Disclaimer: The author is making no political or moral statements in the writing of this story. The author is merely conforming to the confines of Charles Dickens's story and making those plot elements work in the setting of the Star Trek world.
Once again, thanks to the wonderful Tish for playing beta. And, of course, I don't own anything, nor make a profit.
Jon sat on the edge of his bed still in his pajama bottoms, his head in his hands, his eyes damp. He hadn't moved since Shran, the ghost of Shran, the spirit of Christmas Past, whatever that had been, had left him here. Jon's mind was full of the memories of times past, memories that he had tried so hard to suppress. Work was the only thing that mattered in his life now. Without work, there was no exploration. Without exploration, there was no Starfleet. Without Starfleet, there was no him. His life was meaningless now without Starfleet. He kept trying to tell himself that, but his heart was mourning again the mistakes of his past.
Inhaling deeply, he sat up straight, wiping the last vestige of wetness from his eyes. As he scanned the room looking for the next spirit that was supposed to meet him he noticed a bright light streaming from under his front door into his darkened apartment. He could hear the faint noise of Christmas carols coming from the hallway and he wondered absently who could be out at such an hour. While caroling wasn't unheard of, it was certainly uncommon now, and definitely not at this time of night.
As he opened the door a blast of warmth, of music, of wonderful aroma greeted him overwhelming his senses. He stood in the doorway gaping at the scene in front of him. His apartment apparently no longer opened up into the building corridor but into a great hall straight out of a story book of old. There were mountains of holiday food piled on sturdy wooden tables. Roast fowl, and pig, pies in a dizzying variety, fruit from Earth and many other worlds, nuts, and candy were all in abundance. The room was warm with a blazing fire roaring in a fireplace at the end of the room and a multitude of candles everywhere giving the hall a golden glow. Several beautifully appointed Christmas trees stood in the corners with boughs of evergreen and holly garlanding the walls. There was even a small quartet of singers in the corner singing Christmas carols. As he hesitantly stepped into the room before him his apartment door disappeared and a voice boomed out.
"Come in man and get to know me better!"
He jumped, startled, and spun around to look at the person behind him where his door once had been.
"Phlox?!" he said, completely flummoxed.
"I said, 'Come in man and get to know me better!'" said the person in front of him and then proceeded to smile at Archer. The smile was far wider than any human's could be.
Jon Archer was standing in front of his former doctor, his former friend. He hadn't seen Phlox since shortly after the decommissioning of Enterprise. "Phlox, what are you doing here? What happened to my hallway?" he asked as he watched the man move around him and peruse the laden table before him.
Phlox had been idly popping some food into his mouth when Archer had spoken. Phlox's eyes twinkled as he swallowed and then smiled his too wide smile once more. "I am indeed Phlox, but as to how I got here, that I can't explain to you, you wouldn't understand. Trust me when I tell you Captain that it is beyond human comprehension. In fact, it is beyond the comprehension of most species I have encountered! Would you like to try some of this? It's excellent!" he said as he offered the plate to the pajama clad man before him.
"No, thank you, and it's Admiral now," Jon replied as he continued to look around him, his eyes wide with wonder.
Phlox shrugged and popped another bite into his mouth, chewed and swallowed. "Shame, it's very good. And you will always be Captain to me. Would you rather I call you Jon?" he asked looking at Archer. Seeing the other man's expression, he continued, "No, I think it's best if I address you as Captain. I don't think calling you Jon would fit either of us." He ate another bite then said, "As your former doctor I would tell you to change, as you'll most likely become chilled by our excursion tonight. But in my current role I can tell you that it won't matter in the slightest. I must say you look very fit for a human of your advanced years."
Archer looked down at himself taking in the still bare chest and then at Phlox. "I work hard at it. You look the same. Don't Denobulans age?" he replied.
"We do, and at roughly the same rate as humans. But as I said earlier, Captain, don't try and understand how any of this is going on around you. What is the human phrase? Ah yes, 'Let go, man.' So let's be off," and he smiled again. Phlox turned and set the plate down on a nearby table then took Archer by the shoulder steering him towards the wood paneled wall.
"Where are we going?" asked Archer, a bit wary.
