13: A Flirt and a Coward

I let out a gasping breath as I let the water out of my lungs. I was trembling and slowly brought my head down and glanced downward to see the creature's blood staining my leg as if it were my own. The creature had sank beneath the water tainting it to a bloody red.

Peter continued to stare at me with a look of concern.

"Jessica," He let out relieved as I tried to breathe.

He then turned his head towards Baelfire who kept his hands in his pocket. He didn't meet my eyes and gave off an aura of shame. Behind him were Devin and Felix.

The rest of the Lost Boys stood guard against any other threats. Weapons were drawn and many of the boys shot warning glances towards Baelfire.

"Give me one reason why I shouldn't just kill your miserable, lousy, pathetic life right now," Peter said in a threatening tone.

Baelfire shifted in his spot unsure. I was able to see the fear in Bae's eyes and I could also see that Peter himself was contemplating whether or not to kill him.

"P-P-Peter, please don't kill him," I say in a hoarse voice.

Peter looks down at me in disbelief.

"Did he not just almost kill you?"

He was correct to a degree. Thanks to Baelfire, I almost died.

"It still isn't right," I said regaining my voice.

"Take Baelfire away," Peter ordered with an authoritative tone.

He meant business.

I watched helplessly as Baelfire was taken away with Felix and the other boys. Like Tinker Bell, I couldn't do anything. I was too weak.

As of now, I was still in Peter's arms. His strong arms holding me steadily, rocking me like I was a baby.

"Jessica, don't do that ever again," Peter said finally.

His tone sounded relieved and strained as if it was hard to utter those words. The raw emotion was there and there were sparks as he made contact with me.

A few minutes passed until Peter broke the atmosphere.

"You know," Peter smirked, "I did just save your life yet again. What kind of reward should I get for my noble deed?"

"You? Noble," I scoffed, "Don't make me laugh. How did you know where we'd be?"

Peter placed me on the ground, "Don't you know, my Lost Girl. I know every inch of this island and its inhabitants. There isn't anything that goes on without my knowledge."

I rolled my eyes and decided to suck up my pride, "Whatever... Thanks... Wait, what are you doing?!"

I widened my eyes as he was taking off his shirt. I instantly pushed myself away from him with my feet kicking out.

"Oh heck no!" I said disgusted.

Peter looked at me lost for words before laughing.

"Very funny Lost Girl. Hate to break it to you, but you're not my type. Feel free to swoon over me and my good looks. I'm very used to it."

"By who are the Lost Boys," I say laughing even more.

Peter was fuming and I turned my attention to the shirt. It was his. I looked at him realizing that he was shirtless. His abs were there and he looked like a god. I broke my gawking and simply asked, "What is this for?"

"Isn't it obvious? It's for you. Change out of your wet and blood-stained clothes and put this on."

I stared at the shirt.

"What about my pants?"

He grinned, "You're taking them off. They're too wet and smell of beast blood."

He then wrinkled his nose in disgust. At my shocked face, he raised an eyebrow.

"Well hurry up and change," he turned around, "I won't look or anything. Besides no one will see anything if I have anything to say about it."

I glared as he laughed it off. Sighing, I took off my shirt and saw Pan staring wide-eyed with anticipation.

I chucked a rock at his head.

"OW!" He exclaimed and I shot him a smug, but threatening grin.

"Okay. Okay," He said putting his hands up in surrender, "I was just joking Jess."

He turned around and this time, I turned away from him as well. I slid the shirt over my head and replaced it with Pan's. It was soft and warm. It smelled of Peter. It covered my butt and went halfway down to my thighs. Even though it covered me as best as it could, I felt somewhat exposed.

"You can turn around now creep," I called out.

Peter turned around with a scoff and let out a whistle.

"Damn Lost Girl, you sure know how to pull it off."

He then swept me off my feet and I laughed.

I punched his shoulder and he faked a pained expression.

"You wound me so much, Jessica."

"Why are you acting so... Nice?" I ask finally.

My curiosity took notice of the situation. Peter wasn't acting like he usually does. It was odd. I wasn't sure what to think of it at all.

"Whatever do you mean?" Peter asked me with a sly look.

"You know what I am talking about Pan," I spat annoyed.

"Call me Peter," he replied casually.

I frowned, "I'll pass."

"Mark my words, Jess," Peter walked a few steps ahead of me, "You'll be calling me Peter in no time."

What he said next immediately put me on guard.

"Were you searching for a way off the island?" Peter asked abruptly.

I shook my head, "No."

"You're a terrible liar," Peter said.

