Rampant Rabbit

by End of Grace

Every Spring Bunnymund, Goes In To A Deep Sleep To Avoid Going In to Heat! This Year Is Going To Be Diffenrent Wither He Wants It To Or Not. Just What Has North Gotten Himself In Too? Now the spell is broken can Bunny and North's relationship survive? This Is A Slash North/Bunnymund Fic, don't like don't read! Now Complete.

8. Chapter 8

Rampant Rabbit

By End of grace

A/N Thank you for the reviews, appreciated as always. I seriously have no idea where this story is going, it was just meant to be a few chapters on Bunny and North. Then Pitch turned up and well...you'll just have to read for yourself.

Chapter 8

The yetis were quick to set up an office for Holly to get started. They bought in a board with pins, note pads, pens, sticky notes and most importantly her lap top. She had not been happy over the fact the North had gotten one of his yetis to go and get it, but also pack her an overnight bag as well. It was just as well really, she could do as much as she could tonight and then concentrate on finding a new place tomorrow. She had just sat down when two elves came in with a plate full of cookies. She told them politely no thanks, which they took as permission to eat them. A yeti came in shortly afterwards and scolded them, and carried them away by their bells, after giving Holly the half eaten cookies. She gave a half laugh before getting down to work. She began reading the file the chief had given her as she searched her laptop for the ACH website. The website was now boosting that it had over ten thousand members worldwide already, and the numbers were still going up. The forum page was littered with people complaining about how much they spent on the holidays and which ones that should be gotten rid of. She wrote down everything the guardians had told her about Pitch, about who he was before he was the nightmare king and how he almost destroyed them last time. She knew that Pitch wanted attention, wanted to be believed in. This group gave him the opportunity, time and method which the guardians could not fight. Very cleaver, she had to give him that, now where did Markowitz's stand in all this? He couldn't be in it for the money, he was already rich. How did he get in contact with Pitch? What was their partnership about? Everything else made sense, but this, what was their angle?. There was a polite knock at the door, and North stood there.

"We're having dinner now Holly"

"Oh, I don't want to intrude...if possible just leave me a plate, I'll eat later"

"What are you on about, we want you to have dinner with us, we're waiting for you"

"Huh? Why?"

North taps her on the forehead "For a smart woman you forget you are my guest? Come on now"

North took Holly's arm and started to drag her down to the kitchen was everyone was waiting. Jack and Bunny were down one side and Sandy and Tooth down the other. Holly was pushed to one of the ends and North took the other. On the table were large plates of vegetable, meats and fruits, and everyone was simply helping themselves. Bunny had made North a plate as the winter spirit sat down. Holly slid in to her seat uncomfortably, as she picked up her knife and fork. She mainly listened and watched as the guardians interacted. North and Bunny sat very close together, whispering and talking, with Tooth adding a few things while giving orders to her smaller fairies. Jack was flicking his peas at goals that Sandy made. Having been raised in an orphanage she wondered if this what family dinners were like? If so, she could get use to them.

"Holly, eat up you need your strength!" shouted North. Holly nodded and started to tuck in to a bit of beef with gravy.

"Say Holly, you're a policewoman right? How many bad guys have you caught?" asked Jack leaning slightly towards her.

"Oh, a few, more when I've worked with teams. Last week bought down a drug baron trying to smuggle cocaine out of the county"

"Cool"

"What about you? What do you do?"

"Oh, nothing to special" Jack gave her a cheeky smile and used his staff to create a small ice sculpture of Holly's police badge that she had on her belt.

"So I have you to thank for all those snow days" laughed Holly as she looked at the detail of the ice badge.

"You're welcome"

"Say Holly, made any headway with Pitch and his human yet?" asked Bunnymund, turning his head to the girl at the other end.

"Other than their partnership with the group, nothing! Which is the most essential part of this puzzle."

"How come?" asked Tooth

" Markowitz' is rich, crazy rich. The money he would make of this...scam for lack of a better word, is champ change to him. He doesn't need anybody to inflict fear for him, he's part of a mafia, they breath intimidation. So the question becomes what has Pitch got that Markowitz' needs for him to do all this? I mean a fake id, phone, apartment, they not cheap! It has to be something big!"

"But what has that got to do with stopping Pitch?" asked Tooth looking confused at Holly.

"No, I get it! We find what's holding those two together and break it, then Pitch would be knocked back to square one."

"Why not just break the necklace?" asked Jack.

Sandy showed a picture of Pitch in human form surrounded by guardians that were just walking though him.

"Oh yeah! and it would be too hard to get it off him in his normal foam. Maybe Holly can get it?" said Jack looking at Holly.

"I could try, but that maybe even harder! Pitch will be on guard all the time, I'd have to win him over. And time might not be on our side."

"And I would rather you not face Pitch on your own, not without backup" said North. "Besides we need to work out a schedule and commutations as well. With Holly's job she will be needed to do things by the book as well as go to the office"

"Wait a moment North, I forgot to tell you. I'm off for the whole of this month for...something" said Holly really not wanting to them she was being thrown out of her apartment.

"Really? Excellent! Then you can stay here for the time being and get started on the case!"

"What? Stay here? At the pole? I can't! I have some very important things to do..."

"More important then stopping Pitch?" asked Bunnymund with a slight edge to his voice.

