Here we are! I'm so excited!

My first AU scene!

I hope I didn't mess it up! I separated this scene into different days leading up to Christmas, so it's formatted a little bit differently. Also, you'll be happy to hear that it'll be much longer than my usual scenes :)

For those of you who aren't familiar with the United States version of Santa Claus/Father Christmas/St. Nick/Kris Kringle/Sinterklaas/Noel Baba/Popo Gigio/Babbo Natale, I'll tell you now!

Santa is shown as a portly, jolly, white-bearded man, usually with glasses, wearing a red coat with white fur collar and cuffs, white-fur-cuffed red trousers, a red hat trimmed with white fur, a black leather belt and boots, carrying a bag full of gifts he gives to children.

He enters people's houses through their chimney while they sleep, puts presents under their Christmas tree, and fills their stockings with goodies.

He lives in the North Pole, and delivers toys to all the children in the world on Christmas Eve. He has the help of miniature people with pointy ears that make and wrap all the toys.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy it! Let me know what you think :) XD ;p

P.S. Sophie and Keefe call Santa Claus, "Mr. Kringle" after his alternate name "Kris Kringle"

December 22

"You sent for us Mr. Kringle?" Sophie said and straightened her red and green tunic. She'd chosen to wear red and white striped leggings with the tunic that day, hoping it made her look more professional. She even put earrings in the piercing at the helix of her pointy ears, which she still despised. Edaline convinced her to get them a year ago, and she hadn't been putting anything in them, hoping it would heal closed. No such luck.

Sophie clutched her clipboard of the progress the Elves had made that day. They almost reached their daily toy making target of 6,593,406. She was doing her best to make it all come together.

It was Sophie's third Christmas on the job as one of Santa's Top Elves. She'd been working in the Toy Department since she was five, and had been working toward this position ever since. You see, if humans were to walk into their world, they'd see a bunch of kids with pointy ears in costumes, working colorful equipment that would require an adult to manage.

But truth be told, they were the most successful market in all of the world! They even topped the Tooth Fairy for most joy spread around the world. Tooth wasn't that sore about it, but Santa gave her a new supply of Fairy Dust, so they were on good terms again.

Honesty, Santa believed that if kids were receiving gifts, then kids should be the ones to make them, so they knew what they wanted.

Imagine if you opened Santa's gift and found clothing.

Sophie shuddered just thinking about it.

Elven children weren't like human children. Elves had a higher intelligence in memorization and critical thinking, allowing them to complete their education before the age of five. And it's not like Santa forced them, they did it willingly to spread joy. After an Elf working for Santa reached the age of nineteen, they retired from work and enjoyed their days just living life!

Sophie had worked hard to become one of Santa's Top Elves, and she prides herself in becoming his Head of Toy Production. Her parents had been so happy.

She smiled thinking about what her parents, Grady and Edaline, were doing.

They were so proud when Sophie told them she got the position three years ago. She was only thirteen then, and it was an enormous honor, as Head of Toy Production was usually reserved for a senior elf, whom Santa hand picked.

Ever since then she'd had everything running smoothly, with only a few minor problems.

That was why she was so worried about Santa calling her to meet with him.

Christmas was only three days away, and she had a lot of last minute details to sort out.

"Ah yes, how are you Sophie?" Santa said with a smile.

"A little overwhelmed honestly. Population has gone up a lot, so there are more toys to make."

"Don't worry, I have confidence in you!" He said and put his hand on her shoulder. "Now where is that partner of yours?"

"He's probably sneaking some candy canes and gingerbread out of Fitz and Dex." She guessed.

"Maybe it wasn't the most wise idea to put his best friends in the Sweets department…" Santa mused, taking his hand off her shoulder to stroke his full white beard.

Sophie giggled.

"Don't worry Sa–Mr. Kringle, Biana would never let them have too much fun." Sophie assured him.

Biana had just gotten a position of Top Elf this year. She was the Head of the Sweets Department, and she took her job seriously.

