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Not Old, Alone, Or Done For	By : onecelestialbeing Category: M through R > Peter Pan > Het Views: 9343 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I own nothing of Peter Pan, books, movies or any of its characters, and make no money from this story.

Chapter List
- 5
- 6
- 7
Wendy was still huddled at the base of the tree when the air around her grew tense. "Stop rubbing your eyes you stupid girl," came the familiar silky voice right next to her head as a hand pulled her fingers down from her eyes.

Wendy nearly jumped out of her skin with fright. Hook had treaded lightly and made not a sound until he was bending a hairsbreadth away from her. "I am not stupid!" she retorted, nearly forgetting about her pain yet finding it hard to keep her hands away from her face.

"I said stop!" Hook all but shouted, gripped both of Wendy's hands. "The more you rub the worse it burns. You'll be soon wishing for a quick death if you keep at it."

Wendy obediently heeded his words, briefly wondering how he knew where to find her. To her horror she realized that she felt immense relief when she'd first heard that grumble of a voice in her ear, yet she would sooner die than to admit that she was happy to cross paths with Captain Hook again.

"Can you walk?" he asked, gripping Wendy's wrist with his good hand.

"I think so," she replied sniffling as the captain pulled her to her feet. "My entire skull is ablaze."

She felt Hook's hand leave hers and then heard the sound of fabric ripping. She flinched slightly as she felt material come up across her eyes. "I'm afraid you'll have to tie the knot," he said holding the strip of black silky cloth that he ripped from the bottom of his shirt in place.

After Wendy secured the knot in the fabric at the back of her head, Hook guided her arm through his and slowly walked towards the men standing a few feet away. "Did you really need to bring that?" she asked, feeling her hip brush against the sword hanging from the sash around his waist.

"Ms. Darling, how else would you expect me to defend your honor? By throwing sticks? I have my pistol also. Should Pan or those nasty boys come attacking I must be ready at all costs."

Wendy was silent as she mused over his answer. She was more focused on trying not to trip as it was a disconcerting feeling walking barefoot and blind on the uneven jungle ground, even with Hook's arm steadying her. However after she stumbled over the mossy grounds a third time the pirate captain lost patience and scooped her body up into his arms, walking in long strides towards the awaiting palanquin.

It was the most peculiar sensation; being totally blind yet Wendy knew her head was close to Hook's neck as she could feel the heat from the blood pulsating beneath the thin skin, his now familiar scent of cigars and cologne tickling her nose. Catching a whiff of what smelled like alcohol, Wendy surmised that the captain had been indulging before coming for her.

Once they were inside of the palanquin, the men lifted it into the air and Wendy not realizing where she was lurched at the sensation of being jostled, causing her to instinctively fasten her arms around the captain's neck. "If you wished to be close to me all you needed do was ask," he teased huskily as his arm tightened around Wendy's waist.

"Thank you for coming for me," Wendy said quietly, feeling her cheeks flaming as she tried to ignore his flirtatious statement.

"I was told Pan just left you screaming and alone in the jungle," Hook stated sounding impartial.

"He said Tink blew lore, lire-"

"Lorer flower," Hook interrupted. "Nasty stuff, great for a sneak attack on your enemies. Bad form to throw it in the eyes of an unsuspecting young woman."

"Well I asked him how to make the burning stop and he said he didn't remember."

"Useless boy," Hook spat. "Him and that vile little fairy of his. Although you should thank another fairy for telling me where you were; rather annoying she is but she doesn't care for Peter Pan and his ragtag. By all counts she's alright in my book for now."

"Did she have dark hair?" Wendy asked, her curiosity peaking.

"Yes, dark hair and a very demanding persona."

Wendy laughed weakly. "That sounds like the fairy that helped me return to Neverland."

"I told her she could come visit you if she wished; I promised not to say-"

"Don't say it!" Wendy cried becoming slightly agitated.

"Easy child!" Hook grumbled repositioning her body on his knee. "I wasn't going to actually say it, but I did tell her that I wouldn't. It was conveyed that you were unable to understand her when she speaks, but her name is Maila."

"Maila. That's pretty," Wendy said thoughtfully. "Captain, how is it that you're able to understand fairies?" she added as an afterthought.

