Chapter 8 – Mind Your Manners

      During the course of the next hour or so, Wendy told Peter in more detail about what had happened since Oberon had nearly killed her. Peter listened in stunned silence when she described how Hook had held her, even speaking to her softly to try to calm her until Wendy had decided to try a fairy tale instead. It just didn’t make sense to the eternal girl, Hook was an evil, selfish man, and for him to act caring was surely a bad omen. But he did help me when I was throwing up… he seemed nice then until I was better. Peter was just about to ask Wendy why she thought the man was acting strangely, when a heavy knock sounded on the door.

      They looked at each other uncertainly, confused as to why a pirate would bother to knock on the door of their prison. “Come in?” Wendy called, deciding to find out what was going on.

      Robert Mullins unlocked the door and pushed it open, fumbling to draw his sword without dropping the tray of food he carried. He really wasn’t supposed to be in here, especially not without someone to help him keep Pan from escaping. But they’d all heard what Oberon had said to Peter: she was exiled from the island and she couldn’t harm the pirates. I’d still rather not trust to the pixie’s magic to keep her in line, but I wanna talk to her without the Cap’n around. Mullins was afraid of what was going to happen to Billy, and he was riddled with guilt over the fight he’d had with the boy. They hadn’t made up by the time Oberon had taken him away.

      Peter’s eyes lit up when she saw the food on the tray, and her stomach suddenly gave a rather loud growl. She smiled at the sound and giggled, putting her hand over her stomach. Wendy frowned at the rude noise, but smiled again a moment later when Peter winked at her. It relieved her to see Peter’s spirits were up again.

      Mullins himself chuckled when he heard the girl’s stomach growl. “Figured you were hungry. Heard Billy mention to th’ Cap’n that ya didn’t eat all day yesterday, and by the contents of th’ bucket I lugged outta here, ya sicked up breakfast.” At Peter’s nod, Mullins kicked the door closed behind him and pointed his sword at the two girls. “I don’t want no trouble outta ya. I wanna ask ya a few questions an I thought ya’d be a bit eaiser to get on with if you weren’t starvin’. Promise me that neither of ya will try to escape, an’ I’ll feed ya.”

      “I promise,” Wendy swore, worried to hear that Peter had gone a day and a half with no food.

      Peter considered the offer for a few seconds, comparing her likelihood of escaping with the big churning emptiness in her stomach. Her immediate need for food won out and she nodded. “I promise. I can’t very well escape without Wendy, and she’s already promised.”

      Mullins sheathed his sword and carried the tray to Peter, who moved to sit Indian style on the bed. She set the tray in her lap and began to devour the bread and dried venison, washing it down with the large glass of milk.

      “Don’t inhale your food, Peter!” Wendy insisted, worried the other girl would choke herself.

      “Ah, let ‘er eat, girl. She’s starved,” Mullins chided. He liked to see a girl with an appetite - they tended to be more honest. Then he shook his head and added, “though ya might teach her how ta sit in a dress.”

      Peter looked at Mullins quizzically and swallowed her mouthful. “Why? What difference does it make how I sit?”

      “I can see up yer skirt, Miss Pan,” Mullins said, grinning. “Ya should be mindful of it when yer sittin’, bendin’, and flyin’.”

      Peter actually blushed and shifted around so her legs were together and skirt remained down. “I hate this dress,” she growled as she viciously bit into the meat.

      “Looks like yer gonna pop outta it,” Mullins added, giving her an appraising look. How much did she age? Hard to tell with that dress so tight, but she looks like she’s developed some.

      “Mr. Smee is supposed to make her a new one,” Wendy said softly, watching Peter eat. Peter offered her some of the food with a muttered apology, but she smiled and said, “No, thank you, I ate lunch with Mr. Starkey, so you go ahead and eat it all.”

      There was a small table against the wall with two chairs, so Mullins sat and considered Pan. He didn’t care if Peter Pan was a girl or a boy, she was still the enemy. He’d long ago declared womankind his enemy and he had no problem fighting her now just as he did before. He didn’t hate women, they just couldn’t be trusted. They were too adept at twisting a man’s heart to make him their toys and wouldn’t hesitate to break a man’s soul and leave him weeping in the dust if it suited them. He wasn’t happy about having two of the vixens onboard, it was doubling the trouble. But a naked woman on board was enough good luck to counter several clothed ones, and Pan had been naked aboard for the entire previous day. He could put up with them for now.

      “I wanna talk to ya ‘bout Billy,” he announced when Peter had finished eating.

