Return To Christmas

December 22, 2421

Christmas may have just been an ancient Terran holiday that had long lost its religious meaning, but it still thrived on a tiny starship thousands of light-years from its place of origin. The Annual Voyager Holiday Christmas Party, as Neelix had once dubbed it, was a long-standing tradition among the ship's crew. This would be it's 46th year, and much to the delight of the younger crew there were still several around who could remember the first party. Even greater delight was having two special return guests...

"I don't like these ornaments," a rich voice entoned critically. A second voice.

"What's not to like about them?"

"They're too shiny."

"But Seven, shiny is good," Kathryn Janeway admonished her. "It reflects the lights better."

Seven held a shiny red bulb ornament at arms length, aiming it at the ten-foot-tall tree that stood in the greatroom of the farmhouse. It reflected her image, one of a loose haired blonde woman wearing a dark red turtleneck. Kathryn was wearing a deep green sweater. Both woman had on black pants; although due to the amount of gold tinsel clinging to Kathryn's pants you couldn't really tell that they had been black. The tree was decorated mainly in a profusion of gold tinsel and blue and red ornaments, though there were some 'homemade' ornaments too--created by Voyagerian youths.

"If you say so." Seven placed the ornament on a branch, then looked to Kathryn for approval. She nodded lightly, going through a box of decorations. "What are those?"

"Oh, just a few ornaments Marija gave me to put on the tree," Kathryn said, holding up a paper candy cane. "Jason and Max made them when they were little."

"That was quite thoughtful of her," Seven noted. Kathryn nodded.

"She said that she had so many of them, most didn't fit on the tree she and Aaron put up in their quarters," she said. Kathryn set the candy cane back down, and continued going through the box. Seven fingered the silver chain that draped around her neck thoughtfully.

"Are there any more of those red ornaments?"

"You should ask either Torres or Lt. Kadi," Kathryn said, not looking up. "They were hoarding the red ones earlier."

Seven glanced over to where the two younger woman were peeking around the tree at certain male crewmembers and giggling. "I'd better not. They seem... preoccupied."

"I still wonder how hormones can count as preoccupation," Kathryn said. After a moment's thought she got the young Lieutenant's attention. She swirled over in a mass of hunter green fabric.

"Yes, Captain's mum?" Lt. Kadi grinned sheepishly.

"You haven't seen the red ornaments, by chance, have you?"

Kadi looked thoughtful. "No, ma'am."

"I see." Kathryn tapped her chin thoughtfully. "I thought you were supposed to be watching Commander Tuvok."

"I... am, ma'am," Kadi said slowly. "He's taking a nap."

"He'd better be," Kathryn said evenly. Kadi paused, and then quickly left the room.

"You're good," Seven said with a grin.

"I'm not too out of practice," Kathryn replied. "And besides, Marija was right in putting someone in charge of Tuvok. He needs someone to keep an eye on him for awhile."

"For mental or health reasons?"

Kathryn slapped Seven's arm lightly. "Health, silly. You remember how sick he was last month."

"How could I forget?" Seven made a face. "I saw more of the Doctor that I'd care to ever have to."

"Well, Tuvok's old, sort of," Kathryn said, gesturing lightly with a glittery gold paper star. "He needs attention."

"Not as much as you do," Seven grinned.

"Ha ha. And besides, Lt. Kadi seems to be doing a good job."

"When she isn't distracted," Seven said. She adjusted a strand of lights. Kathryn laughed softly.

"It seems she finds Tuvok a little distracting too," she said. Seven gave her a wry smile.

"He still is.." she waved her hand thoughtfully, "in good shape for a Vulcan."

"Vulcans are always in good shape," Kathryn said. "Or at least they pretend to be."

"True." Seven picked up a handful of tinsel. "Why isn't he helping decorating?"

"He's taking a nap," Kathryn said. Seven snickered. "Well, he really is, even though Lt. Kadi isn't sure of it. I checked in on him earlier."

"Will he be attending the party?"