"There are many more facets to me than just pillaging and plundering, Ms. Darling."

Having the grace to flush gently, Wendy swallowed hard. "I-I wasn't trying to imply that-"

"Fae is one of the many languages I understand. Being stuck on this blasted island entails that you have an open mind."

Quietly pondering what other mysteries existed that made up Captain James Hook, Wendy realized that she was still sitting on his lap with both of his arms securely wound around her body. Feeling his heavy curls like warm silk against her neck, Wendy grew slightly uncomfortable with being so intimately close to a man much less one that was clearly dangerous, and her entire posture stiffened.

Hook noticed the slight change from the woman in his arms and was about to ask her about it when the entire palanquin suddenly dipped sharply, causing Wendy's head to snap back and Hook to let out a crude word as his hand went for his pistol.

"What in the blazes is happening?" he yelled out to the men.

"It's Pan Sir!" one of them yelled, sounding obviously fearful.

The captain yelled for the men to stop where they were, and down went the palanquin to the jungle grounds with a thump. Wendy's heart began to beat like a wild animal trapped in a cage, and she jumped when she heard the unmistakable sound of metal against metal as Hook cocked his pistol. "Wait here, do not move from this spot," he told her, venom coloring his voice as he set her down from his lap, his velvet coat brushing against her thigh as he made a hasty exit.

Too shaken up to even utter a word, Wendy merely nodded. She knew it would have been foolish to attempt to leave the palanquin as her sight had still not returned. Wendy shuddered when she heard the yells issued between Captain Hook's crew and Peter Pan and the Lost Boys going hand to hand in combat.

Wendy bit down on her hand when gunfire suddenly rang in the air. Trying desperately not to scream, a small squeak managed to escape from between her lips.

"Hello, Mother," a childish voice trilled. "I'm here to rescue you!"

"Peter," Wendy began, moving backwards when she felt his scrawny arms encircle her waist.

"Don't worry about the old codfish, the Lost Boys have him distracted."

Wendy struggled to slip from his grasp, but for a twelve year old boy he was stronger than she realized. "Hook didn't kidnap me Peter, I don't need rescuing."

"You don't need to lie for him! Why else would he have you blind-folded and hidden?" Peter quipped, still attempting to pull Wendy out of the palanquin.

"As usual he was trying to help!" Wendy shouted, writhing away from Peter's rough embrace. "It was your fairy that did this to me! And you didn't even try-Peter put me down!"

By now Peter had managed to yank Wendy completely from the velvet draped fixture and had his arms wrapped tightly around her middle and already began floating midair. Thrashing and flailing her limbs about much to Peter's consternation, another gunshot pierced the air this time in closer proximity to the two.

"I do believe the lady asked you to let go of her," Hook's deadly voice came.

"She's just saying that because she's scared of you!" Peter countered, floating up higher causing Wendy to flinch at the sudden movement.

"I am not scared of him Peter!" Wendy gasped, feeling his small fingers digging into her aching middle. "Now put me down!"

Peter looked down at the blindfolded red faced girl still writhing in his arms trying to get free. "But I thought you came back for me," he continued sounding completely nonplussed. "Don't you want to stay with us? Think of the fun we'll have!"

"No Peter, I don't want to go with you, I'm going with Captain Hook so PUT ME DOWN!" With that she flailed her limbs again this time successfully wrenching free from Peter's arms, yet forgot that he was hovering midair. Screaming when she felt her body free falling, she fell less than a foot from the air and landed flush on her tailbone.

All the while Hook had his pistol aimed directly at Peter's head, holding the firearm steadily as he made his way over to Wendy who lay half sprawled on the ground wincing in pain. "That is no way to treat a lass, especially one you consider your mother," the captain drawled as he helped Wendy off the ground without taking his eyes off the hovering golden messy haired boy. "It seems whenever Wendy is in your presence she always manages to fall in harm's way. Now why do you suppose that is?"

Peter stood agog as he watched the pirate captain hovering protectively over the young woman that was clinging to his side. "I will not let you have her!" he hissed, flying towards Hook.

Hook's body barely moved as he cocked his pistol again, still aiming at Peter's head making him stop short. "Foolish boy, she is not yours to keep. Take another step I will kill you, make no bones about that."

"Wendy! Are you really going to go with him?"

