Jack's POV

"I saw nothing."

My heart suddenly feels heavy in my chest. Does she not trust me? I thought we would tell each other anything, if not everything.

"Jess, I can't help you if you don't help me," I say, watching the breeze gently shift her hair.

"It's fine. It really wasn't anything, I promise." she says blankly. I think insanity just ran into her head.

"Wasn't anything? You were screaming like someone was being stabbed right in front of you.. You need to tell me, Jess."

"You don't need to know anything, Jack! You just want to. There's a difference. Why are you so in my business right now?" She picks up a leaf and crumples it in her hand. Shocked by her words, I sit up straighter, trying to find sentences of my own.

"I'm not 'in your business', I'm just trying to figure out what's wrong! Why are you being so defensive right now?" I snap, anger rising inside of me. She has no reason to be upset at me. I'm only trying to help her.

"Stop worrying about me! Geez, you act like I'm your child or something! I can handle my fucking self. What if it's just best that I didn't tell you?" And with that, she gets up off the ground, heading back towards the bikes.

Finally enraged, I push myself up and follow her. "What's your problem, Jessica? One moment you're hugging me and the next you're cursing me out? What has gotten into you?"

She stops walking and I watch her back moving slightly with her breaths. She swivels her body waist up to face me. Any trace of warmth and welcome I saw the first day I met her was gone from her eyes. They are now cold, hard, and empty.

Except, something is still there. Something mellow that is only reachable if you dig deep down. Fear.

"Nothing is wrong with me. Just because I'm not acting the way you want me to doesn't mean that 'poof', I'm a new person!" she spits out, glaring at me.

"Jess, stop. This isn't like you. I know it isn't," I take a step towards her and she bites the inside of her cheek.

She turns all the way around to face me with one of her hands hanging on her hips. "I'm perfectly fine. Am I not allowed to be angry, father?"

I take a deep breath and look away, observing the trees in the distance. She's not mad at you. She saw something that scared her and now she's just upset. She's not mad at you..

Jess's POV

I feel my own heart sink as I spit out these harsh words. Never before have I spoken to anyone like this, and now as I do, I'm glad I haven't. Sadness and regret overwhelm me, but I push it away, sending it to bother someone else in the world. The urge to run up to him and feel his arms around me again is also cast away to someone else who can actually do it.

"I'm sorry Jack. I'm doing this for you. I don't know why, but this is for you."

Painfully, I watch as he looks away into the forest, his eyes portraying the many thoughts running through his head. Many seconds pass, and I consider continuing to walk back to the bikes, when he turns back around. He opens his mouth and I prepare another vicious sentence to fly at him, when he stops. His eyes harden and narrow as he stares beyond me. Puzzled, I begin to swing my head around to see what's behind me when Jack holds out a hand, stopping me.

"Jessica, don't turn around, don't feel scared. Come towards me, slowly," he says in an even, monotone voice. I open my mouth to argue, but quickly shut it, feeling uncertain. Suddenly, behind me, I hear heavy breathing. Almost like..

With shaky legs, I begin to walk towards him. He still stares behind me but holds out his hand. Without hesitation, as soon as I get close to him, I grasp it. He gives it a faint squeeze, encouraging me to keep walking. I walk a few steps behind him and he finally releases his hand from mine. I take that as a signal to stop moving.

"Jess, I need you to walk straight to the bikes, okay? Go home and I'll meet you there in a few minutes."

"What? Why do I need to-"

"Oh, how sweet and protective of the fierce Guardian," a low voice chuckles out. And it is definitely not Jack.

Jack's POV

I keep my eyes steady as Pitch appears behind his dark horse, laughing out his dark greeting. Instinctively, I squeeze my right hand, expecting to feel the steadiness of my staff. But I feel nothing but air. Jess took my staff away from me and threw it on the ground when she was trying to get me on the bike.

"Go, Jess. Don't walk. Run. Just get back to the house, okay?" I mutter behind me so that only Jess can hear.

She hesitates. I watch as Pitch gets closer to us, talking about how cute of a couple we are, mocking the 'great and powerful Jack Frost' for being so sensitive.

"Jess, please. I'll be okay."

"I'm sorry." she whispers before running off, straight to the bikes, where she jumps on hers and pedals away. All while doing with her head down. Good. That guarantees that she doesn't have her little panic attack again.

"She's leaving so soon? What a shame, I think she is such a sweet girl," Pitch says, smiling with his yellowed teeth.

"First off," I begin, taking a step towards him. "we are not a couple. Second of all, I don't have time for you. I never have, never will. I have better things to do than squabble pointlessly. And lastly, leave her out of this. She has nothing to do with anything between you and the Guardians."

"Why are you being so snippety Jack Frost? I've done nothing to her. I have just dropped by to say hello," he replies, brushing the mane of his horse with his pale, slender fingers. I drop my glare onto the demon, reminding it that I'm not afraid. Fear only feeds it.

"Cut it out. I know you gave Jessica her nightmare, I know you just now did something to scare the wits out of her, and I know it was you in the bush the other day. How stupid do you think I am?"

"Pretty stupid," he replies quickly, giving me a wicked grin. "But never mind that for now. You say that this 'Jessica' girl does not relate to our situation. But you and I both know that she's very important. Maybe she's very important to someone."

"You're messing with the wrong person, Pitch," I snap back, pointing my finger at him. "For the last time, leave her alone."

"Oh friend, don't turn your back on my like that. It's only a fair trade. You can come with me or Jessica faces some.. unnecessary consequences, might I say. Think about it; I know you really care for her."

I stop walking away from him, my blood going cold (colder* than it already is..). Did he just threaten Jess? And he only says that because.. I do. I do care about her. She the closest person to me. And even Pitch knows that. I say the only thing I can think of.

"No, Jess means nothing to me," I say with a laugh in my voice, wanting it to come off as if I didn't care for her all along.

"Those are some strong words, Jack. Maybe you might want to rethink your decision." He fakes concern on his pale face, making me boil over with anger.

"Maybe you should get lost, get a life, and get over yourself!" I flash him a cruel look, feeling the annoyance on my face. "You aren't as powerful as you think, Pitch."

And with those final words, I turn back away and walk towards the exit. I hear a faint chuckle and a swoosh behind me. Out of the corner of my eye, I look back and see that Pitch is gone.