Storiesonline.net
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                                Elf Magic
                                 by Eon

Copyright© 2005 by Eon


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Description: A year ago on Christmas, Winter lost the man she loved in a tragic accident. Alone, she enjoys very little. Then one night a man appears in her kitchen, claiming to be an elf. Kieran is an elf, but not your typical Santa's Little Helper. He is a black elf, the outcast of his kind. Winter's need brings out a side of him he never knew existed, the side that reveals to him exactly why he's an outcast. Something that will bring both Kieran and Winter the hope and love they need so desperately.

Codes: MF rom cons mag het pett
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The sign on the wall read "Believe In Elves... Or Else!" But the work shop was mostly empty at this hour. The only two occupants were much absorbed in on another. Red hair spilled across the dark mahogany of a table at one of the many work stations. Soft giggles filled the air, punctuated with the occasional moan or squeal. The table rocked with the motions of two bodies coming together over and over again. Wood clattered as several pieces of an unfinished toy rocking horse fell onto the floor.

The moans became louder, then became cries. They reached a peak where they were at their loudest, then faded off into pleased sighs. With a soft grunt a dark-haired male pushed himself up off the petite red-headed female beneath him. He tucked a strand of sweat-dampened hair behind the point of his ear and stood, pulling his pants back up. The female elf stood up and pulled down her short red dress, smoothing it over her slender form.

"See you later, Kieran," she said, giggling softly and wiggling her fingers at him. "And thanks."

"Not a problem," Kieran replied, grinning.

The female elf, Kyndi, was currently his favorite to spend time with. Sure, she was a complete bubble head, but what a body! He watched her until she had left the work room and waited a few minutes before leaving himself. Kieran had only taken one step out into the cold, snow-draped landscape when he felt, rather than saw, a presence come up beside him. Turning, he put on a sheepish grin. It always amazed him that a short, jolly fat man could seem so big and scary.

"Uh, hey, Santa," Kieran said, laughing nervously. "I was uh... just checking that everything was um... cleaned up properly... in the workroom... you know..."

Santa scowled. "I'm sure it's very tidy under Kyndi's skirt. Come with me."

Kieran yelped as Santa caught his ear in a strong pinch and tugged him along. He had to walk bent over, so much taller was he than the old man. Elves weren't the tiny little child-like waifs that humans thought they were, although admittedly he was even taller than the average elf. And where they had blonde hair or red, Kieran's hair was as black as night. He struggled as Santa pulled him into the main house but was unable to break the old man's grip, despite the fact that he was easily stronger than other elves, too.

"Ow!" Kieran muttered, rubbing his ear when he was at last let go. "Sheesh, you're even moodier than Mrs. Clause when this time of year comes around!"

"Enough!" Santa snapped. "When are you going to start acting your age?"

"Aw, come on," Kieran whined. "I'm only three-hundred and twenty-two! Just a babe yet!"

Santa glared at him so fiercely that he sobered quickly, straightening up to his full height. Kieran followed him into the central room of the house, where a large, brass framed mirror stood, reaching up almost all the way to thatched ceiling. Santa walked over to it and rested thick fingers against the surface of the glass. Kieran followed him, peeing over his shoulder as smoke began to swirl within the glass.

"I have a task for you," Santa said.

Kieran grinned. "More hikers get lost? I love it when they do that, it's great to do something other than muck reindeer sh-"

"Kieran!" Santa snapped warningly. "Not hikers, boy. Look."

Kieran looked into the glass as the smoke began to clear, revealing a picture. A young woman stood out among others standing beside her. She had pale hair, white-blonde like a child's, and a narrow, pixie-ish face with eyes of cool gray that were a bit too large for her face. Despite being rather plain, there was something attractive about her nonetheless. Perhaps it was that gloriously sensual mouth. Even though Kieran could hear nothing, he could tell by the movement of her lips that she was singing.

"A human?" Kieran asked, glancing at Santa.

"Winter Anthony," Santa replied. "For twenty-two years a believer in the magic of Christmas. But not this year. She is alone and her belief in magic has faded."

"Isn't she the one who burns her cookies every year?" Kieran asked. "The reindeer love those things, although personally I think they taste like rocks."

Santa glared at him.

Kieran shrugged. "So what do you want me to do?"

"Help her," Santa said simply. "Help her gain her confidence back. Help her meet people."

"I'm not a match maker," Kieran said, scowling. "This isn't my job. Why do you want me to do it?"

"Because I said so," Santa growled, his usually merry blue eyes narrowing in annoyance. "If you've got enough free time to be chasing skirts then you can make yourself useful."

"I can't stand talking to humans," Kieran complained. "They all think elves are little goody-goody toy makers! And the sunlight..."

"Go when the moon is high and return here to you duties when it sets," Santa said. "I'll have no arguments of you. Now go!"

Kieran scowled, but turned and left the main house all the same. He'd better get to work now if he was leaving when the moon came up. He was a black elf; a variety so rare among his kind that one was born only every several centuries and there were usually never more than two at a given time. Most of his time was spent in the reindeer stables, taking care of them. Black elves didn't make toys. Kieran did have another job, but it was one he wasn't able to put to use as much as he would like.

The stables were dim and smelled strongly of musk. A small, slender slip of an elven boy was struggling with an overflowing wheelbarrow. Waylan was the other black elf that currently lived, but he was much younger than Kieran, having been born a mere fifteen years ago. He looked no older than five or six but already he was learning what would eventually be his full-time duties. Waylan looked up when Kieran walked in and smiled brightly.

"I was just getting ready to feed them," Waylan said in his high, squeaky voice.

"Go get the feed ready," Kieran told him, reaching out for the wheelbarrow. "I'll take this for you."

Waylan grinned and ran off. He was small, smaller even than the other elves his age, but he was a hard worker and enthusiastic. Kieran sighed, glancing down at the hands that gripped the wheelbarrow; calloused and scarred from all his years of labor. It saddened him a bit that someone was bright as Waylan would have to be stuck in this lifestyle for centuries until another one like him came along.

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"Silent night... holy night... all is calm... all is right... 'round young virgin mother and child... holy infant so tender and bright..."

Winter finished the solo she was assigned and allowed her voice to fade into the harmony of the rest of the group. They finished the song together, sounding as one voice. The teacher was pleased with how well they sounded, but Winter didn't stick around to hear any of her compliments. She stepped down from the choir bench and went to retrieve her bag. They were all getting ready for the Christmas show their school put on for terminally ill children every year.

What a depressing way to celebrate Christmas, Winter thought, sighing heavily. Not that I feel like being happy, anyway. She pulled on her heavy, fleece-like coat and zipped it up. It had been quite a cold winter this year. She walked as she pulled her gloves on, having to cut through the room the dancers' occupied to get through to the hall. Winter had thought it would be a great thing, going to a school solely for the performing arts, but like community college before it, this was not the huge improvement on high school that people kept insisting it was.

"Winter! Hey, Winter!"

Winter winced, coming to a halt and going rigid. She glanced across the floor to where three girls, three lovely blondes, to be precise, were huddled together around a radio. One of them, the one with the most orange fake tan, was waving at her, smiling in a deceptively sweet way. God, her boobs are spilling out of that top, Winter thought, fighting the urge to roll her eyes. And that's insane, cause I didn't know fakes could do that. She put on an equally sweet smile.

"Can I help you, Jessica?" Winter asked, through gritted teeth.

"Sweetie," Jessica cooed. "We were just hoping you won't wear something freaky to the show and embarrass the whole school."

Winter put her hands on her hips. "Well, why don't you show me what you're wearing? So I know what you mean by freaky."

Jessica huffed, as though she were speaking to the stupidest person in the world. Her friends giggled, throwing each other looks as she reached into her bag and pulled out a short, skimpy looking red dress. This show is for kids, Winter thought, feeling her head start to ache. Why do they have to be such whores?

"Cute!" a male dance student called. "What's the name of your performance this year?"

"We haven't decided yet," Jessica called back. "Any suggestions?"

"I've got one," Winter said brightly. "How about 'Ho, Ho, Ho?'"

She turned on her heel and left before Jessica and her friends could figure that one out. Winter was so sick of people like here. Oh, sure, there weren't too many of them anymore, but even a few of them were annoying. She ignored all of the people swirling around her as she headed down the hall and made her way outside. Wind swirled her hair around her, tugging like playful fingers, and nearly pulled her scarf off. Winter grabbed hold of it, almost smiling.

