After defeating Pitch Black and the children were tucked safely away in their beds, the guardians headed to North's home to celebrate their victory. It was also a welcome home party of sorts for both Sandy and Jack. Sandy, because he literally had just come back from the dead, so to speak and Jack, because he was now a guardian.

Sandy didn't join in the festivities however, as he suddenly felt so ill that he could barely keep himself levitated anymore. He thought about telling the others how he was feeling, but decided against it knowing full well that he would just be ignored anyway. What with Bunnymud and North bickering over whose holidays were better and Tooth busy with work. He just needed some rest; he was so tired so he made himself into a perch and closed his eyes, too tired to even bother communicating.

"Hey, you okay little man?" Jack asked softly as not to startle him. "You don't look so good."

Jack was sitting on the window sill eating a cookie when he noticed that Sandy had fallen asleep and decided to check on him.

Sandy woke with a start when he heard Jack's voice and felt his touch, he immediately shook his head in the negative and clutched his stomach. Jack didn't need an interpreter to tell him that Sandy was going to be sick.

"Whoa, don't worry Sandy I gotcha!" Jack reassured him.

Jack flew Sandy outside just in time for him to empty his stomach of the residual nightmare sand still in his system. Being pulled into darkness really took its toll on the golden guardian. When he was done he panted silently and leaned into Jack's cooling embrace. His head and stomach hurt even more now. On top of that he could feel himself burning up with fever and chills.

"Feel better?" Jack Inquired.

Sandy nodded and closed his eyes, he was so tired.

Noticing this, Jack gently pick Sandy up and carried him inside to rest.

"Ah guys, we need to postpone the party". Jack announced.

"Postpone, why postpone!?" North asked.

"Yeah, what's up mate?" Bunny inquired.

"Yes, please tell us jack." Tooth urged.

"Sandy's Sick." Jack informed them.

"Sick, what do you mean sick!?" North demanded.

"I mean he's sick to his stomach, he just threw up black sand!" Jack retorted back.

"Awe poor thing" Tooth Chirped.

"Looks like he's got a touch of the Nightmare flu there mate. Pitch really did a number on yah." Bunny observed.

Meanwhile, Sandy was cradled in Jacks arms fast asleep.

"Nightmare flu?" Jack Inquired.

"It's what happens when a guardian is exposed to Pitch's nightmare sand for too long." North explained.

"And the poor little blighter was surround by it." Bunny commented.

"Not to mention stabbed with it. Let's not forget that part." Jack added.

"Best get him to bed Jack." Tooth suggested.

"Agreed, the party can wait." Said North.

"I was planning on it" Jack said.

"Frostbite, no pit stops this time." Bunny teased.

"I got it Kangaroo!" Jack retorted back.

Bunny just shook his head and walked away.

Jack took Sandy to his Chambers and stayed with him all day, cooling his fever, feeding him ice cubes and keeping him hydrated in hopes that his fever would break. Overall just being there for him rubbing his back if he got sick and cradling him while he slept. Keeping fevered nightmares away when he woke with a start.

"Shh it's okay Sandy it was just a bad dream. Pitch can't hurt you anymore I promise go back to sleep." Jack would soothe.

Upon hearing these words, Sandy would curl up in Jack's arms again and fell asleep.

By nightfall Sandy's fever broke and he was back to his happy go lucky self, no longer feeling sick and was able to go to work that night. Thank Manny for that. After work he was going to find Jack and thank him for his help that day.

Sandy found Jack on the window sill and formed a heart above his head hugging him.

"Any time little man." Jack said smiling. "Glad you're feeling better".

The party was the next day and everyone had a blast. It was a guardian's snow day.