A challenge from Strwriter 
(Note: 2 years ago, Strwriter sent a challenge to Resistance is Futile, the mailing
list Summer & I co-moderate.  She posted the beginning of a story and
challenged us to finish it.  Str's beginning was so lovely I had to try.  I recently
came upon that story and found the notes to a sequel I'd planned to write but
never did.  A few days ago I finished the sequel entitled, "Have Yourself A Merry
Little Christmas," it will be posted following this story.

"I'll Be Home For Christmas"
By Strwriter & Lesa L.


Half a galaxy from the planet where he was born, a young man sat in a
darkened mess hall, staring into space.  As best he could tell, he was
looking more or less in the direction of home, a home that fate had trapped him a
lifetime away from.  Back there it would be late December, and if he closed his
eyes, he could almost imagine himself there, imagine that this Christmas was like
the twenty-one he had spent there, and not the four that had come after.

His house would be rich with the smells of baking cookies and pine, and candles
would be glowing in every window.  A tree would be standing green and lush in
the middle of the living room, richly decorated with an assortment of homemade
and store-bought decorations.  He wondered who would put the star on top this
year.  That had always been his job.

Slowly, he ran his hands over the glossy black wood of his instrument,
gently fingering the silver keys.  He put his lips to the mouthpiece and
began to blow softly.

The sound that emerged was deep and rich, but sorrowful.  The notes held a
heartbroken longing, a loneliness that pulled at the heartstrings of anyone who
might be listening, forcing tears from their eyes.  The song bled from the clarinet,
infused with emotion that reached across the galaxy, and the young musician
imagined that somehow, somewhere, his loved ones would hear it and know he
was all right.

He had learned the song as a boy, but he had never understood it until now. 
Now he was the young soldier, far away from home on the holiday that more
than any other meant family.  Now it was his song.

The notes continued to drift into the dark, empty room, and he was too
absorbed to notice someone else enter.  His eyes were closed, a single tear having
marked its diamond path down his smooth cheek, so he did not aware that
someone was standing next to him.  He did not notice until very quietly, that
person began to sing. . . .

"I'll be home for Christmas.
You can count on me.
Please have snow,
And mistletoe,
And presents on the tree.
Christmas Eve will find me,
Where the love-light gleams.
I'll be home for Christmas,
If only in my dreams."

(End Strwriter's section.)

"Naomi," Harry said as he turned toward the little girl, his eyes widening at the
sight of her companion, Seven of Nine.  "What are you two doing here?"

"Hi Uncle Harry," the little redhead said as she ran towards Neelix's kitchen.  "I
forgot Flotter here when I was helping Uncle Neelix at dinner time."  He and
Seven heard the clatter of pots and pans as she rummaged determinedly through
the shelves.  

Harry looked up as Seven approached him, her eyes locked on him appraisingly. 
"I have been assisting Ensign Wildman with Naomi's evening preparation," she
explained.  "After I have gained sufficient experience, I may be allowed to be a
caregiver when her mother is on duty."

"Here he is!" they heard from behind a counter.  The little girl joined them
holding up her blue doll proudly.  "He has a little flour on him, but I dusted him
off.  He looks as good as new."

"He looks just fine," Harry agreed.  In a softer voice he asked, "Naomi where did
you learn that song?"

With a superior expression uncannily resembling her tall blond friends, Naomi
replied, "From my mother of course.  Her family were traditionalists, she knows
lots of old songs.  Did I sing it right?"

"You sang it perfectly," Harry said.  "You have a lovely voice."

"Thanks Uncle Harry.  What are you doing in the Messhall all by yourself?" she
asked.

"Um, I was just going to have some hot chocolate.  Would you two like to join
me?  My treat," he added.

"Naomi has already consumed her evening meal," Seven observed.  "I believe she
has ingested sufficient nutrients for the day."

"Wait a minute Seven," the person in question piped up.  "Don't you know you
never turn down hot chocolate?"

"I was not aware of that regulation," the former drone replied with a curve of her
lips.  Touching her combadge she said aloud, "Seven of Nine to Ensign
Wildman."

:::Yes Seven?:::

"Ensign Kim is in the Messhall with us.  Is it acceptable to you that Naomi have
some hot chocolate with him before returning to your quarters?"

:::Yes, that's fine.  Just remember she needs to be in bed in half an hour::::

"I will remember," she replied.  "Seven of Nine out."

"Goody," the little girl said bouncing with pleasure.

