Work Text:
i.
Christina knows "the boys" as she lovingly calls them, have her back no matter what. She prides on being a strong person, but lately finds herself exhausted and running on adrenaline. One day, after a particularly long day of training, she's getting ready to go home and feels a strong hand on her shoulder. She looks up and it's Victor, looking concerned.
"You okay, Tina?"
"Just tired, that's all," Christina answers, trying to paste on a smile.
"It's been a long day," Victor agrees. "Hey, why don't you come over to my house for dinner and we can watch a movie? The family is loud but.."
"That sounds great," Christina says, "I was trying to get the strength to figure out what to cook for dinner."
Victor smiles, and gives her a hug. "Anytime, sis. You're always welcome."
ii.
She's known Reid the longest. She knows what makes him laugh (he's really into slapstick comedy), what makes him cry (asking him about his late wife, Carroll), and knows what brings joy to him (his kids). Reid is very physical in his affection and she loves how you never have to know where you stand with him. He loves hard. She is glad he is their commander; a kind of rock amidst some slightly tumultuous and ever-changing times.
It's launch day. A day that has been building up for three years, since they've started training for the mission. Really though, it's been a dream in the making for her whole life. If she can't land on the moon, then circling around the far side is pretty damn amazing.
Christina takes a deep breath as they prepare to go in the shuttle to the rocket, and tries to quell the butterflies dancing around in her stomach. Excitement, she reminds herself. Not anxiety. Reid glances over at her.
"Ready, Nana?"
She smiles at the nickname, familiar and comforting. She is nicknamed Nana at the office, a reminder that she is the one holding people together too.
"Ready boss."
They fist bump and he gives her a light slap on the back.
Classic Reid.
iii.
She's not supposed to have favourites- after all, she does love all her "brothers" equally- but she feels especially connected to Jeremy, the Canadian. He is steady, loving in a quiet way, and always wants to know how he can help.
It's the end of the long media cycle, and she simultaneously wants to be done, but doesn't want to be done. Christina loves being with her "emotional support astronauts" as she had dubbed in an interview. Being apart from them for a long period fills her up with a sort of dread she hasn't been expecting.
Jeremy finds her after their last interview in the dressing room, her eyes filled with tears.
He sits next to her. "What's going on, Chris?"
"I know we will all still see each other at NASA, but it's going to be different. I'll miss all the time we've spent together."
He mused. "Yeah, me too. Even if we still do monthly dinners together as a crew, it's going to feel a bit different too. We've been living in this bubble together for awhile."
Christina nodded, silently, and just let the tears fall. Jeremy enveloped her in a hug, his big frame engulfing Christina's small one.
"Want to come camping with us this weekend? Catherine and the kids would love to have you."
Christina smiled. "I'd love that."
They have a wonderful weekend together with Jeremy's family. Lots of bike riding, shared laughter, food, and hiking fills Christina up again. The last night, after everyone is asleep, she sits on a log and looks at the moon. Looking at the moon feels different now. She can't explain it- she just knows.
"Can't sleep?" Jeremy is beside her, shivering a bit.
"Nope, you neither?" He shakes his head.
"Hey, Jer?"
"Yeah, Nana?"
"Thanks," she says, looking at him.
"For what?"
"Everything."
He smiles, as she puts her head on his shoulder, and they look at the moon.