The road was icy, making the drive home slow and arduous. By the time she had reached her apartment, she wanted nothing more than to curl up in bed. It was still early yet, only six-thirty in the evening, but already it was growing dark. Winter clutched her backpack to her chest and huddled over against the wind as she made her way up from the parking lot. Her cold fingers could barely get the keys from her pocket and into the door of her apartment.

Once inside she didn't even bother to turn on the lights. Winter dropped her backpack in the middle of her floor, following it with her scarf and her coat. Shivering, she stripped down to a t-shirt and jeans and dropped down onto her bed. She wrapped herself up in the warm, home-made quilt her mother had given her years ago and reached out, grabbing a picture frame that sat on the table beside her bed.

"Good night, Reese," Winter murmured, before setting the picture down again.

Her apartment was chilly, but she was warm inside the quilt. Wrapped up tightly in it, she drifted into an uneasy sleep. Her nights were always haunted with bad dreams that made her toss and turn, tangling her in her blankets. Usually Winter woke, struggling to breath through the blankets wrapped around her. She thought that was what woke her up this time, too, until another faint thumb reached her ears.

Laying still, she strained her ears to hear whatever sounds would follow. But for long minutes she heard nothing, and soon she began to believe she had been dreaming. Winter closed her eyes and was just drifting off again when another loud thump reached her. It was followed by the crashing of metal and a voice, deep and male, cursing loudly. She leapt up out of her bed, nearly falling on her face as the sheets caught up around her legs. Winter grabbed hold of the single metal bat she kept in her place, meant for protection, and crept towards the kitchen.

"Damnit!" the voice growled. "That is the very last time I travel to any place without a chimney!"

Winter blinked. Frowning, she tiptoed up to the doorway of the kitchen and peered in. Standing in the middle of the room amid a scattering of pots and pans was a tall, slender man she knew she'd never met before. The cupboard that usually held her pots and pans was open, as well, which she found really odd. Winter studied the strange man, wondering what to do. He had long, dark hair that had been pulled back into a braid, which was odd enough. His clothes, a green-tunic and red hose, were even stranger. And was she imagining it, or did he have pointed ears?

The man turned around at last and caught sight of her. "Oh, hello. Did I wake you?"

Winter stared. The man had a thin, elegant face, with high cheekbones and smooth skin like a boy's. Facing forward, she could see that he really did have pointed ears. This is some truly strange dream I'm having, she thought, reaching a hand up to rub her head.

"I hope you're not going to try to hit me with that," the man went on. "I'm here to help, after all. Name's Kieran. I'm an elf."

Winter laughed. "Okay, now I know I'm dreaming."

"Not at all," Kieran assured her. "Santa sent me down here to help you."

Snorting, Winter rolled her eyes and turned away. I'm going back to bed, she thought. Maybe I ate something bad today. Even I never have dreams this weird. But she was awfully lucid for this to be a dream. She heard footsteps behind her, following her, and then strong fingers closed around her upper arm, forcing her to a halt.

"Hey!" Winter snapped, whirling to face the stranger.

She glanced down at the hand holding onto her. Instead of slender, delicate fingers, like she would have expected of a so-called elf, his hands were covered in calluses and scars. Kieran, as he'd called himself, flushed and let go of her, locking his hands behind her back. The jig is up, "elf", Winter thought, smiling to herself.

"I didn't know Santa's elves did hard labor," she commented, her eyes narrowing.

Kieran laughed sheepishly, his green eyes swirling with gold flecks. "I uh... take care of the reindeer. I mean... someone's got to do it... it's a really important job."

"Whatever," Winter muttered, turning again. "Get out of my house before I call the... eeek!"

She stared at Kieran, dumbfounded, then turned and peered behind herself. The doorway of the kitchen was empty. Winter looked forward again and found Kieran watching her, his arms folded and his lips curled in a smirk. This isn't happening, she thought, biting her lip. I'm... dreaming. Or hallucinating. She took a step back, and then another, reaching backward for the phone that hung on the wall in her kitchen.

"Get out," Winter said, her voice shaking. "I'm serious... I will call the police."

"And tell them what?" Kieran asked, his eyebrows raising. "That there's an elf in your living room?"

"Get out!" Winter snapped.

Kieran held his hands up. "All right, all right, fine. I'll try again tomorrow night."

"Like hell you..."

Winter's voice trailed off as she stared at the spot where Kieran had been. Reaching up, she rubbed her temples with fingers that trembled. That's it, she thought, shaking her head as she padded back across the room to her bed. I've finally gone completely out of my mind. Winter dropped down onto her bed with a groan, and reached her hand out, touching the picture frame on her night table. I miss you so much, she thought, that I'm hallucinating elves in my kitchen. She sighed, letting her hand fall, as sleep rose up to consume her once again.

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Kieran studied the crowd of people in the auditorium; many of them were children. I can't believe I have to do this, he thought, folding his arms. A week until Christmas and I'm here, trying to get a stubborn female human to listen to me. He wanted to be back home, keeping the female elves company during their breaks. Kieran leaned against the wall and sighed. He kept himself invisible for the time being; if Winter saw him right now she'd probably flip out.

Damn harpy, he thought, rubbing his head. He had a bruise on his shoulder where she'd hit him with a bat. After two strikes, Kieran had decided he wouldn't wait until she was sleeping to approach her. But now he had to sit through this damn Christmas show. He'd seen a few little performances already, and had only enjoyed one; three blonde women dancing around in short skirts. I guess humans have some good things, Kieran thought, smiling to himself.

A group of women and men, dressed in long white robes, filed onto the stage. He had no problem picking Winter out in the crowd. Curious, he watched her closely. Music started up, and the group began to sing. They were good, Kieran could admit that. But it was Winter who took his breath away when she sang solo. Her voice was clear, reminding him of the mornings back home, when the air was cold and crisp and everything was still. He closed his eyes and her voice seemed to take him away from the hot, stifling auditorium.

Kieran listened intently through the whole performance, but felt back into his torpor as soon as Winter was off stage. He didn't perk up again until she and her choir came back out for the grand finale. Humans don't see the magic in the world, he thought, but there's magic here tonight. The children felt it; Kieran could see it in their faces. Winter's voice was magical and everyone in the room could feel it.

He crept out of the auditorium when the show was over. Kieran waited outside in the parking lot for Winter. It was fifteen minutes, perhaps twenty before she emerged, followed closely by the three blondes. He stared at them; they wore coats, but that didn't cover their legs. His attention didn't linger on them for long, though. Winter had spotted him and her icy gray eyes narrowed on him.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded as she approached.

Kieran winced. "Uh... Winter, there's something you should know..."

"Don't even try it," Winter growled. "I told you to leave me alone!"

"Winter, who are you talking to?"

Winter stiffened. She turned slowly to face the three blondes, looking like she was turning to face death itself. Kieran stepped up behind her, looking curiously at the blondes. He wanted to ask who they were, but somehow he doubted now was the time. The middle blonde, who seemed to be the ringleader, was smirking.

"You... you can't see him?" Winter stammered, her face paler than usual.

"Him?" the blonde tittered. "Have you got yourself an imaginary boyfriend now?"

Winter leaned back. The tenseness in her shoulders increased when she came in contact with him. Somehow I doubt this will endear me to her, Kieran thought, bringing his hands down to rest on her shoulders. But I have an idea... She turned her head slightly, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye. Fire blazed in those gray coronas. Winter was seriously pissed.

"You know, I have another job," Kieran told her.

"You're suited for something other than shoveling shit?" Winter growled through gritted teeth.

Kieran chuckled. "Just watch."

He let go of her and walked over to the blondes, moving around behind them. Winter watched him closely, her eyes wary. Kieran took a deep breath, then let it out. He could see it, and he suspected that she could too; the stream of vapor he exhaled from his lungs. It swirled around the three blondes and where they stood the air became very cold. In seconds their teeth were chattering and they were stomping their feet, trying desperately to stay warm. The leader tried to give one last wapish comment, but her teeth chattered too much for it.

Despite herself, Winter was laughing as she watched the blondes hurry away. Kieran walked back to her, grinning smugly.

"You owe me one for that," he said.

"All right," Winter sighed. "Get in the car. We'll talk. And could you become visible?"

"In these clothes?" Kieran asked.

"You're an elf," Winter snapped, going around to unlock her car. "Use some magic!"

Kieran shrugged and concentrated for a moment. He changed into jeans and a t-shirt, like he'd seen other humans wear. Then he slid into the car and fiddled with the seatbelt until Winter let out a frustrated growl and helped him get it on. She turned the heat all the way up and played with the radio dials as she got into the queue heading out of the parking lot.

"So, what was that?" Winter asked, shooting him a sidelong glance. "That thing you did?"

