I just watched Santa Clause 2 for the first time in a long time and I've realized it is my favourite Christmas movie of all time. And I may be in love with Bernard. Why do I always like the dorky guys who run like they have something weighing down their pants? (i.e. Spencer Reid) Ah well.

This will be strictly two or three parts. I plan on making this short and sweet, like Bernard himself. Eh he.

Enjoy!

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Holly wasn't the best elf in the workshop. With her dark hair dyed constantly different colours (this time around it was bright red), thick glasses that concealed her wild eyes, and a mouth she couldn't control, Holly was a bit of a rebellious elf. She drove everyone around her crazy. She was transferred from the bakery to the packing plant, and even further to the toy-making. It didn't matter what Holly did, she disagreed with everyone and everything.

That was how she got stuck taking care of Chet.

It was Bernard's fault, really. Holly chose not to blame the head elf for fact that she'd slightly had a crush on him, one that was a result from years before. It had been an embarrassing incident on Holly's part, with the conveyor belt catching her sleeve and pulling her up into oblivion. Yes, it had been Bernard who had rescued her at the last minute, her shirt torn in order to release Holly from being ripped to shreds from the machine. The elves had applauded him, and Holly blushingly remembered as soon as she was pulled free, falling forward and landing on top of Bernard. She could have turned at least 60 shades of red before scrambling to her feet to apologize.

Bernard, on the other hand, was not impressed. He took her by the arm and led her out of the toy making building and to another building far off.

"Since you can't follow orders and prove to be reckless, I'll stick you with someone who is the same way," Bernard had snapped, "You are to train and take care of Chet, a reindeer-in-training. He's a handful. You're perfect for each other."

So now, years later, she was with Chet. He constantly squealed, ate too much, but he had become her dearest friend. None of the other elves liked Holly, since she tended to snap and get haughty, but how could she help it? It was different when you were like Holly.

Holly's mind was constantly swelling with ideas. She'd tried to make a flying sled the elves could use to transport things easier, but it had backfired. There were always backfiring. Holly had an extremely inventive spirit about her, and ever since she had started working she was trying to impress Bernard with her inventions. So far, no such luck.

Truth be told, Holly had come to resent Bernard. The small crush she once had on him had started to evolve into resentment. Holly knew she had a sense of talent that Bernard ignored. She was determined not to let him belittle her. She had an attitude problem, as Bernard had described, and she was damn proud of it.

Santa had walked into the Reindeer Stables/Launch Centre, and he wasn't himself. Now Holly hadn't seen him very often, since she and Chet were often out doing lessons, but she knew something was up. Santa's face had a plastic, almost fake glow upon his cheeks, as though it were painted on. His beard stood still in place. He talked awkwardly fast. It just wasn't like him.

"Saaaanta?" Chet whispered into Holly's ear. She tightened her grip on the reindeer's leash.

"Something's not right, Chet," Holly whispered back as they exchanged glances, "He's not so jolly."

Holly watched him. He wore the Santa suit and carried the rule book, but it still didn't quite work. Curtis was at his side, attempting to get his attention, but where was Bernard?

"He's fine."

Holly jumped to see Bernard standing next to her.

"I'm sorry?"

"I said, Santa is fine," Bernard repeated irritably, "No need for questioning."

Holly saw his lip curled slightly in the corner. She knew what that meant.

"You're lying."

Bernard frowned, "No, I'm not. It is Santa. Big belly and all."

Holly suddenly felt angry. This was the way Bernard always treated her. How had she not noticed this before? His cold, icy looks had begun to take a toll on her. And now he was treating her as though she were a complete idiot. Had he told the other elves the same thing? If so, where was the real Santa now?

"Seriously, B, do you think I'm stupid?" Holly said, her anger rising, "That's NOT Santa Claus."

Bernard looked taken aback, "YES, IT IS…and what did you just call me?"

Oh no, Holly thought. She'd called him by the secret name she'd had for him.

"HO HO HO, YOU'RE DOING A WONDERFUL JOB!" Toy Santa shouted in Holly's face. She squinted. Chet growled.

Bernard forced a smile, "See?"

Holly glared at him, "What is going on?"

"I'll tell ya what's going on," Toy Santa shouted, "CHRISTMAS! I WANT MORE COCOA! I NEED TO SEE THE LIST! " He continued to yell and babble on. Elves started to stare.

Curtis cut between Toy Santa and Holly, "Look, it's just temporary. You can't say anything. The Big Guy will be back soon."

Holly shook her head, "Are you kidding me?"

That was when Bernard lifted her up and placed her on the small shelf where the reindeer food was kept. This way he could look Holly in the eye. She hated the fact that she was so short.

"Holly, I thought sending you here would make you less likely to question elf authority," Bernard said sternly, "But this one time, you need, to keep, your mouth, shut."

"I'm surprised," Curtis quipped, "She was able to see right through the guy. I mean, we can, but none of the other elves-"

Bernard snapped, "CURTIS!"

Holly crossed her arms, "You mean to tell me-"

"NO!" Bernard clapped his hand over her mouth, "Say another word and I will send you out of here. Got it?"

Holly rolled her eyes, exasperated. Was this guy for real? She ended up nodding in agreement.

"Good," Bernard said, putting her back down, "Now get back to work. Christmas is in a few days."

But Holly wasn't going to get back to work.

"Chet," she said to her reindeer friend, "We have to find out what's going on."

Chet slurped and squealed. Holly figured he agreed.