Chapter Four

When they finally get out of Pitch's lair, North breaks a snow globe before stepping through the portal with Jamie. The others follow him, each lost in their own thoughts as they step back into the safety of Santoff Claussen.

A jolt of searing fire shoots through Jamie, causing his eyes to snap open and his back to arch. He unknowingly digs his claws into North's back as his hands seek out something to grab on to and his mouth opens in a silent scream of pain. His pupils flash back and forth between their usual shape and the slitted version the sand created.

As North grunts in pain, Jack tries to pry Jamie's claws from his back. He holds the boy's hands as North lays Jamie on one of the tables in the workshop for lack of a better place to put him at the moment.

"Jamie, look at me." The warring forms concern Jack, but there isn't much he can do for the boy at this point but try to keep him calm. Jack refuses to release Jamie's hands.

It takes a minute for Jamie to comprehend the order, but he finally manages to drag his gaze over to Jack, whimpering when he can't fully focus on him. Unused to his longer, sharper fangs, he punctures his bottom lip as he clamps his mouth shut to keep from crying out as another sharp pain shoots through him, centering in his stomach and spreading out from there.

"You have to pull through this, Jamie. You have to want to stay with us," Jack says softly. "If you have any doubt, this could kill you. The two sands could potentially tear you apart from the inside, Jamie."

Jack winces when Jamie's claws pierce he skin of his hand, but uses his free hand to wipe away the trickle of blood rolling down his chin from where the boy bit himself. "I'm begging you, Jamie. Please don't leave me alone again. I'll never make you take another bath again." Jack gives the boy a weak smile.

Tooth perks up as a thought hits her. "His memories! He may have a fighting chance if he gets those back!" Without waiting for a reply from anyone, she flies off at top speed to get the container holding Jamie Bennett's baby teeth.

When Jack touches Jamie's forehead, he can feel that the boy is burning hot from the stress of the two types of Dreamsand fighting for control. He presses his own forehead to Jamie's to try to cool his friend down a bit as they wait for Tooth.

Jamie sighs as coolness is pressed to his forehead, though his eyes cross as he tries to focus on just what's giving him relief.

Jack smiles as he watches his friend, but doesn't move.

It takes no time at all for the Tooth Fairy to make it to her palace. With the help of her fairies, she locates the colorful container and, tucking it firmly in her arms, takes off back to the others.

She flies back into the building so fast, she nearly runs into Bunny. "Easy there, sheila," he soothes. "He's not goin' anywhere."

After a quick apology, the fairy moves over to the younger spirits, placing a hand on Jack's shoulder as a silent sign to back off for a minute.

"Hey, Jamie," she utters quietly as she runs a comforting hand through his hair. "Let's get those memories back."

Tooth takes one of the boy's hands in her own and touches one of his fingers to the top of the container. The lid sparkles as it fades away, piece by piece.

Jamie's eyes glaze over as the memories flood him. He remembers Sophie, his mother, the Guardians, and most importantly, Jack. He remembers their time spent playing together, the ten lonely years without him, and their brief time together before he was...before he was...

"I was shot," he mumbles, eyes wide. "Nathan shot me and I...I died, but how?" Looking over, he sees Jack standing off to the side. With a whimper, he launches himself at his big brother, not caring that it sends another sharp pain throughout him. He collapses onto his knees, dragging Jack down with him as he clings desperately to him. Tears stream down his face as he mumbles the other boy's name over and over like a mantra for fear that if he stops, it'll all turn out be a dream and Jack will disappear.

Jack wastes no time in returning Jamie's hug, wrapping him tight in his arms. "You have no idea how much I missed this," Jack mumbles into Jamie's hair, tears of his own pricking the back of his eyes. "I'm sorry I left you alone again."

A sob escapes Jamie as his grip tightens. Shaking his head, he says, "My fault. I left you this time".

"Jamie, look at me," Jack says softly, holding Jamie's head gently between his hands. "Open your eyes and look at me.

"It's not your fault. You were doing what you felt was right, and I couldn't help you. But all that matters to me now is that you're back. And now you're one of us!"

Jamie's pupils finally settle at their normal size, though his other features remain. He gives Jack a small smile, though it loses some of its effect due to the large fangs marring his mouth, making it look more like a grimace. "It's strange to think about," he says in an attempt at humor, his old nature beginning to appear. "I always wanted to grow up to be just like you. I didn't know it'd be taken so literally."