"Yes Peter," she answered quietly, desperately wishing that she was able to see what was going on. "You're naught but a child and I've grown up. It's over Peter; it was over a long time ago."

Hook watched the entire exchange between the two, still not letting his guard down. "You've got your answer boy, now be gone before I do away with you."

"This isn't over Hook!" Peter cried vengefully.

"Go Peter! Leave us in peace, please!" Wendy cried, her fingers clinging onto the silky ruffles on Hook's shirt.

Huffing in childish annoyance, Peter finally flew away in search of collecting his group of juvenile misfits.

"That damned boy had his ragtag distract my men and sent them on a wild goose chase most likely so he could rescue you, or so he thought," Hook said as he led Wendy back to the palanquin. "Are you hurt?"

"No more than usual," she answered between gritted teeth as the space below her back throbbed painfully. "Well I guess I should add no more than what is expected from being near Peter as of late."

"I agree," Hook answered genially as he helped Wendy situate herself back on his lap once they were inside of the palanquin. "So far you've been drowned by mermaids, blinded by Pan's fairy and then he himself nearly breaks your back."

"Not to mention those little fingers of his digging into my middle. He pressed on each and every spot where that corset cut into my skin," Wendy added with a wince. It just then dawned on her that although Hook had a gruff disposition, whenever he'd touch her he managed to not maim her or exacerbate her injuries any further.

The journey back to the ship was a short one. It took Wendy some time to blindly climb out of the dinghy up to rope ladder onto the boat deck, but she noted with silent observation that Hook stayed right behind her and countered her every move. Mr. Smee had immediately begun fussing over the girl like a mother hen when he saw the blindfold across her still reddened face.

The captain explained what transpired within the past few hours and to Wendy's dismay she heard the bosun whisper that there was no antidote for her malady.

"Do you mean I'm stuck like this forever?" she cried, panicking.

"No child, just for a few days until it wears off," Hook replied calmly.

"But Peter said there was another flower that would help!"

"The boy's wits must be addled, for the Lorer flower is one of his wicked creations. He purposely created it with no cure in mind to punish his enemies."

Fighting back the urge to cry in front of the group of men that were now warily standing behind her, Wendy took a deep breath. "How long do you think I'll be like this?" she asked.

"As long as you keep the cloth around your head, one or two days at the most. The trick is to not let light hit your eyes; it lengthens the side effects of blindness," the captain answered.

"Are ye hungry miss?" she suddenly heard Smee ask, momentarily distracting her.

"I am a bit," she admitted trying to downplay her answer. The truth was Wendy felt famished from only eating a few handfuls of berries and then dashing about with the boys that seemed to have an endless supply of energy.

After Hook yelled threats to the crew who were idling around, trying to be inconspicuous but obviously eyeing the disheveled yet attractive young woman before them, he held onto Wendy's upper arm and began leading her up the wooden steps to the upper deck. Feeling cold air suddenly swirl about her bare feet and ankles, Wendy shivered slightly.

"Pan must be in a downright foul mood," Hook noted as the air surrounding the ship grew wintry.

"I forgot the weather is contingent upon his aura," Wendy replied, shivering in the thin silk shirt and breeches.

Unaware that she was now being led through a doorway, the air grew less biting. After Hook led her to a chair she heard him rustling about and moments later felt the welcoming warmth of a fire burning in the hearth.

"Drink this," she suddenly heard Hook command as what felt like a goblet brushed against her lips. Again Wendy hadn't heard him approach her and jumped in fright. "Are you afraid of me, little Wendy?"

Taking the offered goblet, Wendy gently shook her head. "No sir, it's just that your stealthy movements always catch me by surprise," she answered honestly.

Hook paused for a moment, unaware of how to feel about Wendy not being adverse towards his usually dark propensity. He momentarily turned his back and began taking off his heavy jacket when he heard Wendy sputter in shock.

"What did you give me?" she asked, coughing after having apparently taken a sip from her goblet.

Hook chuckled lightly, seeing her innocent face turned up in distaste. "I'll have you know that is one of the finest rums money can buy. Have some more; you'll soon forget about being cold."

