Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Wolf or Once Upon a Time.


Chapter 5: Snow and Frost

The Dark Castle, in the Enchanted Forest…

Belle, a young princess who had given herself over to Rumplestiltskin in order to ensure her kingdom's safety, was hard at work dusting the Dark Castle's library. She whistled cheerfully to herself, cleaning off shelf after shelf.

Belle was interrupted by the sound of the library door closing. Surprised, she hopped down from the stool she'd been standing on and walked down the aisle until she could see the library's door.

"Rumple?" she called. "Did you need me for something?"

As she rounded the corner, Belle frowned in confusion. There was no one standing by the door.

"Rumple?" Belle asked again, walking forward and glancing around. Hearing a sound from behind her, she turned, but again, there was no one there.

"Hello?" she called, beginning to grow nervous.

She heard footsteps from behind her, and turned again, hurrying over and looking down one aisle. Once again, she didn't see anyone; this time, however, something caught her eye. A faint gleam of light, coming from the flat side of one of the bookshelves.

Walking down to the next intersection of aisles between the tall bookshelves, Belle looked more closely at the source of the gleam. Her eyes widened in surprise.

The source of the light was a human handprint, etched onto the bookshelf. As she touched it hesitantly – and then immediately jerked her hand back with a startled gasp – she realized that the reason the handprint was reflective was because it was made of ice. The handprint had been frozen onto the bookshelf, and was now slowly thawing, giving off faint wisps of steam.

"Is anyone there?" Belle said uneasily as she turned and started walking down the aisle, towards the exit from the library.

As she emerged from among the bookshelves, into the reading area where several tables were arranged, Belle froze in shock.

Seated at one of the tables, casually leaning back while leafing through a book, was a young man, appearing to be about her age. His hair was spiked up and a shade of blonde so pale that it was almost pure white, and his eyes were a bright, clear blue. That, combined with his prominent cheekbones, full lips and pale skin, combined to make him fairly attractive. He was wearing a light blue shirt under a brown jacket, with loose-fitting, light brown pants.

After a moment, the young man looked up, smiling in a friendly way when he saw Belle. "Ah, hello," he greeted her. "And who might you be?"

Belle stood there for a long moment, staring at him in disbelief. After a long moment, she responded. "I… uh, I'm Belle. Sorry, who exactly are you? And… how did you get in here?"

The young man grinned. "Well, it's nice to meet you, Belle." He glanced around the room, setting the book down on the table. "Would you mind telling me where I can find Rumplestiltskin?"

Still totally confused, Belle hesitated, trying to find the words to answer. "He, ah… he should be around here somewhere…"

As if her words had summoned him, Rumplestiltskin walked into the library, letting the door swing shut behind him. "Belle, dearie, how's the cleaning goi–" He cut off abruptly, his eyes widening in surprise when he realized that someone else was in the library. Once he actually got a look at the young man, though, he groaned audibly. "Oh, not you again!"

The young man chuckled. "Hello, Rumple! Lovely to see you again."

"You know him?" Belle asked in astonishment.

"Unfortunately, yes, I do," Rumplestiltskin replied sourly.

Smirking, the young man rose fluidly to his feet, snatching up an ornately carved wooden staff that had been leaning against the table. "Oh, don't be like that, Rumple! Admit it; you enjoy my visits. Besides, you need a little cheer; the place is terribly depressing without it." He rubbed the tabletop with one index finger, then held it up. "Although it does seem much less dusty." Glancing at Belle, he grinned. "I'm guessing you're responsible for that."

Belle smiled despite herself.

"Oh, all right, fine!" Rumplestiltskin sighed. "What do you want?"

"Now, why would you assume that I'm here because I want something?" the young man asked. "Is it so hard to believe that I just enjoy your company?"

"Frankly," Rumplestiltskin said coolly, "yes."

The young man considered that for a moment, and then shrugged. "Fair enough." His voice lost some of its playful tone, becoming more serious. "There's a creature terrorizing villages not far from here. A demon." His eyes narrowed. "I'm hunting it. And I need your help to find it."

Rumplestiltskin raised an eyebrow. "I'm listening."

"This thing's very difficult to find," the young man explained. "It appears and disappears at random; I've tried everything I could think of, but I can't track it down. I was wondering if you might have a tracking spell that can locate it."

Rumplestiltskin turned, pacing around the room. "Maybe I do and maybe I don't, dearie," he said carelessly. "What's it to you?"

A faint growl rumbled in the young man's throat. "I'm not in a mood to play games, Rumple. I need a tracking spell."

