A/N: This is written for the '25 Days of Christmas' challenge at The Reviews Lounge, Too, presented by Aiko Isari and ReadingBlueWolf. The premise of the challenge is to create a collection of Christmas-themed one-shots or a short story; this will be a story of sorts, but the chapters will be shorter than I normally do. I will be posting one a day up until Christmas. Hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: SeaQuest DSV and its characters are not my creation. They are the creation of Rockne S. O'Bannon as a 1990's television series. This work of fanfiction is for entertainment purposes only and is not for financial gain. I am just borrowing the characters for a bit and promise to return them unharmed and in their original condition, maybe just a bit happier.

Chapter 1

"…for we need a little Christmas right this very minute!"

Nathan jumped as he was roused out of a very pleasant sleep. He sat up, rubbing his eyes sleepily as it took him a moment to realize that the Christmas music he heard wasn't a part of a dream he'd been having. No, indeed, there were Christmas carols blaring over the PA system. He knew the song, but this version sounded suspiciously familiar, like…

"Fozzie, we're all in a hurry!"

He snapped his fingers. That was it: the Muppets; he remembered this version from when Robert was a child. But wait a minute? Why were Christmas Carols playing over his PA system? He'd never approved such a thing, but it only took him a second to realize who the culprit was: Ben, of course.

Nathan sighed and muttered under his breath as he quickly dressed. It was a cute prank, but he had to put an end to this before the whole boat had their much-needed rest interrupted by a slew of Christmas carols performed by several different artists. A slight shudder ran down his spine at the thought of the countless versions of Carol of the Bells. Listening to them all would be torture.

As soon as he walked out of the corridor, he noticed that not only had the PA system been transformed into a holiday cheer spreader, but also tinsel, lights, and other various sorts of Christmas decorations had been attached to the walls. Nathan paused to look at his watch. When in the world did Ben get up to do all this? He gave a shake of his head. No matter. This all had to come down. They had business to conduct, not play games.

He walked to the end of the corridor and heard voices.

"Hand me that one over there."

Nathan smiled to himself. That was Ben, and of course, he had help. He quickened his pace as he headed in the direction of the voices: the mess hall. Ben and Lucas were hanging tinsel and fake snowflakes from the ceiling as Silent Night played over the PA system.

"Just what the hell are you two doing?" Nathan demanded, his arms crossed.

Ben looked down from the ladder he was standing on and waved. "Oh, good morning, Captain. Sorry, this was supposed to be finished before you woke up. It was a surprise. What do you think?"

Nathan laughed to himself. That was certainly a loaded question. "What in the world made you think it was okay to play Christmas carols over the PA system and transform the boat into…" He motioned towards the ceiling, searching for the proper words.

"A winter wonderland?" Lucas offered, standing atop a ladder as well.

Nathan shot him a look. "If that's what you'd like to call it. I call it a disaster!"

"Well, it is the first of December," Ben pointed out.

"So that gives you permission to destroy my boat?" Nathan replied. "Get down here right now, both of you."

"But, Cap, I-"

Nathan crossed his arms. "Now."

Lucas and Ben exchanged glances as they descended their ladders.

Once they were standing in front of him. "Now, whose idea was this?" Nathan kept his gaze focused on Ben, sure he'd influenced Lucas like he often did.

"Admiral Noyce, sir."

Nathan's brow rose. "You expect me to believe that Admiral Noyce contacted the two of you to make my boat a madhouse?" He shook his head. "That's pretty low to involve the admiral, even for you, Ben." He put his hands behind his back. "Now as for punishments, I want all this stuff removed immediately, starting with these blasted Christmas carols."

"But it's true, Cap," Lucas piped up.

Nathan turned to him. "What?"

"I was there," Lucas said.

Ben nodded. "Since I'm supply and morale officer, the admiral thought it was an excellent way to boost morale. Honest."

"If that's true, why didn't he let me know about this?"

Ben shrugged. "I really don't know. Maybe he didn't bank on you being upset about it." He paused and looked at the ceiling. "Do we really need to take all this down? We've been working all morning."

