Jack sighed, looking at the letter once more. He couldn't bring himself to open it. He looked up, staring at the big door. He was sitting on the roof of the house facing the guardians house, usually he would stay as far away as possible but right now he was considering going up and knocking on the door.

He fought about Manny, something about him just made Jack feel safe around him, but this was a bit much, Manny said he didn't hunt outlaws himself, sending one to his old students is a completely other thing. Jack shivered at the thought of them capturing him, the though of being locked up.

He shook his head, no, he would not take the risk. He put the card back in his pocket turning away from the house he was about to jump to the next house when he heard a door open and voices and quickly got down out of view, watching the guardians.

"I say we split up, I'm obviously the best tracker but Sandy is very good too, Tooth can come with me and North should got with Sandy. Agreed?"

"Sounds fine to me" Tooth said optimistically.

Sandy nodded.

"You sure we should not take sleigh?"

"I prefer walking."

North sighed "fair enough, let's go then" North said walking of in one direction.

Sandy waved before following.

"Meet back here if we find something" Bunny shouted before leading Tooth away.

Jack raised an eyebrow, hesitated he followed North and Sandy, deciding they where less likely to catch Jack in the case that they spot him. He stayed high on the roof, silently following.

Sandy would search for clues, any sign of there enemy having been there while North asked the town people if anyone had seen the tall man with black hair. Jack watched curiously, strangely entertained by the guardian's investigation.

North sighed walking over to Sandy he was about to saying when Bunny appeared from a round a corner, running as fas as he could he was panting. Obviously pushing even his own limits "North! Sandy! Pitch... the orphanage... the orphanage is under attack, Tooth has gone on ahead we think it may be Pitch!"

Jack's eyes widened, he got up and ran, jumping form roof to roof, he made no effort to hide. Not that the guardians would notice, they where too distracted running towards the orphanage themselves.

Jack stopped as soon as the orphanage came into view, he saw children crying, running, screaming, hiding... they where scared, so very scared. Outlaws ran around, chasing them, attacking them. Suddenly the guardians appeared, trying to defend the children. But it was hard, they couldn't fight with there full strength with the children around.

Jack looked at the horrible scene, they where kidnapping the children. Sometimes they hurt the children. Jack then saw a young girl, with brown hair and brown eyes, she had her back to a wall and an outlaw stood right in front of her a horrible grin on his face.

Jack didn't even think as he jumped from the roof, he landed right between the outlaw and the girl. The outlaw was much bigger then Jack, but he was taken by surprise and as Jack hit him hard with his staff the outlaw collapsed, knocked out by the force of the wood.

For a second Jack was relieved, but then he was surrounded, the girl he had rescued hid just behind him "are you here to rescue me?" she whispered.

"Y-Yeah..." Jack replied looking around, uncertain. He struck at the first outlaw to approach him. Then, taking advantage of the gap grabbed the girl's hand and ran, he had to get the girl to safety "you any good at climbing?" he asked.

"Not really..."

"Then hold on tight" he said and suddenly he pulled her onto his back, she grabbed hold on tightly as Jack ran to a street, jumping as high as he could he jumped onto a window ledge, then to another. Usually he would just jump from wall to wall, but the extra weight made it a bit harder.

"Wow... that was amazing!" the girl shouted as Jack carefully put her down on the roof.

"Yeah" Jack said with a grin looking down "listen, I'm going to see if I can help down there, you stay here, keep low so nobody sees you and if you have trouble call, okay?"

"But... are you a guardian?"

Jack laughed at that "no, I'm... I'm not, but I am going to protect you, and hopefully the other children too, okay?"

The girl nodded "thank you."

"Don't mention it" he said with a grin and with a graceful leap he was back in the centre of chaos, fighting of outlaws trying his best to protect the left over children, which to his horror, where very few. What Pitch wanted with the children was unknown to Jack, but he could worry about that later.

