Author's Note: This story was inspired by a recurring dream I have where Captain Hook kidnaps me and take me to Neverland where we fall in love. So the main character is pretty much me. My story is based mostly on the original Disney animated movie Peter Pan with bits and pieces brought in from Return to Neverland, but Hook in my mind looks like Jason Isaacs (because he's gorgeous and a bit of a fantasy of mine). I know, I'm mentally disturbed. Don't worry about it. So anyway, I'm incredibly excited about this story and where it goes from here. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW! I want to know what you think. It inspires me and makes me a better writer :)
Falling Hook, Line, and Sinker
Chapter 1: The Captain's Captive
It was a rather normal night, as far as mine go. I watched a movie, washed my hair in the shower, read a few chapters in a book, and went to bed around midnight. I had to get up at seven to be in my office by 8:30. Such is the life of a legal aide. I didn't really have much going on: no boyfriend, not a lot of close friends, and no family left to speak of except a younger brother who immigrated to America for university. I was alone, and that was fine with me.
I heard Big Ben chime twelve outside my townhouse as I drifted to sleep. That was the last thing I remember before all hell broke loose.
Before I go any further, I should explain some things. My family was not too different from any other. We loved each other and got along for the most part, and we had our traditions like anyone else. But our traditions and family stories were unique. My great-grandmother was named Wendy Moira Angela Darling. When she was twelve years old, she and her brothers, John and Michael, went to Neverland with none other than Peter Pan. This could be considered just a dream or childhood story, except my grandmother, Jane, was kidnapped by Captain Hook when she was ten. Peter Pan saved her and brought her back to London, to the Darling house where I live now.
Grandma Jane and I were very close. My brother and I were raised by her, and I took care of her until she died two years ago. She told me stories about Neverland and Peter Pan and Captain Hook and everything else. The intelligent, rational girl in me wrote the fairy tales off as pure fantasy. But a much bigger part of me, deep in my soul, knew it was all real. Ever since I could remember, I wished on that second star to the right that I'd get to go there someday.
My dreams and wishes did not come true in the way I had imagined. At nearly three in the morning on a very typical Tuesday night, I was kidnapped by pirates.
Yes, I know. Pirates don't just show up in London in the year 2012 to kidnap twenty six year old legal aides in the middle of the night. Unfortunately, or fortunately in my case, these things do happen to women in the Darling family.
They shoved me in a burlap sack where I kicked and screamed until I passed out from exhaustion. The journey to Neverland took ages. I felt the ship land in the water with a large thud. The bag with me inside it rolled across the deck on impact. I was about to be sick when I was stopped by what felt like someone stepping on me.
"Now boys, is this any way to treat our guest? Mr. Smee, let her out," someone cried. It was a man speaking in a rough, sexy, pirate-y sort of voice. I knew immediately that it was Captain Hook. I should have been terrified. If I were any sort of sane person, I would have been terrified. But being who I am, I was excited. And also being me, I was rather frustrated that they'd taken me in the middle of the night, as I was wearing purple plaid pajamas, no makeup, and lord knows how my hair looked. What can I say? I was raised to make a good impression on others.
Mr. Smee fumbled about with the tie on the sack, and the boot on top of me lifted off as I scrambled out of the opening. My eyes took a moment to get used to the bright morning light. I was met by the stern gaze of the captain. He was just as Grandma Jane described him: roguishly handsome, gentlemanly, and evil to the core. My jaw dropped in awe.
"Please, my dear, there's no need to be frightened," he told me. His voice oozed charm, but I could tell that there was a wickedness being masked by the smooth tone.
"I'm not afraid," I replied. I was a bit surprised at the strength in my voice. I stood tall to support my assertion.
Surprise flashed in Hook's eyes for a moment, but he hid it quickly and smiled. "But of course! You've been here before, Miss Jane."
Now I smiled. "You seem to have me confused with my grandmother. My name is Olivia Jones. You kidnapped my grandmother almost seventy years ago. If you were looking for her, you are sadly mistaken and rather late in returning to England, Captain Hook."
Hook turned away from me and grabbed his plump first mate, Mr. Smee, by the scruff of his shirt. "You got the granddaughter? Couldn't you tell she looked different?" he shouted. I stifled a giggle. The undercurrent of rage I had heard in the captain's voice earlier was in full force. As long as that anger wasn't directed at me, I found it rather entertaining.
Smee was blubbering his apologies, and I tuned him out. I took the time to gaze around the ship. The Jolly Roger was beautiful. The wood decks were spotless, and the railings were beautifully carved and stained. I assumed that the crew spent a lot of time keeping the ship clean and tidy, seeing as they hadn't done any honest pirating in centuries. Neverland, I assumed, had a timeline entirely different from the one I was used to. People didn't grow old here, so did time stand still? The idea was a curious one.
Captain Hook unhanded Mr. Smee and refocused his attention on me. "It seems there has been a bit of a mix-up, I apologize."
I raised my eyebrows. "Does this mean you're taking me home?" I hoped it didn't. I just got here. I certainly didn't want to leave just yet.
His smile turned devilish. "Oh no. You'll stay right here. You can still prove useful to me. Welcome, Miss Olivia, to the Jolly Roger!" he said with flourish. He gestured to a few of his pirates. "Throw her in the brig."
Me in the brig? I put my foot down. "I beg your pardon! Captain Hook, if I'm to stay here, I will require my own room, ample food and water, and some proper clothing. I will not be treated like a common prisoner." Graduating from Oxford tends to give a person an inflated opinion of herself. I really was nothing more than a common prisoner, but there was no way I would act like it.
He leered at me. "Is that so? And what will you do if I don't agree to your demands?"
I narrowed my eyes at him. "I will make this ship a living hell. You will be begging to take me home. Or you'll shoot me. But I know for a fact that a gentleman such as yourself wouldn't shoot a lady. You need me. And if you give me what I ask, I'll cooperate and do whatever you require. I can be quite amiable when given the proper incentive."
Hook regarded me cautiously. I had to suppress my smile once more. He had no idea what to make of me. I was nothing like Wendy or Jane. I wasn't proud or defiant in the same ways they were. Even better, my morals were skewed; I had no ethical dilemma about aiding pirates, nor was I above acting terribly in order to get my way.
"Smee, you will sleep with the crew. Miss Olivia will take your quarters. You will personally see to all of her needs. If I hear that she is mistreated by anyone, the offender will walk the plank." As he gave these orders, his gaze never left mine. He stared at me intently, his black eyes boring into my blue ones.
I allowed myself to grin at him. "Thank you, Captain." Thinking back, both my smile and my voice were more seductive than I had consciously intended.
"Smee will lead you to your cabin." His tone was suddenly soft and sultry. He was still staring at me. A normal girl would have gotten uncomfortable, but I relished in the strange bond I had just formed with my captor.
"Lead the way, Mr. Smee!" I called, following the man's blue striped shirt and silly red cap.