I do not own ROTG.. sadly

Selena POV

I knew it was risky, but I grabbed hold of my doorknob before carefully pushing it open, stopping when it was about a foot from its original position. I paused for a few moments with my hand still on the knob, just waiting for something to happen as the chill air cut through the warmth of my house. Okay, so far so good. Gaining a little confidence I finally stuck my head out from behind the door, my hand still grasping the knob in case I had to quickly retreat. As my face became accustomed to the stinging air of the morning, my gray eyes scanned the landscape, meticulously looking for any sign of Jack. However, all I could see was my front lawn and the cars parked on the street coated in a thick layer of snow, sparkling in the early light. Okay Selena, you can do this. As if I was treading barefoot on broken glass, I hesitantly stuck one boot out from behind the door before the rest of my body followed. Still facing forward, I heard a soft click as I shut the door behind me.

I did another scan of my wintery surroundings. One could never be too sure since Jack had white hair as camouflage. Once again my search yielded no results, so I decided it was safe, for now. I wrapped my pink trench coat tighter around me before stepping away from my doorstep and making my way to the sidewalk.

Every since I shut the door in Jack's face yesterday I've been on edge. Since I'm not completely sure of when he will just show up again I suppose the anticipation of being caught unaware has just made me generally nervous. How would you like it if you had a somewhat stalker who could just surprise you at any moment? He didn't seem like a threat, but he did unnerve me in regard to his unpredictability. When it came to me, I was most comfortable in my surroundings when I was fully aware of what was happening around me. However, due to recent events, not so much.

As I connected with the sidewalk along the main road I started to see more people walk past me, equally clothed in warm coats. One thing's for sure, when I do see Jack again, I'm going to have to have a little chat with him about turning up the thermostat a little. The temperature in Burgess has just been plummeting these last few days.

After another twenty minutes of bearing the frigid cold, the old brick structure of Burgess Library finally came into view. Between the Internet and my collection of books, my thirst for answers relating to my recent mental development proved insatiable so it was imperative that I finally venture outside. Therefore I decided that I would go to the library today to see if there was anything else I could discover.

Making my way up the stairs to the library I opened the doors and was greeted by one of my favorite sites: A building entirely devoted to knowledge. Walking along the old carpet, I thought back to the countless hours I would spend here as a kid. Knowledge had always been my safety net. Whenever I was confused, upset, or simply wanted to get away and relax, I could always count on a trip here to calm my nerves. I suppose when you get lost in the words of others your life suddenly becomes insignificant, granting you the necessary escape to forget your own troubles. They say knowledge is power. Do I agree with that? Yes I do.

It didn't take long for me to find a book on mental disorders before I fell into my favorite seat situated next to a large window overlooking the town square. Soon I was engrossed in the book, allowing the outside world to slowly fade away as it was replaced by one of science. The book proved to be very informational, but unfortunately there was only a small section on Schizophrenia. Realizing that I should probably look for another couple books, I got up with a grunt to return to the nonfiction section of the library.

As my slim fingers traced along the spines of the books in search of my intended topic, I noticed that the air became noticeably chillier. That's weird, someone must have opened a window or something. Or it might just be..

I stopped my search and began to quickly turn my head from side to side in search of a certain winter spirit. However, my search again proved futile when I couldn't find anything but the towering bookshelves. Come on Selena calm down, you're overacting. It's perfectly normal for your subconscious to interpret anything relating to what's on your mind, even if it's regrettably a talking snow machine.

I sighed. I'm such an idiot! Brushing off my nerves, I reached to snatch a book off of the shelf. It's not like he's following me or anything-

"Ah!" I yelled before quickly slamming my hand over my mouth and looking around to see if anyone noticed my outburst.

Jack grinned cheekily at me through the space I opened up from the other side of the bookshelf. "Hey Selena! Fancy meeting you here!"

I removed my hand and brought my voice down a couple of octaves to an angry whisper. "What are you doing here!?"

"What? Winter Spirit's can't catch up on some reading?"

"You? Read? And what exactly would tickle a Winter Spirit's fancy? Hmm? The latest snow cone machines?"

Jack pretended to look stunned. "Snow cones? Please, I'm more of the scholarly type. Hate to break to you, but I'm a pretty well versed guy when it comes to science." He then puffed his chest out a bit before squinting his eyes and grasping his chin, trying to look, I guess, scholarly. I was clearly not convinced.

"Oh forgive me Dr. Frost! It's such a pleasure to meet such a man of science like yourself. I know it's rude of me to ask such an intellectual man of your standing this question, but who exactly discovered the electron? Oh man of science." Got you now Dr. Frost.

Jack in turn seemed to nervously look around. "Umm, uggh, well.. according to my calculations that would be.." his icy eyes continued to dash around his side of the book shelf before landing on something.

"Oprah Winfrey?" Jack answered rather unconfidently. I'm guessing he stumbled on a biography of her before deeming the name adequate enough to try to fool me with.