"Okay, three hot chocolates," Harry said rising to move to the replicator.

"I do not require liquids at the moment," Seven stated.

"Sevvv-een," Naomi said with emphasis.  "Have you ever had any?"  When she
shook her head, her young friend said succinctly, "Then you're passing up an
opportunity to experience something that you haven't tried before.  That would
be wrong."

"I agree," Seven nodded.  "Thank you Ensign Kim, I will also have a hot
chocolate."

"Great, whipped cream for everyone?" he asked.  Naomi nodded enthusiastically. 


Seven shook her head, "Whipped cream consists of fat and sugar.  It-"

"She'll have whipped cream," Naomi cut her off.  "Just trust me on this, okay?"

Seven's initial reluctance dissipated after tasting the hot beverage.  Her eyes
brightened appreciatively after she sampled the whipped cream.  Naomi then
explained to her tall friend the various methods of eating the whipped cream.
Harry watched them as they consumed their treat, pushing away the knot of
sadness that had formed in his stomach. Sipping his drink slowly, he felt calmed
and directed his focus away from his problems to focus instead on Naomi and
Seven.  The relationship that had formed between the half K'tarian girl and the
former Borg drone delighted everyone who observed it.

Harry listened entranced as Naomi attempted to explain the intricacies of running
the "Flotter and the Twisted Tree" program.  Seven could have been listening to
Naomi explain how to contain the Omega particle so intent was she focused on
her young friend.  He was also relieved that Naomi had not chosen to pursue why
he was in the Messhall alone.  The words of the song filled his mind again.  

*I'll be home for Christmas.*

"Uncle Harry?"

"What?  I'm sorry, I missed that part," he apologized.

"I was telling Seven, that she should bring some of the gardening stuff from the
Airponics Bay when we run the program.  I asked you which things you thought
she should bring."

Seven studied his face closely, "Ensign Kim you appear distracted."

"I guess I am a little," he admitted.  "I've had a lot on my mind lately."

"Is that why you were in here all alone?" Naomi asked.  "Sometimes when I want
to think, I like to be by myself."  Mimicking the Doctor, she asked brightly,
"Would you like to share what's on your mind?"

He grinned at her, before admitting, "I was thinking about Christmas actually."

"Did your family celebrate Christmas too?" the little girl asked excitedly.  "My
mom's family used to celebrate it.  It sounded really fun."

"It was," Harry said softly.  "Not everybody on Earth celebrated Christmas," he
explained to Seven.  "But enough people wanted to celebrate the old ways that
when I was in the orchestra, we always played so many holiday concerts that it
seemed like we were celebrating it for a whole month."  He went on to describe
some celebrations with his family and the larger parties that he had played at.  

Later when Seven and Naomi were returning to the Wildman quarters, Naomi
observed, "Uncle Harry's sad."

"He did appear uncharacteristically somber," Seven admitted.

"He's sad," the little girl repeated, skipping to keep pace with her friend's long
stride.  "He's been really nice to me.  Some of the grown ups act like I'm in the
way, but he always talks to me when he sees me.  He's funny and he smiles really
nice."

"Yes he does," Seven agreed.

"He helped Uncle Neelix replicate my Flotter," she said hugging the doll to her
chest.

"He has been most kind to me also," Seven admitted.  "What do you do when
people are unhappy?"

"You try to make them happy," Naomi pointed out.  "If Uncle Neelix were here
he would have a party."

"Neelix and the Captain will be away for two more days trading with the
inhabitants of Frana four."

"Well, then we should have a party for him ourselves," Naomi replied as they
entered the turbolift.  Bouncing excitedly, she added, "A Christmas party for
Uncle Harry and the crew."  Her excitement suffered as she observed, "Only, I
think that to throw a party you need a lotta replicator credits."

"I happen to possess a lot of replicator credits," Seven replied to Naomi's delight. 
"I have never planned a festivity of any kind," the former Borg said doubtfully. 
"However, I am sure there is copious amounts of information on the databases on
the subject of event planning."

It was Naomi's turn to look doubtful, "Seven we only have a couple of days. 
Maybe we should ask Uncle Tom for help."

"Lieutenant Paris?  He is an authority on events of this nature?"

"I think so," the little girl replied seriously.  "He told me once that he was a party
animal."

"Very well," Seven said decisively.  "I will talk to him tomorrow and ask him to
assist me in the planning of a Christmas party.  Are there any specific items I
should request?"

