Joy of First Contact

Part 1

Captain Kathryn Janeway of the USS Voyager Starship sat in her ready room gazing out at the stars distorted by the warp field. She had finished perusing the daily reports and the crew’s performance reviews and was taking the time to simply relax and enjoy another cup of coffee. It had been another long day. Voyager had been on a relatively straight trajectory headed back towards the Alpha Quadrant and there had not been any disruptions in the day to day routine of running the ship for quite some time. It felt good to just lean back and put her feet up, something she did not have the opportunity to do very often.

“Neelix to Captain Janeway.”

“Yes, Mr. Neelix, what is it?” She responded with a sigh.

“I am respectfully requesting a moment of your time, Captain.”

She knew that Neelix, the ship’s cook, morale officer, and Delta Quadrant ambassador rolled into one Talaxian was just outside the door to her ready room and she bade him to enter. She could tell that he had a request on his mind as he approached the upper deck portion of her ready room with purposeful strides.

“Yes, Mr. Neelix?” She queried.

“Captain, I have been researching the data files and have discovered that humans from your world celebrate a holiday known as Christmas. And yet, in all the years we have been travelling together, I do not remember you ever celebrating this holiday. Is there some reason for this?”

“Humans celebrate a variety of holidays on Earth that hold special significance and yes, Christmas is one of those holidays. I suppose no one has ever asked to celebrate it.” She replied with a firm knowledge that Neelix was about to change all that.

“Well” he began, “ Don’t you think we could celebrate it? I think it would be great opportunity for the crew to enjoy a holiday that reminded them of home. Why I remember on Talax we celebrated Aranap, which happens every, well, what is the equivalent of your day…every two hundred days. It is a wonderful celebration because our nights become longer than our days and it is that halfway point where we know that the days will be growing longer and the nights shorter. We celebrate with lots of lights and music and festivities, including gift giving. I recall reading in Voyager’s database that you exchange gifts at Christmas. I think it’s a delightful idea, don’t you?”

It was obvious to Captain Janeway that Neelix had already made up his mind that the crew would want this because he wanted this and how was she to place any kind of damper on his enthusiasm? He was, afterall, the morale officer for Voyager. And, once Neelix set his mind to something such as a celebration, there was little that would move him from his position for any excuse to boost morale.

“Mr. Neelix, it’s a wonderful suggestion and one which I would like for you to initiate. Please make the appropriate arrangements, but I would suggest that the gift giving be kept to a minimum.” She cautioned.

“Understood, Captain. I’ll get started on that right away.” He left whistling some odd little tune, which amused Janeway.

After Neelix exited her ready room, Captain Kathryn Janeway was left alone with her thoughts and her memories. Memories of snow and cold, crisp air forcing her to bundle up in warm woolen coats brought a smile to her face. She hadn’t thought of Indiana winters and Christmas for so very long. She had grown up in that region of North America where winters could be fierce indeed, the snow falling for hours at a time blanketing the landscape. She gazed again at the star field and remembered that her family, living the life of Traditionalists, also celebrated Christmas complete with tree trimming festivities and exchanging presents on Christmas morning. Kathryn’s favorite time of the season was accompanying her uncle in the sleigh to find just the right tree and bringing it home for the family to decorate with ornaments and lights and tinsel. She wondered if Neelix would somehow replicate a tree for the occasion.

Her duty shift had been over for some time and still she found it difficult to leave her ready room. It was as though she dreaded the thought of returning to her quarters for yet another night of being alone. Captain Janeway was tired and she knew it. She was tired of shouldering the responsibility for all the men and women under her command and making certain that they were heading towards the Alpha Quadrant, towards home. She felt the pangs of guilt from time to time that it had been her decisions that had stranded them in this region of space so far from Federation territory. She felt the hollowness of losing crewmembers in a quadrant that was alien and from time to time, hostile. She grieved for those that had perished either fighting to save Voyager from strange and menacing life forms or from stumbling innocently into territories where the slightest misstep became a fatal one.

Kathryn straightened her shoulders certain of the knowledge that wearing four pips on her collar did not allow her the luxury of wallowing in self-pity or self doubt for too long. She had a ship to run and a crew that was better than she could have ever asked for; they had done their jobs well and she was proud of each and every one of them. She was simply tired of being alone. And that thought sent a jolt through her, which she knew at once, was the real truth. Yet, she knew that could not begin to approach anyone under her command for any kind of comfort, let alone intimacy. Star Fleet regulations were quite clear regarding captains fraternizing with crewmembers and although she had done well to uphold the ideologies and protocols of the Federation, in her heart, she ached for the closeness that came with the touch of love.
* * * * * * * * * * *

The computer alerted Kathryn that the time was 0600 and that it was time to get up. She would have preferred taking an off duty day but she also knew herself well enough to know that she would not do that. She had spent the previous night like other nights, reading and listening to jazz. She knew that her routine was exactly that, a routine.

