As Jack flew, he couldn't help but feel like something was missing. Having lived as long as he had, years passed without him even realizing. He felt bad for leaving Jamie. He hardly ever saw him of late. It wasn't that he didn't want to; nothing would make him happier than to have a full snow day of fun with his friend, but he didn't have the time. His responsibilities ever since he became a guardian had risen to an extent he never could have imagined. Having to bring snow to those all over the world, balancing the blizzards and snow that fell outside of his control to assure it didn't get out of hand. Not doubt about it; it was no easy task. He knew Jaz was feeling the same pressure. She too had to manage the fires that grew out of hand, mainly those caused by the humans. On top of that she needed to relight the passion of children who lost their faith and bring the New Years fireworks to every major city of the world. By no means was her duty any easier than his. She didn't have time to spend with Pippa or her other believers either. He knew how much she missed seeing them. Both of them had waited centuries for this. They finally had children who believed in them and now they couldn't even enjoy it. It was times like this that they started to wonder what it would have been like if they had never joined forces with the Guardians.

Jack shook the thoughts of regret away. He was glad he became a Guardian. He certainly wouldn't take it back if he had the chance to. Whilst he wasn't entirely sure he could say the same for Jaz, he knew his eternal life was being fulfilled. The Moon chose him to be a Guardian. That was how he was going to live.

They made it to the Pole, entering in through the skylight. As they came in, Jack noticed Jaz still looking upset about having to leave the kids behind. He thought about how he could help cheer her up. The best idea he could come up with he knew would not necessarily please her, but at least it might take her mind away from Pippa.

He focused his powers and with a slight tilt of his staff he summoned a short flurry of snow directly on her. It fell, swathing her body with a light layer of white. Jaz realized immediately, glaring at Jack. He smiled innocently at her. Without even having to touch her dagger, her figure flared red with flames to melt it off. Jack stepped back, nervous of being so close to her when her temper rose. Even though she had discovered her true centre and self, she still retained her fiery personality. Every now and then it surfaced. Jack laughed cautiously, backing away.

"Jack, Jaz." He didn't think he could have thanked North enough for his timing. Jaz's flames cooled off as she turned to face him. He looked at her warily for a moment before gesturing for them to follow him. Jaz casted Jack a quick but threatening glare as she passed him to go after North. Jack breathed out in relief and trailed behind them. North led the two of them to his office. He stood before them both, thinking of how to start.

"I understand that you have been neglecting your duties as a guardian" he spoke in a stern voice. Jack and Jaz looked at each other in disbelief. Neither of them knew which of them he was directing his concerns to.

"What?" Jack questioned. North found his gaze wandering over to Jaz again. He sighed deeply.

"Jaz, would you give us a moment? I must speak with Jack alone." After some hesitation she left the room. Jack watched as she left and the door slammed shut behind her.

"North, what's going on? What do you mean I've been neglecting my duties as a guardian?"

"I find myself put in difficult position, Jack" The way North spoke only made Jack feel more tense about the unknown circumstances occurring. "It is not you I fear; it is Jaz. What I am about to tell you must not get back to her. Is that clear? The others have informed me of multiple wildfires that have been set in several different locations. The damage that has been done as a result of them is very unsettling."

"Hang on," Jack interrupted, immediately stepping in to defend his friend. "How do we know it was Jaz who created the fires? It could have been lightning or a human accident, or—"

"Jack" North cut him off before he could finish. "These fires are not of natural state. They move with a lifelike ability. From what the other Guardians have informed me of, it is as if the fire is being controlled."

"Where have they been set?" Jack queried.

"Towns along the coast of South Australia, on the outskirts of Burgess, even a few in the lesser regions of the Pole. Everywhere Jaz travels these fires have been found. I know you do not want to find guilt with her, none of us do, but if she is doing this then she must be stopped." Jack kept his head lowered the whole time he was speaking. His eyes were closed as he remembered seeing the Pole after the fire attack right before Christmas.

"The last time we accused her of arson it was Pitch who had set the fire. By blaming her we drove her right into his clutches and were almost destroyed because of it."

North wasn't convinced by Jack's argument. "We were wrong then, but this time is different. There is no other suspect that could be behind these fires. Jack, what you feel for her is obvious but I cannot stand by and allow her to perform such acts."

"If you accuse her after she was innocent the first time, she'll never speak to any of us again. I can't lose her again North" His eyes were pleading. North looked into them, seeing how desperate he seemed to be to prove her innocence. He sighed, letting his head drop.

"Very well. We will monitor her actions over the next few days and give her a chance to explain." Jack smiled at his decision. He went to leave, only to be stopped by North as he spoke again. "But Jack, if another fire is set I will have no choice but to confront her. There is no alternative. I will not have innocent lives being put at risk." Jack swallowed nervously and turned to exit. He found him gripping his staff tighter. Once outside, his breathing patterns started to increase. He trusted the Guardians wouldn't do anything to harm her; they were her family too. Yet knowing that didn't make him feel any better about things the way they were. North was right, with Pitch gone who else could have caused them other than the spirit of fire herself?

He looked around for where she was. The corridors leading down to North's private place of work were empty. He called out for her but was answered by silence. He hated when she just disappeared like that. Regardless of being annoyed that she had once again vanished, he was concerned as to why. What if she had overheard them speaking about her? That would certainly be a good enough reason for her to leave without warning. Another reason lingered in the back of his mind. He tried to keep it from concealed but there was no way of stopping it from emerging to the centre of his thoughts. What if Jaz had left because she was actually guilty?

He loathed himself for having to do this, but it was better North found out now through him rather than discovering her absence himself. He pushed his way back into the room with much regret. North looked over his shoulder as he entered again.

"Jaz is gone."