Kieran grinned. "Haven't you heard of Jack Frost? Of course, my name is Kieran, not Jack. I guess Jack is easier for humans to say."

"I wasn't aware that Jack Frost mucked the reindeer stables," Winter muttered.

"Yeah, people don't get frost bite like they used to," Kieran sighed. "But I'm a black elf. We're no good at making toys, so we're regulated to stable duty."

"Black elf?" Winter peered at him, then shook her head. "No, I don't want to know. This hallucination is too detailed as it is. Why are you here?"

Kieran laughed. This human was going to prove to be particularly stubborn. At least he would have some fun, he hoped. Maybe even some real fun, he thought, studying her out of the corner of his eye. If the female elves are off bounds, a human might be a nice change of pace... But he doubted Santa was going to like that one bit. Kieran sighed and turned his attention back to the business at hand.

"I'm not really sure," Kieran admitted. "Well, Santa said I was supposed to try to help you... you know, interact and stuff. You don't seem to have any friends."

"I don't seem to want any," Winter muttered.

"Well, it's my job to change that," Kieran said brightly. "So, any good clubs or anything around here?"

"I don't know," Winter said. "And I don't care."

"Start caring," Kieran said. "Santa gave me a job and I intend to see it through."

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"I really don't think this is a good idea."

The elf she had hallucinated had not gone away. She'd woken up the morning after his first appearance to find her pots and pans scattered around the kitchen. Now Winter walked beside him, reluctantly, as they walked up to the club he'd chosen. She was shivering, her legs freezing cold. The dress Kieran had brought for her was a short little silvery number that she thought didn't look right on her.

"We're trying to get you a date," Kieran said. "Try and look a little less like you're going to bite a man's head off."

"I'm going to bite yours off in a second," Winter growled. "Why do we have to do this? And why am I talking to a crazy man who thinks he's an elf?!"

"You know I'm an elf," Kieran said, glancing at her. "You've seen the magic I can do."

Winter mumbled something incoherent. The last thing she wanted to admit was that he was right. Or that he's good looking, she thought, biting her lip. Upon her suggestion he had changed from the braid to a ponytail and he was wearing a winter coat, tan and lined on the inside with dark blue fleece. The simple black t-shirt and jeans he wore looked good on him. When Winter had questioned him about all the black clothes, Kieran had told her that Santa never allowed him to wear anything but red and green.

It doesn't sound any less crazy in my head, she thought, giving herself a shake. She huddled close to Kieran's side as they headed into the club, feeling her throat close as they walked right into a large crowd. Trying to fight off her claustrophobia, Winter followed him to a table and sat down, huddling in the chair and refusing to take her coat off. Kieran took off his and remained standing, looking over the crowd.

"Hey, he's not bad looking," Kieran said, pointing into the crowd. "Why don't you ask him to dance?"

"He's bald," Winter pointed out. "And I don't dance."

Kieran sighed and continued looking. "What about him?"

"Who?" Winter asked, standing up. "Him? He looks like a Backstreet Boy!"

"You sure are picky!" Kieran laughed.

A smile tugged at the corners of Winter's mouth. "Damn straight."

Winter leaned against the railing beside Kieran and looked down at the dance floor. These people look happy, she thought, sighing heavily. I'll never be that happy again. She jumped as she felt hands come down on her shoulders and looked up at Kieran. He removed her coat before she could protest. Winter folded her arms over her chest, feeling uncomfortable in the short dress.

"Come on," Kieran said. "Let's dance."

Winter rolled her eyes. "I told you, I don't dance!"

Kieran grabbed her hand, prying her arms away from her body. She shrieked as he tugged her along, towards the stairs leading down to the dance floor. She struggled to keep up with him, nearly falling over in the heels she was wearing, which felt so unfamiliar to her. Winter stumbled as they hit the dance floor and felt forward, but Kieran caught her, dragging her close. She straightened and tried to pull away from him, but his hands were strong around her waist.

"I said no!" Winter hissed, glowering at him.

"Why not?" Kieran asked. "Come on, it's fun!"

Winter sighed. She looked down, keeping her voice low as she spoke. "I can't dance."

"Sure you can," Kieran said brightly.

Winter squeaked in surprise as he spun her around. She felt horribly clumsy on her feet and nearly fell once more. A strong arm wrapped around her waist, while fingers twined around hers. She fell against him, wobbling in her heels. Kieran's laughter was soft, but not mocking.

"Come on," he said softly. "Dance like nobody's looking!"

She took a deep breath, trying to decide if she should go with it or punch him in the face. He's just trying to help, she told herself, without much effect. After all, it made no sense for one of Santa's elves to be helping her. And for more than just the obvious reasons, Winter thought wryly. She opened her mouth to say something, and paused. The music had caught her attention.

"What is this?" Kieran asked.

"Skindred," Winter replied, grinning. "It's like... heavy metal reggae/rock... I love it."

"Well, that's a good place to start," Kieran said, spinning her again.

Winter shrieked, then broke into laughter. She couldn't help it; this music always seemed to cheer her up. She was still laughing as Kieran swung her around and into his arms. Forgetting that she was in a club full of people, she relaxed and let herself have some fun. It amazed her that Kieran could dance as well as he could. Winter suspected that there was some magic going on, but she was too caught up to care.

"Can I cut in?"

Blinking, she glanced sideways. A man, maybe a couple of years older than she was, with short, dark brown hair and bright blue eyes, was standing beside them. Winter could only stare at him blankly, but Kieran took charge, pushing her towards the strange man. He caught her and flashed her a dimpled smile that was, admittedly, rather charming. He wound an arm around her waist and dragged her close, a lot closer than she was really comfortable with.

"I'm Joe," the man said, smiling down at her. "What's your name, cutie?"

"Uh... Winter," she stammered uncertainly.

Joe's eyebrows raised. "Winter? That's an intriguing name..."

I don't like this one bit, Winter thought, forcing a smile to her lips. For some reason these guy just seems kind of slimy. The song they were dancing to was a bit slower, and he kept trying to grind his hips into hers. She glanced around, trying to catch sight of Kieran, but he wasn't anywhere to be seen. Joe pulled her closer again, catching her attention, and Winter looked up at him.

"What say we go back to my place and get to know each other better?" Joe suggested, leaning close.

"I don't think so," Winter said, pulling back.

"Why not?" Joe asked, reaching for her.

Winter pulled her wrist out of his reach. "I don't know you."

"That's why I said we should get to know each other better," Joe said, grinning lasciviously. "Come on, cutie, you'll like it."

Winter was ready to hit him, but she never got the chance. Movement in the crowd caught her attention and then suddenly she was in Kieran's arms. Looking up at him, she was surprised by the chill in his bright green eyes. Glancing at Joe, she saw him start to shiver and rub at his arms, where goosebumps were rising. Winter huddled closer to Kieran and Joe apparently took that as his clue to go away.

"I hate guys like that," Winter muttered, rolling her eyes.

"Me too," Kieran agreed.

Winter's eyebrows raised. "You mean to tell me you aren't like that? That you're different?"

"Of course not!" Kieran replied brightly, his eyes sparking with mischief. "I'm worse!"

Winter found herself laughing again. Somehow Kieran's lecherous nature came across more as pleasant fun than anything else. He wasn't anything like she would ever imagine one of Santa's elves being, but somehow she didn't doubt that he was one. It was more than just his appearance, or the bits of magic he did. For some reason, when Winter settled in his arms to continue dancing, she just knew there was something special about him.

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Kieran's first attempt to help Winter find a social life had been rather unsuccessful. The one other guy she'd danced with had been a total creep. I suppose it didn't help matters much that I couldn't stop myself from dancing with her, he thought, rolling his eyes at himself. I just can't help it. Where Kieran came from, everyone was always happy (if, in Santa's case, a little grumpy). Winter was so sorrowful. She didn't realize that he noticed, but he could always see pain in her pale gray eyes.

When he'd gone to track Winter down, he'd been surprised at where he'd found her. She was outside, sitting atop a metal structure in the middle of what had once been a small playground. Looking around, Kieran saw other remnants of playground toys amid the overgrown weeds. Moldy bits of wood surrounded what might have once been a sandbox, and made up shed at one end. Next to it was an old red building, boarded up and dilapidated. This is sad, Kieran thought, as he made his way over to Winter.

"Christmas in the playground of memories," Winter murmured as he got close. She turned to face him, tucking a strand of pale hair behind her ear. "Hello, Kieran."

"What is this place?" Kieran asked, as he climbed up onto the metal structure and sat down beside her.

"It used to be a preschool," Winter replied. "Although it's been like this for years now. I went here when I was really little."

