By the time the other three Guardians had gathered once more at the Pole North had finally gotten a chance to start bandaging Jack, though he still hadn't dared move him from the floor. Bunnymund had been the first to arrive, panicking for a moment when he saw the bed was empty. Were it not for North's hulking figure on the floor and Pil's presence in the room Bunnymund would not have even thought to check the room further before bolting. When he saw the amount of bandages North had prepared he demanded to know everything that had happened, which North had recited, tears still welling in his eyes at recalling such trauma. Bunny was well aware of how deeply North felt for Jack. Jack, the eternal teen without a mother or father figure in his life. North saw to it that that was no longer the case as best he could. But this, watching Jack go through so much and still being no where near able to help him. It was eating the poor man alive and it was starting to show.

Sandy and Tooth arrived only minutes apart after that so while Bunny gave Jack a more thorough checking over North repeated what he could. As much as it hurt to revisit the memories over and over it was absolutely necessary for everyone to be kept as informed as possible.

"Oh my-" Tooth broke off trying to calm herself down enough to not cry.

"Nothin' seems broken." Bunny stated as he carefully ran his paws over the kids ribs, "Bruised maybe, but not broken. We need ta get 'im back on the bed. Sandy, help me out."

Sandy nodded and, just like the last time, made a bed of sand just under the winter spirit, lifting him slowly.

"What if he falls out again?" Tooth worried aloud.

"We're in a workshop. North, build some rails or somethin'." Bunny instructed, as much for Jack's safety as a distraction for the older Guardian, "And get those yetis to bring more ice in 'ere."

Though he didn't want to leave Jack's side North forced himself out the door. He knew well enough that a mind clouded with worry was not much use to anyone, let alone Jack. Once Jack was settled back on the mattress Bunnymund went about removing the teen's hoodie and undershirt. It chest and torso were a mesh of blues, blacks and purples. The natural chill that his body emitted was even turning them yellow-ish and a few were even turning a dingy sort of red. Without his layers the boy's small frame made the injuries seem that much more alarming. He was thin, at one point it would have been called lean except that the outline of his ribs was so defined. The dark marks blooming over the normally pale skin wasn't helping matters either. It was also a lot easier to see how much trouble the younger Guardian was having breathing like this.

"Alright," Bunny started after having looked him over again sadly for any other injury he might have missed, "I'll need some more bandages. I'm gunna wrap his ribs, just in case. Should help him breath a bit easier at least."

Tooth, hands shaking too much to do anything else, held the wrappings needed as Bunny worked on gingerly wrapping Jack's torso up. Even as the discolored reminders were blocked from view everyone was still more then aware of their presence. Bunny doubted he would ever get that image out of his head again.

It was as that thought passed through the Pooka's head that he felt it. A sickening snap under his paw. The sound echoed through the room and no one moved, including Jack. His chest stopped moving to show his breathing had ceased. In the next moment everything roared to life, Jack's mouth opened as his eyes clenched shut. A pained and twisted howl managed passed his lips as his body shook from the sudden pain. Bunny tied to hold him still by the shoulders as Tooth and a yeti tried to do the same with his arms and legs.

The pain shot though his chest like a knife, pulling him up out of the embrace of unconsciousness. It splintered though him robbing him of breath as he tried to scream out. Tried to plead with whatever it was to stop. Even for a little while, just stop. Stop and let him rest, he was so tired and it hurt. Everything hurt so very, very much. He could feel the tears slipping down his face as he squirmed and struggled against the weights on him that held him down. He tried to get away from the ache in his chest but his actions only served to make it worse. He felt more then heard the next cry that escaped him. The next thing Jack heard was met with both relief and fear.

"Sandy! Knock 'Im Out!"

_V_V_V_

The room was quite with nothing but the sounds of a wheezing breath from the slumbering winter spirit. Bandaged heavily and sedated with Sandy's dream sand. The only other presence in the room was a yeti and the Sandman himself as he checked the young sprite over once more. His lithe form was stiff and trembled on occasion when he inhaled. The large bed upon which he was laying, along with its new side rails, made the teen look even smaller.

Sandy leaned over Jack and brushed a few strands of hair from his face. He watches sadly at the expressionless face of the young Guardian. Because of the pain Sandy had had to put Jack into a sleep that was too deep even for his dreams to reach. A black void of slumber that rested on the line of comatose. It was something Sandy used rarely, if ever, and he hated it. If anything Jack needed some good dreams, and he couldn't even give the boy that.

Jack's hand flexed and grabbed at the bed sheets for a moment before uncurling. This action had been repeated multiple times as he slept. A reflex from always having his staff in hand, even when he was asleep. The action spoke volumes of the youngster's dependance on said item and hinted at his anxiety over not having it. Sandy formed a replica of the staff and the next time Jack reached out for it his hand met with the mostly solid copy. His fingers curled over the golden model, which in turn caused some of the tenseness in his body to fade, if only just a bit. Drifting down to sit on a chair beside the boy's bed Sandy decided to watch over him a bit longer.

