Chapter 9

All Jack saw when he awoke was white. White walls, white ceilings, a white floor and a disinfectant odor hung in the air. It took a moment for Jack's vision to adjust and realize he was currently in a hospital bed. He rolled his head to the side and saw an iv bag was attached to his arm.

Jack licked his dry lips as he tried to recalled what happened. He had fallen asleep in the motel thanks to Bunny's spell, but he remember awaking for a few brief moments hearing Bunny's frantic voice.

It was a blur though. Jack recalled people putting him onto a stretcher, it being wheeled into a room and then a gasmask being fasten around his mouth before he blacked out again.

Jack sighed as he draped his arm over his face. Where was Bunny? Had he just dropped him off and left? Was he able to do it without anyone seeing him?

"Oh, you're awake!" Jack looked up as a short nurse walked in. "How are you feeling, Sweetheart? Do you recall what happened?"

Jack chewed his bottom lip. He had to be careful what he said here. They couldn't find out about Bunny. They would instantly want to call animal control once they were all done screaming in fright. "Sorry, not much. Last thing I remember is throwing up and collapsing in pain."

The nurse nodded. "You had your appendix removed, but I'll let Doctor Bennett will give you full details on that later." She gave a reassuring smile and patted his shoulder. "Don't worry, you're going to be just fine."

Jack forced a smile as he tried not to let his worry show. How on earth was he going to find out where Bunny went?

"You're father will be relieved though," the nurse said as she pressed a hand to her heart. "Poor thing, I was certain he was going to have a heart attack."

Jack forgot about his uneasiness and turned to the nurse. "My father?"

"He's been here all night," the nurse continued as she waved a finger. "Last I saw him, he was getting a cup of tea."

"I…" Jack stammered as he tried to process what she was saying. "What are you talking about? My father is-"

"Jack! Yer awake!"

The nurse stepped aside as a tall, tanned man rushed into the room and almost split his paper cup of tea. He was large with grey peppered hair that was tied back into a ponytail. His jeans were worn, but seem brand new compared to his shirt that smelled of mothballs. Thanks to the short sleeves of the man's shirt, Jack saw tattoo markings on each of the man's arms. Jack had no sweet clue who this man was. One thing was sure, Jack had never seen the man before in his life. He was certain he would remember him if he did.

The man gave a sigh and slumped on the edge of the bed. "Crikey, ya scared the livin' day lights out of me."

The nurse gave a sympathetic pat. "I know the feeling, Mister Bunnymund. Why, I remember when my oldest Sam decided to climb a tree-"

"Who are you?" Jack asked, quickly.

Suddenly, Mister Bunnymund looked to Jack baffled, like he was insane for even asking. Then, his eyes widened and he cleared his throat. "What ya talkin' Kiddo?" He leaned in close and wrapped and an arm around Jack's shoulders. "It's me. Dad!"

"Dad?" Jack said as he felt uncomfortable that a stranger was holding him so close. Last time Jack checked, he had ever only had one dad and he was dead. "I don't have a dad."

The man gave a nervous chuckle. "Sure ya do," he leaned in close. "It's just ya, me and our pet rabbit."

Jack opened his mouth to protest further, but suddenly he stared into Mister Bunnymund's eyes. They were an identical pair of green eyes he had also seen on a certain giant Pooka. "Bunny?" Jack asked.

The man looked nervous as Jack said his name, yet the nurse only laughed. "I wouldn't worry about it, Mister Bunnymund. It's normal for patients to be a little out of it when they wake up from anesthesia." She placed her hand on her hips. "Had a woman last week wake up and claimed her husband was her brother."

She went to slip out of the room. "I'll go fetch the doctor and give you two a little privacy."

The man, which Jack realized was actually Bunny, gave a grateful wave as she left. Both of them waited until the nurse was out of earshot before Bunny turned his gaze back to Jack. There was only one question in the boy's mind.

"How," he said as he pointed to Bunny, "did you do this?"

Bunny sighed as he raised an eyebrow. "I told ya I could shapeshift, ya Gumby!"

"You didn't mention that included turning human," Jack shot back, "and I thought you couldn't with that seal on you."

Bunny frowned as he pulled up a chair to sit. "I couldn't, but when I knew ya needed to get to a hospital I managed ta force my way through it."

Jack gave a grunt as he sat up. "Force your way?"

"I literally forced myself ta shapeshift and I managed ta crack the seal a bit more," he gave a sigh and ran a hand through his hair. "Wasn't easy."

Jack went quiet and gripped the bed sheets. That was what all the swearing and yells were about back in the motel room. "Did it hurt?" he asked as he felt the guilt welled up inside.