Jack's shoulders shake, half laughing, half sobbing. "I never wanted you to become like us, but if that's what it takes to keep you around, I certainly won't dislike it. Besides - you aren't just like me. You're a little older, at least in appearance, kiddo."

Jack ruffles Jamie's messy hair, and whispers in his ear, "I missed you, little brother."

Jamie's tail thumps on the ground as he gives Jack another hug, answering, "I missed you too".

Bunny watches the pair, a bad feeling about the whole situation still lingering, but with nothing to go on at the moment, he pushes it aside for now. "Welcome back, kid."

Pulling away to look at the others, Jamie takes in the sight of each of his childhood role models, tears welling in his eyes again. "I'm home."

Jack reluctantly lets Jamie go so the other Guardians can welcome him back as well. He can't help but pout a little when Jamie's taken from him by North.

"My boy! You're back!" North exclaims, lifting Jamie up into one of his famous bear hugs. When he releases the boy again, he's simply fascinated with Jamie's new ears and tail, and isn't shy about examining them. He very gently tugs them this way and that, trying not to cause the boy any pain, though.

Jamie can't help but chuckle as he humors North, moving his tail around and twitching his ears upon the large man's request to show that, yes, they are attached, and yes, they do function as any normal ears would. He then shows him the empty spaces on each side of his head where human ears should be that are now simply covered over by hair.

He winces slightly as pain shoots through his stomach, but he does his best to cover it up, instead turning to thank Bunny as the Pooka hands over his bow and quiver.

Jack watches Jamie as Sandy hugs him, gesturing and chiming to the boy. "You okay, Jamie?" Jack asks softly, noticing Jamie's wince.

"I'm okay," Jamie assures, giving the Winter Spirit a weak smile. Before he can say any more, though, he lets out a yelp as he clamps his hands over his mouth. The lines in his neck glow brighter as more gold breaks through black.

Jack's glad to see that Sandy's Dreamsand is overpowering Pitch's, but he also realizes the process is causing Jamie a great deal of pain.

"You need to rest, kiddo," Jack says softly, placing a hand on Jamie's shoulder. He steers Jamie to the room they had shared all those years ago, and pulls back the covers on the bed for Jamie.

Jamie doesn't protest as he's led into the familiar room. He glances over to the trash can in the corner, remembering his first-and last-ever hangover with a sort of fondness only time can bring.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, he pulls his hand from his mouth to see that his claws have receded back to their normal length. He runs his tongue tentatively over his teeth, and is relieved to feel that they have gone back to their regular length as well.

"You going to be alright on your own?" Jack asks, lingering by the door. He watches his friend, fidgeting with his staff as he hopes he'll ask him to stay. Jack simply doesn't want to leave Jamie's side for quite a while.

Jamie looks over at his friend and can't help but laugh at the way he can't stand still. His smile is much better now, actually looking like he's happy than in unbearable pain. While still abnormally large for such a human mouth, his canine teeth seem to fit perfectly within.

"You don't have to go if you don't want to," he offers, able to read Jack like a book.

Jack's smile is wide and happy that he wasn't sent away. "It's been so long, Jamie. When you're feeling better, you'll have to tell me all about what you do. You told me a little, but I'd like to hear more," Jack says, sitting on the side of the bed.

Jamie places his bow and quiver next to the bed before scooting back to lean against the wall, leaving plenty of room for Jack to sit next to him. His tail hits the mattress beside him, keeping beat to a song only the Beast Spirit can hear.

Jack moves to sit beside his old friend, though careful to leave enough space so he doesn't make the boy cold, memories of getting Jamie ill suddenly coming to mind.

"You don't have to sit so far away," Jamie chuckles, pulling his tail into his lap to make more room. "The cold doesn't bother me anymore. Besides, I slept next to you last night, didn't I? You even..." His eyes widen as he recalls Jack helping him take a bath, and he buries his face in his hands with a muttered, "Kill me now".

Jack turns red but can't help but laugh at Jamie's embarrassment. "The things I do for my little brother," Jack sighs, giving Jamie a solemn look while trying not to laugh. He moves closer and slings an arm over the boy's shoulders. It's the first time Jack's wanted to touch someone, and actually was able to without making them cold or sick.

Jamie turns his head atop his knees to look at Jack. Despite his bright red face, he gives the older boy an appreciative smile as he leans into his embrace. "Thanks for looking out for me, Jack. I had to have been a pain like that".

"No more than any other time," Jack laughs. "And at that point all I was concerned about was that you were back - you being annoying was the furthest thing from my mind."