"Of course not, but it's really important to me! It's something I've should have done last month and I'm almost out of time. Look, until they make a serious move or do something illegal I can't really do anything. Also I'm off this month so technically I can't make an arrest either"

"She is right Bunny. Besides we know where Pitch more or less is, we will watch him and then make our move. I'll make us a phone so that when Holly is at home, we can communicate with her. Holly tomorrow, you return home, do what you need to do then come back. Agreed?"

Holly wanted to argue but felt it would have been a waste of effort "Alright. I'll try and get as much as I can tomorrow, but I might need to pop back now and again "

"Well now that decided, I think we should take our leave" said Tooth looking at Sandy, who showed a child getting in to bed. "We have promises to keep. It was lovely meeting you Holly, don't forget to floss before bedtime, I will be checking!" smiled Tooth as she hugged the smaller woman.

"Considered me warned!" laughed Holly as Sandy created his hat and tipped it in her direction. Feeling slightly bold Holly leaned over and kissed him on his temple.

"Goodnight Sandy"

Smoke sand puffed out of his ears and his golden cheeks darken as he blushed, and with another quick nod to everyone, Sandy left with Tooth with a huge smile on his face.

"Well I'd better get back to going thought that website" said Holly as she stood up, Jack did so as well and grabbed her arm.

"No wait! Let me give you a tour of North's workshop first! Come on it will be fun"

"I don't know, I really.."

"You said so yourself there isn't much you can do right now. Besides there are many kids who would quite happily remove their limbs to have a chance of going around North's workshop" laughed Bunnymund as he noticed Jack making a small snowball.

"I know it's every kid's dream but..." Jack's snowball hit her right in the face and as she brushed the snow away, her childish excitement erupted.

"Screw it! It can wait! Come on Jack" she shouted as she shot down on of the passages, Jack quickly following her, leaving North and Bunny behind.

The yetis began clearing the table while Bunny rested his head on his paws in thought.

"Where are your thoughts running off too Bunnymund?" asked North looking concerned over the thoughtful look on his lover's face.

"Just wondering if you have any other kids you want to tell me about?" Bunnymund smiled as North's cheeks flushed.

"Just Holly and Jack, I promise. Though..." as he leaned over closer to Bunny, so that no one could over hear. "I would be very happy, if I had more"

Bunny flushed brightly and chuckled "So you know, I can...you know...give you some"

"I do, though I'm pretty sure that children wasn't the thing that was playing on your mind"

Bunny sighed lifting his head off his paws "It wasn't. I'm worried North, about everything. This whole thing with Pitch and not being able to do anything. Trusting Holly, she's human and could get seriously hurt. And there is the problem with all the other holiday leaders and sprites."

"What do you mean?"

"You know as well as I do North, they won't tolerate Holly. They'll see her as an outsider messing with they affairs. It won't matter that Manny picked her to do the job"

"I know, but we have very little choice in the matter. I have the same feelings love believe me, I'd rather fight Pitch's armies unarmed then see Holly go up against him on her own"

"She's a brave one, I'd give her that. What's her story North? I mean we all know that she almost arrested you, but she still shouldn't be able to see us. Her family must think she's nuts"

"Holly's an orphan Bunny. When Holly was old enough to start believing and writing letters, She sent me one. Now you know many children's letters contain "I would like", "I want", "Have been good this year". Holly's was different. It started off with asking me how I was and how the elves were. There were a few questions about the reindeer and the sleigh, before getting to the point of her writing. She explained that she had been abandon on the steps of the orphanage where she lived, and all she wanted from me, were parents. Not toys, teddies, or dollies, she wanted parents"

Bunnymund whistled "Tall order for ya"

"Yes, impossible order, I could not give her nothing she had been good, so I made her a doll instead. Few days after Christmas, I received something extraordinary, a thank you note from Holly. She thanked me for the doll, saying it was nice. Then apologised for not giving me enough time to find her parents in time for Christmas. This time I had all year to do so"

Bunny broke out laughing "Aw that's sweet"

"You think so? Every year for over six years it was the same, she wanted nothing but parents. Then one year, it changed. Instead of parents, she asked ME to adopt her, inclosing an adoption form and everything. I did not know what to do, so I decided I would talk to her. I made her a bear that year, and embroidered it with her name on its tummy. I went to the orphanage and found her room. She was asleep in her coat with a small suitcase beside her"

"She believed you would adopt her, after not getting her parents" said Bunnymund looking at the sad face of North as he continued his story.

"Yes, she was so excited when she saw me, she grabbed her case and almost sprinted out of the room if I had not caught her. I explained that I could not adopt her, because she was human nor could I give her parents. Her face at that moment haunted me for years, she was so heartbroken. It turns out that the other children and the careers thought Holly was odd, they avoided her. So I made her deal, if she had not been adopted by her 18th year, and was always on the good list, I would adopt her then. She was happy with that and asked if she could continue to write to me, I told her I would not reply and she said that was ok. She was just happy to have someone to talk too. The letters came every year some time more than once if it was big news. There were times when she was almost adopted, but things would not go according to plan, people not being checked and such. She graduated high school, and moved in to the police academy dormitory to begin her training. During the Christmas holidays Holly was the only one in the dorm left, when I came to visit. She did not recognised me at first and arrested me for breaking and entering. Once she got a good look at me and we spoke about the letter's she sent me. She quickly released me and apologised. We talked and I told her that I had come to hold my promise to her. She smiled sadly and told me she would not hold me too it as she understood why I did not adopt her as a child. She had aged were I had not. Instead she made me a new deal, I would now write back to her and visit her at Christmas. She also asked that I come to see her graduation from the academy"

North stood up and went to the dresser and opened one of the drawers pulling out a photo frame and handed it to Bunnymund. The picture was of North and Holly in a police uniform, her holding her diploma. "I told her no one else would see me or hear me, and she said that if she could see and hear me that was enough. And we have been as close as family ever since."

