I'm posting some old stories. Feel free to post your Xmas stories. Themed stories, of course.
FACET
Benjamin Sisko sat in the command chair of the Defiant, ill at ease. “The Jem H’adar are out there-keep a sharp eye, Mr. Nog, we don’t want to be caught with our britches down.”
“Aye, Captain,” the young man responded. “I have full sensor sweeps going with neutrino emission gain raised.”
“Belay that, Mr. Nog!” Sisko spoke with steel in his voice. “Do not use anything that might give away our position-go to complete passive scan modes!”
Chastened and bewildered, Nog re-set the scans of the system. “Aye, Captain, new orders set for passive scan.” The youthful Ferengi looked crushed and Sisko saw it immediately.
“Mr. Nog, you followed procedures brilliantly, but you have to learn to take into account that the enemy does not play by our rules.” He gave Nog the famous ‘Sisko Grin’ before turning his attention to Jadzia.
“Old man, ETA to Maloth system?”
Jadzia grinned at Sisko. “We’ll be there in about three hours, Benjamin.” She began to turn back to her console and froze in place part way through the motion.
“Old man?” Sisko was immediately on guard. He glanced at Nog and realized the navigator wasn’t moving either. Then he looked up at the viewscreen. The stars were frozen in place, the Doppler effect of viewing them during warp extending to either end of the screen like rainbow-hued fingers. “What the hell?” He looked around the bridge wildly, but none of the crewmembers present were moving. Everybody was frozen in the middle of executing their duties. “What’s going on?” Sisko pressed forward, half out of his chair.
“Well, Benjamin, I thought you might need a moment.” The voice came from behind his command chair and Sisko jumped up and pivoted to see who was speaking. A cheerful, grinning man of Hawaiian ancestry stood there. He was about five foot eight, maybe in his forties, with short but slightly mussed hair, a clean-shaven man with jolly cheeks. He had a pair of denim shorts that reached to his knees and a vibrant yellow Hawaiian shirt with pictures of canoes and palm trees. On his feet were leather sandals with thick rubber soles. Sisko cocked his head sideways.
“Who the hell are you and what’s happening to my crew?” Sisko smiled at the intruder but the smile never reached his eyes. His hand crept closer to the phaser on his hip.
“My name is George-and that won’t help you right now. I can. I mean, I can help you.” George smiled beatifically. “If you will let me.” Sisko stared at him for a moment and then surveyed his frozen bridge crew. He slowly drew his gaze to George. His hand stayed near the phaser.
“I guess you have me at a disadvantage, George,” Sisko said, matter-of-factly.
George grinned at him. “Call me,” he paused, “Call me someone who can show you a bit of why this fight is worth it. I can show you why the horrible losses you’ve suffered are worth it.”
Sisko didn’t respond immediately. He squinted at George for a moment before asking, “Who are you? What are you?” There was a studied nonchalance to his voice that was betrayed by the slightest of tremors. Sisko had been living on four hours sleep a night for so long he couldn’t remember the last time he’d awoken and his eyes hadn’t felt like they were infested with grains of sand. His grip, his emotional state, was a stretched, taut thing.
“I’m George. I thought I mentioned that already.” His smile lessened the gentle rebuke even more. “I am…what you see. I can’t answer it any better than that. What you perceive is what I am. Right here.”
“And right now?” Sisko added, his curiosity aroused.
George looked proud, with the kind of pride a teacher might have for their favorite pupil.
“Right now? What does that mean? Is now the same for your crew,” he gestured at the still figures scattered around the bridge, “As it is for us?”
Sisko looked at him, perplexed. “What do you mean?” he asked. “I mean, no, I guess not. I don’t understand-why are you here? What does time have to do with it?”
George kept his smile as he asked, “Have you ever read ‘A Christmas Carol’ or seen ‘It’s A Wonderful Life?’, because it would help.”
Sisko was cautious in his answer. “I’ve seen ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ but what does that have to do with anything?”
George stepped up and patted Sisko on the shoulder. “Boy, are you in for a ride,” he said. The Defiant vanished.
******************
“Where are we?” Sisko asked. The trees around them looked like pines and the temperature was low enough to reduce their breath to plumes of white. George pointed off through the trees.
“Over there,” was all he said. Sisko glanced at him for a second and then began to walk. A raccoon chattered at him from a near bye branch.
“How did we get on Earth?” Sisko was amazed enough to stop in his tracks, staring at the raccoon.
