Peter had a shaky flight and landed back at his window utterly drained and exhausted. He felt the magic in him dip, but he figured he might have enough to make it back.

Or enough for at least a crash landing Peter thought to himself.

One of the things Peter was worried about was the amount of time he would have been gone. London would clearly go on without him but what about his aunt? Curiously, it was night again when he got back. As he slipped into his room he looked at the clock. He had only been gone an hour. Peter was shocked. Time in Neverland flew at such a quicker pace - he was there almost two months.

Peter laid on his bed. He knew where he wanted to go but he needed some sleep first.

In the morning, Peter woke up and changed out of his Natives’ clothing and into normal clothes. They felt strange to him, foreign almost.

Neverland has made me feel more at home then this place ever has Peter thought.

His aunt, not suspecting that any life changing adventure had gone on upstairs, left breakfast on the table before she left like normal. Peter ate and walked to the door. He opened it to find John Darling standing there about to knock.

“Hello, Peter.” John said lowering his hand.

“Hey John, what brings you here?” Peter said a little icily, remembering the night they shut the door in his face.

That was actually last night. And maybe in retrospect I was kind of out of control. Peter thought.

“Can I come in?” John asked.

Peter stepped aside. “Sure.”

“Mom kicked dad out.” John said.

Peter was kind of taken aback. He would not have bet on that. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“No you’re not. And I shouldn’t be either. Maybe it wasn’t your place to do what you did but somebody should have. I should have. Long ago.” John said sadly.

Peter took pity on his friend and tried to cheer him up. “Chin up. We both know you’re not much of a fighter.”

“Shut up, Pete. Listen, I’m sorry. We’re sorry. I’ve actually never seen Wendy that upset. Her opinion of you changed a little bit, you know.” John said.

Peter’s heart raced a tiny bit. “Well, I was just doing what I thought a friend should do.”

“I know, I know.” John said. “Do you want to come and eat with Michael, Wendy and I? To talk about what happened? They would like to apologize too.”

“Well, I did just eat…” Peter said jokingly.



John and Peter met Michael and Wendy at a nearby diner. Peter felt strangely apprehensive. When he came back from Neverland, he didn’t really have an idea of what would be worth while. But he was beginning to think now that his friends and possibly a future with Wendy would be worth while. And now might be his chance to prove that he could be worth while to them as well.

Peter and John slid into the booth opposite Michael and Wendy. They had ordered food and there was some uncomfortable silence until Wendy spoke.

“Peter, I know I’ve never been nice to you, but I’d like to offer a clean slate. Our lives are in the process of a new beginning. Things will be changing. I just don’t want us to lose you as a friend,” she said with a small smile and putting her hand on Peter’s.

“Yea, you were a real hero for us last night.” Michael said. “You helped us see what we should’ve done a long time ago.”

“I’m sorry you guys have had to grow up with that. I was always jealous that you had parents while I had none. Family was something that always seemed elusive to me.” Peter confessed.

“Well, you can be part of ours Peter. What you did took so much more courage than any of us had.” John said.

“I had a little bit of help…” Peter started. It was now or never.

“What do you mean?” Wendy asked.

Peter told them to meet him at Quarterpast Park which was the closest to his house once it was dark. They seemed a little confused and rightfully so but Peter knew they would trust him.



Under the cover of night the three Darling children found Peter sitting on top of the swing set, dangling his legs. Peter purposely chose this position because of the street light behind him would have cast a long shadow, though at this moment his shadow was having fun on the slide to his left.

“What do you see as odd?” Peter asked the group.

“You’re afraid of heights. How’d even get up there?” John asked.

Peter was stunned for a moment. He had totally forgotten that he was terrified of heights. That was a fear so ingrained in him that he did not get on a plane to fly to New York to grieve at his parents’ memorial. And now he forgot that he was ever scared at all. Being Pan had truly changed him.

“Hmm. You’re right. But I’m not scared of heights anymore. And that’s also not what I meant.” Peter said. “Do you guys believe in magic?”

“Peter don’t be ridiculous. This is why you dragged us out here?” Wendy said. Her newfound faith in him was apparently shaky at best.

Peter smirked and then he crowed, signaling to his shadow to return to him. After a second, his shadow came prancing back into view and attached itself back where he belonged. Though this time he was waving vigorously at the Darling children. By their expressions, Peter knew he had them. He stood up on the swing set and they gasped a little bit as he backflipped down to them with the grace of an angel.

“What’s going on?” Michael asked.

“Like I said, I had help. I have friends from a special place, where if you don’t want to, you’ll never grow up. You can get away from the weight of the world and bask in the glory of infinite youth.” Peter said with a smile.

“Glory of infinite youth?” John asked skeptically.

“Yea, something like that. Seriously, just follow me. I promise I won’t lead you astray.” Peter said, his eyes twinkling.

Then he thought for moment. “Well actually, they’re in the middle of a civil war and we need all the help we can get.”

“What the hell are you on about?” Wendy said.

At that Peter shot into the air and did a flip, sprinkling her with dust before hovering in front of her, holding out his hand. He felt his magic draining fast but he just had a feeling if he could get her on board, he would start to feel better.

“Will you just come or what?” Peter saw the answer in her eyes and grabbed her hand and she floated with him.

They seemed to float inside their own little world for a few minutes. Until Michael shouted “What about us?”

Peter called down to them. “Just think happy thoughts and follow me.”

“What about mom, Wendy?” John called.

Peter saved her the answer. “I spent almost two months, maybe longer in this place. When I came back, it had only been an hour. You’ll be fine. Happy thoughts, John, happy thoughts.”

“No thanks, Pete. Michael and I will stay. Pick up the pieces, you know? Wendy, your decision is on you. You’ve taken care of us long enough, we can manage for a little while.” John said, backing up.

Peter returned his attention to the beautiful red head in front of him. She had always hated him and now she finally looked at him with wonder and curiosity. “Peter, where are you taking me?” she asked delicately.

“To Neverland, of course.” Peter answered, smiling brightly.