The next day, Skyla and Jack spent most of their time together doing whatever they could to relax. There wasn't a whole lot they could do and Jack wasn't in desperate need of intervention, but keeping him calm was Sky's goal. The fun-loving spirit had to take it easy for a while, unfortunately.

She thought of what she could make him do without him noticing her worry. The situation was complicated. Not only did the witch -or whatever- have his heart, but now it seemed like he was being controlled. Or, his emotions were. She was pretty sure he couldn't be that moody regularly.

They'd found a ballet studio in one of the more far off rooms. Odd, she thought, but Jack assured her it wasn't used much. The yetis occasionally held a class, but that was rare. She knew it would be a great sight to see, but also knew she wouldn't likely get the chance. If they got lucky, one of their yeti guardsman will feel the need to show off some of their moves.

The music selection sucked. Obviously the yetis had a very particular taste. Skyla made them play holiday music instead. "Why do we even need music?" Jack asked for the tenth time, pacing across the room again.

"It's relaxing. Music, of any kind, promotes certain mental stimulations. In this case I would have used one of my older playlists... Something sort of upbeat but not loud. Keep us moving without making us feel like we can't stop or have to go at a certain pace."

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Sky." he commented, settling down beside her in lotus position. Something he was proud to already know.

Skyla stretched her leg out in front of her, bending to touch her toes. "Sorry. I'm going through a withdrawal. I miss my mp3 but Lauren isn't giving it up. I'm just hoping she hasn't lost it."

"She's not that irresponsible. Lauren know's it's one of your most prized possessions, Sky. Maybe she's adding more music to it?"

"...You're probably right." sitting back up, she looked at Jack, "I guess you have known her longer. How could I forget."

Jack shifted closer, his knee hitting against hers, "Longer, but not necessarily better." Sky looked at him oddly so he explained, "For example? She's known you longer than I have. A lot longer. But I'm pretty sure I know you better" he smirked.

"Oh. Well I don't know. You know a few things about me that she doesn't, I guess?"

"For example, when we're kissing; you like it when I-"

"Jack" she laughed, "I'm pretty sure she knows nothing about me and how I like being kissed. We never crossed that line."

"See? I know the important stuff."

"Important stuff?" she frowned slightly.

"Take a joke, Sky."

"That was a poor joke, Frost." she told him.

Putting a hand on her knee, Jack smiled at her, "What's important is how much we love each other. How much we care about each other. Sure, there's the superficial stuff. You're beautiful and a great kisser-"

"You have nothing to compare me to" Sky mentioned. He opened his mouth to make a joke, then quickly decided against it. The memory came back. Of Lauren kissing him. It was enough to make Sky jealous.

"Like I was saying; there are a lot of superficial things we could count and call important and beneficial. What I really love about you, Sky, is that you're tough. You're smart -usually- and funny -sometimes." he joked, "Through everything I've put you through you've kept calm. You've helped out a lot, believe it or not. And you've stayed by my side."

Skyla smiled at him, putting her hand over his.

"I don't know exactly what to do about any of this, but I do know that with you, I know exactly what I want; what I need. I need you. And I need you to stay with me. I can't do this without you"

"You don't have to, Jack. I'm here. I'm with you, and there is no way in hell I'm leaving." she squeezed his hand, "Can I just say? It's really no fair that you're so good with words. I don't think I can match that."

The spirit shook his head, "All you need to say is that you love me. That's all it takes."

"I do love you, Jack. You're so-"

"Sky. You already said it, that's enough. I don't need to know why. I'm sure I already know. I mean; I am irresistable" he smirked.

Rolling her eyes, Skyla stood up. Jack followed and took her hands, leaning in to kiss her cheek. She giggled, "So what do you want to do now?"

"I want you to do more stretches while I go get you something to drink." he let go of her hands and walked over to the door. Grabbing his staff he quickly looked back at her, "I love you too, Sky."

Skyla watched as he left, a huge grin on both of their faces. She didn't feel particularly thirsty, but was grateful that he thought of it. Becoming dehydrated and having to be put back in the infirmary was the last thing she wanted for herself. If they had to worry about her health any more, it would take away too much of their time. She was fully aware how greatly each minute mattered.

