Jackie climbed in her room through the window, as usual.
It had been two days since she told Tooth. And that had been the last time any of the Guardians saw Tooth.
The tooth helpers refused to give away her location or any information about her, besides that she was safe and in the tooth palace.
The other Guardians tried reasoning with Toothiana, but she refused to see anyone.
All Jackie wanted to do now was sit in her room at North's, sleep, eat, and throw up. She usually loved spreading snow and frost, but now it felt like a chore to her.
She had been getting especially awful stomach aches in the morning, which North told her was morning sickness. Some smells of the workshop just set off her nausea even more. Burning stuff, the smell of meat...
Every few hours North would come by her room with a tray of food. He tried consoling her, but she refused to say more than a simple, 'thank you', or 'yes' or 'no'.
Jackie lay down on her bed.
She had just finished delivering snow to some little town in Russia, and she was exhausted.
A sudden knock on her door startled her.
With a tired groan, Jackie answered, "Come in."
North entered quietly, a tray in his arms.
"I brought dinner." North said softly. He placed it the tray of food on the small desk in the room.
"Thank you North." Jackie sighed.
North sat at the end of the bed. "Jackie, you need to eat."
"I am eating." Jackie argued, burying her face into her pillow.
"Not enough. You are eating for two now!"
"I-I know."
North pursed his lips. He didn't know how to console the girl, he just didn't know what to do.
A moment of silence passed.
"If you need anything just ask yetis. I am going out for a while." North announced, standing up.
Jackie nodded with acknowledgement.
North went into his room and grabbed his coat. He couldn't stand seeing Jacqueline so depressed, and he knew only one thing, one person, could help her.
North was going to talk to Tooth.
-0-
"What do you mean no visitors?" North yelled, clearly angry.
The wonder guardian had flown to Tooth's palace. As soon as he landed the tooth helpers tried shooing him away, insisting that no outside guests were to be allowed in the palace.
But North wasn't having any of it.
"I need to talk to Toothiana!" He insisted again, eyes wide.
The few teeth collectors shook their head and flew off without further explanation.
"Blin! zub ! Neuzheli vy ne vidite , chto ya pytayus' pomoch'?!" North yelled, not really directed at anyone. (Russian for: damn it tooth, can't you see i'm trying to help?!)
Suddenly, as if answering his rage, Baby Tooth came flying to him.
Baby Tooth was Toothiana's main fairy, her right hand girl. She knew everything about the Guardian, and she knew her boss and friend needed help.
Baby Tooth motioned North to follow her quietly.
North nodded and followed the small fairy.
-0-
"Shes in here?" North whispered, pointing to the door infront of him.
Baby Tooth had led him down a hall, and was now pointing to a single door.
The small fairy nodded then flew off.
Taking a deep breath, North knocked on the door.
There was a moment of silence before he got a response.
"Who is it?" Tooth's voice called.
"North."
The door flung open. Tooth stood there, a surprised look on her face. Her eyes were puffy and her face was red, like she had been crying for hours on end.
"Why are you here?" She asked, eyes squinted.
"Because your not following Guardian duties." North said simply.
Tooth sighed, "All of the teeth are being collected."
"I didn't mean that. I mean that you are suppose to protect and help children around the world." North stated.
"Okay..." Tooth leaned on the door side.
"You are not helping Jackie or her child." North said, crossing his arms.
Tooth stiffened at the mention of Jackie. "Jacqueline doesn't need me."
"But she is a child. She is only 15, and she believes in us. She is believer. You are Guardian. Why are you not helping?" North questioned.
"I can't help her." Tooth admitted, sniffling.
"I don't know what you are talking about. You two are best friends! Jackie has been in her room crying and she refuses to talk to anyone. Its not healthy for her or the baby."
"Stop mentioning the baby!" Tooth suddenly snapped.
As soon as she said that she looked down.
"So thats what this is about?" North asked, eyebrows raised.
Tooth wiped a tear from her cheek. "North...You said it yourself. Guardians are suppose to protect children and believers. What Guardian am I if I can't even protect my best friend?"
North leaned against the wall across the door. "What done is done Tooth. You need to stay in the present, which is supporting Jackie."
Tooth shook her head. "I can't. Every time I see her, I always think of what happened, what...what he did to her! And soon shes going to have a bump and I just can't..." Tooth started crying now.
"Jackie is your best friend. But right now, you aren't being a very good friend."
"North-"
"Locking yourself up in your room-"
"Stop."
"Ignoring her."
"North please!"
"What kind of friend are you being?!"
"STOP!" Tooth screamed, burying her face in her hands.
"Tooth, I have known you for thousands of years. You are dear friend, but all I can tell you now is to stop being fool and go to Jackie. Help her. She needs you, Tooth."
And with that, North left.
Tooth stared at the spot North had been standing, her eyes bleary with tears.
"I know." Tooth whispered quietly.
-Shelby