Bunny blinked at Jack, but then gave a shrug. "Can't lie, it's not somethin' I care ta repeat, but the pain didn't last long." He ruffled Jack's hair. "It was nothin' compared what ya went through and I'm tough. Don't sweat it." Bunny gave a smirk. "Besides, this works in our favor since be easier ta travel in my human form."

"Does this mean you have your powers back?"

"Not all of them. Still can't access my more powerful spells or my tunnels," Bunny leaned back in the chair. "Although, I can cast small spells and use my astral pocket again, which reminds me." He leaned in close to Jack. "If anyone asks, yer name is Jackson Bunnymund and I told them I was yer father."

"I was going to ask why you were claiming to be my dad," Jack asked.

"Was easier and not ta mention they ask less questions about a frantic parent rather than a stranger bringin' in a kid with no relation."

"Right, that makes sense," Jack replied, and chewed his lip. "Bunny, I'm grateful you saved me and all," he shook his head, "but we're in trouble here." Jack looked around and whispered. "They're going to want IDs, records and documents for insurance and we don't have-"

"We're fine," Bunny said as he squeeze Jack's shoulder to calm him. "Especially now that I can access my astral pocket." He raised his hand and Jack watched amazed as Bunny's hand seemed to erase in midair. A split second later, it to reappeared and he held a pile of papers in his hands.

"Not the first time we Guardians had ta take someone ta a hospital," he flapped the papers. "We have our own 'insurance' set up for this kind of thing. So, no, we won't be kept due to not payin' our bills and we won't go broke."

Jack raised his head to look at the paper. "But IDs-"

"These particular papers are enchanted," Bunny said as he plucked out a couple. "North's invention, he cast a spell so it would instantly show the information I want ta give on the spot." He held one out to Jack. "Example, a document with ya birth certificate."

Bunny held it out to Jack, but all that the boy saw was a blank piece of paper. Suddenly, in less than a second, the paper shimmered. Jack watched as the paper quickly produced his name, he noted it said 'Jackson Bunnymund', and his birthdate.

"Whoa," Jack said with a low whistle. "So, it's like the physic paper from Doctor Who?'

"Doctor what?" Bunny asked as he tucked the papers back into the astral pocket.

"Never mind," Jack said as he slumped back against his pillow. "But, what kind of name is Bunnymund? Isn't that asking for trouble?"

Bunny narrowed his eyes. "Hardly since it's my real name."

"It is?" Jack asked as he scratched his head. "I thought it was Aster."

"I have a last name too. My full name is E. Aster Bunnymund and the story is I'm a single dad who got custody of ya recently, and we were on our way home when ya got sick."

"And what about our pet rabbit?" Jack asked with a grin.

Bunny stared confused until he understood the joke. "Ha, ha, cute."

It was then a woman in a medical coat entered as he was looking at the clipboard. "Hello, Jack, I'm Doctor Bennett."

"She operated on ya last night," Bunny explained as doctor Bennett sent down the clipboard and reached for her stethoscope.

"Oh," Jack muttered. "Um...thanks doc."

"You were quite lucky," she said. "You're appendix was ruptured, but we got to it in time. How long were you feeling pain?"

Jack chewed his bottom lip. "My stomach felt off all day, but I didn't think it was a big deal."

Bunny said as he folded his arms. "And this is why ya should listen ta people when they say you're sick."

Doctor Bennett gave a smile as she slipped the stethoscope over her ears. "What's done is done, but let's have a check up shall we?"

It didn't take long for the doctor to check Jack's heart beat and blood pressure. "Good, good," she replied as she wrote it down. "Now, you will be here for a few days I'm afraid."

"How long is a few?" Jack asked.

"Four days at least, but possibly seven depending on how fast you recover."

"Four?" Jack squeaked. "But Bu-er...my dad and I can't stay for four. We have to get going-"

"It's fine, Kiddo," Bunny said as he waved an arm. "I'll be refusin' ta budge until I'm certain you won't be keelin' over."

"Agreed," Doctor Bennett said as she picked up the clipboard. "With that said, Mister Bunnymund, there is some paperwork I need to discuss with you. Do you have a moment?"

Bunny raised an eyebrow but gave a curt nod. "I' won't be long, Jackie."

Jack gave a shrug. "It's not like I can go anywhere," he muttered as he watched Bunny follow the doctor out of the room. He then gave a sigh as he lay back on the bed.

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Out in the hall, Bunny stuffed his hands into his pockets and stared suspiciously at the Doctor Bennett. "What's up, Doc?" He tilted his head at her. "I can tell by ya frown somethin' is up."

Doctor adjusted her glasses before reading the clipboard. "Truth is, Mister Bunnymund, I'm rather concerned how underweight he is." She narrowed her eyes at him. "He's not in danger, but it's not a normal weight for a boy his age."