"Well, I am currently the ghost of Christmas Present, and from what I have been told we have quite the schedule to keep. I have a very short period of time to show you everything that is going on. Things you may be unaware of. Things that should help to change that stubborn human mind of yours."
And so saying they walked through the wall and out into San Francisco. By Jon's reckoning it should still be in the middle of the night, yet it was daylight now; the streets were filling with people. It was Christmas morning. Families strolled the streets on their way to festivities, to church, or just taking in the bright sunshine and temperate climate. As Phlox and Archer walked amongst the people on the street Phlox stopped here and there to watch the interplay.
"Human behavior is so fascinating. I am glad I came here on the Interspecies Exchange," he said with a smile which shortly turned to a frown as he saw a couple fighting quietly nearby. "Excuse me Captain," he said as he strode purposefully towards the bickering duo.
When he reached them he pulled a hypospray out of his breast pocket, checked the dosage and then administered a dose to the side of each combatant's neck. The couple didn't appear to notice him.
Archer ran to him, his bare feet padding across the pavement. "What are you doing?" he asked, a bit alarmed.
"Fixing the situation… ah, there, look. They're happy again." Phlox replied. Smiles had broken out on the couple's faces; they exchanged loving words, and embraced. Arm and arm they walked off together.
Phlox smiled and nodded, replacing the hypospray back to his breast pocket. Taking Jon's arm he steered him back into the foot traffic on the street. "I am the spirit of Christmas Present," he said. "It is my job to ensure that there is peace, plenty, and harmony on this most blessed of days. Some of my predecessors carried a torch with which they spread these wonderful feelings. I felt that I worked best with the tools I know best," he finished, patting his pocket.
"Predecessors?" asked Archer "I thought there were only three of you."
"There are only three spiritual positions. You've met Christmas Past, I am Present, and you'll be meeting Christmas Future in a while. But my position is changeable. Today only lasts a short time. By the end of Christmas Day I will fade away, today will be gone, tomorrow ready to take my place," said Phlox as they continued on their way. Phlox's face grew thoughtful, and then he continued. "There have been…two thousand…three hundred…. well, there have been many who have filled this position. They get a new being every year to fulfill the role."
"Who's they?" asked Archer as they continued to walk through the busy streets.
"Oh, don't think you can trick me Captain. I can't tell you, and even if I could-"
"I know, I wouldn't understand," Archer finished grumpily.
Phlox clapped him on the shoulder. "Take heart and enjoy the wonderful day around you."
Archer mulled over these words while they continued to walk. He noted the many happy people they passed and, for a moment, he felt sad that he wasn't a part of them. He really hadn't felt that sort of happiness in a long time. If he were honest with himself, even the satisfaction he felt in finding new worlds and seeking out new life, didn't really make him happy, at least not anymore and it hadn't in a long time.
Phlox stopped in front of another apartment complex. "We're here," he stated, and turned to look at Archer. "Are you ready for this?" he asked.
"I…guess so. Who are we visiting now?" Archer asked, looking around. He noted that they had walked to Star Fleet Housing where rows and rows of apartments stood dotted by the occasional park and playscape. People strode to and fro, families played on the play grounds, and everywhere he looked there were happy smiling people.
"You'll see," replied Phlox as they entered one of the apartment buildings and entered the lift.
"I thought we could walk through walls? Why are we taking the lift?" queried Jon as Phlox pressed the button for the 86th floor.
"Because I didn't think you'd enjoy the sensation of flying all the way up here, although I can tell you it is quite a thrill Captain," replied Phlox. The door slid open and they walked out into the hall, clean, but slightly shabby.
"I guess Star Fleet hasn't updated this block yet," Jon noted as he looked around.
"Hmmm… no, Star Fleet has its money spread rather thin with all that they have going on. I am sure that keeping their housing up to the standard out in the civilian sector isn't a high priority for them at present. But at least it is free to Star Fleet members," replied Phlox, his brow furrowing for a moment.
They came to a door and Phlox once again took Jon's arm. "Remember, they won't see us Captain."
