Snow informed Jack that the island was no longer off-limits, and he was eager to explore. But Snow had one firm line.

"You must take one of the fire servants with you if you go exploring Heat's half."

"Of course," Jack said absently, bouncing in place.

Snow watched him go then glanced at Flurry. "He wasn't listening again."

"No, sir. I think he didn't hear a word after you mentioned he could explore the island."

"Well, give Cinder and the others the rundown on dealing with him," Snow sighed. "And please prepare an ice bath. He's going to need it. Now, you're all dismissed. Please leave."

All the servants bowed and left. As the doors closed, Snow glanced at Heat. Heat studied him then shook his head, grinning.

"What are you smiling about, hothead?" Snow asked suspiciously.

"I can't believe my twin is a daddy!"

"Oh, stuff it!" Snow shouted, his face burning, but he couldn't hide a pleased smile.

"I thought we couldn't have kids," Heat said.

"Not in the usual way," Snow said. He ran his fingers through his hair. "But somehow, it happened."

"So how long has it been?"

"It was seven hundred years ago."

"What?!" Heat yelped.

"I meant it when I said it's been awhile since this happened," Snow said quietly.

"But what exactly happened?"

Snow shrugged. "I was taking a walk in the mountain country somewhere in Europe. I came across a bear mauling a human, and I stopped her and sent her and her cub away. The human was still alive, and I walked over to see if I could ease his passing. I didn't plan on interfering until he looked at me. He told me his name was Jack and he didn't want to die. I planned on taking him to the nearest human town, so I picked him up and told him he would be okay."

"And?" Heat prompted when Snow paused.

"I woke up to Flurry shaking me in the middle of a snowstorm. And Jack was nowhere in sight."

"What?"

Snow shrugged. "I got sick for awhile, and there began to be rather odd cold anomalies across the world. Mother scolded me for them, and I was determined to get to the bottom of it. So we tracked the anomaly and I headed out as soon as one was spotted. When I got there, I saw Jack. But he looked so… so different. And he was frightened."

"Of you?"

"He didn't know me. He didn't know anybody. Not even himself. He had no memory of his life before he woke up beside me, and he was scared because I was so much bigger than him. We were in the tropics, and I could tell he was feverish and confused. He finally begged me to help him, so I brought him to my palace and hid him in the lower parts and nursed him back to health. He was grateful and asked me why I kept calling him Jack. I told him that was his name."

"So he doesn't remember being fully human?" Heat asked.

"No," Snow said. "He has absolutely no memories before waking up as Jack Frost."

"A small blessing, I presume," Heat said thoughtfully. "Considering what happened to him."

Snow smiled. "Yes. I suppose so. But I was fretting, of course, because how was I supposed to explain what I did to Mother and Father? So I kept him a secret and began teaching him about his powers, and I soon realized I had a bigger problem. What if Mother took my power from him and gave it back to me? By then I'd realized that his existence would probably be frowned upon, and I'd begun to grow fond of him. He was just like me in some ways. Just like me…"

Snow trailed off and glanced at Heat, whose expression had a gentleness to it. "You really love him, don't you?"

"With all that I am," Snow murmured. "He's my Jackie. And I have to protect him."

"From the family?"

Snow pressed his lips together and nodded.

"Why?"

There was a long pause as Snow smoothed the blanket down and stared at his lap. "Because they aren't going to hurt him like they hurt me."

Heat nodded. "Makes sense."

"Does it?" Snow asked in a tiny voice.

"Yeah. They hurt you."

"I'm fine," Snow said.

"Out, not in!" Heat barked suddenly, raising his voice as he sent a small burst of frost over his twin's skin.

Snow's eyes flashed in anger and the island shook. A surprised look crossed his face and the island started to settle, but Heat slugged his shoulder, sending an even stronger burst of frost over him.

"Ow!" Snow yowled.

"I said out!" Heat snapped.

