"So, there's probably a better way to tell you this but... I think there's been an administration error." Nikki's voice held no clues as to what was about to come next and Trish knew her imagination would run rampant if she didn't find out quickly.

"What is it?"

"Well, I don't know how because it certainly shouldn't have happened but... it looks like we've got two weeks leave over Christmas."

"You're coming home?" The disbelief was audible in her voice, she'd been expecting the reveal to be something far worse.

"I'm coming home." The confirmation warmed Trish's heart. She wanted to hug Nikki tight in her arms again, to scream and jump up and down like a child at the good news... and to hit her idiot lover repeatedly until she promised not to scare her like that again. Instead she settled for asking in what she hoped was a calm and collected way:

"When?" Ok, so maybe it came out a little more desperate than she'd intended, there was a slight chuckle on the other end of the call.

"Well I lose a couple days traveling but I should be back early evening on the 19th." The older woman tried to bite back the groan but failed. "What, what's wrong Trish?"

"Nothing, just that that's the night of the work party. I'm sorry Nick, I can't get out of it. I won't be able to pick you up."

"That's alright. I know where you live, wait you haven't moved have you?"

"No."

"Right, good. I'll make my own way home then. Think of it this way, you'll have something to look forward to when you get back. Might even let you unwrap one of your presents early."

"I can't wait. It's going to be so good to see you again." There was a soft hum of agreement before they fell silent, each with their own thoughts of the other. Then all of a sudden: "DAMN IT! Why'd you have to say it like that? Now I really can't wait! Hey Nick... are you somewhere private?"

"Why? You alright babe? You sound a little hot and bothered." Trish might have bought the other woman's concern if it wasn't for the last sentence, but she knew Nikki knew exactly what she was doing.

"Yes or no Shepard, are you alone?" There was the sound of badly repressed laughter, sometimes she really hated her marine.

"Hmm, are you horny for me Trish?"

"Just answer the question!"

"Yeah I'm alone. Wish I wasn't though." In just three sentences her voice had gone from teasing to serious to soft and tender. "Wish I was back home with you. The things I'd do to you if we were together right now." Trish smiled as she made herself comfortable.

"What would you do?"

"Well, for starters..."

...

Trish was struggling to enjoy herself. The party wasn't that bad, the food had been amazing, the drinks only marginally overpriced, in fact for this part of town they were practically cheap. All in all as far as work dos went it was pretty good. That couldn't stop her constantly checking her omni-tool though, desperate to know if Nicola had made it home. She knew her ship had made it to Arcturus the day before yesterday but from there the crew would split ways, seeking passage on any ship or shuttle that would get them to the right planet in time to spend the holidays with their loved ones.

"My buddies bet me that I wouldn't be able to start a conversation with the most beautiful woman in here. Wanna buy some drinks with their money?" Trish spun round, ready to lay into the poor unfortunate soul who had dared to interrupt her musings, pulling up short when she was confronted by mischievous brown eyes and the traditional smirk. She barely managed to restrain herself from jumping the marine, taking an involuntary step forward before keeping her distance to give her eyes room to roam over the vision before her.

"Does that pick up line actually work?"

"Hmm, I'm not sure yet. It's either 100% effective or 0% still waiting to find out." Trish was dimly aware of the admission that she was the first person Shepard had tried the line on but her brain was distracted by something else she'd seen in her initial inspection but failed to properly process at the time.

"What is that?"

"Wrapping paper."

"Well thank you Captain Obvious. Is there a reason it's around your arms?" Nicola emphatically pointed a finger, providing a brief warning that she was about to state a rather pedantic point.

"Not captain, I'd have my insignia on my shoulders if I was a captain." She shrugged, letting her finger drop back down. "Some of the lads thought I should be more festive and I refuse to wear a silly hat." Trish silently vowed to make sure her marine ended up wearing a silly hat at some point during the holidays before suddenly experiencing a strange sense of deja vu. She run a finger experimentally over the gift wrap, seeing if Shepard would say or do anything to stop her. The only thing that happened was her grin got broader.

"Is this supposed to be my early christmas present?" The hand attached to the arm she wasn't holding suddenly disappeared into a pocket, reappearing a moment latter with a small wrapped something.

"Well originally it was supposed to be this, but I guess your plan works too. Your choice, which one do you want?" Blue eyes flicked calculatingly between the tiny parcel, the ridiculously wrapped bicep and her girlfriend's face.