Watching as the girl then primly pinched her nose with one hand and held the goblet back up to her mouth with the other; Wendy took what appeared to be a large swallow. Grimacing again she then held out the goblet. "Thank you, but I can drink no more," she replied coughing. Feeling the empty cup being removed from her hand, Wendy delicately sat back in her chair feeling the heat beginning to ebb in her chest.

It wasn't long after that Wendy realized that her body felt more languid, her face growing slightly numb. Hook watched in awe as the blind-folded girl sat curled up in his large red velvet and gold armchair, gently touching her lips and then cheek with her forefinger. Becoming lost in her subtle gestures, Smee suddenly burst into the room bearing a large platter of steaming food, breaking the captain out of his reverie.

Wendy heard the jubilant man enter the cabin and slowly twisted round in her seat. Her senses dulled more than she realized, Wendy's hand fell as if boneless into her lap. Both Mr. Smee and Hook stopped what they were doing to look at her.

"Cap'n, is the lass okay?" the bosun asked concernedly. "Is that some nasty effect from the flower?"

"No Smee," the captain replied as he waved him onto setting the food on the table across the room. "It's merely effects of the rum I gave her."

Wendy seemed unaware to the men's conversation and now appeared to be falling asleep, her entire body slumped against one side of the chair.

"Hell Cap'n, how much did you give her?" Smee hissed underneath his breath. "She's no bigger'n my foot."

"Blast Smee!" Hook swore. "I didn't give her that much, I don't want her to pass out. I only gave her a swallow to warm her bones, which she threw back as if she was old hat to drinking."

With both gray eyebrows raised over his bifocals, Mr. Smee watched as the captain walked over to the half lucid girl. "Up girl, you need to eat," he said tugging on her arm.

"No…I wish to sleep," Wendy murmured her head half buried into her shoulder.

Sighing heavily, the captain moved to lift Wendy out of her seat when he realized he still had the deadly appendage still strapped to his right arm. Before he could shout across the room, Mr. Smee who'd been watching the entire thing hurried over. "C'mon Miss Wendy, its dinnertime," he said, placing both hands underneath slight girl's armpits and pulling her to her feet.

"Dinner?" Wendy groggily answered, her ears perking up at the sound of food. "That's right; I haven't eaten since…I can't remember." Leaning heavily onto the bosun as he slowly led her over to the dining table, she allowed him to help her into a chair. "All I'd eaten was a handful berries but that was hours ago," she continued unaware that she was rambling. "Where's the captain?" Wendy then queried, unaware that her question came out in a loud whisper.

"He's still here, Miss Wendy," Smee answered politely, swinging his head around to look at the captain whom was leaning against Wendy's abandoned chair, watching the conversation between her and the bosun.

"Okay," she answered, sounding appeased. Wendy then brought her hands up to her eyes and attempted to remove the dark silken fabric.

"No child," she suddenly heard Hook tell her as he gently pried her hands away from her face.

"But how else will I eat?" she cried plaintively. "I need my eyes to see the fork and knife."

"You have two perfectly fine hands that you can use," Hook told her. "Besides remember I told you, no light must touch your eyes for now. Unless you want to stay blind-folded for the rest of the week."

Sighing resignedly, Wendy heard something being moved in front of her. A chubbier, calloused hand then closed over hers and placed it upon something warm and moist. "Here ya are Miss Wendy, this is your meat, and these are your potatoes," she heard Mr. Smee say, pronouncing potatoes as 'p'tatas' as he led her to touch each dish.

Nodding apprehensively, Wendy heard a chair being scraped upon the floor and realized that the captain must have also sat down to eat. As a result of her proper upbringing she found it hard to use her hands to eat, but Wendy was ravenous and the scent of the food had begun to make her mouth water.

"There's no need to stand on formality," she heard Hook quietly say across from her. "Go on and eat, there's no one here that will rap you on your knuckles with a ruler for using your fingers."

Nervously biting her lip, Wendy slowly brought what felt like a roasted chicken leg to her plate. Successfully picking the tender meat apart, she nearly swooned as she placed a small piece inside of her mouth. After chewing and swallowing gratefully, Wendy attempted to break off more bite sized portions. Between the rum slightly dulling her senses and not being able to see what she was doing, eating proved to be more difficult than she realized.

