Author's Note: Okay! Here is Chapter 4! Like I said, we head back to the Pole in this one! And let's just say that there is one more chapter after this one before the storm sets in…dun…dun…DUN! Anyway, once again thank you to everyone who has been following, favoriting, and reviewing. As always, here are the review replies:

Saura: Poor Jack…hopefully things will start to get better for him.

Csd: Thank you very much! Don't worry. I will not stop until all my stories are finished. It's just this month the semester at school is coming to an end, and unfortunately, there will be times where school will have to come first. But don't worry. I will definitely keep up with my stories and will make sure to give you guys advanced notice when a new update might take a while.

WRATH77: Lol! You shall have moooooooore! Lol! Glad you like it so far!

Firenze Fox: Thank you very much! Yeah, the scene with Jack and Tooth was my favorite scene to write! I was a little worried about Bunny, though, but reading your review really helped. Glad you liked it! Hope you like what's next!

Snowflake the pooka: Lol! I'm glad you liked it! Who doesn't love family fluff?

Wierdsquirrelgirl: I'm glad you were able to relate to Jack in this, especially based on past experiences. That's a very perceptive analysis on what Jack is going through in the story, and I'm glad you were able to read it in such depth.

Moira Colleen: Exactly! You nailed it right there! Yeah, I can see why they reacted the way they did as well. Their best friend just died. Their one chance of saving the children from Pitch just blew up in their faces big time, and Jack did not return until it was too late after he promised he would come back as soon as Sophie was home. Plus, Jack has been on his own for a long time, so I guess you could also say that they figured he was being selfish. I guess you could say it's close to the truth in a sense as Pitch did offer Jack his memories, but then again Jack refused to take them.

AyameKitsune: Thank you! You shall have more!

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Rise of the Guardians.


Chapter 4

One month had passed since Jack was inducted into the Guardians, and things were actually starting to look up for Jack and his new friends. They were getting used to having him around just as he was getting used to being able to visit them without being turned away. They accepted him, and he knew it. He felt the bonds growing between them one day at a time, and he was slowly beginning to trust them. Not only that, but he was pretty sure that North, Tooth, Bunny, and Sandy were slowly beginning to trust him as well. Because Jack was so focused on getting to know his potentially new family—still working on those baby steps—he had been working on his new routine of going to see each of the original Big Four on each day until the next Guardian meeting, that North told him about. Life was looking pretty good for Jack Frost. However, there was still a small snag. Despite the trust-building and friendship-forming, Jack still didn't think he was ready to tell the other Guardians about his memories and his encounters with Pitch on Easter Sunday. He knew that it would mean letting North, Tooth, and Bunny think that he betrayed them, but he was willing to let that happen if it meant that he had to gain their trust first.

For now, that was the last thing on his mind as he let out a cheer at the top of his lungs soaring high above the clouds with only the Wind carrying him and his staff in hand. He weaved from side to side and performed loop-de-loops as he traveled for miles to his destination. A couple hours passed before the Pole came into view over the horizon. Jack smiled when he saw North's home and called to the Wind asking it to give him another boost. The winter teen's excitement increased tenfold as he flew closer to the Pole. He could not wait to spend the entire day with North. Out of all four of the veteran Guardians, Jack had to say that so far he enjoyed spending time with North the most. It was nothing against Bunny, Tooth, and Sandy. It was just that he felt that he and North had a stronger connection that started ever since Jack was shoved into the sack and tossed through the magic portal. North was the first out of the Guardians to believe that Jack had the potential to become one himself. He was willing to take the winter child under his wing and show him the ways of the Guardians. The Guardian of Wonder also took time to talk to Jack to make sure he was okay, especially just one month ago after Jack had that nightmare, and started to teach him how to sword-fight and to make ice-sculptures. Jack even made it a habit to stay at the Pole for the night instead of going back to his lake in Burgess whenever he visited. It was weird for Jack to say, but in a way, it was almost as if North was becoming like a father to him.

Jack quickly shook his head ridding himself of those thoughts. He couldn't think like that. It was too soon to think of the Guardians as a family. They still had a few more baby steps before they could get to that point. Plus, he and North weren't biologically related, and they never would be. North would never want to play house with Jack Frost…a winter spirit…and a troublemaker. He was still getting used to the big guy accepting him so quickly, and like he had said, he didn't want all that to get ruined. Jack was jolted back to reality when he saw that he was getting closer to the Pole and that a certain white-bearded man had opened a window to let him in. Jack had an even bigger smile on his face when he saw North waiting for him, and with this boost of energy, the Wind gave him one last boost that allowed him to fly even faster until he finally entered through the window and landed inside.

"Hey, North," he said as he landed.

"Hello, Jack, my boy," the big man replied. "How are you this fine day?"

"Pretty good," said Jack. "It's a great day for flying."