He was trying to get a young boy away from an outlaw when Pitch grabbed hold of Jack's arm, Jack was about to hit him with the staff but Pitch was fast, strong, he was better then the other outlaws and before Jack knew it he was disarmed, his staff just out of his reach.

He let go of the young boy's hands "run" he whispered trying to kick at Pitch who just blocked the attacks and held Jack tightly, another outlaws grabbed the boy before he could so much as realize what was going on.

"Let them go!" Jack shouted.

"Don't think you're in any state to give orders. Someone give me some rope!" Pitch called as he held onto both Jack's wrists with one hand, placing the other hand over Jack's mouth effectively silencing the young thief.

Jack struggled but his struggles were pointless as Pitch tied his hands behind his back leading him away from the fight. Jack found himself thrown onto a wooden surface, it took him a minute to realize it was the back of a carriage.

Jack was beginning to panic as he looked at Pitch "let me go..." he whispered, sounding more like a beg than an order now.

Pitch grinned, he then stepped forward "I said you would regret your decision."

Jack tried to back away but Pitch grabbed Jack by the neck holding him up. Jack struggled, trying not to hyperventilate "please..."

Pitch looked into Jack's eyes, grinning at the fear that shone in them and the tears forming because of it. He was about to say something when a pain in his arms made him let go of the child. He flinched looking away form Jack to spot the guardians glaring at him.

"I'd let the kid go if I where you, mate" Bunny warned holding up the boomerang.

Pitch's expression darkened, he dropped Jack to the cold ground. Jack whimpered as he hit the ground, looking up to try and see what happened.

"Shouldn't you be protecting the children rather than some petty thief?"

Jack flinched at the cold words, not that anybody noticed.

"If you have enough interest in this kid to leave the battle and torment him, he probably needs us more" Bunny explained, still glaring.

Sandy nodded and pointed to Jack then in the direction of the other children. He meant to say he is also a child, although nobody seemed to actually understand what he meant.

"I heard the kid can put up a fight, is it that strange I take interest in him?"

"You want him to join you?"

"All the others did, why wouldn't he?"

"Not to sure myself, but he doesn't seem to interested. I'd argue he disagrees with you."

"That's what Manny said..." Jack whispered, catching the attention of the guardians.

"Who?"

Jack opened his mouth to answer but Pitch struck a kick to Jack's ribs making him yelp instead.

Bunny's eyes widened, angered by Pitch's action "that's it" he ran forward attacking Pitch fiercely.

Pitch dodged but only just, he looked behind him at the outlaws, groaning, he was not ready fro this yet "retreat!" he called and suddenly him and the other outlaws was gone. The Guardians tried to stop them but they couldn't do too much without threatening the children.

Bunny growled, punching a wall "I can't believe they got the children!"

"What do you think he wants with them?" Tooth looked upset.

"Hostages..." Jack whispered, a good guess, the guardians turned to look at him.

Tooth was the first to speak "you... you helped us back there, we saw you fighting?"

Jack nodded, managing to sit up "I... I do not agree with Pitch or the others, I am a thief but no murderer. Or kidnapper."

"I understand you wouldn't do that... but why interfere?"

"Well... not entirely sure... I sort of just... attacked... it was kinda instinctive, ya know? I saw this little girl being attacked and defended her... she should still be on the roof."

"Roof?"

"I wanted to get her out of the way of the fight so... roof..."

"You took a young child onto a roof?"

"Better then a battlefield!"

"I didn't mean it like that" Bunny raises his hands "it just surprises me it would occur to you."

"It's where I usually hide..."

"Yeah, we figured that out quite quick."

Jack shrugged.

"What was it you said earlier?"

"Pardon?"

"You said someone said that this morning? Or something like that."

"Manny... he called himself Manny."

"You met Manny this morning?"

Jack hesitated then nodded "he... he rescued me from Pitch, they were going to hurt me... force me to join them, or at least... I take it that was there intention... but then he came along. He gave me a letter for you guys..."

