Hello! Happy almost Halloween for everyone who celebrates it! I hope you all have been safe and happy and thank you to everyone who reviewed and read the last chapter! And congratulations to SafyreSky on your engagement!

I tried to have this chapter out in September, and I almost did, but when I finished it the first time it seemed very lacking, so I made it longer. Then of course I didn't like what I'd written, so I rewrote half of it. I'm happy with where this is now, though, so yay!

Quick warning, there are mentions of bullying, a slight reference to death but absolutely nothing major, and like one swear word on this chapter. I just wanted to let you all know so you can take care of yourselves if you choose to read on. :) Just so everyone knows, there may or may not be a chapter out in November. I'm going to try a writing challenge where I outline and write an entire story in one month so I'm going to focus all my writing and extra time on that. I'm going to attempt to get the next chapter of this story ready by the end October so I do have something to post, but I don't know if it will happen.

I think that's all I had to say. Enjoy the Chapter!

Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Santa Clause series.

10. September '96

"I need you to choose how you want the Christmas tree decorated this year."

Scott looks up from the letter he's reading. He and Bernard are supposed to be going over a rather long list of things that needs done this week while Scott reads through his mail. He won't admit this to the boy, because he hates being on the end of that look the elf gets— the one that always makes him feel like he's a kid about to be scolded by his parents for misbehaving- but he hasn't really been listening to Bernard for the past few minutes. It's not completely his fault though. The child who wrote the letter in his hands had used a lot of glitter and Scott has been distracted watching the tiny sparkles rain down from the envelope like a monsoon of pixie dust. "We have a Christmas tree?"

"Uh, yea. This is the North Pole, Santa."

"Where?"

"In the main hall by the Ball room?" Bernard narrows his eyes at him. Scott has a feeling Bernard thinks he's pulling his leg.

"I've... I've never noticed it."

There's an awkward pause. The elf blinks at him, eyebrows raised like he's waiting for something. When it's clear Scott isn't going to laugh and say 'got you!', Bernard rolls his eyes and carelessly tosses the glossy magazine in his hands onto the desk in front of Scott, right into the pile of glitter. "Okay, well after you schedule an appointment with Dr. Hismus to get your eyes checked, I need you to look at this catalogue of designs and choose what ornaments you want for the tree."

"Bernard!" Scott grumbles, picking the magazine up. There's glitter all over the back of it now, and spread all over his desk from where it went flying at the impact of the catalogue hitting it. He gives the magazine a shake and watches the shimmering flecks fall down.

"Oops," Bernard laughs.

Scott gives him a look, which just makes the boy laugh harder. He rolls his eyes and sets the magazine on top a stack of blueprints. "What else did we need to go over?"

"Um," the elf picks up a clipboard that has everything for their meeting written on it. "There's some inventory reports, Quintin has some stuff in Research and Development he needs you to take a look at-"

"What about the Naughty and Nice list?" Scott interrupts. "I just realized, I haven't even checked it once yet. Shouldn't I get started on that?"

"It's not quite finished yet. Clara and the others are still getting the "Z" names done. It should be ready sometime tomorrow."

"I'll have to start checking it in the evening then. Remember, I need you to take me down to Laura and Neil's so I can see Charlie off for his first day of School?"

"Right, right." Bernard says, nodding. "How's he doing, by the way? He excited to go back to school?"

"Eh," Scott shrugs. "He's okay. He wasn't really talking about school at first, but Neil called Dr. Sanchez and told her we were worried about Charlie. She said we needed to sit him down and try to get him to open up about what was bothering him."

"Did you?"

"Yea, that's why I went down with Prancer the other day. We got him to talk a little bit about what's going on, but he didn't want to say much and the three of us agreed we didn't want to force him to talk about anything."

"What did he say?"

"He's worried about seeing that Bobby kid again. He's had the whole Summer away from him, but I guess he's afraid the kid's going to be a jerk to him once they're back in school. They're in the same class again this year."

"Can't you ask for them to be in separate classrooms?"

Scott frowns. "Laura had a meeting with the guidance counselor and the principal yesterday to ask them about it. Mrs. Thompson was all for it, said it would do them both some good to spend some time away from each other, but Principal Moore wasn't having it. She said it was too close to the first day of school to be shuffling kids around."

"Seriously?" Bernard scoffs. "What a load of twisted tinsel. If it's better for the kids you do it anyway. I'm sure there was space in at least one of the classrooms to move one of the boys. There can't be that many kids in the third grade."

"Exactly what I said! But Principal Moore told Laura no. So I guess we're just going to have to hope for the best."

Bernard sighs. "Poor kid. Hopefully Bobby Lawson has moved on from picking on Charlie. And hey, if not, you can always give him extra coal this Christmas."

"Bernard!" Scott laughs.

"What?" Bernard gives him a mischievous smirk, which just makes him laugh harder.