Sighing, she turned to look at the yetis, "So? Know any good dance moves?"

A while later, she'd learnt a few things about how to twirl in many similar, yet somehow completely different, ways. The yetis were surprisingly light on their feet. Lighter than her, as they found out. Dancing was never really her thing.

She became frustrated at more than one point as she kept falling down, but the large creatures were very patient with her. They would help her back up, then give her a few moments to collect herself. She kept reminding herself that she asked them for the lessons and soldiered on.

By the time Jack got back, she was ready for that drink. He slowly walked in, leaning his staff against the wall and leaving his hand on it for a few moments. When he turned, she saw that he was thinking very hard.

"Jack?" she asked, standing up after her latest fall. "Everything alright?"

"Fine." he responded, walking over and holding out a water bottle, "What about here? You look tired?"

"A little. The yetis-" they made some noises at her, and she took the hint. The dancing was their little secret, "Never mind." Skyla greedily drank some of the water, only stopping when she nearly choked.

"Woah. Take it easy, Sky." Jack told her, concerned.

"I'm fine. Really. Bit more thirsty than I thought, I guess." Smiling, she asked, "So what took you so long, anyway? Did something happen?"

He hesitated, "No. Nothing. Just... Took a detour."

"Oh. Okay then. If that's all it was?"

"Yeah. That's all it was." he said with finality. Lightening up, he made her turn around. "Your ribbon is falling out again."

"Oh. Thanks" she told him as he re-tied it for her. When he was done, he turned her around again. "I think I've done enough spinning today; if you don't mind, Jack." She pressed a palm against her forehead, dizzy.

"Were you dancing without me, Sky?" he mocked.

"I don't know how to dance." she replied.

"That's not what you told me. Remember? I asked you if you could dance and you said-"

"I know. I wasn't exactly going to say no, Jack. I gave it a shot and everything worked out."

He frowned, "It was still a lie."

"Let's not start talking about lies" she warned. Not just about what really took him so long, but about the other things she was sure he lied about. She didn't want to confront him about those things. Her trust in him was too great to let those things get in their way. For the most part.

"...You're right. Now's not the time for that." Jack said seriously, "It would only open up a conversation we can't have right now."

"Exactly" Skyla backed away a bit, turning herself slightly and taking another drink of the water. It gave her a moment to think. "Do we have to have that conversation? Ever?" she asked, looking down at her feet.

"I wish we didn't. But now I want to. What are you hiding, Sky?"

"Just because I haven't told you something doesn't mean I'm hiding it." she said cryptically, glancing back at him. It was an accident; she just didn't know what to say.

"So there is something..." he looked at her sadly.

"Let's start with you. What really took you so long, Jack? There was no detour; something must have happened." Skyla put her hands on his shoulders, "Tell me."

"No" the spirit pushed her back, causing the yetis to advance towards them. Jack glared at them, and Skyla simply waved their worry away. "Tell me first. Tell me what you have been trying so hard to hide!" he kept his voice calm, but it wavered.

"I'm sure you already know. But I can't guess at what you're hiding right now! Jack, I thought you didn't want to worry me? I'm pretty damn worried right now."

He hesitated. Running a hand through his hair, he told her, "Okay. Something did happen. But telling you would also worry you, so-"

"You've said it yourself." she started, putting the water bottle on the floor, "I'm tough. I've been handling these things well. Not knowing is worse."

Sighing in defeat, Jack closed the distance between them and leaned his forehead against hers, "You really have to stop using my own words against me"

"Same to you." she laughed softly.

"Tooth found me. While I was in the kitchen. She's the one that pointed out the water bottle, by the way. Apparently... And get ready for this..." he paused for effect, staring uncertainly into her eyes.

A minute later, Skyla rolled her eyes, "Apparently what, Jack?"

"Sorry, I got lost in your eyes." he smirked.

"Stop stalling"

"I'm not stalling," the spirit told her, feigning innocence, "I can't help but flatter my girl."

"Stop. Stalling." she warned again, backing away from him.

