The second day, the families rented surf boards. This excited Jack more then he could ever say. He ran into the water without thinking, Jamie at his tail. Jack never actually used a surfboard before. He usually rode the waves on his feet, freezing them in the process. But Jack forgot in his excitement that he needed to balance. It wasn't as easy as it used to be. Jack fell into the water, almost drowning in the waves more times then he could count. Mike had to teach him how to stand and ride.

The waves were nothing like the ones in Hawaii. Actually, waves in Virginia were really weak. They were small and rarely ever any swells, just ones that broke before they could form anything solid. Jack, Jamie, Mike, and Kyle would sit on their boards and wait for the perfect opportunity.

Still, even with the rather tame waters, Jack found it hard to balance. He cursed his newfound weight and lack of ability to be easily carried by the wind. If he could stand on the waters like he used to, this would be simple. But nope. Humanity cursed him to sink.

When Jack got to the shore, breathless and frustrated he couldn't really surf (not with these waters, anyway) Sophie watched him curiously. When he questioned what the look was for she asked him, "You're not scared of drowning?"

It wasn't a dumb question. In fact, it was a pretty good one, considering how he became Jack Frost in the first place. He drowned in the very pond they would go ice skating on every winter. The one seen from their back yard.

No. Jack wasn't afraid of water or drowning. He really actually enjoyed the feeling of adrenaline. Something he really hadn't felt in a while. The fear that he might not resurface. It send his heart pounding and his muscles felt stronger and he could do anything. Though, after having to be pulled out of the water several times, he was left exhausted.

He wasn't afraid of death. He was afraid he wouldn't have lived the life given him to it's fullest. He had so much more he wanted to do. So much he wanted to experience. And although it had been fun, a month was not enough time to do what he wanted. No, he was terrified of dying too soon.

He didn't want to take this gift for granted.

Sophie was amazed. Jack wasn't scared of anything. She voiced how she wished she was more like him. She was too scared to get on a surfboard. She knew she didn't have any balance and she was scared she would get trapped under a wave while attached to the board. The board might pull her or she might break her leg or something.

"Take risks." Jack suggested.

If she broke her leg, it would be a fun story to tell about.

So, Jack was able to do what Jamie and Mike had been trying to do for years: get Sophie out on a surfboard. She hadn't been afraid of boogie-boarding or wake-boarding. But surfing terrified her.

Mike and Jamie helped Sophie and Laura ride. They were both just as bad as Jack. Actually, Jack was sure he was worse. He was still getting used to the whole walking thing, how could he possibly expect to stand up on a surfboard?

The third day was spent on the boardwalk. Jack tried to walk barefoot. He really did. He hated shoes. But the wood was actually quite hot and burned his feet. Concrete was cooler than the boardwalk wood. And the stores wouldn't allow him inside without at least flip-flops.

So, he was forced to concede and wear the pair of flip-flops Jamie gave him. He complained to Sophie a lot. He was sure he was starting to annoy her, even if she didn't admit it. Amy was curious about his dislike of shoes. She did notice how he never wore them, aside from the time they went out to eat.

Jack wished he could explain it. But he liked being barefoot. He liked to feel the texture under his feet. He felt free without shoes. That much he explained to her. But three hundred years without shoes? Ugh. No. There was no way he'd be able to wear them comfortably.

As they walked and explored the boardwalk, Jack thumbed the money in his pocket. It was weird, having any sort of currency and actually being able to use it. Jamie, Sophie, and Susan pooled together some money Jack could use to get some souvenirs.

Throughout all of the shops they went to, there wasn't anything he wanted. Nothing he could see himself keeping through the future. Yes, there were corny trinkets with "VA Beach" printed on them and "Virginia is for lovers" or some other dumb saying. It was all so superficial, nothing that would really help him remember this moment in time.

So, he bought the kids ice cream. Well, he bought them only the best treat you could ever have on the beach. Polish Ice Water. Jack loved Polish Ice Water. It was better than Italian Ice and not as sugary-sweet as a snow cone. He was glad this establishment had spread this far.

Then… they passed a photobooth. Yes, yes! This was perfect! Jack grabbed Jamie and Sophie and pulled them inside the booth. Jack fed money into it three times. The first was just pictures with Jamie and Sophie. Then Laura and Susan were added. Lastly, Jack insisted they all tried to squeeze in. They somehow made it with Amy on Mike's lap, Jamie and Sophie on Susan's, Jack standing behind Laura and the children standing in front of them. They somehow managed to get everyone in the shot.