Bunny gave a sigh, he knew this was going to come up sooner or later. Thankfully, Bunny had enough time while waiting for Jack to wake up to think of a solid story, and the documents to match with it.

"I know," he started. "Truth is, Doc, I only got full custody of Jack a couple weeks ago." He ran a hand through his hair to make it seem it was difficult to discuss. "See, his ma and I got married briefly when we were real young, but marriage only lasted a year and I went back ta Aussie after the divorce."

He waited to see if Doctor Bennett was going to ask any question, but when she kept her unreadable gaze he deemed it safe to continue. "What I didn't know was during our last night we were 'together' she got pregnant and didn't tell me about it."

Doctor Bennett tapped her clipboard in thought. "This resulted in Jack?"

"Yeah," Bunny replied with a deep sigh. "And I only found out last year when I bumped into an old friend of mine who saw her and came back ta find out myself if it was true."

"And you managed to gain full custody?" Doctor Bennett asked in disbelief.

Bunny gave a scoff. "Wasn't exactly hard. Jack was mostly on his own fendin' for himself. He spent a lot of his time on the streets. My ex-wife barely noticed he was there." He unfolded the paper from his wallet and handed it to Doctor Bennett. "Here's the official court record if ya need proof."

Doctor Bennett then frowned as she read. "She was also charged with child neglect I see," she said with an unexpected growl. "Where is she now?"

"Currently in jail on drug charges, that was the other reason I managed ta get custody so fast," Bunny replied bitterly. "I happened ta arrive the same day she and her boyfriend got arrested."

"I see," Doctor Bennett said in a brisk tone. "So, she's unable to see Jack for the time being?"

Bunny gave a nod and jumped when the doctor replied. "Good, she'll be lucky if Jack wants once to see her at all when she gets out."

"Doc?" Bunny asked.

Doctor Bennett sighed and patted his shoulder. "I have a young daughter and son at home and it just makes my blood boil when I hear of mothers who neglect their own children like that."

Ah, that would explain the protective growls. It was the old mama bear instinct kicking through. "Believe me, never thought I've been so angry when I realized how neglected Jack had been."

She offered a smile. "It's good of you to take him on though when you haven't known him for that long."

Bunny clicked his tongue. "Bit overwhelmin', I barely know what I'm doing." That part wasn't a lie. Right now, he was caring for Jack and he really had no clue on what he was doing. "I had a lot of nieces and nephews growing up, but-"

"Not the same thing," Doctor Bennett said as she patted his shoulder. "But it gets easier, trust me. In the meantime, let me consult Doctor Gobber. He's a nutritionist and can recommend a diet that can get Jack back at a healthy weight."

"I'd appreciate it," Bunny said. He had already been planning on trying to get Jack to eat more. Bunny had always been concerned on how skinny he was. Was high time the kid got some meat on his skinny bones.

"With that said, Jack's lucky you were with him when his appendix ruptured. From what I saw, it's been building up for awhile," Doctor Bennett gave a grim sigh.

Bunny nodded, feeling not the least bit surprised. Getting turned into a rabbit probably speed up the process, he thought. Shape shifting was a rough strain on a human body. He was more amazed it didn't happen the minute Jack had been restored back to normal. Course, Jack's magic may have been holding it back up until yesterday.

"I hate to think what would have happened if he was on his own," Doctor Bennett continued. "It could have been disastrous."

Bunny paled. That's right, what if Jack had still been living on the streets? Even if he had never bumped into Pitch, his appendix would have caved in eventually. Would there had been anyone around to take him to the hospital? Would anyone have cared? Bunny suddenly felt sick as he imagined Jack crying out in pain and on one helping him.

"Are you alright, Mister Bunnymund?" Doctor Bennett asked, concerned.

Bunny cleared his throat. "Yeah, thanks just a lot on my mind."

She gave a nod. "I'll let you get back to your son then, and I'll see you once I've discuss things with Doctor Gobber."

Bunny nodded as he tried not to pondered on more dreaded 'what ifs' and headed back to Jack.

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Jack had finished counting the ceiling tiles for the sixth time when Bunny came back. "What did the doctor want?" Jack asked.

"She wanted ta know why ya so underweight," Bunny as he pulled up a chair.

"Oh," Jack said as he started to be filled with dread. "What did you tell her?"

"Nothin' much," he said with a shrug. "Just that ya mum and I were divorced, she barely took care of ya, and I got full custody two weeks ago." Bunny pointed at him. "And, if anyone asks, ya mum is currently in jail on drug charges."

Jack blinked and pinched himself to be certain he wasn't dreaming. "Drug charges- You came up with that story within five minutes?"

"Course not," Bunny replied sharply. "Came up with it last night. What? I had ta do somethin' while I was worryin' over ya."