"How did you..."

"Camera was on a timer "

"Is this why you reacted the way you did to Manny?"

North sighed and rubbed the back of his head as he sat back down, taking one of Bunny's paws in to his hand. "After what Pitch did to us last time, after what he and Oogie did to me recently...I have come to realise that even though I'm immortal, I'm not invincible. And the thought that I cannot protect the ones I love, from whatever Pitch is doing, scares me greatly. We could lose our powers at most at the moment, but Holly...she could get hurt or worse"

"North, we can't worry on what the future holds or on simply the bad things. Once Holly figures out what to do, we'll be able to fight. Until then..." Bunny leaned over and chastely kissed North on the lips. "Let me distract you from them"

North smiled mischievous "Oh...and how does my Bunny plan on doing that?"

Bunny's smiled mirrored his as he stood up and pulled the winter guardian to his feet. "I can think of a few things."

They walked slowly towards North's room, saying good night to yetis and elves as they past. North opened his door and let himself and Bunny in, he wrapped his arms around Bunny's waist pulling him in to a deep kiss. Bunny put his arms around North's shoulders, enjoying North's tongue invading his mouth, rubbing every inch inside. North's hand's rubbed his sides before lowering to his butt and kneaded it in his hands. Bunny moaned deeply and rubbed himself against North. North pulled back, releasing Bunny from his hold, making Bunny groan in displeasure.

"North, why are you stopping?" he asked as he reached for the older man only for him to grab his paws gently in his hands.

"I have noticed something is not right. Something is missing"

Bunny looked at North and then around the room. "What? What's missing?"

"This" North pulled out a black velvet necklace that held North's gold ring on it. Undoing the clasp he placed it around Bunny's neck, were it sat in the hollow of Bunnymund's throat. "There better. I noticed it was to large really for your paw and thought this way would be better, plus now everyone can see it and know that we are a couple"

"North" Bunny's voice was thick with emotion "I don't have anything for you"

"What more would I want? I have you" and with this North pushed Bunny back gently so he fell on to the bed, where North quickly joined him.

The Temple of love was based in Greece, surrounded by a lash valley that was always at sunset or sunrise. The walls were white that glowed from the flickering candles, as the smell of roses floated from each room. Aphrodite was brushing her blond her in fount of her mirror, when her reflection melted away to show the moon looking back at her.

"Man in moon? This is an honour. How can I help you?"

The image in fount of her changed again and she frowned deeply. "What about him?"

Again the image changed and the sound of a heart beating followed "You want me to stay out of his heart? Why?"

The image changed back in to the moon, only this time it was darker as if it was glaring at the goddess of love.

"Alright, I, Aphrodite give you my word. That no matter who asks, I will not mess with that persons heart"

The moon flickered away leaving Aphrodite's reflection, showing her deep frown and worry lines.

"What was that all about?"

"Now have you got everything?" asked North, as Holly picked up her bags. She had tried to leave quietly before anyone was up but the yetis refused to send her back without having breakfast. Then Jack turned up at the table and they got to talking, as North and Bunny came in, then it all went to pot. Holly gave North her phone to look at, so that he could build one later. North went though how to use the snow globes and gave Holly two of them and warned her to be careful with them. He then begged her to give him her solemn promise that she wouldn't go looking for Pitch on her own. She gave it to him, claiming that she really needed to go now, as it was almost lunch time.

"Is not, it's only eleven. Now do you have everything and you remember instructions?" asked North his arms folded against his chest, with Bunny and Jack behind him trying not to laugh at Holly's exasperated face.

"Yes North, I have and remember everything. Now I really need to go, and I'll be back as soon as I can" said Holly as she whispered in to the snow globe and shook it.

"And remember no going after Pitch on your own!" shouted North as Holly jumped in to the vortex. "Stubborn girl"

Holly stumbled on the landing but managed to stay up right, as she reappeared back in the ally that the yetis abducted her in. Brushing herself down, as she started back down to the main street only to stop and gasp at what she saw. Posters, Black large, small, banners with red writing were littered everywhere in the street. Join the AHC, we here to help you stop the madness, they read. As she walked down the street, Holly picked up on passing conversations, a knot in her stomach foaming with every passing word.

"The AHC got it right though"

"Can't tell you how much money I wasted on Valentines"

"Do we really need groundhog day?"

"The AHC made me realise how much money I'm throwing away"

"I've join up already and filled out the protest form"

"I'm joining as soon as I get back from work"

"I'm joining..."

"The ACH is great"

Holly started to run back to her apartment building yet no matter the road she took they were all littered with posters. The building were her apartment was a rundown old building with two floors, and was surround by rubble and rubbish were the building around it had already been knocked down. She ran up the stairs, yanked down the yellow condemned tape covering her door and went in slamming the door behind her. WHAT THE HELL WAS GOING ON? The site had only been up for a few days. The guardians have only know about it for the same length of time, and even with all their resources the mafia couldn't pull this off this quickly. No this had been in the planning for months, it had to have been. Quickly pulling out her laptop and putting it on, she quickly poured herself a drink as she went to the AHC webpage. Its membership had more than doubled over night and was almost near a hundred thousand mark. This was serious, North had told her what had happened to them when the children had stopped believing in them, what would happened to all of them if the holidays were no longer celebrated or believed in?