Melting through the door the duo came upon a merry, if chaotic, scene. A woman stood at the stove working on what was clearly Christmas dinner, three small children ran about the room squealing in delight chasing a small dog, two children in their teens were in the act of setting the table which had far too many chairs crammed around it, one small boy stood by the stove watching the woman cook. He was in a strange miniature sized uniform that looked vaguely like Star Fleet issue. As they stood there taking in the scene before them the doorbell rang and one of the children broke off their play to answer the door. Her bright voice broke through the din yelling to all, "Mary's here! She's here!"
A young woman in Star Fleet uniform came in and pulled the little girl up into a bear hug. "Of course I am here! I wouldn't miss my last Christmas with you all before the Challenger ships out next month," she exclaimed. She set the child down, looking around her. "Mum, where do you want me to jump in and help?" she asked the woman at the stove.
"Nowhere for right now, I want you to hide in the children's bedroom until your father and Tim get home. It'll be a great surprise to him as he wasn't sure you would be let off for today. I know you were busy doing workups before you leave next week," said the harried woman as she brushed a strand of hair from her eyes.
"Roger that, I'll make myself useful in there and get all the bunks made up and the room squared away shall I?" said the young woman as she heading to the door leading the children's bedroom.
Archer turned to Phlox and said, "How many people do they have living here? I thought that Star Fleet housing only fit families of 2-4. There are…" and he paused counting the moving bodies, "seven people here and two more are due back if I heard correctly."
Phlox shrugged and replied, "Seven?" and did a quick head count then continued, "I see only six." He frowned and checked his PADD, then continued softly to himself, "I thought the Cratchits had only a total of eight in their family." He put the PADD away and then said, "Either way, does it matter? Oh, look, here come the last two." He gazed towards the door which was opening to admit a small boy in an equally small hover chair and Lt. Cratchit.
"Cratchit! What is he doing here?" exclaimed Jon.
"Why, this is his apartment Captain. I thought you knew that! Don't you recognize his wife? His children?" Phlox said, turning to look at him.
"Ah… no. I… I don't know any of my crew outside of the office," Jon replied coolly.
"Why ever not? They're all wonderful people. You used to know your crew on Enterprise," Phlox said with a significant look.
Jon didn't reply, his eyes darkened, and he turned back to the scene before him. Lt. Cratchit was being engulfed by his children and Mary had just sprung out of the bedroom surprising her father and youngest brother. They all hugged each other, showering each other with love.
"They shouldn't have this many living here in housing," murmured Jon to himself.
"Which one of these delightful children would you give back then? That one?" Phlox asked, pointing to one little fair haired boy. "Or that one?" he asked pointing next to a little girl. "Or how about that pair there?" he indicated the older children, obviously twins, who had been setting the table. When he received no reply from Jon Phlox continued, "They are a happy, loving family. Your Lt. is a devoted father and husband. He is also a member of Star Fleet and last time I checked the regulations, regulations that I know you sat on the panel helping to write, neither married couples nor families were allowed on board any Star Fleet vessel. If Lt. and Mrs. Cratchit had, what is the term, ah yes, 'deployment babies' every few years it was because they were healthy, normal humans showing enthusiasm for their many reunions."
Jon stood there, quiet after Phlox's rebuke. There had been reasons the panel had written the regulations the way they had. But watching the obvious love and affection this family shared for one another gave him pause.
"What about that one there? The littlest boy in the chair?" asked Jon, trying to change the topic.
"Ah, poor Tim. So frail, so tiny. It really is a miracle that he's lived so long," said Phlox, an air of medical detachment coming over him.
"What do you mean? What's wrong with him?" asked Jon.
"Without getting too technical, he's dying, Captain," replied Phlox.
"But isn't Medical helping him?" asked Jon as he watched Mrs. Cratchit help Tim out of his chair and onto the sofa where he snuggled with the family dog. The rest of the family went back to their assigned tasks to help prepare the Christmas dinner.
"Oh, Star Fleet Medical is doing all they can, but there is only so much they are willing to do," replied Phlox pulling a PADD out of his pocket and tapping in a few codes. "It says here that Tim has received every treatment authorized by Medical."
"Is there a cure for his condition?" asked Jon, growing concerned despite himself.
