R > Peter Pan > Het Views: 35043 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
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
- 30
- 31
- 32
Chapter 31 – To Cure A Hangover

The dim glow of the candle in the lamp danced over the heap of canvas, topped by the two figures dipped in a dark golden twilight. Wendy snuggled closer to James and stretched her legs. She shivered slightly, as he wrapped his arms around her. The air was cool in the little room and the warmth of his body was compelling. Yawning, she laid her head on his chest and grimaced, as several parts of her started to protest with an all-too-familiar ache.
“Problem, my dear?” he asked, and she could hear the smirk in his voice.
“No more than you have,” she retorted with amusement.
“Me? I have no problems!” Oh, that arrogant tone! How was it possible for it to anger her – and know that she loved it, all in the same breath?
“The emphasis is on ‘now’. Just wait until you have to slip back into your breeches or try and sit down!” she giggled.
His hand slid softly down her side and pinched her at the waist. Wendy squeaked and jerked aside, only to find herself pinned down on the rough canvas. James bent over her, grinning. “You said?” he asked innocently – and got the surprise of his life, as the girl suddenly slipped from under him. Next moment, she was on his back, clinging to him with arms and legs. He could feel her breasts pressing on his scraped back. Heavens! She really had sharp claws and she freely used them during their lovemaking, though unintentionally.
“Got you, great Captain!” she teased and stroked the mass of his black curls aside, blowing softly on his neck. “Give up?” she murmured and pressed a gentle kiss on the sensitized skin, which made him shudder.
“No chance of negotiation?” he asked huskily and closed his eyes, as he felt her soft kiss-swollen lips on his neck again. God, he thought he’d been – at last – satisfied, but a that part of his body had already started to respond, as he felt the warm, slender limbs of his girl around him, her gentle breath on his neck and shoulder, her hot core touching his lower back, after he had made love to her not one, but three times. His brain was still foggy with his sexual satisfaction.
He heard her laughing, while she tenderly kissed one of his shoulders. “No negotiations! Surrender!” she whispered and for the first time in his life, this word didn’t awaken his resistance and wrath, but the deep desire to simply do as commanded. Perhaps it was the knowledge that there was no threat behind the demand; only the tender and passionate prospect that it promised.
And so the words came easy to him. “I surrender!”
A quiet laugh escaped her. “You will not regret it,” she said under her breath, before she started to kiss him from his neck down his back to his hips, while her hands wandered tenderly over his side down to his bottom. She relished the feel of his smooth skin in this intimate way. She heard his sharp intake of breath and afterward a deep purring, which made her smile. “You really are a lion!”
She could feel him laugh to himself. “If I remember correctly, that is indeed my sign of the zodiac.”
“You’re a Leo?” Something like a nod was his answer. “How fitting -- I am a Sagittarius,” she thought aloud.
Laughter rumbled in his chest. “I’ve guessed as much, my fierce, protective, and righteous beauty.”
Wendy looked up. “What?”
He didn’t bother to turn over, because the sensation of having her half sitting on his legs and the soft caress of her hair as she bent over him was just too tantalizing. “Don’t you know what everyone says about the Sagittarius?”
“No,” she answered hesitantly.
He turned his head and looked back at her. “Its star is Jupiter – the fire. He -- or she -- loves freedom and yearns to travel and visit new places. She has an oversized urge to protect and defend those she loves, and --“ he started to grin, turning around suddenly and, taking her arm, pulling her close to him, “she has difficulty taking orders. Does this sound familiar, sweet wildcat?”
Wendy blushed and giggled. “No!” She kissed him and put her hands on his shoulders, pulling him into a sitting position. “And I think domination and arrogance are typical for the Leo!”
He frowned and she bit her lips, while sparkles danced in her eyes. “Aye!” he growled. “And that lion is very possessive!” His hand cupped her shoulder, while he looked with such a fire at her that she almost forgot to breath.
“You are?” she whispered and let her index finger wander over his breastbone. She had to smile as she saw his skin become gooseflesh under it. She saw the fire in his eyes turn into an inferno, while she felt a special hard part of him rising beneath her.
“Never dare to test HOW possessive I am!” His left hand gripped her neck and pulled her down to him again. “You’re mine, Wendy Darling, and I will never let anyone come near you!”
“I am my own master!” she told him, smiling again. “But you can still try to convince me of the opposite.”
“That I will – here and now, and finally!”
