Disclaimer: As always, I don't own any aspects to this story.

Chapter 38

Reboarding

Jack stood in awe of what had happened. That send-off by Santa had been one of the coolest things he had ever seen. From the maneuvers to the lighting, everything had been masterfully executed. North had really put a whole lot into this.

The elves and yetis were celebrating now. A band of elves and yetis were playing some popular Christmas carols. The whole square was filled with yetis and elves dancing to the different tunes. Jack thought he even saw Phil in there, dancing with a female yeti. Guess even guard yetis needed a day off.

The sound of paper being punched brought Jack back to the line he was in. After the Conductor had called 'all aboard,' all the kids had followed the Conductor back to the train. Now, everyone's tickets were being punched as they climbed back aboard. Once again, the Conductor was showing off by punching letters. That guy really enjoyed his ticket punching skills.

Soon, all the other kids had been processed and it was Elsa's turn. The Conductor punched a few letters into her ticket and passed it back to Elsa. Elsa looked down to read the letters. "F-i-n-d. Find. What does that mean?"

"In my experience, my dear, finding is very important," the Conductor replied. "You might need to find something you've lost or find someone you miss. However, as the Hobo rightly said, you might also need to find the truth. That could be the truth behind an event, or the truth about what you believe. You could also find the truth about others and if they're really genuine. Once you do, you can leave all uncertainty and mistrust behind, knowing that an answer has been found. I think you've been finding answers to questions you didn't know you had recently."

Elsa nodded. "I have, sir."

"Good. I trust you'll keep finding answers in the years to come."

Elsa smiled. "Thank you."

Elsa then climbed aboard the train, waiting at the top of the stairs for the others. Jack nodded in understanding. So the letters formed words that meant something. That actually explained a lot. Now, Jack wondered what words he and the others were going to get.

Anna went next, watching as the Conductor finished punching her word. Once Anna got her ticket back, she looked down as well. "Include. Like including others. Include them in what?"

"Include them in life," the Conductor replied. "I think you've seen what life is like alone without others. Nobody wants to be alone, not really. However, some people might need help to be involved. They need somebody to include them, not leave them alone and unbothered. You have certainly been including others in various events, whether family or friends. Even strangers you've only known a short time." The Conductor then gave a short bow. "It's been an honor to be included on this magical evening with you."

Anna smiled, curtsying. "Thank you, sir. I've had a wonderful time."

After Anna boarded, Olaf came up. The Conductor punched his ticket, this time behind his back. Jack rolled his eyes. There might be a method to the madness, but it didn't stop the showboating. Olaf looked at the ticket when he got it.

Jack leaned down. "Do you need me to read it for you?"

Olaf shook his head. "No. It's coming in loud and clear. Give." He looked up at the Conductor. "Do you mean giving is better than getting?"

The Conductor nodded, smiling. "Based on your actions tonight, I would say that you've taken that lesson to heart."

Olaf nodded. "I agree. Thank you very much, balding man."

Instead of frowning, the Conductor smiled as Olaf moved to board the train. "Classic Olaf," Jack heard the Conductor muttering.

Finally, it was Jack's turn. Once the Conductor had finished typing, Jack read the word "Guide. Like a tour guide?"

"It could be that. Guides can also help people who are lost or need help. Guides point the right way and help people find their paths. A guide can even guide someone to something they've lost, like toys, books, or fun." The Conductor looked squarely at Jack. "I trust you'll continue to guide others to what they've lost, just as you've always been doing?"

Jack nodded. "I will, sir."

The Conductor nodded. "Excellent." Then he leaned down and started whispering in Jack's ear. "Now listen closely, Jack. Ordinarily, the Polar Express doesn't offer this. However, you're a Guardian. Don't look so surprised. We knew the whole time. Now, as a Guardian, you have certain flexibility to the rules. At the moment, we're back in your time, in the present. You could return back to Anna and Elsa's time and be dropped off with them, finishing out your journey with them. Or you could stay here in your time and say your goodbyes now. This is a limited time offer, Jack. You have a minute to decide."

Jack's eyebrows shot up. He could finally go home. He wasn't stuck in the past anymore. Jack could become Jack Frost again and things could go back to normal.

But something seemed to be holding Jack back. Jack looked over to see his friends waiting by the door. They were waiting, looking at Jack with hopeful expressions. Elsa, Anna, and Olaf had opened their doors to Jack when he had been stranded. Some had been friendlier than others, but in the end, they had grown to care for him. And Jack had found himself growing to care for them. There was no way he was going to abandon them now that he was so close to the end. It might be one night left, but Jack felt that he needed to see this trip through.