Phlox rocked on his heels for a moment, staring off into the distance as he replied, "Yes, there may be. But it is outside of the realm of conventional medicine that Star Fleet Medical is willing to fund. That's why the Cratchit family live here in housing. It's free, which means they can spend their income, and what little Star Fleet Relief is giving them, on alternative medicine and research trying to find a cure for Tim before it is too late."
"Too late? Phlox… do you know whether or not Tim is going to die?" asked Jon, growing even more concerned.
"We are all going to die Captain. That's the way life works," he scoffed. "But I can tell you, that little boy won't live to see my next incarnation this time next year. It will be a very different Christmas from the one this lovely family is celebrating now," he said as he indicated the joyous scene unfolding before them.
They were silent for a moment, both lost in their own thoughts. Jon had no idea Lt. Cratchit was going through the trials he was stoically, quietly shouldering. Although, if he had bothered to get to know Cratchit he might have known. He might have been able to… what… help him, help young Tim, somehow?
Phlox consulted his PADD once more and took Archer's arm. "We need to move on Captain. There is more for you to see this day," he said somberly, turning Jon back to the wall. Guiding him through it they were once again on street level, but in a different section of town.
"Where are we going now?" asked a thoughtful Jon.
"To see old friends," came the reply as Phlox took Archer's arm and guided him through the wall of a nearby house.
As they materialized in the room a scene coalesced in front of them. It was a warm, inviting place, full of people, food, and laughter. Jon recognized those around him immediately although he hadn't seen most of them in many years. It was the senior bridge crew from Enterprise. He grew somber as he watched the scene unfold.
Travis and Gannett sat together on a love seat near the opposite wall, laughing and telling jokes to several teens, obviously their children, seated on the floor in front of them. Trip and T'Pol stood by a large aquarium pointing out the brilliantly colored fish that swam within to a pair of children that were the very image of T'Pol but with Trip's sandy hair. Turning back from the buffet table came two more people, hand in hand. Malcolm and Hoshi smiled at each other, sharing a few words, he leaned over and kissed her on the cheek before they settled themselves on the remaining sofa joining two more children, obviously theirs, already enjoying their food. Both children were half Asian with Malcolm's compact wiry build.
Not much had changed. Yes, they were all older and sporting more grey hair and wrinkles, but they hadn't changed a bit in his eyes. As he stood there and watched them a hungry look came over his face. Maybe he shouldn't have been so hasty in turning down Travis's invitation. Despite how things had turned out with Hoshi, he still missed the camaraderie of his crew.
The door to the room opened behind him and two more rushed into the room, right through them, and stood trying to catch their breath in the center of the room.
"Sorry we're late. I was busy delivering babies across town," said the man as he took off his light weight coat and hat. "It was touch and go there for a few minutes, but my able assistant was quite helpful in catching the second baby!" he exclaimed.
"PHLOX?" exclaimed Jon. "But you're here with me, you're the spirit –"
"Yes, I am. And I am also over there," said the spirit Phlox calmly. "As I told you earlier Captain, don't try and understand what is going on around you. Simply accept this for what it is." He smiled in reassurance. The assistant, a young woman of about twenty, took off her coat revealing a Star Fleet uniform and fluffed out her dark brown hair.
"Oh Phlox. It wasn't all that. But I did get a chance to deliver baby number two," replied the young woman smiling, her eyes gleaming. "I was just glad that you let me assist you. All this extra training is going to come in helpful when I'm assigned my own medical bay on next year's starship."
Jon looked at the young woman as Hoshi stood and hugged her. There was something vaguely familiar about her. "Hen, I am glad that you're able to be helpful to Phlox. I loved poking around his medical bay on Enterprise, but I don't think I could do what you're doing!" Hoshi exclaimed with a mock shudder. Malcolm had joined them and hugged the taller woman.
"Hen?" asked Jon?
"Henrietta," replied the spirit Phlox.
"That's a rather old fashioned name," Jon replied as he studied the Amerasian woman before him.
"I believe she was named for her paternal grandfather," said Phlox, watching Archer out of the corner of his eye.
"Henrietta…." Jon murmured, "I thought Malcolm's father's name was Stewart."