"How do you know I'm lying?" I challenged him.

The next thing I knew, my back was against the tree. Peter's green eyes stared deeply into my own, "Are you sure you want to play this game with me?"

I wasn't going to let Baelfire's plan be found out so soon. I pushed Peter back, "I'm game."

"When you lie, there are a few things you do," Peter was behind me, "Your nose twitches ever so slightly. Your breathing halts for a split second. The colour of your cheeks reddens. Want me to list more?"

I didn't respond to him. How he had noticed this much that I was unaware of was beyond me. Peter's green eyes lit up in delight, "Did I leave you speechless?"

When I didn't answer him, he laughed, "Your expression is cute."

We returned to the camp to see Baelfire run towards us. He was shot back by Pan with magic. He landed hard on the ground and the Lost Boys stumbled back. I sent glares to everyone I saw and forced myself out of Pan's grip. I rushed over to Baelfire and shook him worried.

"Bae! Please be okay," I pleaded and heard him mumble in pain.

Peter stepped forward and placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Jess, stand back. He needs to be taught a lesson."

I turned around, "What did he ever do to you?"

"He endangered the life of a member of my tribe and I suspect he's planning something. That is more than enough grounds for punishment," Peter stated glaring daggers at Baelfire.

I shook my head and intercepted Peter.

"No. I'm not going to move for you Pan. You will have to go through me if you intend to harm."

The air seemed to turn stale as the standoff between Pan and I began. Fire danced in both of our eyes. One spark and all would explode. It was only a matter of who triggered it first. I gritted my teeth trying to appear tougher than I was. Peter's eyes softened slightly as he stormed off into the camp, power radiating off of him.

I stood there shaking. Whispers floated among the group. The boys soon scattered when Pan yelled at them. I still stood there, in his clothes.

Moving my attention from Pan to Baelfire, I dragged him to a tent and settled him down. I took vitals and realized that he was going to be fine.

The door to the tent opened and I jumped ready to let Pan have it.

"Hold it, Jessica, it's just me," Devin muttered as he raised his arms in surrender.

"What do you want?" I asked annoyed.

Devin shrugged and stared at Bae.

"I just wanted to see how he was doing. Knowing from experience, Magic blasts from Pan aren't very pleasant. Just making sure the kid's okay."

"He's fine," I say flatly.

"Have to make sure. Also, that was a pretty reckless thing you just did back there. Protecting Baelfire and going against Pan. After all, Pan did save your life. I'm shocked he let you get away with that."

I frowned, "What was Baelfire doing in the commotion."

Devin flinched, "Do you want to hear?"

I nodded my head.

"Okay, he was leaving the area. We caught him trying to escape. He was going to let you die, Jess. Why can't you see that? Pan had us keep him here and watch as Pan fought the beast to rescue you."

What Devin was saying sounded possible, but it couldn't be true. Baelfire wouldn't have left me to die back there. He just couldn't.

"You're lying," I denied.

"I swear I'm not Jess. Ask him when he wakes. That boy is nothing but a coward and a wimp."

I punched Devin in the face and saw his cheek swelling.

"That's what you get," I say justifying myself.

Devin gawked at me and I took some deep breaths trying to calm myself down.

Devin then exited the tent and I heard a familiar voice speak.

"That was pretty cool what you did," Baelfire admired.

I grinned widely to see that he was okay. My smile was replaced by a frown as Devin's words sank in. I didn't trust Pan, but Devin was speaking the truth, it was undeniable. Time for the moment of truth. There was no turning back now.

"Baelfire, tell me, did you try and leave me back there?" I asked heartbroken.

His face looked shocked at my words. I wasn't sure it was as if he was caught or was just thrown off by the remark. Hopefully the second one.

"I was leaving to go get help," Baelfire stammered.

"Then explain why the boys and Pan found you trying to flee?"

"I told you, I went to find help," Baelfire responded again, but this time there was a lot of hesitation.

It hurt my feelings and I looked at the boy discouraged.

"Tell me the truth," I whispered, I didn't want to hear it, but I needed to.

"I admit it. I was trying to stay alive. I would've come back for you Jess. You have to believe me-" Baelfire began to apologize and I stopped him mid-sentence.

"I can't believe you would just leave me back there. I knew it was a bad idea to even join you, but you somehow convinced me everything was going to be fine."

When Baelfire didn't speak, I stared at him heartlessly, "You're worse than Pan."

"Jess, please, we can still work together and escape this place. I need your help," Baelfire pleaded.

"Maybe if you hadn't left me for dead, we wouldn't be in this position," was all I said to him.

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