THE NEWSGROUP RECOMMENDS: BEST TOS GENERAL STORY

BEST F/F SLASH ~ BEST TOS NOVELETTE ~ BEST OVERALL NOVELETTE

Title: The Christmas Ball

Author: T'Lin ( LinkyS@aol.com )

Series: TOS, The Christmas Ball Series

Parts: 1/6

Rating: PG

Pairing: Ch/R, S/U, Su/C, K/Mc

Summary: A few months after the Enterprises' 5-year mission is over, the officers are reunited briefly during a Christmas party at Starfleet Headquarters. This event is told through the eyes of Christine Chapel.

Note: Written for the Femme Fuh-Q Fest -- http://www.oocities.org/femme_fuhq_fest/

Archiving: FFF, ASC*, and my own web page -- http://www.oocities.org/tlin_s/ -- all others, please ask first.

Disclaimer: Paramount/Viacom own the Star Trek universe, I just play there. No copyright infringement is intended, or money made. Although the characters are not my own, this original work of fanfiction is the property of T'Lin, © 10 December, 2005.

Feedback gladly accepted ... publicly or privately.

THE CHRISTMAS BALL

by T'Lin -- 0512.10

Over the years, as humankind encountered new races on other worlds, many of the traditions and cultural events that had separated humans from one another have merged, becoming generic to the human race, instead of unique to the culture they originated in. As more beings from across the universe became part of human culture, even their traditions were being adopted into ours.

But despite this homogenization, there are some human traditions that still remain ... at least in certain parts of Earth.

One such tradition was the annual Christmas Ball at Starfleet Headquarters. From the earliest days of the fleet -- and before, when the joined branches of the military were headquartered in the same part of San Francisco -- there had been a Christmas Ball.

Attendance was not mandatory, but for those officers assigned duty at Starfleet Headquarters, it was expected. The same was true for anyone whose ship was in port, or those teaching at the Academy, which is why many of the former officers of the USS Enterprise would be in attendance this year.

It had been several months since the ship had returned to Earth, and all of it's crew had been reassigned. Many of the men and women would remain with their current assignments when the Enterprise returned to active duty, but the officers -- well, most of the officers -- would be returning to her. The exception would be Spock, who had resigned his commission, and gone home to Vulcan. Apparently, he was currently teaching at the Vulcan Science Academy. Rumor had it that he would soon be joining his father on a diplomatic mission to Romulus ... but there was no official word on such a pilgrimage.

James Kirk and Nyota Uhura were both teaching at Starfleet Academy, and Leonard McCoy has gone to Yonada to see Natira, and work on a research project. All three of them would be returning to the Enterprise, once the refit is completed. And so will Scotty, who is in his element as head of the engineering staff responsible for updating the Enterprise. Pavel Chekov and Hikaru Sulu have been reassigned to other ships ... whether their assignments are temporary or permanent, I don't know.

As for me, well, I never told anyone that I served with, but I am actually a medical doctor, not a nurse ... and in the months I've been back, I've taken a few refresher courses to update my credentials. Of course, that leaves me with a small dilemma ... do I apply for a CMO position aboard another ship, or try to get the post of assistant CMO aboard Enterprise?

My initial plan was to apply to another ship ... after all, I had made a bit of a fool of myself over Spock, and returning to that situation would have been awkward for all concerned. But Spock has resigned from Starfleet, opening the door to the possibility of returning to Enterprise ... and I already know that I work well with Leonard.

But then again, there is the new love of my life to consider. It may be best, at least for the time being, to remain Earthbound. Our romantic relationship is quite new to both of us ... and still quite fragile. Little did we know when we got together just a few short months ago, ostensibly to talk over old times, that we would fall for each other so quickly.

But we did ... and true to form for romance, it adds so many more dimensions to the equation of where my life is going. One thing I know for certain ... Janice will not be interested in going back aboard Enterprise. Her reasons for leaving -- namely Captain Kirk -- are still there, and I wouldn't ask her to put herself in that position.

The sound of the doorbell interrupts my thoughts, and I look up into the mirror, startled. A quick glance at the chronometer tells me what I already know ... I have a visitor, and it isn't Janice. It was too early for her to be here ... and even so, she would have just come in.

Grabbing my robe, I make my way to the door, only to discover Nyota there, already dressed for the Ball and looking radiant. I invite her in, and apologize for my appearance, only to have her wave me off, and explain that she would only keep me a minute.

