The Monster Inside Peter Pan (ouat)//(Robbie Kay)

Chapter Seventeen

"Why does it have to be me?"

"Because, between us three, you've been here the longest, so the others will trust you more." Derek said reasonably.

"But, are you sure this is a good idea? I mean, if Pan doesn't want us to know about it there must be a reason." Jake said, suddenly uncertain about the whole plan. "And are you sure that's the only reason you want me to go?" He looked pointedly at the two of us.

"What other reason would there be?" Derek asked innocently.

"Oh, I don't know, maybe so you two can enjoy a whole afternoon without me?" He said sarcastically.

I rolled my eyes and looked at him. "Oh come on, aren't you the least bit curious about what the you-know-what is?"

"Fine," he grumbled. "But you both owe me a favor."

"Sure, whatever you say." He laughed as Jake walked off, slightly offended at being dismissed like that.

***

Two hours later we'd abandoned knife throwing practice as Derek and I were walking down the beach in companionable silence, the ocean water lapping at our ankles.

The sight was breathtaking. The ocean was a beautiful shade of turquoise, like in those tropical paradise island postcards. The cloudless sky met the water on the horizon line, forget-me-not blue, framed by a few coconut trees that dotted the beach's expanse of white, fine sand. The jungle started abruptly in a straight line thirty feet away from the shore, casting strange shadows on the sand.

I broke the silence. "Don't you think it was a bit harsh for Jake, sending him away, doing all the work while we're here, enjoying ourselves?" I asked. It had bothered me, the way he'd walked away, like he'd been replaced by me. I felt bad about it.

Derek chuckled. "Don't worry. He was just exaggerating, and I'm sure he understands that I want to have you all to myself for a while." He said, giving me a sideways smile.

I looked up at him and stared into his warm, unnaturally white eyes. I was about to say something when I slipped on a rock's glassy surface, and as I desperately tried to regain my balance, Derek caught me.

His face was now inches from mine, a mischievous smile on his face.

"No! Oh my God Derek don't you dare!" I shouted, knowing fully well what he was about to do.

His smile got wider and he let me go, letting me fall ungracefully into the water. The rocky bottom was too low for me to have a proper footing, so I was completely submerged by it before I managed to kick back up towards the surface, breathing in a gulp of fresh air.

"You are so dead!!!" I laughed, wading towards the shore, glaring at Derek.

"Oh really, I'd love to see you try." He said tauntingly, his smile only getting wider.

The rocks beneath me gave way to sand and leveled upwards, giving me a secure footing. I rose out of the water, completely drenched from head to foot, and I thanked God that I hadn't decided to wear white this morning.

As I slowly came closer to him, trying to look angry although I just couldn't stay mad at him, Derek eyed me warily, trying to anticipate my next move. He took a step back, laughing at my questioning look.

"Just trying to stay dry."

"Oh don't worry, I'm not going to take my revenge now, that would be too nice for you," I say sweetly and innocently. "No, I'll take my time as you wait anxiously, not knowing when I'll attack," I grinned mischievously, "And then when you least expect it, boom. I take my revenge." I teased, breaking into a run and jumping onto him, wrapping my hands around his neck and my legs straddling his hips. His hands snaked behind the small of my back, holding me tightly against his warm chest.

I looked up at him, leaning forwards as I pressed my cheek against his, whispering in his ear, "When you'll least expect it." At that, I sprang out of his arms and dragged him towards the water.

That had been a bad idea.

First of all he was much heavier than me and was far stronger, he was as immovable as a boulder, but with an amused glance at me he let himself get pulled into the ocean.

Second of all, he would never have let himself go down without a fight and I should've suspected something, because as I finally pushed him into the water, he grabbed my hand and dragged me down with him.

For the second time, the cool darkness of the water enveloped me and I let myself float for a moment, completely unsuspended in the dark depths before breaking back through the surface. Derek's face appeared next to mine, smile wide on his face, his white hair plastered to his face, dripping water into his eyes.

"See? You weren't expecting it!" I laughed. He joined in, bringing me close to him, squeezing me against him so I didn't have to swim to stay afloat.

I looked up at him. His eyes were looking into mine and then flicked down to my lips. I knew what was going to happen, but this time, I felt no inclination to stop him.

He leaned down and his lips met mine, gentle at first but then became demanding, with more and more need. He traced his hands down and onto my hips, my fingers snaked behind his neck and interlocked with his soft white hair.

And at that moment, for the first time since arriving to Neverland, I felt completely safe and protected from all the horrors Pan had created, safe in Derek's reassuring arms.

A bubble of happiness and joy rose inside my chest, making me feel lighter. All the dark thoughts of my brother or Jason or even Pan had been erased by the sweet feeling of Derek's lips on mine, and right now, all I cared about was this moment, making me feel complete and happy.