She smirked. “You’ve forgotten something, dear Captain. You’ve surrendered!” He lifted a brow and Wendy gently laid a finger on his lips. “Just let me delight you this time.” A new light touched her eyes. “Look at it as a kind of, oh, foretaste of what is in your future.”
“A foretaste?” he asked hoarsely, because he had problems concentrating while fire raged through his body, and every inch of his skin seemed to itch because of the thought of her lips on it soon again.
“I promised you something special as soon as you were completely healed.” She looked at his chest where the red traces were the last proofs of the brutal mistreatment by Blackbeard and the hard fight with him. “And I think shortly you will learn what I mean!”
James swallowed and his hand gently cupped her one breast, his thumb dancing over its firm tip. “I haven’t forgotten your promise.”
“I didn’t think you would!” she whispered back, sparks erupting under his thumb, dancing down to her womb, and bent down and let her lips travel over his chest. Her little tongue darted out to tease his nipples and to taste the salt of his skin. He moaned and Wendy felt once again the thrill of the power she had over him – the same he had over her when he fondled her into ecstasy. Bestowing him with butterfly kisses, she worked her way down over his belly, and dipped her tongue in his belly button, only to glance up and to blush. “Sorry,” she murmured. “I don’t know what I was thinking —“
The look on his face was that of pure rapture. “Please, don’t stop, dearest!” Amazed at the effect this gesture seemed to have on him, she repeated it and smiled as she heard him groan. She let herself slide down beside him, and her one hand softly stroked his thighs, while she steadied herself with the other. Rubbing her cheek on his belly she explored the inside of his thighs with tender fingers, as he had done so often with her. She heard his breath quicken and the low noises he made. He seemed to enjoy her attention very much. She beheld his swollen, red member which pointed to the ceiling like a glowing sword, and she remembered suddenly how much he liked it when she had touched him there while they had sat together in the bathtub. She let her hand wander over his hip to the middle of his body, until a growing shyness bade her stop.
James thought he might die if she didn’t touch him now. Collecting all the strength in his suddenly weak body, he lifted his head and looked down on the golden brown head over his belly. “Please!” he begged hoarsely, and a cry escaped him as her fingers touched him ever so carefully. His reaction told her to dare more, and as gently as possible, she took him into her hand, surprised how utterly smooth his skin there was. He gasped.
She turned her head and looked at him. “Have I hurt you?”
He seemed unable to speak, as he simply shook his head. His eyelids were pressed closed and his face had turned red. His breath raged and as she slowly stroked him, he threw his head back and moaned. Finally, she realized that it wasn’t pain that caused him to act this way, but utter pleasure – a feeling she knew very well now, remembering his daring and talented fingers and tongue, and what they did to her own body. Daring more, she tightened her grip the slightest bit, and with blushing cheeks she watched him. He seemed to be lost in ecstasy, and when he opened his eyes, they were glassy and unfocused.
James was back in heaven. The feeling of her hand around his member was incredible, and with a last clear thought, he wished that she would even dare to touch him with her mouth, but he didn’t ask. He knew very well how young she still was; how innocent and inexperienced in heart and soul. So he simply marveled in the tenderness she gave him and felt the pressure in his lower body growing. But still he did nothing but relish her fondling and the feeling of her warm breath and silky hair on him, until he thought he couldn’t stand it anymore. “Kitten,” he murmured huskily and met her big, gentle, blue-grey eyes. “Please, I need … I need—“
His voice trailed off, but she understood him nevertheless. Her lips stroke and nipped over his belly back to his chest and from there to his mouth, while she never let him go. “You need me?” she asked with a purely female smile.
He didn’t care how he sounded, and that it really didn’t suit a ferocious, dangerous pirate. He simply wrapped his right arm around her and cupped her firm smooth bottom with his left hand. “Yes, my shining angel. I need you.” He kissed her deeply – and jerked wildly, as she squeezed him gently. “Good Lord, girl, I am going to lose all control!” he growled, panting harshly.
A knowing, seductive smile crossed her face, as she whispered, “Good!”
She straddled him and his eyes widened. “Wendy, you aren’t ready--”
A soft pink crept into her cheeks. Fondling him had aroused her nearly to distraction as well. “Oh I am! You don’t know, how ready I am!” Was there ever an aphrodisiac so potent the knowledge that you are loved and desired? As she rose, positioning herself, then slowly sinking down on him, and he slipped into her warm, wet, welcoming womanhood, he moaned again – amazed how aroused she was only because of her ministrations, of feeling him, and how unbelievingly good it felt to be back where he belonged. She started to move slowly (a torture to him) while she steadied herself on his chest. Looking deep into each other’s eyes, they savored the intensity which consumed them whole whenever their bodies were coupled like this; together with the knowledge of being unconditionally loved.