      Peter belched loudly. She grinned until she caught Wendy’s withering look. Her smiled turned apologetic and she mumbled, “Excuse me.” Once Wendy was placated, she turned to Mullins. “What about Billy?”

      “I wanna know what those overgrown pixies have planned fer ‘im,” Mullins elaborated.

      “They’ll test him and the Lost Boys, to see if one of them can be the next Pan,” Peter answered, her voice bitter. “I don’t remember much about it when they did it to me, just flashes of stuff. Sometimes it was nice, even fun. Sometimes it hurt. They made me feel and see things, things the fairies can see. And when I passed the tests, they made me the Pan.”

      “And if Billy don’t pass?” Mullins pressed, worried they’d harm his shipmate.

      “They’ll send him back here. If I had money, I’d bet he’ll be the first one sent back. He’s too old. Slightly probably is too,” Peter grimaced, glancing down at herself. “If I wasn’t already the Pan, I’d be too old now too. Even if Oberon wanted me, he’d still have to start looking for a new Pan. He’s aged me too much.” How could he? If he didn’t want me anymore, why steal my life away like that? Why didn’t he just send me away?

      Mullins saw the pain in the girl’s face and guessed she was remembering the day before. “So, they won’t harm Billy?” he pressed.

      “I never said that,” Peter answered softly. “I said they’ll send him back. He may be fine when he comes back, or the tests might make him crazy, since he’s so much older. There was a boy here once that I made friends with. The fey broke his mind with their tests. They gave him a home here and took care of him, because they felt bad that they’d hurt him so much. He was funny and kind, but forgetful and he talked to things that weren’t there.” Remembering JoJo made Peter’s already heavy heart hurt worse, and she idly picked at a loose thread on her skirt.

      “That’s horrible,” Wendy gasped, her worry for her brothers returning tenfold. “What happened to this boy?”

      Peter shrugged and seemed to fold in on herself. “When I first brought Slightly to Neverland, JoJo tried kill him. I don’t know why, he just attacked him for no reason. He wouldn’t stop and his watch-fairy’s magic didn’t work on him. So I killed him.”

      The three sat in silence for a little while, then Mullins stood and picked up the tray. “If they harm my Billy, I’ll squash those pixies like bugs.”

      Peter nodded, “Good,” and resumed picking at the thread. She and Wendy remained silent long after Mullins left, each lost in their own whirls of anxiety.

      Hook stared at the two girls in disbelief, not sure why Wendy’s attitude towards him had suddenly soured so much. It was late afternoon and he had summoned Pan and Wendy to the deck to be fitted for their dresses before suppertime. He preferred to do it in his cabin, out of sight of the other men, but Smee’s eyes needed the sunlight to do this right. But when he’d asked the girls to stand on the stools, Wendy had rather coldly declined.

      “Excuse me, Miss Wendy, but did you just tell me ‘no’?” Hook finally asked. Peter smirked at him and the man fought down the urge to backhand her.

      “You heard me, Captain. I will not cooperate with you until you apologize to Peter,” the little girl demanded with a disdainful toss of her head.

      “Apologize?” Hook nearly sputtered. “For what, pray tell?”

      “For seeing Peter naked,” Wendy began counting the offenses on her fingers, “for stripping her and ruining the only clothes she owned, for leaving her naked and cold, in the dark, all day with no food, and I believe one of your crewmen struck her this morning! Isn’t a Captain responsible for the actions of his crew?”

      Hook thought furiously as his rational mind tried to consider her request while battling with the irrational urge to throttle her and skewer Pan. I need her on my side. I must be the gentleman; she trusts that side of me for some ungodly reason. Be civil and overwhelm her.

      “You are right, my dear,” he said at last, and the genuine tone of his voice shocked him as much as it shocked his crew. “I apologize to you, first of all, for being such an inconsiderate host.” Wendy smiled at him and gave a short curtsey. Peter just rolled her eyes. “And Miss Pan,” Hook continued, turning his attention to his old enemy, “my deepest apologies.” For added effect, Hook dropped to one knee and grabbed the unsuspecting girl’s hand. “I have been a boor to you, for which I have no excuse. I have wronged and offended you, and my men have behaved shamefully towards you. I humbly beg your forgiveness, my dear girl.”

      Peter’s eyes widened in shock when Hook took her hand and she tugged against his iron grip in a futile attempt to get free. The fact that Hook was apologizing to her like this only illustrated how insincere he was. On the rare occasions he’d ever expressed true regret, he did it softly, humbly, and it was reflected in his eyes.

      Wendy smiled in delight at Hook’s demonstration of good form and felt a surge of pride at how she’d gotten him to do this. But her good feelings began to turn to disapproval when she saw Peter try to pull away without accepting the gracious apology. “Peter!” she snapped, “Accept his apology. It’s only proper.”

