Title: The First Ten Years
Author: Little Red
Rating: R for a graphic sex scene.
Category: Sheppard/Weir. Romance. Christmas fic.
Spoilers: Nothing important or plot-related. Something from "Home" is mentioned.
Summary: The first year, John notices that she is quiet at Christmas.
Author's Note: In our first official act as the founders of the Society for the Proliferation and Defense of Fluff, Christi and I decree that it is never too late for Christmas fic!
Credit: Tammy is beta-GODDESS. There are no words for how good she is at this. -bows down-
Dedication: for A.j., who has been owed this one since the pilot.
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The first year, John notices that she is quiet at Christmas.
Grodin and Ford mastermind the holiday festivities, rallying the troops to hang makeshift decorations all over the control room and enlisting the Athosians to distill something that will serve as eggnog. Elizabeth goes along with it all, smiling bravely at one and all and doing her best to encourage any activity that will distract the members of the Atlantis expedition from thinking too much about home.
She says nothing when the crew begin exchanging anecdotes of their family holiday traditions. He says nothing, either, but that's because there is very little unique about yearly complaints of debt and depression, of hated relatives or a box of presents perfect for a boy two or three years younger arriving a few weeks late from his father.
"What's wrong?" he asks her when her cheerful facade slips a little.
Elizabeth was toying with the pendant around her neck with one finger but pulls her hand away as soon as he speaks. "Ran out of Pegasus Eggnog," she answers, displaying her empty mug.
She never tells anyone anything about herself if she doesn't have to. He suspects she hasn't always been like that.
Elizabeth goes off to refill both their cups, and he watches her go.
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