December 24, 2278

Peter got down on his knees in what was once Spock's room. He clasped his hands together, and closed his eyes. He spoke in low tones, despite having the sound dampeners on.

"I don't hate you anymore, for what happened."

He got up and got some water, formed as always from a hollowed-out ice-cup. Putting the cup back into the hydro-cycler, he resumed his prayers.

"I'm sorry for the things I said, while they were hurting me. I know it wasn't your fault, but I was so scared. I tried to fight them off—but they were too strong. I was too weak."

In the next bedroom over, Saavik felt herself assaulted by images of hateful men and women grabbing, punching, and doing damned well whatever they pleased to their young captive. The sights and sounds of gang rape.

"Be strong, Peter-Kam. You are safe here. For I will destroy any who would hurt you."

Peter felt her presence, as well someone might when they were klaefthe--born bonded with another. Though comforted greatly by this, he did not get up. He had business yet, with the being his dear late grandmother said had forged Creation.

"I'll get straight to the point. You've chosen poorly. You've got the wrong man. I Am Not The One You Want."

Unbeknownst to Peter, Sarek often listened in to his private musings. Though disgusted by having to do this, Sarek realized that a boy so badly hurt could easily attempt suicide with little or no warning. So the sound dampeners were set to 'edit in' certain distressing keywords. Words--like Ghidorah.

"Again, Peter, I fail a young man who dwells in my house. I should have waited to tell you of your destiny. But you are so very strong--I forget what you have borne."

"My Father is James T. Kirk. Captain Of The Enterprise. He can stop King Ghidorah. I Can't. He's too powerful, and his followers far too evil. I don't want everything. I just want my life back. Not to be arrogant, but How Dare You throw this in my lap? Why Me? I was doing chores when I was three! Sam and Aurelan virtually dumped the care of Little Marc on me. But I loved my little brother, so I did it. Then they were all taken away from me. Even to Grandma, who I had finally made peace with. Every last person on Deneva, lost to madness. Finally, The Hall took me. They made Uncle Jim-my Dad-think I was dead. So I think I've suffered enough. And if that sounds like self-pity, well that's just too damned bad."

Peter then removed all traces of attitude from his voice and spoke his final plea.

"Pick Someone Else."

Suddenly, as had happened on the night he was kidnapped, Peter Kirk found himself in a white void. Before him was the crew of The Enterprise--his family. Kirk spoke first.

"You Are The Rock."

"Once and for all, who are you people?"

Ignoring him, Spock spoke next.

"The Rock Bears The Mark Of Ghidorah."

Sulu now.

"The Rock Bears The Mark Well."

"Please,  I don't understand."

Chekov nodded.

"The Pain Is Yet Fresh. It Will Pass."

"What do you know about pain? You don't even exist."

The McCoy image slapped Peter on the hand.

"Why Does The Rock Assume Its Pain Is The Greatest Of All?"

"I know others have suffered. But I can barely see past myself, for all the rage I feel. Give me time, I beg you."

Uhura looked at him, and shook her head.

"There Is No Time, As You Call It. Your Universe Is Dying. Ghidorah Must Fall."

"Yes, I know. But can't God---or, I don't know, pick someone else?"

Kirk stood firm.

"Would The Rock Have The Creator Do More For Him Than Your Beliefs Say He Was Willing To Do For His Own Son?"

Peter crumpled at the thought.

"I understand. But I can't do it alone."

Suddenly, Saavik was among them.

"The Rock Is Not Alone."

Back in linear time, Peter fell asleep, digesting his Vision. Over distant planet Bajor, a light appeared in the heavens and then vanished.

A sleeping Peter then heard a commotion coming from the living room.

"Oh, My! Sarek, where did all this come from?"

Peter was stunned. So were they all. The empty corner was empty no longer. Now, there was a Christmas Tree.

"Guys, I asked you not to do this. I don't want to force my beliefs on you."

Saavik stared at the trimmed and fully decorated symbol of promise, and felt part of her missing childhood return. The Tree held some ecumenical spirit beyond sentient comprehension. Amanda had not yet lifted her jaw. Sarek shook his head.

"The message of a simple decent person proclaiming the redemptive value of peace is hardly a Terrans-only belief, Peter. But the fact remains - we did not do this."

Peter smiled, and drank from the egg nog he was offered, for Amanda had insisted on that much. The cup he used he had taken from under the tree. He did not see Saavik doing the same. Both cups had a stylized letter 'K' inscribed.

"He must have had The Enterprise dart by at warp, and somehow Spock worked out the coordinates....."

Saavik stopped him.

"Peter---On this day, we are permitted to indulge in comforting delusions."

"Your point, Saavik?"

"Our benefactor was obviously a noted gift-giver of Terran legend. Now that that is settled, what is the significance of this greenish twig with red berries?"

Her slight smile belied her seeming ignorance. He kissed her, but lightly in front of Sarek and Amanda. She whispered to him.

"Perhaps, sometime in the New Year, those things we have discussed...those physical things...can come to be."

"In those feelings, Saavik...You Are Not Alone."

Peter then offered up a toast.

"To the day that we will all bring about. To that Christmas when a child will see a red streak in the sky, and ask 'Is It Ghidorah?'. To which the parent will respond that 'Ghidorah is dead. So it must be Santa Claus'."

And Peter gave a silent prayer that all peoples, whatever beliefs they held dear, would one day be able to make a like statement to their children. He then took the cup given to him by his father, and drank deeply from it.
 

Aboard The Enterprise, James T. Kirk stared at a picture his children, by blood and by heart, had sent of the two of them together. He loved them both, but his eyes teared when he looked again at the restored Peter.

"Merry Christmas, Son."