I hope things aren't escalating too quickly, but I just have so many good ideas. Kind of realized how similar this is the actual movie too. Oh well. Enjoy anyway and don't forget to review!

C

Ch 9.

Nona didn't want to wake up; she couldn't remember the last time she'd felt this cozy. The past few days had really done a number on her, and now that things were finally taking a turn for the better, she was finally able to relax.

Abruptly her pillow moved and she groaned in protest. Snuggling closer she curled her fingers deep into the fur.

'Fur?' Her eyes shot open. 'OhmygoshBunnymund!'

Mortified, she bolted upright startling him awake.

"M-morning..." she stammered trying to collect herself.

Bunny nodded at her with a grunt. Groggily he sat up finally registering her surprised expression. Was she blushing? But she noticed his gaze and turned her head away from him, before he could get a good look.

"Looks like you're finally back to normal." she stated cooly, combing her fingers through her hair.

Bunny staggered to his feet, looking himself over. "Blimey..."

"So how'd you do it?" she asked, pulling her hood up.

He sent her a confused look. "Do what, exactly?"

"Get over your fear..." she droned.

Bunny shifted uneasily as he brushed his ears backs.

"After Pitch's attack last Easter..."he swallowed hard shutting his eyes."... Children couldn't see me... they... didn't believe in me..."

He sat on his haunches trying to keep himself together

"You were afraid of being forgotten..." Nona said, echoing Pitch's words.

"But after what you said, last night... about believin' in yourself ..." He stopped, scoffing at his confession when out of nowhere two arms wrapped around his torso.

"I will always believe in you." Nona whispered resting her head against his chest. He stared down at her in disbelief as the same feeling of safety returned. How was she able to do that to him?

"Am I interrupting something?" Jack crowed. Immediately they separated.

"Kangaroo, are you blushing?" he teased.

"Rack off!"

"S-say, how's North coming along?" Nona stammered trying to break the tension.

"Don't know." Jack said. Reaching into his pocked he pulled out North's magic slow globe. "Wanna find out?"

She gaped back at him "Jack did you steal-"

"I didn't steal, I borrowed..." he replied, casually tossing the globe.

...

Back at the North Pole everything was still in full swing. Nona had gathered some of her Phantoms to help with the preparation because, at this point, North could use all the help he could get. Picking up another bundle of gifts she followed the others; after the previous night she felt obligated to join them. Her phantoms had worked so hard in her absence that she felt it was only fair for her to share in the burden.

North hands abruptly blocked her path. "Nona, tis' fine, really!"

"Nonsense, I have some spare time. Besides, I owe you." She replied weaving around the old man. "After all I am the one responsible for this mess. Not to mention you risked your life and sleigh for me yesterday."

After placing the parcels carefully into the giant sac she stopped to watch Jack fumble through his sweater.

"The globe, it's missing!" the winter spirit hissed as he looked at her with pleading eyes; he needed her help.

'Perfect' she thought making her way back to North.

"W-what are you doing!" he stammered.

She spun around to face him with a wicked smile. "Let this be a lesson to you." She cooed.

Reaching into her cloak Nona pulled out the missing globe; North gazed at it dumbfounded as she tossed it back to him.

Jack frowned "How did you-"

"You're not the only trickster. But unlike some people, I prefer to stay off the naughty list."

"Where's the fun in that?" he smirked.

Nona just rolled her eyes and proceeded to lift the next bundled of parcels.

"You know," she called over to Bunny, "you don't have to stay. After all, Tooth and Sandy have already returned to their duties."

Bunny nodded silently as he joined her side. "You're needed elsewhere, I understand." she said placing his armload of gifts amongst the others. She had finished unloading the last one when North's voice startled them both.

"Ah ha, look!" he boomed.

They followed his gaze to the ceiling; mistletoe.

Jack snickered. "Oh this is gonna be good!"

Nona stared with a puzzled expression. 'Why on earth would North have mistletoe in his workshop?' Then the realization hit her. 'Jack!' She had clearly underestimated his appetite for revenge.

Bunny shook his head "Not on your nelly! There is no way I'm-"

"Come now, it's tradition!" North shouted.

Nona was taken aback; surely they didn't expect them to actually kiss.

Bunny shifted uncomfortably.

"Awww c'mon cottontail!" Jack whined.

Nona was growing tired of Jack's jest but she wasn't about to let him win. Twisting around, she grabbed hold of the strap on Bunny's chest.

The room went silent.

"Coward!" she whispered harshly before smashing their lips together.

Bunny tensed eyes wide, his lips pressed against hers. He wasn't sure how to react, but the kiss wasn't bad; in fact he kind of enjoyed it. Just when he started to relax, Nona pulled back and shooting a dirty look to the crowd.

"Satisfied?" she spat as she pushed him away.

Jack roared with laughter as North gave Bunny a congratulatory slap on the shoulder; but he hardly noticed. He was focused on Nona as she quickly exited the room, her hood pulled further down than usual. Pushing the old man away he stomped the ground, escaping into the tunnel below.

That was enough excitement for one day.