It took a while to get through all of it, and Penelope chipped in during some of the earlier stuff. I went over what happened after she died, the appearance of Lupine and Mortimer's scythe going missing.

During the story Daniel's eyes grew wider and wider, to the point it seemed as though they would pop out of his head. In the background I swear I could see Mortimer listening rather intently

When I was finally done with recent events Daniel jumped up and down in excitement.

"I can't believe it! You've met Santa! And you're a hero!"

"I suppose I am." I said with small smile. Penelope seemed quiet.

"Are you alright?" I asked.

"Yeah, I'm, just, touched that you reacted that way."

"In that I froze two hundred people? It was an accident."

"Still, you cared, and that's more than most people."

"You know, there were quite a few people at the funeral, you left quite an impression."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Jackie! Can I meet the Guardians?" asked Daniel, jumping up and down.

"I don't know if we have time..." I said looking over at Mortimer, who shook his head.

"Unless one of them drops out of the sky right now, it's not happening, I can't hold open the door much longer."

"Sorry Danny, looks like it's not going to happen."

"Oh." His face fell.

"Here, let me show something cool." I moved my arm towards him and extended my blades, watching with a smile as his face lifted.

"Wow."

I held my arm out further for him to get a closer look.

"You know, I haven't seen them that close up before either." Said Penelope, leaning over.

"They're not that amazing, but they are cool I suppose. Pun not intended."

Behind us Mortimer coughed.

"I can't hold it open much longer, other souls are getting restless. I think it would be best to say your goodbyes."

I looked back at the two of them, and suddenly felt like crying again.

"You two, take care."

"You take care. You're the one alive after all." Penelope gave me a half smirk, "and try not to die too soon okay."

"Yes ma'am."

I looked at my brother. "It was great to see you again Danny."

"Great seeing you too, even if you are old."

I chuckled and we all stood up.

"Goodbye..."

The pair of them faded away.

I could feel tears welling up in my eyes, but I tried to blink them away.

"Thank you."

"You are welcome."

Something occurred to me that made my heart lighter.

"He wasn't afraid, he wasn't afraid of me."

I couldn't help but smile at that thought. Taboo stood up and lumbered over, bumping her head against my chest in a comforting manner. In response I scratched behind her ears.

"Well, I suppose I'd better take my leave." Said Mortimer, shuffling his wings in preparation to leave.

I looked up at Mortimer, when something occurred to me.

"Do you have Descendants?" The answer to that was probably in the files, but I hadn't read that far.

Mortimer looked thoughtful.

"Difficult to say. I was an only child and from the Golden Age. It's possible it may have passed on when I arrived, although who can say. What would their powers be anyway?"

"Who knows, basic necromancy?"

Mortimer chuckled. "Perhaps, perhaps. I'll expect I'll next see you on your dying day."

"No offence, but I hope that'll be a while."

"None taken, not many welcome me, and I don't mind that."

He turned, then stopped himself.

"I would prefer it if this was kept between us." He said. "I've heard that HOG likes to keep records of almost everything, but I'd appreciate it if you didn't report exactly what happened here."

"Gotcha, wouldn't want people bugging you, right?"

He gave a small smile. "Exactly. Thank you."

With a blur of black wings and feathers, he was gone.

I stayed in the graveyard for a while, not really wanting to try and sneak through town dressed like this. I must have looked quite a sight, with bile splattered, blood smeared and ice smattered blue armour and ice covering my side to hold in my blood.

I finally let the tears that had been building up for hours fall. It wasn't quiet, it wasn't dignified, but I needed to let it out.

I don't know how long I stood like that, but after a while I heard Taboo walk over and crouch behind a grave. Before I could ask her what she was doing I heard a voice.

"Jackie!"

I turned to the entrance with surprise and relief. I hadn't expected to hear him so soon, and I was scared that I might not see him again.

"Jamie?"

I was tackled into a hug by Jamie, sending me staggering back into a gravestone.

"Take it easy there." I said, trying not to wince from my various injuries.

"Are you alright, are you hurt?" He asked, pulling back.

It took me a few seconds to actually say it.

"...No, I'm not really alright."

"What happened?"

"Well my back isn't too fond me right now, actually neither is my chest." I partially joked.

Jamie looked straight at my in the eyes, seeing that my cheeks had frozen lumps on them, then pulled me back into a gentler hug.

"I know you don't want to say it, so you don't have to."

I felt a burning in my throat as I returned the hug, he was being so understanding that I felt like the biggest jerk.

"What about you though?" I asked, pulled back and looking him up and down. He had changed out of the armour and I could see a bandage poking out of his shirt collar on his shoulder.

"I'm fine. Arms hurt like hell though."

I smiled. "That's why I don't use a sword."

Jamie laughed, and I was suddenly overwhelmed with relief. He was okay, my stupid, brave, brilliant boyfriend was alright.

Jamie let out a surprised gasp as I pulled him into a hug this time, ignoring my various injuries. I felt my eyes pricking and my throat burning all over again.

"I'm glad you're okay." I said into his shoulder as he wrapped his arms around me again, his hair flopping onto my forehead.

"I'm glad you're okay too." Jamie placed a kiss on my forehead, releasing more tears and adding to the frozen mass on my face.

There was a pause, then.

"I think we'll postpone that kiss." Murmured Jamie.

"Sure?" I asked, remembering what I said during the fight.

"Doesn't feel right at the moment."

"Thanks."

I don't know long we stood like that, in the middle of a graveyard, but eventually the repercussions of the fight caught up with me.

"Let's go home." I said, not knowing if I actually wanted him to hear it or not, I just wanted to stand like this a little longer. However, we couldn't stay here.

"Yeah, let's go."

If anyone is curious, Mortimer does indeed have Descendants. As a rule all immortals have Descendants, but there are exceptions, see Nightlight.