Kieran nodded. "What are you doing out here?"

"Remembering," Winter said simply. She pointed to the wooden shed. "There was a nest of bees in there once. No one would go in it. And this thing here?" She patted the metal structure beneath them. "I was stung by a bee up here. I was hanging upside down, and I felt something on my stomach, so I reached down to see what it was. The damn thing got my finger and my stomach."

Kieran chuckled softly. He was amazed. Her memories seemed so vivid. He could almost see a group of children huddling together near the shed, daring each other to step inside. Or a little girl hanging from the metal structure, blissfully unaware that the bees were out in force. Kieran leaned closer to Winter, using a little bit of magic to wrap her in warmth.

"See that thing there?" Winter pointed to a wooden structure that might have once had a slide attached to it. "Older boys used to come here. I'd sit under there with them and they'd touch me."

Kieran stared at her. She lifted her chin and gazed back, her gray eyes defiant. He bet she didn't know about the unshed tears glittering there. You can't scare me off, he thought, reaching out and touching her cheek. Now he recognized that pain. Winter was mourning something... or someone. Several somethings, Kieran guessed. Winter lifted a hand into his and flashed a watery smile.

"How come I only see you at night?" Winter asked.

"Ah, well," Kieran shrugged. "Moonlight has great magic... it allows us to be seen by mortals in our true forms. But the sunlight is unforgiving. Humans tend to see only what they want to see when the sun is out."

"I... I don't want to try looking for a social life tonight," Winter said, sighing and leaning heavily against him. "I'm not in the mood."

Kieran put an arm around her shoulders. "Don't worry, Winter. I won't make you."

She was soon lost in her memories again, so he lost himself in his. He had been wondering why he found it so easy to get along with Winter, but hearing her talk about her days in nursery school reminded him. Every elf spent some time watching children in the mirror, learning about the mortal world, and especially about the wishes and dreams of the young. Kieran, although he was a black elf, had been no exception. Now he remembered Winter.

She'd been a sad, lonely child. Kieran had been so touched by her sorrow that he had sneaked back to the mirror time and again to watch her, until Santa had caught him. But elves weren't mortal creatures and they didn't live mortal lives. Their memories of things sorrowful faded so easily. Kieran couldn't believe he'd forgotten Winter. Watching her had been the only time he'd realized his own sorrow.

He, like her, was an outcast. Even though his job was technically more important than it sounded, he didn't fit in with the other elves. Winter's plight had woken him to that, and he'd felt like he knew her. She'll turn me responsible if this keeps up, Kieran thought, resting his head atop hers. She shifted in his arms, snuggling close to him, and he tightened his grip on her. He didn't even notice at first that she was crying, because her sobs were so soft.

"Don't cry, Winter," Kieran murmured. "I'm here."

Don't cry. Words he'd whispered into the mirror so many times. So many times he'd wanted nothing more than to comfort her. Now, at long last, he had his chance.

-------

Winter was staying in tonight. She was very warm in her flannel pajamas and she really should be asleep, but she couldn't. Instead she paced the length of her apartment, waiting for Kieran. Where is he? she wondered, frowning. He's usually here by now. She didn't understand why she wanted to see him so much. All Winter knew was that she felt like she'd known him for a long time. Or maybe liked he was someone she'd known once before, years ago.

She paused beside her bedside table and picked up the picture frame. A very familiar face, this one. Warm, laughing brown eyes. Shaggy blonde hair. A nose that was too big for good looks, but gave his face character. Reese, Winter thought, hugging the picture close. Has it really been a year already?

"You're awfully attached to that picture."

Winter jumped, startled. The picture dropped from her hands, and she could do nothing but stare as it plunged towards the floor. An inch above the ground the picture stopped, and floated back up onto her bedside table. She turned around and found Kieran standing behind her, dressed in simple jeans and t-shirt, a playful grin quirking his lips. Winter found herself smiling.

"You're late," she told him.

Kieran's eyebrows raised. "Am I? Well, you can't go out dressed like that, anyway."

Winter sighed and dropped down onto the bed. He was trying so hard to help her, but she didn't want to go anywhere. Kieran watched her for a moment, then grabbed her fleece-lined boots from near the end of the bed. He pressed them into her hand, then whisked away to collect her coat, scarf, and mittens. Winter stared at him, perplexed.

"Put those on," Kieran said. "Hurry, we're going somewhere."

"But I don't want to," Winter complained, even as she pulled on her boots.

"You'll like this," Kieran assured her, grinning. "Come on, hurry up!"

He seemed so excited that it began to infect her, as well. She pulled on her coat and mittens and wrapped her scarf around her neck. As soon as she was finished, Kieran grabbed hold of her and drew her close. Startled, Winter looked up at him. She hardly noticed that she put her arms around him immediately. He smiled down at her reassuring.

"Hold onto me tight, Winter," Kieran told her. "This type of traveling can be especially unnerving for mortals."

She nodded, snuggling up close to him. As an afterthought Winter pressed her face against his chest, not sure she wanted to see the sights of magical travel. A wave of vertigo swept over her, and she squeezed her eyes tightly shut. The ground dropped out from underneath her and she shrieked, the sound muffled against Kieran. A moment late the ground was beneath her feet again.

"Look, Winter," Kieran murmured.

She lifted her head. Snowflakes swirled around them, spiraling up high in the air, and dancing around to tease her hair. Winter laughed and spun around to get a good look at where they were. As the snowflakes faded, she saw cozy, thatch-roofed buildings huddled together like gingerbread houses, with the snow on their tops looking like frosting. Kieran grabbed hold of her hand and began pulling her towards a long, low building next to a pen.

"The stables?" Winter asked, grinning.

"Indeed," Kieran laughed. "Come on."

She allowed him to tug him into the stables. It didn't smell pretty, but it was a good deal warmer than outside. Reindeer (real reindeer, not those slender little decorations) stood in every stall. Winter reached out to pet one of the soft noses, but Kieran caught her wrist. His fingers were strong and his touch gentle, despite the scarred mess that was his hands.

"They bite," Kieran warned. "People think magical also means kind, but these guys get really grumpy once the season starts up."

"Where's Rudolph?" Winter asked, her voice teasing.

"All the way down at the end," Kieran replied, pointing. "Go say hello."

Surprised, Winter headed down the aisle and peered into the last stall. The reindeer inside did not have a big red nose like the Rudolph of the tales, although she noticed his muzzle was pink around the nostrils rather than gray. She reached out gingerly and placed her hand on the reindeer's nose. Rudolph snorted, but he didn't bite her. Smiling, Winter turned her head to look at Kieran.

"No glowing nose?" she asked, feigning a pout.

Kieran didn't respond, but then he really didn't have to. A bright light had flared up in the stall. Looking back at Rudolph, she saw that he was glowing... his whole body! Amazed, Winter could only stare open-mouthed at the reindeer. Kieran approached and reached into the stall, grabbing hold of Rudolph's halter.

"They all do that, actually," Kieran told her. "Just Dolph here can glow brighter than everyone else, can't you, you great furry show-off?"

Rudolph gave his head a shake and Kieran laughed. Winter followed him, watching him curiously as he pulled a plain harness down from the wall. Another harness, covered in little bells, was strung up next to it. He explained that this was the harness they used to exercise the reindeer. Winter watched him as he lead each reindeer out in turn and harnessed them, then followed him outside. There Kieran attached the harness to a sled.

"Get in," Kieran said, pointing to the sleigh.

"Are you sure this is okay?" Winter asked, climbing hesitantly onto the bench of the sleigh.

"Don't worry," Kieran assured her, hopping up beside her. "Ready?"

Winter nodded. "Let's go."

"Right. Okay, you lazy beasts, let's go!" Kieran shouted, giving the reins a shake.

Winter shrieked as the sleigh lurched forward suddenly. She grabbed hold of Kieran and clung to him tightly as the reindeer raced forward. Each of them gathered their hind legs beneath them and pushed up off the ground. They're flying! she thought, amazed. Although it looked more as though they were galloping along on an invisible road. And the sleigh followed, zooming up into the air behind the reindeer. Wind stung Winter's cheeks and it was so cold she was already shaking, but that couldn't erase her delight.

She was amazed. It was like being on a road that wound through the stars. The moon was a mere sliver in the sky, but the reindeer glowed, Rudolph brighter than all the others, lighting the way. Winter clung tightly to Kieran, laughing through her chattering teeth, as the sleigh swept along, dipping down occasionally to look down on sleepy rooftops, and rising up to skim along the clouds. Kieran must have noticed that she was cold, because he reached into the back of the sleigh and pulled out a blanket.

