Next Christmas
They didn't get many moments like this; quiet moments; moments where it seemed that time was just passing by and they were separate from it. The waters around the city were serenely still, as if the the world itself knew this was a time for calm and tranquility.
Atlantis' Chief Medic and Chief 'Genius' had found a secluded balcony on the eastern side of the city. It was the day after a busy, but nicely uneventful, Christmas in the Pegasus Galaxy. Most of the crew were either working, or trying to sleep off bloated bellies gained from yesterday's festivities. Rodney McKay and Carson Beckett were watching the stars.
"I knew I shouldn't have had any of that god awful stuff that Teyla gave us," Rodney moaned as he shifted position against the outer wall of the city. "My stomach has felt terrible all day!"
"Aye," agreed the doctor, smiling, "It was strong stuff. Good though."
"Well I think a nice glass of Australian red is much more palatable myself."
Carson laughed and turned to his friend. "Since when did you become a wine buff Rodney?"
"Since I started reading that book my sister gave me for Christmas."
"The one she gave you ten years ago that you said you've been using as a door stop, you mean?"
"...yes."
Dr. Beckett smiled but decided not to pursue the subject. It was nice to hear Rodney talking about something that wasn't work for a change.
That was the problem with Atlantis; as fun, exciting and rewarding as their lives were, it never let them go, even at Christmas. With a renewed connection to Earth a few crew members had been granted leave, with those with young families having priority. With no spouse or children to return to, Carson and Rodney had quite happily agreed to stay in the city.
"Next Christmas I'll go home." Carson broke from his thoughts to turn once again with surprise towards his companion.
"Go home?"
"Yes, 'go home'! Why not?" Rodney replied, slightly agitated. "It would be good to have a Christmas in snow again, and without the never-ending pressures of impending death!" Carson had to smile at Rodney's constant pessimism. "Besides," he continued, "I could go and visit Jeannie and Madison."
"I thought you didn't like family?"
"I don't, normally, but that's what Christmas is about, isn't it?" Carson couldn't disagree. Before joining the Stargate program he would always be in Scotland with his family, eating far too much turkey and mince pies, and always playing charades after too much whisky. Maybe next year, if possible, it would be nice to spend Christmas again in his home town.
The two men sat quietly and watched the stars, each with their own thoughts of Christmas back on Earth. Eventually it was the Canadian who broke the comfortable silence.
"Maybe," he said quietly, as if he was afraid the stars might be listening, "if we can go back to Earth next Christmas, you would like to spend it with me?"
Carson smiled. "Now that sounds like a wonderful idea. Here," he continued, handing Rodney a small glass of his finest malt, "here's to next Christmas!"
