"Well, Pitch was right about something. That bloody fool."

Bunnymund shook his head, watching Jack's grip on the small framed girl tighten. Golden sand poured into the room. The golden imp appeared next to the bunny.

"What is Jack thinking? He knows she's gonna die anyways."

Sandy crossed his arms, floating in front of the taller Guardian.

"Oi, I know he's still young."

Sandy kept his arms crossed. A form appeared above his head. Bunnymund stared at it, until he realized the form was Jack. Jack curled up into a ball, shaking.

"I know he's scared! But it's-"

"Stop it!"

The guardians turned to the younger. Sandy lifted his hands, sprinkling a few grains of dream sand at the two sleeping forms. Shapes began forming above their heads. The two elder guardians' eyes grew slightly wider as the once golden sand forms grew black suddenly.

"I told you, didn't I?"

"Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,

Jack Frost nipping at your nose…" The song played over the radio. He'd missed hearing the name of the artist who sang this version.

Boots crunched next to him. The awesome sound of snow compressing beneath feet. Well, he found it pleasing to his ears. Especially when it was the snow he had conjured up.

He turned to look at her. She was smiling, just like he always wanted. To keep that smile on her face. Other than wearing her smile, she adorned her cerulean hoodie, and a matching set of ear muffs, scarf, and gloves. She was still wearing her knee length shorts and socks, but now she had snow white snow boots on. Flakes of white fluff speckling her actually brushed strands.

"Tell me a story. One you've told before."

"I can't… I don't know any." He answered with a smirk.

"Then I'll tell you one…" She paused, "Once upon a time, winter was split. Split between the two years, leaving the dead days alone. Winter at the end, and beginning of the next year that followed. The dead days fall in the dead of winter. Due to air currents, the moon used to have to control the weather. But he didn't want to anymore, because it took up most of his time."

"Interesting story…" Jack interjected.

"She's going to die, Jack."

Alice stopped mid step in front of him. The snow falling around then stopped falling. The world was utterly paused.

"I know."

"She's not immortal. She'll die before you can stop it."

"I know." His voice grew angry.

"I can try!"

"But then again, what's worse than having her die?"

"Stop it!"

"Oh, that's right: having her not believing you anymore."

"She won't."

"But how do you know that?"

"Her pare… her parents!"

"What happens when she finally gives up? Stops believing and just gives up?"

"She won't!"

"How do you know?"

"She…"

"So you don't?" You have doubts/ You don't believe in her to believe in you?"

"…I…"

"So you do? That's a shame. The two of you were literally made for each other."

"What?"

"You think that song was pure coincidence, my dear Jacky boy?"

"I…"

"But I digress. It matters not to me if you know the truth."

"Truth?

"That she won't always be there. That she won't even still be in your arms in the morning when you wake up."

"She'll be in the snowy-"

"Are you sure?"

"She was there yesterday."

"And?"

"I…"

"Why not just see for yourself?"

"She's inside, but-"

"Move, I have a right to see my own niece."

"Ma'am, she's sleeping right now."

"Does that matter?"

"Yes, ma'am, it does."

"I command you to let me in, Jeremy."

"It's Eric, ma'am. But no, I will not."

"Should I have you fired?"

"You can't fire me, ma'am."

"And why is that?!"

"Only Alice, the heir of the fortune, can."

Camille huffed loudly, "Fine!"

"I suggest you come back when she's awake. It makes it easier to visit people that way." Eric turned back to the door, sighing loudly.

"Buggers, we've some company, not that he'd be able to see."

Bunnymund went quiet as the door clicked open, anyway. A man dressed in average clothes entered. The man turned around to face the guardians.

With clear green eyes, the man looked straight into Bunnymund's eyes, and then turned to the fireplace. Reaching for a new plank, the man tossed a handful of paper shreds into the pit. Quickly lighting the match, he watched as the fire quickly spread.

"There we go." The man commented. "Let's check on your fever now."

"Fever?" Bunnymund turned to the golden imp, who merely shrugged in reply.

The man placed a slightly tanned hand on Alice's forehead. "It's still pretty high, but you should cool down before you wake up."

With that, the man left the room, his rubber heels on his boots hitting the hardwood loudly.

"He saw us."

Bunnymund watched the figures that danced across Sand's head.

"You're right, we should tell North."

Alice floated.

She couldn't move.

She couldn't hear anything other than the sound of her breathing. She didn't see anything other than the emptiness of black.

"Do you wonder if the moon ever gets lonely?"

"Can't say I do. I've been keeping busy with watching over all of them."

"But you're all by yourself."

"I have my friends down here."

"Don't you ever want to play?"

"I can't say I've never thought of it. But, I have those who do have fun for me."

"I wouldn't like not being able to have fun. It's sad to stay inside and never get to play and have fun."

"I know. And you needn't worry; you'll be able to have fun."

"Will there be snow? I don't get to see a lot of snow. I waited for Jack Frost to show up."

"I know very well. And yes, there will be snow."

Then nothing.

Blackness.

And nothing.

"Jack's waiting for you now, Alice."

o.O

Whew…

It's a lot of dreaming… but all of this happens in the order it's written, not all at the same time.

Now I'm gonna finish drawing up the final character designing on Alice and Eric. Then I've got to start designing Aunt Camille and Dr. Adler.

This sucks, cold weather makes my knees hurt badly, but I love cold weather. Oh, well.

Thanks for the reviews peoples, and the follows... and the favorites… and actually reading this story. The views are OVER 9000! ... and yes, I was waiting to say that.

O.o