7534. Kongou, next time you teleport, could you at least phone ahead to the base you're going to? The gate guard at Futenma nearly had a heart attack.
7534a. By the way, why the heck did you teleport there, of all places?
7534b. "I needed to pick up a passenger, desu."

Christmas Eve, Yokosuka

"Well, it's not exactly a white Christmas, but.." Takao began.

"No matter, Christmas is still Christmas." said Myoko. "Besides, that's what roofs are for."

"Yikes, it's really coming down now, isn't it?" asked Ashigara.

"Yes, and the weatherman said it's only gonna get worse from here on in."

"The good news is we're all here accept for Haguro's boyfriend. Any word on his ETA?"

"Haguro's calling him now. With any luck, Okinawa's having better weather than we are."

Just then, Haguro walked into the kitchen, sighing.

"Everything alright, imouto-chan?" asked Myoko.

"Oh, John's still on Okinawa. There's another storm over there, and it's grounded all flights in and out. They're not even sending the AWACS drones up."

"Does he have any idea when he'll be able to leave?" asked Takao.

"Not for another couple days, at least. That storm's already at Force 8, and it's showing no signs of weakening."

"I'm sorry, imouto-chan."

"It's no big deal, nee-chan." said Haguro. "We'll still have New Years. Not to mention the next convoy run."

As her sisters and wife talked, myoko stared out the window, deep in thought. Haguro seemed to be taking it well, but this was going to have been her and John's first Christmas together, and Myoko knew how important that was for the couple. But, there wasn't much she could do about it. She was just a heavy cruiser after all, and there was no way she could change Mother Nature's whims.

But getting aroundthem, on the other hand.. she thought, was another matter.

"I'll be right back."

"Just where are you going?" asked Takao.

"I have a call to make."

Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa.

The gate guard at Futenma shivered as he adjusted his parka. Granted, fifty degrees might not be that cold for most people, but he was from Tucson, dangit. And the rain wasn't helping matters. He was looking at his watch when the ground began to shake. A bright light flashed five feet in front of him, causing him to look away. When he looked back, he saw a young woman standing there in the rain, umbrella in hand.

"Excuse me sir, could you point me to Captain John Sheppard, of VMF-221? I'm his ride to Yokosuka."

The guard just stared at her in shock for a minute before fainting dead away.

"Um, hello?" asked Kongou, frowning. "Oh, dear."

Later, at Yokosuka.

"Haguro, could you get the door?" called Takao from the kitchen.

Haguro walked to the door, and opened it to find Kongou standing there on the porch.

"Kongou-san, what are you doing here in this weather?"

"I had to bring a very important gift here. Seems his ride fell through at the last minute."

"Huh? His rides.' Haguro stopped when Kongou turned, revealing her boyfriend standing behind her. "John, how?"

"Miss Kongou gave me a ride via teleport."

Haguro didn't know what to say. "Th.., Thank you, Kongou-san."

"Don't thank me, thank Myoko-san."

"Eh?"

"She called me and asked me if I could make a trip to Okinawa."

"Why would Nee-san do that?.."

"Because I know how important a first Christmas is to a relationship." cut in Myoko. "Hi John, I trust that Kongou didn't leave any of you in Okinawa?"

"Hey, that only happened once!" protested Kongou. "By the way, does this mean we're even for last year?"

"Definitely." said Myoko. "I guess you need to get back to quarters now?"

"Oh yes. The Admiral's off early today, so I have some finishing touches to put on. Merry Christmas everybody."

"Merry Christmas."

With that, Kongou vanished in another flash of light, leaving the three in the doorway.

"Thank you, Nee-san." said Haguro, gripping her sister in a tight hug.

"Yes, thank you, Myoko-san." said John, bowing respectfully.

"Don't mention it. Now, why don't we all get inside. If I let the two of you catch pneumonia, Takao'll have my head."