Warmth seeped from the blanket as Winter wrapped it tightly around herself. She kept one arm free to hold onto Kieran with, though. He didn't seemed to get cold. Of course not, she thought. He's an elf! The reindeer swooped down beneath the clouds again, and Winter was amazed to see snow-covered mountains beneath them. She leaned over, peering down over the sled.

"Where are we?" Winter asked, raising her voice above the roar of the wind.

"The Alps," Kieran replied, grinning at her mischievously.

"You're kidding," Winter said gaping at him.

Kieran shook his head. He slapped the reins once, and the reindeer soared downward, until their hooves skimmed the pristine white snow on the mountainside. It rose in powdery clouds all around them, filling the air like fog. Kieran lifted a hand off the reins and reached up into the air. Snow swirled around his fingertips, forming piece by piece into a perfect rose. He held it out to her, grinning smugly. Winter took the rose gingerly from him, amazed at how perfect the delicate creation was.

The sleigh went up again, racing through the clouds and scattering them every which way like dust. Winter shrieked as they turned abruptly, then dissolved into laughter. Once more they were streaking through the sky. She held onto her rose, running a fingertip over the curve of a half opened petal. Kieran turned his head and blew lightly on the rose, his misty breath causing it to bloom fully. Winter watched, entranced, as it opened completely, then wilted, then turned back into snow that drifted away on the night air.

"I've never seen anything like that," Winter said, looking over at him. "Can all elves do that?"

Kieran shook his head. "Only black elves. I suppose that's why the other elves don't like me too much."

"Not because you're a hopeless lecher?" Winter asked, widening her eyes in feigned innocence.

"That's why they male elves don't like me," Kieran replied, laughing.

"Well, I like you," Winter told him.

She leaned against him and put her arms around him, bringing the blanket around to cover them both. Winter rested her head on his shoulder, a smile tugging her lips. Kieran's green eyes were studying her seriously, but they soon sparked with the now familiar golden flecks. He gave the reins a shake and the reindeer sped up a bit.

"Tell me," Kieran murmured. "Any place you want to see, and I'll take you there."

"Hmmm," Winter pursed her lips in thought. "Um... You know what?"

"What?" Kieran asked.

"I've always wanted to travel," Winter told him. "But right now I can't think of one place I want to see. I'm happy right where I am."

She smiled up at him and his eyes met hers. Winter felt her cheeks heating beneath his gaze. She dropped her head to his shoulder again and snuggled close to him. Fingers ran though her hair and she sighed in contentment. It had been so long since she'd felt this good. How odd, she thought, smiling to herself. The last person I would ever think could cheer me up would be a goofy, horny elf. But Kieran was more than that, Winter knew. His eyes were watchful tonight. Tonight he's a goofy, horny, caring elf, she thought, grinning. And it feels good to know someone cares.

-------

Kieran stood behind Winter, using his body to keep hers warm. His hand covered hers, holding the brush with her as they groomed Rudolph. He'd groomed the first couple himself, until she had insisted upon helping. So he'd shown her how and when he was getting ready to start on Rudolph, who was the last one left, he'd noticed how cold she was. Kieran had suggested they groom the reindeer together, giving him the perfect excuse to keep her warm.

"That was amazing," Winter was saying. "I can't even believe it!"

Kieran laughed. "You're amazing," he murmured against her ear. He felt her shiver, but not from the cold. She was changing him. The female elves seemed so dull now, compared to her. They didn't know sorrow, so they couldn't know joy, or at least they couldn't appreciate the way she could. Winter turned to face him, her cheeks bright red. Kieran took the brush from her.

"Wanna put Dolph back in his stall for me?" Kieran asked.

"Sure," Winter said, grinning.

He watched her unclip the crossties and take hold of Rudolph's halter. Satisfied, Kieran picked up the harness and brought it back to the wall to hang it up. It was heavy, but he could manage it fine on his own. Waylan was probably asleep, anyway. I'd like him to meet Winter some time, Kieran thought. I bet he'd like her, too. He was heading back to Winter, who was standing outside Rudolph's stall, when the door at the opposite end of the stable opened.

"Kieran!"

"Uh oh," Kieran muttered.

"What?" Winter asked, glancing at the door.

Kieran grabbed her before she could see anything and tugged her towards the other doors. Mortals were not allowed to see Santa; and besides, he'd be in big trouble if he let the old man catch up. They raced out into the cold night air together. Stars lit the sky, so many of them, a thousand, thousand points of light that made it easy to see. Kieran raced along across the snowfields, holding Winter's hand tightly and pulling her along with him.

"What... what's wrong?" Winter panted, stretching her legs to keep up.

"Uh... well... I'll explain later. Keep going," Kieran told her.

Snow churned up beneath their feet, and clouds of it filled the air. They ran until the reached the lake, which was frozen over. Kieran raced out onto it, having no problem keeping his balance on the slippery ice. Winter, however, was mortal and so not very ice inclined. She slipped and slid, and he had to hold onto her to keep her from falling. He laughed, pulling her into his arms and spinning around on the ice.

"Ah!" Winter squeaked. "Kieran, I don't have skates on!"

"Skates?" Kieran scoffed. "You humans! Can't even tackle a little ice without metal strapped to your feet."

"Not all of us have long pointy ears to help us balance," Winter shot back, scowling.

They stared at each other for a moment, then burst out laughing. Kieran took Winter's hands in his, wrapping his fingers around hers, and began to skate across the ice. She wobbled, slipping and sliding, and would have fallen but for his firm hold on her. Yet despite that she was having fun; she laughed loudly and her cheeks were flushed with exhilaration. Kieran took her for several circuits around the lake before skidding to a halt.

"Goodness," Winter exclaimed, resting against him. "I forgot what it felt like to have so much fun!"

Kieran smiled. "I'm glad. You seemed so sad last night..."

"I'm sorry," Winter said quietly, looking down. "I don't know what came over me. There was just... so many memories rushing back to me. I was telling you everything before I realized it..."

"Don't be sorry," Kieran said. "I'm supposed to help you. If all I can do is cheer you up, then I've helped. And it's good to talk about what makes you sad."

"Do elves even get sad?" Winter asked, looking up at him again.

"Not usually," Kieran admitted. "But... I know what it is to be sad. Let me tell you a story..."

And so he told her about his experiences in front of the mirror. She listened quietly, her expression thoughtful and serene. Like her the night before, Kieran found himself admitting all his sorrows to her, all the pain of being an outcast that he'd tried to ignore for so long. By the time he was finished, she was smiling, but she didn't seem to be laughing at him.

"I'm glad to know someone cared about me," Winter told him.

"This is too depressing," Kieran complained. He grabbed Winter's hand. "Come on!"

He pulled her off the ice and raced through the snowfields, getting further and further away from the complex. They were approaching the top of a hill before too long, but Kieran didn't stop. Snow flew up around him, and he shaped it into a sled. He pulled Winter down onto the sled with him, just as they hit the edge of the hill. Down they went, gliding and bumping in turns, and Winter howled in delight.

It was a long way down. Kieran leaned his body, expertly steering the sled around bumps in the hill and the occasional tree trunk. He kept his arms tight around Winter so she didn't fall. Her joyous laughter was infectious, and soon he was laughing too. The sled swooped around a bend and hurtled down the last leg of the slope, towards a field of mistletoe bushes.

The sled hit the bottom of the hill and shattered, sending Kieran and Winter tumbling into the snow. He folded himself around her as they rolled, keeping her safe until they came to a stop beneath the bushes, with her beneath him. He pushed himself up onto his elbows and found that she was laughing. Winter's gray eyes were sparkling with a warmth and light he wasn't used to seeing there. It was long minutes before she sobered, but her eyes never left his.

"Mistletoe," Kieran murmured.

He shouldn't. Oh, how well he knew he shouldn't. But that soft, full mouth was far too tempting to resist. Kieran lowered his mouth to hers, kissing her gently. Her lips responded shyly. It was a chaste, simple kiss, and when he pulled back a moment later it was very reluctantly. Winter's lips were parted faintly and she was peeking up at him from beneath the veil of pale, silvery lashes.

"Do that again," Winter murmured.

He wasn't about to deny her anything. Kieran lowered his mouth to hers again and was shocked by the ardent passion with which she kissed him back. He slid a hand beneath her head, burying his fingers in her hair. Making certain that magic warmed his fingers, he pushed aside the layers of her coat and pajamas to rest his hand on her stomach. Winter didn't protest. In fact, she brought her hands up behind his head, holding him to her as they kissed.

