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Rating: G
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Notes:
A Short Story
15 Jan 2001
"Hello, Seven," five year old child said as she entered Astrometrics.
"Naomi Wildman," the tall, blond woman acknowledged in an almost expressionless voice. "We are not currently scheduled to engage in recreational activities."
"I know. I asked Mom. We're not supposed to play together for another two days when you have a day off. I didn't want to wait that long to talk to you. Are you busy?" the young girl asked hopefully.
Seven considered the tasks she had yet to complete. "I can take ... a break," she decided, clearly repeating a phrase she had heard.
"Great!" Naomi said excitedly.
"What did you wish to discuss?" Seven asked, turning toward the child and giving Naomi her full attention.
"Did you finish your list?" the child asked. "I asked for a premosho racket. If you do too, we can play together."
"My list?" Seven repeated, puzzled.
"Your Christmas list," Naomi clarified.
Seven continued to look at the child. "Explain."
"You don't know about Christmas?" Naomi asked, clearly upset. Everyone knew about Christmas!
"I do not," the blond woman thought for a moment. If the Borg had knowledge of this "Christmas" it must have been deemed irrelevant because that knowledge had not been distributed throughout the Collective. Of course, little knowledge on social occasions or etiquette was considered relevant.
"Oh, Seven! It's the bestest day of the whole year!" Naomi said excitedly.
"Why?"
"Because that's when Santa comes. He brings everyone presents!" Naomi explained. "Well, he does if you've been good."
"Who is Santa?" Seven questioned. There was no one with that name on the crew manifest.
"Santa is the man that brings the presents. Every Christmas morning there are presents from Santa. You have to make a list so he knows what to bring you. But you might not get everything on y our list. And you'll get stuff you didn't ask for," Naomi said, trying to remember all the details.
"That does not seem efficient," Seven commented.
"No, it's a good thing. Really. Seven brings you stuff you didn't know you would like. Like Last year he brought me the Candyland holo-program. I didn't know anything about it so I didn't ask for it. But now it's one of my favorites!" the child explained.
"How does Santa deliver these presents?" Seven asked.
"He has his own special starship. His crew are elves and reindeer," Naomi answered. "They beam the presents into people's quarters."
"I am not familiar with these species," Seven said. "Are they native to the Alpha quadrant?"
"I think so," Naomi answered.
"Naomi Wildman, I find the scenario you have presented to be extremely unlikely," Seven stated firmly.
"Why?"
"A single starship could not deliver toys to all the people in the Alpha quadrant, let alone the Delta quadrant," the former drone stated.
"Well, he doesn't. Not really. Not everyone celebrates Christmas. Only people that celebrate Christmas get presents from Santa," Naomi admitted.
"Who celebrates Christmas?" Seven asked.
"Lots of humans, but not all. Ktarorians do. Bajorians and Vulcans don't. Klingons do, sort of. Neelix didn't used to, but he does now," Naomi answered. "I'm not sure of all the others."
"That is still far too many beings for one individual to give presents to," Seven stated.
"What if Santa was like a Q?" Naomi countered. "Couldn't he do it then?"
Seven raised an eyebrow. "How do you know about Q?"
Naomi shrugged. "People always forget I'm around. I heard Lt. Torres and Lt. Paris talking in the mess hall. They said he was om.. omni..."
"Omnipotent," Seven supplied for her.
"Yeah, that. That means he can do anything. Even give gifts to everyone, right?" Naomi challenged.
"In theory, correct," Seven allowed. "Though I find it extremely unlikely that he would to this."
"Maybe Santa is a good Q," Naomi ventured. "Maybe he is making up for the mean stuff the other Q does."
"Possible," Seven said, clearly skeptical.
"It has to be something like that. How else would the presents get there?" Naomi challenged.
"There are several more probable theories. Shall I list them?" Seven asked.
"No, that's okay. But Seven, why else would everyone make lists for Santa?" Naomi continued.
"Everyone makes these lists?" Seven asked.
"Sure. Well, except Tuvok, but he's Vulcan. I'll prove it to you. Let's go to the mess hall," Naomi said.
"Very well," Seven agreed, intrigued.
Seven of Nine and Naomi Wildman walked into the mess hall. It was just after
the end of Alpha shift and the room was crowded. Naomi looked around, spotting a table of people she knew fairly well. She walked over to them, Seven following closely behind.