      Peter looked at her in disbelief and sighed in exasperation. That look in her eyes meant she was prepared to go all the way in this. Having suffered Wendy’s silent treatment before and not keen on being alone again on the ship, Peter decided to play along. She gave Hook her sweetest smile and quit pulling against him. “I accept your apology, Captain Hook.”

      Hook smiled and kissed the back of her hand, as was proper. It was all he could do to not laugh at the horrified look on her face. But when he released her hand and she wiped it on her dress, a flush of anger filled him at the insult. Before he could make a cutting remark, though, Wendy spoke up.

      “Now it’s your turn, Peter. Apologize to the Captain and thank him like you should have earlier,” she instructed.

      “But Wendy…” Peter protested.

      “No buts, Peter!” Wendy snapped. “You can be just as courteous as the Captain when you choose to be. Now mind your manners!”

      Now that’s the Wendy I want to see. Hook smiled and looked at the red-faced Pan expectantly.

      “Sorry for being rude and thanks for your help, Codfish,” Peter said quickly, looking away to hide her discomfort.

      “That is probably the most insincere claptrap I’ve ever heard,” Hook sneered. “It’s more insulting than your insults.”

      “Try again, Peter,” Wendy scolded, “and do it right.”

      Peter glared first at Wendy, then at Hook. She locked eyes with the pirate and growled, “I’m sorry, Captain. Thank you.” She hated being forced to do something, and felt it was an affront to say something she didn’t mean.

      Hook shook his head and sighed. “Really, Pan, if that’s the best you can do, then why bother?”

      “What else am I supposed to do?” Peter exploded.

      Hook turned to Wendy and gave her a warm, knowing smile. “You see, my dear? It’s such a pity that a lovely young girl like Pan can be so common and rude. Allow me and I’ll see if I can teach her how to act.”

      Wendy looked uncertain, alarmed at what tactics of ‘persuasion’ Hook may use. Hook saw her hesitation and raised his hand in a peaceful gesture. “I will not harm her. You are my guests, entrusted to me by Pan’s godparents. I dare not violate that trust. They’d use their magic to curse my ship.” Wendy accepted that reasoning and smiled, nodding in approval.

      Hook leered at Peter. “Now, try again, Pan. I was courteous to you when I offered my apologies. You should reply in kind.”

      Peter felt cold rage grow in her heart, and it was just as much for Wendy as it was for Hook. She’d sided with the Captain again. Betrayed. “Fine,” she said, her voice shaking with emotion. “Once more.” She gave the man a smile that belied the anger in her eyes and said as calmly as she could, “I apologize, Captain, for my rudeness. And I would like to thank you for assisting Wendy and me.” She stared at Hook, waiting for the man to give his response so they could be done with this stupid game.

      Hook counted to ten slowly, relishing the fury he saw rising in Pan. This was turning out to be more fun that he’d thought it would be. When he reached ten he spoke, “You forgot to curtsey, Miss Pan.”

      Peter’s anger and hate boiled over and she screamed in fury, launching herself at the man. She had only taken one step towards him, though, when a jolt went through her body. Her limbs fell numb and she collapsed to the deck, landing in a heap. She was briefly aware of a burning around her neck when just as suddenly it was gone and she could move again. To her horror she heard laughter. Looking up, she saw she was lying at Hook’s feet. The crew was laughing at her and Mason was making comments about her ‘womanly grace’. Hook was grinning as he bent to offer her his hand, and even Wendy had an amused smile that tempered the concerned look she gave her.

      Peter knocked Hook’s hand away and stood on her own. The dress felt looser than it had before and she realized she’d finally burst the buttons out of it. The men noticed too and their howling laughter intensified. “I hate you,” Peter spat, backing away from Hook, “and I’ll never bow or curtsey to you! You’re a filthy pirate.”

      Hook nodded, seeing he’d pushed her enough for now. “Fine then, Peter. Until you can apologize to me, civilly, then I have nothing further to say to you.” He turned back to Wendy. “Miss, if you’ll stand on the stool, we will fit you and Peter for your dresses. Smee will have to put something together quickly for Miss Pan, she’s ruined the dress I so kindly gave her.”

      Wendy nodded curtly, not looking at Peter, and climbed onto the stool. She chatted amiably with Smee while the old man began measuring her.

