The BLTS Archive - Merry Christmas, Kathryn
by Sileya (sileyathesultry@gmail.com)

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Rating: None. No sex, no kissing, no nothing...just TLC of the top
order

Disclaimer: All hail Paramount. We fall on our knees before Paramount.
We are not worthy!

Archive: For our beloved R'rain (Happy Holidays!), and anyone else
too, as long as my name and disclaimer are on it.

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The husky melodic hum fills the empty briefing room with an ancient
tune, one of dreams and happy memories. Captain Janeway stands
solitary in front of the viewport, arms crossed around herself
tightly as she stares abstractly out the window, humming "White
Christmas" slowly... and sadly, knowing that her wish would likely
not come true. So deep in thought is she that when B'Elanna and Harry
enter, she doesn't hear the hydraulic whish of the door or their light
footfalls on the carpet.

"Captain?"

Janeway turns sharply at the sound of Harry's voice.

"Are you all right, Captain?"

Janeway manages to fudge a reassuring smile. "Yes, Ensign... thank you
for asking. However-" she shakes her head a bit to clear the fog of
her musings. "You have that report for me?"

Harry nods and steps forward with a datapadd, B'Elanna following.
Neither Harry nor the Captain notice B'Elanna's intense study of her
Captain. B'Elanna remains quiet through the briefing and leaves
immediately following, to the light consternation of Harry Kim. "What
is it with people today?" he wonders as he leaves for his duty shift
on the bridge.

Captain Janeway returns to her deep introspection, staring out the
viewport, humming the strains again softly. An indeterminate amount
of time passes before she receives a computer summons.

"Captain, your presence is requested at Holodeck 2," sounds the
computer voice.

"Acknowledged," answers Janeway. She leaves the Briefing Room, walking
purposefully. Upon arrival, however, there is no one to greet her.
"Computer, who requested my presence at Holodeck 2?" she queries.

"Unspecified," the computer replies.

Janeway frowns and steps toward the Holodeck doors, noticing that no
privacy lock is set. After only a short pause she accesses the door
and passes under the archway, entering into a cozy 19th century
Terran farmhouse kitchen. Janeway smiles despite her confusion as the
smell of hot apple cider liberally seasoned with cinnamon reaches her
senses. The huge cast-iron oven radiates heat and several covered
dishes wait. With a slight frown, she moves through to a formal
dining room, which is decked out for a Christmas feast... bright red
and green decorations decorate the room and the table is set for ten.
Janeway shakes her head in wonder at the exquisite detail, and turns
in her place to face out into an enormous great room dominated by a
roaring fireplace and plump couches.

"Hello?" she calls out, but there is no answer. With a sigh she steps
out into the warm great room, lightly touching the edges of a 12 foot
tall Christmas tree which is decorated to the ends of the branches
with myriad lights, decorations and glittering garlands. A flash
catches her eye and she turns only to stop still at the sight before
her... double French doors of etched glass facing out onto the
countryside... where snow covers the hills and trees as it falls
softly.

With a loving cry, Janeway dashes to the doors and throws them open,
stepping out into the snow and twirling in abandon before romping out
into the yard, laughing joyfully. She doesn't notice the slim figure
which steps to the corner of the French doors, silhouetted in the
firelight, watching wistfully as Janeway drops into the snow to make
a snow angel.

"Merry Christmas, Kathryn," B'Elanna whispers. "With all my love."

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The End