"Hi everyone," Naomi greeted them.
Harry Kim, Tom Paris, B'Elanna Torres, Tuvok and Chakotay were eating their dinner. They greeted Voyager's only child warmly. Naomi Wildman was welcome everywhere she went. It was only the combination of her mother and the Captain's stern lectures that kept Naomi from being turned into the most spoiled child in the Delta quadrant.
Seven stood silently behind Naomi, comparing the child's warm reception with her own far cooler one. It was irrelevant, she told herself, but that didn't stop the slight feeling of regret.
"Have you guys finished your Christmas lists for Santa?" Naomi asked.
Kim, Paris, Torres and Chakotay immediately turned to glare at Tuvok.
"Vulcan's do not celebrate Christmas," Tuvok replied. For the previous three years his crew mates had impressed upon him the need to indulge the child in the illusion. He had protested, but the Captain had ordered him to do nothing to destroy the child's fantasy.
The four other adults relaxed slightly.
"I've made my list," Tom Paris said, grinning at Torres.
The chief engineer grinned evilly at him. "I wouldn't count on getting anything from Santa. You haven't been a good boy this year," she told him.
"I've made my list, too. Have you, Naomi?" Harry asked.
"Yes, but Seven hasn't," Naomi told him.
The four adults turned to look at Seven, fully expecting the former Borg drone to protest.
"Have you made a list for Santa?" Seven asked Chakotay, who had been silent while the others answered Naomi.
"Yes, I have," he answered with a grin. "You need to make one, too."
Seven considered. "Very well. I will comply," she said.
"Great!" Naomi said happily. "I'll help you. Let's go to my quarters," Naomi said, grabbing Seven's hand and attempting to drag her out of the mess hall before she changed her mind.
Seven nodded politely to those at the table and allowed the child to lead her out of the room.
"I don't believe it!" B'Elanna Torres said, as soon as the two had exited.
"Me either. I thought for sure she'd ruin it," Tom agreed.
"Seven is a good person. She would never hurt Naomi," Harry protested.
"Right. She's the ice-Borg. If she tells me one more time how inefficient I am ..." B'Elanna started.
"Whatever you may think, she's going along with Naomi on this," Chakotay pointed out.
B'Elanna shrugged. "She probably thinks Santa is efficient," B'Elanna grumbled.
The other humans laughed and continued their meal.
Naomi Wildman sat in front of the computer terminal in the living area of the quarters she shared with her mother. Seven stood behind her, observing as Naomi showed her how to access a list of all the items available from the replicator. Naomi was showing her a large selection of games and toys.
"You can ask for other stuff, too. Like clothes or holo-stories," Naomi continued.
"How do I chose?" Seven asked, slightly over-whelmed at the large selection of choices.
"Just decide what you want," Naomi replied. "What would you enjoy having?"
"Enjoyment is irrelevant," Seven said automatically.
The child rolled her eyes dramatically. "No, it's not, Seven. Having fun is very important. That's why you asked me to help you learn to play, remember?"
"I remember," the former drone replied.
"Mom says you have to get in the Christmas spirit," Naomi said.
Seven's eyes widened. "Christmas spirit? This holiday observance involves paranormal manifestations other than Santa Claus?"
Naomi giggled a little. "No," she said. "Christmas spirit is how you feel. It's not a ghost."
"I see. I do not do feelings well. I shall research this topic," Seven stated.
"No, Seven," the child said patiently, consciously using the same tone she constantly heard from adults when she asked questions. "You don't research Christmas. You enjoy it. You just do it."
Seven considered for a moment. "Very well, Naomi Wildman. I will comply. I will refrain from any research concerning the topic of Christmas until after the holiday. Will that be sufficient?" Naomi nodded enthusiastically. "Very sufficient," she agreed.
"I must return to Astrometrics. Thank for your assistance, Naomi Wildman," Seven said, turning to leave.
"Your welcome," the child replied with a large smile.
Seven started to leave. "Naomi Wildman, how do I submit my list to Santa Claus?" she asked.
Naomi thought for a minute. "Well, I give my list to Mom. But I guess you should give yours to the Captain. I think that's what everyone else does," she replied.
Seven nodded once then exited the room.
