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As Ensign Samantha Wildman sat her science station on the bridge of the starship Voyager, she could not wait for her duty shift to end. The last several days had been quiet. It was like the whole universe knew that tomorrow was Christmas and the crew of Voyager was going to be able having few days of peace.

Everyone had been looking forwards to Neelix's party for days. A change in the duty schedule was going to happen, so that all crewmembers could attend the party. She could not wait for the shift to end so that she could pick up Naomi and get ready for the party.

"Ensign Wildman, may I see you in my ready room?" a voice called from across the bridge.

Wildman turn to see Captain Janeway moving towards her ready room.

"Of course, Captain," Wildman said as she turned from her station and followed the captain across the bridge.

As she followed Janeway, she wonders if this had anything to with happen three months ago. When Voyager had received the crew's personal messages from the Alpha Quadrant, Samantha found out that her husband Greskrendtregk had married someone else. As first she tried to tell herself that it really didn't matter. Then three weeks later, Samantha completely lost it. It happened when she had been working in sickbay. She had started to cry and just could not stop. The Doctor in desperation had called up to the bridge for help. Kathryn Janeway herself came down to sickbay and the two women had talked about loves lost. Samantha had confided to Janeway that Joe Carey had lost his wife.

In the weeks that followed, Wildman and Carey found them working closely together and a friendship began to grow.

"Don't look so worried Sam," Janeway said as she sat on the couch.

"I am not worried. I just wondered why you wanted to see me in private," Wildman said as she sat down next to her captain.

"Well as you might have heard, the performance reviews will be announced after the New Year. So as of January 5, you will become Lieutenant Junior Grade Samantha Wildman, Head of Voyager's xenobiology department. So do you have anything to say?" Janeway said, as a smile came across her face.

"Captain, I don't know what to say."

Wildman was completely stunned at the change of events.

"Samantha, you are one of the hardest working members of this crew. The xenobiology department is perfect shape. You work three shifts a week in sickbay and still manage to raise a beautiful daughter. You should be very proud." Janeway said with pride in her voice.

"Thank you, Captain. I promise that I will not let you down. If there is nothing else I like to get ready for the party," Wildman said standing and walking towards the door.

"Of course. Are you and Naomi going alone?" Janeway asked, trying not to sound like a person who is meddling.

"No. Seven is coming with us. I think that she still little puzzled about Christmas," Wildman said as she walked through the door.

"Well, maybe there hope for her yet," Janeway thought as she got back to her work.

Samantha walked through Voyager feeling better that she had before. When she picked up Naomi from Janet Foster, even she remarked that Samantha looked better. For the next two hours, Samantha and her daughter got ready for the Christmas party. For the past three months, Samantha had been saving her replicator rations and as she sat in front of the mirror, she thought that the results were stunning. Samantha was wearing a red dress that came above her knee. Naomi was wearing is green jumper with a red bow in her hair. As they sat at the in front of the mirror, Samantha could see a lot of her ex-husband in daughter. From the ridges on her on head to her personally.

"Well, lets get Seven, then we are off to the party," she said taking her daughter hand walking out of their quarters.

Mother and daughter down the hall towards the ex-Borg quarters. As they walked down the hall, they saw Seven standing in the hall, waiting for them. With her blond hair and tall frame, she appears as normal as anyone does, but when you looked at her, you could see the pain and damage the Borg did to her.

"I am glad to see you both," Seven said looked at the pair. "I am relieved that you are both going the party, I must confess, I still don't understand the idea of Christmas."

"You will love Christmas, Seven," Samantha said as they got into the turbolift and headed to the Mess Hall.

When the three arrived at the Mess Hall, they hardly recognized the place. The windows were decorated with paper snowflakes. Red stockings hung on the walls, each with the name of a crewmember. The stocking were beginning to fill presents from other crewmembers. In a corner, the Delta Quadrant Band was warming up. The band members included Susan Nicoletti on the oboe, Harry Kim on the clarinet, Joanne Lang on cello and Megan Delaney-Ayala on flute. In another corner, there was a buffet of food. Most the crew was all ready present. Samantha could see Tom and B'Elanna standing off to one side. The two had become very close in recent months and Samantha hoped that they would get married soon.

