DECEMBER 24TH, 2371

Andia waited as midnight approached. Her adoptive parents, Professor Peter Kirk and Admiral Saavik, knew better than to try and keep her in bed.

"I'm going to see him!"

If only, she thought, Uncle Jim could be there with her. But since coming back from Veridian earlier that month, he'd been staying with people like Aunt Nyta. She saw a light by the fireplace.

"He's here!"

A jolly fat man in a red suit and a beard with striking blue eyes appeared, looking around.

"Ho-ho-ho! Meeeerry Christmas! This looks like the home of good little boys and girls!"

Another light appeared by the fireplace. Another jolly fat man with a beard and a red suit appeared.

"Merry Christmas! I came right down Santa Claus Lane just to be here!"

The first Santa looked confused.

"Ho-ho-who are you?"

Now the second Santa looked confused.

"I'm errr--Santa--Number One? Captain Santa, is that you?"

Andia saw the two huddle, but did not hear their words.

"Will? I said I'd be doing this."

"Sorry, Jim. But didn't you say you had a bad back?"

"THAT WAS---that was to throw Andia off. Now what do we do?"

"Relax, sir. We're both Santa. We just had a transporter accident that split---ohhh, we're dead."

"No, we're not. I'll unmask. You'll thank me for helping out you—the real Santa."

"No, Jim. You're the Captain. I'll unmask."

"Will, this isn't a landing party. If we play this my way, we can salvage this before its gets any---"

Another light appeared.

"Jim? It just got any."

"Ho! I have come to reward those children who have kept to discipline and hard work! I know well the honorable from the dishonorable!"

This Santa wore an ornate suit of battle armor. His beard was white, a contrast with his dark skin. Jim walked up, and looked him over. Especially his unhidden head ridges.

"Koloth did a better job at the 2293 Embassy Party, and he wasn't raised on Earth!"

Finally, a frustrated Andia came out of hiding.

"Uncle Jim, will you and these guys stop playing around? You'll scare off the real Santa Claus!"

Out the front door the three Nicks went. All were silent until Worf spoke and pointed.

"By the fireplace inside! Another light."

Riker shook his head.

"Can it be?"

Kirk smiled.

"Gentlemen. Why Not? We've all faced greater wonders."

The door opened again, and a figure was angrily pushed out by Andia. This Santa had the standard suit and beard, but no padding, pale skin and yellow eyes. He looked at his fellow Kringles.

"In the future, it would seem that coordination of such an effort would be in order, the better to attain a truly Merry Christmas."