She said she was on her way to the spaceport, to meet the Vulcan Ambassador and his family. Her formality in announcing this information seemed out of character, until I realized she was trying to tell me that Spock would be at the Ball. I was about to tell her that it was of no consequence but she held up her hand to forestall my words, and continued to explain that she and Spock were ... well, engaged.

My shock at this announcement must have been obvious, as she hastily started to explain the details of how this came about. I admit I hardly heard a word she said, and as I started to laugh, she stopped speaking, and looked at me with a great deal of curiosity.

Just then, the door opened, and Janice walked in ... somewhat frazzled looking from a day at work, with her Ball gown carefully draped over her arm. She went into the bedroom, and returned a moment later without her burden. Crossing to my side, she kissed me, which only added to Nyota's confusion.

I then went to her, and gently gave her a hug, telling her that she had nothing to worry about ... and that I was very happy for her and Spock. We exchanged a few more polite words, and made a promise for the three of us to get together for lunch, then Nyota was off.

As Janice and I finished dressing, I filled her in on the news about Spock and Nyota ... happy in the knowledge that I felt absolutely no jealousy over the announcement.

I had been expecting to see most of the men in dress uniforms ... and was pleasantly surprised to see them wearing the more traditional black tuxedo from times past. It certainly made the event more festive, and went far better with the evening gowns favored by all of the women here.

The decor was far more reminiscent of an earlier time, as well. Miles and miles of green roping, interspersed with luscious bows of the deepest red ... and dominating one corner of the massive room, an evergreen tree, adorned with thousands of tiny lights, and as many miniature bows to match the ones around the room. Atop it all, a star that rivaled those seen at warp speed. And in the background, the sound of an orchestra played old familiar songs of the season. It was all so lovely. I found myself staring in awe as Janice and I entered the room.

A tap on my shoulder, however, brought me back to reality, as I realized we were blocking the entrance. Apologizing, we stepped further into the room, and looked for some familiar faces. Seeing none, I looked for a more convenient place to watch from, and took Janice's hand in mine to cross the room.

A waiter approached with champagne, and I took a glass, offering it to Janice, and kept one for myself. We made a small toast to each other, and smiled, happy to be here, together. Janice was absolutely lovely tonight. The green satin gown made her eyes sparkle, and set off the glow of the ruby earrings and necklace I had given her for an early Christmas present. My own gown was deep red velvet. Janice had given me earrings and a necklace as well, made of a stone I had never seen before. A dark, intense green, which seemed to be lit from within ... as the stone warmed from contact with the skin, it glowed more intensely.

I must admit, we made a beautiful couple, and I apparently wasn't the only one who thought so, as I heard a cat whistle behind us. Turning at the sound, I spotted Hikaru Sulu and Pavel Chekov, both perfectly attired in matching tuxedos, right down to the festive red and green vests. Obviously, they were here together, just as Janice and I were.

There had been rumors about them being a couple, but I never knew if there was any truth to them ... and when they were reassigned to different ships, I assumed that they had been false ... but you know what they say about assumptions. I do believe that my being here with Janice was much more of a shock to them ... after all, Janice had left the ship several years ago, after a failed relationship with the Captain ... and I ... well, we know how I behaved around Spock.

We've both laughed about how silly we had been, but I can only imagine that others must wonder about our sudden ... shall I say, change of orientation. Sudden for me, at least, as I had never even thought about a lesbian relationship before I got together with Janice a few months ago. But it makes perfect sense ... until then, I had only pursued men who were, in one way or another, unattainable. I had been looking for companionship, not a sex partner. But with Janice, I could have both.

She, on the other hand, had been in several relationships since her return to Earth three years ago. At first, she had gone after men of power ... wanting, at least she thought, to be protected by them. But each one had left her feeling inadequate, and she sought counseling. It was then that Janice had discovered herself ... had been given the strength to seek out what *she* wanted, and not always rely on the protection of others.

She went back to school, specializing in transporter technology, and met a woman who changed her life. They had been lovers for a year when she died in a shuttle accident. That was six months before I returned to Earth, and was reunited with her. It was the unfolding of her past, since we had last seen one another, that opened up this whole new world to me.

After filling them in on what we've been up to, I asked about their current assignments. Chekov was quite happy as Science Officer aboard the Grissom ... they were currently in port for resupply, and would be shipping out two days after Christmas. He was looking forward to exploring new territory, even if it meant that he would not be able to rejoin the Enterprise when she went out again.

Sulu was in a similar position ... not as happy with his current assignment, but most likely not returning to the Enterprise, either. Currently, he was First Officer of the Potemkin, which was on standard patrol of the Alpha quadrant. To Sulu, it was a very boring assignment, but it had one perk ... it kept him close to Earth, and available, should his promotion come through. With that promotion came his own command.