"A letter?" North raised an eyebrow.

Jack gave a small nod "I was meant to take it to you but... I kinda..."

"Where is this letter?" Bunny asked.

Jack stood up, leaning on a wall. Shaking himself he managed to get the letter to fall out of his pocket and to the ground, giving it a nudge with his feet "there you go."

North hesitantly picked it up, looking at it "definitely Manny" he said as he began to read eyes widening.

Meanwhile, Jack was trying to plan an escape route, it would be really helpful if his hands weren't tied up. Bunny was keeping a close eye on him, Tooth and Sandy seemed more interested in the letter North was reading.

When North finished the letter, he stared at Jack for a moment. Jack was looking around nervously, his intentions obvious "you are... lucky" North whispered.

Jack looked up at North "pardon?"

North handed the letter to Tooth "Manny says we must give you choice."

Jack raised an eyebrow "doesn't sound good to me... what choice?"

North couldn't help but smile at Jack's suspicion "don't worry" he said handing the letter to Tooth and Sandy "we won't be capturing you, at least not now, Manny says we can't."

"What?" Bunny turned to North, eyes widened.

"He says it would be rude, you see, Manny thinks Jack would be good to help us fight against Pitch. In fact, Manny says if you help us he will erase your criminal record."

Jack's eyes widened "what?"

"He believe this choice needs to be made without pressure, so if you choose otherwise you may leave. Go back to your old life."

Tooth looked excited after reading the letter "so his allowed to start a new life if he chooses to help?" Tooth smiled and jumped "that's great news!"

Sandy smiled up at Jack expectantly, Jack just looked shocked.

"Wait what? Your kidding right?" Bunny asked "you think he can just help us take in one criminal and forget about everything his ever done?"

"Bunny... he never did anything too bad" she pointed out.

"Nothing too bad? His been an outlaw for-"

"As long as I can remember" Jack interrupted "I know it may sound stupid but... despite all the things I've done, I never felt truly guilty and the reason for that... is because remember making the choice to love this way. As long as I can remember I've stolen and ran away for a living."

The four guardians stared at Jack, unsure what to say.

"I know it sounds selfish, but I really would like the chance to... find out if, when given the choice, which path I'd chose. I don't know if I'll chose the right one but at least... if you let me help you, I'll know I chose that path and I'll handle the consequences."

Bunny opened his mouth to say something, then stopped himself standing up straight then slumping back "fine... if Manny thinks it is a good idea then do what you want."

Jack's eyes brightened "thank you" he whispered, looking around "I'll... be right back."

Before any of the guardians could question Jack, he was gone. He ran right past them into an alley, hands still tied up, suddenly he leaped from wall to wall, onto the roof.

"Can see why Pitch would want him" North mentioned.

Bunny just grunted "this will end badly."

Tooth rolled her eyes "don't be so pessimistic, Bunny!" she shouted running and climbing onto the roof, not as impressively as Jack but still extremely fast.

She smiled when she saw Jack, he was kneeling down listening to the quick talking of a little girl, nodding and smiling at her. As she approached she heard what the child was saying.

"...the guardians where fighting the bad people away, and you where fighting too! You where so fast a-and the fairy lady was so fast and the-"

"Fairy lady?" Jack chuckled.

The girl blushed "I always call her that because she's so graceful and pretty..."

Tooth smiled, Jack smiled at the girl "makes sense to me."

The girl smiled at Jack's approving tone "you do? The other children says it's silly..."

"It's not silly at all! You've got a very good point there, I think you're very smart and brave... where you scared?"

The girl shook her head then nodded "I was a little... when I saw he tall man grab you... did he tied you up?"

Jack blinked remembering his hands he moved then awkwardly "yeah... but don't worry, the guardians go there in time..."

The girl nodded "the guardians protect us all from the bad people in the world, the murderers and kidnappers and thieves!"