“You’re where you need to be, or at least as close as I could get you. You’ll have to walk the last little bit under your own power. Mine’s a bit …gross for such fine distances.” George began to slog through the forest. “Coming?” he asked.
Sisko shook his head, conflicted by the bizarre but grinning at the familiar scent of his home planet. With half of a grin on his face he followed George. They walked for the better part of an hour before George held up his hand. Silently, he pointed forward again and Sisko drifted closer to what he realized was a tree line. Beyond lay a small camp composed of semi-permanent tents. All were dark but one. George waved at the lit shelter. “Go, see, but do not interfere.” Sisko looked at him curiously but crept forward nevertheless. Sneaking past the lone sentry on duty, he made his way to the rear of the lit tent.
“When did I become such a soldier to have these skills?” he thought to himself. The tent was not silent. A women was moaning and screaming in pain. Sisko could hear a voice, hoarse with the abuse of whiskey, saying,
“Lily, hang on, they’ll be here in a moment! Just don’t push!” A light blasted down from above and Sisko froze in the meager shadows available. Some kind of craft descended into the middle of the compound, it’s thrusters stirring up dirt. A ramp dropped and two figures exited hastily and entered the tent. “Thank God you’re here!”
A man’s voice said, “We would not ignore you in your time of need. Let my physician attend her.” The voice was flat, emotionless, and yet it struck a chord with Sisko.
“Everything’s going to be all right, Lily. Our friends are here.” Sisko listened as the sounds of a child being born echoed across the compound of tents. After a time, the cries of a baby pierced the night. Sisko grinned, remembering the night Jake was born.
“She’s going to grow up in a better world, Lily. Do you remember how this all started?’
“Yeah,” the woman’s voice was sarcastic, “You said, ‘Let’s drink a little tequila!’ Last time I listen to you.” Sisko could hear the boozy chuckle that followed and he had to clamp a hand over his own mouth to keep himself from joining in. A hand touched his shoulder. It was George.
“We have to go,” he said. Sisko stared at him, no comprehension in his eyes.
“Wha-“ And the world was vanishing. The last thing Sisko heard was,
“She’ll have the stars, Lily! Our friends will see to that!”
**************
The sand was a driving force, a skin-ripping abrasion that wouldn’t let up. Then the heat hit Sisko and he dropped to his knees. George hauled him up.
“Tsk, tsk, we mustn’t have that. C’mon, Benjamin, there’s something else you have to see.”
Sisko staggered along behind him, barely able to keep his garish shirt in sight. Then, as suddenly as it had begun, the sandstorm vanished.
“Damn,” commented George, “I hadn’t aimed for the Forge. Well, let’s walk. Shi’Kar is a ways away.”
Sisko squinted against the intense red sunlight. “Shi’Kar? That’s on Vulcan.”
“Give the man a cigar!” George somehow managed to remain cheerful despite the heat. “We have miles to go before we sleep. Get your butt in gear.”
Sisko couldn’t help but grin at the totally inappropriate quote. He got his feet working and they crossed the desert. Soon enough, the calm visage of Shi’Kar came into view. Like all things on Vulcan, it was farther away than it looked Sisko thought he would die by the time they arrived at the city gates. George waited until he was about to pass out before he manifested a glass of water and handed it to him.
“Thanks,” Sisko gasped around greedy drinks. Handing the cup back to George, he sucked the last of the water off of his hands. “Why are we here?”
“You need to see why you fight.” George’s reply was both straight-forward and cryptic. “Go to the garden and look through the window.” Sisko looked at him quizzically. “Go,” George said. Sisko shrugged and crept into the garden surrounding the house they had walked up to. It took some effort but he managed to reach the back of the main house. Again, he was alarmed at the alacrity of his skills.
As Sisko peered through a window he saw a woman, her face contorted with pain. A Vulcan midwife encouraged her and a child came forth. She cleaned him and handed him to the Vulcan male standing in observance. Taking the child, the man held him to the light from the window and Sisko had to duck to avoid being seen.
“So human…” the man murmured.
A female voice, with a Boston accent, said, “Our son.”
“Indeed,” came the reply. Sisko shifted his position and found thorns in his side. Stifling an exclamation, Sisko pulled back from the offending plant. Nursing his wounds, he realized they’d come from a rose bush. Understanding crossed his face.
“Spock. This is-“A hand grabbed his shoulder.
“Time to go,” said George. Vulcan vanished.
****************
It took a moment for Sisko to get his bearings. ”We’re on Deep Space Nine!” he exclaimed. George nodded.
“It’s all about why you fight, Benjamin. It’s about why you suffer the terrible casualties. That’s what I’m here to show you.”
