Irma and Jack entered a light yellow, forty-year-old two-story home.

"Wow! This is a neat looking house," Jack said, gazing around while being led to the living room loveseat. When he sat down, he placed his staff against the couch's armrest while Irma went over to the living room closet and took out a small white blanket. As she handed it to him, he asked, "You're eighteen, aren't you?"

"I know there isn't much décor to really call it much of a home yet, but thank you," Irma answered, "And yes, I am," Then she added, "I so badly wanted to come back here and see you again, I saved up my allowance to buy something that was of my taste, but affordable."

Jack was taken aback, "You saved up just to see me?"

Irma looked away, embarrassed. "Ever since that night, you saved me from almost falling into that icy pond and taking me ice skating on those other days, you became my best friend."

Jack smiled and laid his hand on top of hers. "Where did you go? I tried looking for you."

Irma looks back at Jack. "My dad's job relocated us. We ended up moving to where it doesn't snow. Well, unless you were up North of the state, anyway."

"What state," Jack pressed on?

"Arizona," she answered. "We had to move right after that winter. I wanted to tell you so bad, but I wasn't able to leave a note or a letter."

"I should have looked harder for you. You were my only real friend at the time, and I failed you." He looked down at the floor, his eyes saddened. "I guess I only thought that you were somewhere it can get cold. I should have also looked where it only gets hot," Jack said apologetically. "I was so stupid to give up on finding you so easily."

"Would you have been alright being out of your element," Irma asked curiously?

"The heat doesn't bother me because my body temperature never changes." He paused, looking down at his less than pale hands. "Well, until these past few weeks."

"I'm back now, Jack. And I promise I'm not going anywhere this time. Best Friends honor." Irma wound her left pinky around his right one to lock that promise in place. "I pinky swear," she smiled. "I'll be by your side even if you become human."

He smiled back, "I never thought that my first best friend, for all this time, kept her belief in me."

"I had to, Jack. I know it's a bit strange, but you are important to me."

Jack embraced her with a hug. "Thank you."

Irma wasn't expecting him to hug her and jumped slightly but not noticeably. He wasn't as cold as she expected him to be, mainly because he was becoming mortal and his freezing temperature was diminishing. She returned the hug and said, "you're welcome."

They let go of each other, and as they parted Irma asked, "How are you feeling?"

"I actually feel better," Jack answered, readjusting the blanket around his legs and feet. "Which is strange because I know I'm not done transforming into a mortal."

"I saw how much pain you were in," she said. "It's strange how that just suddenly vanished when you're still changing."

"Well, the pain being on the sidelines right now is a relief. But, yeah, I don't understand it either." Jack shrugged, fixing the blanket once more. He was uncomfortable, but at the same time, Jack wanted to keep his feet from being their usual frozen selves.

"If you're feeling tired at all, I have a bed in the extra bedroom," Irma told him.

"Thank you," Jack answered. "I am a little bit exhausted. But it's been a long time since we've seen each other." He grabbed ahold of her hand, his eyes still filled with happiness, "I can stay up all night and catch up on all the things we missed over the years if we're able."

She smiled widely, "I would like that."

The two talked for two hours more, laughing and sharing other emotions with each other's stories. When it was time to show Jack to the extra bedroom upstairs, they strike up more conversations.

Jack sat in the bed, his staff now up against the wall near him, while Irma sat in a rocking chair that she scooted closer.

The conversations ended around 11:30.

As Jack settled to sleep, Irma left for her room.

Irma only got a few feet through the hallway before Jack began to scream.

"Jack!" Irma ran back into the room and to his bed. He stopped as soon as she touched his arm.

Jack was able to take control of his breathing faster but kept his eyes closed as he said, "Please don't leave. This pain never comes around when you're near."

"I'll be right here," she responded, lying down beside him.

Jack opened his eyes to see her, then moved closer to her and began to cry. He couldn't take this anymore.

Irma saw his eyes; his right eye was now brown.

As if reading her thoughts, Jack trembled in his speech as he asked, "more of me has changed, hasn't it?"

