Chapter Six- Naptime

He had no idea the lengths she was willing to go to for them and it was heartwarming. She was sitting up on the couch, TV turned down and the little ones asleep like a mass pass-out. Aster was stretched out in the armchair to her left, Sandy curled up at his side. Nick had his head in Mrs. Bennett's lap and Anna was curled up in the other chair, Jamie beside her.

That last one made him suppress a chuckle.

"Hey Jack, how was work?" She asked cheerfully, although at a whisper.

"Pretty good actually. It was a slow night." He offered on his way through to the kitchen where he discovered that she had made him a dinner which was ready to microwave. "Oh, that's really nice thank you." He said in shock as he discovered the meal. She chuckled at him.

"No problem Jack." She grinned.

"Were they little demons?" He asked the obviously exhausted woman who shook her head.

"They were really well behaved." She assured. "They're sweethearts." She offered.

"Well let's see how well behaved they are when the school makes them sit still all day." Jack teased, sitting cross-legged at the end of the table.

"That's normal." She assured.

"I know, they really aren't that bad." He conceded. "If they weren't I'd never have left them with you, they've kind of…had to be." He explained tiredly.

"You mean when you use to have to leave them with your parents?" She asked knowingly. He nodded and mumbled through a drink of milk.

"Yeah, any less behaved and I would've had to take 'em to work with me. I don't think I'd still have a job." He mused as he examined the empty plate in front of him.

"Well, they're angels, and you don't need to worry about them." She offered, confirming that he was never going to have to handle the situation on his own again. "I'll help any way I can, I think you've more than earned a chance to be a kid again." He looked up at her in shock.

"A kid?" He asked, looking too much like one for her to handle straight-faced.

"Yes hon, you're 18, but you're really not an adult. I promise you've got more growing to do. This is when it should get fun, you have adventures and meet new people. You shouldn't need to be a parent too." She elaborated.

"But I really don't mind taking care of them...but…thank you. You do so much more for them than I can." He offered sheepishly. What she was saying sounded better than he wanted to admit. He really longed for being a child, relaxing and not fretting every little thing. He wanted to be calm so that they could stop picking up on his stress and be kids.

"Well, you're welcome Jack. Between the two of us, you can relax and they'll have a great life." She assured. "Maybe you should get some sleep." She urged gently, giving him a knowing look.

"But they'll panic, they're still a bit strung up about what happened, I'd bet all the mac and cheese in the world on it, and you and Jamie probably need to go home. I don't work tomorrow and I'll-"

"Jack?" She interrupted sweetly.

"Hmm?"

"You sat up with them for two nights, then worked a full shift. I'm not in a hurry, doesn't look like sleeping beauty is either. Go get some sleep." She urged again, leaning forward (carefully) to pat Jack's shoulder. He seemed to wrestle with the idea for a time before caving and yawning fiercely. He wouldn't remember how he had gotten to bed later, but he would wake up feeling much better than he had because a certain legendary figure was learning a new trick, and he was having some mixed feelings about it.

Yes, the Boogeyman wasn't quite acting like the boogeyman anymore. As hard as pitch fought it he realized that Mani was right, and he was getting attached to a certain golden-haired toddler who's magic was leaking into him.

He had actually stood at the opening to the kitchen, watching with interest and wonder as this woman took Jack under her wing. He couldn't help the smile that graced his less-palled features as he watched the boy relax for the first time since this transformation took place. He was happy to not need to protect the boy again when he couldn't see him. Then it happened.

A golden strand unseen by anyone else in the room swirled up from the little sleeping Sandy. It looked like his magic, but a less potent form. It looked to Pitch like his core was trying to free itself and do his job.

My son, do you know what needs to be done? Mani's voice echoed in his head.

"I believe so." Pitch whispered, still smiling at the adorable scene before him. "It will be as it was?" He asked, flashes of his old memories flooding through him.

It shall. If you allow it, my son. Mani agreed. Pitch nodded in acknowledgement as he stepped up to the boy and that strand which wrapped itself around him cheerfully.

"What if I fail?" He asked, suddenly filed with that fear he had been so intent upon spreading to the world. "How do I do this?" He asked.

Maintain your center. He offered cryptically as his light vanished from the room.

"What the devil does that mean?" He asked out loud, causing baby Sandy to stir. The boy blinked up at him in confusion and then giggled silently, and happily, stretching his arms out to him. Pitch happily obliged him. "Hello there Sandy, looks like I'll be using your magic until you get a little older." Pitch grinned at both the smiling little boy and at his pun. He couldn't help himself.

Then he encountered a snag.

"Pitch?!" A hushed and terrified whisper found him from the chair Jamie had been in. He turned slowly, looking about as terrified as Jamie sounded. He couldn't stand that sound. This gave him pause. He, who had once thrived on fear not that long ago, was now so nauseated by the sound…

"Jamie?" He whispered, realizing who he was talking to put a knot in his stomach he was fairly certain wouldn't be going anywhere for a while. His so recent change had caused many moments of self-loathing as he watched over the changed guardians and their jobs, but none more than this moment.

Sandy was signing something to Jamie that he recognized from later that day when Mrs. Bennett had been teaching her son so he could speak with that particular toddler.

Friend.

Okay, sorry, sorry, sorry! I was gone for so long! But…midterms and school and stuff. Here is the thing! Thanks for reading and sticking with it! Let me know what you think and if you notice something I didn't, all that jazz. You are wonderful people!