Welcome to the next installment of my Darkness series! If you have not read the first of this series you may be a bit lost, however if you enjoy being lost come on in the water is great ;) To my returning readers welcome! I am really excited for all the excitement, fun, and tragedy I have planned ]:) I can't wait! (Muhahahahahaha!) Just as with all my stories it will begin slow…but do not fear it will pick up before you know it. Enjoy.

(The Bennett House)

Rhythmic creaking echoed in the small bedroom Rashana swaying back and forth in the large rocking chair. Soft humming filled the air as she cradled the shivering winter teen in her lap, her heart clenching with each and every whimper that left the poor broken spirit.

Across the room footsteps followed Chand's patterned pacing, the man trying to keep himself from going off the deep end. Every so often he'd glance at the shadow that Darkness had left to go retrieve the vital missing piece of the boy's staff, praying to the gods that the shade would return soon.

"Dad…do you think…Darkness is ok?"

Chand stopped walking at his son's broken voice, "I am sure he is fine Jack." He winced when the boy shuddered, "And I am sure he will be here soon."

"I hope so…this really hurts…"

"I know son." Rashana hummed slightly as she cradled the teen closer to her in a vain attempt to offer him comfort from the pain she couldn't save him from.

Jack sighed and buried his face into his mother, even though it didn't stop the agonizing pain the teen relished the contact. After three hundred years of nothing but loneliness and hatred it felt good to feel a loving embrace, even if it did nothing for the agony now blazing through him.

Sudden knocking on the door startled all the occupants, Chand quickly rushed over and snatched it open. "Saint Patrick…why are you here?" he stared in confusion at the Leprechaun standing in the hall.

"Ummm well sir…" Patrick rubbed the back of his neck, not really comfortable talking to the ancient spirit, he stopped when he caught sight of Rashana holding Jack, "Hey is the little devil ok?"

Chand let out a breath, "Not exactly Saint Patrick."

"What happened?" Patrick filled with concern when he saw how bad the teen was shaking

Rashana spoke up interrupting before Chand could respond, "Dear, why don't you and Patrick go to Pitch's room to talk, Jack is trying to rest plus I am sure Pitch will want to know what is happening as well."

Chand nodded, understanding the fact that she did not want their son to know just how serious his situation actually was "Let me know when Darkness returns Rashana."

She simply nodded as the two spirit's left, once the door closed she glanced down at the boy in her arms "Jack dear you can let it out now."

Jack's breath hitched in his throat, he could no longer stop the flow of tears that he had been keeping at bay. The boy's body shook violently, sobs escaping him "Mom I'm so sorry…"

"For what son?" Rashana gently wiped her son's eyes as he let out the pain and frustration he had been keeping bottled up

"For…always getting into trouble…" Jack buried his face into her

Rashana smiled, "Oh Jack, you have nothing to apologize for. You have done nothing wrong."

Jack whimpered as she brushed his forehead, "Then why…why does it always seem that I make a mess of everything I do." The teen inhaled, his body rising with the action, "I wanted to help North and wind up getting Pitch nearly killed because I didn't listen and tried to fight…"

"Jack dear you are nothing but your father's son." Rashana chuckled at a memory, "He too was always getting into scraps and jams that nearly got him and everyone with him killed." She gently moved the boy so that he was looking up at her, "Now I want no more of this self-hate from you Jack. You are perfect and I will not have you thinking anything is wrong with you."

A smile tugged at Jack's lips, he started to respond when an explosion of heat in his chest robbed him of breath.

Rashana startled when Jack, suddenly stretched himself out, blue eyes widening in panic.

"Mom I can't…I can't breath!" Jack's voice caught in his throat, the tightening in his chest squeezing what little breath he could draw like a vice.

Rashana quickly got to her feet, "Just a moment son."

Jack could feel his lungs burning as he was laid again flat on the bed, as better as it was for his breathing he didn't like the fact that he was no longer in his mother's arms. That small sensation of touch having been calming for him, "Mom, please don't leave me…" he grabbed her hand quickly, afraid that she was about to go.

"Oh sweetie, I'll never leave you as long as I live." Rashana smiled and gently brushed his hair from his face, "Now just hold tight I'll make it better."

Rashana glanced at the door, glad that Chand had stepped out. He would stop her from what she was about to do, however if her son was to survive any longer there was no choice…it had to be done. "Lay still Jack." She smiled reassuringly at the winter spirit as she placed her palm to the blackening blotch now spreading across his torso.