Since there had been no dealings with hostile aliens in the region of space that they were traversing, it was an opportunity for her and the rest of the crew to get caught up on routine maintenance and busywork. Not that Janeway minded. She was not the kind of captain who preferred fighting her way across the galaxy engaging aliens in battles at every turn. Kathryn was simply tired of the daily routine that had become so rote. It had been close to a month since they had met any other intelligent life forms and even then, she was being generous in referring to the Tregaynians as intelligent. Their efforts at communication had been difficult at best and although they, too, were a space faring species, they had little to offer Voyager save the opportunity to say hello.

She entered the turbolift to find Seven of Nine, her Astrometrics Officer, already in the lift. Seven was human with Borg implants, separated from the Collective slightly more than two years previously. Kathryn knew that Seven was the focus of fantasies for many of the male members of her crew. It somehow disturbed her to know this and she filed that thought away.

“Captain.” Seven stood straight and tall, her hands linked behind her back, which gave her the most formidable posture.

“Good morning, Seven. I don’t usually see you this early”, replied Captain Janeway.

“Indeed”. Her eyebrow arched making the implant over her eyebrow arch even higher on her forehead. “I am on my way to the mess hall for a morning nutritional supplement. The Doctor has advised me to begin doing this after my cycle of regeneration has completed.”

“It’s called breakfast, Seven, and many people consider it to be The most important meal of the day,” added the Captain.

“I do not normally require ‘breakfast’.” Seven replied.

“Would you care to join me this morning, Seven?”

“That would be acceptable, Captain,” acknowledged Seven of Nine.

Upon arriving in the mess hall both women found much of the Alpha shift crew already eating and engaged in conversation. By the level of excitement noted in the tone and volume of the voices it appeared that Neelix’s idea had already been disseminated around the ship. Maybe this was exactly what was needed, thought the Captain.

“Captain!” Neelix beamed. “Such a pleasure it is when you join us for breakfast."

“The most important meal of the day?” Seven of Nine asked the Captain.

“Well, I did say many. Just coffee for me, Neelix.”

“Captain, Captain. Coffee is not enough to get your day started in the right way. Why I will have you know that I have just finished cooking the most delicious Tellian omelet and it has your name on it”. ‘Neelix could have been a used car salesman in another century on Earth,’ thought Janeway.

Janeway smiled and used her most diplomatic voice. “Neelix, I really only want coffee just right now. I see that the crew has heard of your plans for celebrating Christmas. How far along in the planning process are you?”

“As a matter of fact I was talking with Ensign Wildman and she suggested that the we place all the names of the crew into a hat and everyone could draw one name only. That person would then think of a suitable present for the name drawn. She also suggested that the gift giving should be done without the recipient knowing the identity of the giver. I believe that she referred to it as a Secret Santa. What do you think, Captain?” Neelix asked with enthusiasm edging his voice slightly higher than usual.

“I think that sounds like a marvelous idea, Neelix. How is the rest of the crew warming to the plans?”

“So far everyone seems to be very excited at the prospect of celebrating Christmas. Lieutenant Paris and Ensign Kim agree that we should hold the festivities on the holodeck on the eve of Christmas!” he beamed.

“I believe you will find that it is referred to as Christmas Eve, Mr. Neelix.” Lt. Tuvok had joined the conversation alongside Captain Janeway. “Humans have been celebrating this particular occasion for centuries.”

“And what do Vulcans celebrate, Lieutenant Tuvok?” asked Seven of Nine.

“It is not Christmas. However, there is precedence for the celebration of the lighting of candles and lanterns in Vulcan history that marks the halfway point in our calendar year. It is said that the lighting of the candles makes way for the lighting of the days ahead where new growth will occur.” Tuvok replied.

“Well, then, Mr. Neelix,” Janeway began, “It would seem that you have the makings of a successful celebration. I think the idea of exchanging gifts is appropriate and you have my permission to go ahead with the plans.”

“Excellent! I believe that we have a date set for three days from now. I would also like permission to initiate a holodeck program which will be suitable to the occasion, Captain.”

“Permission granted, Mr. Neelix.”

