Skylights also seemed to approve of Never Land. “We can use Never Land as our home base between campaigns, if you think it’s safe, Captain. Who else is here aside from the Lost Boys?”

James didn’t know how to break it to the crew that he wasn’t intending to leave Never Land, not once he was back from taking Tinker Bell to the Many Kingdoms. He didn’t want anything to distract them from their plan, and he wasn’t ready for all the questions the crew would have if he told them he had no intention of remaining a pirate.

“No sense in camping on Skull Island when we have everything we need on the ship. Let’s focus on our plan to capture Tinker Bell, and getting her to the Many Kingdoms, and then we will be free to decide what to do next.”

The men seemed satisfied with that answer, and none of them were the sorts who shied away from a bit of skullduggery, so they were keen on James’s plan. “All right, men, I’m going to check in on Mr. Smee.”

James found him in the galley surrounded by bubbling pots cooking on the fire. “Smee, my old friend, I see you’re already at work preparing for the party! Is there anything in here that would make someone sleep?” James was poking around at the various spices and teas in the pantry. He could see he was annoying his old friend. “What’s the matter with you, man? Am I disturbing your system? Have I thrown everything out of order?” asked James, smiling.

“I’m sorry, sir, but yes. Please, let me,” Smee said, going the pantry. “I know Captain Blackbeard had a sleeping draft in his tea every evening before bed; just let me locate it. Though I’m not sure how effective it was, as he never seemed to sleep. Why do you ask?” he said, pushing past James and locating the bottle and handing it to him.

“Would this be enough to make all the Lost Boys fall asleep?” James asked, holding up the bottle.

“I’d say not, but we have more. Blackbeard always made sure I kept it well-stocked,” said Smee, narrowing his eyes. “What do you have in mind, sir?” he asked.

“I want you to make the most magnificent, most delicious, and most enticing chocolate cake, and I want you to lace it with this sleeping draft. We are going to catch ourselves a fairy!”

“Excuse me for saying so, sir, but this is foolhardy! Peter and the Lost Boys will know it was you. I don’t trust those Odd Sisters, and I can’t believe you agreed to this insane plan of theirs.”