"Mom?" Jack watched in confusion as he mother closed her eyes, he jumped slightly when a warmth began to spread from beneath her soft palm. "What are you…"

"Shhh son." Rashana gently shushed the boy, needing to concentrate on the task at hand. "Htaed morf dlihc ym evas ot od yldalg I sihT. Htaerb ym yawa evig I. Efil ym pu reffo I."

Jack gasped when the agony instantly left him with the dying syllable of his mother's melodic voice.

"Better?"

Jack inhaled, he nearly shouted when agony didn't explode within him with the action. "How did you heal…"

Rashana sank into the chair next to the bed, "I didn't Jack, I simply lessened the effect for a moment. I am afraid the pain will return…" She placed a hand to his forehead when Jack whimpered, "But do not worry son, I am sure Darkness will be back soon."

"The guy sure is taking his sweet time…." Jack huffed slightly, though he was enjoying the air that was actually being now allowed into his lung.

"Ungrateful brat, this is the last time I help you out."

Both glanced at the rippling shadow rising up the wall, Rashana was on her feet as Darkness stepped from the blackness and into the room.

"Are you all right Darkness?"

Silver eyes filled with appreciation at the fact the first concern that came from her was for his wellbeing, "Yes mam, I was able to retrieve the piece without conflict." He smirked at Jack, "This makes the tally what…three?"

Jack grinned, "I'll just start a tab along with everyone else that's saved my hide."

Darkness chuckled as he hurried over, he scanned the teen searching his energy to his surprise the level was a bit higher than when he had departed, "Frost if I didn't know any better I'd say your healthier now than when I left…"

"Mom did something that really helped." Jack used his elbows to sit up better

Silver eyes glanced at the woman, a frown came to his face when he saw her hand quivering, "Mrs. Rashana…what did…"

"It was just a simple spell. Nothing to be concerned with." Rashana waved her hand in dismissal, "Now hang on just a moment Jack I'll get your father and he can help you restore your relic so that your recovery can begin."

Darkness crossed his arms as the woman quickly left, he hadn't missed the quickness in which she had dismissed herself, nor did he miss the pale color in her complexion. "I will need to speak with Chand privately about this…she has done something that has endangered her life force." The shade spirit's heart was heavy, being the child of Death he had felt Rashana's life energy level…and it wasn't good.

"So Darkness how bad did you kick Famine's butt?"

Darkness was brought out his thought by Jack's excited question, "Frost it was so bad I can't tell you all the bloody gory details." He forced a smile, there was no reason to worry the boy about his mother, the winter spirit had enough to worry about.

(Elsewhere in the house)

"…and due to whatever Famine has done to the piece Jack's body is deteriating."

"Why the hell didn't you come tell me sooner!"

Chand sighed at the Nightmare King's curse, "Son things have been really hectic and I haven't had ti…"

"Like always." Pitch narrowed his eyes, anger taking hold of his tongue, "Never the time the explain what the hell is going on, never the time to offer any sort of real help other than to apologize after shit has hit the fan!"

Golden eyes narrowed, "I am doing the best I can son."

"Well it's not enough." Pitch snorted

Patrick coughed slightly, the tension in the air was getting so thick the spirit swore he could see it. He needed to run intervention before father and son came to blows, "What about Darkness? Does he even know where to go?"

Chand turned from the glaring match, he blinked slightly as if just now remembering the Leprechaun had also tagged along, "Ummm well to be honest I don't know. He said that he could ask the shadows where to find Famine…"

An exasperated huff left Pitch, "You left the very life of your son in hands of a total stranger you know nothing about? Father of the year award goes to…"

"Hey! There was no other option Pitch."

"So much for distraction." Patrick groaned when the two began arguing again. He was about to try again to stop the two when the door opening saved him the hassle, "Oh thank the gods it's her." Patrick sighed in relief when Rashana walked into the room.

"Mother! Is Jack ok?" Pitch forgot his argument instantly as he propped himself up as his mother came in.

Rashana smiled, "Jack will be fine Pitch, Darkness has just returned and he has the piece."

"I'll go help Jackson put it back together."

Rashana walked over to Pitch's side as Chand quickly left to go aide his son, she gently removed the bandages so that she could see the stitches, "It looks like these are healing nicely Pitch. I believe that you'll be able to be up and about within a few days." She motioned for Patrick to hand her a roll of gauze, nodding a thank you when he complied.