"I'm glad you said that because I have a surprise for you today," North said beckoning Jack to follow him as he put on his coat and hat.

Jack beamed from ear to ear as he ran after North. "A surprise?! What is it?!"

"Follow me and you will see."

"Aw, come on, North! Tell me, please!" Jack said as the duo walked through the workshop dodging the yetis and elves, who passed by.

"I can't," North replied. "It will ruin surprise. Just follow me, my boy."

Jack groaned in exasperation but continued to follow North nonetheless. It wasn't long until they finally reached the stables where the reindeer were kept. When they finally got there, the yetis were busy pulling the reindeer with North's sleigh attached to their reigns out of the shed. While North was busy calming the reindeer down, Jack was busy staring at the sleigh with his jaw dropped to the ground. Like the Tooth Palace, he had only seen the sleigh a few times just last month, and he was still impressed with the flying vehicle's magnificence and size. However, there were only two questions that ran through his mind. Why were they taking the sleigh out now? Was North planning some kind of trip for them?

"Like I always say, everyone loves the sleigh," North suddenly said walking over to Jack and unknowingly jolting the boy out of his thoughts.

"Uh, yeah, this is great, North," Jack finally said, "but I still don't get it. Why is the sleigh out?"

"Ah, that is big surprise, my boy. We're taking the sleigh out because you're going to learn how to drive it."

Jack smiled once again as he turned to face North. "Are you serious?"

"Of course! You did such a good job last time. I figured it would be good for you to practice again. So, what do you say? Want to take her out for a spin?"

"Heck, yeah! Let's—" his face fell when he realized something, "b-but, wait, what about the workshop?" It wasn't that he didn't appreciate North's offer to take him out for a ride on the sleigh. It's just that all the times he and North spent together the past few weeks were always inside the workshop, which made the Guardian of Wonder accessible to the yetis. Now, they would be leaving it completely unattended.

North smiled warmly at Jack as he placed a hand on his shoulder. "Jack, I already told you," he said. "Don't worry about it. Phil and the other yetis can take over for the day. Now, no more chit chat. Let us go for your first flying lesson!"

"Alright!" The two winter guardians jumped into the sleigh with Jack at the reigns. When the preparations were made, Jack flicked the reigns as North instructed, and they were off.


If one listened closely on the Earth down below, he could hear Santa Claus and Jack Frost laughing together as they soared across the skies in Santa's sleigh with Jack at the reigns, of course. Both Jack and North were having a grand ol' time together. Jack was doing very well handling the sleigh. Granted, he was as reckless as North was, but the sleigh was still in control. So, North viewed it as Jack doing a good job nevertheless.

"Excellent job, Jack!" North said ruffling the boy's white hair a little. "Now, we work on turning right."

"How do I do that?" Jack asked.

"Is very simple…like riding the wind," said North. "All you do is jerk the reigns to the left. Like I keep telling you, you control the reigns, and reindeer do the rest. Try it."

Jack took a deep breath. "Okay, here we go." He then jerked the reigns to the left just as North told him. Suddenly, the reindeer obeyed the silent command and turned right. The Guardian of Fun cheered for the billionth time that day as they made the wide turn. "I did it!"

North laughed sharing the boy's excitement. "Great job, my boy!" he said. "You're learning fast!"

"Well, I do have a great teacher, North. So…thank you."

"Anytime, Jack. Now, how about we do a few more right turns, maybe a few left turns, and—oh, I don't know—some loop-de-loops? What do you say?"

"I say bring it on, pal! Hey, you think we can head toward Burgess? I want Jamie to see this!"

"Of course! Onward!"


As Jack and North flew over the small town of Burgess for young Jamie Benett and his friends to see them, they failed to realize that someone else recognized their presence. Deep in the forest outside of Burgess, down in a small deep hole, the sworn enemy of the Guardians, Pitch Black, otherwise known as the Boogeyman, sat in his dark and dank lair all alone. His Nightmares were wandering about free from his control just as they had been for the past month…thanks to the Guardians, and in particular, Jack Frost. The minute he was thrown back into his lair he swore he would get revenge on those pathetic Guardians and Jack Frost on his side. Whether the boy liked it or not, he was going to help Pitch continue his plans to spread fear throughout the world starting with the destruction of the Guardians. He might've aimed to kill Jack during the final battle a month ago, but now he realized that would not help him in any way. Jack had to join him, and that was that. The only question that remained was…how? He was weak because of that battle. He was slowly gaining strength back only because…well, like he told the Guardians…there would always be fear, but his questions were suddenly answered when…he sensed something. He sensed…fear…Jack Frost's fears. His old fear of no one believing in him was gone, but it was replaced with a new fear. It was a fear of his friendships with the Guardians being ruined, losing his believers, never having a family again. It was a fear of losing everything he spent 300 years waiting for. Pitch smiled to himself. Oh, this was just perfect, for he knew exactly what to do.