Everyone fell out of the photobooth, relieved but laughing. Jack could not stop grinning as he looked at the pictures. This was all he needed. Even if nothing else lasted, these and his memories would.

Jamie promised Mike and Amy he'd make copies of the film strips and email them. He was sure they'd love to have them and they nodded, grateful for the offer. How many times were two families pulled into a cramped photobooth and still managed to get everyone in the picture? Even if not every picture was flattering, they all had a lot of fun.

As they were walking back to the beach house, Jack walked with Sophie and the children. Gil was on his back and Nina on his arm. Kyle was clinging to Sophie. Jack watched Jamie and Laura as they smiled and laughed with each other. Jamie linked his fingers with hers and kissed her forehead before joining in the conversation Mike brought his attention to.

The hands, though… He reached and took Sophie's hand into his own, mimicking Jamie and Laura. She squeezed his hand as they fingers intertwined and their gaze met. She beamed and he smirked. Then Gil's grip tightened as he pointed to the beach. That sand sculpture! Look how cool!

Sophie made a noise, saying she could totally do better. But she couldn't. She couldn't sculpt sand and Jack just lovedhow that bothered her. He poked fun at how she could work with any medium but sand. He wondered if she could use rice. Or grain. Oh! How could would it be if she could try and make something with pink sand? Oops. She couldn't even try. Because she couldn't use it.

The result was a hard bite at the back of his hand. He yelped out in pain, but didn't release her.

Why did she keep biting him?!

That night for dinner, the men were going to have a guys night. Mike begged to swap Gil and Kyle for Susan who only laughed and left with the women for a girls night. Mike took them to a sports bar, which, really, none of them were interested in. But over the years, Mike discovered they had the best wings ever and since he was paying they were eating there.

Once they sat down, Jack slipped off his flip flops and crossed his legs on the chair. Finally. He could get away without shoes. Gil sat beside him and copied him, wiggling in his seat.

Jack was looking over the menu. He wasn't sure what to get. He hadn't eaten half of these foods but he was sure he'd like anything given to him. He folded his menu and told Jamie to order him whatever.

Jack was tired. He wasn't used to getting tired after exerting himself. It wasn't fair! There was so much he still wanted to do, but his stomach ached with hunger and his muscles were heavy with exhaustion.

Kyle tugged on Jack's arm and pointed to a television that was playing a commercial. It was something about the Caribbean.

"We're going there next month!" Kyle told him excitedly.

Jack squinted and strained to hear where exactly it was. Atlantis Resort? Oh. Jack had been there a few times. He grinned.

"You're going to really like it!" Jack told him as the server brought their drinks. "They have this wicked cool water slide and the waves there are killer! And the water is clear!"

"You've been there?" Kyle asked, wanted to know more.

"Oh, yeah! It's really amazing! Not as cool as Hawaii, but man, it really is something." Jack went on to explain what else was there and what he could throw a tantrum to see. He picked up his iced tea to take a sip and nearly choked.

"Whoah, gross." Jack blanched. "Jamie, you said the iced tea here was good."

Jamie's expression was neutral. He gave Mike a sideways glance before shrugging. "It's brewed here. Fresh iced tea. It's gonna taste different then the stuff at home, you know."

"Here, taste it." Jack held out his glass.

Jamie took a tentative sip. "It tastes fine, Jack. Sometimes it takes a few sips to get used to. Just keep drinking it, I promise you'll like it."

Jack frowned and grabbed a sugar packet from the condiment holder. Toothiana was gonna kill him for this, but this iced tea seriously needed some sweetening. It almost burned going down, it was so bitter. He didn't want to ruin his teeth, which he really never paid any notice to until Toothiana pointed out how nice they were. Now, he was actually quite proud of them.

But one sugary drink wouldn't do much, right? He'd brush his teeth when he got home and it would be good.

The sugar made it taste better. It was still strange going down. But he paid it no mind and continued talking to Kyle and Gil about what they should do when they went to the resort. He probably wouldn't have touched the drink again if he wasn't so thirsty. And he probably wouldn't have had a second if Jamie hadn't ordered him something salty to eat.

