Author's Note: This is a story about an OC and Bernard the head elf at Santa's workshop in the Santa Clause 1 and 2 movies. I've always been a fan of Bernard's since the first time I'd seen him in The Santa Clause. I just liked his uptight-ness but in general good natured demeanor, not to mention his cuteness ^^. I've had this idea in my head for awhile now and I really hope that you enjoy this story. CC is welcomed as always but flames are not so please do not leave them. The rating is more for safety because there will be some things that may not be suitable for children, such as some language, and maybe mild sensuality (very mild but still there). So, anyways, onto:

Chapter One

I had no idea, as I stocked shelves, took inventory, and helped hundreds of tourists find exactly what they needed to get their kids to stop throwing a fit, that I was going to meet the guy that was going to change my life. He came into the shop as I folded another shirt that was, once again, on the wrong table. It was over 95 degrees and everyone that came into the shop made me happy that I was in there and not outside. The AC was just the right temperature that didn't give off frost bite and yet wasn't stingy enough to not keep us cool.

I looked around the shop, thinking if I took in the local wildlife (the tourists), I could stave off my boredom. I happened to spot him by chance. He looked like a miserable bastard, then again the moron was wearing a long sleeved red shirt with some kind of gold design on it, green beret, and long, if not weird looking, dark green pants. From my angle I couldn't see his shoes but I wouldn't have been surprised to see boots or something like that. He was kinda cute and looked like he was in his early twenties like me. He wasn't that tall, maybe an inch or so taller than me, kinda thin looking from what I could tell, his hair was tight curls that just met his shoulders. I was concerned when I saw him look around the shop as if he was delirious, his face was sweaty and I could tell that from the other side of the shop, so that clearly set off alarm bells.

I didn't want to alarm the guy so I set down the shirt I had been “folding” for the past five minutes and gradually made my way across the room to where he was now leaning against a shelf, his face was red, wet, and he was panting. I was no doctor but I was positive that this was a bad sign.

“Hey buddy? You alright?” I asked once I was close enough to him to whisper so that I wouldn't draw attention. The last thing I wanted was a huge crowd of rubber neckers checking to see what was the matter and smother the guy.

“I'm a little hot right now. I wasn't prepared for the weather.” He said while wiping his face with a handkerchief, never thought I'd see a young guy using a hanky.

“I can see that. You want to come to the back and get some water maybe take a breather?” I knew it was against the rules to bring costumers to the back of the shop, but the guy looked like he was going to have a heat stroke if he didn't get something cool in his system.

“Please?” He looked up at me with these rounded brown eyes, boy was he a cutie, abet sweaty.

“Sure, come on. Try not to look suspicious, technically costumers aren't allowed in back.” I said while scanning the room, good sign, the bosses were all busy.

“Okay.” He followed me as quickly and quietly as possible, thankfully the costumers were distracted as well so they didn't stop me to ask questions about the merchandise.

With a glance over my shoulder, I opened the door that said EMPLOYEES ONLY waving a hand at him. Once he was in I shut the door. We had no official lounge, but we did have a water cooler, some lockers, and a love seat in the storage room where we could chill for fifteen minutes while on break, compliments all to a very nice night shift manager name Cheri.

“Look, you sit down there, and I'll get you some water.” Earlier that day, me and a few other co-workers found out that we were out of paper cups before water. Thankfully, the cups used for the coffee pot someone had brought in during Christmas last year (Only three weeks ago) worked just as well, just bigger.

I handed the cup over to him and watched as he guzzled down every drop, nearly coughing it all up at the end.

“Easy guy, easy. Feeling any better?” I took his cup and re-filled it.

Once I handed it back to him and he took a big swig, he answered, “I feel a little better. I just need to rest for a while.”

“And find some breathable clothes.” I couldn't resisted adding that little jab now that I was getting a real good look at his outfit. The shirt was made from what looked like velvet, we all know that velvet didn't exactly scream Florida. His pants were kind of goofy because they we high waters, not something I was used to seeing, with these criss-crossing laces on the sides and were of course, velvet material. The beret, well it could have been trapping heat in his head. The shoes though, they looked normal enough, but the way his socks were pulled all the way up (my guess was below the knee) made me think of my granddad. And he had this large tan satchel draped across his chest, how did I not see that? Probably because I was too worried the man was going to keel over.

“I'll have to find some after finding a place to live.” He said while he leaned back onto the arm of the couch, looking up at the ceiling while he brought the cup to his mouth again.

“New in town I'm guessing?”

“Yes, I only arrived about an hour ago. Been walking around the park trying to find a place that I could relax in and cool down without being forced into a line for a ride. And I was looking for someone who works somewhere, but I have no idea when and in what shop. I normally have all my information from the start, but...someone back home messed up and gave me the wrong shop. There are so many around here that I might not ever find the right one.” He was starting to look better, the red in his face went down, and after a few sips, and dabs of his handkerchief, his face wasn't soaked. His hair surprised me with how well it maintained it's curl in the heat and sweat, did this dude use some kind of industrial product or was his hair just extra resilient? The way he had talked about that someone made me think that it wasn't a person he liked.

“Who're you looking for, maybe I can help. I don't know everyone in the park, but I know some workers in this area.” I noticed his ear, the only one sticking out from under his dark hair, it was pointed like mine was. At the time I figured that he had the same disorder that made my ears pointed (which I came to find was not a disorder but that's for later). It really added to his overall cuteness, gave him this elf like quality.

“I doubt it, seems no one knows where I can find this girl.” He said dismally.