With Seven at her side, Captain Janeway moved in the general direction of the kitchen area in search of coffee. Both women found what they needed; the Captain - a steaming cup of coffee; Seven - a plate of Tellian omelet and toast, before settling themselves at a nearby table. Neither of them spoke for a few moments and it was Seven who first broke the silence.

“What is this celebration about, Captain?” she began.

“Christmas? Well, on Earth several centuries ago, it was a celebration of the Christ child’s birth. It has continued on as part of a mid-winter celebration and to mark that time when we give selflessly of ourselves for our fellow beings. There’s plenty of information in the databanks about Christmas. Do you remember celebrating it with your parents, Seven?” Kathryn Janeway asked.

“No, Captain. I remember very little about that time of my life,” answered Seven.

“I have very fond memories of celebrating Christmas in Indiana. What I remember most is the snow and going sledding with friends and family and trimming the tree,” shared Janeway.

“Trimming the tree?” asked Seven of Nine.

“Oh yes. It’s when everyone decorates the tree with lights and ornaments. The tree comes alive with color and well, expression!” answered Janeway.

“I see. And will I be expected to participate in this … occasion, Captain?”

Janeway could see the skepticism on Seven’s face and somehow she wanted to convince the woman before her that this event could be a very special time for Seven, that it could enhance her development as a human. She knew that she couldn’t order Seven to participate and she didn’t know why exactly, but Kathryn wanted Seven to be included in the festivities.

“I won’t order you to attend, Seven, but I would like it if you would join the crew in the celebration”, she said quietly.

“I will comply, then, Captain.”

Seven held the Captain’s gaze for a few moments before lowering her eyes. She resumed eating her omelet and Janeway returned to her coffee, both women suddenly experiencing an awkward silence. Before long it was time for Seven to head for the Astrometrics Lab and she excused herself quickly. Perhaps too quickly, thought Kathryn. Ah, just as well, she thought, I’m needed on the bridge for another day of routine anyway.
* * * * * * * * * * *

Neelix had garnered the assistance of Harry Kim, ship’s operations officer, Tom Paris, ship’s pilot, and Ensign Wildman, Astrometrics Officer, to develop ideas as to how to transform the holodeck into a suitable space for the celebration. Several hours later they had decided upon a ski lodge atmosphere complete with stone fireplace, roaring fire, Christmas tree, boxes of decorations including tree lights that twinkled on/off, plenty of candles to adorn the area and a raging snowstorm blowing “outdoors”. Tom thought that the setting was the perfect romantic staging for him to make overtures in an attempt to become closer to B’Elanna Torres, ship’s Chief of Engineering. B’Elanna had successfully rebuffed all of his previous advances. Harry keyed into the computer various types of music, which would fit the mood for the evening, and Neelix had already cooked and replicated huge amounts of food including what appeared to be roast fowl and various dishes that smelled wonderful. Ensign Wildman has previously seen to the distribution of the names in the hat and the crew had been busily going about their duties and finding ways to make or replicate suitable gifts. The festivities were set to begin at 1900 hours and Neelix seemed to be more excited than anyone.
* * * * * * * * * *

Kathryn Janeway was in her quarters trying to decide what to wear. She had already given permission for her crew to abandon their uniforms in favor of more casual wear. Yet, she couldn’t decide for herself and was becoming frustrated by the minute. She had spent part of her day selecting a gift for Seven, the name she had drawn from the hat, in between reading reports and checking into computer logs for additional information on possible fuel conversions for future use. Kathryn smiled to herself and remembered feeling amused to discover that she had drawn Seven’s name and how there was just the slightest tingle in her abdomen when she read the name.

Kathryn knew that Seven had a limited wardrobe and had finally selected a pair of forest green slacks with a cream colored long sleeved blouse to give her. Per orders from Ensign Wildman and Neelix, she had wrapped the gifts carefully omitting any identifying card or note and placed them near Seven’s alcove in Cargo Bay 2. She hoped that Seven would eventually find them and wear them for the evening.

Kathryn suddenly found herself feeling a childlike excitement at the thought of giving Seven her gift and watching her as she opened the box. Although she knew that she would not be able to witness that, she still managed to feel the excitement at knowing that Seven would be surprised and she hoped, pleased. She wondered if Seven would be able to determine who it was that had drawn her name. Kathryn flushed at the thought that Seven might discover that it was she who had left the gift.

