"I am all about coffee!" Jack told the coffee shop owner with as much excitement as he could muster. He'd already tried five places he'd seen ads for and was checking out more of them, dragging Emma and Bunny along.
"Jack…" the coffee shop owner said sadly, "I'm afraid I already gave that job to someone else."
Jack's face fell but he nodded understandingly. He looked over at Emma who was putting headphones from her cassette player in Bunny's ears. She giggled as the bunny smiled and bounced up and down to the music. Jack smiled at the scene; he couldn't get discouraged now. He quickly thanked the coffee shop owner and looked at the paper to see what else was available.
"Emma!" he called as he came down, "Pronto, we're going to the beach."
"Are you done looking?" she asked, still giggling at Bunny.
"Nah, lifeguard position." He explained, taking her hand.
Bunny followed them and couldn't help shaking his tail from the beat of Elvis playing on the headphones. So far it had been Pitch-free and both Jack and Emma were in good spirits. He had a feeling all the moving around made it harder for the fearlings to find them.
It was mostly hard getting a job when you were carrying your little sister and her bunny around with you, but a lot of the places just didn't have room for someone like Jack, who was inexperienced in a lot of careers.
Hopefully the lifeguard position would take him with his experience in surfing and swimming. Not to mention it wouldn't matter that Emma and her rabbit tagged along. Jack ruffled his hair to make it presentable and he wound up walking up to a female lifeguard. He remembered her in high school as being an assistant gym teacher, named Calhoun. She was pretty tough and her spiky blonde pixie cut framed her sharp features giving her an intensely unmerciful look. She nearly killed all her students with her 'military' type training in gym class. But Jack knew she took her job seriously as a lifeguard and as long as he showed dedication, he might actually have a shot at getting the job.
"Emma, go wait over there and stay out of trouble!" Jack ordered.
He gulped as he walked up to the intimidating woman, hoping for the best.
"Well, well, if it isn't class clown number one. Where's your partner in crime?" Calhoun chuckled as she gave him a hard look. Apparently she would never forget Jack and Hiccup's senior prank, finding every nasty bug on the island and letting them loose in her gym.
He turned red and chuckled, "Yeah…" he tried, "It's uh…wow, you remember that."
She raised her eyebrow, "There a reason you're here, Overland?"
"Yes." He said more directly, "I was wondering if you were hiring any lifeguards?"
She looked around quickly, tensing up to see if everyone was safe. She then returned to her relaxed position and faced him, "Lucky for you I'm looking for someone at the moment."
Jack smiled happily, "Really?!"
"But…are you someone who can take saving someone's life seriously?" she asked.
"You bet!" Jack said, "I mean, I have a little sister so, you know how that goes."
"Not really, but I guess I can give you a shot. You know CPR?"
"Yes!" he said, nodding, "And First Aid."
"Very good. You swim?"
"And surf." Jack boasted.
"Well then I don't see why I can't hire you." She shrugged.
"Are you serious?" he gasped.
"Do I look like the kind of person who jokes?" she asked sharply.
Jack straightened quickly, "No ma'am!"
"At ease." She muttered, rolling her eyes, "When can you start?"
"As soon as you need me!" he said, smiling happily.
She smirked at him and nodded, "Good, cause there's a person drowning over there."
"What?" he gasped.
Sure enough, he turned to see a tourist having trouble swimming. He looked over at Calhoun who shrugged and nodded her head at him to go ahead.
"Uh…"
"What's the hesitation, Overland? You forget your big girl panties?"
He shuffled on his feet, panicked and immediately removed his t-shirt and ran to help the person. Calhoun sighed, shaking her head as she went back to her post.
Emma meanwhile had given Bunny a grass skirt and was teaching him some moves.
"It's all in the hips." She explained to Bunny, showing him a move. He mimicked her and couldn't help but actually do a dance on the beach.
"I gotta say…" he told her as he thrust his hips to the side and moved his shoulders to the beat, his paws out, "There's a good reason this mate's the King."
She smiled and continued dancing until people began noticing. Some got their cameras out and began crowding around the two. Emma got nervous with the crowd converging on her and Bunny.
"Stop!" she screamed as the lights blinded her. She couldn't seem to get out and Bunny had hopped in front of her, looking nervous.
All the lights and people shouting were really starting to scare her, giving her a feeling of claustrophobia. She shut her eyes and screamed, "JACK!" covering her ears and hoping her brother came to help her.