Wendy let her head fall back and her eyes close. Never did she feel more alive and vibrant as when she felt the strong tender penetration by her lover – by her man. She could feel the cool air breathing over her skin and heard the noises of the ship more clearly in the tiny room around them, while the real world started to vanish at the same time.
His hand gripped her hip while he tried to speed up – the urge too strong to hold back anymore. Losing all resistance or sane thought, she gave in to his needs, which became her own. Her soft pleas to take her quicker and harder were like hot oil on the fire in him, and finally he couldn’t wait anymore. In one motion, he turned them both around and pinned her beneath him on the canvas, driving into her forcefully, rhythmically, faster, stronger, fiercer, a lion and his mate.
Wendy didn’t mind a bit. Wrapping her legs around him and clinging to his shoulders, she gave herself completely to him, matching him thrust for thrust, plea for plea. Together they reached the stars and their very own special world, where nothing existed except them. Their cries of ecstasy sounded a fitting chorus to the murmurs and admonitions that came before. Afterwards, gasping for breath, still floating in the warm glow of the aftermath, they held each other, too exhausted and too satisfied to speak or even to move.
It was several minutes before Hook was able to roll on his side and to pull his girl with him into his arms, which was more comfortable for both of them than crushing her beneath him. Instantly she wrapped herself around him and sighed. “You know,” he murmured hoarsely. “Someday you will be the death of me!”
She chuckled. “How so? I don’t threaten you with sword or pistol, ‘darling’!”
He smiled and gave her a warm glance. “No, but you are very close to giving me a heart-attack.”
Wendy stretched herself and dabbed a kiss on his healed shoulder. “I am aiming for your heart, great Captain!” she teased, and heard him laughing – without any sarcasm or malice, but with warmth and gentleness.
“Wendy, don’t try to injure something that belongs to you!”
Blinking she looked into his face. “What?” she asked, her voice no more than a breath. She met his gaze and saw the look of love in the steel blue depths.
“You’ve heard me, my beauty!” With his right arm, he pushed her left hand, which lay on his belly, upwards until it reached the firm rhythm beneath his skin. “Do you feel it?” he whispered and kissed her forehead. “It belongs completely to you. It is yours, as black it may be!”
Wendy lifted her head and let her glance travel over his face, her eyes filled with tears of joy and something so mighty she couldn’t control it anymore. “It isn’t black anymore. Maybe it never was wholly black, otherwise you couldn’t be like you are now.” She kissed him deeply. “I will take good care of it,” she whispered and tenderly stroked the spot above his heart. “I love you, James Hook!”
A brilliant smile widened on his face and he took a deep breath. “You don’t know how much this means to me!” He lifted his head and gently captured her lips with his. “I love you, Wendy Darling.”

Beneath the Never-Tree, the boys sat silently in growing worry. Yes, Tinker Bell had explained that Peter had gotten drunk, that he was curing his hangover, but now it was getting dark outside again and still he didn’t return.
“I don’t get it!” Curly grumbled. “How did he get drunk? How did it happen that he and Hook ate dinner TOGETHER?”
“You heard Tink yesterday. It was a bet!” Weasel explained the fourth time.
“A bet with HOOK?” Jump-Jump shook his head. “Even if everything went fine, why did Wendy not stop Peter from … from drinking too much?”
“And why didn’t she stop him from drinking that stuff to start with?” Tootles sighed.
John scratched his head. “Maybe she didn’t want to anger the captain by interfering.” He still hated the fact that his sister was with the loathed man, and that she preferred a life on board a PIRATE-ship -- with a criminal -- instead in a nice house in London with a decent husband, a husband who – eventually – came from the upper crust. Sure, Hook wasn’t poor. If John thought clearly about it all, then he would acknowledge that the pirate-captain was, of course, a very rich man and could fulfill every wish his sister had, as long as it was available on the island. After all, and he was a prisoner to this island, he thought. And Wendy would be stuck with him here as well, with no hope of leaving the magical island ever again.
Of course, John knew that if he and the others left Neverland, most of them would have no possibility of coming back again. They were simply too old for another trip to the island of eternal youth, and it was a miracle that they had been able to reach it weeks ago – especially Wendy. (Perhaps there was a reason she’d been allowed to come?) Deep down, John knew that Peter would bring none of them back again to be one of the Lost Boys. Well, perhaps the youngest, but they were nearly the same size as the eternal boy, and Peter didn’t like it to have to ‘look up’ to anyone. Why he had brought them all here during his last visit in London was still a question John could find no answer for.
