Chekov glared up at Sulu, as he finished fastening the mistletoe to the doorway. They stood before the canteen, letting people stare.

"That's the last piece," Sulu said, gesturing at the twists the ensign held. He shrugged, as a confused crewman passed, and gave it to Sulu.

"I zhink ze whole ship has seen us."

"No matter."

"No matter? Zis is mistletoe, yes?"

"Yes. The captain wanted more decorations up, and Uhura's out of fabric."

"You do not know vhat zis is?"

Sulu stepped down from the borrowed chair, and admired his work before answering:

"I've just told you what it is."

Chekov took a dramatic, sweeping step backward. As Sulu approached, he shoved him away.

"What?"

"I don't zhink ve should both stand under it."

"Oh, come on," Sulu said, "I bet your corps tricked you on this one. It just means you can't go in the room. This one's just for decoration, anyway."

Yeoman Rand arrived, remarking about the unfortunate name. She still wore her woven crown of holly.

"But it looks nice," she offered, "I feel like I'm back home."

"You use zis at home, on Earth?" Chekov verified.

"No," she said, "Just seems right."

Sulu traded them proud and thankful glances.

Uhura was next to arrive at the canteen, with a single sprig of holly pinned into her hair. She emerged with a tray of coffee, which the others gratefully took. In order to see the mistletoe, she had to stand on her tiptoes. Sulu offered to bring her a chair to stand on, which she declined.

"It looks wonderful," she beamed.

Rand stepped forward, saying, "We're not so bad at this, after all." Chekov held her shoulder, preventing her from standing directly beneath the decoration.

"Hmm?" she turned, and playfully batted his arm away, "What's your problem?"

"Only one person should stand under it at a time," he advised.

Rand stepped back and stared at it. Uhura joined her. Everyone was quiet, between sips of coffee.

"It's an Earth superstition," Sulu explained, "But Chekov's got it wrong."

"Got it wrong?" he laughed, setting his mug on Uhura's tray, "Never!"

Doctor McCoy and Nurse Chapel appeared next, on a casual walk through the corridor.

"That's nice," the doctor said, from behind the crowd, "Mistletoe."

Chekov turned, nudging Sulu's shoulder.

"He knows vhat it is," he whispered, "And he'll agree vith me."

"Doesn't mean it's right," Sulu said, intending to challenge Chekov.

The ensign slid toward McCoy, offering him a cup of coffee.

"You have seen zis before," he said, leaning closer, "You know about it."

McCoy did not recall using it at home; he never had. His knowledge was limited, based only on the memory Spock placed earlier.

"I don't know exactly when it started," he admitted, "or where… but it's a human thing."

"And two people should not stand under it at ze same time…?"

"Well, I don't see why not."

"But zhey… zhey must—"

"Must what?" Chapel asked gently. Uhura leaned in, equally intrigued.

"Kiss," McCoy said, looking at the ground.

Sulu adopted disbelief, rather than disappointment.

"You said we shouldn't both stand under it!" he said, shoving Chekov into the doorway.

"I… vhat is the vord? I misspoke."

The entire group crowded into the doorway, giggling.

Unsure of the captain's approval, they substituted human kisses for Vulcan ones, passed around the circle like an electric current.

They decided that someone should tell Spock, but made no nominations.

Oh by gosh, by golly.
Time for mistletoe and holly.
Folks stealing a kiss or two,
As they whisper 'merry Christmas' to you.