"EMMA!" Jack yelled as he shoved people aside, "Get away from her!" he yelled angrily at the crowd, not caring that he was shoving people out of the way and pushing them down. One man grabbed his shoulder to take another picture when Jack turned and punched him. He turned and found Emma curled in a ball, holding Bunny and shaking nervously. He immediately knelt down and covered her, holding her carefully and rocking her until the people left. She wrapped her arms around him, sobbing, "It looked like lightning." She gasped.
Jack's eyes widened. Emma was terrified of lightning; she was in the car when her parents had been killed and the first thing she told Jack when he came to her in the hospital was that she remembered lightning.
"It's okay now." He told her, "They're gone, just…breathe with me, okay?"
She nodded and he continued holding her until he heard someone yell his name.
"JACK!"
He turned to see Calhoun looking angrily at him, "You left your post and you punched a tourist."
Jack looked over and noticed a guy with a black eye putting ice on his face, looking annoyed.
He closed his eyes and sighed, "Let me explain…" he said looking up at her.
"Jack, I'm sorry, but unless I fire you the guy will press charges. You can't have the job." She said, looking upset and conflicted, but having no choice, turned and left.
Jack bit his lip angrily and nodded, turning back to Emma to hold in his anger and disappointment.
Emma needed him anyways. If Calhoun didn't see that then it wasn't worth it. He picked up Emma carefully as people left and he found a shady spot by the trees and set her down. Bunny hopped after them and watched as Jack sat with Emma for a while, watching the waves.
"Why didn't I die?" Emma whispered sadly to Jack. He was used to hearing questions like this off and on. Whenever Emma was reminded of that night, things would start to come back. It had been almost six months ago, and yet, it was almost like certain details came up out of the blue.
"Don't think about it, Emma." Jack mumbled to her, feeling defeated again. He had to find a job, he had to. If anything, today was why. If Emma didn't have him looking out for her, she'd be devastated.
"Jack! Emma!" a voice called cheerily, "How is it-"
Jack looked up to see Hiccup looking at them, boards in his arms, his smile turning into a frown of worry. Jack looked away, remembering their kiss the night prior but also his dilemma.
"Are you both okay?" he asked them, kneeling down and putting the boards in the sand.
Emma peeked out at Hiccup, looking just as sad, "We're having a bad day." She said solemnly.
Jack looked at the sand, refusing to meet Hiccup's eyes.
Hiccup blew a breath and looked behind him to see his friends all gearing up for a surf. They heard a bark and a giant black mastiff came bounding forward, his missing back leg evident as he hobbled towards them.
Hiccup smiled and then looked at them softly, "You know…I'm not a doctor, but I know there's no better cure for a sour face than a couple of boards and some choice waves. Whatcha guys think?"
Jack and Emma exchanged a look which finally turned into smiles and Jack looked up at Hiccup, "I think that's a great idea."
"CRICKEY!" Bunny yelled, interrupting the moment as the giant black dog barked and chased him around the beach, "GET THIS DINGO OFF ME!"
"Oh no! Bunny!" Emma cried.
"Toothless! Let's go for a surf, bud!" Hiccup called, then leaned down to Emma, "Don't worry, he likes animals, he just wants to play. See his tail's wagging and his tongues out."
Emma smiled as the dog continued to chase Bunny and she couldn't help but giggle as Bunny yelled out obscenities, "I'm gonna knock your lights out when I'm tall you mutt!"
"Toothless! Surf's up!" Hiccup called again.
The dog halted in his chase and turned, tongue still hanging out and finally ran to Hiccup happily.
Emma pet the dog, remembering what a sweet thing he was.
While Emma took off her dress to reveal her pink bathing suit underneath, Jack made a comment to Hiccup as Bunny panted, coming forward, "You know…I'm surprised after the shark attack Toothless still surfs with you."
"Me too. But you can't take a dog from the waves I guess." Hiccup chuckled.
"Jack! You gonna surf with us?" A female voice called coming over.
"Yeah Astrid!" Hiccup called back, "Get started without us, we'll be out soon!"
Astrid waved excitedly and Jack watched as his former high school friends began their descent into the water with their boards. Emma looked excited as she picked up Bunny and both she and Jack followed Hiccup out to the waves.
"What are we doing?" Bunny asked nervously.
"It'll be fun!" Emma giggled softly as she held Bunny, walking into the water.
Jack put the board down on the water once he was waist deep and Emma placed Bunny behind him and she went to the front to hold on. Jack climbed on and with a skill he was still amazed he had, swam them out to the water. Hiccup followed him with Toothless sitting behind him on the board.
