Disclaimer: I do not own Rise of the Guardians, nor The Guardians of Childhood book series; the film belongs to DreamWorks Animation and the book series to William Joyce.

A/N: Back with the second half! Although this chapter was more difficult for me to write, I really enjoyed it once I was able to go back to reread and correct. There's fluff here people, but what else is new? I just love the relationship between Jack and Jamie! But I'm also exploring Jack's relationships with the other four Guardians, two of them making appearances here, which was a ton of fun to write as I explored their characters.

I hope you like it, and if you feel the need to leave a review, go on ahead!

StarKatt427

Jack landed with a hard thud on the floor, having just enough time to twist his body so that he took the brunt of the impact, sliding several inches and banging his shoulders as the portal spit him and Jamie out. The breath was torn from his lungs in a pained gasp, just as a throbbing shot up his shoulder blades and he lost hold of his staff.

Jamie snapped awake, looking around frantically with unfocused eyes, hands fastening to the front of his sweatshirt.

"You're okay," he said quickly, a hand coming up almost automatically to press to the back of his head, urging him down, ignoring his aching back as best he could. "Just sleep."

Without any more resistance, Jamie fell limp against him once more, dead to the world.

Letting out a relieved breath once he managed to suck enough air into his lungs, Jack simply lay still for a moment where he was sprawled in the middle of the Globe Room; the Globe of Belief that monitored the world's children was towering above him, the sitting area and fireplace behind him when he craned his head back. It was quiet, which was strange, because the elves were usually running amok and the Yetis were always towering over everyone, and it was dark, no fire roaring and nothing lit save the twinkling gold light of the Globe.

And then he remembered it was nighttime.

Which meant North would mostly likely be in bed.

Searching out North's private chambers was something Jack didn't have time for (one reason being he never could find the old man's room), so the only other thing he could think of was getting him to the Globe Room. Watchful of the little bundle in his arms, Jack lifted himself up enough so that he was able to grab his staff. Then, trying to cover Jamie's ears with his other arm and chest, he slammed the base of his weapon onto the floor with a loud CRACK, sending out a shock wave of wind and ice throughout most of the castle.

The wind echoed for several long seconds, ice shooting out over the floors and walls and ceilings in spindly, beautiful designs, and then there was silence except for their breathing. Jamie remained unmoving against him, somehow undisturbed by the resounding boom of his magic, while Jack began counting off the seconds in his head. Once he reached sixty, he called back the frost that crept along the massive building and waited.

It didn't take very long. The room was soon flooded with light, each flickering on one by one, until Jack was squinting against the brightness. The sound of large, heavy footsteps outside the room, coming up the hall, had Jack's gaze locked on the doors.

Which burst open with enough force that they slammed back into the walls and had both Jack and Jamie jolting, followed by a deep, Russian voice: "WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON HERE?" North demanded, obviously woken from sleep and not happy about it, from where he stood in the entryway with several sleepy eyed elves and two Yetis trailing behind him.

Jamie jumped at the bellow, though did not wake, but Jack immediately had his hands over the little boy's ears before looking back to his fellow Guardian.

Under normal circumstances, Jack would have been amused by the sight before him: Nicholas St. North, deadly swordsman and toy bringer extraordinaire, was in a nightgown, topped off with a nightcap. He had a sword in each hand, however, and his eyes were blazing with annoyance and rage so that he was still almost as scary as when dressed in his furs.

Now, Jack couldn't find anything to laugh about, not when he was still trying to keep from panicking.

Electric blue eyes locking on Jack where he was half sitting on the floor, North's expression lightened into annoyance and confusion. "Jack? Even causing trouble for me in my sleep, I see." North finally seemed to notice the fact that he had a child held in his arms; he inhaled sharply, looking back to Jack.

Jack could almost feel the expression on his face: alarm, anger. But all he could do was stare back at him, mouth open.

North's features settled into dread. "What has happened?"

Jack shook his head, almost desperate as he motioned to Jamie. "Not now."

Shooing aside the elves crowded around his feet, North took surprisingly quick steps and was soon kneeling beside Jack, examining Jamie's face, still stained with tears. He lifted a large hand and, with a touch Jack hadn't known about until he'd truly gotten to know the large man, brushed aside the hair that had fallen into Jamie's eyes. He looked back to Jack. "Come, I have a place he can sleep."

"Wait," Jack said quickly. "I…I don't want him far." From my sight.

North simply nodded.

Jack carefully made it to his feet, managing not to jostle the sleeping child as he followed after North, who was motioning for the Yetis to light a fire and quietly cursing in Russian at the few elves who did not move out of his way. North opened the double doors, then turned left and entered a much smaller sitting area. Once the light was on and Jack inside, he somehow smiled, because this was often where he woke up when he stayed at North's, always in the large chair where he'd either fallen asleep or the much older man had placed him.

It was right next to the conference room, close enough for Jack to be assured.