Kieran's hand traveled upward. Even his scarred flesh could appreciate the silken softness of her skin. She moaned low in her throat as he cupped her breast in his hand and he drank the sound in through her kiss.

"Kieran!"

Startled, he pulled his mouth from hers and drew his hand out from under her shirt. Kieran jumped to his feet and pulled Winter with him, bringing her up against him so she could see nothing. He kept a hand behind her head, pressing her face gently to his chest. At first she protested, but then she must have realized he needed her to be quiet, because she stilled.

"What do you think you're doing?" Santa demanded.

"I... I was just uh... I mean..." Kieran stammered awkwardly. "She was sad..."

"You shouldn't have brought her here," Santa admonished. "Take her home."

"But..." Kieran protested weakly.

"Take her home," Satan reiterated. "Now!"

Kieran sighed. He rested his head against Winter's. She put her arms around him and held onto him tight, knowing what was coming next. I'm sorry, Winter, he thought, I only wanted to cheer you up. Snowflakes swirled around them like a storm and they faded from the patch of mistletoe bushes.

-------

Winter broke away from Kieran as her feet touched the floor of her apartment. Despite their abrupt departure, she still felt so good. Laughing, she spun around, throwing her arms out to the side. She heard his laughter as well, and turned to face him. His green eyes seemed a little melancholy. Winter flashed a bright smile his way as she began peeling out of her coat.

"Thanks so much!" she said, hoping her cheerfulness would rub off on him. "I had so much fun... I feel a lot better now."

Kieran smiled. "I'm glad I could help."

"It was so cool flying in that sleigh," Winter went on, sitting down on the edge of the bed to pull off her boots. "And that hill! I've never done anything like that!"

"I should probably get going," Kieran said quietly.

Winter frowned. She stood up and walked over to him, feeling confused. Kieran smiled faintly, but his usual good humor was gone. Unnerved, she threw her arms around him and held onto him tight. Strong hands rested on her shoulders. She felt warm breath against her ear, making her shiver, as he spoke.

"Please, Winter," Kieran murmured. "I didn't know anyone could be sexy in flannel pajamas..."

Startled, she looked up at him. Now she could see it; he was trying to control himself. Winter stood on her toes (she had to, to reach him) and pressed her mouth demandingly to his. She thought he might at least try to resist her, but he did not. Kieran's arms closed around her and his mouth ravished hers. They tumbled together onto the bed, and he caught hold of her wrists, pinning her down to the bed effectively.

Winter couldn't remember ever wanting anyone so much as she wanted him now. When he released her wrists to begin unbuttoning her shirt she reached beneath his, sliding her hands up over his chest. Kieran's mouth was warm as it traveled down her neck, over her collarbone, and down to her breasts. Winter moaned softly as his mouth closed over a painfully stiff nipple. Her skin was chilled, but the heat of his mouth warmed her in seconds.

Teeth nipped lightly, little tiny bites that made her moan. A hand traveled lightly over her stomach while the other fondled her breast. The rough pad of his thumb feathered over the tip of her nipple. Winter wriggled beneath him, lifting her hips up against him. She felt Kieran hesitate, his fingertips resting just beneath the waistband of her pajama bottoms.

"Kieran," Winter whispered. "Touch me. Please..."

Kieran groaned softly, pressing his mouth firmly against her breast. His hand slid down into her pants, beneath her panties, and she gasped softly at the first touch of his fingertips. She was already wet, but he teased her clit, keeping his touch focused solely on that spot. Winter lifting her hips against his hand. She could see his bright green eyes watching her, and the smug set of his mouth. Kieran knew exactly what she wanted, but he was teasing her, and enjoying it.

She thought she was going to scream in frustration when at last he slid a finger inside her. She shivered, her body clenching around his finger. A second finger joined the first, and he dragged them out and pushed them back in, over and over again. Winter moaned, and those moans built into cries. She brought her hips up to meet each thrust of his fingers. Her breath became ragged and soon she was shuddering, her back arched and her head thrown back as she came.

She was feeling light-headed and blissful. Kieran slid his fingers out of her and lifted them up to his mouth. Winter felt her cheeks heat. His green eyes stared at her intently as he licked his fingers clean. She reached up, and he lowered himself willingly into her arms.

"It's been so long," Winter murmured, letting her eyelids drift shut. "And that felt so good..."

Kieran chuckled. "Always pleased to be of service, my lovely Winter."

"Mmm," Winter yawned. "I'm... tired..."

"I know," Kieran said. "Sleep, Winter..."

He sat up and buttoned her shirt up for her. She was so tired that she could do little more than curl up on her side. Kieran tucked a blanket around her. She wanted to ask him to stay, but couldn't even get her lips to move. Don't go, Winter thought, as she felt his hands leave her body. I haven't felt this way in so long... But sleep was consuming her. She knew he spoke before he left, but she wouldn't remember what he said when she woke.

"I'm sorry, Winter."

-------

Kieran might have fooled himself into thinking it would be easy to forget about Winter, but that illusion didn't last long. It's better this way, he thought for the thousandth time, but he couldn't convince himself of that. His feelings for her made him reckless; he never should have brought her here. And he most certainly should not have touched her the way he did. Kieran knew that if he was around her, he wouldn't be able to stop himself. But he was an elf and she was human. They couldn't be together.

"Life is cruel," Kieran murmured, resting his hand on Rudolph's muzzle. "This place... it seems like a wonderland, but it isn't. The elves are only happy because they don't know what sadness is. But is that really such a good thing?"

Rudolph blew warm breath onto his hand. The reindeer couldn't answer, but Kieran got the feeling that he would laugh if he could. Pondering life and sadness... it was such a human pastime, not suited to an elf. But I'm different, even from the other elves, he thought, sighing heavily. They aren't aware of the passing of time, but when I slow down enough, I feel it. The last few nights had been torturously slow for him.

"I wonder what she's doing," Kieran mused. "Santa said she lost her belief in the magic of Christmas. Why, I wonder..."

Rudolph snorted again. He glanced at the reindeer and felt a smile tug at the corners of his mouth. Dolph was glowing brightly and maybe he couldn't talk, but Kieran knew what all his little nuances meant. He'd been taking care of the reindeer for the last three-hundred years. No one knew them better than he did, not even Santa.

"You're right," Kieran said, jumping down off the stall partition. "I'm going to find out. See you later, Dolph."

Santa was busy getting everything ready. It was Christmas Eve, after all. This is the perfect time, Kieran thought, creeping across the grounds. Everyone will be in the workshop, going over last minute details. Even Mrs. Claus was absent from the main building when he slipped inside. Still, he tiptoed into the room with the mirror in it.

Few had the ability to use the mirror's full power. Black elves could handle it better than others, though, and Kieran had learned how to use it well when he used to sneak in to watch Winter. He could produce sound from it and, if he concentrated, he could see the past. Only Santa had the ability to glimpse the future in the mirror, though.

"Show me," Kieran murmured, laying his hand against the glass. "Christmas Eve, one year ago. Show me what happened to Winter."

A picture formed quickly in the mirror. It didn't focus on Winter, though. There was a young man with a somewhat large nose and blonde hair that looked as though he couldn't afford to even comb it. He was holding a velvet box and inside an engagement ring glittered. I know him, Kieran thought. I've seen him somewhere before, I'm sure of it. He was studying the ring, his fingers playing nervously with the case.

"Come on, damnit," the young man muttered, glaring up at the traffic light. "Turn, damnit!"

It finally turned, and the young man walked across the street. He snapped the box shut as he walked and shoved it into his pocket. His stride was long, carrying him quickly down the sidewalk, and at one point he glanced down at his watch. Kieran heard him mumble something about being late. Where is Winter? he wondered. I don't understand what's going on.

"Reese!"

The man's head came up. He looked across the street and Kieran followed his gaze. There was Winter, standing on the sidewalk, waving enthusiastically. She looked so happy. Her hair was a bit shorter and her face a bit fuller, giving her a much healthier look than she had now. The young man had noticed her, too, and the smile he flashed her was joyous and distracted.

Kieran's heart stilled in his chest. I do know him! he thought, his hands clenching into fists. He's... he's the man in Winter's picture! And now he had a horrible feeling rising in his throat. He wanted to scream, wanted to do something to catch the man's attention. Yet all he could do was watch, helplessly, as the man stepped down into the street, his eyes focused on Winter. Kieran saw the car coming, and so did she, but the young man, the one she'd called Reese, never saw it.

The driver tried to stop, but it wasn't enough to keep him from hitting Reese. Kieran jumped, horrified, at the sound of crunching bones. A scream filled the air. Chaos broke out around the scene of the accident, but Winter was oblivious to all of it. She shoved people out of the way and ran to where Reese lay in a mangled heap. Her voice was high and panicked as she fell to her knees beside him.

