"Did anything happen while I was away?" Jack asked late Saturday afternoon, looking at her hopefully. Was it a test to see if she would be honest with him? Open?

He didn't have to test her, Skyla already planned to tell him everything. As they walked along the sidewalks she kept glancing at him. "Just that I'm a superhero" she laughed softly. "Angel of the Skies. It's for real now. Even though my name has nothing to do with the sky. It means scholar but-" She smiled at him, "I can create storms, I guess. I'm not sure what that really involves though"

"So it's more than just rain that doesn't freeze?" He wouldn't let her near his forest again so they stayed in the heart of Burgess' commercial area.

"I'm still mortal." But he understood why she needed to get out of the apartment so they left and decided on a walk.

"Oh." his face fell for a moment. "Did you figure it out on your own?"

She was nervous for what would happen that night. "Sort of, yeah. Then I talked to MiM-"

"Woah. Wait. Did he talk back?!" Skyla nodded at him. His eyes lit up, "Wow!"

"I don't like him."

"Oh" he frowned, "What did he do?"

"Thanks for being on my side. I'm just pissed off that everything was planned. From the beginning he only wanted you to find me so some magical bull-" Jack's hand touched her arm and she blushed, "Sorry. He wanted us together so some magic stuff would make me magic, too."

"It doesn't really work like that, does it? Lauren wouldn't have-" His brows furrowed, "I shouldn't mention her, should I?"

"She's your friend. And, sort of still mine. But, no. That's not how it works. I guess I had some dormant abilities. MiM knew it, and he wants to use me. He wants me to be a Guardian. And before you can say anything I've already said no-"

"What? Why?"

"It's my choice, isn't it?" Skyla turns at a corner and he follows, his hand falling away from her arm. "And I choose not to be a Guardian. It's not for me."

"That's what I said too, Sky. It's not that bad-"

"Don't." She looked at him seriously, "Don't try to push me into it. I can't, Jack. I'm mortal, and I'm staying that way. It's cool that I have these powers but I'm not going to use them. I just moved here, and I'm just getting my life sorted out again. I'm not giving that up to be a Moon Minion."

"Moon Minion? Is that what you think I am?"

"No. I-it's complicated. But I've decided on a human life. You can understand that, right?"

He's quiet for several long moments. Then he stopped and pulled her against a wall so someone can push a cart full of things past them. "You're right. It's your decision. If things hadn't happened the way they did I wouldn't have become a Guardian. But they needed me and I needed them. It isn't safe for a mortal to be a Guardian anyway, I have no idea what MiM was thinking. Don't call us Moon Minions." he said strictly.

"Sorry."

"You have plans for after tomorrow? Work, playdates, a life to live?"

"Yeah. And it's going to be fun. You should join me."

"Sky..."

"Okay! I won't mention it again. Just tell me you're thinking about it?"

He started walking again and she followed. "I'm thinking about it. After you explain everything tomorrow I'll decide"

"About that..." She didn't look at him but felt him tense beside her, "It's not your last chance. I'll understand if you need space, and I'll understand if you can't talk to me for a while... But I'll still want you to come back to me. No matter how you react."

"Do you think I'll react like you did?"

"Possibly worse. I don't know."

"Do you think I'll come back to you? After I know everything?"

"I hope you will. I love you, Jack. Always will. And I plan to have a very long mortal life so you'll have plenty of time to forgive me."

"If I choose to."

"If you choose to."

Later that night, back in the apartment, Skyla was trying to waste time. She didn't want to put on pajamas. She wanted to be able to leave as soon as she was out of the nightmare so she stayed in her jeans and her red sweater. Jack paced the living room and Skyla watched him from the couch, a frown on her face.

"Hey, Jack. Think you could chill out a bit? I know it's not cool of me, but I'm sure everything will be frosty."

"That's never been funny, Skyla."

"It was" she mumbled. "Come and sit with me." Scooting over, she patted the seat to her right.

He reluctantly sat beside her. "I'm worried. Aren't you?"

She put an arm around his shoulders, "Frightened. Absolutely terrified. But I know everything is going to be alright. Because you're with me."