The next day, Captain Kathryn Janeway was sitting in her Ready Room going over the weekly reports. She might be thousands of light years away from Starfleet command, but she was determined to keep up on the reports. In a way, she drew comfort from the reports, from the belief that one day someone would read them. She looked up when she heard the buzzer.
"Come," she called.
Seven strode into the room, coming to stand before the Captain's desk. "I have come to give you my list," she said, holding a PADD out to the Captain.
Janeway took the offered PADD automatically. "What list?" she asked.
"My Christmas list. For you to transmit to Santa Claus," Seven clarified her cool voice completely even.
Janeway stared at her, stunned. "Excuse me?" she said. She could not have been more surprised if her entire bridge crew had come in wearing feathers and singing the Starfleet Academy fight song.
"Naomi Wildman stated I should submit my list to you. Is that incorrect?" Seven asked. "I can ask Ensign Kim or Lt. Paris where they submitted their lists."
Janeway looked hard at Seven, then relaxed. "You told Naomi that you would make a Christmas list for Santa," she said.
Seven nodded. "Correct."
Janeway grinned. "Tell Naomi that I'll make sure your list gets to Santa," she said with a grin. She knew Seven did not lie. If she told Naomi she would give a list to the Captain, she would give a list to the Captain. Still, she was rather proud of Seven for playing along with the child in this irrelevant activity.
Seven nodded again then started to leave.
Janeway watched her, then realized that this would be the ex-Borg's first Christmas aboard Voyager. "Seven, do you have any questions about Christmas?" she asked.
Seven hesitated. "I told Naomi Wildman that I would not research Christmas until after the holiday. Would asking you questions violate that agreement?" she asked.
The Captain considered a moment. "Did you ask her questions about Christmas?" she asked. She knew how much value Seven placed on honesty.
"Yes."
"Then I think it would be okay for you to ask someone else as well," Janeway replied.
"Very well. I have many questions that I was unable to ask Naomi Wildman. Why does the crew not ask Santa Claus to transport Voyager back to the Alpha Quadrant?" the blond woman asked.
Janeway stared at the younger woman, her jaw dropping open.
"Captain? Are you functioning properly?" Seven asked.
"What? Oh, yes, Seven. I'm fine," Janeway answered.
"Lt. Torres to Seven of Nine" Seven's communicator sounded. Seven activated her communicator. "Seven of Nine."
"Some of your bloody Borg components are causing a malfunctions in the power grid. Get down to Engineering and turn them off!"
Seven looked to the Captain, who nodded.
"On my way," she said, severing the connection. She left the room without a backward glance.
"Oh, god. Seven believes in Santa Claus," the Starfleet captain said. "How did that happen?" Suddenly her face hardened. "Ensign Kim, Lt. Paris, report to my Ready Room."
On the bridge, Harry and Tom looked at each other, then shrugged. Chakotay indicated that they could leave their posts and report to the Captain.
They entered the room and moved to stand in front of the Captain's desk.
"What did you tell Seven about Christmas?" she demanded.
The two men looked at each other, then back to the Captain.
"Nothing," Tom said, puzzled.
"I never talked to her about Christmas, Captain. Well, except for when she and Naomi came into the mess hall yesterday," Harry replied.
"Tell me exactly what happened yesterday," the Captain ordered.
As usual with the two friends, Tom took the lead. He recounted for the Captain the events in the mess hall.
Janeway listened in silence, a picture forming in her mind. "Was there anything mentioned about Santa Claus?" she asked.
Tom hesitated just a second. "Well, I mentioned that I had my list ready. B'Elanna said that I wasn't going to get anything from Santa since I hadn't been a good boy," he said, slightly embarrassed. Being teased in front of friends was one thing, the Captain was another.
It all fit. Janeway sighed loudly. "Just wonderful."
"Captain, it wasn't inappropriate. B'Elanna and I would never do anything in front of Naomi..." Tom started defensively.
"No, Tom," the Captain interrupted him. "That's not the problem."
"Then what is, ma'am?" Harry asked politely.
Janeway considered a moment, then decided to tell them. "Seven believes there is a Santa Claus."
"What?" Harry and Tom said in unison.
"From what I've gathered, Naomi told Seven about Seven Claus and somehow convinced her not to research it. And Seven has apparently heard half of the senior staff confirm it. She gave me her Christmas list to transmit to Santa Claus and asked me why the crew didn't ask Santa to take us back to the Alpha Quadrant," Janeway explained, slumping back in her chair. There were some situations they just did not cover at the Academy.
