Disclaimer: I do not own The Santa Clause trilogy. None of its characters, places, or events belong to me. I only own my OCs. Jack Frost (unfortunately) does not belong to me either.

A/N: Here's another long chapter for you guys! Again, I want to thank everyone who is currently reading this—you're all awesome for taking the time to read my story and enjoy it! This chapter might clear up a few things. So, get reading!

Chapter Nine: Three Days

The North Pole looked exactly the same as the last time Crys had been there, yet the sight of it still entralled and enchanted her to no end. Every inch from the ground to the countless rooftops was covered with the softest snow that glittered like diamonds as the sun beamed overhead. The skies were such a beautiful icy blue that the color could only exist in a child's sugarplum dream. Elves were participating in a friendly game in front of the factory, the peals of laughter creating music for all to hear.

Why did I ever leave this place? This is where I belong, Crys thought as she stepped out of the red sleigh, her boots sinking into the snow and causing it to swirl magically around her legs. It was an indescribable feeling that was rising inside her-Crys sincerely felt that she was coming home. The only thing that was missing was Jack Frost.

"Here it is. The North Pole," Uncle Scott emphasized, gesturing warmly to the world around her. "If you want, I can have Carol show you around." At first, Crys wanted to give her uncle a confused look, until she recalled just how much the "escape" altered everything. To Uncle Scott, Crys had never set foot inside the North Pole-she simply told him she had learned a few details from Charlie.

It had been difficult to explain her urgency to get to the North Pole and something told her not to mention the deal she'd made. After some awkward struggling with words, Uncle Scott relented and-in his good way-chose to wait until Crys was ready to talk about what was bothering her so much. Don't tell him about the deal. He doesn't need to know about that, the small voice refused to be ignored. Would he even believe me?

"I think I'll just...explore. If I need anything, I'll let you know." Uncle Scott seemed more or less satisfied with her response, but then he also mentioned that he needed to check how things were going in the factory.

Alone, Crys wandered off into one of the adjoining courtyards, intending to locate Jack. It seemed like something was tugging her in his direction; Crys could practically sense his presence. Even her pace quickened until she was hurrying through the snow. The bottoms of her jeans were becoming soaked with melting snow and ice had slipped into her shoes, but she did not mind. All she could think of was running into the safety of Jack's arms and being reassured that nothing had changed.

Crys turned the corner of the factory and-there! The lane was filled with enticing, colorful shops and sweet aromas. A row of benches and tables lined the path opposite the shops, mostly unoccupied at the moment. Beneath the awning of one of the shops was Jack, aided by two elves as he finished securing a repaired sign. Crys was shocked-Carma had thrown her escape this far into the past?

This scene was instantly familiar and Crys leaned against the side of the building as she watched Jack with amusement. This had marked the first time that Crys and Jack properly spoke to one another and it felt right that this was where she would be reunited with him. Crys could picture it now: her sitting on one of the benches and sipping hot cocoa as the sign toppled from the roof's shop due to Jack's clever mischief.

As though her memories had triggered it, Jack stepped back to admire the sign and it collapsed, shattering into pieces on the path. Despite her reformed self, Crys still had to cover her mouth to keep from giggling outright. And, yes, this was where Crys had caught his eye, smiled, and said-

"Good job with the sign." Had Crys actually spoken it aloud? No, the voice did not belong to her. A thin, youthful girl was seated on the bench, clad in black and red leather, her dark curls spiraling over the back of the bench until it dangled mere inches above the snowy ground. That voice...

"Oh, you liked that, hmmm?" Jack was eyeing the girl, wearing that wonderfully sly smile on his face, just as he had done with her. The way his sapphire eyes were lighting up, the way he was moving sensually forward towards the bench, towards the girl...Crys was astounded. It should have been her on that bench, attracting Jack's attention! Who the hell did that girl think she was?

