Chapter 1: The Doctor's Visit

Disclaimer: I own nothing except my OC.

North aroused from his bed when the sunlight began peaking in through the windows. He put on his boots and was reaching for his coat when the pain hit him. Dropping his arm that had been reaching for the coat, North fell back into bed just as his lovely wife walked in.

"North, what's wrong?" She asked, her green eyes full of worry for her beloved husband. She brushed a strand of hair out of her face and tucked it behind her ear. It had escaped from its chignon. Her once auburn hair had faded to white with only a few hints of red left.

"Is nothing to concern yourself with, my love. I think I just need to rest a bit more," replied North, kicked his boots off with a flourish.

Placing her hands on her hips, his wife suggests, "Then let me send for a doctor. He'll have you back on your feet in no time."

A moment later, a doctor came in. He strode up to North, looked him over, and then notes in disgust, "I know why you're sick. Flying around the world in the open cold just to deliver presents to ungrateful brats! And for what? They don't give a hoot about you! Just what you give 'em!"

At the look in North's eye, Mrs. Claus stepped in and contradicts the bitter little man. "Now doctor, you know it's not just about the presents. What about all the Christmas spirit and goodwill?"

"If you had any sense, you would give it up as a bad job and stay home in bed this year." The doctor snootily replied.

Throwing her arms up in the air, Mrs. Claus cries, "Come now. If Santa stayed home, there'd be no Christmas."

Snapping his briefcase shut, the doctor responds, "Who cares? Nobody cares about Christmas anymore."

"They. . . they don't?" North asked in a shaky voice.

Whirling around from Mrs. Claus to North, the doctor replies, "Of course not! Wouldn't surprise me if nobody even believes in you anymore!"

"Don't pay him any mind, dear." Mrs. Claus said soothingly, placing her hands over North's ears.

"No one cares about Christmas anymore. It would do you good to figure it out." With that, the doctor left, slamming the door shut behind him.

As the man left, Mrs. Claus turned on her husband and begged of him, "Now North, I hope you don't plan on taking any of that to heart."

"No, the man's right. Nobody really cares anymore. And maybe I am due for holiday. I better call the boys and tell them to cancel Christmas." North grabbed a phone and dialed the number to the workshop. When they answered, North said "Warn the people. Tell the papers. I'm much too tired for Christmas capers."

The elf on the other line finally cried, "But North, you must be kidding." However, North was not kidding.

Once done talking to the elves in the workshop, North phoned to the ones in the stables. "Hang up the harness in the big storeroom. Cover up the shelves. We're staying home."

The elves began to cover the shelves when the phone rang again. "Hello? Jingle Bells. Number one elf speaking." said the elf when another came up and stole the phone from him.

"And Jangle Bells." when Jingle stole the phone back from him.

"May I ask who's calling, please? Yes, Mrs. Claus. Sure thing Mrs. Claus. Right away Mrs. Claus. Come on." and the two elves took off.

The two elves came to a stop in front of Mrs. Claus. "I need you two to do something for me."

"What is it?"

"As I see it, Santa doesn't want to go because he thinks that nobody cares. He thinks there's no Christmas spirit, no good will. So all you have to do is go down there and find some example of Christmas spirit leftover from last year. Show him proof that somebody cares about him. Santa will change his mind and presto. Christmas is on again. Now make sure you don't get lost." Mrs. Claus pointed at a nearby reindeer and said, "Vixen's made the trip before. She'll take you." Mrs. Claus put the two elves on the reindeer's back and sent them off.

When Mrs. Claus walked back into the bedroom, North fixed his gaze on her. "What was that?"

"It was just one of the reindeer getting himself some exercise. What with all the rest and relaxation around here everybody is as jumpy as a leapfrog. It just isn't natural for this time of year." Mrs. Claus told him smoothly, wiping her hands down her dress.

"They'll get used to it. I have already. I tell you, this is the life." Suddenly North bolted up and inquired, "Do you think I'm doing the wrong thing by staying home?"

"Of course not, dear, but should you change your mind," began, rubbing her chin thoughtfully.

"Okay, what are you up to?" North interrupted her with a pointed look. They had been married for centuries and it wasn't hard for him to tell when she was up to something.

Freezing, Mrs. Claus innocently asks, "Me? Up to something? Do I look like I'm up to something?"

"No, but I feel it. In my belly." North said. "What are you up to?"

"Now, it's nothing that needs concern." Mrs. Claus moved to stand by the window. "Poor Jingle. Poor Jangle." Mrs. Claus muttered under her breath, staring out the window.

North heard her mumble this and inquires loudly, "Jingle? Jangle? What's going on?"

"They're only trying to help. . ." trails off, unsure of how to continue as to not upset North.

Ripping off the blankets, North demands, "Where are they?"

Clearing her throat, his wife responds, "They thought they would browse around the world and see if they could find any examples of Christmas spirit."

North's eyes widen with worry. "You mean they went down there, out into that cruel world by themselves?"

"No!" cries, shaking her head. "Heavens no, they took Vixen with them."

If that was supposed to make North feel better, it didn't. His face paling, he gasps, "Vixen? She is just a baby. No telling what may happen. Now I'll have to go after them."

Mrs. Claus is taken aback by his response. "You think you ought to? With your cold and all?"

"I have to go. Those three won't get past the Miser brothers." North points out, sliding his shoes on.

Mrs. Claus slaps her forehead with her palm, groaning at having overlooked that. "The Miser brothers! I forgot about them."

"Of all the fool things for them to do, if Snow Miser doesn't freeze them just for the fun of it that devil of a brother will put the heat on them for sure." North looked out the window and called "Dasher! Dasher!" The reindeer ran up to the window. North jumped out and landed on the creature's back and they took to the skies.