At least, that was what he told himself.

"Jack."

He turned to North, the man standing in the doorway and watching him with something he didn't entirely understand. He stared back expectantly, and only then noticed him motioning downward with his eyes. Confused, Jack followed his gaze, only to find that North was looking at the sleeping boy in his arms. One of Jack's hands gently cradled the back of Jamie's head, pressing him into his shoulder, the other wrapped protectively around his back.

A little surprised to find that he was still holding onto Jamie and even more so by the fact that he didn't entirely want to lay him down, Jack blinked for a moment, then looked back to North. "I…ah…"

North smiled warmly. "It is alright to put him down, Jack. No one here will harm him."

"I know that."

"Then why haven't you let him go?"

Maybe because he felt better, knowing Jamie was in his arms in case he was attacked by another nightmare, though he doubted that; it was mostly because he didn't want to lose the contact. But he did lay Jamie gently down on the large sofa, reluctant to release the little body, both because he still felt that protectiveness and because of just how comforting it was to know Jamie was safe and real and in his arms.

"Ah," North began. "I truly must be popular, what with all the company."

Jack turned around quickly, then released a relieved breath at the golden, swirling sand that was beginning to slide through the doorway, Sanderson Mansnoozie following behind. Tired and anxious as he was, Jack still smiled. "Sandy."

The Sandman smiled that eye crinkling smile, but when his eyes landed on the sleeping Jamie behind Jack, his face saddened into obvious concern. He looked up at North, some silent understanding passing between them that Jack couldn't comprehend; it was slightly amused and a little touched and also a tad sad, so he could only imagine it had something to do with Jamie.

"Sandy, you...?"

In answer, several images flashed above Sanderson's head as he looked back at him, and if Jack hadn't had the last year-and-a-half to learn his friend's picture language, he would have been entirely lost; as if knowing Jack wasn't entirely up for deciphering images at the moment, Sandy went slow enough that Jack could understand: NOTICED JAMIE'S DREAM DISAPPEARED. SENSED A NIGHTMARE. SAW BLACK SAND. CAME HERE TO WARN NORTH.

Good old Sandy, always watching out for his sleeping children.

North cleared his throat softly. "Let us return to the Globe Room to discuss what has happened."

With one last look at Jamie, Jack trailed after them, unable to get rid of the feeling that Jamie shouldn't be alone. So caught up in his thoughts was he that he nearly collided with a large, furry figure, stepping back lightly just in time to avoid slamming into a Yeti.

Jack stared. "Phil?"

The Yeti made an affirmative noise, then looked the room just behind Jack.

Something lightened slightly in his chest when he realized Phil was offering to sit watch over Jamie. He finally nodded. "Just make sure you're quiet."

With that, Phil stepped into the room, surprisingly light on his feet for a creature his size, and Jack trekked back to the middle of North's castle.

He watched as North sheathed his swords in the belt around his waist, then lean back against the mantle, a warm fire now glowing behind him. "Whatever has happened must be serious, to have you both so shaken. It is not normal for you to be so quiet, Sandy."

Jack wasn't sure if he was joking or not. If he was, he didn't find it funny.

North concentrated on him for a moment, then sighed, rubbing a hand over his face and in the process knocking his cap off, where it fell to the floor unnoticed. "I assume this involves Jamie."

"You assume correctly," Jack said, trying not to let his anger sneak into his words; it wasn't aimed at North, and he knew he would understand that, but now that Jamie wasn't in his arms and keeping him focused entirely on him, the fury was swirling through him quickly. He was unable to stay still, walking around the room and flipping his staff around almost violently as he paced, trying to keep his powers in check so that he didn't start forming icicle stalagmites on the floor.

Or worse, break apart like ice. He wasn't sure how long he was going to be able to hold up, anger and fear battling inside him.

Finally feeling like he had calmed enough so that if he stopped moving he wouldn't explode the entire workshop in ice, Jack faced North. "This was Pitch."

The surprise was evident on North's face, but it never changed to disbelief; he already knew not to underestimate the Boogeyman. More than anything, there was acceptance in his features as his hands went almost without thought to his swords. "You are sure?"

Before Jack had a chance to blow up at his ridiculous question, Sandy intervened by giving a very solemn nod.

North grabbed at his beard, clearly unsettled by the new knowledge. It bothered Jack more than he thought it should have that North questioned him and not Sandy; but, then again, they had several hundred years worth of friendship between them. "Alright. Explain what happened."

"It's pretty obvious: Pitch hijacked Jamie's dream, made it a nightmare." Jack tugged at his hair, trying to keep himself from stomping around the room again. "I thought it took him hundreds of years before he was strong enough to attack after the last time. So why is it possible for him to do it now?"

Sandy stopped him, hands held up to tell him to slow down, and though Jack didn't want to, he forced himself to breath deeply enough that his anger didn't shoot out again. Sandy's expression was calm, trying to relax him enough to speak slowly. SLOW DOWN. EXPLAIN.

