Disclaimer – I don't own 'Santa Clause' or '48 Christmas Wishes'. The idea for this story sprung into my head after watching the second movie on Netflix. This particular crossover goes AU after the first 'Santa Clause' series, but is almost completely AU regarding the second movie. The elements from the second movie which change up the canon for 'Santa Clause' is that I'm bringing over the concept of adult elves, but also the characters.

For those who've not seen the second movie, the plot involves a newbie elf named Mindy who finds herself stuck in the mail room with her friends Sammy and Cam despite her strength at elf school being in making toys. She pretty much brags about how her parents were toy makers, and she shouldn't be there. She causes a mishap with her friends because she doesn't take her job seriously, so they end up needing to save Christmas. That's pretty much what readers need to know, that, and a few other small bits I'll bring up later. That, and there will be some twists.

Make and Break
Elf Secrets

What seemed simple proved in fact complex.

In truth, Scott Calvin, the newest Santa, held an inkling of the possible complexity in the back of his head, yet the elation from knowing everything turned out okay prevented him from thinking about things completely. Deep down though he knew only a month at the pole didn't mean he knew everything about being Santa, let alone everything about elves and the North Pole. After all, how could one learn the history and social customs of a place which existed for hundreds of years in a matter of a month.

Santa arrived back at the pole after making his final delivery, pleased to know things regarding Charlie worked out. Unlike the Christmas before, the sleigh flew in through the ceiling of the elf village to the square below, landing with ease to the delight of the elves which quickly swarmed the sleigh. Bernard approached, the same smirk on his face when they met the year before, yet also keeping the same distance as before.

Scott took a deep breath, stepping out of the sleigh, removing his hat, pleased upon finding himself home. Bernard nodded his head, and the newest Santa followed, noting the elves kept making toys despite having already finished the final delivery. In the back of his mind, vacation times for the elves needed discussion, as Santa didn't feel right in having possible improper working conditions. Everything seemed working find, and a long night of delivering presents left him tired out in the same manner as last year, so he found himself changing into his nightclothes and going to sleep.

In the morning, he found himself awaking to silence, much in the same manner he did the previous year. Yet, instead of the same bed, he most certainly found himself situated in his room at the North Pole. Sitting up, he took stock of everything, before dressing himself and heading out. The elf which stood guard outside his room remained, yet an eerie silence remained situated over the entire place. Taking a deep breath, he pulled his arms behind his back, exploring the vast halls, only to find silence and emptiness.

Upon reaching the workshop, he found one elf – Bernard – sitting at one of the drafting tables, completely focused on the papers in front of him. Santa tiptoed over, glancing over the elf's shoulder to see sketches of toys in front of Bernard, who seemed completely oblivious to the fact Scott was behind him. One of Scott's eyebrows shot up, his mouth pushing together in curiosity. "Bernard?"

"Uh-huh." Bernard's seemed focused on the sketches rather than Santa, causing Scott to clear his throat rather loudly. The newest Santa watched as Bernard startled, knocking over a cup of cocoa sitting next to him, causing it to spill all over the drawing and the elf, creating a rather big mess. The elf's attention shifted, his hand attempting to brush the cocoa off his clothing, his mouth forming a deep set frown. Glancing up, Bernard asked, "Santa? Need something?"

"So, I guess I should start off by asking where the other elves are." Bernard's eyes blinked, and Scott's eyes narrowed. The look in Bernard's eyes reminded him of the look Charlie got when his son attempted to stay up past his bedtime. Bernard seemed tired, but chances were the elf had nodded off where he was sitting, only to have Santa wake him..

"Vacation. You didn't expect them work with no vacation? That's just cruel, and so not in the spirit of Christmas." Bernard's continued his attempts to straighten out his cocoa soaked clothing, frowning as he did so.

Santa let out a deep breath, remembering the question he'd filed away in the back of his head the night before. "Actually, I'm kind of relieved. I should have known last night that none of the previous Santa's would have done that." Scott continued to look over Bernard's shoulder, watching as the elf in question watched him carefully, his eyes blinking in a rather sleepy manner, the mess temporarily forgotten. Thinking back to the night before, another question occurred. "That said, if the elves are on vacation, why were there some still working last night."

"Oh. That." Bernard turned his head back to the drawing on the drafting table in front of him, his eyes continuing their attempt to blink back the lack of sleep as he took in the ruined drawing. Santa wondered what importance said sketch had, if any, yet decided it was best not to fret over the small things, particularly when Bernard seemed to have done enough of that the previous year on his own. "The elves have always been allowed, when all the work is done, to make presents for their families for After Feast. Some get so busy during the year, they don't get a chance until then. It's a big deal."

"After Feast?"

"Yes. After Feast. Also known as Elf Christmas, Elfmas, Aftermas and Elf Christmas Feast. There are other names." Bernard's voice began to drift in the same manner as his focus, yet something told the newest Santa that the elf was starting to fall asleep again.

Scott took a deep breath, finding yet another question burning to be answered. "Bernard, what about you?" At first, the elf in question simply stared at the empty space just above the top of the drafting table, his mouth slowly creasing into a frown. Finally, Bernard turned his head, a questioning look appearing on his face. "Don't you ever take a vacation? Visit your family?"

