Author's note: Hello everyone. I'm sorry for the late update. I was delayed, but hopefully it is worth the wait. I decided to make some time skips in the upcoming chapters, since the story will be very slow if I have to describe all episodes in detail. If there's one particular episode or event from season 1 you'd like to see Jack appearing in, let me know and I'll try to honor those requests.

Chapter 10 – Search in the forest

(30 minutes earlier)

With the nearing evening it became harder for Jack to notice the vines in front of him, so he held his grip tight in order to prevent a slide down the ivy that covered the west wall of the Mayor's house. He had come so far, he refused to back out now. Only a few more struggling feet higher and he could reach the window-frame that gave entrance to Henry's room. Quickly he situated himself in a relatively comfortable and safe position, by sitting on the edge of the window-frame that was barely big enough. The winter spirit paused a second to catch his breath. Seriously, he was just not made for this kind of exercise. And to think he could have levitated himself if it wasn't for that annoying curse. All magic comes with a prize. His prize would be to conserve energy.

Jack fiddled with the opening of the window, but when it didn't bunch, he decided to screw all actions of caution and simply bang on the glass with his knuckles. The result was louder than he expected, but it was sufficient as seconds later the silhouette of Henry came into view. Proving that windows were supposed to be opened from the inside, rather than the outside, Henry lifted the frame and made room for Jack to stumble into the bedroom.

"Jack? What are you doing here?"

The winter spirit grinned broadly.

"You and me," he stated while poking his younger friend in the chest. "We're going to save Charming's royal butt."

Jack was in a good mood. A very good mood. Despite his harsh remark towards Rumpelstiltskin the other night, things finally turned out for the better. He had waited for twenty-eight years , but now the waiting was over. Emma's arrival in town had been the first big step in breaking the curse. Charming's awakening was an amazing follow-up. Not only was this a confirmation that the curse was weakening, it also meant that the Enchanted Forest's most renowned couple was back together (or at least would be, very soon). And leave it to them to kick butt, with their so called true-love-madness.

Of course there happened to be some minor issues to attend to, but nothing too big that couldn't be handled. Just a princely coma-patient wandering around in the forest dressed in nothing more than a hospital gown. Yeah… not the appearance anyone would expect dear Charming to be dressed in. Back at the hospital, the teen had overheard the Sheriff discussing a plan of action with Emma and Mary Margaret. Sneaking up on the trio right away seemed a bit too bold, even for Jack, but the winter spirit's mischievous nature could not let this event pass without meddling in some way. So, being the not-so-obedient teenager he was, Jack sought refuge at the mayor's house. Or more precisely, he paid a visit to his ever willing partner-in-crime. Now the two of them were roaming through the woods, looking for either John Doe (aka Prince Charming) or his rescue group (consisting of the Sheriff, Emma and Mary Margaret).

Jack focused his attention to the trees on his left side. Was it his imagination or did he really hear voices? He set a few steps in said direction, narrowing his eyes, hoping to see a glimpse of the moving silhouettes that should be accompanying the hushed speech. He turned his head towards Henry, locking eyes with the younger one. Henry nodded as if he understood what Jack had in mind, but the teen nevertheless waved his hand as a sign for the other to follow him. Sneaking between the branches, the two of them made their way forward.

"There, I see them," Henry pointed his finger to locate the position of their prey to Jack. The winter spirit, however, had already seen the three moving figures. They were walking a bit in front of them, down the hill. Watching them, Jack debated with himself whether or not to make their presences known to the grown-ups. Judging from experience, they certainly wouldn't appreciate the boys for adventuring at this hour of the day. Let alone the fact that Henry was specifically told nót to leave his room under any circumstances. Well, that was what Regina ordered at any rate. But Jack foresaw that the Sheriff and his lady-companions held more or less the same opinions.

"Let's go!"

The sudden burst of Henry's voice caught Jack off guard, and before the blonde could grab the kid by his shirt (and restrain him if possible), Henry ran down the small hill. The bright yellow flashlight flickered rapidly as the boy approached the trio. If Jack had any hope they wouldn't see Henry, it was crushed immediately when the heads of Mary Margaret and Emma (who were walking a tad behind the Sheriff) snapped in the boy's direction.

"Henry!" exclaimed the elementary teacher shocked, but she was quickly interrupted by Henry.

"Did you find him yet?"

Seeing as there was no reason to hide anymore – Henry took care of that with upmost fashion – Jack tread forward and also slide down the muddy hill.

"They obviously haven't, Henry," he stated with an eye-roll. "Why else would they still be here?"

Emma watched him with a piercing look. "Jack's right. And you shouldn't be here. Both of you."

"We can help," Henry quickly responded. "We know where he's going."

This made miss Blanchards frown her eyebrows. "And where's that?"

"The troll – uh Toll Bridge," Jack answered, correcting himself midsentence. No need to confuse everyone with using different terminology, although the term 'Troll Bridge' was in essence more accurately.

Henry nodded furiously to support the statement and turned his attention to miss Blanchard in particular. "He's looking for you."

A few seconds none of them spoke, then miss Blanchard shook her head determined. "We don't have time for this, boys. There's a man out there who needs our help. Now is not the time for wild theories."

"But you're the last one he saw," Henry tried again and raised his voice in an attempt to get the grown-ups to listen to his words. "He wants to find you."

"Henry," the school teacher sighed. "It's not about me. It just- I think he's lost and confused. He's been in a coma a long time."

"But he LOVES you!" Henry exclaimed desperately. "You need to stop chasing him and let him find you."

This time it was Emma who stepped in to stop the boy's rush of words. "Kid, you need to go home," she said with such a strictness in her voice it made Jack narrow his eyes. "Where's your mom? She's gonna kill me… and then you… and then me again."

"Why would you care?" Jack intercepted slightly mad. "It's not like we're doing anything wrong. We only want to help."

Emma watched him intently. "It's not safe and that goes for both of you. We need to get you back immediately."

"No!" yelled Henry at the same time as Jack commented harshly: "You could at least listen to us!"

Before the two women could reply, however, the inquisitive voice of the Sheriff sounded through the dark, and the tension that followed made the four of them ran a bit farther, till they spotted the familiar figure of the Sheriff, knelt down by a shrub with blood-marked leaves. Stuck in the leaves hung a blue name plate, reading none other than John Doe.

"Is that…" started Mary Margaret, but Emma finished her sentences with the one word that crossed everyone's mind: blood.

A.