Chapter 7

"A Christmas without you, but I dream about you. A Christmas without you, a Christmas alone…"

Nathan stood in front of the hologram image of Carol, the one where she wore the sweet smile he missed, and let out a sigh. "I can't believe she'd do this to me," he muttered. "She knew I was jealous about her seeing Malcolm the first time, which is why she told me she wouldn't go back there. And what does she do? Pulls a stunt like this. She is so stubborn and hardheaded. I just-" He stopped short. "Don't look at me like that."

Carol's image continued to smile.

"You don't think I'm being very fair, do you?" He sighed once again. "Well, maybe I haven't been as sensitive to her as I could be, but she knew what she was getting into. And maybe I'm being just as stubborn, but I think I have a right to be angry, don't you?"

Again, Carol's image remained the same.

"All right," Nathan said with a groan. "I'll talk to her in the morning."

Just then, there was a knock at his door. "Or maybe I'll talk to her right now," he said, turning the hologram off and moving to the door. "Lucas?"

"Mind if I come in?" the young man asked.

Nathan allowed him to pass. "What's on your mind, kiddo?"

"I just came by to apologize."

Nathan raised a brow. "Apologize? What for?"

"Because I didn't realize why the holidays aren't exactly your favorite time of year at first. I'm sorry about your family."

Nathan placed a hand on his shoulder. "I appreciate the sentiments, Lucas, but you really have no reason to be sorry; it's not your fault. Bad things happen in life sometimes. No, the holidays aren't my favorite time of year right now, but that'll change eventually. It doesn't mean you should feel guilty for enjoying the festivities."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course. Why would you think otherwise?"

Lucas gave a shrug. "It's just you didn't seem very happy yesterday…"

"Because I was rudely awakened by the Muppets," Nathan said with a slight grin.

"And earlier with the doctor…"

"The doctor?"

"Yeah. I heard you two had an argument."

"Is nothing secret around here anymore?" he muttered.

"It's a small boat," Lucas said.

"So I've heard. Look, what happened between the doctor and me was just…a coincidence. It has nothing to do with the time of year, and I'm going to talk to her about it first thing in the morning."

Lucas shook his head. "I don't think that's going to be possible."

"Why not?"

"Because she left," Lucas said.

"What do you mean?"

"She stopped by my room a little while ago and said she was leaving earlier than expected, but that she'd be back next week. I thought you knew about it."

"Perhaps she tried to tell me, but I wouldn't let her," he said with a shake of his head.

"Well, it's not like she's staying away forever. She'll be back. You can talk to her then."

Nathan nodded quietly.

"So you're really okay?" Lucas asked.

"Of course," Nathan replied. "I'm just fine."

"Glad to hear it," Lucas said. "Well, I'd better get going. I just wanted to stop by and check up on you."

"Thanks. Uh, goodnight, kiddo."

"Goodnight."

When he'd left, Nathan gave a shake of his head as he turned on the hologram again. "Don't you dare say I told you so."

Carol smiled back at him.

"And stop giving me that look."

A/N: The particular carol used for this chapter isn't widely known. It's a song from Doug Larche's Angels in the Snow! If anyone would like more information on it, feel free to contact me. Thank you.