Jack heaved a sigh, looking back to the silent North, waiting for the explanation Sandy knew he needed. "I met Jamie after school yesterday, told him I'd come by later and hang out. I got caught up with stuff, and time got away from me, and…" Jack changed thought then, not wanting to remember the pain he'd felt when he'd realized he would never make it in time. "I got there around midnight, and I could feel him. Pitch. Maybe he wasn't physically there, but part of him was. When I got to Jamie, Pitch had him in the middle of a nightmare."

Over the course of his explanation, Jack had resumed his pacing, trying to press down the pure rage in his stomach and only managing to partly by forcing it into raw power that brewed inside of his body. He could feel it, building into a mass of fury and fear and absolute hatred, fusing with his powers so that wherever he stepped, ice shot out of the floor, his staff glowing an almost white blue at the magic surging through him.

North, obviously noticing the sudden drop in temperature, took a few steps closer but still kept his distance, leery. "Jack. You must try to calm down."

"How can you ask me to calm down when Jamie was just targeted by Pitch? He already tried once before to get rid of his belief, and when that didn't work, he would have…" Jack trailed off, unable to not shudder as he remembered the alley that night, the small body he blocked protectively, the creeping, reaching shadows of Pitch as he tried to reach Jamie. There's more than one way to snuff out a light.

"Jack, I understand that you are angry, but you have got to calm down."

"You don't get it!" Jack shouted, unable to keep his voice contained and glad there were closed doors between him and Jamie, because at this moment, he didn't even care how loud he got. "I could barely get him under control, he was so shaken up by that nightmare. I had no idea what to do! I felt weak, and useless, and I…" Jack's voice cracked suddenly, the words catching in his throat as his rage suddenly settled, the raw ache in his chest taking over when he remembered Jamie sobbing against him. "I hate seeing him like that," he said brokenly, shoulders sagging and the power within him slowly settling. "I don't want to ever see him cry again."

Just like that, most of the wrath leeched out of his body, fear and anger at himself and guilt sending him sliding down against the wall, staff clattering to the floor and knees drawing up so that his head hung between them, arms on his upraised thighs. He couldn't stand reliving Jamie in the middle of Pitch's nightmare, little face pinched with pain and fear, the crying and shivering and the fact that Jamie couldn't see him for a minute finally catching up with him.

Jack heard North walk toward him, knew Sandy was probably near as well, but he didn't look up, pressing the base of his palms into his eyes and snatching at his hair. "Why…why is it this bad?" he croaked.

A large hand encased his shoulder, surprisingly gentle, and Jack finally looked up to see North's smiling ever so slightly at him, something similar to pain in his eyes, and Jack didn't feel like a Guardian at that moment: he felt like one of the children he was supposed to protect. He felt small and terrified and in need of something safe and familiar.

North and Sandy would be that for him.

"Easy," North said. "You love him. As Guardians, it is our duty to protect the children, and loving them is just a part of that. It comes naturally to us; it's part of who we are. You, however, feel it a bit more keenly. Jamie is first child to believe in you, ever, the first one to see you, and because of that, you share something special with him."

Jack curled in on himself a little more. "It hurts. Really hurts. If I hadn't been late, Pitch wouldn't have been able to get to him. If I'd just been there—"

"Pitch would have found another opportunity. Jack, this is not your fault."

Jack wasn't so sure about that, but when a small, much lighter hand patted his head and he looked to find Sandy smiling that gentle smile of his, he nodded, willing himself to believe them.

North offered him his hand, straightening up so that he towered over him. "Now, we must figure out what this means. Are you alright, Jack?"

Jack nodded, then again, and took North's hand while grabbing his staff with the other, back on his feet and feeling more stable. He rubbed the bridge of his nose, inhaling deeply. "How can he be back already?" He didn't need to elaborate.

North walked to the fireplace, the flames reflected in his eyes as he stared into them. "I'm not sure. He shouldn't, not when we had him in hiding for so long. It's impossible for him to have recovered so much strength in such a short time."

"But he has. Somehow, he's got power."

"Jack—"

"You saw what happened last time. You felt it. Tooth couldn't even fly, Bunny regressed, and you turned into an old man! And Sandy…" Jack's throat thickened, still able to feel the pain of losing the eldest Guardian in their group of five, even though the dreams of Jamie and his friends had restored him. He looked to Sandy, saw his sad smile, and took a breath. "What I mean is, you guys thought he was gone before, but he wasn't. And he's not now."

North didn't seem upset with his outburst, having had time to become used to them, but simply nodded with what Jack said. "You are right. Both of you felt his presence in one way or another. If Sandy could sense a dream transforming into a nightmare, that meant a great deal of power was being used to do so. And Pitch should not have that much at his disposal, not where he could just use it so easily." North stroked his beard, pulled far away in his thoughts. "To make an attack in such a short period of time, Pitch would have to have regained much power. There aren't many children believing in him, so that isn't where he found strength." He looked at Jack, face bleak. "The only possible explanation is that he's been waiting, saving every bit of energy until he deemed it time to attack."

