Summary: This is a Santa Clause 2 fanfic. Erin's heart has been shattered by the deaths of most of the people she loves a year prior to the events in this story. She believes anyone she loves will get hurt so she refuses to show any feelings of affection, developing a case of the melancholies. It's time for someone to supply her with the best kind of medicine, which isn't laughter. Bernard/OC
Disclaimer: I don't own SC2. Disney does. So there! I only own Erin, who's based on me, by the way -.
Notes: Since I don't think the movies ever say where Charlie and his family live, I've put them in New York. Scott and Santa are the same person. I might include some song lyrics in latter chapters. I based the title on the saying laughter is the best medicine. Big thanks to my friend Dom'sgurl, my homeskillet. 'thought ' , " speech " , song lyrics, more than one person speaking, emphasis
Disclaimer for this chapter only: The speech Curtis gives Bernard is a copy of when Tomoyo is talking to Syaoran in volume 4 of 'Cardcaptor Sakura: Master of the Clow' about telling Sakura his feelings, so I don't own it, the song 'Hanging by a Moment' by Lifehouse, or anything else familiar in this chapter, so no suing!
Chapter 9: Hanging By A Moment
"I think he's learning at an accelerated rate!" "Oh, really. This morning he ate a bowl of wax fruit." Obviously Bernard was still mad at Curtis, but nothing could ruin how he felt inside. At least, that's what he thought. "Wait a minute. I need the Naughty and Nice list." Bernard shook his head. "No." "Oh, yes, yes! It says here that I need the Naughty-Nice list." "Santa already checked it." "No I didn't." "The real Santa." "I am the real Santa." Bernard couldn't believe his ears. "What?" "I'm in charge here." "Excuse me?" "The rules say I need the Naughty-Nice list. I like rules, I think you know how I feel about that." Curtis decided that now was the time to intervene.
"I've got an idea. How about we have some fun." Toy Santa (not knowing what 'fun' was) just stood there, silent for once. "It's good to have fun." Bernard nodded; glad for once that Curtis was number 2 elf. "Hey, Santa. You see those elves over there? Go ahead. Go play some Tinsel Football." 'What's the object of this game?" While Curtis briefly explained football Bernard's eyes searched for Erin. It didn't take long for him to spot her sitting on the steps with Abbie and Judy. They seemed to be sharing her headphones while they watched her sketch something. Most of her hair was pulled back, so he was able to see her expressions more clearly. Once Toy Santa had run off and was out of earshot, Curtis spoke up. "So, did you tell her?" Bernard looked down at him. What did he mean? 'Does he know?' "What?" "Did you tell Erin you love her?" 'Darn, is it that obvious?'
Desperate for changing
Starving for truth
Closer where I started
Chasing after you
He desperately tried to cover up the truth, "What do you mean?" He wasn't succeeding. "Fess up. I saw you two yesterday. Abbie and Judy can vouch for me. You two looked like two turtledoves. You were happier than we've ever seen you before. You can't tell me that's not love." Bernard sighed, a sign that he was defeated. "Alright, you got me. I love her. But what if yesterday she thought we were just friends? What if she doesn't feel the same?" "Calm down, Bernard. I know you don't want to make Erin unhappy, but she isn't the type to hold onto sadness forever. If you confess your feelings she'll accept them and give you the answer that's best for her." Bernard looked back at Erin for a second before replying. "You're right." "The Great Bernard is admitting that I, lowly Curtis, am right? It's the end of the world." Bernard laughed as he turned his gaze from Erin to Toy Santa.
I'm falling even more in love with you
Letting go of all I've held onto
I'm standing here until you make me move
I'm hanging by a moment here with you
Erin had sat down to sketch the ice rink and the football players, but she just couldn't get yesterday off her mind. Frustrated, she sighed, pulled on her headphones, and pushed play to resume her song.
