I don't own Star Trek, I don't make any profit, and it's just a cryin' shame!

Santa's Little Helper

The day had certainly not gone as planned. In fact, the Enterprise's first Christmas Eve in space literally stunk! A circuitry malfunction in the communications lab caused a fire, filling the small space with thick, black smoke which spilled into the corridor. Nyota and three co-workers had to be treated for smoke inhalation. Many hands would be working extra shifts to repair the damage.

Bones kept Nyota in sick bay for seven hours, despite her protests and Spock hovering over her like a mother hen. Eventually they both got on his nerves so badly that he decided to release Nyota a little early, giving Spock a long list of instructions. Bones copied it all to a PADD and gave it to Spock, along with her medications. He ordered a wheelchair for Nyota and then issued Spock a few more instructions.

"Don't get carried away with your celebrations. Nothing that involves heavy breathing this evening, if you get my drift. Nyota, you need plenty of rest and fluids. You're confined to quarters for the next forty-eight hours."

"But I'll miss the Christmas party! I won't get to see you, Scotty and the Captain singing drunken Christmas carols. I probably won't get any of the spiked eggnog, either."

"You'll live. Spock will bring you some party food. You can sit on Santa's lap next year. Okay, the both of you need to get out of here. Take your giant Christmas elf and leave!"

As Spock pushed his bond-mate out of sickbay, he met McCoy's scowl with a slight one of his own. "Giant elf, indeed. Any resemblance I might bear to such a creature is purely superficial. Also, I do not possess green slippers with bells on the toes." Spock had seen Pavel and Hikaru's North Pole mural in the Officer's Lounge. The elves depicted upon it looked suspiciously Vulcan.

Nyota erupted into giggles. It was good to hear her laugh. Perhaps, just this once, he might put his Vulcan dignity aside...

Spock escorted Nyota to her quarters. Once there, he helped her shower and shampoo the smoke out of her hair. He dried it for her and dressed her in her favorite pajamas, which were actually his. They were over-sized and looked ridiculous, but she said they were very comfortable and that he had broken them in nicely for her.

Spock gave Nyota fruit juice to drink and the medication that the doctor had ordered. He lay down with her until she was fast asleep. Then he got up and put his plan into action.

After returning the wheelchair to sickbay, Spock obtained a box from Supply. He took it down to the Rec Room. With Janice's help, he filled take-out containers with some of the choicest holiday morsels.

"Go heavy on the chocolate, Commander. Nyota is always sneaking chocolate desserts back to her quarters. I don't know how she manages to keep her girlish figure."

Spock understood quite well. First of all, she did not eat all of that chocolate alone. Secondly, she got plenty of exercise!

He added a few candy canes and some fudge to his collection, along with two Christmas Eve dinners he could heat up later. Lastly, he "liberated" one of the miniature decorated trees from the cookie table, and one of the stockings from the large tree. He did not believe that anyone would mind, given his worthy cause.

As Spock was on his way out the door, he spotted "Cupcake" passed out with his head lying on the table. The green elf hat he had been wearing all day had slipped off.

Jim had been watching Spock fill up his little box and knew what Vulcan had planned.

"Go ahead, Spock. Cupcake's not gonna miss that hat. Somehow it will look more at home on you, anyway. You are Santa's little helper, right? Wish Uhura a Merry Christmas for me."

"I will, Jim. Thank you." Spock added the elf hat to his collection and hurried back to Nyota's quarters. He had work to do before she woke up.

When Nyota woke up Christmas morning, she could not believe her eyes. A white sheet had been spread out on her quarters floor. There was a miniature decorated tree on top of it. A plate of cookies sat next to the tree and a Christmas stocking lay next to her on the bed.

Spock lay next to her with his eyes closed. She crawled out of bed to use the bathroom, hoping to not wake him. He immediately opened his eyes.

"I'll be right back."

While she was gone, Spock combed his hair and put on the elf hat. Nyota was about ready to climb back into bed when the door chime sounded. Spock answered, as he was dressed.

Outside in the corridor stood Jim, Bones, Scotty, Christine, Janice, Hikaru, Pavel, and a very hung-over "Cupcake". They were wearing Santa hats and red mufflers.

"We're caroling!" yelled Jim, who was obviously still drunk from the night before, as were most of the others.

Spock summoned Nyota, and they were treated to a rather off-key version of "The Twelve Days Of Christmas." It went on forever, as none of them could remember what verse they were on. Oh well, it's the thought that counts. Nyota gave them each a lollipop from her secret stash and sent them on their way.

She shut the door and laughed until her sides hurt.

"That was so sweet of them. Really badly done, mind you, but sweet. Now, where were we?"

"I believe, Nyota, that you were going to open your stocking."

Spock handed her the stocking that had been on the bed. She reached inside and found a small, wrapped box. The tag read "To Nyota, my Christmas Star." She opened the box and found a small, spun glass star pendant, set with a heart-shaped ruby.

"Oh, Spock. It's beautiful. Put it on for me, please."

He stood behind her, placed the chain around her neck, and fastened the tiny clasp.

"Now go sit down, beloved. I have something for you."

She went to her closet and produced a long, thin wrapped package. She handed it to Spock.

"Nyota, it was not necessary..."

"Yes, it was. Open it."

When Spock unwrapped his gift, he was very surprised.

"Nyota, this is a kolchak, a Vulcan wooden flute. How did you come by such a thing?"

"I bought it at Starbase 7, from Trekell, the young man we helped to get to the New Vulcan colony. He makes them."

"It is beautiful. I had one as a child. Thank you, beloved."

"You are most welcome, my love. So, tell me, What's with the elf hat?"

"You missed the Christmas Party last night, did you not?"

"True, I did."

"So you also missed your opportunity to sit on Santa's lap, yes?"

"Yes."

"Perhaps one of Santa's helper's would be an acceptable substitute."

Nyota walked over to the giant elf and sat on his lap.

"Next year we'll get you some of those slippers with bells."

She pulled off his hat and began to nibble on his ear.