Beside Jack, Sandy's golden eyes widened a little, hands motioning fast to Jack, who watched the sand images forming above his hand: three people, one tall and deathly thin that must have represented Pitch, the other with a staff in his hand and the one next to him about a foot shorter: him and Jamie. A watch formed above them, followed by an arrow between Pitch's figure and Jack's and Jamie's, pointing at the two.

What little color Jack's face had fled down his neck. "You think he's been watching us? He planned this?"

North lifted a shoulder. "Would make sense. If he has been storing power, what better time to attack than when you show up, only to leave Jamie—"

"Alone and vulnerable," he finished, cringing at the words and the truth of them. "I get it. But how does he have that much power? How was he able to even conserve it?"

North was quiet a moment, and since Sandy never spoke, the room seemed to become too silent, too still for Jack as he stood there, trying not to begin walking around again.

"Jack," North finally began, "you destroyed the Fearling, correct?"

"Yeah?"

"What happened to it?"

"It turned into black ice and exploded. Only a little bit managed to slip out the window."

North smiled grimly. "This is guess, but it's the best we have. It's almost a fact that Pitch has been gathering power since that morning after Easter, accumulating all that he had left and gaining just a little. And since you said you sent enough of a shock through the nightmare that it literally blew up, destroying it probably took almost everything out of him, since he would have had to put everything into it, which means he's weak again, possibly more so than before. If I'm right, he shouldn't be able to do anything else for a long while."

"Shouldn't isn't the same as won't," Jack said. To know that Pitch had been watching him, watching Jamie, and waiting for a chance to strike made his anger try to bubble back up, but he managed to hold it in. When he thought about it, North's theory made sense, and from the look on the Sandman's face, he thought so as well; still, it wasn't a guarantee. "Does this mean we're going to have to keep a constant watch out for him? What if he gets enough power to try an attack like this again? And why, if he's been watching Jamie, did he strike when he knew I would be coming back?"

Neither said anything, but North and Sandy looked to each other in a silent conversation, leaving Jack once again in the dark and not liking it. Finally, North nodded. "Listen carefully, Jack. We've known Pitch longer than you. That does not make much of a difference, but we know just what he is capable of. Because of one child, the belief in us was restored and we were able to overcome him. And because of this, he hates that child just as much as us. This…this was nothing compared to him at full power. He didn't hate Jamie before; if he came back now, with all his power intact, who knows what he might try?"

The temperature around Jack plummeted, his vision flashing to a messy head of brown hair, big caramel eyes that unconsciously had latched onto him. Jack felt ice surge up his spine. "If he so much and looks at Jamie, I swear, I'll freeze—"

Once again, it was Sandy to calm him down, this time with a touch to his side, which was the highest he could reach from the floor. It instantly relaxed Jack enough so that he wasn't about to freeze the nearest object in sight, causing an ever so slight lethargic affect that Jack knew came from the sleep sand Sandy had lightly infused with his touch. Still wanting to be enraged but too subdued now to be, Jack muttered under his breath. "No fair."

Sandy simply shrugged, looking only a little apologetic.

Taking a few moments to compose himself so that his voice was even once more, Jack asked North, "Aren't you going to call Tooth and Bunny, let them know?"

With a quick shake of his head, North looked over to the control that sent out the Guardian signal. "There is nothing to be done right now. Let them have one more good night of rest before we tell them. All we can do for now is be more cautious, watch the shadows and be prepared for anything." North looked back to Jack, elderly face lifting in a soft smile that didn't reach his eyes. "You, my friend, could probably use some rest as well."

Jack blinked, a bit surprised but not denying it; since he'd felt Pitch's presence and had found Jamie in the state he was in, he felt like he'd aged another three hundred years. "I can manage," he finally said.

Sandy looked at him doubtfully, but gave no inkling as to what he was thinking.

North chuckled, deep and tired. "You haven't seen yourself in a while, have you?"

"…no."

He watched as North unsheathed one of his swords, then stepped forward, holding it out for him. "See for yourself."

Jack took the sword, holding the blade up like a mirror.

In all honesty, he was a sight. His snowy hair, already messy and spiked, was even worse from him constantly tugging frantic fingers through it, his face paler than usual, eyes startling blue and slightly unsteady, fragile ice, dark circles beneath them. A thin slit marred his left cheek, the result of the nightmaresand shard.

He handed the weapon back, hand raking through his hair without thinking.

North seemed to look almost smug, but his eyes were gentle. "Take care of Jamie. And when you are done, get some sleep. And if you don't, I can always get Sandy to help."