"He told me that he will, and I trust in his word," Kathryn said. Seven shrugged in agreement, tossing the tinsel onto the tree. "You're terrible at that."

"Tossing gives it a more natural look," Seven said. Kathryn sighed with a laugh.

"You're hardly a girl to be natural."

"One can try, can't she?"

"Keep trying," Kathryn laughed.

"Well, if not natural... how about humble?"

Kathryn picked at a piece of tinsel. "I don't think so."

"You're no fun."

"Fun? At least I told you what I'm going to dress up as for the costume party."

"I told you," Seven paused, "I'm not going to tell you what I'm dressing up as until you tell me what a costume party has to do with Christmas."

"Nothing, but the party committee thought that it would be fun for the kids," Kathryn shrugged.

"Well I'm still not telling you."

"Seven!"

"Oh, you can wait another two days," Seven laughed. "You've waited this long..."

"I'm sure I could torture it out of you," Kathryn grinned.

"I won't let you."

"That's not exactly something you can decide on."

Seven tapped her chin, "I suppose--" Her response was cut off by a loud feminine shriek and giggle. They turned, and Kathryn threw up her hands in mock annoyance.

"Tuvok!" her hands went down to her hips and she shook her head. "You were supposed to be resting."

"I believe I have rested enough," Tuvok said evenly, depositing Lt. Kadi onto the nearest chair. She fell back in a heap of giggles. "Besides, I was being stared at again."

"You know you like it," Kathryn replied. Tuvok merely arched a brow in response. "Don't give me that, Tuvok. If you're so bored you can help the women in the kitchen."

"In the kitchen?" a bit of distaste found its way into the Vulcan's voice.

"Yes, they're baking. I'm sure they'd love to have you for company," Kathryn pursed her lips in a smile. Tuvok sighed softly.

"I will attend them then," he said, moving out of the room.

"The kitchen isn't that way," Seven whispered. Kathryn shook her head and chuckled.

"And Lt. Kadi, please quit encouraging him," she added after a moment, turning to the younger woman. "He's going to hurt himself one of these days."

"You told me to watch him," she giggled as Ensign Paris came over and tugged her off towards the other side of the room.

"Yes, but not stare," Kathryn sighed. She turned back to Seven. "Honestly, they're too much for me. Sometimes I think I should retire."

"From what, mother-henning?" Seven smiled. "You know that you like it."

"Yes, it is a nice change of pace," she agreed, moving over to a window. She peered out onto the lawn. On the holographic farm a light snow had fallen the night before, and in the present day's twilight she could see several of the current generation of youths tossing the snow about. Kathryn spotted her son-in-law among the snow covered characters. Geneva Paris-Daly, who was several months pregnant, Anita Lisson with her grandmother Ramirez, and Jessica Ashton were among the group gathered on the porch.

"The holidays certainly bring the family together," Seven noted. Kathryn laughed and nodded.

"Yes, they do. You'd think the party had already started."

"Who says it hasn't?" She shrugged and laughed again.

"Oh, look at the size of the ribbon on this thing!" Andy Chakotay's voice warbled over the loud music playing in the dance hall.

"Hey, you weren't supposed to see that for another two days!" Amanda shouted after her younger son. He ran a hand over the red satin with a wondering look.

"I didn't see what was inside," he pointed out.

"True, but if you look at it too long it'll melt."

He looked up at her. "Really?"

"Yes really," Amanda smiled. "Now go help your brother string popcorn."

"Do I have to?" Andy whined.

"Would you rather go to bed? It is already past your bedtime," she looked down pointedly at him. He got the point, and scurried off across the room.

"Boy, you sure are good with kids," Marija Janeway laughed as she approached through the entrance.

"I try," Amanda said, pushing a box aside as the Captain approached.

"Where's Adie?" Marija inquired.

"Randy has her," Amanda said, referring to her husband and new daughter. Marija looked around.

"Everyone has certainly done a wonderful job on this."