She was able to get all of three more pieces of chicken in her mouth, as her hands clumsily knocked into other things on the table whenever she missed her plate. Finally managing to knock what sounded like a dish to the floor, it shattered with a loud clang causing Wendy to cry out in anguish.

"I can't do this!" she yelled, tears of frustration spilling from her eyes and soaking through the blindfold. Uncaring if she looked like a spoilt child throwing a tantrum, she banged both fists down on the table and fought the urge to burst into all out sobs. "What have I done to deserve this?" Wendy asked to no one in particular, her chest heaving slightly.

"What did any of us do to warrant Pan's wrath?" she heard Hook quietly ask her. He had gotten up from his seat at the opposite end of the table when he noticed Wendy's meltdown. "But we must make the best of the lot handed to us."

Shame washing over her, Wendy realized that although her blindness was only temporary, Hook would always have one hand for the rest of his life. "I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking…" she trailed off feeling her cheeks flaming.

"It's quite alright, my dear."

Without flinching this time, Wendy felt the captain bring up a soft cloth to her damp face as he wiped away the tears that managed to escape the blindfold and make their way down her cheeks. Suddenly hearing utensils being scraped against a plate, she felt something at her lips. "Open," the captain told her, using a fork to place a large portion of food inside of her mouth.

Gratefully taking the offered food, Wendy's tears finally stopped as Captain Hook hand fed her the rest of her dinner. When she'd had enough, he dabbed at her lips and hands with a cloth wiping away the remnants of her meal. Quietly thanking the captain, Wendy didn't realized that he'd already walked away from her until she heard the chair being moved again at the opposite end of the table, and she presumed that he now wished to finish his own meal.

Wendy sat in silence, still reeling over the fact that the ruthless, villainous Captain James Hook had just fed her as if she was a helpless infant. Could it be that he wasn't as black hearted as Peter had made him out to be? Wendy did have to admit to herself; once upon a time it was Peter who called himself her friend that had selfishly tried to make her forget her parents and childhood home.

And it was Captain Hook who'd, once again, helped her when she needed it most.

"You're very quiet over there, what are you thinking about?" she heard Hook ask her, breaking her train of thought.

"Nothing of great importance," Wendy fibbed, feeling her cheeks growing pink again.

"You are a terrible liar, Ms. Darling," the captain pointed out bluntly, though none too harshly.

Ducking her head, Wendy bit down on her bottom lip and grew silent again. 'What I would give to have a hot bath,' she thought mournfully.

"I would be more than happy to succor," Hook replied, most likely with a grin.

Wendy gasped sharply, realizing that she must have spoken aloud her wishes. Stammering, Wendy desperately wished that she could take back her words. As it were, Mr. Smee walked back into the captain's cabin at that moment to remove the finished platters of food from the table.

"When you're finished with that, have hot water sent to my room," Hook told the bosun as he leaned back in his chair and propped both legs upon the now clear table.

"Do you need help Cap'n?" Mr. Smee asked, pausing with his arms full of dirty dishes.

"Not for me, for Ms. Darling," he continued with his right arm before him as he contemplated the tip of his hook.

Smee looked with confusion etched all over his face, from the captain who was idly sitting sideways in his chair to Wendy at the opposite end of the table whom looked mildly uncomfortable at the conversation. "Err Cap'n, I don't think-"the elderly man began only to be interrupted by Hook whom didn't bother looking up to speak.

"Mr. Smee, if I want your opinion I'll give it to you. Now - the water if you please."

Nodding emphatically, the bosun disappeared from the room.

"Would you like more rum, my dear?" Hook called across the table to Wendy whom hadn't uttered a peep within the past ten minutes. .

Still unable to feel her face, Wendy shook her head. "No thank you," she answered delicately.

Chuckling to himself, the captain looked up as he heard an insistent rapping at the door. After bidding them to enter, two of his crewmen lugged in bucket after bucket of hot water depositing it into an ornate claw foot tub that was tucked away in the corner of the cabin behind a silk screen. Wendy heard heavy footsteps going back and forth a few times, and wondered where in the room they were depositing the water.

Finally when the footsteps ceased, she heard the chair opposite from her being moved. Waiting expectantly, Wendy felt the captain touch her wrist. Standing up from the chair he led her across the room and stopped at a place that felt warmer than elsewhere.

