Five Year Intermission

Part Two

Jack and Tooth flew from the North Pole, heading south-east. Tooth led the way while Baby Tooth took residence in Jack's hood as they flew. Of all the Guardians, Tooth was one of Jack's favorites. That wasn't saying much; Tooth was everyone's favorite.

North was fierce and impulsive, sometimes making quick and rash decisions. He had a good heart though, and his intentions were always clear. Jack had always been fascinated by North's sword wielding abilities; Jack had tried more than a few times to get his hands on North's swords and try them out but the Yetis always managed to stop him. Even as a Guardian, North still didn't let him touch the swords. They were off limits, but that didn't stop the skilled trouble-maker from trying.

Sandman was quiet, sometimes a little too quiet. It had taken Jack a while before he could figure out what Sandy tried to tell him, it had been frustrating. Now, Jack got most of what Sandy projected above his head, as long as he did it slow enough. The Guardian of Dreams had a clever sense of humor.

Bunnymund was tough, calm and collected. The boomerang wielding, bomb throwing, egg painting warrior rabbit was not one to mess with. Jack and him butted heads a lot. Even before the Guardians, they were at each other with a little "friendly" competition. Still, Jack had to give Bunny props, when it came down to it, he knew how to fight and fight with a passion.

Tooth on the other hand, she was sweet, charismatic and loving. Of all the Guardians, Jack felt he could trust her the most. She had a certain motherly disposition that Jack had missed, being on his own and all. In battle she was bold and aware, looking out for her fellow Guardians. Jack liked that about her, he lacked that certain quality that Tooth had. As a pair, they worked well together.

The colorful fairy slowed down to match Jack's pace, pointing, "We're here," she said cheerfully, grinning with her row of perfect teeth.

Tooth's home reminded Jack of some sort of oasis. Tall, gold, elaborate spirals came up from the ground where the fairy kept her teeth. In the center, was a webbed dome where Tooth oversaw everything. The teeth that came in were placed in small capsules, each child with his or her own. Jack had seen his back when the Guardians were battling Pitch Black. There was a sort of millpond near the center of the gold spirals where there was a large mural painted above it. It depicted Tooth doing what she did best, collecting children's teeth. Jack studied the mural while Tooth rummaged through some things.

"Here Jack, I think this will help," Tooth said, flittering over to him, something small clutched to her chest.

Jack looked at Tooth then what was in her out stretched hand.

Suddenly, it occurred to him why Tooth had brought him there, "Tooth! You're brilliant!" he cried taking the tooth from her out stretched hand. Not just any tooth though, Pippa's tooth.

Of course! Jack thought, teeth held memories.

That's why Tooth's job was so important. She collected teeth from the children, replacing coins under their pillows, and stored them in her tooth sanctuary. When the children grew up needed their memories most, Tooth would give back the teeth to help them remember.

Tooth smiled, "It's Pippa's. She lost is when she was eleven. It contains a memory of you Jack," she said.

Jack nodded, slipping the tooth into his pocket, "What do I do with it?"

"Just get the tooth to her. Once it comes in contact to her, she'll have her memories of you back and the tooth will disappear," Tooth said looking at the tooth longingly, "There is one thing you have to remember Jack, do not let any other human touch the tooth or Pippa's memories will become theirs. Understand? It's very important that Pippa is the only one to touch the tooth."

Jack nodded, "I understand," he said, looking up at the fairy, "Thank you Tooth," he said sincerely.

Tooth nodded and smiled, "You're welcome, Jack. Good luck!"

Jack waved to Tooth and Baby Tooth before taking off, staff and tooth in hand.

Jack leaned up against the tree trunk, looking at Pippa. He'd been trailing her around the past few days, fingering her baby tooth as he went. He had been debating how to give it to her. Now, she sat on a bench, talking to that boy from her class; Jude. Her hair was piled up on her head and she had a steaming cup of hot chocolate in her hands. A green scarf was wrapped around her neck and she had on a long black winter coat. Jack glanced down at the tooth again.

This will put everything back to normal, Jack thought as he looked at it.

He turned to look at Pippa again. Jude had stood up and waved goodbye, walking down the hill towards the town. Jack took this opportunity while Pippa lingered on the bench a little longer. He scooped up a handful of snow and shaped it into a snowball, tucking the tooth into the center. He blew on it just for luck. He wasn't sure how Pippa would react but he was hoping that she wouldn't be to mad. With a deep breath, Jack threw the snowball. It flew through the air, smacking Pippa square in the face. She gasped and jumped up, whipping the snow from her eyes and looking around for the culprit of the snowball.

Jack saw a small cloud of white haze around her eyes before it disappeared. It must have been the tooth. Pippa blinked a couple of times and looked over, locking eyes with Jack Frost as he walked towards her.

"Hey Pipsqueak," he said with a lopsided smile.

"Jack Frost?" Pippa whispered, aghast. Pippa bit her bottom lip and glanced around, like for a moment she wasn't sure what she was seeing; like someone was just playing a cruel prank on her. She looked back at Jack, eyes wide.

Jack nodded, "It's me Pip-" he started but was cut off when Pippa's fist came through the air and nailed him in the nose.

"Ah!" Jack cried out, grabbing his nose. He could feel the blood rushing from it. He looked at Pippa, surprised, "What was that for?" he snapped.

"That was for vanishing for five years you dolt!" Pippa cried, glaring at him, "Five years and you didn't visit once Jack! How could you abandon me like that? I need you, and you weren't there for me!"

