Hey everyone! Wow! Another fanfic! I was a bit mad to find out Bernard isn't going to be in Santa Clause 3, so I decided to write a fanfic make it up to those Bernard fans. Hope you guys like it!

Chapter 1

Bernard, the head elf, rushed into the sleigh room. He passed everyone who tried to acknowledge him, and continued through the rooms. He passed by the Ball Room and the Work Shop, the Toy Duplicating room and the Reindeer Kennel. Gasping for breath, Bernard burst into the room. "Santa! What's wrong?"

Scott Calvin, the man also known as Santa Claus, stood by his sleigh, frowning. Bernard jogged over to him. "Santa?" Still, the man said nothing. Santa slowly leaned into the sleigh and pulled out what seemed to be a green satin covered bundle. Bernard glanced up at Santa and down at what Santa held in his arms. Then he realized it. It was a girl! A teenager! She was half frozen. Her long red hair hung over Santa's arms. "What happened? Is she okay? Is she alive?"

Santa nodded. "She's alive…just barely. She was on the snow covered roof of my last stop. I couldn't just leave her there. No one was in the house." Santa sighed softly and handed her carefully to Bernard. Bernard watched in awe. He had seen teenage girls before, but nothing up close. She actually looked his age, though in his mind they were obviously not. Her skin was extremely pale, giving away that she had probably been in the snow for quite a few hours. Her red hair really stood out against her soft, ivory like skin. Bernard held her close to him. "Bernard…I know this is hard to ask on Christmas Day, but I need you to watch over her, since the missus and I have a honeymoon to get to. Let Curtis take over…for now, just while she's recovering."

Bernard turned to leave when Santa stopped him. "Oh…and Bernard…I'd really appreciate it if you could keep this under wraps. The other elves might have problems with having humans other than my family in the area…Some are a bit afraid of humans if you remember what happened when Charlie visited the other year."

Bernard nodded and pulled the satin blanket around her limp, pale body. Santa watched Bernard as he left the room with the girl in his arms. As always, there were the 'spectators' who had to know exactly what was going on at what time, usually eavesdropping when something big happens. Judy, Curtis, Bo and Jeremy, along with quite a few other elves were waiting right outside.

Bernard pulled the cover over the girl's face as he shut the door behind him. As always, Curtis was very interested, pushing to the front of the group of elves to get a glance at what Bernard was carrying. "Hey Bernard! What did Santa give you?"

Bernard rolled his eyes. "Mind your business, Curtis. Don't you have a plastic Santa to mind to? If I remember correctly, he is still running loose in the factory…"

Curtis gave an annoyed look. "As you said Bernard, mind your business." Curtis rushed of taking the other elves with him. Judy stayed behind; watching the 'parcel' Bernard was carrying curiously and then glancing up at Bernard.

"What is it? A new type of toy?" Judy stepped closer and attempted to touch the satin cover. Bernard pulled the girl in his arms closer to him, not letting Judy touch even her blanket.

"I'm sorry Judy, but I have Head Elf matters to get to." With that, not giving Judy a chance to respond, he rushed off in the direction of the Elf Hospital. He held the girl close to his chest. What was it about carrying this teenage girl to recover in the Elf Hospital that made him feel secure? It was like that fuzzy feeling he had as a young elf when hugging his first teddy bear, many, many, many years ago.

Bernard pushed the Elf Hospital door open. The room was extremely quiet. There was one of the younger elves sitting in her chair, knitting. The Elf Hospital hadn't been too busy since the other evening…There had been a few accidents when the coal was being made at a surplus, but Bernard hadn't had to worry since he had been put under house arrest thanks to 'Santa'. But now he was back out and assuming duties…sort of…and everyone was feeling so much better since the real Santa came back.

"Danielle…I have an order from Santa. I need you to take care of someone." Bernard pulled the girl's cover from her over her face just as the little elf got up from her knitting. The little elf glanced at the face of the girl and gave a little shriek.

"Bernard! It's human! Is Santa losing his mind?" Danielle squeaked, as she backed up. Bernard sighed and put the girl onto the bed.

"Danielle…this girl needs help…you're the only one who knows about this, and I need you to do this. You're the only one who knows there's a human here!" Bernard through up his arms in exasperation. "Come on, Dani! Santa needs this favor!"

Danielle sighed and walked over to the bedside of the human girl. She felt the girl's forehead, while sticking a candy cane thermometer into the girl's mouth. The candy cane thermometer whirled around in her mouth and then jumped back into Danielle's hand. Danielle frowned as she read the thermometer. "Jack Frost nipping at her nose and fever." Danielle shook the little candy cane.

"She'll be okay then?" Bernard sat on the side of the girl's bed. She seemed to be breathing easier than she was before. Bernard smirked slightly and pushed a stray red hair out of her face.

"Yes…all she needs is some bed rest until she wakes up. Then, some warmed milk, hot chocolate and some cookies. She'll be as good as new." Danielle opened her front shirt pocket and the thermometer jumped into it. "You plan to stay here while she recovers, yes?"

"But of course. Santa left her in my charge." Bernard his finger down the girl's cheek and looked at Danielle. "When will she wake up?"

"A little while, I guess." Danielle padded over to the sink and picked up a silver pot. She filled the pot with water and set it a top of a small, fire powered stove. The water slowly started to boil. As it went to boil, Danielle picked up a silver tea pot and poured the water it. She then poured in a brown mixture along with some marshmallows and what looked like milk.

Bernard just watching Danielle for a moment and then turned his attention back to the girl lying on the bed. She seemed so peaceful, as if sleeping, but in reality, she was close to unconsciousness. Bernard looked closer, taking in some of her physical features. He ran his finger over a small dark mark over her right eyebrow…a scar. Bernard was going to continue to look her over, but Danielle stopped him, pulling on his shoulder. "Stop poking at her. She's my patient. I am the nurse elf, not you."

Danielle handed Bernard a silver mug, much like Santa's, only less fancy. The hot liquid in the steamed, the chocolaty scent filling the room. Bernard smiled, and took at sip from the mug as he sat down in the cushioned chair beside the girl's bed. Bernard slouched down a little and laid back. "Danielle? You going to take a rest after all tonight's excitement?"

"Sure…I suppose so." Danielle grabbed a blanket up from the floor, wrapping herself in it. "Would you like some company, Bernard?"

"Of course." Bernard scooted over in his chair so the small elf could share the cushioned chair with him. Danielle laid her small head on Bernard's chest. He smiled again and ran his fingers through the small elf's hair. Danielle closed her eyes, and fell asleep almost instantly. Bernard kissed the top of her dark brown hair and pulled the blanket completely around her and himself. "Good night, little sister."

With that, Bernard closed his eyes too, and went to sleep, his arm around his younger elf sibling.