Jack gave Sandy a slight glare as he remembered the last time the Sandman had put him to sleep: he'd ended up slumbering in Jamie's bed and waking up not wanting to leave. But he wasn't really mad, and Sandy knew it, an almost mischievous smile spreading across his round face. Jack smirked. "You'd have to catch me first."

Sandy looked up for the challenge, but North didn't give them a chance to continue, letting out a loud, yawned holler as he stretched his arms above his head. "Now, everyone, I do believe it's getting too late for company, so I suggest we retire for the night. I'm sure you can see yourselves out? We'll meet here tomorrow."

Jack nodded, as did Sandy, no longer joking around.

But then Jack remembered that tomorrow—today, actually—was the beginning of winter, that he had to make it up to Jamie for not arriving on time, and he stepped toward North, not knowing how to ask without sounding like he was whining. "North, about tomorrow—"

"First day of winter, no?" He gave Jack a knowing smile, then nodded. "The morning and most of the afternoon should be plenty of time for you to cause some trouble, I think. Try to get away before dark. You too, Sandy."

Thankful, half of Jack's mouth lifted in a small smile.

The bearded man turned away, but stopped as his eyes caught something on the floor: his nightcap. Picking it up, he kept it in one hand as he walked to the doors and opened one wide. "Oh, and Jack?"

"Hmm?"

Nicholas St. North looked over his shoulder, a glint in his eyes that Jack had grown quite fond of. "My door is always open if you need a place to rest your head." He smirked, just a little. "Though I imagine you'll be needed elsewhere tonight."

Jack, knowing good and well what he meant and that it probably would play out that way, actually smiled a real smile that reached his eyes for the first time in hours. "I'll keep that in mind."

North said nothing, only chuckled as he slipped away, presumably returning to bed.

With North gone and no more conversation, the room was quiet; this wasn't a bad thing, as Jack often felt comfortable with silence, having had a long time to grow used to it, and since Sandy only spoke with pictures, it was an easy silence that now filled the room. It gave Jack the time he needed to let go of his remaining anger, push down whatever fears he had, before he went to get Jamie and take him back to Burgess.

When the quiet had finally done it's job, Jack looked to Sandy, who seemed content with just standing there watching him, as if he could see into his head; but maybe he could, since his magic was able to make any dream come to life, including Jack's. "I guess I'd better get Jamie home."

Sandy nodded, then floated to Jack, motioning to the door with his head: a clear request to come along.

Jack felt himself smile slightly, nodding as he began walking to the door.

They exited the Globe Room, Sandy just behind Jack as they walked down the hall and entered the sitting area where he'd earlier deposited Jamie, only to find him still sound asleep, Phil contently watching over him.

Yetis might be have been intimidating, what with their size and height, but Jack knew Phil was a big softie and especially liked the big guy. He dipped his head in acknowledgement and thanks as Phil stood, something like a smile behind the mass of fur on his face as he glanced down at Jamie one last time before leaving.

Jack walked to the couch, looking down over Jamie, and a soft smile played on his lips as he kneeled beside him, pleased in the fact that his sleep was peaceful. Lips parted on the deep, even breaths he inhaled through his nose and exhaled through his mouth, his arms were tucked against his chest, and it was only now that Jack noticed he was missing a sock.

Sandy came up on his right, and Jack didn't have to look to know he was smiling contently, always loving when children slept, as it was the only time he could give them the dreams they wished for the loudest. A small, golden hand reached out, touching Jamie's head in a gentle pat.

The action reminded Jack of something, and looking to his fellow Guardian, he asked quietly, "Sandy…could you…?" He trailed off, as close to begging as he'd ever gotten.

The Sandman's face broke out in a sudden sweet smile, clearly understanding Jack's silent question to give Jamie good dreams for the rest of the night.

Jack smiled back in silent appreciation, tired and still a bit unsteady but more at ease now as he stood back up, leaning over to pick Jamie up. "You know his dreams. Give him whatever he wants most, please."

Even in sleep, Jamie recognized Jack; at the sound of the spirit's voice, the child reached up and curled his arms around his neck, nuzzling his face sleepily against Jack's throat and not flinching away from the cold his body radiated.

Jack stiffened ever so slightly, still not entirely used to such physical contact or the long forgotten warmth it caused inside him, but then he lifted the child up more, leaning his own face against Jamie's appreciatively. Thanks, kid.

Sandy gave him a ride back to Burgess on his sand clouds so by the time Jack landed inside Jamie's bedroom, he was beginning to feel the affects of the trip catching up with him, namely the fact that he was even more tired and sleepy than before. With the assurance that Sandy would send a trail of dreams down once Jack had Jamie comfortably situated, he carried the sleeping child to bed and tried to let him slip free from his arms, only to find that the hands locked around his neck refused to unlatch, Jamie's arms clinging firmly to him. Jack blew out his breath, smiling slightly; now he knew where Sophie got it from.

