Chapter 9

Jack sat across from Emma on their hammock. Sounds of waves hitting the beach from a distance could be heard, the wind blowing in the trees, birds calling to one another. It would have been a beautiful night; but it wasn't. He had less than 12 hours with Emma left before Cobra Bubbles came to take her away from him. He opened up a plastic container that held two light orange ilima flowers. He picked out one and smoothed Emma's hair behind one ear and gently put it there. He took the other one and put it in his hair, smiling at her. Ilima's represented where their parents were both from, Oahu, but also symbolized love. It was an important flower for their family.

Emma smiled at Jack and he knew she probably felt very special wearing an important blossom in her hair. He threw the container on the ground and then looked her deep in the eyes; eyes that matched his, that spoke volumes of hope and admiration for her brother. What would she think knowing he'd failed her?

"Emma?" he spoke softly.

"I know why you're sad Jack." She said, looking up at him.

He froze, pausing his words.

"But you'll find a job." She smiled, "You're a hard worker and you're really nice. Someone will hire you. I would."

He kept his tears at bay, realizing to himself he just couldn't say the words.

"Come here." He said, holding out his arms. She crawled over to him and leaned her back against his chest, feeling his heartbeat. He put his arms around her and closed his eyes, taking a breath before singing the song he'd sang at his parent's funeral with countless others. But tonight; it was for Emma, "Aloha `oe, aloha `oe. E ke onaona noho i ka lipo."

Emma listened to her brother, looking up at him as he held her. She brought her knees to her chest and held them there as though afraid of parting from him. She was a little surprised when he took the flower from her hair and then his own, holding them out in his hands, "One fond embrace, A ho`i a`e au." She reached out to put her hands on the flowers, their spirits touching the flowers that she knew they'd be releasing into the wind.

Jack clutched her hand with the flowers, bringing them closer as though wishing he didn't have to let go, but found himself finishing the song, "Until we meet again." Together they released the flowers into the wind, watching them float away. Jack held her to him, content to just be with her. He couldn't end their last night together with bad news, it wouldn't be fair to Emma.

"I have an idea." He whispered into her ear as he kissed her temple.

"What?" she asked.

"Let's spend the night doing whatever you want to do." He smiled weakly.

"Anything?" she asked.

"Anything." He nodded, "What do you want to do?"

"Can we listen to Elvis and make some of your cookies you always make?" she asked.

"You bet." He smiled.

"And…" she started but paused.

"It's okay Emma, I did say anything." He chuckled.

"Can…can we go see…Mom and Dad?"

Jack didn't know how he managed to hold it in but he did. He nodded slowly and smiled, "I think that's a great idea."

…..

"Pitch? Here?" Tooth gasped.

"That's not the worst part." Bunny mumbled sadly. They'd walked through the woods slowly back to Jack and Emma's house, "Emma's being taken away in the morning. Jack's lost her for good."

"We're too late!" Tooth cried.

"NO!" North yelled, scaring a few frogs, "We are not too late! We can fix this!"

"How?" Bunny asked, crossing his arms, "We have a social worker taking Emma away and Pitch is definitely up to no good, and not to mention you lot haven't gotten her a friend!"

"We did find her friend." North sighed, "He just…he won't get here for a few more days."

"We don't have a few more days!" Bunny shouted angrily, "We have tonight and only tonight to make this better!"

"When will that social worker come?" North asked.

"Tomorrow morning." Bunny answered.

"Okay…think…all of you…think!" North said, hands going to his head, "We can fix this, we will."

"North…you know I'm all about hope, mate…but-"

"Then gather all of yours and help this family stay together!" North told him sternly.

"You don't know what I've been through!" Bunny yelled angrily, keeping his tears at bay, "I've watched this girl get picked on and her brother lose it. I've watched people try their best to help only to get let down left and right. I'm telling you…we may not be able to fix this."

"We can't lose hope now Bunny." Tooth said, hoping to give some input, "We're Guardians, we protect the children. Emma needs us, and from the sounds of it, so does her brother."