Snow's eyes flashed again, and he and the island shuddered as several volcanoes erupted. Heat grasped his hand to steady him, chilling his grip until Snow looked at him. The shivering slowed and then stopped, and Snow went limp, exhausted. He groaned low in his throat and wiped at his eyes.

"There you go, popsicle. Feel better?"

Snow smiled a little. "Yeah, hothead. I guess I do." He paused then whistled. Cinder came in with Ash.

"Yes?"

"Please go look for Jack."

They stared at him. "Where?" Cinder finally asked.

Snow smiled. "Think of any place that a frost Element shouldn't be and check there first. And send someone over to make sure that ice bath is ready."

Heat was puzzled. "Why?"

"Because he wasn't listening. Again," Snow said, rubbing his temples. "He's always been fascinated by mountains and volcanoes to his own detriment. And he'll have immediately gone climbing and exploring your half."

"He wouldn't have been that stupid," Heat argued. "He should flinch from too much heat, just like you do."

Snow shook his head. "He's only half Element, Heat," he said. "He's half human, too. And humans are… different from us in some ways. Very, very different." He turned to Cinder. "Do as I say. When you find him, take him to my palace immediately and let Flurry take over. You may stay and see what to do in emergencies. And Cinder? Please remember what I said. He's only half Element. And that matters in every way. So treat him gently."

"Yes, sir," Cinder said.

The head servant turned and left while Ash came in with the gritty lava rock paste Mother Nature had shown him how to make. Snow grimaced.

"I suppose we need to reopen more circulation?" he asked miserably.

"Sorry," Ash said, smiling a little.

"Well, let's get it over with."

"Be gentle with him, Ash," Heat said.

"Heat, please," Snow said, flushing.

"No," Heat retorted. "You might be all Element, but you're as brittle as a pane of ice right now. There's nothing wrong with needing to be cared for, Snow. So shut up and get used to it."

With Heat's admonishment ringing in his ears, Snow reluctantly let Ash tend to him. He could tell Ash was being more gentle than usual, and it embarrassed him even as he appreciated it. Heat held his hand through the whole application, and when Ash was done, Heat studied Snow's feet from a distance.

"They're looking better, slush mouth. They're no longer black, at least."

Snow nodded, wiping his cheeks. "Yeah. It's still too much though."

Heat smiled as Cinder came into the room, skidding to a stop much like Flurry had done that morning.

"Found him?" Snow asked casually.

"Near the steam vents," Cinder said, his voice panicky. "I decided to let you know."

Snow was undeterred by Cinder's panic. "Go and help Flurry," he said. "Stay calm and listen to him. I know it's scary, but he's done this before."

Cinder stared at him then took a deep breath, reassured by the lack of fear in Snow. "Okay, sir. Then I'll go and help."

Snow nodded and Cinder left. Heat squinted after him. "What's got him in a twist?"

"Probably the fact that Jack is burned. Again," Snow said. He made a face. "And it's my fault, too. I bet I triggered the vents."

"Oh, definitely," Heat said.

"Ooh, so compassionate," Snow muttered.

"Aw, come on, icicle nose," Heat said. "You can't deny the fact that you caused it. But it's already happened. You can't change it. And you said Jack will be okay?"

"Yes. His Element half is very resilient," Snow said. He smiled a little then shook his head again. "But his human half…"

"Must be a delicate balance," Heat said.

"Yes. It very much is."

Heat could sense something hollow in those words and a haunted expression crossed Snow's face. He knew at once that Jack had tipped the scales in one way or another, and it must have been devastating.

"He almost died?"

"I don't want to talk about it," Snow murmured.

"That's a yes then," Heat surmised. He thought about it then shrugged. "I guess he really will be okay. You're not concerned at all, so it's nothing."

"Doesn't feel like nothing," a miserable voice croaked.

Jack slouched into the room behind Flurry and Cinder. He wore only a pair of pants and his shoes, and bandages were wrapped around several spots, including across his chest. His white hair was tousled and he looked a bit ill.

Snow tried to hide a smile. "Now what did I tell you before you left?"