“He could be ill – or Hook won’t let him go,” Runner murmured, and one of the Twins shook his head.
“Nah, he let Peter go the last time, and you know Wendy would never permit him to hurt Peter. No! I think he really is sick.”
“But the weather was sunny all day today and—“
“He isn’t hurt or upset. That’s what affects the weather, but not if he’s ill from a hangover!” Nibs interrupted and Michael cocked his head.
“But when father had a hangover last New Year’s Day, he was up by noon and—“
“There’s a big difference if you’re used to drinking, even if it’s just special occasions, a glass of wine or cognac and no more, than if you NEVER tasted it before!” Slightly retorted. “Believe me, he’s still suffering! That could be the reason why Tink didn’t come back until now.”
Nibs stood. “Nevertheless I will look in on him.” His eyes found Slightly’s. “Maybe you should come with me, ‘doctor’.”
Slightly grinned. “Not a bad idea.” He looked over to the two Darling brothers. “What about it? Want to visit your sister?” Michael nodded eagerly. He already missed Wendy. John looked skeptical and finally gave a short nod as well. Maybe her ‘sunny days’ with Hook were finally over, and he could convince her to reverse her decision to stay at the pirate’s side. “All right,” Slightly smiled. “On to the Jolly Roger. Curly? You’re in command!” With that, he left the hideout, followed by his friends, and took the skies.

Hook ground his teeth as they crept toward the secret passage to his cabin as inconspicuously as possible. Here he was, Captain of one of the mightiest ships of the Seven Seas, dreaded by pirates and soldiers and kings alike -- the only man Barbeque ever feared, for blood’s sake -- and what was he doing? Skulking through his own ship, too embarrassed to be caught (a) on his way back from a dark storage bin where he and his girl had hidden like little children being naughty, and (b) barefoot, bearing passion marks on his throat and scratches on his chest, all quite obvious to any casual observer.
And all this all because that damned flying pest lay in his cabin sleeping off a hangover! He should have killed the boy several hours ago at least! But no, he offered him quarters – again! – and even comforted him – again as well! And why? Because of this sweet, beautiful enticing angel beside him, who now giggled like the schoolgirl she still was in many ways! Damn it all! He shot her a glare, but she giggled even more.
“Do you know, what we both look like?” she asked between bouts of giggles.
“I really don’t want to know!” he grumbled, even though he knew that wouldn’t stop her.
She happily replied, “Like two children sneaking back into the house so that Mother won’t notice they were out after dark!”
He shot her another dark look and snorted when he saw her conspiratorial grinning. “The only child who would earn the spanking would be you, my dear, for I am far too old.”
The girl nearly choked on a laugh. “Oh, who’s the one who told me that he really isn’t ‘that old’ and only ‘somewhere in his thirties’?”
“Even if I were in my early thirties – which I’m not! – I am over the age of spankings. Contrary to you, my dear!” He looked sternly at her and she started to pout.
“I am not a child anymore, Captain, and – by the way – my derrière hurts too much to stand a spanking.”
He lifted a brow, while a wicked smirk appeared around his arrogant mouth. “How did that happen?”
She nestled against him and whispered: “Because I’ve ridden so often on the most handsome and dangerous man I ever met!”
This was balm for his massive ego, she could clearly see, as he straightened his shoulders and smiled a pure masculine smile. “You have?” he asked seductively and bent down to steal a kiss. It was then he heard a latch lifting across the deck and two voices approaching. Almost in panic, he looked around him. No! It would destroy his reputation as the ‘iron commander’ if a crewman saw him and his girl like this! He espied a door behind them, and without another thought, he shoved Wendy and himself through it, closing it silently behind him. He cut off her protest with a quick kiss on her lips, and followed by a fiercely whispered, “QUIET!”
It was completely dark, and both of them could see absolutely nothing, but nevertheless, Wendy gave him a sharp glare, as the voices passed by outside. “What was that about?” she hissed.
“I think they were Albino and Skye, but—“ he answered in a hushed voice and felt her slapping him gently on this left arm.
“Silly! I mean why did you throw me into the dark? God alone knows to whom this chamber belongs!”
She knew that he gaped at her. “Do you think I want to be seen half-naked by my own men? Creeping along a passage, trying not to expose the marks on my body?”
He sighed, as she began to giggle again. “The great Captain was being naughty, and needed a change, choosing a new secret place to ravish his girl! No,” she admitted, “that really shouldn’t make the rounds!”