"For now."

"Oh, just admit it. You love me and you want to stay." She leaned in and kissed his cheek.

"I want to stay but I can't promise that I will." He stares at the wall in front of him, his lips a thin line. "Let's just get past tonight first."

"Alright. I love you. And I really do hope that you'll stay with me after all of this." The arm that wasn't around his shoulders reached up and her hand turned his head towards her. He didn't resist and she pressed her lips to his.

He kissed her back softly for a few moments before lightly pushing her away, his lips still grazing hers and his eyes shut, "This may be our last kiss, Sky. Do you understand that?"

"Yes" she answered almost breathlessly, "But I really hope it isn't."

His eyes shifted up and down her face then stared into her eyes, "No promises. Now go have a nightmare."

"Be here when I wake up?" He nodded at her. "Love you." She kissed him again then quickly got up and walked to her room. She closed the door, made sure the curtain was closed properly, then stood in the darkness for a few moments. She wasn't ready. And, like she'd said, she was afraid of what would happen. She was about to piss of the King of Nightmares. Hesitantly, she crawled onto the mattress. She lay on her side, clutching onto her pillow as she closed her eyes and willed herself to sleep.

When she opened her eyes she wasn't in the room Pitch had made for her. She was in a big ballroom. Black marble floor to ceiling, including the columns. Far behind her there was a set of double doors that looked difficult to open, and in front of her was a simple black armchair. There were chandeliers up on the high ceiling and they set a dark almost-green glow over everything. She shivered, the room sending chills through her.

"P-pitch!" She called, "You know I'm here! Come out so we can get this over with!"

She heard his laugh. It was very loud and it echoed all around her. Then his shadow, somehow it even stood out in the dark room, faded and reappeared, circling around her on the walls, the floor, anywhere it could. The lights started to flicker, casting even more shadows. The shadows started to take forms and solidify, turning into Nightmare Horses.

Finally, Pitch took form on the chair, leaning forwards with a sinister smile on his face. "So how's little Jack doing?"

"Great. As you know, he's with me in our apartment."

"Yes, I know. But does that really mean anything?"

"It means I'm not setting you free!" Skyla yelled, "Can you please just speak plainly?!"

He stood, glided towards her, and took her head in his hands, "Now, my dear, what fun would there be in that? I want you to think about what I say and not have everything explained to you. You need to start being independent."

"I have been. For years now I've been on my own-"

"Have you? Think about it. Everything has been given to you. Daniel was surprisingly willing to allow someone with no experience to work at his new business."

Skyla slapped his hands away and stepped back, only to jump forwards again as a Mare pushed against her back. Pitch took hold of a lock of her hair and she really started panicking. There was no way to get away from him. She knew that going in and thought she was ready but who could ever really be ready for a nightmare? "I don't know what you're talking about. Daniel gave me that job because he felt bad for me and wanted to give me a chance."

Pitch grinned, "And what about Jacqueline? Didn't you think everything was going well? Then she leaves you in a field?" He tuts. "And then Henry... Ah, yes. That was a particular favorite of mine. Where did he come up with the idea to spell out words with chocolates? He was hard to convince. But, in the end, he couldn't resist me either. He couldn't escape the fear. They feared you, and they left you without really knowing why they feared you. Humans. So easy to manipulate"

"You- You didn't-" Skyla was shaking. As his hand played with her hair a finger brushed her cheek and she jerked back, "Why would you do that?!"

"Why? Why?!" He turned and sat heavily on his chair again, spreading his arms out at his Mares, "Why not? They weren't good enough for you. They didn't deserve to be near you! She was speaking behind your back, and he was using his weekends to be with some tight-clothed little-"

"That's not true!"

He calmed himself down, that sinister smile coming back. Leaning forward, he stared at her and rested his elbows on his knees. "And what about Lauren? Hmm? Do you really think a stranger would offer to allow you residence in their home? Or to be your friend? Think of what she gave you. Now realize that I made her give it to you. And even she had no idea! MiM wasn't the only one who was trying to get you involved with Jack Frost, you know. I had completely different reasons of course."

