Chapter Five: The End of It

Picard was on a hard surface as he struggled with a dark object covering him.

"Spirit!" Picard shouted out. "Spirit, let me out! I'll... Huh?"

Picard opened his eyes and saw that he was on the floor of his own room, with the sun shining in.

"Why I'm back in my own room." Picard said in surprise. He then looked outside and gasped in honest surprise. "Christmas morning! I haven't missed it! The spirits have given me another chance!"

Picard quickly changed into another suit.

"I know just what I'll do!" Picard said with a smile in his eyes. "They'll be so surprised."

()()()()()

Miles and Bashir were looking at children play when a very familiar figure appeared.

"Merry Christmas to one and all!" Picard cried out as he walked up. "Hello, gentlemen. I'm sorry about what happened; allow me to make it up to you with this."

Picard handed Miles a bag of two hundred dollars.

"Two hundred dollars?" Bashir said in awe.

"Not a penny less." Picard said with a smile. "I hope to see you again next year. Merry Christmas."

"Thanks sir." Miles said. "And a very merry Christmas to you too."

()()()()()

As Picard walked around, he bumped into Beverly, hardly aged by time and still being as lovely as when they first met all those years ago.

"Hey Beverly." Picard said.

"Jean-Luc." Beverly said.

"Merry Christmas." Picard said.

"... Merry Christmas." Beverly said with a smile.

()()()()()

All that day, Picard said "Merry Christmas" to everyone he saw, and some were shocked while others smiled and said it back. On the road, Picard ran into Jim and his wife, Carol.

"Ah, Jim." Picard said with a smile.

"Uncle Jean-Luc?" Jim asked blankly.

"I'm looking forward to that wonderful meal of yours." Picard went on as his heart felt ten sizes bigger seeing the look of surprise and joy on Jim's face.

"You mean you're coming?!" Jim asked.

"Of course." Picard went on. "You know how much I love candied fruits with spiced sugar cakes. I'll be over promptly at two. Keep it piping hot, and I'm looking forward to meeting you too, dear."

"I will Uncle Jean-Luc!" Jim called out. "And a very merry Christmas to you!"

"That's your uncle who was so moody?" Carol asked.

"I guess he had a change of heart." Jim said with a smile.

()()()()()

"Merry Christmas, and keep the change." Picard said as he gave the clerk the payment for his bundle and walked out as three little children passed by, playing.

"Wonderful lads." Picard said kindly. "And now for Riker."

Picard arrived at Riker's house and knocked on the door, struggling to keep the stern face he'd had the previous day. Riker opened the door and starred.

"Why Mr. Picard!" Riker said in surprise. "Merry Christmas. Won't you come in?"

Picard entered and walked inside. The place was just like it was when he visited the previous night, save the fact that the table had been cleaned up.

"Merry Christmas." Picard grunted. "I've got another bundle for you."

"But sir, it's Christmas day." Riker said.

"Christmas." Picard went on. "Just another excuse for being lazy. And another thing, Riker. I've had enough of this half-day off stuff! You leave me no alternative but to give you-"

"Toys!" Joshua called out as he opened the bundle and found the toys Picard had bought for Joshua, and his older siblings.

"Yes toys." Picard said. "No, no, no. I mean to say, I'm giving you a raise and making you my partner."

"A partner?!" Riker said excitedly as Deanna pulled out the biggest goose Picard could find, and they all starred at it. "Oh, thank you, Mr. Picard."

"Merry Christmas, Will." Picard said as he lifted Joshua, holding a teddy bear, up.

"And God bless us, everyone." Joshua observed.

Tommy then played with his new toys next to Picard as he sat in a rocking chair while Riker, Deanna, and Natasha watched on happily. This was indeed the first of many merry Christmases with Jean-Luc Picard and Joshua, who with Picard's help got better.


Hooray Picard!