"Reese! Reese, wake up! Reese! No! No, no, no, please! Reese!"

She was hysterical. People tried to pull her away from the body, but she screamed, slapping and kicking at them. Winter was sobbing loudly, tears flowing down her cheeks. The scene was so vivid that Kieran thought he could almost feel her tears on his own face. And that was when he realized that he was crying himself.

"You're always seeing things you shouldn't."

Kieran jumped. He didn't turn around, though. There was no need; he knew exactly who was standing behind him. He remained staring at the mirror, at the horrible scene displayed there, until Santa approached and rested his hand against the glass. The scene disappeared in a swirl of smoke.

"Show me," Santa said quietly. "Christmas Eve, present. Show me Winter."

A new image appeared in the mirror. It was Winter, along in her apartment, pacing anxiously back and forth. Somehow Kieran got the feeling that she had been doing this for several nights. She was clutching the picture of Reese to her chest like a child might hold a teddy bear. Despite himself, he reached out, resting his fingertips against the glass. A deep longing rose in him.

"Where are you?" Winter murmured. "Please come back..."

"I'm such an idiot!" Kieran groaned, dropping his head into his hands. "This is all my fault!"

"You know better than to have relations with humans," Santa said quietly.

"This isn't my fault!" Kieran exclaimed, turning to face him. "You're the one who told me to go help her! I didn't... I wasn't trying to... to... what am I going to do?"

"That's for you to decide," Santa told him. "You have to decide what's important. I'm sure you'll agree with me when I say that Winter's happiness is what's important here. I suppose the problem is how to make her happy."

Kieran sank down to the floor. He hardly noticed when Santa left. Elves don't fall in love, he thought, dropping his head onto his arms. I don't know what love is... And really, if love was as painful as all this, he wasn't sure he wanted to know. Winter had suffered so much because of her love for Reese. I have to make a decision, Kieran thought, but how am I supposed to do that?

-------

"Ugh! I am so stupid!"

Despite her strong desire to throw something, Winter set the picture of Reese down carefully on the bedside table and sank down onto her bed. I'm out of my mind, she thought, swiping at the tears that ran down her cheeks. I have completely lost it. I can't feel this way... It was just so dumb. Kieran was an elf... an elf she hardly even knew! I'm just feeling this way because I'm lonely, Winter thought.

But she knew herself better than that. She hadn't believed in magic or love since Reese had died. Still, Kieran had somehow found his way into her heart. Perhaps it was infatuation, but that could easily be only the beginning. Just the tip of the iceberg, Winter thought. But it doesn't matter now, because he's obviously not coming back. She couldn't stop the tears and so she buried her face against her pillow.

"Don't cry. I'm here, Winter."

Strong arms closed around her, pulling her up off the bed. Startled, Winter lifted her head and looked up, blinking away her tears. Scarred, calloused fingertips touched her cheek. For a moment she was struck by the sadness of his station in life, that he spent so much time in hard labor, an outcast from his kind. Then happiness filled her heart and she turned in his arms, throwing her arms around him.

"Kieran!" Winter cried. "I thought you weren't coming back."

"I'm sorry," Kieran murmured. "I thought I could stay away, but I can't. Not after... I saw. In the mirror. I saw what happened to you."

Winter looked up, startled. "Reese?"

"Yes," Kieran nodded. "I saw everything. Winter... you're destroying yourself, living like this..."

"I... I can't help it," Winter stammered, feeling tears begin to sting her eyes again. "I... I loved him so much."

Kieran's lips brushed her cheek, kissing away falling tears. Her heart ached; Reese had done that too. She looked up at him... and nearly fainted. Very familiar brown eyes stared back at her. Winter scrambled away from him, her heart pounding in her chest. Except for the scars on his hands, Kieran was the spitting image of Reese.

"What... what are you doing?" Winter demanded.

"Do you know why black elves are outcasts, Winter?" Kieran said quietly. "We have the ability to remember. We have the ability to feel the passing of time. When a mortal dies, we can feel the sorrow. Human emotions are so strong, they leave behind a residue."

Kieran's image faded back into his own. His long, dark hair was in a braid, just like the first night she'd met him, but his green eyes were much more serious and sorrowful. He stood up, reaching out to her. Winter was trembling from head to toe, but she reached out anyway, touching his hand, then his face. He'd looked so much like Reese in that moment and, really, the expression in his eyes reminded her of him.

"Reese's love for you was strong," Kieran went on. "It lingers around you, unfelt by mortals. It's more than just an emotion... it's images, memories, almost like a ghost. Humans can't see it, not usually, and they aren't effected by it. But I am..."

His fingers closed around hers, drawing her hand to his chest. Winter could feel his heart beating beneath her palm. She stared up at him, unable to tear his gaze away from his.

"I remember you," Kieran said. "When I came here, what was left of Reese became a part of me."

"That's crazy..." Winter murmured.

"Your favorite color is blue," Kieran said. "You love cats, but can't stand dogs because one bit you when you were a child. You had a hamster when you were four... you named him Sam-Sam and had a funeral for him when he died."

"You... you said yourself... the mirror..." Winter stammered. "You must have seen... you couldn't... there's no other way..."

Kieran leaned down. "The mirror can't reveal everything. And I never watched you as an adult... but I know. I know that the first time you met Reese, he came up to you and told you that you were the woman he wanted to marry."

"No," Winter shook her head. "You could have seen all of that. If you saw what happened last year, you could see all of that!"

"Damnit, Winter!" Kieran growled, frustrated.

She shrieked as he pushed her down onto the bed. His hands were not rough; if anything they were unbearably gentle. Winter could not find the strength to push him away, even though she was terrified.

"Are... are you trying to say... that you're Reese?" Winter asked. "Like... some strange reverse reincarnation?"

"I am Kieran," he replied. "But Reese's feelings and memories... those are part of me too. I remember the first time you... we!... made love. I remember the way you felt... even now I can feel your skin beneath my fingers... I can feel your body around mine..."

Winter couldn't breathe. Kieran's thumb brushed over her lower lip gently. Longing and desire raced through her. It seemed impossible... but it explained so much. Why she'd felt compelled to tell him so much of her past. Why she'd trusted him, despite the fact that she hardly knew him. Why her body ached when he touched her. And why I feel like I'm falling in love with him, Winter thought.

"How can I get you to believe me?" Kieran asked, his green eyes bright with emotion.

"Make love to me," Winter murmured. "Show me what you remember."

Kieran's mouth lowered to hers. She wound her arms around him, pulling him close to her. His body was so warm and strong against hers. Winter opened her mouth to the gently coaxing of his lips, and his tongue dipped inside her. She brought her hands up and buried her fingers in his hair, working it loose from the braid. Kieran's mouth traveled down to her earlobe, nipping gently, then down her neck in a slow trail of kisses.

He shifted atop her to get his hands between them, then began unbuttoning her top. Winter arched her back, pressing her breasts against his hands as he rested them on her. Roughened fingertips grazing lightly over her skin, teasing her nipples and tracing around her areolas. Kieran nipped at her neck, once, twice, then continued to kiss his way down between her breasts. His hands moved down over his belly and to the waistband of her pants, pulling them slowly down.

Winter lifted her hips, making it easier for him to pull off her pants. Roughened hands traveled along her legs, gently coaxing her thighs apart. Kieran spread kisses over her inner thighs, his teeth grazing over her skin. Green eyes were watching her, studying her reactions. Winter shivered as his fingers slipped beneath her panties and touch her gently.

"Kieran..." Winter whimpered softly.

Both hands caught hold of her panties and pulled them down. Winter squeaked in surprise, the sound fading off into laughter. Kieran wrapped his arms around her thighs and lifted her hips up, lowering his head between her thighs. She gasped at the touch of his mouth. His tongue teasing her clit, swirling around it, making her squirm. Fingertips trailed along her thigh and up to hot aroused flesh. Kieran slid a finger inside her and Winter moaned softly.

She arched her back, lifting her hips against his mouth and the rhythm of his finger sliding in and out of her. Her fingers tightened in his hair, clenching convulsively with each dip inside her. Friction built in her body, making her legs tremble, and when Kieran pulled her clit into his mouth, sucking on it, she lost control. Winter threw her head back, crying out as she came.

Kieran took only a brief second to wipe his hand across his mouth, but he seemed unable to keep his hands off her for longer than that. Winter rose up onto her elbows, meeting his mouth eagerly with hers. His hands ran over her shoulders, pushing her shirt back and off. She slid her own hands beneath his shirt, curling her fingers around the fabric and tugging demandingly.

