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The Nexus was making every effort to seem like home.
Someone went out for the Christmas party—string lights twisted around support columns, an artificial tree flashing in the corner and music set at a volume that was irritating but not enough to overpower uncomfortable small talk. There were beverages, snacks and even a handful of people dancing. It was the Initiative’s proper holiday festivity since coming to Andromeda and the leadership had determined it had to be significant.
Cora Harper was indifferent.
She remained in the dimness to the perimeter of the Operations deck arms folded stance casual yet gaze keen. She wasn’t truly concealed,. She wasn’t inviting interaction either. The gathering was overly noisy, overly packed, overly... Staged. Everyone acting as if they weren’t worn out acting as if they hadn’t yet mourned the Milky Way acting as if they weren’t scared of what lay.
She loathed gatherings. Always had. Particularly when Scott wasn’t there.
He had vanished into the throng some time likely making his way around being courteous fulfilling his role, as the Pathfinder. She held no resentment towards him. He excelled at that. She did not.
Nonetheless it hurt.
“Having a time, at the party?" came the voice beside her quiet and well-known.
She avoided his gaze. "You abandoned me.”
That caused him to hesitate. "I apologize " he said, turning to look at her. "I didn’t expect you’d want me stuck next, to you all the time. I assumed you’d prefer to be else.”
“I would " she replied, then exhaled. ". It’s simpler with you.”
Initially Scott remained silent. He simply stood still observing her. The party lights danced across her face highlighting the contour of her jaw and the blond strands in her hair. She appeared exhausted. Not merely, in a sense—that as well—but the sort of weariness that seeps into your very bones. A fatigue that sleep could not remedy.
“You ought to speak with others " she said gently now. "You’re the Pathfinder.”
“I’d rather be here with you.”
At last she directed her gaze toward him. "I suppose I ought to join the others. I’m meant to be the voice of wisdom remember? Especially, amidst all this madness.”
“You’ve put in plenty of effort tonight " he remarked. "It’s a celebration, not a conference.”
He moved nearer softly lifting her chin so she was forced to look into his eyes his stubbornness shining through. A characteristic inherited from his father. "You’ve been pushing yourself hard. If you don’t rest you’ll end up exhausted.. Don’t debate me—I’m certain I’m right.”
She offered a smile. "Exactly, like your father…”
He laughed softly. "Yeah I hear that often.”
His tone grew gentle. "I mean it Cora. You’ve been handling everything for everyone. It’s time to let someone care for you for a change.”
She paused, reluctantly agreeing, then remarked, "There is something I’ve been meaning to do…”
Scott cocked his head. "Yeah?”
“There’s a balcony by. The music is still audible though softer. With people, around it’s easier to dance without bumping into anyone.”
He chuckled. "Is your plan to have me all to yourself, beneath the night sky?”
“Maybe.”
He smiled, intertwining his fingers with hers. "Well now that you phrase it that way…”
They exited quietly unnoticed by anyone. The hallways were still, with the steady drone of the station filling the background. The balcony was hidden behind doors offering a view of the stars. The sight was stunning—a darkness speckled with points of light. A silence that made you feel insignificant yet not unpleasantly so.
Scott moved behind her his arms encircling her waist. "This feels better " he whispered.
Cora relaxed against him allowing herself to take a breath. To truly breathe. Her head settled on his chest. Together they started to move slowly to the soft melody seeping through the walls.
“I’ve longed for this " he murmured. "Longed for you.”
“I missed what we had " she expressed. "Perhaps during the holidays we could, at last be together.”
He pressed a kiss, on the crown of her head. "That sounds perfect. Just the two of us. No jobs. No pressure.”
“Just the two of us,” she echoed.
"Just the two of us." Scott softly repeated back, a reassurance as they drifted through the night.