Kathryn watched the firelight dance over Chakotay's face and reflected on how it made him even more attractive. She was shaken form her daydream by his abrupt exclamation.

"Dammit Kathryn, you know I'm no good at this!"

"How can I know that? We've never done this before."

"Maybe no but we've tried similar things and I've never been successful then either. Remember that time in your Di Vinci program on the holodeck?"

"Stop moaning and get on with it. You can do it if you try."

"I'm not so sure."

"Chakotay, if we don't do it soon it'll be too late."

"I still don't understand why we're doing it in the first place."

"Because it shows that we care."

"We can show that we care in other ways. This is archaic."

"It's traditional". The death glare that Kathryn turned on Chakotay had lost none of its power.

"Ok, ok! I'll do it but remember I'm not used to doing this without the aid of technology."

"Chakotay you are a kind, sensitive and spiritual man, you are loving and tender, gently and artistic. You can make the most beautiful sand paintings and exquisite carvings so I'm sure you can manage to write a few Christmas cards."

"I'm trying Kathryn," Chakotay picked up his pen, "but you'll have to remind me again how to spell B'Elanna."

=^=