Chapter 13: Reassurance

[This chapter contains scenes from Episode 8: Adventures in Trollsitting from Trollhunters]

Life continued to progress at a rather lazy pace despite how much Jim knew was happening behind the scenes. He continued his training with Blinky in the Hero's Forge, but also took Draal up on his offer to spar with him and help him keep his skills sharp. He would need the extra time to strengthen his body so he could be in top shape when he eventually faced off against Bular.

School went on as normal as well. Jim managed his time with the play well and stayed on top of things with homework and class. He even had short conversations with Claire here and there, naturally forming their friendship as best as he could while continuing to enjoy his time with Toby. For the first time since he returned to the past, it really felt like he was just living a normal life. As normal a life as the Trollhunter could have at least.

Unfortunately, the grim reality came crashing in on him once again when Jim was out with Toby and found a little, white stuffed rabbit lying in an alleyway. Suzy Snooze, the little child's toy Claire had grown up with that now belonged to Enrique. It was a clear sign the goblins had already taken him and replaced him with NotEnrique.

Once again, guilt and anger pounded in Jim's chest. He knew this was going to happen. He knew about the plans to take Enrique yet he wasn't able to do anything to stop them. It was like when he was facing the Arcane Order without any amulet. He knew about the threat yet was wholly unable to do anything to prevent it. Though this time it might actually be worse because he could have done something.

After their training session, Jim was sitting down on the steps of the Hero's Forge, holding Suzy Snooze in his hands as he watched Toby play around with AAARRRGGHH, the massive troll helping him train in his own way. As he watched, he hardly noticed as Blinky had come over and sat at his side.

"A rather fortunate turn of events that young Tobias and AAARRRGGHH have bonded so well, don't you think, Master Jim?" The six-eyed troll chuckled to himself. "Why, I remember a time when very few trusted our good friend AAARRRGGHH and humans would scream in terror at the mere sight of him. How joyous an occasion to see him so widely accepted by your kind."

Though Blinky was casually chatting with a smile on his face, the blue troll seemed to realize something heavy weighed on Jim's mind. In the way only he could, Blinky continued to talk, his long-winded explanations eventually turning to the topic at hand.

"Master Jim, I realize you feel a great deal of responsibility for the child, but even the Trollhunter can't do everything. While you must answer every call, some take longer than others, I am afraid." Placing a hand on his shoulder, Blinky smiled kindly as Jim finally looked up at him. "You are a magnificent Trollhunter. Despite your choices being rather curious, I fully believe you will be more than capable of answering this child's call."

"Thanks, Blinky." Jim sighed, smiling a little as it was nice to hear the troll's high opinion of him. He tucked the little toy rabbit into his bag and stood up, getting ready to head out.

"For now, apprehending the Changeling must be our first course of action." Blinky pumped his fist in the air confidently. "If this child has indeed been taken, we must find an opportunity to expose its Changeling nature."

"I've got an idea." Jim replied, feeling a bit of renewed confidence after Blinky's pep talk.

"You sure about this, Jimbo?" Toby panted, finishing a meager, yet still very necessary, workout. "I mean, I didn't see the goblin you were talking about. Oh boy… cardio…"

"I'm positive, Tobes." Jim reassured him as AAARRRGGHH provided him a much needed arm rest. "Just follow my lead and we'll have a Changeling in hand in no time."

The next day went as Jim remembered. He arrived at school and Claire was surprised to see him with Suzy Snooze. Mary then bailed on her for her surprise dates with Dean and "Tight Jeans" Hank. Fortunately, that gave Jim his in to go and babysit while Claire headed to her secret Papa Skull concert. Though he was a little miffed that she would still most likely be going with Steve, since the blond-haired boy still had it out for him, NotEnrique was a priority.

Before he left school for the day though, Jim stopped in at Strickler's office, finding the Changeling grading some papers and doing menial schoolwork. He almost forgot that Strickler actually had to do his job as a teacher while also leading the efforts amongst Bular and the Changelings to free Gunmar. The man could certainly multitask.

"Ah, Jim." Strickler looked up from his paperwork as Jim shut the door behind him. "I hope things are going well for you, particularly in your school work."

"I'm keeping up." Jim replied. "Just wanted to fill you in on the extracurricular activities."

"Do tell."

Jim gave Strickler a quick run down of his plan as well as details about what originally happened. With that knowledge, he should be able to avoid Claire's parents hating him as well as get NotEnrique on their side. If everything went well, it would be one more step in the right direction for their plans.

