4 weeks to Christmas:
"What the hell is that?"
Wash has to bite her lip to hide her amusement at the commander´s outburst, disgust clearly audible in his voice as he stares into the container they´ve just opened.
"Heaven."
"What?"
"Heaven, not hell, Sir- it´s Christmas wrapping paper."
"Wrapping paper?"
He parrots her, looking even more confused now and Wash nods, indicating a second container next to them and watches Taylor´s eyes narrow.
"There´s more?"
"Ribbons, Sir, to go with the wrappings."
For a moment he stares at her, incredulously, obviously trying to wrap his mind around the fact that something that horrible has happened in his colony without his knowledge.
"Who would waste the space of two containers for that?"
Wash shrugs, glancing towards the market where the vendors are busy hanging Christmas decorations, the small carts and huts are already adorned with tiny lights and pine arrangements.
"Not everybody is focussed on military equipment, Sir, the civilians are much more interested in celebrating Christmas in style."
Taylor looks as though he might be sick at any moment as he observes the preparations going on in the market, then he looks back at the two containers.
"Wrapping paper, Wash?"
"Wrapping paper- shall I have it moved to one of the storehouses?"
"By all means, the sooner it gets out of the way, the better."
They are joined by Guzman and his daughter, the girl looking as enthusiastic as only a twelve year old can at the sight of the mountain of colorful paper.
"Can I have some, Dad? When it´s on sale, I mean?"
Guz winks at Wash, then focusses on his daughter again.
"Sure, Tasha, you need to wrap all the presents you´re getting your awesome Dad after all."
The girl frowns, then giggles as she realizes he is joking.
"Ok, Dad."
Tasha spots Skye Tate and barely remembers to say goodbye before bouncing off to meet her friend, leaving the three soldiers next to the open containers.
The commander is still looking disgruntled and Wash motions for a couple of soldiers to move the containers before she follows her CO over towards the market, Guz trailing behind them.
"What´s wrong?"
He whispers, careful not to be overheard by Taylor.
"Too much Christmas cheer" Wash replies quietly and then they both chuckle, causing their CO to turn and observe them with raised eyebrows.
"Care to fill me in on the fun?"
They exchange a look, then turn back to Taylor with perfectly blank expressions.
"It´s nothing, Sir."
Wash replies, voice perfectly serious now.
"Hm- in that case would someone care to explain why I wasn´t informed about the plan to turn the market into a giant gingerbread house?"
This time it´s Guz who replies, sounding a little hesitant as though he expects Taylor to blow up into his face at any moment and knowing their CO as well as she does, Wash thinks that his concern is perfectly justified.
"I didn´t think it was a big deal, Sir, the vendors built a committee and approached me with a concept last month, I checked it thoroughly for security risks and when I didn´t find any, I approved it."
Taylor growls low in his throat and Guz actually takes a step back while Wash looks sharply at the commander, it´s well known that Taylor isn´t a fan of the holiday season, can´t understand why people expect everyone to be merry and bright simply because it´s that time of the year but in his second´s opinion that´s no reason to ruin it for everybody else.
"If there´s no breech of protocol there shouldn´t be a problem, should there, Commander."
She uses his title on purpose, this whole thing has gotten far too personal and Taylor apparently needs a reminder that this isn´t something to loose his head over, he nods jerkily, his expression so close to a pout that Wash can´t help but smile, even though she´s careful to not let him notice.
Guz is still standing out of reach of his CO and now clears his throat, causing both Taylor and his second to look at him.
"Uh- if that´s all, Sir, I´m scheduled to go OTG in ten minutes."
"OTG? What for?"
Guz squirms a little, looking pleadingly at Wash before replying "Mistletoe, Sir."
"Mistletoe?"
Taylor sounds as though he´s seriously questioning his lieutenant´s sanity by now and the younger man gulps.
"Yes, Sir- the vendors have requested it and-"
"And you didn´t see any harm in it, so you´re going OTG to get them some mistletoe."
"Well- yes- that was the general idea-" Guz takes another step backwards as Taylor swells with indignation and Wash hastily steps between the two men.
"In that case you´d better hurry, Guz, your team´s probably waiting for you."
Relief is clearly visible and he nods at Taylor before almost falling over his own feet in his hurry to get away, as second in command Wash technically is Guzman´s superior and can give him orders though she usually doesn´t, right now she has a feeling that Guzman asking Taylor to be dismissed to go and look for mistletoe outside might have been a little risky.
She feels Taylor´s hand on her upper arm and turns slowly, trying to ignore the tingling sensation his touch always causes lately, it´s something she rather not thinks about too intently, it´s stupid and distracting, not to mention useless to have feelings for one´s commanding officer and Wash prides herself in being a sensible person.
"First wrapping and now mistletoe? Anything else I do not want to know about?"
"I believe I´m going OTG to find some suitable pine trees to be sold for the housing units, Sir."
"Sure, why not, pine trees, great."
His expression so much resembles a pout that all Wash can do is keep herself from reaching up and brushing her thumb over his lower lip, the mere thought making her shiver and Taylor finally releases her arm, frowning.
"Are you cold?"
They are both wearing heavy, fur lines parkas, it´s gotten really cold and they are expecting snow, the first snow since they´ve come through the portal three years ago since the last two winters have been stormy and wet but not cold enough.
She shakes her head in answer to his question and he looks even more confused but doesn´t call her on it, instead he motions for her to follow him further into the crowded market, other than in the years before where they had only had one pilgrimage each, only soldiers and a few workers to help building the housing units and perimeter line as well as some farmers and medical personal there have been three groups of this year, the third pilgrimage mostly the families of their security forces and more recruits for the units, the fourth and fifth more or less civilians, both lottery winners and people that have been requested to help built a balances community.
In consequence where there have only been about one hundred and fifty people here last Christmas, most of them living at the barracks and more than happy to celebrate the season with a few hot alcoholic beverages, this year there are about six hundred people living at Terra Nova, mostly families with children and Wash can see why their people are looking forward to Christmas so much, it´s an opportunity to get to know everyone, have small get- togethers with friends and neighbors and just generally be in a festive mood.
Taylor suddenly stops and she almost runs into him.
"You´re not going to get a Christmas tree, are you?"
She thinks about that for a moment, she hasn´t exactly been planning on it but now he mentions it, she can´t resist teasing him a little.
"Of course, Sir, I thought we could set it up in the office, perhaps between the desk and the conference table, wouldn´t that be nice?"
Taylor´s reaction is lost on her when she feels something cold on her hand and looks up, all around them voices are erupting as the first snow flakes start to fall, dancing in the light wind, most people, including Wash, have never seen snow before and it´s just as beautiful as she has imagined it, pure white and glistening and fluffy.
When she finally turns back to her CO she finds Taylor watching her, a strange, almost wistful expression on his face.
"It´s beautiful" she tells him, a little confused by his intense gaze and when he replies his words only serve to puzzle her even further.
"Yes, absolutely beautiful."