However, here it was close to 1830 hours and still, Kathryn had not selected a suitable outfit. She had taken the time to have a leisurely bath and had carefully brushed her hair until it shone. She rather enjoyed her hair at this length because she could wear it in a twist for when she was on duty or leave it loose for evenings such as this. Finally she selected a red caftan that she knew felt wonderful next to her skin and allowed her easy freedom of movement. As she gazed at herself in the mirror she realized that although she was proud of her command uniform, she rarely had the opportunity to wear clothing that appealed to her more feminine side. And, tonight she felt very feminine and noted that again her thoughts had strayed to Seven of Nine, her Astrometrics Officer. Seven, who’s persistent inquiry of all things related to being human, was something that Kathryn found attractive and appealing. Seven, who could argue with her and infuriate her more quickly than anyone else she had ever known, and yet, it was Seven with whom Kathryn could have the most thought provoking conversations which challenged her. She wondered, again, if Seven would be wearing her gift.
* * * * * * * * * * *

Captain Kathryn Janeway met Commander Chakotay in the corridor leading to the holodeck where the festivities were already in full swing. He was dressed in a loose fitting shirt decorated with intricate beadwork and stitching that only served to accentuate his Native American heritage.

“Captain, you look stunning this evening.” Chakotay smiled.

“Thank you, Commander, and you seem to be dressed for the occasion.” Janeway replied.
“Thank you. My ‘Santa’ dropped this by my quarters while I was still on duty and although my people don’t celebrate this particular holiday, we have something quite similar that occurs around the same time of year, and this … well, it would be what the male members of my tribe would wear if we were back on Earth, Captain. Are you the responsible ‘Santa’? Chakotay inquired?

“It’s a handsome shirt, Chakotay, and although I wish I could take credit for the gesture, no I’m not your ‘Secret Santa’. Janeway smiled as the doors to the holodeck opened.

The Doctor approached the two of them wearing an unusual facial expression considering the event to which he was attending.

“Doctor?” Janeway opened.

“Captain Janeway. I know that this is some kind of celebration that the crew obviously needs but to include me in this particular event is totally unnecessary, especially when I have received THIS from my Secret Santa, whoever and whatever that may be.” The Doctor held in his hands what appeared to be an old fashioned stethoscope.

“Why, Doctor, that’s a wonderful gift that someone obviously has given you. It would appear that they took some thought before considering what might be an appropriate gift for you.” Janeway exclaimed.

“Why, indeed. What could I possibly want with such an item? It is of no use to me with all the diagnostic tools at my disposal.” the Doctor insisted.

“Perhaps, if I may,” Chakotay interrupted “It would seem that your Santa might have thought that you would appreciate a piece of technology that was used for many years on Earth and that it, too, was a medical diagnostic tool.”

“I see. Well, perhaps I have been a trifle quick in my original assessment of this…this gift. I see now that it has some merit. It is an antique?” the Doctor inquired.

“Indeed it is…or a replica of one anyway. “ Chakotay offered.

“And who would have thought of this for me? Commander? Captain?” He eyed each one carefully.

“Not I, Doctor. But I’m glad you’re enjoying it.” Janeway smiled before moving in the general direction of the buffet table where Neelix could be found serving up delectable looking dishes.

“Me either, Doctor.” Chakotay shook his head before joining the Captain.

The table was splendidly covered with an assortment of dishes that smelled scrumptious, and Janeway began loading a plate for herself. There was an a bevy of nut-like cookies and squares that were mouth watering and Kathryn placed more than she might have otherwise on her plate with just the slightest hint of a sheepish grin. There were meat pies and vegetable dishes that although Kathryn didn’t recognize what the foods were, she knew that they would be delicious on her palate. After obtaining a hot drink that smelled similarly to cider, she managed to find a place to sit down near the fireplace where she found Lieutenants Torres and Paris and Ensign Kim.

“Gentlemen, you have outdone yourselves. Mr. Neelix and Ensign Wildman are to be congratulated on providing a splendid evening.” Captain Janeway offered.

“Thank you, Captain. We really enjoyed putting this whole thing together but most of the credit really needs to go to Neelix. If it hadn’t been for him coming to you in the first place…well, we might not be doing this. He does have his great ideas.” Harry Kim explained.

“Well, I think it’s what the crew needed to break up the monotony.” Janeway agreed.

“Excuse me, Captain, but did you receive your gift yet?” inquired Lieutenant Torres.

“Not to my knowledge, B’Elanna. And you?” offered Kathryn.

“I found this just outside the door to my quarters after leaving Engineering earlier.” B’Elanna held up her wrist to show off a bracelet that conformed to her wrist. As she gave Tom an elbow to the ribs, she added, “I really thought that you might know who had been sneaking around my quarters because he denies everything.”

“I swear it wasn’t me, B’Elanna!” protested Tom.

