Spock took a deep breath and surveyed his work. Candles were lit throughout the darkened room, and there was soft music in the background. He had spent a large number of credits on the wine that was chilling on the corner table, but it was the best accompaniment to the strawberries that sat nearby. Lastly, there was a perfectly wrapped gift on the bed. The light caught the design in the silver paper making it seem to glow.

With a last glance at his preparations, the Vulcan allowed himself a feeling of satisfaction before he turned on his heel to head to the rec room where the ship's holiday party was well underway. He knew Jim would be surprised to see him, especially since Spock had begged off, claiming that he had some experiments that needed completion.

Just as the doors of his quarters slid open, the comm unit on the table beeped, signaling an incoming call.

Spock forced a breath out of his nose, and pushed down the feeling of irritation that welled up in his chest.

He turned and strode quickly to the comm, his eyebrows rising in surprise when he saw the identity of the caller. He quickly commanded the computer to adjust the lighting in the room before answering the call.

"Good evening Father."

The image of Ambassador Sarek's face appeared on screen, and Spock noted that his father looked even older than he had the last time they had spoken.

"Hello my Son. I hope I have not disturbed you. I realize the hour is late."

"Not at all. I am always pleased to hear from you."

Since the destruction of his home planet 18 months prior, Spock and his father had been in frequent contact. At present they spoke on at least a weekly basis.

"I wanted to speak with you before your shore leave begins tomorrow."

Spock nodded. "We will be off duty, but Jim and I have no plans to leave the ship at present."

"None?"

Spock shook his head. "Jim has decided not to visit his mother in Iowa. He feels it would be more relaxing to remain here, and I do not disagree."

"I see. I am hoping that you and James will be able to make a visit to New Vulcan in the near future. Perhaps in April for your mother's birthday?"

Spock did not smile, but his eyes softened as he looked at his father. Even after almost two years, Sarek still battled loneliness. Admitting to these feeling went against his Vulcan nature, but that did not make them any less painful.

After almost losing Jim himself, and now being able to express his love to the man who was his T'hy'la, Spock had a new understanding of what his father must be going through.

"I am sorry that I cannot be with you at this time Father."

Sarek shook his head and made a dismissive motion with his hand. "It was always your mother who made something of this holiday, as you know."

"Yes, and it is at this time that I feel her absence most keenly."

Sarek gazed at his son through the screen but his damp eyes had a faraway look.

"I find myself recalling her insistence that we have some sort of Christmas Tree each year when you were young. I thought the idea very frivolous at the time, especially given that we lived on a desert plant, but..."

"It was something that made her very happy."

"Yes." Sarek took a deep breath, as if to steady himself.

"And what of you and James? How will you be keeping the day this year?"

"Quietly, which I prefer. Although Jim did organize a holiday party for the crew. I'm sure he is over indulging as we speak."

Sarek sat up a bit straighter. "Why did you not say something Spock? I should not have kept you, you should be there as well."

Spock tilted his head, surprised at his father's insistent tone. The man had seemed very...emotional...lately, for lack of a better word.

Sarek sighed when his son did not reply.

"Forgive me Spock, I am very glad we were able to speak this evening, but I do not want you to miss an opportunity to spend time with James, and your shipmates."

"Thank you Father, but I'm sure the party will continue several more hours. I have adequate time to partake in the festivities."

Sarek glanced down momentarily, and the corners of his mouth tilted up slightly in the ghost of a smile.

"Time my son, is something that passes very quickly. When it comes to those that we cherish, you may find that there is never enough of it."

Leaning back in the chair with a contented sigh, Jim looked around the rec room from his vantage point in the corner.

For a party that had been thrown together at the last minute, it had come together really well. The decorations were festive, but not cheesy, and the h'or doevers he'd chosen (with Uhura's help) were really pretty good. He gave himself extra props for the Hanukkah display in the opposite corner, complete with kosher foods for Pavel. Scotty and Bones were enjoying the hot cider, which was certainly spiked by now. All in all, a very nice way to start the holiday season before the crew went planetside for a month of shore leave.

"Hey Captain." Sulu greeted him with a smile, as he entered the room.

"Hey Sulu. How's things on the bridge?"

"Boring. I heard the food was pretty good, is there anything left?"

Jim was about to answer when someone else spoke up for him.

"Hikaru, vhere have you been?" Pavel questioned his other half with a slightly exasperated tone.

"I told you I'd be here as soon I ended my shift."

"Come see ze sufganiyot. You have to have some." Pavel took hold of his hand and Sulu waived to the captain as he was pulled away. Jim chuckled, a feeling of fondness for the younger couple washing over him.

"You gonna join the party, or just sit here daydreaming all night?"