"Well, looks like I get to spend time with three of Voyager's most prettiest women," a voice from behind said.

The three women turned to see Lieutenant Joe Carey, deputy chief engineer.

"Merry Christmas, Lieutenant Carey," Wildman said, hoping that her voice didn't give away what she was feeling.

"Merry Christmas, Ensign, Naomi, Seven. How are you liking Christmas Seven?" Carey said.

"It is interesting." Seven replied in a flat voice, not looking at Wildman. "In fact, I would like to look at the food."

Seven took Naomi's hand. "May Naomi come with me?"

"Sure Seven," Samantha said quite not understand what Seven was up to.

Seven and the child walked across the room to the food.

"This is going to be an interesting party," Carey said.

The next few hours were true fun for the crew of Voyager. Samantha danced twice with Commander Chakotay and once with Tom Paris. Seven seem to also enjoy the party. Although the ex-Borg didn't see any reason in dancing, she danced several dances with Harry Kim. The only one who was not having a good time was Joe Carey. Carey spent most time sitting at a table with the Doctor and Naomi. Samantha decided that it was time to take matters into her own hands. Walking towards the three, she put her hand out and said. "Would you like to dance, Joe?"

Carey stood, took her hand and lead her back to the dance floor. Gray eyes met blue. Slowly he took her hand and began to dance. The Christmas music turned into a slow romantic song. Samantha recognized the song as My Heart Will Go On by an artist named Celine Dion.

"I guess that I haven't been much fun tonight," Carey said, breaking the silence between them.

"Everyone understands, Joe. It has been a hard year for you, and me for that matter. When you are ready, you will know it," Samantha said as she looked into his eyes.

The dance seemed to go on forever. Then suddenly they realized that the music had ended and they were the only ones on the dance floor. The rest the crew was looking at them speechless. Joe broke the embrace and led her back to their table. As they walked back to the Doctor and Naomi, Samantha knew that the crew was watching them and she really d idn't care what they were thinking. As Wildman and Carey took their seats, Janeway rose and stood in middle of mess hall.

"Well, another year is almost over. We have lost some good friends this year."

She paused to think about Kes.

"And we have made some new friends," she said as she looked at Seven. "But most of all we have made though this year together. I can't begin to tell you how proud I am of each and everyone one of you. In the three years that we have been together, we have gone from a crew to a family and I am proud to have every one of you in my family. Merry Christmas."

Joe really enjoyed the rest of party. He joked with Walter Baxter. Danced once with Captain Janeway. And he danced two more times with Samantha. As Samantha dance with Harry Kim, Joe sat at the table with Naomi. He really enjoyed the time they spent together. The little girl reminded so much of his own children, who were so far away. As he watched Naomi, he could tell that she was starting to get tired. The dance ended and when Samantha came back to her table, she knew that the night fun was ending.

"I think that Naomi has had enough fun for one night," Samantha said as she pick-up her daughter and went to get their stockings.

"Let me help you, Samantha. You can't handle everything yourself," Carey said as he got up from the table.

Carey grabbed his, Samantha's and Naomi's stockings. After making their goodnights, the three walked towards the Wildman's quarters. After Samantha put Naomi to bed, she walked back into the living room with a handful of presents. She placed the gifts under a small pine bush on the living room table.

"Looks like you have been eating a lot of Neelix's cooking lately," Carey said as he sat on the couch.

"Yes, but it will be worth it when Naomi see the gifts I got her," Sam said as she arrange the gifts.

"Well, it's late and I should be going," Carey said, rising from the couch and heading towards the door.

"Thank you for everything, Joe. I couldn't have made through the night if it wasn't for you," Samantha said as she followed Carey to the door.

Joe turned and looked at Samantha. "I should be thanking you, Samantha. You are the one who helped me tonight. You reminded me how to live again."

Slowly he walked towards her. He slowly took her hand and pulled her towards him. Then he leaned down and kissed her. The kiss seemed to last forever. Then he pulled away.

"Merry Christmas, Samantha."

He turned and walked out of her quarters. Samantha just stood there, completely stunned by the kiss. Finally, she began to think again. The only thing that came to her mind was that the next year was going to be very interesting.