Pulling her to stoop down low, Hook put his hand on Wendy's and let her feel where the tub was, along where the soap, towel and a clean garment lay next to it. After making Wendy feel where everything was on her own a second time, he then pulled her upright. "You know, my offer still stands," he murmured in her ear obviously enjoying her discomfort.

"Ever the rogue you are," Wendy flushed, unconsciously wrapped both arms around her torso. "Well…thank you sir. I think I'll be able to manage," she politely said, hinting that she wanted him to give her privacy.

"Are you sure?"

Just like a girl, Wendy stamped her bare foot down in annoyance. Conceding, Hook made motion to exit his cabin as Wendy began to undress. He nearly had the door completely shut when he heard Wendy huffing in annoyance, seemingly having trouble with something.

"Ms. Darling, may I be of any assistance?" he called through the slight open door.

Sighing, Wendy told him yes. "I…I tied the rope too tightly," she said.

Curious as to what the young woman was speaking of, Hook walked over to Wendy whom was hastily fumbling with something around her waist. "You know, a belt would have been more suitable," he commented examining the messy knot.

"Well you didn't offer one, so I didn't ask!" she snapped. Blushing when she felt his large hand lift the shirt out of the way and graze her bare stomach, Wendy jumped when she felt the captain use his hook to cut through the rope like a hot knife through butter, and she had to hurriedly grasp onto the breeches to keep them from falling completely down.

"Enjoy your bath Ms. Darling," Hook then whispered in her ear, making his footsteps obviously louder as he walked back to the door.

"Do you promise to stay outside until I call you back in?" she asked worriedly.

"You know, it isn't as if I've never seen a woman's form before," he leisurely replied. "Although, my innocent flower, there is a screen in front of the tub to preserve your modesty."

Despite not wanting to grow up, Wendy still had propriety when it came to certain matters and stood in place, one hand clutched onto her clothes as even still blind-folded she looked aghast at Hook's bold statement.

Scoffing with one hand on the doorknob, Hook yanked the door back open. "I give you my word," he swore as he made a conspicuous exit.

When Wendy was positively sure that she was alone, she gratefully let the breeches fall down from her body. Sighing with relief as she pulled the soiled shirt over her head, she let it fall to the floor. Only three of the cloth bandages that had been tied around her arms and legs from the night before remained, and Wendy slid them off and down her limbs, unable to pick apart the perfectly tied knots. Bending down, she then cautiously patted around until she felt the smooth, ceramic tub. Easing both legs over the edge Wendy swooned as she slid down in the comfortably hot water that came up to her shoulders.

It felt entirely foreign to bathe in what seemed like the dark, but Wendy was determined on ridding every inch of her body of dirt and perspiration. Using lavender scented soap; she washed her body and hair as best as she could with the blindfold in her way. The heat now dissipating from the tub, Wendy reached down over the edge of the tub and felt around for the towel. Picking it up carefully, she stood up and wrapped it round her body, gingerly stepping out of the water.

Managing not to knock anything over this time, Wendy hastily rid her body and hair of excess moisture. She'd slipped what felt like one of Hook's less ruffled soft cotton shirts over her head, grateful that it afforded her a bit of modesty as it fell to her knee. Managing to find her way back to the armchair, she saw down and waited for Hook to return to his room.

If anything, the hot bath and crackling fireplace served to only relax Wendy even more until she nearly befell to sleep sitting completely upright. Hook then came knocking at the door, and upon hearing complete silence entered the room. He saw that Wendy had somehow found the chair that he'd first set her in when they returned from the jungle, and curled her body up beneath his shirt and had fallen asleep.

After bidding two lackeys to drain the water from the tub, Hook removed his boots, shirt and vest and tossed the clothing onto a chair. Once he was rid of his harness, he then hoisted the still sleeping Wendy out of her chair and into his bed. After drawing the covers over her body, Hook lay next to the young woman on his bed, unable to sleep.

Some days his right arm caused him much anguish; others he felt not a pinch. Unfortunately tonight was one of those nights that gave him pain. Groaning slightly, he pulled himself up and leaned against the headboard, gripping his wrist with his left hand.

"What's wrong?" he suddenly heard Wendy ask in a quiet voice, her head still pressed against the pillow.