Jack turned back to the Conductor. "Thank you very much, sir. However, I don't think I can accept this offer. I started this trip with those people over there. I'd rather finish it with them."

The Conductor gave a knowing smile. "I had a feeling you'd say that." With that he climbed aboard. "All righty then, time to get going." The Conductor offered his hand to Jack, and this time, Jack accepted it.

The train soon set off, with all the passengers sitting in their seats. All the kids had gathered around to see Elsa's gift. Once they had finished looking, they all got in their seats and started nodding off. Jack couldn't blame them. It had been a very long night.

As the train started circling the tree, Jack looked out the window. He had really enjoyed his first glimpse of the North Pole. From the winding streets to the route in North's sack, the North Pole was clearly a wondrous city. Hopefully, Jack would be able to come back another time.

Jack then leaned up in his seat to look ahead at Elsa and Anna. "Psst," he whispered, not wanting to wake the other kids.

Elsa and Anna turned around in their seats. "Now that all the sightseers have gone, I was wondering if I could take a look at this gift of yours?" Jack whispered.

Elsa smiled. "Of course, Jack." She then pulled out the item so Jack could get a clear look. It was a book. A large book with a clear line at the halfway point of the spine. Elsa's snowflake and a picture of a stick were seen on the cover, with holly and Christmas bells decorating the edges.

Elsa opened the book and started flipping through the pages. It was a photo album. All the pages up to the halfway point had pictures of Elsa and Anna when they were younger. The kids were making snow forts or snowmen in different rooms of the Arendelle palace. Two adults were also present in several picture. An older man with blond hair and a trim mustache accompanied a woman with short, brown hair. They were always smiling at the children or at the camera that had taken the picture. Jack had a feeling that these people were Elsa and Anna's parents. The rest of the pages beyond were blank.

"Do you like it?" Elsa asked.

Jack nodded. "Yes. Pictures of your family. It's very nice to have something to remember them by."

Elsa smiled. "I'm glad that you think that." She then closed the book and looked at the spine. "Now the note in the book said all I needed to do was pull the book at the line."

Elsa pulled and the book split in two. The book's cover changed, forming just the snowflake. A cover formed on the second half, showing just the stick. Jack realized the stick looked a lot like his own. Both books seemed to have the same number of pages.

Elsa passed the book to Jack. "This one's for you."

Jack took the book "Me?"

Elsa shrugged. "The first book benefits me and Anna. I wanted you to have something."

Jack opened the book, not knowing what he was going to see. Inside, Jack saw more photos. Only these photographs were pictures of him. From his time as a baby to just before he had gone under the ice, Jack's life seemed to be memorialized in the photographs. There were things he remembered, like telling stories at the campfire, and things he didn't remember as much that were coming back to him as he turned the pages. There were also other people in Jack's photos. Jack recognized his sister in many of the photos, and there were two adults, a man and a woman, that Jack realized were his parents. The more he looked, the more memories came flooding back to him in greater detail than ever before. Tears came to his eyes. This was truly a precious gift.

Then, in the campfire picture, Jack's sister winked. One of the people in the photo waved her hand in greeting. Soon all the people were moving. Photo Jack was moving exactly like Jack remembered. All the people were reacting to Jack's movements, laughing and smiling. In the next photo, a portrait photo, Jack saw himself and his family waving at him, as if they could see him.

Jack kept turning the pages, seeing more pictures come to life. Some played out events, others waved and smiled. Jack turned to Elsa and Anna. "Are your pictures moving?"

"Yes," Anna replied, jaw dropping. "They're moving."

"Santa had said he was adding something from a book in here, but I didn't expect this," Elsa said.

Olaf looked over. "It seems like Santa knew exactly what you wanted."

Jack reached down and gave a hug to the group. "Thank you so much. You have no idea what this means to me."

"If it means as much to you as the pictures of my and Elsa's parents mean to me, I think I might have an idea of what it means to you," Anna replied.

"Glad you all got what you wanted," Olaf commented.

Elsa turned to Olaf. "But you didn't get anything. I thought Santa would cover you as well when I asked before."

"Oh, he did," Olaf replied, yawning. "He gave me the best gift ever."

"What would that be?" Jack asked, yawning himself.

But the only reply was one of snores. Jack looked around, seeing Olaf falling asleep and Elsa and Anna starting to nod off as well. Come to think of it, Jack's eyes were starting to get heavy. It was like the sleep that had been held off on the way to the North Pole was now returning. As Jack yawned again, he saw some of Sandman's dreamsand starting to form above all the passengers' heads, giving good dreams to them all. Jack's eyes started to close. Just a few minutes of sleep. That was all. Just five minutes of sleep.

And so, the return trip begins. Tickets and all. As always, please rate and review.