The BLTS Archive - Pohutakawa Blood First in The Pohutakawas Are Bleeding series by Amiroq. aka Gypzy (fitchett@netaccess.co.nz) --- Disclaimer: no $$$ -- Christmas again. The pohutakawas looked nice outside, scarlet red bottlebrushs scattered across the trees like they were bleeding. She could hear the fire crackling behind her ("A real traditional Christmas!" Tom had said), the waves crashing on the beach. Everywhere you went, you could hear the waves. It was sort of comforting. And the stars... so many stars. You could see all of them, tiny things dotted everywhere imaginable. She spotted the Southern Cross, and near it, the pointers, and just for the fun of it used them to find the South Celestial Pole. The window faced south, anyway, so there was no point. "B'Elanna?" She closed her eyes, listening to the sound of his bare feet padding across the carpet toward her, his slow steady breathing as he took her hands from behind and rested them on her stomach. "It's beautiful." She nodded slowly. "I'm glad we came here." Here, as in, down south. New Zealand. She'd never understand why he wanted to live in the same country as the penal colony. The same island, too, though the southern end. "What do you think everyone's doing?" He laughed, quietly and slowly. "Uhm, let me think. The Captain will be on Vulcan with Tuvok, eating dinner with his family. Chakotay... hmm, he'll be somewhere in the Demiliterised Zone with his cell plotting an attack on a Kazon battleship. Seven.... She'll be working." Laugh with him, but don't breathe. "And Harry?" His hands tightened over hers, and for a moment he didn't make any sound. "Tucking Stella into bed, and telling her she'll only get her presents if she goes to sleep. Hey, you think we can see the Ocampan star from here?" It's safe. No tantrums. Just a change of subject. "I don't know, Tom. Maybe." She slipped out from his embrace and went toward the fire to see if it needed more wood. Maybe a little, she thought, picking up a log from the box next to the fireplace. "Leave it to die, it's late. Come to bed." He grinned mischievously. "Santa won't come if you're still awake." "Maybe later. I want to look around some more. It's so quiet outside." She threw the log back in the box and sat on the mat in front of the flames, stretching out in the warmth. He sighed, leaning down to kiss her gently on the forehead, then padded out of the room. It took the better part of an hour for the fire to die. She found herself nearly drifting to sleep, mentally re-hearing Tom tell of his childhood Christmases, when they would have a tree, presents piled high beneath it, covered in tinsel and lights, with a little angel on top. The fire would be crackling away, and on Christmas Eve the stars would reflect off the snow and make it as light as daytime. Everyone would sing carols, and for once, his father wouldn't criticise *anything*. When the fire had been reduced to just a few glowing embers, and all that lit the room was the tiny coloured Christmas lights, she put the grate on and started for the bedroom. Partway there she paused. The console was still on. It was still evening in China. Impulsively, she sat down and opened a link, praying both that someone would answer, and that no one would answer. Her prayers were answered. Harry looked like he was trying to settle down after a big day of three-year-old excitement. Nonetheless, he grinned when he saw who it was. "Maquis, hey!" Pause. "Where's Tom?" "Bed," she answered simply. "How are you? I haven't seen you in months." "Not since June. I'm fine. Stella's great. She misses you. What time is it in New Zealand?" She checked. "Nearly midnight. Tell her merry Christmas tomorrow, will you? Did you get my parcel?" "Yeah, thanks. She'll love it. I will. How's Tom? How's New Zealand?" "He's fine. Still annoyed at you, I think." "I'm not surprised. I hear the pohutakawas are in bloom." "Yeah. They look great, I can see them from the window. No snow, either. You know, maybe having Christmas in summer isn't such a bad idea. It's so warm." He chuckled. "Yeah, I can see how you'd like that. We don't have snow yet, but it's pretty cold. Stella hates it. She takes after you. Look, B'Elanna--" He hesitated. "I'd -- Stella would really love it if you came to visit. I mean, I know you probably don't have time, or you're too busy with Tom, but she misses you. A lot. She thinks about you every day." Ah, the uncrackable code. She knew that one all too well. But it was Christmas Eve. It wouldn't do to tell him she she knew what he was saying, what he was trying desperately not to say. "I'll try. I really will. I-- Tell her I miss her too. If things were different--" She sighed. "I should get to bed." He nodded. "Yeah, I know. Just... you know where we are. It would be great. Get some sleep, okay? Santa won't come if you're still awake." "Okay, Starfleet. Goodnight." "Feliz navidad." She couldn't help but smile. "Amote. Quierote. Merry Christmas." A click, as the screen went dark. She sat, for just a moment, then stood up. And as she walked past the window again, she noticed that the pohutakawas were bleeding. --- The End