An idea that popped into my head when I was writing chapter 4 for A Snowstorm of Secrets. Think of it as a little snippet of Jack's relationship with everyone before SoS. Enjoy.

Jack was still getting used to being a Guardian. After all, with 300 years of self defense and jitteriness, he was a loose cannon. Of course, he tried to control himself around the others. He didn't want to scare them off with his lack of control, but it was hard and tiring.

Names, for example, were still an untouched territory for Jack. Of course, he knew nicknames and teasing names, but as for titles and who to call what and what this name means, he was lost. So, when North announced that Jack needed to introduce himself at the next party and asked for his title, Jack gave him a confused look.

"Title? What's that?" North's laugh filled the room, causing a passing yeti to jump, dropping the project it was working on.

"Come now Jack, you pull my leg. Still need title from you." North smiled cheerily at the boy. His smile faded as he looked at the boy's face to see that he wasn't joking. "You don't know title?" The winter sprite shrugged.

"No, I never had to know it. No one knew my name, remember? Frankly, I don't even know what a title technically is." Jack answered in a nonchalant way. Internally, Jack was freaking out. Was he supposed to know this? Why would he need it? the flight mechanism started to kick in, but Jack pushed it down.

"Title is what you do, what your known for. Tooth's title is the Warrior Queen of the Tooth Fairies and Guardian of Memories. Like that. So, what do you do?" North asked once again. Jack pondered this.

"Well, I'm on the Seasons Council. You know, where the seasons pick one sprite to represent their season? I got picked as the Spirit of Winter 200 years ago as a joke. None of the winter spirits really want to do it." Jack stated, shrugging his shoulders. North's eyes widened.

"You're Spirit of Winter?" Jack nodded, getting uncomfortable with this conversation. It wasn't that big of a deal. It was a just a job that made him go to a 2 hour long meeting at the end of fall. In fact, it was really boring.

"It's not a big deal."

"Tis big deal! Why didn't you tell us you held powerful title? No wonder you had that power in the battle against Pitch." North exclaimed before going deep in thought. He began mumbling something before turning back to Jack. "Who leader of Council?"

"Talayeh, Spirit of Summer. But you won't catch her this time of year. She is really busy since its summer time in the Northern Hemisphere. She is probably going nonstop right now." Jack stated, starting to float in the air.

"I must talk with her. When will she be open? Do you know?" North asked, determination in his eyes. Jack froze, unsure what to say. Talayeh would be hibernating for two weeks after summer was fully over, but he couldn't tell North that. It was a secret that only the season sprites knew and they wanted to keep it that way.

"I don't know, I guess in the winter. I'm not really close to her. You know, polar opposites and all. Can barely stay in the same room as her." Jack began to hover close to an open window, ready to take off if things got to out of hand. North grumbled at that, but clapped his hands.

"Will put off introducing you til after we talk. Fine, no? gives you time to get used to Guardianship." North decided. Jack scrunched his eyebrows.

"Why do you need to talk to her before we introduce me? And if you wait til after you talk to her, you're going to have to wait til next year. We might as well have it now." North shook his head.

"Can't do. Must talk with her to make sure I introduce you right. Titles are important in the Spirit and Magical World. Must get it right." Jack's eyes widened.

"Why are they important?" North chuckled as he remembered that Jack didn't know the social protocol for the magical society. He had much to teach the boy.

"It is how everyone will see you. By your title, they see who you are and how powerful you are. The Magical Society is much like human society was 600 years ago. Maybe older. We don't like change much." North explained. Jack got tense as the words sunk in.

"Wow. I didn't know they were that important. No wonder your pointing a lot of work into this, seeing that this is going to be my first time in front of so many beings." Jack's flight impulse was going into overdrive at the pressure. What if he messed up. He would embarrass the Guardians. What if they didn't want him after that? North saw the boy's worry. As much as jack would like to believe he was hard to read, he was an open book.

"Don't worry Jack. It'll be perfect! No problems." North said with excitement. That didn't help the young sprite's nerves.

"Ok, I guess I'll see you later. Got work to do." Jack stated, void of all emotion. This caused North to frown. The boy was obviously upset. North sighed and clasped the Jack's shoulder. Jack flinched slightly, still not used to others touching him.

"Jack, no worries. I will teach you all you need to know. Tooth and Sandy will help. Even Bunny if you ask nicely. We are happy you're with us, Jack. That's why we hold ball." North explained, giving the boy comforting words. "You're always welcomed and if help is needed, then we help." The boy gave North a grateful smile. The large man was slowly turning into a father for Jack. And… he didn't mind.

"Thanks North." The old Cossack returned Jack's smile. The boy had already made a place in North's heart and North was determined to keep him there. North had always wanted a son and maybe Jack could become his.

They both said their goodbyes as Jack left to do his duties. Well the duties he had left. Summer was in full swing, so there wasn't much he could do. Jack smiled to himself at North's words. By joining the Guardians, Jack wasn't alone anymore. Maybe, he could get used to this. Maybe he would finally have a place to go to in his time of need. And maybe, just maybe, he could finally have another family.

He became excited for the next year, when he would get introduced to the Magical World. After all, with North, Tooth, Sandy, and Bunny helping him, what is the worst that could happen?

Well…that didn't turn out how I planned. It actually ended completely different from what I originally thought. Oh well, my first one shot. Didn't turn out as bad as I thought. I wish I had colorful commentary today, but everyone is too busy to talk with little ol' me. (Tear) Oh well! So, this kinda turned out as a prequel to A Snowstorm of Secrets. It will tie in later to the story, scouts honor. Speaking of, who's excited for Girls Scout Cookies to come in this week? (Well, at least for me.)

…this went completely off topic. Ciao! And I'll have the next chapter for A Snowstorm of Secrets up in hopefully the next 2 weeks. Fingers crossed.