"If there's something important you need to tell us, I can pass along the information to him, If you'd like." Sophie said, trying to get the meeting over with. She had too much work to stand around waiting for her partner to pick up his slack.

"I know you're anxious to get back in there, so I won't keep you wa–"

"I'm here! I'm here! Don't start without me!" Keefe said as he ran around the corner of Santa's office, towards them. His green tunic was wrinkled, and his elf hat was crooked, signs that he wasn't sneaking candy.

He just slept in.

Until noon.

"About time." Sophie mumbled.

"Keefe! Watch out!" Santa warned. "The train set!"

"Hugh?"

By the time Keefe realized what was happening, he'd already tripped on the toy train, and fell, full speed, into Sophie.

Sophie screamed as they toppled to the floor with a thud.

"Morning Foster," Keefe said with a smile.

"Keefe?" Sophie asked.

"Yeeeeeees?"

"Please get off of me."

Keefe had fallen into a crawling position on top of Sophie, with her in between his arms and legs. His face was dangerously close to hers.

"Oh! Sorry about that Foster." Keefe said and got up, offering her a hand.

"It's okay, just don't be late again." She accepted his hand and he pulled her to her feet.

Sophie heard muffled laughter from behind them.

So much for looking professional…

"I'm so sorry Mr. Kringle, It won't happen again." Sophie shot a glare at Keefe, and he smiled sheepishly.

"It's alright Sophie, these things happen."

Somehow she seriously doubted it.

"Was there something you wanted to tell us?" Sophie asked, straying to a safer subject.

"Ah, yes!" Santa said and gestured for them to sit in the seats across from his desk.

Sophie and Keefe sat down as he said, "We're not making toys fast enough to fill the population of kids this year, as you're well aware."

Sophie closed her eyes. She knew this was going to come up sooner or later. She opened her mouth to say something, but Keefe beat her to it.

"Mr. Kringle, we're doing all we can, but there aren't enough Elves to make the deadline for toys."

"I know you two are really trying, and you've been loyal to me for many years…but if you can't make this years' deadline, I'll have to give your position to someone who can make it happen. I'm really sorry, I would never hurt two of my favorite elves. I'll even put you in charge of the Gift Wrapping Department, Wylie's reaching the retirement age after Christmas. But I need to do what is best for the children…I hope you'll understand."

Sophie sat there.

Stunned.

Shocked.

Betrayed.

But nothing was as big as the rage she felt at the moment.

Sering, and bubbling inside her.

It wasn't her fault that there needed to be more toys made!

"Are you saying that you'll fire us from the Toy Department if we don't get you enough toys?" Sophie asked, hurt laced thick in her voice.

Keefe reached for her hand and squeezed it gently.

Sophie looked at him sadly.

They'd begun working for Santa at the same time, and have been childhood best friends since before they could walk.

They knew each other better than anyone…and even though Keefe was trying to look like it didn't bother him, Sophie knew this hurt him more than it hurt her.

Keefe's parents weren't the best at displays of affection, and often appeared nonchalant about almost everything. The position of Top Elf as Head of Toy Production meant everything to Keefe, because it meant he could help give joy to kids.

Joy he never had growing up.

Sophie straightened up and looked Kris Kringle/Santa Claus in the eye.

"You don't have to worry Mr. Kringle. We'll fill this year's quota, and every year after, no problem!"

December 23

"We still have 12,700,920 toys to make before Christmas! 'Take a break' are you insane!" Sophie said and continued painting the face of a doll.

"Um…are you okay?" Keefe asked, looking at her with concern.

"Me? Why wouldn't I be!? I only had to wake up at 3 O'clock in the morning so I could get an extra 2,000 teddy bears made! And 1,300 toy boats. And 800 dolls. And–"

"Sophie." Keefe said.

"Yes?" Sophie said in a worried tone.

She put the paintbrush down.

"You could've woke me up. I would have helped you! You're not the only one who has something to lose…"

Sophie sighed.

If only he knew that she was doing this for him…

"I didn't want to bother Ro. She can be pretty scary if you wake her up." Sophie said, referring to Keefe's older sister.