"Ok, let's prioritise. I've already packed most of my stuff, I just need to put it in storage. I can stay with North for a while, he said so himself. Once the moving guy comes and get my stuff I'm going to start making some calls, and you Mr. bogyman better be prepared for an arse kicking"

Pitch was sitting behind his desk in his original foam looking over his website. It was all going to plan, he could feel the fear from the children at the work houses growing. With every new member, belief in the holidays dwindled. He was on top of the world and the black and gray decor of his new office suited him wonderfully. He always worked better in the dark and loved how uncomfortable it made people when they entered. Right now, that person was Markowitz, though he was trying hard not to show it. Pitch smiled eerily as he looked up from his computer screen.

"Its marvellous isn't? A few days ago this world was a sap being drained by this holidays and their leaders with their faith, dreams and hope. Now little by little we're making a clot and soon they will be powerless, you'll be rich, and I will be powerful in this world and in the other."

"I don't care about the money Pitch, I don't care how much you use to throw at this silly campaign of yours. I do not care if the other holidays come and attack me or the police. The only thing I want..."

"Yes, yes" snapped Pitch as he glared at the human man in fount of him "I have given you my word have I not? Has anything changed?"

Markowitz sighed and shook his head sadly "It has not"

"Well then, you have nothing to worry about. Like you said you don't care about anything else. The guardians are probably wondering what they can do to stop me, but they're about to find out that their problems are only just beginning. Right about now." the counter on the computer screen just turned hundred thousand.

Aphrodite was casting simple love charms on Cupid's arrows for him, when the small tremor shook her temple, knocking things over. She looked around, as her beautiful white walls started to turn gray and large cracks appeared. In Halloween town the quack had caused the main fountain in the town square to shatter, its dark green water going everywhere. Old man Thanksgiving looked in horror as his turkeys dropped down dead one by one. Lucky the leprechaun sat and cried as the barrels of beer that stored burst open, flooding his cellar. At the North Pole the quake caused the guardian symbol to split in two.

"What was that?" asked Jack as he got back to his feet. North helped Bunnymund up and looked at the crack.

"Its belief, we losing it"

Jack looked at the globe "But the children..."

"It's not they belief we're losing mate, it's the belief in our holidays that we're losing" explained Bunnymund. "The children will still believe in us, but if the actually holiday is cancelled or forgotten..."

"So anyone with a holiday will lose they powers. That's most of us in the spirit realm" said North as he went over to the console and pulled and twisted a lever. "Bunny go back to the warren and see if they is any damage there and then come back. I'm summoning everyone. Jack go with Yetis and see if there is anymore damage"

Jack flew down the corridor with the yetis behind him, while Bunny tapped his foot on the floor, a hole opening up before him. He was about to jump when North grabbed him and kissed him gently on the lips. "Be safe my heart, and come back quickly" Bunny nodded and jumped down in to the hole quickly, as North turned back to the globe.

Nothing was going right for Holly at the moment, she had pack the rest of her things and placed her more private stuff with her clothes in suitcases, that she plan to take back with her to the north pole. Now no matter what the number she rang, or as highly recommended the company, no one could pick up her stuff for over a week. In the end she simple excepted the offer and agreed to have her stuff picked up in five days time. She was now on the phone to the tech geek at the office, Adam.

"Adam, I need everything we have on Joseph Markowitz, no matter how minor"

"On it, anything else workaholic?"

"Don't call me that, and I need you to cover me. I'm going to use the old reporter cover on who ever I get at the ACH. So if they call you..."

"This is the Gazette newspaper, and yes Holly Layton is one of us!' is that right?"

"You're a star thanks Adam!"

"Oh tell me something I don't know sweetness, I take it you don't want the boss knowing about this?"

"Of course, one more thing, The AHC has just opened a branch in the states, do you have a number for me?"

"Hol, I though you would give me a challenge. Here it is 071648495235. Good luck Holly, don't be a stranger"

"Thanks again Adam!"

Her laptop pinged with the arrival of the e-mail that held all the information she needed on Markowitz, she quickly downloaded it and saved it, before turning back to her phone. She had done this kind of thing before, pretend to be a reporter from a small paper looking for an interview. People usually opened up and become more confident when speaking to her, that they forget themselves and say things that they wouldn't normally say. She rang the number, and waited for the answer.

"Hello? Who is this?" a British male voice answered, sounding confused. Holly found herself blushing, telling herself that she hadn't found that voice incredibly sexy.

"Hello, My name is Holly Layton, I'm a reporter for the Gazette. I was hoping to speak to someone for an interview"

"Really? I'm curious as to how you got this number Ms Layton."

"Joys of the media, nothing is kept secret for too long Mr..."

"Black, Pitch Black, I run the ACH"

Holly felt her stomach and heart sink "Mr. Black, this is an honour. So about that interview"

"Why not, after all I'm celebrating a small victory"

"Your hundred thousand members, quite an achievement in such a short time. Any day or particular time?"

"Today...say about four?"

