2

I rushed through the threshold of my little house as the cold bit mercilessly at my fingers and exposed neck. The warmth that washed over me as I entered was greatly welcome, and I let out a sigh, closing the door behind me. I called out to let my friend know I was home. I never lived with or never knew my family; they had left long ago.

I knew of no sibling or grandparents, uncles or cousins. Even my father was a complete mystery. My mother as well. Though in a heart locket of silver and black- that I've had since my birth, I assume- was a picture of a woman. Her hair was short and curled and her skin slightly wrinkled with age. Behind the thick, round glasses she wore, her eyes were filled with love and care and warmth, her smile was equally so. Forever frozen on her face. Believing this to by my mother, I often thought I took after my dad in many way.

My friend replied, his voices echoing from somewhere down the hall, followed by the softened steps as he came to greet me. His hair was shaggy and unkept, as it usually was, though he managed to pull it off. He wore his warm, trademark,toothy smile that were straight and perfect. Jamie- her friend- was tall and quite handsome, I wasn't afraid to admit it. But by now, I had given him the honorary title of brother, and I was content with my life. He didn't seem to mind this, and merely smiled when I told him. "How was your walk?" Jamie asked leaning against the wall.

"It was.." I paused, both considering the right words and weather or not to tell him about Jack. Though, I quickly shot the doubt down, not wanting to hide anything from Jamie. Also, I would probably never see those blue eyes again. But this thought was shot down as well as I recalled the request he made to see me again. My heart quickened. "Interesting. I met a guy today." My friend looked both puzzled and concerned, but I spoke before he could wrap his head around the idea.

"Nothing happened. I just was walking when I happened to see him. He was very…strange though; different really. All he wore was a sweater and torn pants, and said he wasn't cold." I scoffed at the last part, but not rudely. "You should have seen him. His hair was white, and his skin just as much so. And his eyes, I've never seen eyes as blue and as icy as his. I've never thought it possible." My mind drifted of as I said all this, remembering back to the pond not an hour ago.

"Really. What was his name?" I looked up at Jamie, taking the time to truly see and study his features. He was gently leaning forward on the balls of his feet, and his eyes betrayed his strong emotions of excitement and anticipation. I couldn't understand this sudden change in him. Sure, he was fun and had this child like excitement when he did certain things, and I couldn't help but admire this about him.

But when it came to me, he had become quite protective. But having told him of my history some time after we met, I guess it was understandable. Since then, he's taken a silent duty to look after me.

Like a guardian, he had once said.

"Jack, I think he said." I said slowly, observing this reaction. The slightest smile itched at his lips, and his eyes took on a far away light, as if remembering a fond childhood memory. "Why?" he shook his head. "Nothing. He just sounds like a guy I know." I rose my eyebrow, but was satisfied.

Jamie left soon after that, saying he had a few errands to run and didn't think he would be back for dinner. I bid him goodbye, warning him about the roads and telling him to be safe, as I always did. He smiled and placed a brotherly kiss on my head before he was gone, and I was left alone.

I didn't mind being home alone. It gave me the opportunity to do the things I couldn't really do when Jamie was around. Girl things. Like taking, long relaxing baths, singing and dancing to really loud music. Normal things, really that we would never admit.

Jamie didn't return 'till much later in the evening. By then I was dozing off on the couch, watching 'How to Steal a Million' with Audrey Hepburn. I had gotten worried, (as I always do when he's gone for a long period of time) the sky had darkened significantly when he still hadn't returned, and I would stay up often waiting for him. But once he walked through the door with that smile that could melt anyone's heart, I dismissed my anxiety as just overreacting.

"What took you so long?" I sounded more relaxed then I had previously felt, but maybe that was just the weariness kicking in. He looked at my teasingly, shaking the snow from his coat. "Why? Were you concerned."

"If you mean losing my one and only good source of entertainment, then yes, I was." He chuckled as I turned off the T.V. "You heading to bed?" Jamie asked as I stood up, yawning. "Ya. You?"

"No. I think I'll stay up a little longer." I nodded lazily. "Hey Jamie?" I paused, lowering my head slightly out of habit. "Can you tell me about the Guardians?" Despite my tiredness, I could see the warmth and joy in his eyes, and I relaxed more. "Of course."

Before I knew it, I was in bed, vaguely unaware to how I had gotten there. Jamie laid beside me on top the sheets as I cuddled shamelessly with my old stuffed bear. But he never mocked my with it, so there was no real worry. "What story do you want to hear?" "Anyone?" I could faintly feel him smile as he began his tale of the worlds unsung hero's. His voice was so smooth and flowed right into my subconscious as I began to dream of the Guardians and there adventures.

Emily had seen a Guardian. Not just seen, but met Jack Frost; the Guardian of winter and his best friend (not counting Emily). Jamie could hardly contain himself as he softly closed the door to Emily's room and entered his own.