The next morning, Bernard drops him off bright and early at the Miller's. He eats breakfast with them, and then he, Laura, and Neil all wait with Charlie for the bus that will take him to his first day of third grade. It's raining, which isn't too surprising for this time of year. Laura and Neil are huddled under the other man's green gingham umbrella. Scott and Charlie are safe and dry under his more subdued, navy blue one. The bright yellow bus comes rumbling down the street, its shining headlights cutting through the murky grayness of such a dismal morning. Charlie shouts goodbye as soon as the doors open in front of them and then he races up the bus's steep steps. Scott stands there with the other adults, waving until the vehicle rounds the corner and disappears from view.

"Let's go back inside," Laura says. "I've got a cup of ginger tea calling my name."

"I could use some more coffee, myself," Scott admits, following the couple back towards the house.

"I don't know how you do it," Neil laughs, "I think I'd go crazy living in a place where there's no coffee."

"Trust me, sometimes it's tough-"

"Oh! Scott, quick, quick! Give me your hand." Laura interrupts. She doesn't wait for him to move, she just reaches over and snatches his hand. She puts it flat against the right side of her slowly growing belly. He waits. There's a fluttering sensation against his palm.

"Oh wow!" he laughs. "they're kicking already! How far along are you again?"

"Twenty-three weeks," Neil states happily, making sure the umbrella is completely covering Laura. "I was a little worried I wouldn't get to feel the kicking just yet, since it's still a little early."

"I think Charlie was kicking like crazy right about then too, wasn't he?"

"Yup," Laura nods. "I had a feeling this little bun might do the same. I bet they're just excited to see their Uncle Scott. Aren't you?"

She was talking to her stomach now, a gentle smile on her face. Scott slips his hand away from hers, blinking at the two of them in confusion and another feeling he can't quite name. "U-Uncle Scott?"

Laura stops and looks up at him, a slight blush on her cheeks. "Oh... um-"

"Is that alright?" Neil asks, wrapping his free arm around her shoulders. It's raining a little harder now, the fat drops splattering heavily against their umbrellas. "If it makes you uncomfortable or anything, we'll think of something else for the new baby to call you."

"Is it weird? Oh, it is, isn't it? It's just, we're all part of this crazy, blended family. And I still want it to feel like we're all together after the baby comes. You're going to be around all the time anyway to see Charlie. I just thought it would be nice if the baby could think of you as family too- not just 'Charlie's dad.' Neil agreed with me, but if you don't like it-"

"No, no. It's not that. I-I love it actually. I just... I wasn't expecting it. Thank you. Both of you. It means a lot." And it does, actually. A year ago, he never would have believed that he, Laura, and Neil could be in this place. One where they worked together, and didn't argue all the time, and really thought of each other as family. He had to thank, not only the red coat that gave him his magic, but Charlie for this. His son was the only one to believe in him for the longest time. If Charlie hadn't, he might never have become Santa, and if he had never become Santa, he knows without a doubt that the three of them wouldn't be standing here like this. Like friends, family. Uncle Scott. He can't help the smile he knows is stretching across his face.

"I'm glad you like it," Laura says softly.

There's a rumble overhead- distant thunder- and the three of them finally notice that the steady rain has now turned into a steady downpour. Neil ushers his wife inside, saying he'll make their drinks for them once they get back to the warm, dry safety of the kitchen.

"So, got any plans for the day?" Neil asks a few minutes later as he sets two steaming mugs down in front of his wife and Scott.

Scott takes a long sip, relishing the robust flavor of the drink. He really needed to convince Bernard to have a coffee maker put somewhere in the kitchens. He thinks about everything he needs to do today before answering. "Let's see, besides family counseling after we pick up Charlie from school, I have a meeting with Louie. I'm hoping he might have found someone else interested in my townhouse."

"Whatever happened to that other couple? You never said." Laura asks.

"Oh, um, they just decided to go with something else. No big deal or anything."

He feels a little bad about lying, but he knows he'd feel worse if he told them the truth. It's selfish of him, but he's afraid if he tells them about his neighbors thinking he's a criminal, Laura and Neil might say they're being treated differently by everyone in town too. And he's already made things hard for Charlie. If it turns out he's done the same to them too, it'd just be another thing to feel horribly, horribly guilty about. He wishes he could find a way to fix everything, for all of them. Charlie wouldn't have to worry about bullies at school, the town wouldn't think he was some kidnapper. But the only way he can think to do that is turn back time, and that's certainly never going to happen.

He hangs out with Laura and Neil until it's time to leave for his meeting with Louie. Laura very nicely offers to let him use her car so he doesn't have to pay for a taxi. The rain has hung around all day, so the streets are full of puddles and the air smells like wet asphalt. He hurries inside the building, shaking his umbrella at the doorway so he doesn't drip too much water in his friend's office. Louie greets him as enthusiastically as ever.

"Scott, I know I messed up last time letting those nosy neighbors scare away our buyers, but I promise you it won't be happening again!" Louie says, clapping him on the shoulder.

"Oh, that wasn't your fault, Louie. Really I-"

"No, no, I take full responsibility. And don't you try and talk me out of it. Now, I've got a few people lined up who are interested, and I've got a really good feeling about it this time."

"Okay," and Scott can't help but chuckle at the older man's energy. "Tell me all about it."