"All right…I get that…but wait for me tonight okay? Because I know you'll pull an all-nighter to get the toys done. The ones that we didn't make today that is." Keefe said. "Promise me okay? I'll even get Biana, Dex, and Fitz to come. It'll be like a little work party!"

"I'll try to remember." Sophie said and picked up the paintbrush, continuing what she'd been doing since early that morning. "Hey, I think we'd get a lot more toys done if I was making them too, instead of managing the Toy Department. Do you think you can handle that?"

Keefe smiled and nodded. "See you around Foster."

"Oh, could you also have all the Elves that are not managing the equipment make toys by hand? I know Stina's probably throwing a party right now instead of doing work…They won't get mad if you tell them to do it." Sophie said hesitantly.

"Foster, you don't have to worry about the toys. We'll get them all done. We haven't failed Santa before, right? And we won't start now." Keefe said and went to give her a hug. "Try to relax. Christmas is a time for joy! And you look like you've lost your Christmas spirit…"

Sophie pulled away and said, "Maybe I have, but Christmas spirit isn't going to make these toys."

"Maybe not, but try anyway okay?" Keefe looked at her with a look that she couldn't decipher.

"Alright. Now get out of here, I got work to do!" Sophei said and shooed him away.

Keefe laughed.

"See ya later Scrooge!"

Sophie smiled and continued her work.

December 24

"Okay everyone gather 'round!" Keefe said as he and Sophie stood in front of the Elves of the Toy making Department. Every year, on Christmas Eve, they gave a speech to inspire their department. It was a tradition that Keefe started accidentally.

Long story short, Sophie saved him from embarrassment, and gave a very inspiring speech.

"It's Christmas Eve! All our hard work is about to pay off tonight!" Sophie said and everyone cheered. She waited for them to calm down before saying, "I know it's been a stressful few days, but it's worth it right? Seeing the joy on the kids' faces when they get a new toy?"

Everyone grinned as they thought of the past memories of children all around the world opening their gifts.

"We're here to do that again." Keefe said. "We're Elves! It's what we were put on this earth to do. Other than partying, am I right Fitz?"

Fitz raised his glass of hot chocolate in agreement, as everyone chuckled.

"So let's make this happen! We have 7,000,000 more toys to make! We can do this! Together!" Sophie said and, once again, all the Elves in the room cheered with an overwhelming enthusiasm.

"Man, I love doing that!" Keefe said as everyone walked back to their stations and continued making toys.

With a newfound passion she might add.

"Me too…but we won't make Santa's quota if we stand around all day." Sophie patted Keefe on the shoulder and started walking towards the door.

"Where are you going?" Keefe asked.

"If everyone on here makes what we usually do everyday, then there's still 406,594 more gifts that need to be made."

Keefe grabbed Sophie by the arm and stopped her from walking away.

"Foster, you need to stop. You're working harder than everyone, including me, and it's not fair to you. I think you should let me make the toys and you should manage things here."

"Keefe, I don't have time for this!" Sophie said, getting frustrated, "If I don't get these toys made on time, we'll be fired!"

"You will?" A voice asked.

All the Elves in the Toy Department had stopped whatever they were doing and just stared at Sophie and Keefe.

Shock and worry were written all over their faces.

"You didn't tell us that…" Jensi said.

"Sophie, why didn't you tell us?" Marella said in frustration and concern.

Keefe stared at Sophie. "You didn't tell them?"

"I didn't want anyone to worry." Sophie said.

She was close to tears.

She couldn't believe her parents were here to watch this…and everyone else….

Sophie did the only thing she could think of.

She ran out of the building.

December 24, Later that day.

Sophie sat in the reindeers stables crying.

The reindeers were out training for the big flight they had in a few hours.

Technically no one was allowed in there, but Linh made an exception when she saw the look on Sophie's face. Linh insisted on comforting her, but Sophie said she needed to be alone.

The solitude helped, but it also gave her clarity to remember every humiliating detail of the fiasco that occurred only an hour ago.

"Foster?" A voice said, spoiling her pity party.

