Chapter 1: Arrival

Author's notes: The story is based on the TOS episode "Elaan of Troyius", but without Klingons. I used some of the dialogue and part of the storyline, but added the genderswap, the Kirk/McCoy and set the fic around Christmas time.

I'm not yet sure about the rating. It may go up.

Disclaimer: I don't own Star Trek. I'm only borrowing the characters for this fic.

It was going to be hell. Jim Kirk was sure about that.

It was bad enough that the brass didn't give the crew their well earned Christmas shore leave at some nice planet. No, they even made the Enterprise take on a very sensitive mission. They had to escort Elaan, the Dohlman of Elas, some kind of spoiled princess, from her homeworld to the planet Troyius where her fiancé was living.

It was two days until Christmas and Jim kind of hoped that Scotty could pull out all the stocks in order to make the warp drive go a little faster for the mission to be over earlier.

But…

Elaan showed pretty bad manners arriving in the transporter room. And the ambassador from her future husband's planet, Troyius, had an agenda.

Lieutenant Uhura showed the visitor to the biggest guest quarters, while Jim Kirk, Leah McCoy and Ambassador Petri from Troyius headed for the briefing room in order to talk with the senior officers about the outlines of the mission.

"Ambassador Petri", Jim started while they were walking to a turbo lift, "Why is she behaving like that?"

"Bad upbringing", Leah murmured, walking behind the two men towards the briefing room.

Petri sighed. "The doctor isn't entirely wrong. But on Elas it is not unusual for a royal to talk and act like that. On Troyius however… She can't be like that when we arrive. Therefore we need to travel slowly. I will need time."

Jim gave him a confused look. "I don't understand."

"Before we reach Troyius she must be taught civilized manners. In her present condition my people would never accept her. But it is important. The peace of this part of space depends on it."

Jim nodded. "I see." But he knew what that meant – Christmas for the crew would probably go to hell… "And you are to be her teacher?"

"Those are my orders. I must ask you and your crew to respect, or at least tolerate, Elaan's arrogance. Friction must be kept at a minimum."

Leah sighed silently. She knew she would have a hard time staying calm and friendly around a woman behaving like that. But with some luck she wouldn't have to see her much.

"I understand", Jim replied.

"Another thing you should understand, Captain. You have as much at stake as I have. Your superiors made the statement that failure of this mission would be as catastrophic for the Federation as it would be for our two planets. To gain peace at the price of accepting such a queen is no victory", Petri said. "The official gifts I bear are already in the guest quarters. Perhaps that will soften her mood."

"Yeah, sure, calm down the woman with some nice trinkets…" Leah mumbled barely audible.

But the men heard.

"Bones", Jim almost hissed.

Petri chuckled. "It is alright. I know this must be strange and antiquated for you. But royals like Elaan do respond to gifts."

"Uhura to Kirk", the lieutenant's voice sounded.

They stopped and Jim touched a near com panel at a wall. "This is Kirk."

"Captain, the Dohlman is dissatisfied with the quarters provided. And the gifts that were waiting for her. She is very upset."

Jim sighed. "We're on our way."

Five minutes later they entered the guest suite – and were greeted by something flying through the air and crashing against the wall next to the door.

Uhura stood in a corner, looking a little helpless.

"Swine! Take back your gifts!" Elaan yelled at the ambassador.

"Your Glory, these are your wedding slippers", he said pointing at the objects she was holdin – and now also throwing.

"Your ruler cannot buy the favors of the Dohlman of Elas." She also threw a blue dress to the ground.

Petri made a few steps and picked it up. "This is your wedding dress, a gift from the bridegroom's mother."

"I want nothing of his!" She kicked a flat box with a large necklace over the table.

"Those are the most prized of royal jewels for your lovely neck", the ambassador explained.

"I would strangle if I was to put the gift of a Troyian dog around my neck." She glared at Petri, Leah and Jim. "And how dare you to enter without permission?!"

"I understand you're not happy with your quarters", Jim said in his diplomatic voice.

Elaan picked up a vase and threw it against a wall. "Quarters! This is now way for the Dohlman of Elas to travel."

Leah rolled her eyes. She would have loved to say something, but knew that would cause a diplomatic incident.

"And what are those?" Elaan pointed to some festive Christmas decorations.

"I am sorry", Uhura spoke carefully. "On Earth there is something called Christmas time. Christmas is in two days and this is decoration for that holiday."

Elaan studied the red and green things. "It may stay for now." She looked to Jim and her expression got a little softer. She let her gaze wander along his body.

Leah noticed and was again tempted to say something. She felt getting upset and didn't really know why.

"You may tell me more about this Christmas at dinner, Captain", Elaan added.

"Your Highness…" Petri started, but trailed off when the Dohlman raised her hand.

"Doctor McCoy to Medbay please", a voice sounded

Leah was almost relieved, but some part of her didn't want to leave Jim Kirk alone here.

"If you'll excuse me…" she said as polite as possible.

"You may go", Elaan replied arrogantly.

Leah left without another word.

Elaan huffed and pointed at Petri. "He dares to suggest that I adopt the servile manners of his people", she complained, looking at Jim.

"Your Glory doesn't seem to be responding to instruction", the captain remarked.

"I will never forgive the council for putting me through this torture", she replied. "Were you responding to my demand for better quarters?"

"There are none better. I suggest you make do with these."

She made a high pitched noise of disbelieve. "You suggest?!"

"There are no better quarters available, but if that's the only way you can get gratification, I'll arrange to have the whole room filled from floor to ceiling with breakable objects", he replied coolly.

"I will not be humiliated!" the Dohlman yelled.

"Then act in a civilized fashion", Jim said in a calm voice and turned to leave Elaan and Petri alone.

"I did not give you permission to leave!"

"I didn't ask for any", Jim retorted and was gone a moment later.

A moment later a vase hit the closed door.

At the end of her shift Leah looked a little sad at the Christmas decorations in Medbay. She'd allowed them, but wondered if that was a good idea. She felt the Christmas blues – and something she couldn't quite grasp. Her mood was dropping.

She thought back on how Elaan had looked at Jim Kirk. Well, it wasn't unusual that a woman – alien or not – was checking him out like that. She wondered, if he was responsive. Elaan was an attractive woman and Jim… well, he was Jim Kirk.

Leah's mood dropped even more at those thoughts. She hated the possibility that Jim and Elaan would have dinner and maybe more.

She hated this mission. The following days would be torture. She wasn't that fond of Christmas time, but with Elaan on board it would be even worse. Someone playing Christmas songs in Medbay didn't make things any better. Quite the opposite.

Right in this moment the song coming from the speakers was adding to her bad mental state.

I don't want a lot for Christmas
There's just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree

She suddenly realized that there was one thing she'd been looking forward to: Spending Christmas with Jim Kirk. Like at the Academy. That was now at risk…

I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know

And there was something else. She might… maybe… possibly… be a little – lot – jealous. She sighed and rolled her eyes. Where was that coming from? Shit…

Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you

"Doctor?"

Leah snapped out of her thoughts and stopped listening to that damned song.

Nurse Christine Chapel handed her a PADD and she started reading it. It was a boring report, but a welcoming distraction.