And Louie does. He lets him know what days the interested buyers are going to be coming down to look at the townhouse and together they come up with a way for Louie to mention the misunderstanding from last year, hopefully without scaring anyone off. Scott can't help but be grateful that his old friend believes him about what really happened last year. It's nice having someone other than his family or his elves on his side. He's stays a little longer than he means to catching up with Louie, so much so that he has to race back to the Miller's so he can grab Laura and Neil and the three of them can go pick Charlie up from school and head to family counseling.

When they get there, after the usual small talk on what has happened since their last appointment, Laura finally mentions to their counselor that she's pregnant.

"Congratulations, both of you," Dr. Sanchez says with a smile.

"Thank you. We're really excited." says Laura.

The older woman turns to Charlie. "How do you feel about this? Are you excited to be a big brother?"

"Yea!" the boy chirps. "I'm going to be the best big brother. I'll teach them all the games I know and I can show them how to play soccer."

"You might have to wait for the baby to get a little older before you're playing soccer together, sport," Scott laughs.

"Did you have any questions for your mom and Neil about what's going to happen when the baby comes?"

"Well," and Charlie hesitates here. "I told my friend Jessica today about the baby, and she said I better get used to never spending time with mom. At least until the baby's older."

"Why'd she tell you that?" Dr. Sanchez asks.

"'Cause she has a little brother. He's like, two now, but she said when he was born she never got to do anything with her mom. And she said it sucked because her mom used to do stuff with her all the time."

"Oh, I didn't know you were worried about that, Charlie," Laura says, brushing the boy's hair back with her hand.

"Well, I wasn't at first, but then I talked to Jessica."

"Well, honey, I'll be honest. I probably will be pretty busy with the baby at first. But I promise, I'm going to make time for you too. It'll take some getting used to, but I know we'll manage it."

"Okay." Charlie nods with a smile.

"Very good," and the counselor looks very pleased with Laura's answer. "Is there anything else new going on?"

After family counseling, Scott stays for dinner so he can hear all about the rest of Charlie's first day of school. His son doesn't say anything about Bobby or Alex, so he takes that as a sign that maybe the other boys have moved on from picking on Charlie. Or, he hopes that's what it means. He doesn't notice how much time has passed until Charlie heads upstairs to take his bath before bed, and Neil points at the clock.

"It's after eight-thirty, Scott. I thought Bernard was picking you up?"

"Not that we mind if you're staying the night," Laura mentions, coming into the room with a mug of tea. "You know you're always welcome to."

"Thanks, but no, he was supposed to be here like an hour ago." Scott frowns. Bernard was never late. Where on earth could his Head Elf be?

As if that is his cue, the doorbell suddenly rings. Neil leaves to go answer it, and then a moment later comes back with a very flustered Bernard. His hat is missing and there is dark ink streaked across his face and staining his fingers and his shirt. It's still pouring outside, and since the elf hadn't had an umbrella to hide under as he waited for the door to open, his hair and shoulders are soaked. He runs a hand through his hair, and some life seems to spring back into the sodden curls.

"Sorry I'm late, boss," he grumbles.

"What happened to you?" Scott asks.

"A lot," the elf scoffs. At Scott's worried look, he elaborates. "The printers in the Naughty and Nice center went on the fritz a few hours ago and completely ruined the 'Z' section Clara was having finished for you. Took me forever to get it fixed."

"Oh, well that's not so bad. I can just start checking the rest of the list while that part gets finished."

"Um, yea... about that..."

Bernard looks away from Scott, his hand carding through his hair again. Scott frowns at him. "What's going on, buddy?"

"The list might have gotten... lost."

"Lost?" Scott blinks. "You're joking."

"I'm not."

"How did it get lost? Bernard!"

"I don't know!" Bernard throws his hands up into the air. "This has never happened before. The elves at the center have no idea what could have happened to it."

"Are you guys going to be okay?" Laura asks. "I mean, Santa's list is pretty important, right?"

"It's very important," Scott sighs.

"I told them to start printing a new one," Bernard says a little helplessly.

"That'll take forever. It's already September and I haven't checked it once yet."

"Well then, what should we do?"

Scott huffs, running a hand through his beard. "The only thing we can do. Let's go search the Workshop, top to bottom, for it. It has to be in there somewhere. It can't have just walked off on its own."

He says a hurried goodbye to Laura and Neil, and then Bernard whisks them home. They stumble when they land. Scott has to catch himself on a worktable so he doesn't trip and fall. He doesn't comment on the rough landing, figuring Bernard is more preoccupied with where the list has disappeared to, than making sure the teleportation is as smooth as normal. At this time of night, the workshop is normally dark and quiet. Which is why it's so strange to see a group of elves huddled around the printers in the Naughty and Nice center. There's a steadily growing pile of papers beside them- the reprint of the list, he assumes. He and Bernard walk up to them, calling for them to stop and listen.

"Change of plan, guys," Bernard says when he has the group's attention. "Santa wants us looking for the list. He and I will start with the rooms on the third floor. Clara you- wait, where's Clara?"

