The day after went smoother than the evening before, surprisingly. Pitch had been long gone, and Jack was ready to see Jamie. He was nervous, he didn't want to know what would happen after this conversation with the youngster. Images of Jamie assaulting him for what he'd done went through his head and made it all the more hard for him to find any courage to visit the brunette. He didn't want the other to be mad at him, since he couldn't control himself at the very moment he'd hit the boy. He'd been worried for Jamie's injury from the time he'd woke up till now. Nobody had talked to him about Jamie's health apart from Toothiana when he woke up. Nobody said anything, which made Jack more nervous than he already was.

Sighing, Jack opened the door to Jamie's room and stepped inside. The boy was awake but didn't let out a word as he watched Jack appearing. His look was rather indescribable. There was no hatred, but neither was there happiness or sadness. Considered the events which had occurred, confusing should be the look in the small one's eyes.

"Why did you do it Jack?" Jamie asked, which made Jack's heart skip a beat. The question he'd feared and didn't knew any answer to. He'd thought about what he would answer, but he couldn't think of anything. Could he just explain it without knowing the whole story himself, and did the guardians tell Jamie anything at all? He wasn't quite sure.

"Jamie.. I've got no idea." he sighed and sat down next to the boy- not too close though. "From the moment Pitch had captured North, I didn't know what I was doing until the very end I woke up yesterday. Everything is like a blur to me, and I've got no idea what has been happening the past days. Toothiana told me a great part of it all, North and Aster too, even Sandy tried to.. but yeah, you get the point. I don't know what had happened, and why. All I know is that I was trapped somewhere dark, not being able to speak and sometimes hearing faint calling and shouts, but that's all." the last sentences were mumbled as he wasn't sure he'd been telling the right thing. Would Jamie still understand his mumbling? He guessed Jamie would understand, the boy was smart enough. "I never wanted to hurt you, but apparently I did in the end.. I'm so sorry, and I have no idea on how to fix this. All I can do now is asking you.. asking you for forgiveness.

Jack sighed yet again. He finally let it out to Jamie and he curiously watched the other expression. Would Jamie be mad at him for not fighting against the Nightmares and darkness? What if Jamie would be angry, what if he wouldn't forgive Jack and tell him he should leave the guardians for what he had done? Those thoughts.. they broke him inside.

"I'm.. not mad." Jamie smiled slightly. "From the moment the guardians told me I needed to help out and explained everything to me, I knew you weren't.. you, Jack. You weren't yourself. And I forgive you, because I know you're you again." he grinned. "That sounded so cheesy and stupid."

"No it didn't Jamie.. it didn't." Jack smiled with whole of his heart and fought against the tears which were trying to escape.

"It's okay Jack."

And with that, Jack let out all the frustrations, anger and sadness out at once. He cried over everything what had happened without himself knowing. About hurting all of his friends, bringing chaos to all the children of the world, being the one which caused it and not being able to stop it all. Endless seas of tears seemed to flow out of his eyes, filled with emotions which couldn't be described. But most importantly, because he was forgiven. Tears of happiness because the guardians had forgiven him, and because Jamie had. "You've got no idea how happy I am."

"I think I do." Jamie grinned and hugged Jack tightly, letting the older boy out all of his emotions. He'd deserved it after what he'd been through. He and all the guardians agreed to that. It wasn't easy for Jack to not being able to help the people around him and causing problems around the world. It could've been harder for Jack than it had been for the guardians. And about the children, they were sure they would forgive Jack. While the 'nature-disasters' happened, Sandman and Aster were out to help the people around, so everything should be okay now.

Except for the fact Pitch had left, yet again. They weren't sure what would happen now Pitch had seen the disasters which had happened who were most partly his fault. And the last sentence he'd said kept being struck in their minds too. He didn't want to be lonely. Did this mean he wanted Jack to be with him all along, even before everything which had occurred between Pitch and the Guardians?

Even in that case, it wasn't smart what he'd done. He didn't had any reason to turn Jack in such thing as a living nightmare. Neither had he any reason to kidnap North and use him against him. But he guessed that was all over now. If they were lucky, Pitch would stop his chaos and leave them be. What else could he do to the world after those days? Every horrible thing one could think of had happened.

Hours past and everybody was in North's working room, discussing what to do with Pitch. Aster had decided they wouldn't let Jack near Pitch ever again and everybody- except from Jack- agreed to it. Jack disagreed since he still thought about what Pitch had said. North assured him there was nothing wrong and Pitch been alone all his life and never complained about it until the day Jack was 'born'. He told the youngster not to worry about it and if Pitch would ever feel alone, he could still come and talk to the guardians about it. Because they did had offered it a few times, but he kept refusing. They had given up eventually.

Jack said nothing after that, and listened to the plans the others were making. First thing, bringing Jamie back home and trying not to let his mother faint, since she had been missing Jamie for quite some time. Second, helping everybody around the world- and every family. Third would be bringing Christmas within a month and make it extra special to make up for everything. Double the presents and leaving something behind for the parents as a make-up-gift, make the toys extra fun and more like this.

Everything whould be better this year. Toothiana and her fairies would get the children's teeth again, and Sandy would give everyone sweet dreams like it used to be. Jack would let it snow a little bit for Winter's sake and stay with North while doing so. Aster would complain about Christmas being more important than easter right now, and Manny.

Manny would look from the moon down at the guardians. See how they have taken care of the problems by themselves. Manny would be proud of Jack, finally finding himself back in his old being. Manny would enjoy Christmas eve as much as the children would be.. and Manny would be the one keeping guard over the guardians.

Because he would help the guardians when really needed, when they couldn't do it alone anymore.

Something the Guardians had forgotten.

And Manny would keep an eye on Pitch, being sure hell wouldn't break lose again.

And Manny closed the Chapter. Well done Manny.

So I guess, this is the end? All happy and such.. I hope you enjoyed the story, and forgive me for the long time no updates.