Jack presses his lips to Jamie's forehead as he holds the boy close, in much the same way Jamie had done for him when Jack had found the boy for the first time when he'd disobeyed Pitch and spoken to Jamie.

Jamie settles comfortably against Jack's side, not bothered by the fact that he's larger than the other boy. His ears lay back contentedly, occasionally twitching as the Guardian's breath hits them.

It doesn't take long before the taxing day finally catches up to him. His eyes slide shut as his breath evens out and he curls instinctively toward the comforting coolness radiating off of the Winter Spirit.

Jack realizes Jamie's fallen asleep when his breathing becomes deeper and more even. Despite the fact Jack's the smaller of the two, Jamie seems to fit comfortably in his arms. He smiles when Jamie curls around him, and lays his cheek on the boy's head and sits in comfortable silence as Jamie sleeps.


Jamie laughs as he runs through Burgess' town square with the other kids. The ground is covered in knee deep, pure white snow, perfect for a school free snow day.

A snowball barely misses his face, and he turns to see Jack Frost standing on top of the statue nearby. He beams up at the older boy, throwing one of his own before taking off to hide behind a tree. Jack's laughter echoes from his spot, and the ten-year-old can't help but laugh along with him.

As he jumps out, snowball in hand, he's surprised to see dark tendrils rising out of the statue's base. The Winter Spirit is completely unaware of the impending danger as he uses his staff to pelt the kids with snow as they run by. Jamie opens his mouth to warn him, but is terrified when no sound comes out. Again and again he tries, the result always the same.

The dark sand rises higher, wrapping around Jack's waist and pulling him down. It won't be long until it reaches his head and he'll be gone forever...

Dropping the snow in his hand, Jamie sprints toward him, but the faster he runs, the farther away Jack gets. He stretches out a hand, much bigger now than it was before, trying desperately to reach his best friend and pull him back to safety.

Three loud bangs sound in Jamie's ears, temporarily deafening him. Pain blossoms in his chest and he can feel himself falling. Looking up, he can see Jack's hand feebly reaching out to him before he's completely consumed.

"No!" the young man screams, finally finding his voice.

As the world begins to fade out of focus, a cold, malicious voice whispers, "It's quite sad, don't you think? No matter how many times you promise to be there for each other, the two of you seem to be destined to be torn apart".

Jamie wakes up with a gasp, gripping Jack tightly as he pants, pained whimpers escaping him.

"Jamie?" Jack asks, unable to keep the concern from his voice. He'd just been about to try to wake the boy after he screamed, when he woke up on his own, whimpering.

That's when Jack notices Jamie's pupils have returned to the feral slit shape they'd been Just a few hours ago. He winces at the claws digging into his flesh through his clothes, and realizes they must have sharpened again. Jack tightens his hold on the frightened boy.

Jamie clenches his eyes shut as the shadows invade his peripheral again. He buries his face in Jack's shoulder, trying to hide as paranoia takes hold.

Looking at Jamie's neck, he can see the markings that had previously begun to turn golden, have turned back to black.

"Jamie, are you alright?" Jack asks, though he already knows the answer.

The Beast Spirit whimpers pathetically at the distorted voice in his ear. He knows it's Jack speaking to him, but it sounds so unlike his brother that he can't help but cower in fear from it.

Jack's hurt when Jamie shrinks away from him. "What's wrong?" He tries to disguise the hurt in his voice, not realizing the boy barely recognizes him.

"Jack," Jamie cries out, wanting desperately for the Guardian to swoop in and save him like he used to.

"Jamie, I'm right here," Jack says, pulling his brother close. He wraps his arms around the boy tight, hoping to chase his fears away.

Jamie presses into to the comforting coldness, tail tucked between his legs and an animalistic whine sounding in his throat. He wishes the sound would stop as he slowly loses his grasp on It's just Jack; he won't let anything happen to you. It's Jack, it's Jack, please let it just be Jack.

"Jamie, talk to me," Jack says softly, trying to calm Jamie.

Bunny rushes into the room after hearing Jamie's yell, surprised to see the state the boy's in. "What's goin' on? He awright?"

Jamie screams as the new, deeper voice enters; he can't help it. He's outright trembling by this point as he swears he feels something slithering up his spine to wrap around his throat.

Jack glances at Bunny, his eyes wide and worried, before turning back to Jamie.

"It's alright, kiddo. No one's going to hurt you," Jack mumbles to Jamie before looking back to Bunny. "I don't know. He had a bad dream or something, but he woke up freaking out, and that black stuff is back. It seems even worse this time."