Jim smiled at his CMO's gruff tone. He could even make having a good time sound like it was a pain in the ass.

"I'm relaxing. Isn't that what you're always after me to do? Slow down, calm down...now I'm doing it and your still pissed at me."

Leonard sat down in the chair opposite his best friend and managed to grin. "No I'm not Jim. You did all of this for the crew. I just want you to enjoy it."

" I am." Jim sat up and put his elbows on the table. "It's just...been a long time since I spent the holidays like this."

"Me too." McCoy admitted.

"It's feels...wrong." Jim screwed up his face, realizing how that sounded.

"So many years I just ignored Thanksgiving and Christmas. Now I'm spending them around people that actually matter to me, and I don't know what to do with myself."

Jim glanced up at Bones, waiting for the older man to impart some words of wisdom hidden in a mixed metaphor, but his friend wasn't even looking at him. Kirk followed his gaze to the doors of the rec room, just opening to reveal another party guest.

The newcomer's eyes landed on their table in that same instant.

"Hey!" she smiled at McCoy and Jim watched as his best friend blushed.

"Hey yourself." he replied.

It wasn't until she was standing with a hand on McCoy's shoulder that Uhura noticed her Captain.

"Hi Jim. Looks like we got a great turn out, huh?" She smiled down at McCoy again, who hadn't taken his eyes off of her since she walked in the room. Jim suddenly wondered if Bones had always had a thing for his communications officer, or if this had only developed after she and Spock broke up.

"Couldn't have done it without you Uhura. Everything turned out great."

"So, Doctor McCoy." Nyota winked at the man whose hand rested possessively at her waist. "Can I buy you a drink?"

Bones stood up and took her hand in his. "I'd love one." The pair started to walk away, when he turned around and smiled at Jim.

"Come on kid, I think you need one too."

For the next 45 minutes, Jim ate, drank and laughed. He even sang a carol or two with Nyota, who was shocked to hear that her commanding officer had an amazingly good singing voice.

Finally at 2200 hours he made his rounds to say good night, telling everyone to stay and enjoy the party and wishing them all a happy and safe holiday.

"Leaving so soon Jim?" McCoy left Nyota's side as she chatted with Nurse Chapel, to follow after the captain.

"Yeah, I'm beat. Figured I'd catch up on some shuteye since I don't have any plans tomorrow."

"So you're not making a trip to Riverside?"

"She hasn't called me in almost 4 months, Bones. I'm not going to make nice now just so I can have somewhere to go for holidays. Besides, it's not like that town puts me in the Christmas mood."

"Sorry kid."

"Give Joanna a kiss for me when you guys get there tomorrow."

"We will."

"You packed that present I got for her, right?"

Leonard nodded. "Ny has it all ready to go."

He was excited about taking Nyota to Georgia to meet his daughter, but he had to admit, he was nervous too. Things had gone so well over the last few months for them, he didn't want anything to change that.

"Don't worry, " Jim said, as though he was reading his mind. "It'll be fine."

Leonard smiled, and patted his friend on the back.

"You'll be fine too Jim. It'll be good for you and Spock to have some time to yourselves."

As if on queue, the doors to the rec room opened, and Spock walked in. Jim glanced up in surprise. The Vulcan almost appeared rushed, his bangs slightly disheveled in his haste.

"Hey," Jim's eyes lit up at the sight of his first officer. He hadn't realized how much he'd missed him tonight until now.

"My apologies Jim. I had hoped to be here sooner but..."

"It's alright, Jim assured him. "You said you had some projects to finish so I wasn't expecting you."

Jim took a step closer to Spock, and McCoy didn't miss the soft look in the Vulcan's eyes. He was getting pretty good at reading the hobgoblin if he did say so himself.

"Well," the CMO cleared his throat. "Now that you don't need a babysitter I'll get back to my date." He winked at the pair and went off to fetch another beverage.

"You want to stay and have something..."

Spock shook his head, "Actually, I was hoping you would accompany me back to our quarters. There are some things I wish to discuss with you."

"Alright." Jim sighed, wondering if Spock was going to be as preoccupied with ships business as he had been the last couple weeks.

Between working some opposite shifts to fill in for crewman that had left early for their shore leave, and his mounting duties as Science Officer, it seemed that Spock was even busier than he, and Jim was the captain!

When they exited the rec room and he felt Spock's hand against the small of his back, Jim felt a glimmer of hope that maybe they would be talking about something other than the Enterprise.

sufganiyot - a Jewish dessert served at Hanakkah - a sort of jelly doughnut.

A/N - First Chapter of my first ever Star Trek fanfic. This one will be short, with 1 or 2 more installments to come. Hope everyone enjoys this bit of Holiday fluff!