There was a pause as Jack squirmed. "I don't know," he finally admitted. "Probably something about an escort?"

"Which you will take next time," Snow prodded.

"Yeah, yeah," Jack grumbled. He looked disgruntled.

Snow studied Jack. "I have a job for you."

Jack brightened at once then wilted. "How? I can't even frost things over anymore."

"But you can still fly?"

"Oh, yeah, I can do that!" Jack exclaimed. "The winds will carry me anywhere."

Snow nodded. "I have an idea of how to find out what happened to Heat and I, but you have to be very careful. She is very sensitive and has quite the temper."

"Who are you going to send him to?" Heat asked dryly. "Mother and Father don't even know what's wrong."

"That's true, sir," Flurry replied, shrewdly staring at his sire. "But I'm guessing Snow believes a little luck wouldn't harm anything."

Heat blinked then turned to Snow. "You want to send him to Lady Luck? Have you lost your mind?! Luck's the most fickle being we know!"

"I know," Snow said. "But it's the best shot for the quickest resolution. Jackie can't stay powerless. It's not fair to him."

"What about you?" Heat asked.

"Me?" Snow asked, looking genuinely perplexed. "What are you talking about? I switch back, and he's fine. I'll have my old powers back. What's not to understand?"

Heat narrowed his eyes. "You know very well what I mean. You're barely keeping it together as the heat Element."

"Exactly," Snow said, smiling in relief. "As soon as we switch back, I won't have to worry about blowing more volcanoes and can enjoy the cold again."

Heat gazed at Snow, his expression blank. He turned to look at Flurry and Cinder. Flurry grimaced and looked away but Cinder looked upset.

"You're kidding, right, sir?" Cinder demanded.

"Kidding?" Snow was bemused.

Jack looked puzzled. "Ah… about that job…"

"I'll send you in the next few days," Snow said, turning his smile to Jack. "You're to go to your room, which I have no doubt Flurry has moved to the one I always hoped to give you. It overlooks the nouthern mountains and you can see the earth far below. It's got a window for you to fly in and out of. I believe you'll find it comfortable." He paused and reached over to ruffle Jack's hair. "Go rest and cool down. You're a bit flushed."

"Okay then. See you later, Snowy."

Jack turned and headed for the ice palace. Heat didn't move for several long minutes, gazing at his twin in disbelief. Snow was resting again, his eyes closed as his hands rested on his chest. He finally opened his eyes and saw Heat staring at him.

"What are you staring at, hothead?" Snow asked wearily.

Heat didn't know how to put his realization into words, so he simply shook his head. "I, ah, I think I'm going to go take a nap. I didn't exactly get to wake up naturally."

"Okay," Snow said. "Later, lava brain."

"Okay, Snow."

Heat walked out of his palace and over to the cold half, wondering all the while about Snow. When he walked inside, he saw Jack waiting for him.

"Does he always do that?" Heat asked.

Jack nodded. "He makes it seem so funny, doesn't he? All those quips and jokes. It took me a long time to realize that he needs to laugh."

"Needs to," Heat murmured. He recalled Snow's reaction to his stupid joke about Snow insulting himself the day they'd switched. He'd seen his brother laugh before, but he'd never known how much emotional release was in that one simple action. Snow needed to laugh because he felt that he couldn't get upset.

"I'm going to lay down. I feel awful," Jack sighed.

"Thanks," Heat said. "And next time, take somebody with you."

"I got a lecture from Snow," Jack groused. "You don't need to add to it."

Heat shrugged. "You'll learn."

Jack smiled and shrugged then left Heat to his thoughts. Heat wandered to his room and pushed open a window to get a chilly breeze then laid down to try and sleep. Despite his buzzing thoughts, he did eventually drift to sleep, but his dreams weren't so pleasant. They twisted into an emotional ball of confusing images and impressions until he finally jerked awake. He tried to stay awake to parse through his dream, but he couldn't keep his eyes open. He finally slid into a more pleasant dream and settled down. Then he remembered nothing else.