Sisko looked at him.
“So what are we doing here?” George grinned hugely.
“Come, see why you fight.”
Sisko found himself outside the station, drifting near an observation window. He looked through the portal and saw…Cassidy. She was in labor. Benjamin realized he hadn’t imploded from the vacuum. “What the Hell…?” And he heard his own words. “This isn’t possible! Who’s child is she carrying?”
“Yours, Benjamin, yours,” George replied. Sisko could see Jake standing next to her.
“Then where the Hell am I?” Sisko was so agitated that he didn’t even question the fact that they were floating in space.
George looked sad. “Sometimes, what we fight for has a cost.”
Sisko watched as the child emerged from Cassidy. “How beautiful…” he murmured. Turning to George, he said, “I’m ready to go back to the fight.”
George looked at him. “Are you?” he asked. “Knowing what the price might be?”
“Let’s go back. I know what I’m fighting for.”
George grinned “Ok, let’s go,” he said.
***************
“We have time for a game of domjat if you’d like?” Jadzia’s voice had a hint of pleading in it.
“Sounds like…fun,” Sisko replied.
“You don’t seem so melancholy,” Jadzia added.
“I know why we’re fighting,” Sisko replied, “And that makes all of the difference.” George was nowhere to be seen.
And the story Qristmas
The Enterprise was three days out from D’ahkar Station, located near the former Cardassian Union, on a relief supply mission. Captain Jean-Luc Picard sat in his command chair, reading over cargo manifests. Next to him, Commander William Riker was frankly dozing at his post after a late night of poker. The entire ship carried a feeling of ennui, a quietness related to the fact that the Fleet flagship was on a milk run. It was therefore understandable that Captain Picard dropped the padd in his hand to the deck when he unexpectedly heard,
“Hello, Jean-Luc!” in an all too familiar voice. Every head on the bridge swiveled over to look at the man leaning, cocky expression intact, against the safety restraint rail left of the tactical station. “Do you know what today is, Jean-Luc?”
Jean-Luc glared at the intruder. “Of course I do, Q,” he replied, “It’s stardate 87-“
“No, no, no, “ Q cut him off. “I delved into the omnipotent informational source that is my mind and discovered you Humans, at least, those of your cultural background, celebrate a holiday today.” He seemed very satisfied with himself.
Picard opened his mouth but Riker cut him off. “Actually, sir, he’s right. Today is Christmas Eve. You were planning to attend the party in 10 Forward tomorrow, right?”
Q appeared delighted that Riker was on his side. “Exactly, Jean-Luc! And so I decided to give you a gift.” He smiled sardonically at Picard and Riker. “I do believe it is tradition.”
Riker scowled at Q. “Q, what is it that you really want?” The hostility in his voice was obvious.
Q just smiled. “In keeping with your own traditions, I am giving you a gift.” There was a flash and Q was holding a little package, a square object wrapped in reflective paper that was decorated with tiny reindeer. On the top sat a red silk bow. Picard eyed it warily.
“Q, we’re not falling for your tricks,” Riker said.
Picard shook himself visibly. “Yes, Q, you aren’t sucking us into another of your little fantasies. I am afraid I’ve had more than enough time being Robin Hood, or whatever you think you have in store for us. We have to deliver these relief supplies to what’s left of Cardassia Prime.”
“Jean-Luc, Jean-Luc, Jean-Luc, I just want to give you a Christmas gift! Why do you assume I would otherwise cause you grief?” He smirked at Picard. The package disappeared. “I think the Christmas gift-giving tradition is wonderful. And I like you, so I thought, let’s get something special for Jean-Luc!”
Picard looked at him with hooded eyes. “I don’t know what you are up to, but I would like you to leave.” Q stared at him for a moment.
“Very well, Jean-Luc,” he said, “But you’ll hate yourself for refusing my gift.”
Riker spoke up. “Q, you gave me a gift one time. It didn’t work out very well.”
“This is different,” Q replied, “But that’s ok-if you don’t want it I’ll go away.” And he vanished.
Picard turned towards Riker. “Why do I feel we haven’t we haven’t seen the last of him?”
Riker looked into the Captain’s eyes firmly. “Because he never let’s us know what he’s really up to until it’s too late.”
Picard stood and tugged down his uniform. “Yes, you’re right, of course.” He strode towards the door to his ready room. “I have some paperwork to complete. You have the con. Let me know if Q returns.”
“Aye, Captain,” Riker responded, taking the command chair.
