Peace Offering

                                    

                                          
No one said anything when Nibs rejoined their fire that evening, though Sarah could see the looks that passed between him and the others. With a round of silent nods that they all pretended were subtle, they resumed their more standard routine of going over their individual adventures for the day. She smiled as Nibs interrupted Xavier's story and a scuffle broke out. It was good to have him back, not least because she could now eat her own dinner in relative peace. Knowing what she knew now, Sarah glossed over the things she'd seen with Pan that morning. Nibs had said he was fine, but that didn't mean she had to rub it in his face. When she at last retired to her tent for the evening, it was with a feeling of blissful content. With the puzzle of Nibs solved, her mind was free to think over the idea she'd contrived today.
                          
She had survived on Neverland just fine so far, whatever Pan or Felix or the Lost Boys had thrown at her. And now that they were warming up to her, maybe they wouldn't make it quite so hard for the next girl. Sarah was determined that there be a next girl. Boys didn't have the monopoly on feeling alone and unloved, after all, and she thought the island might benefit from a little diversity. And of course, with more than one girl on the island it would be a lot easier for Nibs to get over her. She'd ask Pan about it tomorrow, she decided. With that happy thought, she settled into her pallet for a deep, dreamless sleep.
                          
She got up quickly the next morning, ready for another blissful day of exploring with Pan and adventuring with the Lost Boys. She ate a small, quick breakfast in her tent and ported over to the pond for a quick bath before returning to greet her guide. She was a bit nervous about her idea now that the sun was overhead and the comforting blanket of night was folded back and tucked away until the evening shook it out again. Never the less, she wanted to share it with him. She was certain she could bring him around.
                          
"Good morning, Lost Girl." His tone of voice was her first clue that something was different today. The last few days he'd greeted her softly, as though they were slipping off to some secret only the two of them knew about. Today, his voice crackled with energy – and more concerningly, determination. Her second clue appeared shortly after. Felix, lurking like an overgrown shadow behind his master, was a face she rarely saw in the mornings these days. His presence now gave her the unique bad feeling of a mystery unsolved. Pan soon obliged with the answer. "I'm afraid I can't show you around the island today – but luckily for us, Felix has agreed to take my place." Sarah snorted. That was a laugh.
                          
"Felix." She sobered quickly as she realised Pan wasn't joking. "You can't be serious, Peter." The corner of Felix's mouth twitched upwards as she stared.
                          
"Maybe I've missed the pleasure of your company." Sarah rolled her eyes all the way into a glare. Like hell he did. She appealed to Pan,
                          
"And the reason I can't get one of the Lost Boys to take your place is...?"
                          
"The Lost Boys will be quite busy this morning, I'm afraid." She broke her glaring contest with Felix – the stupid giant was barely even blinking anyhow – to stare suspiciously at Pan. He was acting oddly; Or rather, he wasn't acting oddly at all – he was acting like himself. His old self. Sarah crossed her arms.
                          
"And why can't I spend the morning on my own? I'll remind you both, in case you've forgotten, that I am more than capable of taking care of myself for a couple of hours. Or days. Or even weeks." Felix glanced towards his leader.
                          
"Like I said, Lost Girl," He drawled. "I've missed you. Been a while since the two of us talked." He smiled threateningly. "Wouldn't want to hurt my feelings, would you?" Sarah's eyes flickered back and forth several times between the top Lost Boys. She had no idea what was going on, but she knew she didn't like it.
                          
"You hate talking." Felix shrugged. "And you hate me." He glanced to the side. "And the feeling's mutual." The smile broke to a grin.
                          
"What if I told you I'll answer any question you want?" His amusement was palpable. "Consider it a peace offering." Sarah's jaw dropped. Felix never answered any question. And he wasn't exactly prone to peace offerings, either. With considerable effort, she slammed her curiosity down in favour of her rising suspicions.