Jack sighed as leaned back. Bunny did have a point and there were probably worse stories he could use…Jack couldn't think of any currently, but frankly he didn't want to. He then rolled to his side and looked at Bunny earnestly.

"I am sorry, we're stuck here because of me-"

"Oi, don't ya start," Bunny replied firmly. "Ya can't control over what ya body does." He folded his arms over his chest. "Although, I may have a trick up my sleeve for gettin' us out of here a bit quicker."

Jack looked up curiously. "Is it a spell?"

"Yeah and it's somethin' only I can do," he leaned forward. "Remember how I said my magic's related ta the earth? Well, that includes new life and healing. Course, it's normally for plants, but I know a low level spell I could use ta give yer body a boost."

Jack tilted is head confused. "A healing spell? Then how come you didn't use it on me last night?"

"Can heal cuts and wounds, but even magic can't remove infections. Even if I was at my full strength my magic couldn't do anythin' about yer appendix. It would have to be removed either way."

Jack picked inside his hospital shirt and saw where he was healing. "Guess magic can't solve everything."

"Course it can't," Bunny replied. "That's one of the first things ya got ta learn about magic. It can't solve everythin'. Even if it did, ya should only use it when ya have no other choice."

Jack sighed as he stared at his hands. "I wish I actually had magic to 'not use' first."

"It'll come," Bunny said, "but back ta what I was sayin', the healing spell I have is a low level one. It will just give an extra boost ta ya body and help it recover faster."

"It's not going to hurt is it?" Jack said with a shiver as he recalled how much changing into and from a rabbit had hurt.

"Na, might feel a bit warm, but won't hurt a bit I swear," Bunny said as he ruffled Jack's hair. "But I'll only do it with ya permission."

Jack chewed his bottom lip. He had to admit, he wasn't thrilled of having more magic being thrown into his body, however, he trusted Bunny. He wouldn't offer if he thought he was going to hurt Jack. "Okay," he replied. "What do I do?"

"Just lay down," Bunny said as he pushed Jack gently against the pillows, "and let me do the work."

Jack nodded and held his breath as he heard Bunny muttered some words under his breath. Bunny then said "Heal" aloud and his hands glowed with a green light. He gave a reassuring smile as he placed one hand over Jack's heart and the other on his forehead.

There was a tingle, but Jack barely felt it as it spread over his body. Next, a ripple came with a bit of heat, but it didn't hurt either. It was oddly comforting, like he was laying out in the sun and had been preparing to take a nap.

Jack smiled in bliss as he shut his eyes. He could feel the warmth sinking into his body. It reminded him when he was little, and loved it when his mother had taken a blanket fresh out of the dryer and he would bury himself in it.

The warmth then slowly died, y et Jack barely noticed until he heard Bunny chuckle. "Asleep, Mate?"

Jack blinked and suddenly realized how drowsy he felt now. "No, but I do feel a little sleepy."

"That's normal," Bunny said. "Why don't ya take a nap and give ya body a chance ta soak in the rest of the spell."

Jack chewed his bottom lip. He probably could use a nap, however, he didn't want to awake up and find he was alone in the hospital again. He blushed a little. He felt childish for asking. He was 14 and it wasn't like Bunny was his dad. He'd probably think it be silly for Jack to ask him.

"I'll be here when ya wake up."

Jack jumped and stared at Bunny surprised. The Pooka offered a smile. "I'll go ta the motel to get our stuff, but I'll do that once ya have yer nap."

"You don't have to," Jack said, and tried to give a non-caring shrug. "I'm hardly a kid."

"Yer a kid ta me," Bunny said as he tucked Jack into his blankets, and picked up a magazine to read. "So, get some shut eye."

Jack sighed not in a mood to argue, and went to shut his eyes. However, then a thought struck him. "Wait, E. Aster Bunnymund?"

"Yeah," Bunny said with an eyebrow. "That's my name, I told ya."

"But Aster is your middle name?" Jack asked to confirm.

"It is," Bunny replied. "So?"

"What does the 'E' stand for?"

Bunny went quiet, and swiftly returned his gaze to his magazine. "Nothing ya need ta know."

Jack gave a grin. "Is it Edmund?"

"No."

"Edward?"

"Jack," Bunny warned.

"Eugene!" Jack said as he snapped his fingers. "It's Eugene, right?"

"Jack, if ya don't stop and go to sleep, I'll make ya go ta sleep with Sandy's spell."

Jack shut his mouth, and Bunny seemed relieved to hear the silence as he turned a page.

"Is it Ernest?" Jack asked. "Oh! I bet it's Ernie!"

"Right, that's it! Naptime!" Bunny said as his hand sparkled with green sparks and he placed it on Jack's forehead.

"No fair," Jack said with a pout and felt the spell make his eyelids heavy. However, he gave a smile as he gave in to sleep, and felt Bunny patting his head.