Naomi thought for a moment and counting off on her fingers replied, "Please
have snow, and mistletoe and presents on the tree.  Oh, and some chestnuts
roasting on an open fire would be nice too," she added as an afterthought.

"I will make a note of it," Seven replied as they reached her door.

"We probably should ask if it's okay to do this.  You can get in a lotta trouble if
you do something without asking for permission first," Naomi observed as they
entered her quarters.  

"That has been my experience also," the former drone conceded.  "Thank you for
reminding me."  Tapping her combadge she said aloud, " Computer location of
Commander Chakotay?"

:::Commander Chakotay is in his office:::

"Good evening Ensign Wildman," she greeted the little girls mother.  "Good
night Naomi.  I will speak to the Commander immediately."

"See ya later alligator," Naomi called out as Seven began to leave.

"After a while crocodile," Seven replied with a small smile as she left, pleased
that she had remembered the correct response to Naomi's farewell.  

Seven knew that there would not be a problem with obtaining permission for the
party, more likely the Commander and the Captain as well would be delighted
that she was taking an interest in such a frivolous activity.  She was still rather
surprised that it did mean a great deal to her to do this for Ensign Kim.  Not just
for Ensign Kim she reminded herself, many of the Terran members of the crew
would benefit by the activity. 

'His name is Harry,' Annika's voice interrupted her train of thought. 

'His designation is Ensign Kim,' Seven of Nine responded coldly.

Stepping into the turbolift Seven nodded to Ensigns Nigawa and Baytart. 
Pressing the button she turned and prepared herself for the mental tug of war that
would be ensuing.  They had become quite frequent of late, these two extra
voices in her head.  It was curious, she thought, that after longing for the song of
the collective that these two new voices that remained could be so annoying.

'You're not doing it for the rest of the crew.  It bothered you to see him sad and
you want to try to make him happy,' Annika began again.
 
'The festivity you are contemplating is an irrelevant use of time that could better
be spent studying the Star Fleet databases or regenerating,' Seven of Nine
countered.

"I require a PADD," Seven said aloud.

"What?" Nigawa asked.

"I was regretting that I left my PADD in Astrometrics," Seven said.  The turbolift
lift stopped letting off the two ensigns.

Annika spoke again, 'Can't forget your PADD.  You've got to keep working,
because if you don't you might have to actually think about how you feel about
him.  Don't want to do that.'

'He is human.  He is weak,' Seven of Nine responded, 'he spends time inefficiently
trying to engage you in irrelevant conversation.'

'And you like it,' Annika rejoined.  'You look forward to working with him, even
though it bothers you that you do.'  The turbolift stopped to allow Seven to exit. 
As she walked down the corridor Annika began again, 'It bothers you so much
that your afraid to even say his name in your head.'

'I am Borg.  I fear nothing.  His designation is Harry Kim,' Seven of Nine
retorted.

'That's right, his name's Harry,' Annika said with a distinct note of satisfaction.

Seven pressed the buzzer on Commander Chakotay's door, without waiting for a
response she entered.  "Commander, I would like your permission to plan a
Christmas party for Harry Ensign Kim and the crew.  I will also replicate you
another glass of water to replace the glass you seemed to have just overturned."


(End of "I'll Be Home for Christmas.  To be continued in "Have Yourself a
Merry Little Christmas.)

*****************************

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 
By Lesa L.
A Sequel to "I'll Be Home for Christmas"


Three nights later, Harry sat alone in his quarters.  He stared blankly at the daily
Operations report, his mind numbed.  It had been a seemingly endless day, in part
because Chakotay had decided that Harry should review all the work his Ops
staff had done on improving the Communications network on the ship.  This
involved slogging through what seemed like miles of Jeffries tubes checking each
adjustment individually.  If Harry didn't known better he would have suspected
that the Commander was trying to keep him out of the way.

He knew that by the old Earth calendar that tonight was Christmas Eve.  The
thought depressed him to no end.  He considered asking Tom and B'Elanna if
they wanted to join him in Sandrine's for a little pool, but negated that thought. 
They had been really busy these last couple of days and probably wanted some
time alone.  Seven had asked him recently to instruct him in the game of Vulcan
Kalto.  Instruct, he snorted to himself, she knew everything about the game
already, she could easily beat Tuvok, still she had asked him to play it with her,
maybe

:::Seven of Nine to Ensign Kim:::

"Kim here, " he replied with a note of surprise as he tapped his combadge.