Tom was trying unsuccessfully not to laugh while Harry was grinning broadly.
"Oh, I can't believe this!" Tom chuckled. "B'Elanna will love this!"
Janeway shot him a cold look. "This is not funny!" she protested.
Tom realized the Captain didn't find this funny and he tried valiantly to restrain himself.
"Uh, Captain? What did Seven ask for? I want to get her something, but I don't want her to think it's..." Harry said.
"Irrelevant?" Tom finished for him.
"Well, yes," Harry admitted.
Janeway shrugged and picked up the list Seven had handed to her earlier.
"A premosho racket, Kadis Kot, a Kelpar game, ice skates... I definitely see Naomi's influence here," Janeway said with a chuckle. She continued down the list of games. "Ah, here we go. A tri-corder, a hairbrush, a basic tool kit, various tools, ten segments of movable bulkhead. What? This appears to be the makings of a sonic shower," Janeway read, getting more puzzled by the minute.
"Is Seven's shower broken?" Harry asked.
"She doesn't have one. She uses the one in sickbay," Tom answered.
Janeway looked up sharply. She hadn't known that. She continued reading.
"This is a door/lock mechanism," she read.
"She wants her own quarters," Tom realized.
Janeway looked up. "Why didn't she just request them?" she said, almost to herself.
"She can't. Her alcove takes a lot of power. The crew decks couldn't take the power drain," Harry replied.
Janeway frowned. She continued scanning the list. Two chairs, a table...
"Damn," she said.
"Why didn't she say something?" Tom asked, frowning.
"She probably didn't know she could, Tom," Janeway said, putting down the list. Tom picked it up and continued reading.
"That or privacy is irrelevant and she was embarrassed to admit she wanted it," Harry added.
Janeway nodded. Seven sometimes fought her emerging humanity. It would be in character for her to want privacy, but be too proud to ask for it.
"Okay, I can understand the quarters, but some of this other stuff she could have just replicated," Tom said.
Janeway paled. "No, she couldn't have. She doesn't have access to equipment replicators, just food replicators."
Tom and Harry turned to look at her.
"When she first came aboard it was a security precaution, to keep her from developing a weapon. I also had Tuvok closely monitor any supplies she requested from stores. I never rescinded the order barring her from using the equipment replicators. Well, that changes today." Janeway said.
"That explains why she always had me replicate all the equipment when we were working on Astrometrics," Harry said. "Why didn't she say anything?"
"She didn't know she could, Harry. Seven isn't like anyone else. She's a contradiction. She's easily the most brilliant person on Voyager, but about many everyday things she knows less than Naomi does. She doesn't think twice about arguing with me about command decisions, but it probably never occurred to her to request access to the replicators for her own convenience," Janeway said, trying to make them understand.
"What are you going to do, Captain?" Harry asked softly.
Janeway looked him in the eye, then sighed. "What can I do? I'm going to have to tell her the truth. I have to tell a twenty-five year old, former Borg drone that there is no Santa Claus."
"Why?" Tom challenged.
"I have to, Tom," Janeway said, looking at him.
"Why not let her believe for one Christmas? What could it hurt?" the fair-haired helmsman argued.
"And after Christmas? When she finds out the truth?" Janeway retorted.
"Then explain it to her. Tell her it's a human custom," Tom replied.
"I remember when I found out, Captain. I wasn't angry or upset," Harry put in.
"You weren't twenty-five either!" the Captain said.
"Like you said, Captain. Seven's not like anyone else. Doesn't everyone deserve one Christmas where they believe?" Tom argued.
Janeway hesitated. She knew all the reasons why she shouldn't, but.. "Alright. We'll do it. Let's give Seven a Christmas to remember!"
"Great!" Harry said, smiling broadly.
"We have to make sure no one tells Seven," Janeway started.
Tom and Harry looked at each other.
"Tuvok," Harry said.
"B'Elanna," Tom said.
"You take care of them. I'll take Chakotay and the Doctor. We'll spread out from there," Janeway ordered. This was going to take all the careful planning of
a military mission.
"Aye, Captain Santa," Tom said impudently, as he and Harry started for the exit.
"Get to work, Elf Paris!" she told him with a grin.