Luckily, Jamie was quicker to let go than his sister was, and Jack soon had him covered up, though a part of him instantly craved the weight of him in his arms again. He stood over him, watching, wondering not for the first time what nightmare could have plunged him into such terror, but at the same time not wanting to know. The tear tracks had completely dried from his face, and besides the exhaustion Jack could see in his features, there were no other outward indications that he had woken nearly two hours before from something dark and disturbing.

Without being aware of it, Jack had sat on the edge of the bed, taking in the deep, soft breathing of the sleeping child, Jamie's face serene and free from pain of distress or anything else besides sweet sleep. He was safe.

For now.

Jack's head fell forward, eyes slipping shut as he remembered Pitch was somewhere in the shadows, waiting for the next time to strike. He'd gone after Jamie knowing Jack would return, knowing how he would react, baiting him and making his presence known.

And it had worked: Jack had never hated someone before, but Pitch was something else all together. At a time, he had felt bead for the dark spirit, almost sympathized with him, knowing first hand the pain and loneliness of not being believed in, of someone never extending a hand of compassion or friendship. These emotions had disappeared, though, once Jack had grown to care for the Guardians and had realized everything Pitch spewed from his tongue was evil: no good, no light left in the world. By the end of the final fight, Jack had still felt that small sense of pity, but it was mostly overshadowed by the knowledge that Pitch was everything children weren't supposed to be, that he could never give them that twinkle of wonder or fun laughter or pure dreams, never any hope of beautiful memories.

Now, however, Jack realized he actually hated the Boogeyman. It was hot in a way that should have been impossible for him, a sizzling in his center that was the darkest thing he had ever felt, and all it had taken for it to sprout was Pitch targeting his child.

Eyes opening, Jack looked back to Jamie. His child. He felt his mouth twitch.

North was right: Jamie really was his in a sense that no other child could ever be.

And right now, his child needed sleep undisturbed.

Even if it meant Jack couldn't stay.

Reaching out so his fingers just barely touched Jamie's hair, Jack stood up, wishing he could at least remain a little longer but knowing he still had work to do if he wanted to get snow on the ground for Jamie tomorrow. Honestly, he wouldn't have minded to simply stay the whole night; even if Pitch was unable to execute another attack, he felt better knowing Jamie was in his sight.

With once last look toward Jamie, Jack reached the window, quiet in a way no human could never be as he began slipping it open.

Soft mumbling, not from a nightmare but from waking up, and Jack froze, silently cursing. He hadn't meant to wake him; what if he started crying again? Jack wasn't sure he could handle more tears, both physically and emotionally. He turned around.

Jamie was blinking groggily up at him, eyes puzzled at first before settling. Jack waited, nervous as to what might happen.

Finally, Jamie gave him a sleepy smile that Jack was amazed to find absolutely endearing. "Jack."

Body relaxing, he returned the sentiment. "The one and only."

Jamie simply stared up at him for a minute, eyes a little scrunched as if trying to figure out if he was dreaming or not. Finally deciding he was awake, the nine-year-old breathed out deeply. "You came."

His smile wobbled. "Of course I did. I told you I would."

Jamie began to sit up, and though part of Jack wanted to push him down so he'd go back to sleep, he didn't, instead watching as he rubbed at an eye with his fist, blinking away sleep. "I fell asleep waiting."

Jack's throat thickened with the reminder of his failure, and then he was walking back to the bed, sitting down without thinking and putting an arm around his shoulder, pulling him close and eliciting a startled little breath. "I'm sorry."

Jack had figured Jamie would pull away, ask as to why he had been late or at least shake him off in confusion. Instead, he heard a soft, sleepy sigh, felt a head burrow into his shoulder. "It's okay. You still came, right?"

This kid…has way too much faith in me.

Not quite yet able to speak past the knot in his throat, Jack curved Jamie against him so that the child's knees touched his legs, chin resting on his the boy's head as he nodded. "Always will."

He heard Jamie sigh, could almost see him smile.

The nightlight was still off, the bulb blown, but it wasn't dark with the moonlight glowing in through the window, instead comfortable. Jack sat like that for several minutes, simply appreciating the heated little body against his, but the longer he stayed silent and still, the more he could feel his eyes getting heavy, his body begging for just a few hours of sleep, though he knew he needed to be working on a nice snowfall. And Jamie never spoke either, which had him wondering if he'd fallen back asleep; hopefully, he had. "Jamie?" he whispered.

"Hmm?"

There went that plan. He hadn't expected him to answer, even though he had a legitimate question, but now that Jamie was waiting, Jack didn't have time to change it. "Do you…?" Do you remember your nightmare? Jack wanted to know, he wanted to know so badly what nightmare had haunted his believer, but he was too afraid to actually ask, not sure how much the kid remembered and what kind of disposition it would have him in.

"Do I remember it?"

Jack pulled back enough to look at Jamie, only to find the child staring up at him with shaded eyes, clearly warring with the black terror he'd suffered. He said nothing, silence the only answer Jamie would need.

