Chapter 1: Christmas Eve 2185

Date: December 24, 2185

Location: Above Hagalaz

Walking through the Normandy in the early morning after a battle was always fun for Serena. However, today was different. Today was Christmas Eve. In her arms were two boxes and behind her was Grunt, who for life of himself, couldn't figure out what this tiny human wanted in the six boxes he was carrying that were marked fragile. They came into the Mess Hall to find it deserted, for once. "Just sit them there Grunt," she said pointing to one of the tables in the room. Surprisingly he did it without dropping a single box. He then took a step away from her and watched what she was doing.

Serena took out a round black object from a box she's been carrying and flipper the switch on the bottom. She then placed it in the corner of the room, just as she did so a holographic picture appeared of a evergreen tree decorated beautifully and shining brightly in the room. "What's that for?" Grunt ask, now even more curious of what she was doing.

"It's a Christmas tree." she stated.

"What's Christmas?" he asked which caused her to pause in what she was doing.

"Christmas is the celebration of...uh...the ultimate gift that was given to humanity," she said as she opened another box and began decorating the room itself.

"What was this gift?" he asked.

"Well, some people believe it was a child and others believe the gift was the ability to forgive one another." she paused. "Truthfully Christmas was created by a religious group known as Christians who wanted to celebrate their Lords birth."

Grunt chuckled. "Sounds stupid."

"Now days Christmas is about giving gifts to those we consider our friends and family." She finished putting up the lights and garland around the room and turned to him. "Tomorrow is officially Christmas. Today is Christmas Eve. I just wanted every one on board to have some fun."

"Do we have to give everybody a gift?" he asked.

"No, but it's nice to do so."

"Humph." he crossed his arms over his chest.

"There are also a lot of stories that humans tell during this time of year too." she picked up one of the boxes Grunt had carried and opened it to reveal paper wrapped packages with names on them.

These packages got his attention when he saw two marked Grunt. "Who tells these stories?" he asked as he watched her place the Grunt named packages in the back of the holographic tree.

"Well everybody has a Christmas story to tell." When she turned around towards him she saw Grunt was gone. "Huh. Guess he doesn't want to hear one of mine." Shrugging Serena continued to decorated the Mess Hall for later when everybody was awake.

Grunt walked down the hall towards the Main Battery and pounded on its door. When it opened it revealed one tired Commander Ann Shepard and one smug looking turian. "Yes Grunt?" Ann asked.

"Tell me a Christmas story," he said sitting down across from Garrus' bed.

"Wait..a what?" she asked.

"I want to know my Battlemaster's Christmas Story," he said, clearly not taking a no from her.

"Who'd you hear about Christmas from?" Garrus asked as he sat down his bed next to Ann.

"The little human Serena," he stated.

"Okay," she said thoughtfully. "Well most of my past Christmas' have been fighting something or somebody."

"Let me hear it then." He crossed his arms over his chest.

"Umm...okay," she shrugged as she began telling him about the time she took out a big named batarian slaver who was hidden on a turian colony.

Serena suddenly felt two hands grab her around her waist. Turning her head she saw Joker smiling smugly. "What are you so happy about?"

"What don't I have to smile about?" he chuckled. "This time last year I was on Arcturus teaching some snotty nosed brats on how to fly and was living in my Mom's house, who had just gotten her seventh boyfriend. It...wasn't a good time of year for me."

"Say no more."

He peeked over at the gifts under the tree."So which is mine?"

"You'll see tomorrow." She smirked when she heard him groan.

"Come on babe, just one peekaboo?" Turning in his arms Serena got to see the cutest puppy dog face he'd ever given her.

"Nope," she shook her head.

He groaned. "Meanie."

"Morning Joker," came a voice behind them, which startled Serena tiny bit.

Standing there with her hand on her hip was the Commander. "Morning Shep," Serena said with a smile. "Sleep well?"

A blush spread across the Commanders cheeks. "Yes, I uh...did." She cleared her throat. "Though I was rudely awakened by my baby Krogan this morning who wanted me tell him a Christmas story."

"Oh...sorry," Serena apologized.

Ann waved the apology away. "S'okay. As long as he doesn't come to me and ask about the birds and the bees, I think I can handle it." She looked over the decorations and presents under the tree and nodded. "I've got a few to add for under there."

"Oh commander," Joker began. "Liara requested that you and Garrus come down later today."

Ann nodded. "Thanks Joker."

"...and that was the best goddamned Christmas ever!" Zaeed told Grunt.

Legion turned its head towards the merc. "The possibility of having intercourse and multiple orgasms for a male human seems illogical. You would've suffered from exhaustion before you could've gone on to the fifth female."

"You calling me liar you bit hunk of bolts?" Zaeed asked getting up from his seat.

"No. This unit is just curious as to how this possible from all the data it's compiled on humans." Legion responded.

"You wanna hear a real Christmas story?" came Jacks voice from the darkened side of the room. Grunt turned towards her. Ready for another human story. "This one Christmas I was on earth spending it with a good old merc at a bar..."

Samara walked into the Mess Hall to find Serena talking to the Mess Hall Sergeant. The old cook knew nothing on how to cook a good meal, let alone Christmas Dinner. "If you can find the food, you're welcome to cook it." he stated and walked away with a cup of coffee.

Turning Serena saw the Justicar looking curiously at the Christmas tree. "Do the asari have a holiday that's like Christmas?"

"Yes, it is the Festival of Life, where we thank the goddess for allowing us to be." she looked at the young human. "Your species is so young, yet you have so many traditions. It makes most uncomfortable to see how quickly your kind adapts itself to a certain way of life or hardship."

"What do you think of our kind?"

The Matriarch Justicar looked down at her. "I see hope." she then turned away leaving Serena to her things.

Grunt sat down looking at the human doctor. "My best Christmas memory would been when I was a child growing up in London..." she began when the door opened to reveal Ann walking in with a bottle of Serrice Brandy. "Oh Commander, do join us."

"Can't going down to see Liara. Thought I'd bring this back to you." she handed the doctor her liquor.

The doctor smiled fondly at the bottle. "Thank-you Shepard." she turned back to the young Krogan. "Now were was I? Oh yes, London."

Grunt raised his hand. "Does this story have you shooting, killing, or having sex in it?"

"Well...no." she replied and watched him stand and leave. "Well, that was odd." Looking down at the brandy she smiled. "Well that doesn't mean I can't have fun with you." she said as she poured herself a glass to forget her woes.

M-Angel: Well there's chapter 1. There will be one more chapter to this story. Also this story occurs before the Collector Base, but after Serena and Joker began to see each other.

xoxoangii: Yay for Christmas stories!