AN: Just a bit of fluff for the holidays. For all those who celebrate, enjoy!

Tom's mouth had just slid over Kathryn's … soft and sweet with the beginnings of a very satisfying kiss … when they both started at the sound of someone impatiently clearing his throat.

She saw the "Oh, hell!" look in Tom's eyes before he spun to face the owner of the voice.

"Paris, can't you be a bit more ..." Chakotay began, only to stop in surprise when he realized exactly who Tom was kissing.

"Captain?" he managed.

"The Captain was just indulging me in an ancient Christmas tradition," Tom said smoothly.

The look on Chakotay's face telegraphed that he didn't buy it.

"Mistletoe, Chakotay," Kathryn said, pointing above her head to the sprig that someone — probably Tom — had attached to the ceiling. She'd give him the benefit of the doubt … it was hard to spot in the darkened room.

"I know the Academy celebrates Christmas," she continued. "I suspect that you've met a pretty cadet under the mistletoe once or twice, eh?" she said, oh-so-flirtatiously.

Even in the dim light, she could see the blush creeping up her first officer's cheeks. "Anyway, thank you for the refresher on tradition, Mr. Paris," she said as she walked toward the door, her hips swaying just a bit more than necessary. "See you at the party tomorrow, Commander," she added.

After she left, Chakotay turned back to Tom. "Not terribly respectful to B'Elanna, is it?"

Tom shrugged. "I'm a free agent. She broke up with me," he said. "And from what I've heard," he thought, "she turned you down flat." "Happy Christmas, Commander," he said with a nod as he walked out the door.

xxx

Tom had barely walked into his quarters when he was greeted with a punch in the arm.

"Ow!" he said, then called for the lights. Kathryn was standing there, hands on hips, with a glare that signaled his impending doom.

"You brat! Are you trying to get us busted?"

"Hey, how was I supposed to know that he'd drop into the Mess Hall at 0100?" he protested.

"I don't think he bought our explanation," Kathryn said.

"He can't prove anything; there is mistletoe up there," Tom replied. "And I loved your line about the pretty cadets." Kathryn just chuckled as he pulled her into his arms.

"Actually," he whispered, "I'm annoyed that he showed up. He interrupted the beginning of a very good kiss."

"Well, I should hope," she teased back. "Though I'm pretty sure you can live up to that beginning."

"Oh, I definitely can," he whispered. "In fact I have a very special celebration planned for our first Christmas together," he added just before his lips found hers ...

And for all, it was a very good night …