0-0 over 200 reviews! I am so honored by your support for this story. Thank you for the reviews and putting up with my evilness. I am so happy that you are enjoying the story. Please continue to review and tell me what you think. Again, only Reaper and the story are mine.

The room was silent, save for the sobs escaping from Tooth. Pitch looked at her, "How long?" his voice was full of sorrow

Tooth understood his question, "Moon took him a few minutes before you returned Pitch. He was in such pain;" her eyes fell, "Moon didn't think he should have to go through it."

"After 300 hundred years the boy finally finds a family and due to my damnable need for revenge his soul is taken from him! I…" Pitch stopped suddenly, he rose with a thoughtful look. He began to pace the bedside.

Tooth watched him with curious eyes; she was surprised when he turned quickly.

"I just killed Reaper!"

Tooth looked at him confused, "Yes…"

"That means that there is no one to claim souls till a new Taker of Souls emerges!" Pitch's face lit up as an idea came to him.

Tooth had no idea what he was talking about, "Pitch, what does that have to do…"

"Everything! Jack's soul is still in his body. If I can bring it back to the surface then Jack will live again!" he placed his hands on the boy's still chest, "Or I will die, trying."

Tooth cried out as a bright light burst from under his palms. The other Guardians came running into the room just as the light consumed him. Sandy stared in horror as the light cleared to reveal the stone body of his brother.

(Unknown)

Pitch stared at the frozen landscape; the entire area was covered in a blanket of snow. The air was cold but not freezing, a soft winter's breeze seemed to float across the snow. His golden eyes scanned till they rested on something curled atop the snow. He walked quickly over; Pitch was astonished to find that it was Jack. The boy was curled atop the snow asleep, a peaceful smile on his face. Not a trace of injury could be seen; Pitch knelt and gently shook him.

Jack woke with a start; "Pitch?" his bright eyes blinked in confusion, "Where are we?"

"This is what your soul finds the most restful Jack."

"My soul?" the winter spirit was even more confused

"When an immortal created by Moon is in too much pain, he will take pity on them and end their suffering." Pitch spoke softly, "He took pity on you Jack, and this is what your soul created for itself to wait for the Taker to escort it back to the moon."

"But I'm not ready! I was just starting to figure out my life and where I belong!" tears began to form before he remembered Pitch was there, he quickly wiped them away.

Pitch nodded, "I understand child."

"Isn't there anything…" his voice plead

"I can offer you a chance Jack, but only a chance. The choice is yours."

"What is there to think about?" Jack asked excited

"If you chose to return to your body you will emerge as you were when Moon took pity on you."

Jack's eager face dropped, "Oh, so all of that pain…"

"Will return, as well as the injuries." Pitch sighed, "I am sorry I cannot take that from you Jack."

Jack stared at the snow, his mind racing

"I won't pressure you Jack. No one would fault you if you chose to stay. The choice must be yours." Pitch rose to his feet

Jack sat for a second; he then stood and brushed the snow from his pants. He looked Pitch in the eye, "I made a promise to Jamie that I would be there for him. And a Guardian never breaks a promise."

Pitch smiled, "I was hoping that would be your choice. Now hold still, this is going to hurt me just as much as it will hurt you." a white light formed around Pitch's hand, he then placed it over his heart.

Jack watched him fascinated, "What are you doing?"

Pitch smiled, "Halving my soul."

"What!"

A pained smile fell on Pitch's face, "You didn't think passage back to the land of the living was as simple as falling into Rabbits tunnels did you? Your soul is weak and would never find its way back." he pulled his hand away from his chest, a swirling mass of white light danced in his palm.

Before Jack could refuse Pitch placed the light to his chest. Jack's eyes widened as the light entered his body. The next instant he was writhing on the ground, his body aflame with pain. He stared at Pitch with tears in his eyes, "But how will you find your way with half a soul?"

Pitch smiled as pain filled his body as well, "Don't worry child, I have my ways of navigating the dark."

"Pitch…" then the winter spirit vanished

"I'm right behind you child."

(In the North Pole)

Golden eyes opened slowly, shutting quickly as a bright light filled them.

"I think he's waking up," a soft voice was heard from the room.

"It's about bloody time." a gruffer voice followed the first.

The eyes snapped open this time, Pitch tried to sit up only to have a large hand push him back down to the bed.

"Easy there Pitch, its ok." North's voice filled his ears

"Jack, is Jack ok?" Pitch managed to say before a wave of coughing shook his body.'

"Jack is fine Pitch. What did you do?" North asked as the other Guardians leaned forward to hear

Pitch shrugged, "I'm not even sure myself really. I think…" he was interrupted again by ragged coughing, "Damn! Why am I coughing like this!"

Bunny laughed, "Looks like you got a cold mate." he smirked at the bewildered look on Pitch's face, "What did you expect to happen if you rode in the North Pole without a bloody coat on."

Pitch rolled his eyes, "Great, now I have to make the trip to the labyrinth blowing snot everywhere." he started to get up again when North pushed him back down.

"Oh no Pitch, you are going nowhere." North folded his arms

"Ummm….Why?" Pitch wasn't sure he wanted to know the answer. He was surprised when North started to laugh

"Because you are to stay here! That damp cave you call a home is not fit for a Guardian. You will stay here at the workshop."

"I don't think that's…" Pitch started then stopped at the look on North's face

"Plus, Pitch, you are to help watch over Jack. He is in bad shape, Sandy is trying to help him but it does not seem to be working."

Pitch rose again, this time dodging North's hand, he rushed from the room. He made his way back to the infirmary; he walked in to see a shivering winter spirit. His pale skin was covered in bruises. His chest wrapped in bandages, as well as his arms and legs.

A very exasperated Dream Giver glanced at Pitch, his sand images showing that he had tried using the dream sand but that Jack would not sleep.

Pitch sighed and pulled up a chair, Jack opened his eyes at the sound

"Pitch! You're ok!" the boy's voice trembled with pain

"Yeah, I told you I'd be right behind you." Pitch coughed slightly

"Are you sick?"

"Yeah, caught a cold hanging around you too long." Pitch said smirking

Jack smiled slightly, "It's a special gift from me to you."

Pitch's smile turned serious, "Jack, Sandman tells me that you aren't sleeping."

"I don't want the nightmares to come." his voice was quiet, as if speaking would bring them.

Pitch smiled kindly, "Remember who you are talking to Jack. I am the King of Nightmares, now go to sleep and don't worry about the nightmares Jack."

Jack's eyes drooped slightly, "Promise you won't leave?"

Pitch nodded, "Promise child."

Jack closed his eyes; he began to drift away in the bliss of sleep. He could faintly hear Pitch's voice as he sang.

"Do not cry little winter wind. You will be free again. Your fears I will chase, far from this place. Never again will the nightmares roam, for I will chase them far from home."

The voice began to fade as the winter spirit succumbed to slumber.

Yeah! I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter. I have something planned for next chapter…I hope you like…maybe you will….I hope you will…Oh dear Moon I pray they will! ;) Review and let me know what you think and again thank you for all of the reviews so far. I am honored. Your reviews make want to stay up all night to write so I can update for you. :)