He had never thought she had believed in those tales he's been telling since he and his friends had helped defeat Pitch. Of course, he never mentioned names when telling them, but Jamie had always thought that Emily viewed these stories as more entertainment then truth. Yet, he shouldn't be surprised really.

Emily always seemed to have an active imagination, often daydreaming about grand adventures and magic. She also wrote stories, always careful to add a character that sounded much like herself, no matter how small. But because she was self-conscious of her work, she never let anyone really read them. But Jamie had been the exception, and often read her work, critiquing it, and even helped with ideas. She was really grateful, and always included him as well in her adventures.

But for her to see a Guardian and not even realize; you can imagine how hard it was to stop himself from jumping up and down with excitement as he did as a child. And now, with this new found knowledge, an idea was planted in his mind and rapidly grew into plan of action. Jamie had known Jack for years, and Emily just as many, and though they were happy, neither could quite fully hide the loneliness they felt, and he hated not being able to help.

He smiled to himself as he thought of bringing Jack and Emily together. And in the safety of his room, no one would hear the girl-like chuckle escape his lips. Giddy as a schoolgirl and to full of excitement to sleep, he sat at his desk and began to plan. Maybe he could ask for help from the other Guardians.

Just out side of Jamie's window was utter darkness. The moon and stars were hidden by clouds, giving the perfect cover for any dark creature that might be prowling. If Jamie wasn't so absorbed in the possibility of matching his two best friends together, he might have noticed the little glowing eyes and the unnatural shift of the air that imitated sand. But now, as Jamie began to settle in for the night, the eyes vanished. The night became quiet and deathly calm.

Not to far away, but deep in the woods, the wind blew harsh and fierce, sending all animals and creatures in to the safety and warmth of their homes and burrows. All except Jack Frost, the commander of such weather. And although he was well known for his pranks and mischief behavior, tonight he was unusually quiet, his face heavy with thought. Not that he didn't have his moments of peacefulness, but tonight felt different.

As he sat on the high branch with his back propped up against the trunk, looking out to the clouded sky, his mind raced with the thoughts of he young woman he had met some hours ago. He was actually seen, he thought constantly to himself, by a young-quite pretty, if he did say so himself- woman. Though he did try to push the thought out of his mind, but his attempts were in vain. He looked up, past the clouds as if to see the moon himself; as if he might have the answers to what these strange feelings were. But, the sky was as quiet as the woods.

Grunting in frustration, he rose from his perch and jumped forward, flying through the air, his staff in hand and wind in his face. Heading towards town, he hoped to see Sandy at work, and hoped that the amazingly life-like animals and objects would distract him.

As he had thought. Arriving in town, ribbons of gold sand drifted gracefully through the air, creating the odd shape and design as it created the larger images. He spotted Sandy quickly on top of the park statue and flew down to join him. "Hey Sandy." Jack said softly, getting a glance from the small Guardian and a smile, before turning back to work. Jack did the same, in awe at how grand it all seemed.

He could never get over the sit before him.

Jack watched as bits of sand drifted to the windows of almost every house he could see, each one creating a different image for each sleeping person. One he saw a friendly looking dinosaur, reminding him of the firs night he really witnessed Sandy at work. Another he saw was an image of a hot air balloon, and another a knight saving a princess. He smiled. I wonder what Emily's dreaming. He sighed, either from weariness or the pleasant thought of seeing Emily again soon.

An image of sand then covered Jacks vision, and he flinched back, suprized. He watched as the sand formed an arrow, pointing upwards. He followed it to Sandy, who gave him a puzzled look. Jack new -with out Sandy having to make any pictures- what he was implying. "I'm fine. Just thinking." He raised a golden eyebrow and gave Jack a sly smile.

At his whim, Sandy made another picture of sand, this one being a heart, with the face of Jack and a question mark. Seeing the confused look on his friends face, he created another image of a girl, smiling and dancing, reminding him of….

Who is she? Sandy's wordless voice echoed in his creations. Jack reeled back, his eyes snapping to his Guardian friend. How could he have known? Did Sandy have more tricks then he let on?

Jack stared at his friend dumb-founded, unbeknown to him of his pinkish cheeks and wide gaze. "There's no one." Jack denied, But Sandy didn't seem to by it. Never the less, the dream Guardian turned back to his work, leaving the Winter Guardian to dwell on his own thoughts and feelings.

It's really nothing. Just the excitement of being seen, he consoled himself. Both Guardians unaware of the little eyes watching them, then vanishing into the shadow of the playground.

OK, so its not a great chapter, but I thought I needed to put Jack in her so then it doesn't' look and feel one-sided. I hope you guys like it so far.

Also, thank you to the fan who left me my first review. I hope to live up to your standards in future chapters/stories. :)