Disclaimer: Not mine
Notes: ... I'm not really sure if an interstellar military organization in the distant future would celebrate any holidays at all, even though I tried to give a sort of of explanation. It it doesn't work for you... um, Power Rangers logic?
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Time Force Academies celebrated the holidays of the planet they were stationed on-- something Katie was eternally grateful for as she tossed her few pieces of civilian clothing and what she'd need to work on her term paper (which she was going to do over the break, really) into her bag. She'd been waiting for Thanksgiving since the semester had begun, and in about six hours, she'd finally be back with her family again. As great as Time Force was, sometimes she wondered if it was really worth it if the separations from her parents and brother were going to be this painful.
The corridor was empty-- it was the end of the day, so everyone was either with family, or friends, or just enjoying a few days' worth of freedom. Katie turned a corner, fully prepared to enjoy all three... and then she noticed that Trip was alone in the lounge.
Curious, she took a seat next to him. "Trip, it's Thanksgiving break. What're you doing here?" She knew he was more than a little shy, and she'd been doing her best to get him to come out of his shell, and she had thought it was working... at least until now.
He didn't look away from the portable computer. "Just putting the finishing touches on my Advanced Robotics project."
Katie frowned, running a hand through her hair. "That's not due for a week. And if anyone needs a holiday, it's a workaholic like you."
He glanced at her, and the light caught on his gem. "Xybrians don't celebrate this holiday," he reminded her gently.
"Neither do any of the other off worlders, but they're still celebrating having time off," she reminded him not quite as gently.
Trip shrugged, suddenly looking uncomfortable. "Yeah, but... I don't have anyone to celebrate with, so I just figured..."
Katie fought the urge to pull him into a sympathetic hug... and then an idea hit her.
"Well, why don't you come celebrate with me?"
He gaped at her, face bright red. "B-but I don't know any of your family-- and I'm--"
"My family will love you. And besides, I want to see what you're like when you're not cramming for classes."
He seemed to be considering it, rubbing the back of his neck. "Katie, I just don't know..."
It was becoming clear that the direct approach wasn't going to work... so Katie decided to hit his weak spot.
She placed her hands on his shoulders and leaned forward to whisper in his ear. "Hey, remember that Boston cream pie my dad sent me that I shared with you?"
"Yes..."
She leaned in a little further. "Every Thanksgiving, he makes three of them. You could eat your fill and then some."
Katie had never seen Trip turn off a machine that fast before. "Okay, I'll just get my things-- don't worry, I pack light!" He was gone before she could say anything else.
She smiled and leaned back as she waited for him, silently giving thanks that she'd come up with a way to truly pull Trip out of his shell.