With Sulu's announcement, I realized there might be a position open to me as CMO, which would also allow Janice a post on the same ship ... definitely something to keep in mind. After a bit more small talk, Chekov spotted one of his comrades, whom he wanted to introduce Sulu to, and off they went.

It was time for us to do a bit of mingling, as well. No sooner did I think this, than I turned and practically walked into Leonard McCoy ... surprising us both. He gave me a hug, pouring on the southern charm like I had never seen him do before. When I finally stepped back, I realized that Janice was standing face to face with the Captain, both of them smiling politely, but not saying anything.

This was the moment I had been dreading ... but so far, the awkwardness seemed to be minimal. I spoke up, telling the Captain it was good to see him, and much to my surprise, he told me to call him Jim, as he turned to me, and took my hand to kiss it. He then told us both that we looked lovely, and without further ado, asked Janice for a dance.

She looked at me, and before I could say anything, Jim had taken her hand, and led her to the dance floor ... Leonard then asked me to join him in a dance, and I did. Not having had time to ask how he was, or why he was already back from Yonada, I took advantage of our time on the dance floor to do just that. It seems that Natira didn't wait for him, as she said she would ... and when it came right down to it, he was actually relieved. He then confided to me that he was involved with someone ... someone whom he had been in love with for many years, but had kept it to himself out of a sense of self-preservation. After all, from all indications, the object of his affection had absolutely no interest in him ... or so he thought.

This vague reference to his lover only piqued my curiosity, but he would say nothing more while we were dancing. The dance over, he returned me to our small table, then went off for some refreshments. Janice and the Captain soon joined me, and I couldn't help but notice that all signs of awkwardness were gone ... Janice was actually smiling, as she kissed him on the cheek, and thanked him for the dance. Before I could ask any questions, Leonard returned, placed our drinks on the table, then kissed Jim before sitting next to me.

I looked at one, then the other, and had to laugh ... I never would have expected Jim Kirk, of all men, to be gay. But then, that would explain so many things. As we all sat there, enjoying the companionship of our newly discovered truths about one another, a familiar voice interrupted the conversation, asking if they could join us. Silence fell around the table, as Spock and Nyota smiled down upon us. And it wasn't just Nyota who was smiling ... there was a twinkle in Spock's eye that I had never seen before. He truly looked happy.

Just as when Nyota told me of her relationship with Spock, I felt no jealousy seeing him ... but a quick look around the table revealed to me that perhaps I wasn't the only one who had had feelings for him. Both Jim and Leonard stood to welcome the new arrivals, each giving Nyota a quick hug, and their congratulations on her engagement ... but when it came to greeting Spock, there was an awkwardness. It was almost as if both men, in their way, wanted to hug Spock as well, but were afraid ... either of exposing their own true feelings for the Vulcan, or of sensing his distaste for the physical contact.

Much to their surprise -- and mine as well, I must admit -- Spock made the first move. He clasped Jim by the shoulders, saying how nice it was to see him again. As for McCoy, he shook his hand, and asked how the research had gone on Yonada ... there were a few things he would like to discuss with him, pertaining to that research. He then addressed Janice, lifting her hand to his lips, and lightly kissing it saying how nice it was to see her again. When it was my turn, I was surprised to hear him congratulate me on my medical certification, telling me it was well deserved. This was not the Spock I remembered from the ship ... but I was happy to see that *he* was happy. Nyota glowed in his presence, and he in hers.

Once again, the conversation circled round to what we were all doing, and our hopes and dreams for the future. When Nyota asked if Janice and I would try to be stationed together, I noticed Spock's eyebrow raise, and Janice blush slightly, as I quickly said we hadn't really discussed it yet. Just then, Jim reached across the table to take Leonard's hand, and said that he wouldn't ever want to be separated for that long ... and Spock's eyebrow rose even higher.

Apparently, neither he nor Nyota knew that they were now a couple. It was a joy seeing Spock's reaction to our news ... and with all of our various relationships now out in the open, all awkwardness was forever gone ... or so I thought, until I asked if anyone had seem Mister Scott. Nyota looked away, as did Leonard ... Jim only said he was quite busy working on the Enterprise.

It was then that I realized my mistake ... I knew that Scotty had once been in love with Nyota, and I also knew that he and Leonard had enjoyed each others company, sharing more than a drink or two. Rumor also had it that at one time, he and Chekov had been close ... no wonder he was spending all of his time with the ship ... apparently, she was the only one who would never leave him for another man.

The end