"You're lying!" Her hands closed into fists and pressed against her hips.

"Now... I won't even mention Jen. But I will mention..." He laughed, leaning back against the chair, "Your little Demon."

Skyla stepped forward, but a Mare materialized between her and the Boogeyman. "Dammit, Pitch! If you did anything to him-"

"You'll what?" He laughed again, "You can't do anything to me in here. You would have to come find me. And you know that if you did that..."

She planted her feet firmly on the ground, closed her eyes, and focused on calming herself. After a few deep breaths she looked up again to see all the Mares gone and Pitch standing in front of her. The chair behind him had disappeared as well and, with such a large, empty room, Skyla's voice echoed, "I will not let you out. Leave my friends alone and let me control my own life."

"I've been having so much fun with them." He sighs. "If that is what you wish. I suppose you want to leave now? Go back to Jack Frost?"

"Yes. If everything is settled here-"

"How much do you plan to tell him, Skyla?" His hand reached up to gently touch her cheek, "What are you going to tell him?"

"Everything."

"You can't. You won't. He'll hate you-"

"I don't care. I owe him for putting him through all of this."

"He won't stay with you-"

"I know. And you know how afraid I am of that happening. But he needs to know. I need him to know." She reached up and put a hand over his, "I'm sorry. I wish things could have turned out better but after everything... This is the last time we'll see each other."

"Won't you visit me?"

"You've never wanted me to visit before-"

"Of course I have" he said softly. "I've missed you. I wish I would have been better to you-"

"You should have thought about it sooner. Like, 19 years ago maybe? Almost 20!"

"Your birthday is coming up?"

"Yes. It is. You've missed enough, I don't care if you miss this one. If you can manage not to be all creepy Boogeyman then maybe one day-"

"I can't change who I am. You know that." He turned around and started walking away, "I will always be the monster outside your door, yelling at your mother. Letting you hear our angry, misspoken words. But I will also always be your father. No matter what you say, no matter what the Guardians do; I will always find my way back to you."

"No! Stay away from me!" She yelled, starting to run after him, "And stay away from them! I don't care who you are, if you hurt them I will never forgive you! Do you hear me-

"-father!" She screamed at him. But then she realized the darkness she was seeing wasn't the Nightmare World. She was back in Burgess, sitting bolt upright and shaking, clutching the pillow close to her chest. She pressed it over her mouth and bit down hard, trying to stop the after effects of the nightmare

"Sky!" Jack yelled as he burst through the door. He landed next to her on the bed and crushed her against him, "Sky, it's okay! It's okay, stop screaming!" He continued saying soothing words to her and holding onto her tightly as she began to calm down. "Sky, what happened? Did he hurt you?"

"N-no. Just-" She looked at him, tears brimming her eyes, "Get me out of here."

Jack just nodded and helped her up slowly, being careful not to rush. His brows furrowed and mouth set in a thin line, he watched her walk and held onto her tightly but gently. "You sure you want to go now? It can wait, Skyla. We can get you something to eat, a cup of raspberry tea-"

"Just get me the hell out of here, Frost."

"You don't need to be so-"

"So what? I'm scared, Jack"

"I am too. You're scaring me." He grabbed his staff and waited for her to climb on his back. "What's wrong?"

"I don't know. Remember when you found me in your forest? I was trying to fly..." She sighed and hopped onto his back, "It's a bit insane."

"Not entirely. You want to fly and with a power like yours it should make sense. Some other time."

"Maybe later if you decide not to fly me back" she whispered, believing that he would.

"Unless I think you need some space, the least I can do is fly you back. Don't count me out so early, Sky. You just woke up and it's a brand new day. Expect the best. Or, like you do, hope for the best."

"I think hope is a bit too much to hope for right now. I'm really out of it. Can we just get going?" Jack turned his head and kissed the side of her mouth. He was probably aiming for her cheek but she wasn't leaning far enough forwards. Then he faced forwards and opened the patio, stepping out into the cool night. Shutting it carefully, he made sure she was holding on properly before taking off. They headed West, towards the falling Moon.