For the fiftieth time that day, Paris fingered the small device tucked just inside his pocket. It was December the 24^th, if one went by Earth Calendar dates, and Activation Energy were about to strike for the first time. After blurting out to Chakotay that they were going to hold a Christmas party for the seniormost staff, Paris had been well and truly landed. Nevertheless, pulling in every favour he was owed, he'd managed to pull it off.

He smiled. Right now, assuming everything was in order, B’Elanna was in conference with Tuvok, Chakotay and the Captain, discussing possible energy sources for Engineering.

His console beeped. Double-checking that all three crewmembers were where he needed them, he hit the transporter control to beam the three to the holodeck.

He cycled them in the pattern buffer for a few seconds and gave the signal to all crewmembers to transport directly to the holodeck. He checked the décor once more as the crewmembers finished arriving.

"That’s it," Harry called. "We’re all here!"

Paris gave him a thumbs up for good luck, then ordered the computer to dim the lights and rematerialise the Captain and two commanders.

 ===+++===

Janeway felt herself rematerialise, but she was in darkness. She wondered if Paris had finally struck – she’d been expecting something to happen ever since she’d found that PADD on the holodeck two weeks ago.

The lights flared up, and Janeway blinked a few times as the brightness assaulted her senses. Recovering quickly, she swept her gaze across the room, noticing a decorated tree and a log fire only seconds before what seemed like the entire crew yelled, "HAPPY CHRISTMAS!"

Tuvok raised an eyebrow. "This was most illogical."

"Illogical, scmogical, Tuvok," Paris said, handing him and the captain a glass each. B’Elanna came up behind him with another one for Chakotay, and handed it to him with a smile. Tom waited until everyone had a glass, then proceeded to propose the toast.

"To our fearless leaders – for being our friends and bosses on this long trek home! May you all live long and prosper under our expert care."

"Cheers!" the crew shouted amongst various giggles, clinking glasses with those near them.

"What now?" someone called out.

Paris pretended to think for a few seconds. "Pass the Parcel first," he decided, but they groaned him down.

"Oh, come on," he pleaded, and, grumbling, the crew sat on the floor in a circle. Inwardly, Paris noted how Chakotay waited until the Captain sat down, and then proceeded to sit next to her. If only he’d do something more obvious… Paris grinned. That’s where he and his group would come in.

He handed out three parcels, one to each of three different points in the circle, then sat down between B’Elanna and Harry.

"Start the music, Chell!" he called, and the Bolian complied, flicking the switch on an old-fashioned music system from the late 21^st century.

"Last Christmas, I gave you my heart…!" a voice sang out, and Tom smiled. He’d chosen all his favourite Christmas songs to help get everyone in the mood,

And it seemed to be working, he noted as he saw Janeway smile at something Chakotay said. Of course, it may also have been due to the dash of real alcohol he’d put in both their drinks. Oh, he didn’t want them drunk - it could undermine all their plans - but he did want them loosened up, so to speak.

"Harry, you have got the mistletoe, haven’t you?" Tom murmured, watching Seven actually smile out of the corner of his eye. Had she been drinking any of the stuff for the Captain and the Commander?

"Sure I have," Harry said, patting his pocket. "You have got the device, haven’t you?"

Tom patted his pocket. "Right here."

"Do you really think this is going to work?" B’Elanna asked.

"You tell me," Paris replied. "You designed it."

"Not the device," B’Elanna said witheringly. "The mistletoe thing."

Tom looked across at Chakotay and the Captain again. "I doubt that it will finish our job, put it could give them a shove in the right direction," he decided.

The music stopped, and the three of them laughed to see Seven tearing the wrapping off the first layer. A bar of chocolate fell into her lap.

"This is a pleasant activity," Seven stated firmly.

The music started up again, and the parcels continued their rounds.

===+++=== 

Janeway eyed Paris suspiciously across the room. She just knew that he was up to something, but she could not figure out what it was for the life of her. She couldn't help but notice the whispers exchanged between Tom, Harry and B'Elanna, but she was far too far away to work out what they were saying.

Besides, she was enjoying herself. She rarely had a chance to relax this much, especially with Chakotay around as well.

The music stopped just as said XO shoved the present into her hands. Slightly eagerly - not that she would have admitted it - she started ripping off the paper, thoughts of Paris' conspiracies flying out of her mind with astonishing rapidity.

===+++===

Two hours later, Paris announced the next activity. "Bring your partners to the floor and form two rings, ladies inside, men opposite. We're going to perform a mistletoe dance!"

Janeway groaned inwardly. This obviously answered the question of how Paris was going to strike.

"We dance around to the music and the couple that end up under the mistletoe when the music stops have to kiss," Paris explained as Harry strung up the two sprigs of mistletoe. "Hurry, no dawdling."

He turned to Harry and whispered, "Make sure those two go together. Get everyone to join in or they'll have an excuse to sit out."

The music began quietly. "Come on, have we got everybody? Do I see our illustrious guests of honour sitting on the sidelines? We can't have that!" Harry and Seven dragged the two, protesting, into the ring between Tom and B'Elanna and themselves.

The music was turned up and the dancers began to move. When they were all going, Paris pressed the device in his pocket. The music stopped instantly, depositing Vorik and Susan Nicoletti under one sprig, and Neelix and Naomi under the other. Everyone laughed at Vorik's uncomfortable expression as Susan kissed him full on the lips, although there were a few wolf whistles too. Neelix lifted Naomi up and gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Tom pressed the button on the device and restarted the music, this time keeping an eye on the position of the couples. He set the device so that the music would automatically stop next time the Captain and Commander passed under the mistletoe, then relaxed and waited for the fun to start.

B'Elanna watched, amused, as the music stopped just as the Captain and Chakotay were squarely under the mistletoe. Flickering amusement and embarrassment were replaced swiftly by Janeway throwing a deathglare at Tom Paris. She wasn't stupid, B'Elanna thought, even whilst congratulating herself on a device well built. The couple under the other sprig - Carey and Wildman - had already kissed, leaving the attention of the entire room on Kathryn and Chakotay.

Finally, Kathryn muttered, "Oh, what the hell," and kissed Chakotay awkwardly, like a teenager on a first date. A few cheers arose as Paris restarted the music.

Kathryn stepped out of the ring. "I've got early bridge duty tomorrow morning," she said, avoiding Chakotay's eyes and leaving by the double doors with a parting glare at Tom Paris, who simply smiled sweetly. Chakotay added his glare and followed her out.

"Merry Christmas!" the crew yelled after them.