Thursday morning, Jack disappeared again. Sky was ready to throw a tantrum. She was sure he had a good reason, it wasn't like he would go back on his word so suddenly. She'd kept her word. Since they made the deal, she had pretended that he didn't exist. Well, more accurately, that she didn't believe he did. There would always be a Jack Frost. She spent the day concentrating her rain over the forest. She wouldn't drown Burgess, but she would make sure he noticed.

Friday morning, when he still wasn't there, Skyla finally stopped the rain that had apparently gotten worse overnight. She knew it was her fault, but she also knew that it happened while she was asleep and what could she really do about her unconscious will? She made sure the rain would freeze if it got cold enough, and in Burgess it was always cold enough. What fell from the sky most of the time was only half-frozen so she knew Jack wasn't trying. If he was anywhere nearby, he would have.

All she could think about was how stupid she was to hope that he would take her seriously. That he would look into her eyes and see how much was going on with her. That all she was doing was trying to keep everything together. She could only focus on so much at one time and what she needed to focus on- was Pitch Black. And Jack Frost, too. On keeping one close and the other far away.

If she was being honest about it -and she would never say it out loud- she hated that Pitch was locked up. She knew he was awful, and that he would only get up to his old schemes if he was let out... But the way his story had been told to her, it made him out to be a victim. Lies are a common thing around her, but she didn't want to doubt it. He could be a victim and a villain; she wasn't about to jump into the deeper meanings of any of it. She tried to keep in mind that whatever happened in his past didn't matter. He was threatening people. Children. The entire world!

Skyla wouldn't let him out. She would run, she would hide. She would even fight him if she had to. Not that she thought she could win- and definitely not on her own. The Guardians were still in the dark but if Jack still wasn't back by Saturday, she would tell MiM. Let him decide what to do and who to tell and when. If, at the last minute, everything went wrong, she would deal with it accordingly.

For the entire day she thought about calling a storm to Burgess. Make the most of the powers she would soon never use again. Being human did not involve having supernatural powers. She kept telling herself that, making sure she knew that she couldn't keep using them. If having weather changing abilities ever became useful in her daily life then maybe she would rethink the no-powers rule but until then she would go cold turkey.

She met with Gavin during lunch. They made plans, Marie included, to go ice skating on Tuesday. By a stroke of luck none of them had work that day. Jane would make it if she could. Skyla still wasn't confident in her skills but decided it was a great idea to have plans to keep life moving after everything that might happen on Sunday.

Sipping her raspberry tea, Skyla curled up on the couch and thought about what else linked with weather. What she could do. The lightning, the electricity, she was thinking along the lines of charging batteries. Jack had taken the ring box with him. She knew what was inside it when she first saw it. She guessed, from what he had said, that Brandon had helped pick it out. Brandon, who still hadn't replied to her e-mails. Nor had Daniel. Lauren had a good excuse after Skyla had been very straightforward. But if Jack had intended to propose then what had really happened? Or was the honeymoon phase of their relationship just over? She hadn't even realized they were in one. But, like Jack said, it had been too good to be true.

She watched as the sun went down. She watched as clouds covered the sky, blocking out the moon and the stars. Late night TV was never her thing so she shut it off and, leaving only the hall light on, readied herself to fall asleep on the couch. She had no pillows, blankets, or any heat source other than the barely working radiator. She was also wearing shorts and a simple tee with a snowflake design. Jack would show up. He had to. Either that or... Well what's the worst that would happen? She gets a cold? Pneumonia? Frees the King of Nightmares tomorrow night so he can wreak havoc on an unsuspecting world? Yeah, no, everything would be over if he didn't show up.

She was hoping that if he passed by he would see her and, like he had done so many times before, carry her to their bed. Lay beside her, watch her sleep, and think about the good times. Or at least realize how badly she needed him. She hoped he could still remember good times. But where had everything gone wrong? Was it really back when they first met? Or was it along the way. Could it ever be fixed or should she give up on him? No, she wouldn't do that. But if he asked once more for her to leave him alone then she would. What was the point in fighting for someone who would never give her another chance?