***********************
It was late in the evening and Picard’s neck hurt. He closed the final file on the padd in his hand and headed out into the corridor. As he made his way to his quarters several crewmembers passed him and wished him a merry Christmas. He responded correctly, his mind on other things. As he reached the door to his quarters he heard,
“It’s about time! I was starting to think that you lived on the Bridge!”
Picard looked up at the person leaning on the door to his quarters. “Q! Why won’t you leave me alone?”
The man at the door crossed his arms, propped against the doorjamb. “Jean-Luc, I’d really like to give you a Christmas present.” He grinned. “I like you, Jean-Luc, don’t you know that?”
“You have a funny way of showing it,” Picard muttered.
“Oh, Jean-Luc, don’t be that way!” He got off the doorjamb and stepped towards Picard. “I have a present for you. It’s in your quarters.” He extended his hand towards Picard’s entryway. “Won’t you step in and see what it is?”
Jean-Luc looked at him warily. “Q, if this is some kind of trick or trial I’m not up for it. I’m tired, and I want to go to bed.” Remembering an incident involving Q some time in the past, he added, ”Alone.”
“Well, of course, Jean-Luc! Whatever you want! Just go on in!” Q smiled at him sardonically.
Eyeing Q carefully, Picard touched the control pad and the doors ‘wooshed’ open. It looked like his normal quarters. “I don’t see anything.”
Q smirked. ”I assure you, there is a gift in there for you.”
Picard stepped into the room. He suddenly found himself on a dirt lane leading up to an all too familiar house. Picard gaped in wonder. “This is my family home!” he exclaimed. “But, the fire…”
Q was standing next to him. He smiled. “No, Jean-Luc, this isn’t your home. There are a multitude of universes, where things have played out just a little differently. This is one of them. Here, your family home never burned down. As my gift to you, you can stay here for the next 24 Earth hours. It’s going to make things a little difficult for your counter-part in this universe, as he’s currently so far out that he’s beyond communication, but that’s his problem.” Q looked smug. “When he does return to Earth there’s going to be a bit of confusion.” Q seemed pleased with the prospect. Picard wondered about how many ‘Jean-Lucs’ he’d interfered with across the multiverse.
Picard looked at Q. “Why am I here?”
Q smiled, and for the first time in their long acquaintance, Picard felt that the smile was an honest one. He walked down the lane towards the door of the house. His hand was paused to knock, so uncomfortable did he feel, when it swung open.
“Jean-Luc, I thought you couldn’t make it!” Marie looked exceptionally pleased. “Come in, come in! Robert is in the kitchen.”
Picard looked at Q. “She can’t see me, you know,” Q said.
“Marie, you look splendid,” Picard said, grasping her hands. She blushed.
“Why, thank you, Jean-Luc!” She was both delighted and embarrassed. “Robert will be so pleased to see you!”
She stepped back into the house and Jean-Luc followed. Q trailed them, a grin on his face.
Robert had a bottle of wine in front of him, and a half-empty glass as well. He looked up from beneath bushy eyebrows.
“So the prodigal returns for the holiday?” His smile contradicted his gruff tone.
Picard looked in wonder at his family, Marie having stepped to Robert’s side. “But, the fire…”
“Was nothing, since I put in the upgraded detection system you insisted on during your last visit.” Robert looked puzzled at Jean-Luc’s comment. Picard glanced at Q with a puzzled expression on his face.
“Different universes, Jean-Luc, different paths chosen.” Q looked quite pleased with himself.
“And I have until midnight tomorrow?” Picard asked, looking at Q.
“Is that when you have to go back?” Marie asked. Picard looked uncomfortable.
“Um, yes, that’s when I have to report back,” he said, even as Q answered,
“That’s right, Jean-Luc.”
“Oh, well, then we must make the most of the time we have!” Marie exclaimed.
Jean-Luc stood by the table, flabbergasted, as Robert offered him a glass of the family vintage. Then he grinned.
“Yes, we should…make the most of the time we have.” He held his glass up. “To family!” Robert and Marie held up their glasses as well.
“To family!” Q grinned, watching them all. Suddenly, a thundering noise came from the front hall. A small boy burst into the room. He skidded to a halt, a look of shock and delight on his face upon seeing the unexpected guest.
“Uncle!” he cried, and rushed forward, throwing his arms around Picard’s legs. Tears formed in Jean-Luc’s eyes.
“Rene,” he said, his heart swelling with feelings he couldn’t define.
Q faded out like the Cheshire Cat and only Picard heard what he had to say.