“Doesn't hurt to ask.” I pointed out and with a quick thought he looked at me and said,

“Okay, do you know a Jazzy Farris?”

That was strange to find out he was looking for me. No one ever was looking for me. I was the type of person that ended falling through the cracks, that people just didn't pay any attention to.

“Yeah, I know her.”

“You do! That's great, do you know where I can find her?” He asked eagerly as if I had just saved his life.

“Sure. Got a watch?”

“Yes.” He said, a questioning look crossing his features.

“Come swing by at five, that's when I get off. Then you'll be able to meet Jazzy okay?”

“Thanks a lot. This saves me some trouble. I've got only a year to get my work done so I need to speak to her right away.” He managed to get to his feet, I could see by the little sway that he was still dizzy.

“No problem buddy. But uh, can I ask why you want to see her? You know, in case she asks.” I don't know why I wanted to be all tricky and stuff, I guess it was because of the fact that I needed to get back to work and couldn't talk to him right now, and I wasn't entirely sure about this guy right off the bat so this way, I would have four more hours to think about whether to trust him, or blow him off if he didn't feel right.

“I've got a great job offer for her and I've only got from January 1st, which I had missed already because of late planning,” He rolled his eyes at that one, as if he was thinking about that someone who had given him the wrong information like he said, “to the second week of January next year. Not a whole lot of time to convince her.” He said as if a year was like a minute.

“Well, like I said, come back at five and I'll bring Jazzy okay? Before you go though, I'll grab a water bottle off the shelf and some clothes for you. Don't worry about money, I get a discount and just will tell them to take it out of my pay check. Just say right here and take it easy while I sneak back out. Be back in second.” I had to be careful going out. I know no one saw me going in, but if they saw me coming out they'd think I was taking an extra break (already had mine at lunch) and I didn't need them on my ass.

I opened the door barely a crack and peeked out. From what I could tell, everyone was still too involved with their tasks to be paying attention to anything outside their bubbles. Shutting the door behind me, I darted as quick as possible for the first t-shirt I saw, hopefully it would fit. Then, to make sure this guy didn't up and dehydrate again, I snagged, thankfully without being caught, a bright blue water bottle. Granted it wasn't washed, but I'm sure he wouldn't complain seeing as he was getting it for free and I would fill it up before he left. With a quick glance around I darted across the floor and to the back room once more where this potential heat victim was waiting.

“Here, you should invest in some sunscreen and more summer clothes. There's a small bathroom off to the right if you don't want to change your shirt in front of me. I'll top this off for you while you're changing.” I unscrewed the black cap from the bottle and began filling it. The guy seemed grateful for my offer at some privacy because he darted in there right after I offered it. Seemed like the type to be shy. Didn't know to many guys in Florida who cared too much about walking around shirtless, even if they didn't have the body for it. You got used to it though, eventually. Besides, the last thing I wanted was someone to come in while he was shirtless and see me and him together, y'know what I mean?

A few minutes or so later, he came back out in the Micky Mouse t-shirt I'd grabbed for him. I tried not to laugh when I saw just how large a shirt I'd grabbed. The sleeves went a fraction passed his elbows and if he reached his arms upward, you'd be able to see his sides through the holes where the sleeves were.

“Sorry it's so big. It was the first one I grabbed. Here's your water.” I handed him the bottle. “If they do spot us and think you're stealing, I'll tell them I've covered it. Are you sure you're feeling better?” I was always a natural worrier, couldn't help it. I liked to make sure everything was okay before I left it alone.

“Yes, I'm fine. Thank you so much, you've really helped me and I appreciate it. So, I'll come back at five and then you'll introduce me to Jazzy right?”

“You got it.” I felt kinda bad not telling him that I was Jazzy, but I didn't need him to get excited and start telling me all about this job thing he wanted to talk about, or worse have him get mad because I didn't tell him right away who I was. Can't be to safe in my opinion. But I got the vibe that this guy was on the level. I can't explain it, but when I looked at him, he had this innocence, like a kid sort of. I may not have liked kids all that much, but I did think they were pretty innocent at the least.

I ushered him out of the room quickly enough and the obliviousness of human kind never ceased to amaze me as we had yet to be discovered by anyone. I led him to the door.

“Okay, stay out of the sun alright. Find a nice cool place to sit and if you really can't find a place, come in here and pretend you're shopping, no one will know the difference.” I said with a smile.

“Alright. See you later.” He said and left.

It was kind of said that the only perk to my day was a guy who almost had a heat stroke. Funny how life works sometimes right?

Author's Note: The disclaimer is listed in my profile, as are all my disclaimers but I feel that with this particular story I'll be extra cautious by stating, I do not own The Santa Clause movies nor their characters, Disney does. Nor do I own Walt Disney world (which is where they are if you hadn't figured it out cause I know I was a bit vague), Disney owns that. Nor do I own Micky Mouse, again Disney. I am not making any money off of writing this story nor am I intending to infringe on any copyrights or onto any rights of right holders. I'm guessing you see the trend. Disney owns the fore mentioned. I only own Jazzy and possibly some other characters to come..

Anyways, hope that you liked this story. I know it's a little late for a Christmas story, but I had started it around Christmas, just didn't get it posted until now. Anyways, hope you like and please review as always.

Ps. I know that I've got other stories that I've said I will work on, and that this one was not on the list, but I really wanted to post this one. Don't worry though, I'm working on multiple stories at the moment so I hopefully will be able to take care of all the ones I want to get done.