"That's great, I'll see you then Mr. Black"

"Ms Layton"

Holly turned off her phone, looked at it for a moment and said "Crap! North is going to kill me!"

She had not expected to get Pitch, she thought she would only get some lackey or maybe even Markowitz . It was now ten to three, if she was quick she could drop her stuff at the pole, grab one of the guardians, and then go to the interview. No in fact she did not have time to take her stuff, she had to change out of her dusty clothes in to new ones. grabbing the suit case and yanking it open to started to pull out something to wear.

Sandy's castle was floating over England as streams of dream sand floated down to the children down below. Sandy was sitting on his cloud, watching his sand take the shapes of what the children loved most and danced around their heads. Usually he would be paying closer attention to what the kids were dreaming, but he found himself distracted. It was like a small knot in his stomach, an itch he could quite get. He had it ever since he met North's human Holly. She was beautiful in his eyes, and her smile was breathtaking. When she had kissed him, his heart had leaped for joy and he could have danced around the moon and stars. He had only felt like this once before and that was something he never wanted to repeat. It was with Pitch, at least before he had become evil, before all the hate and fear. Sandy shook his head of those melancholy thoughts and went back to work. Suddenly his castle shook violently, caused the sand to lose its shape. Sandy quickly got out and looked in horror as half of his castle fell to ruin. He shook with anger knowing that Pitch was behind this and knowing that there was little he could do about it. The sky around him became bright with various colour lights, a summons, a summons for everyone to gather at the pole. Quickly morphing his sand in to a plane, Sandy made his way to the North Pole as fast as he could. He landed around the back not wanting to be seen by the others just yet, as he could already hear the raised voices of some of the holidays. He was greeted by one of the yetis when one of North's portals appeared and Holly tumbled though. Her brown hair was down, and she was wearing wire framed glasses on her face. She had a white shirt on with a black jacket and a very short skirt, showing off her long legs and high heels.

"Sandy, thank god I got you first! I need your help" Holly smiled as she walked up to him. She then looked at the Yeti behind him and handed him her bag.

"Hello to you too, I'm sorry but would you mind getting me two more snow globes? I'm sure North won't mind"

The yetis nodded and left quickly as Holly bent down so she was faced to face with Sandy.

"?"

"Sandy you're not going to believe this. I called the AHC for an interview, and I got one"

Sandy gave her a smiled and a thumbs up, but then stopped when Holly bit her lip.

"It's with Pitch"

Sandy began to shake his head violently and crossing his arms in a "no way" sign. Holly grabbed them and looked pleadingly at him.

"I know, not a good. But this could give us the break we need Sandy. I gave North my word that I would not go alone, so I want you to come with me. Your small and quite, Pitch might not even see you and I know you will have my back. What do you say?"

Sandy looked at the floor first thinking before looking at Holly and nodding. He flicked his arms up, using his sand to bulged his muscles. Holly laughed as the yeti returned with her bag. Taking it and kissing Sandy on the cheek she got up. Shaking the globe and dropping it to the floor, she took Sandy's hand.

"Thanks Sandy, I knew I could count on you"

The one part of Cupid's job that he did not like was the waiting. He always had to wait for that perfect shot. This one especially had to be on target, as this arrow was hardly ever made these days as the ingredients were not only hard to find but most people did not believe in it anymore. It was a true loves arrow, the strongest love there was and the most powerful arrow in his arson. Even his mother, the goddess of love would have trouble breaking this. He had been watching a man and a woman both in their early fifties making eyes at each other as they moved things in to the new AHC building. He was about to take the shot when a portal opened next to him and Sandy and a woman step out.

"Hi Sandy, Look I know about the summons and I will be on my way once this is done" explained Cupid lifting his arrow. "Who's the human?"

"I'm called Holly Layton, not human. Who are you?" asked Holly looking at the wings on his back.

"I'm Cupid, surly the bow and arrows should have given that away"

"Sorry, I always thought Cupid was a bab..cherub"

Sandy covered his smiled with his hand as if he trying not to laugh at the annoyed face of Cupid.

"If I ever find the person who thought that was a good idea, let's just say I feel sorry for the donkey I'd make them fall in love with!"

Holly tried to choke her laughter. "Right whatever you say. I better go Sandy, follow me in a few minutes, then wait by the door. No sense in letting Pitch see you, if you hear me having a coughing fit, that means get me out of here ok? see you both later"

"Where is she going?" asked Cupid as she entered the building. Sandy produced an image of Pitch and cupid whistled.

"She's going to face him? She's got guts"

Sandy nodded then looked at the arrow Cupid was going to fire. "?"

"It's a true love arrow. I don't make them much anymore. Only one when needed"

Sandy looked at Cupid quiver and pointed to an arrow that looked just like that one that Cupid was going to fire.

Cupid looked, frowning very hard as he pulled the arrow out to look at it. It was the same arrow, but he didn't make it.

"Where did this come from?"

Holly walked down the corridor that the doorman had pointed her too, and was told to find the large black door at the end. That was Mr. Black office. As she approached she could hear raised voices within, she slid against the wall neck to the door and tried to make the words out.

"It's not...its...Sandman Fault...the boy...wake up"

"You said...wake...My...wake up...your promise"

'Boy? Who are they talking about?' thought Holly as she pulled away from the wall as Markowitz came storming out of the office leaving the door wide open. Cautiously she stepped in to the door way and knocked on the door. The office was dark, there was hardly any light at all, save for the computer and a small lamp light next to a two seat sofa. A tall thin man was standing in the middle of the office, in a smart black suit.