"Whichever one I choose now I still get the other one as well right?"

"Mhmm, on the 25th." The brunette froze incredulously for a moment before darting into action.

"Well that settles it, I'm not waiting that long! I'll have this one tonight thank you." She run her finger down Nikki's arm, using her nail to pierce a slit through the wrapping paper, keeping her gaze on her partner's face and watching as her grin grew bigger and bigger until there was no more room for expansion. When she reached the end of the paper her eyes followed Nikki's as they flicked teasingly down to her arm. She doubted she'd be able to pass the involuntary gasp off as a sigh, but she did her best to make her voice sound closer to exasperated disappointment than giddy pride as she stated: "This is becoming a habit."

"What, being promoted?"

"Not telling me you've been promoted." Shepard had the decency to look a little bashful.

"Originally it was only acting Sergeant, I didn't say anything incase I was demoted back to Corporal before I saw you. They didn't make it official until we reached Arcturus yesterday." Trish wasn't stupid, she knew they would have shipped out with the right number of Sergeants and the only reason for a temporary promotion would be if Nikki's predecessor had been killed or badly wounded. Once again she found herself wondering just how much combat Shepard was finding herself in but she tucked the knowledge away for future use, instead of making a big deal of it.

"That explains a lot... I take it you're only an Acting adult as well? You certainly seem to get demoted back to big kid often enough." There was a pleased laugh of agreement.

"There's no point in being grown up if you can't be childish sometimes. Now speaking of grown ups, you never did answer my question about getting a drink."

"Oh that's right, you were attempting to be some random person picking me up in a bar weren't you... I'm sorry I'm seeing someone at the moment." The soldier's face fell.

"Oh, Ah, right... Sorry... Umm" Trish cursed herself as she saw the multitude of expressions streaming across Nikki's face, fist briefly tensing at her side before being forced loose. "I, uh... " Trish caught her hand, halting her.

"I've not seen her for 9 months but she said she'd be waiting for me at home tonight." Realization dawned across her face.

"Really? What's she like?"

"Hmm, about your height, black hair, beautiful brown eyes. I'm told she has an awesome sense of humour and I know she has no taste in TV."

"She sounds great."

"Well... She has her faults too. Keeps turning up on different days or places than we agreed on, never tells me when she gets a promotion..."

"Terrible, dump her, go out with me instead." Trish laughed, thankful her ill-considered tease hadn't ended badly.

...

"Nikki!" The soldier's arms flailed helplessly as she was enveloped in a massive hug by Trish's mother who had emerged from the house to greet them. A desperate glance towards her girlfriend revealed no small amount of amusement and absolutely zero aid. Tentatively she responded with an awkward pat on the back and managed to secure her release. "When Trish told me that you- well... It's good to see you again. Merry Christmas."

"And to you." They made it into the house before being attacked once more, this time by a streak of orange fur threading between their legs. Trish picked up the mewling creature fussing it until it broke free and stalked its way over to Nikki, rubbing a soft head over her legs.

"You know Trish, I think this is the first time you've brought someone home that Mufasa hasn't hissed at."

"Hear that? The cat likes you Nick, you must be a keeper."

"Oh good, if he didn't were you going to dump me?"

"No chance, usually he hates just about everyone."

...

"I think I broke the cat! Is it supposed to make this noise?"

"What noise!?" Trish's head appeared round the living room door in concern.

"Like a mark two eezo engine with a faulty capacitor." Trish hurried closer, kneeling down beside where they sat on a sofa to listen to the cat before slapping her partner lightly on the arm.

"That's purring Nikki! Didn't you ever have a cat as a kid?" A shake of the head was her sole reply. "Any pets at all?" Another shake.

"I had brothers, if they count?" Trish laughed.

"I said pets not animals, pets are supposed to be tame." The cat suddenly got up and raced towards the front door, despite having ignored the entry of the vast majority of the Stewart clan so far.

"Hi cat, still not dead?" A gravelly voice intoned.

"STEVEN! How many times have I told you not to speak to Mufasa like that!"

"I thought you said he wasn't coming?" Nikki whispered to Trish urgently as the siblings discussed the perceived inappropriateness of wearing a uniform in the house versus the definite lack of acceptability of an Admiral being seen on a troop transport in a christmas jumper.

