Chapter 3

Jack Frost was furious.

He had been sad, scared, righteous, indignant, aggressive, and all those adrenaline-pumping emotions over the years but this level of fury had reached a new height. He glared at each of the Guardians in turn, incinerating them with his gaze. He squirmed against the bonds keeping him still and muffled into the gag. The blood was pounding so loudly in his ears, he couldn't hear what they were actually saying.

Sure, he had been kidnapped before. But that was before he really knew them or they knew him and honestly if they had asked him to go to the Pole to become a Guardian he would have iced them and gone off laughing. He understood then (afterwards) that time had been of the essence and haste and being tossed into a sack and portal was quicker than the diplomatic route. That was then, Jack was a Guardian now, with responsibilities! He threw a more aggressive glare at BUnnymund's direction. Tooth came forward and undid the gag and Jack yelled in pure anger and confusion, "WHAT THE HELL!"

A part of him was glad to see them all take a dramatic step back. They were in TROUBLE.

"Jack-" began Toot before Jack cut her off.

"No. Whatever this is, I don't care. UNTIE ME NOW."

"Listen mate," tried BUnnymund.

"YOU!" screamed Jack, "What makes you think you have any right to kidnap me! This isn't up for discussion, untie me!"

North stepped forward and kneeled down to Jack and put a large hand on his back and Jack felt a spike of vulnerability as he realized he was lying in a near foetal position. He thought North was going to untie him but the Guardian of Wonder just kept his hand there, grounding Jack and Jack realized just how quickly he was breathing and trembling.

"Jack." Said North solemnly as Jack slowed down his breathing slightly. "Did you hear how you sounded when you yelled at us? We are your friends now, you are a Guardian, we are a team."

Jack averted his eyes, guilt flooded his emotions and he quickly looked up and cringed when he saw the hurt in Tooth's eyes. "I'm sorry." He whispered, "I don't know why I yelled like that."

"Because you are tired. You need sleep, lots of rest." Said North, now untying the boy.

Jack shrugged off the remaining rope and trying to get up, found himself falling back gently onto his butt, "Just been very busy lately."

North nodded and motioned to Sandman, "Sandy said so."

"Is that why I'm here?" Jack turned to his golden friend, a hurt expression clearly on his face, "Sandy? What did you say?"

"Technically nothing." Ribbed Bunnymund, unable to pass up the opportunity. Tooth shot him an annoyed look and he shrugged and said, "nothing we wouldn't have picked up on immediately when we saw you, which is why you've been avoiding us."

"I haven't been avoiding you," said Jack, getting to his feet successfully this time. "Like I said, I've been busy."

"This iz important Jack. You're losing your centre, the reason for why you are here. Your existence." Said North, grasping the boy by both his arms.

Jack's eyes narrowed, "No. I'm doing my job, my duty. I took an oath!"

"How can you hold up your oath mate when you cant function?" growled Bunnymund. "Bet you've been feeling tired lately? Shaking? Not as much control over your element as before?"

Jack paused, remembering how much concentration and effort it seemed to take to layer ice on the frozen ponds and lakes when it had been so effortless before, so natural. "I'll sleep tonight." Jack compromised.

North shook his head. "You need more than sleep Jack. Rest the body and the mind. Iz the same. You stay here for a few days."

Jack blanched at the "few days". He shook off North's hands and took a step back. "I cant take that much time off. I made a promise!"

"To your sister Jack. You didn't make that promise to every child in the world." Said Tooth gently. Jack turned on her, eyes wide, "You saw my memories?" he asked in disbelief.

Tooth realized she had given herself away, "I'm sorry Jack, when putting the teeth back, I just wanted to understand."

Tears were welling up in his icy blue eyes but he blinked them back, a hard edge to his voice as he said, "I can't be around you guys. I need to go."

Tooth moved forward, one hand out, "please Jack, we're worried about you."

Jack gave a harsh laugh. "Care? You spied on my memories. Sandy, you caused this little get-together. How can I trust any of you now?"

Sandman moved forward, waving his hands, creating a floating golden sand image of himself holding out a hand to a sand Jack and leading him to the other guardians and then sand jack silently laughing.

Jack shook his head, "I need to go," he repeated, voice trembling despite the harsh tone. "You see Jack? Look at you now, you usually have better control of your emotions, you're about to start blubbering like a Sheila." Added in Bunnymund.

Jack turned to him, "give me my staff," he commanded and then after a beat of silence, "please."

Bunnymund and Tooth looked to North whom turned to Jack and answered for him.

"No."

Jack gave a dark chuckle and leapt forward unexpectedly, he latched onto his staff and thus began a rather rough tug of war. The Pooka was strong but Jack was desperate so the odds were even. Sandman had a ball of dreamsand at the ready but seemed hesitant to use it. He had already betrayed the boy once in his mind, nevermind his intentions. North stormed over and yelled, "Enough!" in his booming voice and grabbed the back of Jack's blue hoodie and lifted him into the air. Jack gave a small yell as he was unable to hold onto his staff and Bunnymund gave North a thankful look, brushing ice off his paws. He threw the staff to Tooth who swooped and caught it and quickly reached ceiling height and looked at Jack whose fists were flying as he tried to punch North. Jack got lucky as his long legs reached out and managed to connect with North's shin. North swore in Russian and dropped the Winter Spirit. Jack's victory was short-lived as Bunnymund tackled him from behind.

The warrior quickly wrapped an arm around Jack's neck in a hold and slowly pressed down. Wide blue eye stared at the Guardians before he drifted into unconsciousness. "Night Mate." He heard Bunnymund say as his vision darkened and then … darkness.

Sooooo a quick update. I live in South Africa and I don't have internet so I have to take my laptop to Wifi places to update. Its rain season now and I drive a scooter and that's pretty much liquid death in my case. Still reviews had me determined and no matter what, as long as readers like it and I get reviews, I will make a plan!

On a side note, Jack turned out more aggressive than I intended in this chapter. Should I have Jack wake up better cause it was sleep-deprivation and exhaustion that made him so angsty or should I have Pitch's hand in it somewhere? Review and let me know

Luvvies,

Wildkitkat