"Oh, the program just gets better every year," Amanda grinned. She was regarding the fact that the dance-party hall was next to the main building of the farmhouse, but it was only a temporary establishment. A part of the holidays on Voyager.

"I see we went with the red and gold motif this year," Marija noted, looking up at the rafters, which were being covered in a profusion of gold, red, and green garland.

"Wait until they get the disco-ball installed," Amanda laughed. Marija rolled her eyes.

"Don't tell me that Jeremy actually figured out how to program that thing."

"He didn't, thankfully," she admitted. "But he's still trying."

"I'll have to find something more constructive for him to do."

"Couldn't hurt."

"I think the warp core needs some loving," Marija said in a mock-thoughtful voice. Her face broke into a grin. "I wonder what he'd do if an inch of snow appeared in Engineering."

"You mean before or after he wakes up from his heart attack?"

"Umm, after," Marija decided. "It'll be easier to get away from him then."

"Yeah."

**Decorations of red

On a green Christmas tree

Won't mean a thing

If you're not here with me--**

"Aaaah!" they grabbed their ears as the volume of the sound system jumped to unbearable levels. Jeremy Paris's head appeared from behind the control panel.

"Sorry!" he called.

"You will be!" Marija shouted back. She nodded at Amanda. "That's it, I think he did that on purpose."

"Oh, come on."

"He's getting two inches in Engineering," Marija said. "And a big red bow on the warp core."

"How festive."

"What on earth is all that racket?" Kathryn Janeway called from the doorway.

"Hi Mama," Marija grinned. "Jeremy was just messing with our heads."

"I know that grin," Kathryn laughed. "Should someone let the Doctor know he'll be having patients coming in?"

"Oh, no, that would spoil the fun," Marija raised her brows and looked innocently at her mother. "But, uh, were you rolling in the Christmas tree?"

"Ha ha," Kathryn brushed at her tinsel-endowed pants. "This is what I get for helping to decorate."

"We could use you as a decoration, Aunt Kathryn," Amanda said, tapping her chin with a mischievous look.

"Don't you even think about it!" Kathryn said loudly, clamped a hand over her projector.

"Oh, why not?" both Marija and Amanda pouted.

"I'm very.. delicate," she replied, dropping her hand.

"We'd be careful."

"No, no, no..." Kathryn shook her head. "I think I'm going to go back over to the greatroom where I'm safe."

"They might try and try you to the tree," Amanda pointed out.

"I won't let them."

"What if they get Seven to do it?"

"She wouldn't," Kathryn said quickly, though she wasn't really certain of it. "And she knows I'd get my revenge."

Marija clapped her hands together and grinned. "This could get interesting."

"It's been nice being harassed by you two, but I must be going," Kathryn started to pull herself away from them.

"Oh, so soon Mama?"

"I don't need to be jumped and reprogrammed," Kathryn laughed.

"We wouldn't do that," Amanda assured her.

"I can never be sure," Kathryn said, and darted through the doors. She went out around the backside of the house, relishing the muffled silence. The occasional shout made it over the roof, but it was nowhere near as loud as the inside of the house was.

Kathryn watched the silhouettes pass by the back windows. People carrying on, having a grand time. The party wasn't for another few days, but you'd never be able to tell. A smile formed on Janeway's face as she watched quietly. Thinking. The scene made her feel strangely warmed. These were her people--still her crew. She, and Seven too, were still and always members of the crew. The familial bonds were stronger now than ever.

She turned away from the windows, looking out into the darkness. The woods encircled the farmland, but at a distance. She imagined that if there was better moonlight she d be able to see through the bare trees. The wind curled softly, and her breath fogged up into her face.

There was a sudden thump on the wall next to her. Kathryn jerked and turned around, seeing a white glob slowly sliding down the wooden siding. She sucked in a breath and turned back; came face to face with a smiling woman. Kathryn laughed.

"Had me there for a second," she said.

Seven continued smiling, rolling a second snowball between her gloved hands.

"What, you know the kids don't have a good enough arm to throw it over the house," Seven said. "Not over the second story at least."