The food was good. Really good. And he really liked the style of the place, even if he wasn't that big into sports. He liked the atmosphere and camaraderie that went with sportsmanship. He knew about sports, he knew how to play them, and he liked to play them. But watching them wasn't that much fun.

Why couldn't he stop talking? And how come by his third drink he was feeling dizzy? He stopped adding sugar as the bitterness slowly seemed to not seem so bitter. Why were Jamie and Mike laughing at him?

There had to be something in the tea. But Jamie sipped his own iced tea and seemed just fine. He also shared a pitcher of beer with Mike.

"I've never asked you why you drink, Jamie." Jack asked, pointing to the pitcher. "I mean, you get weird and silly and sometimes throw up. But I don't understand why it's so much fun when you feel like crap the next day? 'Jack, kill me! My head hurts! I'm sick! I should call off. But I'm just hung over. Jack, go steal me fast food. Oh man, my whole body hurts. Jack, why is my hair frozen? What did you do? I'm gonna kill you, Jack.' Which, by the way, I froze your hair because you kept saying you were hot and insisted I did so."

MIke and Jamie were laughing boisterously. Jack didn't find it funny. It was a legitimate question!

"How'd you freeze his hair, Jack?" Gil asked.

"Magic," Jack nodded. "I'm Jack Frost, remember?"

Gil and Kyle snickered but Jamie never answered him!

"Jamie, seriously. What's so fun about it? You're… You're not in control while you drink. But you always look like you're having a good time." Jack ran a hand down his face. "I guess that's the fun part. Remember when you gave me shots of vodka? Yeah. That burned. But it was sooooo funny when you were freaking out that it didn't do anything to me. Probably 'cause I was different then the others, right? North can get drunk. I've seen him. You've seen him. That Christmas party was fun." Oh. Mike was giving him strange looks. "Crap. I said too much, right?" Jack furrowed his brow. "Wish I could explain. Too much. Plus you're an adult. You wouldn't get it. Whoah, I'm dizzy."

Jack laid his head on the table. Everything was spinning. He said too much. How was he going to explain this to Mike?

Why couldn't Jack get drunk that time? he wondered. Well… the other Guardians weren't created like he was. They sort of grew into the part. They never died. They weren't reborn. They still had part of their humanity, so perhaps because Jack was a spirit, the alcohol didn't effect him then? How would he react to it now?

He didn't want to try. Not with how dizzy he was and how he just wanted to lay down and maybe cuddle with Sophie. No, strike that—definitely cuddle with Sophie.

"Jamie, answer meeeeeee."

Jamie was still snickering. "It's time to go home, Jack."

"Whooooooo!" Jack half-heartedly rose his hands in the air.

"Don't forget your shoes." Jamie reminded him.

"Shoes stink." Jack stuck out his tongue to the man.

"Yeah, shoes stink!" Gil mimicked him.

"See? This guy knows what's up." Jack ruffled Gil's hair. He scooped up the coloring sheets and slipped his flip flops on only because Jamie asked him to. Gil still refused to put on his shoes so he threw the boy over his shoulder and stumbled a bit as he carried him out the door. Mike took the boy's shoes and laughed, helping to steady Jack.

"Jamie, have I ever told you I hate gravity? I hate it. I miss flying." Why was he feeling so much heavier? His muscles felt sluggish. He had trouble working his limbs properly. What the heck?

"Yeah, uh-huh Jack." Jamie humored him. "Flying was fun."

"Damn right it was. Oh. Oops. Sorry, guys." Jack put a finger over his lips and looked from Gil to Kyle. "Don't say bad words, guys."

"You can't fly." Kyle scrunched up his face.

"I like to play pretend." Jack said offhandedly.

"I wanna fly!" Gil spread his arms apart. "Just like Sophie said Jack Frost could do! She met him, you know!"

Kyle rolled his eyes. "Jack Frost isn't real Gil."

Jack felt a stab at his heart and frowned. "He is." Jack nodded. "He's the spirit of winter. He's the guy that gives you all the snow days and starts all those snow fights. If you ever felt really excited or like you're having a lot of fun in the snow, it's probably Jack Frost. He has the power to make fun. The Guardian of Fun!"

"That's right!" Gil pointed to Kyle. "See? Jack knows he's real!"

"Where's your proof?" Kyle crossed his arms.