“Merry Christmas, Jean-Luc.”
FACET
Benjamin Sisko sat in the command chair of the Defiant, ill at ease. “The Jem H’adar are out there-keep a sharp eye, Mr. Nog, we don’t want to be caught with our britches down.”
“Aye, Captain,” the young man responded. “I have full sensor sweeps going with neutrino emission gain raised.”
“Belay that, Mr. Nog!” Sisko spoke with steel in his voice. “Do not use anything that might give away our position-go to complete passive scan modes!”
Chastened and bewildered, Nog re-set the scans of the system. “Aye, Captain, new orders set for passive scan.” The youthful Ferengi looked crushed and Sisko saw it immediately.
“Mr. Nog, you followed procedures brilliantly, but you have to learn to take into account that the enemy does not play by our rules.” He gave Nog the famous ‘Sisko Grin’ before turning his attention to Jadzia.
“Old man, ETA to Maloth system?”
Jadzia grinned at Sisko. “We’ll be there in about three hours, Benjamin.” She began to turn back to her console and froze in place part way through the motion.
“Old man?” Sisko was immediately on guard. He glanced at Nog and realized the navigator wasn’t moving either. Then he looked up at the viewscreen. The stars were frozen in place, the Doppler effect of viewing them during warp extending to either end of the screen like rainbow-hued fingers. “What the hell?” He looked around the bridge wildly, but none of the crewmembers present were moving. Everybody was frozen in the middle of executing their duties. “What’s going on?” Sisko pressed forward, half out of his chair.
“Well, Benjamin, I thought you might need a moment.” The voice came from behind his command chair and Sisko jumped up and pivoted to see who was speaking. A cheerful, grinning man of Hawaiian ancestry stood there. He was about five foot eight, maybe in his forties, with short but slightly mussed hair, a clean-shaven man with jolly cheeks. He had a pair of denim shorts that reached to his knees and a vibrant yellow Hawaiian shirt with pictures of canoes and palm trees. On his feet were leather sandals with thick rubber soles. Sisko cocked his head sideways.
“Who the hell are you and what’s happening to my crew?” Sisko smiled at the intruder but the smile never reached his eyes. His hand crept closer to the phaser on his hip.
“My name is George-and that won’t help you right now. I can. I mean, I can help you.” George smiled beatifically. “If you will let me.” Sisko stared at him for a moment and then surveyed his frozen bridge crew. He slowly drew his gaze to George. His hand stayed near the phaser.
“I guess you have me at a disadvantage, George,” Sisko said, matter-of-factly.
George grinned at him. “Call me,” he paused, “Call me someone who can show you a bit of why this fight is worth it. I can show you why the horrible losses you’ve suffered are worth it.”
Sisko didn’t respond immediately. He squinted at George for a moment before asking, “Who are you? What are you?” There was a studied nonchalance to his voice that was betrayed by the slightest of tremors. Sisko had been living on four hours sleep a night for so long he couldn’t remember the last time he’d awoken and his eyes hadn’t felt like they were infested with grains of sand. His grip, his emotional state, was a stretched, taut thing.
“I’m George. I thought I mentioned that already.” His smile lessened the gentle rebuke even more. “I am…what you see. I can’t answer it any better than that. What you perceive is what I am. Right here.”
“And right now?” Sisko added, his curiosity aroused.
George looked proud, with the kind of pride a teacher might have for their favorite pupil.
“Right now? What does that mean? Is now the same for your crew,” he gestured at the still figures scattered around the bridge, “As it is for us?”
Sisko looked at him, perplexed. “What do you mean?” he asked. “I mean, no, I guess not. I don’t understand-why are you here? What does time have to do with it?”
George kept his smile as he asked, “Have you ever read ‘A Christmas Carol’ or seen ‘It’s A Wonderful Life?’, because it would help.”
Sisko was cautious in his answer. “I’ve seen ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ but what does that have to do with anything?”
George stepped up and patted Sisko on the shoulder. “Boy, are you in for a ride,” he said. The Defiant vanished.
******************
“Where are we?” Sisko asked. The trees around them looked like pines and the temperature was low enough to reduce their breath to plumes of white. George pointed off through the trees.
“Over there,” was all he said. Sisko glanced at him for a second and then began to walk. A raccoon chattered at him from a near bye branch.
“How did we get on Earth?” Sisko was amazed enough to stop in his tracks, staring at the raccoon.
“You’re where you need to be, or at least as close as I could get you. You’ll have to walk the last little bit under your own power. Mine’s a bit …gross for such fine distances.” George began to slog through the forest. “Coming?” he asked.