"Right here!" calls a voice from above them. Scott looks up to see an elf with shoulder length brown hair, wearing a black and white striped hat and a thick white dress covered in ink stains, looking down at them from the second floor balcony. She's one of the younger department Heads, resembling a nine-year old child when most of the others look twelve or thirteen.

"What are you doing up there?" Bernard asks.

"I went to go get more paper for the printers," she says, pointing to a cart beside her with several large boxes sitting on top of it. "What's going on?"

"We're going to press pause on the reprinting and look for the list instead.," Scott answers. "You and the elves are going to check the first and second floors for us. Hopefully, we find it."

They search for hours, combing through the departments and pantries and supply closets. By the time the clock strikes midnight, they've still only gone through maybe a third of all the places it might have ended up in. Scott calls off the search party, and tells everyone to go home and try and get some sleep. They'll just have to pick up their search again in the morning. He hates how downtrodden the elves look as they leave and hopes that tomorrow they have a little more luck.

The Naughty and Nice center elves return first thing in the morning with Bernard. They all look as exhausted as Scott feels, most of them with dark circles under their eyes. Except for Clara, who has an odd, fiery look on her face. They split up again, the center elves searching the remainder of the first and second floors while Scott and Bernard head back up to the third floor. By the time lunch time nears, they still haven't found it. Scott and Bernard, after coming up empty with their search, head back down to the center to see how Clara and the others are doing. The department Head isn't there, but Curtis radios her to come and meet them, so the two of them flop down into chairs at the center to wait. Bernard lays his arms down across one of the control panels so he can rest his head on them. Scott slinks down low in his seat, to the point where he's almost half-lying in the chair.

"I guess we'll have to reprint it after all," he says, staring up at the ceiling of the workshop. He's never noticed it had skylights before.

Bernard grunts, which Scott takes as the boy agreeing with him. The elf turns his head so he can peek at his boss through the curls that have fallen over his face. He mumbles softly, "sorry."

"You don't need to apologize. It's not like anyone meant for this to happen. It was just an accident."

"Yea, but one that should have never happened. The list is way too important for us to just... lose the damn thing."

Scott blinks. "I'm sorry... did you just swear?"

"I'm frustrated!" Bernard whines, his cheeks going red.

Scott laughs. "Don't worry, I promise I won't tell the others."

Suddenly, they hear shouts of "Excuse me! Move please!" so they turn towards the noise. Clara is pushing her way through the crowd of elves working the Main Floor. Her face is flushed, her hair a mess. But she's positively beaming as she races up the few steps to the center.

"I found out what happened to the list!"

Bernard and Scott both sit up. Bernard lets out a strangled, "seriously? Where is it?"

"Okay, so you know how we always store the list in Supply Closet A, right? At least while we wait for the whole thing to be printed? Well, apparently, construction got their wires crossed this year and they thought Supple Closet A was supposed to be for them. So, someone there moved the list—without telling anyone— to Supply Closet F. You know, the one right before the Kitchens and on the way to wrapping? Well, Herennia got mad because that's their supply closet, so she had her people move the list again— still without telling anyone— to Supply Closet K. But everyone knows that one is for the kitchens, so Judy had her elves put the list back in Supply Closet A where it belongs. And she didn't tell anyone because it was where it was supposed to be. Which, I can't even blame her because I didn't even know the thing wasn't in A anymore. Anyway, construction got mad because they still thought A was theirs— even though it's never been— so they moved the list again—"

"CLARA!" Bernard roars. The Main Floor goes silent at the noise, all the elves turning to give their Head Elf frightened looks. It isn't often he loses his temper that badly.

"Yea?" the girl mumbles. She seems a little shell-shocked from his sudden yelling.

"Where. Is. The list?"

"Oh, it's in Supply Closet Q."

"Q—" Bernard pinches the bridge of his nose, an angry exhale rushing past his lips. "Alright. Santa and I will go get it. Send some elves our way to help us move it to..."

"My office." Scott says, putting a hand on the boy's shoulder to steer him away from the center. "That way we know for sure where it is. And good job, Clara."

Supply Closet Q turns out to be near the stables, and it's so full of junk Scott can't help but stare open-mouthed at the mess as Bernard swings the heavy wooden door open. There are boxes shoved in tall, lopsided stacks, old furniture covered in a thick layer of dust, and what he thinks is a broken chandelier. He spots the ball pit they'd used for Charlie's birthday party, and a bin of worn down toys. Bernard pulls on a thin chain hanging near the door. A single bulb flickers to life and casts them both in a dull orange glow. He roams around the mess, and then finally pulls a wrinkled, mud-stained sheet off a pile of red leather cases. Scott recognizes them as the boxes the list was kept in last year.

"When I find out who shoved these in here," he hears Bernard grumble.

"Whoa, whoa, deep breaths, buddy. Sounds like we had some communication issues this year. Don't jump down anyone's throat just yet. Which reminds me. You owe Clara an apology."

"I know," Bernard sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose again. "I didn't mean to snap at her like that. The past two days have just been awful."

