“Nah," he said to himself.

KOK OK KOK

The sleigh arrived home just as the Sun was rising over the Pacific

Ocean. The secret door opened wide, and they descended into the tunnel that took them to the deep workshops beneath the ice. Arriving in the stables, they saw that the elven party had clearly been a good one. The reindeer nimbly danced over fallen streamers and empty cups. The sleigh ploughed them out of the way easily enough, and they slowed until they came to an elf who had fallen over and passed out in the track. Rudolph lowered his head and gave the elf a nudge with his red nose. It startled the drunk so much that he leapt up to his feet and wobbled a bit again before falling over in the opposite direction. At least he was out of the way.

Santa and Callie looked over the mess and saw things had quietened down. Apparently telling elves they were free to have as much sex as they liked and then Letting them have a party was a recipe for an imminent orgy. Quite a few of them were still happily going at it Like rabbits when they returned. Although his return did get some response as Elina and a few others came over to greet him.

“Welcome back, Santa." Elina bowed to him respectfully.

“That was a job as well done as I've ever seen it."

“Thank you. I see our rule about not fornicating in the workplaces has been relaxed then?"

“I'm afraid you deemed this a party-place before you left and it's been treated as such. Although I do have a surprise for you both.”

"Oh?" Callie leaned over the front of the sleigh to see, her pointy ears perking up at the promise of a surprise.

"Yes, it's up in the grotto. You see, it's been so nice to get back to work again like it used to be that I asked for volunteers for one Last job after you left. To thank you for your kindness to us."

“Ho, ho, ho! That wasn't necessary Elina, but I'm deeply touched. Shall we go on up to the grotto then?" Santa said

“Er, ok..." Callie Looked a bit worried at that.

“But I kinda wanted to give you my present first when we got back.”

“We won't be long, Callie," Elina promised.

“And I suppose that it's also a present for you in a way. It's more of-"

She didn't get to explain further as Callie gracefully hopped over the sleigh to Land in front of her and immediately started dragging the taller Elina up to the grotto.

“My present!? Come on then! What the hell are we waiting for!?" She tugged the high elf on toward the doors much to the amusement of the others.

Santa hopped down and saw that the elves were already seeing to the reindeer. He took a moment to give each one a pat on the head and a personal thanks for the journey before taking his leave. Callie had already dragged Elina off up to the grotto, and when he arrived at the front door he saw that the redhead had gone inside. Elina herself was standing just outside the door, and she gestured him on inside.

Not knowing quite what to expect, he let out a jolly Laugh of surprise when he saw that the inside of the grotto had been fully refurbished.