Author's note:

Well, here it is: chapter 2! Special thanks for the reviews, fav's and follow's, those were a real motivation for me to continue this story :D So, for the plot I decided to more or less follow the story-line of the series, however since Jack Frost isn't part of the original character list there will be some changes here and there, for example some new scenes (and maybe flashback's). In all cases I'll try to stick to true characteristics of the personalities as much as possible.

Disclaimer: I don't own the rights to Once Upon A Time


Chapter 2 – The Savior

The walk from Granny's Café to the old pawn shop wasn't long and now that Jack was fully awake the morning sun actually was welcoming. Deep in thought Jack followed the main road on auto-pilot. He had walked this exact path so many times, he didn't even need to look to know where he was going. To the other town's people the relation between Mr. Gold and Jack consisted of merely employment with room and board. In reality the situation was slightly more complicated, which resulted often in misunderstandings by outsiders (for example Granny and the Sheriff). You see, Jack had grown accustomed to the eccentric behavior of the antiquarian long before any of them were sent to this strange realm and although he had been the man's partner in more than one occasion, he had never actually sided with him. Which was both good and bad. Good because Rumpelstiltskin thought of him as an individual asset instead of a pawn, bad since Jack lacked commitment thus making him a possible threat to whatever evil scheme the Dark One was plotting. Somewhat of a love-hate thing. Unfortunately none of the town's people remembered any of this (if they even knew to begin with). They instantly jumped to the conclusion that Jack was a rebellious teen and Mr. Gold neglected his responsibility to watch over the teen.

Actually, though he probably would never openly admit this, Jack liked talking with the old man. Dark One or not, the man was as sharp as they get. Always planning two steps ahead of his enemies and mingling in whatever business was enveloping to assure possible future interventions. The way Rumpelstiltskin imposed deals to secure his own profit in matters intrigued Jack strongly. Compared to the other fairytale characters, the seasonal spirits weren't divided into heroes or villains. The weather did not get influenced by the true nature of the heart. As a result the seasonal spirits had to remain impartial to avoid conflicts. After all, how could one let the sun shine for only part of the enchanted forest? Or drop rain on just the island of Neverland and not the sea surrounding it? No since the weather was unbiased, the seasonal spirits who created the four different periods of the year also had to remain unattached. For Jack there was only one problem with this principle. Since he could not choose sides, he lacked the ability to bond and trust. The reason he found himself comfortable around Rumpelstiltskin was because the man shared those faults to a certain extent and thus never expected Jack to sincerely commit to anything. And though both of them possessed the awful habit of self-centeredness, there was one person that claimed their attention. If only that person was still with them…

Upon entering the pawn shop the bell hanging above the door jangled and the familiar scent of the antiquary entered Jack's nostrils. The blonde strode leisurely forward till he reached the counter, planted his elbows on the surface and rested his chin in his open palms.

"So… I heard some interesting news this morning," he casually started the conversation.

The slightly grey haired owner standing in front of him didn't look up from the administer, but acknowledge Jack's presence with a small nod.

"Indeed you have," he responded. "Things will finally take a turn. It won't be long now."

"I'm guessing you somehow had a hand in bringing her here?" Jack grinned, while peaking at the book Rumpelstiltskin was writing in. Mostly scribbles of numbers and paychecks.

"Quite the contrary," the man argued, locking eyes for a short moment. He dropped the pen before turning around and opening a cabinet behind the counter. "It seems the mayor's son took matters into his own hand and swiped a credit card from sweet miss Blanchard to hop on a bus to the fine city of Boston."

As a first reaction Jack's face showed surprise, however he soon made room for a smirk. "Seems like Henry finally picked up some useful skills."

"Not sure Regina will agree to that," was the flat response.

The antiquarian was shifting some books on the shelve in the cabinet, but then came across the object of his search. It was a white envelope, several years old, which had been opened before. Jack tried to read the name of the addressee, only both sides were blank.

"In the boy's defense, he did have a legit reason for his fieldtrip," Rumpelstiltskin said and handed Jack the envelope.

The teen lifted an eyebrow at the comment, but instead of asking questions he accepted the seemingly important paper holder and unfolded the letter that it held. Quickly his dark blue eyes scanned the contents, with each written word feeling more thrill now that he started to understand the events leading up to the arrival of their special visitor.

"Interesting," he defined when he was finished. "Henry; adopted son of our lovable Queen, yet blood-related to the one and only Savior of Storybrooke… That's genially cruel."

"Well, I never intended on things to be pleasant," the older man encountered with a satisfied smile on his lips. "I just did what was needed to get what we want and this, laddie, is going to help us get just that."

"Never expected anything else," Jack said while mimicking Rumple's smile. He pushed himself away from the counter and stretched his back for a bit. "Don't count on me sleeping somewhere else tonight," he added. "My back and I have agreed to some suitable place to crash for the time-being."

That said, Jack walked past the cunning man to the back room of the shop. Although Jack's own room was upstairs, he simply dropped his backpack in a corner and reached for an apple in the fruit basket standing on the only table of the room. Breakfast had to wait a little longer. Right now a little chat with his favorite person in town had priority. If he was quick, he could meet up with Henry before school time.


A.