Jack watched Bunnymund pace around the room mumbling something about what he thought Skyla's plan would be. Most predictions involved North using his toys in ways they were definitely not meant to be used.

"Bunny, stop. What if she's only trying to psych us out? You're only buying into her plan. Relax a little. Eat some more carrots"

"What good would carrots do, mate?"

"Occupy your mouth, for one. You might be less cranky after you eat, too. She doesn't scare me, and she shouldn't scare you. Or worry you or- whatever. I'm going to win, I don't have a doubt. Okay, maybe a small one. Could you honestly say, without hesitation, that you could hold yourself back in the same situation?"

Bunnymund stopped in front of the spirit and looked at him like he was crazy, "I wouldn't even try, mate."

Jack thought for a few moments. A dozen retorts swirled through his mind until he couldn't focus on any one of them. His focus shifted, "Are you saying... You like Skyla?"

"I wasn't, but yeah I do."

"whatever happened to not happening and interspecies and-"

"She's grown on me. A lot." The rabbit shrugged, "Still not happening. For even more reasons now. Take it as a compliment, would ya? Now back to the point; we have to be ready for whatever plan of attack she has. She's clever, and she's a deceptive little-"

"Hey! Not back to this again. Stop insulting people you're secretly in love with, Bunny. First me; now her? Sort it out, man. Err, kangaroo. I mean Bunny!" Jack mocked. He bent over in the armchair and laughed openly at his own joke. The rabbit waited patiently for him to stop, tapping his foot impatiently. Finally, the spirit calmed himself down, "And you're forgetting one important thing. Skyla has Sandy. And it's going to end tonight -or so she thinks. I just won't fall asleep, and you will stay on vigilant watch. Which should technically not be considered fair. Skyla and me need to be let alone. Or, not alone. Just you shouldn't be getting in the way so much. I almost had her-"

"You didn't see what I saw, Jack. You were losing in there-"

"She was so close to kissing me!"

"No, you were close to kissing her. She's stubborn. And she could have gotten you to do anything right then, admit it. Actually, don't. Whatever was going on there, I don't want to know about it-"

The door opened and Jack sighed, annoyed at frequent interruptions. North came in, and the three Guardians met each other halfway, Bunnymund staying slightly closer to Jack. "Bunny" North started distantly, "I have a favor I need to ask of you."

"No way, you're on her side-"

"Please, Bunny." North held up a hand, "Just one favor. It's not about the games." The two decided to pay attention, Jack nodding that they should trust him. Just the once, though. The large Russian dropped his hand and straightened up, "I have admitted before that on certain occasions Easter is more important than Christmas. While I am not going to admit that now, I will admit to needing Easter's help now. I just need to steal you away for an hour or two- If you're worried about Skyla do not worry she is asleep."

"That doesn't make any sense." Bunny pointed out, "We're pretty sure her plan was set for tonight. I can't just leave Jack alone while she's probably getting to work-"

"She is asleep, I assure you. Check for yourself but be careful not to wake her. Then meet me in my office, there are many things I need from you. Whatever plan you think she has it must not be for tonight so take it easy and do some work with me."

"Alright, alright. But I am checking on her. If she's not asleep-"

"Bunny" Jack warned, "Don't do anything I'll make you regret. If you have to check on her, fine. But don't get close to her, and don't do anything stupid."

"He still doesn't trust me" Bunny huffed

"I trust you less now that I know you like her. I don't know what you'll do-"

"Okay, I'm leaving. North, I'll meet you in your office." Before Jack could argue, a hole opened in the floor and the rabbit jumped through.

The two Guardians stared at each other. North coughed and shifted awkwardly, "Well, I should go. If you, like Bunny, are worried about Skyla somehow going through with some sort of plan tonight, then go walk around some place. Or fly around. Whatever you like. I will only keep your co-conspirator a few hours-"

"You said one or two."

The Russian laughed, "Yes, yes I did. To him. I do not know how long this will take. While Skyla is asleep you have nothing to worry about. I will see you later, Jack. Try to keep yourself busy while you're here." He left quickly and Jack did nothing to stop him.

40 minutes later, Jack was stubbornly avoiding North's advice by lounging against a window pane, letting his frost create little figures. He made one of Skyla, scowling at how unlike her it looked. He thought he'd perfected his technique but obviously not enough. He erased the finer details and left her as an outline, suddenly wondering what she was filled with. What memories did she have, what personality quirks, what was it that really made her tick? What kept her going and made her love him?