Ever so slowly, the girl craned her neck to the side and gazed directly at Crys, as though she had sensed her watching from where she stood. Carma...It was her. Crys sensed the anger fueling through her veins as Carma gave her a wide, sinister smirk before flipping her Rapunzel-like hair and leaning closer to Jack as he took the seat beside her.

"Mmm...I loved it," she purred just loud enough for Crys to hear. Sliding out of view, Crys was shaking violently and she knew it wasn't from the cold. Part of her wanted to get away from this heart-wrenching scene, but then when had she ever run from anything?

"Hey, Carma," Crys called out as she strode to the spot where the mystical girl was sprawled casually across the bench. Jack never even gave her a second glance and, though it pierced Crys' heart a little, it did not deter her from confronting Carma. "Mind if we have a little chat?" Carma's red eyes shifted to Crys and they were bone-chilling despite their fiery hue.

"A friend of yours?" Jack Frost spoke smoothly and Crys could have sworn she felt the icy air drop a few degrees. Look at me, she willed his blue eyes to lock onto hers, but they never moved from Carma's controlled face. Look at me, not her.

"Acquaintances, actually. We'll just need a moment alone," Carma instructed, a delicate smile playing on her lips. It was a deceitful smile, one that Crys should have recognized from the get-go. To her horror, Jack gently lifted Carma's hand to his lips before leaving to speak with Curtis across the courtyard. To see it being done to someone else, to Carma, made Crys practically clench her fists in anger, her palm begging to connect with Carma's playful face. "So, not enjoying David's company anymore, are we?"

"What the hell do you think you're doing? Jack doesn't belong to you," Crys blurted out furiously while Carma lounged on the bench as calmly as if she were watching a baseball game. At that last note, Carma flashed a set of pearly teeth and flicked her long crimson nails.

"I believe he does now. Thanks to you." There was a dark streak through Carma's eyes and Crys had the sudden sensation of falling through open air as her stomach plummeted. In her mind's eye, she imagined a lighter version of Carma holding out that contract. In return, you give me something of yours. Nothing big...just something...

Something in Crys snapped and she reached out for Carma. The girl was slick and fast; one moment she was seated inches away on the bench and the next she had slid away until she was standing directly behind Crys. Those red eyes burned into Crys' and her confident smile was replaced with a grim scowl.

"We made a deal, remember? I grant you an escape and in return you give me something of yours. It's true I bent that last part a tiny bit, but what can I say? I'm a girl who's used to getting what she wants." Every word was clear and precise, as if Carma desired her to never forget a single word that passed from her lips. It was a deal that Crys now regretted, even if it was only for three days. Three days…three days…

"Well, then I'm just glad you're little deal is temporary," Crys reminded her with oncoming glee and well-deserved smugness. Even Carma could not disagree with those terms; they were written in the contract, weren't they? All was still as Carma took in this detail and—to Crys' astonishment—the girl burst into inexplicable laughter that rang out through the courtyard. What does she think is so funny? What am I missing now?

"Yes, Crys. The deal is temporary. Or it would be if you happened to find a way to break it," Carma revealed, crushing any hopes that Crys had of enduring this newfound nightmare. If you found a way to break it…This escape, she realized was going to go on and on until Carma saw fit to change it.

"How do I break it?" It was a pointless question, but Crys had to try. Carma circled her like a vulture, her red nails occasionally brushing Crys' shoulders before Crys abruptly shook her off. That sickening feeling never left her—it was like dealing with the devil herself. What have I done?

"Come now, Crys. Do you honestly think I would tell you that? It would ruin all the fun of watching you fight and squirm." Carma made a full 360 degrees and turned to face Crys head on once more. Why had she ever felt it was okay to trust her? "The way I see it, you only have two days left. Tick tock, tick tock…" Carma taunted her maliciously, enjoying every minute of being in control. Crys had to mentally restrain herself in order to stop from getting right in the girl's face.

"That isn't exactly fair, is it? I didn't start trying to fight this deal until now," Crys protested, crossing her arms. For the first time, Crys' eyes left Carma and she noticed that everyone was oblivious to their squabble. The elves continued working with their heads bent, snowballs kept flying though none came within range to Carma or Crys, and Jack was nowhere to be seen. Somehow, Carma had shifted position until she was behind Crys, her warm breath within proximity of Crys' ears.