I crossed my arms and raised an eyebrow at him. "Sorry, but that's incorrect. Now why are you really here Dr. Frost?"

Jack sighed despite the small smile on his face. "You caught me, I was looking for my new believer."

"I sure hope it's that guy over there" I said while pointing my thumb in the direction of a middle aged man reading a comic book over in the corner. Every time he turned the page, he would secretly chuckle to himself before looking around and making sure no one saw.

Jack laughed while looking at the man. "He'd probably not too far off though." He turned his cerulean eyes back to me. "Actually it's a teenage girl. She wear's a pink coat, is about yay high" he said while gesturing with his hand, "has a white scarf on, frowns a lot, has orange hair-"

"My hair is not orange! It's strawberry-blonde!" I snapped.

Jack put his palms against his cheeks in surprise. "Oh look! I found her!"

I began to walk away. It's way too early to be dealing with this. When is he going to learn that I have a very short attention span when it came to conversations consisting of useless babble.

"And now she's leaving!" He called from behind my retreating back. Though the two full seconds of freedom were nice, by the third second I felt the familiar rush of cold air settle beside me.

"Hey Selena?" Jack said

"What now?" I replied stopping to face him, making sure I was still quiet enough that nobody thought I was crazy talking to air.

"Since we happen to be in a library, can you help me find a book?"

I gave him an incredulous look. "So the Winter Spirit really does read? By all means, tell me what you're looking for." I said in a rather monotone voice accompanied by a rather dull look on my face.

Jack flashed me another one of his pearly white smiles contrasting my own features. "I'm looking for a book," he signaled for me to get closer as if he had a secret to share, "about myself." Wow he just took narcissism to a whole other level.

I frowned taking a step back. "You sure you wouldn't prefer a book about the latest snow cone machine?" I prodded.

"Please, I'm a walking snow cone machine! Why would I need to read about those terrible things that people make?" Well, at least we can agree on something. "I think it's time I hear what humans have to say about me!"

15 minutes later

"That's what they say about me!" Jack yelled while gaping at the book laid out on the table in front of him. I lazily looked up from my National Geographic magazine. "Yea, pretty much. Not so nice, is it?" I said still paying attention to my volume.

Jack looked at me in horror. "They're making me look like some kind of murderer! No wonder hardly any kids believe in me."

I simply looked back down at my magazine before licking my finger and casually turning the page. "Well that's what you get for insisting on reading the historical description of yourself. I'm sure you might have enjoyed the children's books a little more."

Jack just sat there looking paler than I thought possible. "I mean sure, I guess you could say that I'm carefree and I don't like to be tied down, but since when have I ever intentionally gone out of my way to kill people? I use my abilities for fun! Not to harm people when they upset me! Most humans can't even see me, let alone anger me!"

Hold on, I'm a human and there are times when I think I have or will continue to anger him. I just hope this book is not secretly more accurate about Jack then he is letting on, or wants to let on. If this whole Jack Frost is real thing, is real, I better rethink how I treat this guy. Suddenly all those times that he followed and attacked me with snowballs became far more sinister, as if he was secretly planning to take me down all along. My thoughts must have shown on my face because Jack narrowed his eyes at me suspiciously.

"Wait, don't tell me you actually believe all this and you're afraid now?" he asked.

I widened my eyes grasping the back of my head. "Oh me! Believe? Please! You know me, the girl who believes doesn't believe anything! Haha.."

Jack's expression was priceless.

His look of shock, that seemed to stem from an innocence that I failed to realize, was so immense that I immediately realized that this weird teen could never be the monster he was sometimes made out to be. No, despite Jack's powerful abilities, he could never intentionally harm a child, or anyone for the matter. Though he loved fun and games, he seemed to love them within a safe boundary that he could spread winter enjoyment, not a cold death. I suppose this is probably the children's version of Jack Frost, but I guess it's a more agreeable version. However, his reaction was too perfect, so I figured I would play with it for a bit.

"You too! Do I really come off as a murderer? I'm the Guardian of Fun for goodness sake!" Jack yelled putting his palms flat on the library table and standing up.

Okay drama class, it's time to test your worth!

I immediately moved my gaze downwards and put on my most nervous expression, slightly tucking one hand towards my chest. "I.. I don't know what to say.." I shyly glanced up at Jack's horrified face before returning my gaze to the floor. "All those times you've chased me and followed me.. I've always run away because I'm…I'm.." He is totally freaking out right now! "Scared" I barely whispered. I then wiped at my eyes as if I was stifling tears.

At that point I meant to dramatically stand up and run away "crying," but I felt strong arms settle on my knees as I made to get up. While I still remained in my chair, I peeped between my fingers at what was keeping me sedentary. I was shocked to see Jack kneeling in front of me at eye-level with both his hands firmly holding my knees while he stared at me with the most ashamed look I've ever seen. Even his beloved staff lay discarded next to him on the floor. Maybe I should say something before things get too crazy.

Nah.