“Well, it’s really quite beautiful, B’Elanna,” said the Captain laughingly.

The evening wore on at an unhurried pace. Couples began to dance to the music; people came and went and nowhere to be seen, Kathryn noted, was Seven of Nine. Each time the doors to the holodeck opened, Kathryn’s eyes glanced in that direction. Several of her crew stopped by to wish her well and to offer their heartfelt appreciation for the opportunity to celebrate and to acknowledge that “home” didn’t seem quite so far away, at least for the evening. Captain Janeway applauded her crew in a toast made publicly, acknowledging that perhaps what she celebrated most was being the Captain of a crew that was committed to finding its way home and that she was, indeed, proud of each and everyone of them. Soon after people began singing a variety of songs that reminded them of their homes and the mixture of song from Earth, the Klingon, Bolian, Bajoran and even Talaxian homeworlds made for such a special blend. Captain Janeway felt that it was time for her to leave and to allow the rest of her crew the remainder of the night’s festivities to celebrate as they pleased.

As she was readying herself to return to her quarters, the holodeck doors opened and standing there was Seven of Nine, wearing the blouse and pants outfit that Janeway had selected. Kathryn heard the slight intake of her own breath amidst several others as she stared at Seven who seemed slightly abashed. It was then that Kathryn knew that Seven was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen and it was in that instant that she felt such an overpowering urge to … to what? She was incapable of completing that thought as Seven approached her directly.

“Captain, I … I was detained. I was working on additional calculations regarding alternative fuel sources and charting navigational courses circumjacent to a star system we may be passing near,” Seven offered.

“Well, Seven, you sure know how to make a grand entrance,” quipped B’Elanna Torres.

“Seven, I’m glad that that you came. You look quite lovely,” added the Captain in a soft voice, perhaps softer than was necessary.

“I found this in the cargo bay with my name on it and thought that since you had rescinded the wearing of official attire, that this would be acceptable.” Seven answered.

“Way to go, Harry!” Tom exclaimed clapping his friend on the back, which did nothing more than to turn Ensign Harry Kim a brighter shade of red.

It was obvious to all that he was totally embarrassed by Tom’s outburst and suggestion of who had given her the outfit. It was all he could do to stammer and proclaim that he was not the gift giver although under his breath he also whispered that he wished that he could have had the opportunity. Meanwhile, Seven was increasingly more uncomfortable at the amount of attention that was being thrust in her direction with looks and nods and whispers; it was all she could do to stand firm and remain in the holodeck. Kathryn had to bite the inside of her cheek to refrain from openly admitting that the gift was hers. Finally, it was Ensign Wildman who managed to come to Seven’s side and ask quietly if she would like something to eat and although Seven responded with her usual response of not requiring nutritional supplements at this time, it appeared that Seven was quite willing to go along with Ensign Wildman to the buffet tables. It was enough that the moment had passed and the party resumed its level of gaiety.

Although Janeway would have liked to stay further, it did not seem appropriate that she remain only because Seven had suddenly appeared. It would not do for the crew to begin speculating on the sudden change in the Captain’s behavior at the appearance of one her crewmembers. Because of her position, Captain Kathryn Janeway quietly made her excuses and exited the party bound for her quarters to change. As she wound her way through the corridors, she once again felt the taste of self-pity that she could not share this evening with someone. She could not allow herself to feel the embrace of another. She could not allow herself to become intimate with someone in her crew.

Her thoughts were on Seven as she opened the door to her quarters. Seven had looked absolutely beautiful in the clothing that Kathryn had replicated for her. The way she had finally allowed her hair to flow freely about her shoulders made Kathryn smile at the memory. Seven was indeed a very engaging and captivating woman and Kathryn wished…. hell, she couldn’t even formulate that thought fully. As Kathryn began to change into her Star Fleet uniform, she almost missed seeing the envelope left on her night table. Inside she found a note, neatly inscribed with the following:

“The Captain of a Starship may seem to have everything. However, it is well known that she has need of the one thing that few can offer to her. Please arrange your schedule later this evening (2300 would be best) for a one-hour interlude that I believe you will enjoy in Holodeck 2. Please wear something comfortable and preferably not your uniform. Signed your Secret Santa.”

Janeway was dumbfounded. First of all, who would have had access to her quarters? Chakotay? He was the only one with command codes that could quite possibly override any security command Janeway had placed and she didn’t remember placing anything in addition to what she normally had on her quarters. Janeway’s shoulders slumped at the thought that Chakotay was still vying for her affections. She thought that they had finally come to terms with their relationship being one of good friends, comrades and certainly Captain/First Officer associates. Janeway could not give him anything more than that. She didn’t understand why he was relapsing to an earlier position when she believed that she had been very clear with him about her feelings.