"Mr. Black?" asked Holly, peering in to the darkness.

"Yes? Who are you?"

"I'm Holly Layton, I'm here for the interview for the paper?"

"Are yes, please come in, unless your afraid of the dark?"

"Not really, but you never know with the dark" said Holly as she stepped in to the office. Pitch arched an eyebrow but decided not to comment, as he sat down behind his desk. Holly sat down on the sofa, near the lamp as she pulled out a pad an paper.

"First of all, why the "AHC"? What have you got against the holidays"

"Straight to the main point then? I dislike the fact that everyone spends so much time and effort on this so called important times of the years. There are more important things, like the poor and sick"

"You're saying that people are paying more attention to the holidays then to other people in need?"

"That's right, the amount of money spent on say, Christmas alone, we could probably open several more shelters and such. But no, we have to waste money on buying a tree and pieces of plastic and glass, while some poor person is left out..."

"Ignored, singled out" muttered Holly who for a slight moment felt as if she was back at the orphanage, looking at the fount door waiting for the new parents that never came.

"Yes...you seem to understand what I'm getting at" said Pitch as he leant in her direction, looking at her keenly.

"Well, I grow up in care and there was nothing more depressing then the holidays. Besides, I was always considered the odd one. Always the odd one out. So I know what it's like to have nothing around the holidays, and I know how lonely that can be"

Pitch raised his head from his arms and looked hard at Holly, who realised what she had said and quickly straightened herself up. "So...ha...um, what's your least favourite holiday?"

Cupid had put the double back in his quiver, deciding not to think about it till later. He had a job to do, and the couple were in his sights. The man was hand the woman a cup of coffee and they were getting quite close for the shot. Just as Cupid let lose the arrow, the woman drops her spoon and moved to get it, causing the arrow to hit the wall and fly off in a different direction. Quickly pulling out the double, he fires it, and it hits the couple as they tapped their coffee cups. Once he was sure that the arrow had taken effect he started to look around for the missing one, because if that arrow hit the wrong person, it would be very bad. Cupid wasn't really looking at any of the humans, because if he had, he could have relived that Markowitz had seen him. Sandy matched backwards and forwards outside the large black door, waiting for any sigh for Holly to come and get her. He hoped Holly was alright, as Pitch had a habit of getting under people's skin, and turning they words around to hurt them. Something caught his eye, and Sandy turned to look down the hall. It was moving fast, bouncing off of walls, heading in his direction. It was the true love arrow, Cupid must have missed. He needed to get Holly out of there quickly, being seen by Pitch forgotten as he opened the door. Holly turned her head to the open door, to see Sandy running towards her. Pitch stood up as his door swung open to reveal Sandy running in to his office. Sandy leapt as he pushed Holly to the floor, the arrow missing her by a few centimetres and hitting Pitch squarely in the chest. Pitch clutched his chest, his eyes wide with shock as he looked down at Sandy and Holly, who both looked at him, in equal surprise. Pitch could suddenly feel his heart, something he thought long dead, now pounding in his chest loudly. A warm feeling started to spread and his stomach started to flop about. Where Holly had fallen, her hair was now tussled up and her glasses were now on the floor, and the light from the doorway allowed him to see her face better, but also gave her and Sandy a heavenly glow. Sandy stood up first offering a hand up to Holly, both keeping an eye on the dazed Pitch, who had yet to say anything.

"Are you alright?" Holly asked as she stood up, she had meant it to be answered by Sandy but Pitch that answered.

"I..I don't know. I think I need to lay down. Need to Think"

"Of course, maybe we can speak at another time?" said Holly trying to maintain her character despite having Sandy in the room shaking his head at her.

"Yes..I would like to see you...both of you again"

Both Holly and Sandy were backing out of the room slowly, when Markowitz came in, clearly looking harassed.

"Pitch I think we're under attack, I just saw...YOU!" Markowitz shouted pointing at Sandy, who looked baffled. Markowitz pulled out a large jiggered hunting knife from inside of his jacket and pointed it at Sandy.

"GIVE HIM BACK!" he roared as he charged at Sandy, Holly got there first, gripping the arms and pushing it away . They struggled as Sandy tried to get a clear shot of hitting Markowitz with his sand. Pitch had jumped over his desk and was now trying to pull Markowitz off of Holly. Markowitz stumbled back, still waving his knife, catching Holly's right cheek.

"Now Sandy" shouted Pitch, as he held the human in place. Sandy throw a rather large ball of sand at both Pitch and Markowitz, sending them both to sleep.

"I think we better get out of here Sandy" said Holly wiping the blood from her cheek. Sandy nodded, waving for Holly to follow. They both ran until they had gotten in to a side ally, Holly gasping for breath.

"What the hell happened in there Sandy? Please don't tell me that was one of Cupid's arrows"

Sandy flinched as he nodded his head, Holly moaned as she leaned against the wall in disbelief. The sound of fluttering wings made them both jump as Cupid landed next to them.

"Hey you two, have you seen an arrow fly by?"

Sandy puffed air out of his ears to show his frustration and he matched up to Cupid and showed him an image of his arrow hitting Pitch. Cupid mouth dropped in horror as he looked at Sandy and Holly.

"Ok, which one of you did he see?"