"But she found the list for us, and you didn't say thank you or anything."

"I'll find her once we get this moved and say sorry, and thank you. Promise."

Scott pats the boy on the back and then starts moving around the closet, looking at everything else that's been shoved inside it. "We've got to clean this place out. Who knows what else might be shoved in here."

"I'll have construction do it," the elf says sourly.

Scott snorts. "Alright. Let's get started on moving the list."

They're joined by the elves Clara sends a few minutes later. Together, they move all the heavy red cases upstairs to Scott's office. He's completely worn out by the time they finish, and the room is so packed it's hard to walk around. He searches through them until he finds the one with a large, glittering cursive 'A' on it and then carries it over to his desk.

By the end of the week, he's finally made it all the way through to the 'M' section. Checking the list is a lot different than it was last year. Scott had been a little amazed, and quite a bit freaked out, about how easily the face of every child whose name he read came to him. He expects it this year, and is actually really excited to finally get to do this part of his job. Like a movie playing on film, with each name he checks, he sees a short snippet of every child's life that year. The decisions they made, how they treated their friends, and parents, and siblings. He sees if they cleaned up their toys when they were told, if they teased others too much. He sees their bright smiles, their tantrums. And all the while his magic hangs heavy in the air, like it is sitting before him on a scale, slowly tipping towards either nice or naughty with every decision they made.

He's only a few pages in to the new box of pages when he hears a knock on the office door. He calls for whomever it is to enter, and Bernard walks in followed by Judy, who is carrying a silver tray filled with food and by the expression on her face is not very happy.

"Hey, you two," Scott says. "Need something?"

Bernard opens his mouth to speak, but Judy interrupts him. "You skipped lunch today, Santa! I swear, keep this up and you'll end up as bad as Bernard. He's always too busy with work to actually take care of himself."

"I am not," the Head Elf complains. Judy shoots him a look, so he snaps his mouth shut.

"Did I really miss lunch?" Scott wonders, looking over at the small, metal, antique table clock on his desk. According to its thin, intricate clock hands- it's nearly four o'clock. "Oh, wow... guess I did."

"Move that," Judy orders, nodding her head at the red case in front of Scott. Bernard hurries over and starts messily packing the papers back inside their box. Scott grumbles at the elf about losing his place, but Bernard just rolls his eyes and says "Mitchell Baines," which he recognizes as the name he'd been about to check so he lets the elf do as he pleases. Once the desk is clear, Judy sets the tray down.

Scott looks at the pile of food."Not that I don't appreciate it, Judy, but you don't really expect me to eat all this myself do you?"

"Of course not. Bernard's going to help you eat it. He skipped out on lunch too."

"I was busy!" Bernard tries to argue. Judy frowns at him, and then snaps at him to sit. Bernard plops down into the chair opposite Scott, giving the normally calm, collected girl a wide-eyed look of fear as she starts filling two plates with food.

Once she's sure both of them are digging in, she leaves, calling over her shoulder that she'll be back for the tray later. Scott watches her go, a surprised laugh leaving his lips. "I don't think I've ever been scared of Judy before. You know, until now."

"I have," Bernard grumbles, shoveling another bite of mashed potatoes into his mouth.

"Do all elves have secret bad tempers? Or do I just bring that out in you guys?"

The boy lets out a snort. "No, it's not you. But when you've lived for hundreds of years with people always expecting you to be cute and happy all the time, you tend to be a bit cranky. It usually takes a lot for Judy to lose her temper, though."

"They probably expect that because you guys look like kids."

"Which I really hate sometimes. It's hard to get anyone to take you seriously when you look like a twelve-year-old."

Scott laughs. "I don't know why, but I can't picture you looking twelve years old."

"Well, it's been a long time since I have."

Scott opens his mouth, thinking he's finally gotten the nerve to ask Bernard how old he is exactly, but the phone on his desk rings, cutting him off. He picks up the receiver and says, "hello?"

"Hi, Dad." Charlie's voice is almost drowned out by a loud, obnoxious crackle.

"Hey, sport! What's going on?"

"Um, nothing, really." It's strange, but it almost sounds like Charlie is whispering.

"Everything okay?"

"I-I guess... Hey, Dad, is- is Bernard there?"

Scott glances over at the elf across from him. "Yea, he's right here. Why? Do you want to talk to him?"

"Yea, please."

"Okay..." He holds the phone out to the Head Elf. Bernard takes it, staring at him with a bewildered expression on his face. Scott just shrugs and says, "he wants to talk to you."

Bernard balances the phone in the crook of his neck so his hands are still free to keep eating. "Hi-ya, Charlie."

There's a moment of quiet as the elf listens to whatever it is Charlie is saying. Scott waits, feeling a little awkward and with the tiniest bit of worry in the pit of his stomach. He's never specifically asked for Bernard before. Of course Charlie still really likes Bernard, but he usually only calls for Scott. His son knows the Head Elf is too busy most days to spend time chatting on the phone. Which means whatever this call is for, has to be important.