North nodded, "We can do something…"

"It's over!" Bunny said angrily, "Face it…we can't help every child."

They stared at him, horrified that the one Guardian of Hope had lost his center, something he valued and protected.

Sandy came forward, smiling sadly and nodding to Bunny encouragingly. They all knew that Sandy was the oldest of all of them, the wisest, and the brightest. When one of them felt lost, he was the one who found them and brought them back. He made an image of a flower blooming above his head; new life.

Bunny finally smiled and nodded, "You're right, Sandy…I can't lose it now, not when there is always hope."

Sandy smiled, giving him a thumbs up.

"Okay." Bunny nodded, standing a little taller, be he a little tiny still, "Let's get to work."

….

Jack and Emma had not only gone to see his parent's graves, they'd listened to Elvis all night, made cookies, and danced like fools until Emma had passed out on the couch, leaving Jack to sit at the table, not caring about the mess. He held a cup of coffee in his hands that were pale and shaking. He had an hour left. He stared at the table as tears streamed down his face silently.

He was surprised to look up and suddenly see Emma's rabbit on the table next to him, giving him a very understanding look.

He wiped his face and gave a sad smile, "Where've you been little guy?"

He didn't really expect an answer and didn't get one anyways. He was so tired he couldn't believe he was talking to a rabbit.

"Looks like it'll just be us, huh?" he sighed sadly, looking over at the couch.

He got up and walked over, sitting down next to his sister and smoothing her hair. He felt sick to his stomach, he wanted nothing more than to scream and cry, but he had to keep it in. he couldn't let Emma see that.

Emma moaned and turned over to see Jack and grinned sleepily up at him. He grinned back, his eyes red.

She must have noticed because she frowned suddenly, "What's wrong?" she asked, sitting up slowly.

He shook his head and looked away, then choked as he hugged her close, "Emma…" he whispered, "Sometimes…sometimes things have to change…and…and sometimes…they're for the better…"

"Jack?" she asked nervously.

He finally looked into her eyes, full of worry suddenly and opened his mouth, "No matter what happens…" he choked out, "Know that I…I love you so, so much."

"Why are you-?"

They both heard a knock and Jack wanted to be sick. He held her tight, protectively, not sure he wanted to answer the door when he heard another voice answer.

"Jack! Jack?! It's Hiccup!"

Jack shot up quickly to answer the door, "Hiccup?" he gasped, "What are you-?"

"Jack, come quick!" he panted, his hair a mess, "My dad…he wants to give you a job. He said if you come now, he'll give it to you!"

"What?!" Jack gasped.

"I talked to him all night about it and convinced him." Hiccup smiled.

Jack shook his head, not sure he could believe it, "Now?"

"Now." Hiccup nodded.

Jack shuffled on his feet, feeling frantic but suddenly so full of hope again. He felt his face brighten and smiled. He then grabbed onto Hiccup's arm, "You're serious?"

Hiccup nodded, smiling, "Yes."

Jack suddenly grabbed his face and kissed him hard, "Yes! Yes, I'm coming! Hold on!"

He turned as Hiccup turned red and smiled like a goof as Jack talked to Emma who was watching him curiously. He bent down and grabbed her shoulders gently, "Emma, listen to me, this is very, very important." He told her.

She nodded.

"I need you to stay here for a few minutes, I'll be right back. Whatever you do, DO NOT answer the door or phone for anyone. You understand?"

She nodded again.

He kissed her cheek hard and smiled, holding her face in his hands and smiling as though his spirit were lifted, "Things are finally turning around for the better." He whispered to her, nodding.

He got up and closed the door, locking it behind him and then ran after Hiccup.

"Hiccup! I owe you big time!" he whooped.

"That's okay!" Hiccup called back, "You can just go out on a date with me and call it even!"

"Oh Hiccup, we're gonna do more than date if this works out!" Jack laughed.

Hiccup cheered to himself.