"True." Kathryn smiled in amusement as she took in Seven's garb. The younger woman was probably the most heavily clothed person on the holodeck. She had on a thick gray parka, a scarf, what looked like two pairs of gloves, ear muffs, and boots. That wasn't a lot, but Kathryn knew that Seven also still had the red turtleneck and black pants on, and a dark brown woolen sweater.

Seven seemed to notice the inspection, because she said: "You aren't cold?"

"A little," Kathryn admitted. She only had a jacket on over her sweater and pants. "But never as cold as you always are."

"I'm getting used to it," Seven protested. Kathryn shrugged, and a piece of tinsel floated down to the snow. Seven gave the snowball a pat. Kathryn eyed it with a hint of suspicion.

"What are you planning to do with that?"

Seven glanced up. "Make you cold."

It seemed to click. "Don't you dare!"

"Oh come on, then we'll have an excuse to go inside."

"If you do I'll make you stay up and help put the lights on the roof," Kathryn said, pointing a finger at her.

"Oh, that'll be fun," Seven said, grinning.

"Fun like a horses butt."

"I won't ask where that came from."

"Let's just go inside."

"I thought you'd never ask."

December 23, 2421

"Hey! Watch it!" a voice shouted.

"Sorry!" another shouted back.

"Watch where you're throwing that stuff!" Kathryn called up to the roof.

"It's just snow!" Seven called down.

"You were dropping lights too," came up Alex's voice.

"I don't see you helping!" Lt. Kadi shouted from the other side of the roof.

"Do not reject me now I am old, nor desert me now my strength is failing," was Tuvok's loud reply. He sipped at his apple cider.

"Yeah, what he said!" Alex shouted.

"Isn't it past you all's bedtime?" Ensign Paris said, tugging at a cord.

"Bedtimes are irrelevant," Kathryn said, quirking a brow.

"That's my line!" Seven grinned.

"Don't tell the grandkids that or there could be problems," Alex said.

"If you don't quit complaining I'm going to knock some icicles down!" Seven shouted.

"Meanie!"

"Someone has to do it!"

Kathryn made a noise somewhere between a laugh and a grunt. "If you're going to be like that I'll just go inside." She crossed her arms. "Where it's warm."

"I thought that I was the cold wimp," Seven said.

"You are," Kathryn shot back. "I just know when to go inside."

"Sure you do."

"I do!"

"If you did you wouldn't have even come out into the cold," Seven pointed out, straightening a line of lights.

"Then who would you be arguing with?"

"Tuvok most likely."

"No, if I was inside then I'd have Tuvok with me."

Seven arched a brow. "Doing what?"

"Drinking hot tea, I suppose."

"Sure you would be."

"Seven!"

"Kathryn!" They both laughed, Seven brushing snow down.

"Quit that!" Kathryn laughed, running a hand through her hair.

"Come up and make me."

"I don't think so. I'm too old."

"Then how the hell did I get up here?"

"Beats me." She uncrossed her arms. "Seven, it's two in the morning. Don't you think you should come down?"

"I'm giving you the same answer I did at one," Seven replied. "Not until I'm finished."

"Fine! Freeze your implants off," Kathryn threw up her hands. "I don't care." She turned. "I'm going inside."

"Sure you are." After there was no reply, Seven blinked. "Kathryn?"

"She went inside," Alex said.

"Humph!" Seven made a little noise of disbelief. "I didn't think she really would leave me out here."

"She did the first three times," Tuvok pointed out. Seven sighed.

"I guess so." She made her way across the roof to the ladder and made her careful way to the ground. The snow crunched under her feet as she went to the darkened porch. Tuvok elbowed Alex as she stifled a giggle. Seven reached for the doorknob, and the porch lights came on. She squinted as the front door opened. Kathryn smiled up at her triumphantly, holding a mug of tea.

"Gotcha," she said, offering Seven the mug.

"Kathryn!" Seven moaned as she took the tea and followed her inside.

The door clicked shut and laughter escaped from Alex and those up on the roof. Tuvok merely shook his head.

