A/N: I have been on a bit of a Christmas writing stint lately and this song makes me think of Trip and Hoshi. I'm not sure why. It didn't turn out exactly as I had hoped, but I think it still works. Hope you enjoy :)

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Christmas Traditions

…
Once I was alone
So lonely and then
You came out of nowhere
Like the sun up from the hill

Cold, cold was the wind
Warm, warm were your lips
Out there on the ski trail
Where your kiss gave me a thrill
-'Canadian Sunset,' Dean Martin
…

Light glittered off the tinsel and sparkled on the glasses of wine held by the crew of the Enterprise as they milled around the Mess Hall.

Off to the side, sitting quietly in a corner and nursing a mug of hot chocolate was Hoshi. She watched the antics of her fellow crewmembers with mild amusement, chuckling a little when she noticed Malcolm's antlers: now modified by Travis to read 'Kiss me I'm British' rather than 'Merry Christmas.'

"What are you doing hiding in the corner?"

Hoshi jumped at the voice and turned to find Trip standing behind her.

"I'm not hiding," she replied, a touch defensively, "I'm…observing."

Trip gave her an amused smile as he took a seat next to her, "Sure you were," he replied easily.

Hoshi gave him a sideways look, "What are you doing over here?"

Trip shrugged a shoulder, "I saw you sitting here alone, I thought you might like some company," he said, trying for nonchalance in order to hide the fact that he'd been looking for her.

"Oh," Hoshi said, "I'm fine, really, Trip. You don't need to keep me company, you should be enjoying the party," she added with a smile.

"Nah, as far as I'm concerned you are the party," Trip told her.

Hoshi looked at him properly for the first time since he'd joined her; but whatever she was about to say died on her lips as she saw the sprig of mistletoe that was suspended from the headband he was wearing.

Trip followed her gaze and started, "Er, sorry about that," he said, yanking the headband off his head, "I lost a bet with Malcolm," he added hastily.

Hoshi giggled and Trip relaxed a little at the sound.

"You know," he began in a contemplative tone, seizing the moment, "it is an old Earth tradition to kiss under mistletoe."

"I am aware of that Commander," Hoshi responded with a small smile.

"And out here in space it is important for us not to forget our own traditions," he continued with a suggestive smile.

"Well, we can't have that," Hoshi agreed with a suggestive smile of her own as Trip leaned in closer.

"It would almost be a dereliction of duty," Trip added softly.

"Yes, it-" Hoshi's response was cut short as Trip closed the distance between them and kissed her.

For a long time the only thing Trip was aware of was the fact that he was kissing the girl of his dreams, before he slowly became aware of something that sounded suspiciously like clapping.

Hoshi seemed to notice it at the same time he did and they broke apart to find the rest of the crew, led by Malcolm, clapping and whistling.

"It's about time," Malcolm commented.

Trip looked down where Hoshi had buried her face in his shoulder in embarrassment and smiled, "Yes, I guess it is," he agreed.

Hoshi peeped up at him and Trip promptly forgot about everyone else when she smiled.