“The ‘great Captain’ will help you to an abrupt bath in the sea, if you don’t hold that daring, sweet tongue of yours and be silent before they hear us!” he hissed and realized that she didn’t take him seriously.
“Perhaps you know a better way to hold my tongue!” she whispered, and heard him moan.
“Does a hangover always have this effect on you, kitten?” he asked, not realizing that his voice was getting louder.
“I’m cured. What about you? Still in need of a ‘cure’?” Wendy bit her tongue and smiled. God Lord, she sounded like … like a wench! But it was fun to tease him like this, and she honestly felt a little bit tipsy still. If this was a result of last night’s rum, or of the glorious lovemaking of the last hour, she couldn’t tell.
“My angel, all I need right now is a warm bath, something light to eat, and a good sleep in my bed – with you in my arms. And nothing else!”
“Let me guess: You’re looking forward to ‘dessert’, which will end in your bed – again!” she bantered, forgetting to whisper.
“Don’t tell me that you aren’t sore!” he chuckled and could almost see her blushing, even in this darkness.
“No more nor less than you!”
“I still can sit, wildcat. You?”
“Of course! And neither of us will discuss how much it smarts, will we?” She was taunting him now, that was clear.
“See? You are sore!” he grinned.
“No, I’m not!”
“You are. You’ve given yourself away by babbling something about ‘how much it smarts’!”
“I was talking about you, dearest. Because you’re wearing breeches and I’m not!”
“Your luck, sweetie, otherwise I would hear you complain!”
“I NEVER complain!” she insisted.
“You would! And you would deserve every ache. After all: YOU seduced me until I am unable to walk for a while.”
“WHAT? I seduced YOU?” She could hear him laughing and punched his upper arm. “Repeat that!”
“You seduced me. With the greatest proficiency I’ve ever experienced,” he heard her gasping and decided to taunt her back, ”for a girlie, I have to admit!”
“For a GIRLIE?” she almost screamed. In the next moment, he had both arms full of a raging Wendy, and felt the overwhelming emotion of careless joy again, which he only felt with her during their bantering.
“If my proficiencies aren’t good enough for you, CAPTAIN, then blame it on my teacher -- who would be YOU!” she snarled and tried to hit him.
Heavens, she really was a wildcat! And it excited him more than he could tell. Laughing, he pulled her to him and sealed her mouth with his in a searing kiss. She beat her fists against him, but it was for use, because his arms encircled her like chains and his talented tongue soon persuaded her response to him, even against her will.
Angry that she never seemed to be able to resist him, she returned his kiss and clenched her nails into his arms. She would show him what a ‘girlie’ could do and—
And the door was torn open and lamplight bathed them both. With a high shriek from Wendy and a gasp from Hook, they broke apart, while a surprised shout was heard from the two intruders. Shocked, James looked into the older face of a gaping Smee and a surprised and grinning Mason, and wished for a moment that the ground would open and swallow him whole. No! How abashing to be found in a dark chamber and kissing his girl as if he were a schoolboy, and not the commander of this ship! And in this state!
For a moment, the four stood there until Smee cleared his throat; as embarrassed as his superior. “Uhm… sorry, Sir, we heard loud noises and-- and--" He quickly shut his mouth as he caught the piercing, enraged glare of his captain. “I’m on my way, Sir a-- and sorry for disturbing ye!” Hastily he backed away, pulling a protesting and uncomprehending Mason with him.
James starred at the empty spot where the two had stood only seconds ago. He had been … red-handed to do something very indecent! And that where he ALWAYS lectured his men to show at least the slightest bit of decency. Damn! Brimstone and gall! Bilgewater and devilry! Smee would hold his tongue, he didn’t doubt, but Mason was a tattletale, and the whole ship would know in no time that their swell commander was ravishing his girl in a darkened lumber room! As if he didn’t have his own quarters! Quarters where his sworn enemy nursed his hangover! Farewell reputation! That was it! No respect anymore because—
His gaze now found the reason for all this trouble – a reason with a crimson face, laughing so hard she was hiccuping. “Darling, now we both will be called Red-handed Jill – or James in your case!” she managed to get out between her snorts of laughter.
Moaning, Hook rubbed his forehead – Lord, why? – and closed his eyes. “Sweetie, you know that your noise has placed me in an awkward situation?”
“Your own fault! Why did you provoke me?”