Bernard suddenly sits up straighter, dropping his silverware so he can grab the phone and place it more securely against his ear. "He did what? Why- no, no, of course I'm not mad at you... yes, I promise. But Charlie, why... Okay, well I have to tell your Dad- yes, I do. Because he needs... no, we can't do that... Yes, I'm positive we can't... Okay, look, we'll be down soon... Yup, bye-bye."

He hangs up the phone and then gets to his feet, suddenly looking as angry as he did when he'd found out Construction was the reason the list went missing. Scott gets to his feet too. "Bernard-"

"We got to go, boss. Charlie needs our help with something-"

"What? What's wrong?" Scott interrupts.

"That Bobby Lawson kid is what's wrong." At Scott's confused look, the elf starts to explain. "Charlie said Bobby took the snow globe from him and refused to give it back."

"What?"

"Yea, so, come on. Let's go."

Scott follows the elf as he leaves the room. They turn down the hallway towards Scott's bedroom. "Why didn't Charlie just tell me about this- and where are you going? Don't we need to hurry up and leave?"

"We're walking back to your room so you can change out of your Santa suit. Or do you really want to go to Bobby's house like that?" Bernard holds the bedroom door open for him. The elf has a point. It probably wouldn't be the best idea to show up to the Lawson's house dressed like Santa Claus. Bobby's dad already thought he was a crazy criminal. No need to make that situation worse. "And I think he was hoping to have this fixed without any of you finding out. He asked me if I could just teleport to their house and take the snow globe back, but I can't do that."

"Why wouldn't he want us to know?"

"Not sure, boss. You'll have to ask him."

He quickly changes into something a little more human-civilization-friendly- denim jeans and a lighter, cream colored sweater. Most of his clothes are holiday themed, with embroidered snowflakes or reindeer or Christmas trees, but he does have a few more neutral pieces that let him blend in during the parts of the year where he can't pass as someone who just really loves the holidays. Bernard pops them down to the Miller's once he's ready, and the two of them walk up to the backdoor together. He knocks on the sliding glass door. Neil pulls it open a few moments later, looking surprised.

"Scott? Bernard? What are you two doing down here?"

"Sorry for just dropping in. I came to talk to Charlie," Scott says.

"Oh, no, it's fine. I just wasn't expecting it. Come in." Neil steps to the side so the two of them can enter, calling out for Charlie as he does. Outside is as dreary looking as it was the last time he came down to Illinois, so the warmth of the kitchen feels amazing.

Laura comes around the corner, giving Scott and Bernard a curious look. "Hey, you two. Everything okay? I didn't think you'd be back so soon, Scott."

"Charlie called," Scott explains. "He said something to Bernard about Bobby taking the snow globe from him. Did he tell either of you about it?"

"What?" Laura says, taken aback. "No, he didn't. But he didn't really say much at all when he got home. I didn't even know he'd used the phone."

"Why would Bobby take that?" asks Neil.

He hears Charlie come thundering down the steps at that moment, racing around the corner and almost barreling right into his mom. He gives her a hasty "sorry," and then moves towards his dad and the elf.

"You got here really fast," says Charlie.

"I told you we'd be here soon," Bernard points out.

"Yea, but I didn't think it would be this soon." He looks over at his dad, face falling just a little. "Hi."

"Hey, sport. I think we need to talk." Scott motions to the kitchen table so Charlie will take a seat. He sits down with his son, Laura and Neil taking the other seats at the table while Bernard leans against the counter closest to them.

"You're not mad, right?" Charlie asks, looking at Scott and the elf.

"At Bobby? We sure are, sport. He should never have taken something that didn't belong to him."

"No, I meant at me."

"I told you, Charlie," Bernard says gently, "I'm not mad at you. It's not your fault the snow globe got taken.

"Yea, but you told me to take real good care of it, and I promised I would."

"And you have been. Bobby stealing it from you doesn't mean you haven't."

"He's right, Charlie." Scott says.

"Honey, why didn't you tell us something happened with Bobby today?" Laura asks, smoothing her son's hair back with her hand.

"Because I'm supposed to be ignoring him. But... I didn't do a very good job of that today."

"What do you mean?"

Charlie takes a deep breath, and then lets it out slowly. "Well... I was sitting on the bus with Jessica and we were talking to this new girl Danielle. She just moved here from Chicago. Bobby heard us talking and he started being a jerk again, so I told Jessica and Danielle to just ignore him 'cause he's a bully. But Bobby got mad and started picking on Danielle about her braces and then he stole her backpack! I got it back for her, but then Bobby pushed me and took mine instead. He opened it and saw the snow globe and took it. I tried to take it back from him, but the bus driver yelled at me for getting out of my seat."

"Did you tell your bus driver what Bobby did?" Neil asks.

"I tried to, but Mr. Hill wouldn't listen. He told me I needed to sit down or I was going to be in trouble."

"I can't believe this," Scott scoffs, running his hand through his hair in frustration. "This has gone on for too long. I'm going over to the Lawson's and talk with Bobby's dad. And I'm getting your snow globe back too."