And would he change anything? No. But he still asked himself what he would give her if he were the one to fill in the finer details. Memories, she could keep the happy ones she has. He would give her more. She can keep the personality; he loved her for who she was no matter how infuriating at times. He might add a bit more humor and adventurous nature, but mostly all he wished for her was that she lost everything that scared her; everything that made her unwilling to open herself up to others. He wanted to know her. To prove that he loved everything about her no matter what that involved.

In the window's reflection, he saw the Sandman float up behind him. Jack turned around to face him "Oh, hey Sandy. I was wondering when I would see you. What's up?" The little golden man shrugged, a small sand-ball forming in his hands. "Umm, Sandy. I don't think it's nap time yet" The spirit tried to flee but Sandy aimed and the ball hit it's target, sending Jack into a conveniently placed chair. He was asleep instantly.

The dream started with a long, sunny beach on one of the oceans. Waves crashed against the sand, flowing back just to be caught in another flume. The sand burned under his feet and he flew up, happy to know he had his staff. Not fully aware it was a dream, he floated above the waves and wondered what to do. With a grin, he swung his staff down on a wave causing a layer to turn to ice. It quickly crumbled with the rest of the falling wave and ice crystals hung in the air, making everything appear to sparkle. He did it a few more times, testing with different layers and thickness. It was the funnest day at the beach he had ever had.

Then something- someone on the sandy beach caught his eye. It was appropriate for her to be on the beach, with her sandy brown hair. It wasn't storming but her grey eyes belonged there, too. Simply because they were hers and wherever Jack was was where she belonged. More surprising than her actually being there was what she was wearing. The lilac -almost silver looking sarong ties at her chest, leaving her shoulders bare, the top of a bikini wrapping around her neck. It only goes down to her knees and other than an anklet, her legs and feet are also bare.

Jack waves to her, grinning wider than before. When she waved back, he approached her, floating inches off the ground a couple of feet away. He tries to speak, but he can't hear his words. All he knows is that whatever he said made her laugh and nod, agreeing along with whatever words he'd spoken. Jack closed the distance though and picked her up, not noticing his staff had left him as both his arms wrap around her waist to hold her tightly to him. She smelled like coffee, much like she had all the time when they first met. Jack kissed her jaw and she giggled.

"Jack... Why did you start the game?" He couldn't hear his own response but Skyla frowned at him, "I didn't mean to hurt you, Jack. I don't want you mad at me. Please, fix this!" She stilled as he nuzzled her neck and whispered what he hoped was a decent apology. "No, you need to fix it. Please! I know it's just kissing but you've put a barrier between us that I can't break down by myself. I only want to win the game because if I lose you'll be disappointed and maybe it will even mean I've failed some sort of test! I'm so sick of being scared to lose you; I just want to have you! I want us to be happy together and not have to worry about barriers, walls, lies! I want us to stop worrying about Brandon, Lauren, creatures, and hearts. Please, Jack. Please, please fix this!"

He pulled back from her, careful not to let gravity catch her. She was nearly crying. He didn't bother with words of his own, he knew it wasn't time for that. His mouth closed perfectly over hers, kissing her as passionately as he dared. The dream's hold on him was starting to loosen and he didn't want to waste a moment. When his lips left hers, the tears he saw forming in her eyes had gone, and she was smiling brightly at him, "Thank you" and disappeared. Jack frowned. Did he really accomplish anything? Or would the real Skyla still be worried about that barrier between them?

Then the world dropped out from beneath him, startling him awake. The simple wooden chair fell over, taking the spirit with it. Groaning, he slowly stood up and rubbed the back of his head. He wasn't hurt, and it was more of a confused gesture, but he felt like something had shifted inside him. His thoughts lingered on the dream then sharply focused, "Skyla!" he whispered. Grabbing his staff, he ran out the door and took to the air, trying to make his way to her room as quickly as he could.

He avoided the main halls but still he passed some yetis who each had different reactions of either cheering or yelling. They'd obviously taken bets. Jack ignored them and kept on going, even faster than before. It wasn't long before he reached the room and stopped just in front of the door. Taking a deep breath, he pushed inside.

The light from the fireplace was dimming but he could still see some details of the red and gold room. On the dresser were the flowers he'd given her, and at the base were two suitcases.

And Skyla was sound asleep under the covers of the bed. Jack left his staff by the door and walked over to the side of the bed she was turned towards. Her peaceful face made his heart ache at the memory of her dream figure telling him how worried and frightened she was. He reached out a hand and brushed some brown hair out of her face.