Jamie's gaze swept downward, looking at his fingers as he pulled at the material of his comforter. He sucked in his bottom lip, then lay his head back against Jack. "I don't want to talk about it. Is that okay?"

A squeezing pressure in his chest; Jamie didn't even have to ask that. Jack tightened his hold, pulling him close enough so he could rest his head back on his head. "Yeah, it's fine."

Then they were quiet again, so much so that Jack once against hoped Jamie would drift, but every so often he would hear him sigh or feel him shift, actions still lucid enough to be awake. But eventually, it seemed he was beginning to still, his breaths becoming deeper, the only downside of this being that Jack was rapidly slipping toward slumber as well thanks to the last few hours and the ride on Sandy's clouds.

North's door was open, as it always was, but at this moment, Jack knew he was where he belonged.

So he gently pulled Jamie down, soothing him when he startled and assuring him more with actions than words as he slid so that they were both lying down, Jamie beneath his covers and Jack next to him on top of them. Jack could see Jamie perfectly because of Man in Moon illuminating the room; caramel eyes looking at him, quiet and sleepy and amazingly large, searching for something in Jack that had him again wondering just what Jamie had dreamed.

He placed his hand to the back of Jamie's head, cupping it gently and smiling crookedly. "Sleep. I'm not going anywhere."

Jamie, blinking, gave a quick little smile back, before promptly snuggling in close to Jack, unaffected by his cold partly due to the blankets. His breathing was warm and drowsy against Jack's neck, and a small hand slid free from the covers, arm reaching around to hold onto Jack as he burrowed in deeper.

And as Jack let his eyes close, sure he could see a faint golden light from behind is eyelids, he was content.

It didn't take long for both of them to be cast under Sandy's spell and slip into a sweet sleep.

Jack, never one for staying motionless very long, woke a little before dawn, still a few more hours until kids on Saturday should be waking up. He wasn't too surprised to find the right side of his body oddly warm, or to find himself in a familiar bedroom.

He was surprised, however, when he looked over at Jamie and found him staring right back, eyes awake but still obviously sleepy, hair bed messy. "How long have you been awake?" Jack asked.

"Just a minute or two." Jamie's face split in a yawn, and he rubbed at his eyes, giving Jack the chance to let a quiet chuckle shake him at the action. "I don't know why I woke up so early. I was kind of surprised you were still here."

Jack smiled, even as something in him grew congested. "I didn't think you'd be up already. I gotta get going soon."

Jamie watched him, silent, and he finally smiled, looking strangely content. "I know."

Oh. It's because I'm still here.

Jack allowed himself another few minutes of rest, of letting his eyes stay shut and having Jamie's human warmness against him and just resting in a way that he never did and enjoying every moment of it. But as the darkness of the room began to lessen, Jack sat up, wiping the sleep sand from his own his staff where he had put it against the wall a few hours ago, Jack floated up until he was standing on the floor, watching as Jamie slid out from beneath his blankets to sit up so that they were simply looking at each other. Jack half smiled. "I've got my work cut out for me. No one will be expecting the freak snow when they wake up this morning."

Jamie looked at his lap, a remorseful little expression on his face that Jack didn't like at all. "Sorry."

"What for?"

"If you hadn't stayed with me last night, you wouldn't have to be working so hard now."

Jack laughed, though it didn't sound very genuine, trying to brush his worries off. "Give me some credit. I can have a good snow on the ground in an hour tops, maybe less."

Jamie wasn't smiling. "Jack."

Sighing, Jack's own smile slipped slightly as he stood at the side of the bed, looking down at the troubled kid, emotions sparking through him once again as he remembered last night. He wasn't suffering from the panic anymore, the encounter being long over, but he would always remember the pain he'd felt at seeing Jamie like that. He reached out, hand giving Jamie's shoulder a squeeze. "Where else would I be other than with you when you're afraid? I didn't do it just because I'm a Guardian: I stayed because you're my friend."

That didn't seem to encompass everything Jamie truly was to Jack, but the sprite still didn't know how to express all that he felt, this being the closest he could get without his emotions choking him off; it took a lot for him to admit this, even if it was the truth. Jack just wasn't very good at expressing his deepest feelings, too much time in solitude leaving a lasting effect on him.

He pulled in, face close to Jamie's. "Okay?"

The brunette child said nothing, instead watching him with those expressive caramel eyes, before finally nodding, mouth tugging upward in a small smile.

Satisfied, Jack straightened, looking out into the darkness before dawn, already beginning to imagine the snowfall he was going to create, the wind and the chill and the children—Jamie—laughing. "If I'm going to get enough snow on the ground to stick, I really do need to leave."

Jamie nodded. "Okay. I'll see you later, right?"

