Joy woke up only to find that Pitch was gone. Guess you can't always trust fear, she thought giggling lightly. She stretched her arms like a cat when she heard a familiar voice say, "Ah, you're up. I trust you slept well," it was more a statement than a question.

"Well, when you're friends with the Nightmare King, you don't have as any nightmares."

"Friends?" Pitch said quietly, I never had friends before.

"Well yeah, we know each other, we talk, we spend time together, we're friends," Joy smiled, Though I wish we were more…There is something about him that seems familiar.

"Speaking of spending time together, not many children are asleep right now; I thought we could just spend the day together," Pitch struggled to keep his voice even.

"Sure, what the plan?"

"I thought we would go somewhere special."

"Where?"

"That's a surprise, but first are you afraid of the dark?" he asked already knowing the answer.

"Shouldn't you know that already?"

"Ah, clever girl, follow me," and he shadowed (A/N that's what I calling it now) out of the room and Joy followed. She didn't see Pitch when, "Boo!"

"Ah! Pitch!" Joy laughed more than spoke. She has such a beautiful laugh.

"He he. Can't I have a little fun?"

"Don't we have somewhere to go?"

"Yes," he snapped his fingers, "we do," a night-mare appeared and Pitch got on.

Joy stroked its hide, feeling the sand, "What is this?"

"A night-mare, care to join me?" Pitch said extending his hand, which Joy gladly accepted.

"Can't you give me a hint about where we're going?"

"Sorry, but no," and then the night-mare shot forward and Joy wrapped her arms around Pitch's torso.

After flying for an hour, they were over the ocean. Joy flew off the night-mare down to the water and glided just above the water. Pitch watched her and smiled, she was so vibrant and free, not a care in the world. Joy sped up and flipped on her back, watching the water spray up around her. She closed her eyes and spread her arms out like wings, feeling pure bliss.

Pitch flew his night-mare down beside her, "Enjoying yourself, hmm?"

"Yes, are you enjoying yourself?"

Pitch straightened himself, gripping the reins of he night-mare, "Of course, why wouldn't I be?"

"You seem so stiff, you need to relax."

"I am perfectly relaxed," he lied; he just wasn't himself around her, they had only known each other a day but to him it felt like forever. Today he was especially nervous, Will she like the surprise? Of course she will, she enjoys everything…But will she enjoy this? I mean, I don't see what so interesting about a cave but-

"Sure you are. Anyway, are we almost there?"

"Almost, just a few more minutes."

"Still not going to tell me where we are going exactly?"

"Don't want to ruin the surprise," Pitch grinned.

"So, he does have a sense of humor," Joy said, splashing some water up at Pitch.

"Hey!" *splash, "Quit it!" *splash, Pitch brought his night-mare down so it was almost in the water. A school of flying fish swam up, breaking the surface of the water with small splashes. Joy saw this and mimicked their movements, earning a laugh from Pitch, a real laugh and not his usual dark chuckle.

As they finally reached land Pitch told Joy to get back on the night-mare and close her eyes. After a few minutes, Pitch guided her off the night-mare and into a cave. "Where are we?" Joy asked.

"Open your eyes and see," Pitch whispered into her ear. Joy opened her eyes at first only seeing darkness, but when she looked up, she saw dots glowing above her.

"Where are we?"

"Waitomo caves in New Zealand, known for it's glow worms," Pitch smirked, expecting her to at least jump back but was shocked to hear her say, "Cool."

Joy looked all around her, seeing glowing dots and lines, "They look like stars."

"Yeah, that's what I like about coming here. It reminds me of the night sky, the darkness with mere flickers of light but not enough to hide the blackness…" Pitch was staring sadly at the cave ceiling, being reminded of his own black heart and how Joy would probably only be with him for a short time before finding her place in the world and leaving him. Then I'll be alone again...

Joy noticed his saddening tone, "Pitch?"

"Hmm?"

"Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing is wrong."

"I know something is wrong…please tell me?"

"Persistent aren't we?"

"You going to tell me? I really want to know and maybe…help?"

"Alright, I'll tell you. I have lived hundreds of years, spreading fear into the hearts of children everywhere. At first, life was great, in the Dark Ages, fear ruled the world and I was that fear. But then the Guardians came along bringing hope and wonder and where was I? I was pushed to the side, put off as a bad dream. After that, I was alone, nobody could see or hear me…nobody believes in me."

"Why were the Guardians created?" Why was I created if I was supposed to be a Guardian?

"The Man in the Moon decided I was no longer needed, that children didn't need fear, they needed joy."