Wide-eyed, he looked at a still hysterically giggling Wendy, who now took him into her arms. “Did you see their faces? That was the shock of their lives!” She wiped a tear away. “Their fierce, hard and quite unaccommodating but still noble captain is--"
“Don’t say it!” he growled, but felt – to his indignation – a grin pulling at his mouth while he wrapped his arms around her and slapped her hard on her bottom.
“Ouch! What was that for?” she protested, and felt herself hefted over his shoulder.
“For the trouble I will have teaching these dogs respect again and-- and for putting me in such a situation, only because you couldn’t shut up!”
A new bout of laugher erupted from her throat. “See the advantage, James! Now we don’t have to creep through the ship anymore, but you can carry me normally back to our cabin.” He didn’t say anything but strode with his burden over his shoulder towards the companionway. “I said, you can carry me NORMALLY back to our cabin!” Still he did not reply, and Wendy got the uncomfortable feeling that he was up to something. “James? What’s the matter?”
“I have to save my reputation as a PIRATE-captain!” came the simple reply, and Wendy knew now, that he had something disagreeable in mind.
“Only to make one thing clear, Mister,” she said and tried to sound stern, “that YOU chased me through the whole ship before this started, and wanted to teach me a lesson, which was nothing more than losing control over your impulses! It was only because of your lust that we ended up on that makeshift bed in the bow!”
They reached the deck and, because it was nearly full nightfall, the girl couldn’t tell where he was going. But she saw the curious faces of several crewmembers – upside-down – and then heard them whisper. Just a minute. This wasn’t good! “James? What’s going on in that wicked head of yours?”
“It’s obvious your impulses are still raging, and I remember the advice I got from you when I had that problem!”
His voice was quiet, only for her to hear, and frowning, she searched her memory for the advice she once had given him. And then it dawned to her. Cold water! With wide eyes, she took a good look around her, and her suspicion changed into knowledge: He headed toward the rail and this could mean only ONE thing! “James!” she shrieked and started to wriggle. “Put me down!”
“Only a few seconds more, my dear, and your wish will be my duty!”
Oh, he sounded far too satisfied and mocking. And he had an evil undertone in his voice. “Don’t you dare to throw me overboard! Or I will never speak one word to you again!”
Hook only chuckled. “I doubt that, because YOU can’t close that tempting mouth of yours!”
He had reached the rail and his men realized, at last, what his intention was. They all respected him, and no one would ever dare to risk his anger, but now it was a crisis – a question of protecting their Miss Wendy, and for her, they would risk any danger!
“Cap’n!” Cecco protested and rose from his position near an open barrel. After the incident on the deck of Blackbeard’s ship, he felt a special protectiveness about the girl. “Ye can’t--“
“Any questions, Mr. Cecco?” Hook interrupted with false courtesy and turned to face him, holding a struggling Wendy firmly over his shoulder. With some surprise, he saw that all the men on deck approached, and they all wore the same shocked and determined expression on their faces. What the heck--?
“Set me down, James! If you dare to throw me into the water, then--"
“No empty threats, my beauty, we both know that you cannot keep your hands off me! And – by the way – I warned you several minutes ago what I am going to, if you don’t obey this one time!”
A hard punch on his back was her answer and she kicked wildly, almost hitting him where it hurt the most. “Stop this nonsense!” he commanded, but – of course – she didn’t listen to him.
“Villain, barbarian, savage, scoundrel, knave, rascal --"
He rolled his eyes and gave his men a hard gaze. “Whoever refuses to follow the commands of the captain will pay the price!” He turned around and bent over the rail.
“Aw, Cap’n, ‘ave a ‘eart!”
“Cap’n, the mermaids!”
“Ye can’t do this!”
“Let her go!”
“As you wish, Mr. Cecco!” Hook answered the last angry words, and let her go, Wendy letting out a high-pitched scream.
It mingled with furious outcries of boyish voices and loud protests from the crew. Reacting, the girl wrapped her arms around Hook’s neck and clung to him as he let go of her. What happened next could have been written in the stars: He lost his balance, and with a startled shout, he fell with her together over the rail, down into the evening sea.
A second later, the waves closed over them both, Wendy still holding on to him, and he swallowed a good portion of salt water. Kicking, he catapulted the two of them upward and surfaced, gasping for air. Wendy puffed and blew and started to wipe her eyes, one hand clutching James’ shirt. “See?” she managed to get out. “That’s what comes of it!”
He flung his hair back with his hand, while he attempted to tread water. “You’ll pay for this, minx!” he said hoarsely, spitting out the water.
Wendy had to laugh, despite her anger. “YOU threw me overboard, and I’m the minx?”