"Pip, I-" Jack tried to explain but then she came at Jack again.

Pippa flung her arms around Jack's neck and buried her face into his chest. Jack stiffened at first, expecting her to throw another punch. He looked down and relaxed, wrapping his arms around her. Pippa held Jack tight, feeling as though if she let him go, he would slip through her fingers once more.

Finally Pippa pulled away and stepped back. Her face was streaked with tear trails, "And that," she said, whipping her cheeks, "that was for coming back to me."

The two stared quietly at each other for a long time. Pippa looked Jack over; he was exactly as she remembered. He was still about a head taller than her, white hair and familiar bright blue eyes. He clutched the staff with one hand and with the sleeve of the other arm, he was trying to stop the bleeding from his nose. He wore the same brown slacks he had every other time Pippa had seen him and his feet were still bare.

"Where were you Jack?" Pippa asked dolefully.

"Why did you stop believing?"

Pippa looked at him, "I asked you first."

"Have a few minutes?" Jack asked and she nodded.

Jack indicated to the bench and they walked over and sat down. Jack's nose had stopped bleeding, but it was tender and probably bruised. He started on his story; about the Guardians and how the Man in the Moon had chosen him. He talked about his center that he had finally come to understand and his past that he remembered. He talked about the other children seeing him and their battle with Pitch Black.

Pippa shook her head, glancing down at her hot chocolate that was now back in her hand, as she soaked it all in, "I can't believe it. The Guardians and you and Pitch Black. You had a sister Jack! It all seems to surreal."

"Yeah. It took some time getting use to everything, that's for sure," Jack replied.

Pippa looked Jack over, her grey eyes studying his face carefully.

"What?" Jack asked.

Pippa shook her head, "You just seem...older. More mature. You've changed, but for the better," Pippa tried to explain but wasn't doing a very good job. Jack just smiled down at her, he knew what she meant.

"Now my question. When you were eleven I made you promise that no matter what you wouldn't forget me, remember?" Jack asked.

Pippa nodded, "Can you blame me?" she asked, "You kissed me that one winter night then disappeared and I never saw you again. You left when I needed you the most; my best friend abandoned me. I felt silly Jack. Like a silly little girl that had fallen in love with a winter spirit."

Jack looked down. Fallen in love? Now Jack really felt like a dolt. He had treated that kiss from five years ago so lightly, but to fourteen year old Pippa, it had meant much more.

"I'm sorry Pipsqueak. I'm sorry I left and that Pitch Black got to you. I wish I could have been there to stop him," Jack said, his fists clenching in anger at the mention of the evil spirits name.

Pippa looked at Jack, smiling softly when he said her nickname. She had missed that name very much.

"I dreamt of him Jack," Pippa said gently, continuing when he looked at her, "I had nightmares that seemed so real. I didn't get much sleep. It's why I lost faith in you. The nightmares were terrible and I felt all alone; the one person I could confide in was gone."

Jack bent down and scooped up some snow, packing it before pressing it gently to his nose, "Go on," he said.

"I dreamt one night that you were at my window, trying to get in. He was under my bed and I was sitting there on top of it, to scared to move. You finally came in and dove right for the bed. I could hear the most terrible things coming from beneath it and then silence. I finally mustered up enough courage to bend over the edge of the mattress but you were gone. Only he was there in your place, grinning at me with those gold eyes," Pippa said and a shiver ran up her spine, a shiver that had nothing to so with the cold radiating off Jack.

"I'm sorry Pippa," Jack said again. It seemed all he could do was apologize.

Pippa shook her head, "Don't be Jack. We both had things to face. The important thing is that you're back," Pippa said and looked at him, "You are back, right? You won't leave me again?"

Jack shook his head, "Don't worry Pipsqueak," he said, "I don't plan on leaving any time soon."

He smiled reassuringly at her. Pippa smiled and looked down at her hot chocolate, taking a sip. She pursed her lips a pulled his away, shaking her head, "Still hot."

"Here," Jack said and Pippa handed him the hot chocolate. A few seconds of holding it in his hands and he gave it back. Pippa tried it, only to find that is had frozen solid. She took the lid off the cup and started giggling, showing it to Jack. He looked at and began laughing with her. It wasn't a particularly funny situation, but they laughed despite themselves. They laughed because there would be no more tears and no more loneliness. They laughed because they had found each other, they laughed the pain and the hurt away, replacing it with the love that they had before. They laughed because the five year intermission of their lives was over and now they could have fun again; just like before.

Authors Note: I really hope you guys enjoyed this chapter because I struggled with it big time. There are a few things I love about this chapter and a few things that need some serious revision but over all, I think it turned out pretty good. A quick thank you from the bottom of my heart to these dear readers: JayceeJade, DreamWalker18, Miss Bioshock, TheBabyKangaroo, An Echo In Time, Surrender Moors, angelbunny927, Applejax XD, Jack Frost lovah, Guest, Paper Lilly Webs, KittyCat809, Robin-Is-Totally-Whelming

Thank you so much for your continued support! I typed up a quick one-shot for Rise of the Guardians last night called Pyromania. It came at me at three in the morning while I was (very quietly) playing my ukulele. Seriously? Dose anyone else have the problem of inspiration hitting them at the most random times? If you guys want to check it out, I'd love to hear some feedback on how it compares with the writing from this fanfic :) Thank you again!