‘Damn,’ she thought, ‘I’ll just go ahead and meet with him but I swear, if he tries anything out of order, he’ll have hell to pay.’
* * * * * * * * * * *

Approximately an hour later Captain Kathryn Janeway strode down the corridor and stopped just outside of Holodeck 2. Next door the party was still maintaining its level of revelry which Janeway didn’t mind. She just didn’t want to be seen hanging around the doors of the holodecks so she keyed in her command and slipped inside. The doors opened to a world of snow falling ever so gently upon pine and fir trees, the smell of cedar and balsa wood on the air. Quite clearly in front of Janeway was a sleigh complete with horse and driver who waited patiently for her. Kathryn noted that the driver was not Chakotay nor was he anywhere in the area and although she breathed a sigh of relief, she was indeed curious as to who had orchestrated this holoprogram.

As if in answer to her thoughts a voice softly called out, “Captain.”

Janeway turned to find Seven of Nine watching her with an expression of expectancy on her face. Seven stood with her hands locked behind her back, her posture very erect and her stance quite proper.

“Seven.” Janeway said trying to use the most matter of fact tone in her voice.

“Captain, I drew your name and although I have little to offer you since as Captain, you can have anything you wish, I took the liberty of looking into the data base, per your suggestion. I discovered that winter in many parts of Earth means that there is usually snow. I then looked into your region of Earth and discovered that many people enjoyed sleigh rides in the snow. I thought that this would be one gift I could give to you.” The words burst forth from Seven as though she had recited that speech.

Janeway smiled and nodded her head. “Seven, this is a most wonderful gift that you could ever give me. You have no idea how much I appreciate this.” Janeway noted that Seven was still wearing the clothing she had given her and wondered if she felt chilled at all in this weather.

“Will you join me for this sleigh ride, Seven?”

“I assumed that you would prefer to go alone, Captain.”

“Please, don’t make me be alone on this night. I seem to spend all my nights alone and would enjoy your company, Seven.” Kathryn responded quietly.

“As you wish, Captain.”

The two women climbed into the sleigh, which was outfitted with heavy blankets and what appeared to be animal skins. As the two women burrowed under the warmth of the blankets, the driver of the sleigh knickered to the horse and snapped his whip smartly. The horse sprang to attention and began a slow trot through the snow, the gentle jingling of the sleigh bell keeping time to the horse’s rhythm. Both Kathryn and Seven sat side by side feeling the breeze and snowflakes caress their cheeks turning them bright shades of pink.

“This is marvelous, Seven.” Janeway exclaimed.

“I would have to agree. This is most pleasurable, Captain.”

“Seven, for the remainder of my gift, would you call me Kathryn? It would please me.” Janeway offered.

“I will comply, Captain…ah…Kathryn.”

Janeway laughed and linked her arm through Seven’s, which totally astonished Seven of Nine. Her usual stoic demeanor changed and the expression on Seven’s face was soft and open, revealing a need for human contact.

‘Or am I only reading what I want to read into this?’ Janeway asked herself. ‘But it feels so good to sit here with her with our arms linked enjoying this wonderful gift. Oh admit it Kathryn, it feels simply fabulous to sit beside Seven and have our bodies touch even this much’. Janeway chided herself.

The sleigh ride took them past houses that had smoke rising from the chimney; the distinct smell of wood smoke in the air was most pleasurable to Kathryn and she murmured her enjoyment. Did Kathryn imagine it or did Seven increase the pressure of her hand on Janeway’s arm with a slight squeeze? No matter. Janeway was thoroughly enjoying this experience and was thrilled that Seven had chosen her name out of the more than hundred names on the crew manifest. ‘Now what were the odds,’ Janeway thought, ‘that they would each choose each other?’

“Seven, it was my understanding that you were to keep the fact that you were my ‘Santa’ a secret.” Janeway inquired.

“I knew that the conventional custom of the ‘Secret Santa’ was that my identity was to remain a mystery. However, I feared that you might not come to the holodeck after finding my note and that I would need to reveal my intentions anyway. I fully intended to wait a few moments longer and then approach you in your quarters. After you left the party I waited a reasonable length of time before coming to this holodeck to wait and program in the parameters of my gift for you. I had already researched what I needed to know so the programming was a simple task, Kathryn. Was I in error by being here?”