"I'll tell you what I told Jamie all those years ago…" Jack said, slowing down. Mike and Jamie were careful, watching to make sure he didn't drop Gil. Jack adjusted the boy and secured him on his back. "Do you stop believing in the moon when the sun comes up?" Kyle frowned and shook his head. "And do you stop believing in the sun when the clouds block it out?"

"No…"

"You don't need to see something to know it's there. Like Santa and the Tooth Fairy, right? Have you seen the Easter Bunny or the Sandman? Probably not. But you know they're real. It's not blind faith, right? They give you stuff because you believe in them. Money in exchange for lost baby teeth and memories. Sweet dreams. Gifts and candy. Even if you don't believe in them, they still give you what they think you need. A sense of wonder, hope, dreams, sweet memories, and fun. Everything that makes childhood childhood." Jack frowned.

"… Guess you're right." Kyle mumbled.

Jack put a hand on his head. "Right. Just because you don't believe doesn't mean your brother can't. Not everyone believes in them, you know. Like how nobody believes in Cupid. But he's cool with it. He's so annoying. Always smirking and just complains about how women and sometimes men stop liking who they're supposed to like because they see him and think he's so wonderful. I guess he's a nice guy, but he can be a such a jerk! Make people like who they're not supposed to aaaaaaand I'm rambling. Don't listen to me. I'm just repeating some of Jamie's stories at this point?" Jack looked to Jamie with a raised eyebrow as if asking for confirmation. That was an excuse. Why wasn't he paying attention to his words?

"Jamie, make me stop talking."

"No, no, it's amusing."

"But—"

"You're so weird, Jack!" Gil laughed, pulled back on Jack who stumbled backwards. He stumbled and Mike caught him, laughing.

Jack looked to Mike. "I'm weird, right? Don't mind the weird Canadian. I don't know what's wrong with me."

Mike clapped a hand on his bicep. "Don't worry, kid. We're almost home."

"We are? I that was a short walk." Jack thought the walk there was much longer.

A car pulled into the driveway just as they were walking up. The girls piled out of the car and Sophie twirled with Nina. Sophie. Sophie would make him stop talking. It would be okay if it were just the kids and Jamie and Sophie and Susan and Laura, but in front of Mike or Amy? Nope. Bad idea. Very bad.

Jack ran up and into Sophie and she steadied herself and him, giggling.

"Jack, you're all red in the face." she brushed his hair back.

"Sophie, I keep talking about the Guardians. Make me stop, it's a bad idea. Jamie won't stop me. And I can't walk straight and my tongue feels numb and I can't see but I can at the same time and just help."

Sophie stopped and looked from Jamie to Jack and back. The girl slowly set Nina down and removed Gil from Jack's back as the boy groaned in protest. Her hands were on her hips as Laura joined up with her boyfriend.

"Jamie, what did you do to him?" Sophie sighed.

"What?" Jack realized he was slurring. Was it like this the whole time?

Jamie shrugged. "I was curious." he admitted. "I may have given him a little too much."

"Curious?" Jack repeated.

"A little too much?" Sophie rubbed her brow. "What did you give him?"

"Long Island Iced Tea."

Oh. OH. "HEY!" Jack clenched his fist. "You gave me alcohol?!"

Jamie burst into a fit of laughter. He led the boy inside and they sat at the kitchen bar where Jamie explained. Jamie and Mike had a tradition when Jamie was underage. Jamie would order an iced tea while Mike ordered a Long Island Iced Tea or some similar drinks. Once the server had their back turned, they'd switch. Jamie would get the alcohol and Mike would make sure he was okay.

Growing up, Jamie's mother didn't want him to get overwhelmed by anything. So, she would give him some drinks and let him test the waters so he didn't hurt himself. As long as he was under supervision. Jamie wasn't a bad kid, not by any means. He stayed away from drugs and pretty much stuck to alcohol on holidays or vacation.

Sophie had tried some. She wasn't a fan of the feeling, so she stayed away for the most part. Jack had to agree. He leaned on her shoulder, realizing he was tipsy for the first time that he could remember. Jamie reasoned he probably had some mead or beer in his previous life. So it probably wasn't the first time he felt the effects.

But Jack was curious in his life as Jack Frost. He had tried several drinks, if anything for the flavor. He never had this feeling happen to him before. No matter how much he drank.