Sisko shook his head, conflicted by the bizarre but grinning at the familiar scent of his home planet. With half of a grin on his face he followed George. They walked for the better part of an hour before George held up his hand. Silently, he pointed forward again and Sisko drifted closer to what he realized was a tree line. Beyond lay a small camp composed of semi-permanent tents. All were dark but one. George waved at the lit shelter. “Go, see, but do not interfere.” Sisko looked at him curiously but crept forward nevertheless. Sneaking past the lone sentry on duty, he made his way to the rear of the lit tent.
“When did I become such a soldier to have these skills?” he thought to himself. The tent was not silent. A women was moaning and screaming in pain. Sisko could hear a voice, hoarse with the abuse of whiskey, saying,
“Lily, hang on, they’ll be here in a moment! Just don’t push!” A light blasted down from above and Sisko froze in the meager shadows available. Some kind of craft descended into the middle of the compound, it’s thrusters stirring up dirt. A ramp dropped and two figures exited hastily and entered the tent. “Thank God you’re here!”
A man’s voice said, “We would not ignore you in your time of need. Let my physician attend her.” The voice was flat, emotionless, and yet it struck a chord with Sisko.
“Everything’s going to be all right, Lily. Our friends are here.” Sisko listened as the sounds of a child being born echoed across the compound of tents. After a time, the cries of a baby pierced the night. Sisko grinned, remembering the night Jake was born.
“She’s going to grow up in a better world, Lily. Do you remember how this all started?’
“Yeah,” the woman’s voice was sarcastic, “You said, ‘Let’s drink a little tequila!’ Last time I listen to you.” Sisko could hear the boozy chuckle that followed and he had to clamp a hand over his own mouth to keep himself from joining in. A hand touched his shoulder. It was George.
“We have to go,” he said. Sisko stared at him, no comprehension in his eyes.
“Wha-“ And the world was vanishing. The last thing Sisko heard was,
“She’ll have the stars, Lily! Our friends will see to that!”
**************
The sand was a driving force, a skin-ripping abrasion that wouldn’t let up. Then the heat hit Sisko and he dropped to his knees. George hauled him up.
“Tsk, tsk, we mustn’t have that. C’mon, Benjamin, there’s something else you have to see.”
Sisko staggered along behind him, barely able to keep his garish shirt in sight. Then, as suddenly as it had begun, the sandstorm vanished.
“Damn,” commented George, “I hadn’t aimed for the Forge. Well, let’s walk. Shi’Kar is a ways away.”
Sisko squinted against the intense red sunlight. “Shi’Kar? That’s on Vulcan.”
“Give the man a cigar!” George somehow managed to remain cheerful despite the heat. “We have miles to go before we sleep. Get your butt in gear.”
Sisko couldn’t help but grin at the totally inappropriate quote. He got his feet working and they crossed the desert. Soon enough, the calm visage of Shi’Kar came into view. Like all things on Vulcan, it was farther away than it looked Sisko thought he would die by the time they arrived at the city gates. George waited until he was about to pass out before he manifested a glass of water and handed it to him.
“Thanks,” Sisko gasped around greedy drinks. Handing the cup back to George, he sucked the last of the water off of his hands. “Why are we here?”
“You need to see why you fight.” George’s reply was both straight-forward and cryptic. “Go to the garden and look through the window.” Sisko looked at him quizzically. “Go,” George said. Sisko shrugged and crept into the garden surrounding the house they had walked up to. It took some effort but he managed to reach the back of the main house. Again, he was alarmed at the alacrity of his skills.
As Sisko peered through a window he saw a woman, her face contorted with pain. A Vulcan midwife encouraged her and a child came forth. She cleaned him and handed him to the Vulcan male standing in observance. Taking the child, the man held him to the light from the window and Sisko had to duck to avoid being seen.
“So human…” the man murmured.
A female voice, with a Boston accent, said, “Our son.”
“Indeed,” came the reply. Sisko shifted his position and found thorns in his side. Stifling an exclamation, Sisko pulled back from the offending plant. Nursing his wounds, he realized they’d come from a rose bush. Understanding crossed his face.
“Spock. This is-“A hand grabbed his shoulder.
“Time to go,” said George. Vulcan vanished.
****************
It took a moment for Sisko to get his bearings. ”We’re on Deep Space Nine!” he exclaimed. George nodded.
“It’s all about why you fight, Benjamin. It’s about why you suffer the terrible casualties. That’s what I’m here to show you.”