There was nothing but hope in that voice; no doubt, no scorn, and it tore at a piece of Jack while simultaneously seeming to repair it. Even after he had let him down, Jamie still had confidence in him. "Definitely. Before I head out, though, I've got something for you."

Like any child, Jamie was obviously curious, watching Jack as he pulled in a tight fist, a faint glow seeping out through his fingers as magic mingled together. When he opened his hand, extending it to Jamie, there was a small ice orb resting in the center of his palm, similar in size to the snow globe Jack had used only a few hours earlier; this one was blue-white, however, and it worked quite differently.

Eyes large, Jamie crawled so that he was on his knees, looking at the orb. "What is it?"

"A present," Jack answered, dropping it into Jamie's hands, watching as his eyes grew even wider as the cold registered. "It'll never melt, and it won't break unless you break it. If you need me, for anything, squeeze this until it busts. And I'll come."

Jamie cradled the gift, nodding as he looked back up. Then, catching Jack slightly off guard, he threw his arms around his neck and squeezed him as fiercely as a nine-year-old child could.

After only a surprised moment, Jack's arms wrapped around Jamie's shoulders, chin resting on his shoulder; the child was still obviously a bit unsteady from his experience with Pitch, and like most children, required a great deal of physical comfort. Jack wasn't the best at that, but it was clearly more than enough, because he had managed to calm Jamie so that he actually slept again. Jack knew he wasn't just thanking him for the gift, but also for staying, keeping him safe, and this was the best "thank you" Jack could ever get. So he held him tight, not minding the heat against his body because he knew it was dear to him. It was so rare that he ever felt any sort of warmth, and he wasn't too surprised to realize that it actually was nice.

Deep in his shoulder, Jamie spoke. "Thank you."

Jack laughed softly, rubbing his back through his shirt. "Anytime, kid."

When it finally occurred to him that Jamie was still holding on tight to him and that sunrise was steadily approaching, Jack tugged himself back a little. "Time to let go."

Jamie's arms constricted. "Then you do it."

He laughed, in turn squeezing the child closer, not quite yet ready to end this either. But after a minute, he finally did, and Jamie let him, though Jack could see he would have been happy just staying where he had been for another few hours, falling back asleep until the sun was actually out. But Jack couldn't do that; he needed to make this the best snow day Jamie ever had, and though he had felt something similar to what was written so clearly on Jamie's face, he had released him, letting his hand come up to briefly lift Jamie's chin.

"I'll see you soon. Really soon."

Jack walked to the window, the one he had slid in and out of so many times since first meeting Jamie, this room and everything about it well-known to him. In a way, this was also a place of rest, like how North's castle was or the clouds Sandy created or the palace where Tooth and the fairies resided or even Bunny's Warren.

Then he heard covers being thrown aside behind him, bare feet on the floor, and Jack turned around to find Jamie just a foot from him, mouth opening as if he were about to speak before closing. "What's up?" Jack prompted.

Jamie watched him with solemn eyes, then abruptly lifted his hand, thumb over his first three fingers and pinky extended.

Jack furrowed his eyebrows. "What's this?"

"A promise," Jamie explained. "I promise to never forget you, and you promise to not forget me."

Though more touched than anything, Jack also felt a sudden sadness. "I'm never going to forget you, Jamie. You don't have to worry about that."

Slowly, Jamie smiled, eyes sleepy but somehow awake and utterly perfect, the very essence of what made a child a child: complete faith. "Neither do you. I was scared because I couldn't see you; I could feel you and hear you, but it was like you were invisible. I know it was just the nightmare, but still…I didn't like it." His eyes darkened with the memory of whatever nightmare had ensnared him, but then he smiled at Jack. "So I'm not got to forget you. A lot of kids will maybe, but…I won't." He shrugged, suddenly looking incredibly shy and completely adorable, a thought that had very rarely ever run through Jack Frost's head. "I just wanted to make sure you know that."

I know, kid. I know.

Slowly, Jack lifted his own hand, wrapped his pinky with Jamie's. The child shook their linked hands up and down once, curling his finger with Jack's, pleased as he smiled at him. "There. And since it's a pinky promise, it can't be broken."

And Jack, who could barely remember any sense of inner warmth and only the comforting chill of winter, suddenly felt a tinge at his center that had first started the Easter before last, small and newborn but steadily growing with each passing day, a simple, innocent warmth that hadn't existed until a child finally saw him, smiled and laughed with him, increasing in strength with the promise made to him. It was exciting and frightening all at once, and though a tiny part of Jack, the part that sometimes still felt lonely and exiled, wanted to cocoon the heat in a thick glacier of ice, he refused to ever put it out.

He smiled. "Yeah. Thanks, kiddo."

Needless to say that when Jamie woke a few hours later, it was to find the entire area covered in a thick, perfect layer of white snow.

Well, there ya go! Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and this little story as much as I did :) If you noticed any mistakes, please let me know so I can correct them.

And who knows? This could possibly lead up to a multiple chapter story one day!