"Just wake her up" he told himself softly, "She wants this to be over and she's admitted why she wasn't willing to lose. Maybe she's right and it is a test, it doesn't matter! Wake her up, end this game, and take her far away from everything we've put each other through. Fix it. Now; before it hurts her any more."

The dream had been an extreme guilt trip and he was only making it worse for himself but he couldn't stop. What happens in a dream means something even if it wasn't technically considered real. They had a connection so her words must have held some measure of truth.

He watched her soft breathing for a few minutes, warring with himself. "Just wake her up? That's not very special or romantic or- It doesn't matter how it's done."

Jack, his mind made up, leaned in closer. His cold hand tipped her chin towards him and he stared at his arm as it moved. He'd forgotten about the shirt he was wearing. It was ridiculous of him to think about but he was the most naked he'd been while in her bedroom. "Now who's the perverted one?" he mumbled.

As his lips neared hers, the smile left his face as simple need took over all other emotions. "I love you, Skyla" he whispered softly, letting his cool breath wash over her.

The door opened and Tooth appeared inside, "Jack! What are you doing in here!" He groaned in response, his irritation towards the nearly constant interruptions coming back to him. Before he could reply, the fairy ordered him, "Get her to the great room. Guardian meeting. It's urgent. Sorry for waking you, Sky, but you need to be there, too."

Jack looked down to see that the brunette had woken up and was looking between the two Guardians. Then Tooth gave them a final thin-lipped look and flew back out of the room. "Jack, what's happening?"

"I don't know"

"What were you doing in here? It wasn't about that-"

"I-it was nothing. We must go, my love. They need us." he smiled at her. She nodded in response and climbed out of bed, putting her shoes on and slipping the red coat on as he grabbed his staff, "We'll fly. It's faster."

She nodded again and climbed onto his offered back, hooking herself onto him just loose enough not to strangle or otherwise crush him. She sighed, "What the hell."

"Yeah, I know. If it's not one thing-"

"It's another, more complicated, pain in the ass-"

"Thing." he finished before her words got any more colorful. "I thought you were a morning person, what's bothering you?" he asked as they took off.

"Nothing. Just- It was a bit of a rude awakening. I was having this great dream-"

"We'll talk about it later. I love you, Skyla."

"Love you." she replied. After a moment she added, "You can't see it right now but I'm blushing. Madly. Is there any way we can take a longer way? So my cheeks can maybe be a little less red when the Guardians see me?"

"No can do. Sorry. They probably won't even notice. If they do; say it's my fault."

"It is your fault" she stressed, speaking right next to his ear, "It's always your fault."

"Good." he smirked, and decided against elaborating. They soon arrived in the great room and flew quickly to meeting place. Landing in the middle of a bickering Bunny and North, Jack let Skyla drop from his back. "Hey, hey! what's' going on here?"

"Security issue." Bunnymund responded, still glaring at the Russian.

"It was not my fault" North retorted, "If anything it was yours."

"Don't start that again-"

"If we are to place blame, I will be placing it on you. I have done nothing wrong and my security team is as strong as ever. Nothing can get in here without my consent unless one of you brings it here"

"I didn't bring that here, North! It wasn't me, and none of the others did either. It's your shabby security -your yetis that let it in!"

Skyla inched away, towards the panels, as Jack tried to keep the arguing two apart, "Take a break! Explain what's happening! Someone?!" he looked over to Tooth and Sandy, both shaking their heads. "What got through?"

Bunny, still glaring over Jack's head, made an impatient, pissed off noise. "Maybe we can agree to blame it on Jack and Skyla. Without their stupid game we all would have been more focused. The Guardians, the yetis, even the elves would have been paying closer attention to the state of the Workshop instead of taking bets and making idiotic moves. It's their fault-"

"Hey!" Jack yelled, facing the rabbit. "Don't even go there" he growled.

"Jack" Tooth started, and he glanced at her. She and Sandy were staring past them and into the larger part of the room, "That's what got in" she pointed.

North and Bunny turned and stared, and he followed their lead. First he saw Skyla, looking totally oblivious. He smiled at her quickly then looked up. The smile left his face as he saw that behind her, up on the globe, was one of Pitch's nightmares.


NOTES:
Okay,
So you were probably hoping for an end to the game.
But I'm moving on now
And this means there will not be a sequel
-or, not one I have planned-
cause it can just continue like this.
Thanks for reading
I love you all
Really and truly
*hearts*