"I said we never know whether or not he's coming to anything until on the day."

"Well this isn't going to be awkward at all..."

"Relax Nick, he'll be fine."

"Easy for you to say, are we going to spend next Christmas with your boss? Look I'm sure your Uncle Steve is a great guy, but Admiral Hackett is scary. You know the troops call him 'The Hatchet' right?" She trailed off as he entered the room, Mufasa curled contentedly in the crook of his neck and pawing at the shoulder of his freshly donned dark green xmas jumper. Despite the multitude of relatives in the room he still seemed to notice them instantly.

"Shepard."

"Sir." With them both out of uniform there was no need to salute but there was still a respectful inclining of heads.

"Knock it off you two, no rank in the house." Trish's mum said as she bustled in behind her brother, still on a high from her recent victory in the clothing war.

"Give the kid a break Molly, they don't cover Christmas-ing with an Admiral in basic."

"Thank you Sir."

"What did I just say Nicola?"

"Come on! That's just generic respect! Trish used to call my dad Sir all the time and he was a civilian."

"I used to call your dad 'Thomas' Nick."

"Yeah, eventually." She shook her head with a sigh but the quirk at the corner of her lips gave her away as she grumbled: "All those times I took your side against your mum when we were teens and this is how you repay me... Just wait until the next time you need help with anything."

"Hey Nick can you give me a hand in the kitchen?"

"Sure what do you need?" The soldier asked, standing.

"To prove a point." Shepard's face dropped as she realised she'd been played, she was too busy mock pouting to notice the almost smile on the admiral's face.

"That's it, I'm taking the cat for a walk."

...

"A couple of ideas spring to mind but I'd have to take a look at it to know for sure. What wheels are you using?" Trish smiled as Nikki chatted away about cars with her cousin Sean, the mechanic in her shining through. The civilian was just glad to see her relax around her family. Well... mostly. She hadn't missed the occasional glances shot between her favourite uncle and favourite marine when they thought the other wasn't looking during dinner, speaking of which...

"How's my favourite niece doing?" She wrapped the man in question in a hug before answering.

"Very well, very happy."

"I noticed. Now this girlfriend of yours, I don't suppose she plays chess?" Trish laughed in relief, for a horrible moment she'd thought the conversation was going to devolve into one of those talks.

"Not yet and no, you can't teach her. There's a reason you never had to serve a posting as an instructor in your career ever!"

"I seem to remember doing a pretty good job teaching you to beat your daddy."

"Yes and now I get to use those skills to beat you. Do you want to play best of three or best of five?"

"I guess that depends how many boards your mum has in the house."

"Come on, can't you two play a game the rest of us can join in with for once?" Another relative inquired. More people joining in the debate until they finally reached a collective decision.

"Nikki, do you want to play?" Trish called out, waving the box lid for Summam Beli for clarification but only receiving a blank look of confusion in return.

"What is it?"

"Turian strategy board game." Sean informed her. "Think galactic scale Risk but a lot more complex. That's the 2160 edition, it contains 'a new playable race and human territories'."

"Sure, why not. Anyone got a copy of the rules?" Molly searched noisily inside the games cupboard before pulling out a bigger, heavier companion box and passing it over, the marine opening the lid to reveal a solitary item. "Well shiiii-uuugar... I think even the regs are smaller than that!"

"Only just." Hackett confirmed as Shepard started skim reading.

"Steve what race do you want to play?"

"Oh I can adapt to any of them, why don't the civilians pick first."

"Nick what about you, want to choose a race?" Nikki looked up from halfway through the chapter on race specific bonuses.

"You heard the man, civilians first." She went back to her reading, determined to at least not be the first to lose, until finally there were only two class options left. Despite still being a little wary of her girlfriend's uncle she couldn't help but ask him: "So batarian or turian... Wouldn't it be considered treason if you help either of them capture Earth?"

...

Author's Note:

Well, that's the last chapter of the year. Hackett's actions and reactions were a lot easier to predict and write in his first appearance but hopefully you like it. Also for the record, Trish and Hackett's idea of 'best of three chess games' is three played simultaneously not consecutively, because they're that hard core, hence the enquiry about the number of boards. All that's left is to wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, solstice or any other winter (or summer if you're in the Southern hemisphere) holiday you may or may not subscribe to and I'll see you all (metaphorically speaking) in the New Year.