"I hate you, Jamie."

"You love me."

"I don't like this." Jack groaned. "Tell the room to stop spinning."

Sophie sighed. "Jamie, what if something happened?" she questioned. "I mean, he's been human for a whole month—"

"And a week and two days." Jack added, not really trying to help or hinder her scolding. Just to remind everyone and himself.

"Right. He's really young and you're already out to destroy his liver."

"He'll be fine, he's eighteen." Jamie waved it off. Laura held up her hands to show she was staying out of this.

"My point is, he's still young." Sophie rolled her eyes, stroking his hair. "He hasn't even grown facial hair yet."

Jamie stopped and stared at his friend. Jack frowned and rubbed his chin. "… Oh. Right. That's weird." Jamie took Jack's chin and inspected it. "I started getting facial hair when I was sixteen. I mean, it wasn't much. But it was still hair."

"Gimme a break." Jack pulled away from Jamie. "I'm three—WHOAH!" He leaned back too far on the stool and crashed onto the floor. Oh man, that hurt. Jamie, Sophie, and Laura helped him up. Laura volunteered to take him to his room since Jamie and Sophie kept bickering. Laura grabbed a bottle of water and ordered Jack to lay down.

As she ran her hand through his hair, looking for a lump or contusion, Jack couldn't help but thing how nice she was. She was smart, too. "I'm glad Jamie met you." Jack admitted sleepily. Oh man, this week was already taking a toll on him. "You're so cool. You just accept everything for what it is. Even though you stopped believing years ago, you brought that belief back. Because Jamie said it was real."

Laura smiled gently at Jack. "That's what it means to trust someone, Jack."

"Right! And you guys are in love, right?" Jack asked. "Or… a kind of love. Whatever love is. God, the whole thing is annoying. No, not you! Love. 'Love.' LLL…OOO…VVVE. It's even weird to say. Anyway! Back to you and how awesome you are."

Jack yammered on. God, someone shut him up! But Laura was so cool! Sure, she sucked at ice skating. But she was awesome at skiing and helping Sophie build snow sculptures and she was also wicked good at wake boarding!

When Jamie and Sophie came in, Jack greeted them joyously. He ordered Jamie never to leave this amazing girl who was rolling her eyes at him and why was she rolling her eyes at him stop that.

Jamie was so looking so happy, though. He was grinning like an idiot and he hugged his girlfriend and kissed her cheek and hummed merrily. "I'll never let this one go."

"Good." Jack sighed, content with Jamie's answer and covered his eyes. "Don't make me drink ever again, Jamie. I don't like this."

"I'm not going to promise that."

"I'm a Guardian of Childhood. It's morally wrong for me to drink. And you keep doing it." Jack groaned.

"Still not promising." Jamie snickered. "Now go to sleep."

"Then go away, jerk." Jack sighed.

When Jamie and Laura left, he grabbed Sophie's hand and pulled her onto the single bed with him. She yelped in surprise but didn't protest. He just wanted to cuddle. He really liked to snuggle with this girl. And only this girl. He only ever wanted to cuddle her and no one else.

"I'm not drunk, right?" Jack asked.

"Do you feel sick?"

"No."

"Can you remember everything from the time you started drinking?"

"Yes."

"Then you're fine. Sometimes when you drink, everything blurs together. But I think you're okay." Sophie assured him.

"Did you drink tonight?" Jack asked.

"No," Sophie giggled. "If it'll make you feel better, I can get a glass of wine, though."

"No, no." Jack hugged her tighter. "No more alcohol. Just Sophie."

Sophie asked how his night went. It was a lot of fun! Despite being really confused the whole time. He just kept talking though and wondered what Mike thought of him. Hopefully, just a weird kid with a wild imagination.

He asked about hers. They went to this Medieval Times place and had to eat with their hands as they watched jousting and it was really fun! Jack was jealous! Why didn't the boys do that?! It would have been amazing and Jack wouldn't be so dizzy!

Or warm. He was so warm and Sophie's heat was making him hotter. He didn't care. He liked her smell. He liked the feel of her skin.

"You really do talk a lot when you drink." Sophie snickered.

Crap. Was that out loud?

"Yes."

"… I'm going to sleep. Don't move."

A/N: I'm really sorry. I wanted to write a Tipsy!Jack.

I'mtotallynotsorry