Forgetting all I'm lacking
Completely incomplete
I'll take your invitation
You take all of me
Now... I'm falling even more in love with you
Letting go of all I've held onto
I'm standing here until you make me move
I'm hanging by a moment here with you
As she sketched whatever she thought of, Abbie and Judy tried to sneak up on her. "Don't even think about it, you two." Both elfesses laughed as they sat next to her on either side. "How'd you know we were there?" "My music's not that loud, Abbie. Your feet were crunching the snow." "What're you listening to?" "A CD I made on my computer. You wanna hear?" Both girls nodded, each eager to be the first. "Okay, um, Judy first." She slipped the headphones over the elfess's ears and unpaused the music.
I'm living for the only thing I know
I'm running and not quite sure where to go
I don't know what I'm diving into
Just hanging by a moment here with you
There's nothing else to lose
Nothing left to find
There's nothing in the world
That could change my mind
There is nothing else
There is nothing else...
Erin paused it quickly and took the headphones. "Abbie's turn now." Abbie slipped on the headphones faster than Erin thought she would. Once they were on her head she pushed play.
Desperate for changing
Starving for truth
Closer where I started
Chasing after you
I'm falling even more in love with you
Letting go of all I've held onto
I'm standing here until you make me move
I'm hanging by a moment here with you
"That's a neat song. What's it called?" Abbie asked as she handed the headphones back to Erin. "'Hanging by a Moment' by Lifehouse. It's one of my favorite songs." The girls decided it was time to talk about the other day. "Does it make you feel a certain way about a certain someone?" Erin knew what they meant, but decided to play dumb for now. "What do you mean?" "We mean Bernard, silly. Does listening to this song help you realize how much you care for him?" Erin was silent as she thought about it. She looked inside herself to find the answer. "Yes. I love him. But it would never work out." "Why?" "The age barrier, for one thing. I'm 16 and he's, what, 2,000?" "So?" "Remember your book 'The Lord of the Rings'? Arwen was an elf, but she still married Aragorn." "Besides, he seems to be the only thing on your mind." Judy pointed to her sketchbook. Erin had unconsciously sketched Bernard. "I see your point." She closed her eyes as she heard the end of the song in her head.
I'm living for the only thing I know
I'm running and not quite sure where to go
I don't know what I'm diving into
Just hanging by a moment here with you
Just hanging by a moment
Hanging by a moment...
Hanging by a moment...
Hanging by a moment here with you...
She breathed a gentle sigh. "Look at Santa!" She looked to where Abbie and Judy were pointing and cringed. 'Bernard is not going to be happy about this. Not happy at all.' And she couldn't have been more right. Bernard was furious! Toy Santa was out there demolishing the elves in football! He would show no mercy. Even Curtis was shocked at how rough Toy Santa was. Eventually, only Joey remained. He was so terrified he just ran. Toy Santa chased him up the stairs and tried to tackle him. Fortunately, he missed. Bernard stood there, then turned to Curtis. He had a slightly evil look in his eyes. "It's good to have fun, huh?" Curtis took the hint and ran as fast as he could, Bernard close behind him.
Me: Yay! Another chappie!
Evil Men: NOOOOOOO!
Me: HAH! You thought I'd given up, didn't you? Well, I have not yet begun to fight! What do you have to say to that? (Shower of arrows and rocks) EEPP!
Dom'sgurl: You need better defenses.
Me: (Looks at rock fort) You're right.
Dom'sgurl: And I know just the person to talk to!
Me: Who?
Dom'sgurl: Artemis Fowl II of course! (Yanks him into view)
Artemis: What is the meaning of this? Butler!
Dom'sgurl: Butler's not here. We need you to give my friend here a new security system.
Artemis: What's in it for me?
Me: Your freedom.
Artemis: I accept. (Begins working)
Me: Yay! Anyhoo, review people, or Artemis's pains will be for naught.
Dom'sgurl: You're doing Shakespeare in school, aren't you?
Me: Duh. (Begins to recite from random plays)
Dom'sgurl: (Sighs) Just review, people. Please. Now.