Chapter Text
‘I don’t know what I’m doing.’
Christina plops onto the sofa in his office, making him glance up from the papers spread across his desk.
‘No, our government doesn’t know what they’re doing. I think you’re just fine.’
She glares at him, arms crossed over her chest.
‘That’s not very helpful. The bar is on the floor.’
‘No, but it’s true, isn’t it?’
‘Oh, shut up, Reid.’
He just smirks and returns to the reports, letting her stew - he knows she comes back to him once she is ready to share whatever is bothering her.
Silence falls between them, the sound of his typing filling the room.
Christina bites her lip, her foot tapping nervously against the polished floor of the Commander’s office.
After a few minutes, she approaches his desk and slips into the chair in front of him, one leg tucked under her body.
‘I can’t deal with the popularity. There are people seeing something in me I’m not sure I have. They see this strong, independent woman who went to space, rounded the Moon, but… I’m not her. I wish I were.’
She sighs and lowers her gaze to her hands, her fingers playing with the zipper of her suit.
‘I just feel like I have to be perfect, you know? And I’m not. I don’t want to become a statue.’
Reid takes off his glasses and touches her wrist from across the desk.
‘Hey, Tina, look at me, please.’
He pokes her wrist with his index finger, and she reluctantly complies.
‘You are her’
She rolls her eyes, but Reid does not relent.
‘No, listen to me, Tina. You are the heroine. You spent a record-breaking amount of time on the ISS. And did I mention the first all-female EVA? C’mon, dude! That’s something to be proud of! And do not forget Artemis II. That was pretty cool, too.’
He playfully nudges her, making her smile slightly.
‘We were thrust into this celebrity status without a parachute, but look what you managed to achieve by just being you. So many little girls watched you round the Moon and thought, “I could do that too because Christina said so.’ You don’t get to decide on your importance, no matter how much it scares you.’
Christina glances up at him and nods, her upper lip trembling slightly.
Reid pretends not to notice. He lets her be vulnerable without feeling too exposed.
‘Dude?’ Christina’s voice breaks the silence, her eyes staring at him sceptically, a hint of amusement crossing her face.
‘Not good?’
‘Horrible. Please don’t use that again.’
Reid wrinkles his nose and sighs.
‘Just trying to be cool.’
‘Please don’t,’ she shakes her head, her lips quirked into a smile, ‘grandpa.’
‘Oh, that’s nice. Go ahead, offend the one person who wants to help you,’ he says in mock offence, trying and failing not to smile.
Christina grins at him, her mood lifted if only temporarily.
‘Wanna grab some lunch, old man?’
‘Hey, seriously, rub it in, won’t you?’ but he gets up, leading her out of the door, his hand resting protectively on the small of her back.
They are bickering all the way down to the cafeteria. Reid stops abruptly, and Christina has to grab his arms for support to prevent herself from falling.
‘What the..’ but he doesn’t let her finish.
He grabs her arm, pulling her away from the bustling crowds of the common canteen.
‘Reid?’
He looks around like a scared puppy, his eyes narrowed as he actively scans the crowd.
She would find it endearing if it weren’t so weird.
‘I will buy you the best dinner ever, just please don’t attract any attention to us because..’
His voice falters as he catches a glimpse of something over Christina’s shoulder, and groans.
‘Commander Weisman!’ a female voice rings behind him.
Christina almost cackles at the unhappiness written all over his face.
‘Whatever happens, please don’t leave me!’ He whispers quickly, watching Hannah approach.
‘Hannah! How are you doing today?’
He clasps his hands and takes an unconscious step back, putting Christina between him and Hannah.
‘Good, good. A lot of press releases these days. Actually, I was hoping to catch up with you.’
She eyes him flirtatiously, completely ignoring Christina, who is sandwiched between them.
‘Yes? Am I missing out on PR pamphlets, or will I get a scolding for my recent interviews?’
He tries to be civil, nice even, and Christina wants to roll her eyes because that’s what gets him in trouble every time.
‘Neither - just wanted to check in on how you’re dealing with the increased popularity.’
‘Oh that… I’m doing well, I think? Although I didn’t expect the whole edit phenomenon.’
Hannah just nods, eyeing Christina warily. She looks her up and down, her glance a little bit too hostile to be mistaken for curiosity.
‘I’m glad. When you have time today, please stop by my office. We need to discuss the Houston press conference next Tuesday.’
Christina can tell she would like to get him alone, and frankly, she can’t blame her.
Sometimes she feels that too.
Reid nods.
‘Sure. I’ll make sure to stop by.’
‘Right. Let me circle back. Have a nice lunch.’
‘Thank you.’
Hannah mingles with the ever-growing crowd of JSC employees, Christina's eyes following her until she completely disappears.
‘I bet she would love to scold you,’ she murmurs once the woman is completely out of sight and turns to look at Reid.
‘What?’
‘She has a major crush on you, Reid. Her eyes almost spilled hearts when she looked at you. That’s equally endearing and disgusting.’
Reid just snorts and shakes his head.
‘Don’t be ridiculous, Tina. I really do need to go over the event plan with the PR team.’
‘Mhm. Sure. Keep telling yourself that.’
Reid looks at her, his eyes almost pleading with her to let it go.
Christina just raises her hands in surrender.
‘I’m just saying.’
‘Yeah, because I’m such a catch. Obviously, nobody can resist me,’ he rolls his eyes, grabbing her hand to pull her towards the cafeteria.
Christina doesn’t comment.
She holds onto his hand for just a little longer, trying to convince herself that her heart does not skip at his every touch.