It had been a few hours of non-stop sleigh-driving lessons with North and Jack. After teaching Jack a few more loop-de-loops and realizing they had a meeting in an hour, North decided it was time for him and Jack to head back to the Pole to get ready. While Jack's driving was getting better during his practice run, his landing was…well…not. Luckily, Jack knew where to land the sleigh, and it wasn't as bumpy as the last time he landed the vehicle at the Tooth Palace.

"Uh, sorry about that landing, North," Jack said sheepishly as they climbed out of the sleigh and made their way back into the workshop leaving the yetis in the stables to put the vehicle away until the next time North needed it. As they climbed out, Jack inwardly cringed when he noticed how dizzy North looked as the older Guardian stumbled as he led Jack inside.

He realized that Jack was talking to him and shook off the dizziness before turning to the winter spirit smiling at him. "Is no problem, Jack," he said. "Was your second time landing it. It took me a while to finally figure out how to land."

Jack raised an eyebrow and smirked at North. "How long is a while?"

"Eh, couple years," North replied shrugging his shoulders.

The winter spirit laughed as he tried to imagine a young North, who probably was still getting used to having the title of Guardian of Wonder much like the young winter spirit having a difficult time learning how to drive and land the sleigh. The Guardian of Fun felt that this day was similar to all those times in the last century or so he had seen teenagers learning how to drive a car from their parents, mostly their fathers. This was exactly like those moments, when he would see the teen getting frustrated or embarrassed and the father reminding his kid that he had a hard time too. However, Jack quickly shook his head again. He couldn't think like that. North was and never would be his father. Again…baby steps. He might have been beginning to trust North, but there was no telling how long that would take. There were still some things that needed to be ironed out. Not only that, but how could he sure that North would even want that deep of a relationship? Why would he want to play "Daddy" to someone like Jack Frost when he was always too busy in the workshop making presents for the children of the world?

"Somehow, I find that really hard to believe," Jack added after his laughing fit, which thankfully prevented North from seeing that he was lost in thought for a moment.

"It is true," said North. "It had taken me forever to finally get the hang of the sleigh, but practice had finally paid off. And do you know why?"

"Because…you can bring wonder to all children."

"That, and because I get to pass down my knowledge to my s-friend…my good friend, Jack Frost."

Luckily, Jack wasn't able to catch North's slip of the tongue. Instead, he smiled gratefully at the Guardian of Wonder.

"Thank you, North," he said.

North smiled in return. "You are welcome, Jack," he replied as he put his arm around Jack. "Now, come. We must prepare for Guardian meeting."


After Jack and North finished preparing for the meeting, the two Guardians sat down at the table set for them by the fireplace in the Globe Room, and North decided to regale Jack with the story of when he crashed the sleigh on his first Christmas Eve as Santa Claus and a Guardian over a plate of cookies set on the table. Jack was about to eat another one when he suddenly went into another laughing fit with North.

"I still can't believe it," he finally said when they both calmed down from laughing. "Come on, North, you got to be pulling my leg here."

"Believe it because it is true," North replied. "I was lucky enough to have some of the yetis with me to help me get the sleigh back up again."

"Whoa, how did they do that?" the winter teen asked.

North was just about to reply when he saw the clock on the wall above their seats. The meeting was going to start in five minutes. "Ah, looks like that will have to wait, Jack," he said as he stood up from his seat to activate the lights that would summon the others. "We need to start the meeting."

"Aw, man," Jack groaned as he stood up as well and grabbed his staff from its spot leaning against the table. He suddenly had an idea. "Hey, you think maybe we can finish the story later after the meeting?"

"Of course, my boy!" North said as he wrapped his arm around Jack and guided him over to the control panel by the giant Globe of Belief. "I would never leave you on a…oh, what do you call it when a TV show ends when you don't know what's going to happen next?"

Jack laughed. "A cliffhanger, North," he said.

"That's it! A cliffhanger!" Both guardians laughed together once again. Neither of them had ever admitted it, but both Jack and North absolutely loved it when they shared laughs together. It was becoming part of their thing, and it was helping to strengthen the bond between them. When they got to the control panel, North activated the Northern Lights to summon Bunny, Tooth, and Sandy.


Author's Note: Okay, that's it for this chapter! Hope you all liked this one! So, I decided to make the time skip one month later because I felt that it would be enough time for Jack to feel like their friendships were going somewhere yet still have some doubts that he could trust them yet because don't forget, a month is four weeks and when you think about it, it's still pretty recent, so like Jack said, there would still be some things to iron out and for Pitch to feel that he had enough strength for…whatever he's planning. Anyway, that's just a little rant from the author. Don't mind it. Anyway, please continue to leave reviews! They really do make my day and get me excited to post the next chapter, so see you in the next chapter! Although, because Easter is this week, I either will get to post it early on Saturday or on Monday. I'm not sure, but a chapter will go up this week!