Scanners hummed peacefully throughout the Bridge. The stars were equally carefree, as the Enterprise waded through them.
The captain leaned back in his chair, legs crossed, skimming the latest correspondence from Starfleet Command. His yeoman oversaw the process, offering a writing device and a strip of possible responses.
He took the pen and signed the form, before swiveling to one side.
"Lieutenant," he called.
As Sulu began his answer, he realized the captain was facing the empty chair of Lieutenant Uhura. He returned to his navigations, while Kirk passed the document to Rand.
"The Lieutenant's Regular Pass," explained Spock, hardly moving his eyes from his work. Captain Kirk nodded.
"Yeoman," he began, righting his chair, "take down a message for Lieutenant Uhura, to be broadcast to all crewmen at her… earliest convenience."
"Yes, Sir."
He would not pause; Uhura was always capable of polishing his messages, and cutting out everything unnecessary; the gold ribbon on his uniform, but in dashes.
"Attention all personnel: we have been granted an additional day of shore leave, based on your excelling performance. We are currently on course for the outpost Aristotle IX, and will be taking our leave there. I have been ordered not to stop the ship, for any reason, until we have arrived. Current estimates show us being…"
He glanced to Sulu, who smiled as he filled in the gaps:
"Twenty-five days out, Sir, if we maintain sublight speed. Smooth sailing, Captain."
Yeoman Rand nodded, waiting quietly for the Captain to proceed:
"Based on our most recent correspondence with Earth, this has us arriving for leave on Christmas Day. Starfleet's gift to us, it seems, for another successful year…"
Kirk outlined possible festivities, alternative celebrations, and left a final request for those familiar with ancient Earth history to help solidify their plans. Rand set down the tablet, leaning it carefully on the armrest.
"I'll stop by her cabin right away, Sir."
"Thank you, Yeoman," he nudged the tablet in her direction, "She'd like that."
She stepped eagerly toward the turbo-lift, tucking the pen behind her ear. As the doors shut, she could hear the captain yawning, and remarking about his upcoming night-shift.
Despite the constant darkness, the crew had learned to operate within its own pattern of work and rest. As she maintained the captain's schedule, she knew he was already late for taking his time off. Typical. She also knew it was unusual for Spock and the captain to have overlapping break periods. However, because they were not scheduled to make additional stops, this did not concern her.
What occupied most of her mind, in the short walk from the lift to the assigned cabin, was what sort of radiant face Uhura would exchange for the news. She was not disappointed.
"On Christmas day?" she grinned, "That's wonderful."
The yeoman watched as Uhura's eyes, crinkled from her smile, scanned over the document.
"I can announce it now," Uhura said, inspired. She was already at her desk; her fingers crawled toward the communication screen. Rand felt somewhat guilty, in becoming a trap.
"There's no hurry," she said, relaxing her hand over Uhura's, "It is your day off, isn't it?"
"Yes," Uhura nodded. It was, in fact, her first and only on the journey so far.
Rand returned the smile, and chose to sit on the table. Uhura scooted back in her chair, to leave room for Rand to fold her legs. She tapped her fingers against the top of her boots, as she gazed down at the Lieutenant.
"Y'know how hard you work, Uhura?"
By now, the Lieutenant's hands were resting amicably on the table, far away from the communicator. Rand reached for the tablet, reviewing the good news.
"It's been completely quiet up there," she promised, tossing a hand toward the Bridge, "All night long. Not a word."
"We haven't passed any other ships?"
Rand shrugged.
"None that wanted to talk to us." She turned the pen over between her fingers, while Uhura reached to unfasten her earrings, "Must be 'cause you weren't there."
Uhura's smile returned home, brighter than before. The two gemstones rolled atop the desk, as far as they could reach.
"Did Captain Kirk need anything else from me?"
The rope around Uhura's heart was that of duty. Rand acknowledged it with a gentle, mirroring sort of nod.
"Nah. He's off for the night, just like you and me."
Uhura glanced approvingly at the screen, and imaged her captain was doing the same.
"Nice and quiet," Rand observed, sliding gracefully from the table. She studied herself in the mirror, facing Uhura's bed. Her eyes danced briefly over the bed's reflection, counting frayed threads and the creases and contours of Uhura's usual position, "Peaceful."
"Good for a day off," Uhura agreed, watching her.
"Or a night."
Uhura relaxed in her chair, setting both arms on the desktop. She rested her face atop her hands.
"You're welcome to stay," she said, knowing they had already somehow agreed on this. Yeoman Rand turned to face the door, offering to 'hunt down' an extra bed from Sickbay.
The Lieutenant's laughter was sweet and light, as she declined.
She switched off the screen completely, draining the room of all noises. Uhura had to pause her own breathing, in order to admire the Yeoman's, as she scooped up the blanket and nestled beneath it.
Each offered one final glance to the light, creeping in beneath the cabin door, before settling down to sleep. They were wrapped up in the silence, but neither had ever felt such comfort.
All is calm, All is bright.