"They can't help you, Crys. The deal prevents you from speaking about any specific details, as I'm sure you've discovered by now. Or were you too busy laying in the luxury of your dead friend's arms?" Crys recalled the way a voice kept urging her to avoid telling Uncle Scott about the deal. That was why…

Crys darted away from Carma and faced her—she was bent on keeping the girl in her sights. Carma snickered darkly and studied Crys with something akin to belittlement. Carma was obviously underestimating her, thinking Crys' situation was downright hopeless. Maybe I can use that to my advantage, Crys was hit with an idea, but kept her face serene, in case Carma acknowledged any distinct change in her.

"One more day couldn't hurt, right? It's not like I have that much chance of breaking the deal anyway," Crys carefully pointed out. Carma's expression became stony and hard, her form rigid and imposing. With a simple snaking of the wrist, Carma caught Crys' arm and dragged her forward until her face was mere inches away, her teeth bared fiercely. Pain shot up Crys' arm and the bones ached as though cracking into splinters.

"Do you think I am stupid, Crys? Do you think you can play games with me? I will win every single time, remember that," Carma warned in a harsh, low voice. Crys involuntarily moaned as the pain started to move in a throbbing pattern. Unexpectedly, Carma's face relaxed and she released Crys, sending her flying backwards. "What the hell? I suppose I'm feeling generous enough today."

"Or just overconfident," Crys snapped back, rubbing the spot where Carma's fingers had squeezed. Two bruises were blackening there already and they were incredibly sore to the touch. Carma shrugged as if Crys were merely reciting a fact and then produced the contract out of thin air, as she had in Crys' room. With a feathered pen, Carma was scribbling over the contract, most likely making the latest adjustments. The contract…maybe if I'm fast enough…

"Three days, then. You should be grateful to me for even that," Carma told her, but Crys was beyond hearing. Every muscle was tensed, every nerve in her body prepared for launching herself to that one goal: the contract. As Carma scrutinized the contract, Crys leaped up and aimed for it. Immediately, Carma side-stepped Crys and whipped the contract from her path. "Still haven't learned, have you? It won't be so bad if you only stopped fighting me, Crys."

"What are you planning to do? What happens if I don't break that contract in three days?" Crys was huffing, trying to catch her breath as she slowed her body down. The anger was subsiding—now, she simply wanted answers despite Carma's insistence at eluding her. Somewhere inside, Crys heard the answer before it came out of Carma's pouty red mouth.

"If you fail to break the contract in three days, you will forget you ever knew Jack Frost. Then you can live your happy little life in your happy little town. I'll even throw in David for you. What do you say about that, Crys?" The contract was tossed into the air where it disappeared. Crys stared challengingly at Carma, her heart racing faster than ever before.

"I say…go to hell." Carma laughed once more while she spun on her heel and trotted away. Over her shoulder, she flung her long, dark hair and Crys wished she could trample on it and make the girl fall face first into the cold snow. Just wait until I get her and I will get her, Crys vowed as she watched Carma briskly walk away.

"I expected no other response, Crys. Three days," she called out as she mixed into the waiting crowd of elves and other folk. Crys remained there longer than she should have, settling herself on the bench and pondering the confrontation that had just taken place. Carma's words whirled around her head like a record that was more than content to keep playing. Three days…

How was she supposed to figure out a way to break the deal in three days? Three days felt like nothing in the North Pole; time seemed irrelevant unless you counted the "big day" and Crys already predicted that three days was much too short. Discouraged, Crys let her head fall into her hands and refrained from thinking anymore. Three days…

"What have I done?"

…..

Aww, poor Crys. Will she figure out a way to break Carma's deal? You'll have to wait and see! Don't worry—many more good things are coming along. I'm hoping to have the next chapter up soon for you guys; just hang in there! (=