Jack woke up before the sun and stared up at the window, just making out the moon through the ice that coated the glass. At some time during the night the storm had moved on, leaving behind it a blanket of ice and cold. With that prospect, she rolled off the mattress, found her way to the bathroom, showered, and got ready for the day. Again, she pulled her blue hoodie over a baby blue shirt and donned a pair of black jeans, walking out shoeless. She wandered into the kitchen to find Mr. Rob by the sink.

"Jack Frost," sneered Mr. Rob.

"Hello," smiled Jack, leaning casually against the doorframe. "You said you wanted to talk to me in the morning."

"The only reason I agreed to take you was because I was promised that you would be worth the trouble," said Mr. Rob, his voice like gravel. "So this is how it's going to go. You're going to earn your keep. I don't need an extra mouth to feed. You will do as you're told or you will be punished. You will keep quiet about your punishments because I hate complaining. Do you understand?"

"Yes sir," said Jack, her face falling as he confirmed her thoughts.

Nothing was going to change just because the setting had changed.

"Good. Then start making breakfast."

As he walked past her he shoved her farther into the kitchen, causing her to fall to the dirty stone floor. His laughter echoed back into the kitchen as he went to his own room, leaving Jack to explore. She turned it into a game, finding the pots and pans and then making eggs for the masses. In a cupboard she found an old grey radio, scuffed and scratched but it still worked, so she turned it on and laughed and sang along to the music, creating an island of joy in an ocean of strife.

"Having fun?" came the snarky drawl from the kitchen door.

"Oh, hello Aster," laughed Jack, spinning to find the tall, scruffy young man watching her. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah. What are you doing?"

"Riding a unicorn. Why, what does it look like?" said Jack sarcastically, het eyebrows going up in mischief. "I'm making breakfast."

"Well, it looks like you're finished."

Jack nodded as Mr. Rob walked in again through the other door, not noticing Aster.

"Turn off that racket!" snapped Mr. Rob. "Are you finished yet?"

"Yes sir!"

"Get that grin off your face."

Almost casually he backhanded her, sending her to the ground again with a soft squeak. He kicked her in the ribs on his way to the counter that held the steaming eggs. Jack stood shakily and rushed past Aster and out the back door to the yard beyond where she sat on the steps with a sigh.

"You okay?" asked Aster, sitting next to her.

For the first time his tone was not hostile or rude, it was soft, gentle, almost caring. Jack turned to look at him, studying his face for a full minute, reading his expression to see if he was a threat. He could see it in her eyes that behind her smirk she was a scared girl who had been hurt more than she'd ever admit. A light bruise was forming on her right cheek, her shaggy pale bangs drooping into icy blue eyes, and that was the moment Aster realized he'd never met anyone like Jack before.

"You're not going to tell, are you?" asked Jack at last.

She was not begging, her voice was reasonable like she was honestly just curious if he would keep her secret but not expecting him to do any such thing; she expected nothing from him.

"This has happened before," stated Aster, running a callused hand through his dark hair. "Not here, maybe, you just got here, but at the other place you got hit. Tell me, why did you never tell anyone?"

"Who would I tell?" scoffed Jack, raising both her eyebrows at him. "Seriously, everywhere I've lived was overcrowded and I was a troublemaker. No one listens to a mischief maker who never sits still. Plus, I'm an easy target. They know I'll take it if they don't hurt the little ones, I'm too small to fight back well, and no one wants me, so there's no risk in getting caught. It's easy to hurt someone who has no friends to notice and who will probably be sent on before anyone becomes suspicious."

She leaned back with a wince, stretching her bruised ribs, tilting her face to the sun just peaking over the tops of the trees as if she were a flower, a small grin tugging at the corner of her mouth as if nothing was wrong.

"I won't tell," sighed Aster at last. "On one condition."

"There's always a condition," replied Jack, her eyes closed.

"I want you to tell me when you're hurt."

"What?" gasped Jack, her eyes shooting open and staring at him in shock. "Why would you want me to tell you that?"

"So that I can help," explained Aster, his face serious, eyes somber. "Look, I know we just met and you have no reason to trust me, but what do you really have to lose? Besides, I can get you what you need to cover it up or fix the ouches. You'll need that."

Green eyes bore into blue until Jack gave the slightest of nods, indicating that she understood and agreed to the terms and conditions so long as he kept up his end of the deal.

"Aster, there you are!" called Nick, throwing open the back door and spotting his friend sitting on the steps in the cold. "What are you doing out here? You missed breakfast!"

"We're going hiking today!" announced Aster, standing up. "I can't be stuck in that building all day long or I'll go batty. Grab Tooth and Sandy and sneak out some food for lunch. Jack, where are your shoes?"

"In the store," shrugged Jack. When she saw they did not understand, she continued. "I don't have any shoes."

"We'll get you some later," said Aster. "Anyway, Nick, we'll meet you all at the lake."

Nick sauntered back inside and Aster took the lead, walking with Jack towards the forest at the end of the yard. She followed a few steps behind, silent and graceful, taking in the gloomed glory outside her new home. Aster was amazed at her careless air until he realized that was the only way she had survived, by pushing the bad things away and zoning in on the perceived happiness. Presented with two paths, one the bitter angry path and the other the path of optimism, she had taken the harder one, turning to joy instead of the easy bitterness to cope on her own. If that was any indication Aster was sure his world was going to change drastically but something about the girl who seemed so at home in the outdoors made him want to protect her in a way he could not explain.

*Hello again! I put my a/n's at the end so you can just get on with the story and read my note if you want later. Anyway, thank you all so much who favorited/followed this story! I know it's been said a million times but I honestly am shocked that anyone at all is interested.

Now for the handsome (yeah, that is a boy and girl compliment!) people who took the time to review, I take the time to respond! :)

Qwerty124-Love the name. Is the q silent or chatty? Anywho, thank you! :)

Galimatias- Look! I continued it just like you asked! Present for you! Thank you so much for your review!

Magiccatprincess- So, do only the magic cats get princesses or do the normal ones have them as well? :) I'm glad you liked the start and are planning on reading the next installments. I hope you enjoy!

Scotty1609- You were the first to review! Have a coffee as a reward (or whatever drink you like, I personally adore coffee)! You now hold a special place and therefore this chapter is dedicated entirely to you! :) (yeah, I play favorites, deal with it!)

Well, that's all for now. Next episode to be up shortly. Always-Ari