The smile left his face. "Alright. Tooth said North's found something."

Sky's grey eyes widened, "Something? Like what? Something good or something bad? Is it about-"

"Calm down. Take a deep breath." the spirit instructed, and she did. "I wasn't given many details. Nothing is being planned yet. If they need us; they'll let us know."

"They'll let you know." she corrected. "Unless by some miracle being human makes me a valuable asset; I'm going to be left out of everything. As usual."

"Bunnymund was right." Jack sighed. "It pissed me off when he said it, but it's true."

"What's true?" Skyla questioned.

"I don't tell you often enough how important you are. Or, if I do, I don't make sure you believe it. I'm sorry, Sky."

"Jack, what are you talking about? I'm not-"

"You are!" he stressed, stepping forward and putting his hands on her shoulders. "You're not just some human, Sky! Don't you ever believe that!"

Opening and then closing her mouth, she tried to think of something to say. Deciding against saying anything, Skyla shook her head.

"Don't believe it, 're so freaking important. Not just to me; but especially to me. Dammit, how do I convince you?" he shook her lightly.

"There are more important things going on right now-"

"No. There's not. This is all that matters right now."

"I really don't think my self-confidence should be your priority. We should go ask North-"

"Not happening, Sky."

Making a frustrated noise, she pushed his hands away from her. "What the hell. What. The. Hell?!"

"Oh, and I'm the one that has anger issues?" he glared.

"It must be contagious" she shot back.

"You better hope not. Next thing you know, you'll be lashing out at someone you actually love."

Skyla flinched. His words hit her hard and she couldn't say anything for several moments. "You think you're the one who needs to convince me? Dammit, Jack-"

"Wait. Sky. I didn't mean that-"

"Yeah. You did. You haven't believed me once, have you? When I tell you I love you; you think I'm just saying your words back to you. You think I can't love you..."

He stepped forward, and she stepped back. Running a hand through his hair, he looked around with his thinking face on. His gaze landed on the yetis and he gestured at her with a question mark on his face. They shrugged and gestured back that they were staying out of it.

Skyla shook her head. It was a mistake when a headache started building up. "Can you pass me my water bottle, Jack?"

He did as she asked, looking at her with concentrated concern. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah. Fine." she lied. Taking a needy gulp of water, she thought about just walking out of the room. It wouldn't solve anything, and would probably make the situation worse; but maybe they could both use some time to think.

"Then let's talk about this."

"No. I don't want to. We shouldn't. You need to relax, remember? Keep calm?"

"I feel fine, Sky. Just like you." he noted, implying that he knew she'd lied.

"Okay. We're both fine. Then, I'm going to my room. Alone." she added, glancing between Jack and the yetis.

"You're important, Sky" he told her as she walked towards the door, "You matter."

Skyla stopped in the doorway but didn't look back. Her hand traced the grooves in the wooden door frame for a moment before falling to her side. Her shoulders slumped and she shook her head, "I love you, Jack. I wish you would just believe me."

She waited a few moments for a reply she wasn't sure she wanted to hear. When there was none, she walked through the doorway and headed to her room.

The frustration and anger she felt from their argument remained until she was collapsed on her bed. She covered her face with her hands and held back the tears. 'Dammit. I didn't mean to fight with him! I tried to avoid that! I've been trying ever since I realized how close we were getting to each other! Even if it was obvious we would have some sort of disagreement somewhere along the line; why at a time like this?

'And why can't he believe me? I love him. He should know that by now! Even if my mind strays back to Brandon sometimes, it's not like I would leave Jack. I've made my choice.

'But Jack still thinks it's more that the choice was made for me. That because Brandon left me-' she took a deep breath and slowly let it out to calm herself. 'If my real choice was to stay with Brandon, I would have fought for him. What he did; it only made leaving him easier on me.

'Dammit. I'm not going to deny that I love Brandon. But I can, without a doubt, deny that I could possibly love him more. I can't even handle the thought of losing Jack. I went through losing Brandon; and I'm still functioning. It's just not the same.'