:::Ensign, I require your assistance in holodeck 2:::

"With what?" he asked cautiously.

:::I require your assistance with a research project:::

Rolling his eyes, he replied sharply, "What kind of research project?"

:::I prefer to answer your questions in person.  It is a matter of some urgency to
the crew.  The Captain has requested that you assist me with this project:::

"Wasn't that nice of her," Harry said sardonically.  "Look Seven I really don't feel
like working tonight.  Could it wait till tomorrow?"

:::Ensign, are you violating a direct order from the Captain?:::

"The Captain can never mind," he said shaking his head.  "All right, I'll be right
there.  Kim out."

Harry was surprised to enter a darkened holodeck.  He smelled a curiously
familiar scent in the air.  "Seven, are you here?"  A grouping of lights flashed on,
colored lights that illuminated a strangely familiar shape.

"Merry Christmas Harry!"  Suddenly the room was brilliantly lit, as if in
accompaniment to the sounds of all the members of the Senior staff and their
holiday greetings.

He looked around as a smile of delight grew wider and wider.  He was in an old
Earth style living room.  Huge soft couches filled the room as a roaring fire
blazed in the fireplace.  It was decorated from top to bottom with wreaths,
garlands and every manner of holiday trim.  The crowning glory was the
Christmas tree.  It stood almost 3 meters high and was covered with bulbs and
ornaments of every kinds.  Small wrapped packages lay on the boughs.  

Harry looked back at those members of the staff closest to him.  Tom and
B'Elanna, together of course.  The Captain and Chakotay standing by the tree. 
He saw the Doctor and Neelix by the fireplace.  He smiled at Naomi jumping up
and down in excitement and clapping her hands.  He saw Seven, standing straight
as usual almost hidden behind the tree.

"Merry Christmas buddy," Tom said as he approached grinning with delight.  

"Merry Christmas Starfleet," B'Elanna said moving to stand next to Tom.  "After
all the work we put in to get this ready, you better be surprised."

Harry nodded, unable to speak for a moment.  "That's an understatement.  This is
amazing."

The Captain came forward pressing her hands into his.  "Merry Christmas
Harry," she said.  "The rest of the crew that could attend are out back hover
skating.  We thought we'd welcome you alone first."

"Thanks Captain.  I can't believe I tried to get out of coming," he said with a
sheepish grin.

"That reminds me Ensign," the Captain began sternly. "Over the com you said,
'the Captain can-' would you care to finish that statement?"

Harry blushed remembering his words.  The rest of the people present laughed
aloud even Seven smiled.

"Wait a minute," Tom began.  "Harry is not dressed for the occasion."

Harry looked around, realizing that everyone present was wearing some kind of
winter garb.  Tom and B'Elanna were wearing matching Nordic type ski
sweaters.  The Captain wore a dark green velour tunic and leggings that
emphasized her delicate coloring.  Even Seven sported a soft scarf decorated
with a snowflake pattern over her black sweater and pants.  "Well, excuse me, it's
not like I knew what to expect you know."

"It's not a problem," Tom assured him, walking over to a row of brass pegs on
the wall, covered with coats and sweaters and chose a crimson V-necked sweater
that Harry could pull over the T-shirt he was wearing.

Naomi Wildman had barely contained her excitement.  As soon as the sweater
was on she grabbed his hand, "Come on Uncle Harry, come see outside!  Seven
you come too!"

"I must assist Neelix with the food preparation," she replied, feeling suddenly
uncomfortable.

Harry allowed Naomi to pull him outside where he watched many of the Voyager
crew enjoying the hover skating rink.  Others were snuggling by the fire pits
sipping various hot beverages.  He circled around the area with the little girl
acting as his personal tour guide.  Growing up in Northern California he'd never
actually experienced a 'White' Christmas.'  However, his parents had usually made
arrangements after the holidays to spend some time in the Sierra Nevada
Mountains to enjoy the snow.

Something she said caught his attention, "What did you say Naomi?"

"I said that I'm glad that Seven and I decided to do this for you, it's a lot of fun."

He stared at her, then sank down on a nearby bench.  "What do you mean?"

Naomi rolled her blue eyes in exasperation.  "That night in the Messhall when
you were sad, remember?"  He nodded and she continued.  "Seven and I wanted
to do something to make you happy and we thought a Christmas party would be
nice.  And it is," she declared.

Harry shook his head trying to take it all in.  "Are you saying that you and Seven
did all this for me?"