"Close your eyes now and rest

May these hours be blessed

Close your eyes now and rest

May these hours be blessed."

"Oooh, that sounded good," Kathryn nodded in approval.

"I don't know," Ensign Bridges said. "I keep thinking they're off on 'slumbers'." Bridges was the ship's choir director. On a little stage stood twenty of Voyager's youngsters, all in various stages of fidgeting.

"Then run it through again."

"You know I will." Bridge turned back to the group and clapped her hands. "Okay everyone, we're going to start again from the beginning." At a slight groan she added, "Don't you want to make your parents proud? And I'm sure you want to sound good in front of the Captain." She quirked a brow as the group seemed to gather itself up at the verbal joust.

"From the top!"

"Lullaby and good night

In the sky stars are bright

Around your head flowers gay

Set your slumbers till day.."

"And what are you up to, Kathryn?"

She looked up at Seven's arrival. "Oh, just getting a preview of tomorrow night's music."

"You've been previewing for an awfully long time," Seven said. "I've been looking for you for almost an hour."

"You could have gotten the computer to locate me."

"Was more fun this way."

"True." Kathryn looked up at the little singing group and smiled. "They're just so cute I had to watch."

"Cute," Seven said thoughtfully. "Yes, I suppose so." She smoothed the shoulder of her brown turtleneck and looked at the choir. Her cheeks were still a bit flushed from that early morning's exploits on the roof.

"So," Kathryn said pointedly. "Have you finished your costume yet?"

"Yes," she nodded. "But I'm still not telling you." She looked at Kathryn in amusement as the other woman grunted. "Honestly, you'll just have to wait. It's not that good anyways."

"Anything done with your precision ought to be good."

"Maybe."

"Well you better make sure it's warm in case I get upset and dunk you in a snow bank."

"I wouldn't let you!" Seven laughed.

"I'd do it if I caught you off guard."

"I'm still stronger than you," she said. "I would think I'd be able to stop you."

"We'll see."

"Mmhmm."

Seven watched the singing for a moment and then cleared her throat. "You wouldn't happen to know anything about Marija and Amanda needing thirty feet of red velvet, would you?"

"Um, no I don't think so," Kathryn raised a brow. "Where'd you hear that?"

"When I was looking for you, I passed through the kitchen. They were at the table talking, and I heard Marija say something about 'I wonder how many rations it would take to replicate all forty feet of that velvet.' and then Amanda suggested that they only use thirty."

"No idea."

"I decided it would be better to be ignorant of what they're doing, in case it was something bad," Seven grinned.

"Ah, my smart girl," Kathryn laughed

"If I'm the smart one, who are you?"

"The smarter one!"

"Is that so? Want to prove it?"

"I don't have to," Kathryn said stubbornly.

"And why not?"

"Because I'm the Captain."

"No, the Captain is the one plotting terrible things with thirty feet of velvet."

"Red always was my favorite color."

"Mine too, but that doesn't prove anything."

"Excuse me while I go over there and laugh."

The rest of the day on the holodeck passed quietly because of goings-on elsewhere on the ship. There were year-end diagnostics being planned, and department parties being held. The choir youths had went off to the other holodeck to watch a movie, and so the residents of holodeck one had been left to their own devices. Mainly, cleaning up before the next night's party. Evening eventually arrived.

"Have you seen the broom?" Ramirez came out onto the porch where Kathryn and Seven sat.

"Um, which one? There are two."

"Well Frankie's using one," she said. "But I can't find the other."

"Tuvok might know," Seven piped up. "He was getting it for someone last time we saw him."

"Thanks," Ramirez smiled and darted back inside. Seven shifted on the porch swing.

"Cold?" Kathryn asked with a laugh.

"That has to be the dumbest question you know," she snickered. "I can't wait until winter is over so I don't have to hear it anymore."

"Are you cold? Are you cold? Are you cold?" Kathryn burst out laughing. "Then I can start asking, 'Are you hot'?"

