Chapter 5: Friends

January 7th, 3:53 P.M. Chicago Law Firm

Molly took a deep breath as she placed the folder on her boss' desk. This was it- the moment that would make or break her. She had gone over it hundreds of times and could practically recite it from memory. But everything she could do had been done and now she just had to let her boss review it and see how everything worked out. As she slumped into her office chair she couldn't help but feel powerless and there was no feeling she hated more.

Technically, she was free to go home but Molly had every intention of waiting until her boss got back to her. She'd wait days if she had to. There was plenty of work to be done since she was behind thanks to that case. Pulling a file out of her briefcase she heard knocking on the door to her office. Her boss? She fixed her hair and adjusted her posture. "Come in sir."

It wasn't her boss. Arthur peeked his head in and smiled at her. "Well, someone's trying to seem impressive," he joked, walking in and placing a tray of cookies on her desk.

"Another one? January must not be very busy in your factory." This was Arthur's eighth visit or so since the day after Christmas. He was very true to his word so she definitely had the feeling he wasn't from Chicago. A lot of things were a question mark about him, and though he was no master of deflection he did somehow avoid the questions very time.

So the question always hovered over her of how she could let this guy who just seemed to know where her office was and spouted about nothing more than holiday cheer after the holidays become part of her life. She would never admit it but maybe some part of her enjoyed having him around. He would just talk with her or sometimes even just stop by with some cookies and leave if he could see she was busy. He never pushed, he never made her uncomfortable, and he never minded that she practically kept him a state secret to everyone. Who knew what they would say about the guy who was in her apartment one morning? The judgment would be awful!

"No, I have January off. And I baked them myself. Did you drop the case off?"

"Yes, and now I am going to sit here, try to avoid those cookies, and work until I get the news." He frowned. "What? I just don't want to get fat."

"You work far too much. Come on. We're going ice-skating," he commented. Molly felt herself laugh. "I'm afraid I'm not taking no for an answer." He grabbed her wrist- this surprised her since they usually had a hands-off policy- and started pulling her towards the door. "You deserve to do something fun!"

"This isn't going to be fun!" she retorted, desperately trying to drag her feet. They reached the front of the office he placed her hat on her head and started leading her down the street. Okay, she was lying before. She hated Arthur in his life with the endless joy and the present circumstances had nothing to do with her opinion!

January 7th, 4:24 P.M. Ice Arena

Arthur offered to help her onto the ice, but naturally she refused. It was weird- she acted like a complete Grinch most of the time but at some moments he could swear he saw a tiny bit of someone completely different peek through. This, however, was not one of those times. He knew the decision to go ice-skating wouldn't be met with much enthusiasm, but she was being ridiculous. Probably as ridiculous as he was for his constant visits to some girl in Chicago. Not that it was a problem at the moment. Everyone was simply relaxing and enjoying their month off before getting back into production. Things would get tricky later. But for now he just enjoyed trying to peel away the many layers of Grinch wrapping paper that surrounded Molly Scrooge.

She tentatively skated onto the ice- ignoring his attempts to help her. Even though she seemed opposed to the idea she had put on the skates herself. Part of her wanted to be here. She grasped the railing for dear life as she teetered and that caused her to send him a glare when he laughed.

He skated around the rink a few times and she was always where he left her. "Come on!" he shouted, turning around and facing her as he passed. That was a bad idea. He promptly lost his balance and was sent teetering to the ground. As he laid face-down on the ice, sprawled out like the klutz he was, he heard the greatest sound he'd probably ever heard. He picked his head up to see Molly. She… she was laughing. She was on her knees laughing so hard she had tears coming down her face. He couldn't help but laugh as well at how funny she seemed to find the situation.

Just like that, another layer of wrapping paper was thrown in the trash and Arthur was liking what was underneath so far.

January 8th 4:44 P.M. North Pole

Bryony knew she deserved a raise as Steve approached her. Arthur had taken the SPIRIT yet again to visit that girl in Chicago he seemed determined to crack. Bryony was convinced the girl was so messed up and mean-spirited not even the Nutcracker himself could. But of course that never stopped Arthur from trying, she knew that.

She had gone with him for the first four trips, but when they got back that time Steve had questioned their disappearance. Bryony had managed to cover but since then she had stayed behind to make sure everything went un-noticed by the Christmas family.

"He's out playing some reindeer games, sir." Steve merely nodded and started back in the other direction. It was easy to come up with excuses now but soon she would be back in the Gift-wrap Battalion and Arthur would have actual things he had to accomplish. She hoped he gave up on the human before they really dug themselves in deep.

January 8th, 6:10 P.M. Chicago Apartment

Molly was simply mortified. It had taken a good five minutes before she stopped laughing so hard her sides hurt, ten before she could close her mouth, and thirty before the giggling stopped. It wasn't even all that funny. She blamed the stress. She'd finally cracked. Deep down though she seemed to realize how much she had needed that laugh and it had been so long since she had a good laugh that it caused that grotesque reaction.

He hadn't said anything though- he'd just laughed right with her. She could tell he didn't judge her for laughing at his expense. He seemed to find it just as funny as she had. He sat now on her couch with an ice pack on his black-and-blue knee as she made herself a coffee and him his usual hot chocolate. He had tried the coffee out only to spit it out into her face. That one she hadn't found funny at all, but boy did he.

As she set the cups down her phone started blaring "Last Christmas". It was the built-in ringtone and she had every intention of changing it when she got the first opportunity. She glanced at the screen: her boss. She felt her eyes go to Arthur and he just gave simple nod. Why was she being such a baby? She answered it.

The conversation was a blur. She couldn't even recall the answers she gave or the wording she used. But as she hung up a triumphant smile crossed her face. "I made partner! I did it!" Arthur was on his feet with a loud whoop and she hugged him.

A few moments into it she realized what exactly she was doing. She pulled away like she'd been burned and cleared her throat. But the damage was done- she could see it on his dopey face. Arthur knew she wasn't an Ice Queen- she could laugh and gave hugs! She'd be kicking herself for this one for a while. He'd probably chalk it up to brining Christmas spirit into her life. But even after he left she couldn't help but think that before he came into her life she hadn't hugged anybody since she was a kid. Maybe… no… it had been a small weakness. Arthur was NOT changing her. She refused to believe it, even though part of her refused to let go of the idea that it may be true.