"Of course not," she declared.  "Uncle Tom helped too."

Sam Wildman appeared to whisk her daughter onto the skating rink.  Harry rose
to search for his best friend.

"Well, I wouldn't say the whole thing's for you," Tom began.  He was standing at
the bar whisking something yellow in a large silver punch bowl.  "Not anymore,
it's for everyone now.  But Seven did suggest the idea to Chakotay and when she
came to me to ask for help she said that she felt that you were
'uncharacteristically somber' and that the party might improve your condition," he
said as he held up a measuring cup and scooped sugar into it.  "It was kind of
cute actually."

"Seven was cute?" Harry questioned him.  "Don't let B'Elanna hear you say that."

"I didn't mean it that way," he corrected his friend as he poured the sugar into the
yellow mass and began whisking again.  "I meant that when she was talking
about how she wanted you to feel better, she blushed."

"Wait a minute," the Ops. Chief said holding up his hand.  "Seven of Nine
blushed, as in turned red with embarrassment?"

"Hmm, I would say rosy pink," Tom answered.  "Yup, I guess following her
around for a year with your tongue hanging out finally made an impression on
her.  Who would have thought."  Holding up the measuring cup again he poured
brown liquid from a bottle into it.  Then emptied the contents into the punch
bowl and stirred it carefully.

"Would you quit joking around and listen to me.  Stop doing whatever you're
doing, this is important," he demanded.

"No can do buddy.  There's some delicate measuring needed here and I don't
want to make a mistake," he answered as he began to pour another liquid into the
bowl.

"What the hell are you making?" Harry demanded.

"Seaborn Family Eggnog," Tom answered proudly.  "A recipe that's been passed
down in my mom's family for over three hundred years."

"And you're trying to tell me that you have the recipe memorized?  You can't
even remember the days that you're supposed to work in Sickbay."

"I can remember them," the Helmsman informed him with a snort.  "I just chose
not to.  Actually Admiral McHenry tasted this about 20 years ago and insisted
that my mom put the recipe in the official Starfleet data files.  You have no idea
how hard it was to trick the replicators into giving me real bourbon.  But it's got
to be authentic right?  It's almost ready I just need to whip some cream for the
top and grate some nutmeg over it.  Give me a couple of minutes and you can
have the first cup."

"Later," Harry said.  "I need to find somebody."

Seven stood by the large picture window overlooking the skaters on the rink
below.  She was engaged in a silent conversation with herself.

'It appears to be a pleasing form of recreational activity,' she thought.

'There are other ways to improve your cardiovascular system that are more
efficient,' Seven of Nine retorted.

'It looks like fun,' Annika stated.  'A lot more fun than exercising by yourself for
60 minutes a day.'

"Seven."

His voice startled her.  "Ensign?" she answered, her eyes cool and her posture
perfect as always.  

He felt the familiar stirring of both embarrassment and longing that he always felt
in her presence.  'Damn, why can't I just act normal around her?'  Taking a deep
breath he began, "I want to thank you."

The sincerity of his tone touched her.  "Thank me?" she repeated.

"Yes," he nodded, waving his hand around the room.  "For doing this for me.  It
means a lot."  

His eyes were fixed warmly on her and it created an unsettled sensation in her
abdomen.  'This was unacceptable.'  Her brow arched quizzically.  "You are
referring to the evening's festivities?"  At his nod she continued, "There is no
need to thank me.  Your remembrances of Christmas traditions merely suggested
the idea.  I felt it would be a good way to improve crew morale."

"I see.  So this was to make the crew feel better."

"Correct," she nodded.

Harry shook his head, he'd never understand her.  Time for a new direction. 
"What are you doing here?"

"I am watching the crew hover skating," she stated the obvious.

"I can see that," he answered.

"Then why did you feel the need to ask?" she retorted.

Pulling a hand though his hair in exasperation he persisted, "Would you like to
try it?"

"Hover skating?"

"Yes," he nodded.

"I do not know how to hover skate."

He grinned, "I figured that.  Come with me and I'll teach you."  He placed a hand
on her arm and attempted to draw her along with him.

Seven almost gasped at the warm flush she felt as he touched her.  It startled her
and she pulled her arm away.  "I do not wish to learn at this time."

He was losing this battle, he always lost the battles with her.  "It's not a big thing
you know, I just wanted to skate and would like to do it with you."

The disappointment in his eyes was obvious.  "If you wish to indulge in this
activity there appear to be many crew members on the rink at this time that
would accommodate you."