"That isn't the best one to be asking either."

"Not in public at least."

"And not around these old people who probably haven't had a lay in ages," Kathryn muttered.

"Not since Chakotay died at least," Alex's voice sighed from the other end of the porch.

"I thought you were asleep."

"Can't tell anymore," Alex chuckled. "Sometimes I wake up and think I'm dreaming."

"Must be nice," Kathryn sighed. "I always know when I'm confused."

"Or at least she thinks she does," Seven grinned.

"You aren't helping!"

"No one said I had to."

"It's the holiday season," Kathryn said. "Time to give and be nice and stuff."

"I am giving."

"Yeah, giving me a headache."

"Aw," Seven gave her a pouty look. "What'd I do wrong now?" Kathryn held in a giggle.

"Nothing."

She looked at Kathryn and drummed webbed fingers on her chin. "What if I gave you one of your presents early?"

"You mean I get more than one?"

A smirk. "Of course you do."

Kathryn caught the look, "Is it wrapped?"

"Maybe."

"Animal, mineral, or vegetable?"

"Mm... animal."

Kathryn's brows rose higher. "You know, it's pretty cold out here. I suggest we go inside and warm up."

"What a wonderful suggestion."

They passed Tuvok on their way inside.

"Where are you two headed off to?" Tuvok said.

"Off to spread a little holiday cheer," Kathryn called.

"Do it without waking up half the holodeck this time!"

December 24, 2421

Amanda looked at the red-coated Janeway. "Aunt Kathryn, I thought that you were dressing up as a.. a.. reindeer."

"I was," Kathryn smirked slightly.

"And won't Mrs. Claus be upset to find out her position's been usurped?" Amanda shifted little Adeline on her hips. She still occasionally suffered from pain in her back from her brush with paralysis, but that was growing less all the time. Adeline was less than a month old, but she was being very cooperative about going to the party.

"Oh, Marija knows about it," Kathryn smiled. She looked over at 'Santa', who was really her son-in-law Aaron. "She was supposed to be Ms. Claus, but is on the Bridge doing something."

"Red looks better on you anyways," Amanda grinned. Adeline cooed, opening sleeping eyes. The women chuckled.

"So how's Adie?"

"Oh, she's doing good."

"And how's mother?"

"I'm all right. I get sleep now and then."

"Well, it takes time but you get used to the lack of sleep," Kathryn laughed.

"I know! After Andrew and James I thought I'd never get to sleep again." Amanda stifled a yawn. "I just keep promising myself that this is the last one."

"Three is enough, I think," Kathryn agreed. She gave her shoulders a shrug, the green dress she was wearing underneath showing for a moment. "Seen Seven yet?"

"No," Amanda shook her head.

"I guess she's still donning her costume," Kathryn said with a smirk. Amanda smiled back.

"If Jeremy comes in yelling bloody murder, just ignore him," she said. "If you're excuse us..." Amanda nodded over at her husband and then made her way through the growing crowd. Kathryn sighed and shook her head. The jingle bells hanging from the holly clipped to her hair gave a faint tinkling, and she laughed as she reached up to quiet them.

"Michael, is that you?" she called. Someone wearing pointy ears and green clothes turned to her.

"The one and only."

Kathryn smiled. "I thought you were Vorik at first. Michael gave a little laugh.

"I'm not that old."

"Shouldn't you be on the Bridge?" Kathryn wondered.

"Marija kicked me off," he explained. "She said that I was getting on her nerves."

"I wouldn't doubt it," she smiled kindly. "Seen Seven?"

"I'm sure that I'm not the first person you've asked," Michael laughed. "But no, she's keeping herself pretty well hidden."

"Thanks anyways."

"Sure thing, Grandma Claus.." he darted off.

"You!" she called and laughed. Kathryn straightened the heavy red coat on her shoulders and made her way around. At the side of the Christmas tree near the kitchen she found Tuvok. He was surrounded by several of the more youthful, female members of Voyager's crew. Lt. Kadi and Ensign Paris were among the either young ladies present. Tuvok was wearing the reindeer antlers from Kathryn's original costume. In fact... they were all wearing antlers.