He couldn’t answer, because the guffawing of the whole crew now reached them, and he glared up. His men stood at the rail, looking down on them, and roared with laughter. Splendorous! And he had wanted to save his reputation. He had really done a good job of it!
“You deserved this, codfish!”
Oh no! Not this voice now! He certainly was not in the mood for one of the boy’s childish points of view. “Back from death, Pan?” he snapped and glanced at the eternal boy, who hung in the air above him together with his fairy-friend and had propped his fists onto his hips.
Peter grinned down on him. “YOU of all people should know that you can’t trick our Wendy! She has always a trump up her sleeve!”
Hook shot him a deadly, ineffective glare. “Shut up, Pan!”
“How rude, Captain!”
“James?” Wendy said, and her voice sounded too sweet.
Full of distrust, he looked at her wet and glowing face. “Yes, kitten?”
“Would you help me with this dress, please? These wet skirts are too heavy!”
And damn it again! He hadn’t thought about that and hastily he reached for her. “Hold tight, sweetie, and--"
The next moment, he found himself under water again, as she dunked him. Peter and Tink snorted with laughter, and Peter offered Wendy a hand, which she gladly took – and her fingers slid out of his as she was suddenly pulled under the surface as well. The eternal boy heard the gasps of his friends, who had flown through one of Hook’s open windows to look for him only several minutes ago, and glanced up to them. “Don’t worry! Both grownups have only exchanged dunkings, that’s all!”
With that, they came back up, and Wendy again gasped for air. “If you push me under water only one time more, James, I swear I will--"
“You started it!” He looked up at his men, ignoring a chuckling Peter Pan completely. “Will one of you gentlemen kindly toss us a rope, or should we get fish tails?”
“I forgot how aquaphobic a lion is!” Wendy mocked and earned a nasty look.
“The list of payback grows longer, Miss Crab!” he shot back, and she batted her eyes innocently.
“Whatever for, Captain? You, the so-called gentleman, threw your lady overboard. You really have a thing about that, if I remember the last time four and a half year ago!”
James only growled and started to swim to the Jacob’s ladder. “Come on, you little monster. You’ve caused the death of my reputation among the crew!”
Wendy had to giggle and swam behind him. “You ruined your reputation completely all by yourself by throwing me into the water. Having a nice hour together somewhere on the ship is one thing, but this is--"
“Shut up, you two!” Peter called and listened intensely out to sea.
Hook turned on his back. “WHAT was that, boy?” he asked darkly, but Peter only made a signal for silence.
Then he looked alarmed toward the grownups. “Hurry! It isn’t dark enough to hold the mermaids at bay!”
That did it. Hook swam with mighty strokes to the ladder and clamped his right arm around the first stave, offering his hand toward Wendy. “Come!” he urged and cursed himself – again -- for having left that damn hook in his quarters, which was – after all – a very good weapon against the beautiful but dangerous creatures.
Peter flew next to him, while Tink sat on his left shoulder, and started to giggle. “Why so afraid, Hooky? The mermaids have a crush on you.” This time, both Wendy and James looked perplexed at him, and the boy laughed his famous laugh, which Wendy liked so much and had always infuriated the captain “What is it, Hook? They gave you thimbles when I saved you with them together last week out of the dark floods.”
James gasped. “What?” His voice sounded hollow and he was very conscious of Wendy’s sudden suspicion.
Peter shrugged his shoulders, a wide smirk in his pretty face. “I thought you knew it. All right, by doing it they give you air to breath as well, but they breathed for you far more often than me!”
James exchanged an uncertain gaze with Wendy. “Sweetheart, I really don’t know of what this churl his talking about!”
“But I do!” the girl retorted.
“I would never betray you--" he began, and she could clearly see his honesty.
Her eyes soften as she relented. “I know, my love! And I know the mermaids.” Relieved, he saw that she really didn’t blame him, and he smugly bent forward to steal a kiss from her, but when he pulled back, he met a steely gaze and a faceful of water. “But don’t think that this is over, James Hook!” she groused. “First you ruin my beautiful evening, then you get us all drunk, and then you throw me overboard, because YOU were embarrassed by your own behavior, and always insist on having the last word!”
With that she started to climb the up ladder. James stared after her – he would have to teach her respect, that was certain! – and quickly followed her, which wasn’t a good idea because of the amount of water that dripped from her skirts. Cursing under his breath, he wiped his eyes and snarled a “Keep your trap shut, Pan!” in the direction of the boy, who was openly laughing.