Harry held up a hand in defeat, "Fine.  I'll talk to you later."

Through the window she watched him walk down the hill towards the skating
rink.  A voice beside her caused her to look away.

"Eggnog?" Lieutenant Paris asked.

"Egg Nog?" she repeated, looking down at the tray he held.  It was covered with
small cups containing ivory colored liquid.

"Right," he nodded.  "It's a traditional drink served during the Christmas
holidays.  It's made from cream, eggs, nutmeg, spices and a couple of other
things," he added evasively.

"Are there any foods or drinks associated with the holidays that are not
composed of fats, sugar or both?"

"Nope.  People like to indulge during the holidays, that's one of the reasons why
they're special.  Just try some," he urged.

Seven complied, taking a cup from his tray she swirled the thick liquid slightly. 
Lieutenant Paris disappeared before she could question him about the 'other
things' in the beverage.  Raising the cup to her lips she forced herself to sample
the contents, several times.

'It's not bad,' Annika volunteered.  "As a matter of fact, it's pretty good.'

Seven nodded, taking another long swallow from the cup.

'It does appear to be an acceptable way to consume calcium and protein,' Seven
of Nine admitted grudgingly.  'It would be more efficient to serve it in larger
vessels.  This one is almost empty'

'Yes, it is,' Seven agreed, turning to look back out the window.  What she saw
stunned her.  Ensign Kim skating with Lieutenant Nicoletti.  His arm snugly
around her waist.

'What is Harry doing?' Annika demanded.

'He is merely complying with her request.  She did say that there were other
crewmembers that-'

'I know what I said!' Seven retorted, unable to stop staring at the couple skating.

Lieutenant Paris appeared again.  "More eggnog?  It's going fast."

Without turning she placed her empty cup on the tray and took a new one.  She
didn't notice the smirk that appeared on the face of Voyager's Helmsman as he
walked away.

For 15.3 minutes she watched Harry and Lieutenant Nicoletti skate together.

'She's not very good is she?' Annika observed.

'She appears to require extensive tutoring,' Seven of Nine admitted.  'However
she does seem to have improved somewhat.'

Seven listened to the voices, choosing not to add to the discussion.  For the last
several minutes she'd felt a strange sensation in her body and was concentrating
on locating its source.  She felt a warm flush spreading from her abdomen and an
odd feeling of lassitude in her limbs.  Curiously, it was not entirely unpleasant.

Lieutenant Paris returned to take her now empty glass.  He seemed hesitant to
supply her with another eggnog and held out a curved and colored stick to her. 
"I think you've had enough eggnog.  Have a candy cane, another traditional
Christmas treat.  No fat in this, just sugar."

Holding it by the curved end she stared at the stick of hardened sugar syrup. 
"How is it consumed?"

"You just eat it," Tom replied.  "You can bite it or suck on it, whatever works
for you.  We're going to have some music in a few minutes in the living room. 
I'm going to go find B'Elanna."

Seven nodded, turning again to watch Harry and the Lieutenant as she sucked
gently on the candy cane.

'This is okay,' Annika decided.  'Kind of refreshing and sweet at the same time.'

'It is acceptable,' Seven of Nine concurred.  'It is not Egg Nog, however.'

Seven's attention was focused on the couple skating on the rink.  A sense of
anger flooded her system.  The Lieutenant was usurping her position.  Harry was
hers.  He was the one that worked beside her several hours a day.  She did not
like the Lieutenant, she decided as she continued to suck the candy cane, slowing
turning it's end into a sharp point.

She was aware that many people had left the rink and noted that several couples
were stopping under one of the lights from which dangled some form of
vegetation.  Her brow arched in surprise when she observed these self same
couples kissing there.  She had never witnessed anyone kissing.  She understood
the practice of course, it was described in the databases she had studied but she'd
never actually seen anyone engaged in the act.

'Another thing that looks like fun,' Annika noted.

'It would seem to inhibit proper absorption of air into the lungs as well as being
unsanitary,' Seven of Nine pointed out.

Seven suddenly tensed as she watched Harry and Lieutenant Nicoletti approach
the light in question.  They were laughing easily together and seemed to find it
amusing.  She stared in shock as he bent and placed a kiss on the Lieutenant's
lips.  The couple then continued their walk towards the house.

'That's just wrong,' Annika stated.

'You should have assimilated him when you had the chance,' Seven of Nine
observed.