"Off," Winter commanded.

Kieran pulled his shirt off and tossed it aside. Winter pushed him back gently as she sat up, curling her arms around him, and lowered her mouth to his shoulder. She kissed along the line of his collarbone as her hands traveled over his chest and stomach, to his pants. Like all the times Kieran had come to see her after she'd agree to let him help her, he was wearing jeans. Winter unfastened them, and he shifted for her to get them off.

Strong hands braced on her lower back, pulling her into his lap. She pressed her mouth to his once more as she lowered herself onto him. Winter shivered and Kieran groaned, pressing his face against her neck. He lifted his hips into hers, pushing up inside her. She tightened her body around him, straddling her knees around his legs so she could use them to push herself up as he drew out of her. Kieran pressed his tongue between her lips and into the heat of her mouth.

His hands slid down her back to the bottom of her thighs. Winter leaned back slowly, drawing her mouth away from his. He bow his head to her breasts, his mouth moving restlessly against her skin. Slowly she let herself fall back onto the bed, and Kieran shifted, bracing himself above her and using the new leverage to drive even deeper inside her. Winter moaned, her eyes drifting blissfully shut. Little tremors of pleasure ran like fire along her nerves.

Each thrust built the friction between them. Soon she was wriggling beneath him, her hands clenching around the sheets below them. Her nails bit clean through the weave of the fabric as one particularly deep surge made her body tighten. Winter gasped, her panting punctuated with moans that rose into cries. She squeezed her eyes tightly shut as she came again, her body shuddering hard.

Kieran didn't give her a chance to recover. He slid out of her and pulled her to her knees on the bed. His hand pushed her thighs apart, cupping her to allow his fingers to push inside her. Winter's nails bit into his skin as she closed her hands around his upper arms. She stared up at him, watching the golden flecks lighting up in his green eyes.

"I remember," Kieran murmured. "What a prude you were... at first you barely let me touch you. But there's fire in you... I remember the first time you allowed me to see..."

Winter felt her cheeks heat. She remembered that time too, rather vividly. Kieran slipped off the bed, pulling her to her feet. She followed him as he pulled her into the kitchen and pressed her up against the table. Kieran positioned himself behind her, wrapping his arms around her.

"You came into the kitchen in the middle of the night," he said. "For a glass of water. You were wearing only your robe, and you hadn't bothered to close it..."

"It was summer," Winter reminded him. "It was so hot..."

Kieran laughed. "The problem wasn't the heat in the air so much as the heat in you."

Teeth nipped at her earlobe. His hands slid around to her breasts, and she remembered her outrage that night. Winter had been about to yell at Reese, but then his hand traveled down along her belly, as Kieran's did now, and between her thighs. That had frozen her to the spot, forcing her to stifle a moan.

"You always hid how attracted you were," Kieran said quietly, his fingers teasing her wet flesh. "But you couldn't hide it this time... do you remember what happened next?"

Winter nodded. "I remember."

She braced her hands on the top of the table and bent herself over, pressing against him. Kieran drew his hand away from her, trailing his fingertips up over her side and along her back. Winter felt his mouth in gentle kisses over her shoulder blades and she sighed softly. Oh, how she remembered.

"Please," Winter whispered.

"Please?" Kieran laughed. "That could mean any number of things, Winter. I remember what you said... certainly you do too."

Winter made a soft sound of frustration. "Please... I want you inside me... Kieran..."

"Ah, yes," Kieran murmured. "That's what I remember..."

She gasped as he slid inside her again. Kieran's hands found her wrists, pinning her hands down onto the table and pushing her upper body down further. Kept so effectively in place, all she could do was bring her hips back enough to relish the feeling of him thrusting deep inside her. Winter moaned, feeling his teeth on the back of her neck. Sweat gathered on her skin, forming a thin sheen.

"Tell me what you want," Kieran whispered, his breath hot against her ear.

"Mmmn..." Winter sighed. "Harder..."

Her fingernails scratched against the surface of the table as he gave her what she wanted. Her back arched, lifting her off the table the bare inch he allowed her. Winter moaned his name beneath her breath, and he drove into her harder, faster. Sweat dripped down along her spine, and she felt cool droplets of his sweat against her skin. Kieran's fingers tightened around her wrists and his face pressed against her neck. She felt him shuddered, felt the heat as he came inside her. Winter gritted her teeth, but she was unable to stop the low moan that escaped her lips as she came.

Kieran leaned against her and she could hear his harsh breath as he panted. She herself was struggling to catch her breath. When he rose off of her and slid out, it took her a second before she could stand up. Hands turned her and gently set her on the table. Winter put her arms around him, drawing him close and refusing to let go. She laid her head against him and sighed.

"It's been so long," Winter murmured. "I feel like I could do that all night..."

Kieran laughed shakily. "Easy, love. Even elves need a rest."

"Ha!" Winter looked up at him, grinning. "Reese never said that."

"I would hope not," Kieran agreed, laughing. "Otherwise Santa's got more problems on his hands than he realized."

Winter giggled and pressed her face against him. Now she was beginning to understand. Kieran was Kieran, but he did remember everything. Like that Ghost movie, she thought, like he's been possessed with a part of Reese. She pulled back from him and looked up, studying his face. Kieran's green eyes were inquisitive and his eyebrows slowly lifted.

"Just... I guess I don't understand one thing," Winter said. "If you remember all this, how come you didn't remember the accident?"

"I remembered the pain, and the sorrow," Kieran replied. "But elves live in the present... even black elves, when we're not around anyone else who isn't effected by time. The memories came to me very slowly, but seeing that in the mirror made them all come back at once."

"All?" Winter asked.

Kieran nodded, wincing a bit. "Everything. All at one time. I had to get through the headache before I could get back here."

"So you're saying I caused you a headache?" Winter feigned a glare, but she couldn't keep her face straight.

"You know," Kieran said, smirking mischievously. "I think I'm recovered now..."

Winter shrieked as he pounced on her. She fell back onto the table, laughing. She caught a glimpse of sparkling green eyes before he lowered his mouth to hers. Kieran's legs pushed hers apart, and he sank into her once more. She wound her arms around his neck, watching him intently as he braced his hands on the table and pushed himself up over her. Her eyes locked with his and she kept her gaze focus through each and every blissful thrust... 

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Kieran didn't want to open his eyes. It was morning now, and the sun of the mortal world was cruel to his kind. He shouldn't have stayed through the night, but he'd been unable to leave Winter's side. He could feel her pressed against him now and he was afraid what she would think of his mortal world form. Kieran knew this was why humans thought elves were little waifs. Still, he forced his eyes open, mostly because he wanted to see her face.

"Morning, sleepyhead," Winter said. She was watching him, smiling.

"I know," Kieran groaned, running his fingers through his hair. "I..."

His voice trailed off. He brought his hand down to study it, amazed. Although it was always scarred in his mortal world form, it was usually small like a child's. Startled, Kieran jumped out of bed and ran into the bathroom. He could hear Winter calling him, but he was too amazed. I still have my real form, he thought, but... He reached up and touched his ear. Maybe it was him, but they seemed less pointed than before.

"Hey, I realized something," Winter called.

"Yes?" Kieran asked, peeking out of the bathroom. She was standing in front of the coffee table and pulling on her robe.

"This means that it wasn't Reese eating my cookies every year," Winter said.

"Are you kidding? We feed those things to the reindeer," Kieran told her.

"Heeeeey!" Winter exclaimed, laughing. "That's not nice..."

Kieran walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. He noticed something beneath the empty cookie plate; a piece of paper. Reaching around her, he picked it up and unfolded it. Winter peered at him curiously.

"It's from Santa," Kieran explained. "He expects me to work the holiday season until I'm finished training Waylan. Then I'm... free to go."

"Free to go?" Winter asked.

"So that's it," Kieran murmured. He looked at her. "There's only a couple of black elves at a time, and for some reason they tend to disappear after a few centuries, unlike other elves. Now I know... they must go into the mortal world."

"After all your hard work," Winter said, cradling one of his hands in hers.

"Oh, there's a P.S." Kieran said. "It says 'thanks for the cookies'."

"It does not!" Winter exclaimed. "Give me that! Let me see!"

Kieran held the paper up out of her reach, bending and twisting to keep her away from it. He laughed as she tried to leap for it. Finally he tossed the paper away and began to tickle her, dragging her down to the floor with him. Winter laughed, shrieking and trying to push his hands away. They played together, completely unaware of the rest of the world just outside the window.


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The End
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Posted:  2005-02-06
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http://storiesonline.net/
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