Chapter 7: how to say goodbye

I look over at Jack who has turn pale. "Jack? Who is he talking about? Why would he want me?" I asks taking a step towards him. "No! Caroline, please." Jack pleas put a hand up to tell me to stop moving. I freeze and my eyes widen a bit. "Jack?" He shakes his head, little tears forming in his eyes. "Caroline...I need you to remove the dye...and give me my staff." My breathing stops and I couldn't stop looking at him. But Jack wouldn't meet my eyes. "...Why?" I whisper taking a little step towards him. "I...I have to go. Now."

"What? What do you mean leave? Jack you promised me you would stay!" Jack takes a deep breath and looks me in the eyes. They were dark, almost emotionless. "I promised as long as I could. I have to leave now. I don't have a choice." I shake my head. "That's a lie! Everyone has a choice no matter the situation! You are hiding something Jack tell me!" I shout, my voice raising with my anger and grief. "Caroline just remove the stupid dye!" Jack says, his patience obviously slipping.

"Fine! You want the dye gone! Get your butt upstairs!" I shriek before running heart falling to pieces on each step. I curl up on my bed and wait. I hear Jack's bedroom open and close. A few minutes he appears in the doorway. He was wearing the clothes he came here in. I take a deep breath and go into the bathroom. He follows and sits in the same chair I put the dye in his hair months ago. I close my eyes before grabbing a water bottle. I spray his hair and gently run my hands through hair.

I watch slowly as the dye seemed to vanish into thin air. My breath comes out shaky as I look up. Jack was looking back right at me. I watch slowly as his brown locks turning white. His eyes turning blue, frost covering his sweatshirt. I turn to find his staff.

Jack:

He runs a hand through his hair and lets out a moan. Jack should be happy, he had his powers back. But...seeing Caroline so upset, so heart broken. Jack couldn't even smile if he tried. He got up and walks into her room. Caroline was holding his staff in her tiny hands. She was looking at it with love and hate. It was the thing that brought them together, and is taking him from her. Jack close his eyes and lets out a soft sigh. He walks to her and tilts her head up gently. "I'm sorry Caroline. I wish I could stay. But I have to leave, I have to protect you." He breathes begging in his head she would understand.

"Why can't you protect me and still stay with me?" She replies in a heart broken voice. Jack shakes his head. "I would be distracted, I wouldn't be able to. I will be close by, I promise."

"You break your promises." Jack smiles weakly and brushes hair away from her face. "Then listen to me...once this is all over. When I know your are safe. I will come back...I'll give up being Jack Frost. I will grow old with you. We'll go to the same college. I want you Caroline. I want to find a house and raise some kids together. Even though they might be a pain." Jack watches as Caroline laughs softly a smile gracing his lips. "Caroline...I want you. I want to see you smile, cry, laugh. Be there to comfort you, laugh with you, be happy with you. I love you...forever...forever and always." He says softly, watching as tears fall out of Caroline's eyes.

"I love you too Jack Frost. I love you so much." She breathes before wrapping her arms around his neck. He leans down and kisses her softly. "God I love you so much." He breathes against her lips before kissing her again. "Jack..we have to go." Jack looks over his shoulder at North. "...alright." Jack and Caroline follow him downstairs and into the front yard. Caroline looks down at the staff before holding it out to Jack. He takes it and stares down at it. Then he looks up at Caroline. "...come here."

He pulls Caroline into his arms and kisses her deeply. Trying to memorize the feeling of her lips, her sweet vanilla and lemon scent. The way her hair fell over her shoulder and how her eyes shine. The way she held onto his shirt as if she would float away if she let go. How her breathing came out in small little sighs. How warm her body was next to his."I will come back soon. Just wait for me." Jack says after they broke apart, placing something in her hand. "I will wait for as long as it takes." Caroline says as Jack kisses her on her forehead. His eyes closed to hide his grief, his sadness. Little tears falling down her cheeks, Jack brushes the away and caresses her cheek. Giving her one last kiss, one that was soft but full with his feelings.

"Goodbye."

Caroline:

I watch as he launches up into the air, little specks of snow following him. The other guardians were gone leaving me behind with my cousins. They crowd around me trying to comfort me. I just look down and smile. I slip the small plastic snowflake ring onto my finger and kiss it. "hurry back." I breath.

Pitch watches from afar with an evil smile. "let the games begin."