Dear Readers,

I am *so* sorry for the long hiatus. Life has been crazy lately, but I'm going to try to get back into this story. I cannot promise updates every week, but I will try my best not to go too long without updating again. Please forgive me. Also, I am sorry this chapter is a bit short, but I wanted to get something out as I have been getting a lot of story alerts. I hope this will satisfy until I can get another chapter out. Thank you for being loyal.

~Savviness

*Bernard's P.O.V.*

I'm leaning against the wall, arms crossed over my chest, and most likely looking pretty grouchy. Most of the other elves believe that it's because I don't like these things. They're quite wrong. I actually don't mind the elves unwinding every now and then. It keeps them sharp, so that their work is precise and correct. As long as they do it during non-work hours.

No, I'm grouchy because Quentin and I had an argument less than an hour ago. An argument about what happened between Evelyn and myself in the storage closet earlier. Of course I told Quentin what happened, and what almost happened. He's my best friend. He has been since we were about five hundred. So it doesn't surprise me that he thinks he knows what's best for me better than I do. He thinks I should have went ahead and kissed her. Kissed Evelyn! As if that wouldn't have tremendous consequences.

I, of course, countered with those consequences. The fact that I am her boss, her direct boss now that she's been promoted. I could be accused of showing favoritism if I praise her work. She could be accused of slacking off, not doing her job to her best ability, because she would be in a relationship with the boss. There are others I listed off to him, but he chose to ignore them. I tried to get him to see I couldn't condemn her to such a life, always fearing that whenever she walked into a room and conversation quickly became hushed whispering, it was about her.

"Oh, stop brooding already," a familiar voice says, pulling me out of my thoughts. I look up to find Quentin standing in front of me, always willing to be the first to patch our friendship. "Look, I'm sorry, okay? I just…," he trails off, unsure of how to continue.

I sigh, dropping my hands to the side. "I know, Quentin. I'm sorry as well."

"Well, of course you are," he replies, giving me a cheeky grin. "You were wrong."

I sigh again, this time out of frustration. "Quentin," I begin in an exhausted tone. He cuts me off before I can continue.

"Relax, I'm not going to push the matter anymore," he says, "but I do reserve the right to say I told you so when you realize I am right and you are wrong."

"Whatever," I tell him, rolling my eyes.

It's his turn to sigh as he moves to lean against the wall beside me. Immediately, my eyes land on her, spinning in the middle of the dance floor with Daniel. I don't have to glance at Quentin to know his gaze is locked on the same two elves. She's wearing a simple purple dress with off the shoulder sleeves that stop at her elbows. It bells out past her waist, so that it twirls around her legs as Daniel spins her. Blue is better on her, it brings out her eyes, but I prefer red over even that. My favorite color.

"I haven't told Daniel."

I glance over at him to find his eyes still focused on his recently acquired significant other. "I appreciate that," I tell him, because he looks a little torn.

"Yeah," he replies. He turns his eyes to me now. "I don't like to do it. I wish I could tell him."

Damn it. I close my eyes and reach up to pinch the bridge of my nose. I don't want Quentin to tell Daniel. He'll surely turn around and tell Evelyn. I highly doubt she feels the same way about me, so that would just be a disaster full of awkward moments. I open my eyes, this time focusing them on Daniel. I know secrets between lovers are never a good thing, however, so I turn back to Quentin.

"You can tell Daniel, Quentin," I tell him, causing his eyes to widen in surprise. "As long as you make sure he doesn't run off and tell Evelyn. I don't want to deal with the mess that will cause."

"You got it, boss," he says, grinning at me.

I shake my head, but a weight seems to be lifted from his shoulders, so I don't say anything. I turn my attention back to the dance floor, but there's no one to watch anymore. I frown a little, wondering where they went, seconds before I get my answer.

"There you are," Daniel's voice is full of merriment and laughter as he appears beside Quentin. "I was wondering where you disappeared to."

"Oh, you know," Quentin replies nonchalantly. "I was just cheering up the resident grouch."