Moving her hands away, she ignored the tears that suddenly started falling. Glancing at the bedside table, she made a quick decision. Skyla picked the bracelet up and slipped it on.

At first there was nothing. Then it was like she could feel it connect with her. It didn't hurt her. It didn't even give her a chill. More like a sensation. 'Maybe after what happened, I'm just more connected with it? More like how Jack is? Speaking of...'

She concentrated on the sensation and could tell Jack was feeling rejected. Discouraged, lonely, hopeless. Then surprised. Concerned, afraid.

'He knows I put it on.' she realized, frowning. Without bothering to take the bracelet off, she rolled onto her side facing away from the door. 'What do I tell him? I should tell him the bracelet is acting differently. Right?'

Then she knew he was angry. That he felt betrayed. And she thought better about telling him of the change.

'Maybe, with this weird connection, I can keep the bracelet from reacting to me. Maybe I can keep my emotions from him even while knowing his.' She sighed, 'There's always a way out, isn't there.'

A few minutes later, Jack burst through the door behind her, "Take it off" he ordered. She didn't turn. "Skyla" he warned, stepping beside the bed.

"Not happening, Frost." she mocked coldly.

More anger, "Why are you so against me!"

"I've never been against you, Jack." Something poked her back and a chill ran up her spine. Jumping up from the bed she yelled at him, "Did you just use your staff on me?!"

"Yeah! Because you're not listening to me!" he yelled back desperately.

"You're not listening to me!" Walking around the bed, she grabbed his staff and tried to yank it away. He held firm and glared at her. "I keep telling you that you're the one I love and you still-"

"How could I believe you?! How could you love me?!"

Her heart nearly stopped. Breathless, she asked him "That's what you think?"

"It's true, isn't it? We don't really work, do we? Me; a spirit, a Guardian. You; so closed off I have to get excited about learning your middle name?!" He stressed the last words, hurt seeping into them.

"We have time to-"

"What time, Skyla?! For all we know; I could be dead tomorrow! And I won't be coming back again. That's why I ignored the difficulties! Because I couldn't let our last words to each other be in anger!"

"You're not going to die."

"I might. So let's make up right now before-"

"You're not going to die!" she yelled, pulling on his staff and making him move closer to her. She pushed forward and kissed him; desperately needing him to both shut up and understand how determined she was. He didn't react, but she didn't give up. She pressed harder, forcing her tears not to interfere.

The staff burst with frost, and she jumped back. Jack's emotions were a mess. His frustration came through, "Take the bracelet off."

She ignored him, "We're like any other couple, right? Not perfect, either of us; but perfect for each other. Jack, you have no idea. I love you. I need you" she stressed. Reaching forward, she rested a hand back on the staff. She flinched when the cold stung her, but she didn't let go.

"Why are you always letting yourself get hurt. Why do you let me hurt you?!"

"Love hurts? I'm trying to make you understand, Jack."

"That you love me?"

"That and so much more." she replied. He calmed down, and the staff did the same. "At least try?"

"Yeah. Can we make up now? Be happy for a while longer."

"A while longer." she agreed. "Then we'll have another fight. And we'll make up again. Just like any other couple."

"Sounds like a plan. Not a great one. But we can work on that. Now take. The bracelet. Off."

Rolling her eyes, she did as he asked. Jack took it and shoved it into his sweater pouch. "Hey!" she protested.

"You'll get it back tomorrow."

"That's not fair" she pouted.

Jack smirked at her, "No. It isn't. That's why I'm keeping it."

"Not what I meant, Frost."


NOTES:
These two are trying so haaaaaaaard
Just like me
Sorry for not updating regularly
I don't know what you want
I don't know how far to go with these
If I should just throw plot at you
Or if fluff is a good thing
I'm trying
So thanks for reading
I'm going to get another chapter out asap
(I mean it this time)
Because that isn't much of an ending
But this is enough for one chapter
Love Y'all!

P.S
I'm thinking maybe making a sequel?
I mean; we've come a long way already
Maybe after this stuff gets
(mostly)
resolved; it will be time to end the first instalment of
THE ADVENTURES OF SKYLA
But I don't know
So could I possibly have your opinions?