Christmas Eve found the senior officers, with the exception of Tuvok, gathered in the Captain's quarters. All over the ship, small and large parties were being held while crew members that didn't celebrate Christmas worked extra duty shifts for those that did. Tomorrow would be the ship-wide party. Everyone sat comfortably around the living area, eating snacks and drinking eggnog. They were all sharing stories of past Christmas experiences and holiday traditions. Seven sat slightly apart, listening intently but not actually joining the conversations. She didn't have any Christmas memories to share.
Slightly after midnight, the party began to break up. Uncharacteristically, Seven was the last to leave. "Seven, aren't you anxious to go regenerate? The sooner you are asleep, the sooner you'll wake up and see what Santa has brought," Janeway teased gently.
"You are incorrect. Time moves at a constant rate regardless of my state of consciousness," Seven pointed out logically.
"I know, Seven. I was just wondering if you were looking forward to tomorrow?" Janeway asked. The Captain was certainly looking forward to seeing the former drone's reaction.
"I am not," Seven stated flatly.
"Why?" Janeway asked, afraid that after all the senior staff's hard work and
planning Seven had learned the truth.
"I do not anticipate that I shall receive any gifts from Santa Claus," Seven stated. Janeway would almost swear she sounded a bit wistful.
"Why not?" the Captain asked.
"According to Naomi Wildman, only those beings that have been "good" receive gifts. Naomi Wildman defined being "good" as doing as one is told, obeying the rules and not arguing with those in authority. I have not been good," Seven stated, clasping her hands behind her back as she looked at the Captain.
Janeway somehow kept her command mask in place, keeping herself from laughing aloud. It was still several long seconds before she could bring herself to speak.
"Well, Seven. You may have had a hard time initially but you have been doing much better lately. I am certain that Santa will take that into account," she said dryly. She couldn't stop herself from picturing herself in front of a Starfleet board of Inquiry and being asked how she managed to enforce discipline on a former Borg drone. 'Well, Your Honor, I explained that she wouldn't get any presents from Santa if she didn't comply.' Janeway bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing.
Seven raised an eyebrow as she considered what Janeway had said. "Captain, may I use your replicator before I leave?" she asked politely.
"Of course, Seven. Midnight snack?" the Captain asked.
"No. I wish to replicate milk and cookies for Santa. Naomi Wildman believes you receive better presents if you do this," Seven replied seriously.
"Then, by all means," Janeway said, gesturing to her replicator. She watched the former drone replicate the snack and leave. She couldn't help but think how far Seven had come from the angry young woman in the brig cell that had demanded to be returned to the Collective.
An hour later the Doctor exited Cargo Bay Two. "She is regenerating," he told the crowd assembled outside the door.
"Are you sure this isn't going to wake her up?" Harry asked, yet again.
"Ensign Kim, regeneration is not like sleep. Unless we interrupt the regeneration cycle or physically touch her, no amount of noise we make will interrupt Seven's regeneration cycle. After all Borg drones typically regenerate in the cube while activity goes on all around them. It is a very efficient.." the Doctor said dryly.
"I know. It just seems .. weird somehow," Harry said.
"We're building quarters in a cargo bay as a present from Santa for a Borg drone. This whole thing is weird, Starfleet," B'Elanna told him sarcastically.
"Don't play Scrooge with me, Maquis. You are the one that designed the quarters," Harry pointed out to his friend.
B'Elanna blushed slightly. "Well, if I left it up to you guys, the bathroom wouldn't have had a door," she said gruffly.
Tom looked at his friend. "That would have been a bad thing?" he whispered to Harry.
B'Elanna elbowed him in the ribs. "I heard that, Paris."
"People, we need to get moving. Seven's regeneration cycle is set to end in less than six hours," Janeway called out.
Chakotay nodded. "Let's those bulkheads up, then Harry, and Tom start on the bathroom. B'Elanna set up the replicator and move Seven's computer console. The Captain and I will start beaming in the furniture from stores," he directed.
"I have the tree decorated and ready to beam in," Neelix reported.
"Good Neelix. I knew I could count on you," Janeway told the Talaxian. "Let's get started."
Five and a half hours later, the very tired Starfleet crew put the last finishing touch on the Christmas tree that dominated the living area of Seven's new quarters. The new quarters were divided into three areas: a bedroom, bathroom and living area.