"It's this blasted hand," Hook answered, suddenly wishing that he'd also had some rum before dinner as it usually offered temporary analgesic relief.

Wendy then sat up, leaning over to Hook's side of the bed and felt around for him. "Let me," she said, reaching out for his right arm with gentle fingers. The captain watched, dumbfounded as the girl then slowly brought his maimed wrist up to her lips and pressed a soft kiss on it. "Mother used to do that to us whenever we'd hurt ourselves," she explained sounding like an innocent child.

Hook swallowed hard, sitting in silence as Wendy continued to run her soothing fingertips in gentle circles on his aching skin. "I don't care if Peter believed himself to be justified or not; 'tis a terrible thing to subject a man to," she whispered fiercely. "However are you able to cope?"

"I usually have Smee to help me," he answered, trying to keep remorse from coloring his voice.

"Dressing, shaving…combing your hair?" she pressed.

"Yes. All of it made difficult considering I'm used to using my right hand, although I have become quite adept with using the left."

Wendy grew choked with grief, upset thinking about Hook unable to perform the most mundane of tasks without the help of his elderly bosun. Her hands flew to her face, trying to stop the sobs that already began to erupt from her core.

Hook looked completely taken aback at the young woman that had begun to cry earnestly and suddenly. He briefly wondered if it was the rum bringing forth all of her emotions like a tidal wave, but thinking back remembered that Wendy had always seemed to wear her heart on her sleeve.

Earlier he'd tried convincing himself that there was only one reason he was keeping Wendy; revenge. Simply put he wanted Pan to feel every miserable emotion that he himself had suffered due to the selfish boy's torment. Much like the child that Pan was, he was always used to having his way and would go to any lengths if someone got in his way. Up until seeing Wendy return to Neverland, Peter had completely forgotten about her. Now they both wanted her, although Hook suspected Pan's reason was purely out of juvenile greed, much like a child wanting a toy only because another is playing with it.

Not that his own reasons were entirely altruistic. Hook had tried to grow accustom with being alone; as the only people that stayed near him was due to fear or money. His crew was terrified of his wrath and that kept them bound to the Jolly Roger, and the whores he paid would have told him anything he wanted to hear so long as he kept their purses overflowing.

Wendy, on the other hand, had already pointed out that she wasn't afraid of the captain and thus willingly chosen to come back to the ship with him and was now crying furiously on behalf of the permanent injustice forced upon him. "It's not fair," she choked out, her chest heaving. "It's not-"her voice broke off, unable to finish her sentence.

Feeling his stony façade crumble, Hook pulled the crying girl to rest her head on his bare chest. "There's no need to shed tears for me, my beauty," he reassured running his left hand through Wendy's tangled hair. "What's done is done."

"I'm sorry James; I cannot bear it," she croaked, her words muffled by his now tear dampened skin.

If someone had told Hook that his future held one of Pan's followers- former followers- crying piteously over his injury that was caused by the little miscreant, he would have cheerfully disemboweled them just for uttering the ridiculous notion. Yet here and now, Wendy was inconsolably crying as if she'd just lost her parents and Hook was the one trying to comfort her.

"Do you want to know the true reason I wanted to return?" she asked after her crying had slightly subsided.

"Enlighten me," Hook answered, sounding more abrupt that he meant to.

"It was your eyes; they're blue as forget-me-nots. Up until then I'd never seen eyes as blue as yours, nor had I again after leaving Neverland. They look as if you can see right into someone's soul. I'm sure I sounds stupid but I've seen you in my dreams ever since."

For Hook to have been a callous, unfeeling sort of man ever since he could remember, his chest burned with no fewer than ten emotions at the moment. It was a discomforting sensation, one that he was wholly unused to yet he remained silent after Wendy's forthright confession, his fingers still sliding though her slightly damp curls.

Finally after what felt like an eternity Wendy's body grew slack as she fell into a deep sleep, her arm draped across the captain's bare torso clutching onto him like a small child with a teddy bear. His mind still muddled as Wendy's words echoed in his head, Hook allow her to remain in place as he lowered his body back upon the pillows. The only sound in the room was the now dying crackling fireplace and Wendy's steady breathing; both soothing to Hook as he finally succumbed to sleep.
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Not Old, Alone, Or Done For