"It sounds like you have it all planned out, Young Atlas." Strickler nodded as he toyed with his pen. "Which is good. Bular has been becoming more and more impatient. I've managed to keep him from going after you or your friends, but he's been taking out his anger on other Changelings instead. He's much more difficult than I remembered."

"Thanks for that." Jim sighed, remembering Toby mentioning his dental hygienist had quit the night before. It might not have been quite so simple. "Are you staying safe though? I don't want you to put yourself in too much danger."

"I'll be fine, Jim." Strickler waved away his worries quickly. "I've kept up appearances for longer than you've been alive, even considering your little jaunt through time. I know how to keep myself hidden and keep my intentions secret."

"Right, right. I know." Jim sighed yet again.

"I appreciate your concern, Jim. But trusting in others was always your greatest strength. I know it's hard on you at the moment, but soon enough we will have all our allies joined once more and we can move forward together."

"I'm just hoping that day comes sooner rather than later." Jim found himself fiddling with Merlin's amulet. "It's going to be hard to explain the whole 'time travel' thing to everybody though."

"You'll find a way." Strickler smiled as he checked his watch. "I do believe it's time for me to go. I have a date planned with your mother. It's been rather hard to catch her on a day off."

"Yeah, it can be like that." Jim chuckled as he stood up. "I'll let you know how things go with NotEnrique."

"I'm sure I'll hear about it swiftly either from you or the Changeling himself." Strickler replied as he walked Jim to the door.

While things did get hectic, in the end it all worked out. NotEnrique was a little terror, as was to be expected, but he was nowhere near as troublesome as he had been the first go around. Granted, he still terrorized the Nunez' cat, but with a bit of work and a fair amount of skill, Jim managed to apprehend the Changeling and get him settled, albeit begrudgingly. He had to be thankful all Changelings were durable and could handle a bit of a beating, no matter how small they were.

Claire also managed to get home safely before her parents and they played it off like another study session, NotEnrique sitting in the baby swing, obediently playing his part. It was the best possible scenario, though still incredibly exhausting. Jim practically passed out the minute he got home and laid down on his bed. Though, before he could fall asleep, he heard the front door open and his mom's voice echoing up the stairs.

Forcing himself up and stifling a yawn, Jim walked out towards the stairway just in time to see his mom wishing Strickler goodnight, closing the door for him before moving to the window to wave him off. Jim couldn't help but smile as he watched his mom. She was dressed casually, but with a little bit of flair meant for a date. Above all, she looked happy and energetic. More energetic than he'd seen her in a long time.

Barbara lingered at the window for a while longer as Strickler pulled out of the cul de sac, only turning away long after his headlights disappeared. As she did, she finally noticed Jim standing on the stairs, leaning against the banister and wearing a smile.

"Oh, hey, kiddo. I thought you'd be in bed already." Barbara chuckled.

"I heard you come home so I thought I'd check on you. How was it?" Jim walked down the stairs and took his mother's purse from her, placing it down on the coffee table before taking a seat on the couch.

"It was a lot of fun, actually." Barbara almost giggled to herself, taking off her heels before walking over and sitting down next to Jim, wrapping an arm around his shoulder as she gave him a hug. "Just some coffee and dinner, but Walter is a great guy."

"Still a little weird hearing you call him that." Jim couldn't help but smile.

"Right, sorry. You probably don't want to hear about my dating life." Barbara smiled and tried to change the topic, but Jim stopped her, holding her hand tightly.

"No, not at all. I'm glad you're happy. You seem to like him."

"I mean, it was just coffee."

"Mom, I want you to be happy. It's okay."

Barbara smiled back at him before she started talking about how much she and Strickler had been talking, about their fun little conversations and just how she felt around him. It was like Jim was watching his mother at his own age, fawning and blushing about a guy as she shared her evening with him.

It wasn't all one-sided though. She pressed him for info on the play and quickly found out more about Claire, teasing him as a mother would, but also very happy for him.

"Oh, so you were babysitting for her tonight." Barbara nodded knowingly. "How thoughtful."

"Just trying to be helpful." Jim shrugged.

"Jim, if there's one thing you are, it's helpful." She ruffled his hair. "Ever since you were little you've always looked out for everyone else. Even me. If you really like this girl, she'll be lucky to have you."

"Thanks, mom." Jim enjoyed chatting with his mother for a while longer before it was really late and they both needed to get some sleep. But they still stayed up for a while longer just talking and enjoying each other's company.

Even if there were things he needed to change, and more things he needed to tell her again, Jim could still be happy with how some things were. There were some things he would never change, no matter how many chances he had to do so.