Janeway looked into the bedroom was Seven was regenerating, oblivious to the work that had been done literally all around her. She walked back to where her crew was gathered near the door. "You people did a great job! I am very proud of all of you," she told them, with a proud smile.
"Captain, there is one last task to do," Chakotay told her.
Janeway nodded and quickly entered a command into Seven's computer terminal.
"Computer, what is Seven of Nine's location?"
"Seven of Nine is in her quarters."
The very tired crew let out a cheer.
At exactly six hundred hours, Seven awoke from her regeneration cycle. She opened eyes and automatically disengaged from the alcove. She blinked once, and looked around. Instead of the cargo bay, she was in a room containing her alcove, a neatly made double-sized bed, and a small chest. "Computer, what is my location?" she called out crisply, looking around.
"Seven of Nine is in her quarters."
Seven's eyes widened at that and her lips drew up in a very slight smile. She looked around the room, gently touching the bed and opening the empty chest and a closet that contained her other bio-suits as well as the outfit she wore when playing Velocity with the Captain. Embedded in the wall next to the closet was a medium sized equipment replicator where she could replicate clothing and other items. There were two doors along the walls of the bedroom.
She went through the first one. It was a bathroom. There was a sink with a mirror overhead, a sonic shower stall and a toilet bowl. Next to the sink, she saw a short glass with her toothbrush in it. Her hairbrush was lying on the other side. She opened the medicine cabinet, seeing the toothpaste and other personal items.
She exited the bathroom and went through the second door. The living area reminded her of Naomi Wildman's quarters. Near one wall were her computer terminal and a work area. There was a small table with two chairs next to the adjoining wall while in the wall was a food replicator. On the table were the remains of the milk and cookies she had replicated last night. There was a couch and padded chair placed around a small coffee table on one side. In front of the couch was an eight-foot Christmas tree decorated in blinking lights and bright, red ornaments. There was tinsel hanging from the tree and large pile of presents around the base. Seven moved closer to the tree, tentatively touching the tinsel. Her slight smile grew just a bit larger. She looked down at the pile of brightly-colored packages. She picked one up gingerly and turned it all around. She found the nametag: Ensign Kim. She quickly went through the packages and found that there were several packages for each member of the senior staff, including herself. She considered for a moment.
"Seven of Nine to Captain Janeway."
"Janeway here," the response came immediately.
"Captain, I believe there are packages that belong to you in Car ... in my quarters," Seven said with just a hint of pride in her voice.
"Your quarters?" Janeway repeated.
Seven's smile brightened. "Yes, Captain. My quarters. There are also packages for the rest of the senior staff."
"Well, would you mind if I contacted them and joined you in your quarters?" Janeway asked.
"Acceptable."
"We'll be there shortly. Janeway out."
In a very short period of time, since the senior staff had all been waiting for the invitation, everyone was assembled. Seven waited as everyone came in and proudly showed them her quarters. They were all properly surprised, of course. Even B'Elanna couldn't stop a smile as Seven showed them her quarters.
Once the tour was complete, they crew gathered around the Christmas tree and began to open gifts. One by one a gift was selected, given to its owner, and they all watched and commented as the gift was opened and properly admired. Captain Janeway received coffee mug with "Warp Power" written on it. Chakotay got a hand-carved representation of his spirit guide. Tom got a detailed model of a 1964 Chevy Corvette with remote control (everyone, including Seven, was required to take a turn guiding it around the room). The Doctor received a new holo-camera, B'Elanna a holo-program of a tropical beach and six hours of holodeck time, Harry a decorative case for his clarinet, and Neelix a large assortment of new spices.
Seven sat on the floor since there was not enough furniture for everyone, surrounded by her crew mates as they opened the first round of gifts. She looked around and saw the laughter and kidding. Last night in the Captain's quarters, she had watched as others told of their past Christmases, but she had been unable to join in. Next year, she realized, she would have this experience to share. She would be able to tell of the first Christmas that she could remember where she was surrounded by her crew mates. No, not just crew mates: friends. Friends and family. That was the true gift she was receiving. The gift that meant more to her than the replicated Da Vinci painting she had opened. More to her than whatever the other boxes with her name on them contained. More than her new quarters.
Seven gave them all a rare, brilliant smile. "Merry Christmas, everyone."