Sisko looked at him.
“So what are we doing here?” George grinned hugely.
“Come, see why you fight.”
Sisko found himself outside the station, drifting near an observation window. He looked through the portal and saw…Cassidy. She was in labor. Benjamin realized he hadn’t imploded from the vacuum. “What the Hell…?” And he heard his own words. “This isn’t possible! Who’s child is she carrying?”
“Yours, Benjamin, yours,” George replied. Sisko could see Jake standing next to her.
“Then where the Hell am I?” Sisko was so agitated that he didn’t even question the fact that they were floating in space.
George looked sad. “Sometimes, what we fight for has a cost.”
Sisko watched as the child emerged from Cassidy. “How beautiful…” he murmured. Turning to George, he said, “I’m ready to go back to the fight.”
George looked at him. “Are you?” he asked. “Knowing what the price might be?”
“Let’s go back. I know what I’m fighting for.”
George grinned “Ok, let’s go,” he said.
***************
“We have time for a game of domjat if you’d like?” Jadzia’s voice had a hint of pleading in it.
“Sounds like…fun,” Sisko replied.
“You don’t seem so melancholy,” Jadzia added.
“I know why we’re fighting,” Sisko replied, “And that makes all of the difference.” George was nowhere to be seen.
And the story Qristmas
The Enterprise was three days out from D’ahkar Station, located near the former Cardassian Union, on a relief supply mission. Captain Jean-Luc Picard sat in his command chair, reading over cargo manifests. Next to him, Commander William Riker was frankly dozing at his post after a late night of poker. The entire ship carried a feeling of ennui, a quietness related to the fact that the Fleet flagship was on a milk run. It was therefore understandable that Captain Picard dropped the padd in his hand to the deck when he unexpectedly heard,
“Hello, Jean-Luc!” in an all too familiar voice. Every head on the bridge swiveled over to look at the man leaning, cocky expression intact, against the safety restraint rail left of the tactical station. “Do you know what today is, Jean-Luc?”
Jean-Luc glared at the intruder. “Of course I do, Q,” he replied, “It’s stardate 87-“
“No, no, no, “ Q cut him off. “I delved into the omnipotent informational source that is my mind and discovered you Humans, at least, those of your cultural background, celebrate a holiday today.” He seemed very satisfied with himself.
Picard opened his mouth but Riker cut him off. “Actually, sir, he’s right. Today is Christmas Eve. You were planning to attend the party in 10 Forward tomorrow, right?”
Q appeared delighted that Riker was on his side. “Exactly, Jean-Luc! And so I decided to give you a gift.” He smiled sardonically at Picard and Riker. “I do believe it is tradition.”
Riker scowled at Q. “Q, what is it that you really want?” The hostility in his voice was obvious.
Q just smiled. “In keeping with your own traditions, I am giving you a gift.” There was a flash and Q was holding a little package, a square object wrapped in reflective paper that was decorated with tiny reindeer. On the top sat a red silk bow. Picard eyed it warily.
“Q, we’re not falling for your tricks,” Riker said.
Picard shook himself visibly. “Yes, Q, you aren’t sucking us into another of your little fantasies. I am afraid I’ve had more than enough time being Robin Hood, or whatever you think you have in store for us. We have to deliver these relief supplies to what’s left of Cardassia Prime.”
“Jean-Luc, Jean-Luc, Jean-Luc, I just want to give you a Christmas gift! Why do you assume I would otherwise cause you grief?” He smirked at Picard. The package disappeared. “I think the Christmas gift-giving tradition is wonderful. And I like you, so I thought, let’s get something special for Jean-Luc!”
Picard looked at him with hooded eyes. “I don’t know what you are up to, but I would like you to leave.” Q stared at him for a moment.
“Very well, Jean-Luc,” he said, “But you’ll hate yourself for refusing my gift.”
Riker spoke up. “Q, you gave me a gift one time. It didn’t work out very well.”
“This is different,” Q replied, “But that’s ok-if you don’t want it I’ll go away.” And he vanished.
Picard turned towards Riker. “Why do I feel we haven’t we haven’t seen the last of him?”
Riker looked into the Captain’s eyes firmly. “Because he never let’s us know what he’s really up to until it’s too late.”
Picard stood and tugged down his uniform. “Yes, you’re right, of course.” He strode towards the door to his ready room. “I have some paperwork to complete. You have the con. Let me know if Q returns.”
“Aye, Captain,” Riker responded, taking the command chair.