Jack:

Why couldn't she let him be? Why couldn't she give up and leave him alone?! Her reaction when Jack told her about Lauren was hurtful to say the least. She'd never been that mad at him before and had definitely never asked him to leave so seriously. He could still hear her words echoing around in his mind. Even though he tried to forget it, he couldn't. Even if he tried to forget her he couldn't. She seemed so desperate for him to stay- does she really still love him? Want him around? Can he give that to her? Jack was caught between wanting to keep his distance until after the deadline she'd given him; just to see what would happen. Another part was afraid that it really was important and that if he didn't do what she asked... something awful would happen. To who, or what, he had no idea. There were pieces there, but they didn't fit together.

When he left, the first time, he'd wanted to go to Lauren. Then he realized how stupid that would be and decided to stay far away from her. He'd snuck into Sky's apartment while she was at work and sent messages to Brandon. The Demon didn't offer any help, only got mad at him for what he did. Jack made him promise not to get involved and as far as the spirit could tell; he hadn't. But Jack didn't know what to do and he was drowning in the stress. He'd asked MiM again and again what he was supposed to do, he'd even gone to see North! The Russian just laughed and gave Jack some cryptic advice about love and maybe something about cats?

Jack didn't want to leave Sky. But being with her was more complicated and painful than he thought it could be. It was worse being away from her, but he was sure it would fade with time. He said so many things he didn't mean -especially while she was pretending he didn't exist. It was his fault he'd asked her to. It was his fault he couldn't take it back. She was afraid that if she noticed him even the tiniest bit that the deal would be off and he would never go back to her.

"I've really screwed up" he sighed, balancing on power lines. He loved her more than anything. He knew it, and he wanted to scream the words until she knew it! But he couldn't. There was something wrong with their relationship and he was sure it was her. Her secrets. Whatever they were, they must be painful enough that she couldn't even tell Brandon. The Demon had mentioned that there were some things she kept even from him; probably even from herself. "How can I hope that things will be different. I've hoped for too long already..."

A shadow moved across the sky and he jumped into action, almost wishing that it was just Bunnymund. Having one Nightmare running around was bad enough. He followed where he saw it; running, flying, jumping, flipping several times. Then he saw the Nightmare turn left- too near to Sky's apartment. Jack surged forwards, trying to cut it off. It just neighed and goes around him, dropping down near a parking lot.

Jack beat it to the patio and stood on the railing, his staff poised and ready to attack, "You stay away from her!" He was pissed. The nightmares, the NightMARES. There was definitely something going on, "Is Pitch threatening Skyla?!" It stared at him, hovering ten feet away. Then it neighs and it's ears twitched forward, towards the apartment. Jack, taking a chance, glanced behind himself.

Skyla was there, wearing sleepwear that was entirely inappropriate for the temperature. But beside her, next to the couch, was another Nightmare. He thought, absently, if that must have been what Brandon felt like. He slid open the door, slowly, and aimed his staff. The Mare didn't look at him, only backed up and bowed towards Sky's sleeping figure. She was turned away, curled up, and shaking from what he hoped was just the cold. The two Mares neighed and he wondered what the hell they were doing. What they wanted him to do. He knew what he wanted to do; throw her the hell outta Burgess and somewhere warmer where she couldn't pull those stunts.

The Mare next to the couch gestured to him, then out into the hallway. "You want me to... put her to bed?" The Mare neighed. Jack was weirded out. That was putting it lightly. But he picked her up anyway. "You better be gone when I get back out here." They neighed again and it was a small miracle that Sky hadn't woken up. He brought her into the bedroom, lay her down on the mattress, and put the covers over her. With one last look, he left to lock down the apartment. He was staying, at least until she explained things in the morning. If she could.


Skyla woke up, cold as all hell. She shivered, then noticed she was in bed. The patio door slammed and she knew Jack had shown up. Relief washed over her- until she focused and felt his anger. It wasn't what she wanted, but she had expected it to be that way, or at least in part. But it was all he was feeling, there was no mixture of anything. It was just anger.

She shivered again as he entered the room. "Sky?" he asked. She hadn't even known she'd sat up.

"Hey, Jack." she waved lamely, "I wasn't sure if you would show up."

"I wasn't going to come here. Skyla, just tell me what's going on between you and Pitch." He stood still at the foot of the bed, watching her, "There were Nightmares here. They were watching you and- and they wanted me to bring you to bed? Why would they want me to do that?"