Shrugging, Rumplestiltskin turned to face him. "Well, it's your lucky day, then." He held out his left hand, making a twisting motion with it, and, with a burst of dark purple smoke, a necklace – silver, with a large emerald embedded in an ornate silver setting that resembled a claw – materialized in his palm. "This," he added, "has a tracking spell imbued within it, containing enough power to track any being that uses dark magic. You can use this little beauty–" he held up the necklace "–to track down this demon of yours."

The young man's expression didn't waver. "So what's your price?"

Rumplestiltskin considered that for a moment, tapping the index finger of his right hand against his chin thoughtfully and pacing around the room. "Hmm… well, let's just say you'll owe me a favor." He smiled, twirling dramatically to face the young man. "How does that sound?"

The young man shrugged. "Works for me." He held out a hand. "Now, if you wouldn't mind?"

"Oh, of course." Rumplestiltskin casually walked forward, handing the necklace to the young man. "Just put it on and focus on the being you're searching for, and it'll lock onto its power and lead you straight to it."

Nodding, the young man slipped the necklace into a pocket of his jacket. "Thanks for the help, Rumple," he said, his voice back to its usual, cheerful tone. "It was a pleasure doing business with you." Turning away, he started towards the exit from the library.

"Um, excuse me?" Belle called after him.

The young man turned, curiosity in his eyes. "Yes?" he asked.

"I'm sorry, I just…" Belle smiled faintly. "I never got your name."

The young man's lips curved in a smile. "How rude of me," he replied, walking back to her. With a grin, he took her hand, bowed in a courtly manner, and kissed the back of her hand. "Jack Frost."

Belle chuckled, charmed. "Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Jack Frost."

Jack rose to his feet again and winked at her. "The pleasure was mine, Belle." He appeared to consider something, then raised a hand. "Before I go…" His hand glowed with blue light, and an object materialized in his palm; a flower, possibly a rose, made entirely out of ice. He handed it to her with a smile. "A gift. Keep it away from fires, and it'll never melt."

Smiling, Belle held up the ice flower. "It's beautiful," she said. "Thank you."

"No problem." With a grin, Jack walked back across the room, nodding to Rumplestiltskin as he went. "Always good to see you, Rumple." As he reached the middle of the open area, he stopped, raised his wooden staff and slammed the end of it down on the stone floor. Blue smoke enveloped him, and then dissipated almost immediately, revealing that he had vanished.

"Wha… how did he do that?" Belle asked incredulously.

"The same way I can, dearie," Rumplestiltskin replied. "Magic."

Gazing at the spot where Jack had vanished, Belle smiled again. "He's quite charming," she admitted.

"He's quite irritating," Rumplestiltskin corrected sardonically. "He enjoys getting under my skin; don't let his playful act fool you, he doesn't like me. But he's a good customer, so I put up with him."

"Well, he seemed nice enough to me."

"They always do, dearie." Rumplestiltskin chuckled. "They always do."


Years earlier, in the Enchanted Forest…

The young man and Snow had been running for at least half an hour before they finally stopped, deep in the woods.

"Okay, this should be far enough," Snow said, taking deep breaths of air. "They didn't see which way we went, so we'll be safe enough for now."

The young man nodded, also gasping for breath. "You're sure?"

"As sure as I can be," she replied.

He shrugged. "Fair enough."

It didn't take long for them to make a fire; Snow kept it small, so as not to attract attention.

"So," Snow said hesitantly as they sat huddled around the fire. She looked up, focusing on him. "How did you do that?"

The young man looked down at his hands. "I don't know. I just…" He sighed. "I saw him about to stab you, and I just… lost it, I guess. I wanted to make sure he couldn't hurt you, and then…" The image of the soldier's face and neck being coated in ice flashed through his mind again, and he felt sick for a moment. He looked up at Snow. "What was that?"

"Magic," Snow answered. "There's nothing else it could have been." She frowned. "I've never seen anything like that before, though. I've met numerous people who can use magic, but most of those people use spells or wands. With you… it seemed to come from within you, as if it came naturally to you."

The young man frowned. "Could it have something to do with why I don't remember anything?"

"Maybe," Snow replied. "But I don't really know. Magic is something I don't understand very well. Few people do." She smiled. "But you saved my life in there. So I promise you, I will help you figure it out."

The young man looked up at her, surprised. "Do you really mean that?" he asked.

"I do," Snow confirmed. "I suppose I owe you now, so it's the least I can do."

"Well, thank you." The young man smiled. "I will be eternally grateful, Snow White."

Snow's eyes widened. "How did you…" She trailed off, chuckling in realization. "Right; that soldier at the inn." She looked at him questioningly. "You really don't know who I am?"

"Well, I'm assuming you did something to warrant having soldiers chasing you."

Snow sighed. "The Queen wants me dead," she admitted softly. "She was responsible for my father's death, and she's been trying to kill me for years, sending soldiers after me. But I've always managed to escape."