      Peter watched warily, fingering the collar. Wendy had pointed it out to her and told her what Oberon had said when he’d put it on her. It was so light that Peter hadn’t even realized she was wearing it. It was warm and soft, but strong. It fit so close to her skin that, try as she might, she hadn’t been able to get so much as her pinky finger under it. It was definitely magic, she could still feel it tingle around her neck, and Peter had no doubt it had kept her from attacking Hook. Oberon has leashed me like a dog. I didn’t do anything wrong! She realized suddenly that Wendy was beckoning for her to get on the other stool and she sighed in annoyance. Wendy was angry at her, but Peter really didn’t care right now. I can be angry too! She’s not really my mother. Instead of complying, Peter crossed her arms and turned her back on all of them. If you like Hook so much, go be his friend, then.

      Hook let her sulk in peace while Smee finished with Wendy. Once the girl was measured, though, Hook turned to consider Pan. Be civil, be pleasant, and when she balks as I know she will, it will only incense Wendy further against her. “Miss Pan, if you would please take the stool, we will measure you for your new dress.”

      Peter didn’t turn, but glared at the other men on deck. None of them so much as glanced up from their chores to look at her, but she did see Starkey smile. “I don’t want a dress. Surely you have pants I can wear, Codfish.”

      “No girl will stay aboard my ship in boy’s clothing,” Hook reminded her. “Now please, stand on the stool.”

      Peter turned then and glared challengingly at Hook. “Make me, Codfish.”

      Hook growled angrily at the challenge, clenching his fist in an effort to suppress his urge to strike her. Before he could do something he’d regret Wendy stepped in again.

      “Peter!” the young girl scolded, “Captain Hook asked you politely…”

      “Oh shut up, Wendy!” Peter snapped, her patience broken. “This isn’t about manners. I’m Peter Pan, and I do what I want. And I’ll die before I let a grown-up, especially Hook, make me into something I don’t want to be!” She kept her glare locked on Wendy, taking grim satisfaction at the look on her face. “I love you, Wendy, and I always try to make you happy. But now is not the time for your stupid rules!”

      “Stupid?” Wendy whispered, hurt that Peter was being so unreasonable and mean. She was trying to keep peace between Hook and Peter so that they could find a way to get the Lost Boys back and escape. But Peter kept fighting her and she didn’t understand why. “Stupid,” she repeated, feeling her anger building at the insult. If Peter thought she was being stupid, then Peter could certainly do without her help then. She had other things to worry about. “May I be excused, Captain?” she asked, keeping her gaze locked with Peter’s. “I think I’ve had all I can handle today.”

      “Or course, my dear…” Hook began.

      “All you can handle, Wendy?” Peter interrupted, her tone incredulous. “Everyone has turned against me, Wendy. I was dead this morning and now I stand here, in the same spot I died, arguing over a stupid dress and idiotic manners! It doesn’t matter! None of that matters! My godparents are searching for someone to replace me. And if any of the boys pass the test, Oberon is going to take the magic from me. It killed me today, so why shouldn’t it kill me again? I’m going to die Wendy, and you know what? I wish I’d stayed dead this morning.”

      “Mr. Starkey,” Hook called, alarmed at Peter’s words. It hadn’t occurred to him that the fairy King would kill Peter again when they found her replacement. But those worries were for later; right now he needed to stop this from escalating further. Peter’s voice had gone higher and her tears had increased while she was talking, and she was building toward what appeared to be a hysterical breakdown. Wendy, however, had gone a rather alarming shade of white and looked like she might fall off the stool at any moment. “Take Miss Wendy to my room and give her some water.”

      Starkey helped Wendy off the stool and led her across the deck. They passed close to Peter, but when Wendy reached for the other girl, Peter stepped away and turned her head. “Go with Mr. Starkey,” Peter growled, “he’s your new best friend. If you want to be so nice and friendly with the pirates, then you’re a traitor.”

      Wendy snatched her hand back and turned away. Holding her head up high, she stormed towards Hook’s cabin, Starkey trotting before her to open the door when she got there. Once they were inside, the door slammed shut.

      “Well, Peter,” Hook said, breaking the heavy silence on the deck. “I think you’ve managed to lose the last friend you had in Neverland.” As soon as he said it, he knew it was the worst thing he could have said. And when Peter crumpled to the deck, sobbing, he didn’t feel the slightest bit of satisfaction. She’s cracked under the strain. It’s been a long day. I should have given her time to rest before I pressed her. He sighed, all his anger now at himself. He’d never been able to stand against a weeping woman, and Peter was turning out to be no exception. He didn’t blame the girl for crying; what she’d suffered through today was more traumatic than any child should have to go through. “Mr. Smee, can you estimate her measurements enough to make her a simple shift? And have it done tonight?”

      “Aye, Cap’n, I believe I can,” Smee answered. “I’ll get started now.”

