Any time during Mass Effect 1 or 2 or post the two games. Prompt: Kaidan's and Shepard's first Christmas together. Limit: MUST BE FLUFFY GOODNESS!

Santa's Secret

"Hey Alenko, come and pick a name for the secret Santa," Joker called as Kaidan walked onto the bridge.

Kaidan dug his hand into the bag and came up with a name. He looked disbelievingly at the piece of paper in his hand. He couldn't believe Joker would be so obvious. It was a sure bet that Shepard had pulled his name from the sack as well.

Joker smirked at him. "Who'd you get?"

"Shepard. What the hell do I get Shepard?" He decided to play along with Joker's prank. He already knew what he was giving Shepard and he didn't need Jokers plans to do it.

"Give her a framed print of your ass, she'd like that." Joker laughed. "Oh by the way, you've been nominated to play Santa."

"Me? How did I get nominated?" This was not part of his plan.

"Well it seems there are any number of the crew, both male and female that want to sit on your lap and tell you how naughty and nice they can be."

"Great. I'm not doing it Joker." Kaidan said firmly.

"Oh, stop being a grinch. If it makes you feel any better Shepard was nominated for Christmas elf. You should see the outfit they gave her to wear. We may have to get her drunk to wear it though."

Kaidan walked off grinning to himself. He could just imagine the outfit that the crew were trying to get Shepard into.

Joker sat back in his chair with his arms behind his head. His plan was coming together nicely. He'd made sure that Shepard and Alenko got each other for the secret Santa and they were going to deck her cabin out in mistletoe. He was going to get those two together no matter what. Now that Saren was defeated, they could turn their attention to each other.

The cargo bay had been set up with Christmas decorations and Kaidan sat in a chair in his Santa outfit. He had been keeping an eye on the elevator for Shepard to make her appearance. He really wanted to see her outfit.

Joker had been in charge of the eggnog with a little help from Dr. Chakwas who seemed to have been very thorough in her sampling of it. She had even taken a pitcher of it up to Shepard's cabin. His eyes lit up as the elevator doors opened and Shepard emerged dressed in a very short red dress complete with white trim, and a Santa hat on her head. She carried the now empty pitcher.

"Now that our elf is here we can get started," Joker announced.

After assorted wolf whistles and lewd suggestions to Shepard the crew formed a line and began sitting on Santa's lap telling him their most secret wishes while his face grew continually redder. Shepard was struggling not to laugh as she heard some of the comments made to him. Kaidan breathed a sigh of relief when the last one had finished.

"Not so fast, your elf hasn't told you her Christmas wish yet Santa," Joker said pushing Shepard to towards Kaidan's lap.

Shepard giggled as she sat on his lap and started whispering some secret wishes and promises in his ear. He couldn't help grinning as he whispered a few things back to her.

Climbing reluctantly from his lap Shepard took her leave of the party. "Merry Christmas everyone. As I suspect there was more nog than egg in that drink I'll be heading to my cabin. Enjoy the party."

As the elevator doors closed Joker handed Kaidan a glass of eggnog. "You haven't given her your present yet have you?"

Seeing the shake of Kaidan's head, Joker let out a heavy sigh. "Damn it Alenko, do I have to do everything for you? Go after her and give it to her. We've covered her cabin in mistletoe, so even you can't screw up this time. She should have something for you too."

"I certainly hope so," Kaidan said quietly.

"What was that?" Joker shook his head. "You're a hopeless case, now stop complaining and get up there."

Kaidan stood up and headed to the elevator glad that the beard he wore was covering up the self satisfied smirk on his face.

He walked into Shepard's cabin grinning. "Nice outfit, Shepard. You look very cute." At her outraged expression he added, "And sexy."

"Why thank you Santa. Wait till you see what I have on underneath." She spun around and returned his grin.

"Is that my present?"

"Well one of them. Are you sure Joker hasn't fixed the comm and the cameras?" She asked, looking around suspiciously.

"Yes, I am." He moved closer and took her into his arms. "But since there's so much mistletoe in here I suppose I should do what tradition dictates."

"I'd be extremely disappointed if you didn't." She smiled as she pulled his head down to hers.

"Can I ask a favour Santa?" At his nod she winked suggestively. "Leave the hat on and I'll show you how naughty I can be."

At his raised eyebrow she added "You look very cute….and sexy."

He laughed. "I will if you will."

"Deal," she said as she started unbuckling his belt.

Much later they lay entwined on the bed. Kaidan chuckled as he looked at her, "Merry Christmas, Shepard. This is the best Christmas ever."

She laughed. "Yeah and putting one over on Joker is definitely a nice Christmas bonus."