Christmas Spirit

Posted on Tue May 4th, 2021 @ 9:48am by Ensign Alexandra 'Lexi' O'Connery & Lieutenant JG Mattias Constantine

Mission: Mission 4 - Eden
Location: Mess Hall
1667 words - 3.3 OF Standard Post Measure

Lexi looked around the party in fall swing it was a mismatch of uniform and non-uniform but the announcement had literally said – where what you want, relax and enjoy the night. It was not perfect by any means but it was perfect enough for Lexi who had never really had a Christmas with family or anyone she really cared for. It was lovely to be there among the 15 or so officers just savouring the atmosphere even if it was not how they had all hoped it would be. It felt a little selfish to her and why she stood at one of the windows just watching the stars passing by whilst other little groups milled around and the music played warming herself with the non-alcoholic mulled wine that they had managed to create.

Voices were as unique to the individual as a fingerprint, especially when one spent their duty shifts using their trained ear to listen to the cacophony sounds generated by a deep space starship like the Atlantis. Lexi would have had no problem detecting Mattias's voice approaching her, even with his mouth and half of his nose buried into his own stemless glass of mulled wine. The fragrant aroma of the citrus and cinnamon mixed together put a smile on Constantine's face - one that only grew larger as Lexi turned to look at him.

"Hey, want some company?"

Lexi had turned hearing someone approaching her and broke into the biggest grin she had felt she had ever had on her face as she took Mattias in. She had seen him in many states of dress but she had never seen the ensemble before. “Of course, but only after you explain what you are wearing. No wonder I missed you when I came in I walked straight past you.” She giggled realising she had walked straight past him earlier not realising he had been Elegy’s elf. It was adorable that both men had done this especially as there were no children onboard.

"Well, you see, we sort of planned it out a few days ago, but I wanted to keep it as much of a secret as I could. I'm glad it worked," Mattias grinned as he shook the pompom on his hat out of his vision. "It took some doing, but I ended up using some patterns and cut some shapes out of felt and stuck them to an unmarked uniform. I think it turned out alright, all things considered, but I can't even hold a candle to the getup Elegy managed. But you - you look spectacular like you always do. Are you enjoying the party so far?"

The woman looked down at the dark dress she wore and smiled. She really did not own many items of clothing that were not Starfleet issue but this was perfect for stuff as an event like this. Something out of the ordinary deserved her to dress up for once. "Thank you. I am I just thought to have a moment to myself to think about stuff. This is most likely the best Christmas I have had and it is everyone's most likely worst Christmas." She said blushing under his gaze as she glanced around the room seeing everyone talking animately within groups.

"Well, best and worst are just a matter of perspective, you know. I've been thinking about that recently - how that given a rather unfortunate set of circumstances, a group of people usually grows closer as a result of it, not further apart. This gathering is a perfect example of that," Constantine explained between small sips of wine. "We're making the best of what we've got. Just think about it, we probably won't ever be a part of a crew that knows each other as well as we all do."

Lexi smiled and brushed her hand against his for a moment. ”Can always trust you to spin it round but I’m standing here feeling sorry for everyone when they might not even feel sorry for themselves.” He knew her childhood and pre Starfleet life were not the best. She had created a whole new life for herself in Starfleet and joining Atlantis. “This is the best Christmas I’ve ever had.” It was not perfect with its limit resources but everyone had worked together to create something that was both beautiful and unique. No one else would ever celebrate like that.

"I dunno, Lexi, look around," Mattias swept his arm across the room, motioning towards the mirthful assembly. "I think everybody is having a good time and enjoying themselves. A little bit of sugar from the brownies and punch has everyone giddy, for lack of a better way to put it. But for me?" Constantine wrapped his arms around his girlfriend and hugged her from behind. "I think it's my favorite Christmas too. I can't even imagine what I'd be doing if we were home right now. Would you have said yes if I invited you to spend Christmas with my family?"

The Communication operator nodded, everyone was having a good time. She hated when he turned stuff around on her even if she needed it to happen. Lexi was surprised by his move in front of everyone to hug her up but it felt right and she enjoyed the closeness. Smiling up at him she turned back to expanse in front of them. “I do not know. I would have loved to meet Natalie but I am not sure I would know how to react around a positive and loving family.” She giggled before shaking her head. “I would have loved it if not been quiet.” She assured smiling. She knew without a doubt family who she knew from Mattias were what a family should have been would have accepted her without a second thought.

"Oh, I'd hate to see what sort of trouble you and Nat would get yourselves into. Nor would I want to be the recipient of any pranks that you would come up with," Mattias shuddered at the thought. He, too, turned his gaze out into the vast nothingness of space and gave thought to the fact that they were only separated from it by a few layers of duranium and the ship's defensive plating. So little separated the joy and warmth from the harshness of their circumstances, but Constantine figured both the ship's hull and the crew's steadfastness were equally up the challenge.

"Right about there," Matt closed an eye and pointed to a region of space filled with stars. "I figure they're just left of that bright binary star system - back home, waiting for us. Knowing how sentimental mom is, she probably set a place for me at the table," he took a deep breath, exhaling slowly to ward off the rising emotion. "I'm thankful for our new family. All of us. Especially you, Dunc, and the rest of our friends. We're gonna be just fine, me thinks."

“I’m safe with you.” Lexi grinned a little and snuggled back against him a little. She caught the Captain out of the corner of her eye as she turned and looked up at him a little watching him watch the stars and universe in front of them. She could not help but feel emotional at that moment thinking on how much things had changed but it made her heart skip to know he thought that even if they were home things would be the same. “Yes. Cannot forget about you and your bromance with McManus.” She teased him.

"Hey, I'm just glad that you two are friends, too," Constantine took the jab in stride, rolling with the punches as he was so apt at doing. "I'm also pretty lucky you aren't the jealous type, or you might not let me hang out with the engineers as much anymore," he winked at his girlfriend's reflection in the window. "I think after a few months, they've started to take a shine to me. Well," Mattias paused for a moment, "at least, I've certainly come to like and respect them. I feel more helpful and useful there than I do when I go to training to become a field medic. You've seen how frustrated I can get when trying to memorize anatomy and physiology. It's difficult!"

Lexi nodded. She indeed knew how frustrated he was getting with trying to memorize anatomy and physiology. Maybe they needed to switch up his studying. "I am sure that they appreciate the assistance and effort you are putting into it all. Maybe I need to stop invading your studies or start labelling myself to assist." She grinned. While he had taken on Engineering and Medical offering assistance Lexi had been helping Engineering and Science. Both were easy for her and Darru and McManus were more than willing to accept help and to teach.

A comfortable silence fell over their conversation as Mattias let his gaze drift slowly out of focus. Basking in the emotional warmth radiating throughout the room was more than enough for him, but a slight nudge brought his senses back to the here and now. Fully aware of his surroundings once again, Constantine realized that he had unconsciously shifted more of his weight into Lexi.

"Oh, sorry," he stood back up. "It's just you started talking about labeling yourself and I got really distracted," a grin spread across his features. "But yes, really, we can help each other get better. Keep chipping in. Doing our part. We can do anything as a team as long as we're helping each other."

Lexi chuckled and poked his chest as she turned around and looked up at him taking in his features despite the elf outfit. “I also mentioned leaving you to your studies but you missed that part.” She teased back leaning up to kiss his cheek softly seeing the cat was out of the bag with the Captain knowing. “Together miracles can happen.” She agreed.