Charlie slumps in his chair. "Do you have to? What if that just makes Bobby pick on me more? Can't Bernard just teleport to Bobby's house and get it back? Mr. Lawson won't see him 'cause he's magic, right?"

"I already told you, sport," the elf says, shaking his head, "I can't do that. Besides the fact I'm not very comfortable with the idea of breaking and entering, even if Bobby's dad can't see me, Bobby can. It's way too risky for me to try. Your parents will have to get it back for you."

"Come on, get you coat, Charlie. Laura, can I-"

"I'll drive," she interrupts. "I want to have a word with Mr. Lawson myself."

Scott, Charlie, Laura, and Neil all climb into Laura's minivan. The boy insists Bernard come along too, in case they do end up needing a little magic to get his snow globe back. Bernard doesn't want to ride in the car with them though, so he tells them he'll meet them at the Lawson's house. Scott's actually glad Laura offered to drive, because he doesn't quite remember how to get to the house. He's only been to it once before, and that was to pick Charlie up from a birthday party three years ago. It was the only one of Bobby's parties his son has ever gone too. After that he always begged his parents to let him miss them, which they did, because the two boys never really got along. He does recognize the house as soon as Laura rounds the turn and it comes into view though. It'd be impossible to forget its odd orange-colored siding and green shingled roof. The house looks remarkably like a giant, square pumpkin.

Laura pulls into the driveway. Scott doesn't see Bernard anywhere, but he just figures the elf is still waiting back at the Miller's enjoying the warm dry house before he teleports to them. They walk up to the front door and Neil rings the doorbell. He hears someone call to them from inside at the same time Bernard appears beside them in a shower of red and green sparkles.

"The snow globe's in Bobby's backpack," Bernard says. Scott is about to ask him how he knows this, but the front door to the house swings open. Mr. Lawson stares at them, eyebrows raised in confusion. Scott watches his gaze move over Neil and Laura, pause briefly at Charlie, and then it finally lands on him. He narrows his eyes as he looks at Scott.

"Can I help you folks?" he asks.

"Hello, Gary. How have you been?" Laura starts, giving Mr. Lawson a friendly smile. "Can we come in to talk?"

He hesitates for a moment, and then finally nods. He steps to the side so they can file into the entryway of the house. Once they're all inside he shuts the door- Bernard has to quickly step in behind Scott to avoid having the door closed on him- and turns to face them again.

Gary Lawson is a large, muscular man with the same mop of blond hair as his son, and a firm calloused handshake that lets you know he's spent most of his life working with his hands. His face is tan and scruffy from a patchy beard. Scott wouldn't say he's the friendliest man, but before this last year he's never really had a problem with him. Gary crosses his arm over his chest and asks stiffly, "what's going on?"

"Well, Charlie told us that Bobby took something of his- a snow globe. Have you seen it?"

"You all came over here because of a snow globe?"

"It's an antique snow globe that's very important to Charlie," Neil explains. "And he's very upset that it was taken. So-"

"Are you calling my son a thief?"

Scott snorts. "Yes-"

"No, we're not saying that," Laura interrupts him with a look. "Look, we all know the boys haven't been getting along for over a year now. We're not saying Bobby's a thief. Maybe he just took it because he wanted to upset Charlie. Whatever the reason, we would like it back please."

"Sorry," Gary shrugs, "I can't help you. I know my kid, and he wouldn't steal something."

"But he did!" Charlie shouts.

"Whoa, whoa, sport. Let us handle this" Scott says, placing a hand on his son's shoulder. He meets the other man's eyes with his own hard look. He can't really blame Gary for sticking up for Bobby. He'd do the same thing for Charlie were the situation reversed. But, he remembers what Bernard had said before the door opened. They're obviously not going to convince him with words alone. They need proof. "Check Bobby's backpack."

"Excuse me?"

Scott pauses, thinking of the best way to explain since he can't obviously say his elf told him where the snow globe was. "Charlie told us Bobby took the snow globe when they were on the bus, and he put it in his backpack. I know you don't believe us, but just humor me and check his bag. Please."

For a second he's sure Gary is going to tell him to shut up and get out of his house, but after a moment he lets his arms fall to his side and gives an almost defeated sigh. "Bobby! Come here a sec'!"

He hears footsteps come running towards them, and then Bobby enters the hall from a doorway to the right of them. He freezes at the sight of Charlie and the adults, the smile that had been on his face slipping down into a frown. "What?"

"Bring me your backpack."

"Why?"

Gary narrows his eyes. "Bobby, do as I say and bring me your bag."

Bobby hesitates, like he wants to argue, but he eventually goes back to the room he came from and grabs the bag. He comes back and hands it to his dad. Gary unzips the larger pocket. He pauses, closing his eyes and letting out a long sigh, before reaching into the bag and looking up at Scott.

"I don't even know what to say," he mumbles, pulling Charlie's snow globe out and holding it out to him.

Scott takes it and then hands it to Charlie. Charlie grabs it and holds it close, like he's afraid someone might take it from him again. Laura gives Gary a smile. "Thank you for listening and checking for us."

