A/N: In which we finally see Mab & Fia in the same room.
I'm considering moving my stories over to Adult Fan Fiction . net, so I don't have to worry about restrictions. However, I wanted to get your opinions first; either way will work out for me! So, thoughts?
angel2u: Yes, those talks are always such fun in real life. Not! Lol.
keacdragon: J Never met one yet that wasn't! Thanks a bunch!
Chapter XI
Bernard walked into the workshop and stopped. He scowled at the little faces all around him.
"Why is nobody working?"
He felt a tug on his sleeve, and when he looked down, he saw that the dark little elf doing the tugging was pointing to the far door.
"Aw, crap."
He hurried over to the far door, elves scattering in his wake, although he really wanted to be running in the opposite direction.
"Princess!" Green eyes glared daggers at him as his hand found the small of her back and began to steer her out. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"Bernard, I know she's here. I want to see her. Now."
"How did you even get here, Fi? You've been-"
"I had a good frickin' night, okay? I want to see my mom!"
He grimaced and nodded toward a chair in the room they'd just entered.
"Relax. I'll get her."
His queen smiled when she saw him.
"Your daughter would like to see you."
"She's here?" asked Santa, who'd been talking with Mab and his wife, Carol.
He nodded shortly, gritting his teeth.
"You should come meet your future daughter-in-law," Mab said with a feline smile.
Santa and Mrs. Clause shrugged at each other, and then stood.
"We've met," Carol reminded her, "But I'd like to see her again."
Bernard felt his stomach lurch, but led them all to the room in which he'd left the princess.
"I have some things I need to take care of – I'm afraid her highness gave the others a distraction that's keeping them from their work."
He hurried off before they could stop him, though he felt the Fae Queen's eyes staring at his back. No way was he getting caught in that train wreck.
Fia's eyes widened when Charlie's father and her former coach entered the room with her mother. She couldn't avert her gaze from Mr. Calvin, who, when she'd last seen him, looked dark, and young, and slim.
"Holy crap – you really do look like Santa now."
He beamed at her and leaned toward her, as if letting her in on a big secret.
"I am Santa."
She blushed and remembered his wife.
"Carol! So . . . weird."
"Yeah," the older woman said with a grin. "What are you doing here?"
Fia's eyes narrowed as she remembered her purpose, and she glared at her mother.
"What were you thinking?"
"Oh, hello, dear. I'm fine, thank you for asking. It's nice to see you looking so healthy. And able to travel such long distances. I wonder why you're suddenly feeling so much better?"
Fia growled and stomped her foot.
"Mother! I know you sent someone. Why can't you just let things happen?"
Mab's face set in an aggravated expression.
"You don't have time to let things happen. Besides, what's wrong with a little nudge in the right direction?"
"Things were going well! On their own! I don't want you to know every detail of my love life, and I don't. Need. Help. Stay out of it!"
Santa and Carol exchanged a bewildered glance.
"Aw, come on, Princess – she never asks me to do things for her. Gimme some brownie points here."
They turned to see a shirtless man, smirking, with his arms crossed over his chest.
Fia's expression became newly enraged.
"Puck? You sent Puck?"
Carol's mouth dropped open. "Puck? As in . . . Midsummer Night's Dream, 'Lord, what fools these mortals be,' Puck?"
He grinned and bowed to her.
"At your service, beautiful lady."
The Princess and Queen rolled their eyes at each other, and then the younger groaned.
"Both of you! All of you! Stay out of it! If Charlie wants me, then great. But if he doesn't, that's HIS CHOICE. STAY OUT OF IT!"
The door slammed shut behind her.
Did you make it?
Yeah, thanks for describing it for me.
How'd it go?
*groans* It was Puck. I don't wanna talk about it.
Okay.
Do you wanna go to the movies tonight?
Only if we're watching something good.
:-) It's a date.