Irma only nodded, she felt sorry for him.

It was two o'clock in the morning. Jack and Irma were sound asleep close together.

There were three knocks at the window. Jack awoke to it.

Jack looked over at the window to see who or what it was. His eyes adjusted and focused on a figure that stood on the small balcony. He realized who it was.

He got up, careful not to wake Irma, opened the window, and whispered, "Tooth? What are you doing here so late?"

"Oh my gosh, Jack." Tooth whispered, her hands flying up to her mouth in shock. "You are transforming into a mortal."

"How did you know where to find me," Jack asked in a whisper, confused? The only person who knew where he was, was North, and it was only to this town's pond.

"I went to visit you guys at the North pole, and that's when North told me everything. He gave me a snow globe, and I said your name to find you."

"Oh," Jack looked away. "Sorry, you had to find out about what's happening to me."

Tooth put a hand on his face to get him to look back at her. "There's still time, Jack." She smiled, "North asked me to come and get you. He found something in the Guardian book that will help you."

Jack's face lit up, but he made sure to keep his voice as a whisper as he asked, "He did? What, what did it say?"

"I don't know, he wants you to see it," She put out her hand for him to take. "Let's go, Jack."

Jack looked back at the sleeping form of Irma, backed away from the window, then looked back at Tooth and said, "Tooth, I can't go with you."

Tooth was confused. "Why not? If you stay, you'll become mortal."

Jack shook his head. "If I go, I become mortal fast. Then there is no reason for me to be there because I would no longer be a Guardian anyway."

"I don't understand what you're saying." Tooth looked over at the bed, "why are you here?"

Jack looked back at Irma once more and smiled. "She's my best friend."

"An adult can see you?"

"She kept her belief in me for eleven years." He sat at the foot of the bed. Tooth flew in and stood by the window.

"Why are you sleeping in the same bed if you're only best friends," she asked curiously?

"She keeps my pain and transformation at bay." Jack touched one of Irma's blanket-covered legs.

"What do you plan to do then, Jack? You can't stay here, forever, you have Guardian duties." Then with a worried face asked, "What if your transformation to human kills you, instantly turning you into dust."

Jack thought about that, "I don't want to think about what may happen. I would hope that when I do become human, I will be able to live out my days." He walked back toward Tooth and laid a reassuring hand on her shoulder, "I don't want to give up being the Sprite of Winter or a Guardian, Tooth. Believe me. I've always loved being Jack Frost. But until I see what that book says, I can't leave her side. Have North send the book through a portal."

Tooth was saddened but nodded her head. She embraced him tightly, then flew away.

Jack closed the window and got back into the bed. The movement stirred Irma awake.

"Jack," Irma asked sleepily? She turned her body to see him, "Is everything okay?"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you." He laid his hand on her arm. "Tooth," He began, then realized she wouldn't know who that was, so started over. "The Tooth fairy came by and told me that North found something in the Guardian book." His voice was full of excitement.

Irma smiled widely. "That's great news!"

"I'm curious on what it says," Jack said. "I do hope it's something good."

"It's a Guardian book. Why wouldn't it be something good?" Irma gently brushed his bangs with her fingers.

"I guess I'm just scared about what it could say."

Irma gave him a reassuring smile, "Well, whatever it may say, I'm sure you'll be able to handle it."

Jack smiled back, "You seem to know how to make a guy feel better." His hand slid down to her hip. "You are a great friend."

Irma gave a shy laugh. "I try." She then changed the subject, "Jack? How are you going to see the book?"

"I told her to have North bring it here through a portal."

"I'm sure you probably wanted to go. Sorry, I have to keep you bound."

"Hey, hey," Jack sat up on his elbow. "Don't blame yourself for my predicament." He ran his hand through her hair.

"What if it is my fault?" Irma propped herself onto her elbow as well.

"How can it possibly be your fault?"

She looked away. "There has to be an explanation on why I keep you from hurting, even transforming."

He smiled sincerely, "We'll figure that out together once the book gets here."

Irma nodded slowly, biting her bottom lip.