Jack tries to ignore the boy's screaming and struggling, but with every passing moment it gets harder for him to bare.

"Pitch." Bunny mutters the word like a curse. "Try ta keep 'him calm until I get back," he orders.

Turning, he bounds back the way he came at top speed, not stopping until he reaches the others in the Globe Room. "Sandy, it's back."

Sandy looks at Bunny, his eyes wide before taking off to the room the boy's are sharing.

Jamie gasps as the thing-he still has no idea what it is; he's too scared to open his eyes to see-slips around his throat, squeezing tightly. He begins to choke as his airways are constricted, releasing his hold on Jack to claw at whatever's got a hold of him.

"Jamie, stop! You're hurting yourself!" Jack shouts, panicking as he tries to stop the boy from clawing at his own neck. His long claws leave dark, bloody gashes in his neck as Jack tries to catch his hands to stop him. "Jamie, please. You're hurting yourself."

Sandy darts over to Jamie's side when he hears Jack shouting, sounding scared. He chimes to the Winter Spirit, but he doesn't even seem to notice the little golden man.

Sandy watches as Jack tries to stop Jamie, who's slowly shredding his own throat, black tendrils snaking up and down his neck.

The black cloud returns around Jamie, leaving dark sand on the boy and the bed underneath him. His chest heaves as he tries desperately to suck in air, but he can't seem to get any through his squished windpipe. He doesn't even notice the pain in his neck as he tries to pull the thing off of him, blood running down his hands and chest.

Jack finally gets a hold of Jamie's hands and pulls them away from his bloodied throat.

Sandy chimes in alarm, looking around for Pitch. When he doesn't see him, he tries to use his own Dreamsand to negate Pitch's corrupted sand by sending his own cloud of golden sand to cover the two boys.

Jamie's terrified as his hands are captured, but his movements are slow and weak from lack of oxygen.

After a minute or two, though, the pressure around his neck releases a bit, allowing a tiny bit of air into his starved lungs. He gasps harshly in an effort to breathe in the precious, life-giving substance, throat raw, both inside and out.

Jack watches Jamie's face as he begins to calm down a little. "Are you okay...?" He asks hesitantly, hoping he wont set Jamie off again.

Sandy sighs as the sand settles, and waves at the boys to try to get their attention.

Not trusting his voice, Jamie nods as his features return to normal. He winces as the pain sets in his shredded neck, moving his eyes instead of turning his head to look over at Sandy.

Jack follows Jamie's gaze to the little golden man, who isn't too pleased about being ignored. "Sorry, Sandy," Jack says. "Do you know what's causing Jamie to have these fits?"

Sandy nods, but stares at Jamie. He hops up onto the bed and pries the boy's mouth open. When he doesn't find what he's looking for, he frowns before releasing his mouth. Jumping from the bed, he turns to Jack. He motions to his throat before pointing at Jamie, telling him to make sure Jamie gets help.

"Wha-what's wrong with me?" Jamie rasps out, voice incredibly hoarse.

"I don't know, Jamie... But right now we need to get you cleaned up," Jack says, noticing there's even blood on his own hands. Without a word, Jack leaves to get a first aid kit and some rags and a bowl of warm water.

When he returns, he sets the bowl down beside the bed and uses the damp rag to try to clean up the wound on Jamie's neck.

Jamie bites his lip at the pain from the wounds being cleaned, keeping his gaze firmly on Jack the entire time.

Seeing that the situation is finally under control, Bunny moves from his position outside the door, where he had been keeping the remaining Guardians from rushing into the small room. "How's 'e doin'?" He winces as he sees the nasty gashes, but doesn't comment on them for the moment.

"Better," Jack mumbles, concentrating on Jamie. He uses some antiseptic to finish cleaning the wound before carefully wrapping a bandage around Jamie's neck.

With that finished, Jamie leans forward to wrap his arms around his knees, burying his head in them. "Why is this happening?" he croaks miserably, voice muffled. "I was just trying to do my job..."

"Pitch is trying to get back at me for defying him," Jack says softly. "If I hadn't brought you into this all those years ago, he wouldn't even know you exist." Jack can't even look at Jamie after seeing how miserable the boy has become. "This is all my fault..."

"Hey, now," Bunny pipes up from his place against the wall. "No use blamin' yourself for something you can't control. Besides, Pitch had his eye on Jamie from the very beginning."