As Wendy reached the rail, Cecco and Smee opened the gate in the rail and helped her on deck, while Mullins and Skye came running with towels. With a “Thank you!” Wendy accepted them, wrapping them about her shoulders while her two brothers, Slightly and Nibs, greeted her joyfully. Only John stood back, prim as a banker, after he had given his sister a quick peck on the cheek. Hook’s behavior had proven -- once again -- what ruffian this man was!
Wendy greeted the boys and then looked back at a panting James Hook climbing on deck. He looked about for a towel for himself, but found none. Smee put on an innocent face, and asked aloud: “Do you need something, Cap’n?”
Hook shot him a dark glare. “Is it too much to ask for a towel, Mr. Smee?”
The Irishman only smiled. “Sorry, Sir, but as you always say, ‘Ladies first’.”
James snorted – of course he knew why the crew was behaving like this – and stiffened to prevent a shiver as the mild evening breeze cooled him. “Are you cold, James?” Wendy asked with an amused twinkle in her eyes, Michael beaming up to her.
“I’m never cold!” he answered arrogantly.
Peter, who alighted beside him, started to giggle again. “No, you’re only demonstrating the meaning of the phrase ‘shiver me timbers’.” The pirates around him began to laugh.
“Incredible! Only two hours ago you were hugging a bowl, more dead than alive, vomiting like a heron and whining that ‘It won’t stop’! And here you are mouthing off to me as cocky as ever!” James snapped. Peter blushed fiercely, hearing Hook’s graphic description of his earlier condition, and stuck his tongue out to him. James only grinned. “Is that the best retort your sparrow’s brain can come up with!”
“Better a sparrow-brain than a codfish’s, for they have none!”
Hook, who had started toward his cabin, stopped and turned around. “If you want to insult me, then I suggest that you inform yourself regarding such things before using them as insults. Because fish do have brains! Perhaps it would be good for you to attend a school, instead of playing jungle-boy!”
Peter grinned. “What a speech! You’re really good at this, y’know?”
Hook frowned. “I don’t believe that you meant that as a compliment.” His gaze found Smee. “Please prepare the bath.”
“Aren’t you wet enough?” Peter taunted, but this time Wendy answered.
“Salt skin isn’t pleasant, Peter,” she sighed. “So, yes, we need indeed a bath.”
John stared shocked at her. “Wendy? Do you mean to say that you and Hook are taking a bath together and--?"
Wendy turned crimson and ignored the ambiguous expressions on the pirates’ faces. “This, dear brother, is not open for public discussion!”
Peter asked Nibs, “Can you tell me why she is shy about swimming with us, but not about taking a bath with Hook? I mean, she doesn’t wear her clothes in the bathtub!”
Slightly and Nibs looked at each other and grinned. “It’s a grownup-thing, Peter.” The eternal boy lifted a brow – how often would he have to hear this? – and shrugged his shoulders.
“Wendy?” Michael called to her. “Will it last long?”
She and James had almost reached the captain’s quarters and Wendy looked back. “It will take a while, Michael. We ladies need our time.” She smiled. “Why don’t you all fly back home and I’ll visit you tomorrow? It’s almost dark, and the jungle is getting dangerous.” Her gaze found Peter’s. “That is, if I’m still welcome there.”
The eternal boy understood perfectly what she meant, chewed his lip, and finally conceded. “You’re welcome any time, Wendy-Lady!”
The girl smiled. “Until tomorrow.”
She followed James, and saw his pouting face. “I had other plans for tomorrow,” he complained as he opened the door for her. Wendy smiled. “Maybe we can combine them,” he told her. “Or I remit the visit.”
She lifted a brow. “I hope you have something good in mind, because you have a lot to make up for!”
James, who had been looking at his now-damp carpets, lifted his gaze. “I, make up for something? Who caused me to lose my reputation with the men?”
“Yourself, my darling,” she fluted. “It was your own idea to throw me overboard.”
“And you pulled me with you!”
A smile sprang to her face. “I always defend myself, my heart, as you should know by now!”
She sneezed suddenly, and all taunting flew from his head. Taking her over to the oven, he told her, “Take off those wet clothes and slip into bed, until this lame duck of a bo’sun gets the bath ready!”
Wendy looked at him and felt all traces of her anger disappearing. There he was: the dreaded pirate captain, feared by all men – and sometimes boys, too – and what happened when she sneezed? He got all protective, like a mother hen. She sighed. Could anyone really wonder why she loved him so much?

TBC…
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In the swirl of passion