"I think he saw us both at the same time, I'm not sure" said Holly brushing her hair out of her face. "You can fix this right?"

"No I can't. That arrow was a True love arrow, the strongest most powerful unbreakable arrow I have"

"If it that powerful why did you let it off like that!" snapped Holly as Sandy showed the image of a couple now sitting apart.

"Hey I did not do this on purpose! I missed my shot and the arrow took off, and because I had the second arrow I was able to get the couple together. My only question is where did that second arrow come from?"

"Who cares about the second arrow, this is a major problem! We can't have the king of Nightmares in love with both of us" said Holly as her pocket vibrated. she pulled out her phone and saw the number. "Sorry guys got to take this! Hello? Yes, I'm aware everything is finalized I'll be out as soon as I can. What? Wait, you can't just throw me out like that! THIS week! But...yeah you sound very sorry arsehole!" shouted Holly as she jammed the phone back in to her pocket. Cupid and Sandy looked at each other and then back at Holly, who looked as if she was on the verge of tears.

"I'm really sorry about all this Ms Holly" asked Cupid as he ran his fingers thought his blonde hair.

"I know" sighed Holly rubbing her face "It's just been a really bad day. Trying to get my stuff in storage, this thing with Pitch and now I've been given till the end of the week to get my stuff out of my apartment because the wracking company have been given the go ahead because I'm the last one there"

Sandy showed an image of a wrecking ball smashing a house down and pointed to Holly, who nodded.

"Wait, let me get this right. Not only did you agree to help North and the other guardians take on Pitch, one of the most dangerous sprite of us all, your also losing your home at the same time?" said Cupid looking really shocked.

"Yep, call me crazy. I did have more time to move but I got caught up with work, so I took a month off to sort it out, when North got the yetis to come and get me. But I said I'd help you and that's what I'm going to do" said Holly as she stood up straight smiling at both of them "Besides North did say I could stay there while dealing with Pitch"

"Lady you got a heart as big as the ocean! I'll certainly have your back when we get to the meeting!" said Cupid. Sandy slapped his forehead, he had completely forgotten about the meeting. He took the snow globe from Holly's purse and shook it to the North Pole.

"What meeting? What's going on?" asked Holly as all three of them walked though the portal.

"The Man in the moon appointed you guardians, to protect the children and us from the like of Pitch!" said Old man Thanksgiving as he tapped his cane on the floor. North rubbed the bridge of his nose, trying not to lose his temper. They had gone over this for over the last hour or so, and he, Tooth and Jack were the only guardians there trying to defend Manny's decision to the other Holidays leaders. North was going to respond when Bunnymund jumped up from one of his holes, looking as if he had lost Easter all over again. North walked over to him and held him in his arms, his back shielding the crying rabbit from the watchful eyes of the other leaders.

"Love, Bunny what happened?" he whispered gently, as Bunny looked at him with watery green eyes filled with sadness.

"It's a horrible North, I got there and all the land was upheaval and two..two of my stone guards had smashed. I had to put them to rest first and organise the rest of them, before coming back" quickly wiping his face and peeking over North shoulder at the gathering behind him. "What have I missed?"

"Remember when you told me you were worried about their reaction to Holly? turns out you weren't worrying enough"

Bunny rolled his eyes as he and North went back to stand against the mob. While most of the holidays stood together, Aphrodite and Jack skellington stood slightly apart from them near Tooth, as if they were showing who they supported.

"Finally the Bunny turns up" snorted the Groundhog.

"Rack off Ernest, some of us have better things to do then put up with you!" snapped Bunnymund. The Groundhog always had a bone to pick with someone, if he didn't have an excuse or reason to be rude, he made one up. He was a horrible lazy creature in Bunny's eyes.

"Is that so?" Ernest sneered "If you're so busy why have you got a outsider doing your dirty work for you?"

"Holly isn't just some outsider" as Tooth floated over to them "She's a police officer, she knows about the humans laws and can fight."

"That doesn't mean she can interfere with our business"

"We have gone over this already" snapped Jack as he sat on top of his staff. "Pitch has a human allies and they're the ones that are wracking the holidays!"

"No one asked for your two cents brat, your just as useless as that human is" said Thanksgiving as he stood next to the groundhog. Jack went to make a move towards them, when a portal opened bring Cupid and Sandy though with Holly behind them. The other holiday leaders stood up straight as they peered at Holly, who looked nervously around. The guardians were on the left of them, so they could not see Holly's bleeding cheek. The Groundhog and Thanksgiving looked at her with disapproval.

"Is that it? Doesn't look much" said Thanksgiving pointing his cane at Holly. Holly frowned and stepped towards them and bowed slightly towards Thanksgiving.

"Thanksgiving. I'm detective Holly Layton. I understand that my being here is unorthodox..."

"It's not welcome at all" said Groundhog, who was a good two foot shorter then Holly, glaring up at her.

"But I'm here to help. I have made some progress and the guardians and I will do everything we can to stop Pitch" continued Holly keeping eye contact with Thanksgiving, who still looked sceptical.

"What progress could you have possible made? Your an outsider! Your interference is not welcome" shouted the Groundhog shoving Holly back. North, Bunny and Jack went to move on Groundhog but Cupid held out his hand, stopping them. He stood over Ernest but his eyes were on his fellow holidays.

