Authors Note: WARNING! A whole lotta mush in this chapter! Sweet Pitch being adorable and all that jazz! So if you don't have a cootie shot already, go get that and then you may read freely! But I am a fan girl so it gets kinda sappy. Bear with me folks and eventually someone will get the shit beaten outta them.

Jack couldn't help but glare at Carter as she tearfully explained what had happened. They were fighting about their previous argument and Carter had tried to guilt trip Katie into accepting her apology. Then Katie said, rather vehemently, that she didn't forgive Carter. Frankly Jack didn't blame her. But anyways, that was when Pitch showed up.

Carter described to them how Katie's eyes had been gold. That Pitch must have been possessing her somehow. And even when she tried to appeal to Katie, her sister wouldn't budge from Pitch's side. She woefully delineated how Pitch enlightened her about her situation this time around, how it would be her last, and then just before he was going to attack her, the Guardians had shown up and Pitch had disappeared with Katie.

"Wait, what do you mean it's your last life?" Tooth demanded. She didn't really like Carter, hell the two of them fought constantly whenever they met up. But still, Pitch and Carter were like Yin and Yang. They had to fight or else Pitch would be stronger, strong enough to pull something over on them.

"This is the first life where I've been pregnant. When I have my baby, he'll take my immortal life, and I'll be a plain old mortal. Susceptible to death." She nearly teared up talking about it.

"But why would MiM do that? He knows that unless you are around to...keep Pitch in check, the Nightmare King could become stronger than we can handle!" Tooth exclaimed. Carter shrugged.

"Obviously I'm not thrilled about it either. But maybe it's a sign that this time I'll be able to defeat him instead of him defeating me. If it's my last life then I have to finish him off." She said solidly. "Although I can't say I'm looking forward to being mortal. Sounds dreadful to me." She went on with a sigh, putting a hand on her belly. Jack could not help himself as he scoffed. They all looked at him.

"Am I the only one concerned more about Katie, who was just kidnapped if you'll recall, than about Carter's little aversion to mortality?" He demanded. Carter narrowed her eyes.

"Who's the new kid North?" She asked. She glared at the boy and he glared right back. From his short conversation with Katie, and the family resemblances Carter shared with Pitch, he knew he didn't like her. At all. There was no love felt by Carter either.

"Jack Frost. Guardian of Fun and newest Protector of Children." North said, patting the winter spirit on the back. He was obviously oblivious to Carter's dislike of Jack, as he sounded so proud as he formally introduced Jack.

"Oh yeah. You're the one who ruined Easter a few years ago." She sneered. Jack's face glowed red and Bunny had to put a firm hand on his shoulder to keep him calm. Carter smirked and turned back to the jolly Russian. "North you have to do something! I don't know what Pitch wants with Katie but it cant be good! Please North I want my little sister back!" Again Jack scoffed. Carter huffed a little and looked at him fiercely. "What is your problem Frost?"

"You! You're the reason Katie left with Pitch in the first place!" All the Guardians gaped at him, astounded and slightly impressed by his ability to stand up to a rather pregnant immortal sister of the Boogeyman. Carter though looked less than thrilled to be yelled at, for the second time that day! Usually she only ever got teased or taunted or yelled at by one person, and she was actively trying to kill him.

"Why you little-"

"You know what, I'm gonna go see if I can talk Pitch into returning her. Hey maybe he'll like me more than he likes you and take pity on my because I've just had to sit through an hour of you bitching about being a bitch and it coming back to bite you in the ass!" Jack yelled and stormed out before anyone could say anything.

OOOOO

I can't bring myself to open my eyes. The headache returned pretty soon after we left my room. Everything was shifting and moving and it was dizzying. Eventually I just closed my eyes and I haven't opened them yet. But I know when I do I'll be looking at Pitch. I can feel him near me, watching and waiting for me to come to. Things seem so sorted. I hardly remember much of the events leading up to this. I remember the argument obviously. And I kinda recall Pitch referring to Carter as his sister! And as much as that would explain some things, it's impossible! Isn't it?

Finally, with a heavy sigh, I open my eyes. It's really dark, but I can see brilliant golden eyes on the edge of the bed I've been placed on. Pitch looks at me carefully as I slowly come to. But he doesn't appear to have any particular emotion.

"W-what happened?" I ask, rubbing my temples slightly. He reaches forward to brush away a lock of my hair, and I let him.

"You stood up to Carter." He says simply.

"I had no idea it would present such a headache." I complain. With a gentle smile, he holds out his hand for me. I look at it a moment, unsure what to do with it at first. But I eventually put my pale hand into his gray spidery one and he closes his long fingers over mine. He has to catch me when I slide out of the bed, my legs feel like jelly. He waits for me to stabilize before leading me out of the dark room I've woken up in. "Where are we going?" I ask in a quiet voice. I'm not sure what to make of all this. Why has Pitch brought me here? And why now? Did he literally have to wait for me to stand up to Carter before he could take me from that horrible house I lived in? Because if I had known that I would have stood up to the bitch a long time ago!

"Dinner." He says, again very blunt and frank. We walk for another few seconds before he opens a grand door and ushers me inside. I gape at the room inside. It's a huge ballroom, but completely black. There's a long table in the middle, made from the surrounding stone. And the chairs are also of the strong black stone. Pitch escorts me to one of the chairs and sits me down, snapping his fingers. People who look like they're made of sand instantly appear out of shadows, each with a plate. Five in total appear, putting the plates in front of me. "I didn't know what you would prefer." Pitch explains when I give him a questioning look. In truth though, I'm not really hungry for anything. My stomach is upset from the fight, and the odd way Pitch travels. Through shadows and stuff.