"It is, and I am surprised that you remembered, given that you seem to want to forget all about Enterprise and that part of your life," said Phlox, his tone almost coy.
Jon didn't reply as he continued to study the young woman, lost in thought. She turned towards them and went to hang up the coats. Jon could see that her eyes were green. Something clicked. If he discounted the Asian half of Henrietta's heritage she bore a resemblance to Jon's own mother, long gone. "But!" he exclaimed. "Hoshi….we…" Jon stuttered, his face ashen.
Phlox turned towards him, his face sympathetic. "Hoshi didn't find out until after it was over with you. She never told you," he stated flatly.
"No, but why?" asked Jon, his voice growing hoarse with emotion.
"I think you'd better ask yourself that," replied Phlox evenly. "Would you have wanted to know?" he asked pointedly.
"Yes! Of course! We could have patched things up, made it work…" Jon trailed off, his eyes never leaving the young woman.
"I find that hard to believe given how you've lived your life, pushing away all those who care about you," scoffed Phlox. "And I don't think Hoshi believed that either." He turned to look at Henrietta standing by the coat rack on the wall behind them. "She had a wonderful childhood, loved and adored by both her parents and her younger siblings. She doesn't know. Malcolm adopted her the moment she was born and he is the only father she knows. He couldn't love her more even if she were his own biological child." He smiled as Henrietta returned from hanging up the coats and stood by her parents, an arm around her father's waist. "She entered Star Fleet and will be heading out to the stars shortly. I guess there is some of you in her other than the height and the eyes. Genetics are funny like that, aren't they?" Phlox asked no one in particular.
Jon stood there in shock, watching the happy domestic scene in front of him. He was working hard at keeping his face impassive as he watched Hoshi and their daughter, happy, without him by their side or in their lives.
The PADD beeped and Phlox glanced at it and sighed. "Come Captain, we've overstayed our welcome. Our time is up," he said as he put the PADD back in his pocket and took Jon's arm again. Jon stood rooted on the spot. Phlox gave his arm a gentle tug and said, his voice once more sympathetic, "I know it's a lot to take in Captain. Give it some time. You humans have a very apt phrase, 'Time heals all wounds.'" he finished. Pulling the captain back through the wall and into the street he said to a still stunned Jon, "I was planning on taking you out to the stars to show you the myriad of Christmas celebrations that are being held all over the universe. Alpha Centari has a wonderful one where they dress up in costumes and at the Earth compound on Vulcan they... well, never mind. We don't have time to go into now. Rest assured that most of humanity hasn't lost the Christmas spirit, even if you have." He led Jon over to a park bench and gently pushed the man onto it and sat down beside him. "Humans are fascinating to study. You're resilient and hopeful and joyous in turns, even in the face of tragedy or hardship and this holiday of yours, this Christmas, is the epitome of humanity, in my opinion," He looked at Jon one last time, patting his hand as he would a terribly ill patient.
Jon finally looked up at Phlox and noticed that Phlox had aged suddenly and drastically over the course of their time together. His eyes grew wide.
"Finally noticed, didn't you Captain?" asked Phlox. "It's nothing to be concerned about. Just the natural progression of life." Phlox forestalled Jon as Jon was opening his mouth to speak. "Remember what I said earlier, a new being fills this position every year. Every Christmas is new and exciting. A fresh start, if you will. It can be one for you too. Don't continue to live your life as you are Captain," he finished and then stood up and looked around. A fog was swiftly rolling in off the bay obscuring all around them. "Your next spirit will meet you here. He won't be long," Phlox stated. "Think about what I've said Captain and take it to heart," he said kindly as the fog swirled around him and he started to fade into it. As Phlox disappeared from view he said, "After all, you should always take your doctor's advice!"
Jonathon Archer sat alone on the park bench in the fog. The cool mistiness clung to his bare skin making goose bumps rise and form on his skin. He shivered from cold and from the thoughts that swirled in his head as madly as the fog moved around him. The quiet broke as a childish voice giggled behind him. Whipping around on the bench he searched the fog but saw no one. He was as alone as he always was, and wasn't that what he wanted all along?