It was because of him that every time the pond froze over, she cried.

It wasn't like she wasn't grateful—she was, really!—but why did it have to be Jack that fell in the frozen water? Jack, the most popular boy in Burgess; Jack, who was so totally oblivious to the girls around him he hadn't even had his first kiss; Jack, her protector, her knight in shining armor, her brother...

Her best friend.

He had so much ahead of him! A family, a life, happiness—she was very young when it happened, only eleven, but she could still remember the way his eyes lit up when he talked about the toy store he apprenticed at, and the way Mr. Higgins, the shopkeeper, winked at her when she visited him at work, handing her candy canes and lollipops, and the way Jack read her the same frilly princess bedtime story every night, no matter how tired he was, because that's what mom would have done if she had stayed after Papa died.

Now she was alone, and desperately wishing to whatever there was out there that Jack was okay and he would magically walk home one day to ask her "How fun was your day today?" the way he always did. She didn't want to be alone! She wanted him back, and she wanted him back now!

It was because of him she went to the frozen pond one night when the moon was high and her heart was low and decided to join him.

She had memorized the spot in the years since his death; she could tell you exactly where she was and exactly where the ice broke. She could tell you exactly where they held the memorial, and exactly where they had pulled out his perfectly preserved frozen body when the ice finally cracked, and exactly where she had cried through the night because she finally realized he was never coming home.

She sat on the edge of the pond for the last time. "I'm so sorry, Jack," she said, "But I think this is the end of the line."

She couldn't stop the tears from falling. Four years was a long time to live without anyone, and she was just tired of trying. She stood and waved their town goodbye—because that's what it was, their town, not just hers—and prepared to take the leap.

0o0o0o0o0o0

Jack Frost was flying over the forest, wreaking general havoc with his ice and snow, when he felt a strange feeling pulling at his stomach. What was that? He wondered, unknowingly going in a different direction. He saw a teenage girl crying at a pond, looking like she was about to do something very stupid. The tugging feeling grew as he looked at her and realized she was about to jump.

"Hey, don't do that!" he yelled at her. He picked up speed and flew in her direction. "What are you doing? Stop!" Using his staff, he lobbed a snowball at her stomach, knocking the air out of her and pushing her down. "Come on, Moon Man, aren't you going to stop her?" He demanded of the full moon angrily. "She's gotta keep fighting; she can't just give up! Please!" The moon was as silent as ever, and Jack fumed. Something told him that the girl's death, in that particular pond, would be horribly wrong.

He swooped down to where he was at the girl's level, right in front of her, but unseen as always. "Please don't do this. I know it seems helpless, whatever it is, but please, don't. I have a feeling you have a big future: one that will make the world a much more fun place. So please, don't!"

0o0o0o0o0o0

She sat in the snow, not knowing how the snowball hit her, but not caring in the slightest. Just another obstacle in her way after years of fighting. She stood up and was about to try again when she heard The Voice.

Do not do this, child, it said, a cool, smooth sound like sleeping in the moonlight. He does not want you to, no matter what you convince yourself of.

He-he doesn't want me to? He knows? He's here? Jack's here?

He is closer than you think.

That was all it said, and the feeling was gone as quickly as it came.

She was a bit disoriented as she stumbled back to town. He meant it, that voice. She could tell he was telling the truth about Jack... at least, she thought she could.

Lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice another teen running her way.

"Offt!" she huffed as they collided.

"I'm so sorry about that!" The boy said frantically, picking up his books. "I was just coming back from the library when… well, you know the rest."

"No, it's okay; I was lost in thought. I wasn't paying attention."

They stood awkwardly for a moment, not sure what to do, until she pushed out her hand. "I'm Emma. Emma Frost."

"George Bennett," he said, shaking it. "Hey, it's pretty cold. You wanna go get some hot cider?"

She smiled for the first time in four years. "I'd love to."

0o0o0o0o0o0

Jack looked at the moon appreciatively. "I guess you come through after all. What'dya say to her, anyway?"

The moon was ever silent.

Jack sighed. "Of course."

In time, the moon thought to himself. He will know in time.

What do ya think of my ikle one-shot? R&R if you want frosty Jack hugs!
Thanks!
KatieTheBaka

UPDATE: I have a poll up about the future of this story. Please use it! Thanks!