"That's good." Pitch huffed as she redressed the wound, "I need to go see Jack as soon as possible."

"Well that won't be for a bit Pitch." She placed a hand to her hip when he started to protest, "You listen to me son, I will tan your hide should you even think about getting out of this bed. So you just lay there and recover and let us take care of your brother, do I make myself clear?"

Golden eyes lowered

"Good, now I need to get back to Jack. Promise me that you'll not do anything stupid when I leave."

Pitch exhaled, there was no arguing when his mother took that tone, "I won't."

Patrick grinned, he had never seen his friend so humble aside from the few times Iris had yelled at him about something stupid he had let himself be talked into, "Don't worry Mrs. Bennett I'll keep an eye on him, aside from his bad attitude Pitch is a great patient."

Rashana chuckled when her son glared at the spirit, "In that case Patrick I leave him in your capable hands."

Pitch snorted when she left, "Oh sure leave me with the man who has on several occasions nearly gotten me killed."

Patrick grinned, "Hey, you're still kicking aren't you?"

"No thanks to you."

"Come on Pitch." Patrick smirked when his friend began to sull up, "You know that Chand and Rashana will do everything they can to help Jack."

"Still doesn't mean I shouldn't be there with him…"

Mismatched eyes rolled, "Pitch you heard your mother, that side needs time to heal. You don't want it rip open and all your entrails spill out now do you."

"First of all gross… second it wouldn't rip open if I was careful."

Patrick inhaled, his friend had never been one to listen to reason "Pitch come on there really isn't anything you can do…" he waved a hand when Pitch shot him his infamous 'I'm going to kill you look' "Chand knows what he's doing, and so does Rashana. I'm sure that they'll have that little ice devil on his feet and getting back into trouble in no time."

Pitch hissed slightly as he repositioned himself in the bed, he hated to admit it but as much as he wanted to go to his brother…at the moment he wasn't able.

"Fine…Your right."

Patrick raised an eyebrow, "What? You want to repeat that?" he chuckled when Pitch flipped him off.

"Why did come here anyway?" Pitch crossed his arms as he settled against the backboard, "I thought you were with Iris at Greed's for Thanksgiving?"

Patrick rubbed the back of his neck, "Well to honest…Iris is mad at me..."

"What have you done now?" Pitch's voice was exasperated, the Nightmare King imagining all kinds of things his friend could have done to make the normally calm Iris lash out.

"Nothing!" Patrick tossed his hands up

"Think real hard Patrick…" Pitch snorted, a million scenarios running through his mind

"I swear Pitch, I haven't done anything!" Patrick pouted, knowing full well that his friend was mulling over a thousand things he could have done.

Pitch chuckled, "Well there has to be something…Iris isn't one to snap at people for no reason."

"That's just it Pitch." Patrick glanced around, as if worried the winged woman might hear him, "She's been acting…strange lately."

"Strange how?" Pitch sat up a bit more, worried that he might need to get someone to go check on the winged spirit

"Well, she's been getting really sick in the morning, she's been really tired, and worst of all she's been having mood swings. She can be happy one minute and ready to tear my head off the next." Patrick waved his hands dramatically, "And she keeps telling me it's my fault! I have no idea what I've done!"

Pitch raised an eyebrow, "Really…are you that dense?" he face palmed when his friend simply stared at him blankly, "Look what you need to do is go Fiona's…"

"That fancy Dryad chick that cheated me out of thousands of coin for a stupid flower?" Patrick placed a hand to his heart in horror

Golden eyes rolled, "Patrick…do you want my advice or not?"

Patrick sighed, "Fine, proceed."

"Anyway…you need to get her a bouquet of Jellian Roses, a box of Switzen Chocolate from Grastna and then take her out to a nice dinner at Rosco's."

"And you're sure this will get me out of the doghouse?" Patrick raised an eyebrow

Pitch chuckled, "As sure as you are lucky."

Patrick grinned, "All right then, let me know what happens with Jack." He got to his feet mumbling, "Ok first I'll need to pick up the roses…then get the chocolate…"

"Good luck Patrick." Pitch called as the spirit walked out of the room, once he was sure that Patrick had truly gone Pitch allowed the devious smile he had been holding back creep onto his face, "Gods I wish I could be there for this..." the Nightmare King chuckled at the thought of what was in store for the poor unsuspecting Leprechaun

And Chaos has begun! Please review and let me know what you guys thought. I love hearing from readers and seeing what you think of the story. Till next time :)