The young man grinned. "Well, anyone who's managed to escape from an evil queen and her entire army is a good traveling companion, as far as I'm concerned."

Snow laughed. "And while we're at it," she replied, "I think I have something to call you."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, until we can get your memories back, I need to be able to call you something," she explained. "And I think I have the perfect nickname." She smiled. "Frost."

The young man raised an eyebrow. "Frost?" For some reason, that name struck a chord with him, as if he'd heard it before.

"It suits you," Snow argued, grinning. "Your hair, your eyes…" She paused. "And your power."

For a long moment, the young man considered. Oddly, something about that name seemed... right, somehow. "All right, then," he agreed. "Frost." He smirked. "It's as good a name as any, I suppose."

"All right, then." Snow smiled. "We should probably get some sleep; we'll need to keep moving in the morning. Those soldiers won't be in any condition to come after us, so we should be safe for the night, but they'll have reinforcements in this area by tomorrow."

Nodding, the young man – Frost – settled in by the fire, gazing up at the stars.

Snow and Frost, he thought. Seems appropriate.

Frost raised one hand and clenched it into a fist, concentrating. I wonder if… He focused, feeling that icy feeling flow through him again, but this time much less chaotic than before. It felt calmer, more focused.

His clenched hand began to glow, a soft blue light leaking through the gaps between his fingers. After a moment, he opened his hand.

Lying in his palm, glowing faintly, was a single, perfectly formed snowflake.


Storybrooke, Maine

Jackson walked down the sidewalk, exploring Storybrooke's night life. There wasn't too much to do in this town, but he was focused tonight. He glanced down at the object he was carrying, and grinned.

It was Valentine's Day, and he was looking for Ruby. She hadn't been working at Granny's, so he'd inquired about her whereabouts. Granny had informed him that she'd gone out for a "girls' night" with two of her friends, Mary Margaret and Ashley. Jackson didn't recognize either of those names, and he didn't particularly care.

Finally spotting the bar Granny had told him about, Jackson strolled across the street to the entrance. Opening the door, he sauntered inside. He was wearing somewhat fancier attire than normal; blue jeans, a white T-shirt under a light blue dress shirt, and his usual leather jacket over the top.

As he entered the bar, Jackson grinned, spotting Ruby almost immediately. She was seated at a table with two other young women about her age; one had shoulder-length blonde hair, while the other had short dark hair. All three were having drinks. Deciding not to interrupt, Jackson waited for a few moments by the door, concealing the object he was carrying behind his back while slowly making his way towards them. His superhuman hearing could pick up everything they were saying.

"Pace yourself, Ashley," the dark-haired girl said with a chuckle, as the blonde downed another shot glass, immediately reaching for a second one.

"I am!" the blonde – Ashley, Jackson assumed – protested, grinning. "This is the first night out since I've had the baby; I am making up for lost time." She drank the contents of the second shot glass in one swallow.

"Ooh, Ash, check out those guys," Ruby said with a grin, pointing to several well-dressed young men standing at the bar.

Jackson's eyes narrowed. And that would be my cue. He started across the room, ducking through the crowd towards the table.


"Honey, I'm still with Sean," Ashley replied.

"You're not married, and he's not here," Ruby countered.

"He's working!" Ashley argued

"He's always working," Ruby replied. She shrugged, standing up. "Have fun moping."

Before she could walk over to the bar, a hand tapped her on the shoulder. She turned, and took a step back in surprise. "Jackson?"

"Hey, Ruby," Jackson said with a grin. "Good to see you."

"You too." Ruby smiled. "What's, uh… what's up?"

"Granny told me you'd be here," Jackson replied. "I, ah…" He paused. "I wanted to give you something."

"And what would that be?" Ruby inquired.

Jackson smiled. "This." With an elegant sweep of his arm, he produced a bouquet of flowers – red roses, in fact – from behind his back. He grinned, holding them up. "Happy Valentine's Day."

Ashley and the other girl, who he assumed was Mary Margaret, gasped softly.

Ruby stared at him in shock for a moment; then her surprise turned into a delighted smile. "Thank you!" she exclaimed, hugging him tightly.

Jackson grinned, hugging her back. "No problem." Taking a step back, he handed her the flowers.

Ruby smelled the roses, inhaling deeply, and sighed. "Wow," she murmured. "Where did you get these?"

"I bought them at the florist's van yesterday morning," Jackson explained. "I figured you'd like them."

"I love them!" Ruby grinned, delighted, and hugged him again, kissing him on the cheek. Ashley and Mary Margaret laughed, and she pulled away, blushing.

"So, what're you doing tonight?" Jackson asked with a chuckle.

"Well, we were just having some drinks," Ruby replied, indicating herself, Mary Margaret and Ashley. She grinned, a little more shyly than before. "Would you, ah… would you like to join us?"