"Selena, I want you to know that I'm sorry for coming off as a dangerous figure. I didn't stop to think that you being a teenage girl would interpret my actions" he looked away, "differently". Jack gulped before continuing, "So I want you to know that I would never harm you. I'll even protect you if that's what you want," He pleaded earnestly.

"Like all the other kids that is," Jack quickly added.

Well, I'll give him points for be chivalric. Now if Jack was real, maybe I'd be at blushing a little bit due to his statement, despite him being an annoying spirit. This is really turning out better than I could have anticipated though! By now it was getting harder to suppress my laughter as I tried to pass them off as sobs while continuing to cover my face with my hands.

Jack just continued to simply kneel in front of me with his head slightly bowed. "Selena? Say something?" He gently prodded.

"Pss-" Oops! I accidently let a squeak of laughter out. I had hoped Jack didn't notice, but he looked back up at me, raising a curious eyebrow.

Before I could protest he shot to his feet and grabbed one of my wrists within his icy hold, exposing my laughing, tear-streaked face. Now that the act was up, I freely giggled, not bothering to care about Jack's astonished face.

"Wait, so you were never afraid?" I nodded.

"This was an act?" I nodded.

"So I'm not a monster?" I heard Jack say in a slightly desperate tone. I turned to look up at him through my blurry vision. "No Jack, you're not a monster. I don't even think you could hurt a fly." Jack looked noticeably relieved by my words as his eyes softened.

"So you think I'm real then?"

"Whoa, whoa, hold up. I'm sorry, but this is where we break buddy." I replied, taking note of how he seemed to brush off my response in a very unsurprised matter.

Jack generally appeared relieved by my earlier responses, but it was short-lived as his bright blue eyes turned to me in accusation as if remembering my actions.

"You played me… again!" he cried

"Don't act like you never played me!"

"Okay fine, so I like to mess around, but you really scared me!"

I rolled my eyes. "Now why would a pathetic human girl worry the big bad Jack Frost?" I asked.

"Lets just say I don't enjoy dealing with frightened girls." Jack replied softly with a forlorn look in his eyes. Man, what's gotten into him?

"Come on Jack, I'm a big girl now, I can take care of myself. However, if you really want to protect me, I think you might need to make the winters a tad warmer. And when summer comes around, I'll need three cherry snow cones made per day, and-"

"Did I really say that?" Jack interrupted. "Because I don't recall ever saying anything about being your butler."

I gave him a small smile. "Well, I suppose it would be rather hard for you to shed the hoodie for a tux, but doing all those things could also help me to believe."

Jack's eyes widened at my words. "Oh that's right! I almost forgot!" He said while reverting back to his old grin. "I have a proposition for you."

A proposition? What kind of proposition could Jack Frost possibly make? Hell, when did he start using that word anyway?

"You're going to be my butler and wear a tuxedo?" I asked innocently. "Now that I think about it, do you wear anything else except that hoo-"

"No, now-"

"Dude that's just plain gross. Two words: dry clean-"

"NO! Now can I get on with my proposition?" Jack said desperately as if he had been holding in his idea all day.

I sighed. "Fine, get on with your proposition" I snapped while putting air quotes around the word proposition.

"Recently I learned from an unnamed source that you rely on science as a guiding force in your life." Jack explained.

I leaned back in chair. "Well yea, I guess you could say that."

"Since you clearly don't seem to truly believe, I've decided that in order for you to realize that I'm actually here I'll let you perform experiments or whatever on me to realize that I exist." Jack seemed rather proud of himself. "See, I can be a man of science," he added.

Is he kidding? My complicated mind is so messed up that it has to attempt to justify itself through science? What's happening to me is likely due to science! Or of course Jack could always be real..

No he can't..can he?

For Jack to be real numerous scientific laws would suddenly become false. The human idea of how the universe works would be completely altered for all of time. Every textbook would have to basically be rewritten and science courses recreated! All because some strange being is able to fly and create winter. He may either be my greatest destruction or my greatest discovery. Suddenly the idea of driving him away for good seemed a little repulsive when I took the moment to realize the possibilities of his existence should it prove to be valid. In his effort to make me believe he's knowingly reached out to my scientific side which is much more difficult to repress. This of course could still be my mind playing tricks on me, but I was willing to gamble if it meant I might be able to stand next Einstein and Newton and all the giants before him.

I turned my steely gray gaze upwards with a smug smile on my lips. I guess I can make one more deal with the devil.

"Jack Frost, you have got a yourself a deal."

Wow this chapter took a while to write! I know I should have probably gotten to the point about the experiments sooner, but I just had to include the scene in between. Typically in old folklore Jack Frost is actually seen as quite dangerous if you upset him. I just thought it would be interesting for him to realize humans don't think he's all snow and fun-times. Also some of you guys may have noticed that I borrowed the dry cleaning statement from Fox's Sleepy Hollow (I similarly love Abbie and Ichabod's conversations!). Anyway, continue to review for some more Jack and Selena chemistry with some experiments now thrown in the mix (I promise the romance will come!). Happy reading!