"What progress has she made? A lot more then what you have done I'm sure. Tell me Groundhog, where are you when Pitch attacks? You're in your tiny hole cowering. Holly is about to lose her home, its being torn down. Yet she agreed to come here and help us. I saw her go to Pitch's office today on her own, with the Sandman for backup. You can clearly see that he attacked her from that cut on her face, but she is still here ready to help, while all you can do is moan that she is an outsider!"

The room went quite save for Holly slapping her hand across her face, trying to hide her embarrassment. North took a deep breath to hold back his worry and anger as he matched over to Holly, pushing Sandy and Cupid out of the way, as he gripped her chin forcing her to show the long bleeding cut on her right cheek. Dried droplets of blood making it look a lot worse then what it was. Bunny was behind North, gasped at the cut and then quickly looking her over.

"Crikey Hol, that's a bad cut. Are you hurt anywhere else?"

"No, I'm good, it's just a scratch!" Holly said trying to pull her face out of North's grip.

"This is NOT scratch!" said North "I will personally slice that Pitch in to pieces for this! Jack! Go get first aid kit!"

The young guardian flew down the corridor to get the box, as North pulled out a handkerchief and held it to the cut. Some of the holidays looked upon Holly with awe, while Jack Skellington and Aphrodite gave a nod of respect in her direction. Yet the Groundhog still was not impressed.

"So she went and saw him, big deal! And look she even gets hurt for her stupidity! Do we really need a soon to be homeless bum to help us? Isn't it bad enough that the guardians had to fall so low that they had to have Jack Frost help them out?"

"Ok, that does it!" snarled Bunnymund as he turned to the Groundhog, his green eyes blazing. The Groundhog gulped at the furious look on Bunnymund's face and stepped back.

"Easy Bunny" said Tooth fluttering nearby in case she had to act.

"Easy nothing Tooth, I'm not having that flea-bitten rat insult mine and North's kids any longer! Both Jack and holly have more bravery then most of these sad sacks put together. Both were chosen by Manny to help fight against Pitch, while you sit on your fat furry arse all day watching them get hurt. Now I'm warning you! Say another word about either of them and I'll be blacking out both your eyes"

Ernest was frowning, looking at the gold ring around Bunny's neck "Yours and North's? You and North...oh my lord...your telling me...HA! What a joke!" Ernest bent over laughing, unaware that no one else had joined in. Everyone looked uncomfortable and the room temperature dropped a few degrees as North left Holly in Jack's hands and walked over to Bunnymund, his eyes fixed on the laughing mammal.

"You think something is funny?" he asked his voice dripping in sarcasm. "You think our love is funny?"

"Your damn right I do! I mean he's a rabbit and your...you! He's spring and your winter. This is so..." Ernest didn't finish his sentence, as one bony hand and one manicure one gripped his shoulders painfully hard. He looked up to see the furious faces of Aphrodite and Jack Skellington looking down at him.

"So Right. Isn't that what you were going to say, Mr. Groundhog" said Jack Skellington gripping tighter.

"They in love and its nobody else business but they own. So keep any comments to yourself" smiled Aphrodite, the "or else" clearly being projected by her tone. And since my son has vouched for her and we can all see that she is brave enough. I think we can leave this matter in Ms Holly's hands. Now I think its best we leave and let them get on!"

Both Jack and Aphrodite began leading Ernest away while the other holidays took their leave. Cupid looked at Holly and then back at Sandman "I'll talk to mum about the arrow Sandy, I think Holly's got enough on her plate with North and Bunny worrying about that cut without them knowing that Pitch maybe in love with her and you. Are you going to be ok? I mean I know about you and Pitch..."

Sandy shook his head and gave Cupid a thumbs up before shaking his hand as thanks.

"Good luck Holly, you're going to need it" said Cupid as he took to the air.

"Thanks Cupid!" shouted Holly as Jack put a plaster on her cheek "Thanks Jack"

"Well young lady, you seemed to have kept big secret from us no? When were you going to tell us about losing your home?" asked North looking very stern, and Bunnymund not looking happy either.

"I guess I better tell you everything" sighed Holly as she started to explain how her home had been condemned.

Pitch was standing in his office glaring up at the moon. He had woken only minutes ago, with no sign of Markowitz. The odd warmth was still there and his stomach was in knots. He clenched his fists and gnashed his teeth.

"Is this your idea of being funny Old Friend? Because the Joke will be on you! I promise! I will destroy the guardians and everything they stand for and I will use that humans blood to paint my new home with"

Aphrodite had to sit down, as Cupid finished his story, her face locked in a grim expression. How could there have been two arrows? She knew they were made to order and Cupid would not waste the materials or play with Morals like that.

"So there you have it. Pitch is in love with either Sandy or Holly or Both. Is there anything you can do to help them?"

"I can't"

"Isn't there anything you can do? I mean you can at least look in to his heart right"

"No honey, I can't!"

Cupid frowned and rubbed his neck "Mum, this is serious. I know you think it's wrong but the situation calls for you too look."

"I said I can't Cupid. The Man in the Moon spoke to me while you were out. He made me promise that I would not get involved with Pitch's heart, no matter who asked me too"

"He made you promise? but what about Sandy? And Holly? Mum what is going on?" he shouted as a large piece of the ceiling came down around their heads.

To Be Continued...

The sooner you review the sooner the next chapter will be out. Human Guardians anyone? And OrianPrime92, the sappy letter that north wrote will be in the next chapter I promise!