"I...uh...thanks..." I say politely, despite my lack of appetite. He sits a few seats down and watches me carefully as I stare at the plate in front of me, unable to touch it. Pitch keeps his eyes on me as I awkwardly play with the food. I'm afraid he may get mad at me for not eating, but hes simply looking at me curiously. I blush as I push around the food. It does look good, but I just know I'll get sick if I eat anything.

"Aren't you hungry?" He finally asks. I look at him guiltily, shaking my head with a quivering lip. He looks almost like he wants to be sympathetic and stands up, walking to stand behind me. I break out in goosebumps but he doesn't seem to notice. "I was under the impression humans needed food to live."

"W-we do." He gives me a curious look, so I swallow the lump in my throat and continue. "I feel sorta sick. I'm scared."

"I see. You must forgive me my dear, I am unaccustomed to having company, especially a mortals. But perhaps a familiar sight would make you feel better." He holds out his hand for me, which I hesitantly take. He escorts me out of the dining hall, putting his arm protectively around me. "Katie this is your home now. You can venture anywhere you wish, but he careful. It would be very easy for you to get lost, and the fearlings like to play tricks on people who are scared." He explains. One word sticks in my head though.

"H-home?" I ask shyly. He looks bemused by my question.

"Of course. I think you'll find it's much better than that place you left behind. Especially because Carter will not be able to find you here." A slight shudder goes up my spine at that. If she can't find me here, would Jack be able to? Or is this the last place I'll ever live?

"I...I don't know what to say." I admit. He simply smiles at me, stopping before a large elaborate door. He nods to tell me to open the door. I slowly reach out and turn the knob. Inside the door is a perfect replica of my room! I find myself gaping as I step in, eyes darting over the familiar aspects of my safe haven. "You...did this for me?"

"Everything is here. Well...except for your little tool you're so fond of using.' He explains. I can't help but blush in shame. "How are your legs?" he asks to move past the awkward moment. I shrug but he seems able to see past my passivity.

"I think one of the cuts is infected." I admit with a burning blush. Worry flashes on his face as he looks at me.

"Come, I set up an infirmary for just this occasion." He puts his arm around me again, leading me out into the dark hall. He finally stops in front of a glass door, inside which I see a black hospital bed and several black wooden cabinets.

It's looks like it's never been used." I comment.

"Only once and never for a mortal. But it should be adequate for you needs. I admit I was worried you may have some sort of malady and decided I should restock the cabinets before bringing you here." I look at him with wet eyes. He looks back, apparently understanding the silent thank-you in them. "Take a seat." He instructs, casually collecting a roll of bandages and antiseptic cream. "Take off your pants." I'm startled bu his bluntness, but I do as he says, wincing as the fabric brushes against one of my wounds. The infected cut stands out from the others, burning yellow with a ring of red around it. However the others also seem pretty bad in the bright lighting of the room. It's odd to see Pitch in adequate lighting. I can really see the fine smoothness of his skin, the way it almost sparkles like tiny crystalline sand. His eyes are still bright despite the surrounding light. And he seems all the taller and skinner in the light. I realize with a blush that I'm checking out the Boogeyman and blush.

"I've never gotten an infection before." I say as I watch him clean the wound with peroxide. Strangely enough, I don't feel the stinging that the peroxide at my house gives. His must be some special Nightmare King brand. He smiles ever so slightly.

"There's always a first time for everything I suppose. Humans are infallibly susceptible to harm. How does that feel?" He spreads the cold gooey antiseptic over the cut and a slight hiss of pain leaves my lips before the cream starts to sooth the injury. I sigh as the pain leaves.

"Better." He smiles and wraps the bandage around my leg. He also puts cream and band aids on my other cuts, tisking every now and then at one. Once he's finally done fussing over my legs, he helps me put my jeans back on carefully, so I won't disturb my bandages, and then we stand there awkwardly. The question that's been burning in my head finally bursts out when I can't stand the silence anymore. "Why are you doing all this for me? You took me away from the people I hate, you've given me a better place to call home, you're taking care of my destructive habit. No one has ever done so much for me. I don't get it." He sighs, brushing hair back from my face.

"Katie just because those people didn't take care of you doesn't mean no one ever will. In time you'll see how much I care for you. You'll know that when I first saw you I knew you were different, special. I'll take care of you for however long you want me to." I don't know what to say, and even if I did I probably wouldn't be able to, so I wrap my arms around him in a tight hug. He seems genuinely surprised at first but then puts his arms around me as well and hugs me close. It's awkward, but comforting. I feel peace for once! It's enough to make me tear up. And soon enough I'm crying into his chest as he rubs soothing circles on my back.

"Pitch...thank you." His breathing hitches slightly and it almost seems like he's frightened by my thank you. But it's only a tiny moment before he chuckles in his throat confidently. He eventually detaches from me, leading me back towards the hall.

"You really should eat Katie." He says protectively. I nod, immediately digging in when we get back to the dining hall. Pitch smiles at me as I eat. I have a feeling he was more worried than he let off about me not eating. But now that my leg feels better and I've stopped feeling so guilty about betraying my "family", it's easy to eat. My stomach has stopped churning, and I can really appreciate the very good food. "So you are hungry." He smirks. A blush darkens my cheeks.

"Yeah."

"I take it you're feeling better." He adds. I nod, offering a small smile. I am still a little nervous about what happens now though. But I don't want to ask and seem ungrateful for everything he's done for me. Instead I try to think up something totally random to talk about.

"So what do you do for fun down here?" He gives me a surprised look, which turning into a smile when my blush brightens even more. Did I really just say that?!