Christmas Wishes

Author: Light Spinner

Disclaimer: I don't own BtVS or Cruel Intentions.

Pairing 711: Halfrek/Kathryn

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Kathryn Merteuil hated it. Her father was dead, and her mother was the same bitch as always. She didn't like hating things; much preferring to get rid of what made her angry. But she was ten, and she couldn't remove her mother. It was years until the young brunette would learn to destroy someone without suffering consequences, and even then it would be harder to get rid of her mother.

She was crying, and she hated that even more. She'd just been informed of her father dying a few hours prior, but her mother would not be pleased to see her daughter cry. Mrs. Merteuil would be very unhappy if she saw those tears; and she'd make sure Kathryn knew it.

Christmas in a couple of weeks. And she had been shopping when the call came through to her chauffeur to tell her of his passing. Kathryn decided to finish buying presents anyway; she didn't want to go home. Who knew what her mother would be like.

She was in Neiman Marcus when a tall woman with curly brown hair approached her. "Are you alright? You seem down," the woman asked. "Oh, forgive my manners. I'm Halle."

"Kathryn," she replied. "Everything's fine."

"You sure? Santa isn't always there to grant wishes, y'know?"

The girl snorted. "I never believed in him, anyway."

Halle smiled. "Well, why don't you make a wish right now? Then you can tell me if someone's been listening and grants it."

Kathryn gave the tall woman a studious look, weighing the pros and cons of saying anything. Deciding that it couldn't do any harm, she replied, "I wish I would meet someone who understands; a two of a kind sort of thing." With that said she turned to the scarves.

"Done." The girl looked back at Halle. The woman was just smiling. "You make sure to tell me if that wish works out for you."

Shortly after Christmas, Ms. Merteuil was in a serious relationship again. Kathryn's soon-to-be father-in-law had a son. Sebastian. Kathryn never believed it was Santa.