“No, Seven, I’m really glad that you are here. A sleigh ride alone is nowhere near as pleasurable as a sleigh ride with someone you enjoy being with. And Lieutenant Tuvok will be most impressed by your logic, ” Kathryn laughed.
“Indeed.” Seven responded.

The two women fell into an easy silence, enjoying the rhythm of the horse’s hooves on the snow that was almost mesmerizing in its cadence. The sleigh bells kept a counter beat which only added a harmonious flavor to the entire experience. Kathryn Janeway felt a relaxation that she had not felt for a very long time and she had Seven of Nine, her Astrometrics Officer, a former Borg drone to thank for this wonderful feeling.

The snow continued to fall gently as the sleigh ride continued. Although neither woman had the need to say much, it seemed that both were relatively content to burrow under the blankets and animal skins and be content that they were enjoying each other’s company as well as Seven’s gift to Janeway. Kathryn almost felt like a schoolgirl as she clasped Seven’s hand between her own and lifted her face to the snow. She opened her mouth and tried to catch a snowflake on her tongue, something she had not done since she was a youngster. Seven watched her and wondered to herself if it were possible that the Doctor had made an error in his assumption that Seven would only wish to seek the companionship of the male members of the crew in his search for a suitable date for Seven.

That was now irrelevant for Seven. She enjoyed being with the Captain and she felt fortunate, indeed, that she had drawn Captain Janeway’s name from “the hat”. She remembered when Ensign Wildman had tentatively approached Seven, asking her to join in the Secret Santa aspect of the Christmas celebration. Although Seven had been dubious of the entire ordeal, she had already informed the Captain that she would comply with her wishes, and so informed Ensign Wildman that she needed to withdraw a name from the hat. Fearing the worst and not really knowing what that might be, she was surprised and most pleased upon reading Janeway’s name on the slip of paper. She kept her facial expression remote and in fact, Ensign Wildman had suggested that if she needed assistance in selecting a gift, that she would make herself available to assist Seven. Seven had graciously declined the offer and had tucked the paper away.

Now, Seven was well-pleased with herself that she had taken the time to study the concept of Christmas, not so much for its religious meanings but for what Christmas might have been like for the Captain during her youth. When she learned about snow and sleigh rides she was certain that this would be the most appropriate and perfect gift. And, it appeared that she had been correct in her assessment.

She had been working in the Astrometrics Lab on calculations regarding how far out of their flight path a nearby cluster of planets might be. They had shown on long range scanners to have some promise of food replenishment and there was an interesting energy source that the Captain might want to check. She had planned on informing the Captain just as soon as she could when she remembered that she was expected to be in attendance at the celebration party.

Instead of heading straight to the holodeck, which is what Seven would have normally done, she went by her alcove in Cargo Bay 2 to retrieve the data input for the Captain’s gift and it was then that she found the box containing the clothing she now wore. She had been tempted not to wear it fearing that it had been given to her by one of the male members of Voyager’s crew. Seven knew how the men looked at her. Most of the time she felt indifferent about how they looked, about how they watched her. There were times when she felt annoyed at their clumsy attempts at conversation just to be able to openly stare at her. She had become friends with the Doctor for the simple reason that he did not seem to be interested in her romantically and for that she was most grateful. As for Ensign Kim, he and Seven had finally established a comfortable working relationship and Seven no longer felt that he was vying for her affections.

Until Mr. Paris had made a blatant point of referring to Mr. Kim as being the source of Seven’s gift! How embarrassed Seven had felt to be the object of such attention by everyone in attendance. She was grateful to Ensign Wildman for her brilliant display of diverting everyone’s attention away from Seven. But it had been soon after that Seven had noticed that the Captain was making her excuses and planning on leaving. Seven wasn’t sure if it was because of her or not; she had wanted to leave at the same time yet knew that she could not. And so, she had stayed for a little while longer until she felt that she had stayed an appropriate length of time and then slipped into this holodeck. It was only just now, though, as the events of earlier played through Seven’s mind that Seven realized with a start that the Captain had told her that she had looked “quite lovely”. It warmed her to realize that the Captain had noticed what she was wearing so she was glad that she had decided to take the chance and wear the outfit that was in the box. ‘Now, if she could only figure out who her Secret Santa’ was, mused Seven.

“You seem lost in thought, Seven.” Janeway interrupted Seven in her reflections.

“I was curious as to who my ‘Santa’ was who brought me these items of clothing,” responded Seven.

“Well, Seven, you really aren’t supposed to know. That’s the whole point of it being a Secret Santa. That way the giver feels as though the gift truly has no ulterior motive other than to please the recipient.” Janeway offered.