"Because they can't touch me. I mean, they can. They've just been forbidden to. By Pitch Black... I'm sorry, I was going to tell you... Soon" She half-laughs half -sobs. "I'm so sorry, Jack. You're right. It was a mistake, we should never have gotten together! It's all my fault and you can never trust me, I'm sorry!" Skyla brought her knees to her chest and tried to keep her sobs quiet.

"Just tell me- Tell me how you know him! Tell me why he's threatening you!"

"I can't! I'm sorry"

"Sky, what the hell..." He left his staff against the wall and approached her. Sitting beside her, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and rocked her gently, "I'm trying to be mad at you. Stop crying.

"Sorry-"

"And stop apologising." His hand moves up to stroke her hair, "I just need you to be honest with me, Sky. Not just honest. I need you to tell me everything."

"I can't. Not yet. Please trust me. Trust me one last time then I swear you never have to see me again-"

"I don't want that. I want to stick around. I want to show up at your door and have more and more fights with you. Just so we can make up. And so we can be more open with each other the next time."

"Please don't leave"

He leaned back, taking her face in his hands, "Are you even listening? I don't want to leave. And I'm not going to"

"You are, I broke our deal!" She wiped at her eyes, trying to clear the tears. "I love you, please don't leave me"

"You're still not listening." He shook her lightly. "I'm not leaving. Not tonight. But I will, soon, if you don't explain things to me. Sunday, right?"

"Sunday. I promise. I'll tell you everything. But not here in Burgess, okay? I- There's someone I want to visit..."

"I don't understand wha-"

"Please? It's important. And it will be easier if we're there..." She met his eyes and he immediately pulled her closer, letting her head rest against his chest.

"We can't just erase everything in one day, Sky. Sunday won't determine what I choose to do. If I think I can get back together with you or not."

"When did we break up?"

"I don't know. It just feels like that-"

"No. If we'd broken up I would be crying a lot harder. Do you... do you remember... a time when you were happy? With me?"

He's quiet for a few long moments. His fingers start playing with her hair again. "I remember... Our first fight. Our first inside joke. Our first... kiss... First time... And I remember when the fights got bad, the jokes got stale, and the kisses had to stop. But what I remember most... is that no matter what... I always loved you. Through everything."

"But you're still thinking of giving it up?"

"Yes. And you're thinking of letting me."

"What could I do to make you stay if you decide you hate me? There's nothing-"

"I could never hate you." He assured her, kissing her head. Skyla pulled back and stared at him. His icy blue eyes meet her stormy greys and it's like several puzzle pieces fit together. Like something is so obvious that he can't stop his smile. "It's like everything was pointing to your powers. Those eyes... Your name... We have something in common now. The weather. Have you tried making it snow?"

Skyla sniffled, "No way. That's your thing, I'm not taking it from you." She smiled back and kept a few comments to herself. It can wait for Sunday, she told herself. "I love you, Jack. I don't care what happens I'm going to love you forever and then a while longer."

"My love, Angel of the Skies." he grinned. Her face falls and he touches her cheek, bringing her eyes up to meet his again. "I do love you, Sky. I just don't want to get your hopes up. I can't promise I'll stay after everything."

"And I don't expect you to. I've been awful and I'm so sorry. But my hopes are always up when it comes to you. I just want us to be happy; that's how it's always been. Or, I at least want you to be happy. With Lauren, with me, with a snowflake; I don't care! And I know I shouldn't worry because you'll always be happy... You're freakin Jack Frost!" She leaned forward and, taking a chance, touched her lips to his.

"Sky..."

"Please. Tomorrow night you can't stay in bed with me. Tonight I just..." She looked at him hopefully, "Hold me. Please." He hesitated. She grabbed one of his hands and held it over her heart, "If you're not going to, if you don't want to, you have to say it. Just like this; your hand over our hearts, and your eyes on mine. You have to tell me, honestly, that you don't want to hold me."

"I don't think I can." He pressed forwards and his mouth fits over hers. Her hand, still holding his, slipped lower.

She could deal with the Boogeyman tomorrow. The night was theirs and no amount of dark will could keep her from enjoying it. If it really was going to be their last night of actually being together, then she was going to make the most of it. It seemed like he was, too. But just because two people love each other doesn't mean they're right to be together. Doesn't mean they can be happy together, no matter how hard either of them tries. They can promise heaven, and only drag each other through hell.