AN: So, today we are going to meet the ghost of Christmas Present...

December, the 10th

"Captain Picard," Kathryn exclaimed in astonishment. Seeing the commanding officer of the flagship of the Federation on skates was something she never thought being possible.

Picard came to a halt with an elegant swing in front of her.

"Captain Janeway," he greeted her politely.

Kathryn was suddenly alarmed. "You're not ...?"

"Dead?" said Picard. "Not that I'm aware of."

"But Kirk ..." Kathryn turned to where her companion had just been standing, but Kirk was gone.

"I suppose, you shouldn't take this ghost business too seriously," Picard said as he sat down and took off his skates. "This experience takes place beyond the normal space-time structure. So everything is to be expected."

"Aha," Kathryn said and worried if the Picard of flesh and blood would probably have memories of this experience. She certainly hoped not. Not in view of her pink pajamas. If she had been wearing standard Starfleet sleepwear at least...

"You are probably the Ghost of Christmas Present?" she asked.

"You can tell. Not that I would ever have expected to play that role again. In the drama group at the Academy I once played Ebenezer Scrooge. Beverley – Dr. Crusher – said I was quite excellently suited for this role," Picard broke off embarrassed.

"And now you show me the wonders of this year's Christmas?"

"That's right, if you want to follow me."

Picard offered her his arm gallantly. Once Kathryn had taken it, it was suddenly bright day and the just so quiet park was full of life. Children and adults romped on the ice. Some turned their rounds very skillfully, while others just kept their balance, and still others did not manage even that. A fun party atmosphere hovered over everything. Kathryn heard rollicking laughter and screaming.

"I used to be very good at skating," she told Picard.

"Then you should definitely try holo-program Theta 42 once", Picard recommended. "A small lake at the foot of the snow-covered Bavarian Alps, beautiful – and the best simulation of a sheet of ice, not to speak of the mulled wine ..."

Kathryn and the ghost-Picard crossed Central Park and wandered through the streets of New York. She had visited the city many times before during Advent and at these visits she found the hustle and bustle of the people terribly. Today, her perception was different. Most people there were in a hurry indeed and rushed from store to store loaded with parcels, but Kathryn noticed the anticipation, which was below the whole hassle. The anticipation of the great festivity. Kathryn saw that certainly it weren't just humans who were subject to this anticipation. At this moment a Bajoran woman passed them wearing a Santa Claus hat, her hands full of countless bags, while a Trill man with a turkey was whistling "Jingle Bells" to himself. But Kathryn was particularly surprised to see a Cardassian, who strode along the Fifth Avenue carrying a Christmas tree on his shoulder.

"One might think that this Christmas is contagious," Picard smiled, following her gaze.

"And that in our rational century," Kathryn shook her head.

The two turned around a corner and suddenly they were no longer in New York, but on a small Christmas market. Behind the stalls loomed the silhouette of a well-known building. On the narrow alleys between the stalls many people in Starfleet-uniforms gathered. Kathryn smiled.

"The market behind Starfleet Headquarters. I came here so often when I attended the Academy."

Kathryn breathed in the familiar scents. Ktarian mulled wine, roasted almonds, Nuremberg Gingerbread, tallerian kind cotton candy – all memories of wonderful times.

"Not just you," Picard smiled. "This was probably the Christmas retreat for all of us, who felt the urge to flee from the sober Academy everyday life."

Just at this very moment a group of cadets passed them. As it seemed, some had done justice to the mulled wine a little too eagerly, as they sang "Silent Night" more loudly than beautifully.

"We were more musical at my time." Kathryn wavered between amusement and indignation.

"And at my time," laughed Picard. Then he offered her his arm again. "Come on, we have a couple of visits to do."