“Still, I am curious. At first I thought it might have been Ensign Kim but he has positively identified that he was not the originator of this. However, I will ascertain the identity of the person.” Seven asserted.

“Why? Can’t you simply enjoy receiving a gift for the sake of simply receiving it?” inquired the Captain.

“I believe it would be appropriate for me to be able to thank the person for their generosity. I enjoy this clothing far more than the uniform that the doctor created for me, although I understand the necessity for that apparel. My other uniform is more functional for the work that I do in the Astrometrics Lab. However, this makes me appear different to people. I am confident that by applying the process of elimination, I will arrive at the correct conclusion as to who is my 'Secret Santa'", insisted Seven.

“I’m sure that you will, Seven,” Janeway agreed, a twinkle in her eyes.

The two had arrived at a cottage and the horse drawn sleigh came to a stop. The driver helped the two women down from the sleigh and informed them that hot food and drink awaited them inside. They dashed through the snow and found much to their surprise a cottage adorned with the elements of a Christmas from Janeway’s youth. A fairly large fir tree, adorned with ornaments and lights, stood in the corner. A fire blazed in the fireplace and there were stockings hung from the mantle. Near the corner of the hearth there sat a plate of cookies and milk with a note attached that read “For Santa”. Seven hung back near the doorway watching the expression on Janeway’s face as she looked about the cottage.

“You did all of this for me, Seven?” inquired Kathryn. Janeway clapped her hands to her cheeks with obvious delight. “I thought my gift was simply the sleigh ride.”

“Am I in error?” Seven asked with trepidation. “In my research it noted that often times after being outdoors in the cold air, people would gather in cottages such as this and have something hot to drink.”

“Goodness no, it’s wonderful. I remember placing cookies on a plate with milk and coming downstairs on Christmas morning to find only half the cookies remaining and all of the milk gone. My sister, Phoebe, was convinced as I had been, that Santa had truly visited our home, came down our chimney and brought us wondrous things to be found in our stockings,” admitted Kathryn. “It wasn’t until we were a little older that we discovered that it was our parents, or our Uncle Mathew who had really eaten the cookies and drank the milk.”

Seven poured two mugs of steaming hot cocoa and handed one mug to Kathryn. She was interested in hearing more about her childhood experiences and asked, “My research into Christmas included the most ridiculous notion of this large man in a red suit landing a sleigh and reindeer on the roof. What made you think that this mythological entity would appear not only in your home but in every home on Earth at exactly the same time?”

Kathryn chuckled. “Magic, Seven, simply magic. As a child you just believed until you came of an age when you no longer believed. It surprises me that your parents didn’t suggest the concept of Santa to you since you weren’t assimilated by the Borg until you were six years old.”

“My parents and I lived in space and we had no chimney for such an entity to come down, Kathryn. I believe that my parents must have thought that Christmas was irrelevant,” admitted Seven of Nine.

“That is unfortunate, Seven. Christmas has always been a child’s special holiday. All the toys one receives as a child is considered so special. I remember my mother always wanted Phoebe and I to recognize that the spirit of Christmas was in the act of giving. And, I want you to know that this has been a very special gift that you have given me and I will cherish it always,” Kathryn Janeway acknowledged in a softer voice.

The silence that enveloped the cottage was drowned out only by the crackle of the fire. The two women suddenly were at a loss for words and chose instead to retreat into their thoughts and sip at their drink. There was a platter of sandwiches and cookies available but neither seemed to have much appetite at the moment. Instead, they both stared into the flames separate with their thoughts yet attuned to the proximity of the other. After several minutes it was Captain Janeway who was the first to break the silence.

“My time must almost be over and although I wish that this moment could last much longer, it’s time for me to return to my real world and the duties therein. Seven, this has meant so much to me and I don’t know how to thank you enough.”

Her voice held that huskiness that seemed to give energy and warmth to the fire. Kathryn was unsure of herself at this point and retreat seemed the wisest and safest course of action for her to take. She felt that she was on dangerous ground being with Seven at this moment in time and she needed to get back into the cold air to clear her head. Seven was looking at her with those clear blue eyes that seemed to radiate such energy. What Kathryn wanted to do and what she knew she could not do caused such a pain in her chest that her breath caught even for that moment. But it was enough. Seven had seen the conflict in Janeway’s eyes and understood that it was enough for these two women to share in this moment, this experience.

“It was my pleasure, Captain,” Seven conceded.

“Merry Christmas, Seven ,” Kathryn said softly.

“Merry Christmas, Kathryn,” replied Seven a little sadly.