Before she realized what she was doing Seven was out the door, her fingers
tensed around the hook of the candy cane she still held in her hand.  To her
surprise her gait was slightly unsteady as she approached the object of her anger. 
"Ensign Kim," she said.  "I wish to speak to you."

Sue Nicoletti had never witnessed an angry former drone but Harry had.  He was
also still irritated and frustrated enough to not care.  "Can it wait Seven?  We
want to get seated to listen to the Christmas concert."

"It cannot," she stated.  Placing her hand firmly around his wrist she pulled him
away from the Lieutenant.

"Harry?" Sue queried.

"I'll be fine," he assured his colleague who nodded and walked into the house.

Seven scrutinized the man in front of her.  She felt anger and a sense of loss.  She
had never experienced a sensation like this before and was not sure how to deal
with it.  "There are rooms available upstairs," she blurted out.

"Excuse me?" he asked in utter bewilderment.

"There are rooms available upstairs," she repeated, tilting her head knowingly. 
"Should you wish to turn your mating ritual with Lieutenant Nicoletti into actual
copulation you can use one of them."  

"What the hell are you talking about?" he asked, shaking his head.

"You kissed Lieutenant Nicoletti," she stated, pointing the sharpened end of the
candy cane at him for emphasis.  "I witnessed it.  Following kissing the next step
is foreplay, which leads to copulation," she stated, aware that her posture was
not as precise as it should be but unable to correct it.

"This is about Sue?  We've been friends for a long time.  Sue's dating David
Lang, he's on duty right now.  She wanted to learn how to skate to impress him,
that's all.  The thing under the mistletoe was just a peck between friends."  He
stopped and demanded.  "And why do I have to justify it to you?"

"You kissed her," she repeated, prodding him with the point of the confection in
her hand.

"Ow!  Would you watch where you're poking that thing!  What is wrong with
you?" he hissed.  Suddenly he noted her slightly wavering posture, he looked into
her eyes and understood.  "You're drunk!" he declared.

"Intoxicated?" Seven asked.  "Negative.  I do not consume alcohol."

"What have you consumed?" he questioned her.

She thought for a moment.  "I have consumed two glasses of Egg Nog and
one-third of this candy cane."

"Tom's eggnog?  Seven there was alcohol in that, bourbon, lots of it."  He shook
his head in exasperation.  "Come on, let's get you inside so you can rest."  He
placed his hand on her waist and began to lead her in."

Angrily she pulled away from him.  "I do not require your assistance," she stated
and walked unsteadily into the house.  Harry walked carefully behind her ready to
catch her if she stumbled.

Once in the house, they moved to the larger living room where about thirty chairs
had been placed before a small piano.  Most of the chairs were filled but Harry
saw two that were empty.  "Let's sit there," he whispered to Seven.

"I do not wish to sit," she replied, moving to stand behind the seated
crewmembers.

"Fine," he hissed.  "Enjoy the show," he said and moved into one of the empty
chairs.  He wondered what Tom had programmed for the music.  He watched his
friend stand, then hold up his hands to silence the crowd.  "And now for your
musical pleasure.  Computer, activate Paris - Clooney - Christmas A1.  Instantly
a man appeared seated at the piano and a woman in front of it.  Harry was
surprised.  The woman except for being blond was definitely not the typical Tom
Paris creation.  She was older, possibly in her mid-fifties and her figure was well,
full to say the least.

In a surprisingly throaty voice she addressed the crowd.  "Good evening.  I'm
Rosemary Clooney.  Thanks for allowing me to share your Christmas Eve with
you.  This is Pete, my piano player.  We're going to share some of my favorite
songs with you and if any of you want to make a request feel free."

Once she began singing Harry understood his friend's programming.  Her voice
was rich, deep and warm.  It surrounded you, drawing you in.  He listened to the
music and felt his anger and frustration beginning to ease.

Seven on the other hand was on edge.  She was aware that the performer was
skilled.  The expressions on the faces of the crewmembers told her that.  But she
felt unsettled.  Her limbs seemed to have a life of their own and she felt the need
to move.  So she did, walking into the next room she paced in front of the
crackling fire.

Out of the corner of his eye Harry was aware of Seven's sudden departure.  For a
moment he resisted the idea of following her.  'What good would it do?  How
could she possibly think he was interested in Sue?  He'd followed her around with
his tongue anyway for a year she'd been the only woman he thought about,
dreamed about and she actually believed that he could, never mind.'  Before he
knew it he was up and watching her from the doorway.  He knew that asking her
what was wrong was probably a lesson in futility and the thought made his voice
gruffer than usual.  "What's your problem?"