"I hate to say it, but Bunny's right." Tooth ignores the Pooka's indignant questioning of that and continues. "Jamie was the reason he lost the first time around. He was the only child who still believed; the only one he couldn't turn against us. If anything, I'd say he hates Jamie even more than he does Jack. No offense, Jamie."

Said boy looks up at the pair and though he still looks horrible, a small smile plays on his lips. "They're right, Jack," Jamie starts, turning to look at the Winter Spirit. "I don't know about him hating me that much, but I do know that it's not your fault. You're not responsible for what Pitch does; I don't blame you for any of it."

Jack looks at Jamie, sad his friend is the brunt of Pitch's anger, but glad he doesn't hate Jack. He gives Jamie a sad, lopsided grin.

Jamie chuckles at his friend's crooked smile, but is cut off by a painful cough. It's brief, but leaves him clutching his neck with shaking hands.

Turning to the Sandman, Bunny crosses his arms over his chest. "I don't think whateveh you gave 'im worked, Sandy".

Sandy frowns at Bunny for stating the obvious, but his gaze returns to the boys as he tries to make sense of whatever's happening to Jamie.

Jamie thanks Tooth as she hands him a glass of water. The cool liquid is like heaven running down his abused throat. He looks over at the little golden man expectantly as he hands the cup back to the fairy.

Sandy gives Jamie a sympathetic look and shrugs, unable to help the boy at the moment.

Jamie's ears droop at that news, knowing exactly what Sandy's saying after ten years spent playing charades with him.

"He looks...okay for the moment," Tooth starts. "I guess we'll just have to keep an eye on him for a while until we can figure something out."

Jack's hand tightens on Jamie's shoulder where it rests, though not enough to hurt. "I want to stay with him," Jack says softly. "Or he can come stay with me. Either way, I'm staying with him."

Hands wrapped around his quiver belt, Jamie answers, "I wanna go back to Burgess..." He looks over at Jack, eyes pleading. "I need to see mom and Sophie again."

Jack nods. "I'll make sure to take you to them, Jamie, but we'll have to visit Sophie first. Your mom was having a hard time getting over your death, and the last thing we want is to upset her," Jack tells him.

"Okay," Jamie agrees. It hurts knowing that he caused his mother so much pain and heartache, but he knows there's nothing to do about what's been done.

"You got any Dreamsand like you gave 'im earlier, Sandy?" Bunny asks. "We don't know if or when this stuff'll act up again." He looks at Jamie apologetically, not liking being so blunt about the boy's situation, but knowing it has to be said.

Sandy nods and quickly begins to form a dozen of the little Dreamsand spheres. When he's done, he gives half to Jamie, and half to Jack in case Jamie is not able to take them himself.

Jamie thanks him as he stores the sand in a pouch on the side of his belt. Then, scooting forward off the bed, he stands and reattaches his quiver and slings the bow over his shoulder.

Jack follows Jamie, placing the sand in his front pocket as he pulls out a snow globe. "It's late back home, so we can sleep and talk to Sophie in the morning, seeing as it's the weekend," Jack says, looking at Jamie as he holds the globe.

The thought of sleep terrifies Jamie and, though he tries to hide it, his expressive ears lay back, betraying his feelings. He nods at Jack, reluctantly agreeing to wait until morning to see his sister.

"I know it's tough right now, Jamie, but we'll get this taken care of as soon as we can," Jack says, tugging playfully at Jamie's tail when he notices the boy's ears.

Jamie can't help but smile at his friend's attempt to cheer him up, flicking his tail out of the boy's grasp and playfully smacking him in the face with it.

Jack makes a face as the fluff hits him in the face. He can't keep himself from laughing as he tries to keep a straight face.

"Ready?" Jack asks, holding up the snow globe which now has a mini version of Burgess inside.

"Yup," Jamie answers, stepping up beside him.

"I'll send Baby Tooth to stay with you," Tooth informs, worried for the younger spirits. "If anything happens, have her let us know, alright?"

Jack nods as he breaks the snow globe, waiting for Baby Tooth and Jamie to pass through first before following.

Jamie smiles fondly as the tiny fairy perches on top of his head, fitting perfectly between his pointed ears. He waits patiently for Jack to emerge from the portal, glad to be back in Burgess, back home.


A/N: Ghost here! Sorry this is out later than usual; this week has been crazy busy (and my memory is terrible -cough-) but better late than never. I really don't have much to say about this chapter other than the plot continues to thicken.

Anyway, as always, reviews are loved!