Disclaimer: I don't own Rise of the Guardians or Guardians of Childhood.

Jane & Will

Sarah was seated by the window looking out into the icy cold room. After Jane had yelled at her Nicholas and Jessica had monopolized her time, equally relieved that she was alright, while also admonishing her for using her powers on Jack.

Nicholas had given her, her muzzling necklace and told her that she was to wear it for the next month.

Sarah hadn't complained, the way she was feeling it was probably better that she didn't talk.

Jackie had asked, but Sarah was still not ready to reveal what she had done to Jack, knowing that if she told Jackie would likely never want to be her friend again.

"Hello."

Sarah turned to see Jane standing in front of her staring down at her.

"Are you alright?"

Sarah motioned to her necklace, before making an X with her arms and pointing at her mouth.

Jane understood what she was trying to say. "Your necklace stops you from speaking."

Sarah nodded and turned to look back out the window.

Given she wouldn't be much of a conversationalist Sarah half assumed that Jane would just leave, but instead Jane went to stand beside her.

"I know I admonished you pretty heavily." Jane said, "But… I am relieved that you are ok."

Sarah looked at Jane and smiled.

"Do you know sign language?"

I know a little bit. Sarah signed as best she could, her brow furrowed in concentration as she tried to remember the signs for that sentence.

"Didn't hold your interest?" Jane asked with a raised eyebrow.

Sarah shrugged looking guilty which Jane had interpreted as: No, but it should have.

Jane smiled, "Well fortunately what I'm about to do doesn't require you to speak." Jane said, she reached into her cloak and pulled out a brown package.

Sarah stared at it confused, she held out her hands for the package, and slowly unwrapped it.

When the wrappings fell away, she stared at the object in surprise before looking back at Jane, stunned.

"I know." Jane said, "I know, you could probably get into a lot of trouble with this as today pointed out." Jane said. Sarah smiled, not looking the least bit guilty. "But with the number of times you've gotten yourself into trouble, I figured the very least I could give you was a way for you and your friends out of trouble."

Sarah laughed silently then she frowned, she made a fist with her hand and rubbed it in a circular motion around her chest I'm sorry.

Jane didn't have to ask what she was sorry for. Jane knew.

"I know," Jane said. "I forgive you. Don't do it again."

Sarah smiled, then looked at Jack who was staring at the curiously, she looked at Jane, pointed at Jack and then cupped her hand and put her fingertips to her temple. He know?

Jane scrunched up her nose playfully, "I do believe that's none of your business." Sarah stared at her expectantly, and Jane sighed. "Yes, he knows I'm his little sister. Happy?"

Sarah shrugged while smiling then she pointed at something or someone behind her. Jane turned around. To see Jackie conversing with Jonathan.

"Does Jackie know?" Jane clarified.

Sarah nodded incessantly.

"Not yet."

Sarah gave her a stare that could only be interpreted as Then what are you waiting for?

"It's not that easy."

Sarah gave her an incredulous look, signing K. R. A. M. P. U. S?

Jane remembered that Jackie had in fact been there when the reveal had been made, "Alright, alright" Jane said getting her meaning, "I suppose a talk with my niece is in order."

Sarah pointed at Jackie again, then made the sign for 'angry'. The meaning was clear.

Jane sighed, yeah, she figured Jackie would be upset that Jane had spent more time with Sarah than her.

But, hey. Family relations were always messy.

"Hey"

Sarah turned and blinked when she saw Will smiling down at her.

She smiled at him and waved.

"So… you can't talk?" William asked.

Sarah shook her head as she pulled at her necklace.

William nodded, "Ahh." He said, "Let me guess, you used your powers in a way you shouldn't have."

Sarah looked down and nodded.

William stared at her. "Why?"

Sarah shrugged, not knowing enough signs to explain her reasoning, while also knowing that her reasons didn't really matter.

She tried to sign, but unfortunately, that seemed to be one of the few languages that Will hadn't been able to learn yet.

Will stared at her for a long moment before he got up and left.

Sarah stared at him walk away her heart faltering in her chest, she turned to stare back out the window. Not really thinking that Will would be back.

Then he came back holding a pen and a pad of paper in front of her.

She blinked at the stack and took them.

Will sat down next to her, "Talk to me." Will said.

Sarah scratched out a response and handed it to Will. You'll hate me.

"Hardly." Will said, "You're hurting Sarah, I want to help."

Sarah looked down at her sheet, her eyes blurring as she tried to think of what to say.

I needed information. Jack refused to give it to me, and I was getting desperate. Sarah wrote on the pad.

"I figured." Will acknowledged.

Sarah looked down, then why ask me?

"Because you're hurt and scared." Will said, "And despite you're many wrongs, you're still a girl who's been through hell."

Sarah stared at him and tilted her head.

"Even if you are older than you look," Will said.

Sarah stared at him panicked, looking as though she was ready to hyperventilate.

"Hey." Will said, "Hey, it's ok. I won't tell. Not until your ready." He said taking one of her hands into his.

Sarah looked around the room no one was watching them, but it didn't help her anxiety. She hyperventilated for reasons she couldn't quite understand.

"Breathe," Will said softly. "It's ok." Will said, "I understand why you didn't tell anyone. I wouldn't have either."

Sarah's breath though still erratic began to calm as she stared at him confused.

Will cupped her cheeks in his hands and stared at her, "I'm not mad." Will said. "And I doubt many of the guardians would be upset either."

Something must have changed on her face because Will was quick to reassure her, "And it's you're business to tell them when and if you are ready." Will said, "I won't tell." He told her wrapping an arm around her and pulling her in close. "I promise."

Sarah tapped on her pad, Will loosened his hold on her so she could write.

It was just easier to pretend. Sarah wrote Everyone assumed 3 weeks, and I just… I didn't want anyone to realize how long I truly suffered. It didn't change anything and would just cause everyone to feel more guilty.

Sarah scribbled. And… I didn't want anyone to grow suspicious of me she wrote her hand shaking as she wrote that last line in small print almost as if she didn't want anyone to know her greatest fear.

"The doubt was never an issue."

Two of your sib-

Will rolled his eyes and started correcting her before she'd even finished writing the sentence, "William the mean is a jerk-" Sarah bit her lip to stop herself from chuckling at Will's use of Sarah's nickname for the third youngest Williams child,"-and Wilhelmina was young, she didn't know what was going on. She just saw a girl acting in a scary way. She didn't realize manipulation and brainwashing going on underneath."

Sarah looked at Will.

"You'll be alright," Will said softly.

Sarah stared at Will, she had trouble believing what he was saying, that everything would be alright or that the guardians would understand why she kept quiet about the duration of her imprisonment…

But man did she want to.

She leaned against his shoulder, and Will just held her. It would be alright. She didn't have to say anything now.

She would be fine.