Freddie slipped into her father's store like a wraith and began emptying her almost overflowing pockets on the counter, her eyes gleaming with glee. Christmas was indeed the most wonderful time of the year!

"Dad will be so happy when he gets here!" she told herself, relishing the idea of finally pleasing him, "I bet I outdid Mal and Jay on this run!"

"Aren't you going to watch the concert?" Ginny asked, suddenly appearing on the other side of the counter, startling the witch doctor's daughter.

"Nope! I'm skipping it this year." Freddie's replied, receiving another thrill by her act of disobedience, "What's Beastie boy gonna do about it anyways?"

"True that!" Ginny agreed, her eyes lighting up, "Hey, I think I'll do it too!"

"What are you doing here?"

"I came to get mom's order," Ginny answered.

"Right-o," Freddie nodded; spinning on her heels and disappearing into the backroom. She emerged a few minutes later with three little jars, "Here you go. Tell her that my dad liked the flowers she sent over last week. He says they were very hypnotic."

"Will do," Ginny turned with wave, a sly smile faintly tugging on her lips as she disappeared into the alley.

"Now, where was I—" Freddie's voiced died into a gasp, "Why, that little sneak! She stole my loot!"

"Freddie!" Dr. Facilier suddenly flung the curtain aside, giving his daughter no time to react, "What did you bring me tonight, my pet?" He glided up to the counter, surveying it's barrenness."Nothing!" he gasped, "Freddie, Freddie, how will you ever receive your grandmother's inheritance if you can't even be trusted with a little pick pocketing? Why, as I was coming here, I saw Jay with a whole cart full of loot!"

"That, my dear, is a cart that Jafar will sell and I will not!"

"Ginny just stole what I brought in!" she protested, hot and trembling with rage.

"Tut, tut," Dr. Facilier shook his head, "More for Jafar and less for me. That's all I can see!"

"But, dad!"

"No buts!" he scolded, towering over her and looking severe, "or I may send you to see our friends on the other side!" He drummed his fingers on the counter, "You must retrieve what you say Ginny stole; it is the only way to placify our friends."

Freddie bit her lip to keep from rolling her eyes; no one could ever convince him that the old magic didn't work on the Isle.

"Alright, fine!" she answered, stubbornly puffing out her chest with a confidence that she didn't feel, "I'll do that. You just wait right here and I'll do that. You'll see! If I'm not back with the goods in an hour, then you can go ahead and call your friends!"

She spun on her heels and sauntered through the curtain, her confident facade holding until she was out of sight. Then she fiercely kicked some loose gravel.

Now what?

"At least I don't have to worry about his friends," she muttered, wandering into a side alley, "If I hadn't been so stupid, I could just sneak into Gothel's tower while they're watching the Christmas concert!"

"And what are you doing out here, Freddie?" a low voice asked, making her jump.

"None of your bus—" Freddie snapped, whirling around before the words died on her lips, "Yen Sid!"

"The concert is a requirement," the old wizard pointed out.

"I don't care—I'm in big trouble with dad if I don't get back the—the stuff Ginny stole from me."

"Why don't you go to the concert and I'll see what I can do." he offered.

She cracked up, "Seriously, old man? Why would you do that for me?"

"Because it is within my power to do so…" He winked and disappeared, leaving her very confused.

**oo**

"I'll never forget that," Freddie recalled, smiling softly, "He butted into my business just because he wanted to help."

"Later on," she added, "he told me that that's what ya'll you do over here, but I didn't believe him until I got here."