Buttercup looked in horror at her sister, lying prone on her bed. An incredible

feeling of guilt swelled up in her and she began to sob again.

"It's my fault." She said through her tears. "If I'd been there, this wouldn't have

happened."

"You know what this is?" asked Gabriel. "It's cheese. It's crayons. It's not

ridges. People are people."

Buttercup prepared to sock him but was stopped by Tinsel.

"You have nothing to feel guilty about." He said. "There was nothing you could

have done."

As the group looked down at Bubbles, they each had their own thoughts flowing

through their heads.

Buttercup thought of all the mean things she'd said and done to Bubbles. She

made a silent vow then never to make that mistake again.

Blossom thought about how much she'd love to see one of Bubbles' drawings, or

even to just hear her laughing happily.

Professor Utonium was remember how wonderful things had been since he'd

created the girls. He couldn't see a life with one of them gone.

Even quietly, Tinsel was never good at showing a friendlier side. His

confrontation with Buttercup had been extremely difficult. However, he still hoped and

prayed that she'd be okay so that he'd have the chance to get to know her better.

Gabriel, meanwhile, thought about pocket lint and dust bunnies. He wasn't sure

what the others were all so worried about, but he was sure those two items could help.

Jingles merely sat back and watched everyone else. He couldn't read minds but

he was exceptional at reading eyes and had a pretty good idea of what they were each

thinking. And even though he'd only just met her, he felt a closeness for Bubbles. Her

innocence and friendliness, he felt, had led to this. He said a silent prayer then that she

would overcome this. And in his heart, he knew she could.

To give Bubbles more space, Blossom and Buttercup had set up sleeping bags

downstairs. They went down to get some sleep, and soon the others followed, until only

Jingles was left in the room.

He sat down beside her bed and took her hand.

"We all know you can do it, Bubbles." He began.

He then pulled a small picture from his pocket.

"I made this for you. It's not very good, but I am only five years old after all."

It was a picture of the six of them sitting in front of a Christmas tree. He sat the

picture down beside her and got up to leave when he heard a small moan. He looked

down to see her eyelids fluttering.

"She's waking up!" He yelled, quickly to whoever might hear.

And indeed, after a moment, he eyes opened completely. She looked around for a

minute and then stretched.

Buttercup was the first in, followed quickly by the others. She flew over and

hugged Bubbles, as did Blossom and Professor Utonium.

After a moment, things calmed down and they explained how she had been

poisoned and Jingles had saved her life. She turned to him and, still a little worn out,

smiled gratefully.

"We'd better let her get some rest." Began the Professor. "And the rest of you

had better get to sleep too. Santa doesn't deliver to kids while they're awake, you know."

This was all they needed to get them flying out. Jingles was the last to go, but

Bubbles stopped him.

For a moment, neither said a word, perhaps not knowing what to say, perhaps

knowing no words were necessary.

Finally, Bubbles looked up at him and said, quietly, "Thank you."

Jingles nodded, bashfully, and flew out to get some sleep himself for the big day

tomorrow: Christmas morning.