Jaden stood there and watched Jim taking a breather. "For whatever reason you deem worthy, you're going to make this my fault, aren't you?"

Jim groaned.

Jaden smiled and Aster smacked him real good on the back of the head, making him pitch forward slightly. "Jim, where could he be if he's not here, at the river?"

Jim looked up, fury evident in his eyes when he noticed something and stood up. The other two followed his gaze and saw Jesse's jacket covering an elderly man. His fingers were digging into some roasted almonds and they realized Jesse had been here, at the river-side. The elderly man saw them looking and held out his can of coins.

Jim slowly walked up to him. "Where's the guy who gave you that coat?"

The man pointed to a nearby cart where Jesse was buying some hot cocoa. Jesse saw them and quickly came over, handing the man the three cups he'd bought. "Sorry, Fredrik. They didn't have marshmallows."

"Oh, it's okay. Chocolate's good as chocolate." He smiled brightly and Jim saw Jesse's smile dance in those aqua-colored eyes. No smile played across Jesse's face.

"You tuck in and enjoy the night. Now, you're warm." Jesse dug into his pocket and took out three one-hundred bills and set it in Fredrik's hands. "And this, hopefully, will buy you some nice cups of cocoa for the night."

"Thanks." Fredrik gave Jesse a hug. "Some Christmas I'll have, now!"

Jesse nodded and stepped back, as if he were an artist admiring his work. He shivered and suddenly began to fall. His hands showed signs of getting close to frostbite.

Jim panicked and quickly scooped Jesse up, wrapping the blue-haired boy in his thick, dark-brown jacket. "Let's get you home. Aster--"

Aster opened the door to his car and let Jesse be laid down on the cold leather. Jim started rubbing his hands against Jesse's blue fingers. He was desperate for Jesse to wake up and not be worried about frost.

Atticus, who had the warm a bit toasty, let it chill. He watched Jim frantically trying to cover Jesse with something else warm. Atticus looked at Aster as Jaden forked over his jacket. This was bad, and they all knew that much. But it was the fact that Jesse had ended up like this because of them.

Without a word, they all agreed they would make it better, no matter what it took.