"No, but you won't be putting any more decorations up until I speak with the admiral myself, understood?"

"Aye, sir," they both muttered.

-sQsQsQsQsQsQsQsQsQsQ-

"…so he tried telling me you gave him permission. I know how Ben works, so really, this is just my way to assure you I won't be putting up with these types of shenanigans. I know the holidays are right around the corner, but that doesn't mean we don't have work to do. I-"

Bill held up his hands. "Nathan, I do appreciate your efforts, and I don't blame you for being suspicious, considering Krieg's past history. But this time, he's telling the truth."

Nathan's mouth fell open. "The…the truth? Why in the world didn't you run it by me?"

"Because honestly, I expected you to be the last person who'd have a problem with it. You know full well how much holiday activities boost morale. And considering some of the crewmembers won't be able to go home for the holidays, the brass insisted I handle it."

"I see," Nathan replied quietly, averting his gaze.

"Something wrong?"

Nathan looked up at his friend's face on the screen. "Of course not."

"I seem to remember a young sailor who was upset when he couldn't go home his first Christmas to be with his wife and newborn son. You remember how I cheered you up?"

Nathan smiled softly. "Yeah, you dragged me to some Christmas party where I didn't know anyone but you."

Bill laughed. "But we had a good time, didn't we?"

"What I can remember of it, yes," Nathan agreed. "I remember a hell of a hangover the next morning."

"Yeah, I recall that too," Bill said with another laugh. "But my point is, your crew needs this. You know as well as I that when morale is up, the work is too."

"I know, I know."

"So what's really wrong?" Bill pressed. "You forget how well I know you."

"Nothing; I just didn't get as much sleep as I wanted, that's all."

"Nathan, I don't believe you."

Nathan drummed his fingers against the vid-screen keyboard, thinking for a moment. Bill was going to find out sooner or later. "It's just…this is the first Christmas since Carol…"

"Oh… Oh, God, Nathan, I'm so sorry. I didn't even think… But you know, it's not like the others really knew either."

"Oh, I know that," Nathan replied. "It's just I didn't quite expect it."

"Are you going to be able to handle it?"

"I don't have a choice, now do I?" Nathan countered.

"Perhaps that Christmas cheer will change your mind. I suppose I'll let you go then?"

"Yes, there's work to be done," Nathan agreed. "Talk to you soon."

"Hang in there, Nathan," Bill replied as the screen went blank.

-sQsQsQsQsQsQsQsQsQsQ-

So the Christmas carols were turned back on, and Ben and Lucas continued their decorating. Nathan, however, wasn't particularly thrilled. But Bill was right about one thing: it certainly did seem to boost the morale. Still, he tried to ignore all the festive activities for the time being.

By lunchtime, Nathan made his way into the mess hall, which was now full of tinsel, lights, ornaments, and even a tree. He groaned inwardly and made his way towards the table in the back, away from the others. As he took a bite of his sandwich, he heard a pleasant humming as Kristin sat down next to him. He instantly recognized the tune she was humming as Deck the Halls.

"You look rather lonely over here," she commented.

"It's better now that you're here," he replied, trying to offer her a smile. "Don't tell me you're in the Christmas mood, too?"

"Oh, well, how can you not be?" she asked, motioning towards the decorations. "Didn't the boys do a lovely job? You should see the science labs."

"Maybe later," he replied, turning his attention back to his tray.

"Oh, don't tell me you're one of those?"

"One of whats?"

"A Scrooge or a Grinch," she replied, taking a sip of her coffee.

"No, I am not a Scrooge nor am I a Grinch. I just think it's a little early for the holiday cheer yet."

"Oh, well, you'd better embrace it. It's right around the corner, and we need to get used to spending time with one another. Definitely different than last year's Christmas."

"Last year," he said thoughtfully. "Just what did you do last year for Christmas?"

"Oh, well, it was just Cynthia and me, but we-" She stopped short when Nathan simply stood up, taking his tray with him. "That was odd," she muttered to herself. She gave a shake of her head, deciding she'd have to make a point to talk to him once they were both off-duty.