"Keefe?"

Sophie looked up and saw Keefe standing above her.

He crouched down so they were the same height and said, "I've been looking for you everywhere! Sophie, what are you doing? We still have time to get the toys done. You should see how fast everyone's working!"

Sophie sniffed. "What do you mean 'everyone'?"

"I mean, you have a lot of people who care about you Sophie. And they're really showing it tonight!" Keefe grinned, stood up, and offered her a hand. "It'll be better if I just show you."

"I-I don't know what to say…" Sophie said.

She stood, literally speechless, looking at the scene in front of her in awe.

The Toy Department was packed, with elves from every department, working faster than lightning.

She saw Maruca, Whylie, Tam, Biana, Linh, and even Stina, working as fast as they could.

"They're all here for you Foster…" Keefe said.

Sophie laughed. "And what about you?"

"Eh, I'm just a bonus." Keefe joked and shrugged.

Sophie nodded, fake serious.

"Come on, let's get to work!" Keefe said.

He grabbed her hand, and they ran to the nearest toy station.

"1,999,999,998." Sophie and Keefe counted each toy as it was placed into Santa's sleigh. They were getting more and more excited with each passing toy.

"1,999,999,999."

"2,000,000,000!"

Every single Elf in the North Pole cheered as Sophie and Keefe sealed Santa's bag.

"We did it Foster! We're back in business!" Keefe grabbed Sophie and spun her around.

"We sure did!" Sophie laughed.

December 25

"Go on, open it." Keefe said, referring to the present in Sophie's hands.

Sophie and Keefe were sitting in a secluded part of the Town Square, where all the Elves were gathered to watch the children open their presents. A live feed was posted on the big screen that was suspended in the air.

"Keefe…I didn't get you anything…I was so busy that I–" Sophie started.

"It's okay Foster. Really." Keefe said and smiled sweetly at her. "Now go on, I know you're dying to see what Lord Hunkyhair got you!"

Sophie grinned and ripped the wrapping paper open.

Then she gasped.

In the present was a drawing of Sophie. She was sitting on a bench making a toy duck. Her eyes were narrowed in concentration, and her hands were steadily painting it yellow. It was so realistic, that she had to wonder how long he was there. Just looking at her, while painting the picture.

How did she not notice that?!

"Keefe…It's beautiful. I love it!" Sophie said and gave him a hug.

Keefe laughed. "I'm glad you do."

After that they just sat there in comfortable silence, watching children enjoy all their hard work.

Then, Sophie was struck with an idea for a Christmas present for Keefe.

It was risky…but she had to give it a try.

"Merry Christmas Keefe." Sophie said.

Then she leaned closer to Keefe, and gave him a quick peek on the cheek.

Keefe's eyes widened and he whipped his head around to look at her.

"Foster?"

"Yes."

He grinned and kissed her on the lips.

Out of all the Christmases Sophie had experienced, this one was, by far, the best ever.

Soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo? What do you think?

I hope I did okay…I know a lot of you were imagining a grumpy Sophie being dragged along Christmas adventures with Keefe…but when I thought about this scene…well…this is what I thought of!

Also, I'll make sure to get that scene out to you L'Oracle de Delphe, but it might be a good idea to remind me XD!

Anyways I hope you enjoyed reading this scene as much as I enjoyed making it!

Here are your review reacts! Written with extra Christmas cheer! (AKA lots of exclamation points!) 0-0 :} 'o'

bob - I don't know exactly what you were imagining when you said 'sandor and grizel' but I hope you liked 'Spies'!

L'Oracle de Delphe - Okay, I just have to say thanks for commenting so much! Those are my favorite ideas too! :) :) :)

secret person - Okay so I have NO IDEA how you guys have all these great ideas! I would've never thought to add Lady Gisela in the Sokeefe scenes!

Guest - *Sigh* I know…It's just that I don't want to skimp you guys out on a good story! But you're right…thanks for the pep talk!

I hope you're not too busy with Christmas stuff to read this scene!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Bbbbbbbbbbbbbbyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!