Disclaimer: Well, it's still not mine. Only my characters are, which is pretty obvious.

A/N: GOODNESS! I'm so sorry I haven't updated in a year! Don't fret, I'm back for good. I'll finish this and Josh's Wonderful Life, then get to Loose Ends. But remember, I'm back for good. ; p

Chapter 3:

3 day's 'till Christmas (continued)

Bernard closed his eyes and sighed. Marie and Lucas were now asleep, which strangely reassured him.

Opening his eyes, he glanced in their direction. The image that met his eyes made him smile. Marie's frail frame was curled up on the floor, Lucas clutched to her chest. The image that caught his attention most was Lucas' tiny hand wrapped around Marie's finger. He smiled bitterly, thinking of how he must have done the same with his mother.

Closing his eyes, he thought back to the day he first met Marie.

Bernard woke up sweating and crying. He rubbed tears out of his eyes as he got out of bed. Starting his descent down the stairs, he called, "Mommy! Daddy! I need a hug!"

He walked into the kitchen, expecting his mother to be there. "Mommy," he asked, "Daddy?" A slip of paper on the table caught his eye. He walked over and read it:

Dearest Bernard,

We are sorry you had to find out this way, but we can no longer survive in the North Pole. We understand you like life here, so we have departed without you. If you ever get the chance, visit us in the South Pole.

Mother and Father

Bernard cried angry tears as he threw down his hat. "This is all you left me," he screamed, "You didn't even say you loved me! How could you!" He doubled over, breathing shallowly. Through his bitter tears, he whispered, "How could you."

After collecting himself, he ran a hand through his curls and picked his hat up. Before setting it back on his head, he cradled it in his arms. The red beret had been with him through many things. Most importantly, his mother had made it for him, or at least that is what she led him to believe, and it still held a significance he did not understand.

A bitter thought filled his mind. 'They're worthless,' he thought. 'They were South Pole elves. South Pole elves don't understand compassion. They don't know how to love anyone but themselves.' Bernard's eyes widened with shock. If his parents were South Pole elves, so was he! Was he incapable of love?

Still distraught, he left his house, slamming the door behind him. He wasn't sure of where he was going, he just needed to be out. Bernard stormed off into the blizzard, his head held down.

"Hey, Bernard," someone called. Bernard's head snapped up. Standing across the street was Marie.

Bernard had heard about Marie from his parents and his classmates. His parents had told him to stay away from her. Apparently, she was trouble. Bernard snorted. Their opinion didn't matter to him anymore. His classmates warned him that she was weird. Their opinion had more of an effect. They told him that her family was 'dysfunctional' and 'different,' something no one wanted to be. Bernard laughed at the irony. Their opinion would mean nothing to him soon, for he found himself in the same situation. Going against society, Bernard greeted her.

"Gee, no one's ever said hello back before," she responded, her amber curls falling in her face. Bernard found himself wishing she was this excited all the time. The enthusiasm that filled her was wonderful on her features. Her wide smile reached her glowing green eyes, and her skin filled with a pink hue. Bernard mentally shook his head. He couldn't be thinking these things now, especially not about Marie. He watched her begin to cross the street. Bernard smiled.

"Marie, what are you doing out now," he asked.

"I'm mearly – oops!"

"Marie," he cried, rushing to the middle of the street. He looked down at the girl in front of him. She lay in the road, her ankle twisted and beginning to swell. "Jeez, Marie," he said softly, "how'd you do that?"

"I don't know," she chuckled. Bernard reached down to help her up. She smiled as she leaned on him and brushed herself off. He smiled back shyly.

Headlights and the sound of tires skidding bought them back to reality. "Uh-oh," he whispered as a large truck drove erratically towards them.

Biting his lip, Bernard made his decision. "Marie," he whispered, "you're gonna have to trust me." Marie nodded, and he pushed her into a nearby snow bank. Bernard smiled. "Success," he whispered. As he turned his head, he decided he spoke too soon. The truck was headed right towards him.