AN: A bit of fun inspired by my annual tussle with decorations. Maybe things will be easier in the 24th century, eh? And who's Charlie, you ask? He's introduced in my story "Losses and Gains."

As usual, thanks for reading. Reviews and comments are always welcome!

ooo

Tom answered the door to find Kathryn and her younger son on the step holding wrapped packages.

"Sorry about the rescheduling," she apologized as they came inside. "Charlie wants to leave a day early; his meteorologists are predicting a big storm along our flight path."

"Well, can't argue with the chief weatherman," Tom joked, then called up the stairs: "Miral, Michael! Aunt Kathryn's here with Sam."

"Charlie and Chris are doing some last-minute …" Kathryn managed before the racket drowned her out. Miral and Michael came banging down the stairs to get hugs — which were interrupted when Sam exclaimed, "Wow! What's that?"

She looked over Michael's head to see a small black boar. With spikes.

"Is that …?"

"A targ?" B'Elanna asked as she came out of the kitchen. "Unfortunately, yes. My uncle came to visit. Said Klingon children should grow up with a pet targ. Funny how my mother never came to that conclusion."

"This is Toby," Tom said. "He seems to think he's a dog. At least he's housebroken. But Starfleet's Veterinary Service is the only place that will take him for his shots. "

"Well, congratulations," Kathryn offered. What else could she say?

B'Elanna made coffee, and the adults sat while the kids — and animals — went upstairs.

"I like the lights on your tree," Kathryn remarked. "Let me guess: 20th century."

"They're called 'bubble lights,' " Tom said. "And yeah, most of the decorations are 20th century. Though B'Elanna hates the icicle things, so I left them out."

"Your tree is very nice," B'Elanna. "We were admiring it at the party."

"Ah, actually, it's a rental. The store beams it back on Dec. 30. I had to put up a small force field to keep the dogs away."

"Really, you aren't into holiday decorating?" Tom teased.

"Wreaths and the mantle are fine, but I don't have the patience for anything else. As for Charlie, he can climb a sensor tower during a thunderstorm. But tree decorating …" She shook her head.

"Oh, that's right, he fell off a ladder," B'Elanna said.

Kathryn nodded. "His first Christmas with my family. He was helping Mom with her 3½-meter tree. Toppled off and broke his arm."

"Sounds like a good, if painful, way to get out of decorating," B'Elanna quipped.

"It worked: Mom won't let him near the tree," Kathryn quipped back.

Tom was about to say something when they heard Miral's voice from upstairs.

"Really! It disappears! Come on, Mike …"

Tom and B'Elanna traded a knowing look; Kathryn was confused. "It's showtime," Tom murmured.

The house shook as three children, two dogs, and a targ thundered down the stairs. Sam stopped at the landing, but the rest of the mob kept going, sliding across the wood floor — straight for the tree.

Kathryn was half out of her seat when B'Elanna laid a hand on her arm and shook her head. Tom was carefully watching the melee. When the kids were about a half meter from the tree, he yelled, "Computer, end tree program!"

The tree vanished, and the mass of children and animals continued to slide, finally hitting the wall with a "thump."

Miral and Michael rolled on the floor, laughing uproariously. Sam was still on the landing, eyes wide, mouth agape. Kathryn couldn't blame him; at least she managed to close her mouth.

She finally found her voice. "A holographic tree! Now, that is inspired! I've only seen them in stores and a couple at Headquarters."

"I made it because we couldn't agree on a decorating style, so we rotate," Tom explained. "As for the show, that started when these two were wrestling and fell into the tree. Now they think it's a great game. We'll need that force field when we put presents under there."

ooo

Back in the hovercar, Sam had a big grin on his face. He certainly had a great story for his brother, she mused.

"Can we get a targ?" he finally asked.

"Nope," Kathryn replied.

"But Mom, Toby's cute!"

Kathryn just raised an eyebrow. "See what you think after he's grown. Besides, you aren't Klingon."

Sam switched tactics. "Can we get a hologram tree? Then we could have a bunch of trees instead of just one."

She laughed, then reached over and gently poked his shoulder. "Now that is a great idea."

Sam was so excited that he was bouncing in his seat. "That would be great! We could have a tree with Ranger Raj stuff!"

"We'll see. I'll talk to Dad," she said as she laid a hand on his shoulder to settle him.

It would be an easy sell. Charlie did hate decorating trees. She reminded herself to call Tom after the holidays and commission a holographic tree program. Or maybe two, or three, considering the boys' tastes in entertainment these days.

"Hmm …" she murmured, and Sam looked at her expectantly.

"Nothing. Just thinking," she said. Tom could easily include force fields for those programs, she decided. Then she noticed that Sam was grinning again.

"On second thought, maybe just two trees," she thought. "One in the living room, the other at the end of the upstairs hallway. There's a good two meters of sliding space up there."