Jack paused and Hiccup passed him, Toothless barking excitedly at Bunny once again, who was busy panicking on the board behind Jack.
"Wanna go first, Emma?" Hiccup asked as he came towards them. Emma got up and hopped into Hiccup's arms who placed her in front of him on the board.
"Watch and learn, Jack." Hiccup winked and Jack smiled, shaking his head as he watched Hiccup find a wave, his sister holding on, the biggest grin on her face.
Bunny shivered and Jack picked him up, plopping him in front, "You gonna hold on there Fluffy?" he chuckled as he made his way to a wave.
"NO!" Bunny yelled, getting nervous as the wave got higher.
He turned to see Jack standing and guiding the board.
"WHOOOOAAA!" Bunny yelled as if on a roller coaster, his hands up. He quickly found Jack's leg and held on, Jack grinning the whole time, his eyes narrowed and focused as he let the board ride the wave freely.
He came upon Hiccup and a few of his friends, all high-fiving with him and Emma who was looking winded and ready for another ride.
"Not bad," Astrid smiled, hands on her hips, "You're a little out of shape, Frosty."
"Frosty?" Jack chuckled as he wiped some water from his eyes.
"Yeah, we nicknamed you that after we saw the snowboard picture." A burly blonde haired male named Fishleg's commented.
"When did you guys see the picture?" Jack asked, his eyes narrowing.
"When Hiccup showed it off ages ago." A blonde girl named Ruffnut said, giggling, "He was so smitten with that picture.
Hiccup turned red and Emma hopped onto Jack's board excitedly.
"Careful Emma." Hiccup chuckled, "He won't be as epic on a board as I am." He boasted playfully, flexing his muscles.
Jack kicked Hiccup off his board and everyone laughed, "Or off one?" Jack snickered.
Hiccup grinned when he came up, hands resting on his board as Jack smirked at him and went to find a wave with Emma. Others joined him but Hiccup decided to watch as Jack took to the wave like an expert. Sure he was a little out of shape, but there was no denying mad skill. Emma laughed and Bunny held on to Jack's leg, still panicking.
"I hate this job!" Bunny yelped as they came through another wave. He'd smile if it was a tame wave, but oh no! Jack just had to pick the biggest ones.
It was an incredible day of surfing; Emma had piggybacked on everyone's boards, sometimes doing tricks with Hiccup or her brother. But near sunset, the others began heading home while Hiccup and Jack stayed behind to just spend time with Emma on the beach, making sand castles, burying her in the sand, playing tag and swinging her around. The smile never left her face and Jack's worries about finding a job were all but forgotten as he watched Hiccup with his sister, always making sure she was safe on the board, that Toothless was gentle with her and Bunny, and making her laugh.
Hiccup sat next to Jack as he helped Emma with her sand castle.
"You ever thought of trying the tower?" Hiccup asked Jack as he admired the waves.
"That one trick we never succeeded at?" Jack laughed, "Nope."
"What do you say we give it a go now?" Hiccup asked, "Unless you're too chicken?"
"I'm not chicken, I'm a realist." Jack smirked.
"Bock, bock, bock!" Hiccup teased, causing Jack to glare at him playfully.
"Go for it Jack!" Emma cheered, smiling at him.
Jack sighed, "Fine! But if we wipe out, I'm letting you drown." He warned Hiccup.
Hiccup went to grab a board while Jack stood up, "You good here, sis?" he asked her.
She smiled, "I have Toothless and Bunny."
"Wish us luck." he grinned.
"Don't worry, there's no fire." She whispered.
Jack nodded at that and smiled when Hiccup brought the board over and Jack followed him out to the waves. Emma watched while Toothless lay down in the sand happily and Bunny attempted his own castle only to fail.
"Bunny, look!" Emma cheered as she watched Jack get on Hiccup's shoulders carefully and Hiccup keep his balance on the board.
"You got better at this." Jack commented.
"You too!" Hiccup answered, smiling up at him.
"Focus on the waves, dude!" Jack yelled nervously.
"Got it!" Hiccup laughed, still keeping his balance.
Emma cheered on the beach, clapping her hands.
She was focused on her brother and Hiccup until she noticed something in the water. She thought it was either seaweed or a fish at first, but it didn't look like it. She walked into the water and looked closer; it was dark and swirly and she couldn't make out a shape, but it also seemed to glow yellow in some parts. She cocked her head to the side and turned, "Bunny, come see this!"