Jackson smiled. "Absolutely."


After an hour or so, Jackson had settled in nicely. Ruby had acquired several more drinks from the bar, and he was currently sipping from a glass of champagne (he'd acquired a taste for it from his family's occasional dinner parties back in Beacon Hills).

"Girls' night's not really working out for you, huh?" Ruby asked Ashley, resting a supportive hand on her shoulder.

"I thought it would make me feel better," Ashley admitted. "But, the truth is, I need a 'be with my guy' night." She sighed. "But, you know; he's never around, and I'm at home with the baby all day." She looked up again, glancing between Ruby, Mary Margaret, and Jackson. "I mean, what's the point of being together if we're not together?"

"I get it," Jackson said understandingly. His relationship with Lydia had contained more than its fair share of that sort of thing, and it had only ever caused pain for both of them.

"So do I," Mary Margaret added sadly. "Loving someone you can't be with… it's a terrible, terrible burden." She looked down at the table silently, her face downcast, and stirred her drink with her straw.

"You know," Ashley said, "this was a bad idea. I should… I should go home." She stood up, just as a young man with light brown hair walked up to the table, holding a colorful bouquet of flowers.

"Ashley?" he asked, smiling.

Ashley whirled, her eyes wide in shock. "Sean?" she asked.

"Hey."

Jackson sighed, rolling his eyes. Just get on with it already! he thought.

"I thought you were working tonight," Ashley said curiously.

"I am," Sean explained. "It's my break. And I…" He paused. "I had to see you. And ask you something." He handed her the flowers, and then reached into his pocket, drawing out a small box.

Jackson's eyes widened. Wait… is he really about to…

Sean dropped to one knee and held up the box. He opened it, revealing a ring, and smiled. "Will you marry me?"

For a long moment, Ashley didn't respond; she just stared at him, rendered speechless.

Sean's smile became somewhat nervous. "I, ah… I only have a twenty-minute break," he said. "So, um, anytime now."

Ashley finally snapped out of it; she began nodding frantically, smiling as tears welled up in her eyes, and finally gasped, "Yes!"

Cheers and applause filled the bar as Sean placed the ring on Ashley's finger; all of the patrons had taken notice by now. Ruby and Mary Margaret were cheering the loudest; Jackson joined them.

"My truck's outside," Sean said with a smile, "if you want to take a ride before I head back to work. It's not much of a date…"

"It's the best date," Ashley interrupted, smiling.

Sean grinned, offering her his arm. "Then your carriage awaits."

As the happy couple left the bar, Jackson noticed that Mary Margaret looked oddly downcast. She stood up, murmuring a quick goodbye, and hurried out of the room.

Jackson looked after her for a moment. "What was that about?" he muttered.

Ruby frowned. "No idea." After a second, her smile returned, and she turned back to face him. "Anyway, since they're gone… would you like another drink? Toast to Ashley's engagement?"

Jackson mirrored her grin with his own. "I'd love to."


A/N: So, to everyone who's been guessing the young man's identity, wait no longer! It has been confirmed; the young man in the Enchanted Forest is Jack Frost! Now, the question is: if Jackson grew up in Beacon Hills, not in Storybrooke, how does he look exactly like Jack Frost? Guess away!

Just to clarify about the timeline for this chapter, since someone will probably be wondering; the scene in the Dark Castle takes place during the Enchanted Forest part of "Skin Deep", the scene in the forest takes place immediately after the Enchanted Forest scene last chapter, and the scene in Storybrooke also takes place during "Skin Deep".

Shoutouts to Tala White 14, BlazeVein, laurenrulez1, RHatch89, tablekorner, The Lady Geek, and Guest for reviewing! I really appreciate it; you guys are awesome!

Next chapter, the young man – now known as Frost – and Snow continue their journey, and Jackson encounters a certain mayor for the first time… stay tuned!

See you all next time!

Review Q&A:

Q: Awesome! I'm soooo excited for the next chapter. Great job!

A: Thanks! I hope you liked this one; please let me know what you thought of it!

Q: I have a feeling that this is going to be good. It just sounds so interesting, and very different! Looking forward to reading this one!

A: Thanks, I appreciate the compliment!

Q: Can not wait to see what the connections are between the young man, and Jackson, and why Gold recognized him. As well as why the young man was able to freeze someones skin like that. Also looking forward to more Jackson/Red bits! Keep up the amazing story, loving it so far. Looking forward to the next update.

A: Well, now you know! And I hope the amount of Jackson/Ruby moments in this chapter were satisfactory! :)

Q: Jack Frost? Really good story.

Q: Jackson is Jack Frost, isn't he?

Q: Jackson is Jack Frost!

A: Yep! As a matter of fact, he is! Congrats to everyone who guessed it correctly.