I glare at him while Daniel laughs. After glancing at my face, Daniel tells him. "I don't think you did a good job."

"It's hit or miss," Quentin says with a shrug. He looks over Daniel's shoulder, asking, "Where's Evelyn?"

"Ladies' room," Daniel tells him. He leans against the wall on the other side of Quentin. "So, are we going to be grumpy wallflowers for the rest of the reception?"

Quentin laughs while I shoot Daniel a glare. "No one's stopping you from enjoying yourself," I retort.

"Oh, come on," Daniel huffs. "You're not my boss right now, so I'm just going to say it. Get your butt off of the wall and have some fun!"

Quentin's howling with laughter now. I simply arch an eyebrow at Daniel. He's never been afraid to tell me to loosen up, but since he started dating Quentin, he's realized that I'm not quite the scrooge everyone thinks I am. His words, not mine. He's definitely more comfortable joking around with me, I've noticed. I admit, I'm also getting more comfortable around him as well, letting him see a side to me very few do. Sometimes, I'm even tempted to say this looks like the beginning of a mutual friendship.

"How do you propose I do that?" I ask, almost daring him to come up with some crazy plan. He's particularly good at that.

He rolls his eyes, looping his arm through one of Quentin's. "Let's start by finding a table. We can sit, have a drink, and share funny stories." My eyebrow remains arched through his suggestions. He huffs again. "Just come on."

He and Quentin start to head toward an empty table, but Daniel stops them after a few steps, turning his head to make sure I'm following. Now I roll my eyes, but I push away from the wall. He gives me a triumphant grin before heading for the table once more.

"Here," Daniel says, passing out flutes of champagne. It's pretty much the only alcohol elves can drink.

"Shouldn't Evelyn be back by now?" Quentin asks, looking around the Grand Hall.

"I think she promised Charlie a dance or two," Daniel replies nonchalantly, "and Remy had something he wanted to tell her."

*Evelyn's P.O.V.*

After my third dance with Charlie, I make my way over to the table Remy is occupying. My feet are angrily protesting against the black heels I decided to wear. I notice right away that my brother's jittery.

"Something wrong, Rem?" I ask, tilting my head just slightly to the side.

"No, nothing's wrong," he says, and now I can tell he's jittery from excitement. "Please don't tell anyone yet, I don't want to take away from Judy and Matthew's big day."

"Okay," I reply, definitely intrigued. "I promise not to tell anyone until you give the okay."

"Mavis and I are dating," he tells me in a whisper, as to not be overheard.

I can't stop the excited smile that spreads across my face, but I manage to keep my voice down. "That's great, Jeremiah, congratulations!"

He grins. "Thanks, Evelyn. Like I said, we're keeping it pretty quiet, just for today."

"I understand," I tell him, nodding. I stifle the yawn that sneaks up on me, but not before Remy sees it.

"You want to head home?" he asks.

I look around, thinking about it. Quite a few elves have already headed home, so the crowd is definitely thinning. It must be pretty late, because most of the elves who are no longer here are the ones who have children. I even spot Santa trying to usher Charlie out of the room.

"Yeah," I finally confess, the full effect of my exhaustion finally hitting me. "What time is it?"

He checks his watch before replying, "Just after eleven."

"Good thing it's the weekend," I mumble as I slowly stand up.

"I hear you on that," he agrees, standing up with me.

We stop at the table Quentin and Daniel are still sitting at on the way out. Bernard's not here, but I had seen him sitting with them earlier. He most likely headed home to relieve Mrs. Carrol from watching Jenna.

"Hey, guys," Remy says to catch their attention. "Just wanted to let you know that we're heading home."

"We're fixing to head home as well," Daniel says, standing up to give me a quick hug, Quentin close behind. "Be safe, you two."

"You as well," I shoot back, managing to not sound too sleepy. "Good night, guys."

"Good night," they reply in unison, which makes a small smile form on my lips as we step out into the snow covered village.

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