Remember Me This Way
a Peter Pan story
by Hermione Eveningfall

After what seemed like hours, Peter finally returned to Neverland. He landed softly on his bare feet, smiling as Tinkerbell zipped about him. She chatted quickly in her fairy language, pausing after a moment to take a breath and land on his shoulder.

"I know, Tink...it does feel good to be home." He shivered slightly in the cool night air, finding it to be thick with pending rain. Sighing softly, Peter entered the empty hollow under the ground, gazing about his familiar surroundings.

It was odd, though, coming back and not to see the lost boys waiting for him. But, given past occurrences, he knew he'd find more boys out of their pram's to take to Neverland with him.

Tinkerbell moved from his shoulder to his knee once he sat down upon his bed, bobbing her head and doing miniature pirouettes as he played a cheerful tune on his old wooden flute. He watched out of the corner of his eye, knowing she was thrilled to be rid of Wendy at last. No matter how hard he tried, he could not get rid of the dull ache in his heart. After all, she had used her one kiss for him...how could he forget that?

Tinkerbell seemed to sense his thoughts, and folded her arms tightly across her small chest. She made a few rather vulgar comments, stomping her foot and shaking her finger at him in warning.

"Tink, stop that." Peter shook his head. "I've told you before, you are a lady and can not be my personal fairy, because I'm a gentleman! I don't mind having you around as a friend, but I do not need your constant protection of course!"

Tink turned a bright shade of red. "This jealousy you feel!" Peter added, clucking his tongue. He knew he was being foolish for scolding a fairy about her feelings, as they were so small that they only had room for one at a time. However, it was a rather bothersome fault of their kind.

"All right, Tink, I apologize. I'll continue playing if it makes you happy, but, I'm rather...rather..." he paused, his face crinkling. Tinkerbell raised her eyes, not quite certain what he was about to do. "Huh-KESH!" he sneezed, sending her tumbling off of his knee and onto the blanket.

Peter sniffled, rubbing his nose with the back of his wrist. What was this about...a sneeze? But he'd never experienced any signs of illness in all of his years living in Neverland!

Tinkerbell pulled herself upight, shedding a bit of excess fairy dust in the process. "Are you all right?" Peter asked, coughing a little, and scooping her up in his hand. Tinkerbell made a small noise, blowing raspberries at him. "What are you talking about? Wendy hasn't clouded my mind!"

Another raspberry of response, and a snort of disbelief. "Oh stop, Tink. It was one sneeze. I'm sure it was a bit too much...Eh- KUSH!"

Tinkerbell went flying again, this time hitting the stone wall behind her. She slumped down, holding a hand to her throbbing head and grumbling under her breath.

What was going on? He sat up, rubbing his hands over his face. He blinked, realizing how sore his eyes felt, and closed t hem again. He, Peter, never became ill unless he believed it were possible. He still didn't believe it, but Tink's words about Wendy played in his mind over and over again. After all, he'd never felt anything so euphoric as the kiss.

The kiss! He suddenly remembered! He reached into his sleeve, pulling out the thimble she'd given to him when they first met. He'd forgotten to give it back to her...no wonder he could not forget so quickly! "Oh..."

Tinkerbell zoomed into the air, pointing at the offending object and making a horrible face.

"Huh-KESH! Perhaps I should....Huh ESHHH! Keep it." He rolled the thimble around in his fingers.

Tinkerbel growled, letting out another string of fairy curses.

"You are right, Tink. I don't feel well, and that has not happened before. But I can't just forget Wendy...not completely, anyway. But perhaps I'll just hide this and try not to think about it as often..." he walked over to his special box, putting the thimble in and watching it disappear amongst the other knick nack's he'd collected. He sat staring into the dark depths, hearing Wendy's last words in his head before he'd left the Darling home.

You won't forget, will you Peter?

He'd told her he never forget, but he knew that when he returned to Neverland, he always did. At least...he had before.

"It is so foolish of me to think this way...I shan't see her again." He shut the lid, shoving the box back into the hidden corner. He shivered again, stopping by the window as rain began to fall softly outside, making a quiet *pitter, patter* amongst the leaves and branches. Tinkerbell cocked her head to one side, flying towards him and perching once again on his shoulder. She pecked a small kiss on his cheek, causing him to smile. "You'll always be here for me, Tink. I know that." He held out his hand for her to hop upon, and carried her back to the bed. "I'll be all right in the morning, don't worry so!" he added, after she jibbered a bit more. She tugged on his ear until he at last shuffled back over to the bed. "Good night, Tink. Don't sit up too late!" He climbed in, snuggling amongst his fur blankets and pillows.

Tinkerbell waited until he had settled into sleep, before zooming about and blowing out the candles. She stood upon the windowsill, watching him a few moments more before deciding to zoom away into the night.

to Weekly Hatch #31: anything, really, from the Peter Pan movie, preferably the 2003 version, but really anyone you want.
This is a post "Peter Pan" ficlet...it's based off of the 2003 movie, as preferred in the hatch. (I haven't seen any of the older versions so this is the one I'm most familiar with *G*-- I'm sure I've seen the Disney version at one point, but I don't remember much of it) Anyway, I would certainly appreciate any feedback you're willing to give...would help a lot! Thanks!