"What?" he asked, distracted as he kept building a sand castle, "I swear I'm gonna get this darn thing right." He muttered.
"There's something in here." She said.
She felt something wrap around her ankle and she screamed as she was pulled under and dragged.
"EMMA!" Bunny yelled, rushing in, "Oh no! Oh no! Not good!"
Jack looked up in time, smiling, to notice that Emma wasn't on the beach anymore, "Hiccup!" he yelled, "Where's Emma?"
Hiccup looked up, distracted and both wiped out.
Jack came to the surface with him and looked around, "Where is she?"
Hiccup and Jack both swam quickly to shore, looking around for some sign of her. Bunny was hopping around in the water, looking frantic and Toothless was barking next to him, growling at something.
"I see her!" Hiccup yelled.
"EMMA! NO!" Jack yelled, diving under. He found her in the water and wrapped his arms around her waist, tugging. It felt as though something were actually holding her there and pulling her. He managed to get her free and swim up with her.
He gasped for air when he came up and Hiccup aided in helping him get Emma onto the beach.
"Emma!" he yelled, shaking her, slapping her cheek lightly, "Emma, wake up!"
"She's unconscious." Hiccup told Jack as they lay her down in the sand, "When I say, give her mouth to mouth."
Hiccup pushed down on her stomach and then looked to Jack who helped resuscitate her, looking panicked. Luckily, she coughed up the water and sat up, choking. Jack immediately held her to him. He looked at Hiccup quickly and then sighed, "Thank God."
"W-what hap-pend." She gasped nervously.
"You went under." Jack told her, "You okay?" he asked as he helped her stand so he could see if she had any cuts or scratches.
"What happened?" Hiccup asked her, a hand going to her back.
She shook her head, "I don't know…" she said softly.
Jack smoothed the hair from her eyes and bit his lip to keep from sobbing, "Emma…please don't ever do that again, just…please." He cried.
She nodded, not sure what to think. She didn't really remember anything to be honest, just a lot of blackness.
Bunny was looking worriedly at her, knowing full well what had dragged her under.
"Jack…" Hiccup said softly, nudging him.
Jack looked over and saw the one person he really didn't want to see now; Cobra Bubbles, walking towards them.
Jack's stomach clenched and he immediately handed Emma to Hiccup, "Take her for a minute." He whispered as he got up nervously.
He rushed over and held out his hands, hoping to explain everything, "This isn't what it looks like." He told Cobra Bubbles.
The man merely frowned sadly and removed his sunglasses, "Jack…I know you're trying. I know. But you have to think about what is best for Emma…even if that means you aren't in the picture anymore."
"No." Jack gasped, "No…Just please! You can't-"
"Jack, this is a good chance for you to go back and finish school. Emma will have a family who can take proper care of her and you can do what you've always dreamed of." He said softly, "I'll be by in the morning to pick up Emma." He said, a note of finality in his voice as he turned away.
Jack stared after the man, not sure he'd heard correctly. This couldn't be happening…he'd done everything and he'd failed…
"Jack?" Hiccup asked coming forward with Emma, "Jack?"
Jack tensed, holding every emotion inside and finally looked at Hiccup and bit his lip again, shaking his head.
Hiccup didn't need to ask why and actually felt his own tears come to his eyes and his chest feel heavy, "Is there anything…anything I can do?" he asked.
Jack shook his head and sniffed, "No…" he choked, "You've done so much, Hiccup…thank you." He then reached out for Emma, "I need to take Emma home now…we…we have a lot to t-talk about."
Emma took his hand, not sure why her brother looked so upset or what Cobra had said. Could he be mad at her for falling in the water? Was it because he hadn't found a job?
Meanwhile Hiccup stood there in shock and anger as he processed what was happening; Jack was going to lose Emma. She was being taken away. He watched them walk away, knowing how devastated Jack was feeling right now.
Bunny and Toothless came up next to him. Hiccup patted Toothless' head and sighed, "I really thought they had a chance, bud." He sighed, "I really wanted them to win."
He shook his head and turned, the beautiful sunset hitting the waves did little to ease the sadness he was feeling in his heart.
Bunny meanwhile watched the two retreat and knew that time was up.
"Bunny!" a Russian voice said from a distance. Bunny turned sharply and looked towards the woods, squinting.
"Bunny!" Tooth called from the trees.
Bunny would have smiled from relief if the situation weren't so dire. All he could say as he bounded over to them was "About bloody time, mates. We need to get to work now!"