_V_V_V_

Bunnymund stood near the fireplace of the meeting room flexing his paw repeatedly. No matter how many times he did it, no matter how many times his tried to press or rub the feeling away he could still feel it. That sudden feeling of something breaking under his touch. Of something in Jack breaking under his touch. He was supposed to be helping the kid, and instead he broke one of his ribs. The images of the winter spirit not breathing leapt into the forefront of the Pooka's mind despite him trying to push them down. He hadn't moved at all, until he had started to scream. Jack's voice had sounded so harsh and broken, it made one wonder if he'd ever be able to laugh the same again after this. If there would be permanent damage.

Bunny slammed his fist into the mantle angrily, effectively gaining the attention of both Tooth and North who had been debating the next course of action.

"We can't just keep waitin' 'til Pitch makes a mistake. We have to do something."

"We are doing all we can-"

"Not good enough, North. We're takin' too much time. Look at 'im. Pitch is- He's killin' him!" Bunnymund all but yelled at the red clad man.

"Bunny, I understand your concern. But there is nothing more we can do other then what we are." North answered, his eyes and tone serious with an edge of hurt.

"And I'm tellin' you that ain't good enough!"

"Bunny-" Tooth spoke up to try and pacify the Pooka.

"It's been almost a week now and nothing has changed! Nothing but some shiny new bruises for the kid."

"Bunny stop-"

"We haven't done much more then knock him out and cover up the damage-"

"Bunny!"

"ENOUGH!"

North's bellowing voice roared over both Bunnymund's and Tooth's as well as the whole of the workshop despite the closed door. Yetis ceased working and the elves stop their scurrying. It was not often they heard their master use this tone, in fact, for many this was the first. It was not a voice for the indoors, and certainly not one to be used when speaking to a friend and ally.

Bunny's ears were pulled back and lay flat on his head, both from the volume and the sudden regret for his hasty words. Tooth's feathers shook a bit from surprise and nervousness. North, despite having been the one who yelled, looked away from his comrades bringing a hand to his temples to help rein in his anger. The room was quiet except for the crackling of the fire. After a few minutes of silence it was Toothiana who finally spoke up.

"It's been a stressful time for all of us and no doubt we're all tired, but we can't afford to be arguing." Although her tone was gentle it was also firm, "Jack needs us right now. We need to stay focused and calm, for Jack."

Another moment of silence settled over the room before North spoke.

"Tooth is right. We cannot afford distractions." He said standing taller and moving down the table to where scattered papers and a large map lay, "I have been using reports to plot areas that could lead to new doorway. It might be best to start checking them instead of just sending more scouts."

Bunnymund moved around the table to stand next to the taller Guardian and looked over the map himself. It had more then a few places marked and they were scattered to various locations around the globe. Though there were still other places to check the urgency of the spiraling situation was pushing them to take the next step early.

"There're too many for us ta hit as a group. If we each take a few we can cover more ground." Bunny stated firmly, already taking note of a few places the were closest to the Warren.

"Split up?" Tooth asked, concern clear in her tone.

"Dangerous yes," North addressed the fairy's unspoken worry, "But necessary. Bunny is right. We cover more ground and are losing less time."

Just as Bunnymund started to lay claim to a few marks the door to the room opened. Three pairs of eyes turned and landed on the face of none other then the Guardian of Dreams. He closed the door and immediately sand mimed an inquiry of the situation as it stood with them.

"We're goin' ta start checking the hot spots for Pitch." Bunny replied curtly looking back the map.

Sandy tilted his head and looked to North and Tooth, miming another question.

'What about tracking the Nightmares?'

"The hunting will be continued by scouts. We will be taking marks ourselves." North stated, to which both Bunny and Tooth nodded in agreement.

'What about Jack?'

This question stopped the three who looked between each other. They were not going to leave him alone. Not now, not with this threat. Not with this pain.

"One of us stays behind with him-" Before the words even finished leaving the Russian's mouth Sandy's tiny golden hand was in the air.

"You are sure?" North asked.

Sandy nodded his head, a grim expression resting on his face as a few signs wisped above his head.

'I am worried about his dreams.'

North nodded his head in understanding. Just as he himself had been concerned with depression dampening the teens sense of wonder Sandy was equally concerned for his dreams. Just the smallest darkening of those dreams could fuel Pitch with more power and, at the worst, even create a Nightmare. Not to mention the rest the winter spirit clearly needed as his waking moments became more and more draining as the Nightmare King's game intensified.

Wasting no time the other three Guardians divided the current Nightmare hot spots. Sandy looked over the map as they did so, taking note of where his companions would be should something occur. Either with them or with Jack.

"Everyone should take emergency snow globe." North stated as he picked up a small chest from a back shelf and carried back over to the table, "They have limited use but can take you anywhere you need."

"I won't be needin' one-"

"Bunny. You take it." North stated firmly, clearly not a suggestion, "Is not option."

The Pooka met large mans gaze for a moment before extending a hand and accepting the small sphere. They were smaller and looked more fragile then the one the big man used himself and were clearly prototypes. North handed one to Sandy as well. Even if he was staying behind this time he would need one the next time he was out in the field. Tooth, who had been the first one prepared to leave, returned now after checking in on Jack briefly. As they were on their way out Bunny hung back a moment, his shoulders sagged a bit as he took a deep breath. Sandy floated up beside him and pat his shoulder gently. Giving his longtime friend a glance Bunnymund inhaled deeply and stood tall once more before exiting the room as well.