***********************
It was late in the evening and Picard’s neck hurt. He closed the final file on the padd in his hand and headed out into the corridor. As he made his way to his quarters several crewmembers passed him and wished him a merry Christmas. He responded correctly, his mind on other things. As he reached the door to his quarters he heard,
“It’s about time! I was starting to think that you lived on the Bridge!”
Picard looked up at the person leaning on the door to his quarters. “Q! Why won’t you leave me alone?”
The man at the door crossed his arms, propped against the doorjamb. “Jean-Luc, I’d really like to give you a Christmas present.” He grinned. “I like you, Jean-Luc, don’t you know that?”
“You have a funny way of showing it,” Picard muttered.
“Oh, Jean-Luc, don’t be that way!” He got off the doorjamb and stepped towards Picard. “I have a present for you. It’s in your quarters.” He extended his hand towards Picard’s entryway. “Won’t you step in and see what it is?”
Jean-Luc looked at him warily. “Q, if this is some kind of trick or trial I’m not up for it. I’m tired, and I want to go to bed.” Remembering an incident involving Q some time in the past, he added, ”Alone.”
“Well, of course, Jean-Luc! Whatever you want! Just go on in!” Q smiled at him sardonically.
Eyeing Q carefully, Picard touched the control pad and the doors ‘wooshed’ open. It looked like his normal quarters. “I don’t see anything.”
Q smirked. ”I assure you, there is a gift in there for you.”
Picard stepped into the room. He suddenly found himself on a dirt lane leading up to an all too familiar house. Picard gaped in wonder. “This is my family home!” he exclaimed. “But, the fire…”
Q was standing next to him. He smiled. “No, Jean-Luc, this isn’t your home. There are a multitude of universes, where things have played out just a little differently. This is one of them. Here, your family home never burned down. As my gift to you, you can stay here for the next 24 Earth hours. It’s going to make things a little difficult for your counter-part in this universe, as he’s currently so far out that he’s beyond communication, but that’s his problem.” Q looked smug. “When he does return to Earth there’s going to be a bit of confusion.” Q seemed pleased with the prospect. Picard wondered about how many ‘Jean-Lucs’ he’d interfered with across the multiverse.
Picard looked at Q. “Why am I here?”
Q smiled, and for the first time in their long acquaintance, Picard felt that the smile was an honest one. He walked down the lane towards the door of the house. His hand was paused to knock, so uncomfortable did he feel, when it swung open.
“Jean-Luc, I thought you couldn’t make it!” Marie looked exceptionally pleased. “Come in, come in! Robert is in the kitchen.”
Picard looked at Q. “She can’t see me, you know,” Q said.
“Marie, you look splendid,” Picard said, grasping her hands. She blushed.
“Why, thank you, Jean-Luc!” She was both delighted and embarrassed. “Robert will be so pleased to see you!”
She stepped back into the house and Jean-Luc followed. Q trailed them, a grin on his face.
Robert had a bottle of wine in front of him, and a half-empty glass as well. He looked up from beneath bushy eyebrows.
“So the prodigal returns for the holiday?” His smile contradicted his gruff tone.
Picard looked in wonder at his family, Marie having stepped to Robert’s side. “But, the fire…”
“Was nothing, since I put in the upgraded detection system you insisted on during your last visit.” Robert looked puzzled at Jean-Luc’s comment. Picard glanced at Q with a puzzled expression on his face.
“Different universes, Jean-Luc, different paths chosen.” Q looked quite pleased with himself.
“And I have until midnight tomorrow?” Picard asked, looking at Q.
“Is that when you have to go back?” Marie asked. Picard looked uncomfortable.
“Um, yes, that’s when I have to report back,” he said, even as Q answered,
“That’s right, Jean-Luc.”
“Oh, well, then we must make the most of the time we have!” Marie exclaimed.
Jean-Luc stood by the table, flabbergasted, as Robert offered him a glass of the family vintage. Then he grinned.
“Yes, we should…make the most of the time we have.” He held his glass up. “To family!” Robert and Marie held up their glasses as well.
“To family!” Q grinned, watching them all. Suddenly, a thundering noise came from the front hall. A small boy burst into the room. He skidded to a halt, a look of shock and delight on his face upon seeing the unexpected guest.
“Uncle!” he cried, and rushed forward, throwing his arms around Picard’s legs. Tears formed in Jean-Luc’s eyes.
“Rene,” he said, his heart swelling with feelings he couldn’t define.
Q faded out like the Cheshire Cat and only Picard heard what he had to say.
“Merry Christmas, Jean-Luc.”