"My aren't you popular for an old man?" Kathryn said in greeting. Tuvok gave her a look that said he couldn't decide if he was having a good time or not.

"I will get you for this," he said softly. Kathryn smiled again.

"You can thank me later."

"Seven thought he looked cute," Kadi giggled, fingering the jingle bell strung around her neck.

"You've seen her?"

"Yeah, about half an hour ago," Paris said. "She said she was going to get her costume on."

"That must be a complicated costume," Kathryn chuckled.

"It looked pretty big from the bag she was carrying," Geneva added.

"Don't you have a husband to be with?" she scolded her. Geneva laughed.

"I think he's in the dance hall helping check the sound systems again."

"Sounds painful."

"You can understand why I chose a more entertaining place to wait for the real party to start," Geneva laughed and shook her antlered head.

"As long as you don't tire him out," Kathryn said slowly. Tuvok gave her another killer glare, which she carefully ignored. "I'll see you all around, I'm sure."

Kathryn excused herself and went over to the main hall. As Geneva had said, several men were going through the checks of the sound system. She got that the feeling that they were doing it for the fun of it, because the system had been running fine the last ten times they checked it.

"Testing, testing, ho ho ho," Aaron rumbled into a microphone. "Hey Miss Claus, I see you by the doorway... what did you do with the real one?" Kathryn laughed and waved at him, continuing her way towards the lines of chairs set up near the stage. People had already begun to crowd in. Parents were calming nervous choir members, and siblings were doing their best to be annoying. She stopped Ensign Bridges as she bustled by.

"So when's this going to begin?"

"We're waiting for the Captain, now," Bridges said.

"I'm here!" a voice shouted from the entrance. A mild cheer went up as the still-uniformed form of Marija Janeway made its way through the crowd. She reached Kathryn and Bridges.

"You're late," Bridges said.

"I know, and I apologize," Marija said. "But propulsion decided to mess up fifteen minutes before the party started." She clapped her hands together. "We fixed the immediate problems, but the rest will be okay until tomorrow night."

Bridge smiled. "Glad you could make it."

"You wouldn't believe how I had people bustling up there," Marija laughed. "I had to kick Michael out because he kept slowing me down."

"So I heard," Kathryn said. Marija ran a hand through her hair, which she had pulled down somewhere between the Bridge and Holodeck one.

"All I need is a cup of cup and a brush and I'll be able to introduce the little cutie choir," she said.

"I have one, follow me," Bridges said.

"I'll go get a seat," Kathryn said.

"See you later!" Marija called as she followed the choir director of to the back of the stage. Kathryn went back up the stairs, which people were streaming in down from the farm house and outside. She smiled and nodded at everyone who greeted her, but darted into the kitchen. It was darkened and empty. Kathryn sat at the table with the abandoned trays of cookies and other goodies. She waited until it fell silent outside, and then went into the room where the tree stood. It was the only light that remained on in the downstairs of the main house. A sigh escaped from her. She could hear the sound of her daughter's voice come over the speakers in the party hall.

A few minutes passed. There was the sound of applause, and Kathryn crept over to the door. The hall had been darkened, lights shining on the stage. A piano began playing, and Kathryn smiled.

"Oh come all ye faithful

Joyful and triumphant

Oh come ye oh come ye to Bethlehem.."

And then a beam of light bounced down the stairs. Kathryn turned, squinting the sudden illumination. She moved away from the hall door; towards the foot of the stairs. Kathryn rested a hand on the wall. The light widened, and then silhouetted a form. She was tall, and the light glowed through the feathers on her back. A line of gold flashed in the shadow that was cast across her face. Kathryn fought for her voice.

"Seven?" she whispered.

She glided down the stairs, her wings rustling slightly. She seemed to glow, backlit by the upstairs light.

"Sing choirs of angels

Sing in exhalation

Sing all ye citizens of Heaven above

Glory to God

Glory in the highest

Oh come let us adore him!