Santa watched Bernard stare for what seemed like forever, before turning away without saying anything. Instead of doing something, such as continuing with whatever the elf was doing prior to Scott entering, Bernard started at the drafting table, almost lost in thought about something. Yet, the question was important, particular since the elf seemed exhausted.

"You know, it's not really in the Christmas spirit to avoid one's family during the holidays. I find it rather ironic that my number one elf, who lectured me about killing the spirit of Christmas isn't into the whole Christmas spirit thing."

Bernard's shoulders tensed, and he slowly glanced ever so slightly over his shoulder. Scott was sure he caught a rather mischievous look, and a slight yet brief twitch to the corner of the elf's mouth. Obviously the newest Santa had managed to amuse the elf somehow. "You're going to be that kind of Santa, aren't you?"

Scott took a deep breath, not at all sure what Bernard meant, only to find himself wanting to switch from asking Bernard what he meant, to asking if the elf shouldn't be heading off to bed. Someone else, though, beat him to the bunch. "Bernard, isn't it past your bedtime?"

Bernard's mouth twisted into a frown, his eyes narrowing, causing Santa to turn towards the being who just spoke. "I don't know what you're talking about Judy. It's morning, is it not."

"Yes, but did you go to bed at all last night?" Judy's tone of voice took on that slightly lecturing tone Santa remembered from the year before, but she also carried another elf in her arms. Santa recognized the small elf in her arms as the smallest elf from last year that he'd seen in the wrapping department next to the rolls of ribbons. The small elf blinked her eyes, staring at him as if he were some kind of monster, and yet he was Santa Claus. His eyes blinked, only to realize what Judy said when she continued speaking. "In fact, did you go to bed the night before, or even the night before that."

Santa took a deep breath, and found himself taking a firm tone. "Bernard."

The elf's eyes blinked, and he looked back at the mess he'd made. "I need to clean this up."

"I'll handle it Bernard. You just get to bed." Judy let out a sigh.

The bigger elf seemed like he remembered something important. "Wait."

Somehow Judy managed to free one hand to wave the bigger elf away. "Don't worry. I already sent it along. You'll feel better once you get some sleep." Bernard took a deep sigh, before teleporting away. The small cocoa making elf took a deep breath once the other elf disappeared, the smaller of the three elves resting snug in Judy's arms. The elf turned to Santa, a frown on her face. "Was he asleep when you found him?"

"Did you just tell Bernard that it was past his bedtime?" Scott chuckled in amusement. He then took a deep breath, noticing the frown on Judy's face. "You aren't going on vacation either? What about your family."

Judy shifted the small elf on her hip, frowning. "Well, I am the only adult elf at the pole after all, and someone needs to stay and care for the orphans."

Santa felt his brow wrinkle up, the corners of his mouth twisting into a frown. "Hold on. Bernard's not older than you?"

"Nope. He's actually younger."

"I'm confused. Is he like some half-elf, or something?"

"Half-elf?"

"You know, half-elf, half-human?"

Judy's eyes widened in horror, her tone of voice indicating Scott managed to say something insulting. "Of course not! Where would you get that idea from?"

"One of the elves told me he wasn't a kid, yet you're now telling me he is, but Bernard's also taller than you."

Judy's eyes widened, her mouth forming into a circle. "Oh, but we're not kids. Not like your Charlie. I thought you understood that, that there isn't any reason not to treat us Christmas elves like you would a human grown-up."

"Point taken, but you're honestly older than Bernard?"

"Yes?" Judy seemed a tad miffed by Santa's remark. "Why would you think he's older?"

"Because he looks older, or is there some other significance to an elf's height that I need to know about?"

"Oh." The cocoa elf blinked, hoisting the small elf up onto her hip. "No. Not really, beyond the fact I'm cursed to never reach my adult size."

Santa opened his mouth to say something. "Is that why you're the only adult elf here?"

"No, it's not Most adult elves are sticks in the mud."

"Okay." Scott found himself remembering someone else. "Wait. You told me you were dating someone in wrapping."

He watched Judy's cheeks flush up, but her eyes spark with what seemed like a slight flame of anger. "I did not!"

"You did to! Yet you just told me there are no other adults."

"I told you I was seeing someone in wrapping! I'm seeing Holly here!"

Scott's eyes blinked. "You meant caring for one of the younger elves? Didn't you?"

"Well, it stopped you from flirting with me, didn't it? Not my fault you misunderstood."

Santa took a deep breath, rubbing one of his eyes in frustration. "Um, Judy."

"If you're wanting to apologize, there is nothing to apologize for."

"No. I do, because when I complemented you about looking pretty good for your age, I meant if a human was that old, but I also thought you were younger than Bernard." Santa took a deep breath. "Wow, this is awkward."

The corners of Judy's mouth twisted slightly. "Yeah, it is."

"Is there anything else I need to know? I mean, I get the fact there's likely a lot for me to still learn up here at the pole, but is there anything I should know that you can think of."

Judy's mouth pressed together, thinking carefully. "You mean, things like the fact the head elf sleep teleports?"

Santa frowned. "Wait…"

"You did find him asleep, didn't you?" The corners of Judy's mouth twisted up slightly. "Don't worry. You found him in time."

"Yes. But he's asleep right now."

"He'll be in his quarters, so it isn't a problem. Though, most of the other elves don't know he sleep teleports, so don't say anything."

Scott continued to frown, watching Judy turn to leave, hauling little Holly with her. Yet again he didn't quite know what he'd gotten into.