Jack had to force himself to hold back a flinch at the last word, he nodded "yeah, they do."

"Would you like me to untie you? I'm good at untying knots!"

"You're free to try but... it's a very tight knot... I may need to cut it with a knife or something."

"We're not allowed to use knifes when we're not eating, there dangerous" the girl said trying to untie Jack's hands. Jack trying to turn is head enough to see her. Spotting Tooth in the process.

Tooth smiled and waved, Jack opened his mouth to reply when the girl managed to untie the rope, Jack looked at his hands surprised.

"Told you I was good with knots!"

"Very good" Jack said with a smile "hey, want to meet the fairy lady?"

The girl's eyes widened "I can?"

Jack nodded, grabbing her hand and leading her over to Tooth, the girl gasped and Tooth smiled "hello there" Tooth whispered kneeling to get closer to the girl's height.

"Hello" the little girl replied nervously.

"I'm Tooth" she said holding her hand out "what's your name?"

"Pippa" she whispered shaking Tooth's hand.

"It's nice to meet you Pippa, I see you've already met Jack... would you like to meet everyone else?"

Pippa nodded, eyes wide with wonder. Tooth smiled "I'll help you down."

"I'd prefer Jack take me."

Tooth looked surprised at first but then smiled and nodded "fair enough."

Jack approached "you sure?"

The girl nodded "you got me up here."

Jack grinned "okay then" and at that he picked her up in his arms and with a quick run he leaped, landing on the floor, the girl looked shocked for a second before laughing. Jack shook his leg which had the familiar pluralizing like pain that one got when they jumped from somewhere high, he smiled at the girl's laughter putting her down, Tooth appeared right behind him.

"Quite a show you put on there?"

"Children like that kinda thing, you know?" he said putting Pippa down who immediately run of to see the other guardians who happily greeted the one safe child.

Tooth smiled and nodded "they do, surprised you know that."

"I spend a long time watching the children."

"Why that?"

Jack looked slightly sad, he shrugged "I like them... they always seems so happy and carefree."

"It would be nice to live like that, rather than constantly running."

"I'm pretty sure me running isn't the only thing that keeps me form that life."

"Sadly, you're right... being child also means memories, wonder, hope and dreams..."

"Memories are all the same for me... can't say that there is very much that I look at with wonder... I have hope, hope to be able to live a life isn't a constant struggle... dreams... more like nightmares."

Tooth looked at Jack sadly she was about to say something when North came over "well done Jack! Child is not only safe but happy and calm... you are good with children."

"Thank you, North" Jack replied, offering a smile.

North patted Jack on back smiling "we will protect child! She is only one left after all... I say we go back to house! We could all use with food and rest before planning next move."

Jack threw his hands in his pocked and gave a small nod, Tooth sighed then smiled spotting Pippa who was talking to Sandy enthusiastically. Almost jumping up and down "it is terribly cold, I say we hurry" Tooth said leading the way.

Jack raised an eyebrow "it's quite nice weather today after last night's storm" he whispered looking up at the sky, a cold wind passed by and as he saw Toott shiver he laughed breathing in the cold air "beautiful the wind isn't it?"

Tooth gave him a small punch "come on" she said and suddenly ran on ahead, Jack followed just behind, loving the idea of chasing someone rather then being chased for a change.

AUTHOR NOTE:

I was surprised to find a lot more people interested in this than I expected, so yeah I decided to get the next chapter up a bit sooner. Hopefully there aren't too many mistakes here.

Also quick note, I names the girl Pippa but she isn't Jack's sister or anything like that. It just felt like a suitable name. She's sort of a combination of Baby Tooth and Pippa, or at least that is the plan, she probably won't be of much important. More thant anything she's just there to help with character development on the guardians and Jack.

Although seeing as I haven't got much planned out so far, anything could happen.

Thanks for reading! I'll try to update soon.