Peter's Lily (Sequel to Pan's Tiger)

Chapter 26: Leverage

I nodded along with him, but before I could open my mouth to reply, the shouts of Captain Hook bellowed their way towards us, taunting Pan, 'I must admit, Pan, that I can see why Oliver likes her. Your ex-wife is very beautiful. I'm sure when she was old enough she would have been a very beautiful bride for you.' Hook mused. I knew he was joking, trying to mess with Pan, but I had never seen Pan look so enflamed with anger.

'Don't you dare look at her like that, like Oliver has done!' Pan yelled back furious and I watched him in curiosity.

'Pan! I will kill you if you remove that girl!' Hook bellowed again.

Peter rolled his eyes and refused to flinch at Hook's harsh threats, knowing that Hook would try to kill him whatever the circumstances. Instead, he averted his attention to me again. 'Good, but I would at least like an apology from you.'

I groaned loudly, 'Now? Just let me go you stubborn pig-headed-'

'Tsk. Tsk.' Peter shook his head teasingly, his eyes never leaving me mockingly. 'That's nothing to call your rescuer, Tiger Lily. Why is it so difficult for you to apologise to me?'

'Fine! Leave me here then. Go back to your little society of orphans!' I complained irritated by his constant mockery of how foolish I had been, almost asking myself to be kidnapped by the pirates. I struggled again with my ropes and then screamed loudly as a knot slipped and I fell a few more inches towards the roaring ocean.

'I don't think so,' Peter said and cut the final rope, holding me in his arms and flying upwards towards the beam. Squealing in delight, I soared across the boat until I was placed gently down at the stern of the ship, high above where the pirates stood, pretending to be angrily gawping at me.

'Thank-' I began, but Pan's lips had already found mine. He kissed me briefly, but I could feel the relief of finding me washing over him. He kissed me, and he tasted like chilli from dinner, and the smell of the damp forest was still fresh on him and his lips were cold and dry from the freezing temperatures. And it was perfect.

I gasped and panted, sending him a small nod of gratitude for rescuing me as I was unable to breathe, let alone talk. 'Stay here, I'll be right back. Just don't get yourself killed, ok?'

I nodded as Peter quickly dodged a nearby gunshot. It was a little too close and Peter shouted at Captain Hook for being so careless

For a long time the two enemies looked at one another, Hook shuddering slightly, and Peter with the strange smile upon his face. His smile was like he was no longer fearing for me, now that he knew I was with Hook. The smile was excited and confident, because for a long time Peter Pan had wanted to have an excuse to fight him.

'So, Pan,' said Hook at last, 'The capture of Henry is all your doing?'

'Aye, Hook,' came the stern, mocking answer with Peter Pan's raised eyebrow, 'It is most certainly is all my doing.'

'Well then, Peter Pan, if you want Lily back, fight me for her.' Hook smirked and Pan's smile widened with excitement.

'So be it, Hook!' Peter shouted and then, his smile widening, gave a long, excitable whistle. Suddenly, all of the Lost Boys yelled and jumped onto the deck from the edges of the ship, pulling out swords and battling with the pirates. 'Wanna give up, Hook?'

'Never, Pan! I will never give up until I see your dead body tumbling to the ground!' Captain Hook bit back and at that exact moment, the crew sent a large cannonball bursting through the beams of wood towards us. I ducked, but my smile was unmistakably large. 'Henry, the pirates and I will be free once again!'

'For that you'd have to kill me and die! Never!' Peter Pan sang excited, lying back on the air and crossing his hands over his chest mockingly.

'Come back here and die for our freedom!' Captain Hook ordered, spitting venom at the young boy.