He could hear music.

Softly playing music that echoed around him and held on tightly. He wanted to open his eyes and look, but he found his lids too heavy. In which case, he complied. He kept his eyes closed, and simply listened. He didn't know what he was listening for, aside the soft music, but his ears perked up at the ever-so soft calling.

It was the sound of people.

People speaking softly to one another. Their voices never rose above a whisper. From what he could tell, each voice held a saddened tone.

"Everyone, thank you for coming." A clear voice called out above the music. "I honestly wasn't expecting so many people when I heard this was a service over a child who didn't get out much."

There wasn't even a laugh. He shifted how he could. This was a funeral service. He'd only seen one before, and even then, he found it almost unbearable. The utter sad feeling that filled the air was ridiculous. It made him almost want to disappear.

"As for the eulogy, I'm just going to skip that and just talk about her. You all know her life: she lost her parents, then got diagnose with a terminal disease, then fell victim far earlier than was expected."

His hands tensed in realization. He knew who this was for.

"Alice Brooks was a surprisingly bright little ray of sunshine no matter where she went." That was another voice he recognized.

Dr. James Adler?

His eyes fixed ally lightened in weight. He opened them slowly, finding himself sitting amongst the pews of a church he'd seen before.

"Sir...?"

"Just please let me speak. You said you weren't giving a eulogy anyway, Father."

He turned his head to find the doctor dressed in a black on black suit. He was standing in the middle of the pew in front of him, head down.

"I was her doctor for several years, and it pains me to admit to once plotting against her... But even so, after she knew what I had done, she still added me into her will. She was always smiling when she could, whether it be the moment out a chemo treatment, or up for a checkup after falling." The doctor's shoulders shook, and he promptly fell to his knees between the pews.

"..Is... Is there anyone else who would like to speak?"

"I would." Another man stood up, this one sitting beside him. He didn't recognize the face, but instead his voice, "I work on and off all year long, and when I had gotten a job as a mall stand-in-Santa, I wasn't very happy. I didn't want to put up with all the crying kids and pranksters and little-Two-shoes all day. But thanks to a certain seventeen year old, I didn't even make it fourteen minutes before I had to take a break to avoid making the other kids unhappy.

"All because a teenager that was obviously unhealthy came to yell me that all she wanted for Christmas was that her friend to still be happy and safe when she was gone. She told me that day she knew she wasn't even going to make the New Year, her body was done." The man's eyes held tears now, "And when she walked away, she smiled, telling me 'Merry Christmas' and to have a 'Happy' New Year."

"Alice always wanted people to be happy even if she wasn't. She'd always smile so everyone else around her would," That was Eric, who was standing in the entrance way. "She only had one close friend, and he's not able to be here. She's with him now." Eric stepped inside, his hands holding a single picture frame, "And I don't think she'd want us to be sad today. She'd want us to smile because we are alive..."

He finally dropped out of the conversation, not being able to stop the tears anymore. Alice had caused his frozen emotions to burst forward heatedly ever since he'd met her. This whole ordeal only made him remember how many people she'd touched. The whole church was filled with people who had been touched, even if slightly, by her. People who had found themselves all over again thanks to a dying girl who just wanted to smile and have fun. Well, he guessed, some people just needed a little push.

He had to admit he was one of those people.

"Jack...?"

His head jerked up, his body going to turn and look behind him.

"Are you really in the same dream, or are you part of the dream too?"

"No, I'm really here!" He shouted, jumping over the back of his seat, crossing the difference between them quickly.

"Meeting in dreams again, aren't we?" She called, smiling that smile he loved so much.

"Huh?"

"Before I met you in real life, I met you in dreams." Alice took his hand and led them outside, into the sunlight that didn't even feel burning against his skin. It felt like she used to when she still was... It was a nice warmth.

"Well, I'm definitely better in real life." Jack smirked.

"I won't lie, that is true. You are funner in real life." Alice kept her smile.

"I'm guessing the Man in Moon has something to do with this."

"Probably to keep connection between us."

"I never said I was complaining."

Jack allowed his mind to wonder as he watched her spin in circles, the perfect smile on her face. Thanks to the attacks from Life, and all the rapid movement of people and events, Jack realized something.

He hadn't been able to hold Alice since after the fight with Pitch and Katherine. Even then that was cut short by the Guardian Angel who needed to check for injuries.

"...right, Jack?"

"Hm? Sorry."

"Thinking again?"

"Yeah." He looked up to find the younger winter spirit less than a good away from him. Jack went to take a step backwards, only to find the church wall closer than he thought.

"What's wrong?"

"I just..."

"Just?"

"I think I just..."

"Jack... We're not going to have another 'not-answer-Alice' Day." She placed perfectly cool hands on his face, "What's wrong?"

Jack said nothing, only took a step forward and wrapped his arms around Alice. He drew her close, burying his nose in her silver strands, remembering her sweet smell of crisp peppermint. He could feel her heartbeat just like always through his chest. Just holding her within a dream was enough, enough to deal with for what was happening when the two of them woke up.

Alice's knees bent forward, pulling the two of them to the ground, where she moved to lean against his chest. Jack personally wouldn't have minded staying just like that until he was pulled from the dream. His hand idly lifted to place his fingers against her exposed cheek, watching frost roses appear faintly.

Leaning forward, Jack allowed no time to waste before he brought his lips against hers. He reveled in the feeling it gave him, glad that this dream was limited to the two of them. Eric the Grumpy would not be happy. Jack pressed one last lingering kiss against Alice's lips before moving back to hold her once again.

"Oh..." He heard her mumble.

"Hm?"

"I'm going to wake up soon. You should too when I do."

So their time was limited again. He sighed.

"We'll see each other soon, somehow." She smiled again. "So smile too, be happy we're both here with everyone."

"Right."

ยง

That was the last thing of his dream he remembered before jolting upwards, finding himself lying in a bed. It was the bed he and the younger winter spirit had shared before gaining a new house spontaneously.

"I didn't think you were that overheated."

Jacked turned his head to look at the deathly spirit, who was sitting in the darkest corner. "It was an inferno."

"You passed out going over Russia."

"And?"

"Never mind." Death sighed, "Is Alice well?"

"What?!"

"You were speaking with her during your slumber, correct?"

"How did you know that?"

"Two of a kinds can." Death tapped his forehead, "Remember."

"...she's doing fine. She's about to wake up for the first time, and already knows I won't be other when she wakes up."

"Good."

...are you sleeping, are you sleeping...

o.O

Heya guys, sorry it's up so late. Surprise for the morning, unless you're awake at this hour anyway, then hey, enjoy this then.

Shout outs to:

Cricket the Clarinetist

thecoldforest

SongOfTheSparrow27

For the reviewing of the last chapter. Makes me happy to know you guys like the story.

Thanks for all the supports.

Reviews are nice, but not needed and not expected.

See ya soon.

O.o