Seven stopped in her tracks, turning toward the man addressing her from the
doorway.  She arched her brow coldly, "I am Borg.  I do not have any problems."

"Well, you could have fooled me," Harry retorted.  He moved toward her, his
anger and frustration bubbling so near the surface he was afraid it would erupt. 
Almost as though talking to himself he began, "When I try to thank you for doing
all this, you make me feel like a complete idiot by telling me that all I did was
give you the idea."  Seven opened her mouth to speak.  "I'm not finished yet!"
Harry continued, holding up his hand.  "Okay, so then after you make it obvious
that you don't want me anywhere near you, I go spend some time with Sue, a
friend.  I give her a quick kiss under the mistletoe and you accuse me of wanting
to-"

"Previously you called it was a peck," Seven observed.  "My studies of the
databases informed me that when a person touches his or her lips to another
persons it is considered a kiss."

"It was a peck damn it," Harry shot back, "like this."  He pressed his lips briefly
against hers then stood back.  Her eyes opened wide with surprise and then Harry
Kim took leave of his senses.  "This is a kiss."  Suddenly he reached out and
pulled her to him.  He then proceeded to demonstrate the difference, thoroughly. 
After a frozen moment of shock she showed that she was a quick learner.

Seven was experiencing sensory overload.  Too many messages were traveling
through her brain to sort them.  She felt the urgency of his lips on hers, the heat
of his body, the taste of his mouth and the scent that was uniquely his.  She knew
without a doubt that her legs would not support her.  If he hadn't been holding
her so tightly she would have fallen.

Seven's mind was a triad of voices.

'This is amazing,' Annika observed.  'The databases just don't tell you how good it
feels.'

'Resistance does indeed appear to be futile,' Seven of Nine grudgingly admitted.

'Both of you leave,' Seven ordered.  'I can do this alone.'

'Oh all right,' Annika said.  'But before we leave, just a thought, you might want
to explore the idea of tactile stimulation with your hands instead of just letting
them hang there.  Bye for now.'

'Thank you,' Seven thought as she moved her hands up his back, feeling the
smoothness of his muscles under the soft sweater.  She reached an impasse when
she realized that her hands were locked under his arms.  Thinking quickly she
pulled them in and ran them softly up the sides of his face into his hair.  After
long being intrigued by the jet darkness and shine of it, she reveled in the
softness, playing with the strands as she returned his kiss, adding one more
sensation to the list of others. 

Seven would have been surprised to learn that she was not the only one carrying
on a mental battle with alter egos, Harry was engaged in one himself.  On one
side, Ensign Kim, 'The most upstanding young Ensign in Starfleet,' on the other,
Harry a young man who'd wanted this woman for far too long.  The two sides
fought for dominance as he continued his loving assault on her mouth.  

'This isn't right, you need to stop, now!'

'No, she's responding, boy is she responding.'  

'You shouldn't do it like this, you need to take your time.'  

'Take your time?  It's been a year damn it, how much more time do you need? 
Besides, she may be so pissed when you let her go you may never get to touch
her again, so you better enjoy it while you can.'

The last words of the song and the subsequent applause echoing from the other
room roused Harry as he regretfully ended their kiss.  Seven's eyes fluttered open
and she looked deeply into his soft brown eyes.  He gently stroked her face with
his fingertips as he studied her.  Her crystal blue eyes were luminous.

"Seven, I," he began.

Sensing regret in his voice she placed a finger on his lips.  "You are going to
apologize.  Do not.  I am not sorry."  And to show that she meant it she pressed
a lingering kiss on his lips.

He smiled, a wide, rich smile that warmed her even more than the fire crackling
beside them.  They heard the piano player begin another song.  "Listen to this one
Seven," he whispered.  "I'd glad Tom included it, it's special for us and Voyager." 
He wrapped his arms around her waist and she nestled closer, resting her cheek
against his.

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your hearts be light
From now on, our troubles will be out of sight.

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the Yuletide gay
From now on, our troubles will be miles away.
Here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more.

Through the years we all will be together
If the fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now.

By the end of the song they were rocking together, almost but not quite dancing. 
Seven looked into his eyes.  "I like your Christmas Harry."

"It's not my Christmas Seven, it's ours."

END
Merry Christmas