I finish scrubbing my hands clean with the water my brother brought to my cabin after we returned to the ship. I debate for a moment about changing my shirt. I know that I have to talk to John, and I doubt seeing his sister's blood on my shirt would be easy for him. Ultimately I decide that efficiency is more important than anyone's feelings. I put the bowl of water aside and walk to the door of my cabin. Thankfully my brother is waiting for me on the other side of the door. 

"Bring John and Tink to my cabin." 

He nods and leaves to find both John and Tink. I sigh tiredly and turn to go back to sit at my desk. This is not going to be an easy conversation. It is days like this that I do not like the responsibility I inherited when I decided to forge my own path on the island. A responsibility to not only my crew but to the entire island. I wish this was anyone else's job. But I also know that it is my burden for a reason. 

Tiger Lily is a princess, she is not able to do the things I can and she can not connect to people the way I do. Tink is a Fae and they are forbidden from interfering. And Peter is well, Peter. He doesn't really do responsibility. 

But me? I was raised to understand responsibility and consequences. To be able to handle both danger and diplomacy. I was taught how to strategize on a grander scale than any of them have even attempted to in the past. And I had all these skills before I was brought to the island. I was going to gain this responsibility one way or another. Whether I liked it or not. 

I'm pulled from my thoughts when I hear a firm knock on my cabin door. I look up to see my brother looking at me with a sad and knowing look. Behind him is John Darling and Tink. I nod to my brother and he lets them in before closing the door behind them. I motion for both of them to take a seat. Tink plops into her usual seat and folds herself to fit her entire frame into the seat of her chair. It still amuses me that someone so infinitely serious and centuries older than anyone else here can act childish like that. John nervously follows her in and takes his own seat. 

"Is it over?" John asks cautiously, looking between the two of us.

I glance at Tink before turning to him seriously. "Yes. It's over." 

"Is she?" I see his eyes flicker to the red that stains my sleeves for a second. I don't bother to cover it up, he's already seen it so there is no point. 

I don't respond right away, trying to think of the words to tell him. Eventually I settle on just nodding. No words can express the burden of the situation. The fact that she's dead. The fact that I had to kill her. The fact that I know that he still loved her She was his sister after all, even though he knew she was beyond hope. There's nothing I could say to express just how complex the emotions both of us are feeling about this are. And I hope he understands. 

John sighs and his shoulders sag. It appears as though a heavy burden is lifted from his shoulders and then replaced almost immediately. I feel a little bad for him. Which doesn't make this next part any easier. 

I glance at Tink before I return my full attention to the boy in front of me. I take a deep breath to prepare myself. "Unfortunately, ending your sister's threat does not take care of all of the issue." 

John's eyebrows furrow in confusion. "What are you talking about?" 

I glance at Tink again, hoping she will provide some assist to me in this. Which is ridiculous, this is Tink. Her expression remains passive even as our eyes meet. The message is clear. She's expecting me to take care of this on my own. "John, there are rules about the magic here. Everything is kept in a very delicate balance. You and your sister coming here without being chosen was against the rules and upset the balance." 

"What are you saying?" 

I take another deep breath. "Your sister set things in motion and in order to fix them completely, you have to go back home John." I had intended to say that gently, but I think my words came out a little more blunt than I was intending. 

John's expression changes from shock to devastated in moments. I know this must be very difficult for him but I can't do anything about it. "I have to go?" His voice sounds so broken at this revelation. 

I nod, doing my best to keep my expression and tone as professional as possible. It is the only way I can get through this. "Yes." 

He looks at me in question. "What about my brother?" 

"He was chosen, he has to stay." I try to explain as gently as possible. "If he returned with you he would die. He was dying when Peter and Tink arrived to take him here. This island is the only place where he can live." 

"So I have to return alone?" John questions, his voice is so quiet I almost don't hear him. But I do hear it, and it's hard to hear the heartbreak in his voice. 

I give a small nod in confirmation. "Yes, I'm afraid so." 

"What will I tell my parents?" He looks up at me imploringly. I see the desperation and worry in his eyes. 

I sigh. Of course, the big question. I was wondering when we would get around to that. "I have considered that. I can help you come up with a story for your parents if you would like. But ultimately, it is up to you what you tell them or if you tell them anything at all. However, I must insist that you tell them nothing of your time here." 

John contemplates my words, his gaze turning down towards his hands. I wait patiently, giving him time to process everything. He looks at me before he continues. "How am I going to get back?" 

I gesture to Tink. "Tink will take you back." He glances at the Fae that might as well be a statue for all she has been contributing to this conversation. 

"When do I have to leave?" The heartbreak in his voice threatens to break my professional facade. 

I sigh, might as well hit the last nail in this coffin of hurt for him. "Tonight." 

His eyes widen in shock and a little despair. "What? What about my brother? Will I get to say goodbye? Will I ever see him again?" 

I close my eyes for a moment to gather myself. Once again I question why this is my responsibility. I open my eyes again and look at him seriously. "I'm sorry but I don't know. I don't know if you will be able to see your brother before you leave. I don't know if you will ever be able to come back here. Neverland is only for children. And you are already almost as old as I was when I first came here. Only fate can tell." 

John looks broken at my words. I wish I could say something to help, give him some sort of hope to help soften the blow. But I can't give him better news. After a few moments he sighs in resignation and nods. "Okay. But you have to promise me something." 

I nod, encouraging him to continue. I can at least honor his final request before we send him away to deal with the repercussions at home. 

"Look after Michael for me?" 

I smile for the first time since they both entered my cabin. "Of course. I'm an older sibling myself. I understand your obligation to your younger brother. I will look after him for you. You have my word, he will be well taken care of." 

He returns my smile. "Thank you, Captain." 

I nod. "Maybe, if you're very lucky, you will find your way back here. And we will see each other again. You can join my crew for real. And you can watch over your brother for yourself." 

His smile widens. "I would like that." 

I nod and gesture to Tink to lead them out of my cabin. After I see them leave I slouch in my chair. The stress from handling this whole affair leaving me exhausted both mentally and physically. I really hope I don't have to deal with another situation like this for a very very long time.