December 3
Jim couldn't decide the best way to go about the telling. Bones already knew, of course, and Spock. Uhura knew because Spock, for all his pointy-eared stoicism, couldn't keep his damn mouth shut around her. The rest of the crew, on the other hand, had yet to have their day made by the glorious news that the Enterprise would be orbiting Earth for the holidays. This was why Jim was having a hard time deciding on the best way to spread the news. He couldn't decide if he wanted to tell the Alpha team first and watch all their faces transform with happiness, or make a ship-wide announcement from his quarters and venture out later to experience the joy, or if he wanted to start a rumor only to confirm it later.
It was a tough decision, to be sure, but Jim Kirk was the Captain. Captains made tough decisions all the time.
"Attention, crew of the Enterprise. This is your captain speaking." Determined not to meet Spock's eye and give the surprise away before he had even gotten to the good part, Jim kept his eye level with the comm screen in front of him. He saw Sulu and Chekov both swivel in their chairs to look at him and fought the ever-strengthening urge to grin.
"As you all know, our mission, while important to Star Fleet and this captain, has kept us away from a Christmas at home for four years. That being said, I know you all will join me in brotherhood and positivity this holiday season." He paused for dramatic effect, just to be a bastard, really. He knew they all thought they knew what was coming next; for four years, they had been down this road before.
Jim finally allowed himself a tiny smirk and closed his eyes. "We're going to need it to make it home in time for Christmas."
If silence could deafen, Jim Kirk would have sworn that he lost all hearing that day. A pin could have dropped on the Bridge and sounded as loud as plasma cannon shot. He could feel the disbelief and hope seeping in and chuckled.
"This is not a joke, people. The higher-ups gave the green light. Call your families and make your arrangements. We're going home. Kirk out."
Arranging himself in the Captain's chair, Jim looked down at a gaping Chekov. "Mr. Chekov, set our course for the Milky Way, if you please." The former grinned at a beaming Sulu. "A little sightseeing might do all of you nonbelievers some good before we go home."
"Aye, Captain!" Sulu saluted – actually saluted – and quickly typed out a message to Engineering to prepare for warp as Chekov entered the coordinates into the ship's navigation.
Jim could feel the happy tension vibrating in the air, and even jumped a little when his personal comm buzzed with a message.
LMcCoy: You overdramatic bastard. Chapel was on the verge of tears, thinking we weren't going home this year.
Chuckling to himself, Jim just shook his head and breathed a content sigh.
JKirk: Feliz Navidad, Bones.