      Hook knelt beside Peter and took her arm. “Let’s go back to your room, my dear,” he said, pulling her to her feet.

      “I’m not your ‘dear’,” Peter sobbed. “Leave me alone!” She swung her fist at Hook, intent on knocking the false concern off his face, but once again her body went numb. I’m going to kill Oberon, she thought as she saw the deck rushing towards her face.

      Hook caught her before she hit the deck and lifted her up in his arms. It surprised him to see her eyes were open and alert – he’d thought she’d fainted. Though she was awake and glaring at him, she lay passive in his arms. “Come, child. We’ll fight when you’ve rested. A truce for now will do you a world of good.”

      Peter quit fighting the paralysis that had taken hold of her and made herself calm down. The moment she quit trying to lash out at Hook her body was restored to her and she found she could move. He’s made it so I can’t fight Hook at all. “Fine, Captain,” she sighed, too tired to care anymore. “You can put me down now, I can walk.”

      Hook set her back on her feet and stood, holding his arm out for her to take. Peter put her arm around his without complaint and let him lead her below once more to the room she had learned to hate. Once they were in the room, Peter looked up at Hook again, a flush spreading across her face.

      “Captain, can I please take this dress off? It’s too tight and most of the buttons are gone anyway.” She didn’t really think her request would be granted, but it didn’t hurt to ask. She wouldn’t even have asked, but the topmost buttons were the ones that still held, and she couldn’t reach those.

      Hook considered her request for a moment. He didn’t like the idea of her being naked on his ship, but he knew none of his men would try anything. Even if they did, Peter was certainly capable of defending herself. Besides, Peter had asked him civilly, and he was inclined to reward that behavior. It would make her see he could be reasonable if she was respectful, and hopefully encourage her to continue to act properly. “Very well,” he answered and smiled at the astonished look she gave him. “I’ll have someone bring you one of my shirts to wear; it’ll fit you much as a dress would. Until then, keep the blanket around you. Someone will also bring you supper in an hour, and Smee should have your shift finished before bedtime.”

      Hook turned to leave then, but Peter caught his sleeve and tugged, making him pause. “I need you to unbutton it, Captain,” she insisted, then turned around so he could reach.

      Hook shook his head and stared at the claw on his arm. “You’ve asked the wrong person to do buttons, Peter,” he chuckled. When the girl glanced over her shoulder to see what he was talking about, his smile widened at her chagrin. “Its fine, Pan,” he continued, using his hook to pop the last two buttons off. When the back of her dress fell open, he frowned at the numerous bruises across her shoulder blades. Touching them lightly, he asked, “I apologize for this, Peter. I shouldn’t have put my hand to you yesterday. Does it hurt?”

      Peter stepped away from his touch, suppressing a shudder. “Only a little, and only when I’m trying to reach the back of this dress.” She turned to face him, her hands holding the front of her dress to keep it from slipping off. “I don’t care about that; you’ve hurt me worse before.” She considered the grimace that crossed his face, realizing he really did regret harming her yesterday. She was tempted to thank him, but her pride kept her mouth from opening and making the words. It didn’t matter how nice he was acting right now. He was still Captain Hook, and he had sworn to kill her. Why he wasn’t trying to do so right now was a mystery to her, but she supposed it was because he wanted to torment her first. And if he was doing all of this to have fun at her expense, then she’d rot before she apologized or thanked him for anything.

      They stood in silence for a few moments longer, each lost in their own silent contemplation of the other. Finally, Hook gave a nod and stepped back. “Until you’ve decided to play by my rules, Pan, you’ll be confined to this room. All I ask is for you to behave properly, and you’ll be given the freedom to roam the ship at will. I’m supposed to keep you until your godparents come back, and your time here doesn’t have to be so unpleasant. But I will not tolerate your petulant rudeness, so you can stay out of my way until you decide to abide by my rules.”

      Peter smirked at Hook but held her tongue. She was tired of fighting, and just wanted the man to leave. She didn’t care if she saw him or not, and would rather sit down here than bend to him up there. “Goodnight, Codfish,” she said when the man made no move to leave on his own.

      Hook nodded, not surprised at her stubbornness. That was another thing he was going to break her of, if she lived long enough. “Goodnight, Pan,” he answered. He left, locking the door behind him and made his way to the cabin. Hopefully Starkey had Wendy calmed down again by now. She would be especially vulnerable after her nasty fight with Peter, and likely desperate for an understanding and compassionate ear. He intended to make her come to trust him, and now was the perfect opportunity to speak with her and convince her to help him civilize Pan – whether Peter wanted it or not.