Oh come let us adore him!

Oh come, let us adore him!..."

"Kathryn," Seven finally reached the bottom step and paused. Kathryn took her hand and let her down the last step. The dark blue of her velvet dress was warm.

"Oh Seven, you look beautiful," Kathryn breathed, returning Seven's smile. "But you didn't need a costume to prove that you're an angel."

Seven's smile broadened. "What costume?"

Kathryn laughed, softly at first, and then quite loudly. She took Seven into her arms and hugged her tight.

"Come," she whispered into Seven's neck, her chin brushing past the silver chain that hung there. "We're missing the concert."

"Let's go then."

"Ooh, you make the season bright

With the lights reflected in your eyes

All my dreams comin' true tonight

It's Christmas Eve and I can see we're in love

Walkin' with you in a winter's snow

Kissin' underneath the mistletoe

People smiling everywhere we go

It's Christmas Eve and they can see we're in love.."

Applause filled the hall as the choir's final song ended. Ensign Bridges let her group in a bow, and then filed off the stage in a clamber of red and green fabric as Marija made her way back up to the stage. She took the microphone from Bridges.

"Wasn't that wonderful?" she smiled at the murmurs of agreement from the audience. "I hate to sound old, but I can remember when the parents of some of the youngsters up there were singing in the Christmas concert." There was laughter and remembering nods. "We started having that twenty years ago. My first Christmas as Captain. It's been a long time, but it's also been getting better every year. Thank you everyone for coming. We'll be progressing with the rest of our party as soon as we can get all the lights back up." Marija gave a little curtsy at the applause and hopped off the stage.

"Marija!" Jeremy Paris appeared suddenly. She looked up at the stairs where he stood.

"Yes?" she called.

"Why is there a snow drift in Engineering?" he shouted, his face coloring some. There was laughter.

"Because we couldn't get it to spread out flat," Marija explained loudly. Jeremy sighed and made way down the stairs.

"Then I won't ask about the bow either."

The lights came back on, and Kathryn helped Seven up out of her seat.

"These chairs weren't designed to deal with wings," Seven laughed. The chair she had been sitting in was almost instantly whisked away by one of the young men who were moving things around in order to clear the floor.

People were already grouping into the open areas as music began playing. Seven shrugged one of her shoulders, stirring the pale blue-white feathers. She clasped Kathryn by the hand and lead her out to the dance floor.

"I get to ask this time."

A smile. "I've been waiting."

Seven smiled in return. "Care to dance, Kathryn?"

"I'd love to."

"And we're still holding hands when we're walking

Acting like we've only just met

But how could that be - when there's so much history

Guess that's how true lovers can get

Another year has gone by

And I'm still the one by your side

After everything that's gone by..."

Seven folded Kathryn into her arms, turning away from the crowd. Her arching wings did a fair enough job from hiding them from prying eyes. Not that anyone would be, Tuvok and his reindeer brigade were creating a big enough stir. Kathryn smiled, pressing a kiss into Seven's neck.

"So much time has passed," Seven murmured. Kathryn nodded, looking up at her.

"It's almost perfect."

"Nothing is perfect, then?" she smiled softly. Kathryn chuckled.

"This moment feels perfect enough."

"That's good to hear."

"Seven?"

"Hmm?"

"Can we do this again next year?"

Another smile. "Of course."

"Promise?"

Seven bowed her head, pressing her cheek against Kathryn's. "I promise."

They danced slowly, moving in a slow turn to the music.

"Incredible," Kathryn said softly. "We keep ending up together."

"History repeats itself, and things return to what they once were," Seven said. "Even it only for a brief time."

"These are the special times

Times we'll remember

These are the precious times

The tender times we'll hold in our hearts forever

These are the sweetest times

These times together

And through it all, one thing will always be true

The special times are the times I share with you.."

"After all this time, we've still returned to Christmas."

"Yes."

"Merry Christmas, Seven."

"Merry Christmas, Kathryn."

The End