"You don't need to thank me," Gary turns to look at his son, who is slowly trying to walk back to the room he came from. "Freeze, kiddo. You owe Charlie an apology."

Bobby frowns. "Why? It was just a joke. It's not my fault he got upset about it."

"Stealing from someone isn't a joke, Bobby. Now apologize, and then go to your room. We'll discuss your punishment later."

"But-"

"Now."

"Fine. Sorry," Bobby grumbles. He doesn't sound very sorry at all. He turns and stomps away, slamming the door shut to what must be his bedroom.

Gary runs a hand down his face, suddenly looking very tired. "I'm sorry about all this."

"It's alright, everything worked out," Laura says.

"I know... It's just, Bobby's been having a real hard time lately and he keeps taking it out on the other kids."

"What do you mean by 'hard time?'" Neil asks.

"Well, you all know how his mother died a few years back. I think he's just been missing her a lot lately and instead of talking to me about it, he's been acting out. But I don't know how to help him if he won't talk."

"Have you thought about taking him to see a therapist? I know some great ones that I could recommend to you."

Scott can't help but roll his eyes. "Put the business cards away, Neil."

"Scott!" Laura chides.

"What? I just mean, maybe that's going on with him and the other kids, but I don't think that's whats happening between him and Charlie."

"What exactly do you think is going on between him and Charlie?" Gary asks, frowning.

"I think he sees your issues with me and is taking it out on my son."

"What issues, Scott?"

Scott scoffs. "Like how you think I deserve to be in jail for one."

"What? I don't-" he pauses, brow furrowed in concentration. There's an awkward moment as Gary searches his brain for something. When he finally remembers whatever it is, his eyes grow wide with surprise. "Oh, man. Scott, I'll be honest, I did say that. But that was last year, when it was all over the news that you... you know."

Gary's sentence peters out oddly as his gaze flickers down to Charlie. Scott glances at the boy as well, realizing Gary was trying to be careful with what he said for Charlie's sake, before saying "but I didn't... you know. That was all a big misunderstanding."

"Yea, I heard about that sometime after the New Year. Also heard you guys were going to family counseling too. So, I haven't said anything about you going to jail for almost a year now. I'm sorry. I'm guessing Bobby said something about that to Charlie and that's how you know about it?"

"It's what they got into the fight during recess about. H-how did you know we were going to family counseling?"

"Are you serious? That's what they were fighting for? I couldn't get Bobby to say two words about it." Gary's lips twitch, like he's trying to hide a smirk. "And, uh, my sister Sherry is your real estate agent's receptionist. And believe me when I say that girl loves to gossip."

Scott thinks of the freckle-faced woman whose name he's never been able to remember. How had he never known she was Gary Lawson's sister? "Oh, well... guess I was wrong about us having issues then."

"It's alright." Gary runs a hand over his face again. "It's not like we've really spoken to each other lately. Besides that meeting with the boys and the principal. But that didn't really ever come to much did it. Well, I hate to cut our little chit chat here short, but I need to go talk to my son. Sorry about the snow globe, again."

They leave and climb back in to Laura's minivan. Scott stares out the window as they go. He'd expected Gary to be angry and mean, especially once he saw Scott. He'd never thought the man would just look like an exhausted single dad just trying to keep his son on the right path. But Gary was right, they havn't really spoken in a while. Scott's just been assuming this entire time that what Bobby has been telling Charlie was true, and that his dad did think he was a bad man and a criminal. Thinking about it, he probably should have gone to talk with Gary a long time ago, instead of just assuming the worst.

Bernard meets them back at the Miller's house- choosing to teleport again instead of joining them on the ten minute ride back. Charlie is ecstatic about having the snow globe back. The Head Elf gently suggests that maybe it's time for the boy to put the snow globe somewhere a little safer than in his backpack. Charlie agrees, and then after apologizing one more time to the elf for losing it- which Bernard insists is unnecessary- he climbs the stairs so he can go put the glass ball in his bedroom.

"So, I have a question, Bernard," Scott says. The elf turns towards him. "How'd you know Bobby had the snow globe in his back pack?"

"I got to the house before you guys and when I looked in one of the windows I saw him shaking it. When you rang the doorbell he shoved it in there to hide it."

"Why were you looking in the window?"

"I was trying to make sure Bobby didn't see me teleport."

"Oh, well good thing you saw that. I don't know if Gary would have believed us otherwise." Charlie comes running down the stairs. He crashes into his dad. "Oomph! Watch it there, sport."

"Sorry!" Charlie says, laughing. "Are you leaving soon, Dad?"

"Afraid so. I've still got to finish checking the Naughty and Nice list. I need to make sure you're not getting coal this Christmas."

"Of course I'm not!"

Scott laughs. "Ready to go, Bernard.?"

"Yea. I'd like to get back before Judy realizes we never ate that dinner she brought us."

"Right. Yikes. Scary Judy." Scott leans down to give his son a big hug. "Bye, Charlie. Love you."

"Love you too, Dad. Thanks for getting my snow globe back."

"Of course. You know I'm always here for you, sport."