*Set during the movie*

They only accepted him because they wanted to take advantage of him.

Jack couldn't get this thought out of his mind.

Why had the Man in the Moon chosen him as the next guardian? Surely not because he cared about the boy. If he had done so then he wouldn't have dumped him in the middle of nowhere and left him wandering around alone for 300 years. If he really did care he would have answered at least one of his desperate pleas, would have shown him compassion when he was longing for someone to see him, would have comforted him when he was crying, scared and lonely. But no, Manny had stayed quiet for all those centuries. Until now. Why now?

Because he knew of the winter spirit's power. Jack was his creation after all, sort of like his son. An abandoned son. He needed him to help the other guardians to defeat Pitch.

The Man in the Moon just wanted to take advantage of him.

If the boogeyman hadn't declared war on them then he would have left Jack roaming the world all alone for who knows how many future centuries.

What about North, Sandy, Tooth and Bunny? They weren't much better.

Around 25 years after he had arisen from the frozen lake, Jack had found out that the other spirits, guardians included, had been aware of his existence. They just didn't bother to acknowledge it. Well, despite a few spirits who held a grudge against him for no comprehensible reason whatsoever and used him as a living punching bag to relieve their stress now and then.

At least someone interacted with him, though it was far from pleasant.

He had attempted to break into North's workshop more than once, in fact he couldn't count the failed tries anymore, but he hadn't even managed to get near the big Russian. Though he was sure the yetis had alerted their boss of his antics.

The blizzard of '68 was the first and last time he actually talked to Bunny. Or rather argued.

It was all a big accident and misunderstanding, but why would anyone listen to what he had to say. Since that fatal Easter Sunday they weren't exactly on good terms with each other.

Sometimes he saw Tooth's little fairies on their way to and back from collecting teeth. Fast as lightning, busy like hell and completely concentrated on their task. Only rarely did they take notice of him and it wasn't more than a swoon when they caught a glimpse of his teeth before they had to turn back to their duties. He had never seen Toothiana until now.

What he enjoyed most in lonely nights was Sandy's dreamsand, the swirls of gold brightening the dark sky, a mere touch of his own fingers turning it into dolphins, his favourite animals. For Jack, they were a symbol of joy and happiness, he loved to watch them jump out of the water in groups of dozends. Apparently they liked playing and having fun as much as he did.

Once in a while, when the sandman actually was aware of his presence, he waved a hand at him and smiled. This silent greeting was the kindest action he had gotten from any spirit in his 300 years of existence.

Now a change was occuring. They talked to him. They were, with the exception of Bunny's obvious dissapproval, nice to him.

But why?

The guardians hadn't invited, scratch that, kidnapped him, because they finally realized how wrong it was to punish him with ignorance. No, they had done it because Manny told them so and because they needed him to protect the children of the world from Pitch. To protect themselves from vanishing. It was never about him. It was about his power.

They only wanted to take advantage of him.

It became even more painfully apparent after Pitch had attacked the Tooth Palace and Jack had been told that his baby teeth which held his memories had the answers to everthing he wanted to know. He had been shocked and excited all at once. Even the realization that the Nightmare King was in possession of his golden tooth box, as well as those of millions of children, couldn't extinguish the glimmer of hope in his heart. Finally he would find out who he had been, why he had been chosen and what he had done to deserve a life of isolation and coldness.

And still, the emphasizing of North's words hit a nerve.

"Jack, IF you help us, we will get your memories."

If he helped them. What was that supposed to mean? That if he refused to do it, they would hide and lock the answer to his most desperate questions for all eternity? It almost sounded like an extortion attempt.

Of course he wanted to help them, even without the prospect of a reward. While he had refused to work together with them at first, he had changed his mind as soon as he saw the nightmares attacking the tooth fairies. Tooth being devastated about the loss of the tooth boxes and her little helpers only confirmed his decision. He couldn't tell why exactly he felt the urge to kick the boogeyman's butt for what he had done, but he knew it was the right thing to do.

He didn't need do be blackmailed into it. Though the guardians seemed to think that it was necessary.

Because they needed to take advantage of him.

Later that night, after they had been successful at collecting the childrens' teeth in place of the kidnapped tooth fairies, Jack had almost forgotten his doubts, suppressed anger and paranoia.

Tooth and him were in Jamie's room, the boy who had involuntarily participated in the wild sleigh ride the day before, by courtesy of the winter spirit himself.

They had talked quietly for a moment when Tooth fluttered towards him with a sympathetic smile on her face.

"Thanks for being here, Jack. I wish I had known about your memories…I could have helped you."

"You could have just talked to me then, you know."

Jack bit his lip to hold back the words he immediately wanted to spit out. There was no doubt that the Tooth Fairy was honest and truly meant what she was saying. And still, his own bitterness about the situation gnawed at his mind. Now she suddenly seemed to care. Why not 200 years ago? Why not 100 years ago? She had known about his existence and was excited to meet him, why hadn't she approached him sooner?

Because until now she hadn't needed his help. She hadn't had a reason to search for his contact. She and the other guardians weren't in trouble back then.

But now they were. And they needed to take advantage of him.

Jack shook his head slightly and cursed himself for still wanting to help them. He was fed up with being alone, was fed up with everyone either passing through him, ignoring him or hating his guts. All he longed for was some company, nice words now and then, maybe even a hug.

Though in order to get that, he had to prove that he was worthy of their approval. He would show them that he was the right choice, that he would not dissappoint them.

Even if that meant that he had to let them take advantage of him.